Congregation Sha’ Ar Zahav

It’s a nice congregation and it’s very nice to see all kinds of my Jewish brother come together and sing Kumbaya. I’m just not crazy about the area.
But I will say I was welcomed with open arms and that if you are living an alternative lifestyle this would be a loving way to practice your religion and to learn about Hashem

A warm and welcoming, progressive and richly diverse community. Because there’s so much community activism, it’s never the same twice: for example, last evening, my uncle and I co-​lead Friday night Shabbat services together. I’m a novice, while he’s an expert, so it was a great learning experience for me. On another Friday night, you may come and see Shabbat services co-​led by different congregants, and/​or our rabbi and/​or our cantor. That’s just not the way things were when I grew up in an authoritative, rabbi-​led temple, which is just one of the many things I love about our temple: it takes volunteering, diversity and community to a whole new level. My child goes to the Hebrew school and really loves it. I love our homemade siddur (prayer book) which features diverse and progressive blessings — including my favorite meditative interpretation of the Amidah by Canadian feminist Marge Piercy. Come check us out!

My New-​York-​born daughter, now living in San Francisco but currently not affiliated, asked my assistance in locating a San Francisco mohel for the circumcision of her soon-​to-​be-​born son. I tried communicating with Rabbi Angel weeks ago from my home in Boston by email, and received no answer. And so, yesterday, I called.
My call was intercepted by a young male who could not have been more unfriendly — bordering on hostile. Basically, he explained that she had no time to spend on people who were not members of her congregation.
The response sounded very much like what I would expect if I called a Senator from a state where I didn’t live. How much more friendly and helpful my out-​of-​state call on another matter involving my daughter was received by the office of Representative Pelosi.
The term «welcoming» doesn’t seem appropriate when applied to this congregation — at least if you write or call them.

Sha’ar Zahav is a progressive Jewish community, officially reform, but flavored with a rich blend of many Jewish traditions. It’s a place that not only respects differences, but honors them. I originally joined because it was really the only place around for LGBT folks. Now it’s grown more diverse, while still keeping a queer sensibility. I love and know I can count on the Sha’ar Zahav community. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming High Holiday services. Shana Tova!

LOVE this community! Come join us…

Sha’ar Zahav is a wonderful welcoming, inclusive and diverse jewish community. The religious school has been great for my kids and we especially love the bar and bat mitzvah process that encourages the students to learn, grow and individualize their own service. Lay leadership is very active and many members volunteer their time in some way. The community has a wide diversity of religious backgrounds, jewish education backgrounds, ages and family types so all are welcome.

I love Sha’ar Zahav (CSZ). While my attendance has varied, I have found community there. I am grateful for my time at Sha’ar Zahav and I am blessed to have been at CSZ.
I only wish that it had a parking lot and that there was more multifaith events there. I guess that I also wish that there were more chanting and yoga opportunities.
Fabulous Queer-​friendliness and LGBTQQI support. New Prayerbook. Egalitarian language. Gender free bathrooms, transgender programing, lesbian Rabbi, cantor with extraordinary voice and lovely personality. They waive or lower membership fees if needed.

love it. go. pray. donate. be part of a real community.

I went on a Friday once. The service was fantastic. An absolutely lovely community. The bread thing was symbolic and moving but I felt weird eating it after everyone touched it. I didn’t (at the time) like all the hugging, but I am sure I could get used to it.