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Thanksgiving the Syrian Way

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Home and family are two things synonymous with Thanksgiving. But what happens when the place you consider home no longer exists?

Just as the pilgrims once escaped persecution in Europe, thousands of refugees have left their homelands in hope of building a better life in America. The Daily Beast spent Thanksgiving in the home of one such family—the Faraj family in Wayne, New Jersey.

Having immigrated to the United States from Syria decades ago, the lighthearted and loving family integrated Syrian specialties with the traditional turkey-day fare. Rice and peas were served alongside mashed potatoes, and pumpkin hummus was served next to gravy. A mixture of Arabic and English filled the house as the conversation ranged from TED talks to Michael Jackson.

With the United States being the melting pot that it is, what could be more American than this?

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Sarah Rogers

Sara Sayed

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