A Jewish Tour of San Francisco | Jewish History on the Road

[@SamAronow]

Assorted trivia that didn't make it into the video: 1. This video was filmed the weekend that my video "The Melting Pot" dropped. In fact I was frantically writing the subtitles for that video on the plane and in my hotel room. 2. This was Grant and my _second_ attempt to film this, having previously done so _last_ year to coincide with the release of "Minhag America," but the sound was all ruined. 3. We filmed a piece at the site of Emperor Norton's death, but the ambient noise was too overwhelming to be usable. The night before, I did have a drink at Elixir, a bar which Norton actually drank at.

[@douglasfur3808]

Ah there's the Emperor Norton tie in. And the rattle trap American trains. Trains on your travels might be an interesting side bar.

[@gyllenspetzfamily7993]

This was so nice, like you took me on a personalized tour.

[@AncientAmericas]

Those grand synagogues are absolutely beautiful!

[@williamcampbell6846]

Growing up in San Francisco I was a member of those congregations. The insides of those temples are even more beautiful than the outside

[@TrialByDance]

First time Sam drops an uncensored f-bomb in the history of his channel and it's about an escalator. I love it 😂

[@JoeNorton]

As a Jewish Norton, it gives me immense pride to hear tales of Emperor Norton. Thanks Sam!

[@scottwarthin1528]

Thank you, Sam. One born and raised San Franciscan descendent of The French Quarter (Labataille family across the street from Congregation Emanu-El) appreciates you for this. Sorry it was a dark time in life for you but next time is always better. You redefine the black half turtle neck strutting down The City's streets: looking fabulous for either way your bread gets buttered. You honor my hometown, G-d bless you for it.

[@premodernist_history]

I really like this "on the road" format. I hope you do a lot more of them.

[@Embracehistoria]

It's always nice to see KZbinrs meeting up.

[@shawnferguson5681]

I enjoyed this video and I’m commenting for your algorithm but I would also like to express my appreciation for the video on Judenzahlung. The comments for that video are understandably turned off, but that video is what drew me to the channel and I’m now in the process of binge watching everything I find there. I don’t know how to describe what I felt when I learned the significance of the Iron Cross/Star of David image on the thumbnail but I’ll try. When I first saw it, I thought it was two separate images combined specifically as controversial click bait but that was wrong. Relief and pride were some of the emotional flavors I experienced upon hearing about the actual medal awarded to Jewish personnel in German military service. Putting the description at the end of the video really enhanced the impact. Thanks!

[@SamAronow]

Oh, you weren't totally wrong. I knew people would be struck by that image and want to give it a closer look.

[@sarahheikel]

Omg, I work in Pacific Heights and the Grand Synagogue is literally two blocks away, I pass by it all the time. It’s also really nice to see some appreciation for the mission, Wisesons is really good and Dolores is a great to just sit back and enjoy the day. Still bummed I was out of town when you were in SF

[@Dan-zz4jb]

Nice video! You reminded me of my visit to SF. Looking forward to the next one! 😊

[@none4530]

I'm from San Francisco but haven't been home in years. You're making me miss it so much!

[@jamessheridan4306]

With all that walking backwards I trust that 'casual historian' didn't step in anything untoward. In fact, the SF you are showing us looks nothing like the mess we're getting from our mass media. Thanks for showing us.

[@brianalice]

It’s almost like an entire media ecosystem is ideologically motivated to sell lies, blatant and ridiculous lies at that, about city life.

[@SamAronow]

I mean, most of the feces is in just two neighborhoods and so it's always been. SF is definitely _way_ less janky than it was last year. The real issue is vacancy in non-mixed heavy commercial zones due to the plummet in demand for office space. That's making the Financial District way less busy and hurting retail. The thing to do is to start converting office blocks into apartments, but that doesn't get as many clicks as "The cost of living is too high because California is a literal Communist dictatorship where the Jews your kids gay and people are fleeing to Texas and California in the millions just like Venezuela." The real trouble is in Los Angeles, where homeless people keep OD'ing and dying on the trains so the blue, red, and purple (but not gold or green) lines are constantly full of garbage and smell of corpses. I myself was stalked by a crackhead on the way to the Dodger game. There's always been a bit of that; I remember from my teenage years; but you can tell it's worse than 20 years ago because they've had to replace the seat moquettes with easily-washable plastic. Much as with Cal State tuition, the Reagan governorship continues to pay dividends.

