‘Thanksgivukkah”- The once in a lifetime holiday
Thursday is the first day of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving! It hasn’t happened since the 1800’s and we won’t see it again in our lifetime.
For one rabbi, this year’s rare alignment is special in more ways than one.
“Unfortunately there was a very cowardice act of hate, where we had a Swastika sprayed on the Menorah over here, and it was a very heartbreaking story. But the message of Hanukkah is to move forth with positively and energy and create warmth and light. We’re taught a little bit of light can dispel much darkness,” said Rabbi Liberow.
For him, last year’s Hannukah began with acts of hate. Racial slurs sprayed on cars, a local church and his Menorah. But that painful memory didn’t stop him from celebrating this years’ unlikely overlap.
“The day of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving coming together is a very rare occurrence. I believe the last time was in 1888 and it won’t happen again for a very long time,” explains Rabbi Liberow.
In fact, we’ll have to wait at least another 70,000 years! That’s the estimate widely shared by Jewish circles.
“It has a lot to do with the fact of how the Jewish calendar works with the lunar cycle and the specific amount of leap years that the Jewish calendar has,” said Rabbi Liberow.
He adds that the coincidental combo, now sparking the name “Thanksgivukkah”, represents one message.
“Today is the first day of Hanukkah where Jewish people around the world celebrate the message and festivity of freedom. Freedom of religious suppression and the whole message of the Thanksgiving celebration is that the founding fathers came to this wonderful country to be free from religious persecution, so it’s a very special time indeed,” said Liberow
It’s a special alignment creating a mash-up of the best foods from two holidays.
“These are latkes, which is a special potato pancake, traditional of the oil. Hanukkah is not a time to start new diets. Because the oil represents the miracle of the oil back in the temple when we had the victory of the Hanukkah. So it’s a wonderful time to bring those foods into your thanksgiving dinners,” says Liberow.
If you want to try out some of those hot latkes for yourself, you can join Rabbi Leberow’s menorah lighting on Saturday night at 7pm for the 4th night at 410 Allegheny Drive
Sunday 9am- olive oil press to see how pure olive oil was made back then 2100 years ag. Kosher cotton candy, latkes, doughnuts, arts and crafts and much more.
To RSVP call 719 634 2345
Taking place at the Jewish center 207 W Rockrimmon Blvd UNIT E corner Delmonico
