Come explore Jewish life!
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If you want to learn more about the Jewish way of life, we welcome you at Kol Shofar. We embrace diversity and warmly open our hearts to everyone. | Our members represent a colorful cross-section of backgrounds, religious experiences, sexual orientations, and cultures.
We invite interfaith couples and their children to explore and participate in Jewish celebrations, traditions and practices. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we will provide you with the educational resources and the support to integrate Judaism into your life in a way that is comfortable and meaningful.
Interfaith families at Kol Shofar
“We have felt so welcome at Kol Shofar that we don’t view ourselves as an “Interfaith Couple,” despite the fact that my wife grew up Catholic in Germany and I grew up in a secular Jewish household. More accurately, we are a family, like many Jewish families, that Kol Shofar is helping to find our own path to Jewish values, community, and ritual. And that’s what’s special about this community and its clergy. Kol Shofar truly offers many ways for families to find their own path within a dynamic Jewish community. Even the conversion of our son, at five years old, became the most extraordinary ritual of our lives, and a unique bonding experience between father, son and our Rabbi. Thanks to Beit Binah, our nine year old son has a strong, ever-inquiring Jewish identity. For the entire Kol Shofar experience, we are immensely grateful.” ~Tim
Want to learn more about Judaism?
We welcome your participation in our programs and classes. We offer extensive opportunities for you to enrich your knowledge of Judaism and the Jewish people, including weekly study sessions, our popular Lunch and Learn, and ongoing classes like Judaism 101, and Kabbalah Talks. We also offer programs to help demystify Jewish services, rituals and traditions in learner-friendly environments that promote open discussions and candid questions.
What sort of religious services do you offer?
Kol Shofar has a wide array of religious services including:
- Sabbath & Holiday Services: traditional services on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and Jewish Holidays
- Morning Minyan: prayer services on Tuesday and Thursday mornings
- Tot Shabbat & Family Services: conducted especially for families with children
- Neshama Minyan: a monthly soulful Shabbat morning service full of song, prayer, teaching and meditation.
- Learners’ Service: for those who would like to become more familiar with the Shabbat morning service.
For more information, contact our Director of Programming and Membership at 415-388-1818, x111 or programs@kolshofar.org.
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Some questions you might have…
I am Jewish, but my partner is not. Can we both participate in services?
We invite all family members to join in our services, programs and events. We want Kol Shofar to be your spiritual home. We offer a safe, nurturing community that encourages questions and lively discussions about Judaism.
Jews and non-Jews are welcome and invited to attend and participate in all of our religious services. However, only Jewish people may perform ritual acts such as leading services and being called to the Torah.
If I don’t read Hebrew, how can I follow the service?
You are not alone. Many of our congregants do not read Hebrew. While our services are mostly in Hebrew, our siddur (prayer book) provides English translations, and some prayers have English transliteration (Hebrew written in English letters). We also announce page numbers frequently, and provide a separate, transliterated prayer book of our services for non-Hebrew readers
You may learn the melodies and Hebrew words of the prayers the more you attend services—until then, feel free to hum along. At times, the most inspirational moments in our services are when the entire congregation joins together in wordless song.
CD’s are available from the office if you are interested in becoming more familiar with the melodies used at Kol Shofar.
If you are interested in learning Hebrew or learning more about our services and rituals, we offer ongoing classes. Please check our website to see current class offerings.
If I join the synagogue, will my non-Jewish partner or child be considered a member?
Kol Shofar has several membership categories. If you choose to join as an “A” Member (family membership), then all immediate family members are considered full members and are encouraged to participate in all classes, services, programs and events. We also offer a membership category called Karov Yisrael (“close to the Jewish people”) for any non-Jew who wishes to be a part of our community, such as someone wishing to explore conversion.
Whether you are a member who is Jewish or not, our rabbis and community will be there to celebrate your simchas (joyful moments) and support you through difficult times.
Synagogue members can join any committee, but only Jewish members can be on the ritual committee or be elected as officers of the congregation.
I am part of a same-sex interfaith couple. Are we both welcome to participate?
Kol Shofar embraces all individuals—regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity—and welcomes you to participate fully in all aspects of synagogue worship, events and programs.
As a non-Jew, will I be pressured to convert?
Although we welcome conversion, it is a centuries old tradition in Judaism not to pressure anyone to convert. We understand that the decision to become a Jew is a very personal one, made only after deep reflection. If you wish to explore conversion, our rabbis and community will be pleased to answer your questions and guide you through the conversion process. Please contact the rabbis’ assistant at 415-388-1818 ext. 11 to schedule an appointment with one of our rabbis.
How does Kol Shofar handle the issue of interfaith marriage?
While our rabbis cannot officiate at interfaith weddings, we can refer you to other rabbis who officiate. We are eager to welcome your family into our community and to be a resource to you in your bringing Judaism into your home.
Can my child participate in religious school, Kol Shoftar events and programs, or the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ritual?
Many of the children at Kol Shofar are part of interfaith families. If your child is not Jewish, he or she may enroll in our religious school and participate in all services and programs. However, to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, your child must be Jewish. The guidelines of the Conservative movement state that a child is considered Jewish if the mother is Jewish when the child is born. If you wish to learn more about conversion, Kol Shofar will guide your family through the process.
Can my non-Jewish parents and grandparents participate in my child’s religious school events?
We strongly encourage your entire family to be involved in your child’s Jewish life and religious school experience. Non-Jewish parents or grandparents can participate in school events.
During a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, all family members—of any faith—can participate. Parents, Jewish or not, stand next to their child when the rabbi blesses them. Although non-Jewish family members may not read from the Torah or have an aliyah (be called to the Torah), they may recite an English reading during the service.
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