Connection Between American Jews and Thanksgiving

The celebration of Thanksgiving in America is deeply rooted in the country’s history and values, with its origins tracing back to 1621 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Pilgrims and Native Americans came together for a feast, sharing food and companionship in what was recorded as a joyous occasion. Over the next century and a half, Thanksgiving was observed informally with various services and celebrations, but it was not until 1789, under President George Washington, that an official Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed. Washington designated November 26 as a day for Americans to gather in worship, offering prayers of gratitude for independence and seeking blessings for the fledgling nation.

Among those who participated in this inaugural national Thanksgiving were the Jewish citizens of New York, numbering around 250 at the time. Gershom Mendes Seixas, the leader of Congregation Shearith Israel, delivered a powerful sermon emphasizing the unique freedoms Jews enjoyed in the United States. For Seixas and his congregants, the ability to live in accordance with their religious principles without fear of persecution was nothing short of revolutionary. He urged his community to reflect deeply on their blessings, abandon prejudice, and pursue peace and harmony with all their neighbors, framing Thanksgiving as a call to moral and social responsibility.

From this early recognition of the holiday, American Jews embraced Thanksgiving as an expression of their patriotism and gratitude. However, the date of the celebration remained inconsistent until President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation during the Civil War in 1863, which established Thanksgiving as a permanent national holiday. The Jewish community’s response to Lincoln’s proclamation is a fascinating historical record. As documented by historian Prof. Ron Rubin in Strangers and Natives, an article published in The New York Times on August 7, 1863, highlighted the enthusiastic participation of American Jews in the National Thanksgiving. This response underscored the community’s commitment to their new homeland, despite their refusal to engage with Thanksgiving proclamations that leaned heavily on Christian theology.

Rabbinic leaders like Samuel Myer Isaacs and Morris Jacob Raphall delivered sermons that day, reflecting on themes of unity, gratitude, and the trials of war. Rabbi Raphall, in particular, moved his congregation as he spoke while still grappling with personal tragedy—his son had returned from the battlefield grievously wounded. At Shearith Israel, the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States, prayers were offered for the Union, national peace, and prosperity. Across the country, synagogues followed suit, weaving the spirit of Thanksgiving into their worship.

The observance of Thanksgiving by American Jews continued to evolve, becoming a symbol of their integration into American society while maintaining their unique heritage. In post-Civil War America, references to Jewish Thanksgiving celebrations appeared in local newspapers, particularly on the West Coast. For instance, in 1895, a Sacramento rabbi reflected on the blessings of America as a land where Jews could thrive and contribute to society. His sermon on Thanksgiving Eve emphasized resilience, likening the trials of life to the refining of gold, which shines brightest after enduring fire and polishing. By the 1920s, Jewish communities across the United States celebrated Thanksgiving with services that acknowledged both the privileges of living in a free country and the hardships faced by Jewish brethren in other parts of the world.

Thanksgiving became a dual celebration for American Jews, merging their gratitude for religious freedom and safety in the United States with prayers for the well-being of Jews globally. The words of an Oakland rabbi in 1927 encapsulate this sentiment. He expressed pride in the opportunities afforded to Jews in America and acknowledged the ongoing struggles of Jewish communities elsewhere. His remarks underscored a hope for global peace, even as the world remained unsettled.

Today, the American Jewish observance of Thanksgiving remains a testament to the enduring values of gratitude, community, and faith. The holiday serves as a reminder of the freedoms enjoyed in the United States and the shared responsibility to preserve and cherish them. It is a celebration of belonging, a reflection on history, and a moment to express solidarity with those who still yearn for the liberties that Thanksgiving commemorates.