On Thanksgiving Day the community had the rare privilege to benefit from our very own Dr. David Araten’s professional expertise regarding the Coronavirus pandemic.

Dr. David Araten is on staff at the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health and is trained in Hematology & Oncology and Internal Medicine

Opening remarks from Rabbi Gideon Shloush:

Without a question, this Thanksgiving is so very different. No large family gatherings. No 15 lb. turkeys. No jam packed highways. No running to stores for Black Friday deals. And for us in Israel… they don’t even celebrate Thanksgiving. (Every day is Thanksgiving!)

The pandemic has taken a real toll on our families, our community and our world.

But in truth, this year Thanksgiving is so very important. If we reflect on the past year, and the losses that the world has endured  we realize how much we have to be thankful for. And not just to feel gratitude in our hearts. But to say it aloud – every single day: Modeh Ani Lefanecha… She’hechezarta Bi Nishmati B’Chemla. I give thanks to You Hashem that you returned my soul. How great is America; how forward thinking were our founding fathers that they dedicated a day every single year to focus on expressing gratitude.

This week we will be reading Parshat Vayetze. In the Parsha we learn of the birth of Yehuda. At the time of Judah’s birth his mother says: Ha’paam Odeh Et Hashem. This time I give thanks to Hashem. The Talmud in Tractate Brachot teaches us that Leah was the first person in history to say thank you. We are called Yehudim because at our core we understand that showing gratitude speaks to the very essence of who we are and what we’re about.

How grateful we are to have a beautiful community like Adereth El. Even though we are not physically together, and many of us haven’t seen one another since last March, we are still united as one; so very much tied together.

And how privileged to have the opportunity to hear from one of the pillars of our community. Dr. David Araten. He and his family have done so much for Adereth El. Together they run our weekly Children’s Service. Presently, they are sending out weekly Parsha write ups with Parsha Project suggestions to enable the children in our community to continue having a taste of the Children’s Service each and every week. Today, we have the opportunity to hear from another side of Dr. Aarten; the renowned  physician and medical researcher.
There is something so very comforting about hearing not only from someone who is greatly respected in the field of medicine and research but also from a dear and trusted voice in our congregation. Dr. Araten, it really means a lot to hear your insights.