The miracle of Thanksgivukkah is upon us. This confluence of the first day of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving will not return for some 70,000 years. So be sure to enjoy those once-in-a-lifetime turkey latkes.
Thanksgivukkah is a miracle of the calendar. At this time of year, especially around Hanukkah, Jews are miracle-sensitive. We retell tales of miracles past, hope for miracles future and look for everyday miracles all around us.
In the spirit of the holiday, here are eight modern-day miracles, some of which have come about, but most of which we fervently hope to see in our day:
Iran — May the leaders of Iran undergo an epiphany and come to embrace Israel and the Jewish people. May they stand down from their nihilistic nuclear ambitions and join the community of nations in peace.
The Palestinian territories — May Hamas and Fatah realize that the Jewish state is here to stay, that perpetual war brings nothing, that a state of their own is within reach if they abandon violence and work in partnership with Israel.
Planet Earth — May all the nations of the world work together to address the looming disaster of climate change, eliminate the burning of fossil fuels and save the planet for future generations.
College campuses — May America’s campuses no longer provide a platform for anti-Israel hatred to poison the minds of young people, and may boycott-divestment-sanctions schemes never again disgrace the agendas of student governments.
The Farm Bill — Though it seems like inside-the-Beltway tedium, passing a good Farm Bill, which funds desperately needed food assistance to the poor, is critical to a just and decent society. May Congress see the light and fully fund the SNAP program so that no American goes hungry.
America — May blessings continue to grace our great country and its ever-evolving experiment in democracy. May it always provide safe harbor for those yearning to breathe free.
Israel — If one needs proof that modern miracles exist, Israel provides it. We rejoice every day in Israel’s existence, and give thanks for its thriving, growing and richly diverse society.
Tzedakah — Finally, we give thanks for the miracle of kind hearts everywhere, Jewish and non-Jewish, which see fit to donate time, money and energy to fulfilling humankind’s mission of making the world a better place.
We wish all our readers a happy and healthy Thanksgivukkah.