There are times when I feel as if I’m being bombarded by events completely out of my control. I’m sure you know the feeling; we’re all in this boat together.

I just received an email informing me that there were 613 mass shootings in the U.S. this year. As it happens, that is the same number of commandments in the Torah.

I’ve been so caught up by the war between Israel and Hamas that I stopped worrying about gun violence here at home. But I haven’t stopped thinking about violence. It’s why I didn’t wear a kippah when I traveled through two airports yesterday. I didn’t even bring one with me, which is astonishing.

Meanwhile, people all over this country are scrambling to gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving. Worldwide, Jews wait and hope that the hostages will be released and peace ensues.

I feel as small as an ant amidst all the hustle and bustle of the world.

But my heart is overflowing. Despite everything that is swirling around us, I am grateful, even joyous.

I am grateful for sunshine. For warmth. For my dog’s soft ears and the way he leans into my hand when I stroke them. For neighbors and friends and coworkers and family.

I am grateful for the 200 tiny plastic ducks I bought for sharing with kids. For the tiny polished stone hearts I bought for sharing with adults.

I am grateful for you.

I am grateful for Torah, which today reminded me that God is here, even when I don’t know it. This week’s Torah portion begins with the word vayetze, “he [Jacob] went out.” Jacob left his home and as night fell, he slept and dreamed that he saw angels descending from heaven, and God spoke to him and blessed him.

He awoke and said, Ma nora hamakom ha’zeh! “How awesome is this place!”

He was nowhere special. His pillow was a rock, his bed the ground.

Wherever I am, wherever you are, God is in that place. And it is awesome.

Happy Thanksgiving and Shabbat shalom.