Link of the Week: Kick off Pride with Rabbi Copeland on Wednesday, May 25th at Manny's about her book Struggling in Good Faith which discusses LGBTQI inclusion in American religious life. For more information, click here.
Contact office@shaarzahav.org to sponsor a Shabbat
Friday Night Services:
May 20 at 7:30 pm.
Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person. Shabbes Beat led by Cantor Bernstein. D'rash by Gabriel Lampert.
Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838

Saturday Morning Service:
May 21 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.
Updated Policies
Masking: For more info on our updated masking policy, scroll to the end of this email.
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.
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.
Learning Together
Nonbinary Morning Gratitude Minyan
Friday, May 20, 9 am on Zoom
Curious about a nonbinary way to pray? Join Rabbi Copeland in a short chanting service with 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. Learn more about the Nonbinary Hebrew Project that made this possible.
Join the minyan: Register here
A Year in the Life of the Beit Sefer Community
Take a look at what the Beit Sefer community has done, learned and explored this school year here!
Save the Dates: Celebrate Shavuot with Sha’ar Zahav!
Sinai at Night: Reveal Your Torah: June 4, 7-9 pm at Manny’s, 3092 16th St, San Francisco - Clergy from Sha’ar Zahav, Sherith Israel, and Congregation Emanu-El will teach their favorite gems of Torah. 
We Were All at Sinai: June 5, 4-7 pm, 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. 
More information to come!
Community: Let's Get Together
Lag BaOmer Celebration
Thursday, May 19, 6:30pm
In-person at Ocean Beach
Come celebrate Lag BaOmer with Sha'ar Zahav's young adult group, The Kaf Lameds, at Ocean Beach at 6:30pm on May 19th. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. All young adults are welcome! Please email Emily Ornelas-Dorian for more details.
B'Mitzvah Mentor Gathering
Sunday, May 22, 3-5pm 
In-person at Sha'ar Zahav 
Calling all B'Mitzvah Mentors! Current and past, long-time and brand-new, and those curious about b'mitzvah mentoring are invited to gather for tea and conversation all about b'mitzvah mentoring. We'll share experiences, answer questions, tell you what's new with b'mitzvah at Sha'ar Zahav, and connect all about mentoring. Save the date and RSVP by contacting Sue Bojdak.
Social Action Committee Events and News
The Social Action Committee would like to thank everyone who attended the Immigration Shabbat. If you are interested in accompaniment and would like to learn more or you have clothing or housing to donate, please contact Eli Schlenker. We invite you to contribute to our immigration journal which will be published on Shavuot. Share your or your family's immigration story here.

Volunteer with SAC at a Food Bank
Monday, June 6 from 10:00am to 1:00pm
in Berkeley (indoors with high ceilings and good ventilation)
Please email Shawn Matloob to sign up.
Annual Meeting
Wednesday, June 8th at 7pm
Hybrid: In-Person and On Zoom
This is for SZ members only
If you're planning on coming early for dinner, please let us know. Masking will be required during the meeting but not required during dinner.
Join via Zoom: Register here
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.
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.
For more information click here.
Pride at Sha'ar Zahav
Excited that Pride Parade SF is back?? Want to make sure SZ shows off our awesomeness at Pride? Get in touch with Rabbi Copeland!
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.

SZ Responds
The Va'ad has unanimously approved a statement condemning the US Supreme Court's draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. This opinion is a threat not just to reproductive rights but also to LGBTQ+ rights and more, and we cannot be silent. Read the statement here.
Sha'ar Zahav was featured in the J for attending the "Bans Off Our Bodies" march this past week.
The Climate Action Committee recommends supporting SB 1173, a bill to require State pension funds to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy. For more information, and an easy way to send your support, click here.
Recommendation to support this bill does not conflict with SZ's 501c3 status.

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings
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.
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.
Join the Meeting: Zoom Link
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.
Contact Deborah Levy with any questions.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
Social Action Committee
Monday, June 6
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.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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.
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 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.
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
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
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!
Gary Winter 5/19
Gabriel Oliver-Polsky 5/20
Ruth Bernstein 5/21
Richard Wilson 5/22
Lillian Schaechner 5/23
Jessica Alexandra 5/24
Barb Cymrot 5/25
Emery Cohen-Wallach 5/26
Jane Rice 5/27
David Gluck 5/28
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.
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.
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.