[@brentwalker8596]

Right? The media, especially Fox, loves beating up on California. It's very irritating.

[@AlexCab_49]

2:25 when I saw that Forolito sign I was like "aye shout out to the Mission" ps. There's a small Jewish community in the Mission district.

[@khaightlynn]

Dolores Park, across the street from the Spanish catholic Mission Dolores one of the oldest buildings in SF and CA on whole, which later became a high school, used to be a Jewish cemetery and also housed over 1000 people who had been displaced from the 1906 earthquake and fires. The view towards the end of the video is from the iconic Gay Beach at Dolores Park. There is also a Jewish school on the corner down the street. 😊

[@jacobschwartz6579]

Omg, my cousin had his Bar Mitzvah at Emmanuel! So cool to see it featured on your channel!

[@Anybol]

12:51 There's several scenes of the Netflix drama Sense8 set in Dolores Park, so it got at least some recognition in tv

[@none4530]

I always love to tell people about the Moses at Yosemite stained glass window, it always makes them laugh! (or slightly disgusted depending)

[@user-sh3cf7kd6e]

6:04 Add that to Jewish history on the plate - eating bacon 🤣

[@alexcarter8807]

Beef bacon is a thing, and also lamb bacon. Plus the Ecch'ver popular turkey bacon.

[@davidjames4890]

I never would have thought Frisco had Jewish history like that, much less hearing that Emperor Norton was Jewish. Great video, and thank you for your effort.

[@theman44ful]

I did not expect to just see one of my favorite KZbinrs casual historian just sitting on the trolley with you out of nowhere haha I almost spit out my drink

[@szlonkobusjbusj3819]

I hope this is a "the rock" tribute and not an early mid-life crisis.

[@SamAronow]

This is obviously the "present-day" framing device for the film adaptation of a short story by Stephen King.

[@abrahamgoldstein8259]

I love it! You’ll have to come back in 2 years to see the new Emanuel but the main sanctuary under the dome is still open and has some incredible East-West stained glass windows. Also is it really true SF has more of an East Coast accent? Are you including Jewish businesses? You’ll need to come back and hit Levi Strauss HQ or GAP HQ (you were right next to it at Reds Java House!) or the statue to Joseph Strauss the engineer for the Golden Gate Bridge…

[@ehudshapira2745]

Dude, on Sunday morning I'm flying to San Francisco for a delegation from my school visiting our donors and learning about the Jewish comminity and peoplehood! What a fun coincidence :)

[@joshuagros4634]

Man that is nice a good way to see your success in your darkest way

[@joshuagros4634]

Days

[@comically_large_cowboy_hat3385]

as much as i love your scripted and planned videos i love your manner in these ones

[@jake_mu7550]

Oh I'm so excited after seeing the Emperor on the thumbnail. It's always cool to see people talk about him 😄

[@SamAronow]

We actually did a piece where he died, but the ambient noise was just too much to include. We filmed this the day my video "The Melting Pot" came out.

[@jake_mu7550]

@@SamAronow I still enjoyed the video and the art of the great Emperor is amazing. I wish I could revisit the city as I feel more connected to it than my home in Oklahoma lol but videos like this make me happy. I'm glad I got a bit of history and San Francisco in one video!

[@thomaslawson7469]

Wow the grand synagogues are beautiful. The second one looks Byzantine af and I’m here for it. I’d love to see a similar tour of Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA or even NOLA. Thanks for the great vid as always!

[@halfafishtaco]

Every San Franciscan watching can confirm Sam has good taqueria taste

[@matthewbrotman2907]

Kimchi Reuben sounds good.

[@SamAronow]

Too much sauce. And I'm a spice guy!

[@YosiTov]

A video on Petalumas Jewish history would be so cool! People would come to learn how to farm before going off to work on early kibbutzim in Mandatory Palestine and israel.l!

