Passover 2023 with Jewish Life at Duke
Passover takes place April 5-13, 2023. We've got you covered with seders, events, and kosher-for-Passover meals across campus. Download or view a printable PDF here.
Passover Seders with Jewish Life at Duke
Celebrate Passover with us by attending a seder, a ritual Passover meal. Make sure to sign up by March 26!
Wednesday, April 5: 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 17 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.
- Sign up with a friend or roommate, 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
THURSDAY, APRIL 6: 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 Sunday, March 26 at www.tinyurl.com/DukePassover2023.
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 5 or 6, or willing to host a Duke alum in your area? Sign up by March 27 to host or be hosted.
Free Matzah for Students
Students, 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, March 29: 12:00pm-2:00pm at Brodhead Center main level (West Campus)
- Thursday, March 30: 4:00pm-6:00pm at Marketplace (East Campus Union)
- Monday, April 3: 12:00pm-2:00pm at Brodhead Center main level (West Campus)
- Tuesday, April 4: 4:00pm-5:30pm at Marketplace (East Campus Union)
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 7, 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 3 and April 7 at noon)
MATZAH BREI DINNER FOR STUDENTS
Monday, April 10, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Celebrate Passover with Jewish Life at Duke with our annual Matzah Brei Passover Dinner, featuring this favorite holiday brunch dish! All students welcome for this free event – bring a friend! No RSVP needed.
MATZAH BREI LUNCH FOR DUKE FACULTY & STAFF
Wednesday, April 20, 12:00-1:30pm
Duke faculty and staff are invited to join us for a Passover lunch featuring a favorite holiday dish, matzah brei! Meet old and new colleagues, celebrate Passover, and mark the end of the spring semester at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life. Please RSVP here by April 7.
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.
MONDAY, APRIL 3 - THURSDAY, APRIL 6:
- Closed in preparation for Passover seders, see Grab & Go options
FRIDAY, APRIL 7:
- 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 3 and April 7 at noon)
MONDAY, APRIL 10 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13:
- Breakfast: 8:30am – 10:30am
- Lunch/Dinner: 12:00pm – 7:30pm
FRIDAY, APRIL 14:
- Lunch: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
- Dinner: open for free Shabbat Dinner only*
SATURDAY/SUNDAY
- Closed, see Grab & Go options
Grab & Go, packaged, kosher-for-Passover meals are available for purchase in East and West Campus locations April 6-13, 2023 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)
- In addition to kosher-for-Passover Grab & Go Meals available April 6-13, regular kosher Grab & Go meals will also be available here April 3-5 while the Freeman CenterCafe is closed in preparation for Passover.
WEST CAMPUS:
- The Loop (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 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 so 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.
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.