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		                                    Welcome		                                </span>
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		                            <span class="slider_description">Etz Chayim is an independent congregation
located in the heart of Silicon Valley</span>
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		                            	Learn More		                            </a>

Click here to learn more about our vision and planned facility improvements and contribute.

Happening at Etz

All Events
  • Thursday ,
    OctOctober  17 , 2024
     
     
    Men's Night in the Sukkah

    Thursday, Oct 17th 6:30p to 9:00p
    Join Etz men for our traditional night in the Sukkah. This is also an opportunity to shake the lulav and shmooze with the Rabbi. Please bring your favorite nibblies and/or drinks to share. Please let Don know if you can make it

    MORE INFO

  • Friday ,
    OctOctober  18 , 2024
     
     
    Kabbalat Shabbat & Starry Night in the Sukkah

    Friday, Oct 18th 6:00p to 8:30p
    People of all ages are welcome to a magical evening in the Sukkah under the stars. Bring your Sukkah Joy, your voice for singing, and a vegetarian dish to share for dinner. Sign-up for Potluck here. We will not have access to cook in the kitchen. After dinner and a short service, we will have telescopes set up in the backyard to see the stars. A part of Sukkot is to see the stars through the s’chach at the top of the Sukkah; star gazing will give everyone an even better view of the light through the darkness.

    MORE INFO

  • Saturday ,
    OctOctober  19 , 2024
     
     
    Shabbat Mishpacha (family Shabbat) in the Sukkah

    Shabbat, Oct 19th 10:15a to 12:00p
    The first Sukkot were built by God to shelter the Israelites right after they came out of Egypt. It was the Israelites peaceful place to be after they escaped slavery. In this special Sukkot Shabbat Mishpacha we will invite real and imaginary Ushpizin (guests) to spend time with us in our sukkah of peace. We'll begin with group singing followed by activity time for kids age 2-8 including a puppet show, yoga and art, while adults enjoy a relaxed and interactive service. Everyone will come together for an experiential Torah service. All are welcome!

    MORE INFO

  • Saturday ,
    OctOctober  19 , 2024
     
     
    Next Gen Game Night in the Sukkah

    Shabbat, Oct 19th 6:00p to 9:00p
    Next Gen invites folks in their 20s and 30s to a fun Board Game night in Etz Chayim's Sukkah, with a delicious potluck dinner. You're welcome to bring your favorite board game and a dish to share, or you can just show up ready to play and eat! RSVP by October 15th.

    MORE INFO

  • Sunday ,
    OctOctober  20 , 2024
     
     
    Religious School Program Lunch in the Sukkah

    Sunday, Oct 20th 11:30a to 12:30p
    All the Sunday morning learning program will be fulfilling the Mitzvah of sitting in the Sukkah. Mac and cheese lunch will be ordered by Etz. Please sign up to bring salads and desserts.

    MORE INFO

  • Sunday ,
    OctOctober  20 , 2024
     
     
    Honoring our Teachers- Evening in the Sukkah hosted by Adult Learning Committee

    Sunday, Oct 20th 7:00p to 8:30p
    Are you a teacher? Have you been a teacher? The Adult Learning Committee welcomes all in our congregation who identify as teachers to join us for an evening of conversation and nourishment.

    MORE INFO

  • Monday ,
    OctOctober  21 , 2024
     
     
    Women's Night in the Sukkah

    Monday, Oct 21st 6:00p to 9:00p
    Join the Women's night in the Sukkah! Please bring a favorite Sukkah dish to share. In addition to food, we'll share favorite holiday memories and traditions and play a Bingo game. RSVP by signing up to share a dish

    MORE INFO

  • Wednesday ,
    OctOctober  23 , 2024
     
     
    Simchat Torah Dinner in the Sukkah

    Wednesday, Oct 23rd 6:00p to 7:00p
    On October 7th, 364 young people were killed at the Nova Music Festival in the south of Israel. At our Simchat Torah celebration this year we both honor those who died and dance in their memory. The evening begins with a catered dinner and memorial tribute in the Sukkah followed by the unrolling of the Torah and enthusiastic dancing in the Beyt Knesset. Appropriate for all ages. May the dancing heal our hearts! This year's catered dinner in the Sukkah features a salad buffet including Israeli couscous salad, tuna salad, orzo salad, roasted potatoes and more. Seating in the sukkah is limited and is by reservation only.

    MORE INFO

 

Everyone is welcome!

We are Jews who were raised Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Orthodox, or Secular. We are Jews who have or have not been Bar/Bat Mitzvah. We are Jews by choice or part of an interfaith family. Our common thread is that we are all interested in furthering our spiritual life, singing, Jewish education and community participation.  We invite you to come to a service or one of our activities.

קהילת "עץ חיים" הינה מקום מיוחד במינו. בית חם, פתוח ומקבל אשר אינו משתייך לזרם דתי כלשהו ומורכב מחילונים, מסורתיים, רפורמים וקונסרבטיבים, משפחות יהודיות ומעורבות, ישראלים ומקומיים המנהלים ביחד חיי קהילה יהודית עשירים

BECOME A MEMBER

About Us

Located in Palo Alto California, Congregation Etz Chayim is a vibrant Jewish community, participatory and egalitarian, independent and inclusive, which melds elements from Judaism’s different branches to create our own practices. Together with our spiritual leader, Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky, our congregants are exploring what it means for each of us to identify as a Jew (or a part of a Jewish family).

 

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Learn More

If you seek a spiritual experience within a diverse Jewish community that emphasizes worship, singing, learning, service and community, Etz Chayim may be a good fit for you. If you want to talk to someone, simply stop by or phone or office at 650-813-9094.


CONTACT US

Experience Etz

Shabbat Services

Shabbat evening services are held every Friday at 7:30 p.m. and last about an hour. Shabbat morning services are held every Saturday at 10 a.m., and with Torah reading, last about two hours. Everyone is welcome to attend either service, including services that celebrate a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Adult Learning

At Congregation Etz Chayim, we view adult learning as a stepping stone to deeper knowledge and understanding of the rich Jewish tradition. We offer diverse intellectual, creative and spiritual programming to strengthen connections among congregants and help us integrate Judaism into our lives.

Teens

Are you a teenager looking for ways to broaden your involvement with Jewish life in the Bay Area or to make new friends or lend a hand in your community? Are you a parent thinking about the next steps of Jewish engagement for your teenager? There are many opportunities for teens, and we can help you identify the right one for you.

Youth & Family Education

We offer learning opportunities for families with children as young as two years old through high school. Building community is a cornerstone of our philosophy and mission, and our youth learning programs reflect that value.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

We are exceptionally proud of our Bar/Bat Mitzvah program and how students and families experience the process of preparing for and celebrating this important life event. Our program is rigorous, meaningful and individualized, and serves to build community and connections among the students and families.

Community Responsibility

What inspires you to get up in the morning? What keeps you up at night? Could you answer these questions about the person you live with? Work with? Pray with? When we ask what we as a congregation wish to do in the area of Tikkun Olam, a first step is to have one-on-one conversations to strengthen relationships with one another.

Interest Groups

Etz social groups are member driven. We currently have groups who hike together, read together, sing together, and knit together, among many other activities. Have another interest? Members are always free to start their own groups.

Next Gen

Next Gen is a Jewish community of adults in 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. Everyone is welcome. 

BECOME A MEMBER

Since 1995, our diverse Jewish community has gathered to worship, celebrate, learn, and share life’s joys and sorrows. We invite you to become part of this community.

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Thu, October 17 2024 15 Tishrei 5785