Holiday traditions foster understanding

Savor the spirit of the holiday season and learn about the customs of four different faith traditions as the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) presents a series of live, theatrical, faith-based holiday programs designed to immerse visitors in diverse and compelling holiday traditions practiced in the region. The programs are Ramadan: The Month of Fasting (Sunday, November 17); Chanukah: Festival of Lights (Sunday, December 1); Wigilia: Traditional Polish Christmas Eve Dinner (Sunday, December 8); and Kwanzaa: Celebration of Family, Community and Cultural (Sunday, December 29).

Each program begins with a dramatic performance that explains and demonstrates the history and customs of the religious observance. At the conclusion of the program the presenters and actors, all members of the faith they are portraying, invite the audience to gather with them to sample foods traditional to the observance. Guests and participants have an opportunity to introduce themselves to each other, share thoughts and feelings, ask questions and enjoy what, for some, will be new taste sensations.

•Ramadan takes place in RMSC's Eisenhart Auditorium on Sunday, November 17, at sundown, about 4:30 p.m., when Muslims break their fast. Both youthful and adult members of Rochester Masjid of Al_Islam, will perform "The First Hijra," which explores the origins of Islamic beliefs. Their Imam, Hanif Abdul-Wahid, will emcee. Arleata E. Abdullah, who worked with the original author and director of The First Hijra, directs the production. The Ramadan program is free and open to the public.

•The Chanukah observance is presented by students from the Hillel School who will perform theatrical vignettes, Chanukah songs and story readings on Sunday, December 1 at 2 p.m. in RMSC's Bausch Auditorium. Visitors will have an opportunity to make a menorah, play games with dreidels as well as sample traditional foods. The program is free with museum admission.

•Wigilia is presented on Sunday, December 8 at 3:30 p.m. in RMSC's Bausch Auditorium. The program features a Polish-American family reenacting the rituals surrounding their meatless Christmas Eve dinner. Recorded Polish Christmas carols highlight the drama. In addition to sampling traditional foods, visitors can make a Polish Christmas tree ornament to take home. Wigilia is free with RMSC admission.

•That same day (Sunday, December 8), The Polish Heritage Foundation is partnering with RMSC to host a Traditional Polish Christmas Wigilia Program and Dinner in RMSC's Eisenhart Auditorium beginning at 5:00 p.m. This will be full sit-down dinner featuring several courses ranging from mushroom soup to fish, pierogies and Polish baked goods. The program includes a live performance of Polish holiday instrumental and choral music under the direction of RPO violinist Sabina Slepecki and Bozena Sobolewski of the Eastman School of Music, as well as a narrated reenactment of the Polish American family's Wigilia celebration. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 5-10; children under 5 are admitted free. Call 271-4552 extension 342 to reserve tickets.

•Kwanzaa, the final program in the series, takes place in Eisenhart Auditorium from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 29, in collaboration with the Kwanzaa Coalition. Devoted to the theme of UJAMAA (Cooperative Economics) the program includes a performance by members of the Baden Street Settlement House Youth Reach on African American inventors, a performance by Shawn Dunwoody of the RMSC Players, and an activity station where participants can make a Kwanzaa-related craft to take home. The Kwanzaa program is free and open to the public.

The holiday series is funded in part by a grant provided by Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF), as part of its effort to encourage community interaction across differences in age, economic status, regional geographic locations, educational experiences and religious beliefs, according to museum representatives.