This upcoming weekend marks the beginning of two significant holidays: Easter and Passover. Easter, which takes place on Sunday, April 8 this year, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and also marks the end of Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer and penance. Passover, which begins on the evening of Friday, April 6 and ends on the evening of Saturday, April 14, commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.

There are a number of events and celebrations taking place in Harlem to observe these holidays, and we thought we would highlight just a few for our fellow Morningsiders:

The Metropolitan Community Church of New York is holding their 40^th annual Easter Banquet, “Celebrating the Journey of Promise,” on Saturday, April 7 at 3:00pm. The banquet will be celebrating 40 years worth of accomplishments, honoring those in our community who are making a positive change. This year’s honorees are Council Member Daniel Dromm, Rev. Boon Lin-Ngeo, Cathy Marino-Thomas, the Stonewall Chorale and Pastor Joseph Tolton. Tickets to the banquet are $40 and include a buffet lunch catered by Pasha Events, desserts by Blossom Bakery and entertainment by the Stonewall Chorale. You can purchase tickets online here. The event will be taking place at the Union Theological Seminary’s Refectory at 120^th Street and Broadway. For more information, call 212-629-7440 or visit their website at www.mccny.org.

Red Rooster is offering up a delicious Easter Sunday brunch on Sunday, April 8 from 10:00am-4:00pm. Red Rooster invites you to “join us for our festive Easter celebration as we usher in springtime with veteran Gospel singer Boncella Lewis to pay tribute to music, food, and spirituality.” Enjoy many of the restaurant’s brunch classics, including: the Lenox Smörgåsborg, Lamb & Potato Hash, Biscuit & Red Eye Gravy, and the famous Fried Yard Bird. Additionally, Red Rooster’s new supper club Ginny’s, will be open on this joyous occasion. Enjoy Easter fare with a “retro Harlem twist,” like Pain Perdu, Duck Hash, Steak & Eggs, and Chicken & Waffles, while you enjoy the uplifting performance of a Gospel choir. Reservations are not accepted for Red Rooster’s brunch, however they are recommended for Ginny’s Supper Club. Red Rooster is located at 310 Lenox Avenue. For more information, call 212-792-9001 or visit their website at www.redroosterharlem.com.

Chabad of Harlem invites you to “discover the eternal meaning of the Haggadah and enjoy a community Seder complete with hand-baked Matzah, wine and a wonderful dinner spiced with unique traditional customs,” at their Seders on both Friday, April 6 8:00pm and Saturday, April 7 at 8:30pm. There is a suggested donation of $50 per adult and $10 per child, and reservations are required as space is limited. For reservations, please visit their website here. Chabad of Harlem is located at 437 Manhattan Avenue between West 118^th and 119^th Streets. For more information, call 718-930-9994 ()‎or visit their website at www.jewishharlem.com.

The Congregation Ramath Orah  is a traditional, inclusive Orthodox synagogue in the heart of Morningside Heights at 550 West 110^th Street and will be holding a number of services all day on Friday, April 6. For a full day schedule, please download their calendar here. For more information on the Congregation Ramath Orah, call 212-222-2470 or visit their website at www.ramathorah.org.