The Rabbi is very nice and l enjoy his teachings and l love that the community is so welcoming to…read morepeople of all backgrounds. They have many activities and ways to get involved.

In the past, my experience with Congregation B'nai Shalom has been incidental via their Rabbi. The…read morefirst time was with Rabbi Gordon Freeman during my Son's conversion to Judaism (at birth) and years later with Rabbi Daniel Stein as he participated in a religious diversity teleconference that Gayle organized through the City of Pleasant Hill. It was only during the 2nd night of Pesach (2023) that I physically set foot in Congregation B'nai Shalom as part of their Community Passover Seder. As I happened to be in town that week, I very much appreciated this opportunity to break matzah with this slice of the Bay Area Jewish community. There was so much to appreciate: - The hard work of the folks who put this even on, including the program, table service, the food buffet, and of course set up and take down. - A meaningful and relatively short Seder. This was not the Orthodox version that tries to finish as close to midnight as possible. At the same time it hit the right notes and was nicely led by Rabbi Stein and Ḥazzan Sandy Bernstein. - The interesting and friendly folks at my table. Let's see what happens next year....

Very friendly and outgoing people. The Rabbi is a dear! Not to mention her 'angelic' voice!read more

Lana is right about the setting at CBT. It is peaceful and understated with a beautiful big tree…read morethat you glimpse from the pews and that shades the sweet little outdoor amphitheater. Though more importantly to me, it is a welcoming community of friendly and down to earth people. Our family has made many good friends at CBT over the years. When we were "temple shopping" the friendly manner and helpfulness we encountered from the front office was an immediate plus. Adding to that, the Cantor has a beautiful voice, the Religious School Director is full of positive energy and the Rabbi always greets you with a smile (and usually by name). Though we have friends at several local synagogues, CBT feels like home to us.

I have visited Beth Emek a few times, since my daughters were first invited to visit while…read moreattending Sunday School at a neighboring Unitarian Universalist church, as part of an interfaith effort to help young people experience faiths other than their own. Toward this same intent, I have attended a couple of times on my own. They have always been welcoming. Friday night was more oriented toward inclusion than Saturday morning, which attendees told me and I experienced. Saturday had more language that I didn't understand. On Friday, a couple of ladies invited me to join the choir. On Saturday, I joined the lunch after service, when the Rabbi sat next to me, included me in conversation and invited me to return, adding that I would always be welcome.

I sat down on the bench. Lady came out within 30 seconds to kick me off the property. Then proceeds…read moreto call in a police squad car after I had already left the premises. I see it as poor hospitality / unhappy staff. I would not bring my children here.

Kol HaKavod! You really can't ask for much more in a congregation:…read more *Educated, kind, caring, dedicated rabbis and staff, *An incredibly talented cantor, *Inviting, inclusive, accessible Shabbat services, *Amazing Adult Education opportunities, *Extensive chldren/teen's programming, *An abundance of chances for volunteering/tzedakah/social action, *Interesting guest speakers *A well-stocked library... EVEN THEIR GIFT SHOP RULES! I really can't say enough good things about this synagogue. I have personally met with or studied with nearly every clergy member on staff, and it's true, they're amazing. I tried a bunch of congregations when I moved here, and this one tops them all. The community at Temple Isaiah is warm and you will seriously meet every type of (liberal-leaning) Jew here. Is it Shabbos yet?!?!

I grew up going to Temple Isaiah but haven't been there in 7+ years. I attended the Tot Rosh…read moreHashanah service there today with my mother (who's still a member and my two little girls). I cannot believe how much the Temple has changed/grown since I was there. Not only has the main sanctuary been enlarged and re-designed there are two new buildings on the campus-One, for the new Jewish Day School and one for the Hebrew School. It's absolutely beautiful! Rabbi Graetz did an amazing job at keeping the tot service short (30 min) while still getting across the important points of Rosh Hashanah to our children. My girls were mesmorized. There was a new song leader-and I'm kicking myself for not remembering her name-and she was fabulous as well. The kids had a great time! I can't believe there are now 4 rabbis serving the congregation. Growing up we only has one rabbi-Shelly Waldenberg and one cantor-Cantor Silverman. It warms my heart to see the congregation grow. I also have to commend Temple Isaiah for their welcoming of interfaith/interculture families. It's so nice to see so many different faces! Yeah for progress!

