Family-Friendly Rosh Hashanah Events in the Bay Area

In addition to its spiritual significance, Rosh Hashanah is a time for families to come together, reflect on the past year, and set intentions for the year ahead — and eat lots of apples and honey, of course. We’ve put together a guide to help you and your family create sweet holiday memories through spiritual, educational, and just plain fun activities, from culinary adventures to creative crafts.

Sunday September 22nd

Rosh Hashanah celebration — Jewish Baby Network, Jewish Gateways and PJ Library present an outdoor event for families with children ages 5 and under, featuring music, blessings, Rosh Hashanah songs, shofar sounds, crafts, gift bags and a parachute tashlich ritual. At Shorebird Park Playground, 160 University Ave., Berkeley. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free.

Family Cooking: Rosh Hashanah — Hands-on class for preschoolers and elementary schoolers to make apple crumble muffins with their parents. Led by Michelle Greenebaum of Together in the Kitchen. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 4:00-5:00 p.m. $44.52.

JCC East Bay Preschool Rosh Hashanah Celebration — New Year’s event with crafts, shofar blowing, challah baking, apple honey dipping, music with Lior Ben-Hur of Music by Heart. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 4:00-5:30 p.m. Free.

Monday September 23

JBN Rosh Hashanah Celebration — Jewish Baby Network outdoor event for families with children 5 and under. Features music, blessings, Rosh Hashanah songs, shofar blasts, crafts, gift bags, and a parachute tashlich ritual. At Shorebird Park Playground, 160 University Ave., Berkeley. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free.

Tuesday September 24

Challah Baking for Kids — Social gathering and workshop for families to knead and braid round challahs for Rosh Hashanah. At Chabad of the Tri-Valley, 3370 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton. 5 p.m. $10 per child, adults free.

Saturday September 28th

Shabbat at CJM: Rosh Hashanah — New Year’s celebration featuring music by Isaac Zones and Nathaniel Markman of SHAMATi, dancing, arts and crafts, apple tasting, candy apple bar, conversation with authors of the new children’s book “What Jewish Looks Like,” and more. At the Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., SF 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Included with museum admission.

Sunday September 29

Rosh Hashanah Extravaganza — Jewish Baby Network event for families with children 3 and under featuring apple snacks, round challah, and honey/agave. Bring a blanket. At Golden Gate Park, Mother’s Meadow, 573 MLK Jr. Drive, SF 3:00-4:30 p.m. Free.

“Sweet Beginnings” — Rosh Hashanah festival with shofar sounding, music by Jonathan Bayer’s Brass Band, crafts, and feast. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., SF 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free.

“Rosh Hashanah: Birthday of the World” — Jewish Baby Network party to celebrate the holiday for infants 36 months and under, parents, and siblings. Includes apple snacks, round challah, and honey/agave. Bring a blanket. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Avenue Palo Alto. 3:30-5:00 p.m. Free.

Wednesday October 2nd

Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Rosh Hashanah Family Day — New Year’s celebration with cooking, crafts, music. On location in Pleasanton, registration required. 10:30-12:00 Free. [email protected] or (925) 399-8029

Thursday October 3rd

Rosh Hashanah in the park — Oshman Family JCC event with children’s activities, challah, grape juice, wine and honey. Bring a picnic and blanket. At Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. 4:30-7:00 p.m. $45.59 per family.

Thursday October 3rd

Reboot and JCCSF “Tashlique” — A modern take on the Rosh Hashanah ritual. Shed your bad vuggum (karma) from 5784 by throwing birdseed into the ocean. Bring a shofar if you have one. Featuring music by Jazz Mafia, Irish Pipers Band, and Ministers of Sound from Saint John Will-I-Am Coltrane African Orthodox Church. At Crissy Field East Beach, 1199 East Beach, SF 5:00-7:00pm Free, RSVP required.