Hanukkah Candle Lighting with Jewish Life at Duke
To ensure that students have an opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah candles every night of the holiday, we’re hosting eight nights of in-person events with special guests and themes this year! Special guests include University President Vincent Price, Vice President/Vice Provost for Student Affairs Mary Pat McMahon, Duke Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jon Scheyer, the Duke Chorale, and more.
Join Jewish Life at Duke and partnering organizations to celebrate the holiday. Duke students, faculty, staff, families, and friends are welcome.
Thursday, December 7
Candle Lighting with Special Guests Duke President Vincent Price & Vice President/Vice Provost Mary Pat McMahon
5:45 – 6:30pm at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life
Join Jewish Life at Duke for Hanukkah candle lighting during the Festival of Lights. Duke’s Campus Rabbi and Jewish Chaplain Elana Friedman will be joined by special guests Special Guests Duke President Vincent Price & Vice President/Vice Provost for Student Affairs Mary Pat McMahon. We’ll also hear Hanukkah songs from Duke Chorale.
Hanukkah Crafting with DuARTS’ Annual Winter Wonderland
7:00 – 9:00pm at The Ruby
Stop by the annual Winter Wonderland with DuArts at the Ruby for crafts, jazz, and food from Sister Liu’s. Jewish Life at Duke will be there with Hanukkah crafts including dreidel painting! Additional collaborations include the Ruby, Mi Gente, The Women’s Center, Duke International Student Center, Langdorm, Jazz@, Kajok, and Mexican American Student Alliance.
Friday, December 8
Conversation with Nova Musical Festival Survivor Rom El-Hai, and Hanukkah Shabbat Service and Dinner with Rom
5:00pm Hanukkah and Shabbat candle lighting and Rom’s Story of Survival
6:00pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
7:00pm Shabbat Dinner
Join us to hear the story of Rom El-Hai, a 29-year-old Israeli from Netanya. On October 7th, Rom escaped the Nova musical festival massacre with two of his friends. 364 civilians were killed and many more wounded during the attack in Kibbutz Re’im, Israel.
Co-sponsored by Duke Israel Public Affairs Committee, Duke Students Supporting Israel, Duke J Street U, and Duke Friends of Israel.
Following Rom’s story, join us for Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:00pm, and a free, kosher Shabbat dinner at 7:00pm.
To RSVP:
Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Parents/Friends: click here to RSVP.
Students: To RSVP for dinner, text SHABBAT to 984-333-5603 by Friday at noon.
Saturday, December 9
Hanukkah Candle Lighting & Rugrats Hanukkah Special with Jewish Life at Duke
5:30 – 7:00pm at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life
Light the Hanukkah candles with us, then stay to watch the classic Rugrats Hanukkah episode, nosh on treats, and hang out with friends and with Seth Wittenberg, Jewish Life at Duke’s Springboard Social Justice Fellow.
Young Jewish Bull City Hanukkah Party & Havadllah at Ponysaurus
8:00 – 10:00pm at Ponysaurus Brewing, Durham
Graduate and professional school students and young professionals are invited to join Jewish Life at Duke, Beth El Synaoguge, Moishe House Triangle, and Judea Reform Congregation for a festive Hanukkah party at Ponysaurus Brewing! Enjoy drinks and pizza with your peers while celebrating the Festival of Lights.
Sunday, December 10
Hanukkah Candle Lighting & Pajamukkah with Jewish Life at Duke
6:00 – 7:00 pm at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life
Wear your pajamas or sweatpants and join us to light the Hanukkah candles, drink hot cocoa, and turn up the cozy vibes with Joyce Gordon, Director for Jewish Life at Duke.
Monday, December 11
Hanukkah Candle Lighting with Special Guests Coach Jon Scheyer & Duke Student-Athletes
In-Person: 6:00 – 6:45 pm at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life
Virtual Livestream: 6:15pm ET (Register here)
Join Jewish Life at Duke and the Duke Jewish Alumni Network for Hanukkah candle lighting during the Festival of Lights. Duke’s Campus Rabbi and Jewish Chaplain Elana Friedman will be joined by special guests Duke Men’s Basketball Coach (and member of Duke’s Jewish community) Coach Jon Scheyer and Duke Student-Athletes. Students, alumni, parents, faculty/staff, families, and Duke friends are invited to join.
We’ll be hosting in-person at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life with a virtual streaming option for all who can join us remotely. Bring your own chanukiyah/menorah and light along with us. The virtual program will last about 20-30 minutes.
Tuesday, December 12
East Campus Hanukkah Candle Lighting, hosted by the Jewish Student Union’s First-Year Council
7:00 pm at GADU Patio, East Campus
Come by GADU Patio for Hanukkah candle lighting, blessings, songs, and treats. All class years invited.
Wednesday, December 13
Hanukkah Candle Lighting & Game Night with Jewish Life at Duke
6:30 – 7:15 pm at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life
Light the Hanukkah candles then enjoy board games, card games, and treats with Orel Peretz, Heyman Winter Israel Fellow. Co-sponsored by Duke Friends of Israel, J Street Duke, and Duke Students Supporting Israel.
Thursday, December 14
Hanukkah Candle Lighting & Eighth Night French Fry Fest with Jewish Life at Duke
5:30 – 6:00 pm at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life
It’s the annual french fry fest! Celebrate the eighth night of Hanukkah, a holiday all about oil, by enjoying french fries and lighting the Hanukkah candles with Campus Rabbi Elana Friedman and your classmates at Jewish Life at Duke.
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About Jewish Life at Duke
Jewish Life at Duke (JLD) is the hub for all things Jewish on Duke’s campus. An accredited Hillel as well as a department within Duke University’s Division of Student Affairs, Jewish Life at Duke is guided by a mission to empower Jewish students to learn and grow intellectually and spiritually; to inspire and nurture personal paths to Jewish identity; and to cultivate community and friendship. Comprising the Freeman Center for Jewish Life and the Rubenstein-Silvers Hillel, JLD takes a pluralistic approach to Judaism to ensure that all Jewish students, regardless of affiliation, are welcome and included.
100% of JLD’s operating budget comes from donations from alumni, parents, and friends.
Become a donor to Jewish Life at Duke today.