Shabbat Shalom ~ Parashat Chayei Sara 2026

Shalom WJC Family,

November always feels to me like the month of gratitude. Obviously it ends with Thanksgiving – always a favorite, but I think it’s more than that.  It may be because I love the autumn so much and we are having such a beautiful one (picture from a recent hike I did in the Shawangunks), or that the mad rush after the High Holidays is finally dying down. Whatever the reason, it is special to have a whole month that feels enveloped in this beautiful feeling of gratitude and I want to make sure of another way to be part of that feeling.

This Sunday at 4pm our Larchmont/Mamaroneck communities of faith will gather for our annual Thanksgiving service. This year’s host is Trinity Church on Boston Post Road (some of you may remember that we had the privilege of hosting last year). Our neighbors from Trinity, St. Thomas, Larchmont Temple, Larchmont Avenue Church, St. John’s, and more will all be participating. I hope you will join us as well and be part of one of the special moments every year that brings us together as an interfaith community. There will also be a volunteer choir – to participate in the choir, arrive at Trinity at 2:30 for a one-hour rehearsal.

Of course, sometimes what makes us feel grateful are the reminders of how blessed we are to live where and when we do. I know there are many reasons for anxiety right now (check out this story from Philadelphia regarding a planned “boycott bike ride” of Jewish businesses there on the eve of Kristallnacht), which is why it is especially important to have reminders of how lucky we are. I always find the confluence of Kristallnacht and Veteran’s Day to be an excellent reminder of just that and this year we have excellent programs to commemorate both.

First, this Sunday, join us for our annual Kristallnacht Commemoration featuring the movie “Names Not Numbers” as produced by our member Jill Rivel with her students at Westchester Day School and featuring the testimony of our longtime member Solange Wermund. Both Solange and Jill will be on hand to answer questions and speak about their experiences making the film.

Then after Veterans Day, on Friday night November 13th, Rabbi Yoni Warren will be our special guest. Rabbi Warren has served the US Armed Forces as a Navy chaplain for over 15 years. Rabbi Warren will speak about Jewish life in the Navy and share his stories of recent deployments, including during active fighting with Iran. Rabbi Warren is a great teacher and an inspiring leader. He will also be teaching our “shiur” on Shabbat afternoon – that’s the class between the afternoon and evening services when we serve food and learn some Torah together. Veteran’s Day and his visit are a reminder that we are truly blessed to live in a country where the authorities stand with us in times of stress and Antisemitism. It has been true for the US Armed forces, including the many thousands of Jews who have served this country in uniform, for two centuries, and it is true regarding the police and political authorities in Philadelphia today.   

Lastly, I wanted to mention that with the clocks changing last week, mincha for Shabbat is starting at 4:30 and will be done by 5:30. That’s the perfect timing to pray, eat, learn, and still have plenty of time to go out for dinner after. Join us on Saturday afternoon, the 14th, for Rabbi Warren’s class, or on any other Saturday afternoon. The learning and company is always top notch!

See you in shul,

RJA