A Diversity Message from Neil Meltzer and Dr. Sybil Pentsil - April 2022

At LifeBridge Health, we embrace diversity, and these monthly Diversity messages are meant to recognize and celebrate the richness of our team members' cultures and that of our country. We celebrate both what makes us diverse and unique, and what makes us the same - our shared purpose of caring for our communities together.

In April, we recognize the invaluable social and cultural contributions of Arab Americans with National Arab American Heritage Month. Arab Americans represent a diverse range of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds from the 22 Arab nations located throughout northern Africa and western Asia. LifeBridge Health will always strive to uplift and honor the heritage of our Arab American team members and patients, for whom we are incredibly grateful. 

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, established in 2008 by the United Nations general assembly. World Autism Day is dedicated to raising awareness for those with autism and the many forms of social inequality and discrimination they continue to face. There is no better way to celebrate this day than by learning more about this condition, to increase understanding and promote kindness.  Additionally, the Abilities Employee Resource Group is another valuable resource for our team members living with or caring for those with visible and non-visible abilities.

Ramadan, which this year begins on April 2, is the ninth and most sacred month of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is observed by Muslims as a time of fasting, prayer and reflection commemorating the first revelations of what would become the Quran to the prophet Mohammed. 

April 8th is the national Day of Silence. Created in the mid-90's by two college students, the Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQIA+ students and allies across the globe take a unified vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of both harassment and discrimination LGBTQIA+ within the education system.

The spring Hindu festival Rama Navami is on April 10 this year. This festival celebrates the birth of the Hindu god Rama, one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities. The festival is a time for moral reflection and being especially charitable to others. Typical Rama Navami traditions include visiting temples, reciting prayers and reading the story of Lord Rama. Temples and houses are decorated and charitable events and community meals are also organized.

Baisakhi, or Vaisakhi, is observed by both Hindus and Sikhs in northern India, as well as in Hindu and Sikh communities outside India, such as in the United Kingdom, United States, Malaysia, Pakistan and Nepal. The festival, which this year falls on April 14, celebrates the spring harvest and marks the beginning of the Sikh new year, the Hindu solar new year and the Hindu calendar month Vaisakha. The celebration typically involves bathing in holy rivers, preparing meals and visiting with loved ones. 

Also on April 14 this year is Mahavir Jayanti, the most important religious holiday for followers of Jainism. Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Mahavir, the 24th and final Tirthankara. In Jainism, a Tirthankara is a great savior and sage, someone who has traversed life's stream of births and deaths and teaches others how to follow this path. Mahavir Jayanti celebrations include prayer, fasting and acts of charity. 

The Jewish holiday Passover, or Pesach, begins on April 15 and continues for seven or eight days (seven in Israel and in Reform Judaism, eight for Orthodox and Conservative Judaism). Passover celebrates God liberating the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. According to tradition, when the Pharaoh refused to heed Moses' request to release the Israelites, God inflicted 10 plagues upon the ancient Egyptians, "passing over" the houses of the Israelites before the Pharaoh released his Israelite slaves. The celebration begins with a ceremonial meal called a Seder, held on the first night of Passover in Israel and the first two nights in the diaspora, and includes traditions such as singing, drinking four cups of wine and reading. 

This year, the Christian holiday Easter takes place on April 17 (April 24 for Orthodox Christians). Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion-the central event in Christianity. Typically, Easter traditions include attending religious services and enjoying a festive meal with family and friends. Holding egg hunts, decorating eggs and gifting Easter baskets are also common traditions. 

For those of the Bahai'i faith, April 21 of this year will mark the first of twelve days known as Ridván. This festival celebrates the twelve days that Baha'u'llah, founder of Bahai'ism, spent along the banks of the Tigris River in a garden he called "Ridván," the Arabic word for paradise. During this time, many followers of Baha'u'llah came to wish him farewell ahead of his journey from Baghdad to Constantinople at the summons of the Ottoman government. While in the Garden of Ridván, Baha'u'llah also declared himself a messenger from God and proclaimed the beginning of a new, peaceful era in human development, thus establishing the essential principles of the Bahai'i faith. 

Thank you for the commitment you make every day to CARE BRAVELY and live our LifeBridge Health values.