"May Y Liв Un l 120" - Jewish Life in the Bay Area during the 120-Year History of Sinai Memorial Chapel
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“May Y Liв Unl 120”
Jewish Life in the Bay Area during the 120-Year History of Sinai Memorial Chapel
Compliments of
Sinai Memorial Chapel Jewish Calendar for 5782
Chevra Kadisha תשפ”ב2021-2022
Architect’s 1916 rendering of the first location of the Hebrew Burial Association on Buchanan Street, which later became Sinai Memorial Chapel.
L’shana Tovah and best wishes for a Happy New Year from the Board of Directors and Staff of Sinai
sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha. As appreciation for your support, enclosed is our 5782 Jewish calendar.
In Jewish tradition, there is a blessing, “May you live until 120.” It comes from the Torah, which tells us that
Moses died when he was 120 years old. It has become a blessing that Jews wish to each other, conveying
the hope that everyone can live their life to the fullest as long as they live.
MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Chevra Kadisha
Jewish organizations have interpreted this expression to consider their own 120th anniversaries as a
special milestone, reminding the community of the “ripe old age” the organization has reached.
As Sinai Memorial Chapel celebrates its own 120th anniversary this year, we chose to feature in this year’s
calendar a highlight of Jewish life in the Bay Area for each of our 12 decades. As Jewish life in the Bay Area
evolved, we are proud to have been there for our community at every step.
This new calendar—and the new year—are also reminders to all of us to rededicate ourselves to new
beginnings. Just as Rosh Hashanah and the sound of the shofar usher in the holiest time of the year, at
SINAI we take this opportunity to rededicate ourselves to our holy work and to identify opportunities for
tikkun, improvement, to better serve our entire Bay Area Jewish community.
In the past year, we provided advance planning, funeral and burial services, and bereavement and
grief counseling services to over 1,000 individuals and families. A continuing hallmark of SINAI is our
commitment to providing to the entire community—regardless of means—the same dignity and quality
of funeral service.
Our members support the tzedakah and community-building activities of SINAI, one of the few community-
owned, nonprofit Jewish funeral services nationwide. Your membership and donations help ensure that
we never turn away any Jewish person because of means. Please consider becoming a member.
If you would like more information about the work of SINAI, our range of services, the importance of
membership, or the opportunity to make a legacy gift, please visit our website, www.sinaichapel.org.
Again, I wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for your continuing support.
Sincerely,
Samuel J. Salkin
Executive Director
ssalkin@sinaichapel.org
www.sinaichapel.org
1900-1909
Give me your tired,
your poor,
Your huddled masses
yearning to breathe free
In 1901, the year Sinai Memorial Chapel was founded,
the U.S. was in the midst of a major influx of Eastern
European Jews. Between 1881 and 1924, more than
2.5 million East European Jews arrived, propelled by
anti-Semitism and poverty in their home countries
and the opportunities that America offered.
While many settled in New York, there was a
sizeable community in San Francisco centered in the
South of Market neighborhood before moving to the
Fillmore district after the 1906 earthquake.
This second wave of Jewish immigrants—Yiddish-
speaking, Orthodox, less educated, politically radical
and socialist, and mostly poor—was very different
from the earlier wave of mostly German and Central
European immigrants, who were less religious and
better educated.
The new immigrants had a profound impact on
Jewish life in San Francisco. They led a resurgence of
Orthodox Judaism, were activists in labor issues, had
a strong sense of Jewish nationalism, and kept the
Yiddish language alive through plays and books.
SEPTEMBER sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
FD 262
FD 1523
2021 Peninsula-South Bay 650.369.3636
תשרי תשפ”ב- אלול תשפ”א MEMORIAL CHAPEL
ELUL 5781 - TISHREI 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
24 Elul כד 25 Elul כה 26 Elul כו 27 Elul כז
1 2 3 Light
7:17 4 Nitzavim
Ends
8:14
28 Elul כח 29 Elul כט 1 Tishrei א 2 Tishrei ב 3 Tishrei ג 4 Tishrei ד 5 Tishrei ה
5 6 Erev
Rosh Hashanah
Light
7:13 7 Rosh Hashanah
Shofar is blown
Light
after
8:09
8 Rosh Hashanah
Shofar is blown
Ends
8:07 9 Tzom Gedaliah
Fast
5:22
-7:53
10 Light
7:07 11 Vayelech
Shabbat Shuvah
Ends
8:02
Labor Day
6 Tishrei ו 7 Tishrei ז 8 Tishrei ח 9 Tishrei ט 10 Tishrei י 11 Tishrei יא 12 Tishrei יב
12 13 14 15 Erev
Yom Kippur
Light,
fast
begins
16 Yom Kippur
Yizkor
Ends
7:54 17 Light
6:56 18 Ha’azinu
Ends
7:51
Kol Nidre 6:59 Shofar is blown
13 Tishrei יג 14 Tishrei יד 15 Tishrei טו 16 Tishrei טז 17 Tishrei יז 18 Tishrei יח 19 Tishrei יט
19 20 Erev Sukkot
Light
6:51 21 Light
1st day of Sukkot after
7:47
22 Ends
2nd day of Sukkot 7:45 23 Chol Hamoed Sukkot 24 Chol Hamoed
Sukkot
Light
6:45 25 Chol Hamoed
Sukkot
Ends
7:40
20 Tishrei כ 21 Tishrei כא 22 Tishrei כב 23 Tishrei כג 24 Tishrei כד
26 27 28 29 30
Light Light Ends
Chol Hamoed Sukkot Sukkot 6:40 Shemini Atzeret after Simchat Torah 7:34
Hoshanah Rabah Yizkor 7:36
Erev Shemini Atzeret Erev Simchat Torah
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.
