ATTITUDE AND GRATITUDE

If I am not for myself, who is for me?

If I am only for myself, what am I?

If not now when?  

Pirke Avot 1:14

Although this is a short week because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we did talk a bit about Thanksgiving. We talked about religious freedom, (which will again surface next month when we begin our Hanukkah story) and how Thanksgiving is truly about giving thanks and appreciating the many gifts we have. We talked about blessings, and as Jews, our responsibility to say 100 blessings every day. We talked about having too much of everything, and taking the time to show gratitude by doing mitzvot, and thinking about others, rather than worrying about what we want or what we don't have. Students shared their thoughts about gratitude, and how so much of what we do as Jews is about attitude and gratitude.   

Please ask your students to share their ideas of this wonderful piece of text from Pirke Avot. In particular, what are we saying about our needs versus the needs of others, and when are we expected to help others. 

There is no class Tuesday, November 21, and Sunday, November 26, 2017. 

Wishing you and those you a Thanksgiving holiday filled with blessings

THANKSGIVING HAIKUS

Thank you for my food

I am thankful for parents

Thank you for my bed

Will

Thank you GOD so much

I give thanks for my family

That’s why I am thankful

Hugh

I love my parents

I love my family too

I love my sisters

Levi

I give thanks for GOD

I am thankful for family

Thanks for family

Becky

I give thanks to GOD

Thank you for my family

Love is happiness

Sam

Thank you so much GOD

I am thankful for my friends

Thanks for family

Arie