First campus Pesach café pops up in Surrey

Preparing a meal at Surrey University's pop-up Pesach café (Photo: Surrey University JSoc)[Missing Credit]

This sentiment was echoed by Rabbi Alex Goldberg, dean of religious life and belief, who has been with the university for over two decades. He said: "This is the first year in my 21 years that I recall the entirety of Passover falling in term time.

“It’s been great to be given this facility for students, staff, and visitors to pop in, munch matzos, cook and chill with a coffee. Students working together to build a home from home is wonderful to see."

The café, which is centrally located on campus, has become a hub of activity, providing a welcoming space for cultural exchange and communal gatherings.

Rabbi Alex Goldberg, dean of religious life and belief at Surrey University, prepares for Pesach at the pop-up Pesach café on the university's campus (Photo: Surrey University JSoc)[Missing Credit]

JSoc chair elect Lee-Elle Horowitz stated: “Having the Passover café has made keeping Passover so much easier. It was also amazing to feel so supported by the university during the holiday, to have a space to come together and celebrate.”

The café has been welcomed not only by students, but also by staff and visitors. The latter included members of the local non-Jewish clergy, who learnt about Jewish life on campus when they paid a visit last week.

A University of Surrey spokesperson said that the initiative was “part of the University’s broader initiative to ensure all students feel supported and integrated into campus life, regardless of their religious or cultural affiliations”.