T

hirty-five young adults gathered at Jam Handy in 
Detroit on Friday, Aug. 12, for a Tu b’
Av Shabbat 
experience with The Well. Tu b’
Av is often referred to 
as Jewish Valentine’s Day, and Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh integrated 
themes of love and wholeness into the Shabbat service. 
Together with musicians Keith Schonberger and Noah 
Rozenberg, Rabbi Stombaugh led participants through a 
musical Shabbat service that included songs like Elton John’s 
“Your Song” and The Lumineers’ “Hey Ho” in addition to 
traditional Kabbalat Shabbat prayers.
Prior to settling in for services, participants engaged in 
intention-setting stations. Using hydro-degradable paper, 
participants considered what they wanted to let go of from the 
week. After writing it down, they dropped their slips of paper 
into a bowl of water and watched them dissolve in front of 
them.
Participants also considered what they wanted to hold on to 
from the previous week and take with them into Shabbat and 
received a miniature notebook and pen with which to journal. 
Once intentions for Shabbat were set, the group enjoyed 
services, followed by an outdoor dinner catered by La Palma, a 
local Mediterranean restaurant in Detroit. 

Tu b’Av 
Shabbat:
A Night of Love 
and Wholeness

NEXT DOR

36 | SEPTEMBER 15 • 2022 

PHOTOS AND STORY PROVIDED BY THE WELL

Participants Carly Eisen, Drew Stern, Jen Stern and Noah Rozenberg 
enjoy a drink together before services begin.
Stephanie Belsky, Hannah Berger and Rachel Wasserman are all smiles 
for Shabbat.

Together in the round, participants welcome Shabbat with music and 
prayer.

Participants raise a glass for 
Kiddush before enjoying Shabbat 
dinner from La Palma. L’chaim!

VOICE OF A 
NEW GENERATION