DMV High Holiday Guide 2025 / 5786

A collage of winter, spring, summer, and fall foliage over a cloudy, sunlit sky. Text: dmv high holiday guide 5786 / 2025

Updated 2:29 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13th

Dear DMV friends,

Welcome to GatherDC’s 2025 / 5786 DMV High Holiday Guide, a one-stop-shop for everything you need to usher in the new year. There are dozens of amazing DMV Jewish organizations putting together incredible High Holiday experiences — but there’s only one place to find them all together, and that’s right here.

This year, we approach the High Holidays carrying all manners of (seemingly) contradictory emotions: the joy of coming together, mixed with the pain of a difficult year. Jewish tradition, though, is prepared for such duality. We are reminded that there is a season for everything. Growth turns to death turns to decay, which provides the nutrients foundational to new growth. The harvest sets the stage for soil to lay fallow, before it is prepared for the planting to come. During the High Holidays, we turn the soil of our souls, bringing that which may be buried to light — and deciding what we want to grow in the new year.

We hope this guide can be a useful tool as you craft the just-right-for-you combination of recipes, readings, services, classes, social gatherings, and much, much more that will make this High Holiday season deeply meaningful. When you see us out and about in the next couple months, say hello! We can’t wait for the next chance to gather with you.

Chag Sameach – Wishing you a good, sweet New Year,

The GatherDC Team

PS: Not sure where to start? Check out the table of contents in the drop down menu at the top of the screen! And, if we’re missing something, please let us know by submitting your event to our online calendar or by emailing us. We’ll be updating the guide just about every day, so check back early and often!

Getting Ready for the High Holidays!

Tuesday, August 19th

  • 6:00 p.m. — CommuniTuesday with Hill Havurah
    • “We’ll blend bullet journaling with the traditional practice of Chesbon Hanefesh – an ‘account of the soul’ – to help you reflect on your year emotionally, ethically, spiritually and personally.”

Saturday, August 23rd

Sunday, August 24th

Tuesday, August 26th

Tuesday, September 2nd

Thursday, September 4th

Sunday, September 7th

Tuesday, September 9th

Thursday, September 11th

Saturday, September 13th

Sunday, September 14th

Wednesday, September 17th

Thursday, September 18th

Saturday, September 20th

  • 8:00 p.m. — Selichot with Am Kolel
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Our 3rd session will be a Selichot service, traditionally observed the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah. That evening we will air our collective concerns and offer confessional prayers as a community.”

Sunday, September 21st

Thursday, September 25th

Rosh Hashanah

Monday, September 22nd

  • 5:00 p.m. — Intergenerational Service with Washington Hebrew Congregation
    • “We invite you to join us for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur worship opportunities at Temple, the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center (JBSC), or online.”
  • 7:00 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “What we can control, if we take our spiritual work seriously, is how we react and respond to the unexpected. The more we remind ourselves that there will be detours ahead, the more prepared we’ll be to navigate them.”
  • 7:00 p.m. — Intergenerational Service with Washington Hebrew Congregation
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “We invite you to join us for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur worship opportunities at Temple, the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center (JBSC), or online.”
  • 8:00 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashana with Bet Mishpachah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “As a congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, trans and queer Jews, our families, friends and allies, and all who wish to participate in an inclusive, progressive, egalitarian, and mutually supportive community, we welcome all who wish to celebrate with us.”
  • 8:00 p.m. — 2239 Service with Washington Hebrew Congregation
    • “We invite you to join us for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur worship opportunities at Temple, the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center (JBSC), or online.”
  • 8:00 p.m. — Rosh Hashanah Evening Service with Am Kolel
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Am Kolel welcomes your participation in services this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur led by Rabbi David Shneyer, a singer and guitarist.”

