This Week in Jewish SF

Film festival week, a solemn midweek pause, and Shabbat Nachamu.

The SF Jewish Film Festival is running all week long at the JCCSF's newly renovated Kanbar Hall, with screenings nearly every day through Sunday. Midweek we pause for Tisha B'Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, and then the city exhales into Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort.

Candle lighting: Friday, July 24 at 8:07 PM Havdalah: Saturday, July 25 at 9:09 PM Parashat: Vaetchanan, Shabbat Nachamu

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is in full swing, with multiple screenings daily at Kanbar Hall (and the Roxie this weekend) before heading to the East Bay next week. Too many films to list here, so browse the full schedule and grab tickets below. The highly anticipated picks are called out on their days.

📍 JCCSF Kanbar Hall, 3200 California St + Roxie Theater
🔗 FULL SCHEDULE + TICKETS

A relaxed, welcoming weekly Torah class covering the week's parashah. Whether you're a regular or it's your first time, everyone is welcome.

🕗 8:00 PM
📍 Anshey Sfard
🔗 MORE INFO

This thoughtful introductory course covers the Jewish calendar, Shabbat, holidays, rituals, prayer, and the Jewish lifecycle. Great for anyone new to Jewish practice or looking to reconnect.

🕖 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Zoom
🔗 JOIN AND LEARN MORE

Chevra has the full observance covered. The fast begins at 8:27 PM, followed by evening services and the reading of Eicha from 8:30 to 9:30 PM.

🕣 8:30–9:30 PM
📍 Chevra Thilim, 751 25th Ave
🔗 MORE INFO

Join Rabbi Dorothy Richman to pray, mourn, and rebuild together with the reading of Eicha.

🕣 7:45 PM
📍 Congregation Beth Sholom, 301 14th Ave
🔗 MORE INFO

A meaningful, candle-lit evening service with davening, the reading of Eichah, and shared reflection. Register in advance for building access.

🕘 9:00 PM
📍 Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St
🔗 REGISTER

Shacharis and Kinos at 10:30 AM, class and video from 12:30 to 1:45 PM, and Tallis, Tefillin, and Mincha at 1:45 PM.

🕥 10:30 AM
📍 Chevra Thilim, 751 25th Ave
🔗 MORE INFO

Morning service with kinnot. No registration required.

🕖 7:00 AM
📍 Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St
🔗 MORE INFO

The fast ends at 8:57 PM. Eat something. You earned it.

SF is a city of miracles, and this one aims to bring 180 Jews into one Shabbat. A fully kosher catered dinner in a Shabbat-decorated office, great music, zemirot, and an amazing crowd. Dress fancy. This is a private event and registration requires host approval, so sign up early.

📍 430 Shotwell St
🔗 REQUEST TO JOIN

The festival marks its midway point with a community Shabbat in the JCCSF atrium, celebrating the world premiere of I Don't Know What I'm Doing Here (screening at 6:00 PM before the gathering).

🕗 8:00 PM
📍 JCCSF Atrium, 3200 California St
🔗 MORE INFO

Classic Chabad Friday night dinner at Knesset Israel Chabad. Open to all backgrounds and affiliations, and no one is turned away for lack of funds.

🕖 7:00–10:00 PM
📍 873 Sutter St
🔗 RSVP HERE

It's Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort right after Tisha B'Av, and there's no better week to find yourself at a table. So many incredible communities around the city, so go out, explore, and see what resonates!

One of the best ways to meet people in SF is simply showing up for Shabbat morning. Nearly every synagogue has a kiddush after services, and visitors are always welcome.

Watch I Don't Know What I'm Doing Here at the Roxie with Moishe House Marina, followed by a group discussion. The first 10 RSVPs get free admission.

🕧 12:30 PM
📍 Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St
🔗 RSVP HERE

The San Francisco leg wraps up big at Kanbar Hall, headlined by the Centerpiece Documentary Holofiction at 5:00 PM, plus a work-in-progress screening of The Day After at 11:30 AM.

🕦 11:30 AM–10:00 PM
📍 JCCSF Kanbar Hall, 3200 California St
🔗 TICKETS

Tu B'Av (Wednesday, July 29) The Jewish day of love arrives less than a week after Tisha B'Av. Keep an eye out for community celebrations.

SF Shabbat Camping Trip (July 30–August 2) A community camping weekend at Lake Camanche with Shabbat, hiking, swimming, campfires, meals, and hopes of putting together a minyan. 🔗 RSVP

SFJFF46 Closing Night (Saturday, August 1) The festival closes at the Piedmont Theatre with We Met at Grossinger's, a documentary journey through the Borscht Belt. 🔗 TICKETS

YJP Shabbat Dinner (Friday, July 31) The monthly gathering for Jewish young professionals in their 20s and 30s. Kabbalat Shabbat at 7:00 PM, followed by a cocktail-style buffet, open bar, and great company. 🔗 RSVP HERE

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