Welcome to our annual list of free and low-cost services open to the public. As we prepare to welcome 5786, we are happy to provide a growing number of financially accessible services.
Any service listed here tops out at $100 (with a range of requested donations and sliding scale options). Some synagogues offer free services to all; some are free for students and new attendees. Many offer children’s services and/or 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. If you’d like to add your synagogue’s services, request a form by emailing [email protected], and we will post them online.
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown Monday, Sept. 22, and Yom Kippur begins at sundown Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Rosh Hashanah
SAN FRANCISCO
Congregation Am Tikvah (Reform/Conservative) — $54 per person, $90 per family, covers all services. Students, teachers and active-duty military free with valid ID. Sept. 22: 7 p.m. family service, 5:30 p.m. main service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. service. At Am Tikvah, 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F. Sept. 24: 10 a.m. service at Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., S.F.. Livestream option.
Congregation Ner Tamid (Conservative) — $72 adults and seniors, $36 ages 13-25. Sept. 22: 6:30 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9:30 a.m. service. Sept. 24: 10 a.m. service. At 1250 Quintara St., S.F. Livestream option. Register by Sept. 19.
Congregation Sha’ar Zahav (Reform) — $72 suggested donation. Sept. 22: 7 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9:30 a.m. main service, and 9:30 a.m. family program. At Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F. Sept. 24: 9:30 a.m. service. At Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. Livestream option. Register by Sept. 17.
Or Shalom Jewish Community (Reconstructionist) — Donations welcome, $18-$72 sliding scale. College students with ID free. High schoolers and younger free. Sept. 22: 5 p.m. family service (free); 7 p.m. main service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. service, child care included (3 and older). At Unitarian Universalist Center, 1187 Franklin St., S.F. Livestream option.
EAST BAY
Aquarian Minyan (Renewal) — $54-$90. Sept. 22: 6:30 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9:30 a.m. service. At St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley.
Camp Tawonga — $18–$108 sliding scale. Sept. 22: 3:30-5:30 p.m. main service (all ages) and children’s service (5-12 with an adult). East Bay park location provided with registration. Register by Sept. 18.
Chochmat HaLev and Wilderness Torah (Renewal and Earth-based) — $50-$95 per service, sliding scale. Children under 13 free. Sept. 22: 7 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. service. Child care and children’s programming additional. At First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana St., Berkeley. Sept. 24: 10 a.m. contemplative service. At Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. Livestream option.
Jewish Gateways (Unaffiliated) — $70 suggested donation; $40 for family program. Sept. 22: 7 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9 a.m. family program, 10:30 a.m. main service. At Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St., Berkeley. Livestream option.
Kehilla Community Synagogue (Renewal) — $30 and up per service, sliding scale. Sept. 22: 7 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9:30 a.m. main service, 10 a.m. tot service (at Lake Temescal). Main services at Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Livestream option.
Temple Beth Hillel (Reform) — Free. Sept. 22: 7 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. main service, 2 p.m. youth service. At 801 Park Central, Richmond. Register by Sept. 12.
Temple Beth Sholom (Unaffiliated) — Free. Sept. 22: 6:30 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. main service and 10 a.m. children’s service (newborn-grade 1); 11 a.m. youth service (grades 2-6); 12 p.m. tweens and teens service. Sept. 24: 10 a.m. main service and 10 a.m. children’s service; 11 a.m. youth service; 12 p.m. teens and tweens service. Child care available, register by Sept. 12. At 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro.
Temple Beth Torah (Reform) — $18 suggested donation. Sept. 22: 7 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. service, 4:30 p.m. tot service, 5:30 p.m. tashlich. At 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont.
Temple Israel of Alameda (Reform) — Free, $18 donation suggested, registration required. Sept. 22: 4 p.m. youth service, 7 p.m. main service. Sept. 23: 10:30 a.m. main service, 3:30 p.m. tashlich, 4 p.m. youth service. At 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda. Livestream option.
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews (Secular Humanist) — $25 suggested donation for non-member adults. Sept. 22: 6:30 p.m. potluck, 7:30 p.m. ceremony. Livermore address provided on registration. Register by Sept. 15.
Urban Adamah (Earth-based) — $18-$72 per service. Sept. 22: 5 p.m. family service. 7 p.m. main service. At Urban Adamah, 151 Sixth St., Berkeley.
