It’s heartbreaking to think of all the Thanksgiving gatherings in New York and Washington that will be missing family members this year.
Just two months have passed since the day that changed our lives, and we are still a nation in mourning. Not only that, we are a nation at war.
While most Bay Area families were personally untouched by the attacks, the collective mood of the country right now makes recalling what we are thankful for not the easiest of tasks. Indeed, the idea of a holiday that is traditionally marked by stuffing ourselves silly can seem a bit trivial right now.
Staff members of the American Jewish Committee felt the same way. So they came up with a Haggadah that acknowledges the difficulty in celebrating what’s usually a joyous holiday at a time when many are in no mood to celebrate.
It was a smart idea, as Passover is often thought of as a Jewish Thanksgiving. In addition, Thanksgiving is rooted in Judaism: The pilgrims based the celebration in their new land on the Sukkot festival.
Whether we are first-, second- or third-generation American Jews, most of us are aware of how grateful our ancestors were to arrive here.
Whether we are rallying around the flag right now, or are among the minority who oppose the bombing of Afghanistan, we should all be grateful this holiday that we are lucky to live in a country that allows us such freedom.
It’s ironic, as the very freedom we Americans so greatly cherish is seen as an affront by those who attacked us.
So with Thanksgiving being even more like the American Passover this year, recall our ancestors crossing the Red Sea out of Egypt — to be free. Think of others crossing the Atlantic Ocean, out of Russia, Poland, or wherever they were from — to be free.
As you sit around the table enjoying the bounty, be thankful for family. Friends. Freedom.