Link of the Week: In this time of rising hatred and mass shootings, the students of Beit Sefer Phyllis Mintzer completed a year of anti-bias education which included learning about anti-racism, disability awareness and activism and anti-Jewish bias. Their culminating project is the original musical Thoughtful Happy Town. Based on a story written by the K/1/2 class, this collaborative piece explores the hard work of confronting bias and navigating power structures. May we all find the strength and courage to build a more thoughtful and happy world together.
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Friday Night Services:
May 27 at 7:30 pm.
On Zoom Only. Led by Rabbi Copeland and Andrea Guerra. D'rash by Ami Zusman.
Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838
Saturday Morning Service:
May 28 at 10:00 am. Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person.
Join the Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 365 434 855 and Passcode: 068575.
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While we strive for all our events to be mixed-access, this is not always possible. Some of the events below are only in-person, and some are Zoom only. If you have any questions about a particular event, please contact the office, or the contact listed for the event. |
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Celebrate Shavuot with Sha’ar Zahav!
We Were All at Sinai: June 5, 4-7pm, at Sha’ar Zahav, in person and Zoom - Celebrate the many fellow travelers who have joined the Jewish community and honor the memory of Paul Cohen z"l, who spearheaded our Journey to Judaism program.
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Annual Meeting
Wednesday, June 8th at 7pm
Hybrid: In-Person and On Zoom
This is for SZ members only
All Sha'ar Zahav members are invited to the Annual Meeting. In person, join for light dinner at 6 pm. On Zoom, join for informal conversation at 6:45. We will formally begin at 7:00 pm with reports from our leadership. We will vote on new Va'ad leaders and capital building projects. We will remember beloved members who passed away this year and acknowledge volunteers and staff for their exceptional service to our community. Please find the Annual Meeting Report here
Register for in-person here! Masking will be required during the meeting but not required during dinner.
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Community: Let's Get Together |
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50th Anniversary of Women Rabbis
Friday, June 3rd Shabbat
50 years ago on this day, the first woman rabbi was ordained in the United States. Our guest darshanit will be Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann, one of the earliest ordained women in the Reform movement, about this major transformation in Jewish life. She is recently retired from her longtime role as the first Jewish clergy person on Stanford’s Office of Religious Life staff.
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Shavuot Yizkor Memory Circle
Monday, June 6th
9:00 - 10:00 am
During this time of immense loss and grief, we are holding regular Kaddish Memory Circles to support each other. Rabbi Copeland will be leading this week's circle. Our entire community is welcome, especially if you’ve had a loss in the past year and might be looking for this kind of space to remember someone in your life. Feel free to invite any friends or relatives who may want to join.
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Social Action Committee Events and News
Protecting Roe v. Wade
Thursday, May 26th at 6pm (EST)
Join the RAC, WRJ, and CCAR for “The Path Forward on Abortion” to learn more about the potential decision, what to expect when the final decision is determined, and ways that we can respond, from direct support to individuals seeking an abortion to local, state, and federal advocacy. Register here
Volunteer at a Food Bank
Monday, June 6 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
in Berkeley (indoors with high ceilings and good ventilation)
Please email Shawn Matloob to sign up.
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Children at Shabbat!
We are ready for babies and toddlers of all ages to come sing, pray and play at Shabbat services! We have a spot just for you with carpet, toys, and easy access to the door (for when you and your folks need to step out for a minute). People age 5+ need to be vaccinated, and all over 2 need to be masked during service. We would love to hear your little voices or watch you fall asleep as we spend time together welcoming Shabbat.
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Beit Sefer/SZ Family Retreat
Friday, September 2nd at 4pm-Sunday, September 4th at 1pm, Point Bonita YMCA Conference Center in Marin Headlands
All SZ members are invited,
not just Beit Sefer families!
During Labor Day weekend (excluding Monday), join congregation members and Beit Sefer families in student and family-oriented Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat, Saturday morning Shacharit, and Saturday evening Havdalah. There'll be activities such as smores, outdoor hikes, sports, crafts and so much more to do while you're there.
