Chevra Thilim has newly become a loving community for me and my family. Although we are not…read moreOrthodox, we were welcomed just the way we were. Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi is one the most inspiring and brilliant rabbis I've yet to encounter. At every service I come away inspired. His wife Chani is warm and welcoming to all, as well as an amazing teacher. So many learning and spiritual opportunities are offered here. We feel so grateful to have this Shul in our community.

Chevra is made up of a beautiful community of people -- the leadership and people who make the…read morespace what it is are warm, welcoming, and intelligent. The social hall is lovely and spacious, and would be perfect for events. On a more personal note: I have yet to find another synagogue where I can immerse myself in prayer like I can here. At the same time, I've made many good friends at Cheva and enjoy the social aspects the space provides, as well. The Rabbi's drash/sermon is a huge Shabbat highlight-- spiritual, uplifting, and most importantly, I think-- Rabbi Zarchi's words (on Saturdays and at Torah Study) inspire us to dig deep, and to make a real effort towards growing into who each of us is meant to become.

I went to Beth Sholom for Yom Kippur services last year. I found the congregation extremely…read morefriendly and welcoming, and the service was excellent. The congregation is multi-ethnic, which is important to me because I come from a mixed family. The service was traditional - lots of people reciting hebrew at different places, and at one point the children's service got out early so there were kids running around. That's what a jewish holiday service should be - the focus was on the religion and our moral code, not on formalities or formalisms.

My wife and I became members of Beth Sholom in 2010. I was drawn to the shul because of Rabbi Micah…read moreHyman's energy and enthusiasm, and my wife, raised in a Reform congregation, was impressed by the haimish-ness of the community. Both of us were delighted that the liturgy was in Hebrew and the services were led without instruments. (I suppose we're old school that way...but there are musical services available for folks who are into that sort of thing which, unfortunately for my wife and me, seems to be most people!) In 2012, Rabbi Hyman presided over our marriage, and many of our friends and family still talk about Rabbi Hyman being one of the best officiants they'd had the pleasure of meeting/experiencing. We're biased....but we agree! :) As a Jew who strongly identifies with the thoughtful philosophy of the Conservative movement, I'm proud of the fact that Beth Sholom has been a trailblazing congregation within the stream (e.g., setting a particularly fine example with respect to gender and sexuality considerations). And although I generally prefer to daven at home, I'm also proud that Beth Sholom provides daily shacharit and mincha minyanim. When I do attend a weekday mincha service, I often see out-of-towners who have landed at Beth Sholom to say kaddish. That's no small thing...klal Yisrael, so to speak. With a terrific new rabbi leading the congregation and a new Executive Director at the institutional helm, I feel Beth Sholom's future is bright.

I found Ner Tamid to be a diverse community of theists and skeptics alike. I go there each Shabbat…read moreto receive spiritual nourishment and relief and respite from the jarring, knock-about workweek, presented in a mode that honors the best of Jewish tradition. Lady Rabbi Shana and the rest of the clerical staff are exceptional as spiritual leaders and teachers and in their ability to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Less important to me, but worth mentioning, is that Shabbat services are normally followed by an oneg, with a lunch that would do credit to the better restaurants in San Francisco, and with time to connect socially with other participants in our community. This place gets my recommendation.

I attend Congregation Ner Tamid and it is a small synagogue with a big heart. The rabbi and cantor…read moreare exceptional and they make services so enjoyable. There congregation is made up of mostly adults and there are a lot of events.

Or shalom is an interesting place. Rooted in the Jewish Renewal movement and San Francisco…read moreprogressivism, the community also is deeply connected to the American Jewish mainstream through its affiliation with the Reconstructionist movement. Services are recognizable to one coming from a more traditional background but accessible to those untutored in Jewish tradition. The rabbi, Katie Mizrahi and the music director, David Cohen-Tzedek, are both warm and inclusive and deeply intellectual and connected with Jewish traditions.

Love this place. Very warm and welcoming to members and non-members alike…read more - wonderful rabbi - amazing cantor, musicians, and singers - fantastic education director - peaceful sanctuary

This shuk made me feel like I was back in an old New York shteeble and I mean that in a good way. I…read morewas there for a Friday night and the davening was beautiful, but quick. The singing was good and they didn't bust out any of those tunes that only the chazzan seems to know. The women's section doesn't feel like it's behind a Berlin Wall and everyone said hello and welcomed me as a guest. Did I mention that the benches were super comfy and they had Tikun Mayer siddurim like in the old country.

I heared that the shul got a new rabbi so I went check him and the shul out…read more I heard that the shul did not give rabbi Strulovitz the raise he asked for and only renew his contract for two years. (That was done I was told to keep him on a short lease). Rabbi Strulovitz is now a star rabbi in Manhattan. My first impression of the new rabbi, Joel Landau that he is scholar kind of rabbi not outreach kind of rabbi like rabbi Struluvitz. Not sure how knowing the intricate laws of an egg laid on Shabbath can help the people of San Francisco. Some congregants I spoke to told me that while he was hired as Modern Orthodox rabbi he is trying to make the shul Charedi (Ultra Orthodox), I did see some people (more than last time) with Hasidic garment. Black sombreros I think look better in Tijuana than in San Francisco. The sermon was focused on making people increase their observance, San Francisco is very tolerant community so I am not sure how this attitude is going to play here. It looks that there are less young people than in rabbi Strulovitz's days, the people are very friendly but they all seem to be long time members, not much young blood to this shul except the Hassidic guys. The shul has a lot of Ultra Orthodox speakers I am told and not many Modern Orthodox speakers. However, I do not think there is enough of Ultra Orthodox people in San Francisco for the shul to grow. There is singing in the service which is very pleasant, the rabbi himself takes the lead which is cool. The tshulent in the kiddush is better than in rabbi Strulevitz times, that probably the only thing which improved.... Conclusion: there are better things to do on Saturday morning.

