Check the Calendar Before Planning your Next Event or Meeting

It happens every year. Some major event, conference or meeting is scheduled on Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur.  And every time it happens, I respond back that I won’t be able to attend as I will be observing the holiday.  What also always happens is one of the following responses in return:

• “That’s the only day we could do it.” Really? There wasn’t another single day anytime during the month that you could have scheduled your event.
• “I didn’t see it on my calendar.” Well, virtually every calendar program has the option to add holidays, so whether that’s the Jewish holidays or those observed by other religions, I’m sure you can find a way to get them on your calendar.
• “I thought the holiday were later in the month/earlier in the month.” The Jewish holidays are on the same day every year according to the Jewish calendar. Earlier or later is based on the Gregorian calendar.  So yes, this year they may seem early (Sept. 6-8 and Sept. 15-16), but they are exactly when they should be.

Generally speaking, you wouldn’t schedule something on Christmas Day or Easter Sunday.  The same consideration should be taken for other religious holidays as well. Take one more look at the calendar before scheduling.  This is a small step in demonstrating your commitment to inclusivity.

And to those that observe, L’Shana Tova – Happy New Year.