Colleagues,

Veteran’s Day is set on November 11, originally to mark Armistice Day, the Memorial Day for the fallen of World War I. But where Memorial Day honors the fallen, Veteran’s Day is dedicated to honoring all those who have given military service to the United States. Two minutes of silence in recognition of their service and sacrifice are recommended at 11:11am Pacific time – the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, when the armistice with Germany went into full effect. Please enjoy your hard-earned long weekend and thank a veteran if you can.

Best Regards,
The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Colleagues,

Diwali, also popularly known as “Festival of Lights,” is celebrated with great gusto and observed as an official holiday across India.

The festival of Diwali is not only significant to Hindus, but has importance in Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. For Hindus, it is associated with the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, after his 14 years of exile and victory over the demon Ravana. On that day, he was welcomed to the kingdom of Ayodhya with rows of Deep, lit throughout the kingdom. Thus, there is a tradition of lighting oil lamps that symbolize the victory of good over evil and freedom from spiritual darkness.

Learn more at https://www.diwalifestival.org/

Best Regards,
The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

IT Colleagues,

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami (Sanskrit: विजयदशमी), Dasara, or Dashain, is celebrated after the end of  Navaratri, a 9-day ceremony to honor the triumph of good over evil. In some traditions, the holiday commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon ten-headed Ravana and in others the success of the warrior Goddess Durga against the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It is a day to remember the values and virtues that guide us in our personal and professional lives. This year, Dussehra falls on Monday, October 23.

We wish you and your families a very happy and prosperous Dussehra. May you overcome all the obstacles and challenges that come your way!

Learn more at https://www.festivalsofindia.in/dussehra/

Best Regards,

The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Colleagues,

I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone in SJSU IT for your dedication and commitment. Today is National IT Professionals Day. It’s a day for organizations to recognize their IT departments, such as the posts on San Jose State University’s Facebook page and Instagram.

Thanks to your hard work supporting our university and our students, SJSU is one of the most innovative universities in the country. Your devotion to our mission of service, your camaraderie with each other, and your constant ability to go above and beyond are what make SJSU IT such an amazing place to be.

So, to everyone in our division: Thank you. You are what makes working here special.

Thank you,
Bob-

Colleagues,

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is both a time of rejoicing and of serious introspection – a time to celebrate the completion of another year while also taking stock of one’s life. The two days of Rosh Hashanah usher in the Ten Days of Repentance, which culminate in the major fast day of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Among the popular traditions associated with the holiday is a ceremony performed on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah called Tashlich, when people throw crumbs or pieces of bread, symbolizing their sins, into flowing water.

The Challah (traditional bread) that is eaten for the Rosh Hashanah season is round, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life. 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.

Four days after Yom Kippur, the holidays of Sukkot will begin. This festival is also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles, as it remembers the years that the people of Israel spent sheltered in tents while crossing the desert from Egypt to the Promised Land. That is why many Jews celebrate these seven days by eating and sleeping in a tent (sukkah), that they set in their garden or balcony.

Learn more at https://theconversation.com/what-are-the-jewish-high-holy-days-a-look-at-rosh-hashanah-yom-kippur-and-a-month-of-celebrating-renewal-and-moral-responsibility-166079

Best Regards,

The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee