This is a wonderful synagogue with a very compassionate rabbi. I love the music. The sermons are fantastic. Will definitely go there for services again. read more

I go there to learn Argentine Tango on Tuesday nights from Leslie and Rich. The dancers are usually nice, I try to help newcomers.

I have been a member of Etz for a decade and it is a wonderful, warm and engaging synagogue. Our rabbi rocks and our executive director is awesome. Come check out why we are the Cool Shul! read more

Warm inclusive synagogue with great rabbi! My favorite are their fifth Fridays when they focus on singing ie Beatles Shabbat, Grateful Dead Shabbat, etc. Very fun! read more

Etz is a warm and wonderful place. I love the melodies both old and new and the strong social action consciousness. There is a place for everyone here. read more

Etz is a wonderful, small, non-denominational congregation. I have been member for over 15 years. Our new rabbi, Chaim Koritzinsky, now adds his wonderful spirituality, compassion, and knowledge. Because it is smaller, you can easily find people to connect with, helped by our wonderful Executive Director, Ellen Bob. There are lots of opportunities to engage for all different types of observance and community - men's and women's groups and retreats, alternative services for those who like to sing and have fun (fifth Fridays) or those who want to slow down and be contemplative (fourth Saturdays), mitzvah singers, a meditation group, wonderful children's program, and opportunities to join our special interest groups (hiking, handworkers, dancers, singers, feeding the homeless, and Torah study for native Hebrew speakers, just to name a few). read more

Congregation Etz Chayim - Synagogues Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Every congregation says it is "warm and welcoming," but at Congregation Etz Chayim, it's really the case. It is big enough to have lots of activities and yet small enough for people to get to know each other. Our new rabbi, Chaim Koritzinky and his lovely family have brought even more energy to this already energetic group. There is a place for everyone at Etz...family activities, text study, services, religious school for children, alternative services, teen activities, a women's Rosh Chodesh group, an annual men's retreat, mah jongg group, a book club...and if there's something new you'd like to see, you can help create it. What I love the most is the spirit of volunteerism. If you offer to help with something, you can rest assured that there will be a group working with you. If you'd rather just show up, you are also welcomed. read more

Etz has been very welcoming to us, an interfaith family with 3 young kids. It was welcoming even when I first started attending high holy days as a single young adult - a friend from work had recommended Etz. At first it took me by surprise because there's more singing (less chanting) and more English than the conservative synagogue I grew up with. There's also, I think, more fun, warmth, and acceptance. I was drawn in by the intelligent, grounded, quirky teens I met, who turned out to be delightfully representative of the larger community. A tone of warmth, fun, engagement, community service, and learning is set and reflected by the fabulous head of school, Abra, and the wonderful new rabbi, Chaim. read more

We have very much enjoyed being a part of the Etz Chayim family. If you're looking for a warm, friendly congregation, this is it. There's a great, active women's group and the Executive Director, Ellen Bob, is wonderful. We've met many wonderful families through our participation in the community. Come check it out! read more

Warm, welcoming, spiritual. Lot's of joy and singing. The 5th Friday services are a unique experience!

In past years, I attended High Holy services at Stanford Hillel where Rabbi Ari Cartun officiated; he was always so inspiring, and his sermons were not only brilliantly crafted but inspired me to be a better person throughout the year. Then in 2003 as a newly divorced single woman, I had the freedom to join Etz Chayim, and that decision was one of the best decisions I ever made. I love singing with Ari on our fifth Friday night shabbats when we adapt our prayers to the music of The Beatles or Bob Dylan (just to name a few musical celebrities) and I love Ari's guitar playing. Most importantly, I always felt so very welcome at Etz and have had so many fun experiences. Rabbi Cartun has been there for me through some of the most difficult moments in my life. I am blessed to be a member.. read more

We've "grown up" with Etz Chayim, from before we had a building, through many years of religious school and three bar/bat mitzvahs, through a new rabbi, and countless holidays. Etz is a special place. Blending elements of more traditional and more liberal practices, my wife and I (who grew up Reform and Conservative respectively) both feel comfortable with the services. More importantly, we love the spirit of community, the participation, and the people at Etz. Sometimes we're a little crazy, sometimes we ask a lot of each other, but Etz is a place where you feel a part of something, not like an occasional peripheral participant in something that would happen with or without you. read more

I went to a FABULOLUS Bat Mitzvah there last Saturday. The girl really knew her stuff and the singing was great. Place was packed, too.

