From Pesach through Shavuot, Jews across the world count the omer, a reminder of the small portion of grain offered to God each day when the Temple stood in Jerusalem.
This offering linked the freedom of the Exodus with the freedom to accept God’s covenant while standing at Mount Sinai. As Jews, we are taught that we all stood at Sinai and said, Naaseh v’nishma. We will do and we will listen.
As we journey from Pesach to standing at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, please read these inspirational messages shared by our congregants.
Say the B’rachah
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam,
asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al sefirat ha’omer.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who sanctifies us
with mitzvot, and commands us concerning the counting of the Omer.
Count the Omer
Hayom yom echad la’omer
Today is the first day of the Omer
(Second Seder Tonight)
Eve. of Sat., April 20–Sun., April 21
16th of Nisan–Omer 1
The most impactful thing that my Father taught me about being a Jew was integrity because integrity is how we honor G-d, each other, and ourselves.
— Helen Dorra
Count the Omer
Hayom sh’nei yamim la’omer
Today is the second day of the Omer
Eve. of Sun., April 21–Mon., April 22
17th of Nisan–Omer 2
The most impactful thing that my three children have taught me about being a Jew is that there are many different ways to express your faith, because they are each spiritual in their own style. This in turn has enriched my Jewish experience.
— Reena Goldberg
Eve. of Mon., April 22–Tues., April 23
18th of Nisan–Omer 3
Count the Omer
Hayom sh’loshah yamim omer
Today is the third day of the Omer
The most impactful thing that my Grandma taught me about being a Jew was tradition because she always made holiday dinners and it was very important that the traditional foods were made and the family was together to celebrate.
— Lisa Carney
Eve. of Tues., April 23–Wed., April 24
19th of Nisan–Omer 4
Count the Omer
Hayom arba’ah yamim omer
Today is the fourth day of the Omer
The most impactful thing that my FATHER taught me about being a Jew is that because I’m chosen, I have a responsibility to help others less fortunate than myself. Because, generosity, sharing, helping are some important Jewish values.
— Harlee Abromson
Eve. of Wed., April 24–Thurs., April 25
20th of Nisan–Omer 5
Count the Omer
Hayom chamishah yamim omer
Today is the fifth day of the Omer
The most impactful thing that my Mother taught me about being a Jew was “Never spread rumors, and have tolerance,” because she always said: “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all.”
[Even though my Mother was not Jewish; she instilled in her children ‘Universal’ attributes that are taught by our faith and other faiths. Converting to Judaism was not hard for me, as my Mother had laid the fundamental ground work long before my becoming a Jew.]
— Randy Boswell
Eve. of Thurs., April 25–Fri., April 26
21st of Nisan–Omer 6
Count the Omer
Hayom shishah yamim omer
Today is the sixth day of the Omer
Erev Last Day of Pesach
The most impactful thing Rabbi Barbara Symons taught me about being a Jew was stepping out of my comfort zone because without her gentle nudging, I would not be where I am today.
— Carol Gottlieb
Eve. of Fri., April 26–Sat, April 27
22nd of Nisan–Omer 7
Count the Omer
Hayom shivah yamim, sh’hem shavua echad la’omer
Today is the seventh day, making one week of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Dad taught me about being a Jew was the Shema because I say it every day.
— Joseph Raithel
Eve. of Sat., April 27–Sun., April 28
23rd of Nisan–Omer 8
Count the Omer
Hayom shemonah yamim, sh’hem shavua echad v’yom echad la’omer.
Today is the eighth day, making one week and one day of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Dad taught me about being a Jew was to be accepting of everyone from all backgrounds (don’t let religion come between people), because we’re more similar than we are different.
— Rachel Beck
Eve. of Sun., April 28–Mon., April 29
24th of Nisan–Omer 9
Count the Omer
Hayom tishah yamim, sh’hem shavua echad ushnei yamim la’omer.
Today is the ninth day, making one week and two days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing my teacher, Mrs. Eisenberg taught me about being a Jew was learning Hebrew because Torah is important to me.
— Henry Casher
Eve. of Mon., April 29–Tues., April 30
25th of Nisan–Omer 10
Count the Omer
Hayom asarah yamim, sh’hem shavua echad u’sheloshah yamim la’omer.
