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Welcome to our annual list of free and low-cost services open to the public. We’ve been providing this information for a long time, but it seems that this year, as we welcome 5785, there are more free and affordable services than ever. 

Any service listed here tops out at $100 (with a range of requested donations), but most are well below that. Some synagogues offer free services for students or new attendees. Some offer child care. All welcome donations. And few, if any, will turn away someone for lack of funds. Do note the registration deadlines, even for free services.

Most Chabad centers host free or low-cost/donation-based services. Some are listed here, but you can also check Chabad’s High Holiday services directory to find one in your neighborhood.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown Wednesday, Oct. 2, and Yom Kippur begins at sundown Friday, Oct. 11.

Rosh Hashanah

San Francisco

Chabad of Cole Valley — Free. Oct. 2: 6:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah dinner. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. main service. At the Chabad, 1300 Shrader St., S.F., with 6 p.m. tashlich and shofar blasting at Alvord Lake, Golden Gate Park. Oct. 4: 10 a.m. main service. At Chabad, 1300 Shrader St.

Congregation Am Tikvah (Conservative/Reform dual affiliated) — $54 individuals, $90 per family, includes all services. Oct. 2: 5 p.m. family service, 7 p.m. main service. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. service. At Am Tikvah, 625 Brotherhood Way. RSVP by Sept. 30.

Congregation Ner Tamid (Conservative) — $50, pay-what-you-can option. Oct. 2: 6:30 p.m. service. Oct. 3 and 4: 9:30 a.m. services. At Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St. RSVP by Oct. 1.

Congregation Sha’ar Zahav (Reform) — Donation, registration required. Oct. 2: 7 p.m. service. Oct. 3: 9:30 a.m. morning service, 9:30 a.m. family service. At Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave., with 2 p.m. tashlich at Crissy Field East Beach, S.F., and at Lake Merritt Labyrinth, Oakland. Oct. 4: 9:30 a.m. morning service. At Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St.

Mission Minyan (Traditional lay-led) — $65; $90 includes Yom Kippur services. Oct. 2: 6:30 p.m. service. Oct. 3 and 4: 9 a.m. services. At Mission District location, provided with RSVP.

Chabad of the Neighborhood — $40. Oct. 2: 7:15 p.m. service; 7:45 p.m. dinner at Jewish Engagement Center, 85 West Portal Ave., S.F. Oct. 3: 5:30 p.m. tashlich. At Pine Lake Park, Stern Grove (near 100 Vale Ave.). Oct. 4: 5 p.m. family experience. At Jewish Engagement Center.

Or Shalom (Reconstructionist) — Sliding scale. Oct. 2: 5 p.m family service; 7 p.m. main service. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. main service. At First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin St. Oct. 4: 4:30 p.m. tashlich and shofar service. At Ocean Beach, Taraval St., S.F.

Keneset HaLev (post-denominational) — Donation. Oct. 2: 6:30-9 p.m.. Oct. 3: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 9^th Ave., S.F. kenesethalev.org

East Bay

Chabad of Contra Costa — Free. Oct. 2: 6:45 p.m. service, 7:15 p.m. community dinner ($36, 12 and under $20). Oct. 3: 9:30 a.m. service; 11 a.m. children’s program; 6 p.m. tashlich and family shofar blowing. Oct. 4: 9:30 a.m. service; 11 a.m. children’s program; 11:30 a.m. shofar blowing. At the Chabad, 1671 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek.

Chochmat HaLev & Wilderness Torah (Renewal/Earth-based) — $90 for all, or pay what you can. Oct. 2: 7 p.m. service. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. service. At First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana St., Berkeley. Oct. 4: 10 a.m. Torah study; 11 a.m. contemplative service. At Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. Oct. 4: 1 p.m. picnic and tashlich. At Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley.

Congregation Beth El (Reform) — $36 suggested donation. Oct. 2: 7:30 p.m. service. Oct. 3: 9 a.m. early service; 10:30 a.m. family service; 11:45 a.m. late service; 3:30 p.m. shofar service and tashlich. At Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley.

