We went through a really rough patch when my wife was pregnant with our third kid. She was…read moredangerously sick with chest pains and worse that kept us bouncing from specialist to specialist, trying to tease out exactly what was wrong. I was doing my best trying to be there for her and our two girls and keep up with work as the sole breadwinner (fortunately, I work from home), and our household was kind of falling apart. I shared some of what was going on to friends at Oseh's religious school, where my oldest daughter was a student. About a day later, they had organized a Meal Train for us of fellow members who came almost daily for two weeks to bring healthy meals and help share the chores and childcare. I can't express how much that meant to us. It gave us enough breathing room to figure out the issue at last and turn things around; a few months later, our son was born happy and healthy! I'd been happy to be a member at Oseh Shalom before, but that experience really transformed the way I saw the synagogue and the people in it. This is a valuable place to be a part of through highs and lows in life alike, full of caring, multitalented people. I'm delighted that my kids will be growing up here the way my wife did.

This synagogue is exactly what we were hoping for. Oseh welcomes all; traditional Jewish families,…read moreintermarried families, mixed race and LGBT families. Oseh's religious school has done a great job accommodating student special needs without any stigma whatsoever. Some of our favorite things about Oseh: the people, the focus on Tikkun Olam through the Winter Shelter, the relationship with Elizabeth House and the Laurel Area Shelter and Food Bank, Teen Connect activities, religious school electives like cooking and Israeli Dance. One student even raised money and sought volunteers to build our own Gaga pit. It's wonderful at Oseh!

I yelp EVERYTHING. One night, I was thinking about attending a new synagogue and A crazy thought…read moreentered my mind. Why not yelp a new Synagogue and see where I am sent. Beth Torah came up as a result. I have not been there, but the page seems a little lonely so this this is my Mitzvah. Hopefully, this will start a meaningful conversation with the congregation. From the front page of their web page: http://bethtorah.ws/: QUESTION: Are you looking for a warm, welcoming, interactive congregation? Are you looking to find an accepting and loving community, where you will feel like you're among family, rather than feeling like a face in the crowd? ANSWER: Come visit our inclusive congregation, serving the Jewish Community of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties and Washington, D.C. since 1947. We look forward to having you join us for services and for our many religious and social programs. We are an open and accepting congregation whose membership includes traditional and interfaith families. Office Phone: (301) 927-5525 (The five star rating-because as a teacher I start everyone with an A and it is your job to maintain it!)

I am the congregation's rabbi, so,, yes, I recommend it! If you're looking for a welcoming shul,…read morecheck us out.

Tried to get in touch with the rabbi from MT and the…read more crickets are still chirping...that was last year. Subsequently, I emailed, left phone messages asking for any person to return my email or call so that I could find out more information about joining the congregation and yep, crickets. It is appalling and disturbing to know a place of worship is ignoring a possible new member. What is wrong with this place? A phantom congregation? If you want to join Mishkan Torah I would say stay away and go elsewhere. Do not waste your time nor energy. Silver Spring has better and receptive places.