Happy Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has had an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. This year, I spent the week meditating on how fortunate I am to have been able to live in these times of relative peace and prosperity in a world on the verge of tectonic changes. From global warming to wars in Ukraine and Israel, from the rise in antisemitism to the unknown dark powers of artificial intelligence, it sure feels like we are experiencing a Gatsby’s Roaring 20s era in the face of a looming equivalent of the Great Depression and WWII just ahead.

Tradition is the bedrock of every culture and religion. We celebrate America's independence every 4th of July and let freedom ring, whether during the good times or when faced with unprecedented internal and external challenges. And so it is with Thanksgiving that we embrace the attitude of gratitude, even when the specifics might be somewhat elusive. 

This year, I feel blessed to enjoy good health in my 70s, for my loving though non-traditional family, with special thanks to my son Dustin as he helps to carry the load and stays committed to our family’s vision of building an enlightened community, and for the privilege of living in the United States of America. More specifically, I want to thank our employees, members, colleagues, and friends for your dedication to our shared vision, whether that be your hard work or continued moral and financial support, as we further strengthen our City Club community. 

The only tangible strategy I have to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone is to pour my heart and soul into our ongoing efforts to make Highland, both the Club and the Institute, the community of our dreams.

— Sina.