Gear up, cheer up and queer up — Pride Month begins this Sunday, June 1! As the Bay Area prepares for San Francisco’s 55th Pride Parade on June 29, the Jewish community is hosting family events, parade delegations and celebratory Shabbat services. Did we miss any? Let us know at [email protected].
Keep reading to the end for details on how to march with Jewish groups in the S.F. Pride Parade.
Ongoing
Pride Snack Drive—Food drive benefitting the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. Bring items to the lobby bin at JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. Through June 30.
Saturday, May 31
“Harvey Milk Reimagined” —Opera Parallèle will close its 15th season with the West Coast debut of “Harvey Milk Reimagined,” an update of the original “Harvey Milk” opera that premiered in 1995. At 7:30 p.m. May 31. Also, at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1; 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 6; and 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7. At Blue Shield of California Theater at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., S.F. $50-188, “creatives” 30 and under $35.
Tuesday, June 3
“Opera and Activism”—Stewart Wallace, composer of “Harvey Milk Reimagined,” and opera dramaturg Kip Cranna discuss the life and legacy of the gay icon through the lens of opera and how his story is reimagined for the stage, blending history, activism and music while also highlighting Milk’s Jewish identity and its influence on his vision for justice and equality. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 1-2 p.m. Free, registration required.
Friday, June 6
Trans Shabbat—Community Shabbat service to celebrate trans people and offer learning sessions. Topics include “Creating Inclusive Hebrew Grammar” and “What’s to be Done with Hebrew? The Creation of the Nonbinary Hebrew Project.” Livestream option. At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free, registration required.
Saturday, June 7
Pride Tot Shabbat and Park Day—Outdoor Shabbat celebration for families with young children featuring singing, dancing and picnic lunch. Presented by Congregation Sha’ar Zahav and Or Shalom Jewish Community. At Precita Park, 3200 Folsom St., S.F. 10-11:30 a.m. Free.
Sunday, June 8
“Transgender Community in Israel”—Discussion with a diverse group of leaders of Israel’s trans community. Presented by Congregation Sha’ar Zahav and co-sponsor A Wider Bridge. Online. 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Free.
Monday, June 9
“Sound Journey: Pride”—Sound bath experience celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 6:30-8 p.m. $25 members, $30.
Thursday, June 12
“Early Queer Jewish Liturgy”—Rabbi Yoel Kahn examines the creation and evolution of early LGBTQ-informed and -inclusive liturgy in the 1970s and 1980s. Livestream option. At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 7:30-9 p.m. Free, registration required.
Friday, June 13
Pride Yizkor—Memorial service remembering members of the queer community who died due to bigotry, AIDS and transphobia. Livestream option. At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 6-7 p.m. Free.
Friday, June 20
Juneteenth Drash—Sermon from Jews of Color Initiative CEO Ilana Kaufman during Shabbat service with readings and songs. Livestream option. At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Free, registration required.
Saturday, June 21
“Dance with Us: Pink Saturday Pride Zumbafest”—Zumba dance class and party with light refreshments. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free, registration required.
Sunday, June 22
Pride Family Festival—Celebration featuring a kid-friendly drag show, hands-on crafts and activities from community partners Keshet, CheerSF, Repair the World and more. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free, registration required.
Drag 101 for Teens—Workshop introducing teens, ages 13-18, to drag performance followed by family-friendly drag show. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free, registration required.
Friday, June 27
Shabbat ritual and picnic ahead of Trans March—Join Congregation Sha’ar Zahav and Kehilla Community Synagogue for pre-march Shabbat ritual and BYO picnic dinner. Meet at Dolores Park, Dolores and 19th streets, S.F. 5-6:30 p.m. Free.
Pride Shabbat Service—Pride pre-party with food and drinks followed by Pride Shabbat Service and rainbow-themed oneg. At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores Street, S.F. 6:30 p.m. in-person pre-party. 7:30 p.m. in-person or livestream service. Free, registration required.
Saturday, June 28
“Shalom Dykes Brunch”—Social event for queer women and transgender and nonbinary people. Presented by Sapphic Sabbath and co-sponsored by Queers Against Antisemitism, A Wider Bridge, Zioness and J Leaders. San Francisco location provided with registration. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.
Sunday, June 29
S.F. Pride Parade — march with Bay Area Jewish groups:
Join JCRC Bay Area, JCCSF, Keshet, Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, A Wider Bridge and Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund at the S.F. Pride Parade with a float, DJ and dancers. All ages and abilities are welcome. More than two dozen other Jewish congregations, schools and nonprofits, including J., are co-sponsors and partners. All participants get swag and a free Pride T-shirt. Meet at the parade assembly area in downtown S.F. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free, registration required.
S.F. Pride Parade — march with a multifaith group:
Walk or ride the bus with Congregation Sha’ar Zahav’s delegation in the parade as part of a multifaith group of religious organizations called United in Spirit. Meetup time and location provided with registration. Free.