Breathtaking! The crucifix is a beautiful portrayal of the historical Jesus (as an indigenous…read moreIsraeli). All recited components of the Mass are clearly displayed in light at the front of the altar -- helpful to worshippers who may not have fully memorized the Mass. Beautiful music plays a key role in the service and the sermons are insightful and educational. The overall atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

I'm a lifelong Catholic, baptized at 4 days old. After the revelations of the sex abuse and coverup…read moreby church leaders, I was disgusted and stopped going to Mass. I have no interest in going to Mass at a Boston Archdiocesan church. My husband and I tried The Paulist Center, which is run by the Paulist Fathers and not the Archdiocese, about fifteen years ago. We found The Paulist Center to be a vibrant, welcoming community that has a strong focus on social justice, LGBTQ+ issues, and elevating the role of women in the church. If you're a Catholic who hasn't been to church in a while and you miss it, try The Paulist Center. Members come from all over Greater Boston. It's worth the drive or T ride into town.

I am a member of the synagogue. Due to Covid, I have rarely been in the synagogue during the past…read morethree years. I attended the "Empty Nesters" Shabbat luncheon on February 18, 2023. The food was so tasty, that I asked a woman, "Who was the caterer?" Imagine my surprise, to learn that the meal was prepared by volunteers, in the Shul kitchen. I note that I was approached by many individuals, who had not seen me in a long time, with a smile and greeting. This warm welcome meant so much to me.

I prayed here on a shabbat morning several years ago, when I was involved with someone who had…read morefamily in the area. The building itself is fairly modern, as is the congregation itself. There's a more right wing Modern Orthodox shul across the street. This congregation is a magnet for the scholarly and academicians of all sorts pray here, people you wouldn't think Orthodox after reading their scholarly works, which in many cases border on the heretical. However, where else can you say that Dr. Jonathan Sarna davens in front you in shul? Yes, the undisputed dean and heavyweight of American Jewish history was praying in the row in front of mine. The rabbi is scholarly and rather progressive for an Orthodox rabbi in many ways. However, I felt that in order to be a member here, you probably need at least three post-secondary degrees. They seem to be pretty heavy on congregant participation, and the rabbi seems more of a facilitator of people's religious growth, rather than a hegemonic influence, which is a model of leadership that needs to be explored in other milieus. Congregants seem very knowledgeable and empowered, as a result. The kiddush on that particular shabbos was in order of Yom haAtzmaut, the Israeli Independence Day, and there were lots of Israeli salads and fresh vegetables on display. You can tell it's a Modern shul when there are healthy offerings on display, and not just the typical heavy, oil-laden, starchy foods, such as kishke and cholent.

Temple Beth Elohim Wellesley…read more This unusually special building was just built in 2009. While it is an active Reform Jewish Temple, it is open to all to individually visit, meditate and reflect (and/or to join in a service.) The photos on the web site will give you a very good idea of its uniqueness and the welcoming community it houses.The building, which is situated in a wooded area, is designed to seamlessly fit into the landscape; light woods and stone and large window expanses achieve that goal beautifully. And every season is 'the best season' to see it. We spent most of our time in the glorious sanctuary, sitting and taking in all the design details and outside views, and in the courtyard garden which serves as a lovely transition space to welcome you into the main building. The communal spaces in the atrium lobby's two floors- have a number of worthwhile displays and sculptures, and further opportunities to appreciate the wealth of architectural details, and think about the wise choices that were made in creating them. Pay special attention to the color palette and the woods, stones and textiles used to all complement each other and to bring the outside in. The Boston architects of William Rawns have received numerous awards for the Temple: 2013 AIA New England Honor Award; 2012 Faith & Form, Religious Architecture; 2012 Chicago Athenaeum, American Architecture Award; 2011 BSA Honor Award http://www.rawnarch.com/temple_beth_elohim The Temple is located only 5 minutes off Rt. 95/128. Wellesley has many architectural treasures further west in the town- including the Romanesque Town Hall, and the charming melange of the Wellesley College campus. Leisure exploring in Wellesley will take you down some of MA's prettiest country roads, past 18th and 19th c. clapboard houses and woodlands.

