Adult Education
At Sha’ar Zahav, you will find adult education opportunities as diverse as our membership. Whether you are looking for basic Hebrew reading classes, guest lecturers speaking about LGBTQ Jews in Israel, or higher level Jewish learning presented by Lehrhaus Judaica, there is something at Sha’ar Zahav that will excite the learner in you. Some of our own members are our most respected teachers and we are always keeping an eye out for those instructors who can help us “transcend the ordinary.” If you have a request for a class topic, please contact liliana@shaarzahav.org Manager of Community Engagement & Administration.
Current & Upcoming Courses
Judaism 101
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pmJudaism 101 is an introduction to Judaism for people who are new or returning to Judaism and are looking for a starting point to dive into Jewish learning and/or Jewish practice. Anyone from any background is welcome. We will be covering everything from Torah to Israel, spirituality to ethics, through a queer-positive, progressive, inclusive Jewish lens with plenty of room for questions. Our learning will be interactive and communal; come ready to be IN the learning with us. For questions contact Sue Bojdak at education@shaarzahav.org.
Past Courses
Sinat Chinam = Senseless Hatred
Dates: Mondays, January 13 & 27, February 3
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
AND Friday, March 6 @6:00-7:15pm in honor of Shabbat Zachor (Shabbt of Memory)
A series for the Sha’ar Zahav community addressing senseless hatred in our society from intersecting angles. Join Rabbi Copeland as we host local leaders, view contemporary hatreds individually and as they intersect with one another, and learn strategies for dismantling the havoc they wreak. Click Here to Register.
Queercore Talmud: Powered by the JCCSF at Sha’ar Zahav
Transformative Talmud learning in an inclusive and supportive environment. We learn in the original languages in study pairs, and we eat snacks and have a lot of fun while we are at it!
Orientation: Sunday, March 22, 3:30-6:30 pm
Class Dates: Mondays, March 23-April 27
Class Time: 7:00-9:30 pm
Queer – unusual, different, curious, LGBTQI
-core – a counter-cultural perspective, a small group of people, at the center
Talmud – a compendium of ancient Jewish thought, law, culture, and spiritual insight
Stay tuned for applications in early February.
Applicants must be able to sound out words written in Hebrew with vowels.
The ideal candidates for this learning are side-ways thinkers from the fringes—L,G,B,T,Q,I folks, women, Yentl fans, language nerds, unicorns and beyond!
Anyone, LGBTQI-identified or not, regardless of experience, who craves taking a deep dive into ancient Jewish queer-headed wisdom texts, in the original language, in an inclusive, immersive, and supportive learning environment need apply!
For more information or questions contact Jhos Singer at jsinger@jccsf.org
Origins of the Bible and How to Read It: Leviticus and Deuteronomy
Dates: Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
We will discuss myth and metaphor and the Bible’s literary history in order to uncover the ancient meanings of several of the Bible’s classic narratives and its law codes, and to determine their relevance to modern day Jews and the world in which we live. Click Here to Register.
Six Events: Jews at the Epicenter of American Politics
Dates: Thursdays, April: 23, 30, May: 7, 14, 21, June: 4
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
The Jews have always played a role in the push-and-pull of significant eras in American history. We’ll look at six themes end events in American politics to explore the question of how we, as Jews, relate to this country we know as home. This class is taught by HAMAQOM’s Associate Director, Jason Harris, who spent seven years as a senior staffer for a Member of Congress.
