Party Planning Conundrum

Dear Saidie,
We have a number of employees from different faith groups. What is the best time to schedule a holiday party?
Signed,
Party Planner

Dear Planner,
You grew up with memories of Santa Clause and Christmas trees, but some members of your board or perhaps colleagues at work spent the holidays lighting a menorah and playing dreidel. With the increasing number of religious and ethnic groups adding a rich diversity to our community, it is important for all of us to be more aware of these traditions and specific religious holidays when we plan our events. In some faith traditions, calendar dates for sacred times are determined by both solar and lunar computations, so dates vary from year to year. In addition to Christmas, December has several holidays to keep in mind when planning your events:

Kwanzaa
An African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community and culture, Kwanzaa is a secular observance with some religious participation. Seven life virtues are presented.

Hanukkah
The Jewish Festival of Lights. It commemorates the Maccabean recapture and redirection of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 b.c.e. Special readings and praise songs focus on liberty and freedom. The eight candle Menorah is lit - one for each day of the 8-day feast.

Hajj
Three-day Islamic festival recalling Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah. The most important feast of Islam-Feast of Sacrifice on Dec. 9- concludes the Hajj.

Muharram
First day of the first month of the Muslim year.

Pancha Gananpati
Modern Hindi festival and Winter Solstice celbrating Lord Ganesha, the five-faced Maha Ganapati, Lord of Categories.

Saidie