In anticipation of celebrating Thanksgiving, just about everyone’s favorite secular holiday, we asked some third graders at Pardes Jewish Day School in Scottsdale to tell us what they are thankful for, and also what they most enjoy at the traditional holiday feast. Following are their answers, compiled by Leni Reiss.
ELIANA KLEIN
I am thankful for all living things, especially dogs. My grandparents have two dogs, Oliver and Rascal. I want a dog too – I might get one for my birthday. At Thanksgiving, I like the drumstick. My mom saves it for me. Sometimes we have brisket plus turkey.
RAFAEL YOSEF
I’m thankful that I’m not homeless. I have a brother and two sisters and we play hide and seek and stuff. I’m happy to live in America. I like my friends at Pardes. I like the turkey on Thanksgiving and sometimes we have noodles – and sometimes we go to a restaurant.
IKE RUSH
I’m thankful for my family. My older brother just went to the army. I’m proud of him. My younger brother is a year old and I play with him. He’s like a baby bully. I’m thankful for writing, math and reading. For Thanksgiving, my mom makes chicken and turkey because some people don’t like turkey. I love Mom’s brownies and carrot cake.
SADIE AZULAY
I’m thankful that my mom lets us gets lots of pets. We have guinea pigs and a hamster named Lulu. Abba lets us have lots of hot dogs when he cooks for us. I’m a very picky eater. Last year at Thanksgiving we had butter shaped like a turkey and I put lots of it on the bread. I like corn and bell peppers. I never tasted cranberry sauce.
LEEZA ZACH
I’m thankful for Mom and Dad, and my big sister, Rose, goes to Pardes too. I have the best teachers. We have family dinners and talk about our day. We go on lots of trips. On Thanksgiving, my mom makes the best mashed potatoes. I help Mom make apple pie. It’s an easy recipe. I like the cranberry sauce that comes in a can.
LEVI SHEPHARD
I am thankful to celebrate with my mom and dad, grandparents, aunt, uncles and cousins. They all live in Arizona. One time my grandparents took us on a surprise trip to Disneyland. My bubbe makes really good matzah ball soup, but we don’t have it on Thanksgiving. I like cranberry sauce.
