I spent most of my adult life avoiding synagogues mostly due to a chronic lack of compassion, or…read moreindifference, towards Palestinians that I experienced in almost every synagogue I've visited for the past thirty years. Kehilla does a brilliant job at holding an inclusive and welcoming space for Jews like me who do not align with the atrocities being committed by the government of Israel. They have a variety of social action groups and ways to get involved in local and global activism from a Jewish perspective. Our kiddo went through the hebrew school and B'nai Mitzvah program and it was an extraordinary experience for all of us. The program design is so rigorous and so special - you get to know other families and really go through the program as a cohort in a way that was mutually supportive, fun and fulfilling. The leadership of Kehilla is extraordinary. Rabbi Dev is a brilliant, soulful, deep and compassionate leader who I have learned so much from. Hazzan Shulamit is a beautiful spirit with a giant heart - the joy bursts out of her - it feels like the sun is shining every time I'm in her presence. There are so many other phenomenal people providing spiritual and musical direction - Debbie Fier, Beth Dickenson, Julie Nesansky, Avi Rose, Fresh Lev White, Sharon Grodin, and Rabbi Sam to name a few... Kehilla has a very deep bench of leadership. I look forward to Kehilla's high holy days every year. Instead of feeling like it is obligatory and boring, like I used to feel through my entire childhood, at Kehilla, I feel like I am on a profound journey into the depths of my own soul ... it is not a normal service. It allows space for transformation and growth - and it is just beautiful!

"Sigh...Don't you just LOVE Shabbat?" exclaimed Julie, who was leading Kabbalat Shabbat, after a…read morerousing rendition of "Rom'mu" on my first visit to Kehilla. Her expression of pure bliss and joy has stuck with me ever since. Yes, I do love Shabbat!! Kehilla is a renewal synagogue and, therefore, a bit on the non-traditional, earthy-crunchy side. This makes for a shul that is equal parts ecstatic and meditative; a warm, friendly congregation; a welcoming "come as you are" vibe; and a strong focus on social justice. I've been attending the monthly Kabbalat Shabbat and always leave feeling spiritually energized. The music is especially awesome. Thanks to percussionist Debbie Fier and cantor Shulamit Wise Fairman, it's not unusual for folks to to get up and dance! Other pluses include a scent-free seating area and a sizable parking lot. I recommend Kehilla to any and all who love Shabbat!

New to me. Near my home and a smaller congregation than I am used to. I found very welcoming…read moreleaders and a warm congregation. I felt at home right away, my first Orthodox temple. Even better for me, the rabbi is a New Yorker.

Another "First to Review" and on Shabbes!…read more This is a highly regarded and welcoming left coast Modern Orthodox shul with a popular and scholarly rabbi. But my fondest memory of this place was holding my son in the Mikvah here and performing the ritual "dunking" and blessings as part of his Conservative conversion when he was just over 6 months old. He also had his Bet Din here and I am still grateful to Rabbi Stuart Kelman for making this all possible. A letter to my son descibing this event is safely tucked away in my safety deposit box for his future enjoyment.

Very well organized programming, rich array of services, social activities etc but never felt very…read morewelcome so did not renew my membership after 1 year. As a newcomer I experienced a lot of clickishness, and a lack of feeling welcome at, for instance the oneg shabbats, which is where such bonding as a newcomer would take place. Interestingly I did witness, on a couple occasions, an AA person, who also appeared to be new or in process of considering whether to join, being shown great attention with a well organized welcomong committee response laying out the red carpet. I was also surprised to find one of the rabbis not to be very warm and friendly as was described in the other reviews. Whenever I saw her at an event and happened to make eye contact, her response was never warm and inviting. With such a large congregation I did not expect anything more than a smile or a hello but this did not happen-- not surprising however since this appears to be the cultural norm for Sinai's congregation as a whole. Now if I was a different demographic.... that might have made a difference!

I am still in disbelief that we found such a perfect temple for us! Take away the Judaism part, and…read morethis is still one of the most inclusive communities I have ever been a part of--the community here has totally brought new life into me after a few major life events. Sometimes it feels reminiscent of a really great cruise: all sorts of activities and events on the itinerary and there's always food around! ;-) My husband and I shopped around and went to a lot of different temples to get a feel of their communities, and we just kept wanting to come back here. I love how diverse this temple is, too--all faiths, all cultures, all skin colors, all beliefs--it's just simply the type of community I want my children to grow up in.