President George Washington promised a land free from religious toleration. Ulysses S. Grant expelled Jews from Union territory. The Jews have always played a role in the push-and-pull of significant eras in American history. We’ll look at six themes in American politics to explore the question of how we, as Jews, relate to this country we know as home. This class is taught by HAMAQOM’s Associate Director, Jason Harris, who spent seven years as a senior staffer for a Member of Congress. Please note that this course is nonpartisan, and not about specific candidates in the 2020 election. Click Here to Register
Dates: Thursdays, November 7-February 13 (No class on Thanksgiving, Nov 28)
Time: 7:00-8:00 pm
Location: Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores Street SF 94103
Open to members and non-members. Non-members: $149 Members: $119
A continuation from beginning Hebrew, this course is for students who have already learned the Hebrew alphabet and know some basic vocabulary. This class will provide opportunities to practice reading and decoding Hebrew, and expand your Hebrew vocabulary. Additionally, we shall study several key prayers in the Congregation Sha’ar Zahav’s siddur(prayer book). This class provides a friendly and supportive learning environment, and patience and sensitivity will be shown to adult learners with limited time for study. Please feel free to contact the class instructor Michael Lederman (Michael.lederman@gmail.com) if you’re not sure if this class will be the right level for you. Click here to Register!
Dates: Tuesdays, October 15-January 21 (No class New Years Eve, Dec 31)
Time: 7:00-8:00 pm
Location: Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores Street SF 94103
Open to members and non-members.
Non-members: $149 Members: $119
Would you like to be able to decode Hebrew, so that you can follow along in the prayer book? Have you always wondered how the Hebrew language works? It is never too late to start learning Hebrew! This class is intended for first time Hebrew students, and will begin at the very beginning by learning the letters and the sounds that they make. This class provides a friendly and supportive learning environment, and patience and sensitivity will be shown to adult learners with limited time for study. You’ll be reading Hebrew words in no time! Course taught by Michael Lederman (Michael.lederman@gmail.com). Click here to Register!
Judaism 101
Dates: Mondays, October 28, 2019-January 13, 2020
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: Sha’ar Zahav – 290 Dolores Street SF 94103
Registration: Click Here
Open to members and non-members. Cost $149
The intro to Judaism course, will cover the basics of Jewish history, texts, liturgy, holidays, customs, theology, with plenty of room for you to ask your own questions.The intro class is designed for anyone from any background and any level of Jewish learning, and all are welcome to attend. The class will be facilitated by Director of Education, Sue Bojdak. If you have any questions, please contact Sue at education@shaarzahav.org.
Talmud Study Group
Dates: Saturdays (except B’nei Mitzvah days)
Time: 9:00 am
Location: Sha’ar Zahav – 290 Dolores Street SF 94103
Registration: None Required
Join a lay-led weekly Talmud study group where we will look at a tractate/section of Jewish commentary called Moed Katan. No experience studying Talmud is necessary, text read in English translation. No experience necessary. For information, contact Jackie Kaplan.
Summer 2019 Courses
Intro to Kabbalah
Dates: July 10, 17, 31 & August 7
Time: 12:00-1:15 pm
Have you wondered why the Zohar, the medieval book of Jewish mysticism, gets so much attention? Come to a beginner’s session as Rabbi Copeland leads us through a bit of historical background before delving into some juicy texts in English translation. Contemplate the nature of reality and divinity over tea, coffee, and whatever you bring for your lunch. No RSVP needed. Drop-ins welcome! For more information contact rabbi@shaarzahav.org.
Spring 2019 Courses
The Origins of the Bible and How to Read It: Genesis and Exodus
Dates: Thursdays, April 11-May 2
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: Sha’ar Zahav – 290 Dolores Street SF 94103
Registration: lehrhaus.org
To many contemporary readers, the Bible often feels impenetrable and outdated, principally because of the way Jewish texts are taught in religious schools. This course will explore methods for reading the Bible that are central to liberal Judaism’s orientations to reading sacred texts, but are not often used in synagogue settings. We will discuss myth and metaphor and the Bible’s literary history to uncover the ancient meanings of several of the Bible’s classic narratives and its law codes, and to determine their relevance to modern-day Jews and the world in which we. Instructor: Rabbi Jeremy S. Morrison, Ph.D. Lehrhaus Executive Director. Newcomers to the series are always welcome! Register at lehrhaus.org.
Winter 2019 Courses
Are Jews like Queers?
