A Diversity Message From Neil Meltzer - May 2019

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a month dedicated to recognizing the important accomplishments and contributions of the Jewish community to America. Jewish Americans have influenced our culture in a variety of ways through art, music, politics, science, law and business. President George W. Bush first proclaimed the month in 2006 following the successfully lobbying efforts of the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish Community leaders.

May is also Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. 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 that have added to America's rich culture and history. This month, these cultures and contributions will be recognized with activities such as dancing, sharing traditional meals or attending educational events. May is also significant because it commemorates 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.

The Celtic festival of Beltane, also referred to as May Day, takes placed on May 1 (or about halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice). Observed by many neopagans and Wiccans around the world, Beltane celebrates the onset of summer. It also focuses on fertility, a time for life to reemerge or be born. During this festival, observers will light bonfires, feast, dance and perform rituals. With the warmer weather, more people will also begin planting flowers and vegetables.

Beginning the evening of May 5, Muslims worldwide will commemorate Ramadan. Considered the most holy Islamic holiday, Ramadan begins with Muslims praying intensely, fasting, and eating only small meals at night. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and ends the evening of June 4 with a daylong celebration called Eid al-Fitr.

May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, also known as the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla. A day of ethnic pride celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States, the day includes festivities commemorating 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 honors the culture, achievements and experiences of people of Mexican origin. On this day, many will celebrate with parades, parties, mariachi music and Mexican folk dancing, and enjoy traditional Mexican foods and drinks.

On Memorial Day (May 27), people across the country will commemorate the men and women who have died in U.S. military service. Many will participate in parades, visit cemeteries or hold family gatherings. Memorial Day also is commonly recognized as 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.