The holiday of Thanksgiving provides a seasonal time of year for us to address what it is that we are thankful for and to whom we owe such gratitude. But thanksgiving also asks us to answer the question, how do we go about expressing our gratitude and if we say thank you enough. The following story entitled "The Hand", by Steve Goodier shares with us that saying thank you can come in many different forms, not only by sending a card or making a phone call.

Thanksgiving Day was near. A first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment -- to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful. Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her student's art. And they were. But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher's true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes. Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went -- until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas' desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was. The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher." She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand. Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work.

This inspirational story speaks of more than thankfulness. It says so much about teachers teaching, parents parenting, friends showing friendship, and how much it means to those like Douglas in the world. They might not always say thanks. But they'll remember the hand that reaches out. As we celebrate thanksgiving this year, whose helping hand will we draw and why? Who are the people that we are most grateful for in our lives? Who are the ones in the world who reach their hands out to us when we are hurting and need assistance?

God blesses each of us with hands that have the ability to do so much for others in the world. Thanksgiving is the time for us to show gratitude for the hands that have helped us. Thanksgiving is also the time for us to determine if our hands are doing enough in the world.

Michelle, Brianah, Julia and Avi join me in wishing our entire Bet Shira community a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

Chag Hodayah Sameyakh,

Rabbi Micah Caplan

TODAH RABAH!!!

Micah and Michelle Caplan thank everyone for their gifts, donations and generosity for the celebration of the birth of Avi Rimon Caplan. At his brit he was given the Hebrew name Hillel Rimon. Thank you to Rabbi Auerbach and Cantor Kula for naming our son. Thank you to Bet Shira for sponsoring the wonderful meal that followed and Gail Tescher for making it all happen.

Our entire family looks forward to sharing Avi with the entire community for many years to come. Thank you again,

Rabbi, Michelle, Brianah, Julia and Avi