I have fallen behind on my holiday greetings. Sorry for any I missed. This coming week, our calendar for this week lists two Christian holidays, Good Friday and Easter; the Jewish holiday Passover; and the New Year for followers of Theravada Buddhism.
These are major holidays in three different traditions and many would typically travel to spend time with loved ones, and spend time preparing special meals. During the current distancing and travel restrictions, I hope that folks will be able to find meaning and comfort in reaching out to loved ones and in keeping these traditions alive. All of these holidays are celebrations of renewal and spring, and while we are currently closed in renewal will eventually come.
The week before Easter is called Holy Week and marks some of the most important Christian holidays. Friday, marks Good Friday for Western Christianity. The Friday before Easter commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Among some sects of Christianity and in many countries, Good Friday marks a day of fasting. Easter Sunday falls two days later, on April 5 , 2020 in the Gregorian calendar. This is an annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus. In the US, this is marked with celebratory meals, family gatherings, distribution of colored eggs, baskets, and Easter bunnies. It is a celebration of renewal. There is typically no school on Good Friday in Arlington. We wish those in our Christian community a Blessed Good Friday and a Happy Easter.
This week also includes the beginning of the Jewish feast of Passover or Pesach. Pesach is a week-long observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. On the first two nights, Wednesday, April 8 and Thursday, April 9 this year, family and friends will gather for ritualized meals called Seders in which the Haggadah (a recounting of the escape to freedom) is read. During the 8 days of Passover, many Jews will observe the food restrictions and not eat anything with leavening (bread products) but will instead eat Matzah. To our Jewish community, we can say “chag Pesach sameach” or “have a happy Passover holiday.”
Followers of the Theravada Buddhism celebrate their new year on the first new moon of April, between April 7 and 9 this year. The exact date of celebration may vary from one country to another. Many Buddhists of the Theravada tradition will celebrate the New Year with symbolic elements often found at the beach: sand and water. This may involve building sand castles. The sea washing away the sand is a symbol of renewal.
IMPACT ON SCHOOL: While school activities are already interrupted due to the closure, we should be sensitive to scheduling events during this week. There will be no school on Friday and many in our Jewish community will be engaged in activities on Wednesday and Thursday. I am not sure of the extent of celebration for Theravada New Year.
NOTE: Our school calendar includes holidays and observances that are significant in our community. As a regular feature, I try to send updates on these observances and information on accommodations. We are not always familiar with all the holidays, with which religions are represented in our classrooms, or with the nature of different traditions. I encourage you to send me notes to educate us on the appropriate and positive ways to recognize and support the diversity of our community. Also, please notify your teachers well in advance of any special considerations you feel you need, so that they can make appropriate plans.