Selected Religious Holidays and Celebrations 2008-2009
This calendar is offered by the Office of Religious Life and Community Services as a resource. As we seek to increase our understanding of the shifting religious landscape of our campus and wider culture, we hope this calendar will increase our familiarity with religious traditions and facilitate thoughtful planning of schedules and activities. The calendar below is not an exhaustive list either of religious traditions or of the holidays observed in those traditions. The holidays offered are based on our records of the religious traditions represented in our student body. As you plan, please be aware that some members of the Dickinson community observe one or more of these religious holidays. Holidays marked with ** are observed by the Dickinson community and per college policy, college wide and/or public events should not be scheduled on these days. While every effort has been made to provide clear and accurate information, some holidays are dependent on lunar sightings and cultural/geographic traditions.
Date Sept 2 **Sept 30Oct 1
Holiday Ramadan begins Rosh Hashanah
The lunar month of fasting begins. Adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, sexual activity, and other activities from dawn until sunset.
Religion Islam Jewish
This marks the beginning of the Jewish year and the beginning of the High Holy Days or the Days of Awe. *begins evening of Sept 29th
**Oct 1 **Oct 9
Eid al Fitr (Ramadan ends) Yom Kippur
The Festival of the Breaking of the Fast celebrates the end of Ramadan. The date of this festival is determined by the rising of the New Moon. The Day of Atonement, the end of the 10 Days of Awe, is devoted to prayer, repentance and fasting. The Sabbath of Sabbaths in the Jewish calendar, it is the most widely observed Jewish holiday of the year. *begins evening of Oct 8th
Islam
Jewish
Oct 14-20
Sukkot
The Feast of the Tabernacles commemorates the dwelling of the Israelites in the wilderness. Jews will build sukkot (booths) and spend time in them over the week. * begins evening of Oct 13th
Jewish
Oct 21 Oct 22 Nov 1 Nov 27 Dec 8
Shmini Atzeret Simchat Torah All Saint’s Day
When Sukkot is over, the Creator invites the Jewish people to stay for an extra day (the eighth day), for a more intimate celebration. "Rejoicing in the Torah," this holiday marks the completion of the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings.
Jewish
Jewish
Christian
Celebrates the Christian Saints and those who have died.
Thanksgiving Interfaith USA A day giving thankfulness and celebration for the autumn harvest at the time of the pilgrim settlers. Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) Buddhist
In the Northern or Mahayana tradition, this day celebrates the Buddha’s attainment of Enlightenment.
**Dec 11
Eid al Adha
The Festival of the Sacrifice commemorates Abraham’s devotion in offering his son as a sacrifice. This holy day occurs at the end of Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Islam
Dec 22-29
Hanukkah
Festival of Lights marks the victory of the Maccabees and rededication of the Temple. It is a celebration of religious freedom and an affirmation of God’s saving power. *begins evening of Dec 21
Jewish
**Dec 25 Dec 26Jan 1 Feb 25 Mar 10
Christmas Kwanzaa
The celebration of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
Christian Interfaith
An African-American celebration honoring African community values and beliefs.
Ash Wednesday Purim
This day marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer and repentance that precedes Easter. This joyous celebration commemorates the victory of the Jews over their tyrannical enemy. The Jews changed the day marked for their destruction into a day of victory. *begins evening of March 9th
Christian Jewish
Mar 11 **Apr 8 Apr 9-16
Holi
A very popular festival where people throw colored water or powder at one another to celebrate episodes of life of Krishna.
Hindu
Pesach (First night of Passover) Passover
Jewish Jewish
Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. On the first and second nights, Seders (a ritual meal) are conducted, retelling the Exodus story, so that Jews never forget that they were once slaves and that God helped set them free. *begins evening of April 8th
Apr 10
Good Friday
One of the most holy Christian days, this day commemorates Jesus’ death and crucifixion. This day is a somber day when many fast and abstain from activity.
Christian
**Apr 12
Easter
Easter celebrates Jesus' resurrection from the dead and his defeat of sin, allowing all people who believe in him and accept his gift of salvation to have eternal life in heaven.
Christian
Apr 17
Holy Friday
As Good Friday, Orthodox Christians observe Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection this day with adults abstain from food and drink as their health allows.
Orthodox Christian
Apr 19
Apr 21
Easter Orthodox Christian Celebrating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, Orthodox Christians use the Orthodox calendar to mark religious holidays and therefore are always 1-2 weeks between the celebrations. Yom ha-Shoah Jewish Holocaust Memorial Day honoring and remembering Jews killed in the Holocaust of World War II between 1933-1945.
May 9
Buddha Day
Holiest of holy days in the Buddhist year, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha; some Buddhists only commemorate the birth of the Buddha on this day.
Buddhist
The Office of Religious Life and Community Services welcomes questions and suggestions for this listing as we continue to learn what it means to make religious identity and formation a part of a liberal arts education. Please contact Rev. Mira Hewlett, Director of Religious Life and Community Services, at hewlettm@dickinson.edu or x1577 with your comments or corrections.