This is the shul in which I converted to Judaism back in January of 1979. I was a student at Texas…read moreA&M at the time and drove down to Houston every week for conversion classes that I had started a few years earlier at the University of Iowa (thanks to Rabbi Jeff Portman). That final day at the United Orthodox Synagoges' mikvah and Bet Din will be in my heart and mind always. So does the experience of self "mutilation" as I was fulfillng the requirement to extract that ritual drop of blood! And many heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Moshe Cahana. Your kindness and teachings have done we well as my life-long relationship with the Jewish Community and my Judaism evolves with it's many ups and downs.

Some years ago I had a friend who was a member of this synagogue. She even had her child's bar…read moremitzvah there. So, when she was threatening suicide--and I knew she was serious--I called the Rabbi there and told him. He seemed so sincere as if he cared and stated he would get in touch with her himself . Years pass, and she is still alive. I mention this episode to her asking if the Rabbi called her and helped. Guess what? No call, nothing from him. This had to happen around the late 80's-early 90's, so whoever was Rabbi then I say "pffft" to you. You stink.

I have been a member of CSH for 40+ years. This is the place we raised our 3 kids to adulthood, and…read moreI am grateful to the congregation for being such a religious, social, and spiritual place for my family. I currently attend some social events, some Friday evening services, and on major Jewish holidays. Even though I am not as active as I used to be, I am happy to help with fundraisers and to be a present at lifecycle events when asked. The rabbi is amazing in his sincere caring, humor, religious knowledge, and welcoming nature. Now that I am older, and the world is a changed placed in so many ways, I appreciate that services are still offered over Zoom, and that I can assist the congregation from my home. Over the years, the synagogue has been a place were my family has found friendship, fun and religious support. I want to respond to the person who didn't think CSH was welcoming - please try coming back again for a service, a family event or a lesson with the rabbi (ie Lunch and Learn on Tuesdays, Israeli dancing, once a month Zoom Bingo for prizes, our an in-person or virtual Shabbat service). I think you will be happy with what you will find.

Congregation Shaar Hashalom is a warm and welcoming place for those of us who want to participate…read morein Jewish worship and activities on the east side of Houston. Playgroups with young families, a wonderful and caring Religious School from kindergarten through 10th grade, adult education events, sisterhood, men's club and a Rabbi who pours his heart into every Shabbat and Holiday Service. The services are in Hebrew and in English. If you want to know it is like to be a Conservative Jew on the East Side of Houston, join us on a Friday Night or a Saturday Morning Services. It is in Hebrew and in English. We discuss the weekly Torah Parsha early Saturday Morning. There is always a little Nosh after services. This is a congregation that cares about its members and helps make the world a better place with its service projects. We can always add more family members. The Rabbi provides a basic Judaism course for those who are interest in learning how to be Jewish. So if you know you love Shabbat or if you are searching how to have a relationship with G-d and your family of humanity, give us a call.

Temple Beth Torah is a small but vibrant congregation. It has a very warm, welcoming and friendly…read moreatmosphere. The Rabbi is very personable and interactive. Rabbi Gordon is especially good with kids. The congregation embraces the philosophy and values of Judaism spiritually, educationally and compassionately.The temple embraces the spirit of inclusion for Jewish individuals and families that represent a variety of backgrounds and family composition.

Nice friendly Synagogue on Bellaire. Rabbi Teller is warm and welcoming to both congregants and…read moreother interested guests. They also host community events and cantorial concerts. The Montessori preschool that was relocated here after yet another flood devastated the UOS Goldberg Montessori preschool is one of the best in Houston. The purple class and green classes have amazing teachers. Kudos to Ms Ronnie, Ms Coleen, Ms Stacey and Ms Anna who have dedicated so many years to hundreds of preschoolers.

Most Houston synagogues are located further west, so Congregation Emanu El is kind of an Inside…read moreLoop anomaly of sorts - there was once a Jewish enclave and an old iteration of Beth Israel near Downtown which no longer exists as a synagogue. I had a very positive experience visiting this Reform synagogue (Emanu El) in West University. Visiting Emanu El proved to be inspiring and heartwarming. Going there reminded me so much of all the Jewish elders I've known, most of whom were mentors in some regard and have since passed away. It also reminded me of my childhood since I attended camp at the Jewish Community Center years ago and had lots of Jewish friends in those days. There is so much to love about this place that I am not sure where to begin. Normally, I am not one to be impressed with parking garages, but I really liked the one here. There's just a short walk from the garage to the synagogue. Once inside, the vibe is warm and welcoming. Sitting inside, I just looked around and enjoyed sitting amongst the crowd and seeing the torah, the beautiful black piano, singing songs, reading the Mishkan T'Filah (Reform Siddur) book and interacting with other attendees. Associate Rabbi Pam Silk gave a good, enlightening message, and I found her to be kind and friendly when talking to her later after the event. I savored the strong sense of community here and enjoyed the reception with delicious hors d'ouevres, which closed out the event. While visiting Congregation Emanu El, it is important to savor the part of the synagogue which feels like a multilayered art museum exhibition. My favorite part of this section are the portraits of Jewish heroes made by Andy Warhol: Gertrude Stein, Albert Einstein, Franz Kafka and Groucho Marx, to name a few. It felt like I was in MoMA or the Whitney for a second. The "Sacred Precincts" (1978) bronze sculpture by Alexander Liberman is just beautiful. I'm guessing this is the same Liberman who was a Ukrainian-American artist born in Kyiv. I also saw Salvador Dali's "Rachel Weeping Over Her Children," (1969). Yes, as an art nerd, I got lost in this part of the synagogue. (Haha!) On the way out, I saw scripture from the Old Testament, Exodus 25:8, which talks about building a sanctuary. All in all, I really enjoyed my visit to Congregation Emanu El and look forward to going back one of these days. On a different note, hopefully folks at the synagogue will have another Chicken Soup Cookoff contest in the future. That seems like it would be a cool event to attend!

This is wonderful, welcoming place. Emanu El makes available all kinds of resources for its…read morecommunity and has been incredibly supportive for my family through the years. I cannot say enough good things!

TBT is a Reform congregation located in the Clear Lake area. The temple welcomes inter-faith…read morefamilies. They have recently joined the Institute for Southern Jewish Living and are implementing the ISJL's outstanding curriculum for its religious school. Services are every Friday night. The first Friday of the month is a full service, which begins at 6:30. It is an abbreviated service usually ending by 7:00 and followed by a potluck. All other Friday night services begin at 7:00. The second Friday night is a "musical service" and lay-led. All other services are conducted by our Rabbi. The third weekend is a Torah service. The Sisterhood is quite active, holding monthly book club sessions, as well as sponsoring the annual chicken soup cook-off, and many other activities. The Men's Club provides service to the temple and social activities throughout the year. The members of TBT always make visitors feel welcome. Come by and check them out!

This is a small but very family oriented reform synagogue. The congregation is warm and inviting…read more They do something different every week on Shabbat. You can relax and bring on Shabbat in a positive and uplifting way. The Rabbi is conservative but she is friendly and her sermons are moving and motivational. The board takes to heart the needs of the synagogue and comes up with a plan that's in the best interest of the synagogue. I have nothing negative to say about this wonderful, family shul.