Holiday Celebrations November 30, 2020 Agenda

Holiday Celebrations November 30, 2020 Agenda Mission & Goals Winter Holidays Traditions Breaking Tradition Discussion Listen ~ Educate ~ Empower ~ Inspire 2 Mission & Goals Mission & Goals • The mission of EquityCT is to create learning opportunities to build an actionable understanding of equity, and to empower action and civic engagement in order to consciously dismantle systemic inequity. • Our goals are: • To provide teaching and learning opportunities for people to deepen their understanding of equity... • To provide opportunities to effect systemic change at the local, state, and regional level. • To be a resource, both virtual and through a vast network of connected individuals, organizations, and communities, which unifies equity efforts in Connecticut... • To build capacity in communities for the ongoing prioritization of equity in all community decision-making. • To celebrate the work of individuals, organizations, and communities impacting systemic change. 4 Winter Holidays 5 Kartik Purnima November 30th, 2020 Celebrated on the 15th lunar day in the month of Kartik. Considered one of the auspicious full moon days on the Hindu calendar. Signifies Lord Shiva killing his demonic alter ego, the start of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha’s love story, and a day dedicated to reincarnated ancestors . Traditionally celebrated with a pilgrimage to the Ganges river (the holiest place on Earth for Hindus) but celebrations have evolved to include praying near a body of water. 6 Chanukah “Festival of lights” Chanukah 2020 begins in the evening of Thursday, December 10th and ends in the evening of Friday, December 18th. Celebration of liberation from oppression, freedom of worship, and finding light in the darkest of times. The centerpiece of Chanukah is the lighting of the menorah over the eight-day period. 7 Kwanzaa ”First fruits of the first harvest” Saturday, December 26th – Friday, January 1st • Seven-day celebration honoring African American heritage and its continued vitality. • Each of seven principles celebrated for one day: • Umoja (Unity) • Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) • Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) • Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) • Nia (Purpose) • Kuumba (Creativity) • Imani (Faith) 8 El Dia de los Reyes ”Three Kings Day” January 6th • Celebrated 12 days after Christmas day. • Commemorates when the Wise Men, also known as the Magi, came to visit Jesus. • Children in leave their shoes by the door so the three kings can come and leave them presents. Or they may put together boxes of hay or grass and leave them on their porch steps as a treat for the Magi’s camels. 9 Traditions & Rituals • In a life full of uncertainly and stress, tradition is a constant that provides a sense of: vComfort vFamiliarity vStructure vControl vStability vPredictability vBelonging • Traditions play an important role in strengthening family ties and relationships. For those who live apart, traditions may be the only bond that holds them together. 10 Breaking Traditions One of the most difficult parts of traditions is breaking them. Why is it so difficult to break out of long-honored rituals? • Resistance to change. • Fear of disappointing or hurting others. • Guilt about letting go. • Disagreement among those involved. 11 How can we change tradition? • Take time to think about how the tradition came about and what is the meaning behind it. You can still honor those reasons and values within a new tradition. • Acknowledge that the tradition is important to many. • Gather input from others. • Discuss and plan well ahead of time. • Focus on the core meaning of the tradition. • Consider adding to or modifying a tradition rather than eliminating it all together. • Start a new tradition if you are ending another. 12 Sources • https://experiencelife.com/article/reinventing-traditions/ • https://theconversation.com/an-anthropologist-explains-why-we-love- holiday-rituals-and-traditions-88462 • http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/79484134.cms?utm_sourc e=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst • https://www.africa.upenn.edu/K- 12/Kwanzaa_What_16661.html#:~:text=The%20seven%20principles%20( nguzo%20saba,seven%20candles%20signify%20the%20principles. • https://nationaltoday.com/three-kings-day/ • https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/102911/jewish /What-Is-Hanukkah.htm 13.

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