By Rabbi David Paskin

By now we all know what Thanksgivukkah is, but did you know that Kehillah Schechter Academy is the closest Jewish day school to Plymouth Rock?

This year we have a unique opportunity to celebrate both cultures in which we live; to really celebrate the freedom, the liberties and the opportunities that are afforded to us as American citizens. It’s pretty amazing to me that in this country we can have rich secular and rich religious celebrations, and that those of us who live in both worlds can find moments when they meet and really celebrate that convergence. There are a lot of places in the world where we wouldn’t be able to do that.

To celebrate this holiday, my daughter Ayelet and I worked with Dana Gitell, a parent at our school, to create the lyrics for “The Ballad of Thanksgivukkah,” which has already become a huge hit in our community. Check out our video and lyrics below.

The Ballad of Thanksgivukkah

By Rabbi David Paskin (with help from Ayelet Paskin and Dana Reichman Gitell)

Imagine Judah Maccabee sitting down to roast turkey
Passing the potatoes to Squanto
And pilgrims in Jerusalem standing with Hasmoneans
Got to get this temple cleaned up pronto

Like applesauce with cranberries, turkey stuffed with fried latkes
It’s clear that this is one heck of a mitzvah
Let’s celebrate this great country, religious minorities
Everybody loves Thanksgivukkah
I had a little turkey(toykey), I named him Maccabee
I tried and tried to spin him but I was not lucky

CHORUS
Thanksgivukkah, Thanksgivukkah, let’s celebrate across America
Thanksgivukkah, Thanksgivukkah, happy holidays, Thanksgivukkah!

Nun, gobble, hay, shin
Apple, rhubarb and pumpkin

167 BCE the Has-mo-ne-an dynasty
Was challenged by the lure of Hellenizers
But Greek culture could not compare to spinning tops and Jewish prayer
The miracle of light kept burning brighter

In 1620 pilgrims came across the ocean here to claim
A new land where the Mayflower could dock
At a place we must mention they met Native Americans
When they landed here at Plymouth…

Rock of Ages let our song
Praise thy saving power

CHORUS
Thanksgivukkah, Thanksgivukkah, let’s celebrate across America
Thanksgivukkah, Thanksgivukkah, happy holidays, Thanksgivukkah!

Rabbi David Paskin is the co-head of Kehillah Schechter Academy in Norwood, a K-8 school that strives to deepen and broaden the educational experience by crafting skill-based, personalized goals for each student, encouraging collaboration through experiential learning and inspiring excellence in both education and Jewish living. The school’s goal is to inspire and empower its students to become thoughtful, collaborative, compassionate Jewish learners who skillfully solve problems, resolve conflict and excel as Jewish citizens of the world.

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