Our new rabbi, Chaim Koritzinsky, is wonderful!! We've had very smooth transition from our retired rabbi emeritus, Ari Cartun, who has been with us for 19 years. Our congregation has become even stronger and closer through the process. I've been a member of Etz almost since its beginning and I LOVE it! Etz is my 2nd home. We're a real community: together we have fun, we learn, we question, we celebrate, we mourn, we support each other during illnesses and new parenting, we explore. As an unaffiliated congregation, we can make conscious choices about our liturgy and practices. We've written our own siddur (prayerbook) which includes Hebrew, transliteration and English, as well as alternative readings and commentary, to make it accessible to as many people as possible. Our services are full of singing with people breaking into their own harmonies. We have excellent youth education programs and interesting adult education and social activities. Those who attend a service led by a bar/t mitzvah student come away extremely impressed, particularly by the discussion that the student leads about an aspect of the Torah reading. Come check us out! We'd love to welcome you. read more

When I joined Etz Chayim some years ago, I was tentatively reconnecting with my childhood Judaism. Etz has shown me what it means to be a Jewish adult, part of a warm supportive community. I can't imagine life without it. This is home. read more

Congregation Etz Chayim - Hanukkah 2015 - plenty of candles. - Synagogues Near Me - Palo Alto, California

If you are intereseted in joining a Liberal, Egalitarian Community, call the phone number above. We are warm and welcoming to people of all ages, both with children and without. A wonderful Open House for our school (K-8th grade) will be held on Sunday May 6. Call the number above; press Option 4 and we'll get back to you promptly.. read more

Literally changed our lives from a Jewish family in theory to a Jewish family in practice. The kids enjoyed the school, the Bar Mitzvah preparation was meaningful, and my kids stayed involved with the synagogue long after they became Bar Mitzvah through various opportunities that were provided. Finally, the synagogue has grown with my needs as my children get older and prepare to leave home and I look for new relevant activities, such as adult education and women's community. Can't imagine a better place.. read more

Lots of activities for young and old. I particularly like that everyone sings along with a book that is easy for all to read (english, hebrew and transliteration side-by-side-by-side). I also like the variety of people and simple, yet intelligent explanations of why things are done the way they are. read more

Etz Chayim has been a place where our family can be lifelong learners about Jewish customs, spirituality, and thought. It is a place where you always learn something new. It is a diverse congregation that allows you to build lasting friendships and community. read more

It took us forever to find Etz because it's unaffiliated so not listed in many of the typical resources. That's ok because it's really not a typical synagogue. I grew up in a lay-lead congregation, so it's important to me to see so many of the congregants participating. There really is a place for everyone and the education program really helps create a community atmosphere. read more

I really enjoy the 5th Friday services, which happen whenever there are five Fridays in a month; all the service "parts" are addressed through song, e.g., Beatles, 60's, Motown, musicals, etc. I like the warmth and welcoming way of our new rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky. Etz Chayim is a friendly place where it's easy to get involved (or not if you don't want to). Torah study on Saturday mornings is an engaging discussion. Holiday celebrations are a lot of fun. read more

Just returned from Israel having spent the last two weeks on tour with about 40 members of Etz Chayim, led by Rabbi Cartun and an exceptional tour director. The experience was phenomenal. This congregation is quite special - open to all, allowing one to practice Judaism as each individual feels comfortable and making all who walk through its doors feel acceptance. If you are looking for a small, initmate, innovative congreagation, Etz Chayim is something you should definitely check out. read more

Etz Chayim is a great community of people who care deeply about their faith, culture, and heritage. Yet, it is also a community of liberal and tolerant observance of the Jewish faith. The informal setting allows congregants to enjoy and embrace the services. The service is concise, yet meaningful. And, members are always engaged and thoughtful. Truly a unique experience and community! read more