Ec chajim
Ec chajim, which translates to “Tree of Life,” is a dynamic and rapidly growing Jewish community in Prague that brings together Jewish individuals and their families. It adheres to the Progressive (Reform, Liberal) tradition of Judaism and is a full member of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ).
Our synagogue is a spiritual home for Jews with diverse family histories, including those who were raised in the Jewish tradition and those who discovered their Jewish roots later in life. We welcome everyone, regardless of whether their Jewish heritage is traced through the paternal or maternal line; however, to be granted full membership, proof of at least one Jewish grandparent or confirmation of conversion to Judaism is required.
Ec Chaim provides its members with various services, including regular services, social and cultural events, and educational programs led by our rabbi and experienced instructors. We offer courses on the basics of Judaism and the Hebrew language to the public. We also welcome the non-Jewish family members of our members.
Ec Chaim plays an important role in the revitalization of Progressive Judaism throughout the Central European region, as its community center serves as the seat of the Central European Beit Din (CEBD), the sole rabbinical court for Progressive Jewish communities in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.
Our story
“Ec chajim” is a biblical term that literally translates to “tree of life,” but in Jewish tradition it figuratively represents the Torah, whose teachings and wisdom are poetically likened to a tree: “It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it; blessed are those who lay hold of it!” (Proverbs 3:18)
In 1943, on Tu Bishvat, the New Year of the Trees, children imprisoned during the war in the Terezín ghetto planted a small sapling together with Rabbi Richard Feder. Unlike most of the children, the sapling survived the war and grew into a sturdy tree with many branches and leaves. Today, its offshoots are symbolically planted all over the world, from Israel and Europe to the U.S. and Canada.
The founders of Ec chajim, who include direct descendants of the children mentioned above, decided to name the newly established community Ec chajim in order to express their intention to contribute to the renewal of Jewish life and to symbolically build upon what was violently and tragically severed here by two totalitarian regimes—namely, the multifaceted, pluralistic, and progressive Judaism centered in pre-war Prague.
Our community was founded in 2019 by Rabbi David Maxa together with Anna Nosková, Judita Maxa Bergmannová, Kateřina Weberová, Daniel Rux, and David Kraus with the aim of creating a safe space for people of Jewish descent to gather in the spirit of continuing the tradition of original Czech Reform Judaism. In 2020, the community opened its synagogue and community center in the heart of Prague, and a year later became a member of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ).
Organizational Structure and Community Membership
From a legal standpoint, Ec Chajim is a registered association governed by a seven-member board headed by a chairperson. The rabbi is responsible for the spiritual aspects of the organization’s activities, while the administrator oversees operational matters.
The community is organized on the principle of membership, and full membership may be requested by individuals who meet at least the following criteria: (1) they can demonstrate that they have at least one Jewish grandparent or possess a certificate of conversion to Judaism (giyur) issued by a rabbinical court recognized by our community, (2) identify exclusively with Judaism and no other religious tradition, (3) are in agreement with the goals and interests of our association. The Ec chajim board will review the membership application and notify the applicant of its decision. We advise those interested in membership that membership is not guaranteed.
Ec chajim is a full member of the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ), which is the regional umbrella organization of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ).