Fun Thanksgiving Facts
Let’s talk turkey!
- Americans feast on 535 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.
- According the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in the United States at Thanksgiving. That number represents one sixth of all the turkeys sold in the U.S. each year!
- Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be our national bird.
- Domesticated turkeys cannot fly, however wild turkeys can fly up to 55 miles per hour over short distances.
- Only male (tom) turkeys gobble. Females make a clicking noise. The famous gobble is actually a seasonal mating call.
- The Turkey Trot, a ballroom dance in the 1900s, was named for the short, jerky steps of the turkey. It became popular mainly because it was denounced by the Vatican as “suggestive.”
- Turkeys are known to spend the night in trees! (Maybe to escape the Thanksgiving table?)
- Turkeys can drown if they look up when it’s raining!
- A turkey’s field of vision is 270 degrees–one of the main reasons they’re able to elude some hunters.
- The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. Now that’s a lot of turkey!
Thanksgiving Is Not Just an “American” Holiday
Giving thanks on Thanksgiving is an important American tradition, but it’s not ours alone. In fact, six other nations besides the U.S. have officially declared Thanksgiving Days: Brazil, Canada, Japan, Korea, Switzerland and Argentina. Thanksgiving celebrations have also been celebrated for hundreds of years, including in some ancient cultures.
The Greeks
The ancient Greeks celebrated a festival of the harvest called Thesmosphoria each autumn. Their goddess of corn and other grains was Demeter who was honored at the festival.
The Romans
The Romans also celebrated a fall harvest festival in honor of their goddess of corn, Ceres (where the word cereal comes from). The Romans celebrated a Thanksgiving feast where they offered the first fruits of the harvest and pigs to Ceres. Their Thanksgiving was held on October 4th each autumn.
The Chinese
The ancient Chinese celebrated their harvest festival, Chung Ch’ui, in accordance with the full moon that fell on the 15th day of the 8th month. They considered this day to be the birthday of the moon. Special “moon cakes” were baked and stamped with a picture of a rabbit to honor their belief that a rabbit is on the face of the moon. These cakes were eaten with a Thanksgiving meal during the 3-day festival. It was believed that flowers would fall from the moon during the festival and those that saw the flowers would soon receive good fortune.
The Hebrews
Jewish families also celebrate a harvest festival called Sukkoth. This autumn festival has been celebrated for over 3000 years. Sukkoth begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, 5 days after Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Jewish year. The holiday is named for the huts (succots) that Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert for 40 years before they reached the Promised Land. Sukkoth lasts for 8 days and Jewish people construct temporary huts from branches with a covered roof made of with foliage that allows the natural sunlight in. Fruits and vegetables, including apples, grapes, corn and pomegranates hang inside the hut and on the first 2 nights of Sukkoth, the families eat their meals in the huts under the evening sky.
The Egyptians
The ancient Egyptians celebrated their harvest festival in honor of Min, their god of vegetation and fertility. The festival was held in the springtime, the Egyptians’ harvest season and featured a parade in which the Pharaoh took part. After the parade a great feast was held with music, dancing and sports as part of the celebration. When the Egyptian farmers harvested their corn, they wept and pretended to be grief stricken to deceive the spirit which they believed lived in the corn.
Give a gift that gets thanks this year. Send gorgeous fresh flower arrangements, centerpieces for the holiday table, terrific gourmet gift baskets and more to everyone you’re thankful for! Thanksgiving Flowers and Gifts from 1800 Flowers.com
Thea Reid
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is perfect for a holiday property rental. This amazing historic city has a great selection of self catering accommodation to suit everyone.
Whether you need a cosy apartment where you can spend a romantic break for two or a larger property for a family vacation, you will find it here in Prague.
There is so much to see and do in this city, with its cultural heritage, beautiful architecture, cobbled streets and charming river, as well as a host of visitor attractions, shops and restaurants.
Prague’s big tourist attraction is Prague Castle, which is a must-see during your stay in Prague. There is plenty to see here, as it includes St Vitus Cathedral, St George’s Basilica, palaces, a monastery, towers, The Story of Prague Castle Museum etc. Make sure that you allow plenty of time for your visit.
Other attractions in Prague include the Jewish Quarter, Prague Television Tower, Prague State Opera House, Mucha Museum, Petrin Hill & Observation Tower, Prague Lesser Town, Prague Old Town and much more!
