Monthly Archives: December 2011

Etz Chaim Needs Your Support

Congregation Etz Chaim has always been a unique institution celebrating Jewish religious diversity.  While widespread acceptance has improved over the 38 years of our existence, many challenges remain.  Sometimes, sadly, we are reminded that some of our harshest critics are Jews themselves, as seen in the recent tensions in Israel centering around ultra-Orthodox attempts to impose a singlular restricted extremist view of Judaism.  Events like this highlight the importance of continuing the mission of Etz Chaim. We can only do this with the support of members and friends, at home and in cyberspace.  Just as others planted the Etz Chaim “tree” years before you looked for or needed it, so are you being asked to maintain our “tree of life” for those who will come after you. Please see below for how to make your donation. Thank you!


Posted in Announcements, Community Action | Comments Off

You Think One Person Can’t Make a Difference…WELL…

Rita Fischer this year passed the $750,000 mark in funds raised for the annual Aids Walk in New York.  This staggering number was achieved solely by personally soliciting individuals, often schlepping door-to-door, to support this cause to which she has tirelessly dedicated herself over many years.  Rita’s goal is to break the $1 million mark.  Keep up the good work, Rita – you are an inspiration to us all!

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Jerry Berkowitz Featured in Sun Sentinel Article

Our own hazzan/cantor, Jerry Berkowitz, was recently interviewed in the Sunday Sun Sentinel.  Read the article here

Posted in Announcements | Comments Off

18th Annual Winter Dance for Guys and Gals! – Sunday, January 22, 2012, 5-9 PM

Put on your dancing shoes, dress up your dogs (meat or veggie), and have some fun!

Purchase your advanced tickets by clicking below:

Posted in Parties / Dances | Comments Off

Happy Chanukah!

Chanukah commemorates the ancient reclamation of the Temple in Jerusalem with clean oil by eating latkes and jelly donuts, spinning the dreidel, and the nightly ritual of lighting the candles on the hannukiah, the special eight-branched menorah.  “Hanukkah” means rededication, and on these eight successive nights we rededicate ourselves to the qualities and actions that inspired the original heroes: courage, faith, discipline, and hope – all combined with the insistance that it is far better to light even one small candle than it is to curse the darkness. My hope is that Etz Chaim serves as one such candle in your life, kindling the lights of love, peace, community, and friendship.

                  Sincerely,
                        Rabbi Noah Kitty, Executive Director
Posted in Holiday Observance | Comments Off

They’re Hitched! – Join Us to Celebrate – 12/16

The oneg shabbat following our December 16 Friday evening service is in honor of the recent wedding of Elaine Conrad and Robin Gross.  Come to the service, which starts at 8:00 PM, then help wish the happy couple well and celebrate their marriage.  John Kaboff is sponsoring the oneg.

Elaine Conrad and Robin Gross at Their Wedding

Posted in Announcements | Comments Off

Friday Evening Shabbat Service – 12/9 8:00 PM

Our Friday evening services welcoming in Shabbat are a great way to unwind at the end of the week and reconnect with your spiritual self.  The post-service oneg shabbat is a time for noshing and schmoozing in a relaxed social environment:  catch up with old friends, or meet some new ones.

The Torah portion associated with this Shabbat is packed with famous stories.  We have Jacob wrestling with the mysterious apparition; the reconciliation of Jacob and his brother Esau; the rape of Dinah and her brothers’ revenge on the attackers; and the birth of Benjamin which resulted in the death of his mother, Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife.

Posted in Shabbat Services | Comments Off