Your guide to enjoying Passover in Elsternwick Village

During Passover 2026, Jewish families around the world will once again gather to commemorate the Biblical story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt — a story of freedom, faith, and resilience that continues to resonate across generations.

In 2026, Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 1, and concludes on Thursday, April 9. As the festival approaches, Jewish households across Elsternwick and beyond will begin preparing their homes for this deeply meaningful time.

Throughout Elsternwick Village — home to a vibrant and longstanding Jewish community — families will be getting ready for one or more seder meals, where relatives and friends come together to retell the Exodus story, share symbolic foods, and honour enduring traditions.

Elsternwick Village has everything you need to celebrate this special time.

Preparing the home

One of the most significant Passover preparations is the removal of chametz. Chametz refers to food made from wheat, barley, rye, oats or spelt that has come into contact with water and been left to rise.

This practice commemorates the Biblical account that when Pharaoh finally granted the Israelites their freedom, they departed Egypt in such haste that there was no time for their bread to rise. Instead, they baked unleavened bread, known as matzah, which has become central to Passover observance.

In the lead-up to April 1, many households across Elsternwick will begin this ritual cleaning — vacuuming beneath furniture, wiping shelves, clearing pantries and even checking coat pockets for stray crumbs. Beyond the physical act, this tradition also carries spiritual meaning, symbolising reflection, renewal and the removal of excess.

If you need any cleaning supplies to help remove chametz, head over to Party Bazaar or Kosher Kingdom.

Holiday crafts

As Passover 2026 approaches, many families in Elsternwick are also planning thoughtful activities to help children connect with the festival’s story and traditions.

Arts and crafts are a beautiful way to introduce younger family members to the meaning of Passover. Here are some meaningful Passover craft ideas to inspire your family this year:

• Create your own seder plate, and as children decorate their plate, parents can explain the symbolism of each element.
• A cherished Passover tradition is pouring a cup of wine for the prophet Elijah, symbolising hope and future redemption. Invite children to decorate Elijah’s cup using colourful paper, ribbons and thoughtful designs.
• A playful twist on a familiar concept, creating a “matzah house” (inspired by a gingerbread house) can become a memorable Passover tradition.
• Using a box, blue cellophane and craft supplies, children can recreate the dramatic moment of the Red Sea parting.
• For kids, one of the most highly anticipated rituals of Passover is the re-enactment of the 10 plagues. Kids will love making creative and colourful character cards for every member of the family.

All your art and craft supplies can be picked up at Elsternwick Village from Party Bazaar, Fantasy Decorland, or Officeworks.

Meaningful gifts they’ll love

Gift-giving during Passover is traditionally centred around items that can be enjoyed during the festival — sweets, fruit, flowers and wine are common offerings when visiting family and friends.

Find delicious sweet treats at Aviv Cakes & Bagels, and fruit and wine at Kosher Kingdom.

However, many families also choose to give something more enduring to mark the occasion.

Books and picture frames are thoughtful, lasting gifts, particularly those that reflect family, heritage or Jewish tradition. Ruby’s Gifts is where you’ll find stunning picture frames, and head to Avenue Bookstore to check out their collection of books.

Given the central role of the seder table in Passover celebrations, beautifully crafted homewares and tableware are also especially meaningful. Dalgarno’s of Elsternwick, Society of Merchants, and Tonic Australia all stock gorgeous homewares.

Flowers and plants are the perfect thoughtful gift that can also be used to decorate the home. Green Envy has a wonderful collection of indoor plants, find intricate terrariums at Greenlab Collective, and Shady Hill Luxury Flowers is perfect for finding stunning flowers.

There are so many other stores in Elsternwick Village with great gift ideas that reflect the significance of Passover. See our full range of traders here.

Prepare for your Passover feast

The Hebrew word “seder” means “order,” reflecting the carefully structured sequence of rituals, readings, and symbolic foods that define the Passover evening meal.

The seder traditionally marks the beginning of Passover and is distinguished by both the foods that are eaten and those that are avoided during the festival. This meaningful evening will see Jewish families gather around the Seder table to retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

At the heart of the table sits the seder plate, which contains several symbolic items, each carrying deep historical and spiritual meaning:

• Karpas – Typically parsley or celery, dipped in salt water. The green vegetable symbolises renewal and spring, while the salt water represents tears shed during slavery.
• Charoset – A sweet mixture often made from apple and walnut, symbolising the mortar used by the Israelites when they were enslaved in Egypt.
• Maror – A bitter herb, such as horseradish, representing the bitterness of slavery.
• Chazeret – A second bitter herb, reinforcing the remembrance of hardship.
• Z’roa – A roasted lamb shank bone, symbolising the Passover sacrifice brought in ancient times.
• Beitzah – A roasted or hard-boiled egg, representing renewal, mourning and the cycle of life.
• Matzah – Unleavened bread, recalling the haste with which the Israelites departed Egypt, without time for their dough to rise.

Learn more about the tradition in the Elsternwick Village guide to foods for Passover.

All the ingredients for the seder plate can be found in Elsternwick Village at Kosher Kingdom, Dirito’s Quality Fruits, and Coles Elsternwick.

Celebrate Passover in Elsternwick Village

As preparations for Passover continue, Elsternwick Village remains proud to support the local community with speciality ingredients, fresh produce and everything needed to prepare a meaningful seder table.

Visit Elsternwick Village to find everything you need to celebrate Passover with tradition, care and connection this year.