Dear JFS Friends, supporters, and collaborative partners,
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, reflection, and connection. As we gather with loved ones, we pause to appreciate the blessings in our lives, even amidst challenges such as the ongoing war in Ukraine and Israel and rising acts of hate and antisemitism in our communities.
This holiday also calls us to reflect on the complex history of the land we call home. At JFS, we are honored to foster relationships with the Indigenous people who have stewarded this land for generations. This October, during the 4th annual Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Framingham, we celebrated the vibrant languages, music, and traditions of Native peoples, including the Nipmuc Nation—the original inhabitants of Framingham and much of Metrowest Massachusetts.
As someone with ancestry from the Huichol Tribe of Southern Mexico, a Native American tribe, I feel a deep kinship with local Indigenous communities. I stand in solidarity with their resilience and strength, recognizing that Thanksgiving is a day of mourning for many Native Americans.
I hope that as part of your Thanksgiving traditions, you honor the land where you will gather by giving a land acknowledgment to the tribes and peoples who originally inhabited that area. You can visit Native Land to learn more about the tribes connected to your location. By example, JFS acknowledges that the land we live, work, learn, and commune on is the original homelands of the Nipmuc tribal nations. We recognize the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this territory, and we honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land on which we live and do our daily impact work.
As a U.S. veteran, I am deeply reminded of the sacrifices made by those who served before me. Earlier this month, I shared a Veterans Day reflection and my recent trip to Normandy on the enduring significance of service and sacrifice, particularly as we mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The veterans who stormed the beaches of Normandy exemplify the courage and commitment that inspire us all to strive for a better future. This Thanksgiving, may we honor their legacy by fostering community, gratitude, and hope in the face of adversity.
In our Jewish tradition, we are reminded that we too were strangers in a strange land. This value instills in us an enduring imperative to welcome the stranger with compassion and dignity. At JFS, our mission is rooted in this principle. This year, we are blessed to welcome newcomers from across the globe—from Central America and Haiti to Ukraine, Israel, and Venezuela. Many arrive in search of safety and opportunity, just as our ancestors did. We embrace their stories and their courage, reaffirming our shared responsibility to provide refuge and support. This Thanksgiving, let us recommit to fostering love for family, honoring the histories that shape us, being courageous and extending our gratitude into acts of kindness and justice for others.
On behalf of all of us at JFS, we wish you a safe, joyous, and meaningful Thanksgiving.
With gratitude,
Lino Covarrubias
Chief Executive Officer