Services
Our services are led by our professional clergy and lay leaders. Centered on our Siddur Sha’ar Zahav liturgy and highlighted by beautiful music, our services are welcoming to long-time members and new visitors alike.
Dress for our services spans the spectrum from blue jeans to dresses and suits. We welcome you in the way you authentically appear. Services are followed by a festive light oneg (refreshments) and time to connect with our community.
For the health and safety of our community, all who attend in-person services and events should be vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are unvaccinated, sick, or experiencing any symptoms of illness, please enjoy services and events via Zoom.
Masks are not 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.
We maintain a fragrance-free environment at all in-person services and events. In order to support those who are physically harmed when exposed to chemical fragrances (difficulty breathing, migraines, flu-like symptoms), please refrain from wearing perfume/cologne or using other scented products. For more information on this subject, click here.
Erev Shabbat – Friday evenings, 7:30 – 8:45 pm
You will never find rote, repetitive services at Sha’ar Zahav. Every Friday a different congregant co-leads services with our clergy, bringing their own distinct spirit and intention to our group prayer. This popular service is always filled with meaningful English readings, beautiful songs and a spirit of community that’s sometimes hard to find in our daily lives. The last Friday of every month is a Zoom only service. Please join us.
Register here to join on Zoom | Meeting ID: 886 7131 3838
You may also join by Skype for Business: https://zoom.us/skype/452290988
Shabbat Morning – Saturday mornings, 10 am – noon
Our casual and intimate morning service is often punctuated with questions and discussion. For those interested in expanding their boundaries and leading part of the service, Saturday morning provides a wonderfully welcoming opportunity to do so. On Shabbat mornings when we celebrate b’nei mitzvah, services are generally larger (see our calendar for a listing of upcoming b’nei mitzvah)
Join the Zoom service | Meeting ID: 365 434 855 | Passcode: 068575
You may also join by Skype for Business: https://zoom.us/skype/365434855
B’nei Mitzvah – Select Saturday mornings, 10 am– noon
Our celebration of b’nei mitzvah (the ceremony that welcomes a teenager to full participation in Jewish ritual life) is uniquely Sha’ar Zahav. Volunteers take the lead role in co-leading the service with the student, guests often participate and everyone is invited. These celebrations take place during Shabbat morning services on select Saturdays throughout the year.
Dial-in Information for Zoom Services
You can join our Shabbat services on the phone. Simply dial by your location and enter the meeting ID and passcode when prompted.
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
You may find your local number here: https://zoom.us/u/aoL9SLYuO
Fragrance-Free Environment
In order to support Sha’ar Zahav attendees who are physically harmed when exposed to chemical fragrances (difficulty breathing, migraines, flu-like symptoms), please do your best to follow these guidelines when you visit our synagogue building:
- Refrain from wearing perfume/cologne (we know some of you love perfume…but you’ll have to rely on your good looks)
- Check your various products to see if there is a fragrance free version available and/or try to use them at least a couple of hours before coming to Sha’ar Zahav to give time for the fragrance to wear off.
- Switch to fragrance-free laundry detergent and softener (it works just as well and is the same price!)
For more information on this subject, including why it’s important and a list of Fragrance-Free products, please visit: eastbaymeditation.org
