Thursday April 6, 2023 16 Nisan 5783 First Night of the Omer הַיּוֹם יוֹם אֶחָד בָּעֹֽמֶר

I count the ways I say "thank you."  I say it orally, in notes, emails, and texts.  I thank my waitperson, bartender, taxi driver, voice teacher, sister, and friend.  I recall my first meeting with Stephen Sondheim almost 20 years ago.  I thanked him profusely for the many moments of musical pleasure he had provided me throughout my life.  For five minutes, I never let go of his hand.  Two days later, we found ourselves at the same theatre event.  He hugged me profusely, saying "thank you" for the other day.  At last count, no pun intended, I say "thank you" in 20 different languages.  Fala, Xie Xie, Todah.  Thank you, for the opportunity to participate in the "counting" project.    

~Lori-Ann Wynter 

Friday April 7, 2023 17 Nisan 5783 Second Night of the Omer  הַיּוֹם שְׁנֵי יָמִים בָּעֹֽמֶר

"Here it is 10:18 and I just sat down to write my story. 
Many years ago I started noticing that the number 1018 came up in my life very often. I mentioned it to a friend & she agreed. 
It's around the time you might go for that snack in the morning or that second cup of coffee.
It's that time in the evening when you check the clock to see if it's ok to get ready for bed.
My family has been noticing it for more than 50 years.
So often we exchange texts at 10:18 wherever we are in the world. Sometimes on purpose but more often by chance.
Just last week on Jeopardy one of the winners bet $1018 on two Daily Doubles and won! 
The next day my bill at Trader Joe's was $10.18 (a bargain). 
It always brings a smile to all our family.
It is also Michael's birth date! "

~Joan Gottlieb

Saturday April 8, 2023 18 Nisan 5783 Third Night of the Omer הַיּוֹם שְׁלשָׁה יָמִים בָּעֹֽמֶר

"The number of families who stay connected once they leave KNS. 

When families come to our new family breakfast or our welcome parties at the start of the year, I always say "look around" some of these people will be your lifelong friends. I love when years later families are getting together for drinks, dinner, or even vacations. "

~Lindsay Bennett, Director Kaplan Nursery School

Sunday April 9, 2023 19 Nisan 5783 Fourth Night of the Omer הַיּוֹם אַרְבָּעָה יָמִים בָּעֹֽמֶר

“Since the birth of Ethan David, our grandson on Jan. 1, we have been very aware of how we measure his life in days and months, instead of the years or decades that we think of our own lives in. There's something really special about checking in each day on new delights."

~Steve Cushman

Monday April 10, 2023 20 Nisan 5783 Fifth Night of the Omer  הַיּוֹם חֲמִשָּׁה יָמִים בָּעֹֽמֶר

My touchdowns and Interceptions in my football games are an important part of my life. I always keep track of how many I have each game, tournament, or even during a whole season. I keep track of this for myself. Later in the season, I want to see how I have improved or declined since the start. If I have more touchdowns and interceptions than at the start of the season, I know I have improved. If I have not gotten a touchdown or interception in a long time, then I know I have to step up and play better. I count this as motivation to make me a better player than I ever was.

~Zack Levy

Tuesday April 11, 2023 21 Nisan 5783 Sixth Night of the Omer הַיּוֹם שִׁשָּׁה יָמִים בָּעֹֽמֶר

I count to 9 multiple times a day, every day. It feels as though I am counting to 9 constantly. And that's probably because I am. But I am so grateful each day of the week, M-F, that I get to do so. 9 four-year-olds, each of whose presence is of the utmost importance to our Pre-K community. Some days I count to 8, and some 7, but the most complete days are the days my co-teacher and I get to count to 9, ensuring that each four-year-old member of Pre-K is present so that we can learn, play, and grow together. 

~Hannah Levin, Pre-K, JRS, Tot & Family Coordinator

Hannah and Cassie’s Pre-K students also love to count

- How many socks and slippers my family has. 8 socks and slippers. 

- I count how many weeks my mom gives my cat her medicine

- I count how many days until we go to Florida. 

- I count how much family I have, 4.

- Sometimes I count my numbers in the elevator. 

- I want to count the animals at school. 

- I’m thinking about counting the glue sticks on the art shelf one day. 

 Wednesday April 12, 2023 22 Nisan 5783 Seventh Night of the Omer הַיּוֹם שִׁבְעָה יָמִים שֶׁהֵם שָׁבֽוּעַ אֶחָד בָּעֹֽמֶר

Over the last few months, our family has been traveling around the US looking at colleges for my twin daughters. It has been a unique opportunity as a parent to see how they view things, what is important to them as they are about to leave home, and to see how much they have grown as people. Their different personalities have been on display as they show interest in each university's different programs and activities. It's been quality time in the car, on airplanes, on trains, and in Ubers that I will certainly cherish when they leave in 18 months. With two kids and differing interests, there are a lot of schools to see, and many miles have been traveled...so along the way we have counted - 14 schools, 8 states, and a whopping 5,620 miles to date...and with Spring Break in sight we will continue to count...

~Stacy Bess