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, kiddush lunches, and Yom Kippur pre-fast dinner at the Freeman Center. Pre-registration for meals is required, 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 2024 / 5785
Rosh Hashanah
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024
- 5:30pm Alternative Option: Art Reflection with Rebecca Ezersky, Assistant Director for Student Engagement
- 6:15pm Community Service
- 7:15pm Erev Rosh Hashanah Holiday Dinner (RSVP by September 16 at 5pm)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024
- 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 16 at 5pm)
- 6:00pm Tashlikh Service at at Duke Gardens – meet at Big Pond
- RAIN PLAN: In case of rain, Tashlikh service will move to the following day (Friday, Oct. 4), in the same location.
- 6:30pm Holiday Picnic Dinner at Duke Gardens – meet at Big Pond (RSVP by September 16 at 5pm)
- RAIN PLAN: In case of rain, dinner will take place at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life (instead of Duke Gardens).
- 7:30pm Conservative Service & Kiddush at Duke Gardens – meet at Big Pond
- RAIN PLAN: In case of rain, service and Kiddush will take place at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life (instead of Duke Gardens).
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2024
- 9:30am Conservative Service
- 1:00pm Kiddush Lunch, following services (RSVP by September 16 at 5pm)
- Regular weekly Kabbalat Shabbat Services (6pm) and Shabbat Dinner (7pm) will take place; students should RSVP using regular RSVP text platform (RSVP for Shabbat dinner each week by texting "Shabbat" to 984-333-5603 by Friday at noon)
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur this year occurs at the beginning of Fall Break and we anticipate that many students will return home for the holiday. Jewish Life at Duke will host a pre-fast dinner and Kol Nidre services on Friday, October 11 for those who are still in town. The following day, students who are around are welcome to join the JLD staff at local synagogues with pre-registration.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2024
- 5:15pm Pre-Fast Dinner (RSVP by September 16 at 5pm)
- 6:15pm Community Kol Nidre Services
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024
Local Options for Services at Beth El Synagogue and Judea Reform Synagogue
- Funding is available for student groups who wish to host a Yom Kippur Break-Fast. Email Rabbi Elana Friedman at elana.friedman@duke.edu to request information.
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.
