Celebrating Easter and Passover: A "Shared History"

For 15 years, in Vienna has been celebrating Passover with the Jewish community.

Passover Seder, ("order, arrangement"), is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover.  

While the church is Christian, it says it has welcoming members with diverse backgrounds -- like Karen Holley, a church member who was raised Jewish and first brought the seder dinner tradition to Antioch. She acted as chef for the annual service  Thursday night, which also marked Christianity's Maundy or Holy Thursday, the commemoration of  Jesus' Last Supper.

"Even though we're not Jewish, we're Christian,  understanding the components of [Passover] is very important because ... it's like knowing your grandparents, and what they had gone through," said the church's Rev. Randy Beeman, who led prayer at the seder.

For a glimpse inside the service, click on the video player in the media window above.

NEWS

Friday, on Earth Day, Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th) said he would introduce H.R. 1628, the Trash Reduction Act. The bill at grocery and convenience stores and would provide a one-cent tax incentive for every recycled bag for businesses that set up their own recycling programs.“The Trash Reduction Act will provide individuals the ability to help the environment on a daily basis," said Moran, who represents the Wolf Trap part of Vienna.

Patch compiled video clips of Town Council Candidates discussing town issues in community-sponsored forums.They also

International Drive was shut down for the better part of Wednesday, as Dominion Power Crews repaired a utility pole The outage took out the lights at the intersection of International Drive and Chain Bridge Road, and also closed several lights to go out along Maple Avenue in Vienna.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Sharon Bulova gave a tour of the county’s preferred Dulles Airport Metro station alternative to a group of journalists on Wednesday.

Both Fairfax and Loudoun counties, as well as the Commonwealth of Virginia, have expressed their preferred option for the station would be to build it at the daily parking garage across from the main terminal, Bulova said. Last week the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board Click

on Monday, where he said he wants MWAA to reverse its decision to build an underground rail station at Dulles Airport.

This week's

Community/Arts

Looking for something to do with the family this week? Take a look at our picks in

To many, Hunter Mill Road is nothing but a traffic headache during rush hour. But to history buffs, it's a haven for stories of the Hunter Mill Corridor's past, much of which is tied to the Civil War because it served as a major roadway for both Union and Confederate armies. The road saw guerilla warfare, families fleeing for safety and the decimation of its farmland. It endured the "Gray Ghost," the execution of a reverend and troops occupying family homes. In April, the 150th anniversary month of those first shots fired in April 1861,

this year was marked by a special anniversary: the 10th consecutive year it was recognized as a Tree City USA Community. Watch the video to catch a glimpse of the celebration.

As gas prices continue to rise, parents weigh in on

Do you have opinions about where bike routes should be in Vienna? The town's Bike Advisory Committee wants your input.

Former Marine Trace JenkinsThe owner of the new Liberty Tax Franchise -- best known for its friendly, waving employees dressed up like Statues of Liberty along Maple Avenue -- just completed his first tax season.

Thirteen runners from Vienna — one of the toughest courses in the sport worldwide.

Our bike columnist gave

This week's Frugal Family deals include bargains on meals, ice cream and cereal. 

Schools

The Performance-Pay Incentives initiative will give $3 million in state funding to teachers in designated schools who earn exemplary ratings during the 2011-2012 school year. A teacher could receive a reward of up to $5,000. The governor said teachers at 169 schools in 57 schools divisions across the state -- including Vienna's Kilmer Center -- will be eligible for the program.

Patch spent , the past PTA president of Louise Archer Elementary, and , two candidates seeking the Hunter Mill Democrats endorsement next month for the Hunter Mill District Seat on the Fairfax County School Board.

PatchCast:

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