Physically-Distanced, In-Person Volunteer Project and Tailgate Party – Recap

On Sunday July 12, 26 courageous CEH members joined forces in theblazing summer sun on the CEH parking lot to pack up 250 snack andbreakfast bags! These bags will go to needy families in Arlington as asupplement to hot meal distribution. Thank you to all who helped and please be on the lookout for moreexciting Social Action Committee events. If you have ideas or justwant to join a great committee, please reach out to Paula  Read More »

Physically-Distanced, In-Person Volunteer Project and Tailgate Party

When: Sunday, July 12, 10:00amRain date: Sunday, July 19, 10:00am The Social Action Committee invites you to a physically-distanced, in-person volunteer project and tailgate party. To help needy students at Claremont Immersion Elementary School, we will pack 250 snack bags that will accompany lunches being donated by a local restaurant. Meet in the CEH parking lot (please park in every other parking space with your trunk toward the middle of the parking lot). Bring masks,  Read More »

The ShulCloud Member Portal is here!

The ShulCloud Member Portal is now live. The Member Portal enables you to pay invoices, enroll in programs, manage your yahrzeits, view the member directory and more. You will receive an auto-generated email from ShulCloud tomorrow, July 1st, containing your individual, secure login and password. If you don’t see the email from ShulCloud in your Inbox, check your Junk folder. Be sure to log into the Member Portal to ensure that your information is accurate.  Read More »

Brian Stern’s Legacy by Dan Rosman

Brian Stern’s personality was larger than life and our Congregation has sorely missed him. Brian was one of the most selfless individuals I have ever met. I got to know him well about four years ago when I got laid off from a company where I had worked for over 12 years. He played tennis with me several times a week during my job search and we had many conversations that really helped me get  Read More »

Bar Mitzvah Profile: Nate Cohen

What is your full name?Nathan (Nate) Abraham Cohen Where were you born?Arlington (VA) What is the date of your Bar Mitzvah?6/20/2020 How long have you been in our Religious School? What is your favorite subject?Since kindergarten. Favorite = leading services in Sunday Morning Minyan. What Haftarah will you be chanting?Sh'lach l'cha, which is in Joshua. Has anyone else in your family become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah here?My sister, Abby Cohen. What school do you  Read More »

Farewell Celebration for Rabbi Bass

Our esteemed leader of the past 19 years - Rabbi Lia Bass - will be leaving Congregation Etz Hayim as of June 30, 2020. Though we remain physically separated at this time, we plan to send her off in style and with love. Sign a virtual cardClick here to post a message on Rabbi Bass' KudoBoard. Your comments may be as short or long as you wish, and we encourage you to include special photos.  Read More »

Congregation Etz Hayim Looks Forward to Welcoming Rabbi Natan Freller!

The Congregation Etz Hayim Board of Directors and Rabbinic Search Committee are thrilled to inform the congregation that CEH has signed a contract with Rabbi Natan Freller, a recent graduate of the Conservative Movement's west coast seminary, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. Rabbi Freller has served as a rabbinic intern at congregations in Georgia, California, and São Paulo, Brazil, and will bring to CEH experience teaching children and adults, staffing youth groups and summer  Read More »

A Summer Reading List for Parents

Earlier today, the CEH Social Action Committee sent out a list of resources to work against systemic racism in our nation. You can access the email HERE. Another way to expand our perspectives is to read books by Black Jewish authors. This LIST has a variety of books to choose from and links to independent and black-owned bookstores for your purchases.

Yasher Koach to Our Religious School Staff

Our school is successful because of the hard work and dedication of our staff. I’d like to offer them each a Yasher Koach and share some of their personal accomplishments with you. CJ Burka – Received her Master’s degree in Social Work from George Mason in May 2020.Ellie Fried – Graduated high school and will attend Tufts University.Sharon Kaps – Completed 14 years teaching at CEHRS. Will not be teaching next year to spend more time with baby  Read More »

Thank You from Rabbi Bass to the CEH Religious School Family

Dear Laura and the Etz Hayim Religious School Family, I just opened my mail, and there was a beautiful kippah with a tree in wire and beautiful stones, a gift to me from you. I will treasure this gift and use it with pride. It will be a good reminder of all the wonderful times I had teaching in and working with the school.In the meantime, I hope you stay safe and healthy! B’vrachot shalom  Read More »

A Bissel Torah – 05/19/2020

A few weeks ago I mentioned to you that I was going to do a Tikun Leil Shavuot on May 28, from 6-8pm. My plan was to share texts from Abraham Joshua Heschel relating to Revelation and the Torah. Then I received word from the Rabbinical Assembly that there will be a movement-wide Tikun Leil Shavuot, that will go for the whole evening, on the Rabbinical Assembly’s Facebook page. I hope you will join this  Read More »

Bar Mitzvah Profile: Jonah Ascoli

What is your full name?Jonah Nathan Goldin Ascoli Where were you born?Fairfax County, VA What is the date of your Bar Mitzvah?May 23, 2020, or 29 Iyar 5780 How long have you been in our Religious School? What is your favorite subject?I’ve been in the Etz Hayim RS since 5th grade. Music is my favorite activity to just do at home. What Haftarah will you be chanting?Samuel 18:20-42. That’s the story of Jonathan’s inspiring friendship  Read More »