Easter, Passover celebrated

How did this weekend differ from all other weekends?

Easter and Passover fell at the same time this year, giving many students of different religions an opportunity to spend time with their loved ones and celebrate the holidays.

"I think it's important to get together with your family this weekend," said LSA senior Lauren Linkner, who celebrated Passover.

The sight of students, community members and children dressed in their fanciest Easter clothes was a common one yesterday, as many gathered to go to mass and celebrate Easter in churches around Ann Arbor.

"We woke up this morning and went to mass," said LSA junior Kathy Burke, who attended church with a friend. "Tonight, we're going to dinner at our athletic trainer's house."

Other students opted to spend the weekend at home, celebrating the holidays with their families.

Linkner went home to West Bloomfield this weekend to celebrate Passover at her grandparents' house.

"Our whole family gets together," Linkner said. "We do it every year - it's really fun."

Linkner said Passover is a good time to get together with loved ones.

Education first-year doctoral student Jack Bernard was unable to go home for Passover.

"I think for some people traditions are important," Bernard said. "Some people spend their time on other things."

Some students were unable to go home this year because they live too far away. "For the last couple of years, I haven't been able to come home for the holidays," said Burke, who is from Pennsylvania.

Students remaining in Ann Arbor for the holidays had several options for celebrating Easter and Passover.

Many local churches offered Easter Sunday services. Hillel sponsored several traditional Passover seders for Jewish students. In addition, six campus Christian organizations held a rally Friday on the Diag to celebrate Good Friday.

LSA senior Tiffin Goodman said that although many of her friends went home to celebrate the holidays, she does not celebrate Easter or Passover.

"I just don't practice any religious traditions," she said.

For many, the holidays were a time to release the end-of-the-semester stress stemming from papers, final exams and classes.

LSA junior Catherine Ross said that although she does not celebrate Easter or Passover, many of her friends do.

"A lot of my friends went home for the weekend, probably to hang out with their family members and have a good time," she said.

04-13-98