Congregation Etz Chayim

For children in Kindergarten and 1st Grade (and sometimes their grown-ups!) Parents and children explore and experience Jewish holidays, history, values, culture, prayer and more through many different avenues including stories, games, art, music and cooking.

A time for those who identify as women to come together to build community, get to know each other, and celebrate the Rosh Chodesh (new moon, new month) holiday. The theme for discussion and sharing will be Elul and preparing for a sh’mita (sabbatical) year. Our sponsors for this session are the Number 7 and the Letter R. Ideas we’ll be thinking and talking about: restoration, release, reset, rebalance, redress, remembering. We’ll have some music and if anyone wants to blow the shofar, bring it with you!

Of the 87 folio pages of Tractate Yoma, only the last 14 deal with the Yom Kippur we know today. Most of it concerns the many sacrifices for Yom Kippur in the Temple, which Rabbi Cartun will considerately not not gorily go through. Besides reviewing the basics of what Jews have decided to refrain from on that day, we'll cover tidbits like: how G0d is like a mikveh (ritual bath)?, why the feast we eat before YK begins is considered to be "fasting", what to do if a building falls down on your way to YK services, and more! No familiarity with Talmud or Hebrew is required and all your questions are welcome! Check your email for Zoom info.

The psalmist prays, Teach Us To Count Our Days, (then we shall acquire a heart of wisdom) Psalm 90:1. We Jews have always asked questions about counting our days--about Time. From the time-warp notion that we all personally stood at Sinai to Einstein's concepts of spacetime, ideas of Time are at the center of Jewish philosophy and practices. This Elul, join Rabbi Chaim and Abra as they lead us in four stand-alone sessions about our ideas of Time and what it means for our lives. Sign up to let us know who will be joining us when and to receive the class readings in advance.

Join the new monthly virtual meditation group on the first Wednesday of the month at 2 pm. The first 45 min will include some teaching around a theme, a chant and a meditation. Afterwards we will have some time to share and connect. Come experience a variety of meditations and be part of a growing meditation community at Etz Chayim.

Hineini, "Here I am" is a phrase that appears multiple times in the Torah. What does it mean for each of us to respond, "Here I am, a Jew in the 21st century?" For grades 7-8.

This is an ongoing, drop-in class that is open to everyone looking for a deeper, rational understanding of Torah. No Hebrew skills or Torah study experience are required.

Mitch taught Torah study a few weeks back and spotlighted a controversial verse in Deuteronomy that is sometimes used as an excuse to persecute LGBTQ+ individuals around issues of clothing and gender identity. Yet, rabbinic commentary is very nuanced on this issue. Join us for a continued discussion on this important topic.