By Elisa Newman White (4-11-09)

Today is the second day 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.

I loved Hebrew School.  I credit that experience with a particular teacher that I had in 5th and 6th grade.  I am embarrassed that I can't exactly remember her name, but, her face is still vivid in my memory. I believe her name was Ayalet.  She named me Tovah.   I was living in Seattle, Washington with my family and we belonged to a conservative congregation.  I attended Monday and  Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings. I so looked forward to my Hebrew School afternoons and morning. 

Ayalet served in the Israeli army during the Israeli War of Independence.  She filled the classroom with stories of her responsibilities during the war.  As she described being on top of  buildings in Tel Aviv, watching for incoming missiles and sounding the alarm, I lived the experience with her.  Her inspirational stories as well as her loving teaching style provided a link to a country that was mine as well as hers.  Todah Rabah!  
                       

by Elisa Newman White

 
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.