Friday Night Services:

October 21th at 7:30 pm.

Shabbes Beat

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person.

Led by Cantor Bernstein

D'rash by Franco Martinez

Register Here for Zoom Service

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838

Saturday Morning Service:

October 22th 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.

3 Stars/Shlosha Kochavim

Saturday, October 22, 5:30-7:00 pm

Children ages 2-5 are invited to join us in their pjs for play and havdalah! We'll have free play, storytime, havdalah, easy dinner and more play. Bring a grown-up! People ages 5+ must be vaccinated.   Register here

Adult Learning

Judaism 101

Mondays, November 7, 6:30-8:30pm on Zoom

Taught by Sue Bojdak, Director of Education

Judaism 101 is an introduction to Judaism for people who are new or returning to Judaism and are looking for a starting point to dive into Jewish learning and/or Jewish practice.  Anyone from any background is welcome.  We will be covering everything from Torah to Israel, spirituality to ethics, through a queer-positive, progressive, inclusive Jewish lens with plenty of room for questions.  Our learning will be interactive and communal; come ready to be in the learning with us. If you have questions, please contact Sue Bojdak.

Register for the class here

Hebrew

Taught by Michael Lederman

Introductory Hebrew 

Tuesday, October 25- January 10, 7-8pm on Zoom

Have you always wondered how the Hebrew language works? It is never too late to start learning Hebrew! This class is intended for first time Hebrew students, and will begin at the very beginning 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.

Continuing Hebrew

Thursday, October 27- January 12, 7-8pm on Zoom

A continuation from beginning Hebrew, this course is for students who have already learned the Hebrew alphabet and know some basic vocabulary. This class will provide opportunities to practice reading and decoding Hebrew, and expand your Hebrew vocabulary. Additionally, we shall study several key prayers in the Congregation Sha’ar Zahav’s siddur (prayer book). 

Register for both classes here

Zohar Reading Circle with Rabbi Copeland

Weekly on Mondays, November 7 - December 12 (excluding Nov.14)

Are you intrigued by Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah? Rabbi Copeland will lead an informal reading group of the Zohar, the central work of Kabbalah. Newcomers to Kabbalah or experienced readers are all welcome.

Please obtain Daniel Chanan Matt’s book, Zohar: Annotated & Explained. It’s easy to find online and there are places to borrow it as well - just ask Rabbi Copeland. All texts will be in translation. You don’t need to attend every session, but registration is necessary. Online and in person. 

Register for the class here

Aging With Intention

brought to you by New Lehrhaus

Tuesdays, November 1-December 13

An interactive workshop with Honey Meir-Levi that looks at the challenges and opportunities of the aging process through a Jewish lens. We will explore our own lives, and our preconceptions and feelings about age while working together to examine what “aging well“ means to each of us. Sha'ar Zahav is a co-sponsor.

Register for the class here

Pharaoh of the Exodus? Ramses II and His Times--Celebrating the de Young Museum Exhibit

brought to you by New Lehrhaus

Wednesdays, November 2-November 16

Many scholars believe King Ramses II was the Pharaoh of the Exodus. With Jehon Grist, you'll examine the pros and cons of this claim and also delve into the fascinating world he ruled. In nearly 67 years on the throne, he both fought and made peace with the superpower Hittites; genuinely loved his chief wife Nefertari (contra Cecil B. DeMille) and untold dozens of children; and built endless monuments glorifying himself and his (often fictional) victories. Sha'ar Zahav is a co-sponsor.

Register for the class her

Community: Let's Get Together

Nonbinary Chanting Minyan

Friday, October 21, 8:45-9:30am on Zoom

Curious about a nonbinary way to pray? Join Rabbi Copeland in a short chanting service focused on daily gratitude, using entirely nonbinary Hebrew and names for the Divine. All prayers will be in transliteration or English, so come even if Hebrew is new to you. We’ll talk a bit about the nature of Jewish prayer, steeped in the binary, and how to reclaim images, names and grammar that expand our notion of G!d and ourselves. And then we’ll learn some chants to solidify those ideas.

This minyan is a joint effort between SZ and Moishe House Rockridge in Oakland.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Queer Crip Revelation: Disability Dance, Jewish Text, and the Sacred Potency of Difference

Brought to you by CLGS, co-sponsored by Sha'ar Zahav

Thursday, October 20, 2:30pm on Zoom

Julia Watts Belser is a rabbi, scholar, and spiritual teacher who works at the intersections of disability studies, queer feminist Jewish ethics, and environmental justice. Using disability dance to surface unexpected liberatory possibility within biblical and rabbinic Jewish texts, this lecture will bear witness to the violence arrayed against queer and disabled lives and also claim the sacred potency of queer disability joy—illuminating the revelatory power of the choice to unfurl the brilliance of our embodied difference.

