First day of Passover

The First Day of Passover in Australia: A Celebration of Freedom and Tradition

Passover, known in Hebrew as Pesach, stands as one of the most significant and deeply moving festivals in the Jewish calendar. In Australia, a country defined by its rich multicultural tapestry and vibrant religious pluralism, the first day of Passover represents a time of profound reflection, family gathering, and the retelling of an ancient story that continues to resonate with universal themes of liberty and human rights. While the Jewish community in Australia may be smaller in number compared to other regions, its observance of Passover is fervent, meticulous, and deeply integrated into the local cultural landscape, particularly in major hubs like Melbourne and Sydney.

The essence of the first day of Passover is rooted in the transition from slavery to freedom. It commemorates the Biblical account of the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian bondage, a narrative that has inspired countless generations to strive for justice and autonomy. For Australian Jews, the first day of the festival is not merely a historical commemoration but a living experience. It is a day where the past is brought into the present through specific rituals, dietary restrictions, and communal prayers. The atmosphere in Jewish households across the suburbs of Caulfield, Bondi, St Kilda, and Rose Bay becomes one of sacred preparation and joyous reunion as the community embarks on an eight-day journey of spiritual renewal.

What makes the first day of Passover particularly special in the Australian context is the way it brings together diverse threads of the Jewish diaspora. From South African and British migrants to those with roots in Eastern Europe or the Middle East, the Australian Jewish community celebrates Passover with a unique blend of global traditions adapted to the Southern Hemisphere's climate and lifestyle. Even though the holiday occurs during the Australian autumn—contrasting with the spring themes prevalent in Northern Hemisphere celebrations—the symbolic "Spring festival" (Chag HaAviv) is celebrated with equal vigor, focusing on the "springtime" of the Jewish nation’s birth.

When is Passover in 2026?

In the year 2026, the first day of Passover will be observed on Thursday, April 2, 2026. As of today, there are 89 days remaining until this significant religious observance begins.

It is important to note that the Jewish calendar is lunisolar, meaning the dates of holidays fluctuate according to the cycles of the moon and the sun. Therefore, Passover is considered a "variable" date on the Gregorian calendar used in Australia. The festival always begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. However, the true start of the holiday occurs at sunset on the evening prior. For the 2026 cycle, the first Seder—the ceremonial meal that marks the beginning of the holiday—will take place on the evening of Wednesday, April 1, with the official "First Day" of the festival following on the Thursday.

History and Origins: From Ancient Egypt to Modern Australia

The origins of Passover are found in the Book of Exodus (Shemot) in the Torah. The narrative describes how the Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for centuries under the rule of a Pharaoh who feared their growing numbers. According to the tradition, God chose Moses to lead the people to freedom, demanding that Pharaoh "let my people go." When Pharaoh refused, ten devastating plagues were visited upon Egypt.

The name "Passover" derives from the final and most harrowing plague: the death of the firstborn. The Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb so that the Angel of Death would "pass over" their homes, sparing their children. Following this event, Pharaoh finally relented, and the Israelites fled so in such haste that their bread did not have time to rise, resulting in the flat, unleavened cracker known as Matzo.

This ancient story of liberation was brought to Australian shores with the very first Jewish settlers on the First Fleet in 1788. Over the centuries, as the Jewish population grew through various waves of immigration—particularly following the Second World War—the observance of Passover became more formalised. Today, the history of the Exodus is retold in Australian lounge rooms with a sense of gratitude for the safety and freedom found in the "Lucky Country," linking the ancient struggle for liberty with the modern Australian values of a "fair go" and religious tolerance.

How People Celebrate: The Rituals of the First Day

The first day of Passover is characterized by a cessation of "melacha" (creative work) for observant Jews, similar to the restrictions of the Sabbath. However, the true heart of the celebration occurs in the home.

The Seder Night

While the first "day" is April 2, 2026, the most vital part of the observance is the Seder held the night before. In Australia, as in all Jewish communities outside of Israel, it is customary to hold a Seder on both the first and second nights of Passover. The Seder is a structured ritual meal where the Haggadah (the book containing the Exodus story) is read.

Families gather around a table set with the finest linen and silver. The evening involves drinking four cups of wine (or grape juice), reclining to symbolise freedom, and the "Magid" section, where the story of the Exodus is told in great detail, often through songs and questions designed to engage the children.

The Second Seder

On the evening of the first day of Passover (April 2, 2026), Australian Jewish families will gather once again for the second Seder. This second night is often an opportunity to invite extended family, friends, or members of the community who may not have a place to go. It reinforces the communal bond and ensures that the lessons of the holiday are thoroughly absorbed.

