Passover (Jewish)
2024-04-22 18:00 - 2024-04-30 18:00 (America/New_York)
Passover, known in Hebrew as Pesach, commemorates the liberation of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. A feast called a seder is held on the first two nights. During the seder, the Exodus story is read aloud and freedom from slavery is celebrated. This is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.
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Holiday Greeting: Pesach Sameach (Happy Passover)
No food that is leavened (e.g., bread, cake) or contains wheat is eaten. Matzah (unleavened bread) is often consumed instead. Work is traditionally prohibited on the first, second, seventh, and eighth days. Absences may vary based on religious observance of the holiday.

Feast of Jamal/ Beauty (Baha'i)
2024-04-26 - 2024-04-27
Wherever they live, Baha’is gather every 19 days for what we call a Feast. Observance begins at midnight April 26. This is a members-only event comprising three parts:
1. A spiritual portion that’s the time for prayer and reflection;
2. A business portion for consultation about administrative issues (plans for forming classes, organizing to perform community service, observing holy days, or any ideas or projects community members wish to discuss. It’s also a time when local members can ask their Local Assembly to forward their concerns to the National Assembly;
3. A social portion that can consist of anything from just glasses of water to a full-course dinner.

9th Day of Festival of Ridvan -(The Bahá’í Faith)
2024-04-29
9th Day of Ridvan. There are three holy Days as part of the Festival, the first day, the ninth and the twelfth. The annual Baha’i Festival commemorates the 12 days when Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Faith, publicly proclaimed his mission as God’s messenger.
Holiday Greeting: Happy Ridvan
Work is to be suspended and children excused from school.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridv%C3%A1n

Maidyozarem Gahambar (Zoroastrian)
2024-04-30 - 2024-05-04
Maidyozarem (literally: midgreening) Gahambar is a seasonal festival celebrated in mid-spring. It is considered a religious duty to participate in a communal jashan prayer ceremony; as well as, fraternize and share a simple meal with fellow co-religionists from all walks of life, rich and poor.
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12th Day of the Festival of Ridvan (The Bahá’í Faith)
2024-05-01
12th Day of Ridvan. There are three holy Days as part of the Festival, the first day, the ninth and the twelfth. The annual Baha’i Festival commemorates the 12 days when Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Faith, publicly proclaimed his mission as God’s messenger.
Holiday Greeting: Happy Ridvan
Work is to be suspended and children excused from school.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridv%C3%A1n

Beltane (Pagan)
2024-05-01
Beltane: is celebrated on May 1st halfway between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. It is the beginning of summer. Among pastoral people this was when the flocks and herds were moved from the lower winter pasture to the higher summer pasture. To ensure fertility, the livestock was herded between two fires. This holiday celebrates fertility and sexuality. This is a time for fun and frolic. Jumping over the fire is part of the ritual.
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Holy Thursday (Christian Orthodox)
2024-05-02
On Thursday of Holy Week four events are commemorated: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas.
You can learn more here.

Great and Holy Friday (Christian Orthodox)
2024-05-03
On Great and Holy Friday the Orthodox Church commemorates the death of Christ on the Cross. This is the culmination of the observance of His Passion by which our Lord suffered and died for our sins. This commemoration begins on Thursday evening with the Matins of Holy Friday and concludes with a Vespers on Friday afternoon that observes the unnailing of Christ from the Cross and the placement of His body in the tomb.

More information can be found here.

This is a day of fasting and abstinence for most over the age of 14.

Easter / Pascha (Christian Orthodox)
2024-05-05
On the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha, Orthodox Christians celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This feast of feasts is the most significant day in the life of the Church. It is a celebration of the defeat of death, as neither death itself nor the power of the grave could hold our Savior captive. In this victory that came through the Cross, Christ broke the bondage of sin, and through faith offers us restoration, transformation, and eternal life.
Learn more here.

