First Iraqi synagogue on Long Island. Sabbath and festival services. Also some during the week when…read moreappropriate, such as after a death. Members live in Queens and Nassau, so drive to the synagogue. Orthodox ritual (separate seating). Uses Sephardic prayer book from Israel. Has newer, daughter congregation in Great Neck, Babylonian Jewish Center.

I accompanied my Grandma to Am Echad for Yom Kippur this year. Grandma LOVES Am Echad. She's always…read moreraving (to anybody that will listen) about how nice all the people are, how beautiful the services are, and how much fun she has going to temple. I can see why she feels that way. From what I could tell, Temple Am Echad is like heaven for a Jewish senior citizen -- without the whole "being dead" thing. I found myself surrounded by such apty-named octogenarians as "Seymour," "Ethel," and "Harold." And unfortunately, each elder lady tried to out-perfume the others, filling my nostrils with the most powerful old-lady smell one could imagine. It's not easy to breathe out of your mouth for two hours straight. Truth be told, Grandma was right about the people. They really were all very nice, having nice things to say about Grandma and how she had been talking up my Yom Kippur visit for weeks. Good ole Grandma. As for the temple itself, it was a nice enough building, if not particularly beautiful. The Rabbi cracked a couple of jokes, one or two of which actually wasn't horrible. The Cantor was good, though I was expecting a bit more theatrics after Grandma's assessment that he could easily hold a lead role on Broadway. Not sure about that one... And the service was pretty standard, as far as Reform High Holiday observances go. That is, until we reached the Torah service and things completely fell apart. The Torah readers could not find the proper starting place, leaving the congregation waiting some 5 minutes as they searched the scroll. Then some of the readers were painfully slow and obviously unprepared. One old lady reader said she was too short to see the words well, though I happened to agree with the guy behind me who loudly whispered, "I don't think she studied very hard." Ha. Temple Am Echad seems to be making efforts to modernize and appeal to a younger generation, though it's definitely still ruled by the old guard. The temple President made her remarks and asked for donations to help keep alive the special services that Am Echad offers during the year, including a special Jazz Shabbat and their patented Peter, Paul, & Mary service. As I looked around, I got the feeling most of the people in attendance, although Jewish, would have a better chance of knowing Peter, Paul, and Mary from the New Testament than the folk band from the '60s. I don't mean to make Am Echad sound too terrible, though. My overall experience was not bad, though I would imagine there are better options for younger people in other places. But if this review comes across as too harsh, let me now say that I am sorry. And I suppose I can always return next year to repent on Yom Kippur.

B'nai Jeshurun is a awesome Synogog with nice friendly members. Congreagation was on point and fun…read morewith wonderful men and women singing. I really enjoyed the prayer services as well. My girlfriend has family and friends out here as well. So, we do have a home synagog place to call home here in New York. But we visit others too.

Shabbat at BJ is fabulous. Great full service (no reform). THEIR CULTURE IS WOKE, and they have a…read morehuge PC attitude, rather than a clear vision. Jews who stand 100% for Israel and know clearly that there is no Palestine ALWAYS LEAVE once they see what their culture is.

I've been going here for 15 years. Pretty standard orthodox synagogue. Some interesting people…read morethough.

Shaarei Tikvah is a warm and welcoming conservative synagogue in Scarsdale. They have a wonderful…read morerabbi, Adam Baldachin who is in his mid thirties and very interested in social action as well as the needs of his community. Adam and his wife have three children who are often at services and have helped to create as added warmth and playfulness to our community. Shaarei Tikvah was a fantastic Hebrew School and a wonderful Educational director, Sara Birnbaum who also attends Saturday services with her four children. In addition for the last 30 years, the synagogue had had a gifted Cantor, Gerald Cohen, who has composed many musical compositions, operas and melodies that can be heard in synagogues around the country. They welcome interfaith families, have very liberal membership policies and recently began offering services for interfaith couples that are planning to get married and want to share their "engagement" wth the community.

A wonderfully warm community with a dynamic young Rabbi, a talented Cantor and a religious school…read morethat kids actually enjoy. People are friendly and accept you, no matter your level of observance. It's small enough that it's easy to get to know people and become involved.Try the Rabbi's Wednesday morning Torah class - it's so interesting. There are lots of family programs too. And couples in mixed marriages are made to feel welcome.

I was a member of the congregation and later the board here when I lived in NYC. It takes a warm,…read morewelcoming place to get me to services often, and many Friday nights I was drawn to EET. I went for the beautiful music, inspiring and progressive messages, and strong community within and across age groups. Cantor Shira Ginsburg and Rabbi David Adelson were delightful to listen to and pray with. They have a way of reaching congregants exactly where they are, and they and other temple leaders are also great at soliciting lay leadership. Other gems include staff Sharon in the office, Muhammed the custodian, and longtime congregants and past presidents Karen and Helene. Too many other wonderful people here to mention by name. My husband and I got married here and had our daughter's naming ceremony here. When our young family moved to Long Island, we could no longer reasonably attend EET. Yet no synagogue in our new community managed to draw us in much -- EET had spoiled us. After we were displaced from our new Long Island home by Hurricane Sandy, however, we were lucky to land in a rental apartment near EET during our slow restoration process. During that fragile time, we returned to our familiar EET community to attend every Friday night service and other temple events. East End Temple really has been like a home away from home, through tough times and times of celebration. Go a few times and you too may start to feel like it's family. Best wishes on your Jewish journey.

I have been going here for about 2-3 years now. You won't find a warmer, more welcoming community…read morethan EET. I'm not a parent so I can't comment on the religious school, but I can say that the rabbi and cantor are very genuine (and talented). Everyone is welcome - this is a very progressive reform congregation - all are welcomed in and encouraged to become part of the community. Services are on Fridays at 6:15pm, check website for Saturday schedule.

This is a friendly church that definitely Christ centered atmosphere. The message was on the line…read moreof the text. And the congregation really made us feel welcomed.

Redeemer East extends mercy toward underserved populations compassionately and thoughtfully.read more

I would not recommend this school. There are a lot of wonderful schools that practice the Jewish…read morereligion. This school is not one of them. I feel bad for the kids because it is so boring. There were many parents who pulled their students out of the school because of the lack of fun things in the lack of activities. It's pretty sad. I feel bad for those kids. There are several other better Jewish schools, such as JCC. Do not send your child to Beth El. They harass you when you pull your child out and the activities are unbelievably boring for the kids.

Beth El is the industry standard when it comes to synagogues in Westchester. You really can't go…read morewrong. Granted you may have to take out a second mortgage on your home to get close high holiday seats...but well worth it. Make sure you visit the Wiener Lounge when you're there. Rabbi Sirner is like the Sandy Koufax of rabbis...no joke. Sure, he may confuse me for my brother when I see him, but since I only see him, maybe, once a year...I forgive him. In all seriousness, he is a real mensch...and a rabbi's rabbi. I have many warm memories of sitting with my family, as a child, listening to Cantor Avery and Rabbi Sirner lead the congregation. As a former CIT, I can also highly recommend the day camp.