We enjoyed the annual Blintzapalooza festival. Coming from New York, we enjoy noshing a cream…read morecheese bagel & lox, blitzes and delicious rugala. La Chaim!

Inclusive and supportive Jewish community with strong Tikkun Olam efforts - make sure you download…read moretheir app or n your favorite app store!

An incredibly welcoming and intellectual congregation, whether you were raised in a Jewish…read morehousehold or have never attended synagogue. I was extremely skeptical of a "meditative synagogue," since I'm well-aware of the celebrity pseudo-Kabbalah "Kabbalah Center" trend. But this congregation is uplifting, mystical, and genuine. It truly embodies the mystic Jewish tradition without new age weirdness. There are no gimmicks. At so many other services, you don't feel like you're really digesting the Torah portion. Here, guided meditation forces you to think about the deeper implications of the text and its applications. And, as a person who has never successfully meditated before, I was able to meditate on the Torah passage with great success and find it more relevant than ever before. Converts, potential converts, and non-Jewish alike will also find a welcoming home here - none of that "cold shoulder" nonsense here, but genuine curiosity and acceptance.

Not a healthy environment for the younger generation. Filled with old people like me. Something…read morefeels awfully uncomfortable here. An all white leadership, feels very unrepresentative of the Jewish community. Came to a board meeting once, the president was awfully emotionally loud, I can't imagine what he's like at home.

It's small and intimate, and offers quite a lot considering it doesn't really have critical mass…read more This does mean there are lots of opportunities to be involved. The "rock-star Rabbi" who was here for four years moved on which was a loss. Over the years, depending upon the leadership, the atmosphere, flexibility, and welcomeness waxes and wanes. When we first arrived, we felt extremely unwelcome. Then, for several years it felt like a very warm, fulfilling, active, growing community! And then it didn't. My recommendation is to drop in (when there's a service or class) as it might just be your perfect place. And then again, it might also not be. But one thing's for sure: you won't know without trying it. Wishing you the best!!!

I tend not to review religious organizations or facilities or groups as, when one is talking about…read moreany matter pertaining to the spiritual, it just seems way more subjective than, say, reviewing a restaurant or store. That said, here are my reasons why, for me and my family, at any rate, this is a wonderful synagogue: 1. They are all-welcoming, of everyone. My hubby is not Jewish. TSHS welcomes all interfaith couples, blended families, the LBGT community (they were very vocal in their support of same sex marriage), everyone and anyone. To me, this is what a religious-based community SHOULD be. 2.This is a community-oriented temple. There are so many opportunities to meet people here and join groups, or simply attend Shabbat services and those at holidays. There are adult-learning classes, a very active single "Tribe" group (they do so many fun activities, I kinda wish I were single again so I could join this group!), groups for teens, book clubs, pot-lucks, Temple trips, and more. In other words, you can do as much or as little as you wish. But there's a LOT to do, if you want. 3. There are two sites - one in Seattle, one in Bellevue - so that makes it a bit more convenient to go. 4. They have awesome preschool and religion/Sunday school programs, and fabulous Bat Mitzvah/Bar Mitzvah training and facilities, and will help you (the parents!) plan these events, every step of the way. 5. There's a focus on community involvement and awareness. I like how there are dialogues with Moslems and Catholics and how there are many inter-faith dialogues and meet-and-greets throughout the year, and how CHurch members come to our services and how we go to theirs. And how there are always opprotunities, through the Temple, to help others in our community (volunteering at shelters and soup kitchens, cleaning parks, clothing drives, etc.). 6. Personally, I like how they have their finger on the pulse of what's going on in the world. This is a very liberal reform congregation, led by a very charismatic senior rabbi and other super rabbis who speak in real-world terms about real-world issues. There's no emphasis on esotheric, abstract issues. The services focus on real, pragmatic themes and current events, and they are able to break down even the most fuzzy theologic material into terms us laymen understand. They have "Rock Shabbat" services where, with electric guitars in hand, they'll sing Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello or The Band tunes, and talk about the politics of the world, and how it relates to Torah. It's all discussed in ways we understand, and in an interactive format that makes us feel a part of the services itself. This is a huge contrast to the very Conservative synagogue of my youth. And I SO welcome these changes!

I love Temple De Hirsch!…read more Even though I have spent most of my time at the Seattle Temple De Hirsch, I attended some services at this Synagogue. The location can be a little confusing, but there is plenty of well lit parking (winter is dark :/). I 100% agree with Nancy, they truly are all welcoming, I enjoy the diverse, genuine atmosphere.

Bet Chaverim lives up to it's name (which is "house of friends," if your Hebrew is as lame as…read moremine). It's a small Reform congregation that is welcoming of interfaith, LGBT and Jews by choice. We meet at a Unitarian church on the edge of Saltwater State Park, and celebrate Shabbat and all the usual holidays together. Torah study and Minyan are arranged and led by members. Downsides? Bet Chaverim is currently between rabbis and running chavurah-style with lay leaders. (Hoping to have a new rabbi in place by High Holidays 2026). The membership is largely of the AARP crowd, with though we have able tutors to help anyone working on becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Participation is encouraged, which is great because you get out of a membership pretty much what you put in.

I have to say that after all these years that it surprises me that Temple Beth El has not been…read morereviewed on Yelp! In one way or another, I've been involved with this synagogue since about 1980 or so, even though I didn't convert until 2002. I had the privilege of meeting legendary founding Rabbi of the new location, Rabbi Rosenthal on numerous occasions in the 80s, including being the photographer for the 1987 (?) confirmation class. As coincidence goes, I attended services tonight for the first time in a long time only to find that tonight is the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Rosenthal (as well as the first Yahrzeit of Cantor Leah Elstein). It's a beautiful, welcoming place - Rabbi Kadden has helped to make Temple Beth El such a place, and the congregation reflects this. And for those who may have a tendency to shun some of the modern Reform traditions, Temple Beth El has lots of Hebrew in the services, with many traditional melodies. Some Reform congregations have moved to "mostly English" but Temple Beth El still honors the Hebrew tradition, but in a welcoming "you don't have to speak Hebrew to belong" sort of way. I've always liked that. If you're looking for a Reform congregation in the Tacoma area, this is your place. It was for me for many years since my conversion under Rabbi Glickman. We'll very likely be rejoining after our few years' absence. It was a very nice service tonight, and very inspiring especially given the coincidence of it being the Yahrzeit of both Rabbi Rosenthal and Cantor Leah... maymay their place of rest be in Gan Eden. Dave

I'm so incredibly disheartened after my visit to Beth El. My husband and I are new to the area and…read morehad such high hopes in finding a like minded community in our new home. The Rabbi and Cantor where both kind and welcoming, but the general feeling was that kids aren't welcome. We have a two year old, who we took turns taking out into the hall to rock and try to keep quite (she's well behaved but she's also two. She wasn't screaming or yelling, just playing with a puzzle as quietly as a two year old can play). We had been given serval looks from people sitting around us, and not sympathetic, 'oh, we've been there, we understand' looks, the kind of scolding looks that left me red with embarrassment. Towards the end, someone came up and told us she was 'just a bit much too' to be in the sanctuary. I left in tears, I've never felt more unwelcomed in a place of worship.

I am learning so much here…read more The sound healing of Hebrew. The clarity of the scripture. The vast openness of surrender. This temple and her people have amplified my capacity to wonder, ponder and celebrate.

Very real and authentic people. I enjoyed the fellowship at oneg afterward.read more

Amazing People, Great Rabbi My Hylan Slobodkin and Pastor Joey Suyat Senior Pastor an Past Youth…read moreMinistry Pastor helping the Children Grow into adulthood and instructing them and the People of God's Church in The Weekly Torah Teadings and In The New Testament about the The Messiah' Ben Elohim/ BenDabid of the Son of Jesse and David: Son of Yoseph the Messiah's Dad and Husband to Mariam who had an Equally important Ancestral lineage's and similar Family... They Give an Jewish Account of the Bible and Culture on as important Character level, as Mentioned ! In their Sermons. I spent nearly / part time 17 years of my Life as part of this Church Body, and have no Regrets. Prayer and Bible Study from Knowledgable Instructors' John and Thomas Trade off and Do a Great Job of Keeping it Really InterestingJohn helps us to Learn about The Life and Times of HaMashiac and Applied Messianic Prophesy, Thomas is Doing a Great Job of Fulfilling Duties in John's absence- instructing the Church Bidy for the Elder John ( Jack Kutz ) the Cantor when attending Before Services, like I had done For about 7 years when I needed to Be encouraged before helping feed the Homeless and pouring out on Shabbat Sabbath's to do Outreach in the Community after years of Help understanding the Biblical Perspective for Families and Elders alike, that are into Observing The Fall Festivals - The High Holy Days, and Hanukkah is also, Very Great to Celebrate at this Time of Year! Being just the Anniversary of the 1st Day of Creation! Sheihacol Nehiyah- Blessings

You should be alerted to their money collection tactics. You will be subjected to a persuasive 20…read moreminute sermon at the end of the service lauding the benefits of giving ten percent of all your money. They will pull a few stories out of the hat of people on the verge of homelessness who gave their last dollar then walked around the corner and someone handed them one hundred dollars as an example. They're persuasive and convincing as they pass the collection and tell you to dig deeper. I gave happily and generously from money that should have gone into my retirement account but not to despair, I was assured I was doing the right thing. I got behind in my mortgage and today my house is going into foreclosure.

I love this place! My family has been going here for many years, and it has become our Jewish…read morehome. Families of all kinds are accepted here, and we have such a wonderful community. I especially love the music, and the Rabbi!