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A Holy Time |
Passover and Easter
A Conversation between Board Members Reverend Jesse Garner and Rabbi Reena Spicehandler
Spring has officially arrived. With this warmer weather, budding flowers, and longer days, we welcome two central holidays of the Jewish and Christian traditions: Passover and Easter. Reverend Jesse Garner, of the First Presbyterian Church in Center City, and Rabbi Reena Spicehandler, interim Rabbi at Temple Sholom, came together for a conversation exploring the unique aspects of, and connections between, these holidays.
Rabbi Spicehandler said, “One part of the seder says, all who are hungry, come and eat. This year, with all the economic uncertainty, this takes on special significance. Also, the things that we celebrate at Passover and Easter - family, rebirth, deepening spirituality, springtime - all these can help us focus on what we have, rather than what we don’t have.”
Reverend Garner added, “At this moment in history, Easter stands before us as a promise that there’s always hope.”
» Read the full story |
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Teen Perspective: An Easter Tradition
By Max Hovey, a Walking the Walk participant from St. Mary’s Church in Ardmore. Learn about Easter from Max’s perspective. |
 “While all of the marketable chocolate in the world is wonderful, this is the only time of year when we truly get together to eat, feast, and my favorite tradition - dousing the plum pudding in rum and lighting it on fire. And while the religious aspects of this holiday are perhaps lost on my younger brothers, I hope that with my age I can now appreciate the significance, along with the far more knowledgeable group part of my family – my parents and Aunt.” |
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Also celebrated this season |
Good Friday – April 10th (Christian): Holy day before Easter commemorating Jesus' crucifixion
Rivdan – April 21st (Baha’i): Declaration of Baha’u’llah (Founder of the Baha’i faith) to the world
Yom Hashoah – April 21st (Jewish): Remembering the 21 million people, including six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust
Shavuot – May 29th (Jewish): Festival of the giving of the Torah to the Jews
Pentecost – May 31st (Christian): Marks the end of the Easter season and the coming of the Holy Spirit
Got Questions? Submit a question to the Interfaith Center |
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The Interfaith Center Celebrates 5 Years!
 On Tuesday, March 24th more than 300 people gathered to celebrate the Interfaith Center’s 5th Anniversary. The event highlighted the Center’s stories and impact, and was punctuated by Mayor Michael Nutter, who said, “The Interfaith Center is providing important work that is needed in our region.”
» Watch a Video About the Interfaith Center |
Board Member Spotlight: Wanda Flowers
 Wanda Flowers is one of the Interfaith Center’s newest board member and first Buddhist member. Wanda is Chief Employment Council for Sunoco, and she carries her Buddhist values with her daily. She said, “My goal is to create a world of hope. Because we engage in dialogue and we work to make this world a better place—we do create an atmosphere of hope, and it’s life-affirming.”
» Read the full story |
The Interfaith Center thanks contributing writers Anna Krieger, Max Hovey, and Rev. Nicole Diroff.
Support our Work
 The generosity of our supporters enables the Interfaith Center to advance mutual trust, understanding and cooperation among faith communities in order to work together for the common good of the region. The Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia is a 501(c)3 organization and all contributions are tax deductible, subject to I.R.S. limitations.
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Mark Your Calendars
Teens throughout the region will gather for a day of environmental action as part of the National Day of Interfaith Youth Service - Sunday, April 26, 2009,
1:30-6 p.m. at Cobbs Creek Environmental Center.
Register online.
Quest, Quest, a monthly book group at Chestnut Hill Borders will feature: The Search for God at Harvard by Ari L. Goldman on Monday, April 20th at 7:30 p.m.
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