In Canada few Jews celebrate Thanksgiving. It comes the the second Monday in October. Proclaimed January 31, 1957, "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October." I believe that, for Jews, it comes too soon after the fall Hagim. After two days of Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur pre and post-fast meals, two days of Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, plus various Shabbatot, the last thing everyone needs or wants is another large family meal. However, as Americans, Thanksgiving is deeply embedded in us. And therefore, as American Canadian residents, we celebrate both Canadian and American Thanksgiving. As one who celebrates both, I can honestly say that Canadian Thanksgiving cannot compete with American Thanksgiving. Here's why:
1. Timing
Canadian Thanksgiving's timing is off. I know the harvest is earlier in Canada, but the second Monday in October is simply too soon. We've just gotten past Labour Day. Kids have finally settled back into school routines. They are also, of course, looking towards Halloween. Thanksgiving passes in a flash between back to school and Halloween, almost without a second thought.
American Thanksgiving comes in late November. Observed throughout the early years of the nation, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens" to be November 26, 1863. President Lincoln's successors followed his example, declaring the final Thursday (usually) of November as Thanksgiving. In 1941, the US Congress passed a joint resolution declaring the fourth Thursday of November to be Thanksgiving, which was signed by President Roosevelt. By November it is not just harvest time, the harvest is in. The work is completed. The weather has started to turn, and it is the perfect time to stay at home, cosy and warm, with family and friends.
2. A Great Back Story
Although American Thanksgiving wasn't celebrated annually until 1863, it connects its roots to "The First Thanksgiving," that being celebrated by 53 pilgrims at Plymouth Rock with 90 Native Americans and for three days in 1621 (as reported in an account by Edward Winslow). Other stories talk about Thanksgiving in the spring after surviving horrible winters. There's a story of people surviving on just five kernels of corn a day. You can also learn about the Native Americans, specifically Squanto and Massasoit, without whom the pilgrims would never have survived. When we look at the hardships the founders of America had to endure, we realize we're pretty damn lucky. This leads to great Thanksgiving pageants and stories, arts and crafts and costumes.
Canadian Thanksgiving has no story. It just is.
3. Shared Observance
In The US everyone buys into Thanksgiving. It's an opportunity, not only for families to celebrate, but for communities to come together. Houses of worship across the country share services. It is a day of respect and appreciation for our interfaith and multicultural history, from President Washington's inauguration to the present. Even though we will be eating with friends and family, the day is surrounded by community.
Canadian Thanksgiving is just about the harvest (according to the proclamation), so it's just about the meal. As long as you eat, who cares who is there.
4. Football & Parades
American Thanksgiving is a day of food, family, fidelity, and football! Great games are played on Thanksgiving. After you've eaten, you have an excuse to lie, bloated, on the couch and watch the game(s). Also, while you're preparing, there's a great parade down NYC's 5th Avenue. It's the best parade in the world! The parade ends with the Santa Claus float, which signals the start of the Christmas season, providing a solid boundary for holiday advertising and decorations.
Canada's Christmas season is supposed to begin with the Santa Claus Parade, but since there are multiple Santa parades, who's to know when it really starts. It seems to start immediately after Halloween.
5. Thursday vs. Monday
Canadian Thanksgiving is on a Monday. As the family meal lingers into the evening, we start to worry about the next day, a day of school and work. You have to be conscious of getting home at a reasonable hour. How can you be really thankful if you're worried about a presentation on Tuesday.
American Thanksgiving is on a Thursday. People leave work early on Wednesday to get a head start. It's a 2 1/2 day work week, followed by a 4 1/2 day weekend. What more can you ask for? You don't have to run out to put kids to bed. There are no early meetings the next day. There's nothing but another day off for which to be thankful.
6. Pardoned Turkeys
Each year, since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented the president of the US with 3 turkeys, one live, two dressed. President Kennedy was the first to "pardon" his turkey, announcing he wasn't going to eat it. President Reagan made it official when he pardoned his turkey in 1987. President Bush Sr. continued with the tradition, making it a permanent annual tradition. The pardoned turkey is sent to a petting zoo to be pampered for the rest of his/her life. Need I say more?
Clearly American Thanksgiving is the better of the two. Still, as I said earlier, we celebrate both. We use Canadian Thanksgiving as a day for being outside and enjoying the start of autumn. It's usually one of the few warmish days left before dampness then cold set in. We go pumpkin or apple picking, gathering produce to be used for our celebration in November. Even now I have 3 pumpkins in my living room. Last Thursday we shared the evening with American friends. We ate turkey and stuffing, roasted beets and greens, brussel sprouts, apple pie (and due to Hanukah) sufganiyot (doughnuts). We appreciated that we live in a good city with great friends. We toasted the good fortune we do have and the future, where we hope to have many, many more days and reasons for which to give thanks, whether in October, November, or both.
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