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Friday Night and Saturday Morning Shabbat Services fall on Rosh Hashanah this year. Please feel free to join us online or in-person at the Herbst Theater.
Check below for more information.
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As an added precaution, we encourage everyone to take a COVID home test before attending in person at the Herbst Theater. | |
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They're almost here…the Days of Awe.
Be sure to save your place on Zoom or at the Herbst Theater by registering here.
And while you’re at it, invite your friends and family. We’ll welcome them too.
Unlike most synagogues, there’s no need to pay to pray. They can register here.
Don’t miss the “ah” or the “awe."
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Online Tashlich
Sunday, September 17, 2:00pm
On Zoom Only
Join us as we release our burdens in a unique and beautiful Tashlich gathering on Zoom. If you can, bring a bowl, a few ice cubes and/or a little water.
To attend, register here
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San Francisco Tashlich
Sunday, September 17, 2:00pm
Crissy Field, East Beach
Tashlich is our short ritual of figuratively tossing our past wrongdoings into the ocean and singing our way into a new year, free of our burdens. Bring your own lunch and blanket to the beach any time after 1:00pm to greet new friends and old. Brief service will begin promptly at 2:00pm. Click here for information on accessibility at Crissy Field, East Beach.
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East Bay Tashlich
Sunday, September 17, 2:00pm
Lake Merritt Labyrinth
Join us for Tashlich at the Lake Merritt Labyrinth (the grassy area off the Grand Lake side of the lake, near the intersection of Bellevue Avenue and Staten Street). Bring your own lunch and blanket any time after 1:00pm to greet new friends and old. Brief service will begin promptly at 2:00pm. Click here for information on accessibility at Lake Merritt.
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Sukkot Gatherings
Saturday, September 30th, in person, 1:00-3:00pm
Ora Prochovnick & Rena Frantz in San Francisco
Bring something to hang in the sukkah, something veggie to share to eat or just bring yourselves! Open to all.
RSVP
Sunday, October 1st, in person, 4:30-6:00pm
Liz Jaroslow in San Francisco
For families with children from birth-5 year olds only!
RSVP
Friday, October 6th, in person, 7pm
Emily Ornelas-Dorian in San Francisco
For Kaf-Lameds--see below
RSVP
Sunday, October 8th, in person, 3:00-5:00pm
Jan Half and Sharyn Saslafsky at Rabbi Mychal's house in Mountain View. Open to all.
RSVP
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After Erev Rosh Hashanah Social
Anina in Hayes Valley
Keep the night going in community with Sha'ar Zahav's young adult group, the Kaf Lameds, for drinks and conversation at a local SF cocktail bar Anina, we'll head over after Erev Rosh Hashanah services at Herbst. Contact Emily Ornelas-Dorian, or meet by the front entrances by the doors of the theater.
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Simchat Torah Dinner and Shabbat
Friday, October 6, starts at 5:00pm at Sha'ar Zahav
6:30pm onward is Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom)
Double the joy with Shabbat and Simchat Torah on one night! Dinner starts at 5:00pm. Shabbat and Simchat Torah festivities start at 6:30pm as we celebrate the renewal of the Torah reading cycle and spiritually begin the new year. Open to all.
RSVP here
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Young Adult Sukkot Dinner
Friday, October 6, 7pm in the Outer Sunset
Join Sha’ar Zahav’s Kaf-Lamed group for our first Sukkot Dinner! All are welcome! (All, meaning everyone in their 20s and 30s, of course). We will be gathering at the home of Kaf Lamed leader, Emily Ornelas-Dorian. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options will be available (Vegan upon request only). RSVP is required, and will be capped.
To RSVP, please email Emily Ornelas-Dorian
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Hebrew Classes
Introductory Hebrew
Tuesday, October 17 - December 19
7:30-8:30pm on Zoom
Would you like to be able to decode Hebrew, so that you can follow along in the prayer book? Have you always wondered how the Hebrew language works? It is never too late to start! Taught by Michael Lederman.
Continuing Hebrew
Thursday, October 12 - December 21 (excluding November 23)
7:30-8:30pm 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. Taught by Michael Lederman.
