A Thanksgiving Meal
The American custom of Thanksgiving transcends cultures and stands as a truly American
tradition. In the following excerpt, Herman Spector tells the story of a 1939 Jewish Thanksgiving
in New York City. The story foreshadows the grim realities of World War II, yet to come:
| We don't exactly have seasons here, but holidays are important. Before
"Simkas-Torah" -
that's
the holiday of rejoicing in the giving of the Torah - they use ducks. During the Passover holidays
the best of
all poultry is used - all the luxury items; capons, turkeys, and the finest chickens. This past
Thanksgiving -
not a Jewish holiday, of course - but I believe more Jews bought turkeys than ever before. Why?
In my opinion,
it's due to particular world relations at this time, to conditions of oppression abroad and the
desire to give
thanks for living in America. During Chanukah week
they prepare fat for the Passover, so specially fattened geese are brought to the city then,
like the ones
you saw outside. With the devout housewife, not to be able to have a genzil (goose) for the
holidays would
be a tragedy of the first order. |
Jewish
market
on the East Side, New York, N.Y.
[between 1890 and 1901], from Touring
Turn-of-the
Century America, 1880-1920 |
Mr. Spector's full story can be found in
American Life Histories, 1936-1940.
Search on
genzil to retrieve the document,
"A Genzil
for the
Holidays."
A Thanksgiving Sermon
| In African American communities in the late 19th century, Thanksgiving was
celebrated in church with special Thanksgiving sermons. The Rev. Benjamin Arnett was a prominent
AME cleric in the Ohio AME Church.
In his
Centennial
Thanksgiving sermon on November 30, 1876, Arnett
reflects on the triumphs and failures of American history and projects a promising course for
America's future: |
 American Sketches:
A Negro Congregation in Washington.
Artist unknown. Wood Engraving, Illustrated London News,
November 18, 1876. LC-USZ62-50584 |
Following the tracks of righteousness throughout the centuries and along the way
of nations,
we are prepared to recommend it to all and assert without a shadow of doubt, that 'Righteousness
exalted a
nation'; but on the other hand following the foot-prints of sin amid the ruins of Empires and
remains of
cities, we will say that 'sin is a reproach to any people.' But we call on all American
citizens to love their country, and look not on the sins of the past, but arming ourselves for the
conflict of the future, girding ourselves in the habiliments of Righteousness, march forth with the
courage of a Numidian lion and with the confidence of a Roman Gladiator, and meet the demands
of the age, and satisfy the duties of the hour. Let us be encouraged in our work, for we have
found the moccasin track of Righteousness all along the shore of the stream of life, constantly
advancing holding humanity with a firm hand. We have seen it 'through' all the confusion of rising
and falling States, of battle, siege and slaughter, of victory and defeat; through the varying
fortunes and ultimate extinctions of Monarchies, Republics and Empires; through barbaric
irruption and desolation, feudal isolation, spiritual supremacy, the heroic rush and conflict of the
Cross and Crescent; amid the busy hum of industry, through the marts of trade and behind the
gliding keels of commerce.
And in America, the battle-field of modern thought, we can trace the foot-prints of the one and
the tracks of the other. So let us use all of our available forces, and especially our young men, and
throw them into the conflict of the Right against the Wrong.
Then let the grand Centennial Thanksgiving song be heard and sung in every house of God; and in
every home may thanksgiving sounds be heard, for our race has been emancipated, enfranchised
and are now educating, and have the gospel preached to them!
To read all of the Rev. Arnett's sermon in
African American Perspectives 1818-1907,
search Arnett Centennial
Thanksgiving
for the full text of the sermon.
A Thanksgiving Poem
In 1938, Mrs. L.A.
Sherman when interviewed for the American Life Histories project, shared a poem she wrote about
Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving
Well I wonder what is up now,
My schoolmates with faces so bright,
I am going to find out somehow,
Or to bed I'll not go this night.
I was wondering today what [a's?] about,
But to ask questions I'm not allowed,
Till she told me to run out,
I thought I was making to large a crowd.
Oh I know now what's going on,
Tis' the great Thanksgiving day,
But I'll tell if ice was on the pond,
I would make it one of play.
The grocery boy was nearly crazy,
With loads of good things to eat,
He was at our house not a bit lazy,
And away he went looking so neat.
Of all the pies pudding and cake,
I spied on the old pantry shelf,
To go away from home I sure would hate,
I can't tell you all, No sir, not half.
Now dear playmates one and all,
Keep to that dinner, get a recall,
Thanks to Him who watches us while [asleeep
Blessed be His name to great and small.
So when tomorrow comes, with happy hearts,
We will be happy and all be gay,
Adieu to our [?] before we part,
Be glad for school days again to stay. |
To see other poems and recipes by Mrs. Sherman, in
American Life Histories,
1936-1940, search Sherman
Thanksgiving for the document entitled,
"Mrs. L.A.
Sherman."
Top of Page
Interested in doing more research?
Visit the American Memory homepage on
the
Library of Congress website to search for more
historical materials available from the Library of Congress.
Other areas of interest on the Library of Congress website related to holidays and culture:
The American Folklife Center
http://www.loc.gov/folklife/
The Local History and Genealogy Reading Room
http://www.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/
The African-American Mosaic
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/intro.html |