Zohar Yisrael (Sephardic Egalitarian) — $74. Sept. 23: 9:30 a.m. service. At Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Register by email: [email protected]
NORTH BAY
Chabad of Marin (Orthodox) — $100. Sept. 22: 6:45 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. service. Sept. 24: 10 a.m. service. At 1150 Idylberry Road, San Rafael. Register by Sept. 21.
Congregation Shir Shalom (Reform) — $100. College students and under 18 free. Sept. 22: 6:30 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. service followed by 12 p.m. tashlich. At 252 W. Spain St., Sonoma. Livestream option.
B’nai Israel Jewish Center — $90 suggested donation. Sept. 22: 6 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9 a.m. service, 4 p.m. family service. Sept. 24: 9 a.m. service. At 740 Western Ave., Petaluma.
Congregation Beth Ami — Free. Sept. 22: 7:30 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9:30 a.m service. Sept. 24: 9:30 a.m. service. At 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa.
Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma (Orthodox) — Free. Sept. 22: 6:30 p.m. community dinner. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. service; 11:30 a.m. shofar sounding; 5 p.m. tashlich at Lucchesi Park. Sept. 24: 10 a.m. service; 11:15 a.m. shofar sounding; 5 p.m. shofar at Pen Park. At the Chabad, 205 Keller St., #101, Petaluma.
Gan HaLev — Free. Sept. 22: 4 p.m. main service; 4:30 p.m. service for families with young children. Sept. 23: 10:30 a.m. service followed by tashlich and potluck lunch. Bring chairs. At Redwood Grove Picnic Area, Samuel P. Taylor Park, Lagunitas.
SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA
Chabad North Peninsula — Free. Sept. 22: 7 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. service, includes children’s program, 4:30 tashlich. Sept. 24: 10 a.m. service, includes children’s program. At 50 E. Fifth Ave., San Mateo. Register by Sept. 21.
Congregation Beth Am (Reform) — Free tot and family services; free services for full-time students, teachers or active-duty military guests; $36 for under 36. Sept. 22: 5 p.m. tot (newborn-age 6) service and dinner; 7:30 p.m. main service. Sept. 23: 10:30 a.m. main service. At 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. Sept. 23: 8:45 a.m. family service. At Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto. Register by Sept. 8. Livestream option.
Congregation Beth David (Conservative) — Free. Sept. 22: 6 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 8:30 a.m. service; 10 a.m. youth service; 11:15 a.m. tot service. Sept. 24: 8:30 a.m. service; 5 p.m. tot service. At 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga.
Congregation Emeth (Reform) — Free for first-time attendees. Sept. 22: 5 p.m. family service, 7:30 p.m. main service. Sept. 23: 10 a.m. service. At 17835 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. Followed by tashlich at Anderson County Park. Register by Sept. 21.
Congregation Shir Hadash (Reform) — Free. Sept. 22: 7:30 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9:30 a.m. service. At Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos.
Chabad of Sunnyvale (Orthodox) — Free. Sept. 22: 6:30 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9 a.m. service; 11:30 a.m. shofar service and children’s program; 1 p.m. Kiddush; 6 p.m. taslich and shofar at Sunnyvale Community Center. Sept. 24: 9 a.m. service; 11:30 a.m. shofar service and children’s program; 1 p.m. Kiddush. At Chabad of Sunnyvale, 1489 St. Mary Ave. RSVP required.
Coastside Jewish Community (Unaffiliated) — Free. Sept. 23: 3 p.m. family service. At Pacifica beach, exact location provided with registration. Register by Sept. 22.
Keddem Congregation (Reconstructionist) — Free. Sept. 23: 9:30 a.m. service. At Kehillah School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Register by Sept. 21.
Temple Emanu-El (Reform) — Free for first-time attendees, students with ID and children’s services. Sept. 22: 7 p.m. service. Sept. 23: 9 a.m. children’s service. 10 a.m. main service. At Campbell Heritage Theatre, 1 W. Campbell Ave. Livestream option available. 5 p.m. tashlich at Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos.
Los Altos Chabad — Free. Sept. 23: 9 a.m. service. At 1758 Marich Way, Mountain View.
Kolaynu — $0-$99 sliding scale. Sept. 22: 7:30 p.m. service. At Yoga Center Santa Cruz, 1620 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Tahoe Jewish Community — Free. Sept. 22: Erev Rosh Hashanah, 5 p.m. family program, 6 p.m. main service. Sept. 23: 11 a.m. tashlich, 12:30 p.m. service, 4:15 p.m. children’s celebration. All events hosted simultaneously in two locations: North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation, 7000 Latone Ave., Tahoe Vista, and Temple Bat Yam, 3260 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe. Sept. 24: 11 a.m. service and potluck. At Spooner Lake, Lake Tahoe.
Yom Kippur
SAN FRANCISCO
Congregation Am Tikvah (Reform/Conservative) — $54 per person, $90 per family, covers all services. Students, teachers and active-duty military free with ID. Oct. 1: 5 p.m. family service, 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. service, 4:30 p.m. Mincha, 5:30 p.m. Yizkor, 6:15 p.m. Neilah. At Am Tikvah, 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F.
Congregation Ner Tamid (Conservative) — $72 adults and seniors, $36 ages 13-25. Oct. 1: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 9:30 a.m. service. At 1250 Quintara St., S.F. Livestream option. Register by Sept. 30.
Or Shalom Jewish Community (Reconstructionist) — Donations welcome, $18-$72 sliding scale. College students with ID free. High schoolers and younger free. Oct. 1: 5 p.m. Kol Nidre family service (free), 7 p.m. main service. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. main service; 6 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah. At Unitarian Universalist Center, 1187 Franklin St., S.F. Livestream option.
EAST BAY
Aquarian Minyan (Renewal) — $54-$90. Oct. 1: 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 9:30 a.m. service. At St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley.
Camp Tawonga — $18–$108 sliding scale. Oct. 1: 3:30 p.m. early Kol Nidre. For ages 13 and up. East Bay park location provided with registration. Register by Sept. 29.
Chochmat HaLev and Wilderness Torah (Renewal and Earth-based) — $50-$95 per service, sliding scale. Children under 13 free. Oct. 1: 6:30 p.m. service. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. service, 5 p.m. Yizkor, 6:30 p.m. Neilah. Child care and children’s programming additional. At First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana St., Berkeley. Livestream option.
Jewish Gateways (Unaffiliated) — $70 suggested donation; $40 for family program. Oct. 1: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 9 a.m. family program. 10:30 a.m. service, 5 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah. At Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St., Berkeley. Livestream option.
Kehilla Community Synagogue (Renewal) — $25 and up per service, sliding scale. Oct. 1: 5 p.m. tot service, 6:15 p.m. family service, 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 9:30 a.m. service, 5 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah. At Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Livestream option.
Temple Beth Hillel (Reform) — Free. Oct. 1: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. morning service, 4:30 p.m. afternoon service, 6:15 p.m. Yizkor, Neilah and potluck. At 801 Park Central, Richmond. Register by Sept. 12.
Temple Beth Sholom (Unaffiliated) — Free, donations welcome. Oct. 1: 6:15 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. main service, and 10 a.m. children’s service; 11 a.m. youth service; 12 p.m. tweens and teens; 5:15 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah. Child care available, register by Sept. 12. At 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro.
Temple Beth Torah (Reform) — $18 suggested donation. Oct. 1: 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. service, 2 p.m. tot service, 4 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah. At 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont.
Temple Israel of Alameda (Reform) — Free, $18 donation suggested, registration required. Oct. 2: 10:30 a.m. main service, 4 p.m. youth service, 5 p.m. Yizkor, 6 p.m. Neilah. At 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda.
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews (Secular Humanist) — $25 suggested donation for non-member adults. Oct. 1: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Livermore address provided on registration. Register by Sept. 24.
Urban Adamah (Earth-based) — $18-$72 per service. Oct. 1: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 5 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah. At Urban Adamah, 151 Sixth St., Berkeley.
Zohar Yisrael (Sephardic Egalitarian) — $105.99 for both days (includes $5.99 service fee). Oct. 1: 6 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 4:30 p.m. Mincha and Neilah, followed by break the fast. At Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Register by email: [email protected]
NORTH BAY
Chabad of Marin (Orthodox) — $100. Oct. 1: Kol Nidre; Oct. 2: 9:30 a.m. service; 11:30 a.m. Yizkor; 6 p.m. Neilah. At 1150 Idylberry Road, San Rafael. Register by Sept. 21.
