Contact [email protected] to sponsor a Shabbat

Friday Night Services:

November 18th at 7:30 pm.

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person.

Shabbes Beat Led by Cantor Bernstein

D'rash by Cantor Bernstein

Register Here for Zoom Service

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838


Saturday Morning Service:

November 19th at 10:00 am.

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.

Community: Let's Get Together

John Lewis Memorial Voter Engagement Group

Pizza Postcarding Party

Tonight! Wednesday, November 16

6:00-8:00pm at Sha'ar Zahav

Join us tonight at SZ as we mail cards to registered, consistent Black voters in Georgia who may not have clear, accurate and timely info about voting in the Run-Off Election. Please RSVP to Tirtza Pearl if you are coming to the party so that she knows how many packets to prepare and we can plan on how much pizza to buy. If you can't make it to the party but want to write postcards, please email Tirtza and you can make arrangements with her to pick up a packet. We will be on Zoom too. 

Join the meeting: Zoom Link

 3 Stars//Shlosha Kochavim 

Saturday, December 3, 5:30-7:00pm at Sha'ar Zahav

Children ages 2-5 are invited to join us in their pjs for play and havdalah! We’ll have free play, story time, havdalah, easy dinner and more play. Bring a grown-up! 

Please Register by Thursday, December 1

Open Shabbat:

Welcoming Shabbat with the Mission's Unhoused

Friday, November 25, 6:00pm

16th and Mission Bart Station

SZ will be sponsoring dinner for folks at the outdoor Open Shabbat service on Friday, November 25th. To learn more, click here to read the J Weekly article. If you are interested in volunteering to help prepare and/or distribute the food we will provide after the service or would like more information, please contact Deb Farkas.

Save The Date!

Please join us for Klezmer Shabbat!! 

Friday, December 16

It is a night for everyone of eating, davening singing and dancing! 

Come early for the food and music. Services will start at 7:30. Cantor Bernstein (with voice and piano), Josh Horowitz (on accordion) and Cookie Segelstein (on violin) will provide the expressive melodies and joyful rhythms. Bruce Bierman will lead us in dance. And stay after-services for more eating, dancing and schmoozing.

Just be sure to register here

Music in the Mishkan is back starting January 2023!

Click here for details.

Adult Learning

Zohar Reading Circle with Rabbi Copeland

Not too late to join!

Weekly on Mondays, November 21 - December 12

7:00-8:30pm

Are you intrigued by Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah? Rabbi Copeland will lead an informal reading group of the Zohar, the central work of Kabbalah. Newcomers to Kabbalah or experienced readers are all welcome.

Please obtain Daniel Chanan Matt’s book, Zohar: Annotated & Explained. It’s easy to find online and there are places to borrow it as well - just ask Rabbi Copeland. All texts will be in translation. You don’t need to attend every session, but registration is necessary. Online and in person. 

Register for the class here

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

Kaf-Lamed Monthly Gathering

Don't go to Shabbat alone!

November 18, 7:30pm

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. Any questions please feel free to contact Emily Ornelas-Dorian.

Racial Equity Committee

Monday, November 21

6:30-8:00pm on Zoom

The Racial Equity Committee is back to meeting regularly! Subsequent meetings will be held on the the third Monday of the month at 6:30. Come help assure that CSZ is always a place of welcome, inclusion and equity for all.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Social Action Committee

Monday, December 5th

6:00pm on Zoom

On fair elections, welcoming the stranger, secure housing and food, ending gun violence, and more! At our next meeting we will focus on our next get-out-the vote actions, Open Shabbat and Refugee Shabbat planning. Want to join us? Come to our next meeting or contact Nancy Wecker or Geri Kahn.   

Join the Meeting:  Zoom link

Book Group Discussion:

He, She and It, by Marge Piercy

Tuesday, December 20, 7:00 - 8:00 pm on Zoom

It is the near future, and North America is a toxic, overheated wasteland after nuclear war. Most people live unprotected from the poisoned atmosphere or in domed cities ruled by mega-corporations. But in the free town of Tikva, scientist Malkah has illegally created a cyborg to protect her town from corporate takeover. Piercy's novel, which weaves between this dystopian future and stories of the 17thth century golem of Prague, deals with environmental disaster, a 1984-type world, courage, love, and the question of what's human. For more info, email Ami Zusman. 

Join the Meeting: Zoom Link

Art Group: Drop-in

Weekly on Tuesdays

Hybrid: In person and on Zoom

10am-11:30am

Drop in for a joyful hour and a half of free art-making and connection. Everyone is welcome! The group meets every Tuesday. Please contact Paisha Rochlin or Barbara Cymrot for meeting location.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

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 with any questions.

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!

Remember When

1st Wednesday of the Month

6:30-8:00pm

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. Everyone is welcome! Questions? Please email Marv Lehrman.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Weekly Torah Study Group

Weekly on Wednesday

8:30-9:30am

Study the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Copeland and lay leaders. For the first half-hour, we’ll talk, learn and share thoughts about the portion. In the second half, we will practice our Hebrew reading skills in a compassionate environment! Join for either or both parts of the study. To be added to our SZ Torah listserv, email Susie Idzik.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Mussar 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! For more information, 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

Jewish Yoga
You are invited to a Shabbat morning exploration of yoga and Judaism that integrates mind, body, and spirit. Beginners and experienced yoga practitioners are welcome. To be added to our SZ Yoga listserv, email [email protected].
Register for the Meeting: Zoom link

Hiking Chavurah

3rd Saturday of the month until 2023, 9:50 am

We hike on the second Saturday of the month

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. For more information, email Karen Schiller and Ellen Murland

12-Step Meetings by and for Sha’ar Zahav Members

Weekly on Sundays On Zoom

1:00-2:00pm

Come listen and share experience, strength, and hope with other CSZ members who identify as part of any 12-step community (AA, NA, CMA, Alanon, SA, etc.).

The meeting will be run in the usual 12-step format but will also feature some thoughts and reflections from members who are working to bring their Jewish selves and Jewish traditions to their 12-step practice. Contact Erika Katske with any questions.

For Sha'ar Zahav Members Only. Register Here to Attend.

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. For more information, contact Cantor Bernstein.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Birthdays this week!


Ruth Rainero 11/16

Warren Baim 11/16

Yvette Adida 11/19

Alan Gordon 11/20

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.

Returning to 290 Dolores
Attending In-Person Events and Services

Starting at the end of April, our policy is as follows.
  • Shabbat Service: Masking during the service is required. Following the service, you may remove your mask to enjoy oneg.
  • For all other events, masking is optional. Children 2-5 will be required to mask. We welcome you to keep wearing masks if you choose.
  • Proof of vaccination is required, including a booster shot.
  • Please remember: Sha’ar Zahav is a scent-free environment. Keeping our synagogue safe for those with scent and chemical sensitivities is part of our commitment to accessibility. Questions/concerns? Email us, the Accessibility Committee.
Updated Registration Policy
Registration: Registration will no longer be required for most in-person services and events. If you have a key card, please let yourself in. If you do not, you will be asked to sign in and show proof of vaccination. Key cards are available to all members. Please reach out to get yours.
Click here for information about our vaccination policy
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, San Francisco Humanities, and the National Center to Encourage Judaism.
You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in Sha'ar Zahav. Be sure to add [email protected] 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.
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