September Celebration Highlights

• Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
• Yom Kippur
• Rosh Hashanah

Explore rich histories, meaningful traditions, and inspiring cultural celebrations coming up this September and October!

What is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Every year from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month. This special month honors the rich history, culture, and contributions of Latinx people in the United States. It’s a time to recognize the impact of Latinx individuals on American history, from fighting for workers' rights to creating beautiful art and literature.

Why Do We Celebrate?

Hispanic Heritage Month started to highlight the important role that Latinx people have played in shaping the U.S. It’s a chance to learn about and appreciate the diverse cultures that make up the Latinx community, including people from countries like Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and many others in Latin America and Spain.

César Chávez: César Chávez was a labor leader who fought for the rights of farm workers. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which worked to improve conditions for workers who pick fruits and vegetables.

Frida Kahlo: Frida Kahlo was a famous Mexican artist known for her colorful and emotional paintings. Her art often reflects her struggles and her pride in her Mexican heritage.

Sonia Sotomayor: Sonia Sotomayor made history as the first Latina to serve as a Supreme Court Justice in the United States. She has inspired many with her achievements and her commitment to justice.

During this month, you might hear lively music and see energetic dances. Latin music styles like salsa, merengue, and reggaeton are not only fun to listen to but also important parts of Latinx culture. Traditional dances like flamenco from Spain and bomba from Puerto Rico tell stories through movement and rhythm.

Many cities in the U.S. hold festivals and parades to celebrate Latinx culture. For example, the Fiesta DC in Washington, D.C., and the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City are big events where people come together to celebrate with music, dancing, and food.

Latinx artists have made a big impact on the world. Diego Rivera was a Mexican muralist who painted large, beautiful murals that told the stories of the Mexican people. Today, artists like Carmen Lomas Garza continue this tradition, creating art that reflects Latinx life and traditions.

In literature, authors like Elizabeth Acevedo, Gabriel García Márquez, and Isabel Allende have written stories that give readers a glimpse into the Latinx experience. Their books often explore themes of identity, family, and culture, helping to share the voices and stories of the Latinx community with the world.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and learn about the vibrant cultures, histories, and contributions of Latinx people. Whether through music, art, literature, or activism, the Latinx community continues to shape and enrich the fabric of American society.

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, a joyful celebration that marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. It’s a time for new beginnings, reflection, and setting intentions for the year ahead. The holiday lasts two days and is a time for both prayer and celebration with loved ones.

Why is Rosh Hashanah Important?

Rosh Hashanah is not just the start of a new year on the Jewish calendar; it’s also a time to think about how we can improve ourselves and our relationships with others. It’s a period of reflection, where people look back at the past year and consider how they can make the coming year better.

Traditions and Symbols

• Shofar: One of the most important symbols of Rosh Hashanah is the shofar, a ram’s horn that is blown during synagogue services. The sound of the shofar is a call to wake up and pay attention to how we’re living our lives. It’s a reminder to reflect, ask for forgiveness, and make a fresh start.

• Festive Meals: Rosh Hashanah is also known for its delicious and symbolic foods. One popular tradition is eating apples dipped in honey, which symbolizes the hope for a sweet new year. Other traditional foods include round challah bread, which represents the cycle of the year, and pomegranates, which are said to have many seeds, symbolizing the many good deeds we hope to accomplish.

Cultural Celebrations

• Family Gatherings: Rosh Hashanah is a time when families and communities come together to celebrate. Sharing meals, praying together, and reflecting on the past year with loved ones are all important parts of the holiday. It’s a time to strengthen bonds and support each other in making the new year a good one.

• Tashlich: Another meaningful tradition during Rosh Hashanah is the Tashlich ceremony. In this ceremony, people go to a body of flowing water, like a river or stream, and cast breadcrumbs or small stones into the water. This symbolizes letting go of sins and mistakes from the past year, allowing them to wash away so that they can start fresh.

To celebrate Rosh Hashanah, many families prepare special dishes. Here are a couple of traditional recipes you might like to try:

• Honey Cake: A sweet and moist cake made with honey, spices, and sometimes a splash of coffee or tea. It’s a delicious treat that symbolizes the wish for a sweet new year.

• Brisket: A slow-cooked, tender beef dish often served during Rosh Hashanah. It’s hearty, flavorful, and a favorite at many family gatherings.

Rosh Hashanah is a wonderful time for new beginnings, family gatherings, and meaningful traditions. Whether through the blast of the shofar, a bite of honey-dipped apple, or the Tashlich ceremony by the water, this holiday is a special opportunity to reflect on the past and look forward to a sweet and successful new year.

What is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar. It’s a very important day when Jewish people focus on repentance, seeking forgiveness for their mistakes, and reflecting on how they can become better people.

Why is Yom Kippur Important?

Yom Kippur is all about making things right. It’s a day to think about any wrongs you might have done over the past year and ask for forgiveness from others and from God. This day is a fresh start, a chance to wipe the slate clean and begin anew with a kind heart and good intentions.

Traditions and Practices

• Fasting and Prayer: One of the most significant parts of Yom Kippur is the 25-hour fast. This means that from sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur until nightfall the next day, people do not eat or drink anything. This fast helps people focus on their prayers and thoughts about forgiveness. Many people also spend a lot of time at synagogue, where they participate in special services and prayers.

• Kol Nidre: Yom Kippur begins with a very important and solemn service called Kol Nidre, which takes place in the evening. The prayers and songs during this service are about asking for forgiveness and starting fresh. It’s a time to think deeply about the past year and how to be better in the future.

Yom Kippur is a special day of reflection, forgiveness, and renewal. It’s a time when people think about the past year, seek forgiveness, and make promises to themselves about how they can be better in the year to come. Whether through fasting, prayer, or thoughtful reflection, Yom Kippur helps guide people toward a fresh start and a kinder heart.

Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month:

• Ancient Pyramids: These likely represent the pyramids of Mesoamerica, such as those found in Teotihuacan or Chichén Itzá, symbolizing the rich history and architectural achievements of pre-Columbian civilizations in Latin America.
• Traditional Latinx Patterns: The intricate designs and patterns in the background are inspired by traditional Latin American textiles and art, celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of Latinx communities.

Yom Kippur:

• Menorah and Star of David: The menorah is a traditional Jewish candelabrum, and the Star of David is a widely recognized symbol of Judaism. These represent Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, which is a time of reflection, prayer, and fasting.
• Torah: The open book in the foreground is likely a representation of the Torah, the central religious text of Judaism, which is read during Yom Kippur services.
• Candles: The candles are symbolic of the solemn and reflective nature of Yom Kippur, where light is often used in religious rituals.

Rosh Hashanah:

• Apples and Honey: These are traditional foods eaten during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, symbolizing the hope for a sweet and prosperous year ahead.
• Shofar: The curved horn, usually from a ram, is blown during Rosh Hashanah services as a call to reflection and repentance.
• Festive Table: The image of a set table with these foods represents the celebrations of Rosh Hashanah, focusing on themes of renewal and sweetness for the coming year.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the diverse and vibrant heritages celebrated during the month of September and October! We hope you enjoyed learning about the rich histories, traditions, and contributions of the Latinx community, as well as the significance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Let's keep the spirit of celebration alive by recognizing these cultures throughout the year. By embracing and appreciating the diversity around us, we can strengthen the bonds within our school and beyond. Together, we can create a more inclusive and enriched community. Keep exploring and stay inspired!