Shemini Atzeret
Culture/religion: Judaism
Date: September 28
Shemini Atzeret means “eighth day of assembly” and is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Shemini Atzeret falls directly after the seven-day celebration of Sukkot, making it literally the eighth day, but is considered its own celebration along with Simchat Torah.
Shemini Atzeret is reserved for the joy of the festival and for the prayers for rain, officially starting the rainy season.
Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holy day and begins at sundown on September 27. Most forms of work are prohibited.
Pronunciation: sh’MEE-nee aht-ZE-ret
Sources:
A Deeper Look at Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, Chabad.org
Glossary of Jewish Terminology, Judaism 101, jewfaq.org
Simchat Torah
Culture/religion: Judaism
Date: September 29
Simchat Torah (“the joy of the Torah”) is a joyous day celebrated with the hakafot (“circles”) on both the eve and the morning of where people march and dance with the Torah scrolls around the reading table in the synagogue.
At the conclusion of the Torah, it is customary for every man to take part in the celebration by receiving an Aliyah (“ascent”). The final Aliyah signifies the beginning of a new cycle from the beginning of Genesis in order to discover new and loftier interpretations.
Simchat Torah is a Jewish holy day and begins at sundown on September 28. Most forms of work are prohibited.
Pronunciation: SIM-khat TOH-ruh
Sources:
How to Celebrate Simchat Torah, Chabad.org
Glossary of Jewish Terminology, Judaism 101, jewfaq.org
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Culture/religion: National observance
Date: October
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, recognized annually in October, is a national campaign through the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. It began as an effort to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.
Sources:
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Department Of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy
Italian American Heritage Month
Culture/religion: National observance
Date: October
Italian American Heritage Month is celebrated to honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States.
First celebrated in 1989, events are usually held to celebrate and educate the public about Italian American history.
Sources:
Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, Wikipedia
LGBTQ+ History Month
Culture/religion: National observance
Date: October
LGBT History Month is a month-long annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It is observed during October in the United States, to include National Coming Out Day on October 11. LGBT History Month originated in the United States and was first celebrated in 1994. It was founded by Missouri high-school history teacher Rodney Wilson.
Sources: