Decalogue Society of Lawyers Events & CLE Programs
Discover enriching opportunities for learning, connection, and celebration through our Decalogue Society of Lawyers’ Events & CLE Programs resource. This hub showcases a variety of offerings.
- Sign up for engaging Continuing Legal Education (CLE) sessions that enhance your legal knowledge.
- Stay up to date about board meetings and committee meetings.
- Get involved with community events, and vibrant gatherings honoring Jewish traditions.
Whether you’re looking to expand your professional knowledge, network with peers, or participate in meaningful discussions on critical legal and social issues, our events are tailored to meet the needs of a dynamic and diverse legal community. Explore upcoming programs and join us in shaping the future of law and justice.
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A Fresh Take!
Instead of the usual cocktail hour + plated dinner, we’re extending the reception to 90 minutes featuring an open bar, live music, and a strolling dinner with hearty food stations, followed by the installation and awards program with theater style seating, and ending with dessert stations and more socializing
View Dinner Sponsor Benefits Here
Join Decalogue now to qualify for $50 off the regular ticket price and 10-20% discounts on future Decalogue events!
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers is a 501(c)(6) organization. Donations are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Sessions
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers is an accredited MCLE provider. While all classes are offered free of charge to the public, only Decalogue Society of Lawyers members and cosponsoring organizations will receive CLE credits, unless otherwise noted. If you’re not already a member of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, join us today, and begin enjoying membership benefits immediately.
Additionally, you can support our free programming by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Decalogue Foundation.
What You Should Know About the Decalogue Society of Lawyers and Decalogue Foundation Legal Education Series
- Registration is required for all classes and must be made on-line.
- For members of Decalogue, dues must be in good standing to receive credit unless otherwise noted
- There is a $25 fee for non-members to receive credit
- Reservations cannot be made by phone or email
- Registration opens 4–8 weeks prior to each class
- Classes are offered via Zoom unless otherwise indicated
No upcoming events found for this category.
CLE Opportunities in 2025
- Assessing effects of the SAFE-T Act
- Business Divorce and Valuation
- Cannabis Law Update
- Civility
- Hate Speech on Campus: Title VI (presented by the Decalogue Foundation)
- Hot Topics in Family Law
- How to Use AI
- Income Tax Update
- Marketing Your Firm (presented by the Decalogue Womxn’s Committee)
- MLK Day CLE (Diversity & Inclusion credit)
- Prof. Wendy L. Muchman Decalogue Society Professional Responsibility Lecture Series
- Religious Right to Abortion (presented by the Decalogue Foundation, co-sponsored by the Womxn’s Committee)
- Social Security Disability Law
- Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and Development of Worker Safety Laws (presented by the Decalogue Womxn’s Committee)
Decalogue Events
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers hosts a variety of events designed to enrich the professional and personal lives of its members. These gatherings include educational seminars, networking opportunities, and celebrations of Jewish holidays and heritage.
2025 Annual Installation & Awards Dinner
A Fresh Take!
Instead of the usual cocktail hour + plated dinner, we’re extending the reception to 90 minutes featuring an open bar, live music, and a strolling dinner with hearty food stations, followed by the installation and awards program with theater style seating, and ending with dessert stations and more socializing
View Dinner Sponsor Benefits Here
Join Decalogue now to qualify for $50 off the regular ticket price and 10-20% discounts on future Decalogue events!
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers is a 501(c)(6) organization. Donations are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
Event DetailsJewish Holidays
Jewish holidays hold significant cultural and spiritual importance, and the Decalogue Society of Lawyers recognizes the value of observing and celebrating these traditions within the legal community. These observances foster a sense of unity and shared heritage, while providing an opportunity for reflection and growth. By embracing these traditions, Decalogue supports its members in maintaining a meaningful balance between professional responsibilities and cultural identity.
The Jewish Sabbath begins every Friday at sunset and ends Saturday at nightfall.
It is a day of prayer and study and no work, writing, commerce, or travel is permitted.
All Jewish Holy Days and Festivals begin at sundown the evening before the date shown and conclude at nightfall of the last day. Fast Days may be from sunset to sunset or sunrise to sunset.