[@edwardwalter3100]

Quite the hoof up California all the way to the Richmond eh? Nice to see you had mostly good weather for your trip, even a taste of what makes the westside great; the ever lovin' fog. I'll say that wearing a Giants hat for performative purposes is a sin I too share, so you are not alone in that (go A's). Great video as always.

[@seth333]

Thanks!

[@Michaela1942]

Temple Emanu-El was my family's synagogue when I was a child in San Francisco. Most of the family lived in the Richmond District.

[@nancyapple7631]

Would love a look at that escalator’s mechanism, i’d say it did warrant an F bomb I’d like to have seen the inside of those shuls as well, maybe if I take a trip down the coast it might be worth checking out, I’m guessing the inside of those domes are decorated. You did Chicago, because your family lived there, any plans on taking a cruise through Detroit?

[@juanmontoya6622]

California Street (Synagogue and JCCSF), Richmond District, 16th Street & Dolores.....

[@premodernist_history]

Keep walking, Grant!

[@samuelmelcher333]

I love the use of the emblem of the improved San Francisco flag from Roman Mars's TED Talk in the thumbnail

[@SanFranFan30]

hey that was really fun! but it's definitely GO GIANTS! Also as a native San Franciscan I grew up going to Brandies Hillel Day School (now known simply as The Brandies School after an organizational split with Marin County branch of the K-8 school). This meant that in 7th grade basically every weekend I and my family attended a B'nei Mitzvah at basically every synagogue or congregation in the area ranging from my own Or Shalom which was strongly in the Reconstructionist zone largely based in the Outer Sunsent however they held services at 3 separate locations depending on the circumstances (including a Unitarian Church for the High Holidays (side note: my mother grew up unitarian and converted shortly before my older brother was born)) to Beth Sholom a very popular Conservative Synagogue with really beautiful modern architecture just of Park Presidio, all the way to an Orthodox synagogue in the Central Richmond called Chevra Thilim populated primarily by a large amount of 1st and 2nd generation Russian and Ukrainian immigrants. But by far the most popular was Emanu-El which I believe is probably in the Reform zone, it's a really great building. One of my really good childhood friend's moms is one of the Rabbi's and one of my parents close family friends in the cantor. Essentially there is an incredible amount of crossover and overlap in San Francisco's jewish community largely because there was never really a neighborhood that was "Jewish".

[@amitcohen2269]

I liked the video and the Jewish-American 70's intellectual look.

[@brianalice]

I found his look more like one of the rapping police officers from a DARE video.

[@jasonoconner7863]

Great video!

[@CatBrannigan]

When I used to work an internship down in Japantown (2018) my colleague and I would often take lunch strolls up in the Fillmore. My colleague talked to someone in charge at Sherith Israel asking if they could take pictures of the interior architecture. They were told no (out of obvious safety reasons) but had considered restarting tours. Nowadays in light of the umpteenth conflict in Israel, I feel like that access by non-congregation members even further from a possibility. :(

[@genghisconn7770]

Moses in Yosemite is a vibe

[@mrmiffmiff]

One major Bay Area Jewish landmark that *is* currently in the Fillmore District (well, more Western Addition) is the Jewish Community High School of the Bay. You probably wouldn't know it was that just by walking by it, though it's on a side street so it's not surprising that you didn't walk by it regardless. It's non-denominational, so a lot of Jews from all over the area send their kids there.

[@chzel9039]

Cool stuff. I like this channel.

[@brentwalker8596]

SF State in the Summer??? Lol. Funny. Yeah, Dolores Park on a sunny day is awesome. My old barrio.

[@Hp-pm2of]

The sandwich with too much going on.

[@travisjacobson2334]

Hey, Sam! I’m from Antioch/Brentwood! Did you ever get a chance to visit that area? It’s largely agricultural, but also has the river going through it!

[@Mark_Williams300]

Hey, you met Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys! 😃

[@b3nzayizkoolyo]

Since when does Freddie Mercury run this channel?

