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Support those affected by LA fires
We at Kol Emeth are heartbroken by the destruction and displacement and loss of life being caused by these awful fires in the Los Angeles area. We wanted to offer two ways for people to help.
1. A Conservative Synagogue in Pasadena was totally destroyed in the fires. Contribute here to their rebuilding effort.
2. The Jewish Federation in Los Angeles has a broader emergency fund. Contribute here to help.
We fervently pray for the success of those fighting the fires, for everyone to be able to make it to safety, and for the fires to be soon and speedily contained.
Jewish Theatre is back in Palo Alto
On Saturday, January 25th at 7:30pm, Kol Emeth is hosting The Braid’s production of Traveler’s Prayer, which they describe as a heartfelt and powerful show about true Jewish travel stories against the backdrop of rising antisemitism. This collection of authentic voices captures the journey through the world of the Jewish people itself. You can purchase a ticket for this show only, or you can buy a subscription for three shows (hosted by KE on 1/25, Beth Am on 3/29, and Etz Chayim on 5/17) about hilarious and heartfelt true stories that explore travels in life, interfaith families, and encounters with animals. For questions or help registering, please email The Braid directly. Learn more about The Braid here.
Camp KEnnect Enrollment is now open!
June is far away…but now is the time to register for summer camps before they fill up. So, if there is a TK-7th grader in your life, take a moment to learn about KE’s very own Camp KEnnect. This will be our fourth summer, and our reputation has grown; we will likely reach capacity before registration closes on May 1st. Another incentive not to delay is our Early Bird Discount. Save $100 on the complete 3-week session by enrolling before March 1st. Email maytal@kolemeth.org for any questions about camp or assistance with enrollment.
Watch our High Holiday Sermons
If you were not able to view our High Holiday Services on Zoom or attend in person, here are the links to our YouTube channel where you can view the recordings:
- Rosh Hashanah First Day: Rabbi David Booth's Sermon
- Rosh Hashanah Second Day: Morat Derech Sarah Miller's Sermon
- Kol Nidre Appeal: "Searching for, Finding, and Giving Sanctuary” by KE Board President Russell Gottfried
- Kol Nidre: "Daddy, why do I have to be Jewish?” by Rabbi Sarah Graff, followed by a performance by our Acapella Group led by Music Specialist Tyler Dean
- Yom Kippur Day: Rabbi David Booth's Sermon
OFFICE HOURS
Our office is closed on Mondays and Saturdays. Before you visit the office, please give us a call at (650) 948-7498 & dial "0" for reception desk, or you can email office@kolemeth.org.
Sunday & Friday: 9:00am - 2:00pm
Tuesday - Thursday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Thank you to the Jewish Community Federation for funding an important security initiative for Kol Emeth in 2024!
All Are Welcome
Everyone is welcome at our egalitarian Jewish community in the heart of Silicon Valley, in Palo Alto, California. Kol Emeth is a place to learn, grow, pray, and make face-to-face human connections. Come and meet people from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We want to warmly welcome you to our services and our community.
We are an inclusive synagogue.
Fri, January 17 2025
17 Tevet 5785
Our Upcoming Events
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Friday ,
JanJanuary 17 , 2025
Friday, Jan 17th 6:00p to 9:00p
Come celebrate Shabbat with our friends Sheldon Low and Hadar Orshalimy! They are a spiritually rich musical team joining us this year to enhance our prayer and singing life. Their incredible voices and warm personalities make them wonderful Shabbat guests. -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 18 , 2025
Motzei Shabbat, Jan 18th 8:00p to 10:00p
Calling all young adults! Join us for a sense-sational evening at our new KEys Piano Bar located in the KE Beit Midrash. We’ll enjoy Havdallah inspired drinks (mulled wine, fiery cocktails, sweet beverages), snacks and desserts, and great music with Israeli Singer/Songwriter duo Sheldon Low and Hadar Orshalimy. -
Sunday ,
JanJanuary 19 , 2025
Sunday, Jan 19th 10:30a to 12:00p
For Sheldon and Hadar, our babies and tots are an important audience. They have written albums dedicated to children’s music, and this is an opportunity to sing, dance, and play with them! Join us at 10:30am for a bagel breakfast and a rockin’ tot concert. -
Tuesday ,
JanJanuary 21 , 2025
Tuesday, Jan 21st 2:00p to 3:00p
Together we will lightly review the Blue Zones research which was done by demographers, gerontologists, and statisticians exploring communities that are unusually full of high-functioning people from 90-100 years of age. -
Friday ,
JanJanuary 24 , 2025
Friday, Jan 24th 6:00p to 8:00p
This Friday, stay home from Synagogue. Yes, we're serious. Stay home. But...get two delicious Challot. Invite a dear friend or someone you think would love a Shabbat dinner. Or just have dinner with your family, but make it special with candles, challah, and blessing your children. And then report back. Who did you have over? How was it? What resources or materials might have made it an even more special evening? -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 25 , 2025
Motzei Shabbat, Jan 25th 7:30p to 10:00p
Jewish theatre is back in Palo Alto! On Saturday, January 25th at 7:30pm, Kol Emeth is hosting The Braid Theatre’s performance of Traveler’s Prayer, which they describe as a heartfelt and powerful show about true Jewish travel stories against the backdrop of rising antisemitism. -
Sunday ,
JanJanuary 26 , 2025
Sunday, Jan 26th 10:00a to 11:30a
