(954) 567-8599 Voice Mail-Box Link to our 33rd anniversary business partners Weekly Bulletin  Ritual & Education What's Happening Worship Upcoming Events TTO Social Outreach Newsletter About Us Presidents Message Rabbi Harold Caminker Then & Now Weekly Bulletin Cantorial Soloist Join Us Contact Us Directions Groups Sisterhood Men's Club Giving Opportunities Guest Column Chai Society Capital Campaign Affiliates  GaySouthFlorida HOME               YESTERDAY Background Information About Congregation Etz Chaim  Etz Chaim, The Tree of Life, is the name of our congregation and the one unique shelter for Jews of all sexual identities in South Florida . Congregation Etz Chaim has been for 33 years the only place that Gay Jews have been able to worship as Jews without stares, nods, winks, condescension or “tolerance”.    Congregation Etz Chaim has grown to a membership in excess of 200 Jews, with a Torah of its own, a Rabbi, a Cantorial Soloist and an Office Manager.   As we approach our 34th anniversary, we hope to some day have a home of our own. The dream of the original seven has grown into a force of meaning in the South Florida community.   Etz Chaim has become the Tree of Shelter for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender and all other Jews who need openness and spirituality in a warm and accepting atmosphere.  WE ARE UNIQUE!   Background and History The Congregation was formed in 1974 by seven Gay Jews who had been attending services at the MCC Church in Miami .  At the time the MCC was the only place in South Florida where a Gay person could worship in openness.  Among the seven founders was Howie Sorkin who has continued to be a pillar of the Congregation. The original seven reached out to others and there was a minyan formed for the services that were at first held at members homes.  There was no Rabbi, Cantor, Office nor even a Torah.  There was warmth, love and the desire to pray as Jews regardless of sexual orientation.  Soon the homes proved too small for the growing Congregation and there was movement to larger spaces.  Services were held at a Lutheran Church , at a YMCA, an Art Studio, a Storefront, a chapel in a Funeral Home and at the Unitarian Sanctuary in Oakland Park / Fort Lauderdale. presently being held at our own home, 1881 NE 26 Street, Wilton Manors, FL  33305, 954-564-9232.   TODAY         Cantorial Soloist Ritual & Education:   Email Ritual/Education Chair   Scott Dolinsky During the month of March we will celebrate the joyous festival of Purim. Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jews of the Persian Empire during the reign of Xerxes I, known to us as Ahasuerus. His chief minister Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews of the empire and chose the date by casting lots. These lots are the reason for the name of the festival since in Hebrew the word for “lots” is “Purim”. The plot was foiled by Ahasuerus’ Jewish wife Esther, and on the appointed day the Jews of the empire defended themselves and routed the forces of Haman. The complete story is contained in the Biblical book of Esther, which is read on the festival amid much joy and celebration. Many other festive customs have grown up around the festival such as masquerades and Purim plays, and in modern Israel, Purim is a carnival period with parades and other celebrations. We will celebrate Purim at Etz Chaim with a festive service on Friday March 21st. Although this is the third Friday of the month we will hold the service at our regular time of 8:30 PM instead of at 7:00 PM. Also in March, the Reform Jewish Community of Broward County will have it’s annual BART service on the 14th . This is a community service conducted by the Reform Rabbis and Cantors  from all of the Reform congregations in the county, and Rabbi Caminker and  Michael Greenspan, our Cantorial Soloist, will be participating in that service. This year the service will be held at Congregation Kol Tikvah, at 6750 University Drive, Parkland, at 8:00 PM. We hope many of our members will attend the BART service, which is always a beautiful event. We will hold our regular 8:30 PM service at Etz Chaim for those who cannot attend the BART service, and it will be led by Dr. Murray Lichtenstein. He will also continue his monthly Torah discussion on   Monday the 24th at 7:30 PM at the synagogue. Just a reminder, Passover will be here very shortly and this year Congregation Etz Chaim will hold it’s annual, second night congregational seder at the Westin Hotel on Cypress Creek Road near I-95. The date is Sunday evening the 20th of April, there will be a social hour beginning at 6:00 PM, and the service will begin promptly at 7:00 PM. The price this year will be the same as last year. A reservation form is included in this newsletter.         Religious Services Weekly Shabbat Services take place Fridays at 8:30 p.m.   These are lively services full of Music and a wonderful feeling of mishpachah, friendship and family.  Prayers are in English and Hebrew, and our prayer book offers both, as well as transliterations. Services are followed by a motzi and sharing of wine (or grape juice) and challah, and an oneg, an hour or so of socializing over beverages and light fare.   We'd be happy to welcome you. Directions         Our Mission To provide a nurturing environment for gay and lesbian Jews, inclusive of bisexual, transgender and heterosexual in South Florida; ‘Jews of the Rainbow’. We are dedicated to the spiritual, social, educational and emotional support that empowers and enhances the quality of members’ lives and the community as a whole.         WEEKLY BULLETIN ** The Weekly Bulletin can now be read on our website – www.etzchaimfl.org   CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM - Weekly Friday Bulletin – May 2, 2008         Except for the once a month special weekend Shabbat services (listed below), services are held every Friday evening at 8:30pm – 1881 NE 26th Street in Wilton Manors Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Shabbat   Bar Mitzvah   Service Leader: Rabbi Harold F. Caminker, D.D.             