Etz Chaim Synagogue

Etz Chaim Synagogue Etz Chaim synagogue is located at the intersection of Congress and India Streets in Portland. It has an Orthodox service on Saturday mornings at 9:30 A.M.

and a Reform service on the second Friday night of the month at 7 P.M with a speaker of interest. Services also take place Mondays at 5 P.M.

Meet Peter - one of the newest additions to our minyan!Pictured here in our lovely garden, Peter has been joining us for...
05/28/2026

Meet Peter - one of the newest additions to our minyan!

Pictured here in our lovely garden, Peter has been joining us for Saturday morning services for over three years. Like many of our minyannaires, he appreciates a peaceful moment of reflection and the company of others. He's still a bit shy, so he may hop off if you get too close. That doesn't stop us from giving him a warm welcome each week!

We invite you to join us tomorrow, May 23 at 11:00am for a meaningful Yizkor service. We'll come together to honor and r...
05/22/2026

We invite you to join us tomorrow, May 23 at 11:00am for a meaningful Yizkor service. We'll come together to honor and remember our departed loved ones. All are welcome to join - we hope to see you in-person!

How do you change the light bulbs in 100-year-old chandeliers hanging 30 feet high? Very carefully!This week, we replace...
05/21/2026

How do you change the light bulbs in 100-year-old chandeliers hanging 30 feet high? Very carefully!

This week, we replaced all of the lightbulbs in our three sanctuary chandeliers. This was no small task given the height! The solution? We climbed into a small access space above the chandeliers, attached to them to a pulley system, and slowly lowered them to the floor. Once the bulbs were replaced, we carefully hoisted them back into place, leaving the pulley system intact for next time!

Chag Shavuot Sameach! Shavuot, observed this year on May 21 beginning at sundown, commemorates one of the most transform...
05/21/2026

Chag Shavuot Sameach!

Shavuot, observed this year on May 21 beginning at sundown, commemorates one of the most transformative moments in Jewish history - the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt. It is the fulfillment of the journey that began at Passover, which is why we count each of the 49 days in between during the Omer.

One of the oldest of the Jewish holidays, Shavuot also has its roots as an ancient harvest festival, a time when our ancestors brought the first fruits of the season, the Bikkurim, to the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering of gratitude.

Today, we honor both of these traditions by gathering together and studying Torah through the night, and enjoying some delicious dairy foods!

Join Cantor Nesis tomorrow from 12:15pm - 1:15pm for our last lunch and learn of the spring! In honor of Shavuot, the th...
05/19/2026

Join Cantor Nesis tomorrow from 12:15pm - 1:15pm for our last lunch and learn of the spring! In honor of Shavuot, the theme will be God's love and revelation through the Torah. The prayers we will study and sing are Ahavat Olam and Sh'ma.

Take a break during your busy week, and come lunch, learn, and sing with us! Pizza and salad will be provided to those attending in person, or you are welcome to bring your own lunch. If you can't make it in person, please join us virtually via Zoom.

There is only one Harlan Baker! A long-standing member of Etz Chaim, Harlan attends services regularly and is perhaps be...
05/14/2026

There is only one Harlan Baker!

A long-standing member of Etz Chaim, Harlan attends services regularly and is perhaps best known for the distinctive way he chants the blessings when called to the Torah. This is a fitting trademark for a man with such a deep connection to both language and performance!

Harlan is a passionate advocate for civil rights and organized labor and served in the Maine Legislature on the Joint Standing Committee on Labor. Additionally, he remains a proud member of Local 4593 of the American Federation of Teachers.

His love of the stage has taken him to numerous professional theater companies throughout New England, most recently as a cast member in the Mad Horse Theatre Company of Portland's production of “The Late Henry Moss”. That same gift for performance carried into the classroom, where he served as an adjunct lecturer in the theater department at the University of Southern Maine for more than 25 years.

What a special Shabbat! Chavurat Habayit joined Etz Chaim for a truly memorable morning. We celebrated not one, but two ...
05/07/2026

What a special Shabbat! Chavurat Habayit joined Etz Chaim for a truly memorable morning. We celebrated not one, but two baby namings!

Mazel Tov to Zoe and David Klein on the naming of their two beautiful daughters, Harriet Telfeyan and Maytal Daphne Klein.

Rabbi Bachman, Cantor Nesis, and Rabbi Berenson attended to celebrate with the proud parents, and our whole community came together to share in the joy. The ceremony was followed by a wonderful kiddush filled with great food and warm conversation.

May we share many more simchas together!

Exciting news! Rabbi Berenson and Cantor Nesis will be leading a tour to Israel this November!Israel is open for busines...
05/06/2026

Exciting news! Rabbi Berenson and Cantor Nesis will be leading a tour to Israel this November!

Israel is open for business and hotel reservations are filling up fast. We have a wonderful itinerary planned - check it out to see what an incredible experience awaits you. A block of non-stop flights from Boston to Ben Gurion Airport on El Al Airlines has been reserved at prices comparable to our last two trips.

Interested? We'll be sending out more details to those interested in learning more. Contact us at [email protected] with any questions.

Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime trip!

David Hirshon recently hosted Steve Brinn, Ed Levine, and Rabbi Gary Berenson at his Residence Club in Cancun for a "Me...
04/30/2026

David Hirshon recently hosted Steve Brinn, Ed Levine, and Rabbi Gary Berenson at his Residence Club in Cancun for a "Men Only" week of rest and relaxation.

The four friends go way back. Steve, Ed, and Rabbi Berenson were college roommates at Northeastern University, while David was just down the road at Brandeis. Their friendship, however, stretches back even further, all the way to kindergarten and grammar school. These days, David and Steve also serve together on the synagogue's Board of Directors.

True to form, the guys spent most of the week huddled together brainstorming ways to make Etz Chaim even better. Rumor has it there may have been a beach and pool within arm’s reach. Their wives are gracious enough to indulge this annual getaway, although they might just enjoy having their homes all to themselves!

Join Rabbi Gary Berenson and Cantor Sheila Nesis on Friday, May 1 at 6:00pm for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat and special f...
04/29/2026

Join Rabbi Gary Berenson and Cantor Sheila Nesis on Friday, May 1 at 6:00pm for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat and special farewell for community members Mariana Caplan and Zion Caplan-Gafni.

Join as we sing special blessings for Mariana and Zion as they relocate back to the west coast this coming July. During the service, Zion (age 15) will share a special presentation on their joint project, "Soccer For World Peace". This project and organization combines Zion's love for soccer, travel and the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and aims to create meaningful connections and support underserved communities around the world through a shared love of soccer. Don't miss this presentation by this impressive teen leader!

Festive oneg to follow service. We hope to see you in person!

Address

267 Congress Street
Portland, ME
04101

Telephone

+12077732339

Website

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