This week, we invite you to San Francisco's Observance of Yom HaShoah
Today, April 7, 2021
Reading of Names | 5:00 pm (PDT)
Program & Ceremony | 7:00 pm (PDT)
The virtual commemoration includes a special conversation between guest scholar Dr. Deborah Lipstadt and Dr. Anita Friedman, Executive Director of JFCS. Rabbi Mychal Copeland will be reading names this year as well.
April 8 – 9, 2021
Days of Commemoration
Interactive workshops featuring Holocaust survivor testimony and expert-led
conversations focused on the lessons and legacies of the Holocaust. Attend one or all sessions.
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Friday Night Shabbat: April 9 at 7:30 pm
Led by Rabbi Copeland and Benny Lunine. D'rash by R. Howard Steiermann will recognize our community’s tradition of Recovery Shabbat and National Alcohol Awareness Month. Register Here. Meeting ID: 452 290 988.
Shabbat Morning Service: April 10 at 10 am
Our interactive morning services are led by Sha’ar Zahav members Ron Edelman and Alan Gordon. Join the Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 365 434 855 and Passcode: 068575.
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Remember When...
Today, Wednesday, April 7
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.
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Weekly Art Group: Drop-in
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 8
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Weekly Mussar Group
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 8
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.
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Coping with COVID. An Interactive Discussion with Dr. Betsy Stone
This year has brought us losses and sorrows -- deaths, disappointments and isolation. Many of us have found that our normal coping strategies aren't working.
Join Dr. Betsy Stone for an interactive discussion of the impact of COVID and other traumas on our brains, our bodies and our communities. Open to All!
Sunday, April 18 from 4:00 - 5:15 pm: Zoom link.
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Making Space for Black, Brown and Other People of Color at Sha'ar Zahav with Communication Coach Kathy Simon
In conversations with Black, Brown and other People of Color who have been a part of Sha’ar Zahav, the Racial Equity group has heard that some have not felt welcome and comfortable in our community. What can we do to ensure that People of Color, Jews and non-Jews, will feel at home at Sha'ar Zahav?
Drawing on her skills as a communication coach, Kathy will facilitate a conversation about cultivating a more inclusive community, and offer some tips about speaking and listening that can support deeper connections. People of all races and ethnicities are welcome. Questions? Please contact Sue Bojdak.
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Social Action: Ways to Get Involved
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Climate Action Committee Meeting
Monday, April 12
5:00 - 6:30 pm
Please join us on Zoom to get an update on SZ’s solar panels, work on our plans for 2021 and continue to discuss the upcoming federal Farm Bill. New people and new ideas welcome! We meet every month but you may contact Deborah Levy anytime.
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Post Cards to Voters of Color with Sha'ar Zahav's John Lewis Voter Engagement Group
The John Lewis Memorial Voter Engagement Group will be working with Andrea Miller's organization, the Center for Common Ground. If you would like to be part of this effort by writing postcards please contact Tirtza Pearl. These postcards will help voters turn out for the June 2021 primary election in Virginia.
If you would like to be part of a small group making phone calls with text message follow-ups to voters for an important state election in Texas (district 6), please contact Ruth Schoenbach.
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Green Shabbat Service
Friday, April 23
7:30 PM
With our Green Shabbatot (twice a year), Sha’ar Zahav’s Climate Action Committee raises up the ecological underpinnings of Judaism, bringing our whole Jewish selves to the challenge of climate change.
Join us to welcome Shabbat and honor Earth Day, on April 23, as we explore what we need to live sustainably within our means, and in harmony with the planet. Led by Rabbi Copeland and Micah Lubensky. D’rash by Maggid Elias Ramer.
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Adult B’Mitzvah Program
Begins Soon on Zoom
Many of us did not become B’Mitzvah as children and feel like it might be time to make that connection. Our Adult B’mitzvah Program (ABP) is a monthly group educational program, which runs for approximately 8 – 12 months. In the ABP you will learn about the history of the ritual and explore what it means to become an adult B’mitzvah. You will have practical classes in giving a D’var Torah, reading/chanting from the Torah, leading services, and learning the prayer service.
There will also be sessions on the who, what, and why of prayer, different perspectives of G-d, everyday spirituality and much more. The process culminates in either an individual or group B’mitzvah on a Saturday morning at Sha’ar Zahav.
Contact the coordinator Mark Pressler to let us know you are interested or would like to hear more!
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Finding God in a Pandemic
Next Meeting is Tuesday, April 13
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Jews love to say we are “God-strugglers,” so let’s explore the rich Jewish landscape of God-talk, from the classics like Buber, Kaplan, Heschel to feminist and queer Jewish theologies. We will explore how theology, pantheism, and atheism attempt to answer the most profound questions of our time.
Sign up for the whole class or drop in when you’re able. We'll be counting the omer. Open to all. We will meet on Mondays until May 10, except for next week when we will meet on Tuesday, 4/13.
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Weekly Torah Study Group
Wednesday, April 14
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.
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Upcoming Community Events
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Weekday Morning Prayer
Tuesday, April 13
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.
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Kaddish Memory Circle
Thursday, April 15
8:30 - 9:00 am
During this time of immense loss and grief, we are holding regular Kaddish Memory Circles to support each other. Rabbi Mychal Copeland, Ora Prochovnick and Martin Tannenbaum will alternate leading these circles twice a month.
