My dad and I walked there on Friday nights and Saturday mornings many years ago. I so remember the…read morecantor as well as the men dovening. Extremely peaceful as well as respectful.

Over the past few decades, many North Shore communities saw a decline in their Jewish populations;…read moremany synagogues shrank or shut down. Yet some communities have stayed strong, like Marblehead and Swampscott. And some places offer new life to the community. Chabad of the North Shore is one many new outreach centers (nationwide and worldwide) that reaches out to Jews of all backgrounds and observance levels. Chabad has a point of view, like any group worth respecting does. It's Orthodox, an open-hearted Orthodoxy that meets Jews where they are, offering pathways to a meaningful Jewish life. They're not missionaries; rather, they inspire Jews to become educated about their own heritage, and to take a step up the ladder of observance, from wherever they are. As is traditional, some rituals are for men, some are for women; only men can be rabbis; and there is a tasteful mechitzah (divider) between the men's and women's sections during prayer services, made simply of a row of trees in planters. Women and men are both valued equally. Chabad encourages women to study Torah and Talmud, and to teach. At their community seder, the service was led equally by the Rebbetzin and Rabbi. The Rebbetzin teaches classes on Talmud and on Kabbalah. That's egalitarian, even if not Reform style. My family has been to the Chabad Community Synagogue for their community Purim party, a traditional Shabbat morning service, and to their community Passover seder. We felt most welcome! I have been to many kinds of synagogues, and what matters most is this: Is there joy? Ruach (spirit)? Does it encourage people to come to again, and inspire children to think "Judaism is worth doing, learning, celebrating." Chabad of the North Shore succeeds in this. Their Purim celebration and Passover seders were lively, and a joy. If you haven't been to one, you are missing out. The Shabbat service could use more Shlomo Carelebach-type melodies and harmonies. But that's true of nearly all synagogues nowadays. It also could use a few more moments of prayers in English, which helps keeps people involved if they don't know the format. That aside, this is a place very much worth coming to, and a worthy addition to the Jewish community of the North Shore.

I've been a member for several years and have enjoyed my time tremendously…read more Two things make it easy to stay engaged. Our Rabbi, Allison Adler, has a calm presence that is spiritual in a way that is hard to explain. For life cycle events (baby naming, weddings, funerals) she has a way of connecting with the family at a deeper level. Inclusion, mindfulness, gratitude are things that never leave her mind. She is inspiring in a quiet way. Second is the community. The people at events are very welcoming, and it is easy to find your place if you want to. There are groups for new babies, there is a young adult group for folks in their 20s, 30s, that is a group for those interested in conversion. Our school is small and mighty, again customized for the type of student. Those interested in very traditional prayer learning can opt to participate in our Torah Club, which is offered after school on Sundays and we have had kids under 12 read from the Torah. Seeing this warms my heart. If you are interested, it's a great place to visit at any time.

I rarely leave reviews but wanted to in the support of the best teachers and care providers we ever…read morecould have asked for in our community. Erolynn in Room 4 has been an instrumental educator for our wild and very extroverted 2 yr old. He comes home having learned new skills, song, words, animals, good behaviors, etc that I know for 100% have come from her style of gentle nurturing and support. If it was possible to keep him in her class through his daycare years I would, and I've tried:) She has taught him how to interact "gentle" with his peers and others, giving him and his classmates so much love it's expanded his horizons exponentially. He rushes to see her every day and has meant so much. As we enter into the last week of a wonderful year, I couldn't imagine leaving a review without recognizing the amazing staff that greet every family with so much enthusiasm and vigor each day, Ms Patty and Ms Andrea bring the kids in pumped for a fun day where they feel so loved. Abby and Joan and Ally in the preschool class are exceptional at nurturing young minds and young big emotions with our 4 yr old, helping him articulate and express his interests, make friendships and be respectful to themselves and others. Finally the swim staff, Brendan & Danielle who have helped generate a love of the water, safety, fun and excitement are incredible. There have been so many wonderful people that are a part of this place, we are so grateful.

Pulled my kid from one classroom because she was being emotionally abused, and then I thought she…read morewas ok for a year, but come to find out she hasn't spoken all year in her class. She is basically mute, and they didn't tell me or ever once encourage her to speak. I told the director, Stephanie about the multiple OTHER policy violations I noticed and she did absolutely nothing about it, so I pulled her out, reported them to the state, and I'm sending my kid to therapy. Don't send your kids here, there is an investigation forthcoming. I have seen other small children being pulled up from the floor by their arms and being called names. This place is rife with abuse.