Congregation Beth Emek (Reform) — Free. Oct. 3: 2:30 p.m. family service. Oct. 4: 10:30 a.m. main service. At Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton.

Jewish Gateways (unaffiliated) — $70 suggested per service. Oct. 2: 7 p.m. service. Oct. 3: 9 a.m. family service ($35 per family); 10:30 a.m. main service. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley.

Kol Hadash (Secular Humanistic) — $25. Oct 3: 7 p.m. service. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. Register by Sept. 30.

Temple Beth Hillel Richmond (Reform) — Free. Oct. 2: 7 p.m. service. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. service. At Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central, Richmond. Register by Sept. 23.

Temple Beth Sholom (unaffiliated) — Free. Oct. 2: 6:30 p.m service. Oct 3: 10 a.m. service. At Temple Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro. Register by Oct. 1.

Temple Beth Torah (Reform) — Donation. Some services with ASL interpretation, see website. Oct. 2: 7:30 p.m. service; Oct. 3: 10 a.m. morning service. At Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont. Oct. 3: 4:30 p.m. family service; 5:30 p.m.tashlich. At Lake Elizabeth Boat House, Fremont.

Temple Israel of Alameda (Reform) — Donation. Oct. 2: 7 p.m. community service. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. community service; 12:30 p.m. community lunch; 4 p.m. tashlich; 4:30 p.m. youth service. At Temple Israel, 3183 MeCartney Road, Alameda.

Camp Tawonga — Sliding scale. Oct. 2: 3:30-5:30 p.m. erev Rosh Hashanah Celebration for families with young children. At Joaquin Miller Park, Pinewood Park Picnic Area, 3600 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland.

Chabad of Oakland — Free. Oct. 2: 6:45 p.m., community dinner 7:15 p.m. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. morning service, 11 a.m. shofar, 1 p.m. kiddush luncheon and mincha at Chabad of Oakland, 3014 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. 3 p.m. shofar and tashlich at The Pergola at Lake Merritt, 599 El Embarcadero, Oakland. Oct. 4: 10 a.m. morning services, 11 a.m. shofar, 1 p.m. kiddush luncheon and mincha at Chabad of Oakland, 3014 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland.

Kehilla Community Synagogue (unaffiliated) — $20-225, sliding scale. Oct. 2: 6:15 p.m.; Oct. 3: 9:30 a.m. at Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. 10 a.m. tot service, 11 a.m. family service at Lake Temescal North Picnic Area, 6020 Contra Costa Road, Oakland. Oct. 4: 9:30 a.m. at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Oakland.

North Bay

B’nai Israel Jewish Center (independent) — $54 donation per service. Oct. 2: 6 p.m. musical service. Oct. 3: 9 a.m. main service; 4 p.m. family service, 5 p.m. tashlich; 6 p.m. dinner ($36). At B’nai Israel Jewish Center, 740 Western Ave., Petaluma.

Chabad of Novato — Free. Oct 2: 6:45 p.m. service; 7:30 p.m. community dinner ($36). Oct. 3: 10 a.m. service; 12 p.m. shofar sounding; 5 p.m. tashlich and shofar at Miwok Park, 2200 Novato Blvd. Oct 4: 10 a.m. service; 11 a.m. children’s program; 12 p.m. shofar sounding; 1:30 p.m. Kiddush luncheon. At the Chabad, 695 De Long Ave., Novato.

Congregation Shomrei Torah (Reform) — Donation. Oct. 2: 5 p.m. family service, 7:30 p.m. main service. Oct. 3: 10:30 a.m. main service; 4:30 p.m. tashlich at Lake Ralphine. At Center for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa. Oct. 4: 10:30 a.m. main service and potluck luncheon; 6:15 p.m. evening service. At Shomrei Torah, 2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa.

South Bay/Peninsula

Congregation Beth Am (Reform) — Free. Oct. 2: 5 p.m. tot service and dinner. At Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. Oct. 3: 9 a.m. family service. At Cathedral of Faith, 2315 Canoas Garden Ave., San Jose. Register by Sept. 18.

