From the Cantor - November 2000

Chag Yom Hodu Sameach! Many folks know that chag sameach wishes one a happy festival, but it's time for a public explanation for this terrible Hebrew pun I foist upon you every year when Thanksgiving comes around. Hodu has several meanings in Hebrew. It means India (the country, not the ink), but I digress. Hodu also means turkey (the meat, not the country). Still with me? But wait! Most importantly, Hodu means, "give thanks." So Chag Yom Hodu Sameach wishes you a Happy Day of Giving Thanks Festival, and / or a Happy Day of Turkey Festival.

A powerful morning prayer, Nisim b'chol Yom (Everyday Miracles), thanks God for a list of small beauties we often take for granted: the rooster's ability to distinguish between daytime and nighttime; strength amidst weariness; freedom to live as we wish; glory where we least expect it; the power to perceive that which is less than obvious. Our minhag-ha-makom (local custom) is to ask the congregation to share their miracles out loud with each other. This is what we hear: for bringing one's family safely together; bringing children to our congregation; beautiful weather; helping someone over a difficult spot with the added gift of clarity.

Such moments of thanksgiving have been brought to you by these and other portions of our liturgy and history. Such moments of perfect grace - of feeling God's blessings and knowing that you feel them - prove to me that there is something intrinsically Jewish about giving thanks. Fortunately, other faith communities agree that saying thank you is vitally important. Please join us Erev Yom Hodu (the night before Thanksgiving) at Trinity United Methodist Church for our annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service, and immerse yourself in thanksgiving at its finest. Absorb the miracle of voices lifted in song and let yours join in loudly. Surround yourself in community as you share in an evening of warmth and care. Give thanks with your hands by bringing a non-perishable food item to share with those who need it most. Thank you.

B'Shalom u-v'shir,
Cantor Jacqueline L. Shuchat-Marx

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