Join Rabbi Jess and Cantor Sharon this Wednesday evening to celebrate the Lag B’omer, the 33rd day of the Omer. We’ll gather around a fire and share some songs and stories. We’re in the midst of counting the Omer, the days between Passover and Shavuot. Springtime in the ancient world was often a time of trepidation. Will we get enough rain to grow the crops we’ll need for the year? Many cultures mark this time with a period of restraint. Likewise, during the Omer, Jews have traditionally marked this time as a period of semi-mourning. The Talmud also tells us that during this season a plague killed thousands of Rabbi Akiva‘s students because they did not treat one another respectfully. (Though this could also be a euphemism for the students who were killed by the Romans during the Bar Kochba Rebellion). Tradition says the plague (or perhaps the fighting) ceased on the 33rd day of the Omer, which consequently has become a day of celebration and happiness, interrupting the sadness of the Omer period. Bonfires are one of the many Lag B'omer tradtions. To find out why, join us Wednesday night!

We welcome you to bring a short story to share around the fire. It can be about a time when you’ve had to be resilient or show strength or related to Lag B’omer in some other way.  

Rain cancels. The registration link can be found in the weekly newsletter.