When you read this, most likely, I will be sitting at Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, I'm Canadian, and yes, our thanksgiving was over a month ago. But I will be partaking in a longstanding American ritual. In Canada, we never really celebrate thanksgiving. I mean, it's dinner, but it does not hold the significance that it does in the United States. I think, here in Canada, there's a feeling that thanksgiving is not a "Jewish" holiday, and so, for those of us that are Jewish, it doesn't really count. It's like Christmas - an extra day off without the pressure. In fact, when I asked my husband about it, he told me that they never celebrated Thanksgiving when he was growing up, that it was a Christian holiday. To say I was surprised is putting it mildly.
See, in America, the America of my youth, Thanksgiving is an all encompassing holiday. It's not religious. It's not segregating. It's the most inclusive holiday there is. So for me, it was always strange to think of Thanksgiving as something religious. But then again, I grew up travelling every November to visit family in the US for the real thanksgiving! I think that Rabbi Michael Broyde said it best...
To most American Jews, even most Orthodox Jews, there is no question about the appropriateness of celebrating to Thanksgiving; to them, it is a secular holiday that represents values important in Judaism and in American culture.
On Wednesday, everyone travels from all over to be with friends and family. Thursday is spent getting ready, and then eating. And eating. And eating some more. And, of course, there is football. Personally, I don't like football, but football and thanksgiving are forever linked in my mind.
Thanksgiving just is not a religious holiday. I think its unfortunate that my Canadian friends have not really ever experienced the brouhaha that is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is about eating, and sharing, and spending time with family and friends. It's about fires in the fireplace, fallen leaves, pumpkins and gourds. There's a horn'o'plenty on the table, and football on the television. And don't forget about the parade. There is only one.
So today, think of my family. Visiting with relatives, eating turkey, watching football, and giving thanks. Something we should all do more then once a year.
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