SAR High School students got into the Thanksgiving spirit at the annual Thanksgiving Fair. “We wanted to have the Thanksgiving Fair because I think there’s a lot of emphasis on Israel and Zionism in modern Orthodox schools, which is amazing, but there’s not enough patriotism and pride for being American,” said Doni M., Spirit Council co-president. “I think having an event where we’re spreading positive energy around Thanksgiving that celebrates American values and traditions is really important for the school and the student body.”

To commemorate the Puritans’ journey to America from England amidst religious persecution, the gym was set up with different holiday-related stations and games including butter churning, stick the feather on the turkey, bowling with turkey pins, creating turkey hands on which students wrote what they are thankful for and a photo booth.

“We also had a pie eating contest amongst the faculty,” said Zoe M., Spirit Council co-president. “When the students see the administrators get into the events, it makes them also get into the events, and that’s going to be a fun time.” (Congratulations to the winner, Rabbi Daniel Gottesman, who also won his Tzahal watermelon eating contest!)

Added Jesse I-K, “The energy that everyone brought, from the relentless butter making to cheering on the teacher pie eating competition made for a truly epic day at the Hive.”

The best part: It was a blast! “Celebrating Thanksgiving was a fun and engaging activity,” said Rosa O. “It gave students the break they needed from a long school week.”