Tuesday, September 23rd

  • 8:45 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day One with Kol Shalom
    • Register by August 31st
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Join Conservative Congregation Kol Shalom for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Services in-person or online.”
  • 9:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Services with Fabrangen Havurah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Fabrangen cordially invites you, your family, and friends to join us for our 2025/5786 Rosh Hashanah services. Services will be in-person and live-streamed via Zoom.”
  • 9:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Service with Am Kolel
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Am Kolel welcomes your participation in services this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur led by Rabbi David Shneyer, a singer and guitarist.”
  • 10:00 a.m. — Meaningful and Inclusive High Holiday Experience with Kol Ami
    • Register by 12:00 p.m. on September 22nd
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Together, we lift one another up, share the weight of the world, and find strength in community.”
  • 10:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashana Day 1 Morning Service with Bet Mishpachah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “As a congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, trans and queer Jews, our families, friends and allies, and all who wish to participate in an inclusive, progressive, egalitarian, and mutually supportive community, we welcome all who wish to celebrate with us.”
  • 10:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “What we can control, if we take our spiritual work seriously, is how we react and respond to the unexpected. The more we remind ourselves that there will be detours ahead, the more prepared we’ll be to navigate them.”
  • 10:30 a.m. — Intergenerational Service with Washington Hebrew Congregation
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “We invite you to join us for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur worship opportunities at Temple, the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center (JBSC), or online.”
  • 10:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Esther with Sixth & I
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “What we can control, if we take our spiritual work seriously, is how we react and respond to the unexpected. The more we remind ourselves that there will be detours ahead, the more prepared we’ll be to navigate them.”
  • 4:30 p.m. — Tashlich Services with Fabrangen Havurah
    • “Fabrangen invites you to join us for a festive Tashlich with potluck, live music and perhaps even dancing as we cast away our sins of the past year at Glen Echo Park.”
  • 5:30 p.m. — Express Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “What we can control, if we take our spiritual work seriously, is how we react and respond to the unexpected. The more we remind ourselves that there will be detours ahead, the more prepared we’ll be to navigate them.”

Wednesday, September 24th

  • 8:45 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day Two with Kol Shalom
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Join Conservative Congregation Kol Shalom for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Services in-person or online.”
  • 9:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Services with Fabrangen Havurah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Fabrangen cordially invites you, your family, and friends to join us for our 2025/5786 Rosh Hashanah services. Services will be in-person and live-streamed via Zoom.”
  • 10:00 a.m. — 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah Services with Am Kolel
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Am Kolel welcomes your participation in services this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur led by Rabbi David Shneyer, a singer and guitarist.”
  • 10:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashana Day 2 Morning Service with Bet Mishpachah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “As a congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, trans and queer Jews, our families, friends and allies, and all who wish to participate in an inclusive, progressive, egalitarian, and mutually supportive community, we welcome all who wish to celebrate with us.”

Friday, September 26th

  • 8:00 p.m. — Erev Shabbat Shuva with Bet Mishpachah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Shabbat Shuva is the shabbat between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, known as the ‘shabbat of return.'”

Sunday, September 28th

Yom Kippur

Wednesday, October 1st

  • 6:15 p.m. — Kol Nidre Service with Am Kolel
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Am Kolel welcomes your participation in services this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur led by Rabbi David Shneyer, a singer and guitarist.”
  • 6:30 p.m. — Kol Nidre and Maariv Services – Erev Yom Kippur 2025/5786 with Fabrangen Havurah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Fabrangen cordially invites you, your family, and friends to join us for our 2025/5786 Yom Kippur services. Services will be in-person and live-streamed via Zoom as well.”
  • 6:45 p.m. — Kol Nidre with Kol Ami
    • Register by 12:00 p.m. on September 22nd
    • “Experience the Reconstructionist difference—our High Holiday services are meaningful and musical, inclusive and participatory, with something for everyone.”
  • 7:00 p.m. — Intergenerational Service with Washington Hebrew Congregation
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “We invite you to join us for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur worship opportunities at Temple, the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center (JBSC), or online.”
  • 7:00 p.m. — Kol Nidre Service with Bet Mishpachah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “As a congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, trans and queer Jews, our families, friends and allies, and all who wish to participate in an inclusive, progressive, egalitarian, and mutually supportive community, we welcome all who wish to celebrate with us.”
  • 7:00 p.m. — Kol Nidre with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “What we can control, if we take our spiritual work seriously, is how we react and respond to the unexpected. The more we remind ourselves that there will be detours ahead, the more prepared we’ll be to navigate them.”
  • 7:00 p.m. — Kol Nidre with Rabbi Esther with Sixth & I
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “What we can control, if we take our spiritual work seriously, is how we react and respond to the unexpected. The more we remind ourselves that there will be detours ahead, the more prepared we’ll be to navigate them.”
  • 8:00 p.m. — 2239 Service with Washington Hebrew Congregation
    • “We invite you to join us for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur worship opportunities at Temple, the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center (JBSC), or online.”

