Though many have put their lulav and etrog away, the spirit of Sukkot lingers. In fact, many see a relationship between the Feast of Booths and America’s harvest feast. Some note how Pilgrims read both the Old and New Testaments. Others observe how many who first accepted Washington’s 1789 proclamation that the third Thursday in November be devoted to “rendering unto [G-D] our sincere and humble thanks” were Colonial Jews. Some even suggest Pilgrims lived among religiously tolerant Sephardic Jews in Holland before continuing to the New World.
Regardless of which story you believe, it is easy to see the link between the Jewish harvest festival and the secular American one. Perhaps that is why so many want their table to be as kosher on Thanksgiving as on any other night.
Fortunately, our area has many places to partake of a pareve Pilgrim-y platter.