Point Bonita is ADA accessible, with all buildings and grounds being accessible for folks who use a wheelchair. There is even an option to reserve a beach wheelchair down at Rodeo Beach, less than a 5-minute drive from the campus.
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Pride at Sha'ar Zahav
March or roll with Sha'ar Zahav at the Pride Parade. Get in touch with Rabbi Copeland to sign up!
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Community Pride Seder
Sunday, June 12 at 5pm
As we approach Pride month, we're pleased to share information about a virtual Community Pride Seder. Pride Seder is a ritual that chronicles the liberation of LGBTQ people, much like the Passover Seder, which retells the story of the liberation of the Jewish people. We plan to celebrate together with community members, LGBTQ Jewish clergy, as well as civic and interfaith leaders.
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We Were Here: HIV-AIDS, the Bay Area and the Jewish Community
Thursday, June 9, 7:00 - 8:30 pm on Zoom
On the 35th anniversary of the launching of the AIDS Quilt and Names Project, the quilt’s largest display ever will take place in Golden Gate Park on June 11 and 12. A panel discussion by three key witnesses, Rabbi Yoel Kahn, Avi Rose and David Weissman, who were there will reflect on the AIDS crisis in the Bay Area and beyond, and on its impact on the Jewish community. Rabbi Copeland will be moderating this panel.
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Kabbalistic Omer Counting
There's a Jewish tradition of "Counting the Omer", which is a ritual of counting each of the 50 days between the 2nd night of Passover (exiting slavery) and Shavuot (receiving the Torah). To see a calendar with kabbalistic (mystical) intentions, click here.
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Recurring Gatherings and Meetings |
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Kaf-Lamed Monthly Check In
Last Friday of the Month, May 27th
6-6:30pm
All young adults welcome! Kaf-Lameds is Sha'ar Zahav's 20-30s group. We meet on the last Friday of every month at 6pm-6:30pm, switching between meeting virtually and in person. This is a time to briefly check in on each other, plan ideas for events, and create belonging. For more information, please contact KL co-leader Emily Ornelas-Dorian.
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Theater & Movies Chavurah: The Names of Love
Wednesday, June 1st
6- 7:15 pm
Join the Film and Theater Group in watching "The Names of Love." The film is about Baya, a young extroverted liberal who lives by the old hippie slogan "make love, not war." She seduces right wingmen to convert them to her political causes and so far she's gotten exceptional results. That is until she meets Arthur, a middle-aged, middle-of-the road scientist and the sparks fly Available through Kanopy for free. For more info, contact Yvette Adida.
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Social Action Committee
Monday, June 13
6:00 pm on Zoom
On fair elections, welcoming the stranger, secure housing and food, ending gun violence, and more! At our next meeting we will be focusing on the ballot initiative to create a vacancy tax and we will be planning our upcoming Food Banks. We are also actively recruiting SZ members to join an accompaniment team to assist an Afghan refugee family. Want to join us? Come to our next meeting or contact Nancy Wecker or Geri Kahn.
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Climate Action Committee
2nd Monday of the Month
5:00 - 6:30 pm on Zoom
If you missed our recent Earth Day Fair, you missed a busy and exciting morning! Thanks to the Climate Action Committee for putting on this event, and to all who participated!
Here is a link to resources provided, on a variety of interesting and important topics.
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Book Group Discussion:
Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist
by Judith Heumann (with Kristen Joiner)
Tuesday, June 28, 7:00 - 8:00 pm on Zoom
If Judith Heumann's name sounds familiar, it should! She was featured in the movie, "Crip Camp," and she spoke at a Zoom event sponsored by the SZ Disability and Accessibility Committee. Heumann, the daughter of Holocaust survivors who refused a doctor's recommendation to institutionalize her after she had polio, is one of the most influential activists in the disability rights movement. Read and come discuss! Contact Ami Zusman for more info.
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Remember When
1st Wednesday of the Month
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Hitch a ride on the wayback wagon for a trip down memory lane. Let’s reminisce about the 40’s thru the 70’s together! Different topics each month. We will gather on the first Wednesday of every month. Everyone is welcome! Questions? Please email Marv Lehrman.
