#Today: Where You Go, I Will Go
Same-Sex Marriage & Jewish Law by Rabbi Irwin Keller

Next Wednesday, June 2
7:00 pm

In 2015, same-sex marriage became legal across the US. Changing “bride” and “groom” to "spouse" on licenses was all it took to put marriage equality into effect. But Jewish marriage ritual is trickier; its words are based on concepts of acquisition – in ways not well suited to same-sex or any egalitarian couples.

Join Reb Irwin for this workshop laying out the difficulties of this traditional language, and exploring the empowering words of Ruth's vows to Naomi.


#Shabbat: Join This Week
Friday Night Service: Jun 4 at 7:30 pm

Led by Cantor Bernstein and Mike Shriver. D'rash by Tiela Chalmers. Register Here. Meeting ID: 452 290 988.

Saturday Morning Service: Jun 5 at 10 am

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.

#Pride: A Month of Celebration & Activism
Community Pride Seder, A Virtual Celebration of Queer Freedom

Sunday, June 13
5:00 pm

Pride Seder is a ritual that chronicles the liberation of LGBTQ people, much like the Passover Seder, which retells the story of the liberation of the Jewish people.

Let’s come together with LGBTQ Jewish clergy, as well as civic and interfaith leaders, at this annual community event to remember that none of us are free until all of us are free.

15th Annual Trans and Nonbinary Celebration Shabbat

Friday, June 18
7:30 pm

In March our community came together to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility, and in June we will once again come together for the 15th annual Trans Celebration Shabbat. We will celebrate the joy, bravery, and uniqueness of our trans and non-binary community members with a d’rash by Emery Cohen-Wallach and the leadership of Rabbi Mychal Copeland, and Martin Rawlings-Fein.

Everyone is invited at this celebration of our visibility as trans and non-binary Jews in synagogue and community leadership.

Pride Celebration Shabbat
Friday, June 25
7:30 pm

In this dear and traditional Sha'ar Zahav celebration, we will hear original liturgy from our members, and sing and dance with Cantor Bernstein. Join dressed up as your favorite queer icon, wear your rainbow kippah, or your Pride Sha'ar Zahav t-shirt!

Let's Talk About "Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death" A Sha'ar Zahav Book Discussion
Tuesday, June 29
6:00 - 7:00 pm

Think you know all about Harvey Milk, the pioneering gay SF supervisor, member of Sha'ar Zahav, who was assassinated over 40 years ago? Lillian Faderman, a leading historian of LGBTQ lives, has written a fascinating and eloquent account of the many sides of Harvey Milk, including his early life and how his deeply held Jewish values helped motivate his activism.

Read the book (let us know if you need help sourcing it), then come discuss both Harvey's contradictions and contributions and how they continue to influence us today.The book was chosen by Sha'ar Zahav's Book Club as a great way to end Pride month. Questions? Want to join the Book Club? Contact Ami Zusman.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link
#New: Mark Your Calendar for...
Listening Space:
Events Unfolding in Israel and Palestine

Thursday, June 10
7:00 - 8:30 pm

As events continue to unfold in Israel and Palestine, and here in the US, many of us are living with a multitude of unspoken feelings. We have organized a time and space for members of the Sha’ar Zahav community to gather together and support each other. The purpose is to provide a listening space. Though important, this will not be a time for learning about the Conflict, or for debating. 

For Sha'ar Zahav Members Only. Register Here to Attend.
12-Step Meetings by and for Sha’ar Zahav Members

Weekly on Sundays, Starting on June 13
1:00 - 2:00 pm

Come listen and share experience, strength, and hope with other members of the Sha’ar Zahav community! Starting on Sunday, June 13th, CSZ will be hosting a weekly 12-step gathering for those members of our community 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. The meetings will be on Zoom until further notice. Contact Erika Katske with any questions.

For Sha'ar Zahav Members Only. Register Here to Attend.
Caring for the Caregivers: A Support Group by the Family Caregiver Alliance

2nd Thursday of the Month from Jul 8 - Nov 11
7:00 - 9:00 pm

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 from the Family Caregiver Alliance and is open to caregivers who are caring for older adults or adults with disabilities. Brought to you by the Hineni Caring Community.

Limited spots. For Sha’ar Zahav members. Fee: $125, but no one will be turned away. Please email Rabbi Copeland to apply for a scholarship or if you are interested and you’re not a member. This is not a drop-in group, so we ask that you are able to commit to all the sessions.

For Sha'ar Zahav Members Only. Register Here to Attend.
Summer Zohar Reading Circle with Rabbi Copeland

Weekly on Mondays from Jul 12 - Aug 23
12:30 - 1:30 pm

Are you intrigued by Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah? This summer, join Rabbi Copeland for 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. 

Free to Members & $36 Fee for Non-members. Register Here to Attend.
#SocialAction: Get Involved
Social Action Committee
New Meeting Date Next Month
Monday, June 14
6:00 - 7:30 pm

On fair elections, welcoming the stranger, secure housing and food, ending gun violence, and more! The Social Action Committee is currently working on advancing the “Equality Act” (federal LGBT rights) and the “For the People Act” (assuring national fair elections). Want to join us? Come to our next meeting or contact Nancy Wecker or Geri Kahn.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link


New Postcard Campaign and Phonebank: Protect the right to vote with HR1/S1 “For The People Act.” Arizona is key in this campaign. If you want to write postcards, contact Tirtza Pearl. Or join our phone banking havurah with Ruth Schoenbach.
Housing Discrimination and Systemic Racism
Day of the Week Correction
Sunday, June 20
4:00 - 5:30 pm

Join Sha'ar Zahav members Ora Prochovnick and Kelly Thiemann as they examine past and present local housing policies that contribute towards racial inequities in housing and inherited wealth, contributing to systemic racism. This event is sponsored by Sha’ar Zahav’s Racial Equity Group.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link
#Learning: Keep Growing
What Loneliness Teaches Us About Connection:
An interactive Play-Shop

Tomorrow, Thursday, June 3
6:30 pm

Connection is about more than just meeting more people; our needs for connection are nuanced and unique. In this highly participatory session with loneliness expert and lecturer Kyla Sokoll-Ward, you’ll discover the major ways that loneliness and social isolation affect us neurologically, personally, and societally… and what can be done to reinvent the ways we think about, and thrive in, our relationships.