Very friendly and outgoing people. The Rabbi is a dear! Not to mention her 'angelic' voice!read more

Lana is right about the setting at CBT. It is peaceful and understated with a beautiful big tree…read morethat you glimpse from the pews and that shades the sweet little outdoor amphitheater. Though more importantly to me, it is a welcoming community of friendly and down to earth people. Our family has made many good friends at CBT over the years. When we were "temple shopping" the friendly manner and helpfulness we encountered from the front office was an immediate plus. Adding to that, the Cantor has a beautiful voice, the Religious School Director is full of positive energy and the Rabbi always greets you with a smile (and usually by name). Though we have friends at several local synagogues, CBT feels like home to us.

I was a member of this congregation at its old location at Arch and Vine for a few years. This is…read morewhere my stepdaughter had her Bat Mitzvah here and participated in Midrasha and Camp Kee Tov. My son also attended religious school for a time and his mother participated in a neat chorus group. Yet, with all this activity and the nice people associated with Beth El, and with exception of the Bat Mitzvah, I rarely felt a connection or an inspiration here. At times, I felt that our family and the congregation were all going through the motions. If G-d was in this place, I, i did not know...

I love Beth El, and am sad to be leaving…read more When I grew up in Miami, our reform temple had a choir of people on a tiered stage... in white robes. They sang to organ music. In comparison, the guitar seems almost orthodox. Still, Cantor Brian puts the guitar away for Saturday morning services, and the guitar is largely an institution for Friday night. So you can take or leave the stringed accompaniment, at your pleasure. That said, Brian is a much more "chant-er friendly" cantor than others I have experienced in the east bay. He is very encouraging of congregation participation (even if you can only hum along), and his melodies are all very accessible. I am not a gifted singer, and I feel very comfortable there. What has always made me a bit uncomfortable is some of the holding hands and swaying moments. But those are few and far between. Havdallah. They do that a lot at Havdallah. Some of the bar mitzvah's can be a bit overwhelming. But there is an active early service on Saturdays, followed by an intellectually stimulating gathering at Torah study. The Torah study group is a bit small, but very warm and welcoming. It is worth checking out. If you break out of your comfort zone, you will be rewarded. Rabbi Raj (pronounced Roy) is sadly leaving, and I have not met the new Rabbi. But I loved Ferenc more than I can say, and he will be the measure by which all future rabbi's will be measured. The dues at the temple are not insignificant. But I was briefly on the board, and I was also a partial dues paying member. The administration has always been flexible with dues. There are plenty of people who are members that are on reduced dues, and none (myself included) have ever been made to feel like second class citizens. I think I figured out once that if I took my reduced dues, and applied it to a weekly figure, and ate all the free food at every event I would make out ahead. Seriously, when is the last time you had creamed herring on grand bakery challah? Damn that's good... but you may have to be Jewish to appreciate it. If only they would serve more chopped liver and rye ends. Drool.

This is the fourth religious organization I have reviewed in 15 minutes and I am *really* starting…read moreto think about how weird it is to rate something like this - how can one person rate or review something religious in a way that means anything to another person? You will most likely love Chochmat HaLev or hate Chochmat HaLev. So I gues that balances out to 3 stars? Here is my attempt to sum up Chochmat HaLev: (I can't believe I am about to be so irreverant..... ) "The center of the Jew-Bu universe" [thats Jewish Buddhism]

Is it OK for members to review their own house of worship? This is the first (and only) synagogue…read moreI've ever been a paying member of. I'm a big fan. It's as close as a congregation has ever come to feeling like my speed of Judaism. I love the contemplative silence, and the ecstatic dance and the focusing chanting. Friday night celebratory shabbat services are often exactly whatever I need that week: uplifting, calming, focusing me inwards. The first half of the service is the best part, between the chanting, dancing, and silence, so don't come late. High Holiday services are held elsewhere, because like virtually all other non-orthodox synagogues, they get a much bigger crowd than at any other time. Those services are even richer and deeper and more meaningful for me. And you can apply the ticket prices towards a membership.

