High Holidays with Jewish Life at Duke
Each year, the Duke community celebrates the High Holidays with Jewish Life at Duke. For Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, both Reform and Conservative-Style services are offered at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life.
We also offer Tashlich at Duke Gardens. Additionally, we offer free holiday meals for students including Rosh Hashanah dinner, pre-fast dinner, and Yom Kippur Break-the-Fast at the Freeman Center. Registration for meals is required by September 7 at 5pm EST, but all holiday meals are free for students.
Students: Didn't get a chance to register for meals before the deadline? Don't worry! Email us at jewishlife@duke.edu with the following info, and we'll make sure you have a seat at the table! Your name, email address, specific meal(s) you wish to attend, preference for meat or vegetarian entree, and any allergies.
Check out this year's schedule:
High Holiday Schedule 2023 / 5784
Rosh Hashanah
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
- 5:30pm Alternative Option: Art Reflection with Rebecca Ezersky, Assistant Director for Student Engagement
- 6:30pm Community Service
- 7:30pm Erev Rosh Hashanah Holiday Dinner (RSVP by September 7 at 5pm)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
- 9:30am Conservative Service
- 10:00am Reform Service
- 10:45am (approx.) Communal Torah Reading
- 12:00pm (approx.) Musaf
- Kiddush Lunch, following services (lunch following Reform services at approximately 12:00 pm; lunch following Conservative services at approximately 1:30 pm) (RSVP by September 7 at 5pm)
- 7:00pm Rosh Hashanah Holiday Dinner (RSVP by September 7 at 5pm)
- 8:00pm Conservative Service & Kiddush
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
- 9:30am Conservative Service
- 1:30-2:30pm Kiddush Picnic Lunch and Tashlikh Service at Duke Gardens – meet at Big Pond (RSVP by September 7 at 5pm)
Yom Kippur
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
- 4:45pm Alternative Option: Pre-Yom Kippur Discussion with Orel Peretz, Heyman Winter Israel Fellow
- 5:30pm Pre-Fast Dinner (RSVP by September 7 at 5pm)
- 6:30pm Community Kol Nidre Services
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
- 9:30am Conservative Service
- 10:00am Reform Service
- 10:45am (approx.) Communal Torah Reading
- 11:30am (approx.) Yizkor Service
- Freeman Center Hang Out Space – All Day
- 5:00pm Alternative Option: Musical Reflection with Sarah Jacobs
- 5:30pm Mincha
- 6:30pm Community Neilah
- 7:50pm Communal Shofar Blowing and Break the Fast Meal (RSVP by September 7 at 5pm)
Duke University Religious Observance Policy
Students are permitted to be absent from class to observe a religious holiday.
For religious observance policy details, visit: trinity.duke.edu/undergraduate/academic-policies/religious-holidays
Need help advocating for class absence? The Jewish Life at Duke team is here for you. Reach out to Campus Rabbi Elana Friedman.
