Kabbalat Shabbat Evening Services

Friday, July 3, 6pm, Sanctuary

In these services we celebrate the naming of Harlowe Violette Rose Sparks-Pescovitz, daughter of Kelly Sparks and David Pescovitz.

There will be a wonderful Oneg following services sponsored by the Sparks/Pescovitz family.

For more information, contact Gabrielle Moskowitz at gmoskowitz@sherithisrael.org or 415-346-1720 ext 24.

Torah Study

Saturday, 9:15am, Bart Hall

Shabbat Morning Services

Saturday, 10:30am, Sanctuary

Administrative Offices Closed for Independence Day

The administrative offices will be closed, and there will be no playgroup, on Monday, July 6.

Lesley Sachs, Israeli Women’s Rights Leader, Speaks Out

Tuesday, July 7, 7 pm

In recent years, Israeli women’s freedom and control over their bodies have been increasingly threatened by an oppressive religious establishment. A woman’s right to divorce is often restricted, separate seating by gender is now required on some public bus routes and on some streets. Women’s worship rights at the Western Wall are limited.

Lesley will speak on the “hot” issue of the lack of religious pluralism in Israel today. There will be screening of scenes from two documentaries “Women of the Wall” by Yael Katzir and “Mekudeshet” by Anat Tzuria.

Lesley Sachs is the former vice president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. She has served in many capacities advancing women’s rights and freedom of religion in Israel including: executive director of the Israel Women’s Network and or the Israel Religious Action Center, and as chair of the International Coalition for Aguna Rights.

This event is cosponsored by Congregation Sherith Israel and The San Francisco Chapter of Hadassah. There is no admission charge. If you are able, please bring a dessert to share. Please RSVP so that we can be sure to accommodate everyone who would like to attend by contacting Oleg, 415.346.1720, x27, or school@sherithisrael.org.

Summer Toiletry Drive
Help Those In Need

July 1 – August 31

Last year we collected more than 150 lbs of much needed personal toiletries and delivered them to Project Homeless Connect. Special thanks to the Religious School and preschool programs for sorting and bagging all of the items for delivery.

Please help us continue to help others by bringing in the following desperately needed items:

  • Toothbrushes and Toothpaste (ask your dentist to donate a bunch!)
  • Soaps
  • Shampoo
  • Combs and Brushes
  • Deodorant

Drop your donations off at any time at the front desk this summer. Nancy Sheftel-Gomes, nsgomes@sherithisrael.org, 415.346.1720 x28.

Upcoming Special Shabbats – Mark Your Calendar Now

Special Shabbat with Rabbi Daniel Weiner

Friday, July 17, 6 pm

Rabbi Daniel Weiner, senior rabbi at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle, joins us for Shabbat and treats us to a discussion about spirituality and culture. In his upcoming book, Good God: Faith for the Rest of Us, Rabbi Weiner (yes, he is the son of our Rabbi Emeritus, Martin Weiner), weaves strands of political commentary, pop culture, humor, memoir, stories from the Torah and interfaith observations. He helps us explore a new way to look at monotheism and the Creator, and how and why God lives through us in our world.

For more information contact Gabi Moskowitz, gmoskowitz@sherithisrael.org or 415.346.1720 Ext 24.

Shabbat at the Beach

Saturday, July 18, 10:30 am

Meet at Rodeo Beach at Fort Cronkite in the Marin headlines, bring a picnic, your beach equipment and share Shabbat in nature and have fun praying and playing in the sun with Rabbi Julie, Meredith, Bruce and Brooke.

Where is Rodeo Beach? Click here to get directions on Google Maps.

For more information contact the Religious School office at 415.346.1720, x27, or school@sherithisrael.org.

A Shabbat Walk in the Woods:
In The Footsteps of the Baal Shem Tov
Led by Cantor Rita Glassman

Saturday, August 8, 10:30 am

It is said that the Baal Shem Tov, the great Chassidic teacher loved to take walks with his students in the forests of Eastern Europe to commune with God and nature and hear the music of his ancestors. They say he was even able to communicate with the birds of the forests. Come join Cantor Rita Glassman on an experiential and mystical walk in Muir Woods to learn Kabbalistic wisdom, to hear the special and unique music of the woods, and share a special Shabbat morning with others in our Sherith Israel community.

Bring a knapsack with bottled water, a picnic style lunch, and please wear comfortable sneakers or hiking boots. Bring along a sweater or jacket in case of summer fog. Part of the walk will be in silence with a guided meditation giving all a chance to enter fully the serenity and soulfulness of Shabbat. Everyone will meet at the entrance to Muir Woods at 10:15 Saturday morning. We will begin the walk at 10:30. You will leave the woods around 12:30 with food for thought, color on your cheeks, and at least one or two brand new hebrew chants to sing all day and into the week. Come early in order to park your car and make it to the entrance on time. Carpooling is highly recommended.

Your RSVP will help Cantor Rita know who is coming. Gmoskowitz@sherithisrael.org or 415.346.172

Batter Up!
Jewish Heritage Night at the Giants

Thursday, August 27

We are now selling our Jewish Heritage Night at the Giants tickets.

The game is on Thursday, August 27, when the Giants battle Arizona. Tickets are $20 – this year's item is a free t-shirt – and we have view section 305 seats – in the lower rows of the section.

Please reserve your tickets now by contacting Carrie Rice at crice@sherithisrael.org or 346-1720 Ext 18.

Sherith Israel is on Facebook!

Click here to find us on Facebook!

Experience Our Playgroups–
Stimulating for Parents and Children!

Great Idea for Grandparents and Grandchildren, too!
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
10:30am – Noon
Infants to 4-years old

  • 10-visit drop-in card sells for a new rate: $65.00 for members, $80 for non-members
  • Walk-ins reduced to $12.00
  • First visit for newcomers is free
  • “Be a friend, bring a friend” (Every time you bring a new friend you both get in for free!)
  • Every 2nd Monday of the Month is free for everyone

All playgroups are held in Newman Hall with plenty of room to run and play and plenty of toys.

For more information contact Meredith Reich at mreich@sherithisrael.org or 415-346-1720 ext 32.

Job Strategy Cafe

Sweet Jo’s at the JCCSF, 3200 California Street
2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month

10:00 – 10:30 am: Coffee and networking
10:30 am – Noon: Group meeting

This informal, bimonthly, drop-in meeting for job seekers is a safe environment in which to discuss job search concerns and issues. The group is facilitated by staff from Jewish Vocational Services with a special focus on peer support and sharing best practices for the current challenging hiring environment. Participants receive constructive feedback and learn practical strategies for taking the next steps.

Free. For more information about this program, please contact Shiva Schulz at 415.292.1260 or email .

Presented in partnership with Jewish Vocational Services, the Business Leadership Council of the Jewish Community Federation, Congregation Emanu-El and Congregation Sherith Israel.

Let there be light...

You may have noticed that CSI is conserving electricity during the week and at Shabbat services by not turning on all the lights. We are doing this to save the congregation money and to help save the environment.

Thanks for your understanding, and please direct any questions to Nancy Drapin, ndrapin@sherithisrael.org or 415-346-1720 ext 30.

Volunteers Needed:
JCC Maccabi Games

August 2-7

This August 2 - 7 San Francisco hosts the JCC Maccabi Games. It’s a week of athletics, community service and social events for 1,500 Jewish teens ages 13 to 16 from around the world. And you can help bring the Games to life as a volunteer! Volunteering lets you see the action up close, meet athletes from around the world and connect with the Bay Area Jewish community. There are both 4- and 8-hour shifts available every day from August 2 - 7. You can also help out with clerical support in July. There are all kinds of jobs for people of all ages (and physical condition!)

