Thank you to everyone who has responded to our membership drive! If you haven't made your pledge yet, we kindly ask that you make your pledge now. Contact the office with any questions. If you're not yet a member and want to find out more, contact Danny.

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 Re'eh

August 30 at 7:30pm

On Zoom Only

Led by Cantor Bernstein

Drash by Kay Magilavy

Register Here for Zoom Service

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838

Saturday Morning Service

August 31 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.

The office will be closed on Monday, September 2 for Labor Day

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.

Cheshbon Hanefesh: An Accounting of the Soul in the Month of Elul

Wednesday, September 4th, 7pm, Zoom Only

Don't jump into the High Holy Days without a warmup! The month of Elul is our time of introspection and helps us ease into the deep transformational work of the chaggim. In this workshop, we'll study, hear the shofar, do some personal writing about the past year and share out in small groups. Taught by Rabbi Copeland.

RSVP here

Shofar Sounding from Elul to Yom Kippur

Fridays, September 6-September 20, 6pm, in-person only at SZ library

Members Only

Embrace the spirit of the High Holy Days by learning to sound the shofar! Drop-in classes begin September 6 at 6pm. This unique opportunity will be held at 6pm on Friday nights throughout Elul, culminating with a powerful finale shofar relay at the Neilah service on Yom Kippur.

RSVP here

Community Get Together!

Beit Sefer: We Recruit!

Do you know families with children in Kindergarten through 7th grade? Tell them about Beit Sefer, our weekly Shabbat morning learning program! If you have any questions, please contact Rabbi Q, our Director of Education.

Learn more here

Dog Shabbat

This Friday! August 30, 6pm, Dolores Park

Kehillat Klavim, (a community of dogs) a very informal group, invites you to join us for “Dog Shabbat." Whether or not you have your own dog, it will be an informal gathering for dog owners and dog lovers. We will share some dog friendly Jewish readings and songs and there will be some treats for you and your dogs! Please RSVP to Ron Lezell.

B’yachad Duboce Park Gathering 

Sunday, September 1, 12-2pm 

We’ll meet on the southwestern side of the park, near the N-Judah tracks, under a big tree. Suggestions about what to bring: Warm clothes, a blanket, chair, sunscreen.

If you have any questions, please contact Paisha, Marvin or Bob

Queer Judaism

Mondays, September 9-30, 6:30-8pm, Hybrid at SZ

Debbie Friedman and Harvey Milk, Barbra Streisand and Rainbow challot, marching in Pride, wearing a tallit and High Holy Days at the Herbst. These are just some of the images that the words "Queer Judaism" conjure up. But what exactly makes these images both "Queer" and "Jewish?" Join us for a four-session discussion group where we will delve into these questions and many more, exploring the rich and complex intersection of Queer and Jewish identities. Taught by Morey Lipsett.

Sign up for in person

Sign up for Zoom

Ladino History, Culture, Music and Language with Dr. Rivka Amado

September 14th and 21st, 12:15pm-1:45pm, Hybrid at Sha'ar Zahav

After over two thousand years of Jewish life in the Iberian Peninsula, the Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492. Most of them, known as the Sephardim (“Sepharad” is Spain in Hebrew), left with only two types of possessions: their language—Ladino—and their music. This program explores Ladino culture: its historical account, language and music found in ballads, lyrical songs (cantikas), coplas, and liturgy. Free for members ($30 value). Taught by Dr. Rivka Amado.

in partnership with New Lehrhaus

Non-members sign up here

Members sign up here

Israel Programming

Israel/Palestine: Let’s Talk!

September 8, 2:30-5:30pm, Hybrid

Members Only

The war between Israel and Hamas continues, following the horrific events of October 7, impacting Gazans, Israelis, folks all around the world, and – of course – all of us. As a congregation we hold the broadest spectrum of perspectives on the war. The program - led by member Claudia Bernard, a professional facilitator, mediator and educator - will include learning, dialogue and reflection designed to strengthen our ability to listen and respond to each other with resilience, sensitivity, curiosity, and respect. Click here to read more

Sign up for in person

Sign up for Zoom

Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) visit

Wednesday, September 18, 12-1:30pm, Hybrid

Members Only

Dan Alon, CEO of SPNI will update us on their most important projects, including Nature Heals eco-therapy program to help a traumatized nation heal in nature, and Start-Up Nature, their visionary and transformational rewilding project to secure the migratory flyway for hundreds of millions of birds.

Sign up here for Zoom

Sign up here for in-person

The Nova Music Festival Exhibition

Sunday, September 29, 12:00 - 2:30pm - In-Person at Los Angeles

Join Executive Director Danny and others on a trip organized by the Jewish Federation to the Nova Music Festival Exhibition in Los Angeles. After a private tour we will hear testimony from survivors. Admission and lunch is being covered by the Federation, but you need to arrange transportation to Los Angeles. The Federation has limited need-based travel subsidies - contact Danny Shapiro for more information. If you plan to go, let Danny know after you sign up.

Sign up here

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

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.

SZ Book Group

Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendship, by Nina Totenberg

Tuesday, September 3, 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom

NPR correspondent Nina Totenberg and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg come alive in Totenberg’s memoir of these two extraordinary women, who transformed American society and women’s role in it. It is also an intimate account of how their decades-long friendship helped them through challenges, tragedies, and  triumphs. 

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Social Action Committee

Monday, September 9, 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

Climate Action Committee

2nd Monday of the month, 5-6:30pm on Zoom

After a hiatus of several months (that included some of the planet's hottest days ever), CAC had reconvened and our next meeting will be September 9. 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

 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

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.

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

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.

Tom Lakritz 8/28

Asher Copeland 8/29

Ann Daniels 8/29

Joshua Levy 8/29

Lewis Lehman 8/29

Alex Goldstone 8/29

Liora Kram 8/29

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.