| Dear Kol Ami Community,
As we gather together with our family and friends on this Thanksgiving holiday. We have so much to be grateful for. Our temple celebrates its 30th year of service and joyous community! As you sit down for your Thanksgiving meal remember that this American holiday was based upon our Jewish holiday of Sukkot; a time of gratitude for the abundance of the land, and a time to invite family, friends and neighbors to our table.
What will you give thanks for today? What is on your gratitude list? Consider sharing it with those you celebrate with. As we say in Hebrew- Modim Anachu Lach--We shall thank You and declare Your praise—for our lives which are in Your hand, for our souls which are in Your care, for Your miracles that are with us every day and for Your wondrous deeds and favors at all times: evening, morning and noon.
So as you gather around your holiday table share your gratitude list and we offer you this prayer to begin your festivities.
Source of the Universe from whom all blessings flow, we thank you for showering us with an abundance of Your love and beauty, Your kindness and hope. Modim Anachnu Lach, we thank You, O Holy Creator, the towering mountains and the shaded forests and fruitful earth tell of Your endless bounty. We ask you to bless our family and friends with Your goodness.
Help us, Eternal One of justice and compassion, to inspire all who dwell here to break the bonds of racism and hatred of others. Grant us the wisdom to treat all with dignity and respect. On this Thanksgiving holiday, help us lay a new foundation of truth and to rededicate our efforts to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness for all who dwell in this land. Fill us with the spirit of kindness, generosity and peace, that we may in turn share it with all we meet.
We thank you for the food we are about to eat. Bless those who grew it and raised it; harvested it and brought it to market and those who have prepared this food. |
