As part of STC’s efforts to acknowledge the diversity of its members, the office staff and members of the Board would like to remind STC leaders to be aware of religious holidays that members of their communities may celebrate. Whenever possible, STC events should be scheduled to avoid conflicts.
STC’s recent adoption of a diversity policy reflects this desire to be conscious of our members and their various cultures and backgrounds. See the STC Web site for the text of the policy.
The following list of religious holidays was compiled from various online sources. We are also grateful to Board member Leah Guren for her assistance in identifying Jewish holidays.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and does not include government holidays. To learn more about holidays that may be relevant for members of your particular community, be sure to ask your members for more details and additional information to consider when planning events.
You may also find this list of resources helpful:
January 2008
| 14 |
Pongal/Makar Sankranti (Hindu) |
| 19 |
Ashura (Shiite Islamic) |
| 22–25 |
Mahayana New Year (Buddhist) |
February 2008
2
|
Candlemas (Christian) |
| 6 |
Ash Wednesday (Christian) |
| 11 |
Vasanta Panchami/Saraswati Puja (Hindu) |
| 15 |
Parinirvana (Mahayana Buddhist) |
March 2008
| 1 |
St. David’s Day (Christian) |
| 6 |
Mahashivratri (Hindu) |
| 16 |
Palm Sunday (Christian) |
| 20 |
Mawlid al-nabi (Birth of Prophet Muhammad) (Islamic) |
| 21 |
Good Friday (Christian) |
| 21 |
Purim (Jewish)
|
| 22 |
Holi (Spring Festival) (Hindu) |
| 23 |
Easter Sunday (Christian) |
| 25 |
Annunciation (Christian) |
April 2008
| 20–27 |
Pesach (Passover) (Jewish) |
| 23 |
St. George's Day (Christian) |
May 2008
| 1 |
Ascension Day (Christian) |
| 22 |
Corpus Christi (Christian) |
| 23 |
Lag B’Omer (Jewish) |
June 2008
| 9–10 |
Shavuot (Pentecost) (Jewish) |
18
|
Vesak Day (Buddhist)
|
July 2008
| 3 |
Rajab (Islamic)
|
18
|
Asalha Puja (Buddhist)
|
20
|
Shiva Asar B'Tammuz (Jewish)
|
August 2008
| 10 |
Tisha B'Av (Jewish) |
15
|
Nisf Sha'ban (Hindu)
|
| 24 |
Janmashtami (Hindu)
|
| 31 |
Ramadan begins at sundown (Islamic)
|
September 2008
| 3 |
Ganesh Chathurti (Hindu) |
| 30–Oct. 1
|
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish) |
October 2008
| 1 |
Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) (Islamic) |
9
|
Navrati/Durga Puja/Dusserah (Hindu)
|
9
|
Yom Kippur (Jewish)
|
| 14–22 |
Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah (Jewish)
|
15
|
Pavarana Day (Buddhist)
|
28
|
Deepavali/Diwali (Hindu)
|
November 2008
| 1 |
All Saints' Day (Christian)
|
30
|
First Advent (Christian)
|
December 2008
| 6–9 |
Hajj (Islamic)
|
9
|
Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) (Islamic)
|
| 22–29 |
Hanukkah (Jewish)
|
25
|
Christmas Day (Christian) |
29
|
Muharram (or al-Hijra, Islamic New Year)(Islamic) |
