Counting the Days to Make the Days Count

by Nina Fondiller Woldin

What’s on your to-do list today?

I write a list almost every day. Crossing off tasks gives me a feeling of accomplishment, and adding to the list as the day goes on helps me make sure I don’t forget anything.

My list today is packed with activities that need to be fit together like puzzle pieces. Despite that, I am sitting on the floor with my daughter and my youngest grandchild, waving bye-bye as Maya walks out of the room, and feigning great surprise and excitement as she returns, waving hello.

My to-do list is full of responsibilities – meaningful and purposeful tasks – but I am taking time away from my list to wave hello and bye-bye. 

Why?

The reason can be found both metaphorically in the game we are playing and in the current period we are in, counting the Omer.

Hello and goodbye can be unpredictable. Counting the days makes the days count.

Sefirat HaOmer, the Counting of the Omer, is a 49-day spiritual journey that links the liberation of Passover to the giving of the Torah on Shavuot. It is a time for self-reflection and spiritual growth, a time to check in on our relationships with ourselves, with the people in our lives, and with the world around us – and through those actions, to connect with the Divine. In that way, counting the days makes the days count.

We are not yet able to scientifically measure the connection we have to our loved ones, yet it physically causes us to melt with anxiety, cry with joy, and find supernatural protective strength if needed.

It has been found that sharing these connections strengthens us. Sages believe that the Divine Presence dwells in a minion (ten Jewish adults). Scholars have said that understanding is deepened through chevruta (spiritual friendship, studying with a partner). And in this way, sharing with friends those feelings we cannot yet measure increases the Divine Presence and reminds us of what is important in our lives.

Please join us for meaningful adult conversation and fun intergenerational ways to connect with our loved ones tomorrow, May 5, at 7:30 PM ET at GRANDparents Circle – not just for grandparents, but for anyone who wants to grow Jewish connection forward. Here is the link to register.

Nina Fondiller Woldin is the Managing Director of Chai Mitzvah and has worked in Jewish education for decades, creating student materials and programs for all ages, pre-K – adult. Her work has been published by Behrman House, Ktav, Kar Ben Publishing, Addison Wesley and Grolier. She created one of the first online Jewish education resource centers, Yourpage.org, which became part of Jewish National Fund’s website in 2003.