Why this night is different: How do Jews in the UK celebrate Passover?

In this report:

This factsheet uses data from JPR’s recent study of Jews in the UK today, based on the responses of nearly 5,000 British Jews, members of the JPR research panel, to its UK National Jewish Identity Survey, held in November and December 2022. The factsheet highlights the importance of attending a seder (the main holiday tradition during Passover) for Jews across all sections of the community, with 81% of Jews in the UK reporting they attended one in 2022. At the same time, it explores which types of Jews are most and least likely to participate.

Some of the key findings in this factsheet:

• 82% of respondents said they typically attended a seder during their childhood. Still, only 71% said they attend one every year as adults, suggesting the tradition is less common today than in the past.
• In all age groups, most Jews reported attending a seder every year – but it is most likely among those aged 50-54.
• People who are currently married (80%) are more likely to attend a seder than those who are currently widowed (66%), divorced (52%) or who have never been married (63%).
• The larger the household is, the more likely a person will attend a seder. People with children of any age are more likely to attend a seder than those without, highlighting the importance of family in this tradition.
• The stronger one’s religiosity, the more likely they are to attend a seder every year. Still, even among non-practising, secular Jews, 54% reported doing so.
• Other predictors of seder participation include the strength of their attachments to Israel, their local Jewish community and the Jewish People as a whole.