Thursday, October 2nd

  • 9:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur Services – 2025/5786 with Fabrangen Havurah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Fabrangen cordially invites you, your family, and friends to join us for our 2025/5786 Yom Kippur services. Services will be in-person and live-streamed via Zoom.”
  • 9:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur with Kol Shalom
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Join Conservative Congregation Kol Shalom for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Services in-person or online.”
  • 9:30 a.m. — Yom Kippur Service with Am Kolel
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Am Kolel welcomes your participation in services this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur led by Rabbi David Shneyer, a singer and guitarist.”
  • 10:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur Day with Kol Ami
    • Register by 12:00 p.m. on September 22nd
    • “Experience the Reconstructionist difference—our High Holiday services are meaningful and musical, inclusive and participatory, with something for everyone.”
  • 10:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur Morning Service with Bet Mishpachah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “As a congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, trans and queer Jews, our families, friends and allies, and all who wish to participate in an inclusive, progressive, egalitarian, and mutually supportive community, we welcome all who wish to celebrate with us.”
  • 10:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “What we can control, if we take our spiritual work seriously, is how we react and respond to the unexpected. The more we remind ourselves that there will be detours ahead, the more prepared we’ll be to navigate them.”
  • 10:30 a.m. — Intergenerational Service with Washington Hebrew Congregation
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “We invite you to join us for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur worship opportunities at Temple, the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center (JBSC), or online.”
  • 10:30 a.m. — Yom Kippur with Rabbi Esther with Sixth & I
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “What we can control, if we take our spiritual work seriously, is how we react and respond to the unexpected. The more we remind ourselves that there will be detours ahead, the more prepared we’ll be to navigate them.”
  • 12:30 p.m. — Martyrology/Yizkor Service with Bet Mishpachah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “As a congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, trans and queer Jews, our families, friends and allies, and all who wish to participate in an inclusive, progressive, egalitarian, and mutually supportive community, we welcome all who wish to celebrate with us.”
  • 4:00 p.m. — Afternoon, Yizkor & N’ilah followed by Community Break Fast with Washington Hebrew Congregation
    • Register by September 26th
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “When the N’ilah service concludes and the Yom Kippur holiday ends, our break fast buffet opens! Purchase your tickets and break the fast with us.”
  • 5:00 p.m. — Mincha/N’ila/Havdala Service with Bet Mishpachah
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “As a congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, trans and queer Jews, our families, friends and allies, and all who wish to participate in an inclusive, progressive, egalitarian, and mutually supportive community, we welcome all who wish to celebrate with us.”
  • 5:30 p.m. — Yom Kippur Evening Service & Break Fast with Am Kolel
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “Am Kolel welcomes your participation in services this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur led by Rabbi David Shneyer, a singer and guitarist.”
  • 6:00 p.m. — Neilah with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
    • Virtual attendance available
    • “What we can control, if we take our spiritual work seriously, is how we react and respond to the unexpected. The more we remind ourselves that there will be detours ahead, the more prepared we’ll be to navigate them.”
  • 6:15 p.m. — Neilah with Kol Ami
    • Register by 12:00 p.m. on September 22nd
    • “Experience the Reconstructionist difference—our High Holiday services are meaningful and musical, inclusive and participatory, with something for everyone.”
  • 7:30 p.m. — Break Fast with Kol Ami
    • Register by 12:00 p.m. on September 22nd
    • “Experience the Reconstructionist difference—our High Holiday services are meaningful and musical, inclusive and participatory, with something for everyone.”

Sukkot

Sunday, October 5th

Monday, October 6th

Tuesday, October 7th

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

Tuesday, October 14th

Food for the High Holidays

Eating Around the DMV

District of Columbia

Maryland

NoVA

Other Readings and Resources

The views and opinions expressed by the organizations featured on this guide and on this website are solely those of the original organizations. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the organization GatherDC, the GatherDC staff, the GatherDC board, and/or any/all contributors to this site.