From our Principal: Teaching Gratitude, Celebrating Light

This article first appeared in our Nov/Dec'25 edition of The Bulletin

The school year follows a cyclical pattern shaped by holidays, both Jewish and secular, and here at the Einhorn Center for Jewish Education, we’ve decided to focus on several themes throughout the year. Fittingly, November’s theme is gratitude and December’s theme is light.

It’s not much of a stretch to see that gratitude begets light because it shifts our focus from what is lacking to what is abundant. In acknowledging the goodness around us, even in everyday moments of joy, we invite warmth into the shadows of our lives. Like a candle that ignites another without losing its flame, as we prepare for Chanukah’s arrival, gratitude spreads quietly, but powerfully, illuminating our perspective and softening even the hardest moments. It reminds us that joy often comes not from grand events, but from the quiet recognition of everyday blessings. In this way, gratitude becomes a kind of inner light; steady, resilient, and capable of brightening the world beyond ourselves. And everyone is capable of finding moments of gratitude in their lives, from our littlest learners to our wisest teachers.

Our children are our greatest blessings, so in November, we both teach them about gratitude, and we take a moment to be grateful for the families who share their children with us. And in December, we celebrate the light they bring to our lives, and the act of passing on our rituals and traditions to the next generation.

From all of us at the Einhorn Center for Jewish Education, we wish all of our children and their families a Happy Thanksgiving, and a Chanukah filled with joy and light! Be sure to visit our Chanukah page for all the ways you can celebrate with CBE.

Sara Salitan-Thiell, Principal of The Einhorn Center for Jewish Education