Congregation Beth David (Conservative) — Free. Oct. 2: 5:15 p.m. tot service; 6 p.m. main service. Oct. 3: 8:30 a.m. main service; 10 a.m. youth service; 11:15 a.m. tot service. Oct. 4: 8:30 a.m. service. At Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga.

Congregation Emeth (Reform) — Free. Oct. 2: 5 p.m. family service, 7:30 p.m. main service. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. service. At Congregation Emeth, 17835 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. Register by Sept. 30.

Keddem Congregation (Reconstructionist) — Free, RSVP required. Oct. 3: 9:30 am. service. At Kehillah Jewish High School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto.

Coastside Jewish Community (Independent) – $100; $50 for seniors and students, or pay what you can. Oct. 2: 7 p.m. evening service. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. morning service. At Community United Methodist Church, 777 Miramontes Rd, Half Moon Bay. 3 p.m. Family service and Tashlich (free) at Pacifica State Beach in Linda Mar. RSVP by Oct 1. coastsidejewishcommunity.org

Santa Cruz/Monterey

Temple Beth El Aptos (Reform) — Donation. Oct. 2: 7:30 p.m. service. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. main service, 10:15 a.m. family service. Oct. 4: 10 a.m. service. At Beth El Aptos, 3055 Porter Gulch, Aptos.

Temple Beth El Salinas (Reform) — Free. Oct. 2: 5 p.m. family service. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. morning service, 5 p.m. tashlich. At Beth El Salinas, 1212 Riker St., Salinas.

Northern California

Congregation B’nai Israel of Vallejo (independent) — Donation. Oct. 2: 7 p.m. honey and apples reception; 8 p.m. service. Oct. 3: 9:30 a.m. service. Oct. 4: 9:30 a.m. service. At B’nai Israel, 1256 Nebraska St., Vallejo. [email protected] 

North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation (Reform) — Free. Oct. 2: 5 p.m. family service; 6 p.m. erev service with potluck at Sand Harbor Beach, 2005 NV-28, Incline Village, Nevada. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. brunch at 7000 Latone Ave., Tahoe Vista; 11 a.m. tashlich at Tahoe Vista Beach; 12:30 p.m. shofar service; 3 p.m. art workshop; 4:15 p.m. children’s celebration at 7000 Latone Ave., Tahoe Vista. Oct. 4: 9 a.m. spiritual hike; 11 a.m. creative service with potluck at Spooner Lake, Incline Village, Nevada.

Temple Bat Yam (Reform) — Free. Oct. 2: 5 p.m. family service; 6 p.m. erev service with potluck at Sand Harbor beach, 2005 NV-28, Incline Village, Nevada. Oct. 3: 10 a.m. brunch at 3260 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe; 11 a.m. tashlich at Timber Cove Beach; 12:30 p.m. shofar service; 12:30 p.m. shofar service; 3 p.m. art workshop; 4:15 p.m. children’s celebration at 3260 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe. Oct. 4: 9 a.m. spiritual hike; 11 a.m. creative service with potluck at Spooner Lake, Incline Village, Nevada.

Yom Kippur

San Francisco

Chabad of Cole Valley — Free. Oct. 11: 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. main service; 5 p.m. Neilah; 7:15 p.m. break the fast. At the Chabad, 1300 Shrader St., S.F.

Congregation Am Tikvah (Conservative/Reform) — $54 individuals, $90 per family, includes all services. Oct. 11: 5 p.m. family service; 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. morning service; 2 p.m. workshops; 4:30 p.m. Mincha; 5:30 p.m. Yizkor; 6:15 p.m. Neilah; 7 p.m. break the fast. At Am Tikvah, 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F. RSVP by Sept. 30.

Congregation Ner Tamid (Conservative) — $50, pay-what-you-can option. Oct. 11: 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9:30 a.m. service. At Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., S.F. RSVP by Oct. 10.

Congregation Sha’ar Zahav (Reform) — Donation, registration required. Oct. 11: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9:30 a.m. morning service; 9:30 a.m. family service; 1 p.m. Niggun service; 1 p.m. yoga; 2:15 p.m. afternoon service; 3:30 p.m. discussion; 5:30 p.m. Yizkor; 6:30 p.m. Neilah. At Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave. S.F.

