Diwali Now Added As Holiday On Holmdel School Calendar

HOLMDEL, NJ — In Holmdel schools, the diversity of the student body is now more broadly reflected in a staple of school life - the annual calendar.

Every district has a school calendar parents and kids can check for days off or early dismissals.

But Holmdel's calendar for 2024-2025, approved Dec. 13 by the Board of Education, truly reflects the diversity in the township, officials and community members say. (You can see the full 2024-2025 calendar on the agenda here.)

The Hindu holiday of Diwali is now an official day off for next year, along with the inclusion of the Muslim holiday Eid, added this year, with an additional early dismissal day later in 2025 for the holiday.

Of course, the district is still operating under the current 2023-2024 school year calendar you can access here.

But looking ahead to the next school year, Nov. 1, 2024 is the day off for Diwali. March 31, 2025 is the day off for Eid al-Fitr, as well as a newly added early dismissal for the holiday Eid al-Adha on June 6, 2025.

And other cultures and faiths are also traditionally included. School is closed for the Lunar New Year holiday on Jan. 29 of 2025 under the 2024-2025 calendar, for example. And there is the annual Christmas - Hanukkah break as well, among other Judeo-Christian holidays.

Shilpi Khare, board member of the Holmdel Indian Association, said the inclusion of Diwali on the school calendar next year was the result of a project going back at least seven months by the organization. Mittal Shah is president of HIA.

"The Board of Education's unanimous approval of the Diwali holiday in the school calendar is truly appreciated by the Holmdel Indian community. We are even more proud to be part of a community that embraces all cultures and enjoys other traditions," Khare said.

And in 2024 there is a happy coincidence: "As an added bonus to our Holmdel kids, with school being off on Nov. 1, they can stay out a bit longer than usual when enjoying the Halloween Trick or Treat" the day before.

The date of Diwali will change, she said, but it takes place every autumn between October and November, with the date changing every year.

"While the celebrations last five to six days, the main celebrations occur on the darkest day of the lunar month, the day of the new moon," she added

Diwali is "one of the most important Hindu religious holidays celebrated by many Hindu Americans around the world, but especially in Holmdel," said Chandana Rao, also of the Holmdel Indian Association. "Diwali as a school holiday in Holmdel is deeply meaningful to us."

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance," according to an online definition.

Rao said board member Dr. Surekha Collur "eloquently expressed how having Diwali makes our kids feel even more included in our communities and gives Holmdel families at large an opportunity to connect with their Hindu American neighbors."

"I feel that Holmdel doesn't just talk the talk regarding inclusiveness but by including Diwali as a school holiday, it shows other New Jersey towns how inclusiveness looks in real time," Rao said.

Regarding the Muslim holiday of Eid, former Board of Education candidate Reham Taha said that Muslims have " been a part of the fabric of Holmdel for almost a half a century."

"We made history last year for being the first school district in Monmouth County to add Eid on the 23/24 school calendar year, and we are incredibly grateful to see that implemented for the 24/25 school year," she said. April 10, 2024 school is closed for Eid, according to this year's calendar.

According to online information, Eid al-Fitr is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam. The other is Eid al-Adha. The religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long, dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.

Taha said the town is a leader in the area of recognizing diversity.

"Our town is setting precedents and is trailblazing the way for other towns to hopefully follow in our footsteps in recognizing its residents’ cultural and religious heritage, something we should all be so proud of. This is an incredible achievement for our community thanks to the amazing leadership in our town and the Holmdel residents who helped make this happen for our kids," Taha said.

School board members also spoke highly of the calendar additions.

Board of Education President Peter Reddy said the board was committed to include Diwali in the calendar, as well as Eid.

"Much thanks to both communities for advocating these holidays and stressing their importance to the board and administration," he said.

Board member Chris DiMare said the board's vote made him feel proud. "I'm proud to be part of the Holmdel Board of Education for acknowledging, respecting and celebrating the vibrant diversity of cultures in our small town."