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Weekly Newsletter
July 3, 2025
7 Tammuz 5785 | Parshat Chukat
| | | | | 333 Cortland Ave, SF, CA 94110 | | |
Welcoming Shabbat on Zoom
Friday, July 11, 6 - 7 PM
Via Zoom
Join us for a Welcoming Shabbat led by Or Shalom members Saralie Pennington and Tom Herz – a warm gathering filled with songs, candle lighting, healing blessings, the Mourners’ Kaddish, and Shabbat poetry. Embrace the spirit of Shabbat together, from the comfort of your home.
Zoom Link
PW: Shabbat
Click here for our Zoom Siddur (prayerbook). You might wish to print out our Siddur in advance of Welcoming Shabbat.
For more information and the Zoom link, click here.
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Emergency Preparedness Training
Sunday, July 13, 1 - 4 PM
331 Cortland Ave
Join us for an afternoon of Emergency Preparedness Training with the San Francisco Fire Ner Tamid Society! This event will be open to any interested adults, and attendance is especially encouraged for those interested in serving as greeters at Or Shalom events.
Specific trainings will include the American Heart Association’s Community’s “Hands-Only" CPR, when and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Stop the Bleed, as well as Earthquake Preparedness based on the SF Fire Department’s Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) curriculum.
Only 9 spots remaining! Sign up today!
For more information and to register, click here.
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Considering God Salon
Wednesday, July 16, 7 - 8:30 PM
331 Cortland Ave
The Considering God Salon returns for its summer gathering, inviting us to reflect on a timely and personal question: What does Judaism offer you right now? How does being part of a Jewish community nourish you in ways other aspects of your life may not?
Held once each quarter, this long-running, member-led salon creates space for open, thoughtful conversation on our evolving relationships to God, belief, ritual, and identity. Over the years, we’ve explored themes ranging from language and metaphor to secularism, soul, heresy, and healing.
Join us as we continue this rich tradition of curiosity, connection, and honest dialogue.
Facilitated by Betsy Strausberg and Robin Roth. All are welcome.
For more information and to register, click here
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Picnic with R’ Katie!
Sunday, July 20, 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Holly Park or 331 Cortland, contingent upon weather
Rabbi Katie will be visiting from Colorado, and we are so excited to welcome her back to Or Shalom! Join R’ Faryn and R’ Katie for a potluck picnic, filled with music, learning and plenty of time to schmooze.
Bring a vegetarian potluck dish to share and your own reusable dishware. We will announce as the date draws closer whether we will be indoors or outdoors, and whether folks should bring picnic blankets and chairs.
- 3:30-4:30 Potluck Meal and Open Schmoozing
- 4:30-5:15 Program with R’ Katie and R’ Faryn
- 5:15-on more schmoozing
For more information and to register, click here.
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Save the Date: 2025 Community Picnic
Sunday, September 7, Time TBD
GGP - Marx Meadow
Join us for our annual Community Picnic at our favorite spot—Marx Meadow in Golden Gate Park (JFK Drive & Marx Meadow Dr). We’ll gather for a fun-filled afternoon with good food, great company, and plenty of sunshine (we hope!)
This community potluck picnic will be supplemented by light refreshments provided by Or Shalom. Please bring:
- Reusable dishes and flatware (we’ll have disposables just in case)
- A vegetarian side dish or dessert to share
- Games, balls, bats, musical instruments—whatever makes it a party
- Blankets or folding chairs for comfort
Dress in layers and feel free to bring friends! This is a wonderful way to introduce them to the Or Shalom community.
More details coming soon. We can’t wait to see you there!
For more information and to register, click here.
| | School of Jewish Living Arts | |
Shabbat Morning with Rabbi Me’irah
Saturday, July 12, 10 AM - 1:30 PM
331 Cortland Ave
Join us for a soulful and intimate Shabbat morning service with Rabbi Me’irah, filled with song, prayer, and Torah learning. Afterward, share a vegetarian potluck lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 PM.
Up Close & Personal with the Torah
Saturday, July 12, 1:30 - 2:30 PM
331 Cortland Ave
RSVP
From 1:30 to 2:30 PM, stay for a hands-on workshop led by Rabbi Me’irah as part of her School of Jewish Living Arts. You will learn how to approach the Torah with confidence and care, including how to hold, lift, and honor it, and how to come up for an aliyah.
For more information about the workshop and to register, click here.
