2018 Interfaith Calendar and Holiday Observations
As we continue to strive to foster an inclusive climate across the School of Medicine, it's important to be reminded of the increasingly diverse landscape of religions, faith traditions and spiritual beliefs represented in our faculty, students and staff. We must also recognize, acknowledge and respect those in our community who may not have faith traditions/spiritual beliefs or chose not to practice organized religions.
To assist you as you plan your 2018 meetings, conferences and events, here is a link to an interfaith calendar of observances. ADL Calendar of Observances The calendar is not an exhaustive list of all holy days for each religion, rather it is a guide reflecting days of significance within major faith traditions, as well as ethnic and cultural celebrations. We’ve also provided an abbreviated quick reference list at the end of this message for your convenience.
We ask that you use these tools to help select meeting dates and avoid the unintentional exclusion of those whose religious beliefs/faith traditions are not currently observed as official University holidays. While the University does not designate time away from work for all the religious observances listed in this calendar, colleagues wishing to observe an undesignated holiday may use discretionary/vacation time.
To help ensure that holiday celebrations are fully inclusive, welcoming, and respectful to all members of our community, the following links provide additional resources and helpful strategies.
How to Appreciate Diversity During the Holidays
Interfaith Calendar Definition of Terms
2017
Christmas
December 25
Hanukkah
December 12-December 20
Kwanzaa
December 26-January 1
2018
New Year’s
January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 16
Ash Wednesday
February 14
Lent
February 14-March 29
Chinese New Year
February 16
St. Patrick’s Day
March 17
Palm Sunday
March 25
Passover
March 30-April 7
Easter
April 1
Day of Silence
April 27
Cinco de Mayo
May 5
Memorial Day
May 28
Ramadan
May 16 June 15
Juneteenth
June 19
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day
September 4
Rosh Hashanah
September 10-11
Yom Kippur
September 19
Indigenous People’s Day
October 8
Diwali
November 7
Veteran’s Day
November 11
Thanksgiving
November 22
Hanukkah
December 12 – 20
Christmas
December 25
Kwanzaa
December 26 – January 1