We want to hear from you!
In order to improve programs for Millennials (adults ages 23-38) at Sha'ar Zahav, and better plan for the year, we ask that you please take five minutes to complete this short survey. Thank you!
Millennials/Young Professionals:
Post-Shabbat Drinks at Pilsner Inn
Friday, January 10
9:15 pm
Pilsner Inn: 225 Church St, SF 94114
Join us for shabbat services this Friday night at 7:30. Then walk over to Pilsner bar as we reconnect, grab a few drinks and shmooze. Suggested age group (23-38). For questions text 415-527-0072 or email heidy@shaarzahav.org

Sushi Dinner
Friday, January 31
6:00-7:30 pm
Are you interested in helping guide the direction and ideas for our millennials programs/events in 2020? If so, join us for a leadership dinner with Rabbi Mychal. We'll discuss our needs and voice opinions on upcoming events. For questions text 415-527-0072 or email heidy@shaarzahav.org
Beit Sefer-led Services
Saturday, January 11
10:00-11:30 am
On this special Shabbat our Beit Sefer students, teen teaching assistants, and teachers will lead our congregational Shabbat service. Join us for this kid-led, kid-friendly service. Fabulous and fun for all ages! education@shaarzahav.org
Mondays: January 13 & 27, February 3 
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
AND Friday, March 6 @6:00-7:15pm in honor of Shabbat Zachor (Shabbt of Memory)
A series for the Sha'ar Zahav community addressing senseless hatred in our society from intersecting angles. Join Rabbi Copeland as we host local leaders, view contemporary hatreds individually and as they intersect with one another, and learn strategies for dismantling the havoc they wreak.  Register .
Introductory Hebrew, Tuesdays 7-8pm, Jan 28 – Apr 7
Would you like to be able to decode Hebrew, so that you can follow along in the prayer book? Have you always wondered how the Hebrew language works? It is never too late to start learning Hebrew! This class is intended for beginning Hebrew students, and begins by learning the letters and the sounds that they make. This class provides a friendly and supportive learning environment, and patience and sensitivity will be shown to adult learners with limited time for study. You’ll be reading Hebrew words in no time! You may sometimes need to miss a Tuesday class session - please consider dropping in and attending that week’s Thursday Hebrew class instead. Please contact the class instructor ( Michael.lederman@gmail.com ) with any questions.

Continuing Hebrew, Thursdays 7-8pm, Jan 30 – Apr 2
A continuation from beginning Hebrew, this course is for students who have previously studied Hebrew, who seek opportunities to refresh their Hebrew skills, practice reading and decoding Hebrew, and expand their vocabulary of Jewish Heritage words. We will study several key prayers in Congregation Sha’ar Zahav’s siddur (prayer book). This class provides a friendly and supportive learning environment, and patience and sensitivity will be shown to adult learners with limited time for study. You may sometimes need to miss a Thursday class session - please consider dropping in and attending that week’s Tuesday Hebrew class instead. Please contact the class instructor ( Michael.lederman@gmail.com ) with questions.
Tree of Life Yoga
Saturday, February 1
9:00-9:55 am
Led by yoga instructor Rabbi Mychal Copeland. You are invited to explore a contemplative approach to Yoga and Judaism that integrates Jewish prayers, chants, & meditation. Wear clothes you can move in. We supply the mats. All are welcome, regardless of religious background, Jewish or yoga level, member or visitor. For more information, please contact Rabbi Mychal Copeland rabbi@shaarzahav.org
Long-time member Randall Weiss and The Bridge Players present the 20th season of Music in the Mishkan on Sundays... mark your calendars!
February 9
March 1
April 26
All concerts begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by a wine and cheese reception. Don't miss these beautiful concerts in our lovely sanctuary! Reserve Tickets .
Ongoing Events
Saturday, January 11
9:00 am
Every Saturday except B'nei Mitzvah days
Join a lay-led weekly Talmud study group. No experience necessary. For information, contact Jackie Kaplan .
Fine Arts for Sha'ar Zahav Members
Drop-Ins Welcome 
Monday, January 13
10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Every Monday except holidays
Bring your art supplies, lunch and parallel play with other creative congregants.If you have any questions, please contact your Fine Art Committee hosts: Paisha: paimar@pacbell.net, Barb: bcymrot@sbcglobal.net, AJ: ajsparkles@gmail.com.
Environmental Justice Group
Monday, January 13
6:30 pm
Generally meets the second MONDAY of every month
Join us as we find ways to protect Earth, from changing our personal habits to reducing our shul’s carbon footprint; from divesting from fossil fuels to supporting local, state, and federal policy changes that can truly make a difference. Come share your ideas and make friends while doing this urgent and sacred work. Contact Terry Fletcher, gillianf19@gmail.com.
Board Meeting (Va'ad)
Wednesday, January 15
6:30 pm Dinner, 7:00 pm Meeting
Third Wednesday of every month, open to all members
Our Board of Directors is responsible for expressing the voice of the community. If you’re curious about Sha'ar Zahav's behind the scenes work, come to a Board meeting! Contact president@shaarzahav.org .
Shabbes Beat with Cantor Bernstein
Friday, January 17
7:30 pm
Third Friday of the month
It’s all about that Shabbes groove! Sing, dance, and pray. Joy up, relax, breathe, sway! Join Cantor Sharon and the Shabbes Beat band and chorus at this monthly rock, jazz, Latin, and blues service and get your Shabbes rest on. For more information contact Cantor Bernstein .
Hiking Chavurah
Saturday, January 18
10:00 am
 Third Saturday of every month
Come see the city from a new perspective with other Sha’ar Zahav members. Then join us for lunch after we complete the days’ hike. Contact Karen Schiller and Ellen Murland for more information!
Ritual Committee Meeting
Wednesday, January 29
7:00 pm
Interested in leading services, giving a drash (talk), helping develop new liturgy, or sharing your ideas? Then join RitCom! Meetings are open to all members; you can be a ritual expert or a newbie – we all learn together. Contact  ritual@shaarzahav.org .