Yom Ha'shoah (Jewish)
2024-05-05 - 2024-05-06
Known in English as Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom Ha’Shoah commemorates the approximately six million Jews, and five million others who perished in the Holocaust. Shoah in Hebrew means catastrophe. This is a national public holiday in Israel. In homes and synagogues around the world, Jews will light memorial candles in commemoration of lives lost. The Holocaust and Humanity Center Museum located in Cincinnati’s Union Terminal highlights the history, artifacts, humanity education, and stories of survivors and others who experienced the Holocaust.
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Commonly observed by synagogue attendance or family gatherings. Work is traditionally prohibited; individuals may be absent from school or work.

The Ascension of the Lord (Catholic & Episcopal)
2024-05-09
This holy day commemorates the physical ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven in the presence of his 11 apostles, which, according to scripture, occurred 40 days after his resurrection from the dead on Easter.
This is a holy day of obligation for Catholics.
More information can be found here.

Shankaracharya Birth Anniversary (Vedanta)
2024-05-12
This day marks the birth anniversary of Shankaracharya. Shankara taught nondualistic Vedanta and is revered.
For More Information:
https://www.vedanta.gr/?page_id=1075

Yom HaZikaron (Jewish)
2024-05-12 - 2024-05-13
Yom HaZikaron is Israel’s Memorial Day, observed both in Israel and in many Jewish communities around the world. A day to remember and honor soldiers who lost their lives fighting in the War of Independence and subsequent battles. It is also a day to remember civilian victims of terrorism.
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Commonly observed by synagogue attendance, family or community gatherings. In Israel, at 12 noon sirens are sounded and the whole country, even cars on highways, will stop for a commemorative moment.

Yom HaAtzma'ut (Jewish)
2024-05-13 - 2024-05-14
Yom HaAtzma’ut, also known as Israel’s Independence Day, is celebrated on the fifth day of the month of Iyar, which is the Hebrew date of the formal establishment of the State of Israel, when members of the “provisional government” read and signed a Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv. The original date corresponded to May 14, 1948.
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Commonly observed by synagogue attendance, community or family gatherings.

Feast of Azamat / Grandeur (Baha'i)
2024-05-16
Wherever they live, Baha’is gather every 19 days for what we call a Feast. This is a members-only event comprising three parts:
1. A spiritual portion that’s the time for prayer and reflection;
2. A business portion for consultation about administrative issues (plans for forming classes, organizing to perform community service, observing holy days, or any ideas or projects community members wish to discuss. It’s also a time when local members can ask their Local Assembly to forward their concerns to the National Assembly;
3. A social portion that can consist of anything from just glasses of water to a full-course dinner.

1746 Chhota Ghallughara (Sikh)
2024-05-17
The Chhota Ghallughara was the first massacre of Sikhs targeted to wipe out the entire population. Around 7,000 Sikhs were killed, 3,000 were captured and later beheaded, and the persecution lasted several decades. Gurdwaras were destroyed and scriptures were burnt. Anyone caught saying the word “Guru” was sentenced to death.
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Students and/Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

Pentecost Sunday (Catholic / Christian Protestant/ Episcopal)
2024-05-19
Pentecost is known by Christians as the birthday of their church community. The word Pentecost is Greek for “50th day.” It is celebrated fifty days after Easter Sunday, to commemorate when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and their followers, inspiring them to begin their Earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations.
More Information from the Catholic Church
More information from the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Zarathosht-no-Diso (Parsi Zoroastrian)
2024-05-22
Death anniversary of Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) the founder of Zoroastrianism. It is a day of special prayers, with lectures and discussions held on the life and works of the prophet. There is no mourning in the Zoroastrian religion, only remembrance and prayers for Farohars (souls) of the departed.
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Vesak - Buddha's Birthday (Buddhism)
2024-05-23
Traditionally, Buddha’s Birthday is known as Vesak or Visakah Puja (Buddha’s Birthday Celebrations). Vesak is the major Buddhist festival of the year as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha on the one day, the first full moon day in May, except in a leap year when the festival is held in June. This celebration is called Vesak being the name of the month in the Indian calendar.
Buddhist Festivals are always joyful occasions. Typically on a festival day, lay people will go the the local temple or monastery and offer food to the monks and take the Five Precepts and listen to a Dharma talk. In the afternoon, they distribute food to the poor to make merit and in the evening join perhaps in a ceremony of circumambulation a stupa three time as a sign of respect to the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha. The day will conclude with evening chanting of the Buddha’s teachings and meditation.
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Declaration of the Bab (The Bahá’í Faith)
2024-05-23
Commemorates May 23, 1844 when the Bab, the Martyred Prophet Herald of the Bahá’í Faith, announced in Persia, that he was the Herald of a new messenger from God in Shiraz Persia
Work is to be suspended and children excused from school.
https://www.bahaiblog.net/bahai-calendar/about-the-declaration-of-the-bab/

