This Week In Jewish SF

This week starts loud… bonfires, BBQs, big gatherings… and rolls straight into SF Jewish Week.

It’s one of those weeks where the move is simple:
show up, then keep showing up.

San Francisco Jewish Week (May 9–16)
A full week of Jewish culture, food, music, and community across the city.

👉 Expect everything from big events to last-minute pop-ups.

🔗 Stay in the loop

Lag Ba’Omer Bonfire
UCSF celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month with food, music, and community.
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM
Place: Spark Social SF, Mission Bay
RSVP HERE

Lag Ba’Omer Hillula Celebration
Music, energy, and traditional Lag Ba’Omer celebration vibes.
Time: 6:30 PM
Place: (Shared after RSVP)
RSVP HERE

RTC Chabad Lag Ba’Omer Gathering
More intimate and traditional community gathering with bites and spiritual teachings around the bonfire.
Time: 8:00 PM
Place: 423 10th Ave
RSVP: Walk-in

YJP Lag Ba’Omer BBQ (Chabad SF x Moishe House)
One of the bigger young-professional events of the week — food, drinks, great crowd.
Time: 7-10:00pm
Place: Chabad SF (Sutter St.)
RSVP HERE

Lag Ba’Omer Community BBQ w/ Chabad of the Neighborhood
More laid-back, family-friendly — crafts, s’mores, music.
Time: 5:00–7:00 PM
Place: Pine Lake Park
RSVP HERE

Introductory Hebrew @ Congregation Sherith Israel
Casual, accessible Hebrew learning.
Time: Evening
Place: Sherith Israel
RSVP HERE

Cholent Tasting @ Chabad of the Neighborhood
A full-on Jewish foodie experience — taste different cholents, learn the history, vote your favorite.
Time: 5:00–8:00 PM
Place: Chabad of the Neighborhood
RSVP HERE

Chabad SF Shabbat Dinner
Warm, social, and always a strong crowd.
Time: 7:00–10:00 PM
Place: Chabad SF (Sutter St.)
RSVP HERE

Late Shabbat @ Congregation Emanu-El
A larger, celebratory Shabbat with community and music.
Time: Evening
Place: Emanu-El
RSVP HERE

Shabbat Services + Lunch @ Chabad SF
Morning davening followed by Shabbat lunch.
Time: 10:00 AM–1:30 PM
Place: Chabad SF
RSVP HERE

A Taste of Jewish SF 🍷
Food, wine, music, and one of the best crowds of the week.
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Place: JCCSF
RSVP HERE

The Kitchen’s Song of Songs Concert — Neta Elkayam & Yair Dalal
A rare, intimate performance blending North African, Middle Eastern, and Sephardic sounds. Part of a larger weekend gathering, but this night stands on its own - and is fully open to the public.
Time: 8:30 PM (Doors 8:00 PM)
Place: SF (location shared after RSVP)
RSVP HERE

Shabbat Ritual Ceramics Workshop
Create your own candlesticks, kiddush cup, and ritual pieces.
Time: 1:00–4:00 PM
Place: JCCSF
RSVP HERE

The Great Debaters (Malka Productions)

A stacked lineup bringing together some of the most outspoken voices shaping the conversation right now — Shabbos Kestenbaum, Abraham Hamra, Debra Lea, and Talia Yosef — all on one stage. Expect real debate tactics, unfiltered perspectives, and practical tools you can actually use, whether online or in real life. This is less of a panel and more of a front-row seat to how modern Jewish advocacy is being shaped across media. If you care about narrative, influence, or just want to hear people who don’t hold back — this is one to show up for.
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Richmond District
RSVP HERE

Chevra Young Professionals Shabbat @Chevra — May 15
Always a strong turnout — expect a big crowd with Jewish Week momentum.
RSVP HERE

Blue & White Ball — SF Jewish Week Finale
Massive closing party — dress up, high energy, big crowd.
Date: May 16
Time: 8:00 PM–12:00 AM
Place: W San Francisco
RSVP HERE

Oy Bay: Launch (May 30)
New Jewish social club launching in SF — early signal looks strong.
RSVP HERE

This is one of those weeks where a lot of the best events don’t fully live on calendars.

Between Jewish Week, YJP momentum, and independent hosts —
👉 expect spontaneous dinners, afters, and invite-only gatherings.

If you’re out, you’ll find them.

Send it in: [email protected]

Forward this to someone who should be out this week.

There’s a lot happening - don’t miss it :)

- Gabriel