[MES Forum] Four Holidays, One Season, A Reflection

[Schoon, Danielle]

[heart]         Schoon, Danielle reacted to your message:
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From: Middleeaststudiesforum <middleeaststudiesforum-bounces at lists.osu.edu> on behalf of McClimans, Melinda via Middleeaststudiesforum <middleeaststudiesforum at lists.osu.edu>
Sent: Monday, 06 April 2026 13:17:25
To: MES Forum Middle East Studies Center <middleeaststudiesforum at lists.osu.edu>
Subject: [MES Forum] Four Holidays, One Season, A Reflection


MES Forum friends, I remember when I first noticed Passover and Easter could coincide. My Jewish friend informed me that, in fact, they often overlapped. He was one of the many Israelis who frequented Thailand, where I was living at the time. One of the many multi-cultural experiences I have been blessed with in my life.

So I was reminded of that long ago moment when I overheard a conversation three young women were having last Wednesday, the first day of Passover this year. When one of them texted her Dad to ask whether she should order a bagel or not because Passover was starting her friend made a comment that revealed she was confused about which holiday she was referring to. She immediately got a lesson about what Passover is and the fact that the Jewish holiday often happens along with Easter.

Celebration of the Persian New Year, Nowruz, also, takes place over the course of a couple weeks, and sometimes overlaps with Passover. A fact I learned this year from my Iranian friends. Coincidentally, Eid al-Fitr also occurred near the Spring Equinox this year, a rarer synchronization. Four holidays, four traditions, one season this year.

How ever you celebrate this time of year, I hope you have been enjoying time with friends and family! Breath in the wonderful perfumes and the sights of Spring blooms as you go about your business this week. :-)

With gratitude,

Melinda


[The Ohio State University]

Melinda McClimans, PhD
Assistant Director

The Ohio State University
Office of International Affairs
Middle East Studies Center
145D Enarson Classroom Building
2009 Millikin Rd, Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-6506 Office / 614-974-4331 Mobile
mcclimans.2 at osu.edu<mailto:mcclimans.2 at osu.edu> / mesc.osu.edu<https://mesc.osu.edu/>

Affiliated Researcher, Sustainability Institute

Pronouns: she/her
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