An awful lot of young American Jews today don’t care at all about Israel. A 2007 study, which polled 1,700 non-Orthodox American Jews, found American Jewish detachment from Israel is growing and strongest among younger Jews. The study, conducted by Professors Steven M. Cohen and Ari Y. Kelman, found that of American Jews under 35, only about half (48 percent) think “Israel’s destruction would be a personal tragedy” and only about half (54 percent) are “comfortable with the idea of a Jewish State.” For Jews over 65, those percentages are 78 percent and 81 percent. (Jerusalem Post).

Fortunately, one program is working hard to fight this detachment. Taglit-Birthright Israel has sent approximately 200,000 young Diaspora Jews to Israel since its founding in 1999. Read about the program's goals and success, and find out if you qualify for a free trip to Israel.

_{Photo © 2008 Lisa Katz, licensed to About.com, Inc}

American Jews have a great deal for which to be thankful. In the long history of the Diaspora, Jews have never been as prosperous, organized, influential and accepted as they are today in the United States. The secular holiday of Thanksgiving is an opportunity for American Jews to express their appreciation for the bounty and religious freedom they enjoy.

Find articles about Thanksgiving that are of special interest to Jews. They include: A Jewish Ceremony for Celebrating Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving in American Memory, Is Thanksgiving a Secular or Religious Holiday?, Is Turkey Kosher? and more. Happy Thanksgiving!

"Is it okay to serve kosher and non-kosher food at the same table on Thanksgiving provided the food and dishes are clearly marked? One of our guests is a rabbi, and I don't want to do the wrong thing. Some of the non-observant guests that are coming might bring non-kosher foods even if I request otherwise." See what Reform Judaism has to say about your kosher Thanksgiving table.

Find Kosher Thanksgiving Recipes

One way to deal with these tough economic times is to find fulfillment in life's freebies. When I first moved to Israel, I discovered the wonderful ability of my Israeli friends to make fun for free. Whether picnicking in the woods, playing cards at home, or having a sing-along at someone's house, the "being together" always took precedence over the "doing."

Shabbat is the perfect day for free fun. Instead of going to a restaurant, why not have fun cooking together at home? Instead of going out to meet friends, why not host a potluck Shabbat dinner in your home? Instead of taking the kids to the movies, why not read a book to and play board games with the kids on Friday night at home?