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.

Ruach Israel far and away offers the smoothest, most creatively interactive Shabbat service I have…read moreever experienced; it is as life-loving, creative, musically rich, and serene as its congregants. A pure joy to behold. The Ruach Israel community is open, welcoming, caring, friendly, down to earth, and real. That they invite suggestions for improvements is unsurprising; it is probably why they are so distinctive and attractive. New visitors are warmly welcomed, embraced, and prayed for, making it very easy for newcomers to feel connected. I there attended my first ever accapella Shabbat service, which was deeply moving and beautiful. And they offer long-distance membership, a great blessing for the small Messianic Jewish world. I give Ruach Israel a well-deserved five heart rating!

Ruach Israel is a wonderful place for a Jewish Family experience! The Temple offers the familiar…read moreliturgy and all the festivals I grew up with in a Conservative setting. What makes Ruach Israel special is the people. The term friendly does not do justice to the welcoming feeling that makes every moment, especially on Shabbat so special. Plan a visit and get the feel for Ruach yourself.

30 year member, part of this dynamic caring and learning community, many "gates" to membership, you…read morewill find all sorts of ways to be Jewish here. Brilliant clergy who relate our ancient traditions to today's world, both for individuals and groups.

Bad idea to come here to connect to god, the Jewish community, or for spiritual guidance. God would…read more not approve of what is going on inside these holy walls. Unless you donate large sums of money, the rabbis won't give you the time of day even in your greatest time of need. When my husband died, the main rabbi, Gardenshwartz refused to officiate the funeral because I couldn't afford his fee. I have been a loyal member for more then ten years and always gave generously until I fell on hard times. The congregants are mainly a bunch of old sheep to the rabbis flock, and everyone but his most inner circle are treated by him like children or outsiders. The sermons are braggadocious, cliche and a soapbox promoting the rabbis enormous ego. The female rabbi is a puppet to the overseers board and the main rabbi and is given the second class members to counsel. She is distracted and barely pretends to be paying attention. You will never find parking, friends or joy coming here. I am filled with sadness how I was treated.

Beautiful synagogue. Attended a cousin's bar mitzvah here. Very nice ceremony. The rabbi was…read morewonderful. Then the huge party across the hall. Must have been 150 people there and the food, service, and of course the DJ and music were all great and fun.

My fiancée and I looked into joining this temple and having our wedding there. I grew up in Newton…read moreand wanted to have our wedding at a temple in that area. After speaking the Rabbi Perlman who during the entire interview tried persistently to convince us that this congregation is not for us since we (30 years old) are too young and could not make use of what they have to offer. Yes they have many child oriented activities and at the moment my fiancée and I are childless, but this will probably not be for ever, but should that be the primary reason for letting people join a congregation? I believe that if you are jewish you should be welcomed to join in to any community not ostracized for not fitting into their particular demographic. Well low and behold, the rabbi calls us back flat out refusing our request to join their congregation because THEY don't believe that we would be a "good fit" aka don't have kids and are probably not very wealthy in order to be able to contribute monetarily to paying their fat paychecks, as if the exorbitant membership fee wasn't enough, to add to it they mask themselves under a flag of community and jewish prosperity, but in reality are a bunch of elitists, who just want to belong to an exclusive club. If you're an exclusive club.. then dont' call yourself a synagogue because then you're sending out a false symbol to those around you thinking that you're warm and welcoming.

A warm, welcoming synagogue. It's very small and it's easy to meet people. The synagogue is…read moretraditionally Orthodox and so are most of the members, however there is a large minority of less religious members who join for various reasons (it was their childhood synagogue, location, finances-it's very inexpensive), etc. Some of the less religious members have leadership positions, so it's not 'discriminatory' in that respect. Women also have board positions, though be aware that there is separate seating (women sit in a balcony; the Torah is supposed to be and usually is brought up at the appropriate time). At various points in term the synagogue has hired a part-time rabbi; otherwise the synagogue is lay-led. Sometimes rabbis or cantors are hired for High Holiday or other special services. There is no religious school (or wasn't when we were members a few years ago) as most of the children attend Jewish day school. It may be possible though for one of the members to help find an alternative (private instruction, etc) if the day school option does not work for you. The synagogue sponsors a number of educational and social events; most are open to non-members and they are usually very good. Physically, the synagogue, which I believe is on the National Register of Historic Places, is lovely. The building is fairly small and older but is very well kept up. It exudes an informal, welcoming atmosphere. Parking is not a problem and no one is going to condemn you if you drive rather than walk. I would definitely attend services here if you live in the area and are looking for a synagogue, or even if you already belong to another synagogue and just want to see what it is like. It is really a special place and worth attending a few services to see a type of synagogue that is pretty rare today,

From the owner: The Adams Street Shul is an independent, historic Orthodox synagogue that serves a diverse…read morecongregation and the broader community. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Shul hosts a welcoming volunteer community, now entering its 100th year of service, where everyone can contribute and be active in the life of the congregation.

Reyim helped my family to successfully navigate a very difficult situation with my father over a…read morelong period of time. They helped us in many different ways and for that, we are forever grateful.

A beautiful, loving congregation who supports one another through good times and bad. A learned…read moreRabbi who gives wonderful classes for congregants. A wonderful Limmud program with many wonderful programs. An active social action committee who support many important causes. An important B'Nai Mitzvah program with parents and children involved. The school uses experiential learning to enhance learning.

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.