Register here for Zoom

Indecent

Runs through November 2nd

Indecent, portrays the real life events and controversy surrounding Sholem Asch's play God of Vengeance when it first ran on Broadway in 1923.  With a Klezmer-infused score and filled with joyous songs and dances, this play charts the history of that incendiary work and the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it! Sha'ar Zahav is a community co-sponsor for this play.  For 20% off tickets enter code: COMMUNITY20    Click here to purchase tickets

Bruce Bierman will be joining the Theater & Movies Chavurah in a discussion of the play Indecent on November 2nd at 6pm. More information down below. 

How Should I Vote in November?

A pre-election discussion about state and San Francisco propositions

Thursday, October 20, 7:00pm on Zoom

The November mid-term elections are coming up and there are a number of very important propositions on the ballot that will affect the lives of all Californians. Join other Sha’ar Zahav members and friends as we share information about state and San Francisco propositions. Bring endorsements from your favorite political clubs and media sources, and we’ll have a facilitated discussion that will ease your way toward your ballot. For more information, contact Ora Prochovnick or Karen Schiller.

Co-Sponsored by the Social Action Committee

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

United Nations Climate Talks Webinar

Tuesday, October 25, 4:00 pm on Zoom

COP27 refers to the United Nations climate talks, held annually - this year in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. This is an important forum for international climate agreements. Interfaith Power & Light, a multi-faith response to global warming, will be one international observer. 

Register here for the Webinar

Get out the Vote with

RAC-CA and Dayenu!

Tuesday, October 25 &

Thursday, October 27, 5:00-7:00 pm

Climate & Democracy are on the line together in the upcoming election. RAC-CA’s Climate Tzedek Campaign is teaming up with the Environmental Voter Project and Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action to call low-propensity, high potential, climate-concerned voters in Arizona, and make sure they know the when, where, and how of voting, and voting safely. Together, we’ll learn to use the phone banking tool, then we’ll stay on Zoom to make calls and offer each other guidance and encouragement. We’ll close with a live musical performance!

Register here for Tuesday, October 25th at 5 pm

Register here for Thursday, October 27th at 5 pm

Join us for a virtual presentation of Beyond the Count for the Bay Area!

Wednesday, October 26, 9:30 - 11:00 am

Jews of Color Initiative's groundbreaking Beyond the Count research, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. Beyond the Count uses the largest dataset of Jews of Color in U.S. history to depict the complex fabric of JoC experiences in the context of race and systems of inequality in the United States.

This event, presented in partnership with the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, will focus on how the study's findings relate to and can inform the vibrancy of JoC life and community in the Bay Area.  Register to join online. 

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

The CAC gathers monthly to support and educate ourselves and our community on climate issues, including climate grief, policy advocacy, and personal and community strategies to address the urgent crises of climate change and climate justice. 

Contact Deborah Levy with any questions.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Social Action Committee

Monday, November 14th

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 focus on get-out-the vote actions, and Food Bank volunteer opportunities. Want to join us? Come to our next meeting or contact Nancy Wecker or Geri Kahn.    Join the Meeting:  Zoom link

Racial Equity Committee

Monday, October 17  

6:30-8:00pm 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

Kaf-Lamed Monthly Gathering

Don't go to Shabbat alone!

October 21, 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.

Book Group Discussion:

The Lost Shtetl, by Max Gross

Tuesday, November 1, 7:00 - 8:00 pm on Zoom

What if there was a hidden Jewish village in Poland that no outsiders knew about and whose inhabitants knew nothing of the outside -- a village untouched by the Holocaust (or indoor plumbing)? That is, until a young woman from the village disappears, and the search for her brings the town crashing into the 21st century. Max Gross's novel, filled with wit, twists, and provocative questions, won the 2020 National Jewish Book Award. For more info, email Ami Zusman.

Join the Meeting: Zoom Link

Theater & Movies Chavurah: Indecent

Wednesday, November 2nd

6:00 pm on Zoom

A special Zoom session with Bruce Bierman from the Yiddish Theatre Ensemble. Bruce will be joining the Theater & Movies Chavurah in a discussion of the play Indecent. Bruce is the Yiddish Theatre Ensemble's Co-Artistic Director and is engaged as Dramaturg and Yiddish Dance Consultant.

Register here for the Zoom meeting

Art Group: Drop-in

Weekly on Thursdays 

Hybrid: In person and on Zoom

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

The Art Chavurah will be taking a break. Drop in for a joyful hour and a half of free art-making and connection. Everyone is welcome! The group meets every Thursday. For more information, contact Paisha Rochlin, Barbara Cymrot or AJ Turpen Fried.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Hiking Chavurah

Note Date Change!

3rd Saturday of the month until 2023, 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

Mahri Bahati 10/21

Edward Fristoe 10/22

Ma'ayan Estelle Lieberman 10/23 

Dwyn Asher 10/23

Judith Cohen 10/25

Billy Schoenenberger 10/25

Julia Shorofsky 10/25

Natalie Lee 10/25

Eli Weinstein 10/25

While we strive for all our events to be mixed-access, this is not always possible. Some events 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.