Thanksgiving

Steven Chizzik, President

Thanksgiving is one of the few Holidays in America without religious overtones. I find it interesting that the Hebrew word for “turkey” is “hodu,” which just happens to also mean “to give thanks.”

Thanksgiving is always a special day to be with family and to “Give Thanks.” It has always been the custom at our Thanksgiving table to ask each person (no matter how old they are) to tell us what they are thankful for.

So today, I’d like to let you know a few of the items I am thankful for during this Thanksgiving season.

First and foremost, I am thankful that my family has stayed healthy during the past two years of the COVID pandemic. I am grateful to all the researchers, doctors, nurses and frontline workers who have put their lives in jeopardy to protect ours.

I am grateful for the technologies (Facetime and Zoom, in particular) that have allowed us to be “closer” to one another when we couldn’t be near each other.

I am especially grateful to Rabbi Chorny, who early on knew how important it was to keep our synagogue functioning — our services, classes and social activities alive — as we learned to live through these crises.

I owe a great deal of gratitude to our task force, which has continually done everything possible to keep us safe and healthy. And, I’m in debt to all our committee members who kept programming and services running during these trying times.

I am so delighted to give thanks to Cantor Norman Brody and his beautiful voice for collaborating with Rabbi Chorny to inspire us during these past High Holidays, making them the best High Holidays ever at Beth Tikvah.

There is so much more for each of us to be thankful for. I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I’d like to add the prayer that we all are soon free of worry from this virus and can be together, hugging one another again, very soon.

Please remember to keep Sunday afternoon, Dec. 5 clear on your calendar. State Attorney for the 13th District of Florida (Tampa area), Andrew Warren, will come to Beth Tikvah to discuss antisemitism. I’ve had the privilege of listening to State Attorney Warren speak on this topic. I can only say he was so dynamic, that I immediately asked him to come to Beth Tikvah. This event will be cosponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

Please follow our website to see all the exciting happenings being scheduled at Beth Tikvah for the new season ahead.

I again would like to remind everyone that Beth Tikvah is now offering new members their fi rst year’s dues free of charge. If you or a friend wants to experience the warmth and community found at Beth Tikvah, please come meet our special congregation.

Beth Tikvah is the affiliated congregation in Greater Naples of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All Things Jewish programs.

Religious services streaming schedule

Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. Yahrzeit minyanim is convened upon request.

You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.