2025 Jewish Holidays
ASARAH B’TEVET – Friday, January 10
Asarah B’Tevet, the 10th of Tevet, is a minor fast day in the Jewish calendar commemorating events that led to the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. This day marks the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 588 BCE, an event that eventually resulted in the Temple’s destruction and the exile of the Jewish people. Observed from dawn to nightfall, Asarah B’Tevet is a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection on themes of loss, repentance, and resilience in Jewish history. It is one of several fast days connected to the Temple’s destruction. Fast from daybreak to nightfall. No other prohibitions on this holiday.
TU B’SHEVAT – Thursday, February 13
Tu B’Shevat, known as the “New Year for Trees,” is a Jewish holiday that celebrates nature and the environment. Observed on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, it marks the start of the agricultural cycle for trees in Israel. Traditionally, it is a time to plant trees and eat fruits associated with the Land of Israel, such as figs, dates, olives, and pomegranates. In modern times, Tu B’Shevat has also become a celebration of ecological awareness and conservation, reflecting a commitment to caring for the Earth. There are no prohibitions on this holiday.
TA’ANIT ESTHER – Thursday, March 13
Ta’anit Esther, or the Fast of Esther, is a minor fast day observed on the 13th of Adar, commemorating the fast undertaken by Queen Esther and the Jewish people as they prepared to confront Haman’s decree to annihilate the Jews, as described in the Book of Esther. This fast reflects themes of unity, faith, and divine intervention. It begins at dawn and ends after nightfall, with participants refraining from food and drink. Ta’anit Esther is observed the day before Purim and serves as a spiritual preparation for the joyous holiday, emphasizing gratitude for the reversal of the Jews’ fate. Fast from daybreak to nightfall. No other prohibitions on this holiday.
PURIM – Friday, March 14
Purim is a festive Jewish holiday commemorating the events described in the Book of Esther. It celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman’s plot to annihilate them in ancient Persia. Observed on the 14th of Adar, Purim includes reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), giving gifts of food (mishloach manot), donating to the poor (matanot l’evyonim), and enjoying a celebratory feast. The holiday is marked by joy, costumes, and community celebrations, symbolizing the triumph of resilience and faith over adversity. There are no prohibitions on this holiday.
PASSOVER 1st & 2nd days: Holy Days – Sunday April 13 – Monday, April 14
Passover, or Pesach, begins with its 1st and 2nd days, which are observed as holy days commemorating the Jewish people’s liberation from slavery in Egypt. These days include festive meals known as Seders, where the story of the Exodus is recounted through the Haggadah, symbolic foods like matzah (unleavened bread) are eaten, and rituals such as the four cups of wine and the recitation of the Four Questions are performed. Special prayers, including the holiday Kiddush and Hallel, are recited to mark the sacred nature of these days. No work, writing, commerce or travel is permitted. Dietary restrictions apply for the duration of the 8-day holiday, including those days which are not designated as holy days.
PASSOVER 7th & 8th days: Holy Days – Saturday, April 19 – Sunday, April 20
The 7th and 8th days of Passover, observed at the conclusion of the eight-day holiday, commemorate the final stages of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt, including the crossing of the Red Sea. These days are marked by festive meals and special prayers, including the recitation of Hallel, thanking God for the miracles performed during the Exodus. On these days, chametz (leavened bread) is strictly avoided, and the holiday retains its solemnity with a focus on gratitude and remembrance. In many traditions, the 8th day is also considered a time for the community to gather and reflect on the ongoing significance of liberation and freedom. The 7th and 8th days are particularly meaningful for Jewish communities outside of Israel, where both are fully observed as holy days. No work, writing, commerce or travel is permitted. Dietary restrictions apply.
