A Purim Celebration

The holiday of Purim is arguably the most joyous day of the Jewish year. Purim marks the time that Queen Esther helped save the Jewish people from being harmed by Haman, a confidant to King Achashverosh, who did not agree with the customs of Jewish people. (You can read a detailed account of the story here.) If you are approaching Purim from a Christian lens, it is helpful to know that King Achashverosh is referred to as King Xerxes in the book of Esther in the New International Version of the Bible (it will also explain variations in the spellings of certain names).

Lunar New Year 2019: Year of the Pig

February 5, 2019 marks the first day of the Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year.  The holiday begins on the night of the first new moon of the year and continues for the next several days, as the moon gets fuller.  For this reason, the holiday can occur in January or February, depending on the year and phase of the moon.  During this time, people celebrate with family by decorating their homes, eating special foods, and attending festivals.  They also do lots of cleaning, as this time of year marks the arrival of spring, and springtime is known for renewal.

Understanding Difference

Child development researchers have found that children become aware of difference from an age much earlier than we anticipate. Some studies have found that children as young as three months old prefer the company of individuals from their own ethnic group, and according to Penn State University’s Better Kid Care, children start to notice gender and racial differences at the age of two.

Vibrant and Sweet: Celebrating Diwali

Not Halloween: An Introduction to Dia de los Muertos

Introduction and Background: