By Atmo Leinwand (5-11-09)

Today is thirty-two days, which is four weeks and four days of the Omer.

 

It is a tradition to count the days between Passover and Shavuot, as we mark our freedom from slavery and celebrate our freedom to accept Torah. This is called "counting the omer." This year we will observe the tradition of "counting the omer" by sharing stories about the many different ways that we have been turned on to Jewish learning, and through Jewish learning to Torah.

Seven years ago, during Passover, I was deeply touched by the love and supportive commitment I witnessed - and which continued over the course of a year - between an Orthodox couple who were neighbors that lived below me in my apartment building.  

She was originally from France. He was from here, but he met her in Israel. They lived very modestly, in a two bedroom apartment, with their two beautiful baby girls (ages 4 and 2). They invited me for the Seder.  

He had recently lost his job, doing part-time miscellaneous work such as selling meat, bakery work, mechanic work, selling ice cream, etc. No matter what, she stood by him.. We had a great time together, great food, great questions...and we went all the way to the 6th cup of wine for Miriam Ha-Neviah. The next day I babysat for them, and I leave it to you to guess how they used their free time.  Later they reported to me that she became pregnant during the holiday. 

A year later, my life was collapsing by all means. I shaved my head, hopeless, acknowledging that beyond all my efforts and faith I was losing it all. Muriel, my French Orthodox neighbor, as supportive as she was to her husband, sat with me each night to meditate for an hour after she put her three girls to bed. Together, I learned from this experience of "Oneness" how proud I was to be a Jew. Eventually I got a phone call for a job interview, out of the blue, and "from the narrow place God answered me with plenty." 

In June, 2006, I completed a 9-month class for conservative conversion at the AJU, renewing my vows of spiritual life commitment "with Timbales and Harp in hand." 

By Atmo Leinwand

These stories are brought to you by the Temple Emanuel RE-IMAGINE project, an 18-month initiative sponsored by Hebrew Union College, devoted to re-thinking and re-structuring our religious school.