Passover 2024 with Jewish Life at Duke
Passover takes place April 22-30, 2024. We've got you covered with seders, events, and kosher-for-Passover meals across campus. Click here to download our 2024 Passover Guide!
Passover Seders with Jewish Life at Duke
Celebrate Passover with us by attending a seder, a ritual Passover meal. Make sure to sign up to attend a seder by April 15!
Monday, April 22: First Night of Passover
- Option 1: Student-Hosted Seders Across Campus: Various times and locations, led by student and student organization hosts
- Take your pick from a variety of student-hosted seders across campus! From "Dress as Your Favorite Plague Seder" to the "Duke Gardens Seder," you're sure to find a perfect seder for you. You do not need to know the host in order to register, but note that some seders are generally themed for a specific audience (i.e. sophomores, seniors, graduate and professional school students, etc.).
- Jewish Life at Duke provides the kosher food and ritual items for all these student-hosted seders, unless the host has chosen to cook their own food with a subsidy from Jewish Life at Duke.
- Your host will send you information on exact timing and location, but all seders take place on or near Duke's campus.
- Encourage a friend or roommate to sign up, too, Jewish or not!
- Option 2: Communal First Night Seder at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life: 7:00 pm at the Freeman Center, led by Campus Rabbi Elana Friedman & Duke students
- Are you a recently admitted student in town for Blue Devil Days or a campus tour? We'd love to have you join us! Register yourself and your family members for our communal seder today by selecting the "First Night Communal Passover Seder @ the Freeman Center for Jewish Life" slot on the sign-up form.
TUESDAY, APRIL 23: SECOND NIGHT OF PASSOVER
- Communal Second Night Seder at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life: 7:00 pm at the Freeman Center, led by Duke Seniors, but open to all class years
Seders are open to Duke students, faculty, and staff. Registration for all seders is required by Monday, April 15. Register to attend a seder here!
Duke Jewish Alumni Network Passover Seder Matching
Calling all Duke alumni! The Duke Jewish Alumni Network, Duke's official Jewish alumni affinity group, is excited to launch its inaugural Duke Jewish Alumni Network Passover Seder Matching Program.
Duke Jewish alumni in need of a home to celebrate the holiday will be matched with fellow Jewish alumni in their city/region who have extra space around their seder table.
Looking for a place to spend a Passover seder on April 22 or 23, or willing to host a Duke alum in your area? Sign up to host or be hosted by April 8, 2024.
Free Matzah for Students
Students keeping kosher for Passover are invited to pick up a free box of kosher-for-Passover matzah to eat throughout the holiday. Gluten-free matzah available for those who need it, too! Look for the Jewish Life at Duke table:
- Wednesday, April 17:
- 12:00pm-3:00pm at Brodhead Center main level (West Campus)
- 5:30-7:30pm at Marketplace (East Campus Union/Wall Center for Student Life)
- Thursday, April 18:
- 12:00pm-3:00pm at Brodhead Center main level (West Campus)
- Wednesday, April 17 - Friday, April 19:
- 9:00am-5:00pm Freeman Center for Jewish Life Front Desk
More Passover Fun: Free Shabbat & Matzah Brei Meals
Join us at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life for these free events:
PASSOVER SHABBAT SERVICE & DINNER
Friday, April 26, 6:00pm Shabbat Service, 7:00pm kosher-for-Passover Shabbat dinner
RSVP for Shabbat dinner the way you always do! Text "Shabbat" to 984-333-5603 by Friday at noon (in this case, between April 22 and April 26 at noon)
ANNUAL MATZAH BREI LUNCH FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF
Thursday, April 25, 12:00 - 1:30pm
Celebrate Passover with Jewish Life at Duke with our annual Matzah Brei Passover Lunch, featuring this favorite holiday brunch dish! Celebrate Passover and mark the end of the spring semester at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life. Students, faculty, and staff welcome for this free event – bring a friend! No RSVP needed.
Where To Get Kosher-for-Passover Meals on Campus
Keeping kosher for Passover? We've worked with Duke Dining to ensure kosher-for-Passover meals are available for purchase across Duke's campus:
Hot, made-to-order, kosher-for-Passover meals are available for purchase at the Freeman Center Café. Eat in or dine out. Forms of payment accepted: food points/Flex, credit card, Duke board plan dinner equivalency.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18 - TUESDAY, APRIL 23:
- Closed in preparation for Passover seders, see Grab & Go options
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24:
- Lunch/Dinner 12:00pm – 7:30pm
THURSDAY, APRIL 25:
- Breakfast: 8:30am – 10:30am
- Lunch: cafe closed, join us for JLD's annual (free) Matzah Brei Lunch from 12:00-1:30pm
- Dinner: 12:00pm – 7:30pm
FRIDAY, APRIL 26:
- Breakfast: 8:30am – 10:30am
- Lunch: 12:00pm – 2pm
- Dinner: open for free Shabbat Dinner only (RSVP: Text "Shabbat" to 984-333-5603 between April 22 and April 26 at noon)
SATURDAY/SUNDAY
- Closed, see Grab & Go options
MONDAY, APRIL 29 - TUESDAY, APRIL 30:
- Breakfast: 8:30am – 10:30am
- Lunch/Dinner: 12:00pm – 7:30pm
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1:
- Freeman Center Cafe returns to regular menu and hours
- Wednesday, May 1: Blue Devil Bagels Pop-Up Bagel Cafe (Dairy menu), 12:00 - 7:30pm
- Thursday, May 2 - Friday, May 3: Freeman Center Cafe regular menu, 12:00 - 7:30pm
Grab & Go, packaged, kosher-for-Passover meals are available for purchase in East and West Campus locations April 22-30, 2024 during standard operating hours. All items are prepared, packaged, and sealed in the Freeman Center Café, a kosher dining establishment under rabbinical supervision, operated in partnership by Duke Dining and Jewish Life at Duke.
EAST CAMPUS:
- Trinity Café (East Campus Union/Wall Center for Student Life)
- In addition to kosher-for-Passover Grab & Go Meals available April 22-30, regular kosher Grab & Go meals will also be available here April 18-21 while the Freeman Center Cafe is closed in preparation for Passover.
WEST CAMPUS:
- Gothic Grill (Bryan Center)
- Beyu Blue (Bryan Center)
- Devil’s Krafthouse (Brodhead Center)
Grab & Go meals out of stock or running low? Contact 919-660-3900 or dining@duke.edu.
Kashrut (Kosher Dietary Guidelines)
All Passover food items are prepared, packaged, and sealed in the Freeman Center Café, a kosher dining establishment under rabbinical supervision, operated in partnership by Duke Dining and Jewish Life at Duke.
Questions about kashrut, help with kashering your kitchen or selling your chametz can be directed to jewishlife@duke.edu.
Are you representing a fellow Duke department looking to offer kosher-for-Passover catering options at your event? Contact the Freeman Center Café at freemandining@duke.edu.
Support Passover Programs at Duke
We are glad to provide Passover resources, meals, and events for Duke's Jewish community. Jewish Life at Duke is fully funded by donations from alumni, parents, and friends, who make Passover meals and resources possible.
We welcome your contributions of any amount to keep Passover meals and programs free for students. Thank you for your support!
Parents who donate $360 or more are eligible for membership in our JLD Parents Circle.