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Building Update
We now have heat in the building, yet sadly our elevator is still unavailable. If you are attending Friday and Saturday Shabbat, please enter from the front door entrance, as you normally would for Shabbat services. As always, our services are accessible on Zoom.
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Friday Night Services:
February 10th at 7:30 pm.
Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person.
Refugee Shabbat
The service will open our eyes to the plight of refugees through the lens of Jewish spiritual practice. After the service the Social Action Committee will distribute suggestions on how to get involved in responding to the refugee crisis on global, national and most importantly, on a person-to-person, very local level. We look forward to seeing you there. Come to Refugee Shabbat and meet the Colombian family Sha'ar Zahav is accompanying.
Register Here for Zoom Service
Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838
Saturday Morning Service:
February 11th 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.
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May You Live to be 120: Talking About Death
Sunday, March 26, 3pm-7:15pm
In person at Sha'ar Zahav, Hybrid
For Members only!
More information coming soon.
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Community: Let's Get Together | |
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Grant Writing: Looking for a way to support our community?
We need people to assist with researching and writing grants! We depend on grant funding for a variety of SZ programs. No experience is required—except an interest in writing, editing and shepherding grants through the application and approval process. You will work with Susie Idzik and experienced Resource Development volunteers. We promise you’ll increase your knowledge and connection to our community and gain a deep sense of fulfillment—and many mitzvah points!
We estimate it will be a few hours of work over 1-3 months.
Please let me know of your interest by emailing me, Deborah Levy.
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Journey to Judaism: A Discussion Group
Facilitated by Ora Prochovnick, Rose Katz and James Carlson
Six Mondays (the last Monday of each month), starting January 30th, 7pm-8:30pm
February is the last month to join!
This discussion group will explore issues that arise for people who are considering, are in the process of, or have only recently completed, converting to Judaism. We also welcome those who have a Jewish parent (or parents), but were raised with little or no Jewish experience and are interested in exploring their connection to Judaism. This group is not an introduction to Judaism course, but rather a place to ask questions and discuss issues with others who are also on this journey. Class sessions will alternate meeting in person with meeting on Zoom. Hybrid access will not be available for the in-person sessions. For further information, click here.
To register, please contact Executive Director Susie Idzik
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Exploring Midrash
Taught by Rabbi Yoel Kahn
Thursday evenings, 7-8:30pm
January 19 - February 23 (6 sessions) on Zoom only
If you haven't joined, it's not too late!
Drop-ins welcome: each class stands alone.
A midrash is “a story about a story in the Torah” (or the Tanakh). One of the oldest forms of Jewish commentary, midrash moves beyond the “literal” of any to bring imaginative and creative interpretations. While midrash often “fills in the blanks” in a narrative or offers the “backstory” to the text, it also is a path for the ancient commentators to complicate, nuance or even question the Biblical story. In this series, we will encounter a variety of classic midrashic texts, as taught by the rabbis of old, as well as exploring how these texts in turn are woven into Kabbalah, poetry and modern Jewish commentaries - including a session on the great modern midrashic interpreter, Avivah Zornberg.
Rabbi Yoel Kahn, Ph.D, was the Rabbi of Congregation Sha’ar Zahav from 1985-1996.
Register for class here and you'll recieve a Zoom link a day before class starts!
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Recurring Gatherings and Meetings | |
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Kaf-Lamed Monthly Gathering
Don't go to Shabbat alone!
February 17, 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. Contact Emily Ornelas-Dorian.
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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 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!
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Remember When
1st Wednesday of the Month
6:30-8:00pm
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. Email Marv Lehrman.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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Weekly Torah Study Group
Weekly on Wednesday
8:30-9:30am
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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Mussar 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
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. Email Karen Schiller and Ellen Murland
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12-Step Meetings by and for SZ Members
Weekly on Sundays On Zoom
1:00-2:00pm
The meeting will be run in the usual 12-step format but will also feature some thoughts and reflections from members bringing Judaism into their 12-step practice. Contact Erika Katske.
For Sha'ar Zahav Members Only. Register Here to Attend.
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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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Erika Katske 2/8
Irene Friedman 2/9
Emily Ornelas-Dorian 2/9
Andrew Berger 2/10
Elias Ross Trupin 2/10
Marion Vera Williamson 2/11
Shawn Matloob 2/12
Lia Zvi Rawlings-Fein 2/12
Leva Choden 2/13
Avi Goldberg 2/13
Avraham Giannini 2/14
Irene Ogus 2/14
Beth Ross 2/14
Nora Spiegel 2/14
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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. | |
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Attending In-Person Events and Services
Our policy is as follows.
- 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.
- Well-fitting masks covering the mouth and nose are required at services, and are optional at other in-person events. N95 or KN95 masks are recommended and will be provided if you don’t have one. Masks may be removed for eating at onegs/receptions following services.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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