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{{Short description|Orthodox Jewish organization}}
{{infobox organization
| name = Etz Chaim Center, Inc.
| founded = {{Start date and age|1983|11|30}}<ref name=corp>"[http://sdatcert3.resiusa.org/ucc-charter/Pages/CharterSearch/default.aspx Etz Chaim Center, Inc.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221162134/http://sdatcert3.resiusa.org/ucc-charter/Pages/CharterSearch/default.aspx |date=2014-12-21 }}" ''Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation''. Accessed on April 29, 2016.</ref>
| tax_id = 52-1369910<ref>"[http://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-1369910 Etz Chaim Center Inc]". ''[[Guidestar]]''. Accessed April 29, 2016.</ref>
| status = [[501(c)(3)]] [[religious organization]]<ref>"[https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/pub78Search.do?ein1=52-1369910&names=&city=&state=All...&country=US&deductibility=all&dispatchMethod=searchCharities&submitName=Search Etz Chaim Center Inc]". ''Exempt Organization Select Check''. [[Internal Revenue Service]]. Accessed April 29, 2016.</ref><ref name= faq/>
| leader_name = [[Rabbi]] Shlomo Porter<ref name=staff>"[http://etzchaimusa.org/Staff Staff]". ''Etz Chaim: The Center for Jewish Learning''. Accessed on April 29, 2016.</ref>
| leader_title = [[Dean (education)|Dean]] and [[President (corporation)|President]], The Etz Chaim Center
| leader_name2 = [[Rabbi]] Zev Pomeranz<ref name= staff/>
| leader_title2 = [[Director (business)|Director]]
| location = [[Baltimore]] and [[Owings Mills]], [[Maryland]], [[United States]]
| area_served = [[Baltimore metropolitan area]], [[Washington metropolitan area]], [[Delaware Valley|Philadelphia metropolitan area]]<ref name= faq>"[http://etzchaimusa.org/FAQ FAQ]". ''Etz Chaim: The Center for Jewish Learning''. Accessed on April 29, 2016.</ref>
| website = {{URL|http://www.etzchaimusa.org}}
}}
'''Etz Chaim Center for Jewish Learning''' is an Orthodox Jewish organization designed to reach out to [[secular Judaism|secular]] and non-[[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] [[Jew]]s in the hopes of bringing them into the [[Baal teshuva movement]]. Its national headquarters are located in [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]] with other locations in [[Owings Mills, Maryland]], [[Philadelphia]], and [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name= faq/> It is under the direction of [[Rabbi]] [[Shlomo Porter]].<ref name= staff/> Rabbi Porter has led the organization since 1981.<ref>Jacobs, Phil. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222801548/ Etz Chaim Dedication]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. June 24, 2005. p. 30.</ref> Originally from [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], Rabbi Porter graduated from [[Ner Israel Rabbinical College]].<ref>Somerville, Frank P. L. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/536747295/ Rabbi seeking to counter dilution of Jewish traditions]". ''The Baltimore Sun''. November 27, 1983.</ref>

==History==
Officially incorporated on November 30, 1983,<ref name=corp/> Etz Chaim is a multi-faceted outreach center dedicated to reaching Jews of all backgrounds to experience [[Orthodox Judaism]].<ref>Schifrin, Daniel. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222799315/ For Baltimore, A New Expo-sure: At the Jewish Food & Life Expo, everything from matzoh balls to marriage]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. November 8, 1991. p. 26.</ref> Among its programs, Etz Chaim helps people find study partners for the process of [[Jewish conversion|conversion]] to Orthodox Judaism.<ref>Schifrin, Daniel. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222861829/ Judaism Begins At Home: For Doris Feinstein Pollock, conversion instructor, the home is where Jews by choice should discover Judaism.]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. March 26, 1993. p. 38.</ref> Etz Chaim says that success is when a person considers their [[Jewish identity]] more valuable, when a person chooses not to [[Jewish intermarriage|intermarry]], or when a person does one [[mitzvah]].<ref>Greenberg, Richard. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222836269 Getting The Word Out: Jewish outreach workers recommit themselves to strengthening religious observance]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. May 23, 1997. p. 48.</ref>

In 1992, a [[Lubavitch]] family advertised and held Jewish services, ceremonies, and celebrations in their house in Baltimore County.<ref name=homeashul>Lechtman, Jay. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222829213/ When Is A Home A Shul?] ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. February 14, 1992. p. 26.</ref> Neighbors complained to the local zoning commission, stating that the family were using their home as a synagogue, in direct violation of local zoning laws, parking laws, and noise restrictions.<ref name=homeashul/> Etz Chaim supported the family, stating that enforcing such laws on a place of worship was unconstitutional.<ref name=homeashul/>

