Interest Groups

Every group or project on this list is a result of a member’s initiative. Look through it and make a connection with the group contact person listed, or ask Ellen Bob, our Executive Director, to make an introduction for you. If you have an idea for a group that’s not on this list yet, talk to Ellen about how to make it happen.
 

AdventurEtz gets together for hiking, bird watching and other outdoor activities.

The EtzBookWorms meets on the second Sunday of the month at 4:30pm unless it conflicts with a holiday.  If interested in joining the Google email list etzbookworms@googlegroups.com send an email to EtzBookWorms+subscribe@googlegroups.com.   After sending the email, watch your email for messages from EtzBookworms@googlegroups.com that ask you to join the group. There will be either one or two messages depending on whether you are subscribing with a gmail account.  (You do not need a gmail account to subscribe to this group.) When you receive the message, just press REPLY and SEND. Do Not press the BLUE button. If you have questions, send an email to EtzHelpLists@gmail.com

Contemplative Services

Drumming Circle

EtzChaimAction promotes social justice.  The member-to-member conversations represent individual viewpoints and not the official Etz Chayim perspective. Individuals elect to become members of this group. To join visit https://www.etzchayim.org/etz-chayim-social-action-email-list.html.

The focus of the Etz Israel Connections Group is to develop meaningful connections between the Etz Chayim Community and Israel by exploring the many voices and cultural elements of Israeli Society. The group maintains the EtzIsraelConnectionsGroup@googlegroups.com email list. For more information contact Solange Tajchman or Shai Tsur.

The Jewish and Israel Action Committee  (JIAC) is a group of congregants who are proud and inspired by the accomplishments and contributions of Israel and Jews. We are engaged in articulating the positive aspects of Jews and Israel and working to refute both misunderstandings and deliberate lies of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement as well as anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activities on middle school, high school and college campuses across the country. We arrange for guest speakers, and provide occasional update and action alert emails so that recipients can make their voices heard. See our website: http://etz-jiac.org

Mah Jongg hosts drop-in games the first Monday of the month at 10:30.

The Men’s Group invites the men in our community to develop friendships, serve our community, play the occasional game of Pinochle, or go for group bike rides and other adventures.

The Men’s Retreat offers an annual opportunity for greater connection among participants, a deeper experience of community at Etz, and a sharing of our Jewish identity and spiritual experience / expression.

The Mitzvah Singers rehearse multipart Jewish music and music composed by Jews to perform through concerts at local nursing homes, as well as through small group visits when members are in the hospital or at home and can’t travel to services.

Neshama Women’s Retreat offers a Spirituality Retreat each summer.

Networking: Etz Chayim of Palo Alto Professional Networking Havurah is the LinkedIn group for professional networking at Etz Chayim to build community, stay in contact, develop and foster professional networking relationships. Check out this page . If you are a member of Etz Chayim and already registered for a (free) LinkedIn account, click here to join the group

Next Gen Etz - is a Jewish community in their their 20’s and 30’s affiliated with Congregation Etz Chayim.  We participate in the life of the Etz Chayim community by holding member led events to explore our connections to Judaism and each other. Next Gen is proud to affiliate with Congregation Etz Chayim, but everyone is welcome. No affiliation or membership to Etz Chayim or any other organization is necessary. Click here to request additional information or to be added to our list.

EtzPeople - etzpeople@googlegroups.com is an opt-in google group for member-to-member communication focused on information sharing for the purpose of: Recruiting volunteers to support the congregation, other non-profits, and individual members (such as meals, tutors, rides, clothing) Distributing information that needs to go out quickly (such as a Zoom link correction after office hours) Seeking advice and referrals (such as household repairs, professional expertise, lodging) Offering resources (such as produce and fruit from one's garden, free items) Sharing information of interest to members. (Do not use the list for self-promotion, political advocacy, and personal fund-raising) To join EtzPeople@googlegroups.com  send an email to EtzPeople+subscribe@googlegroups.com  After sending the email, watch your email for messages from EtzPeople@googlegroups.com that ask you to join the group. There will be either one or two messages depending on whether you are subscribing with a gmail account.  (You do not need a gmail account to subscribe to this group.) When you receive the message, just press REPLY and SEND. Do Not press the BLUE button. If you have questions, send an email to EtzHelpLists@gmail.com

Rosh Chodesh Group - Open to all Etz members who identify as women.  We meet monthly on a Sunday afternoon closest to the New Moon/Rosh Chodesh. Ritual, conversation topics, and activities are member-driven. Join the Etz-Rosh-Chodesh@googlegroups.com mailing list to be kept informed of meeting plans and to receive Zoom links. To join Etz-Rosh-Chodesh@googlegroups.com  send an email to Etz-Rosh-Chodesh+subscribe@googlegroups.com  After sending the email, watch your email for messages from Etz-Rosh-Chodesh@googlegroups.com that ask you to join the group. There will be either one or two messages depending on whether you are subscribing with a gmail account.  (You do not need a gmail account to subscribe to this group.) When you receive the message, just press REPLY and SEND. Do Not press the BLUE button. If you have questions, send an email to EtzHelpLists@gmail.com

Ruach Dance - Join us in trying out a new way of engaging in prayer and experiencing community -- through free-form movement, guided meditation/ecstatic dance (the kind you'd do when no one is watching). Have fun and find something greater than yourself through movement to beautiful music, with kavannah (intention) that draws on Jewish texts and ideas.

Etz Women share information and experiences; invite people to community events; propose questions and seek answers; provide support and build bonds with one another. It is not used for self-promotion, political advocacy, or personal fund-raising. To join EtzWomen@googlegroups.com  send an email to EtzWomen+subscribe@googlegroups.com  After sending the email, watch your email for messages from ETZWomen@googlegroups.com that ask you to join the group. There will be either one or two messages depending on whether you are subscribing with a gmail account.  (You do not need a gmail account to subscribe to this group.) When you receive the message, just press REPLY and SEND. Do Not press the BLUE button. If you have questions, send an email to EtzHelpLists@gmail.com

Yiddish Choristers meet Wednesday nights to sing Yiddish songs, with an occasional Ladino ballad thrown in for fun. Members contribute to pay for the rehearsal pianist.

The Relaxation Circle draws from the Kabbalah to explore, discover and learn how our innate energy matures through our body. We apply this ancient wisdom for the use of expanding our everyday relaxation practices. Our focus is anchored in the knowing that we get the results of the actions that we take. With this in mind we cultivate tools and techniques, methods and practices to develop an easier flow within our mind and body, soul and spirit connection. Our self-growth is reflected in all of our relationships which lends itself to the contribution and growth of others.    This  fall we offer a six week workshop in person on Thursdays: October 5, 12, 19, 26. November 2, and 9, from 5-6:30 pm. All member are invited and non-members are invited to make a donation to Etz. For addition information and to register click here.