Congregation B’nai Harim at the Nevada County Jewish Community Center (NCJCC) welcomes all with open hearts and minds to celebrate the Jewish High Holy Days, a season of reflection, renewal, and community connection. The High Holy Days mark the spiritual beginning of the Jewish year, inviting people of all backgrounds to pause, take stock, and step into the new year with intention.
The term “High Holy Days” refers to the most spiritually significant holidays in Judaism — a time when Jews around the world reflect on their actions, repair relationships, and renew their commitments to living with integrity and compassion. These holidays emphasize universal themes of forgiveness, gratitude, and hope, making them meaningful for people of all backgrounds.
Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) usher in a three‑week period of introspection, forgiveness, and hope. These holidays are followed by Sukkot and Simchat Torah, joyful celebrations of gratitude, community, and the Torah cycle. Together, they form the most meaningful and uplifting time of the Jewish calendar.
At the NCJCC, the High Holy Days are celebrated with a blend of tradition, music, learning, and contemporary Reform Jewish values. Services are accessible, family‑friendly, and open to everyone — whether you are Jewish, exploring Judaism, or simply seeking a welcoming and accepting spiritual community.
Rosh Hashanah – the New Year
Rosh Hashanah invites us to celebrate new beginnings, hear the shofar, and gather in community as we welcome the year ahead.
Friday September 11th 7:30 – 9 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah
Saturday September 12th:
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. children’s Rosh Hashanah service
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Rosh Hashanah morning service
1:30 p.m. (to follow morning service), lunch at the NCJCC, followed by Tashlich at the creek behind Wild Eye Pub
Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement
Yom Kippur is the most sacred day of the Jewish year, devoted to reflection, forgiveness, and returning to our best selves.
Sunday September 20th 7:30 – 9 p.m, Kol Nidre service.
Monday September 21st:
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. children’s Yom Kippur service
10 a.m. through the day, Yom Kippur service, study, and observance
Sundown, break the fast meal
Sukkot – the Festival of Booths
Sukkot is a joyful harvest holiday celebrating gratitude, community, and the beauty of gathering outdoors.
Friday September 25th:
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. family-friendly Shabbat and Sukkot service, followed by potluck dinner (vegetarian, dairy, or scaled fish dishes only please)
7:30 p.m. adult Sukkot and Shabbat service
Saturday September 26th:
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Torah study for Sukkot
5 – 8 p.m. Being & Becoming: Songs that Shine Brightly. An evening of music in remembrance of Paul Godwin and in celebration of Sukkot. More information at https://ncjcc.org/events/event/being-becoming-songs-that-shine-brightly/.
Sunday September 27th: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. teen dinner with Rabbi David
Tuesday September 29th 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. family-friendly dinner in the Sukkah, a Sukkot tradition. Bring your own meal (vegetarian, dairy, or scaled fish dishes only please).
Simchat Torah – Rejoicing with the Torah
Simchat Torah marks the joyful completion and restarting of the annual Torah reading cycle.
Friday October 2nd 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. family-friendly hosted dinner and Simchat Torah celebration as we unwind and rewind the entire Torah scroll. Please RSVP to ncjcc@outlook.com or 530-477-0922 so we can get an accurate headcount.
Saturday October 3rd 10 a.m – 12 p.m. Shabbat morning holiday service and Torah reading
About Reform Judaism
The NCJCC is part of the Reform movement, the largest and most progressive branch of Judaism in North America. Reform Judaism embraces Jewish tradition while adapting it to modern life, emphasizing personal choice, egalitarian values, and full inclusion of interfaith families, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of all backgrounds.
While Orthodox Judaism follows traditional interpretations of Jewish law and Conservative Judaism maintains many traditional practices while allowing gradual change, Reform Judaism encourages each person to find meaningful ways to connect with Jewish ritual, ethics, and community. For many people in Nevada County — Jewish and non‑Jewish alike — this approach offers an accessible, welcoming entry point into Jewish life.
About the Hebrew Calendar
Jewish holidays follow the Hebrew calendar, a lunar‑solar calendar that differs from the Gregorian calendar used in everyday life. Because lunar months are slightly shorter, the Hebrew calendar occasionally adds an “extra” month to keep holidays aligned with their seasons — ensuring that Passover always falls in spring and Sukkot always arrives at harvest time.
This is why Jewish holidays appear on different dates each year in the Gregorian calendar, even though they occur at the same time annually in the Hebrew calendar.
Why We Share This Information
Many people are familiar with Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah, but may not know much about the deeper meaning of these holidays or the diversity within Judaism. At the NCJCC, we believe that learning about one another builds understanding and strengthens our community. Sharing the significance of these holidays — and the values behind them — helps create connection, reduces misconceptions, and opens the door for anyone who wishes to participate.
All are welcome
All High Holy Day events are located at 506 Walsh Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945.
To help cover our operating expenses, we request a contribution of $50 for non-members attending one of our High Holy Day services and $100 for two or more High Holy Day services. All are always welcome and no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds.
Congregation B’nai Harim at the NCJCC has been serving the greater Grass Valley/Nevada City/Nevada County (and beyond) community since 1978. For information about membership, our Sunday school and Hebrew school program, to request our Weekly Events email with all the weekly services and events, or any other inquiries, visit us online at NCJCC.org, by phone at (530) 477-0922, or email us at ncjcc@outlook.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates!