G-d judges us on Rosh Hashanah. But the prayerbook says that we can still do three things before Yom Kippur to change the judgment: teshuvah, tefillah, and tzedekah. Why these three? They aren’t even written in the…
As I thought about what to say to introduce the shofar service, I thought of the lines of the Unetanah Tokef from the Rosh Hashanah service – “The great shofar is sounded, a still small voice is…
In today’s haftorah, Hannah prays for a baby. Similarly, today’s Torah portion tells of Sarah praying for a baby. Our tradition tells us we read these stories today to reinforce the power of prayer. God heard the…
The Torah reading for Rosh Hashanah tells the story of Hagar and Sarah and the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael. Here’s the back story—First the bad and uncomfortable news— Back in chapter 16, Lekh L’kha, Sarai shows…
Shalom Friends, We are starting the Hebrew month of Elul. The letters of the name of this month are an anagram for Ani LeDodi VeDodi Li, which means “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”…
My name is Caleb Malovany, and I’m in 4th grade. I go to religious school here at Etz Hayim, and over the years, I’ve learned a lot – including how to ask more questions! When I saw…
This summer I had the incredible experience of attending a 3-week summer session at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. I’ve been to Israel as both a tourist and a student including a 10-day session at Hebrew Union…
On June 2nd, hundreds of Northern VA folks came by the CEH booth at this year’s Israel Fest, held at the Northern VA JCC. This year’s Israel Fest focused on Israeli InNOVAtions – highlighting technology, arts, food,…
On May 5, CEH Fourth and Fifth Graders traveled to Congregation Tifereth Israel for the third in a series of joint Israel programs. The first program focused on Am Yisrael (the People of Israel). The second program…
Every year our congregation looks forward to a joyous tradition – our annual Purim Celebration. According to the Megillah (scroll of Esther), we observe Purim as a time of “feasting and gladness.” For example, we dress in…