Our community is grieving as we watch and read the news from Israel. Please join us as we gather this Friday night as a community to hold one another in our grief amidst the joy of Shabbat and Sarita and James’ marriage blessing. Please keep an eye out over the next day for an email with resources, places to donate and ways to get involved. | | |
Contact office@shaarzahav.org to sponsor Oneg or Flowers for Shabbat. | |
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Friday Night Services for Bereshith:
October 13th at 7:30pm.
Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person
Led by Cantor Bernstein
Join Sarita Groisser and James Raggio as they receive a special aufruf blessing for their upcoming wedding.
Register Here for Zoom Service
Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838
Saturday Morning Service:
October 14th at 10:00am.
Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person
Join Josie Fox at her bat mitzvah as she celebrates this great milestone. All are invited!
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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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
Starts Tomorrow! 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 Shabbat and holidays to lifecycle events, 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 Echad Leah 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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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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Do a mitzvah! Receive a mitzvah!
Our Hineni Caring Community listserv matches members with needs (errands, home visits, rides, delivering food, or making a call.) Can you volunteer to make someone’s day? There is no commitment. Anyone on the listserv can fulfill them as they are able. Let co-chair Marla Allen know whether you’re able to help or have a need--or both! Note: By joining this listserv, you are NOT joining a committee that meets and organizes. You are simply going to receive periodic emails about needs our members have.
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SF Reparations Plan Update
As a follow up to our successful rally in support of the SF Reparations Plan, the Racial Equity Committee is asking members to contact Mayor London Breed to urge her to take action.
Address:
1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place
City Hall, Room 200 / San Francisco, CA 94102-4689
Here is a template:
Dear Mayor Breed,
I am writing to you today to urge you to open an Office of Reparations in our city, to further explore the recommendations of the AARAC. This is a moral and economic imperative to maintain the vibrancy of San Francisco.
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Recurring Gatherings and Meetings | |
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SZ Book Group
Light from Uncommon Stars By Ryka Aoki
Tuesday, November 14, 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom
Donuts. What more incentive does one need?! Take a trans protagonist, mix in two lesbian main characters (one known as the Queen of Hell, the other an interstellar refugee), add virtuoso violin music, and you get a fun, easy-to-read book. Oh, one of the main locations is a donut shop!
Join the Meeting: Zoom Link
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12-Step Meetings by and for SZ Members
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
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
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
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L'Havin: Understanding Israel and Its Neighbors
4th Monday of the month, 6:00-7:00pm on Zoom
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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Christopher Archuleta 10/11
Beth Sousa 10/12
Anna Bernstein 10/13
David Gellman 10/13
Shai Garrett Garcia-Goldberg 10/13
Karen Greene 10/14
Michael Bettinger 10/14
Josephine Fox 10/15
Ellen Cleary 10/15
Tsipora Prochovnick 10/15
Richard Meyerson 10/16
Mychal Copeland 10/17
Stuart Dick 10/17
Rafael Mandelman 10/17
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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. | | | | |
