Top High Holiday Happenings for Houston Young Adults in 2025

Atoning is hard, but finding the right High Holiday happenings in Houston should be easy. So, we made it easy. Whether you're new to Houston, exploring services for the first time away from home, or just unsure where to find some community, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re a Jewish young adult in Houston looking to start 5786 strong, check out our list of High Holiday activities, services and more. Find the right fit for you below!

Are you a congregation or temple offering High Holiday services and events? Let us know at hey@heyhouston.com.

1. Join Congregational Services

If you’re seeking music, ritual, or tradition, Houston’s synagogues are ready to welcome young adults like you!

Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism (HCRJ) is known for its warm, engaging, and supportive space. Their doors are open to everyone, and interfaith couples are warmly embraced as full participants in every aspect of temple life. (Reform | Tanglewood)

• Erev Rosh Hashanah — Sept 22, 8pm, dessert reception to follow
• Rosh Hashanah Family Service — Sept 23, 9:30am
• Rosh Hashanah Adult Service — Sept 23, 11am
• Kol Nidre — Oct 1, 8pm
• Yom Kippur Services — Oct 2: 9:15am family service, 11am adult service, 1pm discussion hour, 2:15pm transition and reflection period, 3pm afternoon service, 4pm memorial and concluding service, light break-the-fast to follow

Cost: Free for unaffiliated Jewish young adults.

Congregation Beth El emphasizes community building through Reform Judaism and the performance of g’milut chasadim deeds of loving-kindness for all. (Reform | Missouri City)

• Erev Rosh Hashanah — Sept 22, 7pm (Free, donations accepted)
• Rosh Hashanah Day Service — Sept 23, 10am (Free)
• Kever Avot — Sept 28, 9am (Free)
• Community Carnival & Children’s Service — Sept 28, 10am, Community Park (Free)
• Tashlich — Sept 28, 11am, Community Park (Free)
• Kol Nidre — Oct 1, 7pm (Free)
• Yom Kippur Services — Oct 2: 10am service, 12:15pm Yizkor, 1pm study, 5:30pm Neilah, followed by community tailgating
• Shir Shabbat and Sukkot Service – Oct. 10, 7pm
• Simchat Torah dinner and service – Oct. 13, 5pm

Cost: Free

Congregation Brith Shalom is a participatory, intimate community with a strong sense of spirituality. They express our spirituality through prayer, study, social action, and volunteerism. (Egalitarian Conservative Jewish | Bellaire)

• Erev Rosh Hashanah — Sept 22, 6:15–7:15pm
• RH Day 1 — Sept 23, 8:30am–12:30pm
• Prayer of the Heart Service (musical/spiritual) — Sept 23, 7:30–8:30pm
• RH Day 2 — Sept 24, 8:30am–12:30pm
• Kol Nidre — Oct 1, 6:30–8:30pm
• Yom Kippur Morning — Oct 2, 9am–1:30pm
• YK Discussion — Oct 2, 4:25–5:20pm
• Mincha/Neilah — Oct 2, 5:20–7:41pm, followed by shofar and break-fast

Cost: Free for Congregation Brith Shalom members or reciprocal shul members; guest tickets $136 (covers all services).

Are you a congregation or temple offering services too? Send them our way at hey@heyhouston.com!

2. Explore Egalitarian & Family-Friendly Options

Congregation Shma Koleinu (CSK)  is known for being accessible, musical, and “pay what you can.” (Reform | Bellaire)

• Erev Rosh Hashanah — Sept 22, 7:30–9pm
• Family Service — Sept 23, 9–9:45am
• Morning Service — Sept 23, 10am–12:30pm
• Tashlich — Sept 23, 6pm (Free)
• Kol Nidre — Oct 1, 8–10pm
• Family Service — Oct 2, 9–9:45am
• Morning Service — Oct 2, 10am–12:30pm
• Teshuvah Workshops — Oct 2, 1pm
• Meditation with Rabbi Scott — Oct 2, 2:45pm
• “Wholehearted Repair” Healing Service — Oct 2, 3:30pm
• Yizkor — Oct 2, 4:30pm (with memorial photo option)
• Neilah — Oct 2, 5:15pm
• Havdalah & Break-Fast — Oct 2, from 6pm

Temple Sinai  offers an Ashkephardic journey of the soul, blending Sephardic and Asheknazi traditions into a warm, family-friendly evening of ritual, reflection and return. Members pay $18 and non-members pay $36 (under 16 is free). RSVP by Sept. 17.

(Reform Egalitarian | Eldridge/West Oaks)

• Erev Rosh Hashanah seder and service — Sept 22, 6:15pm– 9pm

Do you also offer egalitarian High Holiday options? Let us know at hey@heyhouston.com!

3. Experience Hillel and Chabad’s Open-Door Services

Hillel and Chabad centers across Houston offer free services with RSVP, perfect for newcomers and those not seeking membership requirements.

