Contact office@shaarzahav.org to sponsor Oneg or Flowers for Shabbat.

Scroll down to read more about our exciting Oneg Chavurah!  

Friday Night Services for Shabbat Shuvah: Ha'azinu

October 4 at 7:30pm

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person

Led by Warren Baim and Howard Steiermann

Drash by Howard Steiermann

Register Here for Zoom Service

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838

Saturday Morning Service

October 5 at 10:00am

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person

Join the Zoom Meeting. 

Meeting ID: 365 434 855

Passcode: 068575.

To join by phone for either service, dial +1 669 900 9128 or find your local number.

If you have registered for High Holy Days, information and Zoom links have been sent to you via an automated confirmation email. Please check your spam folders if you haven't recieved it. Thank you.

You can come to any of our services either by Zoom or in person regardless of what you indicated on your registration form. No need for us to update your registration.

Community, Let's Get Together!

THRIVE: The Jewish Coalition to Defend

Trans and LGBQ+ Youth

Wednesday, October 9, 12pm on Zoom

In 2022 through 2024 we saw wave after wave of anti-trans and anti-LGBQ+ legislation, and we’re expecting this to continue in 2025 – unless we can ensure we elect candidates into office who respect the dignity of all people. Keshet, SOJOURN and Sha'ar Zahav extend the opportunity to Jews and allies across the country to join us at Thrive, the Jewish Coalition to Defend Trans and LGBQ+ Youth, in phone banking to register voters in Pennsylvania.

Register here

Beyond Voting for the President: A pre-election discussion about state & SF propositions

Monday, October 14, 7-8:30pm, Hybrid

Join other SZ members and friends as we have a facilitated discussion about state and SF propositions. Bring endorsements from your favorite political clubs and media sources. For more information, contact Karen Schiller or Ora Prochovnick.

Co-sponsored by the Social Action Committee.

Register here

Bereavement Spiritual Support Group in Formation

Led by Rabbi Elliot Kukla

Wednesdays, October 30-December 18, 12-1:30pm, on Zoom Only

The group is for anyone who is grieving the death of a human being. All types of loss are welcome. Many of our readings will center LGBTQ grief experiences to reflect our community, but all genders and family relationships are welcome. No Jewish knowledge or identification is required. Group size is limited to eight participants and an intake conversation is required pre-registration. To register for an intake conversation email Rabbi Copeland.

Journey to Judaism

Six Tuesdays: October 22, November 19, December 17, January 21, February 18, March 18, 7-9 pm, in person at Sha’ar Zahav

This monthly discussion group will explore issues that arise for people who are considering converting to Judaism. Those with a Jewish parent but raised with little or no Jewish experience and who are interested in exploring their connection to Judaism are also welcome! Pre-registration required. For further information, or to register, please contact Kerasa Tsokas, Director of Administration.

Save the Date: Music in the Mishkan

November 17, February 23 and April 27

Registration and program details coming soon!

Learn With Us!

Beginning Hebrew in Non-Binary Times

Mondays, October 21 - December 9 (not 11/18), plus Shabbat evening Friday, December 13, 6:30-8:30pm, Hybrid (at SZ and on Zoom)

Beginning Hebrew with a regular garnish of genderqueer linguistics. People of all genders and backgrounds are welcome! We'll cover all letters and vowels, with beginning vocabulary and grammar. And we'll explore how Hebrew is expanding through feminist, trans and non-binary creativity. Taught by Rabbi Reuben Zellman.

Register here

Learning to Read the Prayer Book

Thursdays, October 31-December 19 (not 11/28) on Zoom

A continuation of our beginning Hebrew class, 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. Taught by Michael Lederman.

Register here

Judaism 101

Starting October 29th, 7-9pm, on Zoom

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. This fall module will focus on the Jewish calendar (including Shabbat and holidays); Prayer and Spiritual Life; and Lifecycles.  

Register here

High Holy Days

Bring your full self — and your friends and family — to gather, reflect and recharge. It will be a wonderful opportunity to Be Yourself and Be with Us. See our High Holy Day Website for all the details and to register. Registration is required.

