High Holidays 5786/2025
Shanah Tovah!
We’re looking forward to connecting with you in the new year, kicking off with the 5786 High Holiday Season.
Our warm, inviting and exceptional team of clergy, leadership, congregants and volunteers unite to create meaningful experiences, including, of course, an array of services in our awe-inspiring sanctuary, as well as other programs and gatherings to celebrate and mark this sacred and transformative time of year. Looking to try a new place for yourself, your friends and your family to worship this year, brand new to SF, new to Judaism, or searching for comfort during these challenging times? Everyone is welcome to find their home for the High Holidays and beyond at Congregation Sherith Israel.
Join our exceptional clergy team, Rabbi Jessica Zimmerman Graf and Rabbi George Altshuler, along with our talented cantorial soloist Simon Barrad as they lift our spirits with beautiful music and prayer, filling our historic dome with soulful melodies and sacred chanting, while music director Jonathan Dimmock leads our professional musicians and Koleynu choir to bring you on an extraordinary journey through our holiday liturgy.
The complete High Holiday schedule is below. Whether you're a longtime congregant or first-time visitor, we hope you will celebrate the new year and your Jewish journey with us. Together, we'll usher in 5786 with hope, renewal, and inspiration for the year ahead.
Wishing you a sweet and healthy new year!
All events will take place in person. Livestream option available for services and select programs.
Purchase High Holiday Tickets
PREPARING FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS
S'LICHOT - Saturday, September 13
Begin the season of reflection and forgiveness during the month of Elul gathering together for S'lichot, which encourages us to contemplate the year that has passed. After havdalah, our clergy and musical team will lead an inspiring service, including the ceremonial changing of our Torah mantles for the High Holidays.
7:30 pm: Havdalah and refreshments
8 pm: S'lichot Service
HIGH HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Monday, September 22 – Thursday, October 2
We look forward to welcoming all of you during this time of reflection, spiritual renewal, song and prayer. We hope you will join us as often as you are able as we enter the Days of Awe together.
EREV ROSH HASHANAH - September 22
5 pm: Family Service Geared towards ages 0-9, this shorter service offers music, prayers and the long-awaited shofar blast!
6 pm: Community Dinner Additional dinner tickets required; catered by Mangia Nosh
7:30 pm: Evening Service All ages are welcome for our beloved traditional evening service, as we joyfully enter the New Year together
ROSH HASHANAH - September 23
10 am: Rosh Hashanah Morning Service All ages
1:30 pm Lunch and Tashlich at Crissy Field West Bluff Picnic Area
Following services, join us for a community-wide lunch, followed by tashlich. Surrounded by stunning views and the beauty of the coast, we'll hear the sounds of the shofar, join in song and symbolically cast our sins into the bay. Lunch provided, free of charge.
KOL NIDRE - October 1
5 pm: Family Service Geared towards children 9 and under, this shorter service focuses on making Yom Kippur accessible and meaningful for our younger congregants and their families. With interactive songs and stories, we'll learn about Teshuvah - the art of apologizing and forgiving ourselves and others.
7:30 pm*: Kol Nidre Service Cantorial soloist Simon Barad, accompanied by our High Holiday musicians, will chant this sacred prayer, officially beginning the Day of Atonement. *Please note: Due to the solemnity of the Kol Nidre prayer, doors will close at 7:30 pm sharp and reopen at 7:45 pm when the chanting of Kol Nidre has concluded.
YOM KIPPUR - October 2
10 am: Morning Service All ages
1:30 pm: Afternoon Programs I
Labyrinth Walk: Although one might not think of the labyrinth as a meaningful symbol for Jews, the present-day labyrinth movement provides many potential openings for Jewish applications. This Yom Kippur afternoon, you will have the opportunity to walk a labyrinth and learn to make this ancient archetype meaningful in our contemporary Jewish world. Meet at the outdoor labyrinth at CPMC Pacific Heights Outpatient Center, 2333 Buchanan Street (corner of Buchanan and Clay).
Social Action Presentation: Rapid Response to Immigrant Aid Immigrant Rights Organizer Enma Delgado and Development Director Yael Falicov will talk to us about their personal and collective experiences with the heightened attacks on immigrants. They will tell us about their fights for the rights of immigrant women, and let us know what we can do to support immigrants at this dire time.
2:30 pm: Contemplative Healing Service
Join Rabbi George Altshuler, music director Jonathan Dimmock, and lay leaders for a gentle, restorative service of meditation, reflective readings, and healing music. Together we will create sacred space for renewal, comfort, and inner stillness on this holiest day.
2:30 pm: Afternoon Programs II
Advanced Directives and Health Care Proxies Thierry Jahan, MD and Lisa Erdberg will facilitate a discussion explaining the importance of having an advance directive/health care proxy and demystifying the process of creating one. They will review the options and address the obstacles that seem to prevent people from taking this important step. This session is designed both for people who do not yet have an advance directive and need assistance and encouragement to complete this essential task and for people who may want to review and update their existing advance directives in light of changed circumstances or new information about available options. People will leave the session with a copy of the California Advance Health Care Directive form and information about how to complete it.