Chabad at TMC (Orthodox | Rice University)

• Erev Rosh Hashanah Services & Community Dinner — Sept 22, 7pm & 8pm
• Morning Service — Sept 23, 9am
• Shofar Sounding — Sept 23, 11:30am
• Hot Kiddush Lunch — Sept 23, 1pm
• Shofar @ McGovern Commons — Sept 23 & 24, 3:30pm
• Kol Nidre — Oct 1, 7pm
• Yom Kippur Morning Service — Oct 2, 10am
• Yizkor — Oct 2, 12:30pm
• Break-Fast — Oct 2, 7:41pm

Chabad of West Houston (Orthodox | Westside)

• Rosh Hashanah Dinner — Sept 22, 7:45pm ($54/adult, RSVP by Sept 16)
• Shofar & Tashlich in the Garden — Sept 23, 6:45pm (Free)
• Kol Nidre — Oct 1, 7pm (Free, registration required)
• Yom Kippur Services — Oct 2, 9:30am (Shacharit), 12:30pm (Yizkor), 5:15pm (Mincha), 6:30pm (Neilah)
• Break-Fast — Oct 2, 7:42pm ($36/adult, RSVP by Sept 30)
• Shabbat Sukkot Dinner Under the Stars — Oct. 10, 6pm ($54/adult, RSVP required)

Chabad of Uptown (Orthodox | Uptown)

• Community Evening Service — Sept 22, 7:00pm
• Community Holiday Dinner – Sept 22, 7–8:30pm ($36/adult, RSVP required)
• Rosh Hashanah Day 1
  
  • Sefardi Sunrise Minyan – Sept 23, 6:30am
  • Community Morning Services – Sept 23, 9:30am
  • Shofar Service & Holiday Lunch Kiddush – Sept 23, 12:30pm ($25/adult, RSVP required)
  • Mincha Service – Sept 23, 6:15pm
  • Community Tashlich Walk – Sept 23, 6:45pm
  • Community Evening Service & candle lighting – Sept 23, 7:52pm
  • Community Holiday Dinner – Sept 23, after 7:52pm ($36/adult, RSVP required)
• Rosh Hashanah Day 2
  
  • Sefardi Sunrise Minyan – Sept 24, 6:30am
  • Community Morning Services – Sept 24, 9:30am
  • Shofar Service & Holiday Lunch Kiddush – Sept 24, 12:30pm ($25/adult, RSVP required)
  • Mincha Service – Sept 24, 6:45pm
  • Maariv, Havdalah & Holiday End – Sept 24, 7:51pm
• Light Holiday Candles & Fast beginning – Oct. 1, 6:49pm
• Kol Nidrei (main & Sephardi) - Oct. 1, 6:45pm
• Sefardi Sunrise Minyan – Oct. 2, 7am
• Community Morning Service– Oct. 2, 9:30am
• Yizkor Memorial Service – Oct. 2, 12:30pm
• Sephardi Mincha – Oct. 2, 4pm
• Mincha Afternoon Service – Oct. 2, 5:30pm
• Neilah Closing Service – Oct. 2, 6:45pm
• Havdala & Break Fast – Oct. 2 7:41pm ($25/adult, RSVP required for buffet)

*note for Chabad Uptown, you can reserve individual meals or all High Holiday meals for $154.

JEWston (Hillel) - events and opportunities are open and accessible to all Jewish 20somethings (not just college students!) in Houston. (Reform | Boulevard Oaks)

• Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner – Sept 22, 5:30pm
• Erev Rosh Hashanah Services – Sept 22, 7pm
• Morning Services w/ free lunch following – Sept 23, 10am
• Morning Services – Sept 24, 10am
• Yom Kippur pre-fast dinner — Oct. 1, 5:30pm
• Kol Nidre – Oct.1, 7pm
• Morning & Yizkor services – Oct. 2, 9am
• Neilah & Break Fast following – Oct. 2, 5:30pm

Does your Hillel or Chabad also offer open-door services? Let us know at hey@heyhouston.com.

4. Celebrate with Community Gatherings

Looking for something more social, less prayer? Check out these community-oriented happenings:

• IAC Houston Rosh Hashanah Party — Sept 18, 8:30pm (GA $40–50, tickets required)
• QJews in the Studio: Pre-Rosh Hashanah Card Making — Sept 14, 2pm (Free)
• Chabad of Uptown: Women’s Honey Cake Bake — Sept 14, 6:30pm ($18/person)
• Moishe House Holiday Challah Bake – Sept 21, 2-4pm (Free)
• Olami Houston Rosh Hashanah Dinner – Sept 22, 8 - 10pm ($18/person)
• Jewston Houston Hillel High Holy Day Meal – Sept 22 & Oct 1, 5:30pm (Free)
• QJews Rosh Hashanah Dinner – Sept 23, 6:45pm (Free)
• Houston Moishe House Rosh Hashanah Night 2 – Sept 24, 5pm (contact for info)

These events are perfect for families and young adults wanting to celebrate in a festive atmosphere.

If you’re hosting a fun community gathering during the holidays, let us know at hey@heyhouston.com.

5. Virtual Reflection

Another great way to observe the High Holidays is to learn and engage in some critical thinking and discussion in your own space. These virtual offerings are free and accessible no matter where you are!

• Jewish Theological Seminary – Sept 15 and 29, 12pm -1pm CT.  (Free)
• Jewish Studio Project – Sep 18, 11am - 12:30pm CT. (Free)

Conclusion: High Holiday Your Way!

Whether you’re deeply traditional, spiritually reflective, or socially celebratory, there’s a place for you this High Holiday season in Houston.

Pro Tip: Addresses and registration links are available through each organization’s website or by creating a free Hey Houston account.

Ready to find your place?

• Create your Hey Houston account to access addresses and links.
• Invite a friend to come along.
• Mark your calendar early so you don’t miss out.

L’Shanah Tovah. May this year bring you meaning, connection, and joy!

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