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Thanksgiving

Although Thanksgiving is not a Jewish holiday, it expresses the Jewish values of giving and family. Some say there is a distinct Jewish origin to the holiday because when the first European settlers arrived here after surviving both the Atlantic crossing and a tough winter, they looked to the bible and found the harvest festival of Sukkot. They created Thanksgiving for God’s generosity and protection. Many Jewish institutions have adopted the holiday as a means of teaching these values to their children and to their communities. Below are photos from our archives of events that exemplify these values.

Passaic NJ Hillel, Thanksgiving kids

Passaic Hillel students renacting the first Thanksgiving. Please help us with the I.D.'s.

Thanksgiving, children, American Indian costumes

Unidentified children celebrating Thanksgiving in school. Please identify these little Indians.

Rita and Samuel Brodie Day Care Program, Chef Nicholaus Sucic, Anne Fortune, Arnold Deutsch, Dorothy Friedman, Murray Kappraff, Fanny Kluger

Thanksgiving being celebrated at the Daughters of Miriam, Clifton, N.J.

Wayne NJ B'nai Brith Women's Thanksgiving, food drive baskets

Wayne B’nai Brith Women’s Thanksgiving food drive baskets being prepared for drop off. I.D.'s?

Washington Township NJ Nursery School, Thanksgiving celebration, kids

Washington Township Nursery School Thanksgiving celebration. Help us I.D. these young colonists.

Washington Township NJ Nursery School, Thanksgiving celebration

Washington Township Nursery School Thanksgiving celebration. Please help with I.D.'s.