Diverse religious traditions celebrated by many young Amherst residents
Tradition lends a sense of belonging and a feeling that things are "OK." Young people learn resilience through traditions because they realize that no matter what happens they can always count on family and friends.

When the community recognizes different cultural traditions, a sense of pride is experienced by those celebrating that tradition. Most traditions that we celebrate are founded in religion and the 2006 Search Survey of Amherst youth showed that 59 percent of our youth send at least one hour in religious services or participating in spiritual activities.

Some of the practiced traditions that young people in the community participate in include:

Jackie: "My family belongs to the Chapel at Cross- Point in Getzville. We attend weekly services on Sundays and I even attend a special teen night on Wednesday. Service activities through The Chapel have allowed my entire family to become involved in helping people."

Samantha: "I am Jewish and belong to Temple Beth Zion. I teach first grade at religion class because learning how to be a good Jewish person at a young age is important."

Rachel: "I attend St. Gregory the Great Church where I sing in the choir and my family comes to see me. I feel a sense of pleasure because I enjoy singing so much, but not just that. To know that I am bringing joy to other people in the church makes me feel good and my parents are also very proud of me for giving back to the church my time and talent."

Esha: "My family celebrates the Hindu holiday of Diwali every year. Diwali is the Hindu New Year and we always start it off by writing a list of everything that happened to us during the year. We write about vacations, accomplishments, our goals, our friends, our family, school, work and anything else that happened. We have had this tradition for years and we always look forward to gathering together and reminiscing about a wonderful year."

Grace: "Every year around this time of year, my grandmother and I have this wonderful tradition. I stay over night at my grandparents' home, and then at seven in the morning I am awakened and my grandmother and I go up the street to her church. There, we make sandwiches for the hungry, sort out donated clothes and say some prayers in the prayer room. Every year I leave feeling like I've made a small difference for someone, and truly appreciate all the gifts I take for granted on a regular basis."

Adults in the community also had some traditions to share.

Kathy M-M: "My family belongs to St. Leo the Great Church. We attend weekly Mass and feel strengthened when praying and learning with fellow parishioners. Our parish family does fun activities together but also we come together to help when others are going through sad or tough times."

Karen D: "I remember celebrating an ethnic Christmas Eve at my grandmother's house for many years and shared good wishes with her family."

Seema M: "I am Muslim, married to a Hindu, living in a predominantly Christian country. In the Muslim religion we are supposed to give a percentage of our worth to charity every year. It's called Zakat. I have adopted that custom for Christmas by participating in the Amherst Warm Clothing Project, and the Toy and Food Drive."

Rosa D: "Family traditions have been very important in my life. I remember certain foods at special times of the year, especially meals on Christmas and Good Friday."

Richard W: "I serve as chairman of the ushers and greeters at St. Gregory the Great Church. On special holidays and for certain events I head back to Assumption Church in Black Rock. This is the church where I have my roots. I also visit local nursing homes dressed in holiday costume."

Pat T: "I'm very involved with family and taking care of each other especially at this time of year. Family has always been very important to me."

Anne R: "We have a blended family. My husband is Roman Catholic and I am Jewish. We have always shared both of our traditions with our children. Now that they are grown and living on their own we have packed up their menorahs and box of childhood ornaments and sent them with them. They can now

share the traditions in their own homes."

Tom D: "I have been actively involved with the Lions Club for many years. The club donates a great deal of money to various causes."

Marianne K-G: "I attended Catholic schools for 12 years and I

am very religion orientated. I attend

Mass and church services on a regular basis. I especially enjoy the Christmas season as it is a very special time. As a family we attend Mass and enjoy Christmas Eve at a big family gathering with Santa making a stop along his route."

Anna C: "Traditionally, special foods are prepared and served on Christmas Eve. The dinner includes a fish dish that I am not particularly fond of but I feel compelled to eat it. At this time of year I am thankful for what I have and have concern for less fortunate. I actively do good works during the Christmas season."

Sharon C: "I make it a point to share a meal with my family on a daily basis. This is a good time for family conversation and planning activities."

We are all so fortunate to live in a community where people and their traditions are valued and shared. At this time of year it is easy to think about all that we have and to be grateful for it. This would also be a good time to think about after the holidays and into next year and how we can continue the good holiday feelings by sharing what we have with those less fortunate throughout the year. Happy holidays form the Amherst Task Force for Healthy Community / Healthy Youth.

If you have an idea for a topic, send a note to the Amherst Task Force, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst, NY 14226 or e-mail Sally@eccpasa.info.