October 7th Memorials

A Sha'ar Zahav October 7th Memorial: A Year of Loss

Monday, October 7, 6-6:45pm, on Zoom only

Members only

A year has passed since the atrocities of Oct. 7th, 2023. Join Rabbi Mychal Copeland and member Adam Pollack for a Ma’ariv (evening) memorial service where we will reflect on and grieve the Israelis slain on October 7, and mourn the deaths of Israeli and Palestinian civilians during the conflict over the past year.

If you are able to have a yahrzeit candle or other kind of light at home, we'll have a chance to light it together. In community, we will process our immense sorrow and loss.

Register here

San Francisco October 7 Yizkor Memorial Service

Monday, October 7, 7pm, in-person at Congregation Emanu-El

Open to all

This Yizkor (Memorial) service will be led by Rabbis and Cantors from Congregations Am Tikvah, Beth Sholom, Emanu-El, Ner Tamid, Sha'ar Zahav, Sherith Israel, and JCCSF, including our own Cantor Sharon Bernstein.

Please join us as we come together as one community to remember, honor, and mourn those killed during the attack of October 7, 2023. We appreciate the support of our San Francisco Jewish community partners: the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Family and Children's Services, and the Contemporary Jewish Museum.

Registration is required. 

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

 Theater & Movies Chavurah: 

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Sunday, October 6, 6:00pm on Zoom

We will not meet in September so our next meeting will be October 6. The next film will be “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.” It’s the story of a socially awkward teenage boy who together with another boy befriends a classmate (Emily) after she is diagnosed with cancer. Emily also happens to be Jewish. The film premiered at Sundance in 2015 to rave reviews and it comes with a strong recommendation from Barry Pearl. It’s currently available with a subscription on HBO, YouTube, Hulu or on Apple TV for $3.99.

Join us: Zoom Link

Climate Action Committee

5:30-6:30pm on Zoom

October meeting: October 7th

November meeting: November 18th

Starting December: 2nd Monday of the month

Come share your ideas on how to maintain climate awareness and take action on climate at SZ, including learning of a climate-related State proposition we can all support. We'll also talk about coordinating with other SZ social justice committees. All ideas welcome!

Hope to see you there. Contact Deborah Levy.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

SZ Book Group

The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance, by Rebecca Clarren

Tuesday, November 12, 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom

There’s a place in South Dakota some locals still call “Jew Flats.” The US government gave this land “free” to Clarren’s ancestors – but it was land the government seized from the Lakota. Clarren explores the tangled history of Jews fleeing Russian persecution and the Lakota whose land they settled on. 

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Weekly Torah Study Group

Weekly on Wednesday

8:30-9:30am

We are coming close to the end of this Torah reading cycle. But haven't you wondered about what happens next? On October 23 (the day before Simchat Torah), instead of cycling back to the beginning of the Torah, we will move on to the Prophets (Nevi'im). And if that goes well, on to the Writings (Ketuvim). Drop-ins welcome, no experience with text study necessary.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

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

Hineni

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 fill out this form so we can better match you to members and their needs.

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

Food Creates Community!

Please join our new Oneg Chavurah with other Sha’ar Zahav members who volunteer to cook, bake or shop to assure we have a plentiful and delicious oneg each week. We’re also building a library of recipes and menus and would welcome your contributions. From now through September, you can sign up to organize, cook, bake or shop — once or many times. 

To learn more, please email oneg@shaarzahav.org.

Caregiver's Group

1st Wednesday of the month, 7-8:30pm on Zoom

Are you a caregiver for someone in your life? A parent, relative, spouse? Christina Irving of the Family Caregiver Alliance leads our monthly Caring for the Caregivers group. If you are interested, please reach out to Rabbi Copeland. Find out more about the Alliance here.

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!

12-Step Meetings by and for SZ Members

Weekly on Thursdays

5:00-6:00pm on Zoom

Join SZ'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.

L'Havin: Understanding Israel and Its Neighbors

Last Monday night of each month, 6pm

Members Only

L'Havin: Understanding Israel and Its Neighbors is a Sha'ar Zahav working group that provides our members 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.

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

Meditation Chavurah

1st 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

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 Deanne Edwards.

Sharyn Saslafsky 10/2

Miriam Heath Katz 10/3

Meira Rose Lesle Dichter 10/3

Mark Mackler 10/4

Benjamin Bernard-Herman 10/5

David Wasserman 10/7

Amelia Stern 10/8

Alexander Rosenberg 10/8

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.