Message From The Rabbi

In our family, whether on Shabbat, for birthday celebrations, or secular holidays, we always begin our meal with the tzedakah box. Everyone receives a coin from the moment they are old enough to hold it. We go around the room and each person shares something they are thankful for, and then they drop their coin into the box. 

There is a ritual to the order:  

Pick up coin 

Share gratitude 

Drop coin into the tzedakah box 

Pass the box to the next person 

To engage in such a ritual is to turn you house from a home, to a mikdash m’at, a small sanctuary. Your dining room is no longer just a dining room, now it is the central place of kindness. The tone for the rest of the meal has been set. You home is a sacred space. 

For those whose tables might otherwise become tense with conversation, perhaps this ritual can help to ground everyone in the realization that we are all blessed to gather and be together. 

Wishing you a Shavua Tov and a Happy Thanksgiving, 

Rabbi Rachael 

P.S. If you stayed in town and/or welcome family or friends into your home for Thanksgiving I hope you will bring them with you to services on Friday night to welcome in Shabbat, see you at 7:30pm.