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Today, as you count the Omer, understand Jewish wisdom about the source of our happiness.
Baruch Ata Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-olam asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al s’firat ha’omer. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with sacred actions and enjoins us to count the omer.
Hayom tishah v’esrim yom, shehem arbah-ah shavuot v’yom echad la-omer. Today is 29 days which are 4 weeks and 1 day of the Omer.
There are 2 opportunities to act for LGBT civil rights this week, so in today’s count, we focus on social change! FIRST: FOR THE RIGHT TO HAVE A MARRIAGE RECOGNIZED STATE TO STATE, JOIN US THIS THURS–US District Judge Mary McLaughlin has scheduled the oral arguments for Cara Palladino & Isabelle Barker v. Governor Thomas Corbett for Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 9:30 am in Courtroom 13-A, US Courthouse, 6th & Market Street, Philadelphia. Supporters of marriage equality are encouraged to be present at this historic case.
SECOND: SIGN-UP TO STAND TOGETHER WHEN THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY JUDGMENT COMES IN–If you would like to be on “stand-by” to gather for a rally on the evening of the decision of the Whitewood case which seeks to open the door to marriage equality in PA, please add your name by emailing edu@rodephshalom.org.
This week of Omer counting focuses on Hod, glory, and the glory of just decisions is exactly what we are praying for. Inspired by the Torah’s teaching that human beings are created in God’s image, our congregation affirms the worth and dignity of all God’s children and is proud to support Why Marriage Matters Pennsylvania and the movement to bring the freedom to marry to loving same-sex couples in Pennsylvania. For some time, the Why Marriage Matters PA campaign has known that our congregations and clergy stand with Marriage Equality. Now, we literally have the opportunity stand with the movement and to show up. Sometime in the next weeks, the judge in Whitewood v. Wolf, the case that seeks to strike down Pennsylvania’s law denying same-sex couples marriage equality, will decide in a summary judgment.
Sad desk lunch and social isolation– another angle on our community conversations about the role of food in our lives. Consider in today’s counting of the Omer: Have you recently connected with someone as you broke bread together?Continue reading
Baruch Ata Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-olam asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al s’firat ha’omer. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with sacred actions and enjoins us to count the omer.
Hayom shishah v’esrim yom, shehem shloshah shavuot vachamishah yamim la-omer. Today is 26 days which are three weeks and 4 days of the Omer.Continue reading
Gevurah sh’b netzach – strength within endurance – my cup overflows- (Psalm 23:5). With discipline, right intention, and compassion, I may dwell the divine and share/spread the abundance. (Thank you to our congregant Elise Luce Kraemer for sharing your inspirational Omer art!).
In what way does your cup overflow this Shabbat?
Baruch Ata Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-olam asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al s’firat ha’omer. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with sacred actions and enjoins us to count the omer.
Hayom chamishah v’esrim yom, shehem shloshah shavuot v’arba-ah yamim la-omer. Today is 25 days which are three weeks and 4 days of the Omer.
Wishing you a meaningful omer– Your RS Clergy
What is faith to you?
Baruch Ata Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-olam asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al s’firat ha’omer. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with sacred actions and enjoins us to count the omer.
Hayom arba-ah v’esrim yom, shehem shloshah shavuot ushloshah yamim la-omer. Today is 24 days which are three weeks and 3 days of the Omer.
Wishing you a meaningful omer– Your RS Clergy
Last week Secretary of State John Kerry was taped while speaking to a meeting of the Trilateral Commission in which he was complaining about the failure to make any progress in the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
During his comments, Kerry warned that Israel risks becoming “an apartheid state” if they cannot reach a two-state solution.
His remarks were widely condemned from across the political spectrum, both Democrats and Republicans, so much so that Kerry later back pedaled, saying “If I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word (than “Apartheid”) to describe my beliefs…”
Donald Sterling, the owner of the LA Clippers Professional Basketball Team, was banned for life from the NBA for making deeply offensive racist remarks, which were caught on tape and released to the public last week.Continue reading
Before you have kids, learn about your genes! Thurs., May 8, 6-9pm: If you are a young adult (or know one): RS invites anyone who is considering getting pregnant in the next couple of years to come learn about and be screened for Jewish genetic diseases. Enjoy a free dinner, learn about genetic diseases from a doctor and a personal story, watch the Phillies game while you wait your turn to get screened. Max out of pocket for screening: $99. Register here or just show up. Thank you to the Victor Center at Einstein and to our partners: The Collaborative/Tribe 12, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, and Interfaith Family.
On this daily count of the Omer, as Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day) begins, we honor the memories of Israel’s fallen soldiers.
Baruch Ata Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-olam asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al s’firat ha’omer. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with sacred actions and enjoins us to count the omer.
Hayom esrim yom, shehem shnei shavuot v’shishah yamim la-omer. Today is 20 days which are two weeks and 6 days of the Omer.
Wishing you a meaningful omer– Your RS Clergy
Counting the Omer today with inspiration from Naomi Shemer as we anticipate Yom Hazikaron (Israeli Memorial Day) Sunday evening and Yom Ha-atzme-ut (Israeli Independence Day) Monday evening.
The mountain air is clear as water
The scent of pines around
Is carried on the breeze of twilight,
And tinkling bells resound.
The trees and stones there softly slumber,
A dream enfolds them all.
So solitary lies the city,
And at its heart — a wall.
Continue reading
As, this Shabbat, we anticipate Tuesday’s celebration of Yom Ha-atzme-ut, Israel Independence Day, we are grateful for Israel and we pray for the day when we will have peace with our neighbors. Reform Movement VP Rabbi Jonah Pesner, now in Israel with their Board, writes of the growing strength and spiritual power of our progressive movement in Israel, the equality work of the Women of the Wall, and the rich arts and culture. Thank you, Reform leaders, for strengthening our ties with Israel. As we count the omer today, let us consider our own connection with Israel.Continue reading
