Thanks! - CHRONICLE Online/The WORD 11/13/25

Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah

November 13, 2025

22 Cheshvan 5786

Parashat Chayei Sara

As soon as it’s November, I can’t help but start thinking about Thanksgiving. I have always loved Thanksgiving. I’m sure that food has played a large part in my love affair with Thanksgiving—after all, I do love the food of Thanksgiving. But there’s more to it than that.

Thanksgiving is the one American holiday on which Jews are the same as every other American. Many other so-called American holidays have distinctly non-Jewish origins. Thanksgiving has always been interfaith. After all, the very first Thanksgiving feast was shared by Europeans and Native Americans.

According to William Bradford’s journal, there were three biblical texts recited as part of the festivities and they are all texts that are a part of our tradition as well.

Deuteronomy 26:7 -  “And we cried unto Adonai, the God of our ancestor, and Adonai heard our voice, and saw our affliction, and our toil, and our oppression.”

Psalm 106 - Hallelujah. O give thanks unto Adonai; for God is good; for God's mercy endures for ever. Who can express the mighty acts of Adonai, or make all God's praise to be heard? Happy are they that keep justice, that do righteousness at all times.

Psalm 107 - Let them give thanks unto Adonai for God's mercy, and for God's wonderful works to the children of earth! For God has satisfied the longing soul, and the hungry soul God has filled with good.

Jews have always been able to say “Amen” to Thanksgiving in a way that we can’t always for other holidays. So, I especially appreciate the opportunities to join together with our neighbors of other faiths to say thanks during this season. In our area we have several options.

In Summit, there will be a 6:30 p.m. service at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Monday, November 24.

In New Providence and Berkeley Heights, there will be a 7:30 p.m. service at the Church of Our Lady of Peace on Monday, November 24.

And, in Chatham, there will be a 7:30 p.m. service on Tuesday, November 24 (I’m not yet 100% sure of the location!).

Of course, we should all celebrate—and eat!—with our family and friends. However, let’s ALSO take a few minutes out of our busy lives to establish and strengthen our relationships with people of other faiths by coming together and giving thanks together despite our different religious traditions. It’s really a beautiful opportunity that is uniquely American.

Shalom,

RAF