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Yoga Practice
Saturday, April 17
8:45 am - 9:45 am
You are invited to a twice-a-month Shabbat morning exploration of yoga and Judaism that integrates mind, body, and spirit. Stuart Dick and Rabbi Mychal Copeland will alternate leading the first and third Saturday of every month.
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Meditation Chavurah
Saturday, April 17
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
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.
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Baby Chavurah
Saturday, April 17
11:00 am - Noon
This monthly gathering of kids age 0-2 and their families is a place to share hopes and dreams plus tips and tricks, and wiggles and giggles, and someday (soon?!) shared space.
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Va'ad (Board) Meeting
Wednesday, April 21
6:30 - 9:30 pm
Va'ad meetings are open to everyone in our member community. We meet the third Wednesday of every month. Join us!
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We Are Reading "The Book of V." by Anna Solomon and Discussing it on April 22
6:00 - 7:00 pm
We are reading "The Book of V." by Anna Solomon as part of the One Bay One Book project of the Jewish Community Library. Let's read and discuss this new novel, rooted in the Book of Esther, where three characters’ stories in different time periods overlap and ultimately collide. Perfect to start reading during Purim!
A limited number of books are available on loan. If you'd like to borrow a copy, please email Liliana Peliks.
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Theater & Movies Chavurah
Second Meeting, Monday, April 26
6:00 pm
We have re-launched the theatre/movie chavurah and our second play is " Dara" available on National Theater at Home. Watch on your own, and let's gather to discuss it on Zoom.
To join the chavurah and get the Zoom link for the discussion, please email Yvette Adida or Liliana Peliks. We will watch something new every month, and will decide together on dates, genres, etc.
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Co-presented by Sha'ar Zahav
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In God's Image: LGBTQ Dignity and the Jewish Community. Co-presented by Hamaqom and Sha’ar Zahav.
Wednesdays, April 14 thru April 28 (3 sessions)
5:30 - 6:30 pm
This three-part session with Keshet explores LGBTQ+ language, identity, and inclusion, not only in our secular world but also in our Jewish community. Led by Keshet educators: Randi Reed
and Rabbi Micah Buck-Yael.
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Letting the Light In: An Open Conversation about Identity, Celebrity, and Mental Health
Co-presented by Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Sha’ar Zahav
April 15 and 29
4:00 - 5:15 PM
Mayim Bialik, PhD, uses her celebrity platform and her Jewish values to get funny, honest, and real about the things that matter most. This intimate and timely conversation with Dr. Anita Friedman on Jewish identity, life in the spotlight, and the pandemic’s impact on mental health will shed light on what we all can do to take care of our community, our loved ones, and ourselves.
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B’Tzelem Elokim: A Mother Discusses Her Fight for Transgender Rights. Co-presented by the Jewish Community Library and Sha’ar Zahav.
Sunday, May 2
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Mimi Lemay, author of "What We Will Become" will speak about her journey away from the ultra-orthodox community, and her own family's journey in affirming the chosen gender of their son, Jacob.
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Remembrance Circle for Jews of Color by the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center
April 15 and 29
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Please join us for two opportunities to mark grief in community with Jews of Color in this year of so many individual and community losses, during this time of heightened white supremacy and isolation.
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Merle Malakoff, 4/1
Charlie Spiegel, 4/1
Eliana Frank, 4/2
Quinn Klaiman, 4/3
Ben Gaste, 4/5
Rachel Nancollas, 4/5
Britta Pomrantz, 4/6
Larry Best, 4/7
Hannah Megumi Korthof, 4/7
Daniel Gill, 4/8
Anna Katz, 4/8
Nicolas Rosenstone, 4/9
Marvin Lehrman, 4/10
Glen Hauer. 4/10
John Arnold, 4/10
Kara Romanko, 4/11
Liam Klaiman, 4/11
Sydney Klaiman, 4/11
Johanna Klaiman, 4/11
Sophia De Anda, 4/11
Susan Leff, 4/12
Avidan Rene Novogrodsky-Godt, 4/13
Jay Cohen, 4/13
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Bonnie Kates, 4/13
Marjorie Hilsenrad, 4/14
Kaye Hoxter, 4/14
Bob Gordon, 4/16
Diana Buchbinder, 4/17
Maelis Perlman, 4/18
Donald Fischer, 4/18
Meg Keene, 4/18
Carina Elisa Rose, 4/19
Lillian Levy, 4/19
Shaun Poblete, 4/20
Jonathon Thunderword, 4/20
Scott Bergman, 4/20
Lisa Finkelstein, 4/21
Sara Haber, 4/23
Joshua Muller, 4/23
Karen Schiller, 4/24
Samuel Lowinger, 4/24
Brian Ellis, 4/25
Karlyn Isaac Lotney, 4/26
Janaye Murphy, 4/29
Ruth Schoenbach, 4/30
Rachel Ralston, 4/30
Neil J Young, 4/30
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Friday Evening Service
April 9, 7:30 pm
28 Nissan
Shemini
Led by Rabbi Copeland and Benny Lunine
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Saturday, Lay-led Morning Service
April 10, 10:00 am
Meeting ID: 365 434 855
Passcode: 068575
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Thank You to Our Grantors
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