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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.  For more information contact Steve Branz.
The EtzBookWorms meets on the second Sunday of the month at 4:30pm unless it conflicts with a holiday. The Etz Bookworms read and share books with Jewish themes, including recent titles and literary classics.
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 are a monthly member-led service for those wishing an alternative to the faster-paced regular Etz Chayim service. It follows the basic structure of the Shabbat service, focusing on fewer prayers, that are chanted and set with intentions. There is a google group email list for reminders and announcements. Ask the office to give you the sign up details. 
Drumming and Song Circle

This is a group that joins together to chant Jewish prayers and songs to the heartbeat of live percussion. We will teach some basic drumming patterns for those that want to drum along or play other types or percussion. Please contact the office for more information.  

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 and serve our community.  We try to meet monthly for a bagel brunch where we can share major events in our lives. 
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. 
 
Neshama Women’s Retreat offers a Spirituality Retreat each summer.
LinkdinNetworking: 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. *Not current but might start back up again. 
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 Thursday evenings on Zoom to sing Yiddish songs, with an occasional Ladino ballad thrown in for fun. Free sing-alongs.
 
 

 

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784