We wish all our Jewish friends at Ancestry24 a kosher and joyous Passover and would like to take this opportunity to explain the significance of this holiday a little, for the benefit of Non-Jewish member.

How do you find Jewish Records?

The Jewish holiday of Pesach (the Passover) begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. This year, it falls on 19 April.

The name “Pesach” is pronounced PAY-sahch (with the “ch” like the “ch” is the Scottish word “loch” or the “g” in the Afrikaans word “goed”).

The primary observances of Pesach are related to the Exodus from Egypt after generations of slavery. The word itself means to pass through, to pass over, to exempt or to spare. It refers to the fact that God “passed over” the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the first-born of Egypt.

“Pesach” is also the name of the sacrificial offering (a lamb) that was made in the Temple on this holiday. However, it is the first of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance for Jews.

As mentioned, this is one of the major Jewish festivals. It lasts a week, and ends on the evening of 26 April. I hope the true significance of this special week will shine through for all of our Jewish friends and families this year.