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Adult Orphans Friendship Circle
2nd and 4th Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00 pm on Zoom
For elder members who have little or no family in the Bay Area. We meet for lively discussions and occasional presentations related to aging. Open to the whole SZ Community. Contact Paisha Rochlin for more info.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link. If this zoom link does not work, please email Paisha
and she will email you an alternate link.
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Weekly Torah Study Group
Weekly on Wednesday
8:30 - 9:30 am
Study the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Copeland and lay leaders. For the first half-hour, we’ll talk, learn and share thoughts about the portion. In the second half, we will practice our Hebrew reading skills in a compassionate environment! Join for either or both parts of the study. To be added to our SZ Torah listserv, email Susie Idzik.
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Mussar Group
Bi-weekly on Thursdays 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Mussar is a very practical and flexible spiritual discipline to help you balance soul-traits (Middah/Middot) such as Humility, Loving-Kindness, Generosity, and Silence. Drop-ins are always welcome! For more information, contact Mark Pressler.
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Art Group: Drop-in
Weekly on Thursdays
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Meditation Chavurah
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
10:30 am - Noon
Everyone is welcome. And you will not regret it! A typical session includes a short and longer silent sit, with chanting, movement, and a short teaching. The group meets on the first and third Saturday of every month.
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Jewish Yoga
You are invited to a Shabbat morning exploration of yoga and Judaism that integrates mind, body, and spirit. Beginners and experienced yoga practitioners are welcome. To be added to our SZ Yoga listserv, email susie@shaarzahav.org.
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Hiking Chavurah
2nd Saturday of the month, 9:50 am
We hike on the second Saturday of the month
Join other Sha’ar Zahavniks on monthly urban hikes – mostly in SF but we sometimes venture farther afield. This is a great way to get to know other SZ members while exploring the city and beyond. The hikes usually last about two hours. For more information, email Karen Schiller and Ellen Murland
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12-Step Meetings by and for Sha’ar Zahav Members
Weekly on Sundays On Zoom
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Come listen and share experience, strength, and hope with other CSZ members who identify as part of any 12-step community (AA, NA, CMA, Alanon, SA, etc.).
The meeting will be run in the usual 12-step format but will also feature some thoughts and reflections from members who are working to bring their Jewish selves and Jewish traditions to their 12-step practice. Contact Erika Katske with any questions.
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Weekday Morning Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays
8:30 - 9:00 am
Songs and prayers to set our hearts and minds! This service takes place every Tuesday morning, and is led by community lay leaders and Cantor Bernstein. For more information, contact Cantor Bernstein.
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Robert Katz 5/26
Pierre Adida 5/27
Sherie Koshover 5/28
David Ogus Thor Langdon 5/28
Grant Shreiner 5/28
Trudi Hauptman 5/29
Chase Tanner 5/29
Elliott Sprehn 5/29
Jesse Brown 5/31
Crow Martin-Fromm 5/31
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Attending In-Person Events and Services
Starting at the end of April, our policy is as follows.
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Shabbat Service: Masking during the service is required. Following the service, you may remove your mask to enjoy oneg.
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For all other events, masking is optional. Children 2-5 will be required to mask. We welcome you to keep wearing masks if you choose.
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Proof of vaccination is required, including a booster shot.
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Please remember: Sha’ar Zahav is a scent-free environment. Keeping our synagogue safe for those with scent and chemical sensitivities is part of our commitment to accessibility. Questions/concerns? Email us, the Accessibility Committee.
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Updated Policies
Registration: Registration will no longer be required for most in-person services and events. If you have a key card, please let yourself in. If you do not, you will be asked to sign in and show proof of vaccination. Key cards are available to all members. Please reach out to get yours.
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Thank You to Our Grantors |
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You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in Sha'ar Zahav. Be sure to add office@shaarzahav.org to your (email) contacts list so that our communications land in your inbox! All our events take place at Sha'ar Zahav 290 Dolores Street, unless noted otherwise. To unsubscribe, please click on the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this email.
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