High Holiday Services are online and in-person at First Unitarian Church of Oakland.
A mask-required livestream room will be available at the church during all services. See Access Info below for details.
The High Holy Days invite us to slow down in a world that pulls us toward distraction, urgency, and disconnection. Together, we will practice staying present to ourselves, our communities, and the world around us. We believe that a Judaism Beyond Zionism calls us not to look elsewhere for belonging or liberation, but to root deeply where we are: cultivating presence, telling the truth, grieving what is broken, celebrating what is beautiful, and transforming our spiritual practice into action.
Grounded in Jewish Renewal prayers, rituals, and songs and a liberatory vision of Judaism, our services weave together inspiring teachings from Rabbi Cat Zavis, moving music and prayer, mindfulness, poetry, conversation, guest speakers, opportunities for collective action, and delicious shared meals. Together, we pray not to escape the world, but to become more fully present within it.
Rosh Hashanah Speakers:
Rabbi Cat Zavis
Patricia Contrera Flores
Rep. Lateefah Simon
Music with:
Rowan Katz, High Holidays Musical Director
Jan Padover, Percussion
Nathan Swedlow, Upright Bass
Ben Klausner, Guitar
Access Info for In-Person Services
During all services, we will livestream the service to the Starr King Room inside First Unitarian Church of Oakland, where masks will be required at all times. Participants will be able to experience the service together in a fully masked indoor space, while also having opportunities to connect with speakers and other community members outdoors during meals and between services. When purchasing your ticket, you can indicate that you plan to join us in the mask-required space.
- Masks: Optional in the main sanctuary, bathrooms, and shared spaces. Mask-Required Livestream Room available inside the church.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Air filters: 2 in main sanctuary and 1 in Mask-Required Livestream Room
- Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible and gender neutral
- Scents: The venue is low scent but not scent free. Please come fragrance free
- Main Sanctuary Seating: Fixed wooden chairs with arms, floor seating (bring your own cushion)
- Masks-Required Livestreaming Room Seating: Wooden chairs and folding plastic chairs without arms
- Public Transportation Access: 4 blocks west of 12th St BART station in Oakland between Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and Castro St. Several AC Transit bus lines, including the 14 and the 62, pass near the church.
- Parking: Parking is usually available on Castro St., some on 14th St., and around the corner on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. You can also park at the Clay St. garage at 14th & Clay. The entrance is on Clay.
- Accessible Parking: There is one curb-side parking space designated for handicap use in front of the church and one on Castro St. just North of the light at 14th St.
Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of our high holidays journey. Rosh Hashanah includes:
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Friday, September 11, 6:00pm-9:30pm PDT
Children's Program:
Tikkun In Action
6:00pm -9:30pm
- Land offering by Patricia Contreras Flores
- Celebration of the universe with prayers and dance
- Collective Prayer and song led by Rowan Katz and team of musicians
- Mikveh meditation
- Powerful words from Rabbi Cat Zavis, inviting us into “hereness”
Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Saturday, September 12, 9:30am-4:00pm PDT, Catered Lunch: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Children's Program:
Tikkun In Action
9:30am-1:00pm
- Morning Prayers
- Torah Service
- Guest Speaker Rep. Lateefah Simon
- Shofar Blowing
- Catered Lunch
- Teaching from Rabbi Cat
- Collective poetry workshop and exercise exploring our origin stories
- Unetaneh Tokef
Rosh Hashanah Day 2: Mutual Aid Fair & Celebration
Sunday, September 13, 11:00am-4:00pm
Public Gathering in the East Bay (In-person only):
- Public Rosh Hashanah ritual: shofar blowing, tashlich, and more
- Klezmer music, puppets, dancing, and celebration
- Tabling by local organizations and mutual aid networks and campaigns
- Opportunities to take action in the local community
Children's Programming:
Tikkun in Action
Through themes of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and Palestinian solidarity, children will engage in art projects, story time, and other interactive activities in a warm, welcoming environment.
Programming is best geared for children ages 3–10, though all ages are welcome. Children under the age of 3 are welcome with a parent or caregiver present.
Registration per child per service is $36.
Scroll to bottom of the page for registration.
High Holiday Ticket Prices
All tickets include Teshuva Workbook, Selichot, and Elul Mindfulness Workshop
High Holiday All Access Pass - $250/person
Rosh Hashanah Single Ticket - $135 (includes lunch)
Yom Kippur Single Ticket - $135 (includes break-fast)
Reduced Rates All Services:
Adult $144
Student $72
Reduced Rates RH or YK Only
Adult $60
Student $36
No One Turned Away for Lack of Funds
If you need a reduced rate, please email Mar at marissa@beyttikkun.org.
If you are able to donate more to help make our High Holiday services accessible to everyone regardless of financial circumstances, we'd be most grateful.
3 Ways to Get Tickets:
1. Non-Members: Reserve High Holiday Tickets Below
2. Become a Member: Receive two complimentary all-access tickets.
3. Current Members: Click here to access your complimentary tickets using the password sent by email.