Today is the tenth day, making one week and three days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Nana taught me about being a Jew was the major Jewish holidays!!! because I was young and didn’t know anything.
— Jakob Williams
Eve. of Tues., April 30–Wed., May 1
26th of Nisan–Omer 11
Count the Omer
Hayom achad-asar yom, sh’hem shavua echad v’arba’ah yamim la’omer.
Today is the eleventh day, making one week and four days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Mother & Father taught me about being a Jew was to have strong, positive values & ethics, because being a good, practicing Jew is the way to “live your life”!
— Andy Schmitt
Eve. of Wed., May 1–Thurs., May 2
27th of Nisan–Omer 12
Yom HaShoah
Count the Omer
Hayom sh’nem-asar yom, sh’hem shavua echad v’chamishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the twelfth day, making one week and five days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Mom and Dad taught me about being a Jew was going to Tot Shabbat because we get to learn from Rabbi.
— Minda Raithel
Eve. of Thurs., May 2–Fri., May 3
28th of Nisan–Omer 13
Count the Omer
Hayom shloshah-asar yom, sh’hem shavua echad v’shishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the thirteenth day, making one week and five days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my own heart taught me about being a Jew is that I am one, because when I heard the service prayers for the first time, they were familiar!
— Tom Congedo
Eve. of Fri., May 3–Sat., May 4
29th of Nisan–Omer 14
Count the Omer
Hayom arba’ah-asar yom, sh’hem shnei shavuot la’omer.
Today is the fourteenth day, making two weeks of the Omer.
The most impactful thing my RABBIS (plural) taught me about being a Jew (and a mindful human being) was to “be in the moment” because when looking too far ahead or too far backward you miss the miracles right in front of you.
— Barbara Fisher
Eve. of Sat., May 4–Sun., May 5
30th of Nisan–Omer 15
Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Day 1
Count the Omer
Hayom chamishah-asar yom, sh’hem shnei shavuot v’yom echad la’omer.
Today is the fifteenth day, making two weeks and one day of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my husband taught me about being a Jew was by him including in his proposal, the question if I would keep kosher when we were married, because he felt it was important to have a Jewish home.
— Beverly Levine
Eve. of Sun., May 5–Mon., May 6
1st of Iyar–Omer 16
Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Day 2
Count the Omer
Hayom shishah-asar yom, sh’hem shnei shavuot ushnei yamim la’omer.
Today is the sixteenth day, making two weeks and two days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Grandpa taught me about being a Jew was being kind to others because you do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.
— Jennifer Brand
Eve. of Mon., May 6–Tues., May 7
2nd of Iyar–Omer 17
Count the Omer
Hayom shivah-asar yom, sh’hem shnei shavuot ushloshah yamim la’omer.
Today is the seventeenth day, making two weeks and three days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing my parents taught me about being a Jew was being grateful because when you are grateful you are happy.
— Sylvie Casher
Eve. of Tues., May 7–Wed., May 8
3rd of Iyar–Omer 18
Yom HaZikaron
Count the Omer
Hayom shmonah-asar yom, sh’hem shnei shavuot v’arba’a yamim la’omer.
Today is the eighteenth day, making two weeks and four days of the Omer.
The most important thing that my Dad taught me about being a Jew was in making difficult decisions, always do the right thing, because it is the Jewish way.
— Mindy Norman
Eve. of Wed., May 8–Thurs., May 9
4th of Iyar–Omer 19
Yom HaAtzmaut
Count the Omer
Hayom tishah-asar yom, sh’hem shnei shavuot v’chamishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the nineteenth day, making two weeks and five days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing my fellow Temple David members Linda Jacobs and Marcia Gottfried taught me about being a Jew was how to teach kindergarten class at Temple David because it was very rewarding.
— Jan Zimmer
Eve. of Thurs., May 9–Fri., May 10
5th of Iyar–Omer 20
Count the Omer
Hayom esrim yom, sh’hem shnei shavuot v’shishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the twentieth day, making two weeks and six days of the Omer.
Yom HaZikaron
The most impactful thing that my Mother taught me about being a Jew was not forgetting the Holocaust because this history will repeat.
— Hannah Dunn
Eve. of Fri., May 10–Sat., May 11
6th of Iyar–Omer 21
Count the Omer
Hayom echad v’esrim yom, sh’hem shloshah shavuot la’omer.
