A record number of students were catered for by Chabad over Pesach, its leaders said this week.

For the first time in many years, the festival coincided with term dates, meaning students had to find places at Seder tables and food which was kosher for Pesach while on campus.

Thanks to an anonymous donation of over £150,000, Chabad on Campus was able to run a Pesach programme for over 1,000 students at over 20 universities, providing around 5,000 meals, said Rabbi Mendy Korer of Chabad Islington.

The rabbi, who coordinated the scheme with colleagues on campus, said: “Keeping Pesach at university can be complicated, so this project was designed to make Passover as easy as possible for students.

“The system varies from place to place depending on demand. One thing, however, remains consistent – all are welcome.”

Students at Cambridge University were hosted by Chabad Rabbi Dr Reuven Leigh this Pesach (Photo: Chabad)

Liverpool University Chabad, run by Rabbi Shmuli and his wife Tzivia Brown, was inundated with hundreds of requests for Pesach meals. “The system is both a literal and metaphorical godsend,” said Jason Gardner, an astrophysics student at the university. “It makes it easier to go out and get work done in the library, as I can take lunch with me rather than having to go all the way back home to make something or living off fruit.”

Sebastian Ruvinski Camjalli, a final-year engineering student from Spain, who ate meals at the home of Rabbi Eli and Mushka Simon at Manchester Chabad, said: “It was nice to hang out with the Simon kids while eating breakfast before uni – a great way to start the day!”

Students enjoying Pesach with Chabad (Photo: Chabad)

Sheffield University student Gaby, who asked us not to include her surname, said it was the first year she had been away from her family over Pesach, so she “took comfort in knowing that I could spend the holiday with my Chabad family instead. I am so thankful that they put a meal on every day.

“Meals on Pesach are difficult and repetitive, so I cannot thank Rabbi and Mrs Golomb enough for their kindness over this period. They are amazing, and the sponsors are too. Thank you for your generosity. It means a lot.”