Register for both classes here
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Judaism 101
Mondays, October 16 - December 11
7:00-9:00pm, Hybrid (in-person and 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. We will be covering everything from Torah to Israel, spirituality to ethics, through a queer-positive, progressive, inclusive Jewish lens with plenty of room for questions. Our learning will be interactive and communal; come ready to be in the learning with us. If you have questions, please contact the office.
Register for the class here
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The Golem:
The Jewish Artificial Intelligence
Mondays, October 30, November 6 and November 13
7:00-8:00pm, Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom)
Centuries ago, our ancestors wrote of a magical being called the Golem. This proto-robot did household chores, protected our towns, and may have inspired Frankenstein. Like AI, the Golem challenges our notions of human particularity, creativity, and potential. Join Rabbi Copeland and SZnik M Eifler for a fascinating exploration of the Golem and AI. No experience necessary! We'll talk about Golem's souls, humans' lived experience, and how AI actually works. As a bonus, this class will be accompanied by a special Jewish Magic Symposium and art exhibit at the JCCSF on November 12th.
To register, please click here.
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Reparations Support
Tuesday, September 19
The San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee is asking for community support in urging the SF Board of Supervisors to take action on the San Francisco Reparations Plan. To show your support, sign here. The task force is aiming to get as many signatures as possible before its presentation to the full Board of Supervisors. All are encouraged to attend a rally at noon on the steps of City Hall, followed by the public hearing at 2pm. Here's an excellent article that explains the Plan and the process. For a Jewish perspective on the reparations issue, see What Does Jewish Wisdom Say About Reparations? by Rabbi Amy Eilberg.
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Music in the Mishkan Is Back for a Fall Bonus Concert!
Sunday, October 15th at 2pm
Randall Weiss and the Bridge Players, who've been performing together for more than twenty years in the outstanding Music in the Mishkan concert series at Sha'ar Zahav, will be appearing in a special performance as a pay-what-you-want fundraiser for the synagogue.
Reserve your tickets here!
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Recurring Gatherings and Meetings | |
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SZ Book Group
Ever After: the extended lives and work of eleven famous authors By Eli Andrew Ramer
Tuesday, October 3, 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom
Eli Ramer will join us in talking about his book of alternative-reality stories – in which authors as different as Emily Dickinson and Franz Kafka lived on to write new poems and books, living happily with a same-gender partner. Eli’s book is short, queer, and half the stories have Jewish characters.
Join the Meeting: Zoom Link
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Theater & Movies Chavurah:
Facing Windows
Wednesday, October 4, 6:00-7:15pm on Zoom
This award-winning drama features dual love stories, one from the 1940s between two Italian Jews and a contemporary story of neighbors who watch each other furtively from facing windows across a street. Davide turns out to be a master baker, a metaphor for the alchemy of creation not lost on Giovanna, who bakes to supplement her income working in a factory. Davide lived through the October 16, 1943, roundup of Jews in the Rome ghetto and the subsequent deportation and loss of his family and his lover. The film is widely available on Apple, Amazon, Direct TV and YouTube for $3.99
Join us: Zoom Link
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12-Step Meetings by and for SZ Members
Please note the change new date and time!
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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Kaf-Lamed Monthly Gathering (See above as this month's is during Rosh Hashanah)
Don't go to Shabbat alone!
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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Social Action Committee
Monday, September 18
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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L'Havin: Understanding Israel and Its Neighbors
4th Monday of the month, 6:00-7:00pm on Zoom
We're skipping this month for Yom Kippur
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.
For more information, contact Rachel Nilson-Ralston.
Join the Meeting: Zoom link
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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
6:45-8:00pm
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
Rabbi Copeland and lay leaders lead discussions about the weekly Torah reading. Drop-ins welcome, no experience with Torah nessecary!
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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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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Steven Schumacher 9/13
Eva Rosenbaum 9/13
Naya Loftus-Nguyen 9/14
Mark Oliver 9/15
Robert Geller 9/15
Marion Gillen 9/15
Matthew Patchell 9/15
Tyler Atura Bushnell 9/15
Robert Tat 9/15
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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. | | | | |