[@Lawarch]

Rocking the the classic Rock turtleneck I see

[@rahrahHumph]

Will you post the result from the survey from a while ago?

[@rigelbound6749]

Sherith Israel is breathtaking. Why don't we have synagogues like it in the old country?

[@tjenadonn6158]

If I may add some insight from my area of expertise: Emperor Norton is revered as a Saint Second Class in the semi-parody neopagan religion Discordianism (all higher categiries of Sainthood are reserved exclusively for fictional characters,) which worships the Greek Eris and holds chaos and disorder to be the ultimate sources of creation. Norton is revered for living according to truth as he saw it with almost no regard for consensus reality, as is the Discordian ideal. Also, it is my pleasure and privilege to announce to one and all men, women, children, and otherwise embodied consciousnesses assembled that you are all Discordian Popes. The Rights of appendant with the Discordian Papacy include, but are not limited to: 1. The right to invoke infallibility at any time, including retroactively, 2. The right to completely rework the Erisian Church, 3. The right to baptise, bury and marry (with the permission of the deceased in the latter two cases), 4. The right to excommunicate, deexcommunicate, reexcommunicate and dereexcommunicate (no backsies!) both his-/her-/it-/them-/your-/our/His-/Her-/It-/Them-/Your-/Our-self/selves and others (if any), 5. The right to perform all rites and functions deemed inappropriate for a Pope of Discordia, You can find numerous places to print your identifying documents online. It's an honor to share this least exalted office with you all.

[@jhoughjr1]

St. Louis has a sizable Jewish population around. Creve Coeur.

[@miaththered]

Pretty cool stuff, this. Thanks, teach.

[@jennapeed]

I am greatly amused by this video. Are you still in the states?

[@SamAronow]

Oh no, I was only there for June-July, but I'm hoping to return for a series of North American speaking engagements. Email me if you can.

[@scotswahae4541]

Why is he doing the Dwayne Johnson turtle neck cosplay?

[@Rudster14]

Shouldn't the Shuls be open on Shabbos for people to pray there?

[@Maurice-Navel]

Dolores Park actually does feature in movies, especially gay ones (e.g., Looking).

[@Rudster14]

So Sad that the resturant isn't kosher

[@zalmanizer53]

There is a dearth of decent Jewish restaurants in the Bay.. there still Sauls in Berkeley, but it's gone way downhill in my opinion.

[@eligoldman9200]

Real ones know about el faro Lito.

[@gj1234567899999]

San fran has really gone downhill. Homeless and crime everywhere. So sad. The politicians running the place don’t really care about the citizens.

[@nicobambino191]

Places I’ll take my wife and I. I love SF but she’s never been

[@geeklyweekly7979]

I live in sf I wish I knew you were in town

[@reneecannady9843]

What! Did I see bacon on your plate? 😮

[@Aodhans]

SFSU 🙏🏻

[@allentchang]

You look better without the moustache

[@kennethtarlow]

hope you liked that bacon

[@arthur4350]

SFSU Gators represent

[@Mark_Williams300]

Are you turning into Ron Burgundy?

[@ArtamStudio]

Rincon Hill forever! East Cut never!

[@PortersPortfolio]

Ugh! I was with you until you said go doyers...bleh 😂 Fun fact (don't @me, not an argument just information) the North American HQ of Jews For Jesus is here in the City, also J.I.M.E.N.A. HQ, we also have the CJM, a grand public Menora Lighting at Chanukah, and then a good portion of the tribe is filtered throughout both Marin and southern San Mateo County. Plenty JCCs and Chabad Houses. Excellent documentary was done some time ago by KQED/PBS on the history of Jews in SF. Obviously its nothing like the communities of LA or NYC but hey we can't all be so fortunate 😂

[@SamAronow]

"Excellent documentary was done some time ago by KQED/PBS on the history of Jews in SF." That was one of the inspirations for this OTR, and for my segment on SF more generally in "Minhag America."

[@Sufganiyot]

Why is bro Jewish and eating bacon💀

[@matthewburns3435]

Promo'SM 🤗

[@joseph8762]

i want you

[@Grmario85]

Handsome boy. Lose the moustache :P