How to Celebrate Lag Ba’Omer, from My Jewish Learning

EDITOR’S NOTE: Since we’re counting the Omer anyway, this seems to me to be a good time to take this deep dive into a subject we rarely talk about and seldom face until we or a loved one are living through it. I think this is worth the trip. Please take the time to click on and read each article, even if you do one once a day for each of the 49 days. Since I am late in finding and posting this, you’ll have to do some fast catching up. But I think it will be worth it.

Kavod v’Nichum Logo
This week, we’re thinking about the passage of time and reflecting on two moments in particular.

We’re remembering one million people in our communities whose lives were claimed by Covid-19 as we solemnly cross a tragic milestone this week in the United States. We hold them close and pray that their memories bring comfort and blessing.

This week also marked the halfway point of counting the Omer, the 49 days between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. Kavod v’Nichum’s wrote on end-of-life conversations, the passage of time, and the journey of grief for Limmud North America’s 49 steps project.

Marking the days helps us to feel time in ways that we don’t normally stop to reflect on. Whether we are counting days toward joy or we are pausing to feel the weight of two and a half years, we allow ourselves to make sacred moments together.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom.
END OF LIFE CONVERSATIONS

This is a reminder of the Kabbalat Shabbat service led by Devorah Werner on the first Friday of the month, May 6, 2022, 5 Iyyar, 5782, at 6:00 P.M. at the Bethel.

As discussed and approved by the church council on June 8, 2021, all organizations that are using the facilities will be required to follow all the current use guidelines or any new guidelines adopted by the church council or as mandated by any federal, state or local government agency.

Current guidelines include but are not limited to:

• Masks will be voluntary and are recommended if persons are or have been ill, or if people are more comfortable wearing them.
• Social Distancing would still be appreciated.
• Food or beverages will be allowed upon request. Council will review requests.
• All contact surfaces must be wiped down with a sanitization product before leaving.
• Any additional expense incurred due to requirements for additional sanitization of the facilities, or part of, shall be paid by the responsible parties involved.

The address for the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.

Hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Since the weather forecast is predicting rain or snow on Sunday, May 2, we have postponed the cemetery cleanup for two weeks. We are tentatively planning it for Sunday, May 16, at 10:00 A.M. weather permitting. So bring a lawn mower or a weed whacker or the willingness to run one, or trash bags or a rake or whatever you have around, plus a sack lunch and something to drink for yourself.
Eaton Road Cemetery Driving Directions
Satellite view of Eaton Road Cemetery