November-Thanksgiving & Kislev

The Hebrew Month of Kislev begins on 25 Kislev or November 21, 2025. It's the ninth month of the Jewish calendar, counting from Nisan (as the first month). 

As Americans, we think of November as Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday.

FYI, gratitude is expressed and practiced everyday in Jewish life. When we wake up, we recite the Modeh Ani prayer. 

"Modeh ani l’fanecha, melech chai v’kayam, shehechezarta bi nishmati b’chemla, raba emunatecha" 

It translates literally as “Thank You, I.” The point is that the very first word that comes out of our mouths should be one of gratitude. We often spend the rest of our waking day focused on ourselves, our needs, our work. So we want to ensure that we never forget to have the foundation of our day be “Thank You.” (Source: My Jewish Learning) 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We've learned to reduce the amount of food we cook. For example, we don't like green bean casserole anymore, so that's not on the menu.

For the first time this year, we're having a roast. My hubby doesn't like turkey that much and even a small turkey breast has too much food for 3 people. But, I'm having a turkey lunch with a friend the Monday before Thanksgiving. 

I'm feeling thankful, grateful and blessed this year for my family and friends. 

4 Things About Passover You Need to Know

1. Passover is one of 3 pilgimage festivals when Hebrews traveled to Israel. The other 2 are: Shavuot & Sukkot

Why Matzah?

2. We left Egypt in a hurry and the bread didn't rise, so we commemorate the holiday by eating Matzah and re-telling the story at the Seder. 

3. Passover is about miracles and freedom from slavery when Moses and G-d brought the Israelites out of Egypt. 

The Four Cups

4. The 4 cups of wine represnt the 4 stages of redemption (G-d told us):

• 1. I will bring you out (of Eqypt)
• 2. free you (from slavery) 
• 3. redeem you 
• 4. take you as my own people and I will be your G-d. 

Source: Adult Ed by Rabbi Tom Samuels 

Gratitude

I am so grateful to be alive every day and have a chance to celebrate Passover with members of my community on Zoom. 

This past year, I feel more connected to my Jewish heritage with the ability to visit various U.S. synagogues on Shabbat to listen to different melodies and hear sermons from many learned Rabbis. 

Thanks for sharing this journey with me. 

Passover 2021 on Zoom (again)

Sadly, while it's normally a community and family holiday, this year many of us will be on Zoom. If G-d wills it, next year, we can be together again in person. 

But, wherever you are, John and I wish you a Happy Passover

Become a LinorStore VIP by clicking the image below:

You get advance notice of:

• new products
• blog posts
• events
• jewelry tips 
• and more

8 Jewish Gratitude Thoughts during Hanukkah

Hanukkah is about miracles and there are many things to be grateful for (even this year). 

Here is my gratitude list: 

• I can ask and receive help from friends and neighbors since I can't drive temporarily because I'm recovering from hammertoe foot surgery. 
• A neighbor drove me to pick up a Chanukah gift for my husband
• A friend delivered a latke box from my synagogue drive through

    Contents of Hanukkah Latke Box

• Grateful that my synagogue and many others are conducting services, Hanukkah candle lighting, and Adult Education online on Zoom or Facebook. This has helped me focus on Torah study and blessings instead of being worried about the pandemic.

• Glad that my feet are now naked and out of bandages.

My bandaged feet on ice after surgery

Naked toes mid-December

• Gratitude to my husband for mailing out my customer orders within 36 hours so my clients would receive them in a timely manner. 

• Thankful that my local library offers home drop off and pickup service. 

My to-be-read pile

• Glad I'm working from home and safe from exposure to the coronavirus. And, I get more done! 

• Happy that my husband got me the book, "The Women's Torah Commentary" for Hanukkah.

• Grateful to HaShem for giving me another day. Each morning, I recite at least 2 prayers: "Modah ani" and "Elohai Neshama to thank G-d for restoring my (pure) soul. 

What are your Jewish Gratitude Thoughts/favorite prayers?