Congregant Gatherings
As a large congregation, we recognize the importance of small group connection and we create many opportunities for learning, socializing, and enjoying local culture together. These gatherings generally occur in the evening hours or on weekends.
For weekday gatherings at the temple, check out these opportunities.
| Interfaith Group | Men’s Group | The Tribe for Men | Women’s Group | Tribe for Women | Young Adult | Emanu-El 30s/40s Group
Events Open to the Community
April 13
Blessing of the Animals and Walk to Mountain Lake Dog Park in the Presidio
Passover Yoga Sessions with Julie Emden
Friday afternoons, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
March 22, 29
$10 per class (cash onsite) or $40 for the whole series
Deepen your experience of the Passover holiday this year by enhancing your understanding of key words and phrases from the Exodus story with Embodied Jewish Learning. Each class will focus on a different moment in the story, as we infuse our movements with qualities inferred by the text.
March 1 – Mitzrayim– Finding Fluidity in the Body
March 8 – Shal Na’alecha–Releasing our Habits
March 15 – Kaved Lev– Opening Our Hearts
March 22 B’toch Hayam– Stepping into the Sea
March 29 – Manna– The Practice of Not Knowing
Drop-ins are welcome! No previous yoga experience or knowledge about Torah, Hebrew or Passover are necessary. Yoga props will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own mat if you have one.
Julie Emden, RYT-500, is the Founding Director of Embodied Jewish Learning. A graduate of five fellowship and teaching certification programs related to her work as a Jewish educator, Iyengar-based yoga instructor and movement/expressive artist, Julie has two decades of experience guiding others in exploring Jewish wisdom, text, and practices via the body in a variety of settings. Embodied Jewish Learning offers classes, workshops, online learning, retreats, teacher training, and strategic consultation and guidance for Jewish Wellness Initiatives throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Interfaith Group
What Emanu-El Means When Using the Term “Interfaith”
When Emanu-El says “interfaith” in the context of “interfaith couple” or “interfaith family” or “people in interfaith relationships,” we’re inclusive of both immediate and extended families – interfaith couples where one person is Jewish and one is not, couples that include converts to Judaism who still have non-Jewish relatives, people with one Jewish parent, parents of intermarried children, grandparents of children being raised by intermarried parents, etc.
Interfaith families may include those who identify their family as Jewish, as more than one religion, as a “faithist” couple – one that tries to connect two partners’ point’s of view, one Jewish with a belief in a higher power and the other, an atheist looking at different interpretations and connections to Jewish traditions and custom, or who are unsure of how they identify. Our goal is to meet these families where they are and facilitate deeper connection to Jewish life. In addition, we recommend interfaithfamily.com as a valuable resource.
Interested in learning more about Judaism? Take a look at Introduction to Judaism.
Upcoming Interfaith Group Events:
LGBTQ Family Get Together Picnic & Hike
LGBTQ Family Get Together
Picnic and hike atop Mt. Davidson!
Saturday, April 13, 2019
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Please join us for a picnic brunch and hike led by Rabbi Sydney Mintz with Director of Education, Lom Friedman.
See the fantastic views from the highest natural peak in San Francisco!
About the Hike:
Moderate, 1.5 miles r-t, 25 minutes, dogs allowed (on leash)
Please wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers
No strollers and no restrooms available on the hike and top
Meet at a home at the base of Mt. Davidson (address to be provided upon registration)
About the picnic:
Coffee, bagels & shmears will be provided; bring your own snacks & water bottle!
Please also bring a blanket to sit on; no camping chairs allowed.
In the spirit of keeping it green, please be prepared to pack out your trash. Thank you!
Please register here if you would like to join us for this event!
Men’s Group
Men of Congregation Emanu-El have a monthly opportunity to socialize and study with a member of the clergy at a private home. This cross-generational group provides a small group experience so important to building community. All events are 9:30 – 11:30 am unless otherwise noted. Men’s Group events are congregant only and require registration. If you have any questions please contact Rebecca Reiner at rreiner@emanuelsf.org or (415) 751-2541 x170.
Thanks to donations from two members of the Men’s Group, the majority of gatherings are now offered for free. If you would like to sponsor a Men’s Group breakfast, please let us know.
Men’s Group events are congregant only and require registration. Location address given upon registration.
