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Contact office@shaarzahav.org to sponsor Oneg or Flowers for Shabbat. | |
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Friday Night Services for Chol HaMoed Pesach
April 26 at 7:30pm
On Zoom Only
Led by Rabbi Copeland and Marika Straw
Register Here for Zoom Service
Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838
Saturday Morning Service:
April 27 at 10:00am
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.
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The office will be closed on Monday, April 29th for the Passover holiday.
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Passover with Sha'ar Zahav | |
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Judaism 101
Not too late to join!
Mondays, April 15-June 17 (except April 22 and May 27), 7-9pm
Primarily Zoom-only with possible occasional hybrid
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. Our learning will be interactive and communal; come ready to be in the learning with us.
We offer three modules of our Introduction to Judaism class throughout the year. They each cover different material, and are independent-take one module or take them all! This spring module will focus on History, Mysticism and Jewish culture around the world. Ask Cantor Bernstein any questions.
Register here
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Shul School - Prayer Practicum
Not too late to join!
Mondays, April 15-June 17 (with some exceptions), 6-7pm
Primarily Zoom-only with possible occasional hybrid
A series of hands-on workshops taught by Cantor Sharon Bernstein designed to help people get more familiar with the prayers in synagogue services. Each session will focus on a different prayer, covering Hebrew pronunciation, melody, and meaning of the prayer, both literal and metaphorical, with a particular emphasis on each person finding their own understanding and practice. No prior knowledge of Hebrew is necessary! Each class is a one-off -- people can attend as they are able.
Register here
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An exploration of our Jewish identity and emotions
at a time of crisis in Israel
Wednesday, May 1, 7pm-8:30pm, Hybrid (in person and on Zoom)
Members Only!
Renowned author, educator, and host of the Podcast "Jew Oughta Know," Jason Harris joins us to explore our connections to Israel, however we feel about the Israel/Palestine conflict: How does Israel and its challenges impact us as American Jews and concerned members of the global community.
Click here to register for in-person
Click here to register for Zoom
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Postcard Party
John Lewis Memorial Voter Engagement Group
Sunday, May 5, 2:30pm, Sha'ar Zahav
Join us as we write postcards to voters for the Georgia and Virginia primaries. Reclaim Our Vote, a campaign of the Center for Common Ground, is a grassroots, primarily volunteer-run campaign that focuses on increasing BIPOC voter turnout through post-carding, texting, and phone banking. Please contact Tirtza Pearl or Geri Kahn to RSVP.
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Yom HaShoah | Holocaust Remembrance Day
Sunday, May 5, 1-7pm, In-person only
Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St.
Please join Jewish Family and Children's Services for the San Francisco community-wide commemoration of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Together, we honor the lives lost in the Holocaust and ensure that the lessons of history are never forgotten.
Sha'ar Zahav is a proud co-sponsor.
Click here to register
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Pink Triangle Memorial Park
Monday, May 6th, 6-7pm, In-person only
2454 Market St.
Sha'ar Zahav is partnering with the Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association to commemorate Yom Ha'Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. We will sing, read poems, and remember together, marking the intersection between Jewish and LGBTQ+ Holocaust experiences. Led by Cantor Sharon Bernstein.
Click here to register
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Hunger & Homelessness Shabbat
Friday, May 10, 7:30pm, Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom)
The Social Action Committee is sponsoring this Shabbat Service focused on hunger and homelessness. Hunger is a growing problem in the United States. To read more and understand how you can help, click here. Our guest, Rabbi Jeremy Sher, will give the Drash. Rabbi Sher serves as the congregational rabbi of Ha-Emek: Honest, Inclusive, Progressive Judaism in Silicon Valley. He is also a full-time chaplain at UCSF Medical Center and organizer of Open Shabbat, a once a month Night Ministry program providing supportive community and a meal to people on the street. Registration for in-person is not needed.
Click here to register for Zoom
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Blood Donors Needed!
