A Diversity Message From Neil Meltzer - May 2018

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The Asian Pacific encompasses the continent of Asia and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Asian Pacific and Asian Americans have many different religions, traditions and practices, all of which will be recognized this month through various activities such as dancing, sharing traditional meals or attending educational events. During May, we also commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese citizens to the United States and the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad, built mainly by Chinese immigrants, in 1869.

In May, we also celebrate the contributions of Jewish Americans to the country with Jewish American Heritage Month. Jewish people have shaped American culture in many ways with their achievements in areas such as medicine, music, science and art. The month was first proclaimed in 2006, thanks to the effort of the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish Community leaders.

May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, also known as the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla. On this day, festivities will be held in Mexico and the United States to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces during the Franco-Mexican War. In 1862, a small Mexican army under the command of Ignacio Zaragoza defeated a larger French contingent in the town of Puebla.

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo also celebrates the Mexican culture and heritage. Celebrations include parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and people enjoying traditional Mexican foods and drinks.

Beginning the evening of May 15, Muslims across the country will commemorate Ramadan, the most holy Islamic holiday. Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. Millions of Muslims will begin a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and ends the evening of June 14 with a daylong celebration called Eid al-Fitr.

On May 28, people across the county will come together to mark Memorial Day (also known as Decoration Day) to remember those who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. On this day, many will participate in parades, visit cemeteries or hold family gatherings. Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of the summer season.

At LifeBridge Health, we celebrate both what makes us diverse and unique, and what makes us the same - our shared purpose of caring for communities together.