In 1992, Etz Chaim supported detailed recommendations regarding Jewish celebrations that restricted [[kiddush]] to only one hot dish, cake, and drinks, while a [[b'nai mitzvah]] or wedding celebration may have up to two hot dishes.<ref name= spending>Eisenstadt, Merrie M. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222826957/ Scaling Down Spending Is An Uphill Battle]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. March 27, 1992. p. 23.</ref> The recommendations stated that all religious celebrations be held only at a [[synagogue]] itself or a synagogue's facilities.<ref name=spending/>

In 1993, Etz Chaim honored Marc Hurwitz for his working helping college students discover or maintain their Jewish identities and fighting [[Jewish assimilation|assimilation]] on college campuses.<ref>Feiler, Alan H. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222862550/ Marc Of An Activist: From singles to college students to world Jewry, no cause eludes the self-effacing Marc Hurwitz]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. June 25, 1993. p. 34.</ref>

In 1998, Etz Chaim moved its headquarters from Northeast Baltimore to [[downtown Baltimore|Center City Baltimore]].<ref>Levy, Faygie. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/227253081/ City Addition: Jewish outreach center makes a move downtown]". ''Jewish Exponent'' (Philadelphia_. November 12, 1998. p. 13.</ref>

In 2001, a bill was proposed to prohibiting discrimination based on [[sexual orientation]] with regard to public accommodations, housing, and employment in Maryland.<ref>"[http://mlis.state.md.us/2001rs/billfile/SB0205.htm Senate Bill 205]". ''State of Maryland''. April 2, 2001.</ref> Etz Chaim opposed the bill, stating that Orthodox Judaism opposes [[Homosexuality and Judaism|homosexuality]].<ref>Walike, Deborah. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222804961/ Pride and Petition: Some Orthodox Jews join Christian conservatives in opposing Maryland's new protections for homosexuals]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. July 6, 2001. p. 12.</ref> Also in 2001, a choir of 61 mixed-gender students in third through fifth grades prepared to sing at a Jewish food and life expo. When Etz Chaim was asked whether it was religiously appropriate for female and male children to sing together, Etz Chaim determined the performance should not go forward.<ref>Harac, Lani. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222805115/ Sounds Of Silence: A coed children's choir performance at an upcoming Jewish gathering was canceled due to Jewish legal concerns]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. December 14, 2001. p. 16.</ref>

On February 6, 2002, a fire destroyed the Etz Chaim Center for Jewish Studies.<ref>Jacobs, Phil; Rubin, Neil. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222817466/ Unextinguished Spirit: After a suspicious fire, Etz Chaim Center staffers and students regroup and push on]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. February 8, 2002. p. 10.</ref> A teenager was arrested and charged with arson.<ref>Harac, Lani. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222798669/ Teen Arrested]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. February 22, 2002. p. 14.</ref> With money from its insurance carrier and several donors, Etz Chaim was able to rebuild.<ref>Buckelew, Karen. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222788733/ New Start; Etz Chaim prepares to rebuild its Upper Park Heights headquarters]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. March 05, 2004. p. 14.</ref> The new, larger facility included a [[Shabbaton]] center, coffee shop, and library,<ref name= reinventing>Jacobs, Phil. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222821807/ Reinventing Etz Chaim; Outreach organization emerges from the ashes of 2002 fire]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times''. October 15, 2004. p. 53.</ref> and it was dedicated in June 2015.<ref>Jacobs, Phil. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/222801548/ Etz Chaim Dedication]". ''Baltimore Jewish Times'' June 24, 2005. p. 30.</ref>

==See also==
*[[Outreach Judaism]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official site|http://www.etzchaimusa.org}}
*[http://www.jewishtimes.com/site/news/6035.stm Etz Chaim Hits 30]
*[http://www.jewishtimes.com/scripts/edition.pl?now=5/25/1999&SubSectionID=48&ID=1820 Outreach Center Rebuilds After Blaze]
*[http://www.jewishtimes.com/scripts/edition.pl?now=5/25/1999&SubSectionID=48&ID=2428 Reinventing Etz Chaim]
*[http://www.jewishtimes.com/scripts/edition.pl?now=5/25/1999&SubSectionID=48&ID=2255 Etz Chaim Rebuilds Destroyed Home]
*[http://www.jewishtimes.com/scripts/edition.pl?now=5/25/1999&SubSectionID=48&ID=1825 Jewish Teen Arrested In Shul Arsons]
*[http://www.jewishtimes.com/scripts/edition.pl?now=5/25/1999&SubSectionID=30&ID=1284 Outreach Group Initiates Unique Study Program]

[[Category:Jewish organizations established in 1983]]
[[Category:Orthodox Jewish outreach]]
[[Category:Baalei teshuva institutions]]
[[Category:Jewish education in Maryland]]
[[Category:Jews and Judaism in Baltimore County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Orthodox Judaism in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Orthodox Judaism in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Orthodox Judaism in Baltimore]]
[[Category:Owings Mills, Maryland]]
[[Category:Giving]]
[[Category:501(c)(3) organizations]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Maryland]]

Etz Chaim Center for Jewish Learning - Revision history

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