Thanksgiving & Hannukah
 

I read that Hannukah and Thanksgiving occur together this week, and it will be 79,000 years before this happens again. Our Jewish daughter-in-law is flying down with our son for the week. I thought about getting a little menorah and asking her to share some of her tradition with our grandkids and the other 12 family members (Christian) who are coming for Thanksgiving on Thursday. What do you think?

I think that's a splendid idea. Get some dreidels for the children to play with.

I think it's a great idea also!:clap2:

That's a wonderful idea. I am sure your daughter-in-law will be glad to share her traditions with you. Last year we went to Spanish Springs with our friends for the lighting of the Menorah. It was wonderful...music, singing and my husband and I learned more about the history and significance of Hanukkah! Enjoy the day with your family and Happy Thanksgiving!

What a beautiful idea! Dreidels are definitely in order.

Good for you. Excellent idea. I would like to see the Menorah lighting here too. Anyone know where and when?

According to today's Daily Sun the Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony will be held Sunday at 3:00, Spanish Springs Town Square.

Just to think of it from a different perspective... If she is the only Jew in a family of non-Jews and she is coming to join you for T-giving.... And especially if some of these family members don't know her well... She may not want to be put on display as being "other" or she may see it as being special, but no matter how you do it, she is different. She may be comfortable with that, or not. I would pass this by your son and if he says go for it, then it should be your job to ask your DIL how she would like to proceed. This is an especially touchy subject if your family has fundamentalist members who will feel it is their obligation to try to "save" her or try to find her horns.

If there are to be any prayers you might also wish to consider the content of those prayers. While she has no right to dictate your words or the words of any other attendees, you can be certain that as the Jesus and savior words go up, so will her discomfort.

Being "other"
 

Blessedly, our family would never try to change others (except maybe drug dealers et al), and they would never do anything to make the DIL feel uncomfortable. She is very loved. She always gets Christmas presents for us. I thought the menorah would give her a chance to share her customs. The DIL is fabulous with kids, and we'll have 3 little girls at dinner. As for prayers, Hanukkah is a Jewish Feast of Thanksgiving; I think the timing is perfect. Our tradition is to take turns talking about what makes us thankful.

Anyone know where to find dreidels?

Target had dreidels a few weeks ago. If not the hallmark stores may.

There is a lighting ceremony in Ocala at 6 pm tomorrow night on their square. No idea where to get the dreidels...maybe one of the gift shops, Target, TJMAXX, Pier 1

Stein Mart in Ocala had menorahs, laser dreidels and dreidel games last week as well as Chanukah candles. I am sure your DIL would be honored you took her beliefs into consideration and I would suggest you think of making potato latkes instead of mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving...We are celebrating Thanksgivukkah with our daughter.

No. You HAVE to have mashed potatoes. Latkes in addition to...and maybe a little Apricot Kugel too.


You cannot have too many menu items on the big day.

Publix had Chanukah stuff. Enjoy learning about our fun holiday. Wish her a Happy Thankskivukkah

Someone PM'd me to say that Hanukkah is not a time of thanksgiving. Since I am not Jewish, I am not an authority. And so, I offer this quote:

"Saul Rube, Hillel's dean of Judaic studies, said the light-hearted combinations of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah icons underscore a deeper bond: The Talmud, one of Judaism's core texts, describes Hanukkah as a 'holiday of thanksgiving'."
(Source: Thanksgiving-Hanukkah Overlap Spurs Thanks, Angst
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. November 25, 2013)