As November settles in, the leaves are changing colors, the days are growing shorter, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It’s a time to enjoy the beauty of fall, spend time with family, and appreciate the many things we sometimes take for granted. With that in mind, we’ve included Fall Family Day Trips and Turkey Beyond Thanksgiving, offering ideas for enjoying the season outdoors and around the family table.
This month’s cover story, The Orphanage Experience in Our Community, by Sarina Roffé, uncovers a little-known chapter of our Syrian Jewish history. During the Depression and World War II years, poverty, illness, and the loss of a parent forced some families to place their children in orphanages or foster homes. Through personal accounts, we discover stories of separation, sacrifice, and resilience. Some children eventually returned home, while others carried the emotional scars throughout their lives. These experiences remind us of the hardships earlier generations endured and how much of our community’s history remains untold. It’s a moving story that deserves to be remembered and shared.
That appreciation for our past carries into several thought-provoking articles. In The Genesis of Jewish Genius, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks explores how generations of learning, questioning, and challenging ideas have shaped Jewish achievement. The Pause Principle reminds us that Shabbat offers more than a break from our busy schedules. It teaches us the importance of being present with the people who matter most, even during the week. What Did He Do to You? examines why another person’s success should not be viewed as our own loss.
Our community pages reflect both remembrance and progress. Remembering October 7th at MDYHS shares a meaningful gathering where students heard firsthand accounts of tragedy, courage, and unity. We also revisit A Sukkot to Remember at DSN and celebrate important developments, including Barkai Yeshivah’s school expansion and Senator Sutton’s $1 million grant to the Sephardic Community Center.
For everyday life, When Everyone Seems to Be on a GLP-1 addresses the pressures surrounding weight-loss medications and the importance of making personal health decisions. You’ll also find helpful advice in Avoiding Root Canal, Six Ways to Motivate Teenagers, and 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Someone Is Getting On Your Nerves.
As we move through November, I hope we can all find a little more time to appreciate where we’ve come from, the people who enrich our lives, and the blessings we enjoy today. Wishing you and your families a beautiful autumn and a happy Thanksgiving.
Ben-Gurion Matsas and Rachelle Fallas Matsas
