Celebrating Passover 2024

Chag Pesach sameach (Happy Passover) to all our Jewish students. 

This year, Passover will begin on Monday 22 April, and end after nightfall on Tuesday 30 April. 

This is a time of reflection and celebration and, for those who observe the holiday, it can affect when and how you are able to work. 

If you have any concerns about upcoming deadlines or teaching sessions during Passover, we have everything you need to know: 

What is Passover 

Passover (Pesach) is a festival of freedom. It commemorates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt, a transition from slavery to freedom. 

The Seder is the main ritual of Passover, which involves the retelling of the Exodus and consumption of ritual foods such as matzah and maror (bitter herbs). 

Yom Tov, meaning ‘a good day’, is observed on several days throughout Passover. On Yom Tov the Torah prohibits work, which includes attending classes, writing exams, or engaging in other activities.  

Key advice for students during Passover 

This year, the four non-working days of the festival fall during term time. If you’re a Jewish student, this might mean you need to take time off or request extra time to submit assignments. 

Explained Absence 

If you need to miss a teaching session during the Passover period, you can submit an explained absence by visiting the ‘my MMU’ app or page, and choosing the section marked ‘attendance’.  

If you have a query about attendance, please email attendance@mmu.ac.uk. 

Assessments Deadlines 

If you are concerned about your assessment deadlines due to Passover, you may be able to apply for a self-certified extension via Moodle. Please be aware that this must be completed prior to the original deadline, for an extension of up to seven days. 

If you’re unable to submit the assessment by the deadline and either do not have self-certification or need a longer extension, you will need to request a deferred later opportunity to undertake the assessment via the evidenced extension process. 

Further information can be found at Student Life – Assessments. 

Seder Night 

Students who are celebrating Passover might want to attend a Seder.  

Chabad on Campus, Manchester, will be hosting a Seder at the Synagogue. You can book a place through the Chabad on Campus website.