The Thanksgiving Rabbi

Gershom Mendes Seixas is historically known as “American Judaism's first public figure.” He was appointed in 1768 chazzan (service leader) of New York's Congregation Shearith Israel. He was just 23 years old at the time— close in age to a college student. 

Seixas was the first Jewish preacher to use the English language in his homilies. He was known in his community as a gifted teacher and a tireless worker. And when it came to the American Revolution, Seixas was a vocal advocate for independence. Seixas was a patriot, as demonstrated by his actions while the colonies were struggling to realize the independence they had recently proclaimed. 

Seixas's synagogue, like much of the greater public, was somewhat divided on the issue of independence. But Seixas used his position and persuasive skills to convince his congregation that they should cease operations in advance of the approaching British occupation of the city, during the early days of the conflict. He fled to his wife's family home in Connecticut, carrying various books and scrolls precious to the synagogue for safekeeping. In 1780, he accepted the leadership role at a synagogue in Philadelphia, where he became an outspoken cultural voice regularly calling on G-d to watch over General Washington and the great cause known as the American Revolution. 

When the war ended, Seixas returned to work with his former congregation— Shearith Israel. He returned with the books and scrolls to serve from 1784 until his death 32 years later. And when George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789, Seixas was asked to participate as one of the presiding clergymen. This was certainly an act of gratitude by Washington for the preacher's stalwart support during the war. But it was also an expression of Washington's thinking about the importance of religious freedom in the newly-born nation. 

Our national Thanksgiving narrative is rich with stories about gatherings, meals, traditions, football, and of course, the pardoning of a turkey by the president of the United States.And doubtless you have heard about what our first president, George Washington, declared while proclaiming that first official national day of Thanksgiving in 1789. 

Yet, while President Washington and Christian clergymen exhorted their own flocks, Seixas preached a sermon to his New York congregation. His message was based on a text from the Psalms, one describing how King David "made a joyful noise unto the Lord." Seixas told his listeners that they had much to be thankful for -- "the new nation, its president, and above all, the new Constitution."

Warming to this theme, Seixas reminded his congregation that they were "equal partakers of every benefit that results from this good government.” Beyond that, they were encouraged to conduct themselves as "living evidence of G-d’s divine power and unity." He further admonished them "to live as Jews ought to do: in brotherhood and amity, to seek peace and pursue it."

232 years later, Gershom Mendes Seixas's sermon is every bit as relevant as it was back then. After sharing this Jewish history, we should be mindful and socially responsible about what Thanksgiving means to those whose histories often get misrepresented this time of year: Native Americans. I urge everyone to challenge the dominant colonialist narrative. November is National Native American Heritage Month. Thanksgiving Day is also the National Day of Mourning for the Native American community. Right now in Oxford, we are standing on Myaamia, Adena, Shawandasse Tula, and Kaskaskia land. I urge everyone to be mindful of this and take Sexias’ sermon to heart—specifically, everyone being “equal partakers” in this country we call home. 

Hanah Bloom, ‘23