I've been a member of Temple Ner Tamid of Downey for more than 15 years, and I'm very proud of its…read morewelcoming and warm, worship-centered culture. The just passed High Holy Day services, complemented by our professional choir, provided a wonderfully rich spiritual experience for the full house of congregants. Rabbi Daniel Mehlman and Cantor Kenneth Jaffe are talented spiritual leaders and teachers who energize the congregation and set the inclusive tone for both born Jews and Jews by choice. The services are filled with moving music, accompanied by organist Norberto Guinaldo and Cantor Ken's guitar. Twice a month on Saturdays, Rabbi Dany offers shabbat teaching services in Spanish. He recently started a Spanish-language conversion class, and the temple offers English Introduction to Judaism classes every year. The temple's secular (I am currently an at-large trustee) and clergy leadership are very successful in providing worship, learning and life-cycle celebrations and commemorations in the Reform Jewish tradition, for both long-term members and our newer congregants. It is a friendly space for families with children and grandkids, as well as couples and singles of all ages. It is also a very safe, gay-welcoming place! Temple Ner Tamid of Downey is ideally located to serve the 605/105 corridors, although some regular congregants come from Inglewood, Long Beach, Seal Beach and even Lancaster! Congregants drive food donations and other social justice activities. Barbecues, International Dinners, Sundae Socials, Movie nights and other activities organized by the temple, and its affiliated Sisterhood and Brotherhood groups, bring congregants together. The havurot program provides opportunities for exploring Jewish-themed exhibits and other activities around L.A. County. The temple has a very active fundraising program, which includes the rental of its beautiful, carpeted social hall and classrooms for church services, quinceaneras and other celebrations and learning events. We also have a Judaica shop with uniquely beautiful items for all your holiday and gift-giving needs. The Chanukah boutiques are being planned now! If you wish to visit, come join us for Friday night services at 7:30 p.m., or stop by the temple office any weekday morning. For more information in English or Spanish, you can call the temple at 562-861-9276, or me, Cheryl Brownstein-Santiago, at 562-279-3839. You can also visit the temple website: www.DowneyTempleNerTamid.org.

Good basic services, though very minimal--in fact, the most minimal Friday night services ever…read moreencountered. Musically "meh", and no oneg. Each of the services ever attended (so far) felt more like a perfunctory weekday minyan than a Shabbat service! (I get that providing a "deluxe" experience would drive up the costs and asking prices for participation--which indeed is a major issue at many congregations--but isn't there a happy medium? Could anyone volunteer to play guitar? Bake a challah? Is there room in the budget for a bottle of grape juice?) And alas, the restroom and its stalls are too small, and not easily accessible for any but the fully able-bodied. Worst of all, on some of the platforms where this congregation has a presence, the info about service times and "future" events is conflicting and/or outdated. This has been an issue for at least the past few months. Is anyone there genuinely interested in keeping up the "outreach" as a functioning congregation? (Especially as the holidays approach?) I really, really WANT to like this place! As an older congregation with a paid-off physical plant, it holds great potential for being the most affordable and welcoming Reform congregation in the region. The question is what the leaders' true intentions and plans are.

There are many things to appreciate at CBI. Here are our top three. Rabbi Adam Greenwald is…read morelearned, compassionate, and courageous. The music, led by Cantor Amy Robinson Katz, is beautiful and uplifting. CBI offers many opportunities to participate in acts of Tikkun Olam, repairing our world.

We joined CBI in 2000 and found great programming, people and an exceptional space to find your…read morespiritual self. Rabbi Adam is amazing and just such a good human, and Cantor Amy has a beautiful voice and a terrific spirit to match. We have celebrated life events and mourned the passing of loved ones with the support of the CBI community. If you are thinking about joining a synagogue in Orange County you shouldn't miss the chance to check out CBI

Lenten Quiet Day, March 2026, an experience of relaxation, reflection, and refreshment in a sacred…read moresetting. Life giving and peaceful in this chaotic world (and the blustery Santa Ana Winds).

The most welcoming church I've ever attended. Beautiful historic building, consistently excellent…read moremessages, incredible choir, and many of ways to serve and be served.

I visited this church for several months and was able to share our organization's ministry with…read morethem. That ministry is cancer support. While one of the pastors there did say they appreciated my ministry during a zoom bible study there was no reliable show of such support and I actually never learned why. That pastor did have our mental health outreach flyer translated to Spanish but yet never shared the outreach or the flyer with the congregation and or offer to support by attending, assisting with volunteers, etc. I am grateful for the translation. The congregation here is largely Hispanic and most of the pastors are young. I'm however African American and over 60; not sure if that matters but this was my experience. Of course, enough to move on. " They honor me with their lips but their hearts..,,"

Very friendly and nice church Pastors all get down with…read morethe preaching and you can feel the place is filled with the holy ghost. Amen Come as you are, be filled

God is in the building the word is being taught with love and grace. The bishop is very…read moreapproachable a member introduced me almost a year ago and when I saw him later he still remembered me and my situation that means alot to me. Everyone on staff welcomes you with open arms its so warm and inviting

I saw/heard/felt Bishop Johnny Withers speak at another church I was attending, and I knew from…read morealmost the very beginning that his church was where I needed to be. This man of God is so annointed and the most amazing teacher! I never gone through my sermon notes so much as I do his. Needless to say, after that first night, I found his church and that is going to be my new church home. The people are so warm. Bishop Withers, who is in his thirties, is the Senior Pastor, and his mother, yes his mother, is the co-pastor. I can't even tell you how blessed you will be here. It is a non-denominational Christian church. God will show up and show out! You will not be disappointed!!!

BBC is a Christian church, part of Shepherds LA. Pastor PJ shepherds his church well and preaches…read morewith much depth and passion. (When I visited, they were going through the book of James). The church members are very intentional to welcome you. There's a desire for the church members to be active in evangelizing and discipling outside of Sundays which is amazing! For new church goers, they have lunches to get to talk with the pastors, church members classes, and handouts outlining what's good to look for when church hopping.

We were looking for a church close to home, and we found a church family that loves Jesus and loves…read moreneighbors as he commands.

I moved to California five years ago and was looking for a church. I grew up in the Disciples of…read moreChrist Church in Eureka, Illinois, and I loved it. My values and belief system were shaped by that church. Fairview is a welcoming community and the church supports a belief system that resonates with me. Fairview places a high value on justice and equity, affirms science-backed beliefs about creation, the environment, and humanity. Most importantly, it is an open and affirming church. All are welcome, regardless of their gender identity or social-economic background. It is a small congregation but a very active group of individuals. It's definitely worth a visit!

I'm not a church going person because I dislike such dogma and to be honest, I, far too often, find…read morechurches hypocritical, but FCC is a different sort of place. It is inclusive and embracing of people, all people and it dies it's very best to walk the talk of kindness and charity and live of one another, and of course there is the FCC pastor, Sarah Halverson-Cano, a person has earned the respect of organizations working to promote human dignity and social justice.