The Tribe for Men
An active and committed group of dads of Congregation Emanu-El ages 30-50, with children ages 0-18, who regularly come together in meaningful ways to have fun and form real relationship through deep connections and intimate community. Tribe for Men events are congregant-only and require registration. The Tribe for Men welcomes all fathers who fit the criteria above, regardless of gender and/or sexual identity.
Sunday, April 14, 2019, 1:00 pm 
The Tribe for Men’s 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration at Hamilton Families Shelter Garden (address given upon registration)
No cost- just sign up to bring plants after you register!
Join The Tribe for Men for a special Earth Day with Hamilton Families, a San Francisco nonprofit organization that works to prevent and end family homelessness, providing shelter for families in crisis as well as helping families get back into permanent housing quickly. This Earth Day bring your kids and join your fellow Tribesmen as we revitalize and beautify one of Hamilton’s garden with new plants, flowers, and signage! Emanu-El volunteers have been taking care of this garden the past two years, and we invite you to continue to building community and together end family homelessness in San Francisco!
***Tribe for Men SAVE THE DATE! (more details and registration coming soon)
Sunday, May 19 – Family Fun Day in Geyserville
Wednesday, May 22 – 2nd Annual Lag Ba’Omer sing along at Terrapin Crossroads (Phil Lesh from the Grateful Dead’s music Mecca ) in San Rafael for Tribe families!
Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11 – Tribe for Men Annual Camping Trip with kids
Women’s Group
Tea-Lightful: A Tea Tasting at Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon
Wednesday, March 27
6:00-8:00 pm
Join Emanu-El women for an evening when we will taste a variety of exotic teas accompanied by sweet and savory pairings. Long-time Emanu-El member and owner of Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon, Amy Denebeim Dean and her trusty sidekick Elissa Winer will lead you on this culinary adventure as we explore the world and history of tea. Emanu-El members $18; prospective members $24. Registration required by March 24.
We are now filled and can no longer accept further registrations. Thank you.
The Congregation Emanu-El Women’s Group offers a wide variety of diverse programs, spanning all demographics of the temple. Please stay tuned for upcoming programs.
Women’s Seder
Wednesday, April 10
6:30 PM
Temple Emanu-El
We invite all the women of the Emanu-El community to participate in our annual intergenerational Women’s Seder. With song, ritual, story and prayer, we join Jewish women all over the world who gather each Passover to name what is, and to dream of what is yet to be.
This evening will provide:
- Ideas to incorporate into your own seder
- Greater comfort in hosting and/or attending a seder
- Deeper relationships with fellow women of Emanu-El and our clergy
Cost: $20 per congregant (this fee covers the main dish with sides, seder goodies, and wine) and a Passover-appropriate dessert to share (suggestions can be found here: Passover desserts and fruit is always a good option). Registration closes on April 2nd.
We are also partnering this year with the Tzedek Council on a drive to help Larkin Street graduates get settled in their new apartments, easing the transition to life outside the structured environment of the Larkin Street residential program. The drive reflects the spirit of the conclusion of the Passover story – settling in a new land after a trying period of wandering.
Please consider bringing any of the items listed below to the temple the evening of the Seder. For further details or to order online, please see the Amazon Wish List.
- Towels
- Bedding
- Pillows
- Small cleaning supplies
- Laundry hamper
- Detergent
- Fun items; Slippers, robe
- Gift card to purchase items to make the space their own
The Tribe for Women
The Tribe for Women is a group of Congregation Emanu-El mothers of children, birth through 18 years old. We look forward to seeing you at our next event. Please stay tuned for upcoming programs!
See Women’s Group for Seder information.
Blessing of the Animals and Walk to Mountain Lake Dog Park in the Presidio
Saturday, April 13
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Emanu-El Courtyard
Gather in our courtyard and bring along your furry or fluffy friends! Even your cats! The blessing of the animals is popular in many religions, so make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to pal around with your furry buddies. Afterward, walk to the Mountain Lake Dog Park in the Presidio to share Shabbat with other animal loving folks.
Of course, all feathered-friends and those with fins or shells are invited to be blessed, as well.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mah Jongg (Room 57)
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm |
Tea-lightful: A Tea Tasting at Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
Cooking for Congregants - March 28, 2019
9:00 am - 11:00 am | Do you enjoy cooking? Participate in this mitzvah led…