Today is the twenty-first day, making three weeks of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Grandpa taught me about being a Jew was how important Judaism can be in my life because he set examples for me by his actions and showed that he was truly the Patriarch of the family.
— Jacob Brand
Eve. of Sat., May 11–Sun., May 12
7th of Iyar–Omer 22
Mothers Day (Sun.)
Count the Omer
Hayom shnayim v’esrim yom, sh’hem shloshah shavuot v’yom echad la’omer.
Today is the twenty-second day, making three weeks and one day of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Mom taught me about being a Jew was lighting the Chanukah candles because I just like doing it.
— Aaron Dicola
Eve. of Sun., May 12–Mon., May 13
8th of Iyar–Omer 23
Count the Omer
Hayom sh’loshah v’esrim yom, sh’hem shloshah shavuot u-shnei yamim la’omer.
Today is the twenty-third day, making three weeks and two days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my husband taught me about being a Jew was how important family is because everything revolves around family and community.
— Pati Eisenberg
Eve. of Mon., May 13–Tues., May 14
9th of Iyar–Omer 24
Count the Omer
Hayom arba’a v’esrim yom, sh’hem shloshah shavuot u-shloshah yamim la’omer.
Today is the twenty-fourth day, making three weeks and three days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my teacher taught me about being a Jew was how to read Hebrew because I couldn’t participate in prayer if I didn’t know how.
— Samuel Sloan
Eve. of Tues., May 14–Wed., May 15
10th of Iyar–Omer 25
Count the Omer
Hayom chamishah v’esrim yom, sh’hem shloshah shavuot u-arba’ah yamim la’omer.
Today is the twenty-fifth day, making three weeks and four days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Rabbi taught me about being a Jew is that it involves action. Through application, I have come to know the undeniable truth in this, and it has enriched my life beyond measure.
— Deb Scheib
Eve. of Wed., May 15–Thurs., May 16
11th of Iyar–Omer 26
Count the Omer
Hayom shishah v’esrim yom, sh’hem shloshah shavuot v’chamishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the twenty-sixth day, making three weeks and five days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Grandmother taught me about being a Jew was Kashrut because she was ‘glatt’ kosher – it meant a great deal to her and I understand the significance of it.
— Richard Myerowitz
Eve. of Thurs., May 16–Fri., May 17
12th of Iyar–Omer 27
Count the Omer
Hayom shivah v’esrim yom, sh’hem shloshah shavuot v’shishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the twenty-seventh day, making three weeks and six days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Father taught me about being a Jew was to embrace each holiday with excitement, anticipation and reverence because he modeled this behavior and his love of Judaism showed every day!
— Gail Schmitt
Eve. of Fri., May 17-Sat., May 18
13th of Iyar–Omer 28
Count the Omer
Hayom shemonah v’esrim yom, sh’hem arba’ah shavuot la’omer.
Today is the twenty-eighth day, making four weeks of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my family taught me about being a Jew washow to live life because it’s important.
— Bunny Miller
Eve. of Sat., May 18–Sun., May 19
14th of Iyar–Omer 29
Pesach Sheni
Count the Omer
Hayom tishah v’esrim yom, sh’hem arba’ah shavuot v’yom echad la’omer.
Today is the twenty-ninth day, making four weeks and one day of the Omer.
“Life has to be protected. It is precarious. I would even go so far as to say that precarious life is, in a way, a Jewish value for me.”
— Judith Butler (American philosopher)
Eve. of Sun., May 19–Mon., May 20
15th of Iyar–Omer 30
Count the Omer
Hayom shloshim yom, sh’hem arba’ah shavuot u-shnei yamim la’omer.
Today is the thirtieth day, making four weeks and two days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my parents taught me about being a Jew was to berespectful of others because it comes from G-d’s commandments to form a just and peaceful society.
— Greg Casher
Eve. of Mon., May 20–Tues., May 21
16th of Iyar–Omer 31
Count the Omer
Hayom echad u-shloshim yom, sh’hem arba’ah shavuot u-shloshah yamim la’omer.
Today is the thirty-first day, making four weeks and three days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing Rachel taught me about being a Jew was reading Hebrew because I can read Hebrew now.