James Carlson will be stepping in to co-chair the Ritual Committee with Ron Edelman, who continues as co-chair. We look forward to Ron's and James's working with our Rabbi, Cantor, and the Ritual Committee in helping to set Sha'ar Zahav's ritual agenda and continuing to strengthen our clergy/lay partnership in service leading and other ritual activities.
Meditation Group (SF)
Saturday, February 1
10:30 am
First Saturday of every month
Everyone is welcome. Typical session includes a short and longer silent sit, with chanting, movement, and a short teaching. Contact Andy Schwartz for information.
Monday, February 10
 6:00 pm
Usually first Monday of the month. 
Everyone welcome! Bring your interests, curiosity, passions, questions.Together we can make a difference. Social Action group sends a warm Thank You for your generous donations of winter clothing for a newly arrived immigrant Honduran family and the Gubbio Project for the homeless. There is continual need for socks, blankets, and travel toiletries.
Contact Leah: leaheve@indra.com or Nancy: nwecker@earthlink.net . 
Adult Orphan Friendship Circle
Wednesday, February 12
 6:30-8:00 pm
Second Wednesday of every month
Home Match: Connecting Homeowners with Folks Seeking an Affordable- Place to Live Open to Everyone. Tori Shepard will present Home Match, a non- profit organization to help connect homeowners with people seeing an affordable place to live. 
She will also cover other services for older adults in San Francisco including Rebuilding Together, another non-profit that provides home safety modification like grab bars, handrails, etc for those who want to age in place. For more information contact Paisha: paimar@pacbell.net , Marjorie: onceupntym@sbcglobal.net
Hineni Caring Community
(formerly Bikkur Cholim)
“ Hineni ” is the biblical answer our ancestors gave when God called out to them: “I am present,” or “I am ready.”   Our Hineni Caring Community wants to do what we can to help our members, whether it’s outreach by our clergy or practical assistance from members of our community who can be present for them. Do you have a need or know someone who does? Or can you perform a mitzvah like running an errand, making a visit, offering a ride, or bringing food? Find out how you can help fellow Sha’ar Zahav members by signing up with our online community, or ask any questions about Hineni Caring Community, by contacting us at HineniLeaders@shaarzahav.org
A new, short-term emergency housing program. The Initiative matches congregants experiencing a housing crisis with members who can open their home and serve as a temporary host. If you or someone you know needs urgent housing or if you may be able to offer short-term housing, please contact makom@shaarzahav.org .
A welcoming group focused on fostering Jewish identity in an inclusive social setting for gay, bi, queer, and trans men. Creating social spaces and service opportunities that foster meaningful connections and generate a positive impact in our community. Check out njb-sf.com for upcoming events.
Scents and Sensibility Task-force
A group is helping to build a scent-free Sha’ar Zahav. For information contact Bob Gordon .
Pray
14 Tevet
Vayhi
First Mennonite Church singing vigil outside
Friday Evening Service - January 10, 7:30pm 
Led by : Rabbi Mychal Copeland
& Mark Pressler
Drash : Paul Cohen

Flowers Sponsor(s) : OPEN
Oneg Sponsor(s) : OPEN

Oneg Volunteer(s) : Trudi White
Greeter(s) : Deborah Levy

Saturday Morning Service - January 28, 10:00am
Led by : Beit Sefer, Sue Bojdak & Alan Gordon

21 Tevet
Shemoth
Friday Evening Service - January 17,
7:30pm 
Led by : Shabbes Beat with Cantor Bernstein, Shabbes Beat Band & Chorus

Flowers Sponsor(s) : OPEN
Oneg Sponsor(s) : OPEN

Oneg Volunteer(s) :
Paul Cohen & Steven Shotland
Greeter(s) : Rachel Nancollas

Saturday Morning Service - January 18, 10:00am
Led by : Ron Edelman
Contact sharonh@shaarzahav.org to sponsor an oneg, kiddush, or flowers
Community Events
Sunday, January 26
2:00-3:00 pm
Pink Triangle Park + Memorial: Market St. and 17 St., SF 94114
Join us as we observe the International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a brief program, wreath laying, and groundbreaking of further improvements to the Park + Memorial.
Happy Birthday!
Shelli Rawlings-Fein 1/2
Gil'i Zaid 1/2
Desmond Bernstein 1/5
Judith Huerta 1/5
Nathan Robinson 1/6
Jodi Bando 1/6
Naomi Rosenmoss 1/7
Robert Shanholtz 1/7
Shawn Rosenmoss 1/8
Danya Rubenstein-Markiewicz 1/8
Amy Schustack 1/8
Marius Greenspan 1/9
Amalia Cymrot-Wu 1/9
Katy Butler 1/10
Bernard Schertzer 1/10
Patricia Caplan 1/12
Tiela Chalmers 1/12
Lawrence Klein 1/12
Florence Nacamulli 1/12
Felix Elhauge-Roniger 1/13
Alapai Michels 1/13
Warren Baim 1/16
Roseann Gould 1/16
Deena Lahn 1/16
Michael Tyler 1/17
Gabriel Meyer Edlin 1/17
Michael Kalb 1/18
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