When the world is about to crush me with all of its weight, I find safety here...

When I feel a sense of helplessness during these uncertain times, I find peace here...

Siddur Sha'ar Zahav, p.92 "Here"


What are you holding as the war between Israel and Hamas unfolds? Together in Heartbreak: A Members Gathering About Israel and Gaza this Friday, October 27th at 6-7pm on Zoom only will be an hour-long space to express where we are and listen to what others are holding. We'll bring our heartache, our worries, our pain, our diverse political opinions. Led by Rabbi Copeland and Carey Averbook.

This is a members only space.

Register here

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

Friday Night Services for Lech L'cha:

October 27th at 7:30pm.

On Zoom Only

Led by Rabbi Copeland and Terry Fletcher

Drash by Carey Averbook

Register Here for Zoom Service

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838


Saturday Morning Service:

October 28th 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.

We're hiring an Executive Director and a Director of Education!

Please click here for more information.

Learn with Us!

Rabbi Michael Strassfeld: Judaism Disrupted

Friday, November 3 from 6-7pm 

Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom)

Rabbi Michael Strassfeld's writings include The Jewish Catalog: a guide to do-it-yourself Judaism, The Jewish Holidays, A Book of Life: Embracing Judaism as a Spiritual Practice and Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st century. This latest book reflects his personal journey from Modern Orthodoxy to the Jewish counter-culture of the 60’s to becoming a liberal rabbi. He writes, "The secret to Judaism’s longevity is its ability to continue to adapt to changing times. We now live in a very disrupted era and my book sets out 11 core principles that can serve as a guide in the ups and downs of our life’s journey." He will speak at 6pm (with light snacks) as well as offering a drash during Shabbat services.

RSVP here if joining in-person

RSVP here if joining online

The Golem:

The Jewish Artificial Intelligence

Mondays, October 30, November 6 and November 13

7:00-8:00pm, Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom)

Centuries ago, our ancestors wrote of a magical being called the Golem. This proto-robot did household chores, protected our towns, and may have inspired Frankenstein. Like AI, the Golem challenges our notions of human particularity, creativity, and potential. Join Rabbi Copeland and SZnik Echad Leah for a fascinating exploration of the Golem and AI. No experience necessary! We'll talk about Golem's souls, humans' lived experience, and how AI actually works. As a bonus, this class will be accompanied by a special Jewish Magic Symposium and art exhibit at the JCCSF on November 12th.

To register, please click here.

Community Get Together!

B’yachad Duboce Park Gathering 

Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 12-2pm 

We’ll meet on the southwestern side of the park, near the N-Judah tracks, under a big tree.

Suggestions about what to bring:

Warm clothes, hand sanitizer, a blanket, chair, sunscreen…

Dinner and Planning Meeting

Social Action Committee

John Lewis Memorial Voter Engagement Group

Tuesday, November 7, 6:00pm

Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom)

Join us as we begin to plan our actions over the next year to increase voter turnout through post-carding, texting and phone banking in states where there is a history of voter suppression. We’ll have a speaker from Reclaim Our Vote join us for the first half of our meeting and then will discuss our tasks and strategy for the second half of the meeting. New members are especially welcome!  


As dinner will be included, please contact Tirtza Pearl or Geri Kahn to RSVP.  



Join the Zoom meeting: Register here

Do a mitzvah! Receive a mitzvah!

Our Hineni Caring Community listserv matches members with needs (errands, home visits, rides, delivering food, or making a call.) Can you volunteer to make someone’s day? There is no commitment. Anyone on the listserv can fulfill them as they are able. Let co-chair Marla Allen know whether you’re able to help or have a need--or both! Note: By joining this listserv, you are NOT joining a committee that meets and organizes. You are simply going to receive periodic emails about needs our members have.

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

Theater & Movies Chavurah: The Art Dealer

 Wednesday, November 1, 6:00-7:15pm on Zoom

Join the Movie and Theatre Chavurah for a discussion of “The Art Dealer,” a movie about an 18th century painting that inspires Esther to delve into family secrets, long-buried memories and WWII government cover-ups. It’s available on Amazon Prime (no charge) or for $3 or $4 on Apple, Vudu, YouTube and Amazon. It’s French with English subtitles.

Join us: Zoom Link

SZ Book Group

Light from Uncommon Stars By Ryka Aoki

Tuesday, November 14, 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom

Donuts. What more incentive does one need?! Take a trans protagonist, mix in two lesbian main characters (one known as the Queen of Hell, the other an interstellar refugee), add virtuoso violin music, and you get a fun, easy-to-read book. Oh, one of the main locations is a donut shop! 

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.

Kaf-Lamed Monthly Gathering

Don't go to Shabbat alone!

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.

Contact Emily Ornelas-Dorian.

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

L'Havin: Understanding Israel and Its Neighbors

4th Monday of the month, 6:00-7:00pm on Zoom

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.

For more information, contact Rachel Nilson-Ralston.

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.

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

 6:45-8:00pm

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. Email Marv Lehrman.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

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!

Judith Cohen 10/25

Julia Shorofsky 10/25

Eli Weinstein 10/25

Ilana Bernstein 10/26

Clarissa Kripke 10/26

David Grunwald 10/26

Ilana Rainero-de Haan 10/28

Meagan Fox 10/29

Joseph Harkman 10/29

Helen Bruno 10/30

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!

You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in Sha'ar Zahav. Be sure to add office@shaarzahav.org 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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