Judaism and Christianity are the two most prevalent religions practiced in Malibu, and both will be celebrating this weekend as the holidays of Passover and Easter intersect. Unlike the coincidental matchup of Christmas and Hanukkah, Passover and Easter hold equal importance to each faith—and, for Christians, Passover is an important part of the Easter celebration.
Passover, celebrated in the Jewish faith but recognized by Christianity and Islam, recalls the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. On the night of the passover, the slaughter of a lamb marked Jewish homes for protection. In those homes not marked with the blood from lamb, God would kill the first-born son. In this way, the Jews were emancipated from slavery and their Egyptian slave owners were killed.
The Easter celebration mirrors Passover—Jesus called himself the “Lamb of God” and his slaughter on Good Friday brought salvation to Christians. Of course, Easter (on Sunday) celebrates his resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
Both are linked to lunar calendars, though Easter always falls on a Sunday.
Even those who do not practice Judaism are probably familiar with some aspects of the Passover Seder. The celebration of Passover lasts for eight days, and traditionally seders are held on the first two nights of the celebration.
The first day of Passover occurs on the first full moon following the Vernal Equinox. This year, the first seder will be held on Friday night, March 30, and the second on Saturday night, March 31.
Seders involve a lot of ritual, in both prayers and food. The community—whether that’s family, friends or the neighborhood—gathers around the table where prayers are said and those in attendance eat special foods such as bitter herbs and matzah (unleavened bread) and drink wine.
Prayers come from the Haggadah, which also provides procedures for the meal and the story of Passover.
This year, Chabad of Malibu will be hosting seder meals for the first days and last days of Passover. For more information, go to jewishmalibu.org. The Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue will be hosting a Community Second Night Passover Seder: mjcs.org.
The celebration of Easter
Holy Week—the week leading up to Easter—and Easter are considered the most important feasts in Christianity, as they commemorate Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension into heaven.
The various Christian churches in Malibu will have slightly different ways of celebrating Easter, but despite different interpretations and traditions, the story remains the same. For many, the season began back in February with Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season of fasting, alms giving and prayer in preparation of Easter. Last Sunday was Palm Sunday, which recalls the joyous fanfare of Jesus coming to Jerusalem—just days before he was crucified.
Thursday is the remembrance of the “Last Supper”—non-Christians may recall the famous DaVinci painting depicting this meal—before Jesus’ betrayal. Church communities sometimes gather for meals together before services.
Friday marks Good Friday, the most solemn day on the Church’s calendar, where Christians recall the crucifixion of Jesus. Good Friday services often involve little music, and some Christian denominations fast on Good Friday, meaning they do not eat meat and only eat one full meal and two small meals.
Holy Saturday, for Roman Catholics, as well as some Anglican and Lutheran traditions, ends around dusk, when the Easter Vigil begins. Both Saturday evening vigils and Sunday morning services celebrate Easter, when Christians believe Jesus was raised from the tomb. Some churches hold a sunrise service on Easter morning.
Outside of church, Easter celebrations generally include a brunch or lunch with eggs (some say hard-boiled eggs symbolize Jesus exiting the tomb) and plenty of sweets.
Different ethnicities can have various traditional meals. Polish Catholics usually eat eggs, ham, horseradish, kielbasa, cabbage, butter and sweets like poppy seed cake and babka. English Easter meals often include roast lamb with potatoes and simnel cake, plus chocolate eggs. Because many Christians have been observing Lent for 40 days, Easter meals tend to be extravagant with lots of meat and sugar.
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church will hold services and events on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. See more details at staidanschurch.org.
Malibu United Methodist Church will hold services and events on Thursday and Sunday. See more details at malibuumc.org.
Malibu Presbyterian Church will hold worship services on Thursday and Sunday. See more details at malibupres.org.
Our Lady of Malibu will hold services throughout the weekend. Call 310.456.2361 for details.
Waveside Church will celebrate Easter Sunday, wavesidechurch.com.
Palisades Lutheran Church will hold special Easter Sunday services and events.