I was a member of this congregation at its old location at Arch and Vine for a few years. This is…read morewhere my stepdaughter had her Bat Mitzvah here and participated in Midrasha and Camp Kee Tov. My son also attended religious school for a time and his mother participated in a neat chorus group. Yet, with all this activity and the nice people associated with Beth El, and with exception of the Bat Mitzvah, I rarely felt a connection or an inspiration here. At times, I felt that our family and the congregation were all going through the motions. If G-d was in this place, I, i did not know...

I love Beth El, and am sad to be leaving…read more When I grew up in Miami, our reform temple had a choir of people on a tiered stage... in white robes. They sang to organ music. In comparison, the guitar seems almost orthodox. Still, Cantor Brian puts the guitar away for Saturday morning services, and the guitar is largely an institution for Friday night. So you can take or leave the stringed accompaniment, at your pleasure. That said, Brian is a much more "chant-er friendly" cantor than others I have experienced in the east bay. He is very encouraging of congregation participation (even if you can only hum along), and his melodies are all very accessible. I am not a gifted singer, and I feel very comfortable there. What has always made me a bit uncomfortable is some of the holding hands and swaying moments. But those are few and far between. Havdallah. They do that a lot at Havdallah. Some of the bar mitzvah's can be a bit overwhelming. But there is an active early service on Saturdays, followed by an intellectually stimulating gathering at Torah study. The Torah study group is a bit small, but very warm and welcoming. It is worth checking out. If you break out of your comfort zone, you will be rewarded. Rabbi Raj (pronounced Roy) is sadly leaving, and I have not met the new Rabbi. But I loved Ferenc more than I can say, and he will be the measure by which all future rabbi's will be measured. The dues at the temple are not insignificant. But I was briefly on the board, and I was also a partial dues paying member. The administration has always been flexible with dues. There are plenty of people who are members that are on reduced dues, and none (myself included) have ever been made to feel like second class citizens. I think I figured out once that if I took my reduced dues, and applied it to a weekly figure, and ate all the free food at every event I would make out ahead. Seriously, when is the last time you had creamed herring on grand bakery challah? Damn that's good... but you may have to be Jewish to appreciate it. If only they would serve more chopped liver and rye ends. Drool.

CBI is probably the best synagogue in the San Francisco Bay Area. Welcoming, friendly and…read moreenergetic. Come visit for a Shabbat and you'll see for yourself: you'll get a "CBI Shabbat welcome" and hosted meals for Friday night and Shabbat day. Kiddush is usually scrumptious - essentially a mini lunch with crackers, dips, vegetables, table wine and often cooked food too. Compared to most Orthodox Jewish communities, this synagogue is more egalitarian and women-friendly. They have womens prayer services and Torah readings, an accessible mechitza and a Maharat (along with the Rabbi). It's really a place where everyone can feel welcome regardless of background, religious level or gender.

Beth Israel is a super welcoming modern orthodox shul, someone found me a seat right away even…read morethough the shul was very crowded. The Rabbis speak very nicely and I liked the fact that the women get to take out the torah and parade it around their section - unlike many modern orthodox shuls, Beth Israel is a bit on the progressive and open side and I like that. They also had a very nice kiddush in honor of a Bar Mitzvah afterward and people at the kiddush were quick notice me as a guest and come over for a friendly chat.

I love Netivot Shalom. I have been a member for 13 years. Netivot Shalom is uplifting and…read morefulfilling. It has everything: inspiring services, diversity, great rabbi, interesting members of all ages, excellent learning opportunities for young and old, and many fascinating programs. It has great accessibility for various handicaps. Netivot Shalom has lunch after Saturday morning services and speakers or singing after lunch. The members and staff are warm and friendly. Netivot Shalom is gated and safe. I have found my Jewish home and I will never leave.

I've been a member for over 35 years. My three daughters became b'nai mitvot. I myself was…read moreSynagogue and Hebrew school Administrator. It's wonderful to see how much it's grown.

