April 3, 2026
Visual artists Amy Reichart and Jane Weintraub have designed and fabricated this beautiful, interactive Omer Counter, currently installed in Beth Emet’s lobby.
Before the counting begins, a blue field filled with chaotically arranged silver shards evokes the broken vessels of creation. Each night, as the Omer is counted from right to left, a single tile is turned. As the count progresses toward the 49th day, these fragments gradually shift into greater harmony and order, suggesting the possibility of restoration and wholeness within the universe. Over time, the shards also transition from silver to gold, evoking the color and abundance of the harvest. The 33rd tile, marking Lag BaOmer, is distinguished by gold leaf along its edges, setting it apart within the sequence.
With each tile turned, a single word is revealed, and by the final day, the complete text of Psalm 67 emerges. This psalm, traditionally recited during the counting of the Omer, contains 49 Hebrew words arranged in seven verses—mirroring the seven weeks and 49 days of the Omer and symbolizing a period of spiritual preparation. This daily interaction, both ritual and visual, deepens the connection between time, text, and the unfolding narrative.
Be sure to check it out!
