Craving some community for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but don’t know where to go? Welcome to our annual list of free and low-cost services open to the public.
After two years of almost exclusively virtual services, some synagogues and other Jewish entities are back to offering in-person services — and there are a lot of free, livestream options, as well (including from synagogues not listed here). Covid safety policies vary, so check ahead whether masks and/or proof of vaccination is required to attend.
Any High Holiday service listed here tops out at $72. Some synagogues offer free services for students or new attendees, some offer a sliding scale, some have child care. All welcome donations, and few, if any, will turn away someone for lack of funds. Registration is required in many cases, so be sure to check on that.
Most Chabad centers also host free, low-cost and donation-based services. Some are listed here, but you can also check Chabad’s High Holiday services directory to find a location near you.
Only the first main service of the day and family services are listed; for additional services, times, costs and other details, visit the synagogue’s website.
This year, Rosh Hashanah will begin at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 25, and Yom Kippur will begin at sundown on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
ROSH HASHANAH
San Francisco
Or Shalom Jewish Community (Reconstructionist) — Free. Family service 5 p.m., main service 7 p.m. Sept. 25; family service 9 a.m., main service 10:30 a.m. Sept. 26. Register by Sept. 15. (415) 469-5542 or orshalom.org
Chabad Noe Valley — Free. 7 p.m. Sept. 25; main service 10 a.m., family service 11:15 a.m. Sept. 26; 10 a.m. Sept. 27. At 3771 Cesar Chavez, S.F. (415) 648-8000 or chabadnoevalley.org
Congregation Am Tikvah (Egalitarian) — Free services. Dinner 6 p.m. ($36 for 13 and up, $5 for under 13); service follows at 7:30 p.m. Also Sept. 25; 10 a.m. Sept. 26; 10 a.m. Sept. 27. At 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F. (415) 586-8833 or amtikvah.org/high-holy-days.html
Congregation Ner Tamid — Free. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25; $50. 9:30 a.m. Sept. 26. At 1250 Quintara St., S.F. nertamidsf.org
Congregation Sha’ar Zahav (Reform) — Free. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25; 9:30 a.m. Sept. 26; 9:30 a.m. Sept. 27. At Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F. Registration required. (415) 861-6932 or shaarzahav.org/2022-high-holy-days
East Bay
Aquarian Minyan (Renewal) — Sliding scale starts at $72. 7 p.m. Sept. 25; 10 a.m. Sept. 26. At St. John’s Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 214-6160 or aquarianminyan.org
Camp Tawonga — $36 and up, sliding scale. 3 p.m. Sept. 25. At Joaquin Miller Park, 3600 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland. (415) 543-2267 or tawonga.org
Chabad of Alameda — Free, some require registration. Service 7 p.m., dinner 7:45 p.m. Sept. 25; 9:30 a.m. Sept. 26. At Italian American League, 2712 Encinal Ave., Alameda. (510) 640-2590 or jewishalameda.com/high
Chabad of Contra Costa — Free. 7 p.m. Sept. 25; service 9:30 a.m., tashlich and shofar 6:15 p.m. Sept. 26; 9:30 a.m. Sept. 27. At 1671 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 937-4101 or jewishcontracosta.com
Chochmat HaLev (Renewal) — $50, pay-what-you-can option, under 13 free with paid adult. 7 p.m. Sept. 25; 10 a.m. Sept. 26; 11:30 a.m. Sept. 27. At First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana St., Berkeley. (510) 704-9687 or chochmat.org/high-holy-days-2022
Congregation B’nai Tikvah (Reform) — Kids free, ages 18-30 $54. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25; family service 9 a.m., main service 10 a.m., K-6 service with dropoff 10:15 a.m. Sept. 26. At 25 Hillcroft Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 933-5397 or tikvah.org/pray/high-holidays-5783
Jewish Gateways (Nondenominational) — $35-$60, sliding scale. 7 p.m. Sept. 25; 9 a.m. family service, 10:15 a.m. main service, 1:15 p.m. bring-your-own picnic and tashlich Sept. 26 at Live Oak Park. Services at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. (510) 545-9977 or jewishgateways.org
JCC East Bay and Jewish Studio Project Community — Free. 7 p.m. Sept. 25; 10 a.m. Sept. 26. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. (510) 848-0237 or jcceastbay.org
Kehilla Community Synagogue (Renewal) — $50, sliding scale. 7 p.m. Sept. 25; main service 9:30 a.m., tot service 10 a.m., family service 11 a.m. Sept. 26; 9:30 a.m. Sept. 27. At 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. (510) 547-2424 or kehillasynagogue.org/highholydays2022
Temple Beth Hillel (Reform) — Free. 7 p.m. Sept. 25; 10 a.m. Sept. 26. At 801 Park Central, Richmond. (510) 223-2560 or tbhrichmond.org/high-holy-days
Temple Beth Sholom (Independent) — Free. Sept. 25, 26, 27. RSVP for schedule and times. At 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro. (510) 357-8505 or tbssanleandro.com/holiday-services.html
Temple Israel (Reform) — Free. Family service 11:30 a.m., main service 7 p.m. Sept. 25; 10 a.m. Sept. 26; 10 a.m. Sept. 27. At 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda. (510) 522-9355 or templeisraelalameda.org/high-holy-days
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews (Secular Humanistic) — $15. 3:30 p.m. Sept. 25, includes complimentary small round challahs, honey and apples. Location provided with RSVP. (925) 399-8029 or [email protected]
North Bay
B’nai Israel Jewish Center (Independent) — Free. 7 p.m. Sept. 25; family service 9:30 a.m., main service 10:15 a.m. Sept. 26; 9 a.m. Sept. 27. At 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. (707) 762-0340 or bnaiisrael.net/worship/holidays
Chabad of Marin — Free, suggested donation. Community meal 6:45 p.m. Sept. 25, RSVP by Sept. 21; 10 a.m. Sept. 26; 10 a.m. Sept. 27. (415) 492-1666 or chabadofmarin.com
Chabad of Novato — Free. Service 6:45 p.m., dinner 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 (RSVP for dinner by Sept. 21); 10 a.m. Sept. 26; 10 a.m. Sept. 27. At 695 De Long Ave. (415) 878-6770 or jewishnovato.com
Chabad of Solano County — Free. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25; 10 a.m. Sept. 26; 10 a.m. Sept. 27. At 730 E. Main St., Vacaville. (707) 592-5300 or jewishsolano.com
Congregation Beth Ami (Conservative) — Free. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25; 9:30 a.m. Sept. 26; 9:30 a.m. Sept. 27. RSVP required. At 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. (707) 360-3000 or bethamisr.org
Gan HaLev, the Jewish Congregation of San Geronimo Valley (Independent) — Free outdoor services under the redwoods Lay-led. 4 p.m. Sept. 25; 11 a.m. Sept. 26 followed by potluck lunch and tashlich. (415) 488-4524 or email [email protected] for details or to register.
Peninsula and South Bay
Chabad North Peninsula — Free. 8:30 a.m. Sept. 26. Locations in San Mateo and Foster City given with RSVP. (650) 453-8136 or chabadnp.com
Chabad Santa Clara — Free. 6:45 p.m. Sept. 25; 10 a.m. Sept. 26; 10 a.m. Sept. 27. At 2043 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara. (408) 718-9084 or jewishclara.com/rh
Coastside Jewish Community (Independent) — Free family service 3:30 p.m., tashlich 4 p.m. Sept. 26. In Pacifica, address provided with registration. (650) 479-5252 or coastsidejewishcommunity.org
Congregation Beth Am (Reform) — Free family service 4:30-5:15 p.m. Sept. 25; 9:30-11 a.m. Sept. 26. Main services $36 for under 36 and free for full-time students and military: multiple services on Sept. 25-26, see website for details. Register by Sept. 15. At 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. (650) 493-4661 or betham.org/hhd-schedule-2022
Keddem Congregation (Reconstructionist) — Free. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25; 10 a.m. Sept. 26. At Kehillah High School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. (650) 494-6400 or keddem.org/#HHD
Peninsula Temple Beth El — Free tots service (5 and under) 4 p.m. Sept. 26. At 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. (650) 341-7701 or ptbe.org/tots
YOM KIPPUR
San Francisco
Congregation Ner Tamid — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; $50. 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. At 1250 Quintara St., S.F. nertamidsf.org
Or Shalom Jewish Community (Reconstructionist) — Free. Family service 5 p.m., main service 7 p.m. Oct. 4; family service 9 a.m., main service 10 a.m. Oct. 5. (415) 469-5542 or orshalom.org
Chabad Noe Valley — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At 3781 Cesar Chavez, S.F. (415) 648-8000 or chabadnoevalley.org
Chabad of San Francisco — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St. Reservations requested. (415) 668-6178 or chabadsf.org
Congregation Am Tikvah (Reform/Conservative) — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F. (415) 586-8833 or amtikvah.org/high-holy-days.html
Congregation Sha’ar Zahav (Reform) — Free. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. At Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F. Registration required. (415) 861-6932 or shaarzahav.org/2022-high-holy-days
Keneset HaLev (independent) — Suggested donation $70. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10:30 a.m. Oct. 5. Location provided with registration. (415) 339-7485 or kenesethalev.org/hhd
East Bay
Aquarian Minyan (Renewal) — Suggested donation $50 per service. 7 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At St. John’s Church, 2727 College Ave. Berkeley. (510) 214-6160 or aquarianminyan.org
B’nai Israel Jewish Center (Independent) — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; family service 9:30 a.m., main service 10:15 a.m. Oct. 5. At 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. (707) 762-0340 or bnaiisrael.net/worship/holidays
Camp Tawonga — $36 and up, or solo tickets on a sliding scale. 3 p.m. Oct. 4. For ages 13 and over. At Joaquin Miller Park, 3600 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland. (415) 543-2267 or tawonga.org
