From the Rabbi - November 2005

My Dear Friends,

This year, I find myself composing these words in late September while I am in the midst of preparing my sermons for the High Holidays. Normally, I would not be writing a November column before the High Holidays, but because of the peculiarities of the Jewish calendar, the New Year, which always begins the first of Tishrei, is "late" on the secular calendar.

And so, I find myself contemplating the similarities between our Fall Holidays and Thanksgiving, actually a healthy juxtaposition. The Pilgrims used the festival of Sukkot as a model upon which to build their new feast of Thanksgiving. This quintessentially American holiday is also very Jewish.

The Sukkah reminds us of God's grace and bounty much as our Thanksgiving table cornucopia centerpieces call on us to give thanks. In fact, if we take that metaphor just a little further, who is to say that the "horn of plenty" is not directly related to the shofar?  In this light, a symbol of abundance is also a reminder of the need for teshuvah, for repentance and return to doing God's work in our world.

This year, Congregation Albert will again host the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service on Wednesday evening, November 23. Please join with us and our sister congregations, First Congregational Church, First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque and Monte Vista Christian Church, as we give thanks for the bounty that God has bestowed upon us, our families, congregations and community. In a time when we are acutely aware of those who are in need, who have lost their homes to flood, wind and rain, who have come to our community looking for shelter and new beginnings, giving thanks must be linked with giving help. In that spirit, we also ask that when you come to the service, as in previous years, please bring donations of non-perishable food items.

May your Thanksgiving tables overflow with abundance and your hearts with an awareness of our role in perfecting God's creation.

Sue, Elana and Ethan join me in wishing you a happy Thanksgiving.

B'shalom,
Rabbi Joseph R. Black

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