My last attempt at sharing a video via email was a bust. But, this time, I think I’ve got it. If you still can’t see the video below, let me know. Otherwise, we should be good for the upcoming count.

We’re just over a week away from Passover and the start of The Count. To confirm that the videos people are sharing this year will be visible, I’m sharing a test video below.

If you don’t see a video below, please drop me an email at chief.gabbai@etzhayim.net. Otherwise, you’re all set!

PS: we’re still accepting submissions for this year’s topic: Jewish Music. We’d love to hear yours today!

Omer Learning 2025

Submissions Appreciated By: April 4th

Submissions Accepted Until:  May 26th

Every day during the Omer (the count of 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot), we share your submissions on a given topic. The topic this year: Jewish music! Or at least… Jew-ish music. Share links to your favorite songs or music with a Jewish connection. Whether it be a tune you love from shul, a piece by a Jewish composer that gives you goosebumps, or a song with lyrics that gets you reflecting on a Jewish topic, we want to hear it. Literally!

Register for the Omer learning here to be emailed a song a day (Shabbat excepted) and submit your suggestions here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to do to join this year’s Omer Learning?

There are two easy steps:

1. Sign up to get the daily count and song delivered to you here.

2. Submit a song or two (or three!) here.

Why is it called the Omer Learning?

We mark the 49 day time period between the second day of Passover and Shavuot through a practice known as Counting the Omer. The process of counting is relatively simple: you recite a blessing and then note the amount of time that has passed since the count started using a special formula. You can learn more about the practice here.

There’s a tradition that we use the 49 day period for spiritual growth. The Omer Learning project honors this tradition.

I’d like to contribute, but I’m stumped.

How about a favorite tune or prayer from services? Or maybe a song you used to sing at camp growing up. A favorite Billy Joel song or Irving Berlin composition is totally Kosher. If you continue to be stuck, then consider spending a few minutes Googling for Jewish artists in your favorite genre of music. I know the community will be interested in whatever gems you find.

Still stuck, reach out to Ben Simon (benjisimon@gmail.com) and he’ll be glad to help.

Why the two due dates for submissions?

We’d love to have submissions in by April 4th, 2025. However, we understand that (a) folks are busy, and (b) inspiration can strike when you see other Omer Submissions. Therefore, we’re glad to collect up submissions while the Omer Count is going on.

Submit your song anytime here.

How many submissions can I provide?

Submit as many as you’d like.

How long are the Omer Learning e-mails?

The Omer Learning e-mails are intended to be short. They’ll outline the daily Omer Count, and include a submission or two.

Will my name be attached to my submissions?

Submissions will carry the name you provide on the form. If you wish to remain anonymous, simply provide ‘anonymous’ as your name when you submit.

The community submissions for the 17th Day and 21st Day of the Omer contained YouTube videos. Unfortunately, no video links were included in the emails that contained contributions contributions.

Here are links to the videos below:

Day 17’s Video

Day 21’s Video

Thanks for your patience and happy counting!

-Ben

(The photo is ChatGPT’s response to: generate an image that evokes a a sense of hope.)

With Passover just around the corner, that can only mean one thing: we’ll be starting the Counting of the Omer soon! If you’re reading this message, Mazel Tov! You are officially signed up to receive the count.

We’ve received some wonderful submissions for this year’s topic: Hope and feeling G-d’s presence. Thankfully, the Counting of the Omer lasts 49 days, so we still have plenty of space for this year’s most important submission: yours.

Head over to the Omer Learning 2024 Submission Form to contribute today.

Here’s to a seasons of peace, hope and feeling G-d’s presence.

-Omer Bot