While the holiday is Hindu in origin, Indian people in all regions of the country and of many faiths enjoy it together, so it fits well with our UU spirit of inclusiveness. This service will be intergenerational, so no RE classes will be held. Rather than merely delving into the holiday intellectually, we will practice its customs together. Weather permitting, we’ll begin with a Holika Dahan bonfire, continue with an indoor portion of music and dance (yes!) and end with the traditional throwing of gulal, or colored powder. IMPORTANT: If you would like to participate in the color throwing, please wear old clothes or, even better, a white tee shirt that will show off the colors. Celebrators of Holi typically wear white. (You can buy white tees at Michael’s or JoAnn’s for a couple of bucks; I have a few for people who forget or don’t receive this message in advance.) The powder generally washes out, but please don’t wear silks or fabrics that can’t be washed.
Beth Esmond has been a member of MMUUF for more than 25 years. She and her husband own a communications firm and live in Jericho with their very tiny dog. Beth previously led a Holi service about 10 years ago with Friederike Keating and both of their daughters, Josie and Katerina, who were celebrating their Coming of Age that year.