I have belonged to Temple B'nai Shalom since its inception in 1986. Never have I met a more…read morewelcoming group of Jews. EVERYONE is accepted with open arms. There is very little gossip and almost no cliques. It is the kind of synagogue I didn't think existed. Although there is, of course, a concentration of programs to educate the young, it is not a pediatric congregation. There is much for adults and seniors as well. The only criticism I have is that the entire Reform movement has leaned too far into the traditional for my taste. I liked my religion in English and with a minimum of chanting. The Union of Reform Judaism has, over the past 20 years, leaned in the other direction, so Classical Reform hardly exists any longer. This is my personal taste and does nothing to diminish B'nai Shalom as a congregation. B'nai Shalom supports the food bank at Lorton Community Action Center all year. This is done with enthusiasm, generosity, and wholeheartedness.

Our family has been members of this outstanding Reform Jewish congregation for many years. You…read morecouldn't find a more active, welcoming, and spiritual synagogue anywhere.

​​​​As a 20-something, I have gotten used to being the youngest adult in a synagogue by at least…read more15-20 years, so I was absolutely thrilled to find a vibrant, active Conservative congregation with a large, engaged, and welcoming cohort of young professionals. There are tons of ways to get involved spiritually and/or socially, the rabbis give thoughtful d'varim and are active in the larger Northern Virginia Jewish community, the we​​ekly kiddush lunch is almost always delicious, and the building (particularly the sanctuary) is beautiful. I can't say enough great things about this warm community.

When I was looking for a new place of worship, I first looked for one within my zip code. We joined…read moreback in early 2000 and I am so thankful we did. I am not super religious as I grew up in a reform Synagogues however, I took a Hebrew class that the Rabbi's wife lead and soon I was participating in Services. I had led a Friday night Service, led a morning Shabbat Service and I am a regular Torah lifter (Hagbah). I am so happy that Congratulation Adat Reyim is a Welcoming, Inclusion and allows members to participate in all aspects of Services regardless of religious level or Hebrew knowledge. The saying "We are a community of Friends." Is true to the core.

From the owner: Congregation Adat Reyim, is a welcoming, caring congregation in wooded Fairfax County, Virginia, a…read moreshort drive from Washington, D.C. From our name -- which means a "community of friends "-- to our inclusive approach to Judaism, this is a place you can feel at home. Our independent congregation draws on the richness of Jewish tradition and respects the many ways our diverse community members connect to each other and the Divine. Join us on a Friday night, and you will be personally welcomed. Come on Saturday morning, and you will be offered an honor and invited to lunch. Bring the kids to our religious school, our preschool, a Shabbat Family Jam, a Family & Friends Service, or any service - and they will be part of our family. Enjoy a pot-luck dinner or Adult Education program and share your ideas and perspectives; we will listen. We are committed to social action to support our broader community and our world. Whether you enjoy the traditional harmonies of a choir, or the ruach of our Spirit of Shabbat service with guitars and more, or a moving string quartet sharing Kol Nidre, there is music to inspire you. We are small enough to know each other and large enough to be a thriving community! Get to know us so we can get to know you.

My first visit was with a group from the NVJCC. There was a group of 55 plus dancers performing…read more They were energetic and fun to watch. Afterwards a lovely free lunch of deli was served with chips, coleslaw, drinks, and desert. The people were very friendly. The 2nd time was last Sunday to view the movie 'It's All About Friends'. The organization ARC came to discuss the film and how their organization provides support and contacts to families who may know someone with special needs. It was a charming, funny and touching program, thanks.

Back in 2016, we were looking for a synagogue to join. We visited Beth El and fell in love with the…read morewarmth of his congregants. Four years have passed and we feel we did the right choice.

Welcoming community, excellent preschool and summer camp. Many opportunities for personal growth…read moreand community involvement. The clergy and staff are wonderful.

I spent a great deal of time at Temple Rodef Shalom Nursery School. I worked as an aide for one of…read morethe children enrolled, so I was not employed by TRSNS but spent several days there a week observing staff and their preschool program. I was continually impressed with the professional and caring teachers, who have great approaches towards educating children. TRSNS focuses on exploratory learning, creative play, kindness to others, and respect for others and the environment. Many of the children are not Jewish- this is a great preschool for anyone!

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!

Such an amazing synagogue!!! They are so welcoming and friendly. I have been very happy with my…read moreexperience with the temple so far. Love Rabbi Weiss!!

Not being from the area, I came across Temple Isaiah while searching for nearby Temple to observe…read morefor the high holidays. The Rabbi, Congregation and Service(s) were all extremely enjoyable; happy I chose to attend here.

This place is so friendly. The Early Childhood Center is amazing,…read more # 1 it's a reggio-emilia inspired education. # 2 the kids attend based on real school time Sept-May, preparing our son for a healthy transition to Pre-K or Kinder eventually. #3 The staff of the Early Childhood Center is great and loving. Facilities are clean and neat. The playground is perfect. Plenty accesories for entertainment. #4 Small group (under 10) for better one on one dedication, always to teacher per classroom. Very happy with pur choice HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The religious school teachers are in the dark ages when it comes to awareness of bullying. They…read moreactually told my child, "well, you should have more self-respect" and "kids will be kids" when he was bullied. When we took this up with the director of the religious school, the education director, and even the rabbi, they simply could not understand that my child had been harmed. They focused their "zero-tolerance policy" on the one time my child defended himself and his sister after years of verbal taunts and physical attacks (tripping, shoving, pushing... always when the teacher's back was turned). When out of concern for other children being bullied, or being harmed by seeing kids bullied without consequences, we shared our concerns publically, the synagogue took steps to kick us out. Also, the rabbi is uninspiring. She isn't much of a leader and certainly isn't a person I would trust in times of personal crisis or grief. She does read stories to the preschoolers adequately, but my kids say she yells at them in religious school. When she knew that my son was hospitalized with suicidal ideation resulting from the bullying, she never once asked me how he was doing. My kids loved going to preschool there and my husband continued to volunteer for the preschool long after our kids were in grade school, but lately my youngest refuses to go to religious school and although my daughter loves her teacher this year, she has no interest in being a Bat Mitzvah after a couple classes with Rabbi Mina. They are very concerned with collection of annual membership dues. This year High Holiday tickets were only sent if dues were paid before a certain date. We have had financial difficulties this year and finding the High Holiday envelope empty with just a reminder to pay up brought me to tears on what should have been a joyous day. I guess being an active member for almost a decade isn't as valued as checks. We loved this community when we joined in 2009. Now I'm sort of relieved as well as shocked and angry that they kicked us out.

Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation (NVHC) is one of the most warm and welcoming places you could…read morego to. The community is about a medium sized (400 families or so) which makes it both feel intimate yet filled with diversity. The Rabbis and Cantor are truly incredible. They are always happy to meet new people and figure out how you can best practice your Judaism. The community is truly wonderful. NVHC serves people all over the Northern Virginia area. The services are always filled with great music and words from the clergy that really make you think. If you are looking for a new community to be a part of, no matter what age you are or where you are in your life NVHC is the place for you. They have programs for every age group and it's really easy to become involved. What are you waiting for?

This is my very busy, growing and engaging congregation. I enjoy worship, singing in the choir,…read morelearning, and friendships. If you are looking for a community with lots of options, an amazing clergy team, and real ruach, check us out.