Introduction
I have always loved Thanksgiving . Taking a day to give thanks for all of our blessings and sharing special time with family and friends is truly a gift . I am especially grateful this year to embark on this exciting journey as AJC ’ s new CEO and to share with all of you this annual edition of America ’ s Table to reflect on the life of our nation and the tremendous importance of understanding one another ’ s stories in order to build bridges between us . As we celebrate Thanksgiving , I hope everyone is able to safely share holiday traditions with loved ones and reflect on the moments of joy and happiness this year .
The first edition of America ’ s Table was produced at a fraught time in our nation ’ s history — shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11 , 2001 . Its verses invited all Americans to grieve the loss of innocent lives , express empathy with the families and friends who ache for them , but also celebrate our unity in diversity as a nation created by immigrants of all faiths searching for a better life .
Now , 21 years after our first America ’ s Table , we return to the table , wounded and weary from a global pandemic , a devastating war in Ukraine , and reckoning with dangerous polarization in our country . But we also return to the table grateful — grateful for the gift of life , grateful for the blessing of each other , and grateful for the democracy and freedoms our nation bestows on its citizens , even as we work to perfect those freedoms .
We invite you to join us in reading America ’ s Table at your Thanksgiving gathering and recommitting ourselves to the celebration of the diverse tapestry that is America .
— Ted Deutch , CEO , American Jewish Committee ( AJC )
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