NYA’s first extended day kicked off with a special program dedicated to being thankful. As Jews we say thanks to Hashem every morning in “Modeh Ani,” and the younger students were introduced to the Modim prayer in the Amidah. Intensive learning about the midah of hakarat hatov was next, as students reflected on what they are grateful for.

Each child then had to choose three things they were grateful for in order to create feathers on a turkey themed tzedaka box. While we are grateful for what we have, we must always think of others, hence the tzedaka box. The turkeys graced Thanksgiving tables allowing children to offer thanks to their parents.