A Well-Earned Nap: Finding Gratitude in November

Take a deep breath. You made it.

Since September we've welcomed a new year, fasted, built sukkot, shaken lulavim, and danced with the Torah. Our kitchens are worn out, our calendars are finally clear, and some of us still have honey stuck in places we can't explain.

Now November is here, and the Jewish calendar has nothing scheduled. This month has no holidays at all. The Hebrew month even has a reputation as the “bitter” month because it has nothing to celebrate. I prefer to think of it as a well-earned nap.

Fortunately, America picks up the slack with Thanksgiving, which is basically a Jewish

holiday anyway. We gather the family, eat far too much, argue a little about politics, insist

everyone take leftovers home, and promise to do it again next year. Sound familiar? The

only real difference is that nobody asks four questions about the turkey. Though maybe we should start. “Why is this bird different from all other birds?”

So here's my November challenge: enjoy the quiet. Come to services when there's no pressure and you can actually find parking. Bring a friend to an event. Call someone you haven't talked to since the break-fast. And when you go around the Thanksgiving table sharing what you're thankful for, I hope Temple Beth Israel makes your list. You are certainly on ours.

Rest up, too. Hanukkah arrives the evening of December 4, and the latkes won't fry

themselves. Wishing you a cozy November and a Happy Thanksgiving!