Very friendly congregation. Nice location. We have been here several times over the years when we…read morehave come down to Ocean City from NY.

Beth Israel is a welcoming and kind community. They are an all-volunteer organization with a…read moreterrific Hebrew school principal and a very knowledgeable, experienced Rabbi, whom we wish could serve us full time. Our children have blossomed while attending the school and enjoy spending time with the friends they have made. The Board and its congregants are looking to grow and do more to serve the active duty members of the community. Our children have close friends that have joined as active duty members. As a veteran, I am personally happy to do all I can to make all those in Southern Maryland, especially our active duty members, feel welcomed and are invited to attend any and all services and social functions at the synagogue. We have enjoyed the Hanukkah parties and the Purim festival.

We have lived in Patuxent River for just over two years now. We are active duty military and have…read morebeen to Passover Seder for the past two years. I would like to volunteer to help but there do not seem to be many functions with community outreach besides the community seder. The Hanukkah party was cancelled last minute and I saw no evidence of Purim activities. I would gladly volunteer my time, but there just does not seem to be any real interest on the synagogue's side. I really thought a small place like this would do more to encourage families to be closer. Sadly, this is not the case.

We went through a really rough patch when my wife was pregnant with our third kid. She was…read moredangerously sick with chest pains and worse that kept us bouncing from specialist to specialist, trying to tease out exactly what was wrong. I was doing my best trying to be there for her and our two girls and keep up with work as the sole breadwinner (fortunately, I work from home), and our household was kind of falling apart. I shared some of what was going on to friends at Oseh's religious school, where my oldest daughter was a student. About a day later, they had organized a Meal Train for us of fellow members who came almost daily for two weeks to bring healthy meals and help share the chores and childcare. I can't express how much that meant to us. It gave us enough breathing room to figure out the issue at last and turn things around; a few months later, our son was born happy and healthy! I'd been happy to be a member at Oseh Shalom before, but that experience really transformed the way I saw the synagogue and the people in it. This is a valuable place to be a part of through highs and lows in life alike, full of caring, multitalented people. I'm delighted that my kids will be growing up here the way my wife did.

This synagogue is exactly what we were hoping for. Oseh welcomes all; traditional Jewish families,…read moreintermarried families, mixed race and LGBT families. Oseh's religious school has done a great job accommodating student special needs without any stigma whatsoever. Some of our favorite things about Oseh: the people, the focus on Tikkun Olam through the Winter Shelter, the relationship with Elizabeth House and the Laurel Area Shelter and Food Bank, Teen Connect activities, religious school electives like cooking and Israeli Dance. One student even raised money and sought volunteers to build our own Gaga pit. It's wonderful at Oseh!

I was here for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music event today. I was impressed by the…read morequality of the facility including the built-in audio system. Very nice. The room is lovely. I assume the chairs cam from the Temple. Comfortable and plenty of space. Restrooms clean, plenty of room for the chamber orchestra to set up and the recover and pack without tripping over one another. Good parking. While I can't speak to services there as a venue they are first rate.

From the owner: Reform Synagogue in Anne Arundel Countyread more

My son was had his Bar Mitzvah at Temple Solel. It was a great experience for our entire family,…read moreand special for my son,. Who is now in his 40's. The Rabbi at that time was exceptional. Unfortunately, he left and went I believe to a synagogue in N.Y. My husband was in the military at that time, and we transferred overseas. We are retired now, living in Dunkirk, MD. And would very much like to return on a Friday night again. Thankyou, Linda Steinberg

Low pressure, family friendly, not too formal but a respectful and gracious congregation. Many…read morediverse activities in a diverse Jewish (and non-Jewish) Temple Community. You can dive in and lead or slowly integrate at a contribution/commitment level that suits your family.