Thanksgivukkah, More Than Just a Holiday

I knew it was going to happen shortly after Thanksgiving last year.  Such an uncommon event.  In fact it won’t happen again for another 77,000 years.  Because the Hebrew or Jewish calendar is based on the lunar schedule, Chanukah lands on different dates of the 12 month calendar we are most familiar with.  Sometimes it coincides with Christmas, but not since the 1880’s has it fallen on the same day as Thanksgiving.  This year we get to celebrate Thanksgivukkah.

The phrase was hatched by a Boston-area resident

Along with her sister-in-law, they created a Facebook page and a Twitter account.  What most of us are concerned about of course is how the holidays will affect what to eat.  Since latkes are a favorite dish during Chanukah, they could easily replace the more traditional mashed potatoes and gravy served during the Thanksgiving meal.  And for those who deep fry your turkeys, just think of the possibilities for your latkes.  Imagine all the other possibilities the Manichewitz company has: turkey stuffed with challah, pecan pie rugelach, pumpkin kugel… What are you making?

The 2 holidays are easily connectable

Thanksgivukkah combines two favorite holidays.  But more important, the miracle of the Chanukah story, in which Judah Maccabee leads the Hebrews’ fight for freedom, and the Pilgrims’ story of Thanksgiving and coming to America to find religious freedom.  Both holidays celebrate the notion of religious freedom and escaping persecution.

Enjoy your freedom, enjoy the holidays, spend time with family and friends, but don’t eat too much and don’t drive if you’ve had too much to drink!