❗Note: You’re welcome to attend either or both parts of the day! Feel free to stay after services for the Torah workshop, or just come at 1:30 PM for the workshop, even if you didn’t attend the morning service.
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Your Forever Home: Exploring Local Cemetery Options
Three sessions beginning on:
Sunday, July 27, 11 AM - 2 PM
Eternal Home Cemetery (at the Chapel)
1051 El Camino Real, Colma
Ever think about your ‘forever home?’ Like, the place where you will rest your bones forever?
This summer, Rabbi Me’irah will be offering three field trips to local Jewish cemeteries to help in your discernment about your ‘forever home.’ On these field trips, we will meet with representatives from the cemeteries to learn what each cemetery uniquely has to offer, as well as engage in learning over a BYO picnic lunch, facilitated by Rabbi Me’irah.
Bring a picnic blanket, chair if you need one, and your own lunch and prepare for a fun, meaningful, and enlightening day.
Dates:
Sunday, July 27, 11 AM - 2 PM
Eternal Home Cemetery (at the Chapel)
1051 El Camino Real, Colma
Sunday, August 10, 11 AM - 2 PM
Gan Yarok
301 Tennessee Valley Rd, Mill Valley
Sunday, August 17th, 11 AM - 2 PM
Gan Shalom (at the Chapel)
1100 Bear Creek Road, Briones
To register, click here.
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OS Chesed Circle
The Chesed Circle is how we show up for one another in times of need. Whether it’s organizing meals, offering a ride, making a visit, or simply checking in, this group helps coordinate care and support for members of our community going through illness, loss, recovery, or major life transitions.
If you're interested in helping out occasionally—or just want to stay informed—join the circle!
Questions? Contact Madeleine Levin or Sue Schechter.
| | If you would like to add your loved one to the Or Shalom Healing List, you can do so here. | | |
This week, we’re proud to spotlight Artemis Stahl, a dedicated volunteer with the Or Shalom Community School.
Arty first joined Or Shalom three years ago and began volunteering with our Community School about a year ago. What began as a requirement for her high school graduation quickly turned into something much more meaningful.
“I started volunteering due to it being a requirement to graduate at my school,” she shared, “but I’ve realized it’s a lot more than that. I was learning alongside the other students while also working with them.”
Arty brings warmth, patience, and genuine curiosity to her time in the classroom, and it’s clear that her presence has enriched the learning experience for our students. As she heads into her senior year of high school this fall, we’re thrilled she plans to continue volunteering with the school.
Thank you, Arty, for showing up week after week with a willing heart and open mind. We’re so lucky to have you in our community!
Inspired by Arty's volunteer efforts and want to pitch in, too? Email the Volunteer Committee to get involved!
Know someone who deserves the spotlight? Nominate them here!
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The 45th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
July 17 - August 3
San Francisco & East Bay Locations
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival returns for 18 days of bold, independent cinema and unforgettable stories on the Jewish experience, from world premieres to award contenders. With 70 films lighting up screens across San Francisco and the East Bay for 18 days, this is the summer of film you don't wan to miss!
Grab your tickets now at sfjff.org
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Tzedakah
We gratefully acknowledge these contributions from our community:
When making a donation online, please be sure to specify where to allocate.
Judy Olasov, in memory of Nathan Patla Olasov
Beth Mills, in memory of Khane Bushel Solow
Leslie Roffman & Bob Goodwin, in memory of Ethel Roffman
Pat Skala & Corey Weinstein, in memory of Roz Lyn Elson
Thurm & Greene Family, in memory of Marlyn Greene
Robin Roth, in memory of Fernando Barreiro
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Yahrzeits
The community extends its sympathy to Rachelle Resnick on the death of her brother Ron Resnick
On the anniversary of their deaths, we remember:
David Aaron Frankel, Jerry Epstein, Augusta Tuckman Finkelstein, Beverly Fine, Bette Garcia, Miriam Goebel, Nancy Gomes, Roy Howard, Mary Johnson, Jack Lauer, Gordon Mar, Rico Mendez, Sharon Richardson, Bill Richardson, Conrad Schneider, Bella Choslovsky, Don Belway, Alexander Baelen, Lore Cornwall, Susan Weber, Sarah Edith Zorn
At Or Shalom, it is our minhag (custom) to announce yahrzeits according to the first and second halves of the Gregorian month.
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To submit an Or Shalom group-sponsored event for the newsletter, email newsletter@orshalomsf.org
by the Monday before you want it to be included.
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