Mission Minyan (Traditional/lay-led) — $65; $90 includes Rosh Hashanah services. Oct. 11: 6:10 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9 a.m. service. At Mission District location, provided with RSVP.

Or Shalom (Reconstructionist) — Sliding scale. Oct. 11: 5 p.m. Kol Nidre family service; 7 p.m. main service. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. main service. At First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin St. S.F.

Chabad SF-SOMA Shul — Free. Oct. 11:  6:30 p.m.  Kol Nidrei. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. morning service; 12 p.m. yizkor; 5 p.m. mincha; 6 p.m. neilah; 7:15 p.m. break the fast. At Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason St., S.F. somashul.com

Keneset HaLev (post-denominational) — Donation. Oct. 11: 6:30-9:30 p.m.. Oct. 12: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. services and vegetarian break the fast dinner at San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 9th Ave., S.F. kenesethalev.org

East Bay

Chabad of Contra Costa — Free, donation suggested. Oct. 11: 6:15 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9:30 a.m. service; 11 a.m. children’s program; 11:30 a.m. Yizkor; 5 p.m. service; 7:13 p.m. fast ends. At Walnut Creek Marriott, 2355 N. Main St., Walnut Creek.

Chochmat HaLev & Wilderness Torah (Renewal/Earth-based) — $90 for all, or pay what you can. Oct. 11: 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. contemplative service; 12:30 p.m. Torah and Musaf service; 5 p.m. Yizkor; 6:30 p.m. Neilah. At First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana St., Berkeley.

Congregation Beth El (Reform) — $36 suggested donation. Oct. 11: 6 p.m. Kol Nidre early service, 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre late service. Oct. 12: 9 a.m. early service; 10:30 a.m. family service; 11:45 a.m. late service; 5:30 p.m. Yizkor; 6:30 p.m. Neilah. At Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley.

Congregation Beth Emek (Reform) — $25 and up, family service free. Oct. 11: 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10:30 a.m. morning service; 2:30 p.m. family service; 3:30 p.m. afternoon service; 5:30 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah service. At Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton.

Congregation Zohar Yisrael (Egalitarian Sephardi) — $70 per service; $90 for both. Oct. 11: 6 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 4 p.m. Mincha and Neilah. At Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley.

Jewish Gateways (unaffiliated) — $70 suggested per service. Oct. 11: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9 a.m. family service ($35 per family); 10:15 a.m. kids’ activities; 10:30 a.m. main service; 5 p.m. Yizkor; 5:30 p.m. Neilah. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley.

Temple Israel of Alameda (Reform) — Donation. Oct. 11: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9 a.m. family service; 10 a.m. community service; 1 p.m. social justice presentation and discussion; 2:30 p.m. study circle; 3:30 p.m. youth service; 6 p.m. Yizkor; 6:45 p.m. Neilah and break the fast. At Temple Israel, 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda.

Temple Beth Hillel Richmond (Reform) — Free. Oct. 11: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. morning service; 4 p.m. afternoon service; 6 p.m. Yizkor; 6:30 p.m. Neilah. At Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central, Richmond. Register by Sept. 23.

Temple Beth Sholom (unaffiliated) — Free. Oct. 11: 6 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. service. At Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro. Register by Oct. 8.

Temple Beth Torah (Reform) — Donation. Some services with ASL interpretation, see website. Oct. 11: 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre; Oct. 12: 10 a.m. morning service; 2 p.m. family service; 3 p.m. study session; 4 p.m. afternoon service; 5 p.m. Yizkor and healing service; 6 p.m. Neilah. At Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont.

Camp Tawonga — Sliding scale. Oct. 11: 3-5 p.m. Kol Nidre for families with young children. At Joaquin Miller Park, Pinewood Park Picnic Area, 3600 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland.

