Jewish Holidays 2026 - 2027
We encourage our Duke colleagues and student groups of all identities and faith traditions to reference this resource when scheduling programs and events in order to avoid planning events on major Jewish holidays. Celebrations, programs and observances are open our Duke colleagues and student groups of all identities and faith traditions. Taking into account these dates helps create an inclusive climate for the Duke Jewish community. Questions? Contact us at jewishlife@duke.edu.
Holidays marked with ** (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Shemini Atzeret, Pesach and Shavuot) are days when traditionally work is forbidden and some students may not travel or write.
Duke Colleagues: We ask that there be no university wide programming on the 1st night/day of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the 1st night/day of Passover, as those are days observed by the vast majority of American Jews.
Students are permitted by university policy to be absent from class to observe a religious holiday. Students who miss class to observe a specified religious holiday are expected to make prior arrangements with their instructor to make up any work missed. This policy reflects the University’s commitment to being responsive to our increasing diversity and to enabling students’ spiritual development. To learn more about Duke’s religious observance and holidays please view the Religious Observance & Holidays website.
Looking for holiday services and observances?
Click here to view an overview of how Jewish Life at Duke observes holidays with services and meals, including a schedule and information of High Holiday (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) services.
Celebrations, programs and observances are open our Duke colleagues and student groups of all identities and faith traditions
| Jewish Holidays 5787 | Dates in 2026-2027 |
|---|---|
| Rosh Hashanah** New Year No university wide programming on the 1st night/day | Evening of September 11-13, 2026 Friday Night – Sunday |
| Yom Kippur** Day of Atonement Major Fast Day – full 25 hour fast No university wide programming on the night/day | Evening of September 20-21, 2026 Sunday Night – Monday |
| Sukkot** Festival of Tabernacles (Booths) All meals are eaten in the Sukkah | Evening of September 25 – October 2, 2026 Friday Night – Next Friday |
| Shemini Atzeret** | Evening of October 2 – 3, 2026 Friday Night – Saturday |
| Simchat Torah** | Evening of October 3 – 4, 2026 Saturday Night – Sunday |
| Hanukkah Festival of Lights (Rededication of the Temple) | Evening of December 4 – 12, 2026 Friday Night – Next Saturday (8 nights) |
| Tu BiShvat New Year for Trees | Evening of January 22 – 23, 2027 Friday Night – Saturday |
| Purim Festival of Lots (the story of Esther) A very joyous holiday | Evening of March 22 – 23, 2027 Monday Night – Tuesday |
| Pesach** (Passover) Passover, Feast of Freedom and Unleavened Bread Significant food restrictions, no leavened products, seder meal on first night (and second for some) No university wide programming on the 1st night/day | Evening of April 21 – 29, 2027 Wednesday Night – Next Thursday 3 meals a day of Kosher for Passover food available at various campus locations + the Freeman Center |
| Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day | Evening of May 3 – 4, 2027 Monday Night – Tuesday |
| Yom HaZikaron Israel's Memorial Day | Evening of May 10 – 11, 2027 Monday Night – Tuesday |
| Yom HaAtzmaut Israel's Independence Day | Evening of May 11 – 12, 2027 Tuesday Night – Wednesday |
| Lag B'Omer 33rd day of the Omer Archery, Bonfires and Barbecues | Evening of May 24 – 25, 2027 Monday Night – Tuesday |
| Shavuot** Giving of the Torah/Pentecost Festival of First Fruits/Weeks | Evening of June 10 – 12, 2027 Thursday Night – Saturday |
| Tisha B'Av Ninth of Av - Fast of the Destruction Major Fast Day – full 25 hour fast | Evening of August 11 – 12, 2027 Wednesday Night – Thursday |
Please Note: All Jewish holidays/observances begin in the evening at sundown and terminate an hour after sundown on their final day.
Feel free to reach out to Rabbi Elana Friedman (elana.friedman@duke.edu) with any questions.
Looking for holiday dates farther out in the future?
Check out HebCal ("Hebrew Calendar") at to view a list of holiday dates years into the future.