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Thanksgiving – a Jewish Perspective

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:22:00 PM

Thanksgiving – a Jewish Perspective

The greatest gift that Judaism offers to all people of the world is the belief in One G-d. Abraham, our father, taught everyone he could reach, to thank and praise the One G-d – the Supreme Being – who created the world and everything in it.

Abraham lived at the crossroads of civilization. His house was open to all. Any traveler who was hungry, thirsty or tired was welcome in Abraham’s house. At the conclusion of a meal, Abraham’s guests would invariably thank him. “Is it my food that you ate?” he would respond. “Give thanks to the A-mighty, Who spoke and created this food!”

Abraham taught his guests to believe in G-d by channeling their thanks away from himself and toward He Who deserves thanks.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, and every year, let us remember to Whom we owe our thanks. Let us recognize the One Who has granted us all those things for which we are thankful. Let us remember that there is a Supreme Being, Who created the world and everything in it. He allows us to choose between good and evil and to live a life of meaning regardless of our circumstances.

On Oct. 3, 1863 Abraham Lincoln signed the original Thanksgiving Proclamation. In it he stated, "We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

"But we have forgotten G-d. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the G-d that made us.

"It has seemed to me fit and proper that G-d should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."

Like our Abraham, our father, Abraham Lincoln recognized that a holiday of Thanksgiving without a G-d to thank would be meaningless.

Let us dedicate this day to thinking about G-d and the thanks we owe Him for all the good He has bestowed upon us.

Upcoming Events! Fun for you and yoru family!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 2:54:00 PM

Family Talk - Week 3

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:32:00 PM

Family Talk - Week 2

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 4:01:00 PM

Mitzvot makes the world a better place

We explored the idea that the purpose of our lives is to make this world a better place. And Hashem has told us how – the Torah and the Mitzvot are our guide to fulfill our mission. There are two types of Mitzvot: – Ben Adam L’Makom / Between Man & Hashem such as making Kiddush on Shabbat, and Ben Adam L’Chavero / Between Man & Others such as giving Tzedakah to those who have less than us.

When we do both categories of mitzvoth we are strengthening ourselves to become better people and in the process, make the world a better place… and that is just what Hashem wants

Hang With the Ten - Words we learned

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 3:55:00 PM

Makom = Literally means place, but in this case refers to Hashem (G-d), as Hashem is found in every place.
Chaver = Literally means friend, in this case refers to all mankind. There are Mitzvot discussing how we should interact with others, such giving Tzedakah, do not steal, etc.

Let's think about it -a Discussion for children

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:28:00 AM

On Mt. Sinai, when the Jews first became the Jewish nation, Hashem said, “I love you, each one of you. And I want to give each you lots of opportunities to build a strong relationship with me. When you do what I ask of you, you are building our relationship. I’ll give you many different ways to build a relationship with Me. I will give you the mitzvot, lots of mitzvot. ”

There are mitzvot specifically for farmers (save some food for the poor); mitzvot for certain times of the year (blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah); mitzvot for certain times in one’s life (Chupah for a wedding). And there are lots of mitzvot about how we should treat each other (give to the poor, do not steal, do not kidnap and many others). In all there are 613 mitzvot – 613 opportunities to connect with Hashem.

Think of a time that you did something that made you feel closer to Hashem. What did you do? Why did that make you feel closer to Hashem?

Hang with the ten - Lesson 1

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:26:00 AM

Lesson 1:

What?! They aren’t the Ten Commandments?

This week, we were introduced to the Aseret Hadibrot, commonly translated as the Ten Commandments. However, as we explored, oftentimes, the English translations do not accurately depict the depth of the Torah concept. This is true of the Aseret Hadibrot (lit. 10 Statements); they are not so much ten commandments, but rather they are ten categories of mitzvot. All mitzvot and fundamental Torah ideals can be found in these ten statements or categories. Hashem* gave us ten general categories; this way it is easier to remember the mitzvot and how we should conduct ourselves in our lives.

Throughout the year, we will be exploring the Aseret Hadibrot and some of the mitzvot and Torah ideals that are derived from them.

*Hashem. In our Hebrew School, we refer to G-d with the Hebrew word ‘Hashem’. Hashem means ‘the name’. Out of respect, we do not explicitly use G-d’s name, except in prayer. Instead, Hashem is substituted.

Words we learned:

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:26:00 AM

Mitzvot (pl)/ Mitzvah (sing) = “commandment” and “connection.” A Mitzvah is a commandment that helps us express and build our connection with the commander, Hashem.

Aseret Hadibrot / = Aseret means 10. Dibrot means things or kinds. Aseret HaDibrot means 10 kinds of things, 10 categories. There are so many Mitzvot, and they can be put into these 10 categories. Dibrah (sing)

Principle's Retreat - Keeping Informed

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:49:00 AM

I was fortunate to be able to attend the Principle's Retreat in June.

Sakwa Challenge Fund 2009

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 10:40:00 AM

This is such great news, we had to share it with everyone. The Shul Hewbrew School has been awarded a grant from the Sakwa Challenge Fund 2009:

The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s Rebecca and Gary Sakwa Challenge Fund was created to recognize the needs of families at risk in Israel and in our community. The Sakwa Challenge Fund allows the Jewish Federation to make one time additional allocations to help families and institutions in our community impacted by the downturn in the economy.

The Shul is receiving this grant in recognition of the increased scholarship needs resulting from the current economic situation. The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit looks forward to working together with The Shul during these challenging economic times to strengthen our community, and to ensure that no family stands alone.

Purim Fun for the whole family!

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:16:00 AM

Purim adventure for children

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:35:00 AM

Meeting at The Thul - delivering Moshloach Manot in the Oak Park area and returning to The Shul's Purim festival at 5:30 (families invited to join and bring friends)

Bat Mitzvah at The Shul

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 9:41:00 AM

Did you hear about our stop the wastefulness awareness campaign?

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 8:53:00 AM

Bring your empty paper towel and toilet tissue rolls and get ready for a rocking eco-friendly Purim festival!

BMC Shabbaton

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 5:21:00 PM

Bat Mitzvah Club presents "Shabbat Live"
Join your friends for an unforgettable Shabbaton
Save the Date; Friday, March 6th - Saturday, March 7th

Drop off at 5:00pm

Pick up at 7:45pm

For girls ages 10- 12

Cost $25

Bring along a friend and receive $5 off admission.

RSVP required to rivki@theshul.net by　March 1