What's a Menurkey? Hillel Day School Kids Celebrate Rare Holiday

At Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills, the rare convergence of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, has not gone unnoticed. 

Students at all levels have engaged in activities around "Thanksgivukkah", because the first day of Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving Day. (Hanukkah officially begins at sundown on Nov. 27.) The last time the holidays coincided was 125 years ago. 

"It's a once in a lifetime for these kids," said Nicole Miller, a teacher and 8th grade advisory coordinator. 

Last week, 8th graders worked with younger students to create "menurkeys", artworks that combine familiar painted turkeys children create by dipping their hands in paint, then pressing them on paper, with the menorah, which holds candles that are lit on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. 

"Part of what we do here at Hillel is having the older kids work with the younger kids," Miller said. "It's a great opportunity for the older students to give back to the community. They're helping to teach our Jewish values, religion and culture." 

Not to mention having a lot of fun with the younger kids, who look up to their older schoolmates. 

"Everybody had a great time," Miller said. "Who doesn't like to have their hands painted?"