A Chanukah Message from Dr. Nina Elizabeth Kram Schlachter

As Thanksgiving folds into Chanukah, I find it especially easy this year to maintain an attitude of gratitude.

It felt breathtakingly wonderful to step into my first social event, and then again later — the first sans mask. Vaccinations have tempered the ongoing fear that the ones we love may be rendered seriously ill or may even die from COVID. And fear of the unknown future is, if not totally in the rear-view mirror, at least less pressing.

I give gratitude to Hashem that I and those I hold dearest have survived.

I feel immensely grateful for the pleasure of resuming these two joyous holidays with family and friends.

In these times of such divisive political and global discord, let us all find solace within our more intimate, insular family and Jewish communities, of renewed love, support and hope.

I am eternally grateful for:

1. My children and daughter-in-law.

2. My sisters, brothers-in-law and their extended mishpocha.

3. My “ex-laws.”

4. Dancing.

5. My Atlanta and Florida Jewish communities.

6. Vaccinations.

7. That so many I hold dear are well.

8. That pandemic panic and isolation may be nearing an end.

Chag Sameach Turkukah (or Chanukasgiving)!

Dr. Nina Elizabeth Kram Schlachter is a semi-retired physician and the grateful momalah of five amazing young adults.