Sports events, birthdays, concerts, and many more special moments have been disrupted by the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. Now, the stay-at-home order is affecting upcoming and current religious holidays.  

Passover, a Jewish holiday, started Wednesday evening, April 8 and lasts until Thursday evening, April 16. It is to celebrate the Israelites escape from slavery by the ancient Egyptians through the help of God, who sent plagues upon the Egyptians until the Pharaoh set them free. 

For senior Micah Schwartz and English teacher Melissa Pomerantz, this is a time to get together with family and friends. The stay-at-home order, however, has made it so large groups of family and friends can no longer get together to celebrate. 

“We usually get together one night with family and the second night with friends, and sometimes will travel out of town to visit family. Seders [a ritual with a ceremonial dinner] are frequently large affairs,” said Pomerantz. 

This hasn’t stopped Schwartz’s family from making the most of the situation though. 

“We had a virtual Seder with my dad’s relatives and friends. It felt very comforting to be with people I love on a special holiday,” said Schwartz. 

While this is a special, grateful holiday, some can’t help but to also reflect on the suffering in the world right now. 

“Passover is always in spring, so there’s this weird juxtaposition of a rebirth imagery with these massive death reports from around the world. It’s hard to feel hope at times when you know so many are suffering,” said Pomerantz. 

Passover isn’t the only religious holiday that’s being affected by COVID-19. Easter, a Christian holiday, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, son of God, after being crucified by ancient Romans. This year it will take place on Sunday, April 12. Like Passover, this usually is a time to get together with family. However, this year will be different for most families.

“We go to church, have Easter baskets, have a family lunch with extended family, and when the kids were little, we had Easter egg hunts,” said social studies teacher Melody Barger. 

With this holiday being a big family celebration, it comes as a disappointment for some whose plans have been forced to change due to the stay-at-home order. 

“To me [Easter] means celebrating God and spending time with family. It’s sad I can’t enjoy a holiday with family and have fun,” said junior Nia DeBerry.

Although plans have changed, the holiday still holds true to its meaning.  

“Easter is the most holy day on the Christian calendar. It is sad that we do not get to celebrate it as an entire church body, but it doesn’t change the meaning of it and the holiness of it,” said Barger.

Overall, the celebration of both Easter and Passover seem to have a little more impact this year reminding people the importance of others.

“Celebrating Passover this year feels even more meaningful in the midst of the quarantine, and I’m glad I could have the support of my family during this tough time,” said Schwartz.