Klezmer Shabbat

It’s a night of davening (praying), singing, dancing, eating and drinking! Come for the pure joy of it and to nourish your soul! Join us for nibbles and drinks at 7 pm. Services start at 7:30 pm led by our own Cantor Sharon Bernstein — with Josh Horowitz on accordion, Cookie Segelstein on violin, Stu Brotman on bass and Bruce Bierman on his feet.

Friday Night Services for Vayetze:

December 6th at 7:30pm

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person

Led by Cantor Bernstein, accompanied by Josh Horowitz, Cookie Segelstein, Stu Brotman, and Bruce Bierman with Rabbi Copeland

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838

Saturday Morning Service

December 7th 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.

Community, Let's Get Together!

California Interfaith Power & Light Re-Launch Party

Grounded & Growing: Relaunching as an independent nonprofit

Sunday, December 8, 3pm

The Historic Klamath, Pier 9 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA

Join Sha'ar Zahav as we honor CA Interfaith Power & Light in their relaunch as a nonprofit! Our very own Shawn Rosenmoss will be on a panel to share the climate action work SZ has done. Come gather with us aboard the Historic Klamath Riverboat to break bread, learn together, honor our 2024 Climate Heroes, and celebrate how CIPL is Grounded and Growing!

Israeli Media Coverage of the Israeli- Palestinian Conflicts

with Ben Samuels (Ha'aretz)

Wednesday, December 11, 7-8:30pm, on Zoom

Samuel's coverage includes reporting and analysis on the U.S. administration's approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, how American political parties have diverged on Israel, political and public debates around Israel and antisemitism, and matters of US relations and policy related to the entire Middle East region. He will speak to us about how media coverage has impacted Israeli public perception of the Israel-Hamas and Hezbollah wars and how the U.S. presidential election has been handled by the Israeli media.

Castro Menorah Lighting

December 16th, 6pm, Jane Warner Plaza at Castro, Market & 17th Street

Sing, dance, and eat jelly donuts at our annual Castro Menorah Lighting! Since it's not yet the holiday, instead of bringing your own chanukiah, we will be providing tealights to bring light into the season. No registration required.

Lights, Candles, Action! Virtual Community Chanukkah Lighting

Each night of Channukah, December 25-January 1st, 6pm on Zoom

Join in community for Sha’ar Zahav’s Third Annual Virtual Chanukiah Lighting.

We are looking for volunteers to lead candle lighting/blessing and tell a story each night. You can volunteer for one or both roles on the night you choose. Stories may be historical or hysterical, personal or impertinent, inspirational or aspirational. Sign up here to light/bless or sing a song. Just imagine, you can have a bunch of people celebrating at your home without the muss or fuss.

TJIF: Trans Justice! It's Friday!

Fridays: Dec. 6 and Jan. 3, 6:15-7:15pm, Hybrid at Sha'ar Zahav

Start your Shabbat with justice! People of all genders and cultures are encouraged to join in specific activities to fight back against anti-trans bigotry and to hold us in community. Led by Rabbi Eliana Kayelle with Rabbi Reuben Zellman, hosted by Congregation Sha'ar Zahav & Keshet.

Winter Blanket & Clothing Drive

Bring your new and lightly used blankets and warm clothing, including new socks to 290 Dolores St. They will be distributed to the homeless by The Gubbio Project. We will be collecting all winter long.

Save The Date: Civil Rights Trip 2025

May 24-31, 2025

SZ will join our sibling shul in LA, Beth Chayim Chadashim, as we follow in the footsteps of civil rights pioneers and mark important milestones in LGBTQ+ Jewish history. You’re invited to join BCC’s first-ever tour of the Civil Rights Trail, May 24-31, 2025, to be followed by a week in Washington, DC, where we will celebrate Shavuot, explore the rich cultural history of the capital region, and celebrate a gathering of LGBTQ Jews (June 5-6) and World Pride DC (June 7-8) with our friends at Bet Mishpachah. You are welcome to join the Civil Rights Trail tour, the week in DC, or both! If you're interested, please contact Rabbi Copeland.

Learn With Us!

You Need A Rest! Shabbat as a Spiritual Practice

Monday, December 9, 6:30pm, Hybrid at Sha'ar Zahav

“The Sabbath is a metaphor for paradise," writes Dr. Susannah Heschel. Some say Shabbat is Judaism's gift to the world. How do we make it meaningful in our lives? Can our rituals speak to our spiritual needs today? What new rituals might we create? We'll explore spiritual teachings about Shabbat in this class and dive into some of the commandments that can deepen the experience, while sharing our aspirations. Recommended reading: A Day Apart: Shabbat at Home by Noam Sachs Zion and Shawn Fields-Meyer. Taught by Rabbi Copeland.

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

Theater & Movies Chavurah:

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Tonight! Wednesday, December 4, 6:00pm on Zoom

“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” is 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

SZ Book Group

Heaven and Earth Grocery Store By James McBride

Tuesday, January 7, 7:00-8:00pm on Zoom

Come join us (we love new folx!) as we discuss a fast-reading book which starts with a skeleton found at the bottom of a well - but it’s really about the intertwined lives of immigrant Jews and African Americans who live in the rundown neighborhood of Chicken Hill.

Join us: Zoom Link

Climate Action Committee

5:30-6:30pm on Zoom

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

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

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

Weekly Torah Study Group

Weekly on Wednesday

8:30-9:30am

Have you studied Torah but wondered what happens next? We're studying the Prophets (Nevi'im). Drop-ins welcome, no experience with text study necessary. This group is lay lead.

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.

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

Sessions begin in December

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. $125 suggested donation for 4 sessions. 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!

L'Havin: Understanding Israel and Its Neighbors

Last Monday night of each month, 6pm

SZ 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.

Birthdays this week!

Martin Fenstersheib 12/5

Deborah Pollak Levy 12/10

Cindy Icke 12/10

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

Vaccinations and Masks

For the health and safety of our community, all who attend in-person services and events should be vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are unvaccinated, sick, or experiencing any symptoms of illness, please enjoy services and events via Zoom. While masks are not required at in-person services and events, we are mask-friendly and fully supportive of visitors, members, and service leaders who choose to wear masks.

Fragrance-Free Environment

Sha’ar Zahav maintains a fragrance-free environment at all its in-person services and events. In order to support those who are physically harmed when exposed to chemical fragrances (difficulty breathing, migraines, flu-like symptoms), please refrain from wearing perfume/cologne or using other scented products. For more information on this subject, click here.