Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on February 11, 2013

First called "Multicultural Night" by some when it began three years ago, the Haisley Heritage Festival transforms at each happening.

Countries and cultures represented vary. Sometimes volunteers come forward to represent African, Middle Eastern or Latino cultures. Other years, Asian or European countries are more prevalent. Tantalizing ethnic foods differ in spice and flavor. Hands-on crafts and demonstrations change. This year, more music and dance were showcased.

But the common cause remains the same: hundreds turn out each year to celebrate the diversity and cultures that make up the Haisley Elementary School community. A record 300 people turned out this time on Jan. 31, despite the blistery, snowy weather conditions.

"I think it's vitally important to share our diverse cultures with each other. In a world so torn by disagreements and violence over differences, it's critical for our children to see how we have more commonalities than differences," said parent Liza Baker.

"My mother is Russian and my father was a linguist who specialized in Russian. He got his doctorate at U of M years ago, and I grew up speaking the language at home," Baker said. "My children are half Chinese, so we are multicultural, to say the least."

Baker represented the Russian culture this year at the Haisley Heritage Festival. Among other aspects of her culture, onlookers were able to learn more about the Russian language.

"Children were fascinated to know that Russians use an alphabet in which some letters look like those from English, but have very different sounds," Baker said. "And that Russian has one letter that makes the 'shch' sound -- something English needs three to four letters to accomplish."

Haisley parent Manjula Nimmagadda has also represented the country and culture of India each year at the Heritage Festival.

"Indians are fun to be with and we love music," said Nimmagadda. "If you got a chance to look at our display board, you would understand Indians contributed to the world in every field like sports, entertainment, science, literature, health, for some to name."

Nimmagadda added that technology has made people around the globe more connected and events like the Haisley Heritage Festival emphasize important positive aspects of various cultures. Continued...

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ANN ARBOR: Haisley Elementary School hosts Heritage festival to highlight various cultures

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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