Passover

Passover History

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt as narrated in the biblical Exodus. Central to the celebration is the Seder meal, which consists of symbolic foods served on a Seder plate. These foods symbolise aspects of the Exodus story, such as the bitterness of slavery and the sweetness of freedom. This highly ritualised meal includes recitations, prayers, songs and storytelling to remember and pass on the history and lessons of the Exodus.

The history of Passover's observance in Australia can be traced back to the first Jewish settlers in the early 19th century. This religious practice has continued to thrive with the growth of the Jewish community in Australia. For Jewish Australians, Passover represents not only a strong connection to their ancestry and religious history, but also an opportunity to reflect on the broader themes of liberation, freedom, and social justice. Many Jewish Australians utilise this event to connect with the wider community and raise awareness about ongoing social justice issues.

The observance of Passover (Start) in Australia mirrors the global practices with a unique touch of Australian spirit and the multicultural environment. The Seder meal is observed among families and friends, with some synagogues also hosting communal Seder meals. The date of Passover is determined by the Hebrew calendar, wherein it commences on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan, typically falling in March or April of the Gregorian calendar. In Australia, as with other Jewish communities worldwide, Passover lasts for eight days, beginning with the Seder meal and ending with additional days of celebration.

Top 7 Facts for 2026 Passover (Begins) in Australia

• While the festival of Passover is traditionally celebrated as a spring festival in the Northern Hemisphere, Australian observers mark the occasion during the early autumn, meaning symbolic elements of renewal often coincide with the local harvest season and cooling temperatures.
• For many in regional areas, the Passover Australia initiative involves traveling rabbis who journey into the Australian Outback and smaller cities like Hobart and Toowoomba to host communal Seder meals for isolated communities.
• In 2026, the start of the observance closely aligns with the Easter long weekend, creating a significant period of overlapping religious cultural events across the country that often impacts local holiday travel and supermarket stock.
• Australian-Jewish households frequently feature a culinary fusion on their Seder plate, blending Ashkenazi traditions like matzah ball soup with Sephardic influences such as a charoset paste made from dates, pistachios, and pomegranates.
• Local interest often spikes around the strict dietary requirement to remove all chametz, or leavened grain products, from the home, leading to a significant increase in the availability of specialty kosher-for-Passover products in major metropolitan grocery chains.
• The tradition of the Afikoman, where children hunt for a hidden piece of unleavened bread to win a prize, remains a central family highlight and is often discussed in cultural guides like the A Gentile's Guide to Passover to explain the holiday's customs to the wider public.
• Many Australian families still follow historic recipes preserved in community publications such as Favourite Pesach Recipes, which includes unique local adaptations like using onion skins to create deep red-coloured eggs for the ritual table.

In the News and Trending in Australia for Passover

Top things to do in Australia for Start of Passover

• Attend a Seder dinner or learn how to make your own Seder.
• Make Matzah. You can watch how to make matzah on youtube.
• Visit The National Gallery of Australia in Canberra: If you're a fan of art, the National Gallery will be open during Passover and offers a wide range of Australian and international art.
• Participate in Jewish Walking Tours: Organized by The Sydney Jewish Museum and The Jewish Holocaust Centre, this event is a walking tour designed to explore Jewish history and culture with a focus on Passover.