Thanksgiving at Home

By: Robin Filmer

For six years I spent Thanksgiving in China and Thailand working as an English teacher. The usual family meal consisted of rice, tofu and stir fried vegetables; it was impossible to find Kosher meat in the small town of Kunming.  We would use our chopsticks to devour the Chinese feast while pining away discussing our past Thanksgiving bounties. As the discussion progressed, we became more and more patriotic and sentimental, reaffirming our pledge of allegiance to our country and wishing we had a Kosher turkey to devour. This Thanksgiving would have been much the same if not for two things: the fact that we are now living in the US  (Thank G-d) , and the kind invitation of the ‘Torah Academy’ Jewish day school. My boys’ first Thanksgiving in their new school was a real “welcome home” after years overseas.

The luncheon began with the Torah Academy students performing small holiday skits, or telling everyone what they were grateful for. In keeping with the true spirit of Judaism, these children know exactly what they are thankful for and to be thankful on Thanksgiving and on all the other days of the year, too. The children had fun wearing Indian costumes and putting on a show for the families and friends they had invited.

My sons receive much from the camaraderie at their small, but resourceful school. The meal that Mrs. Malkie Rivkin, Judaic Principal, worked long hours to prepare was a wonderful reminder of American culinary specialties. The turkeys were tender and juicy with just the right spices. I had forgotten how large a turkey could be! The side dishes of corn and mashed potatoes accented by fresh and delicious challah rolls, really completed the meal.

The decorations donated by Mrs. Esther Schreiber, a Torah Academy parent,  were just the right addition to the meal. From the multicolored leaves on the pictures of fall trees, to the puffy turkeys as centerpieces, alongside matching place settings, the entire room looked so festive. It was clear that Thanksgiving had arrived in full force.

After the meal, Mrs. Malkie Rivkin and Dr. Tom Becker, the General Studies principal, arranged for the friends and family members to do an art project together in honor of Thanksgiving. We all had a great time gluing, coloring, and drawing pictures of our gratitude to Hashem (G-d). Leave it to these two innovative principals to get the stuffiest of adults drawing and coloring along with their kids!!!

After years of solitude caused by cultural barriers related to this “American holiday”, this Thanksgiving will be one that my family will treasure. Thank you, Torah Academy.  It truly is good to be home again!