“There is a lot to be thankful for …”
A bus driver asked me before the holiday break if I celebrated Thanksgiving. He knows I am Jewish and I was a little flummoxed by his question and had to think about it. After a moment to think, I told him we were expecting 18 relatives for our Thanksgiving dinner, so I think we definitely celebrate Thanksgiving. This exchange started me thinking of what I am truly thankful for:
- My wonderful wife and how she always supplies thoughtful advice and loving care for me, our daughter, and her extended family.
- My brothers, nieces, and nephews.
- Good health.
- Having a sense of humor and being able to laugh.
- Being able to still referee soccer (since 1981).
- Participating in an Optimist Club (for over 40 years) and helping to rise money to distribute to the youth in Cedar Rapids.
- Having friends who I have known for years from a wide variety of backgrounds.
- Working with an eclectic blend of people driving school buses.
- Being president of a family-oriented, loving congregation at Temple Judah with a caring Rabbi and his wife.
- Seeing members of our congregation at New Pioneer Coop and enjoying my conversation with them (thank you Ann).
I could go on and on. It is a good lesson for all of us to think about what we have to be thankful for every once in a while.
I was blessed to attend a baby naming at Temple last week. It was wonderful to see a newly born baby, Marley Rose, with her extended family on the bima (grandparents and even a great grandmother), as she received her Hebrew name and the explanation by her mother, Melissa, as to why this Hebrew name was chosen. The neatest thing about this was a comment Fred made after the ceremony. He said it was nice to get together to celebrate a new life.
We are a small community but are strong with our ties to our Temple Judah family. Come join us in prayer and contribute to keeping the flame alive and burning bright. Don’t sit on the outside, looking in. Donate, participate!! Join us for the Chanukah Dinner on December 10 (RSVP by December 7). I personally know the latke makers, so it should be a wonderful dinner to attend!
Shalom,
Brian D. Cohen
President