History of Etz Chaim

In December 1993, a group of nineteen Sharonite families gathered together and decided to form Congregation Etz Chaim. Shortly thereafter, Etz Chaim found a temporary home on the second floor of 14 Pond Street, in the center of Sharon. In 1995, we joined the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America

As the congregation grew, it was recognized that we needed to hire a Rabbi. In 1996 Rabbi Nisson Dov Miller, a graduate of Ner Israel Rabbinical College, assumed the position of spiritual leader of the congregation. A Daf Yomi shiur taught by Rabbi Miller in which a folio of Talmud is read each day began in 1997 and continues to this day.  In 1998, as the Congregation outgrew its rented space, we  purchased a building with almost 3 acres of land to serve as a permanent home. Etz Chaim received a substantial anonymous donation in 1999 to found the Maimonides Library. At the same time, the Sara Miriam Trushin Memorial Tape Library was established. Books and tapes on various Torah topics are available on loan once the library is reopened. Etz Chaim continues to expand its programs and classes to enhance Torah learning for the entire Sharon community. The recently added new addition to our building allows for more library space.