As we gather around tables with family and friends, this Thanksgiving feels especially moving. In our own community, we are reminded not only of the warmth of home and the closeness of loved ones, but also of the strength and compassion that connect us even in times of hardship.

This year, our gratitude runs especially deep. We give thanks for the resilience of our local community, which continues to show up with open arms, listening hearts, and tireless hands. Whether it’s through stocking food pantries, attending vigils for peace, or small acts of quiet kindness, the generosity surrounding us is a powerful reminder: We are not alone in our challenges or in our hopes.

With the recent release of all living hostages and the return of many of the deceased from Gaza, a collective breath of relief has swept through countless homes. Our hearts are with those families. Though grief and loss remain, this moment offers a glimmer of hope and a fragile but vital thread reconnecting loved ones. We hold close the stories of those who have come home, and we mourn deeply for those still missing or lost.

In Israel, amid the heartbreak of recent months, we see a quiet but fierce spirit of resilience. Communities shattered by violence are beginning to rebuild not just physically, but also emotionally. Families are gathering to mourn, remember, and heal. Volunteers are showing up, children are returning to school, and amid the devastation, seeds of renewal are being planted.

This Thanksgiving, we reflect on the power of human connection to sustain us through our darkest days and to fuel the work of rebuilding. Hope is not passive; it is a choice, made again and again, by those who refuse to give in to despair. It lives in those who bake bread for neighbors, deliver supplies to displaced families, make phone calls, write notes, and work toward a future where peace is not just possible, but sustainable.

Together, we honor the unshakable bonds that connect communities here at home, in Israel, and across the 70 countries where we stand side by side in the work of peace, justice, and healing. We are part of something greater than ourselves, a global movement of care and courage, which continues to show what is possible when compassion and solidarity guide us.

As we celebrate this season and share stories around our tables, let us remember the extraordinary power we each have to support one another. Let Thanksgiving be more than a time to be grateful; let it also be a time to be generous. To show up. To extend kindness. And to keep rebuilding, together.

This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for survival, for resilience, and most of all, for the enduring spirit of our community.

Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful, meaningful, and happy Thanksgiving.