Omer 1: Hope in a Hurting World

You’ll get two posts today since the first day of the omer was yesterday, so consider this your introduction. Along with many people, the last several days, weeks, months, truly years – I’ve felt more and more unfamiliar with the world around me, frightened for the future, and drawn to build strong community ties. In this season of dread, shreds of hope still exist – even when difficult to grasp. This year, I want to use the omer as an open prompt to navigate thoughts, inspirations, ideas, questions as they come my way.

[First, as a reminder, the omer is the name of the time between Pesach/Passover and Shavuot/Pentecost, seven weeks total, though we count to the fiftieth day. This marked the time between the barley and wheat harvests.]

Passover is my favorite holiday (perhaps yours, too?) – and this year, brought levity in a new way. As part of my hosting the second Seder, I thought much about bringing in modern interpretations and moments to expand on how we might act with the goal of freedom for all people. My co-journeyers offered insights that mixed the work of freeing the enslaved and oppressed with the joyful moments and practices that bolster our work, such as music.

And so, on the first day of the omer (yesterday), I hope to continue finding and bringing joy to our work, knowing that even if this were the best of times, the work would still exist and our efforts are essential.