It is an interesting time on our calendars.  The Foundation has just held its first Annual Meeting and as a nation we watched the results of a hotly contested election, remembered Veterans’ Day, and are about to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Now I know these four events are not equal in historical relevance, but they are related.  One word ties them all together:  appreciation.

The guest speaker at our Annual Meeting reminded us to be thankful and to appreciate our ability to be generous. Our generosity serves as a legacy to those who came before us.

We appreciate our nation.  The day after the most hotly contested election in anyone’s memory, there were no armed troops in the streets, just a peaceful transition of power. Will we see protests, of course, but peaceful protests are also our legacy as a nation as well. Very few countries in the world can say the same.

Certainly we appreciate the heroism and sacrifice of our veterans.  We must never forget all that we have is secured by their service. 

Finally, at Thanksgiving time, let us all give thanks for the many blessings we hold dear and let us continue to appreciate our ability to be generous. Through your generosity, approximately $13,000,000 has been granted this past year through the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation to non-profit organizations throughout our city and throughout our nation.