Our country needs to take time to celebrate important holidays like Passover, Easter, and Ramadan in order to spread some positivity during this pandemic. While celebrating these current and upcoming religious holidays throughout April 2020 it is vital we comply with social distancing guidelines for the sake of everyone’s health. Social distancing may prevent you from partaking in some family activities and traditions that occur when everyone is able to physically get together. During this COVID-19 it is imperative that we think back on the meaning behind Passover, Easter, and Ramadan and put the focus not on what we can’t do, but what we can do.
Here’s how you and your family can make 2020 Passover, Easter, and Ramadan memorable despite the current health crisis:
Passover-Begins in the evening Wednesday, April 8th and ends in the evening on Thursday, April 16th
- Celebrate the Seder via Zoom with family.
- If you are unable to get the traditional Seder dishes such as maror & chazeret, charoset, matzah, etc. You can order these alternatives: https://18doors.org/seder-plate-substitutions-coronavirus-quarantine/
- Families can still organize who will take on which roles for reading the Haggadah, and which children will read the four questions.
- Loved ones can share stories and sing songs with one another over Zoom in the spirit of the holiday.
- If you know someone who will be alone this Passover you can drop off a Seder box at their door. Leaving a Seder box is a great gesture to show someone you are thinking about them.
Easter- Sunday, April 12th
- Still dress up in your Sunday best. Research shows that being well dressed can help brighten your mood (which we need now more than ever!)
- If your family has a tripod for your phone you can put the timer on the camera and take a family photo.
- Download the Zoom app on your computer, phone, or tablet to connect with friends and family you were not able to visit this year.
- Hold a virtual quarantine Easter egg hunt for the children! Hide the Easter eggs within the camera framed space and give each player three chances to guess where the egg may be hidden.
- After dinner on Zoom cousins can share what the Easter Bunny put in their Easter basket and socialize.
- Hold a virtual egg decorating contest for the children and adults.
- Food Easter church services families could check the website of their parish to see if they will be holding virtual services. You can always check Youtube too!
Ramadan- Begins in the evening Thursday, April 23rd and ends the evening of Saturday, May 23rd
- Parents can sit down with their children to make homemade Ramadan cards to friends and family members they are not able to see in person during this pandemic.
- Play Ramadan songs around the house or out in your backyard.
- Make special Ramadan placemats for iftar.
- Get in the spirit of the holiday by making homemade decorations to get in the festive spirit of Ramadan.
- One of the main highlights of Ramadan is congregating with your community to pray and reflect, you can still do this through Zoom and Facetime.
Most importantly, remember to Facetime/Zoom your birth parents, adoptive parent, and child!
Sources:
https://www.soundvision.com/article/15-ways-to-make-ramadan-special-for-your-kids-this-year
