Congregation Etz Chaim first opened our doors in Miami in 1974, so that gay and lesbian Jews could find a safe and nurturing place of worship and community. Now located in Wilton Manors, Etz Chaim has been the spiritual home for generations of people in the decades since our founding. We continue to be a community that proudly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual singles, couples, and families.
Marcia Weinstein, Spiritual Leader
Our current spiritual leader, Marcia Weinstein, grew up in Plantation, Florida from the age of three and was very active at Ramat Shalom, the Reconstructionist synagogue her parents helped start when she was nine years old. Spending years in BBYO and Young Judea, Judaism was a big part of her family’s life. Marcia is a Cantorial Soloist, Shlichat Tzibur (service leader), Jewish Educator, and songleader, who has spent over a decade leading Shabbat, Festival and High Holiday services, and teaching Hebrew School, while incorporating Jewish music every step of the way. Marcia chants Torah and Haftarah, has taught trope, tefilah (prayer), and B'nai Mitzvah students from ages 11 to 80, in both Reform and Conservative congregations, and is comfortable with liturgy across the spectrum of Jewish prayer. And as of February 2023, Marcia is studying for her Rabbinical Ordination at the Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary. She is a regular at the Songleader Boot Camp Jewish music and leadership conference, and the NewCAJE Jewish Education conferences. Marcia’s passion is building community and bringing Joyful Judaism into all of the sacred spaces she helps create. Her belief in “audacious hospitality” and “radical welcoming” is evident in her engaging musical services, and desire to create a Kehilah Kedoshah, holy community, wherever she is. Marcia’s greatest joy is her husband, Seth, and three grown sons, Zachary, Evan and Samuel, and she is honored to be a part of the Etz Chaim family!
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Marcia can be reached at MarciaW@EtzChaimFlorida.org or Marcia@MarciaWeinstein.com
2024 - 2025 Leadership
