Congregation Kol Emeth

Scholar in Residence: Professor Daniel Matt

We are thrilled to welcome renowned scholar of Kabbalah and the Zohar, Professor Daniel Matt, back to Kol Emeth! Register here for our special Daven & Dine with our Scholar in Residence.

Non-members must register here to attend on Saturday. Details below:

During our Shabbat morning service, at about 11:15 am, Professor Matt will speak about The Mystical Meaning of Torah. How does the mystical approach to Torah differ from a literal approach? From a midrashic approach? How can a mystical approach enrich our lives today? Professor Matt will explore these questions with us by teaching a passage from his award-winning translation, The Zohar: Pritzker Edition.

At 1:15 pm, following Kiddush lunch, Professor Matt will share his thoughts on Becoming Elijah: Prophet of Transformation. In the Bible, Elijah is a zealous prophet, attacking idolatry. How did this Biblical zealot turn into the compassionate Jewish superhero – as well as the most popular figure in all Jewish folklore? Professor Matt will explore that question, tracing how Elijah develops from the Bible to Rabbinic Judaism, Kabbalah, and Jewish ritual. His transformation is pertinent and inspirational for our polarized, fanatical world.

Adult Education at KE

We are delighted to offer many in person and virtual adult educational opportunities about a wide variety of Jewish topics. Some classes are ongoing while others are limited series, including our Lunch & Learn Fall Session: The Secrets Contained in Dreams.

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

Learn the Service

Learn The Service

Learn with us

Learn With Us

Rabbi Booth's Weekly Commentary

Cyber Torah

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.

MEET US CONNECT WITH US

VISIT US

We are an inclusive synagogue.

Tue, December 3 2024
2 Kislev 5785

Our Upcoming Events

All Events

Friday ,
DecDecember 6 , 2024

Daven & Dine with Scholar in Residence Professor Daniel Matt
Friday, Dec 6th 6:00p to 9:00p
Join us for Kabbalat Shabbat, a delicious home-cooked meal, and what is sure to be a fascinating discussion with renowned Kabbalah and Zohar scholar Professor Daniel Matt.
MORE INFO
Saturday ,
DecDecember 7 , 2024

Stroller Strides with Rachel Kitt
Shabbat, Dec 7th 10:15a to 11:00a
Stroller Strides is a total-body workout with strength, cardio, and core training, all while engaging the little ones in a stroller! You’ll leave class feeling strong, empowered, connected, and energized—no matter your stage of parenthood.
MORE INFO
Saturday ,
DecDecember 7 , 2024

D'var Torah & Shabbat Shiur by Professor Daniel Matt
Shabbat, Dec 7th 11:15a to 2:15p
Join us in the Sanctuary or on Zoom to hear from renowned Kabbalah and Zohar scholar Professor Daniel Matt. He will give a D’var Torah around 11:15 am. After lunch, Professor Matt will give a Shabbat Shiur in the Sanctuary at 1:15 pm.
Register Now

MORE INFO
Sunday ,
DecDecember 8 , 2024

Judaism 101 with Rabbi Booth
Sunday, Dec 8th 11:25a to 12:30p
Interested in understanding the fundamentals of Jewish faith and practice? If you're new to Judaism or feel like Hebrew School left you with more than a few gaps, this is the class for you!
MORE INFO
Tuesday ,
DecDecember 10 , 2024

Lunch & Learn: The Secrets Contained In Dreams
Tuesday, Dec 10th 12:00p to 1:00p
Join Rav Weisberg and Rabbi Booth for our continued exploration of human consciousness. We will be looking at dreams, their significance, interpretation and potential meaning. Are they prophetic messages from the Divine? Revelations of our inner state? Or simply a tool of fixing memory? We will explore Talmud and mystical views with an awareness of contemporary research.
MORE INFO
Friday ,
DecDecember 13 , 2024

TKEYA Young Adult Shabbat & Pre-Hanukkah Party
Friday, Dec 13th 6:00p to 9:00p
Come get into the Hanukkah spirit! We’ll start the evening with beer, wine, and snacks, followed by Kabbalat Shabbat services. Then we’ll move into the Community Room for latkes, sufganiyot, and more. Maybe even play some cards—a longstanding Hanukkah tradition—including a mini poker tournament!
Register Now

MORE INFO
Saturday ,
DecDecember 14 , 2024

Shabbat Shiur with Liah Kaminer & Rabbi Booth
Shabbat, Dec 14th 1:15p to 2:15p
Rabbi Booth and PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology Liah Kaminer will present a Shabbat Shiur looking at political anxiety and how we can manage all the tensions that are awakened by Israeli and American politics. The session is about developing tools for managing stress and not about the actual politics or circumstances.
MORE INFO
Sunday ,
DecDecember 15 , 2024

TaNaCH Study with Morat Derech Sarah
Sunday, Dec 15th 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.
MORE INFO
Sunday ,
DecDecember 15 , 2024

Judaism 101 with Rabbi Booth
Sunday, Dec 15th 11:25a to 12:30p
Interested in understanding the fundamentals of Jewish faith and practice? If you're new to Judaism or feel like Hebrew School left you with more than a few gaps, this is the class for you!
MORE INFO
Sunday ,
DecDecember 15 , 2024

Book Discussion on Climate Change for Our Year of the Trees
Sunday, Dec 15th 11:30a to 1:00p
We're delighted to invite you for an important and eye-opening discussion on the best-selling book The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben. This will be the first of two book discussions prior to the KE Scholar in Residence weekend of world renowned tree expert and environmental leader Professor Margaret Lowman, on February 14-15, 2025.
Register Now

MORE INFO
Tuesday ,
DecDecember 17 , 2024

Lunch & Learn: The Secrets Contained In Dreams
Tuesday, Dec 17th 12:00p to 1:00p
Join Rav Weisberg and Rabbi Booth for our continued exploration of human consciousness. We will be looking at dreams, their significance, interpretation and potential meaning. Are they prophetic messages from the Divine? Revelations of our inner state? Or simply a tool of fixing memory? We will explore Talmud and mystical views with an awareness of contemporary research.
MORE INFO
Tuesday ,
DecDecember 17 , 2024

KE Salon with Elaine Moise
Tuesday, Dec 17th 2:00p to 3:00p
Elaine Moise will speak about models of traditional and not so traditional services that have emerged in the 20th and 21st centuries, and some music associated with each.
MORE INFO
Thursday ,
DecDecember 19 , 2024

TKEYA Evening at the Booths'
Thursday, Dec 19th 7:30p to 9:00p
Join Rabbi Booth and fellow young adults as we struggle with finding a meaningful theology. Perhaps the Zohar can show us the way. You are welcome to bring a salty or sweet kosher snack to share.
MORE INFO
Friday ,
DecDecember 20 , 2024

Jammies & Jeans: Pre-Hanukkah Celebration
Friday, Dec 20th 5:30p to 7:30p
A great miracle is happening at Kol Emeth! Come help us prepare for Hannukah, sing some Hannukah and Shabbat songs at 5:30 pm, eat a delicious meal together at 6:15 pm, do some Hannukah crafts at 7:00 pm, and enjoy each other's company!
Register Now

MORE INFO
Friday ,
DecDecember 20 , 2024

Pre-Hanukkah Family Friday
Friday, Dec 20th 6:00p to 9:00p
It's a miracle! Hannukah comes early to Kol Emeth! As we prepare to welcome the Festival of Lights and our redemption, make your way to Kol Emeth for Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv (and a little learning; 6:00 to 7:00 pm), a tasty meal (7:00 pm), and some fun activities to help us get in the spirit!
Register Now

MORE INFO
Saturday ,
DecDecember 21 , 2024

Service of Peace and Healing with Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Shabbat, Dec 21st 10:30a to 11:30a
During these troubling times, come to a Service of Peace and Healing, led by Rabbi Amy Eilberg. In this service we offer short segments of the Shabbat morning service with evocative chants, interspersed with brief kavanot/spiritual introductions and periods of silence. In these times, we reflect on all of the prayers as sources of peace and healing for us, and the entire service as a prayer for peace for us and for the world. Come join us!
MORE INFO
Saturday ,
DecDecember 21 , 2024

D'var Torah & Shabbat Shiur by Professor Arnold Eisen
Shabbat, Dec 21st 1:15p to 2:15p

Register Now

MORE INFO
Sunday ,
DecDecember 22 , 2024

TaNaCH Study with Morat Derech Sarah
Sunday, Dec 22nd 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.
MORE INFO
Sunday ,
DecDecember 22 , 2024

Professor Arnold Eisen Book Talk
Sunday, Dec 22nd 10:30a to 12:00p
We are thrilled to welcome one of the world’s foremost authorities on American Judaism, Professor of Jewish Thought, and Chancellor Emeritus at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), Arnold Eisen.
MORE INFO
Sunday ,
DecDecember 22 , 2024

Judaism 101 with Rabbi Booth
Sunday, Dec 22nd 11:25a to 12:30p
Interested in understanding the fundamentals of Jewish faith and practice? If you're new to Judaism or feel like Hebrew School left you with more than a few gaps, this is the class for you!
MORE INFO

Tue, December 3 2024 2 Kislev 5785

Home

Scholar in Residence: Professor Daniel Matt

Adult Education at KE

Watch our High Holiday Sermons

All Are Welcome