3:30 pm: Text Study
5 pm: Yizkor Service Remember and honor your loved ones together in community during this mourners' service
5:45 pm: Ne’ilah Our concluding service; a time for final prayers of repentance and introspection as the day ends
6:30 pm: Break-the-fast Immediately following the conclusion of Ne'ilah in Newman Hall; catered by Boichick Bagels
Purchase High Holiday Tickets
ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY OBSERVANCES AND EVENTS
Bubbles, Bites and Boards: An Evening for Women - Monday, October 6
A delightful evening for the women* of Sherith Israel to gather in the sukkah; enjoy light bites & bubbles and learn the art of creating stunning grazing boards! Whether you're a foodie, a creative spirit, or just in it for the fun, you'll walk away with a beautiful board of your own and a heart full of connection and inspiration. *open to all who identify as female RSVP Required
YAP Sips in the Sukkah - Wednesday, October 8
Celebrate Sukkot under the stars as we mingle in the sukkah, enjoy seasonal bites, and shake the lulav together. It's the perfect blend of tradition, connection and good vibes. Register here
Brown Bag Lunch n' Learn with Rabbi Graf - Thursday, October 9
Bring your lunch and your curiosity! Join us for a relaxed lunch as we dive into the timeless wisdom (and mystery!) of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). Whether you're a seasoned learner or just curious, we'll unpack its thought-provoking themes together. Open to everyone, no experience necessary! RSVP here
Sukkot Showdown: Men's* Poker Night - Thursday, October 9
Meet in the sukkah, where the lights are low, the stakes are high and the vibes unbeatable. Poker, drinks and good company - not just an average game night. One sukkah. One table. Serious Bragging Rights. *open to all who identify as male Register here
Sukkah Fest: Shake it with Sherith Celebration and Community Dinner - Friday, October 10
5 pm: Tot Shabbat - RSVP required.
5:15 pm: Yizkor Service and remembrance of October 7
6 pm: Kabbalat Shabbat & Studio Consecration
Join us for a joyful Shabbat service, during which we welcome our newest students Jewish learning journey, followed by a festive community dinner and gathering in our cozy sukkah.
7:15 pm: Sukkot Celebration and Community Dinner
Feed your soul and your stomach, shake the lulav and etrog, share a delicious meal, and enjoy the warmth of community and tradition.
This celebration is in person. The Kabbalat Shabbat service will also be streamed live on YouTube. Dinner tickets required: $30 non-members; $25 members; $20 students
Torah Study in the Sukkah - In Person Only - Saturday, October 11
Community-wide Simchat Torah Celebration - Sunday, October 12
Join our community, dance with the Torah and experience the awe of unwinding the entire scroll as we journey through the stories of our tradition. All are welcome.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Memorial Book
Add the names of your loved ones to our annual Memorial Book. Fill out the online form or contact Zack Migdail if you have any questions. Deadline for submissions is August 25.
Food Drive
September 22-October 11
During the High Holiday season, Sherith Israel partners with JFCS to collect canned foods for the hungry. Nonperishable food items may be donated in person at Sherith Israel.
High Holiday FAQ
How do I get additional tickets?
Congregants may purchase additional OnePasses or individual tickets for family members at a discount.
Can non-members purchase tickets?
We welcome all who wish to join us for High Holiday services and programming. Non-members are welcome to purchase a OnePass for all High Holiday services or individual tickets for each evening or day of services.
Can I join Congregation Sherith Israel now?
Yes, membership at Sherith Israel includes High Holiday OnePasses, member rates at events and invitations to member-only events. Interested in joining? See membership information.
What accessibility accommodations are in place?
It is important to us that everyone be able to participate fully and comfortably in our offerings. We have an accessible entrance (through the Newman building), an elevator and accessible restrooms. In the main sanctuary, you'll find an assistive listening system, large print prayerbooks and designated space for wheelchair users and their companions.
If you need other accommodation, please contact Peter Bonos at programs@sherithisrael.org
My friend is visiting and belongs to a URJ synagogue elsewhere. Can they get tickets?
We are happy to welcome all members of URJ congregations with reciprocity tickets. Request a URJ reciprocity form be sent to Sherith Israel from their home congregation or have their office call ours.
Is there childcare?
We encourage children of all ages to join us for services and are offering shorter, family-friendly services for Erev Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre. We are not offering separate childcare.
Where should I park?
While there is street parking in the area, we highly encourage using ride share apps, public transit, the 2100 Webster St Garage, CPMC Medical Center garage, SFMTA Japantown Center Garage.
Click here for more information, public transit and directions.
