Passover (or Pesach in Hebrew) is one of the most important festivals in the Jewish year, and as your student union, we would like to bring awareness to this holiday experienced by many students at Brunel University London.
When is Passover?
This Spring festival starts on the 14th of Nissan on the Jewish calendar, when Jews have the Seder (Passover eve or the first chag) and ends on the 21st of Nissan. Some celebrations last longer than others depending on where you are from culturally, for example Moroccan Jews celebrate ‘Mimona’ which celebrates the end of Passover. In 2024 Passover begins on the evening of Monday 22 April.
Why is Passover important to Jewish students?
Passover is one of the most important holidays for Jewish people. Passover is the holiday where Jews commemorate and remember regaining their freedom, after being slaves in Egypt. They celebrate it to remember their ancestors suffering, and bravery during this time.
What happens during Passover?
During Passover, Jews engage in a series of rituals, each symbolizing a different part of the Exodus story. The Seder, a special service held on the eve of Passover, involves recounting the story from the Haggadah (story of how Jews got out of Egypt) while sharing a meal with family and friends. Whether they are Ashkenazi or Sephardic Jews, they are not allowed to eat Chametz (any food product derived of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or its derivative), with Jews following different Kosher rules based on where they originate from.
How to support others during Passover
Try and understand your Jewish friends during this important time of year for them. They must reside in a house clean of Chametz before Passover, therefore if your Jewish friends don’t come to your house during this time please don’t take it personally. Alternatively, if you are invite to their home during this time make sure to not bring non-Kosher with you. Kosher food is any food or beverage that Jewish dietary laws allow a person to eat. More details on what is and what isn't Kosher can be found here however we recommend always checking with hosts prior to attending as rules can vary from place to place.
Further support
To find out more information read the universities article here.
To connect with others experiencing this holiday please reach out to our Jewish Society on Instagram.