Kol HaKavod! You really can't ask for much more in a congregation:…read more *Educated, kind, caring, dedicated rabbis and staff, *An incredibly talented cantor, *Inviting, inclusive, accessible Shabbat services, *Amazing Adult Education opportunities, *Extensive chldren/teen's programming, *An abundance of chances for volunteering/tzedakah/social action, *Interesting guest speakers *A well-stocked library... EVEN THEIR GIFT SHOP RULES! I really can't say enough good things about this synagogue. I have personally met with or studied with nearly every clergy member on staff, and it's true, they're amazing. I tried a bunch of congregations when I moved here, and this one tops them all. The community at Temple Isaiah is warm and you will seriously meet every type of (liberal-leaning) Jew here. Is it Shabbos yet?!?!

I grew up going to Temple Isaiah but haven't been there in 7+ years. I attended the Tot Rosh…read moreHashanah service there today with my mother (who's still a member and my two little girls). I cannot believe how much the Temple has changed/grown since I was there. Not only has the main sanctuary been enlarged and re-designed there are two new buildings on the campus-One, for the new Jewish Day School and one for the Hebrew School. It's absolutely beautiful! Rabbi Graetz did an amazing job at keeping the tot service short (30 min) while still getting across the important points of Rosh Hashanah to our children. My girls were mesmorized. There was a new song leader-and I'm kicking myself for not remembering her name-and she was fabulous as well. The kids had a great time! I can't believe there are now 4 rabbis serving the congregation. Growing up we only has one rabbi-Shelly Waldenberg and one cantor-Cantor Silverman. It warms my heart to see the congregation grow. I also have to commend Temple Isaiah for their welcoming of interfaith/interculture families. It's so nice to see so many different faces! Yeah for progress!

I went to a large shul for years. Then I found Beth Abraham. WOW! So friendly. I love the services…read morewhich range from peaceful to wild/energized. The kids really do whoop it up. Lots of well educated young kids and teens. Sometimes the rabbi just calls out, "Julie/Sam/Aviva (some kid's name) come lead the next part." Up the kid(s) pop and with a big smile shows off their stuff. Rabbi Bloom is funny, tender, easy to talk to. Lots of Jews by choice here too. LBGT members. Jews of color. Feels very Oakland. I love that the rebbetzin (Rabbi's wife) is so involved with the congregants. She's a big reader, plays (and will teach anyone) mahjong, leads spontaneous dancing at Rock n' Roll Shabbat and Israeli folk dancing at various holiday celebrations - like in the Sukkah. A trans friend wanted to convert and I took him there for his very first erev Shabbat dinner and service. He asked, "Am I going to feel like I landed on Mars?" I answered, "You sure are! There will be kids dancing in the aisles." We are located on a busy street right off the freeway so we do a quarterly street clean up. The photo is from one of those days.

Warm and vibrant, lots of kids, top notch preschool and religious school, great Kiddush lunches…read moreevery week.

I grew up in a Catholic and Jewish background. This was my first Shabbat service since my family…read morepassed away. Everyone was very welcoming. The service was quite long ( 3 hours) and there was a lunch. The majority of the service was sung in Hebrew. My brain shut off at about an hour and a half but very nice service.

I was a Kol Shofar member from age 5 to age 23 (the last year I could go to high holiday services…read morefor free under my parents membership). My family has seen Kol Shofar change over the years from the leadership of Rabbi White to our current Rabbi, Rabbi Derby and now, Rabbi Levy as Co-Rabbi. High Holidays at Kol Shofar hold many cherished memories for me. Todd Silverstein's soulful interpretation of the holiday melodies is a delight to witness. Rabbi Derby's sermon's are always powerful yet accessible. And even though there are many people in attendance, the atmosphere is still warm and familiiar (probably because my mom *always* insists on sitting in the front row, even when we show up late!) There are truly some remarkable teachers here. Fred Cherniss, Rabbi Derby and Yetta Robinson to name a few. I'm not super fond of the Co-Rabbi, Rabbi Levy, but Rabbi Derby is an amazing spiritual leader who more than makes up for Rabbi Levy's shortcomings. If you are synagogue shopping in Southern Marin, I'd definitely recommend you take a look at Kol Shofar. Be advised that Rabbi Derby is on sabbatical for the next 9 mos.