This is an amazing place to discover and explore Judaism. It is the right place for you no matter…read morewhat your background is. The rabbi and his family are wonderful, and the whole community is welcoming to everyone. I grew up appreciating my culture, but with no real sense of what it all meant, and never really feeling in touch with the reformed movement my family was a apart of. Chabad brings the ancient texts, and mystical practices to life with inspiring and touching services, study groups, and get-togethers known as 'Farbrengens'. Who would have thought studying Torah and a little Stoli could be so fun... Also, Shabbat or any holiday with the Rabbi is an amazing experience I encourage you to try.

Most Synagogues that I have visited are nice and warm but among all the most impressive one by the…read morewarm, kindness and loving spirit of Judaism is in Noeh Valley. The greatest Rabbi and amazing family Potash are the best of the best when we view Tzadikim as if Gan Edem was next to us. There are not enough words to describe all the great feelings inspired by the Synagogue's Yiddischkait

A BEAUTIFUL, historic synagogue boasting the most diverse and inclusive congregation. The Rabbi is…read morea world famous author.The congregants are a warm group of peiple and welcome all. If you are Jewish, have fallen out of touch with your roots, if you are curious and have always been drawn to Judaism, then this is your place. Diverse families, progressive and traditional spirituality. Egalitarian and GBLTQI friendly. Wonderful Bar, Bat and B'nai Mitzvah programs. Friday Shabbat services are so lovely. A fabulous spiritual oasis.

If you're looking for something refreshing and inspired, well, those are not terms I would use to…read moredescribe this shul. But if you just need to get the job done, then Keneseth Israel has got your back. It's mainly suited for tourists staying nearby who need a minyan, and it's tourists who usually make up the minyan. Sutter Street itself is very safe and lively with boutiques, restaurants, and bars. However, be very careful which streets you take if you're walking to the shul from Market, especially at night. I like Taylor myself, as there are MUCH fewer crack heads and drug dealers there and it's actually a pretty nice walk most of the way. I've come here now a handful of times since I moved to the area and no one who's a regular has felt the need to introduce themselves to me. I have met a number of nice tourists though from the East Coast and Israel. They try to make a minyan on Shabbos and holidays. Davening starts promptly at whatever time they call it for (usually about 15 minutes before shkiah on Fridays). They daven real fast, but usually whoever is chazan will do some nice melodies. They host people for meals on Friday night and Shabbos day if you reserve in advance, which is really nice for the tourists.

I am a ten year member of BIJ. I joined when my son was ready for religious school. BIJ is our…read morelocal shul so it was my default choice. But we "shul-shopped" the other synagogues in San Francisco before joining BIJ. We chose BIJ because it was 'homey', near, calm and welcoming. And BIJ has lots of free parking. Can't minimize this attribute in San Francisco. BIJ has excellent leaders, currently the best we have had during my years at BIJ. This makes BIJ a pleasant place for members. Trouble at the top can ruin things for all. I like and admire our rabbi and cantor a lot and have not heard a bad word about either among my circle of BIJ friends. Lay leadership and staff are excellent as well. Things run smoothly and, when problems arise, they are handled without a lot of tumult in a reasonable way. For example, when my son's schedule conflicted with his confirmation class announced schedule, some talk and a bit of adjustment by all parties solved the problem. This might not have happened at a larger and more rigid place. BIJ is a full-service synagogue and most Jews will find a place at BIJ to call their own. The trick for a happy affiliation is to find that place and the kindred people. For us, it has been our friends at the religious school who we see at the monthly "First Friday" shabbat and on Sundays.

BIJ (as they call themselves) is a great growing congregation. I found them through the…read moreConservative synagogue search, and while they do have a fairly traditional Saturday morning service, they are a great balance of Reform and Conservative in all aspects of their congregation. My boyfriend - who is not at all Jewish - is completely welcomed at the synagogue. Their siddur not only has the normal transliteration, but has questions and explanations on the side, which allows non-Hebrew readers to stay involved. The rabbi and cantor also make sure that all are involved by always saying what page you are on. While there is a Hebrew day school on campus, the congregants who show up are mostly older, but they are welcoming in change. The older congregants want more families and young people, and were overjoyed when my boyfriend and I (young twenties) showed up. I've only been to a few services - I hear there's an awesome drum service the last Friday of the month - and I'm hopeful that more young people will show up. Especially because there's only so much ruach a 75 year old can have. :) I love the tenor of the synagogue. There is room for all kinds, and they're accepting of all sorts. Come as you are, fully human, and they will accept you.