The people of this community are great. Love the food and the inclusivity. I was raised Christian…read moreand married a Jewish woman and they accept and support us both!

I became a member of Shir Ami when I wanted my son to have a Jewish education (he was entering…read morekindergarten) and my daughter needed a naming ceremony. Shir Ami ably provided both and my family has been members ever since. That was 1990! Both children studied in the Sunday school and each became b-mitzvah. I have been a teacher and a student there as well (always something new to learn). Shir Ami has become my West Coast family and I am very happy to be a member here.

I brought my friend's kids here for their Purim festival and everyone was warm and friendly, even…read morethough they'd never met me before. I was very pleased to see a lot of racial diversity as well. The kids had a great time and seemed to be part of a wonderful community. If I lived in the area and had kids, I'd bring them here for some wholesome religious exposure.

"Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name...."…read more Temple Beth Sholom is a small, caring, tolerant place for East Bay Jews. Rabbi Manhoff is extremely dedicated to his congregants and to the greater community. He is involved in interfaith dialogue and teaches a class on Christianity at a local college. His worldview is reflected in his sermons and in the temple's welcoming atmosphere. His sermons are often are often controversial - but that is to be expected in a very diverse, conservative congregation lead by a reform rabbi. Temple Beth Sholom is in many ways, a blank canvas. The benefit of this is that if you are looking for something in your Jewish community that you haven't yet found, this is the place to create it. If you have an idea, this is the place to bring it to fruition. The membership is small but committed, and open to new ideas and programs. Rabbi Manhoff offers several weekly adult education classes, but invites suggestions for new classes based on what participants want to learn. The new President seems full of ideas and energy. Cantor Hirschorn is passionate about Jewish music and brings a lot of knowledge to the pulpit. This is a homey, little community where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came.

Although demographically I don't feel like I totally "fit" (single, early 30's) this is home to me…read more The congregation is warm and welcoming, Rabbi Schulman is everything you'd want your Rabbi to be, and despite moving and trying other congregations I still travel from Dublin back to Fremont when I need to re-center myself. If you're over the age of 50 or have a young family you'll fit in nicely. After attending services here off and on for 15 years this is home. Compared to other reform congregations TBT seems a bit on the conservative side, which I personally like. This is a culturally diverse, open minded community that still is very strongly attached to its heritage and tradition, a perfect blend. I don't have kids yet, but I can very much see myself raising them in this community.

From the owner: Temple Beth Torah is a Reform Jewish synagogue dedicated to serving the spiritual, intellectual,…read moreand cultural needs of the Tri-City Jewish community. We offer innovative worship services, preschool through adult educational programs, and social events. We deeply value our community and embrace the diversity of our Temple family.

una congregación muy cerrada a sólo apoyar y estar para quienes pertenecen ahí, no es por Dios ni…read moreles importa lo que pase afuera de lo que es su congregación

I wrote the first review back in 2016. At the time I had contacted Congregation Beth Shalom for…read moreconversion process. I'm thrilled to say that after 1 1/2 years of studying under Rabbi Shalom Bochner I had my Beit Din and Mikveh on January 4, 2018! Since then I have become a member at the Congregation and have attended Shabbat Services and many activities that the Congregation have such as Cafe Shalom, Shabbat Dinners, Art Group, Sunday Afternoons at CBS, Passover Services and Seder, Chanukah, Simchat Torah, Sukkot Celebrations, High Holidays, Purim, and much more! Now that I am a Jew, my studies doesn't stop here. I continue to attend Adult Education on Sundays followed by Adult Hebrew. What is great about Adult Education on Sundays is that we are there along with the children who are attending Beit Sefer ( Hebrew School)! Congregation Beth Shalom is a very warm and friendly Synagogue. If you are interested in conversion or simply looking for a Shul, please stop by! Here are some useful links: http://www.cbsmodesto.org/ YouTube: JewishModesto Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqREBrRdVBLhxbl7BP1EsAA Twitter: JewishModesto Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beth_shalom_modesto/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbsmodesto/ Sundays Afternoon at CBS Concert Series: http://www.cbsmodesto.org/concert-series.html Hope to see you at Congregation Beth Shalom!

This is a wonderful synagogue with a very compassionate rabbi. I love the music. The sermons are…read morefantastic. Will definitely go there for services again.

I go there to learn Argentine Tango on Tuesday nights from Leslie and Rich. The dancers are…read moreusually nice, I try to help newcomers.