Help Congregation Beth David host Saratoga’s Annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service

Thanksgiving – Bringing the Holiday Home

by Rabbi Jerome Epstein from the USCJ website.

Jews are no strangers to the notion of giving thanks. We acknowledge the Divine three times a day in our prayers, and our Shabbat and yom tov liturgy is filled with praise of God. While Thanksgiving (with a capital “T”) is not in itself a Jewish holiday — obviously, there is no biblical injunction to gather with one’s family, eat traditional American fare, and think about Pilgrims and Indians — it provides us with yet another opportunity to reflect, to praise, and to express our gratitude.

Like most cultural phenomena, Thanksgiving provides us with raw material for a “midrash” that will help us explain our circumstances, cope with life’s complexities, and move forward. In a sense, it gives us an opportunity to synthesize two traditions, allowing our Jewish teachings to inform and influence the celebration of this quintessentially American holiday.

We each have personal reasons to give thanks. But it is also appropriate to consider other, more general reasons for expressing gratitude. First, we should be thankful for the special blessings that derive from living in America>. This year, our nation was attacked and many lives were lost. But rather than cause us to question our love and respect for this country, this barbarous act served to remind us of the very reasons we love and admire our nation.

With all of its problems, America remains a democracy where we can be different, affirm our religious identity, practice our unique rituals, build day schools for our young, open summer camps for children of all Jewish denominations, and support a plethora of community organizations. We needn’t be fearful to speak out in support of Israel. We have access to legislators, courts, the press and all institutions of government. We have a home where we can live fully as Jews.

Second, we should give thanks because we have survived as a people. We have rebuilt our homeland, Eretz Yisrael, and vibrant Jewish communities can be found all over the world. It is instructive to realize that — with all that has gone before — we can still stand up and affirm our Jewishness in a predominantly non-Jewish world.

Third, those of us who gather together with our families and friends enjoy a special blessing. To be surrounded by loved ones is to realize the greatest happiness one can enjoy, and it is certainly an activity applauded by our tradition. The Torah enjoins us to “teach our children.” What better, less painful way to do this than over a sumptuous meal, discussing the underlying reason for the gathering. Whether we instruct our children in their obligations to God or their responsibilities toward their fellow man, or toward the environment, the holiday “aura” sets just the right mood for discussions of this kind.

Fourth, it is virtually certain that the American economy will take some time to restore to the position where all families have homes, jobs, and the wherewithal to enjoy large turkey dinners. Thanksgiving is a perfect time to realize that we should not take these gifts for granted. It is also a time to give tzedakah — to share our bounty with others. We make the holiday ours — render it more “Jewish” — by remembering that since our good fortune ultimately comes from God, we are obligated to share it with others.

When stopping to consider those gifts for which we must be grateful, the proper kavanah, or motivation, can elicit surprisingly deep responses. Like everything else in life, what we ultimately gain from the holiday will depend on what we bring to it.

Let us each bring a keen appreciation of our good fortune — as well as our unique Jewish sensibilities — to the Thanksgiving table this year, enhancing the experience for ourselves and our loved ones and raising the event from the status of a dinner to the heights of a spiritual celebration.

Let us thank God for our blessings, share them with others, and teach these lessons to our children. Then, truly, the day shall assume the honorary status of a Jewish holiday.

Thanksgiving Reflections

by Lois and Ken Goldrich, from the USCJ website.

During the Fall season, we read the Book of Genesis – a spirited narrative recounting the experiences of our ancestors. In Parashat Vayetze, we find the Patriarch Jacob working in the home of his uncle Laban, laboring tirelessly to win the hand of his beloved Rachel. As we all know, he ends up with two wives, Rachel and her sister Leah. Understanding that Jacob prefers Rachel, God seeks to compensate Leah by “opening her womb,” allowing her to bear four sons.

Regarding the fourth son, we read: “She conceived again and bore a son, and declared, ‘This time I will thank (odeh) the Lord.’ Therefore she named him Yehudah (English: Judah).” (Gen. 29:35) Yehudah, from the same root as todah, thanks.

It is not surprising that we, as a people, Yehudim, have come to be identified by the name of this son, Yehudah. For one of the hallmarks of the Jewish nation has been our ongoing commitment to praise the Almighty and to thank God for demonstrating a continued interest in our national destiny.

Still, when Leah chose, in naming her son, to thank God for granting her the gift of children, she demonstrated a keen awareness that God’s role is not limited to intervention in our collective affairs. Rather, it can be felt by each of us in our own lives. Leah was not simply thanking the Lord on behalf of her people — she was uttering a personal prayer of thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving — a Jewish tradition. And, as we know, a North American tradition as well. Both cultures recognize the need to thank God for the good in our lives, and both provide ways in which we can express our gratitude.

How can we thank God each day?

