I ’m probably the only writer in the magazine you’re now reading who’s unabashedly mentioning that this coming Thursday is Thanksgiving.
Being a rav of a shul with many members who grew up in secular American culture has its unique privileges. I’m humbled to help navigate my congregants’ involvement with family members who are “not-yet-frum” and not at all embarrassed to mention that I’m the only rav around who receives as many halachic queries regarding Thanksgiving as I receive before Pesach.
I’m not talking about the obligation or possible prohibition of eating turkey; frankly that question is “easy as pumpkin pie” in comparison. I am discussing people and their feelings.
Every Thanksgiving I’m overwhelmed by people grappling with: “To go or not to go; that is the question!” I’m asked about the appropriateness of the baal teshuvah family socializing with non-frum (or even non-Jewish) relatives who would be offended if they were a no-show at Seudas Thanksgiving.
