Try it this Thanksgiving: An attitude of gratitude will push out the negatives | Opinion

Some people might have to look hard, but if you look with an open heart and mind, you will see, as I do, that we have so much to be thankful for.

The last time we had a “normal” Thanksgiving with family and friends gathered around a table laden with wonderful things to eat, and grandchildren wiggling out of the tight, loving arms of Grandma’s and Grandpa’s hugs was in 2019. As we said our goodbyes, it never dawned on any of us that the next Thanksgiving would be markedly different. We have COVID-19 to thank for that.

Thanksgiving of 2020 found us into lockdown mode, with our houses of worship closed until further notice. Many of us wondered if we would ever see another old-fashioned, traditional Thanksgiving. We prayed that we would.

While we were locked down, many of us were also in mourning mode, and many of us still are. According to recent statistics as of Nov. 17, the number of COVID-19 cases in America was around 47.2 million. And if we haven’t seen a death from COVID in our immediate family by now, we know of a close friend or a distant relative who has.

By the dawn of 2021, hope for a better day was on the horizon, thanks to newly developed vaccines. But those vaccines sowed enormous divisions: Rumors of scientists using us as guinea pigs started floating around, causing some people to back away from taking the life-saving serum. They wondered aloud if the vaccine was safe. Out of fear, many simply refused to be vaccinated, while some others took a wait-and-see attitude. Yet, as people swallowed their fears and got vaccinated, the number of deaths from COVID slowly started to dwindle.

While the debate still goes on about whether we should, or should not, be get vaccinated, it seems to me that for the most part, the vaccines work. And because of this, Thanksgiving will almost be like old times: Families can be together again, even though they will still have to take precautions, like wearing masks where required and washing hands often. This year, grandparents can hug their grandchildren. And except in rare cases, there will be no need for “Face-Time”-ing.

I am so thankful for the progress we’ve made in getting back to whatever we call “normal.” I am thankful that more and more houses of God have opened their doors for regular worship and that our children are back in school. That entertainment venues like Disney World are back in business, for the most part, and that vacation travel and cruises are on the upswing.

Still, we are not out of the woods: People are still getting COVID. While the death toll has dropped in some areas, people are still dying, and loved ones are still mourning.

Yet despite the virus — and the many political divisions between us — I still say we have so much to be thankful for. And even though there will always be disagreements and strife among humans, love and forgiveness will always find a way.

I am thankful for this hope. There will always be natural disasters and people we need to reach out to. I am thankful so many of us still feel the need to help each other in times of distress. There will always be the poor among us, and I am thankful that there are still places in this country where they can find refuge. And I am thankful for the things we often take for granted, like breathing and just being alive.

I am thankful, too, for my family and loved ones.

I am thankful for a mom who was not ashamed to let me hear her praying to our Heavenly Father. When I was a child, I used to hear her as she prayed, “Lord, keep me clothed and in my right mind…” I didn’t understand her prayer back then. But as I got older, I understood the miracle of that prayer. My mom was in her “right mind” up until she breathed her last breath. So, one of the things I am most thankful for is that I am yet in my “right mind.”

As we approach this Thanksgiving Day, let us try to cultivate gratitude. Let’s think about all the things we should be thankful for — the small and the great. I myself am a witness to the fact that when we have an attitude of gratitude, the negative feelings that grab at your soul will be pushed out.

Just try it. When you do, you will find that there will only be room for caring and thankfulness — and not bitterness, hatred and strife

God bless you, my friends, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Temple Israel has new executive director

Congratulations to Shari Debowsky, who on Nov. 15, became the new executive director of Temple Israel of Greater Miami, at 137 NE 19th St. in Miami. She steps into this role as the temple gets ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022.

According to a press release from Temple Israel, Debowsky brings to the synagogue more than 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having spent most of her career working in Reform synagogue life and most recently as a fundraiser at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation.

She will use her passion for strategic planning to complement the programming already in place at the temple, while overseeing the synagogue’s day-to-day operations, logistics, campus management and staff development.

She will also engage with the board of trustees and other volunteers to implement their vision for the future of Temple Israel.

“It is an incredible privilege to join the Temple Israel family, especially as it embarks on its centennial anniversary,” Debowsky said. “… I am looking forward to being able to bring my skills, knowledge, and passion for synagogue life to everyone… Miami has seen substantial growth recently and Temple Israel is located in the heart of it. This congregation can serve all Jewish life in Downtown Miami, offering innovative programming while enhancing spiritual growth.”

Debowsky and her husband Stuart have been married 15 years. They are the parents of two — Ben and Lizzie.

PolitiFact: No evidence Rittenhouse’s mother drove him to the protest

In my Nov. 14 column, I mentioned that Kyle Rittenhouse’s mom drove the armed teenager across state lines to Kenosha, Wisconsin, armed with an assault rifle. Rittenhouse — who pleaded self-defense in the fatal shooting of two people and the wounding of a third during a violent protest — was found not guilty on all charges on Friday.

PolitiFact, which is The Poynter Institute’s fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others, said in an article published online on Nov. 15 that there was no evidence Wendy Rittenhouse drove her son to Kenosha, and that there was also no evidence that her son was armed when he left their Illinois home for Wisconsin.

These assertions were widely seen on Instagram and other social media and were widely believed — but never verified.

Lesson learned: It is a good idea to fact-check everything before repeating it, and not repeat what we can’t verify.

Bea L Hines can be reached at bea.hines@gmail.com