Contact office@shaarzahav.org to sponsor Oneg or Flowers for Shabbat.

Friday Night Services for Shemini

April 5 at 7:30pm

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person

Led by Cantor Bernstein and Josh Muller

Drash by Deborah Levy

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838

Saturday Morning Service:

April 6 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.

Learn With Us!

Judaism 101

Mondays, April 15-June 17 (except April 22 and May 27), 7-9pm

Primarily Zoom-only with possible occasional hybrid

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.

We offer three modules of our Introduction to Judaism class throughout the year. They each cover different material, and are independent-take one module or take them all! This spring module will focus on History, Mysticism and Jewish culture around the world. Ask Cantor Bernstein any questions.

Shul School - Prayer Practicum

Mondays, April 15-June 17 (with some exceptions), 6-7pm

Primarily Zoom-only with possible occasional hybrid

A series of hands-on workshops taught by Cantor Sharon Bernstein designed to help people get more familiar with the prayers in synagogue services. Each session will focus on a different prayer, covering Hebrew pronunciation, melody, and meaning of the prayer, both literal and metaphorical, with a particular emphasis on each person finding their own understanding and practice. No prior knowledge of Hebrew is necessary! Each class is a one-off -- people can attend as they are able.

Community Get Together!

Annual Interfaith Iftar

Thursday, April 4, 6:30pm-9:30pm, in-person at Grace Cathedral

Grace Cathedral is honored to host the annual San Francisco Ramadan Interfaith Iftar Dinner. This year’s theme is “Ramadan: The Month of Connecting Communities.” This year’s program focuses on the dimensions of life that connect us: our embeddedness in civic life and public space, and the sacred texts and traditions that remind us of mutual responsibility and shared destiny.

Sha'ar Zahav is a proud co-sponsor.

The Third Annual Alvin H. Baum Jr. Memorial Lecture

Sunday, April 7, 6:30pm-8pm, Hybrid (in-person at USF and on Zoom)

The third annual Alvin H. Baum Jr., Memorial Lecture in honor of an LGBTQIA+ Jewish social justice activist will be delivered by Mike Shriver. Mike has been involved in HIV/AIDS advocacy, activism, program development, organizational development and public policy efforts for over 30 years. His efforts have encompassed issues such as HIV+ primary prevention efforts, overall HIV prevention efforts, substance use/abuse interventions, HIV/AIDS care, community organizing and mobilization as well as HIV research.

Sha'ar Zahav is a proud co-sponsor.

Click here for more information

Illustrated Medieval Passover Haggadahs

Wednesday, April 10, 7:30pm, on Zoom only

We will examine several of the most beautiful and interesting examples of the illustrated medieval Haggadah, comparing the variety of styles, images and artistry among them. Taught by Rabbi Yoel Kahn.

Centering Our Response to The Opioid Crisis

Sunday, April 14, 5pm-8pm, Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom)

Please join us for an educational event to raise awareness of the current opioid crisis in the Bay Area, and how to center our response humanely and compassionately. This event is co-sponsored with Congregation Kol Shofar (Tiburon), in partnership with the Clinton Foundation.

Toxic Benevolence: The UN System, UNRWA and the Palestinians

Tuesday, April 16, 7pm-8:15pm, on Zoom only

Viewing the current Palestinian calamity through the lens of persecuted LGBT and gender minorities, internationally-known Middle East refugee expert and Sha'ar Zahav member, Neil Grungras unravels for us a story obfuscated in broad which led inexorably to UNRWA’s role in the current war. Neil concludes by sharing with us his view of the UN Agency’s future in Gaza, the West Bank and the broader Middle East.

Click here to read Neil Grungras' bio

Music in the Mishkan

Long-time member, Randall Weiss, and The Bridge Players present the 25th season of Music in the Mishkan on April 21 - mark your calendars! Concert begins at 4:00 p.m. Don't miss this beautiful concert in our lovely sanctuary!

Order your tickets today!

Music in the Mishkan

Order your tickets today!

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

Theater & Movies Chavurah: The Cakemaker

Tonight! Wednesday, April 3, 6:00-7:15pm on Zoom

Join the Movie and Theatre Chavurah for a discussion of “The Cakemaker” — a film about a young German baker having an affair with Oren, an Israeli married man who has frequent business visits to Berlin. When Oren dies in a car crash in Israel, Thomas travels to Jerusalem seeking answers regarding his death. Under a fabricated identity, Thomas enter’s the life of Anaat, Oren’s new widowed wife who ons a small cafe in downtown Jerusalem. Thomas starts to work for her creating German cakes and cookies that bring life back into her cafe. And it gets more complicated from there.

Click here for a trailer

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

SZ Book Group

Kantika, by Elizabeth Graver

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

Love reading and talking about books with other book lovers? Join us on May 7! We’ll discuss Kantika – “a dazzling Sephardic multigenerational saga that moves from Istanbul to Barcelona, Havana, and New York, exploring displacement, endurance, and family as home.” And, oh yes, a strong-willed woman who challenges antisemitism, misogyny and disablism. For more info, contact Ami Zusman

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

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.

L'Havin: Understanding Israel and Its Neighbors

Last Monday night of each month, 6pm

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. Led by Rachel Nilson-Ralston. Contact the office to add yourself to the listserv.

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

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!

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

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 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

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.

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

Birthdays this week!

Quinn Klaiman 4/3

Rachel Nancollas 4/5

Britta Pomrantz 4/6

Larry Best 4/7

Hannah Megumi Korthof 4/7

Alex Lemberg 4/7

Anna Katz 4/8

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.

Thank You to Our Grantors

Programs at Sha’ar Zahav are supported by the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, the Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus Initiative for Immigrant and Refugee Justice of the Religious Action Center, the National Center to Encourage Judaism and the generous support of our members. Toda rabba!

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