LAG B’OMER – Friday, May 16
Lag B’Omer is a joyous day in the Jewish calendar, observed on the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, which falls between Passover and Shavuot. The day marks the cessation of a plague that affected Rabbi Akiva’s students in the 2nd century CE and is celebrated with bonfires, outdoor activities, and festivities. It is also associated with the life and teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a prominent sage who is believed to have passed away on this day. Lag B’Omer is a break from the mourning period of the Omer, allowing for weddings, celebrations, and festive gatherings. Many Jewish communities also celebrate with parades, music, and the traditional practice of lighting bonfires to symbolize light and spiritual strength. There are no prohibitions on this holiday.
SHAVUOT: Holy Days – Sunday, June 1 – Tuesday, June 3
Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, marking the culmination of the Exodus from Egypt. It occurs 50 days after Passover, making it the final day of the counting of the Omer. Traditionally, Shavuot is a time for studying Torah, reading the Book of Ruth, and engaging in all-night study sessions known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot. Dairy foods, such as cheesecake and blintzes, are commonly eaten to symbolize the “land flowing with milk and honey.” Shavuot is also one of the major pilgrimage festivals in Jewish tradition, historically observed by traveling to the Temple in Jerusalem, and today, it is a time for family gatherings, feasts, and community prayer. No work, writing, commerce or travel is permitted.
SHIVA ASAR B’TAMMUZ – Sunday, July 13
Shiva Asar B’Tammuz, the 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, marks the beginning of a three-week period of mourning leading up to Tisha B’Av. It commemorates several tragic events in Jewish history, including the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Babylonians before the destruction of the First Temple and the cessation of daily sacrifices during the Second Temple period. On this day, Jews observe a fast from dawn until nightfall as a reminder of these historical calamities. Fast from daybreak to nightfall. No other prohibitions on this holiday.
TISHA B’AV – Sunday, August 3
Tisha B’Av is a solemn fast day in the Jewish calendar that commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, which occurred centuries apart but on the same day. It is considered the saddest day of the Jewish year, marked by fasting, prayer, and mourning. The fast lasts from sundown to nightfall the following day and is observed with the recitation of the Book of Lamentations (Eicha), special Kinnot (elegies), and the reading of other texts that recount the tragedies in Jewish history. In addition to the destruction of the Temples, Tisha B’Av also remembers other calamities, such as the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 and other exiles throughout history. It is a time of reflection on loss, suffering, and the hope for eventual redemption. Fast from sundown on Sunday to nightfall on Monday. Some observers refrain from work. No other prohibitions on this holiday.
ROSH HASHANAH – Monday, September 22 – Wednesday, September 24
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, marks the beginning of the High Holy Days and is observed on the 1st and 2nd of Tishrei. It is a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal. The holiday commemorates the creation of the world, focusing on spiritual introspection and self-improvement. Key traditions include the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn), symbolizing a call to repentance, and the eating of sweet foods, such as apples dipped in honey, to symbolize hopes for a sweet new year. During Rosh Hashanah, Jews attend synagogue services, engage in prayers like the Unetanneh Tokef, and reflect on the past year’s deeds while seeking forgiveness. It also marks the start of the Ten Days of Repentance, which culminate in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. High Holy Days. No work, writing, commerce or travel is permitted. Begins the 10 days of repentance.
TZOM GEDALIA – Thursday, September 25
This fast commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah Ben Achikam, the Babylonian-appointed governor of Judah, whose death led to the final exile of the Jewish people from their land after the destruction of the First Temple. The fast, which lasts from dawn to nightfall, is a reminder of the tragic loss of leadership and the difficult times that followed.
YOM KIPPUR: High Holy Day – Wednesday, October 1
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It falls on the 10th day of Tishrei, following Rosh Hashanah, and is a day dedicated to fasting, prayer, and reflection. Observant Jews seek forgiveness for their sins from God and from others, marking the end of the Ten Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah. The day is spent in synagogue services, which include special prayers such as the Kol Nidrei and Neilah. Yom Kippur is observed with a 25-hour fast, where no food or drink is consumed, and is a time for introspection and spiritual renewal. It is considered a solemn day, but also one that holds the hope of a fresh start for the coming year. Fast from sundown on Tuesday to nightfall on Wednesday. Continuous prayer throughout the day. No work, writing, commerce or travel is permitted.
