Contact office@shaarzahav.org to sponsor a Shabbat

Friday Night Services:

September 16th at 7:30 pm.

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person.

Shabbes Beat led by Cantor Bernstein. 

D'rash by Tiela Chalmers.

Register Here for Zoom Service

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838


Saturday Morning Service:

September 17th at 10:00 am.

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person.

Join the Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 365 434 855 and Passcode: 068575.

To join by phone for either service, dial +1 669 900 9128 or find your local number.

High Holy Days

Leil Selichot

Saturday, September 17

8-9 pm on Zoom ONLY

Prayers to help us enter into the High Holy Day season.

Led by Cantor Bernstein and Mike Shriver.

Click here to register

HIGH HOLY DAYS 2022/5783

IN PERSON. ONLINE. TOGETHER.



We’re calling YOU!

Join us for the High Holy Days. No experience required. Unlike like most synagogues, you don’t have to be a member or pay for tickets. However, financial support and volunteers are welcome! You do need to SAVE YOUR PLACE – be it online or in person. And this is the place to start the journey. For more information, click here.

Click here to register!

Elul Programming

Elul Nonbinary Chanting Minyan

Rabbi Mychal Copeland, facilitator

September 16, 9:30-10:00a.m. on Zoom

Register here for Zoom

Immerse yourself in the month of Elul with a shofar blast and chanting to prepare us for the Days of Awe.

Out of the Closet and Into the Libraries: Book Launch Event for Liberating Gender for Jews and Allies: The Wisdom of Transkeit

Rabbi Litman, facilitator with Center for LGBTQ & Gender Studies in Religion

September 18th, 6:00 p.m. on Zoom

Register Here for Zoom

Join the book launch of an extraordinary collection of essays by trans Jews and allies that explores cutting-edge ideas about gender through the lenses of tradition, art, autobiography, and solidarity. Contributors include transpioneer Kate Bornstein, a drag queen rabbi, Jews by Choice, Jews of Color, the Jewish consultant to the show Transparent, Orthodox Jews, a Jewish priestess, and a Metropolitan Community Church minister. Each page reveals startling, fresh insights into the construction and disruption of gender from a Jewish perspective.

Texting with Angels: Modern Jewish Tales of Magic and Mystery

Maggid Eli Ramer, facilitator through Jewish LearningWorks

September 22nd, 7:00 p.m. on Zoom

Register Here for Zoom

Within the realms of Eli Ramer’s new book of stories you will meet: an urban demon, a witch in the suburbs, a Jewish vampire, a magic dog, and a golem named Judith. You might find out what happened to Marx, Freud, and Einstein after they died, encounter lost Jewish texts, learn about the messiah and her unfolding mission, and spend time with a goofy angel and a kvetchy one—the two of them (perhaps) a couple—neither of them the transmitters of these tales.

Calls to Action

Teach-In on Reparations for African Americans organized by SF Black & Jewish Unity Coalition

Sunday, September 18, 2pm

Hybrid (in-person and online): Congregation Sherith Israel

There is a strong group of speakers including CA Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, a driving force behind California reparations work. If you want to volunteer, please reach out to Deborah Levy.

Click here to sign up

Sha'ar Zahav is a co-sponsor of this event.

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

Kaf-Lamed Monthly Gathering

Don't go to Shabbat alone!

September 16, 7:30pm

Join Sha'ar Zahav's young adult group (The Kaf Lameds) for a monthly gathering at Shabbat Services in person! Perfect for those who've ever felt intimidated to go to Shabbat in person services alone. Or perfect for those who just want a few buddies to join on Friday night services! This is a monthly gathering, where we'll do "Shabbat Together" the 3rd Friday of each month. Any questions please feel free to contact Emily Ornelas-Dorian.

Racial Equity Committee

Monday, September 19  

6:30-8:00 on Zoom

The Racial Equity Committee is back to meeting regularly! Subsequent meetings will be held on the the third Monday of the month at 6:30. Come help assure that CSZ is always a place of welcome, inclusion and equity for all.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Book Group Discussion:
The Orchard by David Hopen
Tuesday, September 20, 7:00 - 8:00 pm on Zoom
A national Jewish book award finalist. A commanding debut and a poignant coming-of-age story about a devout Jewish high school student whose plunge into the secularized world threatens everything he knows of himself.
Join the Meeting: Zoom Link

Disability and Accessibility Committee

If you identify as disabled, are exploring that identity, or have a loved one with a disability and are interested in joining the Disability and Accessibility Committee, please reach out to Eliana Smithstein for more information. If you are interested in learning more about disability and how you can become a better ally, stay tuned for educational events to come!

Climate Action Committee

2nd Monday of the Month     

5:00 - 6:30 pm on Zoom

If you missed our 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.

Contact Deborah Levy with any questions.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

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.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Art Group: Drop-in

Weekly on Thursdays 

Hybrid: In person and on Zoom

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Drop in for a joyful hour of free art-making and connection. Everyone is welcome! The group meets every Thursday. For more information, contact Paisha RochlinBarbara Cymrot or AJ Turpen Fried.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

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.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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.
Register for the Meeting: Zoom link
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
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.
For Sha'ar Zahav Members Only. Register Here to Attend.
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.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
Birthdays this week!

Naya Loftus-Nguyen 9/14

Mark Oliver 9/15

Robert Geller 9/15

Marion Gillen 9/15

Matthew Patchell 9/16

Tyler Atura Bushnell 9/16

Robert Tat 9/19

Elizabeth Katz 9/20

Aaron Levine 9/20

Mark Klaiman 9/20

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.
Returning to 290 Dolores
Attending In-Person Events and Services

Starting at the end of April, our policy is as follows.
  • Shabbat Service: Masking during the service is required. Following the service, you may remove your mask to enjoy oneg.
  • 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.
  • Proof of vaccination is required, including a booster shot.
  • 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.
Updated Registration Policy
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.
Click here for information about our vaccination policy
Thank You to Our Grantors
Programs at Sha’ar Zahav are supported by the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, the Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus Initiative for Immigrant and Refugee Justice of the Religious Action Center, San Francisco Humanities, and the National Center to Encourage Judaism.
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