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 Chol hamoed Sukkot:

October 18 at 7:30pm

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person

Shabbes Beat led by Cantor Bernstein

Register Here for Zoom Service

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838

Saturday Morning Service

October 19 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.

Sukkot Oneg

Friday, October 18, 7:30pm at Sha'ar Zahav

Celebrate in our First Ever Sidewalk Sukkah! This year, the sukkah is coming to us! Sha’ar Zahav will have a Sidewalk Sukkah in front of our building after shabbat services. Yes, we got a permit! No registration required.

Our office will be closed Thursday, October 17th for Sukkot and Thursday, October 24th for Simchat Torah.

Sukkot and Simchat Torah Celebrations!

Simchat Torah Family Dinner and Celebration

Wednesday, October 23, starts at 5:30pm at Sha'ar Zahav

6:30pm onward is Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom)

Family dinner and children's festivities starts at 5:30pm. Simchat Torah services start at 6:30pm for all as we celebrate the renewal of the Torah reading cycle and spiritually begin the new year. Everyone welcome.

RSVP here

 Sukkot Gatherings

RSVP to receive addresses

Sunday, October 13th, in person, 1pm

Ora Prochovnick & Rena Frantz in San Francisco

You're welcome to join Ora and Rena in decorating the sukkah!

RSVP

Saturday, October 19th, in person, 2-5pm

Brad Friedman in San Francisco.

RSVP

Sunday, October 27th, in person, 3pm

Jan Half and Sharyn Saslafsky at Rabbi Mychal's house in Mountain View. 

Post-Sukkot gathering!

RSVP

Community, Let's Get Together!

Contemporary Jewish Museum with

the (trans, transdisciplinary) Artist Nicki Green

Sunday October 20, noon

CJM, 736 Mission Street, SF

Join SZ-niks for an up-close visit with this trans Jewish Transdisciplinary artist, Nicki Green, for her first museum solo exhibition. Inspired by the concept of the firmament—a dividing form referenced in the Torah that separated the earth from the heavens—Green reimagines the gallery space as an environment of welcome and liberation centering trans and nonbinary bodies. Maggid Eli Andrew Ramer whose words adorn the art work will also join us. Get tickets here and use code CJMZAHAV for $4 off.

Co-sponsored by TGNC and SAC. 

Sign-up here if you plan to join us in person!

Hope in a Time of Trauma:

Dialogue between Palestinian and Israeli peace activists

Wednesday, October 30, 6:30pm, Hybrid

6:30pm for snacks and schmoozing, program begins at 7pm

Join us for a powerful and timely conversation between activists Hamze Awawde and Offir Gutelzon. Together, they will explore the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the pursuit of peace and the work being done to create a shared future.

Co-sponsored with the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.

Register here

Bereavement Spiritual Support Group: Open Spots Available

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.

Trans* Together

3rd Fridays: Nov 15, Dec 20, January 17, 6:00-7:15 pm

We're living in exhilarating and terrifying times. Trans, intersex, and non-binary folks are invited to our own space to connect with community, eat and have fun. Choose art/maker space, music circle, youth program or Jewish study, or just hang out. Light dinner provided. People of all cultures and backgrounds are warmly welcome. No cost; wheelchair accessible; Zoom participation is available for almost all activities.

Hosted by Congregation Sha'ar Zahav and Keshet.

Register here

TJIF: Trans Justice! It's Friday!

Fridays Nov. 8, Dec 6, Jan 3, 6:15-7:15pm

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. Wheelchair accessible, Zoom participation is available. Led by Rabbi Eliana Kayelle, hosted by Congregation Sha'ar Zahav & Keshet.

Register here

Music in the Mishkan Is Back for a Fall Bonus Concert!

Sunday, November 17, 4pm

Randall Weiss and the Bridge Players will be appearing in a special performance as a pay-what-you-want fundraiser for the synagogue. Pianist Marilyn Thompson will join violinist Randall Weiss in a program featuring the music of Beethoven, Brahms and Bach, as well as 20th century Israeli composers Paul Ben-Haim, Yariv Esrachi and Marc Lavry.

Please join us for this special concert benefiting Sha'ar Zahav!

Register here

Learn With Us!

You Need A Rest! Shabbat as a Spiritual Practice

Mondays, November 11-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.

Register here

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

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

Weekday Morning Prayer with Yizkor

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.

On October 22nd, Cantor Bernstein will lead us in a Yizkor Memory Circle for the end of the Sukkot holiday. This will take place from 9-9:30am using the same weekday morning prayer link.

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

Climate Action Committee

5:30-6:30pm on Zoom

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

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

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.

Richard Meyerson 10/16

Rabbi Mychal Copeland 10/17

Rafael Mandelman 10/17

Gamaliel Galindo 10/17

Stuart Dick 10/17

Talia Meltzer 10/18

Mahri Bahati 10/21

Edward Fristoe 10/22

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.