Here are the main volunteer roles that need to be filled for the Games:

  • Greeters for arriving athletes
  • Managing hospitality tables
  • Serving meals to athletes
  • Ushers at Opening Ceremonies
  • Organizing goody bags prior to the Games
  • Clerical support prior to the Games
  • Athletic event scorekeepers and timers
  • Helping with transportation at the athletic venues
  • Chaperones at evening social events
  • First Aid personnel to treat injured athletes

We really need your help to make the Games a success. If you can volunteer for even one shift please reply to:

Katie Wallenberg, Office Manager
2009 JCC Maccabi Games
Phone: 415.292.1270
E-mail:

Teach the Children

You Have 168 Hours in a Week and a Child Needs Only One

In response to the overwhelming number of San Francisco school children reading below grade level, the Jewish Coalition for Literacy trains, places and supports volunteer reading tutors working with students in grades K-3.

Contact: Sandy Kovtun at 415.661.3954, srkovtun@gmail.com, or Janet Parker at 415.282.1495, jparkersf@hotmail.com.

Traveling Overseas this Summer?

We have Reform congregations in 42 countries on six continents around the world. For information about visiting a Reform synagogue where you will be, go here or email olsonsteve@sbcglobal.net for further help.

We need your help! Sign up with eScrip and
You Can Earn $200 Annually for CSI!

Sign up online–it's quick and easy. eScrip works with merchant partners to contribute to groups like ours each time you shop–at no cost to you!

It's this easy:

  1. Visit www.escrip.com
  2. Click on "sign up"
  3. Follow the instructions to register your grocery cards and your existing credit/debit cards.

Your annual contribution potential:

  • Grocery – $72
  • Retail – $24
  • eScrip online mall – $50
  • eScrip dining – $24
  • eScrip visa – $60

Sign up today and earn money for Sherith Israel!

Shop at Cole Hardware and Benefit Sherith Israel!

When you check out at any of the Cole Hardware locations, mention Congregation Sherith Israel Religious School and our account number "2266" and CSI will receive 10% of your purchase price as a donation.

Scholarships Available

Jewish overnight camp… First Time teen trips to Israel… College scholarships… Jewish day camp (JCC)… Jewish day school… Jewish weekend specialty camps… Jewish Preschool…

The S.F. based Jewish Community Federation has scholarship funds available for students participating in any of these programs. For more information on eligibility requirements, or to apply for a scholarship through one of these programs, please visit the Bureau of Jewish Education website and click on “Financial Aid”. Still have unanswered questions? E-mail finaid@bjesf.org for a prompt response. The application process is now open for all programs listed. Application deadlines are specific to each program; please check the BJE web site for details.

Volunteers Needed To Do Historical Research

If you have an interest in learning how to assist with historical research into the Sherith Israel archives, please contact Nancy Drapin at 415-346-1720 ext 30 or ndrapin@sherithisrael.org. Training will be provided.

Be a Part of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

The Sherith Israel Social Action Committee is supporting a Jewish Community Supported Agriculture project of the JCCSF called "Tuv Ha'Aretz". This project enables the Jewish community to suport local, sustainable agriculture giving members access to local, organic produce at competitive prices.

CSI families interested in learning more should contact CSI member Susan Shapiro at or Rabbi Eve Ben-Ora at the JCCSF, . Print information is also available on the table outside the sanctuary.

Join Others and Connect to Mitzvah Opportunities

Do you want to connect to our congregation-based community organizing project or help with a mitzvah project. David Morgenstein, Chair of the Social Action Committee has agreed to coordinate and direct those who contact him seeking further opportunities to be involved. You can reach David at Davemorgenstein@gmail.com.

Koleynu Congregational Choir

Practices are on Sunday mornings

Sing at Holidays and first Friday of the month Shabbat Services. Everyone with a love of singing is welcome. Contact Cantor Glassman at 346-1720 Ext 14 or CantorGlassman@sherithisrael.org

Unless otherwise specified, the events and programs listed on this page are open to both members and non-members. We encourage our members to invite their friends and neighbors to Sherith Israel programs

Shabbat Services Schedule

First Friday
Kabbalat Shabbat with Koleynu Choir

Second Friday
Family Shabbat (ECE potluck and congregational potluck)

Third Friday
Journey to Shabbat (special music with guest musicians)

Fourth/Fifth Friday
Kabbalat Shabbat