Late June in the city has a good hum to it. A little art and film, some Torah and havruta, Israeli dancing, challah before Shabbat, a young professional dinner, and a big Proud & Jewish moment to close out the month.
No major holiday this week. Just a full, easygoing Jewish week in SF, and plenty of reasons to show up.
🕯️ Shabbat candles: Friday, June 26, ~8:17 PM
✨ Havdalah: Saturday, June 27, ~9:23 PM
⭐ Featured Event
YJP Shabbat Dinner
The week's highlight: a cocktail-style Shabbat dinner with Young Jewish Professionals of SF at Chabad SF. Great food, good drinks, and a lively, welcoming room to land in after a long week. Bring friends, meet new people, and ease into Shabbat in good company. This one tends to fill up, so RSVP early.
🕖 7:00-10:00 PM
📍 Knesset Israel Chabad, 873 Sutter St
🔗 RSVP HERE
Tuesday, June 23
Jewish Painters: On the Forefront of Abstract Expressionism
A free JCCSF talk on Helen Frankenthaler and other Jewish artists who helped shape midcentury Abstract Expressionism. An easy, interesting way to spend a Tuesday afternoon.
🕐 1:00–2:30 PM
📍 JCCSF, 3200 California St
🔗 RSVP HERE
The Art of Havruta: A Mishnah Study Series with Hadar
Rabbi David Kasher of Hadar leads an evening on the art of havruta and the world of the Mishnah, with paired study and real text skills. Part of the Hadar West beit midrash series, and free to attend.
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St
🔗 INFO HERE
The Plot Against Harry
A free Jewish Community Library screening of the cult comedy about a small-time Jewish gangster trying to find his footing after prison. Intro and discussion led by Howard Freedman.
🕡 6:30–8:15 PM
📍 Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St
🔗 INFO HERE
Parasha with Rabbi Felsen
Weekly Parasha learning with Rabbi Joey Felsen. Relaxed, insightful, and always good conversation.
🕗 8:00 PM
📍 Congregation Anshey Sfard, 1500 Clement St
🔗 INFO HERE
Wednesday, June 24
Rikud By The Bay Israeli Dance
An all-level, all-ages Israeli folk dance night at the JCCSF with choreographer Tovael Hagai. Easy dances, a teach, and open dancing. No partner needed, just bring comfortable shoes.
🕡 6:45–9:45 PM · $15
📍 JCCSF, 3200 California St
🔗 RSVP HERE
Parsha In Focus with Rabbi Yaakov Zarchi
A weekly Torah study with Rabbi Yaakov Zarchi, digging deeper into the parsha.
🕖 7:00–8:00 PM
📍 Chevra Thilim, 751 25th Ave
🔗 INFO HERE
Friday, June 26
Twist of Tradition: Hands-On Challah
Braid your own challah at the JCCSF and bring a little homemade warmth into the weekend.
🕝 2:30–5:00 PM · $0–5
📍 JCCSF, 3200 California St
🔗 RSVP HERE
YJP Shabbat Dinner ⭐
Our featured event this week, see above. A cocktail-style Shabbat dinner with Young Jewish Professionals of SF at Chabad SF.
🕖 7:00–10:00 PM
📍 Knesset Israel Chabad, 873 Sutter St
🔗 RSVP HERE
Saturday, June 27 · Parashat Chukat-Balak
Shabbat Morning Services Across SF
A beautiful morning to synagogue-hop or finally check one out.
My personal favorites are Chevra Thilim and Chabad SF, but Beth Sholom, Emanu-El, Sha'ar Zahav, Sherith Israel, Anshey Sfard, Adath Israel, and the city's Chabad houses all have their own awesome flavor and community.
The best conversations usually happen over kiddush.
Sunday, June 28
SF Pride Parade: Proud & Jewish Contingent
Close out Pride Month with the Bay Area Jewish community at the 56th SF Pride Parade. JCRC Bay Area, the JCCSF, and the Jewish Federation lead the Proud & Jewish contingent, with a custom float, music, and a big, joyful Jewish presence down Market Street. Pre-registration required, lineup details shared after you sign up.
🕙 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Parade Assembly Area, Financial District
🔗 RSVP HERE
Showtunes & Games with Cafe by the Bay
JFCS NextGen teams up with Cafe by the Bay, JFCS's social program for Holocaust survivors, for an intergenerational afternoon honoring the birthday of Broadway music director Robert Rogers. Expect showtunes, games, good food, and real connection across generations. Open to young adults 20 to 40, with an $18 suggested donation supporting JFCS's programs for survivors.
🕦 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
📍 In person, location shared with registration
🔗 RSVP HERE
👀 Keep An Eye Out
A little past this week, but worth knowing about now:
SF Giants Jewish Heritage Night · July 7
Jewish Heritage Night at Oracle Park as the Giants take on the Toronto Blue Jays. First pitch 6:45 PM, and your special ticket includes a Jewish Heritage Night jersey.
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival · July 16-August 2
The 46th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, presented by the Jewish Film Institute, with the SF run at the JCCSF's Kanbar Hall July 17–26. Dozens of films and one of the best cultural runs of the summer.
👋
As I can’t stop saying… there's so much happening right now.
New people showing up. Old friends reconnecting. Random run-ins turning into dinners, Shabbats, collaborations, and full-on community.
Go to something this week. Bring a friend. Make a friend. Stay later than you planned.
Always open to feedback, event recs, and cool things happening around the city.
Send events to: [email protected]
And if you enjoyed this, send it to a friend who should be more plugged into Jewish SF.
- Gabriel