The ARNIC Observer The English-Speaking Union of the United States (ESUUS) Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) Winter 2013 Volume 1, Issue 2 Winter Holidays Make Us Merry BY FATIHA AMARIR (MOROCCO) “The land flourished IT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED that each country has its own because it was fed from so culture, traditions and holidays, whether these holidays are national or religious ones, yet each society celebrates them many sources— because it in their own way. However, in the United States, a melting pot society where people from different nations and races was nourished by so many meet, immigrants may celebrate their own holidays in addition to those of other cultures. cultures and traditions During the winter many holidays take place and some of them are religious, such as Ashura for Muslims, and peoples.” Hanukkah for Jews, and Christmas for Christians, and not to mention Thanksgiving and New Year’s. To start with, and in chronological order, Ashura was observed on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic Photos by Fatiha Fatiha by Photos — Lyndon B. Johnson calendar which fell on November 14 this year. People on this day fast from sunrise to sunset, visit each other, and prepare special dishes such as couscous and dried fruit, and they buy new clothes and games for the children. Fasting on this day is optional, not like Ramadan, when it is compulsory. Muslims fast because it was recommended by the Department stores go all out in decorating for the holidays with In this issue: prophet Muhammad, who went to Medina and found the showy Christmas trees (left) and stylized reindeer (right). Jews fasting on this day. When he asked about the Winter Holidays 1 significance of this, they told him that “This is a good day, the The traditional meal often includes stuffing, potatoes, cranberry day on which God rescued the children of Israel from their sauce, gravy, and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving Day is a time for enemy Pharaoh by creating a path in the Red Sea.” So Moses many people to give thanks for what they have. Health Policy and Care 1 fasted this day to thank God for rescuing them, and now Christmas Day occurs on December 25. It celebrates Muslims fast for two days, while the Jewish people fast for one. the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day or even weeks before, Editorial 2 This year, Hanukkah fell on Wednesday, November people decorate their homes and gardens with lights and 27. Celebrated by the Jewish community, it began at sunset on evergreens, put up Christmas trees and much more. They also that Wednesday and ended in the evening of Thursday, cook delicious and festive foods such as baked ham and eggnog, Betwixt & Between 2 December 5. Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. It exchange gifts among themselves, and children receive a lot of commemorates the victory of the Israelites over the Syrian gifts from a character named Santa Claus. Greek armies, and the miracle of restoring the menorah in the On New Years Eve, December 31, many people In Appreciation 2 Holy Temple. Only one vial of oil was found in the temple and organize parties at home or attend special celebrations to was enough for only one day--and yet miracle of miracles, it celebrate the New Year. A particularly striking aspect of the Skyscrapers 3 lasted for eight days. Jews celebrate Hanukkah at home by New Year festivities is the ball drop in Times Square in lighting the menorah each night, playing with a dreidel, and Manhattan. The ball is made of crystal and electric lights and is eating special foods such as latkes, potato pancakes fried in oil. placed on top of a pole, which is 77 feet, or 23 meters, high. At Eat Pizza 3 Some people also sing Hanukkah songs and exchange gifts. one minute before midnight, the ball is lowered slowly. It comes Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the United to rest at the bottom at exactly midnight. The event is shown on Little Ukraine 4 States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has been an television across the United States and around the world. This annual tradition since 1863. Families and friends typically feast spectacle has been held every year since 1907, except during on roasted turkey, a featured item on any Thanksgiving table. World War II. Inquiring Photographers 4 The day is sometimes referred to as “Turkey Day.” The Ins and Outs of Health Policy and Care BY SOLANGEL ROCHELS (COLOMBIA) OUR HEALTH IS AFFECTED by many of Infectious Diseases, Sanitation, factors, including where we live, Adolescent Pregnancy, Natural Disasters, genetics, our income, our educational and