Drash Topic:  “I Don’t Have to Keep the Commandments Anymore”   Cantorial Soloist:  Michael Greenspan   Tonight’s Oneg is sponsored by:               Larry Friedlander, On the occasion of his second Bar Mitzvah       Yahrzeit with Plaques – 5/03/08 - 5/09/08   Stephen Berkowitz           Joseph Greenspan       Randi G. Liss           Annaliese Weber Jacob Flax                      Charlotte Lester           Julie S. Pryor Simon Fuhr                     Beatrice Levey             Bessie Shapiro     Yahrzeit Plaques are available for purchase.  Congregation Etz Chaim lists the names from our plaques in this bulletin the Shabbat preceding the Yahrzeit.   Upcoming Events:   a.  Board Meeting – Tuesday, May 13th  @ 7:30pm - at the synagogue b.  Fundraising Committee Meeting - t/b/a c.  Membership Committee Meeting – Tuesday, May 27th @ 7:30pm - at the synagogue d.  Men’s Club – Friday, May 2nd - Our dinner this month will be at Bagelstiens Restaurant on Federal Highway at 62nd Street.  Dinner will be ordered promptly      at 6:30PM.  The cost is $20 per person.  Please email Steve Swabish with your reservations.  s_schwabish@yahoo.com by Thursday the 1st of May.       Sunday, June 1st @ 10:30am - Book Discussion and Brunch - (see ad) e.  Torah Discussion – Monday, May 19th @ 7:30pm - at the synagogue f.  TTO/Bikkur Cholim Committee Mtg – Tuesday, May 13th @ 6:30pm - at the synagogue g.  Ritual/Education Meeting – Tuesday, May 6th @ 6:30pm - at the synagogue  Tzedakah:  The Tzedakah  collections for the month of  May 2008 will benefit:  Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program by Jewish Family Service, Inc. of Broward County.  Jewish Family Service provides in-home and respite care, counseling and financial assistance for hundreds of Holocaust survivors in Broward County through a grant from the Conference on Material Claims Against Germany, and the United Jewish Community of Broward County.  JFS case managers assist clients with all aspects of senior care, including in-home services, crisis intervention, medical, legal, and social issues.   Sponsor and Oneg - You too, can sponsor an ONEG – either individually at $100 or you may want to share an Oneg with a friend or another member at $50 each.  If you choose to do the shopping yourself a list of suggested items will be provided.  There is a red folder in the Guest Book, find an OPEN date and write your name and the reason for the Oneg, or call Sherry at 954-564-9232.   Friday, May 2nd @ 8:30pm   Join Larry Friedlander as he celebrates his Second Bar Mitvah During our Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Shabbat Service                    Sunday, May 4, 2008   11:00am to 6:00pm   University Student Center Nova Southeastern University                                                                                            -  Israeli dancers and singers                                                                                        -  Israeli-style marketplace                                                                                        -  Israeli art and artists                                                                                        -  Israeli food booths - all Kosher                                                                                        -  Congregation Etz Chaim -                                                                                              (come visit our booth)   Admission and parking are Free                                                                                         CEC Men’s Book Discussion and Brunch                                                                                                        Sunday, June 1, 2008                                                          10:30 am – at the Synagogue     We are having another pot luck brunch.  The last one was well attended and we had some great food as well.    The book will be: Fabulous Small Jews by Joseph Epstein.  This is a series of short stories about ordinary Jews with some great stories. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Be sure to get the book and come ready to discuss the short stories.        Friday, May 9th @ 8:30pm   Yom Ha’atzmaut    Israel Independence Day     Join us as we celebrate   Israel 60     Special Guest Speaker   Mr. Paul Hirschson   Israel Deputy Council General   U.S. South East Region       Food Drive   Congregation Etz Chaim will be sponsoring an “On-Going” Food Drive to benefit needy local social service agencies, due to the urgent increased need for food in Broward County.   Food donations should be non-perishable items such as;   cereal, pasta, rice, peanut butter, jelly, pasta sauce, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned tuna fish and canned meats.     Torah Discussion     Dr. Murray H. Lichtenstein   Monday, May 19, 2008 @ 7:30pm       ***COMING SOON***   Do you miss the Sisterhood? Are you looking for a place to gather and spend time with other women?   Then the new Women's Club of CEC is the group for you!   Watch for the date and time of our first gathering!   "For further information, contact Randi Adler at rsflorida@bellsouth.net "       Rabbi Harold Caminker’s    Office Hours   Tuesdays from 12 noon - 2:00pm No appointment necessary   If you wish to speak with Rabbi Harold, please call him at 954-850-8833     Etz Chaim Office Hours   Monday – Thursday 10:00am - 1:00pm then 2:00pm – 6:00pm   Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm   If you wish to speak with Sherry, please call her at 954-564-9232   Etz Chaim Gift Shop   Items may be purchased before or after Friday evening services.   You may also call the office to set up a convenient time during the week. 954-564-9232     Can’t get to services as often as you’d like?   Want to know what’s going on with the Social Committee, Men’s Club, and the Sisterhood?   Log on to our website to get the latest . . . see why we’ve had 42,050 hits!   www.etzchaimfl.org           back to home page Get Membership Info Sign up for our Newsletter Stay informed about our Congregation      Condominium & Home Owners  Association Management