Table of Diversity Weekly: A Month of Religious Celebrations

The month of April is filled with many religious celebrations. How do you decide what to recognize? How do you ensure you don't miss anything?

I recently heard from an organization that has figured out a way to do it all, well, because they have to! An international, K-12 school with over 50 different nationalities represented encountered an obstacle- how do we recognize the many observances, holidays, and celebrations our community finds important to their culture?

They realized that many of the holidays and observances have a similar style of celebration or recognition. For example, many holidays and observances in November and December involve lights. They created a week-long celebration of lights where staff, students, and their families can highlight, celebrate, and educate others on the holiday important to their culture; how and why they use lights.

Is there a connecting theme for many of the holidays and observances in April? You bet! Spring is a time of rebirth with animals coming out of hibernation, trees and plants blooming, and for many holidays and observances there is an aspect of a new day or new life.

One of the reasons why I love the idea of a connecting theme is that it requires critical thinking. It requires us to step outside of our own day-to-day lives to understand where there are similarities and differences across cultures. It may seem like a high school literature assignment, but by analyzing similarities and differences through a 3rd person perspective can help your organization effectively recognize, celebrate, and engage more people!

How might this work for you and your organization? Let me know in the comments!

This week's newsletter is about the different religious observances; their intertwined histories and cultures; and explore an interesting perspective on boundaries.

Read. Watch. Listen. Resources to learn more!

Here's everything you need as Passover starts this week- Chicago Sun-Times

"As Jews prepare this week for the beginning of Passover, one of the most widely observed holidays in their faith tradition, the Sun-Times has prepared a breakdown of everything you need to know.

Passover starts at sundown Wednesday and ends at nightfall on April 13, though the date changes each year, like Easter and Ramadan. On the Jewish calendar, Passover begins on the 15th day of Nisan, which is typically in March or April. Passover commemorates the liberation of Jews from slavery in Egypt and the "passing over" of God's forces of destruction, sparing the Israelites' firstborn."

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Holy Week leads the faithful to Easter Sunday: Here are the special days observed and what they mean- Fox News

"This week is known in some Christian denominations as 'Holy Week.'

It marks the events leading up to and including the arrest, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here is more about the individual days of Holy Week.

Also, here is an explanation of some of the different services a person may encounter throughout the week."

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Eid-al-Fitr 2023

"Eid al-Fitr is a festival which marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and praying for Muslims. The festival is one of two major festivals for Muslims across the world and here's how it's celebrated.

Millions of Muslims around the UK and the world are gearing up for the start of Ramadan- one of the holiest Islamic months.

It is a time of fasting where Muslims are required not to eat or drink during the hours of daylight.

Ramadan is set to end on the evening of Friday 21st April 2023.

And to signify the end of it, Muslims will gather together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, one of two Eid celebrations which happen each year.

Eid al-Fitr is an Arabic term that means 'feast of breaking fast' and it is a significant time for Muslims to celebrate the end of a very intense month of prayer, fasting, self-reflection and charity."

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The Five Major World Religions

"It is perfectly human to grapple with questions like 'Where do we come from?' and 'How do I live a life of meaning?' These existential questions are central to the five major world religions- and that's not all that connects these faiths. John Bellaimey explains the intertwined histories and cultures of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam."

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