1+ hour, 14+ min ago (326+ words) This past Shemini Atzeret, the Orthodox Union-and the broader Jewish world-lost a leader of uncommon depth and humility. Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt'l, who served as Executive Vice President for nearly six years, guided the OU with wisdom grounded in Torah and a profound sense of responsibility to Klal Yisrael. Rabbi Hauer zt"l was a true talmid chacham, a master teacher and communicator, the voice of Torah to the Orthodox community and the voice of Orthodoxy to the world. He personified what it means to be a Torah Jew and took nothing more seriously than his role of sharing the joy of Jewish life with our community and beyond. Rabbi Hauer's leadership was marked by unwavering dedication, deep compassion, and a vision rooted in faith in Hashem, integrity, and love for Klal Yisrael. Whether through his inspiring words, thoughtful counsel,…...

1+ hour, 39+ min ago (486+ words) FOR THIS YEAR'S THANKSGIVING PRAYER, a theory: Gratitude is not just a virtue that serves an important social role, but it may just be the most underappreciated and underused tool for personal wellbeing. We talk plenty about honesty, compassion, generosity, and openmindedness'all essential. But gratitude rarely gets equal billing, even though it's the emotion that, more than any other, makes happiness possible. If you want to avoid sinking into a pit of resentful disappointed despair, it's vital to be grateful mindfully and actively and every day, not just on Thanksgiving. Get 20% off for 1 year Some time ago I heard about another example of such a practice, one that I am awed by. I have an acquaintance named Yisrael. He was originally named Chris and raised as a practicing Christian in a devout family in Philadelphia'but one day in adulthood he…...

2+ hour, 26+ min ago (236+ words) Thanksgiving is a special time when families and communities pause to give thanks for life's blessings. In both Jewish and Christian traditions, thanksgiving is deeply rooted in Scripture, liturgy, and history. Origin of the word Thanksgiving Thanksgiving in the Old Testament Then Proverbs 3:9 says, "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of thine increase." Later in Nehemiah thanksgiving was given for the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Thanksgiving in the New Testament St Paul and Thanksgiving Book of Common Prayer Thanksgiving for the Harvest Kim Kardashian pays $80K to buy Bible her dad gave to OJ Simpson Mozambique crisis deepens as Christians killed and thousands displaced in new wave of extremist attacks Charter launched to protect street preachers from arrest Christian street preacher cleared in harassment case The triumph of Christianity over the Viking raiders 18 church leaders…...

2+ hour, 35+ min ago (353+ words) With so much going wrong in the world these days it seems nearly impossible to maintain a disposition of gratitude. And yet, we must remember that the suffering and the troubles that we face now are no different in essence than those of any other human generation. The post Thanksgiving 2025 appeared first on Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. With so much going wrong in the world these days it seems nearly impossible to maintain a disposition of gratitude. And yet, we must remember that the suffering and the troubles that we face now are no different in essence than those of any other human generation. In every generation, people have and still do turn to their faith in a living God whose grace and mercy strengthens and directs them. That fact is the center of our gratitude now! This Thanksgiving as…...

3+ hour, 3+ min ago (662+ words) People visit Herrnhuter Sterne GmbH manufacturing, a Christmas stars manufacturing company in Herrnhut, Germany, Nov. 10, 2025. (Credit: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP.) HERRNHUT, Germany " Bright Christmas'stars have long been a familiar sight across'Germany'during the darkest days of the year, but none is more famous " and lately as popular " as the Moravian stars from the eastern village of Herrnhut near the Polish and Czech borders. They come in different sizes and shine in varying colors. They decorate church steeples and apartment windows, and even adorn the chancellery in Berlin during'Advent. "It's the symbol of the Star of'Bethlehem, which guided the three wise men to the Christ Child in the manger," said Katja Ruppert, managing director of the Herrnhuter Sterne manufacturing company. The stars have been handmade for over 180 years in Herrnhut, which was founded by refugees of the Moravian Church fleeing from the historical…...

3+ hour, 35+ min ago (863+ words) Late November into December is a very special time of the year. In the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving just before Advent begins. With God there is no such thing as a coincidence. Perhaps He has given Americans a special grace in the placement of this holiday on the doorway of our liturgical season of preparation for Christmas and the coming of Jesus at the end of time. Thanksgiving is gratitude expressed. Fr. John Hardon's definition of gratitude includes: The virtue by which a person acknowledges, interiorly and exteriorly, gifts received and seeks to make at least some return for the gift conferred. (It) consists of an interior disposition, a grateful heart" God has given us our very existence and continues to sustain our lives at every moment. He hopes that we will give our gratitude to Him for this…...

3+ hour, 38+ min ago (55+ words) Psychologist Dale Atkins discussed nurturing gratitude during Thanksgiving and her forthcoming illustrated children's book, 'The Turquoise Butterfly.' Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to nurture a practice of gratitude and teach it to young people in your life. Psychologist Dale Atkins also tells NTD about her forthcoming illustrated children's book, "The Turquoise Butterfly."...

5+ hour, 4+ min ago (107+ words) [AN IDF reserve soldier reports for a military drill along the border with Lebanon and Syria this week. Perhaps the ultimate "hineni" are the soldiers who have put their lives on the line to save our precious Holy Land, says the writer. (photo credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90)]May we remember that gratitude is not the result of a perfect life, but the practice that fills every life with meaning, purpose, and hope. "Hineni': Thanksgiving"s answer to Jewish tradition's sacred question - opinion May we remember that gratitude is not the result of a perfect life, but the practice that fills every life with meaning, purpose, and hope....

8+ hour, 31+ min ago (395+ words) The poet Rumi once said, "Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life." I like that image because it suggests gratitude isn't something we express once a year; it's something we live in. It keeps us warm when life feels cold, and it reminds us that grace often shows up in small, unremarkable ways. Marcus Aurelius wrote, "When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive " to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." He wasn't talking about grand success or perfect days. He was talking about ordinary mornings " the kind most of us rush through without a thought. Gratitude, at its core, is simply paying attention. I know that not every Thanksgiving table feels easy. Some of you are carrying grief or sitting across from someone…...

10+ hour, 4+ min ago (726+ words) by Melinda McCredie | Nov 27, 2025 On this episode of 20Twenty, Julie-Anne Laird from City to City Australia joined us to talk about how Christians can make the most of Christmas with non-Christian family. With the festive season fast approaching, she shared practical ways to bring Jesus into family celebrations with grace, courage and creativity. Julie-Anne said every family dynamic is different, and that shapes how faith is expressed at Christmas. "Some families are fairly hostile, and you might be the only Christian. Others might be mostly Christian with a few non-Christians. So part of it is thinking about where you start," she explained. She believes this year offers new opportunities for believers to be more open about their faith. "There's a bit more warmth towards Christianity right now. This Christmas especially feels like an opportunity we might not have had over the…...