Creek Speak November 2017 | Page 4

Giving Thanks

Around the World

The staple American Thanksgiving involves football, family, and an abundance of food. Americans indulge in giving thanks to commemorate the First Thanksgiving of 1621. However, America is not the only country that celebrates this type of holiday. Regions around the world participate unique celebrations of thankfulness.

Canada

Canadian Thanksgiving, or Jour de l'Action de Grâce, is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Canadians commemorate the past year’s harvest and other personal blessings. Most families eat a large meal during the holiday weekend consisting of maple roast turkey, bread and celery stuffing, and pumpkin layer pie. SCHS science teacher Ms. Rempel was born in Canada and has some insight on this holiday. She says that her favorite Canadian Thanksgiving tradition is spending time with her family, something she misses by living in the States. “All of my family, except for my sister, live in Canada and celebrate this holiday without us.”

Israel

Israel celebrates Sukkot, a week-long Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism. This usually occurs around late September or early October. Jewish people reflect on how the Israelites felt during their forty day trek to the Promised Land, as mentioned in the Bible. Sukkot also serves to symbolically honor and give thanks for the overflowing abundance of the harvest season. Festive meals that are eaten include challah (braided bread) dipped in honey, and zucchini and squash stuffed with meat and rice. Families gather to sing and dance in their synagogues and focus on greater growth for the year ahead.

A church altar Erntedank display in Germany.