— Andrea Bright
Eve. of Tues., May 21–Wed., May 22
17th of Iyar–Omer 32
Count the Omer
Hayom shnaim u-shloshim yom, sh’hem arba’ah shavuot v’arba’ah yamim la’omer.
Today is the thirty-second day, making four weeks and four days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Grandmother, Rebecca Zimmer, taught me about being a Jew was tradition, because she gave me the tallis for my Bar Mitzvah and I still use it today.
— David Zimmer
Eve. of Wed., May 22–Thurs., May 23
18th of Iyar–Omer 33
Lag BaOmer
Count the Omer
Hayom shloshah u-shloshim yom, sh’hem arba’ah shavuot v’chamishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the thirty-third day, making four weeks and five days of the Omer.
Today is Lag BaOmer: the Thirty-third day of the omer, the period that links Passover and Shavuot. Historically, it was a day in the Second Century when a plague that affected Rabbi Akiva’s students let up. It has become a day for outdoor student celebrations, bonfires and weddings.
Lag BaOmer is a type of pause in the counting; a celebration of students and of teaching. Today, we invite you to consider what Jewish impact you have had on others.
Eve. of Thurs., May 23–Fri., May 24
19th of Iyar–Omer 34
Count the Omer
Hayom arba’ah u-shloshim yom, sh’hem arba’ah shavuot v’shishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the thirty-fourth day, making four weeks and six days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Dad taught me about being a Jew was to listen to Services because in the future you will know every Hebrew word.
— Gabby Keough
Eve. of Fri., May 24–Sat., May 25
20th of Iyar–Omer 35
Count the Omer
Hayom chamishah u-shloshim yom, sh’hem chamishah shavuot la’omer.
Today is the thirty-fifth day, making five weeks of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Father and Mother taught me about being a Jew was to strive to do my best because a mensch is responsible to himself/herself, family and to G-d.
— Anonymous
Eve. of Sat., May 25–Sun., May 26
21st of Iyar–Omer 36
Count the Omer
Hayom shishah u-shloshim yom, sh’hem chamishah shavuot v’yom echad la’omer.
Today is the thirty-sixth day, making five weeks and one day of the Omer.
“I don’t think life is absurd. I think we are all here for a huge purpose. I think we shrink from the immensity of the purpose we are here for.”
— Norman Mailer (American journalist, author)
Eve. of Sun., May 26–Mon., May 27
22nd of Iyar–Omer 37
Memorial Day (Mon.)
Count the Omer
Hayom shivah u-shloshim yom, sh’hem chamishah shavuot u-shnei yamim la’omer.
Today is the thirty-seventh day, making five weeks and two days of the Omer.
Mrs. Eisenberg teaches me many important things about Judaism because studying Judaism is good and I am happy.
— Anya Bakaturski
Eve. of Mon., May 27–Tues., May 28
23rd of Iyar–Omer 38
Count the Omer
Hayom sh’monah u-shloshim yom,
sh’hem chamishah shavuot ushloshah yamim la’omer.
Today is the thirty-eighth day, making five weeks and three days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Father taught me about being a Jew was “don’t make another person’s face red” because you are embarrassing that person and causing them discomfort. Follow the Golden Rule and treat all people as you wish to be treated.
— Heather Benes
Eve. of Tues., May 28–Wed., May 29
24th of Iyar–Omer 39
Count the Omer
Hayom tishah u-shloshim yom, sh’hem chamishah shavuot v’arba’ah yamim la’omer.
Today is the thirty-ninth day, making five weeks and four days of the Omer.
My quiet, thoughtful mother taught me the importance of family…family includes immediate family, and extended community… she lived her last years in an assisted living establishment, hours from her two daughters, but from the day she moved in, she made new friends, kept busy, and never complained… my extended family keeps me grounded and helps me get through difficult times, especially when my immediate family is so busy with everyday life and I don’t want to burden them.
— Barbara Holst
Eve. of Wed., May 29–Thurs., May 30
25th of Iyar–Omer 40
Count the Omer
Hayom arba’im yom, sh’hem chamishah shavuot v’chamishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the fortieth day, making five weeks and five days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Nana taught me about being a Jew was to pray because I can know all my prayers.
