SF Hillel's High Holiday Events 2023/5784

The High Holidays are here and SF Hillel is here to help you cultivate connection and make meaning this holiday season. Mark your calendars and get ready for 5784!

Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) begins Sept. 15th at sundown and goes until Sept. 17th.
Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) begins Sept. 25th at sundown and ends on Sept. 16th at sundown. 

Rosh Hashanah

Erev Rosh Hashanah Challah Bake​
  • What: Join us before Rosh Hashanah Shabbat to learn how to braid circular challot for the New Year! Participants will help braid challah for Rosh Hashanah Shabbat and can make a loaf to bring home!
  • Where: SF Hillel House (33 Banbury Drive)
  • When: Friday, September 15 at 1-5 PM (come at 2-2:30 to braid)
Note: Challahs will not be gluten-free or vegan
Erev Rosh Hashanah Shabbat
  • What: Join us on Erev Rosh Hashanah to bring in the New Year and celebrate Shabbat!
  • Where: SF Hillel House (33 Banbury Drive)
  • When: Friday, September 15 at 6 PM

Tashlique

Reverse Tashlich
  • What: Reverse Tashlich is the international Jewish Community waterfront cleanup. On September 10, 2023 the Jewish community will come together around the world to clean their local environment for the 6th Annual Reverse Tashlich. Join the international Jewish community cleanup.
  • Where: All around the Bay Area! Click the event title for the form to join one of the many Reverse Tashlichs happening in the Bay Area.
  • When: September 10 (time dependant on clean up)​
Ctrl+Alt+Del Tashlique (SF Hillel partner event)
  • What: Mark the start of your new year with Reboot and the JCCSF. Reset your system with our modern spin on a 600-year-old Rosh Hashanah ritual called tashlich. This custom of ridding ourselves of all our bad vuggum (karma) from the previous year and getting a fresh start for the new one is traditionally enacted by tossing crumbs (we now use birdseed to be more eco-conscious) into the ocean. Join student leader Kyle for a reflection activity starting at 2:15pm at Crissy Field Beach! After the activity, we will join the Tashlique.
  • Where: by the shore at Crissy Field East Beach
  • When: Saturday, September 16 from 2:15 p.m.- 5 p.m.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur Soul Mapping
  • What: Together, we will spend time setting intentions for Yom Kippur and exploring where we are at spiritually and emotionally during this deeply important and challenging time in the Jewish calendar. Come prepared to dive deep and explore your soul in a safe and supportive environment. 
  • Where: SF Hillel House (33 Banbury Drive)
  • When: Friday, September 22 at 5 PM

Community Break the Fasts
  • What: This year, we’re supporting our students to host Community Break the Fasts for their fellow students! Whether you are looking for a place to break your Yom Kippur Fast or would just like to join others for a meaningful meal, we hope you’ll join us!
  • ​Where: All around the city! This is a great opportunity to get to know new students!
  • When: September 25 between 6-8 PM. Specific time to be determined by the host.
  • Sign up to attend a Community Break the Fast!
  • Sign up to Host a Community Break the Fast!
    • Money for takeout or groceries will be provided by SF Hillel! You provide the space and the welcoming environment. This is a great opportunity to get more involved with Hillel!
  • Break the Fast at the SF Hillel Building
    • What: If for whatever reason our Community Break the Fasts are not the right fit for you, we’ll be hosting a Break the Fast at the SF Hillel building as well. Join us for pizza and schmoozing!
    • Where: SF Hillel Building​

Sukkot

Sukkot Shabbat
Check back soon for more details and the RSVP link!
  • What: Join us to bring in Sukkot and Shabbat!
  • Where: USF Sukkah on the lawn next to St. Ignatius Church
  • When: September 29 from 5-7 PM

Sukkot at SFSU
(no RSVP necessary!)
  • What: Join SF Hillel and DECI for Pizza in the Hut!
  • Where: Malcolm X Quad
  • When: October 3 & 4 from 10-4 PM

High Holiday Services

Looking to celebrate the High Holidays with a congregation in the city? We’d love to connect you! Many synagogues in the city provide our students free or reduced price tickets for High Holiday services. Please fill out this form to let us know you'd like ticket(s) to High Holiday services in San Francisco!

High Holiday Absence Letters

If you plan to attend High Holiday services this year, we highly encourage you to email your professors ahead of time to inform them of your absence and work with them to come up with a plan to make up any missed classes or assignments. Luckily, this year only Yom Kippur falls on a weekday. Below is a template email that you can copy and edit to send to your professors if you need to miss class this year due to the High Holidays. Please reach out to someone on Hillel’s staff if you need any assistance receiving appropriate extensions, absences, and make ups in order to observe the holidays. Click here to download a High Holiday Absence Email Template.