Very progressive Conservative Congregation with…read moreaward-winning youth program. Members of all ages, new and sincere female rabbi, and daily services. Great cantor. Offers catering and facilities for special events. Suggest coming as a guest to experience services especially on Holidays.

Rabbi Annie Tucker and Rabbi Michael Cohen do a phenomenal job of leading this progressive…read morecongregation. People of all ages and demographics are welcome and encouraged to join. They go above and beyond other local congregations inspire families to come together to foster community. The talented Cantor Roytman has brought a new music program to the school for all ages to enjoy/participate. We feel very fortunate to be members of this synagogue. They are a breath a fresh air!

I attended the Bat Mitzvah of the daughter of my best friend from the University of Iowa on this…read moreThanksgiving Day. This trip to stand with my friend for this key life cycle event was a mitzvah (good deed) I was happy to perform. Beth Judea is housed in a handsome building and seems to be an active and welcoming Conservative congregation. Many friends and family from near and far had come for this occasion, including all of the Bat Mitzvah girl's teenage buddies in the back corner. Norm's daughter was impressive in chanting her Torah portion (Toldot) and the entire Haftorah. Her drash (sermon) was pretty good too. I also thought that Rabbi Gamer and Cantor Weisberg were especially kind and helpful to the Bat Mitzvah girl and the other folks (including me) who come up for an honor. In my particular situation, I had the Hagbah honor. This consists of lifting up the Torah and turning it around so that the congregation can see the actual writing on the parchment. The Hagbah occurs after the Torah reading is completed and before the Haftorah takes place. This requires a certain amount of strength in the arms, as Torah scrolls are heavy and in this case disproportionately weighted on the left side. And despite that required strength and balancing act and the fear of actually dropping the Torah, this honor remains one of my favourites. Afterwards, another person dresses the Torah and I then sat with it on my shoulder as Norm's daughter read the Haftorah. It was great to witness her chanting and the congregation watching from this vantage point. And as the weight of the Torah rested on my shoulder, I thought of the ying and yang of my Jewish-related burdens and enrichment, especially as it related to my son. Gayle is right, it is time to do something positive about that. Afterall, this is Review #613 and maybe a few more mitzvot are in order.

I have been a member of Congregation Beth Judea since 1979…read more Keeping Conservative Judaism alive and flourishing in the NW suburbs of Chicago is of extreme importance to me and my family. Every friendship that we have made since our move from Philadelphia has been started at Beth Judea. Recently Beth Judea has employed New Clergy. Rabbi Zimbalist and Hazzan Ezring have made our Jewish Community even stronger. Not every thing we do at CBJ is religious oriented, our social, education, and youth programs are second to none. I strongly recommend you try us out. Arnie G

Such a stunning location, inside and out. There is also lots of parking and the grounds are easy to…read morenavigate because of the signage.

My family have been members here since even way before I was born. My wife and I just joined with…read moreour son in the fall. NSCI is a great place to worship and the preschool, although a bit pricey is very good. NSCI has kids services quarterly and very family friendly. Rabbi Lisa Green is great with the kids for the family services. Signing, a few prayers and learning the traditions are a great introduction to Judaism. We just joined the preschool class and have attended twice. My son really enjoys playing with the other children. Beth is his teacher and he really enjoys attending her class. The class has elements of everything you would look for toddlers. Art, singing, some Jewish learning and even physical activity are all packed into and hour and a half. A great place for a child to begin his schooling.

Beautiful synagogue. Warm congregants. Very family oriented. Top clergy. A holy space to connect…read morewith something bigger.

Brilliant rabbi. Karen Kedar is a blessing. An incredibly gifted speaker. She is engaging,…read moreinspiring, and a wonderful person. Gorgeous building. The facilities are luxurious. Best in the country.

Temple Chai is a wonderful place to bring and raise your family. We have been members for roughly…read more14 years and have had both of our children Bar/Bat Mitzvah'd here and love the staff and clergy. It is a very warm place for all and we enjoy attending High Holiday and Shabbat services, as well as many other events throughout the year. We are very good friends with many of the congregants and are honored to be affiliated with such a terrific group of people. In addition to being very active overall at the Temple, we feel that the Temple's Chai Guys Brotherhood and the Women of Temple Chai are enjoyed by all involved. Keep up the great work!

I have been a member of Temple Chai for about 8 years. Shabbat services on Friday nights are…read moregrounding, spiritually moving, full of song -- and are very well attended by regulars and newcomers alike. There is a great Torah study group on Saturday mornings. The staff who guide and educate the B'nai mitzvah students are well respected within the temple community and do a tremendous job in educating our young people. There are many adult education opportunities. The Israel committee of the temple organizes amazing congregational trips to Israel every two years and this December is the fourth or fifth one, I believe. I went on the 2013 trip and I am going on this year's trip as well. My first trip was packed with sights, experiences, and activities that I will never forget and I can't wait to be part of this year's. I am very happy to be part of the Jewish community at Temple Chai.

Devar Emet is a MESSIANIC synagogue for people who grew up Jewish and came to believe in Jesus…read moreChrist. Some congregants come from a mixed background, like myself, where one parent is Jewish and the other is Protestant Christian. Others are Jews who were saved by faith later in life. The synagogue attempts to preserve Jewish life and traditions, mixed with new testament teachings. I really like Devar Emet because everyone I've met there has a genuine faith. About 1/3 of the congregation is college and high school-aged. They are all very involved with enriching the community experience of being a member there.

Devar Emet is a legitimate Jewish congregation. I visited in September 2022. It seems small, but…read morethey are clearly committed to creating a strong community. I think people who have been offended in the past misunderstood the purpose of the synagogue. It isn't about being different from other places of worship. It's about giving Jewish people who accept Yeshua as their Messiah a place and a community to live every part of their lives as Messianic Jews.

The most recent review of this congregation is from 12 years ago. Kol Emeth's current state of…read moreaffairs is far more dire. Rabbi Schechter is checked out and is with the synagogue for the sole purpose of collecting a salary. Active membership fails to form a minyan on most, if not all, Shabbat services. Membership and Marketing meetings present no viable plan forward for this aging congregation and seem content to let it die with the current membership. Kol Emeth is completely hostile to children and young families and has been for some time. In a recent conversation I had with a board member he openly bragged about ignoring Jewish law in making guiding decisions for the congregation. The woman who works in the front office has no respect for privacy and will gossip about any congregant to any one else who will listen. My family's final straw, although hardly the only one, was the careless disposal of items donated in memory of my grandfather without informing us until years after the fact. I say this as a (formerly) third-generation member and (former) member of the Marketing and Membership committee: There are better Conservative synagogues out there. Like all of them.

I have often attended services at this most welcoming and egalitarian conservative synagogue. I…read morewould commend Rabbi Schechter the spiritual leader of Kol Emeth as a most engaging and intelligent man who combines a deep feeling for tradition with a delightful sense of humor. Having trained as a cantor his chanting of the service provides an inspiring musical experience which so enhances the intrinsic beauty of the traditional service. The congregants are of diverse background but are all soon made to feel at home by Rabbi Schechter's warmth and sincerity. I would recommend this congregation to anyone wishing a liberal yet traditional Jewish experience. This synagogue is the best kept secret in Chicagoland. Warm, friendly congregation, Shabbat morning services with erudite humorous Rabbi Barry Schechter (who is also the Cantor, lovely voice) at 9.30 a.m. Elementary Hebrew classes & more. The charm of Kol Emeth is that it's a small congregation with a very intimate feel. People actually know each other. A real feeling of community.

I have belonged to synagogues in Chicago, New York and Hong Kong. This synagogue is the best one I…read morehave ever been part of. Every program is open to all members--many people 65+ are studying to be bar mitzvahed. Clergy is very, very strong, led by founder Rabbi Harold Kudan. Music program is so inclusive and expanding led by Cantor Andrea Markowicz. Rabbis Steve, Phyllis and Pam are tremendous community leaders and ever present for all life events. The lay staff is exceptional, not merely clerical. Very active on social issues. Strong financial underpinnings.

Very nice looking building. Great security staffread more