Congregation Etz Chaim

09/24/2026

Wow: 2,678 pounds of food donated to PRC - all thanks to Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard! 🎉 You keep showing up for neighbors, it means the world to PRC and to everyone we reach! Thank you!

08/21/2026

Registration for the High Holidays is open! As the holidays approach, we warmly welcome you to join us in worship, whether you have been with us before or are new to our community.

Learn more and register for all services at mycec.org/hh

08/19/2026

Last month, eight CEC volunteers joined together with other faith communities from across DuPage County to volunteer with People's Resource Center's Back-to-School program! 🍎🎓🎒

CEC joined St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Congregation Beth Shalom, St. Paul's, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, Baha’I Community of Glen Ellyn, Islamic Foundation, St. Mark's in Glen Ellyn, BAPS (Hindu), and Beit al Jummay Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

08/05/2026

07/29/2026

Mark your calendars, Shabbatapalooza is coming soon! There is a reason our annual -palooza is an unforgettable way to kick-off the year. Bring your family, invite your friends, and welcome potential new members while we celebrate the magic of Shabbat together! ☀️✨🫧

A small sampling of what to expect ...
➡️ Texas Roadhouse
➡️ Simon's Restaurant
➡️ Kona Ice
➡️ W**e & scotch tasting
➡️ Bounce houses
➡️ Giant bubbles
➡️ Mario Kart Races
➡️ Face painting
➡️ Cotton candy
➡️ . . . and so much more!

Learn more at mycec.org

06/11/2026

We had an amazing Pride celebration at the First Church of Lombard Pride Fest! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Thank you to our volunteers for helping at CEC's booth! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

06/09/2026

The 2025-26 school year has ended, but we are still reeling. We are grateful to our educators and volunteers who make our community so special! ✨💫

📸1: Our amazing 2025-26 Religious School Faculty
📸2: Kathie & Howard Bender. Kathie is retiring after an incredible 24 years of dedication to our students. We will miss you!
📸3: Kathie Bender & Mimi Simon receiving the L’dor V’dor (Generation to Generation) Award.
📸4: Joel Spenadel with Marla Aviva Bentley, RJE, and Andrea Schuster. Joel is retiring after 13 years of wonderful service at our school.
📸5: Celebrating milestone moments! Uli Widmaier has taught for 18 years, and Cynthia Ellis has taught for 10 years.
📸6: Rabbi Cosnowsky leading the school with a sing-along of her song, “Stuck in Sunday School.”
📸7: Rabbi Wainer leading our school through blessings to close the year.
📸8: Madrichim Class, 11th & 12th Grade teacher assistants.
📸9: Machonikim Class, 8th & 9th Grade classroom assistants.
📸10-11: Celebrating our summer birthdays with their annual birthday pencils!

04/14/2026

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Did you know that if just 1% more Americans donated blood, shortages would be alleviated?

Give hope this Sunday, April 19, and donate blood at CEC! Every donation saves up to three lives. Schedule a time at www.versiti.org/IL.

03/11/2026

Once upon a time ... we were enchanted with a magical Purim filled with laughter, costumes, joy, and a dazzling Purim Spiel led by our talented students. 🎶💫

Thank you, Shelby Domabyl-Deiters , for capturing every moment.

02/11/2026

Purim is a holiday about joy, generosity, and remembering that we are stronger when we stay together. In the Book of Esther (9:22), we are taught that Purim should be celebrated by sending portions of food to one another. This practice is called Mishlach manot, which literally means “sending portions.” It is meant to spread happiness, strengthen friendships, and make sure no one feels alone or forgotten.

In that spirit, Congregation Etz Chaim is delighted to offer a Purim gift bag to every household in our community.

At its heart, this project is about community.
A Purim gift for every household.
A moment of connection.
A reminder that even during difficult seasons, we are thinking of one another.

Register by Sunday, February 22, at mycec.org/purim