Congregation Etz Chayim

Volunteer Opportunities: Feeding Those In Need Looking for an opportunity to help in the community? Etz volunteers participate approximately once a month helping to staffing a free meal with InnVision's Breaking Bread program (www.innvision.org). We are one of five groups sharing the Wednesday dinner rotation at the First Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto (one of Etz's early homes!). Some of us arrive around 3pm and spend an hour or two preparing the food (often mixing and reheating leftovers from area restaurants, donated to InnVision, but sometimes more involved); others arrive in time to help with the 5pm meal serving (cafeteria-style) and subsequent cleanup. If you're interested and can be available on an occasional Wednesday afternoon, email Jeremy Siegel (jasiegel at pacbell.net) with your email and telephone contact info, and we'll send you a list of the scheduled dates, and put you on the email list for reminders about a week in advance of each. In addition to helping the hungry and practicing your cooking (or at least can-opening!) skills, you get to chat with other Etzniks: come with a friend and catch up over the cutting board! [Note: due to new health and safety rules, children must be 14 or older to participate in the main serving line, but there are some limited opportunities for younger ones serving at side tables -- and the minimum age to participate in the kitchen is 16. Unfortunately this may limit participation of families with many young children -- but it's still a great opportunity for high schoolers doing community service!]

Etz Chayim is pleased to be a co-sponsor with the Bureau of Jewish Education in partnership with the Oshman Family JCC Feast of Jewish Learning, South Peninsula Night of Jewish Unity At the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto FREE !! Can one evening be a TURNING POINT? Come find out! Join us for a unique night of community, connection and learning. We start with Havdallah, followed by dozens of thought provoking classes and interactive workshops on an array of Jewish topics – history, literature, traditional text, spirituality, dance, song, film - taught by rabbis, scholars and educators from all walks of Jewish life. Stick around for the concluding oneg with live music, dancing, and food! The Feast of Jewish Learning is for all adults, bar and bat mitzvah age and up, no matter your background, practice or affiliation. We offer sessions in English, Hebrew, and Russian. Bring your friends! For details go to http://bjesf.org/adults_feast.htm or contact Eileen So?er at bjefeast@bjesf.org Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BJEFeast