The city’s Old Town is a great area to explore. Here you will find the beautiful Old Town Square in Prague. In fact, there are also some lovely self catering properties around here and the historical buildings, cobbled streets, shops, pavement cafés and restaurants here make it an ideal place to stay during your holiday in Prague.
There are many sights you should look out for while you are in Old Town Square, including the Old Town Hall Tower and Astronomical Clock, Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, St Nicholas Church and the Jan Hus Memorial.
If your time is limited or it’s your first visit to the city, one of the best ways of seeing the sights is by joining one of the tours available. The Prague Grand Sightseeing Tour (which involves walking and coach travel) is well worth doing, as you will get the chance to see a wealth of historical parts of the city.
There are also various other tours that you can do, such as Best of Prague Walking Tour, Prague Grand City Sightseeing Tour & Cruise, Prague By Night, Prague Pubs Walking Tour and more!
In between all the sightseeing, you will want to take the opportunity to sit down to eat and drink at one of the many restaurants or cafés in Prague. And you won’t go hungry or thirsty in Prague! There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, offering a wide range of cuisine to suit all tastes and budgets.
There are also a number of supermarkets in the city, so you will be able to buy all your supplies for your self catering holiday in Prague, so you can easily cook a tasty meal at your holiday property rental whenever you want.
Prague is an ideal destination to take a city break or a longer vacation. There is just so much to see and do in this exciting city. Whether you want to go on a tour of the city, fancy watching an opera or ballet, do something sporty or enjoy some retail therapy, Prague has it all!
Why not take a break in Prague to do all your Christmas shopping? The city holds Christmas markets which are great fun to visit throughout December. It’s a good place to buy your Xmas presents! You can look around the various stalls, buy some lovely gifts, listen to Christmas carols, eat delicious hot food, drink hot wine and generally soak up the great atmosphere.
Karen Waller
Comparative Study between the Bible and the Quran (50) – C: The third part (I)
(Chapter 50:1-5)
The Old Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about Jacob died and Joseph buried him in Canaan (See: A: The first part).
The New Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about the Debate Between Jesus and the Jewish Priests about the Sabbath (See: B: The second part).
The Noble Quran Verses from 1-10 are talking about the disbelievers marveled that Allah made an oath and they said What! When we died and have become dust? Shall we return to life? (see: C: The third part II).
=========
The Noble Quran:
Chapter 50 in the Noble Quran is composed of 45 verses.
Verses from 1-10 are talking about 1) The Arabic letter Qaf used when Allah swore by the noble Quran, 2) The disbelievers marveled that Allah made an oath, 3) The disbelievers said: What! When we died and have become dust? Shall we return to life? 4) The disbelievers are in confounded situation about the Quran and 5) The thinking of the ancient ignorant Arabic Disbelievers and the Modern Disbelievers is matched.
—————
Verse one says:
Qaf is an Arabic letter, it is the first letter of the word “Quran”. It is said the verse means that Allah swore by it, the letter Qaf and He swore by the glorious, noble Quran.
Verse two says:
Nay, but the disbelievers consider it odd that there should have come to them a warner from among themselves, a messenger who is one of them, to threaten them with the punishment of the Eternal Fire after resurrection. So the disbelievers say, ‘This, warning, is an odd thing!
In other words, disbelievers marveled that Allah made this oath: they marveled when they were told they will be resurrected after death. They marveled a warning messenger from their own lineage has come unto them; and they said: This, which Muhammad says, i.e. that they will be resurrected after death, is a strange thing.
This was the saying of the ignorant Arabic Disbelievers more than 1400 years ago.
It is interesting that it is also the same saying of the Modern Disbelievers nowadays!
Hence, the thinking of the ignorant Arabic Disbelievers and the Modern Disbelievers is matched and harmonized.
Man is man; never changed!
Verse three says:
What! When we are dead and have become dust?, shall we return to life? That which Muhammad claims is a far-fetched return!’, i.e. an event that is extremely remote. They said: Shall we be brought back again? This will never happen; thus they are denying resurrection after death.
Verse four says:
Allah, Exalted is He, said:
We know what the earth diminishes, consumes, of them, We know that which the earth takes of them)
and with Us is a preserving Book, namely, the Preserved Tablet which contains everything that has been ordained by Allah.
In other words, Allah knows that which the earth devours of their flesh after they die and that which it leaves, and with Us is a recording Book, a Book preserved from Satan. This is the Guarded Tablet wherein is recorded their death, stay in the grave and resurrection on the Day of Judgment.
