Become a Member of The
Sephardic Center
of San Francisco & Silicon Valley
Join, Preserve and Shape the Sephardic Life in the San Francisco Bay Area
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The Sephardic Center Membership
For membership discounts or any questions please contact Angela at admin@ansheysfard.com
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It means taking your Jewish life seriously.
For yourself: A synagogue to call home and one point of contact for your Jewish life—Angela, our Community Administrator, who helps you connect with the Rabbi, access services, and find the support you need.
For the broader Jewish community: Helping sustain Jewish services, programs, and Sephardic traditions in San Francisco.
For future generations: Building a vibrant Jewish home for generations to come.
Membership is belonging and shared ownership—having a voice, a named seat in the prayer hall to return to, and a role in sustaining Jewish life. It means putting down roots and helping build the community you want to be part of.
“This is my synagogue. This is my community. I belong here.”
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The Sephardic Center is a leading hub for Sephardic Jewish life in the San Francisco Bay Area.
—bringing together young professionals, families, and the broader community through Shabbat and holiday dinners, cultural events, education programs, daily Minyan and meaningful connections.
The Sephardic Center of the San Francisco Bay Area is our - Congregation Anshey Sfard - vision for a vibrant hub of Sephardic life—one we’re building, one program at a time, through one-time programs and recurring programs such as First Friday, First Night, the annual Sephardic Challah Bake and much more.
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First, we get to know you better.
Complete our membership application form if you haven’t already. Tell us about yourself, what you’re looking for in our community, and your hopes for your Jewish life. This helps us understand how we can support your goals and make your membership meaningful to you.
We’ll review your application.
If we already know you through First Friday, First Night, daily minyan, or Shabbat services, we’ll give your application priority review.
Membership approval is not guaranteed, even after payment.
We review each application based on our current capacity, your connection to and participation in the community, and whether our part-time rabbi, administrator, and staff to provide the full, personal support we aim to offer every member for their Jewish life.
If we can’t accommodate your membership, we’ll offer a refund or the option of a Jewish Life package, which provides access to events without the 5 core benefits of membership and the full rabbinic and administrative support included in membership.
Once your membership is approved
Receive your membership confirmation. We’ll confirm your benefits and the Jewish membership year (for example, 5787). You’ll also receive a receipt for your payment.
Meet your point of contact. Angela is your first contact for your Jewish life at Anshey Sfard—from membership questions to arranging time with the Rabbi.
Make yourself at home. Angela will help arrange your named seat in our prayer hall, a place to call your own throughout the membership year.
Stay connected. Join our community emails and WhatsApp for services, dinners, and events.
Collect your Sephardic Welcome Kit. Angela will coordinate pickup of your welcome gift.
Paying monthly? The five core membership benefits may not be available immediately. Monthly event benefits may apply—check with Angela to confirm what’s included in your plan.
Questions? Contact Angela at admin@ansheysfard.com. We look forward to welcoming you!
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Named Synagogue Seat: Your own seat with your name on it for the membership year.
High Holiday Seating: Reserved seating for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Social Hall Access: Use of the social hall for a personal Jewish event, subject to availability and membership terms.
Community Recognition: Recognition on our community and memorial boards, according to membership terms.
Voting Rights: A voice in community decisions.*
Some governance rights, including voting in board elections or running for the board, may require a minimum period of consecutive membership, subject to the synagogue’s bylaws.
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Membership includes five core benefits, combining belonging, access, and community participation:
Your Place in the Synagogue
A named seat reserved for you throughout the year.High Holiday Seating
Reserved seating for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.Social Hall Access
Use of the Social Hall once per year for a personal Jewish event.Community Recognition
The ability to place names on the Etz Chaim and memorial boards.Voting & Community Participation
The right to participate in community decisions and voting, in accordance with the Center’s bylaws.
Additional Community Benefits
First Friday Shabbat Dinners Included (Young Professionals)
Access to our flagship monthly First Friday dinners.First Night Holiday Dinners (Young Professionals)
Access to our 1st night Sephardic holiday dinner on major Jewish holidays. (Included at no additional cost for a limited time.)Cultural Events
Access to select cultural events throughout the year.Priority Access & Member Pricing
Priority access and discounted tickets for various events and programs.Growing Programming for All Ages
As the community grows, membership will include expanded programming for families, seniors, teenagers, and children, based on demand and available resources.
