Tag: #traditions
tradition, holidays, mitzvot, life cycle, customs
Every1Counts: Day 2
April 1, 2018 16 Nisan, 5778
TODAY IS TWO DAYS OF THE OMER
Gathering! Community! Family! One of my favorite things about being Jewish is that we are called go join together. Our commemorations and celebrations are meant to be marked with others. Joining together, either at TBA, or around someone’s dining table to grieve a loss, to celebrate a new life or marriage or to celebrate a holyday helps us lean on each other and to raise each other up.
As a kid I looked forward to joining my extended family for Rosh Hashanah or Passover and now as an adult, with a family of my own, I love that our house tends to be a central place for our family to gather to celebrate these same events.
As we celebrate Passover we begin to count the Omer. Traditionally this was a counting of the harvest which would hopefully reap a good crop that would sustain the farmer and his family for the year. As we, who are not farmers, count our blessings we come together as an extended family and live the phrase “it takes a village” because that is what it takes to be a community.
Cantor Margot E.B. Goldberg
Every1Counts: Day 1
March 31, 2018 15 Nisan, 5778
TODAY IS ONE DAY OF THE OMER
We begin Counting the Omer
We begin counting after sundown tonight, at the second seder.
(Since this is the Passover holiday, we are posting this prior to the first seder, so you do not have to use your computer on the holiday.)
Since 2012 we here at TBA have turned the Omer period between Passover and Shavuot into an amazing program called Every1Counts (E1C). This year, we’d are sharing the voices of our congregation. This year we wish to enhance our community by listening to each other, so we asked you to tell us, in 150 words or less, “What Does Being Jewish Mean to You?”
Now, for each day of the 49 days of the omer, we will share one response to this question.
Lox, Bagels, and Kasha Varnishkes. L’dor va’dor, Tikkun Olam, Mitzvahs. Dancing the Hora, Hiding the Matzah, Blessing the Challah. And, of course, Israel.
I feel blessed to be a part of a community that shares so many beautiful customs and beliefs, and cares so deeply about repairing our world. My synagogue is my “happy place,” and my clergy and congregation make me smile. I love “belonging,” and welcoming others.
Like the embrace of my Tallit, Judaism warms and comforts me. Like grandma’s chicken soup, Judaism nourishes and sustains me. With rich tradition and history, Judaism anchors and supports me.
My Judaism calms, centers and soothes me. For me, Judaism is that warm cozy knowledge that you are home.
Debra Drattell
