Coincides with Baha’i activities open to all!

The Baha’i faith believes that all humanity is one, that God is one, and that all religions are one. You may have seen the beautiful Baha’i temple in Wilmette, near Lake Michigan.

Here in Highland Park and Highwood we have more than a dozen Baha’i children and youth. During the week, we attend Lincoln, Oak Terrace, and Indian Trail Elementary schools, Highland Park High School, or are homeschooled. Throughout the school year, on Sunday mornings, we all get together for DawnBreakers Baha’i Neighborhood Classes for Children and Adults, held from 10 am to 11:45 am at the Don Skrinar Community Center at 432 Green Bay Road in Highwood, right next to the fire station. We have singing, prayers, instruction time, snack, and play time in the gym. We study moral and spiritual virtues and the history of religions. Our classes are open to all kids and adults, from any background.

This time of year is a busy one for Baha’is around the world, including us! Our four day festival of gift-giving and service, Ayyam-i-Ha, begins on February 25th. After that we have a nineteen day Fast for adult members of our community. The Fast ends with Naw Ruz, the New Year, which we observe on March 21st.

For Ayyam-i-Ha this year, the kids in our Baha’i classes decided to do a canned fruit drive to benefit the Moraine Township Food Pantry on Central Avenue in Highland Park. We are also all attending the Ayyam-i-Ha festivities at the Baha’i Temple on Sunday, February 27th. During the 19 day Fast that follows, the adult members of our community will abstain from food during the daylight hours. Then we’ll all celebrate the Baha’i New Year, which coincides with the spring equinox, with more parties and fun times together.

We would love to have you join us! Come to our local DawnBreakers Baha’i Neighborhood Classes (see our Facebook page for the schedule), visit the Baha’i Temple in Wilmette, donate canned fruit for our Ayyam-i-Ha canned fruit drive, or learn more about the Baha’i Faith by visiting www.Bahai.us. Happy Ayyam-i-Ha!

For questions, you can contact one of our moms, Elizabeth Marquardt, at eliz1970@gmail.com