Will US citizens now living in Jerusalem continue to celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving? A quick survey of the Jerusalem street produces answers ranging from “Certainly yes, in order to celebrate the value of giving thanks,” to “Absolutely no, in order not to pollute the Jewish State with any foreign influence.”
One Orthodox Jewish high school for English speakers, the Yerushalayim Torah Academy (YTA), is celebrating the day, but with a special Jewish spin. The school will be holding a “Turkey Tish.” A tish is a gathering of chassidic students around their master’s dining table for singing and learning during a meal - usually on Friday night.
YTA Dean Rabbi David Samson explains what the Turkey Tish is about:
“Certain positive cultural amenities from the US should be imported into Israeli society. As immigrants to Israel, it is not only our duty to start a new life with a new culture, but to sublimate that which is good and wholesome in the American way and bring that as our dowry to our new home. This day affords an opportunity to learn about the important theme of hakarat hatov – giving thanks.”
Parents will join the YTA students for the Nov. 27th celebration with each parent assigned a course of the festive meal to prepare and bring.
Alongside live musical accompaniment, some parents will tell stories of gratitude and giving thanks to highlight the evening’s theme.
YTA, established in Jerusalem’s Bayit V’gan neighborhood in September 2008, answers the demand of many new immigrant families concerned about their children's integration into the Israeli yeshiva (religious) high schools. Despite the many existing Hebrew high schools, some English-speaking students don't adjust well, and the new program offers an alternative program on a high scholastic level.