Coming together to celebrate holiday customs

November and December mark a season of joy and togetherness, a time when people around the world unite to observe religious and cultural festivities. The Interfaith at ServiceNow employee belonging group takes pride in recognizing and embracing diverse holiday customs, including Diwali, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas, just to name a few.

What makes these holidays extraordinary is the special meaning they hold for the individuals who celebrate them. Whether it's the warmth of family gatherings, the allure of festive cuisine, or the enchantment of music, each person finds unique significance in these shared moments.

This year, two members from our Interfaith group shared cherished items that symbolize the holidays they observe.

Sweet sufganiyah

Nimrod H., a senior solution consultant based in the UK, revels in celebrating Hanukkah with his family. The highlight of this eight-day festival for Nimrod is a Jewish jelly doughnut known as sufganiyah, a reminder of Hanukkah celebrations shared with his family over the years.

"Traditionally, sufganiyah is filled with raspberry jam,” he says. “But in recent years, due to popularity and demand, people have been making crazy doughnuts, with all types of fillings, toppings, colors, and sizes." Nimrod’s favorite is the dulce de leche-filled sufganiyah, because it was the flavor he enjoyed most as a child.

In Hebrew, sufganiyah means “to absorb,” representing how the doughnut soaks up oil during the deep-frying process. "It may not be the most low-calorie food,” Nimrod admits, “but it's definitely delicious."

Christmas carols

For Clarance V., manager of strategy and operations in India, Christmas is a magical time. He enjoys singing along to the holiday album from Boney M., his all-time favorite band. The German disco and funk sensation formed in the 1970s and captivated Clarance as a youngster.

Among the tracks on the holiday album "Christmas with Boney M.," Clarance’s favorite song is "When a Child Is Born."

"The song beautifully captures the essence of Christmas—the birth of a child, a concept I deeply believe in," Clarance says. Christmas also holds sentimental value for Clarance, as it provides an opportunity to spend time with his family, also based in India.

“There are times when we’re not able to see each other throughout the year,” he says, “but we do make it a point every Christmas to be together.”

Family, food, and music collectively contribute to the fascination of the holidays. The diversity of our employees and their myriad traditions enrich our workplace, fostering an environment of inclusivity and belonging.

As we learn from one another, we continue to strengthen our commitment to be a workplace that embraces diverse cultures and backgrounds.

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