SUKKOT – Monday, October 6 – Monday October 13
Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Booths or Tabernacles, is a week-long Jewish holiday that begins on the 15th of Tishrei, five days after Yom Kippur. It commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt, living in temporary shelters. During the holiday, Jewish families build a sukkah—a temporary outdoor structure with a roof made from natural materials—and dwell in it to fulfill the commandment of “dwelling in the sukkah.” Sukkot is a joyous occasion, marked by special prayers and rituals, including the waving of the lulav (palm fronds, myrtle, and willow) and etrog (a citron fruit). The holiday also serves as a time to celebrate the harvest, particularly the gathering of fruits and vegetables. No work, writing, commerce or travel is permitted.
HOSHANA RABAH – Sunday, October 12
Hoshana Rabbah is the seventh and final day of the Sukkot festival, marked by several unique traditions and customs. It is a day of intense prayer, where Jews circle the bimah seven times with the Four Species while reciting prayers for deliverance. The day concludes with the symbolic ritual of beating five willow branches, a practice rooted in ancient times, aimed at “sweetening” the judgments for the coming year. Hoshana Rabbah also marks the finalization of God’s judgment, making it a spiritually significant day in the Jewish calendar. Additionally, many communities observe the tradition of staying up all night to study the Torah and recite Psalms. Following Hoshana Rabbah, the celebrations continue into Simchat Torah, with joyous dancing and Torah readings. There are no prohibitions on this holiday.
SHMINI ATZERET – Monday, October 13
Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday that immediately follows the week-long festival of Sukkot. It is observed as a time of assembly and reflection, with a special focus on prayer and the conclusion of the fall festival cycle. The name “Shemini Atzeret” translates to “the eighth day of assembly,” and while it is linked to Sukkot, it stands as a separate holiday with its own unique rituals. One of the central features of Shemini Atzeret is the prayer for rain, known as Tefilat Geshem, which marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel. It is also the time when many Jews begin reciting the Kaddish for the deceased during synagogue services. No work, writing, commerce or travel is permitted.
SIMCHAT TORAH – Tuesday, October 14
Simchat Torah is a joyous Jewish holiday that celebrates the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new one. It is observed at the conclusion of Sukkot, on the 22nd day of Tishrei, marking the end of the High Holiday season. During Simchat Torah, Jews around the world gather for festive services, in which the last portion of the Torah is read, followed immediately by the first portion of Genesis. The day is characterized by dancing, singing, and the joyful procession of Torah scrolls, symbolizing the renewal of Torah study for the coming year. Simchat Torah is a time of celebration and gratitude for the gift of Torah and is especially meaningful for Jewish communities as they reaffirm their commitment to Torah learning and tradition. No work, writing, commerce or travel is permitted.
SIMCHAT TORAH – Tuesday, October 14
Simchat Torah is a joyous Jewish holiday that celebrates the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new one. It is observed at the conclusion of Sukkot, on the 22nd day of Tishrei, marking the end of the High Holiday season. During Simchat Torah, Jews around the world gather for festive services, in which the last portion of the Torah is read, followed immediately by the first portion of Genesis. The day is characterized by dancing, singing, and the joyful procession of Torah scrolls, symbolizing the renewal of Torah study for the coming year. Simchat Torah is a time of celebration and gratitude for the gift of Torah and is especially meaningful for Jewish communities as they reaffirm their commitment to Torah learning and tradition. No work, writing, commerce or travel is permitted.
CHANUKAH – Sunday, December 14 – Monday, December 22
Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees’ victory over the Syrian-Greek forces in 167 BCE. Central to the celebration is the miracle of the oil: a small quantity of purified oil, meant to last only one day, burned for eight days in the Temple’s menorah. To honor this event, Jewish families light the Chanukah menorah each night for eight nights. Traditions include playing dreidel, eating foods fried in oil such as latkes and sufganiyot, and celebrating resilience and faith. There are no prohibitions on this holiday.
The Sabbath and some holy days require preparation before sundown and some observances at the end of the day. When planning events before or after these days, consideration should be given to those requirements and for allowing time for people to travel to and from their homes.