High Holidays with Jewish Life at Duke
Each year, all members of Duke community are invited to celebrate 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 and are open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members, regardless of background or religious affiliation.
We also offer Tashlich at Duke Gardens, a ritual performed on Rosh Hashanah in which we visit a body of water and symbolically cast off our sins. Additionally, we offer free holiday meals for students including Rosh Hashanah dinner, kiddush lunches, Yom Kippur pre-fast dinner, and a Yom Kippur break-fast meal at the Freeman Center. Pre-registration for meals is required, but all holiday meals are free for students.
Celebrations, programs and observances are open to all our Duke colleagues and students of all identities and faith traditions.
Check out this year's schedule:
High Holiday Schedule 2025 / 5786
The High Holidays are right around the corner, and Jewish Life at Duke is excited to welcome you to the Freeman Center to observe them. All are welcome to holiday services and meals.
Duke students are invited to enjoy free, kosher High Holiday meals at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life; registration is required here by Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00pm.
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 food allergies.
Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 22nd
Erev Rosh Hashanah
- 6:30pm: Erev Rosh Hashanah Community Service
- 7:30pm: Erev Rosh Hashanah Holiday Dinner (Free for students; registration required by September 10)
Tuesday, September 23rd
First Day of Rosh Hashanah
- 9:30am: Conservative Service
- 10:00am: Reform Service
- 10:45am (approx.): Communal Torah Reading
- 12:00pm (approx.): Musaf
- Following Services ~1:00pm: Rosh Hashanah Kiddush Lunch (Free for students; registration required by September 10)
- 6:15pm: Tashlikh Service at Duke Gardens (meet at the Big Pond)
- 6:45pm: Holiday Dinner at Duke Gardens (at the amphitheater by the Big Pond) (Free for students; registration required by September 10)
- 7:45pm: Conservative Service and Kiddush at Duke Gardens (at the amphitheater by the Big Pond)
Wednesday, September 24th
Second Day of Rosh Hashanah
- 9:30am: Conservative Service
- Following Services ~1:00pm: Kiddush Lunch (Free for students; registration required by September 10)
Yom Kippur
Wednesday, October 1st
Erev Yom Kippur / Kol Nidre
- 5:30pm: Pre-Fast Dinner (Free for students; registration required by September 10)
- 6:30pm: Community Kol Nidre Services
Thursday, October 2nd
Yom Kippur
- All Day 9:00am-10:00pm: Freeman Center Hang Out Space
- 9:30am: Conservative Service
- 10:00am: Reform Service
- 10:45am (approx.): Communal Torah Reading
- 11:30am (approx.): Yizkor Service
- 5:00pm: Alternative Option: Musical Reflection with Sarah Jacobs (Sanctuary)
- 5:20pm: Mincha Service
- 6:20pm: Community Neilah
- 7:35pm: Communal Shofar Blowing and Break the Fast Meal (Free for students; registration required by September 10)
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.