Environmental Protection, to name status, and our relationships. These are only a few. known as “social determinants of Today, Public Health has begun health.” to focus more on chronic diseases such as The dimensions of health can Cancer, Diabetes, and Heart Disease. At encompass “a state of complete physical, the moment, a world campaign seeks to mental and social well-being and not limit saturated trans fats in the diet. Trans merely the absence of disease or fats are very dangerous for health. You infirmity,” as defined by the United should check not only the total calories Nations World Health Organization but also the total fat and the trans fats on (WHO). food labels. All nations in the world have a Spending on Public Health, public health service. Each country or however, should not be confused with area has specific conditions and needs. In expenditures on Health Care. The latter the U.S., the Public Health Service involves the diagnosis, treatment, and FROM FARM Solangel by Photo (PHS) is led by the Surgeon General of TO TABLE prevention of disease, illness, injury, the United States and there also exists and other physical and mental the Centers for Disease Control and impairments. In the U.S., in order to Prevention, headquartered in Atlanta. receive good and consistent care, a They perform national and international person needs health insurance. health activities. There are Public Health Immigrants with legal permanent status policies and programs such as Prevention Fruits and vegetables and little or no trans fats make for a healthy diet. (Cont’d on page three) Page 2 Winter 2013 The ARNIC Observer BETWIXT & BETWEEN The ARNIC Observer THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION OF THE UNITED STATES 144 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016 Tel: 212-818-1200 Fax: 212-867-4177 [email protected] www.esuus.org BY OLGA SOROKINA (UKRAINE) ALL OF US FACE some challenges when we OLGA SOROKINA, Editorial Page Editor come to a new country. For me the biggest challenge was getting used to year-round smiling faces. FATIHA AMARIR, MARIA BINCH, SAMIR BOUSTA, In my country, we don’t smile as Photo Courtesy ALINA KOLTOVSKA, NYI NYI, SOLANGEL ROCHELS, often as people do in the U.S. We smile OLGA SOROKINA, Editorial Board when we really mean it. For a few years people asked me why I was mad all the time. I didn’t understand what they meant or why they said it. Then it got to me: I don’t CAITLIN MURPHY, Design Director have a smiley face 24/7. It’s not as big of a You’ll find that life is still worthwhile struggle today as it was five years ago, but it if you just smile… is still something I face every day. BOB SPEZIALE, Consulting Editor Wherever I go (stores, banks, etc.) pulled her skirt and demanded attention. By in America people almost always smile. I the way, the whole 10 minutes I was standing was really tired of these fake smiles and I quietly on the side. didn’t even notice how much I was used to Then I got yelled at for standing in TANZILYA OREN, Editorial Muse seeing these meaningless smiles every day. the wrong line. When I finally got into the I met somebody I know in the right line, a woman who worked there asked elevator. The woman was silent and didn’t me: “Do you have all the documents ready? If say a word during our ride (no usual “How not, get on the side. Don’t slow the process are you?” with a wide smile). That was the down!” Are you kidding me?! Slow down the first time I realized that it feels weird and process? I had been in that office for about an uncomfortable not getting that “fake smile,” hour and just found the right line! The line but I didn’t give it much of a thought at the seemed to never end! And now she was time. saying I was slowing down the process! I The English-Speaking Union The second time I faced it was took in a deep breath and said that I had all Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center when I went through an airport security the documents ready. I couldn’t wait to leave check. The security guards spoke in a very that place. grumpy way and that’s when it hit me: It definitely would have been helpful Wouldn’t it be better if they were smiling to hear a “please” or “thank you.” And that’s and polite?! I’m sure that would make the when I remembered the words of my aunt: beginning of my trip more enjoyable. And “Keep in mind! After you live for a while in Editorial then another thought: “What? Wait! You another country you won’t feel at home, not just said it yourself you don’t like when in the country you were born and grew up in, people smile when they don’t mean it!” I and not in a country where you migrated Migration Is a Two-Way Street was confused….