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A Year End Reflection:
Remembering the Triumphs and our Unwavering Resilience
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As we reflect on the past year, a tapestry of triumphs, resilience, and collective strength emerges. Our journey has been more than a series of milestones; it's been a testament to our ability to rise above, adapt, and overcome, even in the face of profound personal, social, and global upheavals. In navigating the challenges of our times, our community has showcased not only resilience but a profound commitment to positive change. Each hurdle has been an opportunity to unite, learn, and create solutions that not only benefit PAFA community but prove to us that our greatest strength is not only in bouncing back from adversity, but in thriving in the midst of it.
Together, we've weathered storms and danced through the rain of countless ups and downs throughout this journey, emerging stronger and more united. Your unwavering dedication to our shared core values and the mission of this great organization has been a beacon, guiding us through uncertain times. It's not just about bouncing back; it's about standing tall, creating positive ripples, and shaping a brighter future for all.
As we bid farewell to this past year, let's carry the lessons of resilience with us into the future. Let it be the force that propels us forward, empowering us to continue making a meaningful impact in our communities and beyond. The challenges we've faced have only strengthened our resolve, making us more compassionate, more innovative, and more determined to create positive change.
Thank you for being the driving force behind our success. Your enthusiasm, empathy, and commitment inspires us all. Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy, reflection, and well-deserved rest.
Here's to a new year of endless possibilities, boundless opportunities, and making a difference that truly matters!
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Worldwide Cultural New Year Traditions | | |
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WORLDWIDE HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration observed from December 26 to January 1 in the United States. Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa celebrates African American culture and heritage.
Each of its seven days is dedicated to a different principle: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
Families and communities come together to honor these principles through rituals, discussions, storytelling, music, and art.
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Hanukkah
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the miracle of the oil in the Temple and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is observed for eight days and nights, usually falling in late November to late December.
During Hanukkah, Jews light the menorah, a special nine-branched candelabrum, by adding one candle each night until all eight candles are lit. They also play the dreidel game, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts). Hanukkah represents the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair, and freedom over oppression, making it a joyous and festive celebration for Jewish communities around the world.
Christmas
Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday marking the birth of Jesus Christ and is an important religious and cultural event for Christians. The holiday is characterized by various customs and traditions, including decorating homes with festive lights and ornaments, exchanging gifts, singing carols, attending church services, and gathering with family and loved ones.
It is a time of joy, love, and giving, with many people embracing the spirit of generosity and goodwill. Christmas holds deep religious significance for Christians, while also serving as a time of unity and celebration for people of different cultures and backgrounds around the world.
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CULTURAL NEW YEAR TRADITIONS
New Year’s Day, often associated with January 1st, is a globally diverse concept, celebrated in numerous ways across different cultures. Check out a few highlighted below!
Japanese New Year: January 1st to 3rd
In Japan, the New Year, or Shōgatsu, is a time of family, reflection, and tradition, celebrated on January 1st.
Rosh Hashanah: September or October
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time for reflection, marked by the blowing of the shofar (a ram’s horn), and eating symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey, representing a sweet new year.
Diwali: October or November
Diwali, the Hindu New Year, is known as the Festival of Lights and it signifies the victory of light over darkness.
Matariki: June or July
In New Zealand, the Māori celebrate the New Year with Matariki, observed when the Pleiades constellation rises in late June or early July.
Celebrating New Year’s Day is not just about marking another year; it’s about understanding, respecting, and cherishing the various ways humanity observes this universal transition.
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Dark Horizon
Gabor Peterdi
1954
Line etching, aquatint and engraving with stenciled color on antique white wove paper
17 5/8 x 23 13/16 in.
(44.7675 x 60.49645 cm.)
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