I spent most of my adult life avoiding synagogues mostly due to a chronic lack of compassion, or…read moreindifference, towards Palestinians that I experienced in almost every synagogue I've visited for the past thirty years. Kehilla does a brilliant job at holding an inclusive and welcoming space for Jews like me who do not align with the atrocities being committed by the government of Israel. They have a variety of social action groups and ways to get involved in local and global activism from a Jewish perspective. Our kiddo went through the hebrew school and B'nai Mitzvah program and it was an extraordinary experience for all of us. The program design is so rigorous and so special - you get to know other families and really go through the program as a cohort in a way that was mutually supportive, fun and fulfilling. The leadership of Kehilla is extraordinary. Rabbi Dev is a brilliant, soulful, deep and compassionate leader who I have learned so much from. Hazzan Shulamit is a beautiful spirit with a giant heart - the joy bursts out of her - it feels like the sun is shining every time I'm in her presence. There are so many other phenomenal people providing spiritual and musical direction - Debbie Fier, Beth Dickenson, Julie Nesansky, Avi Rose, Fresh Lev White, Sharon Grodin, and Rabbi Sam to name a few... Kehilla has a very deep bench of leadership. I look forward to Kehilla's high holy days every year. Instead of feeling like it is obligatory and boring, like I used to feel through my entire childhood, at Kehilla, I feel like I am on a profound journey into the depths of my own soul ... it is not a normal service. It allows space for transformation and growth - and it is just beautiful!

"Sigh...Don't you just LOVE Shabbat?" exclaimed Julie, who was leading Kabbalat Shabbat, after a…read morerousing rendition of "Rom'mu" on my first visit to Kehilla. Her expression of pure bliss and joy has stuck with me ever since. Yes, I do love Shabbat!! Kehilla is a renewal synagogue and, therefore, a bit on the non-traditional, earthy-crunchy side. This makes for a shul that is equal parts ecstatic and meditative; a warm, friendly congregation; a welcoming "come as you are" vibe; and a strong focus on social justice. I've been attending the monthly Kabbalat Shabbat and always leave feeling spiritually energized. The music is especially awesome. Thanks to percussionist Debbie Fier and cantor Shulamit Wise Fairman, it's not unusual for folks to to get up and dance! Other pluses include a scent-free seating area and a sizable parking lot. I recommend Kehilla to any and all who love Shabbat!

Very well organized programming, rich array of services, social activities etc but never felt very…read morewelcome so did not renew my membership after 1 year. As a newcomer I experienced a lot of clickishness, and a lack of feeling welcome at, for instance the oneg shabbats, which is where such bonding as a newcomer would take place. Interestingly I did witness, on a couple occasions, an AA person, who also appeared to be new or in process of considering whether to join, being shown great attention with a well organized welcomong committee response laying out the red carpet. I was also surprised to find one of the rabbis not to be very warm and friendly as was described in the other reviews. Whenever I saw her at an event and happened to make eye contact, her response was never warm and inviting. With such a large congregation I did not expect anything more than a smile or a hello but this did not happen-- not surprising however since this appears to be the cultural norm for Sinai's congregation as a whole. Now if I was a different demographic.... that might have made a difference!

I am still in disbelief that we found such a perfect temple for us! Take away the Judaism part, and…read morethis is still one of the most inclusive communities I have ever been a part of--the community here has totally brought new life into me after a few major life events. Sometimes it feels reminiscent of a really great cruise: all sorts of activities and events on the itinerary and there's always food around! ;-) My husband and I shopped around and went to a lot of different temples to get a feel of their communities, and we just kept wanting to come back here. I love how diverse this temple is, too--all faiths, all cultures, all skin colors, all beliefs--it's just simply the type of community I want my children to grow up in.

As I find spirituality comforting in my darkest moments, I knew that a healthy acceptance of faith…read moremay put me past negative family dynamics. Rabbi Bridget Wynne did that ever so gently by selective Torah studies reflecting families' values at Growing Together. She has a way for adults to share disparate upbringing and experiences and to weave together our human connection. When she explains her intellectual and spiritual discourse, it is eye-opening and reassuring. Growing Together has become a form of therapy for my personal growth. This section of Jewish Gateways is so aptly named! Our family struggled with finding initiation into Judaism as we looked how to intentionally shape our young family values. My partner was raised Jewish. His parents for whatever reason displayed lukewarm action towards passing Judaism to subsequent generations. But they laid down guilt trips when it came to attending their Passover dinners. Religion used for personal convenience and near coercion has always left a strong distaste. But I could not let the bad apples (ok...maybe I am still not quite yet letting that one go...LOL), even in my own family, ruin that. Being a second generation immigrant, I strongly felt a need for my child to have a deep understanding of all his heritages as a way of being, a proud sense of identity without geographic bounds, and an ambassador of his background. We "Shul shopped," attending different Tot Shabbats and holiday functions, and nothing felt like an immediate or consistent draw. When we attended Jewish Gateways Tot Shabbat at Totland, we liked the idea of learning more at Growing Together, which meets twice a month. With our hectic weekends, this felt like the right amount commitment and family accountability. Like all Shabbat, there is music, singing, and light prayers. The best part is when the children go into their classes, have tons of fun, and show-off their long-lasting creative projects. My child's strongest lesson thus far is bal tashchit (Hebrew: ) or "do not destroy." All I have to say is bal taschit, and he immediately conserves without me having to nag about recycling or composting, picking up neighborhood trash, turning off lights, conserving water, or finishing his meal. Stories that come from faith seem to move my child's intrinsic motivation more than modern day development and child-rearing guidance. Every Friday evening, he is very proud to use his DIY challah cover and Shabbat candle holders. He also has a pleasant attachment to his homemade Havdalah Spice Bag. The parents' bandwidth frees up tremendously to have thoughtful discussions around how faith plays a role in opening our U.S. borders and welcoming strangers, presenting easy opportunities to make Shabbat a habit, and loving the environment. We built a Sukkot and waved a Lulov. This was the first time I felt comfortable enough as a non-Jew to host Passover myself and invest in a beautiful Seder Plate. I have moved on from the family guilt trips and made this special holiday meaningful for my family. More importantly I yearn to do more Torah studies. I feel like I missed out a more vibrant and intentional life by not using religious relevancy to support my day-to-day actions and values. Lastly, I feel connected to more young families at Jewish Gateways with kind and empathetic smart discussions. Being in these families' presence melted away day-to-day mentally-draining conversations we have in the intense SF Bay Area. So grateful to have this special and unique form of Judaic support group!

My wife Laurie and I are in our 70s and adult children in later 30s. We began attending High…read moreHolidays at Jewish Gateways in 2016. Our attendance has continued and the family commitment and participation at Jewish Gateways grows. I am not Jewish, I am a spiritual seeker, and was immediately attracted to Rabbi Bridget's reference to Mussar in the sermon that year. Mussar is an ancient tradition that facilitates exploration of spiritual qualities and has enabled me to become more of a mensch. This was incorporated into our daily practice at home where we inventory and examine our previous 24 hours. Rabbi has been facilitating a series of Mussar 2 hour sessions for a diverse group of Jews and non Jews. Laurie and have participated in Mussar for the past 11 months. I have become more conscious of my impact on the family, friends and volunteer organizations I attend. I have been assisted to reach and choose how I want to be. Gateways is "WELCOMING: wandering Jews * wondering Jews * those of Jewish heritage * non-Jews * multiracial relationships * families * interfaith relationships * couples * adult children of interfaith families * Jews by choice * people of color * singles * LGBTQ folks" We feel welcomed and embraced by Rabbi Bridget and the Jewish Gateways community. This year my daughter will complete the Adult Bar and Bat Mitzvah class and we will join others to celebrate her bat mitzvah. We look to continue our participation and support of Jewish Gateways.

I went to a large shul for years. Then I found Beth Abraham. WOW! So friendly. I love the services…read morewhich range from peaceful to wild/energized. The kids really do whoop it up. Lots of well educated young kids and teens. Sometimes the rabbi just calls out, "Julie/Sam/Aviva (some kid's name) come lead the next part." Up the kid(s) pop and with a big smile shows off their stuff. Rabbi Bloom is funny, tender, easy to talk to. Lots of Jews by choice here too. LBGT members. Jews of color. Feels very Oakland. I love that the rebbetzin (Rabbi's wife) is so involved with the congregants. She's a big reader, plays (and will teach anyone) mahjong, leads spontaneous dancing at Rock n' Roll Shabbat and Israeli folk dancing at various holiday celebrations - like in the Sukkah. A trans friend wanted to convert and I took him there for his very first erev Shabbat dinner and service. He asked, "Am I going to feel like I landed on Mars?" I answered, "You sure are! There will be kids dancing in the aisles." We are located on a busy street right off the freeway so we do a quarterly street clean up. The photo is from one of those days.

Warm and vibrant, lots of kids, top notch preschool and religious school, great Kiddush lunches…read moreevery week.

New to me. Near my home and a smaller congregation than I am used to. I found very welcoming…read moreleaders and a warm congregation. I felt at home right away, my first Orthodox temple. Even better for me, the rabbi is a New Yorker.

Another "First to Review" and on Shabbes!…read more This is a highly regarded and welcoming left coast Modern Orthodox shul with a popular and scholarly rabbi. But my fondest memory of this place was holding my son in the Mikvah here and performing the ritual "dunking" and blessings as part of his Conservative conversion when he was just over 6 months old. He also had his Bet Din here and I am still grateful to Rabbi Stuart Kelman for making this all possible. A letter to my son descibing this event is safely tucked away in my safety deposit box for his future enjoyment.

rabbi yehuda ferris never gave my starving jewish elderly sisters or myself our inheritance,after…read moreour late brother died of cancer in 2020, our brother worked for rabbi yehuda ferris for 25 years , my brother was hospitalized 150 days at alta bates in a liver coma in 2019,rabbi ferris and his sufi muslim " attorney william jhon rogers, of petaluma,#law licence 154219, gave us a trust, claiming our brother had signed it, four months before he died but he was in a liver coma,. the trust gave my two sisters and i a total of $90k to spilt, and would be an automatic lien at 10% iinterest a year on my brother's property at 1810 grant st.berk.94703, which is two blocks from "chabad of the east bay." well, now it's been six years and we haven't gotten a penny mr ferris sold the $2m valued home for $82k, i was living with my brother as caregiver. and as soon as he died, covid exploded and everyone was directed to shelter and place for over 2 years. nevertheless, mr. ferris , his attorney and thr buyers started an eviction action against me in the middle of the pandemic. and told me if i didn't leave in 2 months. i would never get a penny,OF OUR LEGAL SHARE OF THE IRREVOCABLE TRUST nor would my 2 sisters. We had suffered 6 years of trauma brother brother having terminal cancer for 6 years. And this is how trustee ferris treat us after he died and the big lie is that they made me an " offer"that didn't exist. "Accept this offer" read a threatening email . there was never a offer. he never said verbally or in writing or email etc 'll give you $30k i'll give you sisters $30k let alone interest,he never said anything i called ferris & his lawyer a 100 times they never answered next , there's a 30 day notice on the door , i unexpectedly after my brother's death in which I took care of him for 6 years,had a pension fund from the hospital where my brother died , $25k i had to spend it all on an attorney who , like a guardian angel against the COVID virus. Stalled the eviction trial for an entire year, mr. Ferris's real estate magnate wife, miriam never got a single covid vaccine. Neither did any of their children, or in laws. So I ended up giving all the money to the lawyer over a year's time so I wouldn't die homeless from exposure to covid at 63 , in that was in 2022, ---- 100,000 covid deaths in california at the time---, i found $70k in cashier's checks in a wastebasket , in my brother's house, he took all his secret money out of the bank 3 weeks before he died and made out $70k in cashiers Checks to himself and I almost threw them away. I have photocopies in the court file, I gave them to TRUSTEE "rabbi" ferris. in good faith they just handed us a trust and it said $30k each. Guaranteed by a lein on the $2 million house. so i so what did he do? he kept every penny of the 70k + $15k that was in a safety deposit box which i found the key. and now 6 years later, my sisters are starving ,elderly ,and homeless, jewish , no money ,no income nothing and the same goes for me. and this guy's living in his $4 million mansion, asking YOU for a donation to his building fund. he bought a $1.1 million "second rider" property in cape cod!!!! it's a public record the same time. he's sold my brother's house for $82k this is financial abuse of the elderly . frankly it's (very) anti semetic, and they accuse me in the probate court where I don't have an attorney of being anti-semetic for wanting my inheritance and wanting my elderly sisters inheritece and no probate attorney takes any cases unless the trust is worth at least $3 million. They framed me up as a vexation litigant, in the probate court. so now i can't go out of court i can't even go to small claims court. I can't go to court anywhere in the state of California. Because i'm on this list they lied under oath about me .they told the judge I filed 30 lawsuits recently, but they lied included a in 1993 suit. my first lawsuit in life, they reprinted 5 lawsuits 30 times. I objected, but the judge has put me on this blacklist. No lawyer will represent anyone on that list. And I can't go to court myself. So they have attempted to completely silence me. And then they tried to get an order from the court that I'm not allowed to talk about this case to the media. If you wanna look it up it's case number RP221-20163, IN ALAMEDA, COUNTY. CALLED PROBATE DIVISION. DON'T DONATE TO THIS ORGANIZATION FOR THE LOVE OF G-D DO NOT DONATE A PENNY.

The Chabad House in Berkeley has been a blessing for me and my family. Their services have always…read morebeen heart felt, spiritual and all so welcoming with a great community feeling. Every one was very nice to me and my daughter. My daughter most certainly enjoyed the greatest summer ever when she participated in Camp Gan Israel Summer Camp. They had all kinds of activities and the greatest young kind and caring camp counselors. Then we went to the Chabad's Passover Dinner, another wonderful community affair with wonderful food and a lovely friendly community. I cannot wait for another community and family event at the Chabad House.