SAN DIEGO –I’m always fascinated at Thanksgiving time to see how rabbis express what is a central tenet of Judaism: giving thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings bestowed upon us.
For example, the Forward offered a prayer from the book, Talking to God: Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, Struggle and Celebration by Rabbi Naomi Levy of the Neshuva congregation in Los Angeles.
The poem focuses on every day things—children’s laughter, our ability to breathe, having enough food to eat, living in adequate shelters, being clothed, being healthy, the special people in our lives, and residing in a country where people are free to practice their religion without fear.
In the current issue of Times of San Diego, Rabbi Michael Berk, the spiritual leader emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel, writes, “Gratitude arises in us when we are humbled by the realization of the bounty that God has bestowed on us and how dependent on God we are. When we are grateful to God for all life’s gifts, we want to repay Him by being good and doing good in the world.”
Notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted many families to postpone Thanksgiving gatherings, writes Berk, “We just need to put aside thoughts of what we don’t have, and focus on what we do have. Many of us will sit down to sumptuous feasts on Thanksgiving, probably in relatively comfortable homes and with decent clothes on our backs. People who are grateful want life’s blessing to be available in a fair and just society for all to enjoy.”
Rabbi Josh Dorsch of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego, noted in a message to congregants, “Thanksgiving this year will be different. Covid-19 has affected all of us, and impacted every area of our life. But Covid-19 has also pushed us to gain perspective. It has been humbling. It has forced us to recognize that much of life is beyond our control. It has encouraged us to appreciate and be grateful for things that are too often overlooked and taken for granted.
In the secular Jewish arena, the Leichtag Foundation’s executive vice president, Charlene Seidle, recently reminded us that “according to Jewish tradition, the most profound way we can show our own gratitude is by helping our neighbors in need.”
She reported that the San Diego Hunger Coalition now estimates that one in three San Diego County residents struggles to afford enough to eat.
In urging people to contribute to organizations dedicated to feeding hungry people, Seidle wrote: “Food is fundamental to every element of living and thriving, affecting education, health, productivity and much more. With increased unemployment and the prospect of further government delays in providing assistance, the situation will only become more dire in the coming weeks. People of color, seniors, and families with young children, are disproportionately affected.
She urged support for such organizations at the Armed Services YWCA at Camp Pendleton, Coastal Roots Farm located on the Leichtag Foundation’s own property in Encinitas; the Community Resource Center; Jewish Family Service of San Diego; Meals on Wheels, and Produce Good.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com