Today@Dal

Each year the Dalhousie Office of Human Rights, Equity & Harassment Prevention (HREHP) develops a mosaic calendar of religious holidays and cultural dates for faculty, staff and students.

See below for a sample of September dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university community. The spring and summer calendar is available on the website, http://hrehp.dal.ca/Calendar/.

All Jewish and Islamic Holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the first date shown.

September 1
First Parkash (SI)
The first Parkash commemorates the installation of the Adi Granth (the first edition of the Sikh Scriptures) at Harimandir Sahib by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in 1604 CE.

September 2
Labour Day
Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated in North America on the first Monday in September that resulted from efforts of the Labour union movement to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers.

September 5-6
Rosh Hashanah (JU)
A Jewish holiday commonly referred to as the "Jewish New Year" It is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is a time of introspection, abstinence, prayer, and penitence; the story of Abraham is read, the ram's horn is sounded, and special foods are prepared and shared. No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in synagogue, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. In fact, there is a special prayer book called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays.
Another popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year. This was the second Jewish religious practice I was ever exposed to (the first one: lighting Chanukkah candles), and I highly recommend it. It's yummy. We also dip bread in honey (instead of the usual practice of sprinkling salt on it) at this time of year for the same reason.
Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d's sovereignty.

September 11
Ananta-Chaturdasi (JA)
The "Festival of Ten Virtues" is the holiest day of Dashalakshani-parva for the Digambara sect.

September 12-16
Gahambar Paitishem (ZO)
Zoroastrian festival commemorating the creation of the earth and the harvesting of summer crops.

September 12
Ksamavani (JA)
On Ksamavani, Jains ask forgiveness of others for wrongs committed during the previous year, and likewise forgive those who cause them suffering.

September 13-14
Yom Kippur/ Day of Atonement (JU)
Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri. The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement", and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul", to atone for the sins of the past year. On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed. This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends.

September 19
Ganesh Chathurhi (HI)
The fourth day of the lunar fortnight (Chathurti) and Tuesdays and Fridays are special to Ganesh. Chathurti of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Simbha (Bhaadrapadha) is celebrated as Ganesh Chathurhi.

September 19-25
Sukkot (JU)
Sukkot is so unreservedly joyful that it is commonly referred to in Jewish prayer and literature as Z'man Simchateinu, the Season of our Rejoicing. Sukkot, Succot or Sukkos (Hebrew: sukkōt or sukkos, Feast of Booths, Feast of Tabernacles) is a biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (varies from late September to late October). It is one of the three biblically mandated festivals Shalosh regalim on which Hebrews were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. It follows the solemn holiday of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement.

The holiday lasts seven days (eight in the diaspora). The first day (and second in the diaspora) is a sabbath-like yom tov (holiday) when work is forbidden, followed by the intermediate Chol Hamoed and Shemini Atzeret. The Hebrew word sukkōt is the plural of sukkah, "booth or tabernacle", which is a walled structure covered with schach (plant material such as leafy tree overgrowth or palm leaves). No work is permitted on the first and second days of the holiday. Work is permitted on the remaining days. These intermediate days on which work is permitted are referred to as Chol Ha-Mo'ed, as are the intermediate days of Passover.

September 20
Samvatsari (JA  -  Shvetambara sect)
The Shvetambara sect observes by introspection, confession and penance.

Dashalakshani-parva (JA  -  Digambara sect)
The Digambara sect celebrates Dashalakshani-parva for ten days by fasting, worship, meditation, confession, and by dedicating each day to a virtue: forgiveness, humility, honesty, purity, truthfulness, self-restraint, asceticism, study, detachment, and celibacy.

September 21
International Day of Peace (UN)
This day occurs annually on September 21st.  It is dedicated to peace, or specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone. It is observed by many nations, political groups and military groups. To inaugurate the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at the United Nation Headquarters. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents. It was given as a gift by the Diet of Japan and is referred to as "a reminder of the human cost of war". The inscription on its side reads: "Long live absolute world peace".

September 22
Mabon (WI)
Mabon is the name used by some Wiccans and other Neo-pagans for one of the eight solar holidays. It is celebrated on the Fall Equinox and is also called Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, or simply Fall Equinox. This holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months.
Shuki-sorei-sai (SH)
The September Equinox memorial services, has observances similar to the March equinox memorial services.
Fall Ohigon (BU)
Fall Ohigon celebrates the September Equinox (Mahayana/North America)

September 26
Shemini Atzeret(JU)
Shemini Atzeret, the eighth day of assembly, is a separate holiday concluding Sukkot and the entire fall holiday season. It marks the beginning of winter in the land of Israel.

September 27
Mashiyyat  -  (BA)
The 11th Month of the Baha'i Calendar called Mashiyyat begins

Simhat Torah (JU)
(Rejoicing of the Law) is the beginning of the synagogue's annual Torah reading cycle. Reform Jews celebrate it along with Shemini Atzeret.


September 30
Kathina (BU)
Kathina is a Buddhist festival which comes at the end of Vassa, the three-month rainy season retreat for Theravada Buddhists. The season during which a monastery may hold a Kathina festival is one month long, beginning after the full moon of the eleventh month in the Lunar calendar (usually October).

It is a time of giving, for the laity to express gratitude to monks. Lay Buddhists bring donations to temples, especially new robes for the monks