Remembering Rabbi Jonathan Omer-Man
Stories shared by the Metivta Community.
These memories were shared at Metivta’s Contemplative Shabbat service on July 15, 2023
I first met Jonathan Omer-man in Jerusalem in (perhaps it was) 1968 or '69. He was a sensitive, gentle, fascinating man then, and to this day I cherish the anthology, Jerusalem, he and Dennis Silk created. Decades later, with both of us in Los Angeles, I went through a crisis in my life and instinctively knew he was the only one I could talk it over with. Jonathan gave me a mantra -- and what a profoundly wise and sensitive gift it was and still is for me. Every time I chant it silently to myself, this lovely, lovely man is still with me, and I feel my gratitude to him pulse in my veins.
—Miriyam Glazer, Rabbi, Ph.D.
Emerita Prof., American Jewish University
I was bar mitzvahed at 50 by Rabbi Omer-man. During the months prior to my bar mitzvah, he gave me the tools, the knowledge, the courage, the confidence and my own name. He taught me what it means to be a Jewish man. His mentoring gave me a life I never would have had without him.
Thank you, Jonathan, I will always love you,
—Hawk Koch
My fond memories of time spent at Metivta studying contemplative meditation with my class of seekers was in one phrase “Life Changing”
Rabbi Jonathan, of blessed memory, held an open space for each of us to learn, experience, and grow in our Jewish spiritual paths. The deep meditations practiced in that group has continued here in my home with a group practicing together for over twenty- five years . I shall always treasure my time at Metivta and experiencing Rabbi Johnathan’s knowledge and open heart.
B’shalom,
—Dhyana
One of the most significant memories I have of Jonathan is when I needed a Hebrew name for my son and daughter in law's Ketubah in 1994. After asking him for a Hebrew name for me for the Ketubah, I vividly remember looking into his eyes and realized that he was thinking very deeply about my request for a Hebrew name.
After a short time of contemplation on his part, he gave me the Hebrew name of "Shira", and he wrote it down on a piece of paper while specifically telling me he was adding a yud to the spelling of my name, Shira.
What is so amazing about his mitzvah is the following:
I had always wanted to be a singer as my mother was a professional singer who sang solo at Radio City Music Hall and also was one of the soloists for Jimmy Dorsey's band. However those genes did not pass on to me as I couldn't sing on key at all. And then, a few years after Rabbi Jonathan gave me my Hebrew name of Shira, which stands for song and poetry, I was able to sing lullabies "on key" to my new Grandson born a few years after the Ketubah was signed which included my Hebrew name, Shira. Amazing !
(see Photo on pg 3 of attached pdf)
There are many other memories of learning with R' Jonathan, but one of the most memorable memory is his chair (see pg 5 ). from which he would pass down the deepest transformative teachings.
One such teaching was to "face the lies in your life" during the Passover Seder as an escape route from Egypt. Another teaching was to cultivate Reshimu, the "imprint" that is left after a great light fills and inundates a space and then withdraws.(see pg.6)
And of course there were so many other teachings and activities that R' Jonathan brought through Metivta that it became "A Tree Of Life" for me and so many others. I call it the Metivta Tree of Life (see pg.10).
Starting with "Monday Night at Metivta" and the transformative meditations, led by Rabbi Jonathan, I found a deep path inside of me to lead me toward approaching a higher consciousness and a more serene life, while the repeated chanting of the 13 attributes of G-d /Mercy during High Holiday Services opened my heart to guide me to a deeper understanding of others than I had ever had before. And then each week, through out the year, Rabbi Jonathan's guidance through the weekly parsha's with The Sefat Emet's "The Language of Truth", the Chernobyl Rebbe's "The Light of His Eyes" and Poetry Classes brought amazing light to the Torah and my Shabbats which were further supported by our Retreats. And of course there were the Healing Circles with us all chanting "Ana Eyl Na R'fah Na La" which has become ingrained into my soul producing each spring the seeds of The Metivta Tree of Life which continually spouts its leaves each year and will forever.
Many Blessings,
Shira (Carole Solomon)
Two Animal Stories
1. The eighteen JMITS students met with Jonathan at Holy Spirit Retreat Center for a weekend near the end of the one-year course. Each student presented a teaching, followed by comments and questions from the other students. I gave my teaching, followed by some comments and questions. At one point, Jonathan whispered something into the ear of Jo Kimmel. Jo asked me, “Do ducks have souls?” I think this illustrates Jonathan’s quirky humor and sense of mischief.
2. About fifteen Metivta members gathered around a long conference table in a meeting room of an office building on Olympic Boulevard. I don’t remember that purpose of the meeting. At one point, we were asked to name an animal that we identified with; a totem or a spiritual animal. We went around the table, and each person named an animal. I named Canada goose, and Lyle named jaguar (I think?). When it was Jonathan’s turn, he named a fish at the bottom of the sea near the ocean floor. I don’t think it was a specific fish, just a sea creature close to the bottom. I think this illustrates Jonathan’s desire to go beneath the surface, go deep, and get to the bottom of things.
—Marilyn Andrews