• One way is through our prayers. How do we begin each day? By reciting Modeh/Modah Ani, thanking God for restoring our souls to us each morning. In addition, we include a special blessing of thanks every time we recite the Amidah. This long section, which begins “Modim anahnu lakh” and ends with the berakhah of “l’hodot” (to give thanks) is unchanging, whether we recite it on a weekday, on Shabbat, or during a Festival. In addition, to emphasize the importance of giving thanks, we actually bow as we begin and end this section.
• How else do we thank God? We do it through acting ethically, kindly, and generously, modeling in our own behavior those qualities ascribed to God. As the midrash relates: “Just as God is gracious and compassionate, you too must be gracious and compassionate… As the Holy One is faithful, you too must be faithful. As the Holy One is loving, you too must be loving.” Can we get away simply with paying lip service to these admirable qualities? Absolutely not! As the Talmud relates: “As God clothes the naked, you should clothe the naked. [As] the Holy One visited the sick, you should visit the sick. [As] the Holy One comforted those who mourned, you should comfort those who mourn. [As] the Holy One buried the dead, you should bury the dead.” Clearly, we can’t get away with delegating these tasks to others.
• We thank God when we are optimistic and when we demonstrate that “Ashreinu mah tov helkeinu” is more than just a children’s song — that we are indeed happy with our lot and appreciative of God’s role in our life. It’s easy to remember God when things go wrong and to ask for help when we’re facing hard times. It’s harder to keep in mind that God is there when things go right and when good things do happen to good people.
• Another opportunity to show our gratitude arises when we hear good news. In reciting the blessing “Barukh Atah… hatov v’hametiv (Bless are You our God…Who is good and does good),” we acknowledge the beneficent influence of God in our lives.

We read in Psalms: “The earth is God’s in all its fullness.” (Ps. 24:1) But in a later Psalm we read that “The heavens are God’s heavens and the earth (God) gave to mankind.” (Ps. 115:16) How can we reconcile these seemingly contradictory statements? According to the Talmud, the answer lies in giving thanks — in explicitly recognizing God’s role in the world. Everything belongs to God. Yet, when we recite a berakhah — whether on eating an apple, smelling fragrant spices, or witnessing the beauty of nature — we acknowledge God’s sovereignty over all the earth and therefore gain the right to enjoy all that we have. A small price to pay for so large a gift!

Consider reciting Psalm 100 (Mizmor L’Todah, A Psalm of Thanksgiving) at your Thanksgiving table this year, as it was recited in the Temple when a thanksgiving offering was made. And — in the words of the Psalm — may we be privileged this Thanksgiving to “worship God in happiness and come before God in joyful song.”

Saratoga’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Saratoga Ministerial Association

The Saratoga Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is making its yearly appearance. Remember last year’s? This year Saratoga Federated Church will be hosting the service put on by the Saratoga Ministerial Association (pictured), that Rabbi Pressman is a part of for Congregation Beth David. Join with your neighbors of all backgrounds and beliefs this Thanksgiving morning for

Thursday, November 27, 2008

10:00 am

Saratoga Federated Church
20390 Park Place
Saratoga CA 95070

See the program from last year’s service to get an idea of what’s instore Saratoga Interfaith Service 2007 (PDF)

If you have any Thanksgiving favorites, share them with us on our recipe exchange.

Thanksgiving Thank You. What makes Thanksgiving for you?

The American holiday of Thanksgiving is only weeks away; a time when family & friends come together with way too much food, and reflect on all that’s good.

Jews’ Next Dor has had a great year of growth that we must thank you for. It’s because of you that we doubled the number of events we do in a year, it’s you all who’ve come out and made our events what they are. We’re thankful for the almost 50 volunteers who’ve made our events happen. As a fully volunteer lead group, these volunteers truly make all the difference. It’s you who’ve read our blog or been patient with us as we go through growing pains. Thank you for a wonderful year!

We want to know what you’re thankful for this year. We also want to know what makes Thanksgiving Thanksgiving for you? Is there a specific food you look forward to? Do you have a recipe to share (kosher, please) that you recommend for a Thanksgiving table? We’d love to hear from you and to post your recipes to our recipe excange. Leave a comment below, or send us an e-mail jewsnextdor[at]gmail.com.

Happy Thanksgiving from CBDYAG

Thank you for a wonderful year of friends, events, and all that each of you bring to the CBDYAG community.

Here’s a tribute to thanksgiving sung by fellow MOT Adam Sandler.

Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Each year Congregation Beth David as part of the Saratoga Ministerial Association joins with the local churches for an Interfaith Thanksgiving service. It’s location rotates each year, and the clergy from all faiths and demoninations lead the service.  Join with your neighbors this Thanksgiving morning for

Saratoga Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

10:00 a.m.

Thursday, November 22

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, Ca

See the program for this Saratoga Interfaith Service (PDF)

If you have any Thanksgiving favorites, share them with us on our recipe exchange.

After the jump there’s a Poem by an Unknown Author to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit.