Sha'ar Zahav

Founded in 1977 and rooted in our history as San Francisco’s gay and lesbian synagogue, Congregation Sha’ar Zahav (Hebrew for Golden Gate) offers the warmth and comfort of chosen family. To that end, we embrace a diversity of individuals of all sexualities, genders, races, and abilities. Our 325-household congregation includes single members and interfaith, single-parent, and multicultural families. Join us as we come together with open hearts to learn and grow with each other, lifting each other up to do what we never thought possible. We invite you to meet our members and leadership and to explore all that Sha’ar Zahav has to offer. Mission: Sha’ar Zahav embraces all who participate in our community in their individual holiness, in a celebration of Jewish life. We find strength in diversity and create new Jewish traditions that honor our modern lives, both celebrating and questioning tradition. Our ritual services celebrate the diversity of beliefs and identities, give meaning to our everyday lives and Jewish journeys, and are expressed through our own Siddur and congregant participation. Our programs focus on creating authentic and transformative Jewish experiences that are relevant in our lives. In our school, children and their families experience Jewish community and learn to affirm diversity and the sacredness of every person.