PASSOVER FACTS:
The date: Passover recalls the Exodus of Jews from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. The Torah commands observance of Passover for seven days. Reform Jews and Jews in Israel follow that injunction, but Conservative and Orthodox Jews outside of Israel celebrate for eight days. This year, Passover begins at sundown Monday.
( 04/03/2004 04:01 AM CDT)

Revitalizing a ritual
Author David Arnow urges Jews to bring new life to their Passover Seder by making it more personalized and interactive.
BROOKLINE, Mass. — Since the ninth century, Jews have gathered in their homes each year to read the story of Passover. And since 1952, David Arnow's family had told the story in the same way, out of the same book around the same table.
( BY HOLLY LEBOWITZ ROSSI, Religion News Service, 04/03/2004 04:01 AM CDT)

jesus, paul and peter:
ABC-TV News on Monday will broadcast "Peter Jennings Reporting: Jesus and Paul — the Word and Witness," beginning at 7 p.m. The three-hour program purports to "get at the real story of Jesus and Paul, two men who against all odds changed the course of human history," according to ABC. The program is co-produced by the religion Internet site Beliefnet.
( 04/03/2004 04:01 AM CDT)

ART AND CULTURE: Films about Jesus always seem to come in clusters
So how many times did Jesus die? That depends on how accurately you add up the long list of movies about him during the past 100-plus years of cinema history. And how many more times he will be crucified onscreen depends on whether the current passion for movies about the Gospel story translates into an entertainment trend.
( BY TED PARKS, Religion News Service, 04/03/2004 04:01 AM CDT)

TODAY: ACTIVITIES IN RELIGION:
"Jesus, the Living Passion Play," 7 p.m., Lord of Life Church, 14501 Nowthen Blvd. N.W., Ramsey. 763-427-1100. The Chamber Choir sings the Missa Pange Linga by Josquin des Pres, 5:15 p.m., St. Agnes Catholic Church, 548 Lafond Ave., St. Paul. 651-293-1710.
( 04/03/2004 04:01 AM CDT)

Fight poverty, area religious leaders urge
Religious leaders of varying faiths and traditions Wednesday set a common goal and called on others to fight poverty. Dozens of Minnesota leaders representing the Jewish, Muslim, Roman Catholic and Protestant faiths signed a document, "A Common Foundation: Shared Principles for Work on Overcoming Poverty," at a news conference at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
( BY TONI COLEMAN, Pioneer Press, 04/01/2004 04:01 AM CDT)