Virtual classes began and they enthusiastically completed their assignments. In the days before classes started, my children found ways to occupy themselves. Every time I thought I might get something done, it seemed that someone else needed me. That was just two weeks, but it was difficult. I still remember the “snowmaggedon” storms of 2009/10. Aside from the uncharted territory of the virtual space, I was concerned about the dynamics of two working parents and three children being together all day every day. I was anxious about the prospect of closing the synagogue and having to work from home. The Third Day of the Omer - Ap/ 18th of Nisan, 5780Ī Reflection about Unexpected Joy, by Rabbi Michael Safra We will get through this strange time together, even though we are apart It gives me hope that people’s first impulse during this time of social distance is to bridge that distance however we can, to connect and support each other. Friends and family have been reaching out to each other via phone, Zoom, and Facebook, to check in with each other and to chat. And of course I’m still connected with my B’nai community through our virtual minyanim and events. I’ve heard from friends whom I haven’t talked with in years, wanting to reconnect. My calendar now includes a weekly breakfast with college friends, a biweekly chat with my best friend and his daughter, and virtual playdates for Julia. I’ve been joking for several weeks that I have more of a social life during this pandemic than I do the rest of the time. The Second Day of the Omer - Ap/ 17th of Nisan, 5780Ī Reflection about Unexpected Joy, by Cantor Sarah Bolts I look forward to the time when Ruby is old enough to explore, create, and imagine with me. Rediscovering this childhood pastime has brought me unexpected joy. It’s amazing how searching through the box and working with these tiny Lego pieces transports me into another world and allows my mind to wander in fun and imaginative ways. Rebecca had a great idea-buy a new, challenging Lego set online to work on during the quarantine! So now I find myself building a Lego set once again, about 20 years since I last did this. Looking for a project the other day, I wished that I had those Legos. By the time I was a teenager and no longer interested in them, my mom had mixed the sets all together and put them in various plastic storage containers. The First Day of the Omer - Ap/ 16th of Nisan, 5780Ī Reflection about Unexpected Joy, by Rabbi Mitchell BerkowitzĪs a kid, I loved playing with Legos. How are we modeling resiliency for one another and what can we do to support one in another in this journey? During days 33-49, we will offer a daily email describing a strategy or a practice of resiliency. In this moment when the end is on the horizon but still far in the distance, we all need encouraging stories of resiliency and courage. We are also in the midst of a journey that seems to go on and on. But the journey of the Omer is meant to bring us from Egypt to Sinai, from redemption to revelation, and thus the journey must continue. The students of Rabbi Akiva no longer perished. During these first 32 days, we will offer a daily email describing a moment in which the author experienced unexpected joy-a surprising phone call, an act of lovingkindness, etc.ĭays 33-49: Once we reach Lag B’Omer, the 33 rd day of the Omer, the tone shifts. In our case, however, the pandemic has led individuals and communities to engage in acts of kindness and generosity, bringing out the best in humanity. How ironic that we too find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic. This is the period of time during which the students of Rabbi Akiva lost their lives to a devastating plague, apparently brought on by their inability to engage civilly with one another. 49 Days to Sinai: making these days countĭays 1-32: The first portion of the Omer is characterized by a semi-mournful tone, where we avoid celebrations and abstain from haircuts, among a few others customs.
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