Shabbat Shalom,
This week I have been thinking about gratitude.
At first glance, gratitude seems easy when life is going well. It is natural to be thankful when our families are healthy, our work is rewarding, and our communities are thriving. The true test, however, is whether we can find gratitude even during challenging times.
Some of life's greatest challenges test our ability to feel gratitude at all. For those of us who have lost a loved one, gratitude may seem especially difficult. We cannot ignore our grief or pretend that loss does not hurt. Rather, Judaism teaches us that gratitude and sorrow can exist side by side. Even as we mourn, we can be grateful for the time we shared with those we loved, for the memories they left behind, for the values they instilled in us, and for the blessings they brought into our lives. Their absence may leave an emptiness that can never be filled, but gratitude allows us to honor their legacy and carry their light forward.
The Jewish Alliance has certainly experienced its share of challenges this past year. We have navigated leadership transitions, economic uncertainty, rising antisemitism, and the complexities that come with major organizational changes. Like many organizations, we have faced obstacles that required patience, resilience, and faith.
Yet when I pause and reflect, what stands out most are not the challenges themselves, but the people who helped us overcome them.
I am especially grateful for our professional staff, who often work behind the scenes with dedication and passion, driven by a shared commitment to serving our community.
I am grateful for our donors, whose generosity allows us to meet our mission of enriching Jewish life and making a more secure life throughout Rhode Island. I am grateful for our volunteers and lay leaders, who give their time, wisdom, and energy to ensure that our community remains strong and vibrant. I am grateful for our partner agencies, synagogues, schools, and organizations that work every day to uplift our community and provide meaningful Jewish experiences for people of all ages.
In Judaism, gratitude is more than a feeling—it is a practice. We are taught to begin each day with thanks, to acknowledge blessings both large and small, and to recognize that none of us walks our journey alone. The Hebrew phrase hakarat hatov means "recognizing the good." It challenges us to look beyond what may be difficult or uncertain and to notice the goodness that surrounds us.
Gratitude and philanthropy are partners. Gratitude asks us to recognize the blessings we have received. Philanthropy challenges us to turn that recognition into action. When we give, we do more than write a check (or transfer money directly from your bank account if you are technologically savvy)—we express thanks for the community that nurtured us and help ensure that the next generation will have the same opportunities, support, and sense of belonging that we have enjoyed. In that way, philanthropy becomes gratitude in action by “carrying the light forward.”
As we welcome Shabbat, may we take a moment to reflect on the blessings in our lives and express gratitude to those who make our community stronger every day. May we also consider how we can transform that gratitude into action—through acts of kindness, generosity, volunteerism, and support for the institutions that sustain Jewish life.
Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful, meaningful, and gratitude-filled Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom,
Harris Chorney
Interim President and CEO