Sha'ar Zahav will be sponsoring a mobile blood drive at the synagogue and we are looking for people in our community who are interested in donating. After many decades the rules have changed. Gay men who meet certain criteria are now able to donate blood. Gay men who have not tested positive for HIV/AIDS or taking medication to prevent HIV infection, or have not had a new sexual partner in the last three months are now eligible to donate. We need to identify at least 25 to 30 potential donors in order to schedule the blood drive. First time donors are welcome. Straight people and women blood donors are also encouraged.
For further information, please contact Barry Pearl.
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Recurring Gatherings and Meetings | |
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SZ Book Group
Kantika, by Elizabeth Graver
Tuesday, May 7, 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom
Love reading and talking about books with other book lovers? Join us on May 7! We’ll discuss Kantika – “a dazzling Sephardic multigenerational saga that moves from Istanbul to Barcelona, Havana, and New York, exploring displacement, endurance, and family as home.” And, oh yes, a strong-willed woman who challenges antisemitism, misogyny and disablism. For more info, contact Ami Zusman
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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Can you do a mitzvah for someone in our community?
Hineni, our caring community at SZ, is in great need of more volunteers (and in more Bay area regions!) to meet the caring needs of our community. If you can help by making a call, helping with an errand, making a home visit, or offering a ride; please contact Marla Allen, co-chair of Hineni.
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Social Action Committee
The first Monday (unless a holiday) of the month
6:00pm on Zoom
On fair elections, welcoming the stranger, secure housing and food, ending gun violence, and more! Want to join us? Come to our next meeting or contact Nancy Wecker or Neil Young.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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Weekday Morning Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays
8:30-9:00am
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. Contact Cantor Bernstein.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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12-Step Meetings by and for SZ Members
Weekly on Thursdays
5:00-6:00pm on Zoom
Join CSZ's 12-step group at our new time for some pre-High Holiday reflection in the spirit of recovery! Meetings are open to everyone in our wider SZ community (and the Bay Area Jewish recovery community), and we welcome folks who are members of any 12-step fellowship (AA, NA, Alanon, CMA, etc.). Join us this Thursday at 5pm and use this zoom link. Questions? Email Erika Katske.
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L'Havin: Understanding Israel and Its Neighbors
Last Monday night of each month, 6pm
L'Havin: Understanding Israel and Its Neighbors is a Sha'ar Zahav working group that provides our members and community friends with support, knowledge, and dialogue skills that deepen our relationship with the land and peoples of Israel and Palestine, and to advance understanding and healing within our Jewish community. You do not need to come with any previous knowledge of the topics we may discuss or with any set viewpoints. In fact, we encourage all to come with open ears and a learner’s mindset. Led by Rachel Nilson-Ralston. Contact the office to add yourself to the listserv.
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Climate Action Committee
2nd Monday of the month, 5:00-6:30pm 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.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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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 the committee 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!
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Weekly Torah Study Group
Weekly on Wednesday
8:30-9:30am
Lay leaders lead discussions about the weekly Torah reading. Drop-ins welcome, no experience with Torah necessary!
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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Mussar Discussion Group
Bi-weekly on Thursdays
7:00-8:00pm
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! Contact Mark Pressler.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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Meditation Chavurah
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
10:30am-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
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Hiking Chavurah
2nd Saturday of the month, 9:50am
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. Email Karen Schiller and Ellen Murland.
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Karen Schiller 4/24
Samuel Lowinger 4/24
Isaac Lotney 4/26
Lynn Eden 4/30
Elodie Nancollas 4/30
Rachel Ralston 4/30
Neil J Young 4/30
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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. | |
Health and Safety Policies at 290 Dolores | |
For the health and safety of our community, it is Sha’ar Zahav's expectation that all members and visitors who attend in-person services and events will be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. If you are unvaccinated, sick or experiencing any symptoms of illness, please enjoy services and events via Zoom.
Masks are no longer required at in-person services and events. But we are mask-friendly and fully supportive of visitors, members and service leaders who choose to wear masks for their own personal protection.
Sha’ar Zahav is a scent-free environment. Because keeping our synagogue safe for those with scent and chemical sensitivities is part of our commitment to accessibility, please refrain from wearing perfume/cologne or using other scented products.
For more information, email the Accessibility Committee.
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Thank You to Our Grantors | |
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. | | | | |
