Link of the week: LUNAR's Jewish Asian Film Project brings visibility to the intersection of Jewish and Asian identities with these powerful videos.

Shabbat Services are currently on Zoom Contact office@shaarzahav.org to sponsor a Shabbat

Friday Night Services: February 18 at 7:30 pm. On Zoom only. Led by Cantor Bernstein. Shabbes Beat. Register Here for Zoom Service Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838 Saturday Morning Service: February 19 at 10:00 am. On Zoom only. 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.

Zoom link for Friday Night Shabbat Services

Returning to Hybrid Services Starting Friday, February 25th, we will be returning to hybrid services (in-person and on Zoom). Registration, masks, and vaccination verification will be required for all. We look forward to being with you both in-person and virtually! For more information, please read this letter to the community.

Community: Let's Get Together

Looking for a Few Good People Sha’ar Zahav’s 2022 Nominating Committee is looking for congregants interested in joining Sha’ar Zahav’s Va’ad (Board of Directors). The members of this year’s committee are: Karen Schiller (chair), Joe Harkman, Erika Katske, Martin Tannenbaum and Kelly Thiemann. If you would like to know more about the role and responsibilities or have an idea for a nominee or are interested in joining the Va’ad yourself, please contact Karen Schiller or any of the committee members.

Upcoming action with the Social Action Committee (SAC)   Clothing Donations Needed We are looking for donations of men’s clothing (size small) and blankets for a SAC accompanied newly-arrived immigrant from Venezuela. Please email Tom Medin.

Music in the Mishkan Returns!  Violinist and longtime CSZ member Randy Weiss is offering 3 concerts, all Sundays at 4 pm in the CSZ sanctuary: Sunday, March 20: music of Foote, Gershwin and Brahms Sunday, May 1: music of Krein, Beethoven and Faure More details and tickets here

Learning Together

Judaism 101 with Director of Education Sue Bojdak  Mondays, February 28-May 2, 6:30-8:30pm on Zoom  Open to members and non-members 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 Torah to Israel, spirituality to ethics, 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. Cost is $149.  No one will be turned away for lack of funds.  If you have questions, please contact Sue Bojdak. Register for the class here

Judaism and the Body with Rabbi Copeland February 28-April 4, 7pm on Zoom Judaism celebrates our bodies. Practices like eating, praying and sex are our means toward experiencing the Divine, in Hebrew called "avodah b'gashmiut." How does this play out in our daily lives? In queer community? We will study Jewish texts - Midrash, Talmud, Zohar, Hasidut - and breath and stretch to solidify our teachings. No prior experience with Jewish texts or ideas are necessary. Texts will be read in English. Please purchase Jay Michaelson's book, God in Your Body: Kabbalah, Mindfulness and Embodied Spiritual Practice. If you would like assistance in buying the book, please email Susie Idzik. Register for the class here

Israel/Palestine Working Group Interested in how we talk about Israel and Palestine at SZ? Join an informal group for members to discuss next steps on how we discuss this important issue in our community. To get involved, contact Rabbi Copeland.

John Lewis Memorial Voter Engagement Group (a subgroup of the Social Action Committee) We are working with the Center for Common Ground and the Reclaim our Vote campaign to send out post cards to voters in Texas for a primary election. Please contact Tirtza Pearl if you are interested in joining.

Theater & Movies Chavurah Wednesday, March 2nd 6:00 - 7:30 pm Join the Film and Theater Group in watching "In Between." Three Palestinian women living in an apartment in Tel Aviv try to find a balance between traditional and modern culture. If you are a SF Library Member, you can watch it for free through the Kanopy channel. It is also available on other platform. If you'd like to get someone else's perspectives on the movie before or after you watch it, the New York Times has a review of it. For more info, c contact Yvette Adida. Join the Meeting: Zoom Link

Divorce & Discovery: A Jewish Healing Retreat October 27-30 We are excited to share a new program offering from Camp Tawonga with you: Divorce & Discovery: A Jewish Healing Retreat, Oct. 27-30, 2022! Visioned and founded by Rabbi Deborah Newbrun, this retreat will help people who may feel broken or in pain find their way back to wholeness – guided by Jewish healing rituals, communal support and professional expertise. Please contact Deborah for any questions.

Sha'ar Zahav Earth Day Fair Saturday April 23rd from 11 am - 1 pm led by our Climate Action Committee More information coming soon!

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

Caring for the Caregivers Starts Tonight!: 3rd Wednesdays, February 16 through July 20 7:00 - 9:00 pm on Zoom This group provides a place for family caregivers to get support and hear from other caregivers. It is moderated by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is open to caregivers who are caring for older adults or adults with disabilities. Brought to you by the Hineni Caring Community for Sha’ar Zahav members. If you are interested but not a member, or with any other question, contact Rabbi Copeland. This is not a drop in group. $125 and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Click here to register

Climate Action Committee 2nd Monday of the Month 5:00 - 6:30 pm on Zoom Are you concerned about environmental degradation? Want to work with other Sha’ar Zahavniks against climate change? Come share your ideas, get support, and have fun while we work together on some of the most pressing issues facing the planet. Contact Deborah Levy with any questions. Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Remember When 1st Wednesday of the Month 6:30 - 8:00 pm 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

Adult Orphans Friendship Circle  2nd and 4th Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00 pm For elder members who have little or no family in the Bay Area. We meet for lively discussions and occasional presentations related to aging. Open to the whole SZ Community. Contact Paisha Rochlin for more info.  Join the Meeting: Zoom link. If this zoom link does not work, please email Paisha  and she will email you an alternate link.

Weekly Torah Study Group Note Date Switch!: Weekly on Wednesday 8:30 - 9:30 am 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@shaarzahav.org. Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Mussar Group Bi-weekly on Thursdays 7:00 - 8:00 pm 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

Art Group: Drop-in Weekly on Thursdays 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Drop in for a joyful hour of free art-making and connection. Everyone is welcome! The group meets every Thursday. For more information, contact Paisha Rochlin, Barbara Cymrot or AJ Turpen Fried. Join the Meeting: Zoom link

Meditation Chavurah 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month 10:30 am - 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 February 19 with Stuart Dick 9am 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 susie@shaarzahav.org. Register for the Meeting: Zoom link

Hiking Chavurah 2nd Saturday of the month, 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 - 2:00 pm 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 - 9:00 am 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!

David Lowe 2/16 Adam Best-Leung 2/18 Nancy Muller 2/18 Reuben Friedman 2/18 Steven Mazer 2/19 Barbara Bergmann 2/20 Jim Edlin 2/20 Hilary Zaid 2/20 Andrew Schwartz 2/21 Amy Scharf 2/21 Susan Tubbesing 2/22

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.

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