Publish date: 25 March 2026
We wish our Jewish colleagues a happy Passover. May it bring you strength, hope and a renewed sense of purpose. This year, Passover begins on the evening of Wednesday, 1 April and concludes at nightfall on Thursday, 9 April.
Many of our Jewish colleagues and communities will mark Passover (Pesach), this significant eight-day holiday commemorates freedom from slavery and the journey from Egypt, remembered through family and community gatherings, storytelling, symbolic foods and rituals at the meal known as the ‘Passover Seder.’ The first Passover seder is on the evening of 1 April, and the second Passover seder takes place on the evening of 2 April.
The other observance of Passover is the avoidance of all leavened products (known as hametz) and the eating of matzah, unleavened bread that is a reminder of the haste in which the Israelites left Egypt, leaving them no time for their bread to rise. Many Jews will clean their homes thoroughly before the holiday to rid it of hametz and either sell or burn any hametz that remains.
Small things that make a difference
- Food at work: If you’re arranging any event or patient catering, try to include clearly labelled options that don’t rely on bread/flour (and avoid cross-contamination where possible)
- Be flexible where you can: Some colleagues may be attending Seders or observing the festival, which can affect evening availability
- Avoid assumptions: Jewish identity and levels of observance vary-keep it simple and respectful (e.g., “Is there anything you’d like us to consider?”).
Learn more about the Jewish faith here: My Jewish Learning - Judaism & Jewish Life | My Jewish Learning