Chabad of Oakland — Free. Oct. 11: 6:45 p.m. kol nidrei, 7:15 p.m. evening service. Oct. 12: 9:30 a.m. morning service, 11:30 a.m. yizkor, 4:45 p.m. neilah, 7:20 p.m. break the fast. Chabad of Oakland, 3014 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland.

Kehilla Community Synagogue (Unaffiliated) — $20-225, sliding scale. Oct. 11: 5 p.m. tot Kol Nidre, 6:15 p.m. family service, 7 p.m. main service; Oct. 12: 9:30 a.m. morning service at Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Oct. 12: 3 p.m. afternoon service, 4 p.m. healing service, 5 p.m. yizkor, 5:45 p.m. Ne’ilah at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Oakland.

North Bay

Chabad of Novato — Free. Oct. 11: 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. service; 11 a.m. children’s program; 12:30 p.m. Yizkor; 5:30 p.m. Mincha; 7:15 p.m. fast ends. At Chabad, 695 De Long Ave., Novato.

Congregation Shomrei Torah (Reform) — Donation. Oct. 11: 5 p.m. family service; 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10:30 a.m. morning service. At Center for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa. Oct. 12: 3 p.m. Torah reading; 3:45 p.m. reflection and healing service; 4:30 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah; 6 p.m. break the fast. At Shomrei Torah, 2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa.

South Bay/Peninsula

Congregation Beth Am (Reform) — Free. Oct. 12: 9 a.m. family service. At Cathedral of Faith, 2315 Canoas Garden Ave., San Jose. Register by Sept. 18.

Congregation Beth David (Conservative) — Free. Oct. 11: 6:15 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9 a.m. main service; 10 a.m. youth service; 11:15 a.m. tot service; 4:25 p.m. Mincha and Neilah. At Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga.

Congregation Emeth (Reform) — Free. Oct. 11: 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. morning service; 3:30 p.m. healing service; 4:30 p.m. Yizkor service; 5 p.m. Mincha and Neilah. At Congregation Emeth, 17835 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. Register by Sept. 30.

Keddem Congregation (Reconstructionist) — Free, RSVP required. Oct. 11: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9:30 a.m. Shacharit service; 5 p.m. Yizkor. At Kehillah Jewish High School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto.

Coastside Jewish Community (Independent) – $100; $50 for seniors and students, or pay what you can. Oct. 11: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. morning service; 4 p.m. family service (free); 4:30 p.m. yizkor; 5:30 p.m.; Neilah and Havdalah; 6-7:30 p.m. break-the-fast vegetarian potluck. At Community United Methodist Church, 777 Miramontes Rd, Half Moon Bay. RSVP by Oct 9. coastsidejewishcommunity.org

OFJCC Israeli Yom Kippur — $5-$18. For Hebrew speakers. Oct. 11: 6:45-8 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 6-7:15 p.m. neilah at Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. paloaltojcc.org

Santa Cruz/Monterey

Temple Beth El Aptos (Reform) — Donation. Oct. 11: 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. main service; 10:15 a.m. family service; 4:15 p.m. tot service. At Beth El Aptos, 3055 Porter Gulch, Aptos.

Temple Beth El Salinas (Reform) — Free. Oct. 11: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 10 a.m. morning service; 12 p.m. meditation; 1 p.m. Yizkor; 5:45 p.m. Neilah; 6:20 p.m. Havdalah; 6:30 p.m. break the fast. At Beth El Salinas, 1212 Riker St., Salinas.

Northern California

North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation (Reform) — Free. Oct. 11: 7p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9 a.m. mussar yoga; 11 a.m. morning service; 1 p.m. healing service; 1:30 p.m. yizkor; 3 p.m. youth program; 4:14 p.m. children’s celebration at 7000 Latone Ave., Tahoe Vista; 5:30 p.m. neilah at Tahoe Vista Beach. tahoetemple.org

Temple Bat Yam (Reform) — Free. Oct. 11: 7p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 12: 9 a.m. mussar yoga; 11 a.m. morning service; 1 p.m. healing service; 1:30 p.m. yizkor; 3 p.m. youth program; 4:14 p.m. children’s celebration at 3260 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe; neilah at Regan Beach. tbytahoe.org