Come ready to listen, ask questions, and practice connection! This event is designed with young adults (20s and 30s) in mind.

Weekly Torah Study Group
Tomorrow, Thursday, June 3
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.

Join the Zoom Meeting: Zoom link

Weekly Mussar Group
Tomorrow, Thursday, June 3
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 Zoom Meeting: Zoom link
#Community: Let's Get Together
The Sha'ar Zahav Theater & Movies Chavurah Discusses the Play "Mosquitoes"
Today, Wednesday, June 2
6:00 pm

Allocate some time in your calendar to watch the play "Mosquitoes" by Lucy Kirkwood and let's gather to discuss it on Zoom. You will find the play on National Theater at Home.

Drop-in or join the chavurah by contacting Yvette Adida. We will watch something new every month, and will decide together on dates, genres, etc.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link
Weekly Art Group: Drop-in
Tomorrow's Meeting is Cancelled
Next Meeting is Thursday, June 10
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 Zoom Meeting: Zoom link
Kaddish Memory Circle
Tomorrow, Thursday, June 3
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 on the first Thursday of the month.

Join the Zoom Meeting: Zoom link

Weekday Morning Prayer
Tuesday, June 8
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 Zoom Meeting: Zoom link
Meditation Chavurah
Saturday, June 19
11:30 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 Zoom Meeting: Zoom link
Connection Circles with Carey Averbook: You Belong Here!

Are you missing meeting new people? And feeling disconnection with people over zoom? Do you feel seen and heard? Join Sha'ar Zahav member Carey Averbook for a connection circle!

Come with lunch or dinner. This will be a time for us to come together and get to know each other as a group and in 1:1 breakouts without the discomfort or awkwardness that Zoom brings up for many of us. Bring your whole self, broken hearted or full hearted, but come open and ready to receive and share authentic connection. Questions? Contact Carey Averbook.

Lunch Circle: July 21 from Noon - 1 pm RSVP Here.
Dinner Circle: July 28 from 6-7 pm. RSVP Here.
We Also Recommend
Virtual Performance of the Orchestral & Choral Work of "To Bigotry No Sanction" by Jonathan Comisar 

Today, Wednesday, June 2
4-5 pm PST / 7-8 pm EST

Jonathan Comisar is an extraordinarily composer, arranger, and teacher in the Reform Movement. Jonathan was also a member of Sha'ar Zahav and gifted us many talents before he went to Cantorial School. To Bigotry No Sanction is a new cantata based on George Washington's 1790 letter to the Jews of Newport.

The Jewish Community Library Presents: Ancient Jewess Magic. Co-presented by Sha'ar Zahav. 

This Sunday, June 6
4:00 pm

What is the connection between gender, witchcraft, and magic in ancient Judaism? Professor Ahuvia’s lecture will survey the evidence for ancient Jewish magic in dialogue with recent novels by Anna Solomon, Sue Monk Kidd, and Maggie Anton, which all feature Jewish women engaged in magical practices. Join the conversation of this fascinating topic!

Rainbow Tot Shabbat by the Jewish Baby Network and Friends 

Friday, June 11
5:00 pm

Dress in your brightest rainbow colors and join us for some stories, songs and movement as we celebrate Shabbat and Pride! We welcome everyone, including unaffiliated, single and multi-parent, multi-faith, multi abled, and LGBTQ families. Led by Rabbi Mychal Copeland of Sha'ar Zahav, Rabbi Batshir of the JCCSF, JBN Puppeteer and Musician Jennifer Altman, JBN SF Program Manager Alyssa Zagorie, and Kehilla Synagogue.

The Jewish Community Library Presents "Jews and Prison: Jewish Values Behind the Walls." Co-presented by Sha'ar Zahav. 

Sunday, June 13
2:00 pm

For the past twenty-five years, Elaine Sneierson Leeder has been working in prisons in New York and California: first as a professor, then a self-help group trainer, and now as a victim/offender dialogue facilitator. She will speak about working with Jewish prisoners, including those incarcerated for life, and about the Jewish values that inform the work of reconciliation and rehabilitation.

Queer Story Hour with Maggid Elias Ramer 

Thursday, June 17
1:00 - 2:00 pm

Sha'ar Zahav member Maggid Elias Ramer will be reading stories for Pride Month with the San Francisco JCC. He will open our eyes to the queer stories we still need to tell, which will enrich and enliven our tradition for queer Jews and queer folk in every community. 

Pray

Friday Evening Service
Jun 4, 7:30 pm 

25 Sivan
Shelah L'cha
Led by Cantor Bernstein and Mike Shriver

Saturday Morning Service
Jun 5, 10:00 am
Meeting ID: 365 434 855
Passcode: 068575




Contact sharonh@shaarzahav.org to sponsor a Shabbat
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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