— Max Goss
Eve. of Thurs., May 30–Fri., May 31
26th of Iyar–Omer 41
Count the Omer
Hayom echad v’arba’im yom, sh’hem chamishah shavuot v’shisha yamim la’omer.
Today is the forty-first day, making five weeks and six days of the Omer.
“One of the most profound religious truths Judaism ever articulated was that G-d loves diversity; He does not ask us to serve Him in the same way.”
— Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (British Rabbi, author)
Eve. of Fri., May 31–Sat., June 1
27th of Iyar–Omer 42
Count the Omer
Hayom shnaim v’arba’im yom, sh’hem shishah shavuot la’omer.
Today is the forty-second day, making six weeks of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Grandpa taught me about being a Jew was becoming Bar Mitzvah because you are considered a real Jew and he also started a Bar Mitzvah fundraiser for me.
— Jake Carney
Eve. of Sat., June 1–Sun., June 2
28th of Iyar–Omer 43
Yom Yerushalayim
Count the Omer
Hayom shloshah v’arba’im yom, sh’hem shishah shavuot v’yom echad la’omer.
Today is the forty-third day, making six weeks and one day of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Bubbe & Zaydie taught me about being a Jew was that the Aleinu is the prayer that denotes the Service is almost over and it’s time for kichel; I’ve never forgotten it, and it brings back sweet memories.
— Rachel Farber
Eve. of Sun., June 2–Mon., June 3
29th of Iyar–Omer 44
Count the Omer
Hayom arba’ah v’arba’im yom, sh’hem shishah shavuot u-shnei yamim la’omer.
Today is the forty-fourth day, making six weeks and two days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Mother taught me about being a Jew was tospeak up when something isn’t right, because it makes a difference. Whether it was to advocate for being allowed to eat lunch in school on snowy days or to speak out when our neighborhood didn’t want a black family to move in, she lived and taught us all not be be silent when we could make a difference.
— Barbara Yergin
Eve. of Mon., June 3–Tues., June 4
1st of Sivan–Omer 45
Rosh Chodesh Sivan
Count the Omer
Hayom chamishah v’arba’im yom, sh’hem shishah shavuot u-shloshah yamim la’omer.
Today is the forty-fifth day, making six weeks and three days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my teacher taught me about being a Jew was how to observe the holidays because it taught me Jewish tradition.
— Malka Rubin
Eve. of Tues., June 4–Wed., June 5
2nd of Sivan–Omer 46
Count the Omer
Hayom shishah v’arba’im yom, sh’hem shishah shavuot v’arba’ah yamim la’omer.
Today is the forty-sixth day, making six weeks and four days of the Omer.
“Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.”
— Hannah Arendt (philosopher, political theorist)
Eve. of Wed., June 5–Thurs., June 6
3rd of Sivan–Omer 47
Count the Omer
Hayom shivah v’arba’im yom, sh’hem shishah shavuot v’chamishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the forty-seventh day, making six weeks and five days of the Omer.
My Nana taught me about what Jews do and taught me Hebrew because I am a Jew and I was born that way.
— Mya Schloer
Eve. of Thurs., June 6–Fri., June 7
4th of Sivan–Omer 48
Count the Omer
Hayom shemonah v’arba’im yom, sh’hem shishah shavuot v’shishah yamim la’omer.
Today is the forty-eighth day, making six weeks and six days of the Omer.
The most impactful thing that my Grapndpa (Papa) taught me about being a Jew was to study Torah because when I did, I would lead Services at his local Temple when I came to visit.
— Sara Pechersky
Eve. of Fri., June 7–Sat., June 8
5th of Sivan–Omer 49
Count the Omer
Hayom tishah v’arba’im yom, sh’hem shivah shavuot la’omer.
Today is the forty-ninth day, making seven weeks of the Omer.
Erev Shavuot
“Being a Jew is like walking in the wind or swimming: you are touched at all points and conscious everywhere.”
— Lionel Trilling (American literary critic, teacher, writer)
You have witnessed the impact of one Jew on another as well as considered your own impact. We are ready to stand together at Sinai in celebration of the Torah.
Please join us for Shavuot services:
Saturday, June 8
7 p.m. Evening Worship with Yizkor
9 p.m. Tikkun Leil Study
Sunday, June 9
10 a.m. Morning Worship with Confirmation