Congregations Come Together to Celebrate 'Thanks-givukkah'

When Rabbi Ron Isaacs, of Temple Sholom, lights the first candle on the menorah at sunset Wednesday to open the celebration of Hanukkah, he'll be doing so in an somewhat unusual place: a Methodist church.

For 30 years, congregants from the two houses of worship have gathered on Thanksgiving Eve to celebrate the holiday together, but this year's confluence of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving is adding special meaning to the event.

"We will also be reading and singing Hanukah songs and Psalms of praise to God and Thanksgiving and teaching a Hebrew prayer for world peace," Rabbi Isaacs said.

Bridgewater United Methodist Church Lead Pastor, the Rev. Vicki Miller Brendler there's a special emphasis on music at the events, but this year's commemoration—which is expected to attract about 300 participants from the two congregations—will be particularly musical.

And will also have a sobering theme, with a showing of the anti-hatred documentary "Not in Our Town" about the response by residents of Billings, Mt., to an incident of violence and hatred—which Rabbi Isaacs noted fits the theme of Hanukkah, as well.

"The theme of this will be speaking out against hate crimes and to not be prejudiced against any group," the Rev. Brendler said.

The church and temple have been marking Thanksgiving for many years after the Rev. Robert Swanson and Rabbi Isaacs began a series of classes at each other's congregations. 

That lead to the annual event which continues to this day, with the church and temple alternating as hosts (this year is the church's turn)—although not quite always like this year's.

"This is the first time that Hanukkah enters into the equation," Rabbi Isaacs said.

And, the Rev. Brendler notes, the last time "Thanks-givukkah," as she called it, will happen for about 70,000 years.

The commemoration will begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday.