Celebrate the Uniqueness
of Congregation Etz Chaim!
The LGBTQ+ community is vibrant, diverse, and beautiful—and so are we. As the only LGBTQ+ founded synagogue in Florida, we’re uniquely positioned to serve and celebrate the full spectrum of our community. We honor all genders, identities, and relationships, embracing our members along with their partners, families, friends, and allies. Our doors remain open to everyone—gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and hetero individuals, couples, and families alike.
Full Egalitarian
Our Siddur and High Holiday Machzor are based in Reform tradition, but our customs reflect a range that spans from Conservative to Reform, much like our community. We make thoughtful choices around language and ritual to meet the diverse spiritual needs of our members and remain open to thoughtful suggestions for inclusion or adaptation. We invite you to experience our community and see how our approach might resonate with you.
Let us Welcome You!
Keshet - Rainbow
Congregation Etz Chaim works closely with Keshet, the global LGBTQ Jewish education and advocacy organization, to ensure that our rituals, language, facilities and spaces are open to people of all gender identities, sexes and orientations. We want EVERYONE to feel that they have a Spiritual Home at Etz Chaim, that they will be judged by their heart and soul, not by their appearance, identity or view of the world. We are a room full of Jews that span the spectrum of LGBTQIA+, allies, familes, partners, supporters and friends.
Let us WELCOME you!
Israel
While we do not take a political stance on any issue, Congregation Etz Chaim stands in full support of the State of Israel as the only country in the Middle East that recognizes the rights of the LBGTQ+ community in regards to marriage equality, civil rights, and the ability to live our authentic selves out in the open. We believe in Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people and in Israel's unequivocal right to exist.
