Dear Hevreh,

Perhaps the most significant feeling that religion tries to cultivate is the feeling of gratitude. While we cannot control everything that happens in our lives, and at times we may feel like destiny/the universe/God is out to get us, Judaism constantly reminds us to hodu ladonai ki tov, ki l’olam hasdo — Give thanks to God for God’s love endures forever. Coming off of Thanksgiving, with its religious origins, and Hanukkah, we are also reminded at this time of year how to be grateful at the miraculous nature of our lives.

Indeed, gratitude is so central to our faith that we have a prayer for the simple purpose of sharing our gratitude for being alive in this moment:

Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh Ha-olam Shehehiyanu V’kiy’manu V’higianu Lazman Hazeh

Praised Are You Adonai King of the Universe Who Has Sustained Us and Brought Us To This Moment

This moment, today, is a special one to be grateful for — our first stand-a-lone fundraiser in years and Perth Amboy’s first ever Rubber Duck Race. It’s a moment that we’ve been waiting for and we’ve worked so hard to get to. So many members of our community have spent time, energy, and money to make this event successful and while soon we will give thanks to all of those who participated, I want to give a special thanks to our Duck Race Chair Alan Roy for his steadfast and relentless leadership in making this moment a reality.

It’s a special moment, a fun moment, an exciting moment, and certainly one that is worth saying Shehehiyanu, so please join me in saying this special blessing of gratitude.

See you at the race! (Right now the race is scheduled for approximately 3 pm, but please stay tuned to your email for time adjustments based on the fluid timing of the swim meet that is taking place at the same time).

Kol Tuv,

Rabbi Ari Saks

Category : Rabbi's Journal Rubber Duck Race
Tag : gratefulness rabbi's journal rubber duck race shehehiyanu