LOS ANGELES, CA — Though a popular grade-school history lesson, and a much-anticipated festival with all the trimmings, the story behind Thanksgiving remains a bit sketchy. Regardless of its provenance, Americans appreciate a good celebration, and Thanksgiving has been a national holiday for almost 400 years.
Chabad Does Thanksgiving
LOS ANGELES, CA — Though a popular grade-school history lesson, and a much-anticipated festival with all the trimmings, the story behind Thanksgiving remains a bit sketchy. Regardless of its provenance, Americans appreciate a good celebration, and Thanksgiving has been a national holiday for almost 400 years.
AThis year, despite economic worries and a collectively uncertain future, Chabad centers across the country are ensuring that people still have something to be thankful for.
Rabbi Zalman Carlebach and members of his downtown San Diego community are running to help. Literally. Michael London, a regular at Chabad of Downtown, organized the PureFitness Thanksgiving Run for the Hungry 10K/5K. Close to 4,000 people will race through the closed streets of San Diego to benefit the San Diego Food Bank and Foodmobile, a program of Jewish Family Service.
Carlebach’s “Team Chabad” includes 100 eager participants who hope to raise several thousand dollars in order to feed the city’s hungry. “People are more concerned these days with the economic crisis,” he explains, “and they want to do more to help others.” Chabad is a recognized distributor to the city’s poor. Canned goods, pasta, beans, and gefilte fish are all staples to be found in the packages Carlebach prepares and delivers each week.
The morning will be one of true thanksgiving, says the running rabbi. “First we are giving tzedaka, by running for the hungry. Then we will join together in thanksgiving to G-d,” with a finish-line minyan. Members of the broader Jewish community are set to join Chabad for prayers and a typical Jewish thanksgiving repast: bagels and lox.
moshe
has chabad become a social service agency is this the rebbes’ kavana
Horrified
How can this be??? Celebrating a completely goyishe holiday!! Is this really what a Chabad house was meant to be?? Is this really what the Rebbe wanted?? How about taking care of our own!! Give them the food and money that you seem to have so much of!! Tzedaka begins at home!! This is in no way anything to be proud of!!
“MIVTZA THANSGIVING!!! How sick and sad.
Yeruchem
I think you guys should get of crown heights a little and see that there is a big world out there. Any way we can help get yidden involved in a Chabad peulah, will help o get them invoved in other mitzvos.
What is so bad about doing a little kindness?
Good job Rabbi Carlebach!
Mr. horrified don’t be so upset, it’s all good!
nachman
It is appropriate to reiterate that the character of this nation is based on faith in G-d. And we speak not of an abstract Super Being; but of G-d, Creator and Master of the world.
One can profess belief in a Creator while failing to recognize G-d’s interest in the details of the world and in man’s mortal actions. Our nation however, is built on the principles established by the founding fathers. When they landed on these shores one of their first acts was to set and proclaim a holiday of Thanksgiving to the Creator and Master of the world who had saved them from danger and brought them to these safe shores. Here they could live without fear, religious persecution or oppressive decrees. Here they could conduct their lives according to their sacred beliefs. Their thanksgiving expressed this faith: G-d not only created the world but also directs the events of the world. They recognized the providence of G-d in their salvation.
This holiday has become tradition and every year we offer sincere thanksgiving to the Al-mighty for showing those early settlers His abundant kindness.
Even the estranged souls, who in their heart believe in G-d but outwardly boast of atheism or relegate G-d to the seventh Heaven, certainly participate in the customs of the holiday of Thanksgiving established by those original Americans.
http://www.sichosinenglish….
moshe
http://www.chabadtalk.com/f…