Synagogue Services

On the morning of the first day, special prayer services are held in synagogues (shuls) across Australia. These services include the recitation of "Hallel" (psalms of praise) and a special Torah reading detailing the Exodus. In many Australian congregations, there is a specific prayer for dew (Tal), marking the transition into the warmer months in the Land of Israel, even as Australians prepare for the cooler winter months.

Traditions and Customs

Passover is perhaps the most "hands-on" of all Jewish holidays, defined by a series of unique customs that transform the household.

The Search for Leaven (Chametz)

In the weeks leading up to the first day, Australian Jewish homes undergo a rigorous "Spring cleaning." The goal is to remove all Chametz—any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has come into contact with water and been allowed to ferment or rise. This includes bread, pasta, biscuits, and many processed foods.

The night before the first Seder, a ritual search called Bedikat Chametz is conducted using a candle, a wooden spoon, and a feather to find any final crumbs. This physical cleaning is seen as a metaphor for removing "spiritual leaven"—pride and ego—from one's heart.

The Seder Plate

The Seder plate is the centerpiece of the table on the first day. It contains six symbolic items:

1. Maror and Chazeret: Bitter herbs (often horseradish or romaine lettuce) to symbolise the bitterness of slavery.
2. Charoset: A sweet paste made of fruits, nuts, and wine, representing the mortar used by the Israelite slaves to build Egyptian structures.
3. Karpas: A vegetable (often parsley or potato) dipped in salt water to represent the tears of the slaves.
4. Zeroa: A roasted bone, symbolising the paschal lamb sacrifice.
5. Beitzah: A roasted egg, symbolising the festival sacrifice and the circle of life.

Matzo: The Bread of Affliction

During the first day and throughout the week, Matzo is the only "bread" consumed. It is often referred to as the "Bread of Affliction" because it was the food of slaves, but also the "Bread of Freedom" because it was what the Israelites ate as they left Egypt. In Australia, supermarkets in areas with high Jewish populations (like Woolworths in St Kilda or Coles in Bondi) stock massive quantities of Matzo, both locally produced and imported from Israel.

Practical Information for Australia

If you are living in or visiting Australia during Passover in 2026, here is what you need to know about the practicalities of the holiday.

Shopping and Supplies

Australia has a robust kosher infrastructure. Major supermarkets in Sydney (Bondi, Vaucluse, St Ives) and Melbourne (Caulfield, Elsternwick, Doncaster) set up dedicated Passover sections. These sections provide everything from Matzo and kosher-for-Passover wine to specialized cakes and sweets. Local kosher butchers and bakeries also provide "Kosher for Passover" catering for those who prefer not to cook the elaborate Seder meals themselves.

Connectivity and Community

For those who are travelling or do not have family nearby, various Chabad houses and community centers across Australia (from Perth to the Gold Coast) host "Communal Seders." These are open to everyone and provide a welcoming environment for travelers, students, and those living alone to experience the first day of Passover.

Workplace and Schooling

Because the first day of Passover (April 2, 2026) involves significant religious obligations, many Jewish employees may request the day off as annual leave or unpaid leave. Jewish day schools across Australia (such as Mount Scopus, Moriah College, or Masada College) will be closed or on mid-term break during this period. It is common for Jewish-owned businesses in specific enclaves to close or operate with limited hours on the first day.

Is it a Public Holiday?

It is important to clarify that the first day of Passover is not a public holiday in Australia. Government offices, post offices, banks, and the vast majority of retail businesses will remain open with normal operating hours. Public transport will run according to its usual weekday or weekend schedule.

However, Passover is recognized as a major religious festival. Under Australian fair work guidelines and anti-discrimination laws, employers are generally encouraged to accommodate reasonable requests for leave for religious observances. For the Jewish community, the "First Day" and "Second Day" (as well as the final two days of the eight-day festival) are "Yom Tov" (sacred days), meaning observant individuals will refrain from work, using electricity, or driving.

While the rest of Australia goes about its daily business, within the Jewish community, the world slows down. The focus shifts from the external hustle of modern life to the internal sanctity of the home and the synagogue. It is a time when the ancient echoes of "Next year in Jerusalem" are heard in Australian suburbs, bridging the gap between a distant past and a hopeful future.

In conclusion, the first day of Passover in Australia is a beautiful blend of ancient tradition and modern Australian life. It is a day that celebrates the enduring human desire for freedom, the importance of family, and the strength of a community that continues to honour its heritage thousands of years after the Exodus began. Whether you are participating in a Seder or simply observing the cultural richness of your neighbors, Passover 2026 remains a cornerstone of the Australian religious calendar.