Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi, shortstop and spiritual leader for San Francisco’s Orthodox Congregation Chevra Thilim, steps to the plate with a swagger.
The rabbi rips a double to center. His team, gleaned from a weekly minyan and drafted into the softball club called the Thilim Tigers, erupts wildly.
The crack of a bat put in full swing last week’s picnic to celebrate Lag B’Omer. Held in San Francisco’s Stern Grove and hosted by Chabad of SF, the evening party had a mellow mix of softball, volleyball, barbeque and bonfire.
The Thilim Tigers took on San Francisco Congregation Beth Sholom’s Torah study group in the lively, heckle-filled game.
“I’m a rabbi — I only tell the truth,” said Zarchi, after insisting he tagged third base to get the runner out. The Beth Sholom team stormed the pitcher’s mound in mock protest.
“We play ‘Brooklyn rules’ — fighting and shouting, all in fun,” said one Beth Sholom player. Tigers won, 10 to 8. At least one Beth Sholom player went on the disabled list after diving for a catch.
He’brew beer flowed plentifully for those in the stands — and for the players in between at-bats.
Around the fields, kids blew soap bubbles and young adults tossed a volleyball. People charred burgers. About 100 attended the festivities, some with family in tow, others just looking for a good party.
A spirit of pluralism was evident as the diverse crowd mingled and munched, enjoying something akin to a Jewish communal life.
Though taking pleasure in the fun atmosphere, many did not know why they were celebrating. Curled on the grass and gazing at the games, Mari Greenberg, from Marin, was one of many unaffiliated participants who came for some midweek fun.
“It’s very casual here. I don’t know much about what this is for,” she said.
Greenberg is the kind of audience Chabad of SF head Rabbi Yosef Langer dreams about. Langer relished the chance to join in the fun while teaching a little about Jewish tradition.
“This is a day to bring everyone together — religious, non-religious, young, old, hippie. I love this,” said the smiling rabbi.
As Langer explained, Lag B’Omer is a holiday honoring the death of mystic and scholar Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai as well as the end of a plague that killed 2,400 disciples of Rabbi Akiva in the second century.
The holiday comes on the 33rd day in the counting of the Omer, marking a festive break during the mourning period between Passover and Shavuot. Traditionally, picnics and bonfires are held, Orthodox children get their first haircut and weddings occur.
At nightfall, Chabad struck a bonfire in a firepit amid towering redwoods. A swarm of drummers circled the flames while Langer and others whooped and danced passionately. A Russian family baked a slew of potatoes in the makeshift oven.
“It’s so nice to see so many different communities,” said Chana Zarchi, the rabbi’s wife. “This is a holiday of Jewish unity like no other.”
Cozying near the warm fire, she read community even in the embers, saying that “fire is like the soul. Fire enhances fire and becomes greater.”
Others said they were glad that Chabad has upped the party scene for local Jews, giving the community a chance to let it out.
Berkeley resident Jennifer Kantor, 26, drummed with her band Mozaik past 11 p.m.
“Chabad does it up right. I’m unaffiliated but Jewishly active. It’s nice to see people of all types here, not just the Orthodox. It’s a great event.”