Congregation Etz Chayim

What is the reality of non-Orthodox Judaism in Israel? Those of us who have established and sustain Jewish community and Jewish religious services (lifecycle events, pastoral care, religious education, rich community life) without the benefit of a government budget (as in the Chief Rabbinate and the Ministry of Religions) are fueled by our passions, commitments, and determination in the face of fiscal, social and establishment challenges. Rabbi Amy Levin, one of the rabbis at Kibbutz Hanaton, curator of the Elul Reflections this year and founder of Tzibur Strategies.

After the holiday-rich month of Tishrei, we come to Cheshvan, the only month of the Hebrew calendar with no holidays. We will be using a cherished childhood paper-folding game to explore the theme of stillness, reflection, and self-care. What brings rejuvenation to your mind, body, and spirit? What is your relationship with stillness and rest? What does your soul need to feel nourished? We will do some simple coloring and folding of paper to bring richness and depth to our conversation and exploration of this month’s theme.

There are so many colleges to choose from and so many factors to weigh. When I visit a campus, what should I focus on? Should I pick the most prestigious place, or choose based on my intended major? Does size matter? Location? With so much at stake, it's worth getting some advice from an "insider." This event is in-person only, with pizza being served.

Join Congregation Etz Chayim and Spark Church as we host a series of conversations where we look at various dimensions of structural injustice and how it relates to racism: in immigration, educational inequality, criminal justice, and economic inequity, after which we will think together about action we might take to challenge these systems. This series will be facilitated by Hope Horizon East Palo Alto. Click through to RSVP.

After Shabbat service, Rabbi Amy Eilberg will speak on a remarkable journey she took to the American South in September. In addition to demonstrating many of the horrors of slavery and its aftermath, this trip invited reflection on the role of human relationship in rebuilding American society and in moving toward reconciliation in Israel-Palestine.