There might be something kosher to give thanks for next Thursday.
For the first time since President Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving Day in 1863, the Thursday holiday will coincide with the start of the Jewish eight-day festival of lights known as Hannukah.
Already made popular in some circles, Thanksgivukkah will be marked on Nov. 28 and combines two holidays – one traditionally American, the other typically Jewish.
Dubbed and trademarked by Dana Gitell of Boston, Thanksgivukkah debuted as a Facebook page and became an image on T-shirts with “Happy Thanksgivukkah” posters parodying the “American Gothic.” Instead of the classic farmer in the popular poster, the Jewish configuration features a Hasidic man as the farmer who holds a menorah instead of a pitchfork.
Reportedly, the last time the stars aligned causing this rare collision was 1861, prior to President Lincoln’s declaration. Historically until 1942 Thanksgiving was celebrated on the last Thursday in November instead of the fourth and Thanksgivukkah technically coincided in 1888.
In keeping with Thanksgiving’s emphasis on thankfulness; and the Jewish requirement to give “tzedakeh,”– Hebrew for charity, 10 percent of the profits from the Thanksgivukkah profits will go to MAZON, a Jewish anti-hunger group.
Reportedly, nine-year-old Asher Weintraub of Brooklyn invented a “menurky,” a turkey-shaped menorah — or Hanukkah candelabra – and has sold more than 1,500 of them.
In addition, some Jewish cooks have created recipes for everything from pumpkin latkes (Hanukkah’s signature potato pancake) to turkey brined in Manischewitz wine.
The two holidays celebrate religious liberty. Thanksgiving marks commemoration of The Pilgrims seeking religious freedom in the New World.
Hannukah lauds Jewish triumph from Greek oppression when they were banned from practicing Judaism.
According to Jewish tradition, Hanukkah celebrates a miracle that transpired in the 2nd century B.C., when the Jewish Maccabees triumphed over the forces of King Antiochus IV.
Doctrine dictates that as the Maccabees rededicated a desecrated Temple in Jerusalem using a small quantity of oil destined to last for only one day, miraculously the fuel lasted eight. For as many nights the Jews had light which is why Jews light candles on the menorah for eight nights.
Experts claim the next time Hanukkah falls on 11/28 will be 2146 but that will be on a Monday therefore 2013 is the only time Hanukkah will ever overlap with Thanksgiving.
