We’ve Had a Makeover

Congregation Toras Chaim is pleased to present our new and improved website. We invite you to explore and discover the many features designed to give you an engaging experience and provide you with the latest, most relevant information on issues relating to the shul, Torah concepts and ideas, and the Jewish world around us. 

As part of this comprehensive upgrade to our site, we have relocated some of your familiar locations and added many others. Below is a list of some common areas on the new www.toraschaimdallas.org .

Headline: At the top left of the homepage you will find our “Headline” story. It will always be accompanied by a picture to the left with an excerpt from the story next to it, to its right, with a link to “read the full story.” You can also click the picture or the title. All will take you to the full article.

Featured: On the right side of the homepage is the “Featured” section. It will always contain four articles with pictures to the left and a snippet from the article to the right. Clicking the picture or the title will take you to the full article. 

Post Listing: Down the lefthand side of the homepage, under the “Browse Catagories” section, are the six latest posts that are not listed in the Headline or Featured sections. Every post will have a picture to the left with an excerpt to the right, and a link to “read the full story.” You can also click the picture or the title. All will take you to the full article.

Page Menus: At the top of every page you will fine the dropdown menu navigation system. This will very quickly and easily allow you to jump to the page you are most interested in. The website is divided into the following main sections: About Us, Goings On, Donate, Photo Gallery, Audio Learning, & Resources. Each section is explained below.

• About Us: General information about the shul location, contact information, downoadable pdf membership application and information about the eruv.
  • Our Rabbi: Biographical information about Rabbi Yaakov Rich, rabbi of Congregation Toras Chaim.
  • Sisterhood: Contact information about the shul’s sisterhood (coming soon).
  • FAQ: A list of the most commonly asked questions about the shul, with their answers. 
• Goings On: Latest, greatest events and happenings at CTC.
  • Ongoing Classes: Listing of all the classes being offered at CTC on a weekly or monthly basis.
• Donate: An opportunity to help the shul by donating through our secure server.
• Photo Gallery: Slideshows of past events.
• Audio Learning: Listen to recordings of classes, learn how to daven for weekday and Shabbos, and even how to say the Bircas HaMazon (bensching).
• Resources:
  • Ask the Rabbi and Ask the Rebbetzin pages for getting you questions answered.
  • Holidays: Information on the Jewish holidays, fast days, and days of special observance.
  • Holiday Dates 5769: All the dates of the Jewish holidays for 5769 with Yom Tov days marked in red. Submit it to your boss so he can better plan for the days you will not be at work.
  • Zemanim: All of the Tefillah times for the year of 5769, arranged by the Jewish months.
  • Site Map: Hierarchical listing of all pages and posts on our site.

Find Information Fast: There are many ways to find what you are looking for on the CTC website:

• Search: The top right of every page is where the search form is located. Type in any text, and if it is on our site, you will be shown a list of relevant posts/pages to choose from. This is perfect if you want to search for text in the title or the body of the entry.
• Categories: Immediately under the “Headline” and “Featured” sections is the “Browse Catagories” section. By clicking on any of the category headings you will instantly be shown all of the posts in that category. Categories are used for a broad categorization of posts.
• Tag Cloud: Down the right side of every page, immediately under the “Classes & Events Calendar” is the “Tag Cloud.” Clicking any of the tags in the window will show you a listing of all the posts connected with that tag. The more posts with a particular tag, the bigger the size the tag will be in the Tag Cloud window. Pause the cursor over any tag and you will see how many posts are in that tag. Tags are used for a more specific categorization of the post than Categories.

Classes & Events Calendar: Located down the right side of every page, just above the Tag Cloud, is the Classes & Events Calendar containing the latest information about all the goings on at CTC. You can even see who is sponsoring Kiddush and Shalosh Seudos, or if it is available for sponsorship.

Weekday & Shabbos Times: Located on the right side, just under the “Browse Categories” section on the homepage, and the top-right of every other page is the listing of relevant times for weekday and Shabbos davening. You can even keep track of how many days until the next major Jewish holiday.

Classes & Events Listing: Just below the Weekday & Shabbos Times, are the current classes and events that will occur over the next seven days.

Refuah Shelaima: Just below the Classes & Events list the Refuah Shelaimah list. It will be updated on a regular basis with the names of those members and friends of CTC who need our prayers.

Join Our Email Lists: Just below the Refuah Shelaima list is a form that allows anyone to join any or all of our email lists.

Neighborhood Links & Useful Tools: Toward the bottom on the right side, just under the Tag Cloud, are a great set of links that everyone will find helpful. For example, under the Useful Tools section you can find a link to the Brachos Site wherein is the appropriate brocha for every food, before and after, the text of all the brachos recited over food, etc. Very handy!

See What Others are Saying and Reading: Last, but not least, at the bottom of every page you will find three different sections. One showing the most recent comments to a post or page, the second showing the most commented-on post or page, and the third showing the most viewed post or page.

We hope you find the new site engaging and informative. Thank you for visiting us today, and enjoy!