Happy Thanksgivikah!

I've needed to take a break recently from writing for personal reasons - namely, Thanksgiving and Chanukah coinciding… giving us Thanksgivikah… thinking about celebrating without my mother who made Thanksgiving a huge deal, as well as Chanukah - it's really hard right now.

But I want to bring you two ideas that she shared with us.

Coming from a family with five children, it was expensive for my parents to buy us all gifts for each of the eight nights of Chanukah. When we were a bit older, at least old enough to understand, my parents gave us each a night that we kids gave gifts to each other. To explain. The nights were given out youngest child to oldest - keeping in mind that the younger children would be less likely to give out fancy or expensive gifts - working up to the older ones who may have had some money from babysitting or chores. Gifts could consist of "coupons" of random things - like promising time to play together (with another kid), or even helping around the house (for a parent). It didn't have to cost money to give a gift.

I like this idea and hope to institute it in my own house one day. The idea that parents don't supply gifts all eight days is definitely a good thought. What is even better, is that the children have to give serious thought to what their brothers and sisters may want - to think about someone other than themselves is fantastic.

Regarding Thanksgiving, my mother used to distribute a copy of President George Washington's letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island for us to read. It speaks of religious freedom - which for the Jewish People, a people murdered with impunity for thousands of years because of our religion, was probably a huge relief to hear at the time. This is one of the reasons why we, as Jews, are thankful on Thanksgiving.

I include it below.

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful Chanukah! Thanksgivikah!

Background on the Washington Letter

George Washington's Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport
Gentlemen:

While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens.

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.

If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.

The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy—a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.

May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants—while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.

May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.

G. Washington

Other random links:
Esti’s 8 Tips for A More Meaningful Hanukkah
Gobble tov! American Jews ready for Thanksgivukkah
Chabad.org - Hanukkah - Chanukah 2013
Aish.com - Chanukah, Hanukkah, Hanukkah 2013

Two Websites to Start the Week

It's been a busy time around the house, it's really amazing how busy two little people will keep you.

I came across this website the other day. The focus is on Israel - not the political or religious aspects of it, but the social, technological, medical, sports, etc. aspects of it. Definitely worth your time.
reThink Israel

Another fun website that I will need to spend more time on is JewishMom.com. There's a lot there. Articles, videos, "pep-talks". Looks good.

Have a good week everyone!
Shavua Tov!

That's Living

I do not usually post sad stories, but there are times that we learn about inspirational people, people we didn't even know existed, but made the world around them a better place - this is one of them.

Sometimes we don't know a person until they are gone. We look at their lives and from them try to figure out how to improve our own.

Take a moment to read about Gershon Burd, gone too young, but having lived a full life.
The Secret Life of Gershon Burd

Parshat Lech Lecha

It's amazing how time flies by so quickly. We're already three weeks into the book of Bereisheet.

This week we read Parshat Lech Lecha - the one where G-d tells Avram (later Avraham) to leave his home and travel to a place that He will show him.

What's interesting about the Torah is that we can read the same narratives year after year and learn new things. Perhaps a new thought is brought to our attention, or we see the same idea in a deeper way.

Here are a few different thoughts on the parsha this week:
Lech Lecha in a Nutshell
Was Abraham the First Feminist?
Can a Change of Name Create a Change in Destiny?
Rabbi Sacks: The Courage Not to Conform

Shabbat Shalom! Good Shabbos!

Who Knew Washing Your Hands Could Be Fun?

This is awesome! No joke. Read the article and watch the video.

Israeli hospital hygiene rap goes viral: 
Breakdancing during surgery? Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem gets its staff to sing and dance about hand-washing.

He'll Be Fun To Watch

This sounds like a fascinating young man. Hockey player... children's author... Jew. Pretty amazing.

Jewish hockey player not your typical children’s author

How Well Does Your Synagogue/Temple Fit You?

Welcome back from the Holidays everyone! Back to a full work week... shucks :)

This article is an interesting one - one that I would like to follow up with. What are your issues with your synagogue/temple? Why do you enjoy going? Or do you? What parts would you keep, dump or improve? Being part of a community is very important - how do you see your synagogue/temple as part of that?

Or - Do you not belong to a synagogue/temple at all? Is being part of a community a consideration for you? Why/Why Not?

Dues Are Not The Sole Stumbling Block for Young Families

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