1910-1919
World War I Foments Dissent
In the mid-1910s, San Francisco Jews were divided in their support of the
war and its aftermath.
Many local Jews were against the war. They were afraid that it would
threaten the success of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition,
which was meant to attract industry and tourism and whose board
included many prominent Jews.
Jews with German heritage—second-generation immigrants who
were a powerful group in The City—were not at that time strongly
opposed to Germany.
Further undermining a unified Jewish response to the war were the
strong anti-Russian sentiments felt by Jewish immigrants who had fled
Russia—an ally of the U.S.—because of anti-Semitism.
Finally, there was division among San Franciscan Jews about the
creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine after the war ended. Zionism
seemed antithetical to the assimilation sought by many second-
generation immigrants.
In the end, local Jews did support the war effort, primarily by
helping Jews in Europe affected by the war, while remaining divided on
the creation of a separate Jewish homeland.
OCTOBER sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
FD 262
FD 1523
2021 Peninsula-South Bay 650.369.3636
חשון תשפ”ב- תשרי MEMORIAL CHAPEL
TISHREI - CHESHVAN 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
25 Tishrei כה 26 Tishrei כו
1 Light
6:34 2 Bereshit
Birkat Hachodesh
Ends
7:29
27 Tishrei כז 28 Tishrei כח 29 Tishrei כט 30 Tishrei ל 1 Cheshvan א 2 Cheshvan ב 3 Cheshvan ג
3 4 5 6 Rosh Chodesh 7 Rosh Chodesh 8 Light
6:24 9 Noach
Ends
7:19
4 Cheshvan ד 5 Cheshvan ה 6 Cheshvan ו 7 Cheshvan ז 8 Cheshvan ח 9 Cheshvan ט 10 Cheshvan י
10 11 Columbus Day 12 13 Yom HaAliyah 14 15 Light
6:14 16 Lech Lecha
Ends
7:10
11 Cheshvan יא 12 Cheshvan יב 13 Cheshvan יג 14 Cheshvan יד 15 Cheshvan טו 16 Cheshvan טז 17 Cheshvan יז
17 18 19 20 21 22 Light
6:04 23 Vayera
Ends
7:01
18 Cheshvan יח 19 Cheshvan יט 20 Cheshvan כ 21 Cheshvan כא 22 Cheshvan כב 23 Cheshvan כג 24 Cheshvan כדEnds
24 25 26 27 28 29
Light
5:56 30 Chaye Sarah
Birkat Hachodesh
6:53
25 Cheshvan כה
31
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.
1920-1929 The Fillmore:
A Thriving
Jewish
Neighborhood
By the 1920s, the Fillmore neighbor-
hood—in the area now known as the
Western Addition—was a thriving,
multi-ethnic neighborhood. Many
Eastern European and Russian Jews
moved there from South of Market
after that part of town was destroyed
in the 1906 earthquake. They joined
many others, including Japanese, Ital-
ian, Filipino, and African American resi-
dents, who also flocked to the Fillmore.
Until WWII the Fillmore had a rich
Jewish life. The streets were filled with
Jewish-owned shops, cultural institu-
tions, bakeries, markets, and restau-
rants. Stores were open late at the end
of Shabbat days and attracted Jews
from all over The City. And the streets
were lined with movie theaters and
other places for entertainment.
Yiddish was spoken by many of
the residents, and there were Yiddish
theater troupes and a weekly Yiddish
newspaper.
The Fillmore had a Hebrew school
as well as three synagogues: Congrega-
tions Keneseth Israel and Anshey Sfard
drew mostly Orthodox Jews, and Beth
Israel had a more liberal congregation.
Little remains of those times. None
of the synagogue buildings survive,
and only a few markers show where
Jewish businesses once stood.
A 1946 view of Fillmore Street, showing Congregation Beth Israel in the background
NOVEMBER sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
FD 262
FD 1523
2021 Peninsula-South Bay 650.369.3636
כסלו תשפ”ב- חשון MEMORIAL CHAPEL
CHESHVAN - KISLEV 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
26 Cheshvan כו 27 Cheshvan כז 28 Cheshvan כח 29 Cheshvan כט 1 Kislev א 2 Kislev ב
1 2 3 4 5 Rosh Chodesh
Light
5:48 6 Toledot
Ends
6:46
3 Kislev ג 4 Kislev ד 5 Kislev ה 6 Kislev ו 7 Kislev ז 8 Kislev ח 9 Kislev ט
7 Daylight Savings Time
ends
8 9 10 11 Veterans Day 12 Light
4:42 13 Vayetze
Ends
5:41
10 Kislev י 11 Kislev יא 12 Kislev יב 13 Kislev יג 14 Kislev יד 15 Kislev טו 16 Kislev טז
14 15 16 17 18 19 Light
4:37 20 Vayishlach
Ends
5:37
17 Kislev יז 18 Kislev יח 19 Kislev יט 20 Kislev כ 21 Kislev כא 22 Kislev כב 23 Kislev כג
21 22 23 24 25 Thanksgiving Day 26 Light
4:34 27 Vayeshev
Birkat Hachodesh
Ends
5:34
24 Kislev כד 25 Kislev כה 26 Kislev כו
28 Erev Chanukah
Light 1st candle
29 Chanukah
Light 2nd candle
30 Chanukah
Light 3rd candle
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.
1930-1939
Labor Raises Its Voice
As soon as Jews joined the workforce in America,
particularly in New York, they were central
players in the labor movement, forming unions
in a wide range of industries.
In San Francisco, Jews were on both sides of
labor issues—especially in the 1930s, when the
Depression increased the plight of workers and
put a spotlight on the labor movement.
While relatively few Bay Area Jews had union
jobs, Jewish activists played important roles as
arbitrators, lawyers, organizers, and advocates
for labor.
Those involved in the famous Waterfront
Strike of 1934 included Elaine Black Yoneda, who
provided legal support to strikers and was the
only woman on the strike steering committee;
Lou Goldblatt, a Marxist who became the chief
deputy to Harry Bridges, the strike leader; and
Rabbi Jacob Weinstein at Congregation Sherith
Israel, who spoke out strongly in support of labor.
Another labor leader during the ‘30s was
Jennie Matyas, an organizer for the International
Ladies Garment Workers Union, who led success-
ful efforts in Chinatown.
But many Jewish businessmen and civic
leaders were generally opposed to unions and
in particular to the Waterfront Strike, fearing
civic unrest and food shortages.
Demonstration of unemployed workers in San Francisco in the 1930s.DECEMBER sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
FD 262
FD 1523
2021 Peninsula-South Bay 650.369.3636
טבת תשפ”ב- כסלו MEMORIAL CHAPEL
KISLEV - TEVET 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
27 Kislev כז 28 Kislev כח 29 Kislev כט 30 Kislev ל
1 Chanukah
Light 4th candle
2 Chanukah
Light 5th candle
3 Chanukah
Light 6th candle
Light
4:33 4 Miketz
Chanukah
Ends
5:33
Light 7th candle
Rosh Chodesh
1 Tevet א 2 Tevet ב 3 Tevet ג 4 Tevet ד 5 Tevet ה 6 Tevet ו 7 Tevet ז
5 Chanukah
Light 8th candle
6 Chanukah 7 8 9 10 Light
4:33 11 Vayigash
Ends
5:34
8 Tevet ח 9 Tevet ט 10 Tevet י 11 Tevet יא 12 Tevet יב 13 Tevet יג 14 Tevet יד
12 13 14 Tzom
Asarah B’Tevet
Fast
5:49
-5:22
15 16 17 Light
4:35 18 Vayechi
Ends
5:36
15 Tevet טו 16 Tevet טז 17 Tevet יז 18 Tevet יח 19 Tevet יט 20 Tevet כ 21 Tevet כא
19 20 21 22 23 24 Light
4:38 25 Shemot
Ends
5:40
22 Tevet כב 23 Tevet כג 24 Tevet כד 25 Tevet כה 26 Tevet כו 27 Tevet כז
26 27 28 29 30 31 Light
4:43
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.1940-1949
United against Germany,
Divided about Israel
Jewish sentiments in San Francisco against Nazism during World War II were
accompanied by strong disagreements about the creation of a Jewish homeland
after the end of the war.
This debate over Zionism was directly related to the two waves of Jewish immi-
grants who settled in San Francisco from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. The first
wave of German-speaking Reform Jews was focused on becoming integrated and
assimilated into the multi-ethnic, highly diverse city. Many became successful in
business and politics, forming a Jewish elite.
The descendants of these immigrants felt that Jewish nationalism conflicted with
their vision of being successful, patriotic Americans, feeling it could even lead to
anti-Semitism. They preferred to think of being Jewish as a religion, not as a people
in need of a homeland.
The second, smaller wave was primarily from Eastern Europe—Yiddish-speaking,
Orthodox, poorer, often socialist, and victims of anti-Semitism. Descendants of this
group were strong Zionists.
Both groups formed organizations to raise money and advocate for their
causes—the American Council for Judaism was anti-Zionist, and the Zionist
Organization of America supported the creation of Israel.
Over time, especially after Israel was created, the anti-Zionist movement waned,
and both sides began to support the United Jewish Appeal, which helped Jews both in
Europe and in their new land.JANUARY sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
FD 262
FD 1523
2022 Peninsula-South Bay 650.369.3636
שבט תשפ”ב- טבת MEMORIAL CHAPEL
TEVET - SHEVAT 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
28 Tevet ח
1 Vaera
Birkat Hachodesh
Ends
5:45
New Year’s Day
29 Tevet כט 1 Shevat א 2 Shevat ב 3 Shevat ג 4 Shevat ד 5 Shevat ה 6 Shevat ו
2 3 Rosh Chodesh 4 5 6 7 Light
4:49 8 Bo
Ends
5:51
7 Shevat ז 8 Shevat ח 9 Shevat ט 10 Shevat י 11 Shevat יא 12 Shevat יב 13 Shevat יג
9 10 11 12 13 14 Light
4:56 15 Beshalach
Shabbat Shira
Ends
5:57
14 Shevat יד 15 Shevat טו 16 Shevat טז 17 Shevat יז 18 Shevat יח 19 Shevat יט 20 Shevat כ
16 17 Tu BiShevat*
Martin Luther King, Jr.
18 19 20 21 Light
5:03 22 Yitro
Ends
6:04
Day
21 Shevat כא 22 Shevat כב 23 Shevat כג 24 Shevat כד 25 Shevat כה 26 Shevat כו 27 Shevat כז
23 24 25 26 27 International
Holocaust
28 Light
5:11 29 Mishpatim
Birkat Hachodesh
Ends
6:11
Remembrance Day
28 Shevat כח 29 Shevat כט
30 31
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time. *commences prior evening1950-1959
The Wandering Jews – Going North, South, and East
San Franciscans, like their urban counterparts across the country, flocked to the suburbs after the end of WWII, seeking
modern homes, more space, and home ownership. Sparked by the GI Bill, thousands of people, including many Jews, packed
up and moved north, east, and south.
By the late ‘50s, more than 30% of Bay Area Jews lived outside of San Francisco—about 25% on the Peninsula, 5% in
Marin, and others who left Oakland for communities east of the Caldicott Tunnel. Two decades later, half of all local Jews were
living in the suburbs, either moving there from The City or settling there from outside the Bay Area. This trend has continued.
A Jewish developer had a role in this phenomenon. Joseph Eichler built stylish modern homes in the suburbs with
indoor/outdoor atriums and open floor plans. Beyond that, after learning that some developers refused to sell homes to Jews,
he became involved in efforts to prevent housing discrimination and proudly sold homes to people of all backgrounds.
In many communities, people came together to create new Jewish institutions—including synagogues, community
centers, and schools—often in campus-like settings.
Photo by Larry Shapiro, courtesy of Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hils.FEBRUARY sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
FD 262
FD 1523
2022 Peninsula-South Bay 650.369.3636
אדר א תשפ”ב- שבט MEMORIAL CHAPEL
SHEVAT - ADAR I 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
30 Shevat ל 1 Adar I א 2 Adar I ב 3 Adar I ג 4 Adar I ד
1 Rosh Chodesh 2 Rosh Chodesh 3 4 Light
5:19 5 Terumah
Ends
6:18
5 Adar I ה 6 Adar I ו 7 Adar I ז 8 Adar I ח 9 Adar I ט 10 Adar I י 11 Adar I יא
6 7 8 9 10 11 Light
5:27 12 Tetzaveh
Ends
6:26
12 Adar I יב 13 Adar I יג 14 Adar I יד 15 Adar I טו 16 Adar I טז 17 Adar I יז 18 Adar I יח
13 14 15 16 17 18 Light
5:34 19 Ki Tissa
Ends
6:33
19 Adar I יט 20 Adar I כ 21 Adar I כא 22 Adar I כב 23 Adar I כג 24 Adar I כד 25 Adar I כה
20 21 Presidents’ Day 22 23 24 25 Light
5:41 26 Vayakhel
Shabbat Shekalim
Ends
6:40
Birkat Hachodesh
26 Adar I כו 27 Adar I כז
27 28
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.Joining the Fight
for Equal Rights 1960-1969
With Judaism’s history of social justice
and experience with discrimination,
it was inevitable that Bay Area Jews
would mobilize in the ‘60s to support
the civil rights movement.
Local synagogues, Jewish organiza-
tions, and religious and business lead-
ers led efforts to end discrimination in
employment, housing, and education,
often lobbying for local and national
legislation.
In 1963, the San Francisco Jewish
Community Relations Council called
on Jewish organizations to support the
principles of equal rights and non-
discrimination for the country’s African
Americans. These groups hosted edu-
cational programs, and rabbis spoke out
on civil rights issues in their sermons.
That same year, Congregation
Emanu-El’s Rabbi Alvin Fine led a rally
in San Francisco to protest the church
bombing in Birmingham. And a contin-
gent of Bay Area rabbis, including
Rabbi David Teitelbaum, z”l, from Con-
gregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City,
took part in the 1965 march in Selma.
Rabbi Fine hosted Martin Luther
King, Jr. at Emanu-El and described him
as “a modern Moses.”
While the rise of Black nationalism
in the late ‘60s threatened the good
will between the Jewish and Black
communities, that did not lessen the
commitment of local Jews to the cause
of civil rights.
Civil rights marchers on Market Street,1963.MARCH sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
FD 262
FD 1523
2022 Peninsula-South Bay 650.369.3636
אדר ב תשפ”ב- אדר א MEMORIAL CHAPEL
ADAR I - ADAR II 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
28 Adar I כח 29 Adar I כט 30 Adar I ל 1 Adar II א 2 Adar II ב
1 2 3 4 Light
5:49 5 Pekudei
Ends
6:46
3 Adar II ג 4 Adar II ד 5 Adar II ה 6 Adar II ו 7 Adar II ז 8 Adar II ח 9 Adar II ט
6 7 8 9 10 11 Light
5:55 12 Vayikra
Shabbat Zachor
Ends
6:53
10 Adar II י 11 Adar II יא 12 Adar II יב 13 Adar II יג 14 Adar II יד 15 Adar II טו 16 Adar II טז
13 Daylight Savings Time
begins
14 15 16 Ta’anit Ester
Erev Purim
Fast
5:57
-7:45
17 Purim 18 Light
7:02 19 Tzav
Ends
8:00
17 Adar II יז 18 Adar II יח 19 Adar II יט 20 Adar II כ 21 Adar II כא 22 Adar II כב 23 Adar II כג
20 21 22 23 24 25 Light
7:08 26 Shemini
Shabbat Parah
Ends
8:06
Birkat Hachodesh
24 Adar II כד 25 Adar II כה 26 Adar II כו 27 Adar II כז 28 Adar II כח
27 28 29 30 31
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.1970-1979
A Hasidic Revival
in the Bay Area
While the Chabad movement of Hasidic
Judaism goes back almost 250 years, it
wasn’t until the early ‘70s that it took root
in the Bay area.
With a commitment to engage
unaffiliated Jews in the religious, social,
and humanitarian traditions of Orthodox
Judaism, Chabad opened the first Chabad
House in the Bay Area in a former fraternity
house on the Berkeley campus in 1972.
Shabbat gatherings and Torah classes
were well-attended by Cal students who
were seeking “a Jewish home away from
home,” and soon Chabad centers opened in
Marin and San Francisco—the last major U.S.
city without a center. The San Francisco
center started by offering lunch-time Torah
classes and a daily morning minyan.
In the mid-‘70s Chabad started another
San Francisco tradition—the lighting of the
large menorah at Union Square during Han-
nukah, an event produced and supported by
Bill Graham the rest of his life. This program
has spread to cities throughout the world.
Chabad now has over 45 centers around
the Bay Area.
Photo by Natalie Schrik, courtesy of Bill Graham Menorah Project.APRIL sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
FD 262
FD 1523
2022 Peninsula-South Bay 650.369.3636
ניסן תשפ”ב- אדר ב MEMORIAL CHAPEL
ADAR II - NISSAN 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
29 Adar II כט 1 Nissan א
1 Light
7:15 2 Tazriya
Rosh Chodesh
Ends
8:13
Shabbat Hachodesh
2 Nissan ב 3 Nissan ג 4 Nissan ד 5 Nissan ה 6 Nissan ו 7 Nissan ז 8 Nissan ח
3 4 5 6 7 8 Light
7:21 9 Metzora
Shabbat Hagadol
Ends
8:20
9 Nissan ט 10 Nissan י 11 Nissan יא 12 Nissan יב 13 Nissan יג 14 Nissan יד 15 Nissan טו
10 11 12 13 14 15 Ta’anit Bechorot
Erev Pesach
Light
7:28 16 1st day of
Pesach
Light
after
8:27
1st Seder 2nd Seder
Count Omer 1 tonight
16 Nissan טז 17 Nissan יז 18 Nissan יח 19 Nissan יט 20 Nissan כ 21 Nissan כא 22 Nissan כב
17 2nd day of
Pesach
Ends
8:28 18 Chol Hamoed Pesach
Count Omer 3 tonight
19 Chol Hamoed Pesach
Count Omer 4 tonight
20 Chol Hamoed Pesach
Count Omer 5 tonight
21 Chol Hamoed
Pesach
Light
7:33 22 7th day of
Pesach
Light
7:34 23 8th day of
Pesach
Ends
8:34
Count Omer 2 tonight Count Omer 6 tonight Count Omer 7 tonight Yizkor
Count Omer 8
tonight
23 Nissan כג 24 Nissan כד 25 Nissan כה 26 Nissan כו 27 Nissan כז 28 Nissan כח 29 Nissan כט
24 Count Omer 9 tonight 25 Count Omer 10 tonight 26 Count Omer 11 tonight 27 Count Omer 12 tonight 28 Yom Hashoah*
Count Omer 13 tonight
29 Count Omer 14
tonight
Light
7:41 30 Acharei Mot
Birkat Hachodesh
Ends
8:42
Count Omer 15
tonight
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time. *commences prior evening1980-1989 Taking It to
the Streets
In the 1980s, Bay Area Jews joined oth-
ers across the country to address a
wide range of social and political issues,
continuing Judaism’s commitment to
social justice.
In response to rising conservatism in
the early ‘80s, Jews formed the New
Jewish Agenda, a politically progressive
organization that took on such issues
as peace in the Middle East, nuclear
disarmament, racism, feminism, LGBTQ
issues, and apartheid. It also took con-
troversial positions on the status of
Palestine, opposing settlements in the
West Bank.
Its slogan was “a Jewish voice among
progressives and a progressive voice
among Jews.”
Members of the Bay Area New
Jewish Agenda chapter took part in
local and national demonstrations
against nuclear arms. In one at
Lawrence Livermore Labs held during
Passover, protesters read from a
revised Haggadah.
Another effort focused on the politi-
cal violence in Central America, urging
Jews to provide sanctuary for refugees
and lobby the U.S. government to end
its involvement there.
Other local Jewish institutions
became involved in social issues of that
period, including reaching out to peo-
ple affected by HIV/AIDS and advocat-
ing for the right of Jews to leave Russia
and emigrate to the U.S.MAY sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
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NISSAN - SIVAN 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
30 Nissan ל 1 Iyar א 2 Iyar ב 3 Iyar ג 4 Iyar ד 5 Iyar ה 6 Iyar ו
1 Rosh Chodesh
Count Omer 16 tonight
2 Rosh Chodesh
Count Omer 17 tonight
3 Count Omer 18 tonight 4 Yom Hazikaron*
Count Omer 19 tonight
5 Yom Ha’Atzmaut*
Count Omer 20 tonight
6 Count Omer 21
tonight
Light
7:47 7 Kedoshim
Ends
8:49
Count Omer 22 tonight
7 Iyar ז 8 Iyar ח 9 Iyar ט 10 Iyar י 11 Iyar יא 12 Iyar יב 13 Iyar יג
8 Count Omer 23 tonight
Mother’s Day
9 Count Omer 24 tonight 10 Count Omer 25 tonight 11 Count Omer 26 tonight 12 Count Omer 27 tonight 13 Count Omer 28
tonight
Light
7:53 14 Emor
Ends
8:56
Count Omer 29 tonight
14 Iyar יד 15 Iyar טו 16 Iyar טז 17 Iyar יז 18 Iyar יח 19 Iyar יט 20 Iyar כ
15 Pesach Sheini
Count Omer 30 tonight
16 Count Omer 31 tonight 17 Count Omer 32 tonight 18 Count Omer 33 tonight 19 Lag Ba’omer*
Count Omer 34 tonight
20 Count Omer 35
tonight
Light
7:59 21 Behar
Ends
9:03
Count Omer 36 tonight
21 Iyar כא 22 Iyar כב 23 Iyar כג 24 Iyar כד 25 Iyar כה 26 Iyar כו 27 Iyar כז
22 Count Omer 37 tonight 23 Count Omer 38 tonight 24 Count Omer 39 tonight 25 Count Omer 40 tonight 26 Count Omer 41 tonight 27 Count Omer 42
tonight
Light
8:05 28 Behoukotai
Birkat Hachodesh
Ends
9:09
Count Omer 43 tonight
28 Iyar כח 29 Iyar כט 1 Sivan א
29 Yom Yerushalayim*
Count Omer 44 tonight
30 Count Omer 45 tonight
Memorial Day
31 Rosh Chodesh
Count Omer 46 tonight
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time. *commences prior eveningRussian Immigration:
The Second Wave
1990-1999
In the 1990s, following the break-up
of the Soviet Republic, San Francisco
welcomed the second wave of Russian
Jewish immigrants—the first having
peaked in the late ‘70s. This second wave
was the largest exodus of Jews in history.
When Gorbachev visited Washing-
ton in 1987, over 250,000 people
protested on behalf of Soviet Jews, who
soon were able to escape anti-Semitism
to start new lives. Similar demonstra-
tions to “Let My People Go” were held
in San Francisco. While many Russians
settled in New York and Israel, they
were attracted to San Francisco because
of its strong Jewish community.
During the two waves of immigra-
tion, nearly 40,000 Russian Jews moved
to the Bay Area. Many settled in The
City’s Richmond district, where they
opened bakeries, restaurants, and other
businesses and gathered for religious
services and celebrations held in
Russian—something they could do only
in private in their homeland.
Local Jewish organizations, led by
the Jewish Community Federation and
including Jewish Family and Children’s
Services, Jewish Vocational Sevice, and
Jewish Community Center, supported
the resettlement of Russian refugees by
helping with rent and food and offering
ESL and naturalization classes, social
activities, bilingual services, and job
readiness and referrals.
Ilya and Elsa Galvan, photographed by Ira Nowinski, Courtesy of the Department of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, MSS Photo 440, Box 10, Folder 2.JUNE sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
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SIVAN - TAMUZ 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
2 Sivan ב 3 Sivan ג 4 Sivan ד 5 Sivan ה
1 Count Omer 47 tonight 2 Count Omer 48 tonight 3 Count Omer 49
tonight
Light
8:09 4 Bemidbar
Erev Shavuot
Light
after
9:15
6 Sivan ו 7 Sivan ז 8 Sivan ח 9 Sivan ט 10 Sivan י 11 Sivan יא 12 Sivan יב
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Light Ends Light Ends
1st day of after 2nd day of 9:16 8:13 Nasso 9:19
Shavuot 9:15 Shavuot
Yizkor
13 Sivan יג 14 Sivan יד 15 Sivan טו 16 Sivan טז 17 Sivan יז 18 Sivan יח 19 Sivan יט
12 13 14 15 16 17 Light
8:16 18 Beha’alotecha
Ends
9:22
20 Sivan כ 21 Sivan כא 22 Sivan כב 23 Sivan כג 24 Sivan כד 25 Sivan כה 26 Sivan כו
19 Father’s Day 20 21 22 23 24 Light
8:18 25 Shelach
Birkat Hachodesh
Ends
9:23
27 Sivan כז 28 Sivan כח 29 Sivan כט 30 Sivan ל 1 Tamuz א
26 27 28 29 Rosh Chodesh 30 Rosh Chodesh
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.Building on a Solid Foundation
Starting in the latter part of the 19th century, Jewish institutions made major architectural contributions to The City
and surrounding area. A hundred years after the founding of Sinai Memorial Chapel, there was a burst of building
2000-2009
activity by institutions serving local Jews as well as the broader community.
The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco—the oldest such institution on the West Coast—replaced its
former building in 2005. In 2008, the Contemporary Jewish Museum opened its doors in what was once a PG&E
power substation, a 1907 landmark designed by architect Willis Polk, with a dramatic addition by the Jewish architect
Daniel Libeskind.
Two Jewish schools completed new buildings and renovations: Brandeis Hillel School and Jewish Community High
School of the Bay, which opened a permanent campus in San Francisco.
In Palo Alto, the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life was created in the former headquarters of Sun Microsystems.
It contains Moldaw Family Residences, a multi-generational senior living community; the Oshman Family Jewish
Community Center; and Schultz Cultural Arts Hall.
By the end of the decade, plans were underway for additional new Jewish community centers and schools.
Contemporary Jewish Museum, San FranciscoJULY sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
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TAMUZ - AV 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
2 Tamuz ב 3 Tamuz ג
1 Light
8:18 2 Korach
Ends
9:22
4 Tamuz ד 5 Tamuz ה 6 Tamuz ו 7 Tamuz ז 8 Tamuz ח 9 Tamuz ט 10 Tamuz י
3 4 Independence Day 5 6 7 8 Light
8:16 9 Chukat
Ends
9:20
11 Tamuz יא 12 Tamuz יב 13 Tamuz יג 14 Tamuz יד 15 Tamuz טו 16 Tamuz טז 17 Tamuz יז
10 11 12 13 14 15 Light
8:13 16 Balak
Ends
9:16
18 Tamuz יח 19 Tamuz יט 20 Tamuz כ 21 Tamuz כא 22 Tamuz כב 23 Tamuz כג 24 Tamuz כד
17 Tzom Shiv’a
Assar B’Tamuz
Fast
4:20
-9:01
18 19 20 21 22 Light
8:09 23 Pinechas
Birkat Hachodesh
Ends
9:11
25 Tamuz כה 26 Tamuz כו 27 Tamuz כז 28 Tamuz כח 29 Tamuz כט 1 Av א 2 Av ב
24 25 26 27 28 29 Rosh Chodesh
Light
8:03 30 Matot / Massei
Ends
9:04
3 Av ג
31
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.2010-2019 Judaism in the Woods and in the Kitchen
Even though Jews in the Bay Area may be less affiliated than their counterparts elsewhere, that
has not meant that they are not connected to being Jewish. New ways of exploring and practic-
ing Judaism emerged during the early part of this century that engaged local Jews, especially
young people, in non-traditional, less formal settings, often without rabbinical leadership.
For example, Urban Adamah, a community farm in Berkeley, incorporated Jewish traditions
through sustainable agriculture. The Kitchen, a community in San Francisco calling itself a
religious start-up, was formed with a mission to make Jewish teachings relevant for today in
order to “transform the world and ourselves.”
Berkeley-based Wilderness Torah began to host outdoor festivals tied to Jewish holidays,
with the goal of reconnecting Jewish traditions to nature.
Mission Minyan, in The City’s Mission neighborhood, began hosting Shabbat services for a
diverse congregation in the neighborhood’s Women’s Building.
Other groups were more casual, organizing religious studies programs in people’s homes
and gathering to make Jewish foods and share a meal.
And, a local community of humanistic Jews emerged to engage atheist and secular Jews.
A Shabbat service at Urban Adamah, Berkeley.AUGUST sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
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אלול תשפ”ב- אב MEMORIAL CHAPEL
AV - ELUL 5782 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
4 Av ד 5 Av ה 6 Av ו 7 Av ז 8 Av ח 9 Av ט
1 2 3 4 5 Light
7:56 6 Devarim
Fast
begins
Shabbat Chazon 8:13
Erev Shabbat
Tisha B’Av ends
8:56
10 Av י 11 Av יא 12 Av יב 13 Av יג 14 Av יד 15 Av טו 16 Av טז
7 Tisha B’Av
Fast
ends
8:41
8 9 10 11 12 Tu B’Av
Light
7:48 13 Vaetchanan
Shabbat Nachamu
Ends
8:47
17 Av יז 18 Av יח 19 Av יט 20 Av כ 21 Av כא 22 Av כב 23 Av כג
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Light Ends
7:39 Ekev 8:37
Birkat Hachodesh
24 Av כד 25 Av כה 26 Av כו 27 Av כז 28 Av כח 29 Av כט 30 Av ל
21 22 23 24 25 26 Light
7:29 27 Re’eh
Rosh Chodesh
Ends
8:26
1 Elul א 2 Elul ב 3 Elul ג 4 Elul ד
28 Rosh Chodesh 29 30 31
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.2020 and
Bay Area Teens Share
Their Thoughts about
Beyond
the Future
For the last month of this year’s calendar, Sinai invited seven Jewish teenagers from the Bay And for Alison, her isolation during the pandemic taught her something. “I’ve learned to
Area to share their hopes and concerns about the future. celebrate life and all the little things we have.”
Because we spoke to them in April 2021, many spoke about the Covid pandemic. Some These teens wanted to see change in social and environmental issues. Sadie hoped we
couldn’t wait to stop gathering online and wanted to see friends and family in person. “It’s very learned not to repeat history and wanted people to address racism and gun control. And Naia
important to be around other human beings,” said Joey. hoped that the environment would get better “so we can continue living without worrying
Others saw some good coming out of the pandemic. They looked forward to using technol- about it.”
ogy to stay connected to friends and family who aren’t close by. “Before, we couldn’t celebrate Everyone agreed that young people need to be listened to more, and Myles felt that people
together or do much. But now we can,” said Maya. in government need to be more in touch with the average American.
Ayelet looked forward to meeting new people through online videogames. Myles hoped that Ayelet, like others, said she is both scared and optimistic about the future. “Our society is very
in the future, more people could continue working from home to avoid long commutes. divided,” she said. “So if we want to make change in our society, we all need to get involved.”
A Shabbat service at Urban Adamah, Berkeley.SEPTEMBER sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
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ELUL 5782 - TISHREI 5783 Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
5 Elul ה 6 Elul ו 7 Elul ז
1 2 Light
7:19 3 Shofetim
Ends
8:16
8 Elul ח 9 Elul ט 10 Elul י 11 Elul יא 12 Elul יב 13 Elul יג 14 Elul יד
4 5 Labor Day 6 7 8 9 Light
7:09 10 Ki Teitze
Ends
8:04
15 Elul טו 16 Elul טז 17 Elul יז 18 Elul יח 19 Elul יט 20 Elul כ 21 Elul כא
11 12 13 14 15 16 Light
6:58 17 Ki Tavo
Ends
7:53
22 Elul כב 23 Elul כג 24 Elul כד 25 Elul כה 26 Elul כו 27 Elul כז 28 Elul כח
18 19 20 21 22 23 Light
6:47 24 Nitzavim
Ends
7:42
29 Elul כט 1 Tishrei א 2 Tishrei ב 3 Tishrei ג 4 Tishrei ד 5 Tishrei ה
25 Erev
Rosh Hashanah
Light
6:44 26 Rosh Hashanah
Shofar is blown
Light
after
7:39
27 Rosh Hashanah
Shofar is blown
Ends
7:37 28 Tzom Gedaliah
Fast
5:41
-7:24
29 30 Light
6:36
All times listed are for the 94115 zip code and adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.ְ לֹהינוּ מֶ ֽלֶך ְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶר קִדְּש ָֽנוּ בְּמ-ֱבָּרוּך ְ אַתָּה ה׳ א
CANDLE LIGHTING BLESSING FOR SHABBAT
.וצוּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת
ֽ ָ ִ ְ ִצוֹתָיו
׳ ׳ ֕ ׳
Baruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-tav
Vi-tzi-va-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbat.
Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with
His commandments and commanded us to light the candles of Shabbat.
ְ לֹהינוּ מֶ ֽלֶך ְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶר קִדְּש ָֽנוּ בְּמ-ֱבָּרוּך ְ אַתָּה ה׳ א
CANDLE LIGHTING BLESSINGS FOR HOLIDAYS
וצוּנוּ
ֽ ָ ִ ְ ִצוֹתָיו
׳ ׳ ֕ ׳
.לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל )שַׁבָּת וְֹשֶל( יוֹם טוֹב
Baruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-tav
Vi-tzi-va-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel (Shabbat V-shel) Yom Tov.
Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with
His commandments and commanded us to light the candles of (Shabbat and of) the holiday.
.ַזּה ֽ ָֽ לֹהינוּ מֶ ֽלֶך ְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶח-ֱ* בָּרוּך ְ אַתָּה ה׳ א
ֶ ֱינו ּו ְקִיּ ְמָנוּ ו ְהִגִּיע ָֽנוּ לַזּ ְמָן ה
׳ ֕ ׳
*Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-he-che-ya-nu
Vi-kee-yi-ma-nu Vi-hi-gee-ah-nu Laz-man Ha-zeh.
*Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive and
sustained us and let us reach this time.
*Recited by Ashkenazim. Most Sephardim recite Shehecheyanu over Kiddush instead of over candles.Acknowledgements sinai 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.921.3636
3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 925.962.3636
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and Peninsula-South Bay 650.369.3636
Bibliography MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Chevra Kadisha www.sinaichapel.org
Sinai Memorial Chapel is grateful to the historians, scholars, and journalists whose work Articles and Reports
made this calendar possible. The primary resources for the calendar are listed below: A Portrait of Bay Area Jewish Life and Communities. Commissioned by The Jewish Community
Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, 2018.
Books Gold, Steven J. Patterns of Interaction and Adjustment Among Soviet Jewish Refugees:
Dollinger, Marc. Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s. Brandeis Findings from an Ethnography in the San Francisco Bay Area. Springer, 1988.
University Press, 2018. Gold, Steven, J. Soviet Jews in the United States. American Jewish Committee, 1994.
Glass, Fred B. Mission to Microchip: A History of the California Labor Movement. University Herberg, Will. The Jewish Labor Movement in the United States. Jewish Labor Committee,
of California Press, 2016. 1955.
Kahn, Ava F. and Dollinger, Marc, editors. California Jews. Brandeis University Press, 2003. Irwin, Mary Ann. The Air Is Becoming Full of War: Jewish San Francisco and World War I.
Rischin, Moses and Livingston, John, editors. Jews of the American West. Wayne State University of California Press, 2005.
University Press, 1991. Massarik, Fred. The Jewish Population of San Francisco, Marin County and the Peninsula
Rosenbaum, Fred. Cosmopolitans: A Social & Cultural History of the Jews of the San Francisco 1959. Jewish Welfare Federation, 1959.
Bay Area. University of California Press, 2009.
Rosenbaum, Fred. Visions of Reform: Congregation Emanu-El and the Jews of San Francisco. Film
Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2000. Shaffer, Mark, director and writer. American Jerusalem: Jews and the Making of San Francisco.
An Afterimage Public Media Production, 2013.
Websites
ajhs.org (American Jewish Historical Society) Thanks to Mike Miller, Robert Cherry, Bill Issel, and Ava Kahn for their input and suggestions.
chabadsf.org
foundsf.org Special thanks to Tim Noakes, Department of Special Collections, Stanford University
jewishvirtuallibrary.org Libraries, for his assistance in accessing the Russian Émigré Project collection.
jta.org (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
jwa.org (Jewish Women’s Archive) Back Cover: Stained glass window at Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco showing
jweekly.com Moses receiving the Ten Commandments in Yosemite National Park, depicting California as
myjewishlearning.com the new “Promised Land” for Jews in America.
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