We are smack dab in the middle of three big holidays. The dates for these three spring holidays move each year based on the moon.
Ramadan began on March 22nd and goes through April 20th. It is celebrated by Muslims worldwide and is one of their holiest times of year. During Ramadan, Muslims fast (go without food) during the daylight hours. Fasting allows them to focus on prayer and serving others.
Curious about Ramadan? Ask your friends and classmates what they know, then visit the school or public library and look for the Planet Omar book series by Zanid Mian.
Passover will be celebrated April 5th-13th this year. Passover celebrates the end of the Hebrew people being held as slaves in Egypt. Those who follow the Jewish faith will have a special meal called a Sedar. They will eat an unleavened bread called matzah and other special foods to remember their history. As part of the Sedar, a child will ask four important questions. You can discover more about Passover traditions in The Four Questions, a book by Susan Kusel.
Easter will be celebrated Sunday, April 9th. On Easter, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Over the centuries, many other traditions have become an important part of the day, including Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny. Learn where these traditions came from through online research or finding books at your library. The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous tells of one family’s special Easter traditions.
Ask your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles about your family’s unique holiday traditions. How did they start? How have they changed over the years? Are there any new customs you’d like to add to the celebration?