Have you ever wanted to read the entire Bible all the way through? Study the TaNaCH (Torah, Prophets, and Writings) as a larger spiritual and literary work, as opposed to by the parsha? Are you wondering about the larger picture and connections? Want to dive deeper into the various stories, characters, and themes? Then, this is the class for you! We will meet most Sunday mornings (unless it conflicts with other Adult Ed or holiday events). February dates are Sunday the 11th and 18th. -
Sunday ,
JanJanuary 26 , 2025
Sunday, Jan 26th 10:00a to 11:30a
Charlotte Korchak is the Senior Educator and Director of International Programs for StandWithUs Israel where she educates students from around the world in Israeli history and combatting antisemitism. Charlotte will join us on Sunday, January 26th via Zoom from Jerusalem to bring us up to date on what has changed in Israel since the tragedy of October 7. -
Tuesday ,
JanJanuary 28 , 2025
Tuesday, Jan 28th 7:30p to 9:30p
Join Rabbi Booth in discussion with three guest speakers who will share different visions of what Israel can and should be going into the future. The January 28th speaker is Rav Joshua Weisberg, a frequent visitor to Kol Emeth and part of the Religious Zionist world. -
Friday ,
JanJanuary 31 , 2025
Friday, Jan 31st 6:00p to 9:00p
Shaloha and welcome to our first ever Jewau (Jewish Luau)! Did you know that Jewish merchants began arriving in Hawaii as early as 1850? In 1901, forty Honolulu residents formed the first Jewish Congregation of Hawaii led by Rabbi Rudolph Isaac Coffee of Oakland, California. We are bringing the island air to KE with kosher luau food and entertainment. Everyone is invited to this special event! -
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 2 , 2025
Sunday, Feb 2nd 1:00p to 2:30p
Judaism offers a wealth of wisdom about death, all of which begins with deep respect for the human body. Taharah is the purification ritual performed by the Chevra Kadisha (literally, the "holy society") before the body is buried. -
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 2 , 2025
Sunday, Feb 2nd 4:00p to 6:00p
Join Kol Isha, the KE women’s group, for an afternoon of easy-to-learn dancing. We’ll start with line dancing, taught by Holly Baral. Holly is a line dance instructor at various venues on the Peninsula. The fun will conclude with Israeli dance oldies, led by Miriam Schulman. Both Holly and Miriam are longtime KE members and veteran beginning dance teachers. -
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 2 , 2025
Sunday, Feb 2nd 7:30p to 10:30p
Calling all Kol Emeth men! Please join the 2nd annual Men’s Havurah Poker Night on Sunday, February 2nd from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM in the Kol Emeth Community Room. We will play three “dealer’s choice” poker games: Texas Hold ‘Em, Seven Card Stud (high only), and Seven Card Stud (high/low). No wild cards! Betting increments will be $0.50 to $1.00. No experience necessary. -
Tuesday ,
FebFebruary 4 , 2025
Tuesday, Feb 4th 10:00a to 11:30a
Widows and Widowers are invited to join us off-site for coffee, tea, and conversation on Tuesday, February 4, in the Community Room -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 5 , 2025
Wednesday, Feb 5th 12:00p to 1:00p
There are lots of ways to record our stories—and lots of ways to procrastinate. KE member and published writer, Esther Erman, will lead a four-part writers' workshop series on Zoom to gather, share stories, and encourage each other to record our family stories, for now and the future. Join us to look at questions, concerns, and different methods—and unleash your creativity! Participants will be encouraged to form pairs or small groups to work together. Esther will be available to offer support between classes. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 7 , 2025
Friday, Feb 7th 6:00p to 8:30p
Please join us at 6:00pm on February 7 for our monthly Daven and Dine program. We’ll start in the Kol Emeth Main Sanctuary singing Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv. We will then make kiddush, and enjoy a home-cooked meal together. Our menu includes: 3-bean soup, roasted tofu, quinoa, broccoli, green salad, and a yummy dessert. Registration is required. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2025
Wednesday, Feb 12th 10:30a to 12:00p
The John Muir Trail runs 212 miles along the crest of California's High Sierra, from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney. Did you know that its creator was the direct descendant of the only Jewish clergyman in attendance at George Washington's inauguration in 1789? Click to learn more! -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 14 , 2025
Friday, Feb 14th 1:00p to 4:00p
We are in need of volunteers to help plant trees at KE. Kids are welcome to join! We will be guided by planting experts from Canopy, a Palo Alto based non-profit whose mission is to grow urban tree canopy in Midpeninsula communities for the benefit of all. Please register below so we know how many volunteers to anticipate. Thank you! -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 19 , 2025
Wednesday, Feb 19th 12:00p to 1:00p
There are lots of ways to record our stories—and lots of ways to procrastinate. KE member and published writer, Esther Erman, will lead a four-part writers' workshop series on Zoom to gather, share stories, and encourage each other to record our family stories, for now and the future. Join us to look at questions, concerns, and different methods—and unleash your creativity! Participants will be encouraged to form pairs or small groups to work together. Esther will be available to offer support between classes. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 21 , 2025
Friday, Feb 21st 6:00p to 8:00p
This Friday, stay home from Synagogue. Yes, we're serious. Stay home. But...get two delicious Challot. Invite a dear friend or someone you think would love a Shabbat dinner. Or just have dinner with your family, but make it special with candles, challah, and blessing your children. And then report back. Who did you have over? How was it? What resources or materials might have made it an even more special evening?