Miami welcomed me and my girl as we visited their synogog through a friend. This is a very nice…read morecongregation. Love how they narrow down our words of the Torah, and I was happy to see welcoming and happy faces. We made some new friends, and they will be here on our next trip to Miami. Place almost looks like a museum with a good congregations. Temple Israel really healed my heart, and taught me a lot.

Wonderful history of a vibrant Jewish community. I remember reading the 10 Commandments from the…read morebeema for my Bar Mitzvah in 1961. I hope the sanctuaries can continue as a Museum. Jay Casselhoff

What a fantastic welcoming community! We spend last Shabbat evening at services in bEaUtIfUl Coral…read moreGables with their dynamic Rabbi Jonathan Fisch and their talented musicians. There were adorable kids dancing and singing along, a bar mitzvah family AND and a pre wedding Auf ruf couple present on the bima in anticipation of the big days! Though every congregant was masked and appropriately distanced, it did not take away from the joyous. community celebration that is Shabbat! Afterwards, we all took a moment to reconnect with old friends and even meet some new ones! It was terrific through & through. We will definitely be back from snow Connecticut soon!

My husband grew up at Temple Judea. Shortly after we rejoined more than 30 years ago, we attended a…read moreTemple family picnic. I didn't know anyone there, but as soon as we walked in, a kinder, slightly older woman came up to me smiling, and introduced herself. She invited me to meet the others in her group, and I immediately felt at home. Over the past three decades, Temple Judea has been our spiritual, social and academic home. We have celebrated more simchas there than I can count, including the b'nai mitzvah of our two kids. Both attended Temple Judea preschool and beginning next Monday, my daughter will be teaching there, now the Margaux Early Childhood Center. My husband became an active board member, eventually becoming president of the congregation. Both of us have been involved in temple life, feeling that you get what you give out of something. If you're looking for a large, less personal synagogue, look elsewhere. But if you're interested in becoming part of something in a warm, welcoming environment, check out Temple Judea.

Shiva.com was a new website for me and I have to say it was GREAT! The Shiva was in New Jersey…read moreand I am in Florida having no idea who or where to call in the grieving family's neighborhood. I wanted the order delivered on a Sunday and many of the potential delis I located on the internet were either closed on Sunday or only did pick-up. Shiva.com came to the rescue. I was very apprehensive especially after seeing and reading a number of the terrible and ugly reviews. I even called the service number to ask why does the company have such either bad reviews or excellent reviews and nothing in between. The individual I spoke with was very reassuring and expressed concern about the bad reviews, but in the end I felt comfortable to place the order for the beautiful dessert platter. My apprehension continued until the delivery was made. The family received the platter exactly during the time requested, and they sent me a text stating how fabulous the dessert platter was AND that it happened to come from a deli they knew and loved going to in their area. I am sorry they did not send a picture to share. I will keep Shiva.com in my back pocket for a reliable place to order around the country.

How I wish I had checked Yelp before using Shiva.com. Ordered a platter to be delivered to my…read moregrieving friend on the day of the post-funeral luncheon. It was never delivered. When I contacted Shiva, they claimed it was delivered, left "on the porch," but no one was home. My friend's home does not have a porch. At the time it was supposedly delivered, there were people coming and going because the luncheon was taking place. My friend insists it wasn't delivered. Instead, of making it right, Shiva is keeping my $100+ so that I can't even use it to make a monetary gift to my friend's father's favorite charity. If it matters to you, if it matters that it gets there, don't use Shiva.com.

One of the most impressive synagogues in South Florida, this is the oldest Conservative…read morecongregation on Miami Beach. It looks beautiful from the outside, and is easily one of the most impressive synagogues in South Florida. It contains both Byzantine and Moorish architecture. I drive by it daily and cannot help noticing it. It was organized in 1949 and underwent a 2 million dollar renovation in 2012 by Kenneth Treister, who is also responsible for the sculpture at the front of the temple, "The Dove of Peace." It was made from bronze and imported Jerusalem stone. Throughout the years, the synagogue has been visited by thousands of tourists. Further, it has hosted many notable statesmen and religious leaders, among them President Ronald Reagan, President Bill Clinton, Senator Henry M. Jackson, the Dalai Lama, and Desmond Tutu. Interesting, isn't it? I'd love to see (and photograph) the interior but it was closed. Does anyone have any idea of how/when I can get in?

I can remember when Temple Emanuel first opened when they moved 14th St. on Miami Beach to this…read moremagnificent edifice. Rabbi Irving Lehrman was our leader and by his side you could always find the Rebbitzen Belle. I was one of the fortunate ones who was active in the Temple from a young age. I served as the first President of the USY (United Synagogue Youth) chapter and further, first served as the Chazan for the Junior Services and then the TeenAge services which were held in the social hall and then moved to the Delano Hotel and opened to more than just teenagers (also blew the Shofar). Rabbi Eugene Weiss served as the Rabbi. He was a brilliant young man who unfortunately passed away when he was still a young man with a brilliant future ahead of him All who shared these times were among the fortunate.

Not only is the synagogue beautiful, but the Rabbis (father and son) are great. Accepting of…read moreeveryone. No charge for anything!

Another historical place to see in Coconut Grove on the main highway. This is a Jewish church - a…read morenice looking building, When I visited there was a lot pof peacocks roaming around. Here is their website and this is their message. https://www.chabadmiami.com Chabad of Miami is a Jewish community center in the truest sense of the term -- the nerve center of all the educational and outreach activities of Chabad of South Dade, serving the needs of the entire Jewish community, from the youngsters to the elderly, and everyone in between. The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, constantly called for the expansion of activities in existing Chabad Houses and the establishment of new Chabad Houses wherever Jews live: in the cities, in the suburbs, on college campuses throughout the nation, and around the world. We are here for every Jew, whatever and wherever the need may be, from the mountains of Nepal to Coconut Grove. We are here to offer Judaism with love to every single Jew, regardless of background or affiliation. Chabad is your Home. There is no membership charge, and absolutely no conditions attached. We accept you "as is." Come learn with us, pray with us, celebrate with us, and care for each other with joy and warmth. All of this, at your convenience.

Went to friends' grandson's Bar Mitzvah here. A truly beautiful sanctuary. A wonderful cantor and…read morefemale Rabbi.

When you're a new mom, there's only so much bad, daytime television one can take for entertainment…read more Staying home with a baby 24/7, while being very rewarding, can also be overwhelming and capable of turning one's mind to mush. Enter Temple Beth Shalom School. The parent/child program at this Miami Beach synagogue is so much fun for both mommies and their babies. As the mother of a 1-year-old, I've been attending Mommy & Me classes at the temple since Ava was 4 months old and can honestly attest that the classes have not only exposed my daughter to new and exciting activities, but I too have forged new meaningful friendships. Depending on your child's age, there are different classes to chose from. Activities include singing, painting, drawing, snacking and more -- all based on the Nova University model. So if you're a new mommy and want to engage in some activities outside of your home, go go go to Temple Beth Shalom! Oh, and you don't have to be of the Jewish religion, either. I am actually a die-hard Greek Orthodox Christian and enjoy the exposure to a different faith. Try these classes out, mommies...Jerry Springer is so 2007.