What does this mean?
Membership is both ownership & belonging—your place, your voice, your presence in the community—and a vibrant social experience connected to Sephardic life in the Bay Area.
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We offer flexible membership options:
Singles & Young Professionals
Student (Full-Time): $800/year
Ages 21–30: $1,200/year
Ages 31+: $1,800/year
Couples & Family Memberships
Couple + Children: $3,600/year
Couple (No Children): $2,400/year
Single Parent: $1,800/year
You can also choose a custom amount to support the community.
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Monthly, quarterly, or weekly payment plans may be available. Please contact Angela to arrange a membership payment plan.
Paying for the full membership year upfront gives you access to all five core benefits once your membership is approved, subject to eligibility requirements. With installment plans, some benefits may become available later.
Contact Angela at admin@ansheysfard.com to confirm payment options and when each benefit applies.
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Immediate access to all five core membership benefits once approved: a named synagogue seat, High Holiday seating, social hall access, community recognition, and voting rights.*
Save the equivalent of two monthly payments. For example, student membership costs $800 in one annual payment versus $80 × 12 = $960 when paid monthly—a $160 saving.
Some governance rights, including voting in board elections or running for the board, may require a minimum period of consecutive membership, subject to the synagogue’s bylaws.
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No—paying the membership fee does not guarantee membership approval.
All memberships are subject to approval by the Sephardic Center’s board and management. With limited capacity, we review each application to ensure we can provide the care and support we aim to offer every member.
You can:
Apply first and pay once approved.
Pay first, and our office will send you the membership application form.
If you’ve paid and are waitlisted or not approved, you’ll receive a full refund.
For questions or help with your application, contact Angela, our Administrator, at admin@ansheysfard.com.
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Yes. If you’re unable to pay the full amount, you can email Angela (admin@ansheysfard.com) with:
The membership tier you’re interested in
Your proposed price or payment plan
We’ll review and do our best to accommodate your request, especially for first-time members.
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Members have priority over non-members for event spaces, as capacity is limited.
Email Angela at admin@ansheysfard.com as soon as you know you’ll attend, or confirm when she contacts you. Confirm at least 72 hours before the event, or your spot may be released to non-members.
FAQs - The Sephardic Center Membership
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If you are joining together as a couple, you should select Family Membership – Couple (No Children) or Couple + Children.
You can still fully participate in young professional events, including First Friday Shabbat dinners. The membership type reflects how you join—not which events you can attend.
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Yes—this is an important part of building a strong community.
Through our Kululu Matchmaking Initiative, members can:
Join a community matchmaking database
Receive priority consideration as members
Schedule a conversation with the Rabbi to share what they’re looking for
Based on a deeper understanding of your values and goals, the Rabbi will actively try to make meaningful introductions and support you in this stage of life.
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Yes. When programs are active, membership includes access to young professional events, such as First Friday Shabbat dinners.
Members also receive:
Priority access
Discounted tickets for select events
Programming is offered based on the community calendar and ongoing activity, and continues to expand as the Center grows.
Currently:
First Friday Shabbat dinners (monthly) are included
First Night holiday dinners are included at no additional cost for a limited time during the Jewish year 5787. Check with Angela to confirm whether the offer still applies; otherwise, members receive discounted tickets.
Programs are offered throughout the year, with new activities added as our community grows.
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If you’re single and not part of the Young Professional category, you can select the Single / Young Professional | 31+ Membership.
If you have child/children, the Single Parent Membership may be a better fit.
Singles & Young Professionals Membership – FAQ
Couples & Families Membership – FAQ
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Family membership includes up to 3 children up to 21 years old.
Each additional child can be added for $500 per year. -
Yes. A Single Parent membership can include children under the same structure:
Up to 3 children included
Each additional child: $500/year
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Young adults may remain under a family membership up to age 21
After that, they transition into an individual (Young Professional) membership.
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Choose Single Parent Membership if you’re joining with your child or children.
If you’re joining on your own, choose Single / Young Professional | 31+ Membership, even if you don’t fall within the Young Professional category.
Honorary Membership – FAQ
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Honorary membership recognizes exceptional generosity in support of Sephardic Jewish life. Giving levels are inspired by multiples of Chai—18, meaning “life”. For example, $18,000 is 1,000 × Chai.
It is a form of recognition and does not automatically include regular membership benefits.
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Your honorary membership recognizes the Jewish year in which your donation was made. At the following Yom Kippur, during Kol Nidre or Ne’ilah, the Rabbi will acknowledge your name and giving level in multiples of Chai, symbolizing the Jewish life your generosity helps nurture.
For significant gifts or contributions toward a project, such as our Sephardic kitchen, additional recognition may be arranged. This could include a plaque on Etz Ha’Chaim or elsewhere in the synagogue, acknowledgment on our website, or recognition in community materials.
Prefer to remain anonymous? Let Angela know, and we’ll honor your preference.
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Yes.
Let Angela know that you prefer to remain anonymous, and your name will not be included in public announcements or recognition materials.
Contact Angela at admin@ansheysfard.com
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Yes.
To arrange a meeting, email Angela at admin@ansheysfard.com Angela will help coordinate a time.
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They may, but not automatically.
Exceptionally significant contributions may be considered for honorary membership when their impact is recognized by the community, subject to board approval.
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Yes, potentially.
Long-standing leadership, volunteering, or other exceptional service may be recognized through honorary membership. It is not automatic;
the board and management consider the contribution and its lasting impact on the community.
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Honorary membership includes the five core membership benefits: a named synagogue seat, High Holiday seating, social hall access, community recognition, and voting rights, subject to applicable terms and bylaws.
It does not include the Jewish Life Package or ongoing event coordination, such as automatic reservations or personal attendance reminders for First Friday, First Night, and other programs.
Please contact Angela if you’d like to attend or add a Jewish Life Package.
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Honorary membership is granted year by year, not automatically for life. Lifetime honorary membership is reserved for exceptional contributions that have transformed the community, with explicit board and management approval.
It covers the recipient, their spouse, and their children only—not extended family.
Membership Renewals, Donations & Volunteering — FAQ
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No, but renewal is subject to approval each year.
We consider the synagogue’s current needs and capacity and will confirm whether your renewal is approved.
Please let Angela know if your household or contact details have changed.
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Membership must be paid for and approved each Jewish year. Please clearly designate your payment as membership for that year.
For example, label your payment “Membership 5787” or “High Holidays 2026.” If the amount covers your full yearly membership fee, we’ll treat it as payment for the entire Jewish membership year, subject to approval. If there’s a remaining balance, Angela will contact you to arrange payment.
We recommend selecting recurring annual payments on our website to keep payments up to date. Automatic payment does not guarantee renewal approval.
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It may, but not automatically. If you’d like your contribution to include membership, please specify the Jewish membership year and confirm the arrangement with Angela.
Significant donations receive their own recognition, coordinated by the board. This may include acknowledgment on Etz Chaim, the donor wall, our website, or during occasions such as Kol Nidre or Neilah.
We keep donations and membership distinct for two reasons:
Membership requires planning and coordination. With limited space at First Friday, First Night, and other activities, Angela needs to confirm attendance and manage reservations. Automatically treating every donor as a member could mean holding spaces while others wait, sending unwanted follow-up emails to someone who simply wanted to give, and using staff time to coordinate attendance with people who never intended to participate.
Membership needs to be clearly defined and recorded. Membership is an intentional choice to belong, while a gift may serve another purpose, such as honoring a loved one. Contributions can include money, work, items, food, or sponsorships—given once or over many years. Without an explicit agreement, our records become unclear, and others may understandably ask: “If that contribution qualifies, does mine?” To avoid confusion and treat people consistently, we confirm what counts toward membership, for whom, and for which year.
Contact Angela at admin@ansheysfard.com to discuss an arrangement. All memberships remain subject to approval.
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Yes, potentially.
We don’t yet have a formal program, but we welcome proposals.
Tell Angela what you’d like to contribute and your availability.
If it meets the community’s needs, we may agree to provide membership in recognition of your contribution.
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It may, by arrangement.
If you can commit to regularly supporting our daily or Shabbat minyan, contact Angela to discuss your availability.
We may offer membership in recognition of that commitment, depending on the synagogue’s needs.
Long-standing attendance alone does not guarantee membership.
To discuss any of these arrangements, contact Angela at admin@ansheysfard.com.
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No. Donations made over the years, donated items, pledges during a Torah aliyah, and High Holiday auction purchases—such as opening the ark—are separate contributions, not membership dues.
Please pay your membership dues separately and specify the Jewish membership year.
The main reason is logistical. First Friday and First Night often reach capacity, and members receive priority. Without clear records, Angela may hold spaces for donors who never intended to attend, send unwanted follow-up emails or calls, and spend significant time coordinating their attendance while others wait for places.
Keeping membership separate makes your intention clear and helps us manage benefits, records, and reservations.
Why Become a Member of The Sephardic Center of the San Francisco Bay Area?
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Join
Be part of a living Sephardic tradition where the melodies, customs, and community feel like home.
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Preserve
Support the growth and continuity of Sephardic life at the Bay Area’s leading Sephardic center.
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Shape
Have a voice in shaping the future of Sephardic life in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Jewish Life Package (JLP) Application
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Why Get a Jewish Life Package (JLP)?
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Experience
Join unique Sephardic events, traditions, and cultural gatherings you won’t find anywhere else.
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Convenience
Enjoy full access to dozens of meals and programs without needing to register each time.
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Support
Support Sephardic heritage in San Francisco — even if you’re already a member elsewhere.
“As a Hamadani Persian Jew, I grew up in LA surrounded by a strong Sephardic presence. When I moved to San Francisco for my dental studies, I was searching for a vibrant Sephardic synagogue with the right vibe. From the moment I stepped in, it just clicked. The services, the food, the energy, the atmosphere—everything felt authentically Sephardic. It was amazing to find such a place in San Francisco.”
Isaac Dayan (Es-haugh), UCLA Alum
“My father is an Iraqi Jew, and the Sephardic traditions—the service tunes, the food, the culture—mean a lot to me. Growing up in the UK, I longed for that connection. Finding a traditional Sephardic synagogue in San Francisco, with a modern touch, gave me the warmth and community I was looking for.”
Tovael Hagai, Marketing Strategist
“As a half-Tunisian, half-Algerian who grew up in France, I was surrounded by a strong Sephardic community. When I came to Anshey Sfard, I found a community that felt like home. Many Moroccans who had come straight from Morocco to San Francisco, speaking French, sharing the same food, services, and familiar tunes—it all brought back a sense of belonging. Anshey Sfard is such a unique traditional Sephardic synagogue, and having it here in San Francisco means a lot to me.”
Fred Serfati, Data Scientist @ Microsoft | MS Data Science @ USF
FAQs - Membership & Jewish Life Package (JLP)
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Membership includes all Jewish Life Package benefits, but the Jewish Life Package does not include the five core membership benefits.
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Membership is for those who want to make Anshey Sfard their synagogue home.
It offers more comprehensive support for your Jewish life, including rabbinic and administrative support, a named seat in our prayer hall, memorial privileges, and voting rights.
The Jewish Life Package (JLP) is for those who want just to join and enjoy our programs such as Shabbat dinners, holiday meals, cultural gatherings, and Sephardic programs without the full support and privileges of membership.
It’s a good fit whether you belong to another synagogue or simply love our programming and want to take part.
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Membership includes five core benefits + Jewish Life Package , combining belonging, events & activities access, and community participation:
Your Place in the Synagogue
A named seat reserved for you throughout the year.High Holiday Seating
Reserved seating for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.Social Hall Access
Use of the Social Hall once per year for a personal Jewish event.Community Recognition
The ability to place names on the Etz Chaim and memorial boards.Voting & Community Participation
The right to participate in community decisions and voting, in accordance with the Center’s bylaws.
Jewish Life Package - events & activities access
First Friday Shabbat Dinners Included (Young Professionals)
Access to our flagship monthly First Friday dinnersFirst Night Holiday Dinners (Young Professionals)
Access to our 1st night Sephardic holiday dinner on major Jewish holidaysCultural Events
Access to select cultural events throughout the year.Priority Access & Member Pricing
Priority access and discounted tickets for events and programs.Growing Programming for All Ages
As the community grows, membership will include expanded programming for families, seniors, teenagers, and children, based on demand and available resources.
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Access and priority to Shabbat dinners, holiday meals, Sephardic programs, classes, and community events.
It excludes five membership benefits: a named seat, High Holiday seating, social hall access, community recognition, and voting rights.
JLP tiers are priced the same as the corresponding membership tiers.
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No. Memberships and JLPs are non-transferable.
They are approved individually and tied to your name for logistical and security reasons.