Jews on the Mayflower

Happy Thanksgiving from Faithhacker! I hope you’re either reading this in a turkey coma, or in a house that smells like my grandmother’s kitchen, about to partake of something scrumptious. I love Thanksgiving, maybe because it’s not a real holiday. Maybe because there’s no real work involved, no serious family issues, no religious baggage. Just a day to eat and hang out…. But despite that fact, I got to thinking about the holiday, about the meaning of the holiday… (you know, wampum and buckled hats and shit) then and I thought you might be interested in this! Because while there weren’t a whole lot of Jews hanging around that first Thanksgiving table, eating maize and turkey, the American Jewish experience provides a LOT to be thankful for. And a lot of interesting things to discuss at the dinner table, between the green bean casserole and the candied yams. So maybe this year you might want to spend some time thinking about your own family’s version of the Mayflower experience. How much do you know about your immigrant ancestors? What city was your grandmother born in? Your great grandmother? What did they do for work, and how big were there families? For instance, I know we come from Moldavia, but I have no idea where… or when exactly. I don’t know who the first American in my family was, or how we ended up in Baltimore. But this year, before I retire to the living room to watch endless Law and Order re-runs, I’m going to find out. Add a little content to the holiday. A little Jewish history lesson, while I’ve got a few people at the table who can answer my questions… See what you find out! (and let me know)