A welcoming Jewish community with excellent family and spiritual programs…read more There is a full time Rabbi and Cantor with musical accompaniment so services are beautiful.

This is the first synagogue I've been to in years* so I don't have as much recent experience to…read morecompare it to, but I was pleasantly surprised by this warm and bright building, and the community it houses. In particular, I was happy to see how personable and welcoming and human Rabbi Keith was. I was attending my little cousin's bat mitzvah, and not only did he clearly know her intimately (the wonderful little person she is, and what makes her so special), but he also seems to have fostered a lovely community where folks of all ages interact and enjoy each other's company. (My little cousin has been active in the theater productions, and she absolutely loves it.) My experience with this temple is as an outsider, but the bat mitzvah was an excellent testament to the way in which this community operates. I know my older cousin (the bat mitzvah girl's mom) to have excellent taste, and I'm not surprised she chose Temple Beth Avodah for her family. ______________ *Yes, I am not the best Jew.

This is my favorite Synagogue that I've ever attended. It's Reform and Rabbi Keith Stern is…read moreintellectual and cool. Besides services and holidays, there are activities for families, older people, younger people, book clubs, Torah study, all kinds of special programming ranging from speakers from Israel to movie and baseball nights. One of my friends invited me to join and when I first moved to Newton, but it took me seeing another friend who kept posting fun pictures on Facebook to get me to get over there. My husband and I joined almost immediately. We really enjoy the programming and all the nice people we've met there.

This is a wonderful and welcoming synagogue. It is a Conservative synagogue has recently become…read morevery vibrant again. There are many young families of every type and race, who are leading the way and their are lots of family activities. The Tot Shabbat is is packed and is led by a really incredible woman who has all of the kids singing along. My family joined last year and feel as is we have really found a home.

Forestdale is a Congregational church. It has two Sunday morning services at 8:30 and 11:00 (except…read morein the summer when they have one service at 10:00), Sunday school for adults and children, prayer groups, and various fellowship opportunities for people to get together. But it is the members that make it special. They are warm and welcoming, encouraging newcomers to come back without making them feel pressured, making them feel like family without making them feel judged. It has been my church for years so I might be bias but I believe that if you are looking for a group of God-loving people to worship and fellowship with you won't go wrong with Forestdale.

Forestdale Community Church is a small but wonderful church full of God-loving members who are…read moreready to welcome anyone through the front door. There are two morning services at 8:30 and 11am along with Bible Studies in the summer, Sunday School for children and adults, nursery during the service and Fellowships between services which is spent catching up with each other, meeting new faces, and relaxing with a cup of coffee. The sermons, songs and scripture are one of the many reasons I love Forestdale so much. You will always feel welcomed when walking into Forestdale Community Church and leave not only feeling loved but knowing your faith and love for God has grown during your time here.

Wonderful church and excellent Spanish mass. Love it. I went to ask for my brother-in-law to be…read moreincluded in the intentions of Sunday's Mass and State for the English Mass and also the Spanish Mass. The Spanish Mass has a new priest and I love to approach of getting close to the people by coming down from the altar during his sermon and speaking to us directly.

I like this church. They have an active community of young adults and adults, though I would like…read moreto see more involvement with graduate Boston College students (I'm a grad student at BC). They recently had a beer tasting after the Sunday 5:30 mass, which is excellent. They also have things like spaghetti dinners and theology on tap etc. They have a new deacon that is spearheading reaching out to boston college and community of st. ignatius. I think he's doing very well! I haven't attended the 11am mass, but I've gone many times to the 5:30pm mass. At this mass, the priests and deacons give good sermons, and people attending mass respond and are friendly. They open with greeting people and end with a good song. The music is very good -- they have about a 10 person choir and guitar,piano,harmonica etc. They sometimes have a choir leader with a guitar that looks like a spanish parlour guitar -- the music he leads/sings is really great. By far, after trying so many zombie-Catholic churches in the Boston area -- with people that aren't friendly and don't speak responses in church and priests that are "difficult to appreciate" as my refined southern mother says -- this church is one of the best if you're looking for catholic and community.