Verse five says:
Nay, but they have denied the Truth; they have denied Muhammad and the Quran when it came unto them.
This is the second clause of the oath, i.e. by the noble and glorious Quran, Muhammad has brought them the Quran, therefore they are in confounded situation, in a troubled case; they are in error;
It is also said that this means: they are confused; and it is also said this means: they are in disagreement, some of them believe while others do not.
—————
The Verses 50:1-5 in different English translations:
50:1]
QARIB: qaaf. by the glorious koran!
SHAKIR: qaf. i swear by the glorious quran (that muhammad is the messenger of allah)
PICKTHAL: qaf. by the glorious qur’an,
YUSUFALI: qaf: by the glorious qur’an (thou art allah’s messenger).
50:2]
QARIB: no, but they marvel that from among themselves a warner has come to them. the unbelievers say (in mockery): ‘this is a marvelous thing!
SHAKIR: nay! they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves, so the unbelievers say: this is a wonderful thing:
PICKTHAL: nay, but they marvel that a warner of their own hath come unto them; and the disbelievers say: this is a strange thing:
YUSUFALI: but they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. so the unbelievers say: “this is a wonderful thing!
50:3]
QARIB: what, when we are dead and turned to dust? that indeed would be an unlikely return! ‘
SHAKIR: what! when we are dead and have become dust? that is afar (from probable) return
PICKTHAL: when we are dead and have become dust (shall we be brought back again)? that would be a far return!
YUSUFALI: “what! when we die and become dust, (shall we live again?) that is a (sort of) return far (from our understanding).”
50:4]
QARIB: we know all that the earth takes away of them, and a book of records is with us.
SHAKIR: we know indeed what the earth diminishes of them, and with us is a writing that preserves
PICKTHAL: we know that which the earth taketh of them, and with us is a recording book.
YUSUFALI: we already know how much of them the earth takes away: with us is a record guarding (the full account).
50:5]
QARIB: rather, they belied the truth when it came to them, and now they are in a state of confusion.
SHAKIR: nay, they rejected the truth when it came to them, so they are (now) in a state of confusion
PICKTHAL: nay, but they have denied the truth when it came unto them, therefor they are now in troubled case.
YUSUFALI: but they deny the truth when it comes to them: so they are in a confused state.
=========
Back to the main issue of my series of articles; this is my question to you smart readers: “Is the Quran quoted from the Bible?”
Nevertheless, it is better postpone answering this question: until he reads the first, the second and the third parts (C: The third part – II)of this article.
Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil
One and a half million of Israel’s citizens are Palestinian Arabs, that is roughly 20 per cent of the population.
However, Israel still insists on calling the country a “Jewish state”.
And the Palestine Papers reveal the human price that they were willing to make that a reality.
Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Phillips reports from Baqah al Gharbiyyeh, Israel.
Duration : 0:2:54
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http://www.canaan-online.com/100_Kisses_david_gerstein_p/dg-100.htm
This metal-cut sculpture is designed by David Gerstein. As in many of his works, Gerstein winks at the observer with semi-ironic smile. The 100 kisses sculpture well exemplifies Gerstein’s unique work style and worldview as it brings together naiveté and sensuality. The contrasting colors of vivid red and silver turn this piece into a exceptional work of art that captures the eyes and engages the heart. A wonderful addition to your interiors!
David Gerstein, who lives and works in Jerusalem, has widely exhibited in museums, as well as in major public and private galleries all across of Israel. This extraordinary and well-known artist has long captivated world audiences with his free-spirited, authentic works that humorously celebrate life. By using sensual colors, Gerstein transforms cold metal into vivid and dynamic pieces of art.
Size: 16 X 8 in. (40 x 20 cm.)
A Jerusalem native and resident, David Gerstein has studied at the most respected art academies in Israel, London, Paris and New York. His well-known, three-dimensional wall sculptures are rich in color, dynamic in character and fanciful in execution. Gerstein witnesses daily activities and mundane objects and transforms them into vibrant works of Happy Pop Art. In addition to the many private collections and galleries that house his creations, David´s work can be seen in prominent public installations and museums throughout the world.
