10 Best DIY Omer Counters

Crafty inspiration for designing your own Omer Counter!

On the evening of March 31st, the second night of PassoverPassover is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the Jewish people's liberation from slavery and Exodus from Egypt. Its Hebrew name is Pesakh. Its name derives from the tenth plague, in which God "passed over" the homes of the Jewish firstborn, slaying only the Egyptian firstborn. Passover is celebrated for a week, and many diaspora Jews celebrate for eight days. The holiday begins at home at a seder meal and ritual the first (and sometimes second) night. Jews tell the story of the Exodus using a text called the haggadah, and eat specific food (matzah, maror, haroset, etc)., we begin to count the Omer (the 49 days between Passover and ShavuotShavuot is the holiday fifty days after Passover and commemorates when the Israelite liberation from Egypt culminates with the giving of the Torah. Traditionally, Jews study in an all-night study session, eat dairy products (one interpretation is that the Torah is like milk to us), and read both the Ten Commandments and the Book of Ruth.). (Learn more about the origins of the practice here.) Counting the Omer carries with it infinite possibilities for personalization, inviting us to reflect daily on a different kabbalistic theme and how it applies to our own lives. 

 

For the crafty among us, it can be fun to design your own Omer Counter, a hands-on way to practice this ritual—and an excellent visual reminder. We’ve collected ten examples of DIY Omer Counters that you can make at home. Many of these are great to do with kids. 

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We love this idea mainly because it made us revisit the classic film Office Space. As you might recall from the film, 15 pieces of flair were the minimum requirement for employees at Chotchkies, but 37 pieces of flair was held up to an ideal. For the Omer, express yourself with 49 pieces of flair!

 

Image courtesy of Land of Honey

 

This beautiful Omer Counter, designed by Lieba B. RuthAn important female biblical character with her own book. The Book of Ruth, read on Shavuot, tells the story of Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and their return to Israel. Ruth’s story is often read as the first story of conversion. Ruth is the grandmother of King David. and AharonBrother of Moses, chosen as Moses' interlocutor. His Hebrew name is Aharon. Varady, was inspired by a color schema created by Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Use it as inspiration to make your own color schema or download and print theirs for free.

 

Image courtesy of Lieba Ruth and Aharon Varady via Open Siddur

 

This gorgeous Omer counter, inspired by an Advent counter idea, utilizes a tree branch with numbers that are marked by what appears to be small bracelet-like object.

 

Image courtesy of Design Shimmer via Chai and Home

 

These adorable little kids created an Omer Counter from their own footprints!

 

Image courtesy of Yavneh Academy Early Childhood

 

A deliciously creative idea: sew a pocket for each day of the Omer and insert a lollipop (or other treat) each time you count. 

 

Image courtesy of Fitzgibbon5

 

How cool is this? A lego Omer Counter, replete with lego 10 commandments at the pinnacle. 

 

Image courtesy of Bible Belt Balabusta

 

Following along with the lollipop theme, why not chocolate? Tie up little chocolates in small packages with yarn, and attach to one long string of yarn. Voila! Yummy Omer!

 

Image courtesy of Jew School

 

Returning to our Office Space theme, this Omer Counter using sticky notes ensures you won’t forget to count each day. 

 

Image courtesy of Congregation B’neh Emunah – San Francisco

 

Another great one to do with kids, especially when learning numbers, this Omer Counter uses little boxes with foam numbers and objects to count each day.

 

Image courtesy of Our Country Road

 

Though you can’t win the lottery with these scratch-offs, you might just reach the pinnacle of Omer counting when you arrive at Shavuot, the moment of divine revelation. Beats winning the lottery? 

 

Image courtesy of Land of Honey

 

Have you designed your own Omer Counter? Comment below and tell us about it!