Kol Ami — The Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community

Counting the Omer- Week 7

Counting the Omer
for Spiritual Development
and Racial and Social Justice

Week 7
Malchut
May 9-16

Day 43: Night of Sunday, May 9 – Monday, May 10 (6 weeks and 1 day of the Omer)

Chesed she’b’Malchut
Lovingkindness in Majesty, nobility, authority, sovereignty

We have learned to give and receive lovingkindness and abundance in our lives. Focus on what and who sustains and nurtures you and on how you sustain and nurture others.

Ask yourself: Are there African American communities or persons I avoid reaching out to? Can I strive to do better? Identify avenues for new connections.

In case you missed it… review this video from week one:


Hear the blend of love, kindness, solidarity, majesty, and humility in the singers’ voices.

 

Day 44: Night of Monday, May 10– Tuesday, May 11 (6 weeks and 2 days of the Omer)

G’vurah she’b’Malchut
Strength in Majesty, nobility, authority, sovereignty

Are we strong when we need to be? What are the sources of our strength from within and from without? Does justice inform our leadership and do we give strength to others when it is needed?

Ask yourself: Are there communities of color or persons I avoid lending my assistance to? Can I strive to do better? Identify avenues for new connections.

In case you missed it… review from week two:

Try something out of your comfort zone, or, as Rep. John Lewis urged: “Get in good trouble.”

 

Day 45: Night of Tues, May 11-Wed, May 12 (6 weeks and 3 days of the Omer)

Tiferet she’b’Malchut
Beauty and compassion in Majesty, nobility, authority, sovereignty

How does compassion flow from our hearts to those we encounter? Do we recognize the beauty of others we encounter? Do we bring beauty and harmony into the lives of others?

Ask yourself: Do I struggle to show compassion to persons of color or members of those communities? Can I strive to do better? Identify avenues for new connections.

In case you missed it… review from week three:

Make a gratitude list.

 

Day 46: Night of Wed, May 12-Thurs, May 13 (6 weeks and 4 days of the Omer)

Netzach she’b’Malchut
Endurance and perseverance in Majesty, nobility, authority, sovereignty

How strong are our convictions in fighting for a good cause? Do we lead with confidence and follow enthusiastically when others take the lead? Are we determined to reach goals and help others overcome obstacles in their way? Do we celebrate victories not only in our lives but also understand victories in the lives of persons of color?

Ask yourself: How can I focus my efforts to encourage and support those afflicted by systemic racism and the legacy of hateful bigotry? Can I strive to do better? Identify avenues for new connections.

In case you missed it… review from week four:

How does the “Prayer for Racial Justice” reflect key aspects of being a “mensch”? 

 

Day 47: Night of Thursday May 13-Friday May 14 (6 weeks and 5 days of the Omer)

Hod she’b’Malchut
Sincerity and Splendor in Majesty, nobility, authority, sovereignty

Do we notice the beauty in the natural world surrounding us? Do we see the divine light of others and remember we are created in God’s image? 

Ask yourself: Identify one or more African Americans whose beauty or accomplishments we haven’t always seen or celebrated. A great resource to consult is: 26 Little Known Black History Heroes – Famous African Americans

In case you missed it… review from week five:

Read: Mariame Kaba’s essay “Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police” 

Opinion | Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police

 

Day 48: Night of Friday May 14-Shabbat May 15 (6 weeks and 6 days of the Omer)

Yesod she’b’Malchut
Foundation in Majesty, nobility, authority, sovereignty

What are the foundational values and key relationships in our lives? Do we build close relationships with others and sustain and nurture them? 

Ask yourself: How does our energy build and support the diverse communities around us? Can I find a way to connect with an African American community that is in my neighborhood? Identify avenues for new connections.

In case you missed it… review from week six:

Learn about Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights movement. This link is a good place to start: https://www.penntoday.upenn.edu/news/black-jewish-relations-civil-rights-movement.

 

Day 49: Night of Saturday May 15-Sunday May 16 (7 weeks of the Omer)

Malchut she’b’Malchut
Sovereignty and Nobility in Majesty

Consider our place in the world, our relationship to the Divine and to one another. Imagine standing on a mountaintop and looking out at the journey we have taken together during the counting of the Omer. 

Ask yourself: How can we see our best selves and our paths forward together? How does the Divine Spirit guide our lives and flow through us?

Action: give MLK’s “I have a Dream” speech another listen- 

I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King .Jr HD (subtitled)

 

 

Stay Connected with Us

Join Our Mailing List

Sign up for a monthly newsletter about upcoming Kol Ami events and programs.

Subscribe