Congregation Etz Chayim

Run for Their Lives is a global movement founded by Israelis in the Bay Area. Their mission is to raise awareness for the hostages held in Gaza. Each week, groups worldwide come together for family-friendly walks or runs lasting 18 (ח"י) minutes. Participants wear red shirts and carry flags representing the 28 nationalities of the hostages. So far there are 70+ groups across the globe, with new ones joining daily. Our Palo Alto group walks every Sunday at 12:30pm. People can join the silent WhatsApp group for location updates and to participate: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BeEgTk1MGlcDTJb6f5DqLX.

In December, Dr. Yeela Raanan, CEO of the Regional Council for the Unrecognized Villages of the Negev, and Obna Sana, a Bedouin architect and urban planner, will visit Etz Chayim to share their experiences. They will discuss the resilience and solidarity of the Bedouin communities in the Negev during the October 7 crisis and their ongoing efforts for community support and development.

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

Prepare to be surprised by the Talmud! This ancient text, written by our Rabbis nearly 2,000 years ago, is filled with stories that still resonate with us today. You'll find inspiring, thought and heart provoking tales of love, jealousy, pride, competition, shaming, kindness, courage, relationships, and more.We will go on an interactive journey through some Talmud: we will explore some stories together and discuss their implications for our lives today.

Poems for Our Days December 19 8:00 pm online only The calamity of October 7 and the war that followed had left Israel and the Jewish world in shock and despair. The expression most commonly used is אין מילים ein milim – No Words! Yet – there are those who struggle and find words. In our session, we will read and discuss poetry written these very days. The poems are often raw and painful, while at the same time full of love and even hope.