Students celebrate holidays at home

While today marks the end of another week in the college calendar, many students will put aside books for something other than the usual parties - family.

Students will celebrate Good Friday, Easter and Passover this weekend by leaving the stress of finals on campus and returning home for the holidays.

SNRE junior Karl Koto said that even though he lives in Ann Arbor, the holiday gives him a reason to be with his family.

"We'll probably get together and work around the house, as a family," Koto said.

Other students, whose permanent residences are out of the area, say they are desperately searching for rides home, so they can celebrate the holiday with those they love.

"I will go home immediately if I can find a ride," said LSA sophomore Adam Kramer. "I'll go over to my mom's and have a nice dinner."

RC junior David Caroline said he's flying home to Philadelphia for Passover, which begins today.

"This is definitely family time and a big religious event," Caroline said. "A lot of students who aren't always religious will make an extra effort to participate in Passover."

LSA sophomore Ken Heskett said the Easter holiday came without notice.

"It's like, 'Guess what, it's Easter,'" Heskett said. "There's just not enough time between breaks to keep it straight."

For Heskett, spending time with his family during the holidays is especially meaningful.

"I just got back from the marine corps," Heskett said. "This is one of the very few times the entire family will get together."

But the family time doesn't mean togetherness and meals for everyone.

LSA junior Marnie Bailey said her family time will mean intense competition.

"I'm going to go to my grandma's and have an egg hunt, like every year," Bailey said. "And I'm going to beat my older brother, like every year."

Passover brings many students home for the entire weekend.

"I've gone home whenever Passover has fallen on a weekend," said LSA junior Lewis Rosenberg. "It's an excuse for being with the family."

Political science and Judaic studies Prof. Zvi Gitelman said students are eager to keep Passover because it incorporates the three 'F's: food, family and fun.

"The holiday promotes a happy time in remembrance of national liberation - and an enjoyable meal with the family," Gitelman said.

Gitelman said that because the University does not cancel classes in observance of Passover or Good Friday, the holidays could easily slip by unnoticed.

But local religious groups are determined for that not to happen.

Hillel is hosting Seders, traditional evening suppers that mark the first two nights of Passover, for Jewish students. Six campus Christian organizations are holding a rally on the Diag at noon today to celebrate Good Friday, and many local churches are offering sunrise services followed by Easter breakfast on Sunday morning.

"I find that students who don't attend church regularly come to celebrate Easter," said Vivan Martindale, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, who said he expects many students to turn out for their 7 a.m. service.

"Students in the throws of final exams and papers they've been putting off will duck in for Easter at the end of the term, hoping a few prayers will help," Martindale said.

04-10-98