Since 2011, Chabad of Cole Valley has been working to bring together the neighborhood's Jewish community through cultural, religious and social events. With Chanukah right around the corner, we caught up with Chabad's rabbi, spiritual leader and executive director, Nosson Potash, via email, to see what he has planned.
The word "Chabad" is an acronym, comprised of three Hebrew words: chochmah (wisdom), binah (comprehension), and da’at (knowledge). An outgrowth of the Chabad-Lubavitch branch of Hasidic Judaism, Chabad is the world's largest Jewish religious organization. According to Wikipedia, there are 1,173 Chabad institutions across North America.
Rabbi Potash (far right) hosts a Wednesday night meeting at Reverie Cafe.
A London native, Potash lived in Brooklyn for five years, where he met and married Rebetzin Chaya Potash, a San Francisco native. "Her parents direct the local Chabad chapter for the Richmond District," he said.
The couple moved to Cole Valley in 2011, after they "heard about a wonderful opportunity of opening a Chabad House in this wonderful neighborhood that did not yet have an organised Jewish presence." Today, they're the co-directors of Chabad Cole Valley.
"I find that a majority of people [in San Francisco] are very spiritual, but in their own way," Potash said. "I try my best to never tell people what to do or how they should live their lives."
Instead, his goal is to "create opportunities for people to connect with community" in a relaxed social setting. "I love drinking tea at Cafe Reverie, especially out in the backyard on a nice day. There is a strong sense of community over there. At times, I feel like there are more Jewish people there than at Shabbat morning services."
Each Wednesday, Potash hosts Torah-inspired discussions and classes at Reverie. Although the menu isn't kosher, owner Roger Soudah stocks several kosher teas and halvah candy "that comes from Brooklyn." Potash also organizes hikes through Sutro Forest and "a volunteer planting and weeding day at Buena Vista Park around the time of the Jewish New Year for trees," he said.
Menorah cycle with LED display, 2013.
But Chabad is most visible at Chanukah. On Sunday at 3 pm, Potash will officiate at a Chanukah festival and menorah lighting at Grattan Playground, "which is a highlight for so many in the neighborhood," he said.
At past celebrations, volunteers have created and lit a six-foot-tall menorah fashioned entirely from Legos. In addition to food, live music and an acrobat show, Potosh said the group will deploy a "menorah cycle" with an "awesome" LED display, to "bring the joy of Chanukah to the streets of Cole Valley and beyond."
The following evening, Chabad is hosting a volunteer evening at Cafe Reverie (8-9pm), where "we will be packaging 100 Chanukah holiday gift bags that will be distributed to seniors in San Francisco," said Potash.
On December 10th at 5:30 pm, the group's fifth annual bike menorah parade begins at the corner of Stanyan and Waller. A limited number of bike menorahs are available for those interested.
Potash said he and his wife are "very excited" for Chabad's five-year anniversary celebration in March, and plan to add a volunteer coordinator to their team. "We also hope to find a permanent home for our activities in the near future, so if you know of anything suitable, please be in touch," said Potash.
For more information about Chabad of Cole Valley's events, email info [AT] chabadcv [DOT] org or visit their Facebook page.
