SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Might is Jewish American Heritage Month, a yearly celebration that acknowledges the contributions and achievements of Jews in the USA. With the Jewish group dealing with a heightened quantity of uncertainty in current occasions, we wish to present you the way one synagogue is coming collectively to share their tradition with the Bay Space.
Since coming to the U.S. final 12 months, Tovael Hagai has been in search of her place of belonging.
“I simply moved midway internationally from London to San Francisco and I discovered this synagogue and repair. And that gave me this sense of like, ‘wow, I am on this place that I do not know however that is my residence,'” she stated.
Born in the UK to an Iraqi Jewish household, Hagai says that house is Anshey Sfard, a Sephardic or Center Japanese synagogue on San Francisco’s west aspect.
Whereas most synagogues and Jews within the Bay Space are Ashkenazi, Anshey Sfard is considered one of solely two Sephardic locations of worship in all of San Francisco.
“We pray from the identical books. It is simply the model of the prayer and the pronunciations are just a little bit completely different. The Sephardic meals has extra spices. The character is also just a little bit spicier than the Ashkenazi,” stated Isaac Shabtai.
Shabtai is the synagogue’s president.
He says whereas the congregation has a historical past of welcoming folks like Hagai for over a century, lately it is seen its inhabitants slowly decline.
“It is dwindling. The group is dwindling in San Francisco, folks coming to the synagogue,” Shabtai stated.
MORE: SF leaders commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring 6 million Jews killed in World Conflict II
To fight that downside, just a little over a 12 months in the past, Anshey Sfard started internet hosting Shabbat dinners for the group on the primary Friday of each month.
Shabbat dinner is a conventional meal eaten by Jews to mark the start of the Sabbath.
We obtained a glimpse into the preparations that had been underway on the synagogue.
Out of respect for the synagogue’s customs, we determined to not movie the dinner itself.
Historically, working and the usage of electronics aren’t allowed on Shabbat.
What began out as a meal for about 40, has now became a month-to-month feast that sometimes attracts tons of, most of them younger folks.
An enormous success that Shabtai attributes to at least one individual.
“It is the rabbi. 100%. This man’s very particular. They’re loopy in regards to the rabbi,” he stated.
That rabbi is Avigdor Ashtar.
“I by no means ask somebody what do they do for a residing. As a result of I believe whenever you come and I say what do you do for a residing, an individual thinks what are you making an attempt to guage me? I say hello, how are you? What’s your identify? Do you reside within the metropolis?” stated Rabbi Ashtar.
Shabtai believes the rabbi’s distinctive model and down-to-earth character are the important thing substances within the Shabbat dinners’ rising reputation.
Creating an area for the youthful technology to come back into the synagogue and discover their Jewish id.
“They’re in search of one thing actual. They’re seeking to join. They’re in search of extra issues in individual, with the suitable vibe,” the rabbi stated.
MORE: Storytellers Highlight: Jewish American storyteller creates nonprofit to alter detrimental perceptions
Rabbi Ashtar believes the rise in antisemitism that is been documented over the previous 18 months has pushed a rising variety of Jews to search out consolation inside their very own group.
“After October 7, it simply brings to folks what’s that about? What does it imply to be a Jew. What does it imply to face for your self and what does it imply, our historical past, our future?” he stated.
And the long run appears to be like vivid for Anshey Sfard, which Shabtai says is seeking to develop on the success of Friday evening Shabbats.
“We would like this place to not be only a synagogue. We would like it to be afterward a group heart,” stated Shabtai.
With the rabbi including:
“If you perceive it is about connection, and it isn’t simply me as a person. I am additionally a part of a series. It provides which means to an individual. It provides perspective.”
Plans which are welcomed by Hagai, who needs Anshey Sfard to proceed to be a welcoming place for extra folks like her.
Making it not simply her place of worship, but additionally her residence away from residence.
“That is my synagogue now, like, I am in San Francisco. That is my group.”
Copyright © 2025 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
