Beautiful historic synagogue with Tiffany's stained glass and soaring ceilings…read more The congregation itself is reform- very welcoming and warm, with lots of great programs for children, families and adults. Very cool community. Worth checking out.

From the owner: As the oldest and largest synagogue in Richmond, Beth Ahabah seeks to build community—among our…read moremembers; among congregants, clergy and temple staff; and between the congregation and the city at large. We offer a wide range of programming—from interest-based study to a modern vision for Jewish education, to family practice at home and to thought-provoking discussions—that facilitate and inspire lifelong exploration of Judaism and what it means to be a Jew. As a Reform Jewish congregation, Beth Ahabah also creates an inviting space that brings together a diverse membership and encourages congregants to pursue social justice, a core element of our Jewish identity.

Rabbi visited me while I was in acute need of my health in the hospital He listed with pastoral…read moreskill and heard my heart longing with kind guidance I wish he would have invited me to worship

Modern Orthodox synagogue on Patterson Ave. between Three Chopt and Libbie. Warm congregation…read more Terrific rabbi.

It's a good place to meet other people interested in learning and practicing the Jewish Roots of…read morethe Faith.

PS -Please remove the photos of Rabbi Katz and his wife, Molly. The story mentions St. Paul. That…read moreis in another State. There are many synagogues around the USA with the name "Beth-El," but Temple Beth-El in Richmond did not have a Rabbi named Katz or his wife, Molly! The only photo which is remotely correct is that of the sanctuary, before the new seating arrangement! Also, Beth Torah is now Kol Emes.

Rabbi Patrick is awesome! He is always there when you need him and will help you out if you can't…read moreafford to go to an event. He is also a very good listener. Give Kehillah a try, you've got nothing to lose and a community to gain!

I am a 70 year old gay man. I have been looking for an accepting community to desperately fill my…read morespiritual void and for me to have an .. connection with a caring group. Thus, I found Kehillah to be exactly what I was craving for-- a diverse group of kind and caring people where you feel like part of a family. In fact I befriended three men close to my age and we go out for lunch every other Friday. We call ourselves the Hebros. We have a wonderful time sharing stories, jokes and our analysis of world politics. However, I had an extremely disruptive experience with the Rabbi. For Pride Month, when prejudice and bigotry are put aside, a celebration was planned where by Kehillah would join with congregation Or AtI'd for a Shabbat service follow by a meal sponsored by the JCC. When I could not get a ticket to the dinner, I contacted the Rabbi and he told me that only young people were invited excluding the mature generation--the generation that as children were bullied and called fags, queers, etc,, were excluded from social event, were repeatedly told we were an abomination, physically attacked, denied civil rights, tortured someone such as Matthew Perry, or murdered like Harvey Milk. We were an incremental victims of HIV and AIDS. As a group we were prohibited from meeting together and were attacked by the police as occurred in the Stonewall Riot. Individuals would deny us services. We were told that we were mentally ill. Employer would not hire us. It was never ending. If you are Jewish then this story should resonate with you. As a gay man I have always been on the lookout for discrimination. Yes, I am on guarc. When I communicated with the rabbi that the refusal to allow senior citizens to attend an event was blatant agism and discrimination. another very public stab in the face of men who want to be treated with integrity. It was cruel. He became irate with me telling me I am always looking for ways to be excluded. He then told for my "spiritual" healing I was to be separated from the community for at least 60 days. He refused to meet with me and handle the situation in a mature, adult manner and exercised power to deliberately cause me more emotional pain and grief. Then he went to the dinner, took selfies with the young gay men and women and posted the photos on the Kehillah website as if to show from his actions that Kehillah endorses blatant prejudice. The rabbi's actions were those of inexperience, immaturity and a blatant lack of moral judgment. I sent him a book, The Velvet Rage, written by a mature gay psychologists detailing the suffering that mature gay men have suffered the time they were children. The rabbi did not acknowledge the receipt of the book nor did he thank me. In my opinion Rabbi Patrick is an insecure and inexperienced rabbi who is in no position to be providing spiritual care or leadership. His actions are deliberate and cruel, totally inconsistent with the moral compass one would expect from a religious leader. I believe that he does have a core of kindness and concern. However, I seriously believe that he would greatly benefit from having mentors to provide him with moral guidance and the development of the leadership skills that he is lacking. I'm not sure when my shunning is over, but I will not allow the immature and insensitive prejudicial behavior of one person to keep me from my spiritual family. I hope he looks for solace and guidance to become a more effective leader. I wish him the best. Isaac K, "ike" Wood MD

Wow, I can review my synagogue? Neat!…read more In case people are actually looking on Yelp for insights on whether to attend religious services when they're visiting Williamsburg, I wholeheartedly recommend Temple Beth El to you. Here are some things you might want to know before you go: -The synagogue is not affiliated with a movement. This is maybe my favorite thing about it, but it is likely not to be exactly what you're used to no matter what movement you're a part of. Certainly, the advantage is that you'll meet Jews of all shapes, sizes, and persuasions here. -Shabbat services: Ma'ariv is 7:30 year-round, Shacharit is 10:00 AM year round, but they only have Shacharit services once a month (usually first Saturday) during summer. -The congregation is small enough that visitors are usually recognized and possibly asked to introduce themselves during the announcements before the conclusion of the service. -Likewise, if you stand for kaddish, you may be asked if you would like to share a memory of your loved one. You should feel free to accept or decline this invitation. To me it's a pretty heartwarming custom, and I very much enjoy hearing others' memories, but we are all very respectful of those in mourning and do not want to make them feel uncomfortable. If anyone has any other questions about Beth El, I was a Sunday school teacher here for a year and spent many more attending services, so please feel free to send me a message.