Religious and Cultural Holiday Awareness: Observing Sukkot and Simchat Torah

Dear Colleagues,

By increasing our knowledge of the diverse cultural and faith traditions of our patients, faculty members, staff members and students, we can strengthen our relationships with each other and positively impact the quality of patient care.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Department of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy have created a Religious and Cultural Observances Toolkit to provide general education and information about cultural and religious observances, and how they may impact interactions with colleagues, students, and patients and their family members.

Please take the time to become familiar with two upcoming observances:

Sukkot – Observed beginning at sunset on Oct. 16 to nightfall on Oct. 23
Simchat Torah – Observed Oct. 24 to 25

Use these fact sheets as a guide for supporting our patients, staff members, faculty members and students who may observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Please keep in mind that they are intended to provide a general overview, and the information may not apply to all individuals in any given culture or faith.

Sincerely,

James E. Page Jr., M.B.A.
Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Chief Diversity Officer

Paula Teague, D.Min, M.B.A.
Senior Director, Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy
Johns Hopkins Health System