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

Friday Night Services for Parshiot Nitzavim-Vayeilech:

September 8th at 7:30pm.

Hybrid: On Zoom and In-Person

Led by Rabbi Copeland, Sarita Groisser and Brad Friedman

Drash by Kay Magilavy

Register Here for Zoom Service

Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838


Saturday Morning Service:

September 9th 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.

High Holy Days

They're almost here…the Days of Awe.

Be sure to save your place on Zoom or at the Herbst Theater by registering here.


And while, you’re at it, invite your friends and family. We’ll welcome them too.


And unlike most synagogues, there’s no need to pay to pray. They can register here.


Don’t miss the “ah” or the “awe."

Committee Leaders and Event Organizers

If you have an event coming up, please contact the office and let us know! We'd love to put it in our High Holy Day handout.

L’eil S’lichot Service

Saturday, September 9, 8:00-9:00pm

On Zoom Only

This is the official kickoff of the High Holy Day season! Join us in prayer.

If you want to sign up, please register here.

Kever Avot v’Imahot, Honoring our Ancestors

Sunday, September 10, 10:00am

Hills of Eternity Cemetery, Colma

Join us as we walk through the grave sites of our beloved community members and recite poems, liturgy and names. Whether or not you have personally had a loss in your life, this contemplative short service is for anyone wishing to contemplate life and death amidst supportive community. Led by Rabbi Copeland and James Carlson. Lunch to follow – bring your own or contribute to a potluck. For potluck information contact SZ member Gerry Llamado.

If you want to sign up, please click here.

San Francisco Tashlich

Sunday, September 17, 2:00pm

Crissy Field, East Beach

Tashlich is our short ritual of figuratively tossing our past wrongdoings into the ocean and singing our way into a new year, free of our burdens. Bring your own lunch and blanket to the beach any time after 1:00pm to greet new friends and old. Brief service will begin promptly at 2:00pm. Click here for information on accessibility at Crissy Field, East Beach.

East Bay Tashlich

Sunday, September 17, 2:00pm

Lake Merritt Labyrinth

Join us for Tashlich at the Lake Merritt Labyrinth (the grassy area off the Grand Lake side of the lake, near the intersection of Bellevue Avenue and Staten Street). Bring your own lunch and blanket any time after 1:00pm to greet new friends and old. Brief service will begin promptly at 2:00pm. Click here for information on accessibility at Lake Merritt.

Seeking Sukkah Hosts!

Do you build a sukkah or would you like this to be the year that you start? We are seeking Sha'ar Zahavniks who would be willing to host fellow community members in your sukkah this holiday season. If you are able and interested in hosting, please contact the office.

After Erev Rosh Hashanah Social 

Anina in Hayes Valley

Keep the night going in community with Sha'ar Zahav's young adult group, the Kaf Lameds, for drinks and conversation at a local SF cocktail bar Anina, we'll head over after Erev Rosh Hashanah services at Herbst. Contact Emily Ornelas-Dorian, or meet by the front entrances by the doors of the theater.

Community Get Together!

B’yachad Gathering at Duboce Park

Sunday, September 10, 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. The B'yachad gathering is now open to all members regardless of zip code. For more info please contact: Bob GordonPaisha Rochlin or Marvin Lehrman.

Rally and Prayer for Israel’s Democracy

Sunday, September 10, 2pm

Crissy Field West Bluff Picnic Area

As we're heading into the High Holidays, join the Israeli and Jewish community in the Bay Area for a special rally to strengthen the Israeli Supreme Court before the historic hearing to reinstate the reasonableness clause and also in a nationwide prayer for Israel’s democracy happening simultaneously in nearly 30 cities across the US.

For more information, click here.

Reparations Support

Tuesday, September 19

The San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee is asking for community support in urging the SF Board of Supervisors to take action on the San Francisco Reparations Plan. To show your support, sign here. The task force is aiming to get as many signatures as possible before its presentation to the full Board of Supervisors. All are encouraged to attend a rally at noon on the steps of City Hall, followed by the public hearing at 2pm. Here's an excellent article that explains the Plan and the process. For a Jewish perspective on the reparations issue, see What Does Jewish Wisdom Say About Reparations? by Rabbi Amy Eilberg.

Save the Date: Music in the Mishkan Is Back for a Fall Bonus Concert!

Sunday, October 15th at 2pm

Randall Weiss and the Bridge Players, who've been performing together for more than twenty years in the outstanding Music in the Mishkan concert series at Sha'ar Zahav, will be appearing in a special performance as a pay-what-you-want fundraiser for the synagogue.

More information and a sign-up form will be available soon!

Recurring Gatherings and Meetings

SZ Book Group

Ever After: the extended lives and work of eleven famous authors By Eli Andrew Ramer

Tuesday, October 3, 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom

Eli Ramer will join us in talking about his book of alternative-reality stories – in which authors as different as Emily Dickinson and Franz Kafka lived on to write new poems and books, living happily with a same-gender partner. Eli’s book is short, queer, and half the stories have Jewish characters. 

Join the Meeting: Zoom Link

Theater & Movies Chavurah: 

Facing Windows

Wednesday, October 4, 6:00-7:15pm on Zoom

This award-winning drama features dual love stories, one from the 1940s between two Italian Jews and a contemporary story of neighbors who watch each other furtively from facing windows across a street. Davide turns out to be a master baker, a metaphor for the alchemy of creation not lost on Giovanna, who bakes to supplement her income working in a factory. Davide lived through the October 16, 1943, roundup of Jews in the Rome ghetto and the subsequent deportation and loss of his family and his lover. The film is widely available on Apple, Amazon, Direct TV and YouTube for $3.99

Join us: Zoom Link

12-Step Meetings by and for SZ Members

Please note the change new date and time!

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 (See above as this month's is during Rosh Hashanah)

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

Monday, September 18

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!

Tamar Gershon 9/8

Ernest Friedlander 9/8

Barbara Leff 9/8

Susan Wolfson 9/8

Lawrence Helman 9/11

Jeffrey Levin 9/11

Riley Luftman 9/11

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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