November invites us to think about thankfulness. We often express it through the people we appreciate, the experiences we cherish, and the blessings we count. But this year I find myself thinking about thankfulness a little differently, not simply as something we feel, but as something that inspires us to act.
The Jewish community we enjoy today did not happen by chance. It was built by generations of people who invested their time, resources, energy, and conviction in something larger than themselves. They established institutions, created opportunities for Jewish learning and connection, cared for those in need, and worked to ensure that Jewish life would continue to flourish in the Lehigh Valley.
We are beneficiaries of those choices. And, in turn, we have choices of our own to make.
I was struck by an idea shared by Bret Stephens, who drew on the concept of “10% Happier” to suggest being “10% Jewier” (more engaged, more connected, and more committed to Jewish life). What appeals to me about this idea is that it does not require us to transform ourselves overnight, but to consider what a little more intention might look like.
What if we approached thankfulness the same way? Rather than simply appreciating what we have inherited, what if we each committed to doing 10% more to sustain it?
That might mean being a little more generous with our resources, more intentional about Jewish learning, more willing to participate in community, or more attentive to someone who feels disconnected. It could be as simple as inviting someone new to a Federation event, reaching out to someone who could use a connection, or finding a new way to engage with our Jewish tradition.
The beauty of this idea is that it is both personal and collective. Each of us has a different starting point and a different next step. This is not about perfection or suggesting that what we do today is insufficient. It is about recognizing that something precious is worth nurturing.
For the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, this principle speaks directly to our mission. Through our communal partnerships, philanthropic investments, educational initiatives, support for Israel, and commitment to the well-being and security of Jewish life, we translate shared values into meaningful action. Yet a vibrant Jewish community cannot be sustained by any one organization alone. It flourishes when we choose to invest in one another and in the future we share.
We also do not have to agree on everything to share responsibility for that future. A strong community makes room for different perspectives while remaining committed to the relationships and common purpose that bind us together.
Imagine the collective impact if each of us did just a little more: a little more generosity, a little more participation, a little more curiosity about our Jewish heritage, and a little more care for one another. Individually, these steps may seem modest. Together, they can help shape a stronger, more connected, and more enduring Jewish community.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I encourage each of us to consider where we might be 10% more in helping sustain the Jewish community we value.
Perhaps the most meaningful way to honor those who built our community is not simply to appreciate what they left us, but to continue building with intention, generosity, courage, and care. We have inherited something precious. Our responsibility, and our opportunity, is to ensure it continues for those who come after us.
That is 10% more than gratitude; it is thankfulness with a future.