Thanksgiving: Ramadan, Sukkot, Gratitude and Social Justice

In many ways, this was an ordinary pre-Thanksgiving weekend with gratitude and our responsibility to our neighbors as the central theme. But there were reminders that our traditional holiday is also a time to look outward, not just inward; to take into account the big picture, not just the tradition. As Rev. Angela Herrera, pastor at First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque noted at an interfaith celebration on Sunday, "Thanksgiving is complicated."

On Friday, we were reminded that there are parallels between Thanksgiving and Ramadan.  At an early Thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Turkish community in Albuquerque, Necip Orhan (director of  the Dialogue Institute-Turkish Raindrop House) pointed out that a central purpose of fasting during the  Muslim holiday is to remind us to be grateful for the gifts of our Creator and to be mindful of those who do not have access to the same gifts. A feast follows a day of full fasting (including water) However, there was no fasting on this Friday. There was a mingling of traditional Thanksgiving food and Turkish side dishes. There was turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, but there were also Turkish side dishes and baklava.

On Sunday, we considered the connections between Thanksgiving and Sukkot, a Jewish holiday that celebrates the gathering of the harvest and the protections bestowed upon the community by the Creator.  Every year, the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday comes just weeks after the celebration of Sukkot in synagogues around the country. "We get to celebrate Thanksgiving twice," said Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld of Congregation Albert, which was one seven congregations that came together that day for an interfaith Thanksgiving service.

Adult and children's choirs of five churches (Presbyterian, Unitarian Universalist, United Church of Christ, ELCA-Lutheran, Disciples of Christ) and two synagogues (Reform and Conservative) came together for this celebration of gratitude, unity and a commitment to social justice. The performed songs like Ode to Joy, Would You Harbor Me, and Let the Heavens be Glad.

While the social justice aspect is not common in most Thanksgiving celebrations at home and in our congregations, this particular gathering put an emphasis on our responsibilities as communities of faith to the immigrants in our country, particularly those who are facing threats of deportation. As Rev. Herrera reminded us, immigration is a civil offense in our legal code, and the current administration wants to make it a criminal offense.

The handbell choir from Monte Vista Christian Church

Even though the spirit of gratitude to the Creator should continue the focus of our celebration during this holiday, our responsibility to neighbor should be as much a big part of our celebration. "God's justice transcends national and tribal boundaries," said Rev. Herrera.

We were also urged to keep in mind of some of the myths that surround the Thanksgiving holiday, particularly the truth that our country was founded on the genocide of Native American people. As  Rev. Herrera noted, as people of faith, it is our duty to" complicate" Thanksgiving.

And yet, gratitude remains a central part of our holiday, as the concluding song of of the interfaith service reminds us. Kehilah kedoshah, kehilah kedoshah...Lai dai dai...It's how we help. It's how we give. It's how we pray. It's how we heal. It's how we live....

Rev. Ryan Roberts & Rev. Breonna Roberts offered the benediction

Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld