Hodu Means Thanks-giving!

With my tour partner, Joshua Shapurkar, Peacock Gate, City Palace, Jaipur

When we came to the U.S. from India in 1964, I had no idea what Thanksgiving was, even what turkey was (I didn't like it).  It was the one holiday we celebrated at other people’s homes. Two friends from Sephardic backgrounds (one was from Turkey!)  at Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, where my father became a rabbi, would always invite us. We learned about the Sephardic diaspora and enjoyed a helping of Ladino alongside the stuffing and cranberry sauce.

Today I somewhat strangely associate Thanksgiving with India. After all, Hodu is the same word in Hebrew for “India” and “give thanks!” In that spirit, I am forever grateful to everyone who has traveled with me to India or brought me to their communities—you have allowed me to fulfill my lifelong mission of introducing India’s rich Jewish heritage to the wider Jewish world.

The Indian Jewish communities are small and getting smaller. Don't wait to join us. Our next tours are in February, 2026 and November, 2026.  Learn more and Register here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Maghen David Synagogue, Calcutta