Shalom!

We are in a time of year when the Jewish value of hachnasat orchim, the welcoming of guests — hospitality — is very much with us. It started with our feasts at Rosh Ha-Shana and our Break-the-Fast at Yom Kippur and then came Sukkot, when our tradition tells us that we are to engage in the wonderful minhag (custom) of ushpizin — welcoming of guests into our Sukkah.

The founder of Reconstructionist Judaism, Mordecai Kaplan, teaches us that as American Jews, our goal is to creatively and joyfully dwell in "two civilizations" — our American culture, and our Jewish culture. So - in the midst of our "Jewish time," we come upon our American, secular time markers — Halloween - yes, yes — pagan, wiccan, etc. - but there is an element of hospitality here too -- so often, we are isolated from our neighbors. On this night, however, we smile and open our doors to the young ones dressed in their costumes who come to our doors as say, mostly so innocently "trick or treat!" And we offer them sweet candies! We tell them how great their costumes are and they move along from house to house, their parents standing at a discreet distance, loving them, watching over them — and for a few hours on that night, neighbors see each other's faces, and we welcome each other with sweets. Then, of course - Thanksgiving comes upon us, in just a few weeks - we gather with our families and friends, open our doors, and prepare sumptuous meals (and, we hope, help others less fortunate, if we can). This is a time to be grateful, as Psalm 92 says, "tov l'hodot" — it is good to give thanks" - and it is a time to welcome guests into our homes.