Contact & Location for Congregation Etz Chaim
Service Times for Congregation Etz Chaim
Friday Evening
Shabbat
Saturday Morning
Shabbat
Programs & Ministries at Congregation Etz Chaim
About Congregation Etz Chaim
Congregation Etz Chaim is a non-denominational Jewish synagogue located in Biddeford, Maine, serving as York County's only full-service synagogue. Founded in 1907, the congregation has evolved from its Orthodox roots to embrace Jews across the entire spectrum of practice and theology, currently welcoming over one hundred families from throughout the region. Under the spiritual leadership of Cantor Beth Strassler, the synagogue holds three Shabbat services monthly, High Holiday services, and offers a range of educational, cultural, and social programming including Torah study, holiday celebrations, Hebrew instruction, and B'nei Mitzvah preparation. The congregation uses a gender-sensitive prayer book with transliterated Hebrew, enabling full participation regardless of language proficiency, and maintains the Samuel Osher Memorial Library with nearly 4,000 items. As a genuinely inclusive community, Congregation Etz Chaim welcomes people of all backgrounds and denominational affiliations, fostering a close-knit sense of family and shared purpose.
First-Time Visitor Info for Congregation Etz Chaim
Dress Code: Not specified — please contact the church directly. Service Format: Services include three Shabbat observances per month using a gender-sensitive prayer book with transliterated Hebrew and contemporary music, led by Cantor Beth Strassler and accompanied by keyboardist Dr. Morton Gold and the congregation choir. Visitor Tips: The congregation warmly welcomes new visitors and those interested in learning more are encouraged to reach out via email to request additional information and schedule a tour of the historic synagogue building.
Note: Church information may be outdated. Please verify details with the church directly before visiting.
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