Remember the chewing gum commercial "double your pleasure, double your fun?" This year we can do just that. It isn't often two joyous holidays such as Thanksgiving and Chanukah fall together. What a treat! Fressing on turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and tons of other goodies on Thursday; then doing it all over again with latkes, brisket, matzo balls, applesauce and chocolate Chanukah gelt Friday! Does it get any better than this?

In these busy times, it is difficult to find occasions to get together with our families and loved ones. Regardless of our best intentions, we simply find the days fly by, one after the other and all those calls we mean to make or invitations we wish to extend go unfulfilled. So now, joy of joys, there are no excuses. Two, count 'em, two holidays in two days! Let's get everyone together to make up for lost time and make new memories to cherish and warm our hearts on bleak days.

Families manufacture some of the best memories in the world. I remember the days, too many years ago, when my extended family would get together for Thanksgiving dinner. My mother Sylvia and her sister Dorothy would alternate years. All of my aunts, uncles, cousins and various family friends would indulge in a wonderful feast as they proceeded to discuss and settle world events, kvetch about business and compare the prices today with what they used to be. Alternating Thanksgiving celebrations went smoothly for many years with one memorable exception.

It was Aunt Dorothy's year to host the dinner and my parents and I arrived a few hours early so my mom could help with the final preparations. The rest of the crowd was expected at 4:00 P.M.
So, the table is set and the turkey is getting its final tanning session in the oven. Everything is ready.
4:15 P.M. and no one has arrived.
4:30 P.M., my mother and aunt are becoming increasingly distressed.
"Where is everyone? They all know how to get here. We haven't moved in 20 years!" says my aunt.
My uncle Jack attempts to sooth the accelerating nervousness. He reminds us:
"Traffic on the Belt Parkway is murder on these holidays, so relax. These chazzers ain't gonna pass up a meal like this!"
4:45 and my mother and aunt are reaching a state of panic.
"There must have been an accident," shrieks my mother.
"Don't be ridiculous," says my father. "25 people are not all coming in the same car. This would have to be one hell of an accident, poo, poo, poo, for them all to be involved in it, God forbid."
"That's true," says my aunt with a slight hint of relief in her voice.
This relief does not last long. As the clock moves on to 5:15 there is no consoling anyone. Horrible images of carnage race through our minds as we try to think of a logical reason for everyone to be so late.
Suddenly, the phone rings. Our hearts stop beating as uncle Jack reaches for the receiver.
"Where the hell is everyone?" he yells into the phone. It didn't matter who was there, anyone calling was going to get an earful. There was a moment of total silence as we all waited for my uncle to say something. Suddenly, he shouts:
"Sylvia's? What the hell is everyone doing at Sylvia's? No! It's at our place this year!"
I held my breath, not knowing if the room was going to explode with rage or laughter. Thankfully, they all laughed. Thirty minutes later the crowd arrived, howling at the crazy mix-up and began fressing on slightly overcooked turkey. There was a true feeling of thanksgiving because no one had been hurt and we were all together safely.

I am so thankful for the wonderful memories created over the many holidays we spent together. I shared this story with you because you are part of my new family: my Megillah family. I am grateful for each and every one of you and I cherish this time we have together. I have no doubt we will create our own memories in the days and years to come.

Every month I put in a pitch for voluntary donations to help us with the expense involved in providing the Megillah and related services to our members. From the very beginning, I have insisted that we would not have a subscription fee and I intend to keep that policy in place. However, we do need your help. If you enjoy being a member of the Megillah family, please show your enthusiasm with a donation to our Megillah fund. Click on the Tzedakeh link below for information on the various ways to contribute. Give what you can afford; and nothing more. All we are asking for is a bit of help with the expenses in running and maintaining these Yiddishkeit projects.

We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to a whole new year of Megillahs ahead. Be well, safe, happy and healthy and love each other a lot.

Much love to all of you,
Michael
Editor