TBI is a wonderful community of warm, friendly and interesting people. I'm happy to be an active…read moremember for 15 years.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the Music Director of Temple Beth Israel. TBI is our…read morehome away from home, our family and our community. We are a down-to-earth, hamishe congregation. We have world-class adult education and family programming thanks to Lori Sagarin, our Director of Congregational Learning. Rabbi Michael Weinberg is our spiritual leader, gently guiding our congregation with wisdom, kindness, and humor. Music is infused in everything we do, and we are very serious about having fun.

There is an amazing group of leadership, the congregants are welcoming and the sermons always tie…read moreinto something relevant and current.

Rabbi Ari Moffic, of Sukkat Shalom, is officiating at my wedding. Since my fiance and I aren't…read moremembers of a temple, she let us know that we could get tickets to Sukkat Shalom's high holy day services by contacting the executive director. Since they don't sell their tickets, like most temples, they do ask for a donation in exchange for the tickets. But, giving what you can seems much more reasonable than being asked to pay a set price. (I don't even want to get started at why temples sell tickets for services on the holiest holidays . . .seems so . . . not right). Anyhoo, we went to their Rosh Hashanah service this past Saturday and over all we had a positive experience. For some reason, I was expecting it to be more of a diverse congregation and so I was really disappointed to see that my fiance was the only nonwhite person in the room. In terms of looking for a congregation to join, that is a major issue for us. But, I guess they are diverse in that they are very accepting of interfaith families. I guess it just depends what sort of diversity is most important to you. But, over all, the service was very nice. The rabbi gave an interesting sermon on biblical and modern parent child relationships. He used the example of Paul in Chorus Line. While he didn't come right out and argue for gay rights, there was definitely a message that parents should accept their children no matter their sexual orientation. I definitely appreciated that. There was lots of music and the shofar blower was awesome.

I came for a religious ceremony this morning. The building is absolutely stunning both inside and…read moreout. Staff working at the event were polite and friendly. Parking lot is behind the building and can be accessed via Keystone Avenue. There are plenty of street parking along Keystone as well.

One of my parents died and I called them after hours and the woman who answered chewed me out for…read moredisturbing her after hours. I could not quite state my grief all i heard was her shrill defensive sounds.

I joined Beth Emet almost one year ago and have been inspired by congregants and leadership who are…read moredeeply engaged in social justice work. The soup kitchen that Beth emet runs has the most amazing volunteers to help create a beautiful experience for the guests, complete with flowers on the table and live music. It has been exciting to create new and creative service experiences, with a real willingness by congregants to come sing and share their leadership. Our new Soul Spark Shabbat, a monthly offering of beautiful, participatory music and contemplative prayer and meditation, has a growing ensemble of talented congregants who elevate the service with their musical contributions. The openness of the community to try new things is amazing. So grateful to have found my new spiritual home here.

Very friendly and warm membership. We like the children's religious school b/c the kids get…read morepersonalized instruction rather than classes of 20+. The new Rabbi has young (3) kids of his own and is very approachable and personable. They make going to shul fun rather than drab.

So many memories from JRC, from bug juice and mediocre challah in the basement and gruff Israeli…read moreHebrew School teachers to Saturday morning minyan and Midrasha. I mostly resented my parents for making me go to Sunday School and then Hebrew School for so many years, but I guess I'd rather have grown up a JRC member than the children of Lubovitchers or something. Now all grown up, I haven't been to any synagogue in years. I'm an atheist, flagrantly anti-religious, and I'm gay. But I love corned beef sandwiches and chicken livers, and I'm a pretty big leftist, so I guess my parents got what was coming to them. And, although I haven't been inside, the new building (the only Platinum LEED Certified house of worship in the US, if I'm not mistaken) looks pretty cool.

JRC is a welcoming community of open-minded people. It's a great place to belong when you have…read morechildren, and we are very happy with the religious and Hebrew education our child is receiving. The building is beautiful, and very accessible. The Torah ark in the main sanctuary is a gorgeous work of art. Our whole family is very happy there.

The most recent review of this congregation is from 12 years ago. Kol Emeth's current state of…read moreaffairs is far more dire. Rabbi Schechter is checked out and is with the synagogue for the sole purpose of collecting a salary. Active membership fails to form a minyan on most, if not all, Shabbat services. Membership and Marketing meetings present no viable plan forward for this aging congregation and seem content to let it die with the current membership. Kol Emeth is completely hostile to children and young families and has been for some time. In a recent conversation I had with a board member he openly bragged about ignoring Jewish law in making guiding decisions for the congregation. The woman who works in the front office has no respect for privacy and will gossip about any congregant to any one else who will listen. My family's final straw, although hardly the only one, was the careless disposal of items donated in memory of my grandfather without informing us until years after the fact. I say this as a (formerly) third-generation member and (former) member of the Marketing and Membership committee: There are better Conservative synagogues out there. Like all of them.

I have often attended services at this most welcoming and egalitarian conservative synagogue. I…read morewould commend Rabbi Schechter the spiritual leader of Kol Emeth as a most engaging and intelligent man who combines a deep feeling for tradition with a delightful sense of humor. Having trained as a cantor his chanting of the service provides an inspiring musical experience which so enhances the intrinsic beauty of the traditional service. The congregants are of diverse background but are all soon made to feel at home by Rabbi Schechter's warmth and sincerity. I would recommend this congregation to anyone wishing a liberal yet traditional Jewish experience. This synagogue is the best kept secret in Chicagoland. Warm, friendly congregation, Shabbat morning services with erudite humorous Rabbi Barry Schechter (who is also the Cantor, lovely voice) at 9.30 a.m. Elementary Hebrew classes & more. The charm of Kol Emeth is that it's a small congregation with a very intimate feel. People actually know each other. A real feeling of community.

Devar Emet is a MESSIANIC synagogue for people who grew up Jewish and came to believe in Jesus…read moreChrist. Some congregants come from a mixed background, like myself, where one parent is Jewish and the other is Protestant Christian. Others are Jews who were saved by faith later in life. The synagogue attempts to preserve Jewish life and traditions, mixed with new testament teachings. I really like Devar Emet because everyone I've met there has a genuine faith. About 1/3 of the congregation is college and high school-aged. They are all very involved with enriching the community experience of being a member there.

Devar Emet is a legitimate Jewish congregation. I visited in September 2022. It seems small, but…read morethey are clearly committed to creating a strong community. I think people who have been offended in the past misunderstood the purpose of the synagogue. It isn't about being different from other places of worship. It's about giving Jewish people who accept Yeshua as their Messiah a place and a community to live every part of their lives as Messianic Jews.

I have been away from my jewish religion for so long. I was told a relative of a friend went here…read moreso I checked it out. This place has rekindled my faith in Judaism . I attend just about every shabbat and have been here for holidays. Being here on first two days of passover has brought out more spirituality and faith in me. I love the fact that women lead certain parts of the service. Such great voices. Thanx to mah tovu I have rekindled my faith

Family oriented for kids, young adults, working professionals, and seniors; warm, open, inviting…read morecommunity; plenty parking.