American Jews are preparing for even more celebration this Thanksgiving, as it also falls on the second night of Hanukkah.
For UF students, this means combining traditions and being able to spend Hanukkah at home — which is usually celebrated during finals week.
Rabbi Gail Swedroe of UF Hillel attributes the early start of Hanukkah to the Jewish calendar. Judaism follows a lunar calendar, which means holidays have a certain range of dates, she said.
The last time the two holidays shared the same day was in 1888, according to the Associated Press.
It is not estimated to happen again for the next 79,043 years.
But Swedroe said the different dates should not affect Hanukkah traditions.
“I think the only difference is people will be eating turkey on Hanukkah and maybe having some latkes on Thanksgiving,” she said.
UF Hillel hosted a Thanksgiving-themed Shabbat dinner on Friday and will host a Hanukkah party on the holiday’s last night, Dec. 5, Swedroe said.
“It’s interesting because Hanukkah often happens during finals, so students aren’t able to go home for the holiday,” she said. “So if anything, there will be more people home for the holiday.”
Pearleen Lederman, a 22-year-old UF finance senior, is going home for Thanksgiving despite the proximity to finals.
“This year my family is going to celebrate Thanksgiving and just add some of the Hanukkah traditions,” she said.
Lederman said her family will light the candles and eat some traditional food associated with the holiday.
“These are my two favorite holidays,” she said, “So I’m so excited that they’re on the same night this year.”
Danielle Lehrer, a 20-year-old UF political science and Russian studies junior, said her family plans to combine decorations from both holidays.
“We will light the menorah all together the second night of Hanukkah during our meal,” she said. “It will be really special to have the whole family together for both holidays.”
Lehrer said the late Thanksgiving Break will make it hard to balance exams, but she is looking forward to the family and food aspect of going home.
She is also planning on combining the traditional foods by making latkes with a dollop of cranberry sauce on top.
Max Wolfson, a 19-year-old UF marketing sophomore, said his family will celebrate the holidays as two separate days.
“I don’t think my family will combine anything,” he said, “except maybe the candle lighting for dinner.”
A version of this story ran on page 1 on 11/26/2013 under the headline "‘Thanksgivukkah’ presents rare holiday for Jewish families"
