Video: Thanksgiving: I’m an American!

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Published: November 17, 2012

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Visitor Comments: 20

(18) Anonymous, November 24, 2012 7:02 PM

Mazel Tov

Mazel Tov, Lori, on becoming an American citizen! We are honored to have you as "one of us." Also,thanks so much for all you do in promoting Jewish values. Your segments are so powerful and meaningful. Much appreciated! Keep us thinking!! Looking forward to your next message.

(17) Anonymous, November 23, 2012 4:26 AM

From Bais Yaakov to Barnard: realizing ones' potential is a continual process

I am very impressed with your honesty and willingness to tackle problems - and offer an array of solutions. It is very easy to intellectualize problems and define dilemmas, but much harder to present solutions to those problems. You make me want to actualize my own potential, instead of punting. Thank you so much

(16) Anonymous, November 22, 2012 7:58 PM

Hi great article as A Jew I am so thankful for America the Medina Chel Chessed. Until Moshiach comes we are in Golus no matter where we live and America is a tolerant nation, a land of oppertuntity and a friend of Eretz Yisroel. Daven for Moshiach. And G-d Bless America

(15) John, November 22, 2012 11:56 AM

Congrats Lori!! Welcome to America :) Good luck on the Israeli citizenship. :)

(14) chami, November 22, 2012 5:46 AM

You DO merit it............

Gd gave the land of Israel as a gift to us....we only need to accept the very thing we pray three times a day for. In any case as a dual American - Israeli citizen, I would think it would be rather obvious that Canada is by far a greater friend to Israel now than the US is. Come home soon. We will give you a better ceremony here and you wont need to pass a test on our history, although it would give you a better appreciation for it.

(13) Ann Ehrenzweig, November 21, 2012 2:17 PM

Mazel Tov

Once you set your mind and keep it set, you can do anything BH

(12) david, November 21, 2012 2:12 PM

Warped Prioritys

This is in bad taste. Do you think Hashem cares if you an American citizen or not -and to talk about celebrating Thanksgiving when the Jewish state is under attack.The only place a Torah true Jew should live is in Israel.

Lori, November 22, 2012 5:20 AM

This was filmed many weeks ago. I am actually in Israel right now, leading 100 women on a solidarity trip.

Barry, November 22, 2012 5:18 PM

Take a Step Back

David and Others. I'd like to take a moment to defend myself and other Torah True American Jews. Yes, it would be wonderful if we all lived in Eretz Yisrael. That is an ideal. But life doesn't always work that way. The reality is that hundreds of thousand of Torah True Jews have lived and continue to live in the US and we are proud of it . The assertion that a Torah True Jew can only live in EY is, frankly, a rather rude insult to us and especially the thousands of Gedolei Torah who willingly lived and continnue to live their lives in the US. Further, we DO owe a debt of gratitude to Hashem and to the US for provding us with the sahe haven and freedom of religion that the US has afforded us for the last 230 years. No other secular nation can boast of accomodating this many millions of Jews for so many years over that tumultuous period or time. Remember, the Torah exhorts us to express a certain amount of Hakaras Hatov even to Mitzrayim for the years we spent as their "Guests". Don't we owe at least that much to the US in recognition of their hospitality. So, please give it a rest. Yes we admire the resolve and bitachon of our brethren in EY. Yes we daven for your saftey every day. Yes many of us, myself included, have immediate family in EY, so we share in your day-to-day travails. And yes we daven for the day we can all join you with Moshiach. But we have nothing at all to be ashamed of for being Americans. And you might consider some expansion of your own definition of Ahavas Yisrael before engaging in American Jew-bashing. With my sincere tefilos for your safety.

(11) willy, November 21, 2012 12:04 PM

mazel tov.....congrats

(10) Gordon, November 21, 2012 12:24 AM

Citizenship

MAZEL TOV!!!!!!!! Welcome to the fold.

(9) abby siegel, November 20, 2012 6:50 PM

Mazel Tov!!!!

Welcome you all.......to "land of the free. And the home of the brave". Shalom

(8) Andy Rechtshaffen, November 20, 2012 6:39 PM

At least you didn't have to give up your Canadian citizenship

Do you really think being American (as opposed to Canadian) is something to be thankful for? If I joined a country with guns, Tea Party, Obama, fiscal cliffs and governmental gridlock, I think I'd be saying "No Thanks".

(7) Yechiel, November 20, 2012 6:26 PM

You DO Merit It, Lori!

Yes, please join us here in the Holy Land and be an Israeli citizen! America is very nice, but it's time for all of you to come home!

(6) cheryl leon, November 20, 2012 4:52 PM

Welcome to the club my fellow duel citizen and friend!

(5) michael reiter, November 20, 2012 4:51 PM

congratulations!

Way to go! I am Jewish and an American and I love my country. You could become an Israeli citizen. You have to go there. Freedom is far more important than so-called responsibilities. Men gave their lives in places like Italy or France for that freedom! To put Nazis out of business! Way to go!

(4) Barb, November 20, 2012 4:15 PM

So lame.

This is on aish.com? This is being a light unto the nations? Who really cares? Why so excited to be in galus? I see that you are running out of meaningful topics. Hmmmm...

(3) Isabelle, November 20, 2012 4:03 PM

Mazel Tov!

Mazel Tov, Lori! ☺ I haven't took the step yet thinking that if I should change my French nationality it should be for ulimately becoming Israeli, but I am very happy for you. Happy Thanksgiving! ☺

(2) Elliyahu, November 20, 2012 3:58 PM

WPlease check your facts Lori, but Canada is the best friend of Israel,at least right now.

I'm happy for you Lori,you have dual citizenship. I was born in Toronto too, my children were born in Israel,my grandchild was born in Israel. I served seventeen years in the army here,cooking for the soldiers. What is my point? Talk about support for Israel,not about support for another country. I personally feel that the time you gave to studying to be an American could have been used for Torah studies ,Jewish and Israeli history and pass those things on to others, then perhaps you would have merited that citizenship that you really want.

(1) TMay, November 18, 2012 5:27 PM

me too

Congratulations! I too am a Canadian who went through the process and became an American citizen 26 years ago.I originally came from Montreal.

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

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Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

Follow Lori on Twitter, @LoriAlmostLive

Thanksgiving: I’m an American!

Why I made this fateful decision.

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