To inspire Jews of all backgrounds to grow through meaningful Jewish experiences, relationships, and education.

Etz Chaim engages Jews from all backgrounds with exciting social programming and relevant educational experiences. Whether on a trip to Israel, a one on one learning experience, or another of many programs, our participants feel welcomed, respected and inspired by the acceptance of who they are, regardless of where they are on their Jewish journey.

Get to know the Etz Chaim family – we look forward to getting to know you!

Rabbi Zev Pomeranz loves hitting the "sweet spot". He doesn't particularly care for golf, but he loves finding the "sweet spot" in people's hearts, and conveying to them the particular parts of Jewish wisdom which help them to become the people that they really want to be. Raised in Suffern, New York, Rabbi Pomeranz earned a B.A. in Psychology in 2001 and Rabbinic ordination in 2002, both from Yeshiva University. Before coming to Baltimore, Rabbi Pomeranz has previously taught at Aish and Derech Hatalmud in Jerusalem, and was the Associate Rabbi of Aish Denver for five years.  When not enjoying his work, Rabbi Pomeranz enjoys being outdoors and seeing Hashem's beautiful world with his amazing wife and their lively children.

Rabbi Porter, originally from Milwaukee, was raised by his parents who began their life anew in America after spending World War II in the Jewish-Russian partisan movement. After spending thirteen years at the Ner Israel Rabbinical College, Rabbi Porter went on to Loyola College and received his master’s degree in counseling. In 1981, the Porters moved to Baltimore to expand and direct Etz Chaim and have been doing so for over 30 years. Rabbi Porter loves to teach Torah and to deal with the tough questions of life. He and his wife, Shoshana, enjoy having guests for Shabbos – especially those who like to eat!

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Elana Pomeranz (nee Eisenberg), was born and raised in Manhattan, and received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College, where she majored in European history. She also earned a Master’s degree in learning disabilities at Hunter College, while teaching Judaic Studies at the Ramaz Middle school. When the Pomeranzes moved to Israel in the summer of 2002, Elana taught several courses at Michlalah Jerusalem College for Women, including an advanced textual Prophets class. During the five years that the Pomeranzes lived in Denver, Elana supported her husband’s role as Associate Rabbi at Aish Denver and taught an advanced classes for women in Prophets, Prayer, and Psalms.  She also directed the Aish Denver Hebrew School, which doubled its student body to eighty children during her four year tenure. Elana gets excited when others share her enthusiasm for Torah and prayer to G-d. She also enjoys hosting guests for Shabbos and spending quality time with her husband and children.

Recently moving from Atlanta, GA, Chana Grove started working with Young Professionals as soon as she got to Baltimore. She loves to open her home to anyone looking to experience Shabbat with her husband and beautiful family!

Amelia Ariella Letaw comes to us as via, Baltimore’s Best Bookkeeper, LLC, a company she founded over fifteen years ago.  After receiving her B.A. from Goucher College, Ariella joined her family in operating the family businesses in venture capital and manufacturing.  She has over thirty years of experience in corporate administration and financial management.  Ariella is also a professional artist and actress and loves spending time with her family and her two Australian Shepherds, Ruach and Simcha.