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 The
spirit of Etz Hayyim was best summed up by Rabbi Guy Hall of London who
was the celebrant at a wedding in Etz Hayyim in 2000. When he took his
place under the Huppah he raised his hands and said words to this effect
‘The huppah is like the tent of our Father Abraham, it has a top
to protect us but is has no sides and welcomes all who approach him and
Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rachel, Rebecca and Leah.’
 The
story of Abraham stands central to the chaotic conditions that followed
Adam and his dysfunctional family and the Revelation of the Torah to Moses.
The values of love, compassion, patience, and the sacrifice of one’s
egotistically oriented ‘self’ to the ‘Other’ are what
Abraham and the Patriarchs exemplify. We think of Etz Hayyim as such a
tent that has doors that are open to all - to all Jews and non-Jews alike
who share in these values that unite us more intimately than dogma and
theological discrimination. There is no reason why we cannot pray the
Amidah together as his children as his descendants or by adoption –
"Blessed
are You,. Lord Our God, God of our fathers,
God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, God great,
powerful and awesome, God sublime, yet lavishing tender
love. Master of all, You are mindful of the pious love of
our fathers, and for Your own sake will lovingly bring a
Redeemer to their children’s children… O King, who succors,
saves and shields, blessed are You, Lord, Shield of Abraham".
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The
daily times of prayer are...
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Shahrith
(Morning Prayers) |
9:00
AM |
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Kabbala
Shabbath and Havdalah |
Are
both held in the Synagoque and times are announced weekly on
the Bulletin Board at the entrance |
The Synagogue is a volunteer based organisation and because of this opening times and events may change. Should you need to confirm an event or time prior your visit, please contact us.
Our summer schedule ( May 1st to October 14th) is:
Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 18:00
Please check with the Synagogue or consult the bulletin board for extended times and weekends.
Our summer schedule ( May 1st to October 14th) is:
Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 18:00
Please check with the Synagogue or consult the bulletin board for extended times and weekends.
After Shahrith prayers on the morning of Shabbath the synagogue is closed until shortly before sunset.
Kabbala Shabbath is held each Friday evening at sunset.
We are looking for volunteers to cover the mid afternoon hours during the week.
For more information:
Tel. +30 28210 862 86
e-mail:
info@etz-hayyim-hania.org
The
times for the Liturgy for the High Holidays of Rosh HaShannah and
Yom Kippour (if we have a rabbi or hazzan) are announced annually.
Minor holidays are announced on the bulletin board of the
Synagogue.
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Pesah
(Passover) and Sukkoth (The Feast of Tabernacles)...
Are
celebrated annually in a special manner as we take this opportunity
– as we are enjoined in the Torah – to invite our non-Jewish
neighbors and visitors to participate with us. A community vegetarian
seder is held on the first night of Pesah and a special buffet is
set up in the Sukkah that is erected in the north courtyard for
Sukkoth.
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Please
note that...
We
have no kosher facilities in Crete. For
persons who keep kashrut, travel in Crete can be difficult.
 We
have a special link in this site that gives information on Kosher
products available in Greece and Crete. It has been compiled
by Rabbis Jacob Arar, Isaak Dayan and Mendel Hendle of Athens.
Restaurants that are sensitive to Jewish dietary needs (with vegetarian and fish dishes) and have been used by the Synagogue for events are:
KONAKI Restaurant (on Kondylaki St), as well as MIRA BELLO and MIROVOLOS Restaurants (on Zambeliou St.)
Please
note that the establishment "The Synagogue Café"
(adjacent to Etz Hayyim) has no Jewish affiliation whatsoever.
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Fed
by local springs...
Persons
wishing to use the mikveh should contact
the director of the Synagogue in advance. Mention should be
made that it is not heated and is fed by local springs – the
water is quite frigidly cold!
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 We
are especially fortunate in having feed-back and advice from the resident
Lubavitcher Rabbi in Athens, Mendel Hendle and for services on occasion
Rabbi Isaak Mizan visits us.
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Information
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