Shir Ha Yam

Founded in 1995, Shir Ha-Yam (meaning “Song of the Sea”) is a lay-led, egalitarian Jewish Renewal havurah based in San Diego, California. What began as a small group of friends has grown into a welcoming spiritual community that offers monthly Saturday Shabbat services, Friday night meditation, and chant circles rooted in the practices of Rabbi Shefa Gold.

Shir Ha-Yam is a member of ALEPH: The Alliance for Jewish Renewal, an international transdenominational movement grounded in Judaism’s prophetic and mystical traditions. The community works closely with its sister organization, the Elijah Minyan, and together they carry forward the Jewish Renewal presence in San Diego, honoring the legacy of the late Rabbi Wayne Dosick.

The community emphasizes soulful, participatory prayer, music, and meditation as ways to connect with the soul (neshama) and the Divine. In recent years, Shir Ha-Yam has expanded its offerings, including its first-ever High Holiday services, and has been an active, inclusive presence in San Diego’s broader Jewish community, partnering with organizations such as the Lawrence Family JCC and the Jewish Federation of San Diego, including in support of the local Jewish LGBTQ+ community.

Shir Ha-Yam is entirely volunteer-run and relies on member dues and participation to sustain its programming, which includes Shabbat gatherings, holiday celebrations, workshops, and nature-based spiritual practices.