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Meditation for counting the Omer

By , Special to JTNews

Pesach to Shavuot is the time of preparation as we ascend from the consciousness of slaves leaving Egypt to the consciousness of a people receiving Revelation at Sinai. In the biblical period, Jews marked that time with the counting of the Omer. During the Kabbalistic era, this was expressed by meditations using the Sefirot of the Tree of Life to help prepare for that time of meeting.
Congregation Beth Shalom, a Conservative congregation in the Wedgwood neighborhood of Northeast Seattle, will host a weekly class from Pesach to Shavuot following the Monday evening minyan. Each week we will meditate with a particular Sefira, and each day with a specific aspect of it. Background and teaching, including the colors and sounds specific to each Sefira, will precede weekly meditations. The instructor, Ilene Stein, is a student in the Teaching Jewish Meditation Program at Chokhmat Halev.
The class begins April 9 at 8 p.m. There is no charge for the class, but donations are welcome. Pre-registration is requested by April 4. Call 206-524-0075 to register, or contact Ilene Stein at 206-789-0187. Congregation Beth Shalom is located at 6800 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle.