As spring starts in the northern hemisphere, flowers start to bloom, trees start to show their leaves and the sound of birds fills the air as they migrate. Spring also brings numerous holidays and celebrations along with the chance to get together with family and friends.  

While some holidays have a religious component, all give you a chance to reconnect with family and friends even if you don’t observe the faith-based celebrations. Take time to plan a visit, share some food or just relax with those you love.  

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Easter: the resurrection  

Considered the most holy day of the Christian faith, Easter celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead three days after he was crucified. This is a joyous holiday for the faithful, bringing the end of the Lenten season of fasting and penitence.  

The date of Easter changes with the calendar but always happens on a Sunday in the spring. Traditions around this holiday run from religious to secular. Schools may be closed for Spring Break that corresponds with the holiday, and families and friends make time to get together. Church services, often with triumphant music and messages, are held celebrating the resurrection. Easter bunnies, Easter baskets, jellybeans and eggs are other symbols of this holiday. Families take this time to get together and have a special meal, often with ham or lamb.   

Orthodox Easter, with traditions and meaning that mirror Christian Easter, is usually celebrated on a different date following the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. The Julian calendar is more ancient than the Gregorian, which Pope Gregory XIII introduced in 1582 to make sure Easter was in sync with the spring season.  

Passover: an escape from slavery 

The Jewish spring holiday that most people are familiar with is Passover. This always occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (always a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday), the first month of Aviv, or spring, according to Wikipedia. It brings together the themes of springtime, family, a sense of Jewish history, social issues and freedom.  

This eight-day festival honors the flight of the Israelites, or Jewish slaves, from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. After Moses calls for the Pharaoh to let the Jewish people leave and he refuses, God sends down ten plagues. The last is the killing of the first-born children by the angel of death. The Israelites protected themselves by putting lamb’s blood on the door and the children were passed over by the angel. This is where the name comes from. 

The ritual that today’s Jewish people uses to mark Passover is a seder. A Passover seder plate uses different foods to represent the story and includes items like eggs, bitter herbs, matzo bread and other kosher foods.  

Ramadan: prayer and reflection  

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Quran is believed to be revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. In spring 2023, the observance of this month is March 23 through April 20. This month is spent by Muslims fasting from dawn to sunset. It encompasses prayer, reflection and community. It allows the faithful to focus on faith and acts of generosity.   

There is a pre-fast meal and a post-fast meal. Once the sun sets, families and friends may get together to break the fast with special dishes that include stew, rice and dates.  

Holi: the beginning of spring  

Celebrated in Indian cultures, this Hindu festival welcomes spring after the long winter and honors the triumph of good over evil. It is held in March and has grown to be a popular festival all over the world. You may have seen people throwing colored powder which makes for a spectacular scene. Each color represents meaning and the  festival is a time to celebrate with your community. After, friends and family gather to share food and sweets. 

Organize your own celebration  

No matter what holiday or religious event you and your family enjoy, spring is the perfect time to get out and reconnect with those you love. Sharing stories, memories and food makes the season even sweeter.  

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