US Jews are dealing with a rare quirk of the calendar on Thursday that overlaps Thanksgiving with Hanukkah. The last time it happened was 1888 and the next is 79,043 years from now - by one estimate widely shared in Jewish circles.
Michelle Renfrow's family celebrated two holidays in one gathering, as Thanksgiving fell on the second night of Hanukkah. For those who observe Judaism, this is a once in a lifetime holiday. Michelle's family added traditional foods, like fried potato latkes, to their already stuffed turkey dinner. And they trimmed their dessert table with menorahs. Each night for eight nights, they light a candle and exchange gifts.
Alex Renfrow, age 9, said, "I feel really thankful because we get to come together as a family and we all get to celebrate two different things at one time."
Many have dubbed the magical double holiday "Thanksgivikkuh" and wish each other "gobble tov." But the spirit of both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah are one. And that, says Michelle, is simply freedom.
"When we celebrate Hanukkah it's about the Jewish people who wanted to be able to be human beings," she said.
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