Trinity Sunday (Catholic & Episcopal)
2024-05-26
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost. It is a day when catholics attend mass, but the mass traditionally honor the Holy Trinity, the divine union of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; three divine persons in one God.
More information about the celebration can be found here.

Ascension of Baha'u'llah (The Bahá’í Faith)
2024-05-28
Baha’is observe the anniversary of the death in exile of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith outside of Akka (Acre) in northern Israel.
Work is to be suspended and children excused from school.
For more information:
https://bahaiteachings.org/prophet-passes-away-ascension-bahaullah

Corpus Christi (Catholic)
2024-05-30
Also known as The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, today is a Solemnity, a feast of the highest rank in the Roman Catholic Church, honoring the Holy Eucharist, bread and wine which is ritually blessed and consumed during mass. Catholics believe this ritual blessing transubstantiates, or changes the substance of the bread and wine, so that it becomes the Real Presence, or body and blood of Jesus Christ. This solemnity places a special emphasis on the Real Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. It is celebrated the Sunday after Trinity Sunday.
More Information:
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Corpus Christi

Feast of Nur / Light (Baha'i)
2024-06-05

Sacred Heart of Jesus (Catholic)
2024-06-07
Today is a Solemnity – a Feast of the highest rank in the Roman Catholic Church – celebrating the love of Jesus Christ for all humankind. It is celebrated the Friday after Corpus Christi Sunday.
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Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Sahib (5th Guru) (Sikh)
2024-06-10
In June 1606, the Mughal emperor, Jahangir, ordered that Guru Arjan be arrested, tortured, and sentenced to death because he refused to stop sharing the ideals of Oneness as started by Guru Nanak. The first Sikh martyr, Guru Arjan, is also remembered for his contributions to and compilation of the Sikh Scriptures.
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Shavuot (Jewish)
2024-06-11 - 2024-06-13
The festival of Shavuot celebrates the giving of Torah (Hebrew Bible) including the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. It also marks the end of the spring harvest, and the beginning of the summer harvest. Shavuot is celebrated by studying Torah together as a community, often late into the night. It is traditional to eat meals containing dairy. Barley and wheat are also food symbols of Shavuot.
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Holiday Greeting: Hag Sameach (Happy Holiday)
Commonly observed by synagogue attendance or family gatherings. Work is traditionally prohibited; individuals may be absent from school or work.

The Ascension of the Lord (Orthodox Christianity)
2024-06-13
This holy day commemorates the physical ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven in the presence of his 11 apostles, which, according to scripture, occurred 40 days after his resurrection from the dead on Easter.

Eid al-Adha (Islam)
2024-06-16 - 2024-06-19
This holiday marks the completion of the Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca and is observed by Muslims to commemorate the faith of Abraham. Students will miss school to attend congregational prayers at the mosque and celebrate the holiday with their families/friends.
More Information:
Eid al-Adha 101
Islamic Networks Group
Holiday Greeting: “Eid Mubarak! (Happy Eid)”

Summer Solstice (Pagan)
2024-06-20
Summer Solstice is celebrated June 21st or 22nd. It is also called Midsummer or Litha. This is the longest day and shortest night of the year. The sun is at maximum power. Themes here are growth, fruitfulness, abundance. From now on the days get shorter, the nights longer. This is a good time for handfastings and honeymoons.
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