Thanksgivukah—Implications and Ramifications
By now you’ve heard that the first day of Chanukah 5774 and Thanksgiving 2013 both occur on the same Gregorian calendar date—November 28. This little anomaly is forcing American Jews to react and plan differently this year. Here are a few considerations:
Public outrage- To quote Stephen Colbert, “How dare you Chanukah? Chanukah celebrated the struggle of an oppressed people fighting against invading conquerors, while Thanksgiving is about our healthy and nurturing relationship with the (sic.) Indians.”
What to call it—You decide what suits you best….Chanugiving, Thanksgivukah, or perhaps something you come up with.
What to serve—Latke stuffing for your turkey, sweet potato or pumpkin latkes, cornbread latkes, cranberry sauce on your latkes, turkey-shaped sufganiyot for dessert, and don’t forget that Chanukah demands oil, so resurrect that old turkey fryer!
What and when to light If you can find one, you might consider purchasing a “menurkey,” a chanukiyah shaped like a turkey and funded by private donations on Kickstarter. Light your first candle on Wednesday evening, November 27, erev Chanukah (and erev Thanksgiving, I guess.) You’ll be lighting that second candle on Thursday evening.
Plan for next time—Relax. You’ve got time. According to one expert source, the next time this happens will be in 2070. Most experts, however, offer the year 77,094 as the next concurrence.
Final word—This is a great opportunity to put the “thanks” back in Thanksgiving. Judaism is very much about having an “attitude of gratitude.” Extra attention to ‘shehecheyanu’ and/or motzi is very appropriate.
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