Dates: Mondays, February 4-March 18 (excluding February 18)
Time: 8:00-8:00 pm
Location: Manny’s – 3092 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Registration: None Required
Are queers like Jews? Are Jews like queers? We might be accustomed to thinking of queer Jews as a subset of the Jewish community–but to what extent is the diasporic Jewish experience already queer? What parallels do we see between how queerness and Jewishness are policed, especially in gendered terms–and how can the two communities learn from one another in their modes of resistance, connection, and adaptivity? This casual evening class will look at works of queer theory written by and about Jews to think through these questions and to make sense of the two intersecting categories. Join member Annie Atura Bushnell, Assistant Director of Jewish Studies at Stanford, and Rabbi Mychal Copeland for low-key discussion over coffee or tea! Readings will be pre-circulated, but never mandatory–come as you are. Cost is what you purchase to imbibe. No sign-up: drop-ins are welcome. Free and open to all. Donations welcome. Readings can be found here.
Dates: Thursdays, January 24-April 11, 2019
Time: 7:00-8:00 pm
Location: Sha’ar Zahav – 290 Dolores Street SF 94103
Registration: Click Here
A continuation of our beginning Hebrew class, this course is for students who have already learned the Hebrew alphabet and know some basic vocabulary. This class will provide opportunities to practice reading and decoding Hebrew, and expand your Hebrew vocabulary. Additionally, we shall study several key prayers in the Sha’ar Zahav’s siddur (prayer book). This class provides a friendly and supportive learning environment, and patience and sensitivity will be shown to adult learners with limited time for study. New students who have already mastered the Hebrew alphabet (or who have mostly mastered the Hebrew alphabet) are encouraged to join! Please feel free to contact the class instructor (michael.lederman@gmail.com) if you’re not sure if this class will be the right level for you.
Non-members: $126
Members: $54
Fall 2018 Courses
Introductory Hebrew
Dates: Thursdays, October 4-December 6, 2018 (meets weekly for 10 sessions)
Time: 7:00-8:00 pm
Open to members and non-members of Sha’ar Zahav
Would you like to be able to decode Hebrew, so that you can follow along in the prayer book? Have you always wondered how the Hebrew language works? It is never too late to start learning Hebrew! This class is intended for first time Hebrew students, and will begin by learning the letters and the sounds that they make. You’ll be reading Hebrew words in no time! This course will be led by Michael Lederman. If you have any questions, please contact Adult Education chair, Mark Pressler at markpressler@gmail.com.
Judaism 101
Dates: Mondays, October 15-December 17, 2018 (meets weekly for 10 sessions)
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Open to members and non-members
The intro to Judaism course, will cover the basics of Jewish history, texts, liturgy, holidays, customs, theology, with plenty of room for you to ask your own questions.The intro class is designed for anyone from any background and any level of Jewish learning, and all are welcome to attend. The class will be facilitated by Director of Education, Sue Bojdak. If you have any questions, please contact Sue at education@shaarzahav.org.
Practical Mussar
Dates: Mondays, October 15-December 17, 2018 (meets weekly for 10 sessions)
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Open to members and non-members
Do you sometimes find it difficult to be good? To reach deep for compassion? While Jewish ideals and mitzvot are laid out fairly well, we often have trouble following them. Well, look no further. Join long-time member, Mark Pressler, as he leads us in Practical Mussar.
Mussar is a Jewish spiritual practice based on ethical and moral values. It’s an everyday hands-on guide to cultivating inner virtues to improve ourselves. We will meditate, study and improve all of our interactions and relationships. If you have any questions, please contact Adult Education chair, Mark Pressler at markpressler@gmail.com.
Where do we go from here? Jewish thoughts on the afterlife
Dates: Mondays, October 15-November 19, 2018 (meets weekly for 6 sessions)
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Open to members and non-members
We often know what other traditions have to say about the afterlife far better than our own. We will explore why this is an underdiscussed issue in Judaism and we’ll take a trip through our fascinating and often inconsistent history. Stops along the journey include messianism, the world to come, Kabbalistic levels of the soul, and reincarnation. Led by Rabbi Mychal Copeland. No previous experience with Jewish thought, Hebrew or text is necessary. If you have any questions, please contact Rabbi Copeland at rabbi@shaarzahav.org.