First day of Passover in United States

Passover (Pesach) lasts for eight days in the United States. Many Jewish people spend the Passover period with family members or close friends.

The Passover is celebrated in many Jewish communities in the United States. It includes ceremonial meals and wine. ©iStockphoto.com/Stella Levi

What do people do?

Many people spend the Passover period with family or close friends. They make a special effort to ensure that older people, the poor, and those living alone can take part in the ceremonial meals known as Seder. They may do this by inviting people into their homes or giving them a gift basket. Passover gift baskets are filled with Seder plates and ceremonial foods and wine. 

Public life

Passover is not a federal holiday in the United States. However, some Jewish businesses and organizations may be closed or offer a reduced level of service over the Passover period.

Background and symbols

Passover is related to the Christian observances of Good Friday and Easter Sunday and the Islamic Day of Ashura. Read about other Jewish observances, such as Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day), Purim, Yom HaShoah, Lag B'Omer, Shavuot, Tisha B'Av and Rosh Hashana.

About First day of Passover in other countries

First day of Passover Observances

Other holidays in April 2012 in United States

• April Fool's Day ―Sunday, April 1, 2012
• Palm Sunday ―Sunday, April 1, 2012
• Pascua Florida Day ―Monday, April 2, 2012
• World Autism Awareness Day ―Monday, April 2, 2012
• United Nations' Mine Awareness Day ―Wednesday, April 4, 2012
• Maundy Thursday ―Thursday, April 5, 2012
• Good Friday ―Friday, April 6, 2012
• United Nations' World Health Day ―Saturday, April 7, 2012
• Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide ―Saturday, April 7, 2012
• Holy Saturday ―Saturday, April 7, 2012
• Easter Sunday ―Sunday, April 8, 2012
• Easter Monday ―Monday, April 9, 2012
• International Day of Human Space Flight ―Thursday, April 12, 2012
• Friday the 13th ―Friday, April 13, 2012
• Orthodox Good Friday ―Friday, April 13, 2012
• Orthodox Holy Saturday ―Saturday, April 14, 2012
• Last day of Passover ―Saturday, April 14, 2012
• Orthodox Easter ―Sunday, April 15, 2012
• Father Damien Day ―Sunday, April 15, 2012
• Patriot's Day ―Monday, April 16, 2012
• Emancipation Day ―Monday, April 16, 2012
• Orthodox Easter Monday ―Monday, April 16, 2012
• Tax Day ―Tuesday, April 17, 2012
• Yom HaShoah ―Wednesday, April 18, 2012
• Global Youth Service Day ―Friday, April 20, 2012
• San Jacinto Day ―Saturday, April 21, 2012
• Earth Day ―Sunday, April 22, 2012
• Oklahoma Day ―Sunday, April 22, 2012
• Confederate Memorial Day ―Monday, April 23, 2012
• World Book and Copyright Day ―Monday, April 23, 2012
• Administrative Professionals Day ―Wednesday, April 25, 2012
• World Malaria Day ―Wednesday, April 25, 2012
• Yom HaAtzmaut ―Thursday, April 26, 2012
• World Intellectual Property Day ―Thursday, April 26, 2012
• Arbor Day ―Friday, April 27, 2012
• World Day for Safety and Health at Work ―Saturday, April 28, 2012
• Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare ―Sunday, April 29, 2012
• Confederate Memorial Day ―Monday, April 30, 2012
• International Jazz Day ―Monday, April 30, 2012