The Etz Chaim Center for Jewish
Living and Learning has certainly come a long way since I worked in its 300-square foot office in the Imperial condominium on Clark’s Lane, close to 30 years ago. Its metamorphosis into the 21st century became even more obvious to me after meeting with Rabbi Shlomo Porter, the organization’s long-time Dean and President, and native South African Rabbi Nitzan Bergman, its new Executive Director.

  The new Etz Chaim is a “tree of life” that branches out and leaves no Jew behind; it provides a rich, meaningful Torah education and lifestyle experience to Jews of