DEAR ABBY: My best friend is getting married next year and I am supposed to be the maid of honor. I am Jewish, and she scheduled her wedding on the first day of Passover. This also means her rehearsal dinner will be during my family's first Seder.
How do I explain to her that for the first time in my life, she has broken my heart? It seems her family doesn't understand that Jewish holidays are as important as theirs. She is asking me to choose between my beliefs, my family and our friendship.
What do I say to her, or should I just decline to be in her wedding? With 52 weekends in a year, I feel like she could have found another day. -- BROKENHEARTED IN BOSTON
DEAR BROKENHEARTED: Your friend was under no obligation to time her wedding date to avoid conflicting with your religious ritual. If you are wise, you will put aside the temptation to lay a guilt trip on her. Explain that you will be unable to be part of her wedding party the same way you explained it to me. Because you are strictly observant, you should make clear to her why this religious observance takes precedence over her wedding.