Jewish committee prepares a special ''haggadah'' for Thanksgiving 2001

NEW YORK (AP) -- Inspired by the haggadah that Jews recite at Passover meals, a Thanksgiving ritual for remembrance of the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks has been published by the American Jewish Committee.

''Our joy is mixed with profound sorrow because there are more than 5,000 empty places at America's table,'' the leaflet says.

In the ceremony, one candle is lit in memory of the Sept. 11 ''innocents'' and ''heroes,'' and a second candle to symbolize hope for the safety of America, Israel and Jews everywhere. ''In the warmth of these two flames, let us pray for peace,'' participants say.

Echoing the four traditional Passover questions, the leaflet asks: ''Why is this Thanksgiving different? What have we lost? What have we learned? What do we tell our children?''

The ritual has inspirational quotes from the Bible, rabbis and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. It concludes with the traditional Hebrew mealtime prayer of thanks.

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On the Net:

''Thanksgiving Haggadah'': http://www.ajc.org/thanksgiving--hag.asp