Congregation Etz Chayim

Run for Their Lives is a global movement founded 3 weeks ago by Israelis in the Bay Area. Their mission is to raise awareness for the hostages held in Gaza.

Book selections: For 12/10: Lisa Barr, A Woman on Fire For 1/14: Elizabeth Graver, Kantika (this year’s One Bay One Book selection) For 2/11: Norman Eisen, The Last Palace For 3/10: Anna Berest, The Postcard For 4/07: Naomi Ragen, An Unorthodox Match

On the Friday night of Chanukah, December 8, some of us will light together in the Beyt Knesset at 7:30 at the beginning of our festive and song-filled Sulam Shabbat Service and others will join by Zoom and livestream. On the fourth night, Sunday, December 10, some of us will gather on the patio at Etz at 6:00 for a group lighting. Others will join by Zoom.

Join us in finding Light in the Darkness at Etz’s annual Flametacular! Bring your chanukiyah and 5 candles for our group candle lighting on the back patio. Stay for the singing, supper, and fun. * falafel and fixings * sufganiyot * dreidels * crafts * family, friends, and love Please RSVP by midnight Tuesday, December 5, as this is a catered event. Candle lighting will begin soon after 6:00 pm, so arrive on time to see the amazing power of the flames in the dark.

Adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to join in our annual Battle of the Donuts! We'll meet outside on the patio directly following the Flametacular. Please bring 6-12 of your favorite donuts, either homemade or store bought. Join us even if you don't have donuts, as there will be plenty to go around. We'll vote on the most interesting and most delicious donuts, and winners will take home the highly coveted paper crowns and bragging rights. To RSVP, please email emily.aster.jones@gmail.com.

On the Friday night of Chanukah, December 8, some of us will light together in the Beyt Knesset at 7:30 at the beginning of our festive and song-filled Sulam Shabbat Service and others will join by Zoom and livestream. On the fourth night, Sunday, December 10, some of us will gather on the patio at Etz at 6:00 for a group lighting. Others will join by Zoom.

On the Friday night of Chanukah, December 8, some of us will light together in the Beyt Knesset at 7:30 at the beginning of our festive and song-filled Sulam Shabbat Service and others will join by Zoom and livestream. On the fourth night, Sunday, December 10, some of us will gather on the patio at Etz at 6:00 for a group lighting. Others will join by Zoom.

Sempervivens Fund.

On the Friday night of Chanukah, December 8, some of us will light together in the Beyt Knesset at 7:30 at the beginning of our festive and song-filled Sulam Shabbat Service and others will join by Zoom and livestream. On the fourth night, Sunday, December 10, some of us will gather on the patio at Etz at 6:00 for a group lighting. Others will join by Zoom.

On the Friday night of Chanukah, December 8, some of us will light together in the Beyt Knesset at 7:30 at the beginning of our festive and song-filled Sulam Shabbat Service and others will join by Zoom and livestream. On the fourth night, Sunday, December 10, some of us will gather on the patio at Etz at 6:00 for a group lighting. Others will join by Zoom.

Hagbah, the ritual lifting and displaying of the Sefer Torah, is something we often do during the Torah service. It’s not as difficult as it might appear. Alan Marcum has taught many people to do hagbah; he and Patrick Dirks will be leading a hagbah workshop for the Etz Chayim and the Keddem communities on Saturday, December 16, at Etz Chayim. The workshop, which will include a little learning about hagbah, focuses on the doing of hagbah: it’s a hands-on workshop emphasizing the mechanics and physics involved, and the techniques that make for a safe and sustainable lift without expending needless muscle power. We’ll be using a Torah-safe Hagbah Training Device, so no need to worry about dropping or damaging a Sefer Torah! The workshop will begin after the Etz Chayim Shabbat morning services and Oneg conclude. If you want to learn to do hagbah, or if you want to improve your hagbah technique, or if you just want to learn more about what we do when we lift and display the Sefer Torah, you’re welcome to join us.