Congregation Shir Shalom (Reform) — $100. College students and under 18 free. Oct. 1: 6:30 p.m. service. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. service, 5:30 p.m. Yizkor. At 252 W. Spain St., Sonoma. Livestream option.
B’nai Israel Jewish Center — $90 suggested donation. Oct. 1: 6:40 p.m. Kol Nidre service. Oct. 2: 9 a.m. service followed by Yizkor, 4 p.m. family service, 4:30 p.m. Mincha and Neilah service. At 740 Western Ave., Petaluma.
Congregation Beth Ami — Free. Oct. 1: 6 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 9:30 a.m. main service, 4 p.m. teen service, 5:30 p.m. Yizkor and Mincha, 6:30 p.m. Neilah. At 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa.
Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma (Orthodox) — Free. Oct. 1: 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. service; 12 p.m. Yizkor; 6 p.m. Neilah; 7:30 p.m. break-fast. At the Chabad, 205 Keller St., #101, Petaluma.
Gan HaLev — Free. Oct. 1: 3:30 p.m. service. Oct. 2: 10:30 a.m. service; 12:30 p.m. Yizkor. Bring chairs. At Redwood Grove Picnic Area, Samuel P. Taylor Park, Lagunitas.
SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA
Chabad North Peninsula — Free. Oct. 1: 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 12 p.m. Yizkor, 6:15 p.m. Neilah. At 115 Monte Diablo Ave., San Mateo.
Coastside Jewish Community (Unaffiliated) — Free. Oct. 1: 4 p.m. family service. In Half Moon Bay, address provided upon registration.
Congregation Beth Am (Reform) — Free family service; free main services for full-time students, teachers or active-duty military guests; $36 for under 36. Oct. 1: Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2: 10:30 a.m. service. At 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. Oct. 2: 8:45-10:45 a.m. family service. At Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto. Register by Sept. 8. Livestream option.
Congregation Beth David (Conservative) — Free. Oct. 1: 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 9 a.m. main service; 10 a.m. youth service; 11:15 a.m. tot service; 4:40 p.m. Mincha and Neilah. At 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga.
Congregation Emeth (Reform) — Free for first-time attendees. Oct. 1: 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. service, 4:30 p.m. Yizkor, 5 p.m. Mincha and Neilah. At 17835 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. Register by Sept. 30.
Congregation Shir Hadash (Reform) — Free. Oct. 1: 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. service. At Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos.
Chabad of Sunnyvale (Orthodox) — Free. Oct 1: 6:45 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 9 a.m. service; 11:45 a.m. Yizkor; 4:45 p.m. Mincha; 6 p.m. Neilah; 7:45 p.m. community break-fast. At Sunnyvale Community Center Ballroom, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. RSVP required.
Keddem Congregation (Reconstructionist) — Free. Oct. 1: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 9:30 a.m. service, 5 p.m. Yizkor. At Kehillah School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Register by Sept. 30.
Oshman Family JCC — Community service for Israelis, led by Shlomit Ben-Levi. $20 adults, $10 ages 5-18, $5 ages 2-4. Oct. 1: 6:45 p.m. service. Oct. 2: 6 p.m. Neilah. At OFJCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto.
Temple Emanu-El (Reform) — Free for first-time attendees, students with ID and children’s services. Oct. 1: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 9 a.m. children’s service, 10 a.m. main service, 4:45 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah. At Campbell Heritage Theatre, 1 W. Campbell Ave. Livestream option available.
Los Altos Chabad — Free. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. main service, 12:30 p.m. Yizkor, 5 p.m. Mincha and Neilah. At 1758 Marich Way, Mountain View.
Kolaynu — $0-$99 sliding scale. Oct. 1: 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre. At Yoga Center Santa Cruz, 1620 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Tahoe Jewish Community — Free. Oct. 1: 7 p.m. Kol Nidre. Oct. 2: 11 a.m. service, 1:30 Yizkor, 4:15 p.m. children’s celebration, 5:30 p.m. Neilah. All events hosted simultaneously at two locations: North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation, 7000 Latone Ave., Tahoe Vista, and Temple Bat Yam, 3260 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe.