September 27, 2024

REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED

Overview for this week.

1. We are currently in the midst of National Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from September 15 through October 15 each year. The official Hispanic Heritage Month website provides links to information and resources from the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the national gallery of art and other government entities honoring the contributions Hispanic Americans have made to American society and culture.

2. I recently happened on the Instagram page of a Flock alumni, dancer Diego Gonzales. I highly recommend checking out the photos and videos from this talented artist.

3. I have posted a new Religious Holiday Calendar for October 2024.

4. Next Wednesday is the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New year, immediately followed by Tzom Gedaliah, a day of fasting. I have some history on both holidays.

5. In Performing Arts, I'm marking the season openers for both the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona Theatre Company. Check out their 2024-2025 schedules for upcoming performances.

6. I recently had an experience that reminded me of the need for, and the satisfaction derived from Random Acts of Kindness. 

7. Brought to you by popular demand, I'm reposting from the archives, "Una Corrida Especial: A Special ROUND-up" written and shared with the Flock by Dino DeConcini.

8. In the Pet's Corner I have the Hall of Fame, Part One: Dogs.

Now, to this week's Flock.

Tap to view past issues.

September 15th through October 15th is recognized as National Hispanic Heritage Month. During this observance, multiple government agencies pay tribute to the contributions Hispanic Americans have made to American society and culture. In addition to federal observances, many state and local communities host events to commemorate Hispanic Heritage.

From: hispanicheritagemonth.gov

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

 Felix Gonzalez-Torres

As part of their contribution to celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, the National Gallery of Art has curated a virtual exhibit of nine exemplary and influential Latinx artists on their website.

From: National Gallery of Art

The styles of these artists are as diverse as their heritages. They work in performance, printmaking, photography, painting, and more. Their art pushes boundaries and challenges norms.

Working across the United States over the past 100 or so years, these artists experiment with materials and speak to issues including migration, identity, and the environment. They address difficult histories, celebrate Indigenous heritage, and advocate for human rights.

Discover nine artists in our collection to get just a taste of the contributions Latinx artists have made in the United States.

Back in the first few months of The Flock, I featured Diego Gonzales, a standout dancer from The University of Arizona Stevie Eller School of Dance. I recently came across Diego's Instagram page. I highly recommend giving him a visit and checking out his pictures and videos. This young man is headed for greatness.

Holiday dates from: Drexel University

Rosh Hashanah

October 2 - October 4

Rosh Hashanah is the New Year in Judaism. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah. It is the first of the High Holy Days, as specified by Leviticus 23:23–25, that occur in the late summer/early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere.

Affiliation: Jewish

Source: Wikipedia

Tzom Gedaliah

October 5

The Fast of Gedalia, also transliterated from the Hebrew language as Gedaliah or Gedalya, is a minor Jewish fast day from dawn until dusk to lament the assassination of Gedaliah, the righteous governor of what was the Kingdom of Judah.

Affiliation: Jewish

Source: Wikipedia

Yom Kippur

October 11 - October 12

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. It occurs annually on the 10th of Tishrei, corresponding to a date in late September or early October. For traditional Jewish people, it is primarily centered on atonement and repentance

Affiliation: Jewish

Source: Wikipedia

Sukkot

October 16 - October 23

Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths, is a Torah-commanded holiday celebrated for seven days, beginning on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals on which Israelites were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Affiliation: Jewish

Source: Wikipedia

Shemini Atzeret

Oct. 23 - Oct. 25

The Hebrew word atzeret is generally translated as "assembly", but shares a linguistic root with the word atzor, meaning "stop" or "tarry". Shemini Atzeret is characterized as a day when the Jewish people "tarries" to spend an additional day with God at the end of Sukkot

Affiliation: Jewish

Source: Wikipedia

From: My Jewish Learning

Rosh Hashanah History

The origins of Rosh Hashanah may be sought in a royal enthronement ritual from biblical times, though the Bible itself never mentions the “New Year” or “Day of Judgment” aspects of the holiday. Even though Rosh Hashanah falls in the seventh month, later rabbinic tradition decided to designate it the beginning of the year. Although the origin of this tradition may have been adopted from the Babylonians, the rabbis imbued it with Jewish significance as the anniversary of the day on which the world was created, or of the day on which humanity was created. Another explanation can be found in the significance of Tishrei as the seventh month, hence the Sabbath of the year.

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah at Home

The challah (traditional bread) that is eaten for the Rosh Hashanah season is round, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life. The challah is traditionally dipped in honey, symbolizing the hopes for a sweet New Year. The same is done with apples, which are made even sweeter with the addition of honey. Some people avoid eating nuts at this time, since according to a somewhat convoluted gematria (mystical numerical interpretation) the Hebrew words for nut (egoz) and sin (het) have the same numerical value.

From: AlephBeta

Tzom Gedaliah is named after Gedaliah Ben Achikam. After Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, destroyed the first Temple in Jerusalem, he sent the Jews into exile. However, a small number of Jews were allowed to stay in the land under the rulership of a Babylonian-appointed Jewish governor, Gedaliah.

Gedaliah was a fair leader and under his watch the Jews were able to live in peace. In fact, many Jews returned from exile and the land prospered. While this could not make up for the loss of the Temple, it marked a positive change from the extreme hardships and oppression of their recent past.

Unfortunately, this respite did not last long. For political reasons, the king of Ammon convinced a fellow Jew, Yishmael Ben Netaniah, to assassinate Gedaliah.

Yishmael not only killed Gedaliah, but slaughtered many Jews and Babylonians who were with Gedaliah as well. The remaining Jews feared Nebuchadnezzar’s retaliation, and fled to Egypt, marking the completion of the exile.

Despite having a fast day named in his memory, not much is known about Gedaliah Ben Achikam. One thing we are told is that Gedaliah was actually warned about the plot against his life, but dismissed the allegations as slander. Instead, he readily welcomed Yishmael Ben Netaniah into his home as his Rosh Hashanah guest, an act of kindness which ultimately cost him his life.

Though Gedaliah’s trust was mistaken in this case, it tells us much about his character. He was so careful not to misjudge another Jew or become suspicious of another’s motives, that he willingly faced a potentially dangerous situation rather than insult a guest. Gedaliah can also be seen as exemplifying national loyalty. If all Jews shared his approach, we would not be observing Tzom Gedaliah today.

From: Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Mozart And Tchaikovsky

The 2024–2025 season opens with Tchaikovsky’s powerful and tragically final musical utterance, most likely a declaration of forbidden love—the sixth symphony, “Pathétique.” The rising French star David Fray makes his TSO debut with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, and the TSO introduces the highly engaging music of the recent Chicago Symphony composer-in residence, Anna Clyne’s This Midnight Hour.

Passion runs high in this classic revenge thriller, newly adapted for a modern audience by ATC favorite playwright Jeffrey Hatcher (“Wait Until Dark,” “Holmes and Watson,” “Tuesdays with Morrie,” “Jekyll and Hyde”). Frederick Knott’s nail-biting 1952 play was later adapted by Alfred Hitchcock into the 1954 film. This clever, fast-paced adaptation, which has had box office-busting runs at theatres across the country, adds extra layers of intrigue and emotion to the iconic cat-and-mouse story. Filled with vivid characters, sharp dialogue, and lethal amounts of intrigue, “Dial M” will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The other day I stopped to help a young woman who was stuck on the side of the road with car trouble. She had been stranded there for quite a while as car after car passed by. Why did I stop? It was purely random. I just saw someone who needed help, so I pulled over. It didn't take much of my time, and at the end of the day, we both felt the better for it. It turns out that taking a minute to perform a random act of kindness is not just helpful to the recipient, but it's good for you too. The Mental Health Foundation has a list of 50 random Acts of Kindness that you can do today.

Research shows that helping others can be good for our mental health. It reduces stress, improves our emotional well-being and even benefits our physical health. In short, doing good does you good. 

It’s essential to look out for each other in and around our communities. This is how we protect and maintain good mental health for all.

If you do nothing else today, keep an eye out for an opportunity to help someone with a random act of kindness or hold onto that warm feeling when someone helps you.

Doing something nice for someone doesn't cost a lot of time or money. It's the small things in life that can make a big difference.

I've had a number of requests, including from my husband Michael, to repost this original literary work by Dino DeConcini that he generously contributedto the March 15th, 2024, issue of The Flock.

Maroon Bells Wilderness Trail

photo: Margaret Durney (Ferns mom) and Muffin Dole

Maroon Bells Wilderness Trail

photo: Margaret Durney and Muffin Dole

These Flock regulars are always here for you:

In coming weeks: we'll be sharing more investigative articles from our roving reporter William George, original writing from Flock favorite Dino DeConcini.

Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories!

I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story.

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

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