A Diversity Message From Neil Meltzer - October 2019

October is Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, a month to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Italians to our country.

The day was first established in 1989 to recognize the accomplishments of Italians who make up one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States. They have helped shape and contribute to the country's rich culture in many ways such as in the arts, science, politics and industry.

Throughout the month, many communities and cities with people of Italian descent, will hold gatherings, festivities and events to celebrate Italian culture, history and language.

The Jewish holiday Yom Kippur begins the evening of October 8 and ends the evening of October 9. Also known as the Day of Atonement or the Sabbath of Sabbaths, Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year, when many Jews ask God for forgiveness for their sins to secure their fate. On this day, those of the Jewish faith will refrain from working, eating and drinking (even water), and most will spend the day in prayer at a synagogue.

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, an annual celebration that gives people the opportunity to honor friends and loved ones who publically identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or queer (LGBTQ).

National Coming Out Day began in 1988 as a day when people were encouraged to privately or publically disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to raise awareness. Since then it has evolved into an awareness day where members and supporters of the LGBTQ community take pride in their sexual orientation or gender identity by wearing symbols such as pink triangles and rainbow flags. The day also highlights advancements that have been made for this community in civil rights; however, there is still much to be done.

On October 17, everyone is encouraged to wear purple in observance of SPIRIT Day to show support for LGBTQ youth and opposition to LGBTQ bullying. Promoted by GLADD, SPIRIT Day is the largest, most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world. It was started in 2010 by a Canadian teenager in response to the bullying-related suicides of gay students.

October 24 is United Nations Day. The day is designed to commemorate the U.N.'s work in promoting peace and cooperation around the world. In 1948, the United National General Assembly established the day to recognize the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations. To honor this day, celebrations in the U.N. member states (193 countries) will include cross-cultural foods and performances to reflect the U.N.'s mission of spreading cultural awareness and understanding.

On October 31, many will dress in costumes with children going door-to-door for treats in recognition of Halloween. The day is also known as All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve, and recognizes the eve of the Western Christian feast. For some, October 31 is also observed as Samhain, a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

Modern Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, attending Halloween costume parties and carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns. Christian religious observances of All Hallows' Eve, include attending church services, lighting candles on the graves of those who have died and abstaining from meat. For Samhain observers, this is also a time to honor those who have passed away.

Thank you for the commitment you make every day to Care Bravely and live our LifeBridge Health values. Our Respect value is crucial to promoting both Diversity and Inclusion. There continues to be divisive dialogue throughout the country; and while we can't control what happens outside of LifeBridge Health, inside of LifeBridge Health we celebrate both what makes us diverse and unique, and what makes us the same-our shared purpose of caring for our communities together.