LUTHERAN HEALTHCARE TAKES GLOBAL APPROACH TO HOLIDAY SEASON
Monday, December 21, 2009
LUTHERAN HEALTHCARE TAKES GLOBAL APPROACH TO HOLIDAY SEASON
Christmas, Chanukah, Eid al-Adha and Kwanzaa Celebrations
December 21, 2009, Brooklyn, New York… It's been a busy holiday season at Lutheran HealthCare! Recognizing its multi-cultural staff, LHC commemorated the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha with traditional food, and then lit both a Christmas tree and Menorah while celebrating the Christian and Jewish holidays with local school children last week. 
On December 15, Wendy Z. Goldstein, president and chief executive officer, and Reverend Donald A. Stiger, senior vice president for mission and spiritual care, led the Christmas celebration. Staff members were treated to a performance by the student violinists from P.S. 506 while Christmas carols were sung by all. After placing the final ornaments on the tree, it was lit for the holiday. Students and staff alike were shocked with the surprise visit from Santa Claus, who brought presents for the school children.
The following day, LHC commemorated the Jewish festival of lights, Chanukah. Special prayers and the story of Chanukah was read by Goldstein, followed by holiday songs sung by the children of Lubavitch Yeshiva of Ocean Parkway. After the menorah was lit by Dr. Bernard Tolpin,D.D.S., M.P.H, guests feasted on traditional latkes, chocolate gelt and jelly donuts.
Eid-al-Adha is a Muslim Holiday that marks the end of Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The holiday commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God. LHC kicked off the holiday season and celebrated on November 30 by distributing educational material and serving traditional sweets and Bangladeshi lamb and rice, which was donated by the Arab Initiatives Committee.
Later in the month Lutheran will follow-up these events with a special Kwanzaa celebration December 26 to January 1. Honoring African heritage and culture, Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration that features activities such as candle-lighting and pouring of libations, and culminates in a feast and gift giving. Lutheran's main event will be held on December 29 in its main lobby.
Brooklyn is one of the most culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities in the world. Lutheran HealthCare acknowledges this diversity by integrating cultural competency with superior health care.LHC and its affiliates are nationally recognized as leaders in cultural competence. LHC's commitment to culturally sensitive health care represents an unparalleled understanding of ethnic, cultural and religious standards and observances that provide patients and staff with the comfort needed for healing and recovery.
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