Duration : 0:0:29
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Denver Kosher Wines for Shabbat, Yom Tov, Rosh HaShanah, Sukkot and jewish holidays, as well as, for all occasions. Tuesday and Thursdays 15% discount. Featuring wines from Israel: Rashi, Bartenura, Recanati, Manischewitz, Kashi, Kedem, Baron Herzog, King, Fortant, Teal Lake, Mogen David
JPAD Discount Liquors
560 South Holly Located in the Leetsdale Shopping Center
Denver, Colorado
303-321-5385
http://www.denvershopping.org
Kosher Wine for Passover
Stop by Aharon’s Jewish Books and Judaica located in the same mall.
Duration : 0:3:45
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For many years now, travelling to India has been a rite of passage in Israeli life.
We hear so much about the Israelis in India that we sometimes forget there are actually Indians living there. Hummus Curry offers an intimate look into the lives of the local Indians living in a small village packed with Israeli tourists.Up in the Himalaya Mountains resides the village of Bhagsu, the rainiest place in all of India. During the hard winter the rain never stops & Bhagsu does not get a whiff of tourism.Kala Kumar (28), feeling bored, spends the slow monsoon days with his family, doing little within the fresh brick walls of his new guesthouse. In April the sun comes out for the first time and Bhagsu is awakened to life. Another season starts and the village is flooded with Israeli backpackers once again. Shoresh Singh (22) buzzes around the many Israelis filling his small shack, serving them the famous Israeli dish – ‘Jachnon-Hamin’. Just like the average Israeli, he never stops complaining about his business, speaking in broken Hebrew, quoting lines taken from Israeli cult movies he’s never seen. In one of the restaurants we meet Gopal Sharma (29), a charming waiter who gets along easily with the Israeli girls, especially with Shirley, with whom he’s flirting at the restaurant’s counter. Is there a chance for a love affair between the Hummus and the Curry or will Shirley lose her courage and leave just like the others? Will Shoresh win the battle against the local Jewish missionaries in the war of who will host the greatest Israeli New-Year’s dinner? How does the presence of the new houseguests affect Kala & his family, especially the relationship between him and his newly wed wife – a relationship that slowly unfolds during the film? Hummus Curry contains no interviews and the presence of the camera goes unfelt. This viewing experience takes us through intimate, funny and moving scenes that surprise the viewers time and time again. Rain drops turn into tear drops and we are given a unique opportunity to see the Israeli culture, through the eyes of the Indians.
Festivals: The 8th Jerusalem Jewish film festival
Producers: Arik Bernstein & Yariv Moser
Directors: Noam Pinchas & Yoni Zigler
Script Writers: Noam Pincahs & Yoni Zigler
Cinematographers: Noam Pincahs & Yoni Zigler
Broadcaster: Channel 8 – Israel
Editor: Yuval Erez
Duration : 0:59:35
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All time favorite yiddish song. Music
and Lyrics by Mark Warshawsky.
Oyfn Pripetchik
(written by Mark Warshavsky)
אױפֿן פּריפּעטשיק
Oyfn pripetchik brent a fayerl,
un in shtub is heys.
Un der rebe lernt kleyne kinderlakh
dem alef-beyz.
Zet zhe kinderlakh,
gedenkt zhe, tayere, vos ir lernt do.
Zogt zhe nokh a mol un take nokh a mol:
“Komets-alef: o!”
Lernt kinderlakh, lernt mit freyd,
lernt dem alef-beyz.
Gliklekh is der Yid, wos kent die toyre
un dos alef-beyz.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
At the fireplace
(Yiddish Translation)
At the fireplace a little fire burns
And in the room it’s warm.
And the Rabbi teaches little children
the aleph-bet
See you children-dear,
remember dear, what you’re learning
here.
Say once again, and then once again,
“Komets-alef: o!”
Children, learn with happiness,
learn the aleph-bet.
Lucky is the jew who knows the Torah.
and the aleph-bet.
Note: At the end of the video are TWO POLISH JEWS paintings. “‘Samuel Goldenburg and Schmuyle’ were two Polish Jews and were originally the subjects of two separate paintings by Victor Hartman. Mussorgorsky combined the essence of the two paintings into one movement, perhaps to emphasize a rich man/poor man contrast. Samuel Goldenburg, probably large, well dressed and rich, is represented by the first tune in the movement. Schmuyle on the other hand is represented by a piercing, troubled-sounding melody, making him ‘appear’ to be thin and poor.” MUSSOGORSKY : PICTURES AT
AN EXHIBITION.
Mark Warshavsky
Mark Markovich Warshavsky — folk poet, was born in Zhitomir ca. 1845*, died in Kiev in 1907. He graduated from the Kiev University and practiced law in Kiev. In spare time Warshavsky liked to compose and sing Yiddish songs. He wrote lyrics and music for these songs simultaneously. Assuming that his songs have no artistic value, Warshavsky did not record them. Later, following Sholom Aleychem’s advice, Warshavsky published his first 25-song collection “Judische Volkslieder” with Sholom Aleychem’s enthusiastic preface. Music to these songs was published shortly thereafter. Warshavsky’s book was a great success, many of his songs became very popular and were regarded as folk songs (for example, “Der Alef-Beis”, “A Brif fun Amerike”, “Der Zeide mit der Babe”). Warshavsky’s songs ingenuously and emotionally embody the motifs of Jewish folk poetry, whose spirit the author grasped so precisely. Warshavsky’s work is inseparably linked with the life of his people, with all their sufferings and joys. People’s tears (”Tsum badekens der Kale”), and sadness (”A Yidish Lid fun Ruminien”), pogroms (”Peisach”), poverty (”Neben Klaisel”), and immigration (”A Brif fun Amerike”, “Di shif”) find a response in Warshavsky’s songs. But these sad motifs are alleviated by the presence of special spiritual courage. Jewish hero of Warshavsky’s songs is an optimist. Suffering could not restrain their deep believe in better future, suppress theirs joyous sense of life: “Suffer and sing”. Warshavsky’s songs are warmed by touching love to the “Yidishe Gas” (Jewish Street) with its simple way of life. Stuffy cheder, where Jewish children study AlefBeis, Jewish wedding rituals (”Tsum badekens”), family anniversaries (”Der Zeide mit der Babe”) – all this cherished and familiar to the author. The language of the songs is simple and open-hearted. It is an authentic dialect spoken in Volyn. The metre of the verses is not always sustained, form is quite diverse, poem’s structure and rhyme is folk and gentle. Melodies are graceful, intimate and in full harmony with the text. Sincere melody of the “A Brif fun Amerike” makes especially strong expression. Many Warshavsky’s poems remain unpublished.
* in 1840, 1845, or 1848 according to different sources.
Adopted from the article by Noah Prilutsky (1882-1944), Yiddish linguist and folklorist, in Evreiskaia entsiklopediia. S.-Peterburg: Obshchestvo Dlia Nauchnykh Evreiskikh Izdanii, Brokhaus-Efron, 1906-13. Translated into the English by Shura Vaisma”"
イディッシュ語
יידיש
Duration : 0:3:51
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My South African wife, who came to me late in life, is Jewish, and has spurred many new interests in me, one of which is a fascination with the many awesome accomplishments of talented Jewish artists. Here are some haunting works by the jewish artist Mordechai Levanon, 1901-1968. Born in Transylvania, Romania, Levanon immigrated to Israel in 1921, where he studied at the Bezalel Art Academy. Like so many of his fellow Israeli artists, Levanon was fascinated by the country’s special light and the way it affects color. Thanks to his splendid body of work and his many paintings of the holy cities of Jerusalem and Sfad, Levanon is considered a major pioneer of Israeli art, and has even been called “the Israeli Van Gogh.”
Duration : 0:2:23
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http://www.mendypellin.com for resume & pictures.
Mendy Pellin is a 28-year-old Hassidic comedian and actor who has transformed the face of jewish entertainment.
Pellin was born in an ultra-orthodox Jewish home in Brooklyn, NY. His natural gift for acting became apparent when, at age 7, he was drafted into the local Jewish puppet theater. At age 16, his original traveling act How the Grichberg Stole Chanukah garnered national acclaim as it was viewed by audiences across the country.
After battling initial criticism for his outlandish antics — he was filmed “showering,” fully clothed, in a public fountain in Ukraine, and later marching down a catwalk sporting his trademark beard and full Hassidic garb at the Brooklyn’s Best Festival — Pellin went on to win over the hearts of thousands of loyal fans in his community and beyond. While juggling his entertainment career, he found time to attend yeshiva and became an ordained Rabbi at age 21. More recently, he hosted The Mendy Report, a satirical online Stephen-Cobert-style news show.
He currently lives with his wife Shulamis and two children in Los Angeles, where he operates his production company. He often partners with other celebrities, recently with Larry King, Martin Sheen and many others, to benefit a wide array of philanthropic causes about which he is passionate.
Mendy Pellin stars with Brad Pitt in the upcoming film Moneyball scheduled for release next year.
Duration : 0:3:53
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