Upcoming Shabbat Services:
Friday, December 31st (On Zoom)
Saturday, January 1st, Hybrid (in-person & Zoom)
Shabbat: Join Us
Friday Night Services:
December 31 at 7:30 pm. On Zoom. Led by Rabbi Zellman and Erika Katske. D'rash Rabbi Zellman.
Meeting ID: 452 290 988.

Saturday Morning Service: January 1 at 10:00 am. Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom) Register for In-Person Service
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.
Next Week:
Friday Night Service, January 7th, at 7:30 pm. On Zoom.
Saturday Morning Service: January 8th, at 10:00 am Hybrid: In-person and on Zoom.
Contact office@shaarzahav.org to sponsor a Shabbat
Registration and Testing
If you have been traveling, our Sha'ar Zahav Reopening Task Force strongly recommends an antigen test before attending in-person events and services at CSZ. You can find an antigen test at your CVS/Walgreens etc. If cost is a barrier to testing, please reach out to the office to pick up a test from 290 Dolores Street to administer at home.  The CSZ Reopening Task Force also recommends that all who can receive the booster vaccination.

Please register below for all in-person events at Sha'ar Zahav. Even if you think you might attend, please go ahead and register. We'd prefer that you register and not show up than show up without registering. Registration helps us manage security at the door as well as provides an ability to do contact tracing, should someone come down with Covid following an in-person activity. Thank you for your help.
WELCOME BACK!
“You shall not place a stumbling block before the blind“ – Leviticus 19:14
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
The office will be closed on
Friday, December 31st
The CSZ staff wish you a happy, healthy, and abundant 2022!
Community: Let's Get Together
Rose Katz is being honored with a new fund at the Friends of the Jewish Community Library fund. To find out more information and to contribute, click here. 
Music in the Mishkan Returns! 
Violinist and longtime CSZ member Randy Weiss has put together 3 concerts, all Sundays at 4 pm in the CSZ sanctuary:
Sunday, January 16: piano trios by Schumann, Wilson and Mendelssohn 
Sunday, March 20: music of Foote, Gershwin and Brahms
Sunday, May 1: music of Krein, Beethoven and Faure
Experience Leonard Cohen
The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco is hosting an exhibit highlighting Leonard Cohen's life and work. CSZ members get 10% off general admission tickets. The exhibition closes February 13th. If you’re interested in going to the exhibit with other SZniks, contact Rabbi Copeland.
Kaddish Memory Circle
Wednesday, January 5
8:30 - 9:00 am on Zoom
During this time of immense loss and grief, we are holding regular Kaddish Memory Circles to support each other. Ora Prochovnick 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.
Join the Zoom Meeting: Zoom link
Upcoming events/actions
with the Social Action Committee (SAC) 
Be a volunteer with SAC at one or two food banks in February. Together we’ll assemble boxes of produce for distribution. The Berkeley food bank is located indoors in a big space with high ceilings and good ventilation. The SF food bank popup is outdoors.

Friday, February 7 at 12:00 to 2:00pm in Berkeley.
Please email Shawn Matloob to sign up.

Tuesday, February 11 at 10:00am to 1:00pm in San Francisco.
First register with the SF Food Bank as a volunteer. Then, please contact Tirtza or Barry Pearl at (415) 452-8673 to sign up.  

Clothing Donations Needed
We are looking for donations of men’s clothing (size small) and blankets for Andru, SAC accompanied newly-arrived immigrants from Venezuela. Please email Tom Medin.
Learning Together
Journey to Judaism: A Discussion Group
January 24, February 28, March 28,
April 25, May 23, June 27 on Zoom
7:00 - 8:30pm
This discussion group will explore issues that arise for people who are considering, are in the process of, or have recently completed, converting to Judaism. Topics will include questions of identity, community, and family. This group is not an introduction to Judaism course, it's a place to ask questions and discuss issues with others who are also on this journey. No fees or membership requirements. Pre-registration required. For information/to register, please contact Susie Idzik.
Theater & Movies Chavurah
Wednesday, January 5th 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Crip Camp: Disability, Accessibility, Justice and
Jewish Activists, Oh My! 
Join the Film and Theater Group and the Disability and Accessibility Committee for a discussion of the award-winning film Crip Camp. Camp Jened was a groundbreaking summer camp for teens with disabilities, some of whom went on to create – and are still creating – historic change in disability rights and justice. How has their work affected society, and how does it fit in with our own work to make Sha’ar Zahav accessible to all? Join us on January 5 to discuss the film; and stay tuned, as local Jewish disability activists from the film will appear in a panel later in 2022! Watch the film in advance on Netflix or on YouTube. For more info Contact Yvette Adida.
Join the Meeting: Zoom Link
Recurring Gatherings and Meetings
Caring for the Caregivers
3rd Wednesdays, February 16 through July 20
7:00 - 9:00 pm on Zoom
This group provides a place for family caregivers to get support and hear from other caregivers. It is moderated by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is open to caregivers who are caring for older adults or adults with disabilities. Brought to you by the Hineni Caring Community for Sha’ar Zahav members. If you are interested but not a member, or with any other question, contact Rabbi Copeland. This is not a drop in group. $125 and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Social Action Committee
Monday, January 10 , 6:00 - 7:30 pm
On fair elections, welcoming the stranger, secure housing and food, ending gun violence, and more! Lend your voice and ideas as together we plan new events with interesting guest speakers. Also, we are looking for one or two more people to join our newest Accompaniment team. Interested? Come to our next meeting or contact Nancy Wecker or Geri Kahn.
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
Adult Orphans Friendship Circle 
2nd and 4th Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00 pm
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.
Weekly Torah Study Group
Weekly on Thursdays
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@shaarzahav.org.
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
11:00 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 Rochlin, Barbara 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
January 8th, led by Rabbi Copeland, In Person
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. Click here to register. To be added to our SZ Yoga listserv, email susie@shaarzahav.org.
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!
Deirdre Bernard-Pearl 12/31
Jazmine Best-Leung 12/30
Bernard Choden 12/29
Triptta Cohen 1/2
Simon Crosby 12/28
Brady Dewar 1/2
Violet Gluck 12/31
Abigail Green-Lank 12/30
Zach Hauptman 12/31
Zachariah Hauptman 12/31
Deb Kinney 12/29
Gerry Llamado 12/31
Jessica Nall 1/3
Shelli Rawlings-Fein 1/2
Isa Rayvan 1/2
Leonard Rothman 12/29
Carolyn Ryan 12/31
Allison Schaffer 12/28
Barry Schmell 12/29
Stephen Spector 12/30
Travis Svensson 1/4
Sam Thal 12/31
Harvey Turpen Fried 12/29
Reuben Winters Raff 12/29
Gil'i Zaid 1/2
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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