Chabad of Alameda — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. At Italian American League, 2712 Encinal Ave, Alameda. (510) 640-2590 or jewishalameda.com/high
Chochmat HaLev (Renewal) — $50, or pay what you can, under 13 free with paid adult. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana St., Berkeley. (510) 704-9687 or chochmat.org/high-holy-days-2022
Congregation B’nai Shalom (Conservative) — Free family service, reservation required. 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. At 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. (925) 934-9446 or bshalom.org
Congregation B’nai Tikvah (Reform) — Tots and kids free, ages 18-30 $54. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4.; family service 9 a.m., main service 10 a.m., junior service for K-6 with dropoff 10:15 a.m. Oct. 5. At 25 Hillcroft Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 933-5397 or tikvah.org/pray/high-holidays-5783
Congregation Zohar Yisrael (Sephardic egalitarian) — $30-$65. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 5:30 p.m. Oct. 5. At Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. (347) 829-6427 or Eventbrite
Jewish Gateways (Nondenominational) — $35-$60, sliding scale. 7 p.m. Oct. 4; family service 9 a.m., main service 10:30 a.m. Oct. 5. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. (510) 545-9977 or jewishgateways.org
JCC East Bay and Jewish Studio Project Community — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. (510) 848-0237 or jcceastbay.org
Kehilla Community Synagogue (Renewal) — $50, sliding scale. Tot and family service 5:30 p.m., main service 7 p.m. Oct. 4.; 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. At 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. (510) 547-2424 or kehillasynagogue.org/highholydays2022
Temple Beth Hillel (Reform) — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At 801 Park Central St., Richmond. (510) 223-2560 or tbhrichmond.org/high-holy-days
Temple Beth Sholom (Independent) — Free. Oct. 4, 5. RSVP for schedule and times. At 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro. (510) 357-8505 or tbssanleandro.com/holiday-services.html
Temple Israel (Reform) — Free. 7 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda. (510) 522-9355 or templeisraelalameda.org/high-holy-days
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews (Secular Humanistic) — $15. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4. Location provided with RSVP. (925) 399-8029 or [email protected]
North Bay
Chabad of Marin — Free, suggested donation. 6:15 p.m. Oct. 4; 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. 1150 At Idylberry Road, San Rafael. (415) 492-1666 or chabadofmarin.com
Chabad of Novato — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At 695 De Long Ave., Novato. (415) 878-6770 or jewishnovato.com
Chabad of Solano County — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At 730 E. Main St., Vacaville. (707) 592-5300 or jewishsolano.com
Chabad of Tiburon — Free. 7 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At the Tiburon Lodge, 1651 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon. (415) 378-9364 or jewishtiburon.com/highholidays
Congregation Beth Ami (Conservative) — Free. 6 p.m. Oct. 4; 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. RSVP required. At 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. (707) 360-3000 or bethamisr.org
Congregation B’nai Israel (Conservative) — Free, suggested donation. Services 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. At 1256 Nebraska St., Vallejo. (707) 642-6526 or bnaisrael.com
Gan HaLev of San Geronimo Valley (independent) — Free, lay-led outdoor services under the redwoods. RSVP required. 4 p.m. Oct. 4; 10:30 a.m. Oct. 5. (415) 488-4524 or [email protected]
Peninsula and South Bay
Chabad Santa Clara — Free. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m. Oct. 5. At 2043 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara. (408) 718-9084 or jewishclara.com/yk
Coastside Jewish Community (Independent) — Free family service 3:30 p.m. Oct. 5. In Pacifica, address provided with registration. (650) 479-5252 or coastsidejewishcommunity.org
Congregation Beth Am (Reform) — Free family service 4:30-5:15 p.m. Oct. 4. Main services $36 for under 36 and free for full-time students and military. Multiple services on Oct. 4 and 5, see website for details. Register by Sept. 15. At 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. (650) 493-4661 or betham.org/hhd-schedule-2022
Keddem Congregation (Reconstructionist) — Free, registration required. 7 p.m. Oct. 4; 9:15 a.m. Oct. 5. Outside at Kehillah High School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. (650) 494-6400 or keddem.org/#HHD
Peninsula Temple Beth El (Reform) — Free 5-and-under service 3 p.m. Oct. 5. At 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. (650) 341-7701 or ptbe.org/tots