First visited the historic site, and I felt as if I was in the holy land of Jerusalem, overwhelmed by the spiritual and cultural richness that surrounded me. Thank you. read more

When dating a Jewish partner or having a close real knit Jewish friend, opens your life up and mind to see other ways of life besides yours, in learning how to face challenges that could maybe be life changing. I was invited to another more welcoming congregation in West Los Angeles. Rabbi Shiri is a soft spoken and very intelligent woman that has really uplifted me in her words of kindness and respectfulness of me coming from a different background and faith. But again, when i come to synagogues of good people, i do not try and convert or talk to anyone about what i was taught, or ingrown into my life. I felt comfortable here with this congregation. They made me feel at home, and not a outsider. I mean words almost cannot explain on how i felt and treated like a real human being. The Synogogue has made me feel more zest for knowledge and appreciation for what i am really blessed with. read more

The Rabbi and this congregation were very welcoming to our small family of three on a beautiful Shabbat evening in Santa Monica, CA. If you are in the area or know of someone looking to visit with kind and joyful people, I suggest you visit with this community. read more

we have been looking for a temple for quite a while. We were so pleasantly surprised when we found Santa Monica synagogue. Rabbi Shira is so engaging and down to earth. Her leadership is beautifully inclusive, and her sermons are dynamic. My nine-year-old left the first service saying "that was even better than I thought it would be. I loved it so much." Ron and Jill, along with the rest of the congregation are so welcoming. I left the first night feeling like I had known everyone for years. I strongly recommend you check out this beautiful community. We are grateful to have found them and look forward to growing our relationship at this temple. read more

What a lovely time at the Purim Party... my first visit. People were so very warm and welcoming. A very unusual group of people who went out of their way to " welcome the new kid on the block!" Went home with the Newsletter, and so very impressed with the rabbi's Amazing article about why she chose to be a rabbi! Thank you to everyone who welcomed me. I hope to return in the future. Naomi Blum, LCSW, DCSW Psychotherapist/Santa Monica read more

This is a small synagogue that has a very active congregation with classes and fun activities. Our Rabbi is a young woman with a joyful approach and a good leader and teacher. The community is very welcoming to all including singles, couples and families. Come join us for Shabbat services on Friday night and enjoy the friendly support and satisfying spiritual energy. read more

A wonderful Hamas-ha reform congregation with new Rabbi who provides a spiritual service every Friday night at 6:00. Rabbi Shira leads us in prayers and songs with her wonderful singing voice. The community is welcoming, warm friendly and down to earth . The SMS has activities and programming for all ages including its very own softball team - The Santa Monica Hebrew Nationals Hot Dogs - which i am a proud member. read more

A friendly, down-to-earth reform synagogue. Everyone feels welcome, including families with non-jewish spouses. It also has a strong adult education program for those looking for such programs. read more

Santa Monica Synagogue is an eclectic Reform Jewish community that's just as warm to new members as to old timers. Everyone is welcome to figure out their own relationship to their heritage and how to be Jewish in America today. The Rabbi is young and open to ideas; the congregants include smart and interesting people with nothing to prove to one another. There are families and single people, interfaith couples, congregants with widely different backgrounds, preferences, and levels of engagement with Jewish history, language, and culture. There is a shared desire to learn from the Rabbi and from one another, to come together in life's most festive and challenging moments. Everyone has a different idea what hamisha means, but if you know it when you see it, you'll find it there. read more

Such a warm and welcoming community! I got to know this congregation slowly over time, first by attending high holiday services and then by joining the temple softball team. From those activities I've made countless friends of all ages. I've found everyone I've met to be so nice and down to earth. Everyone here loves and embraces our hamishe nature and most of us share a passion for education and continued lifelong learning. We recently joined an innovative program for our children's religious school with other local congregations called the Jewish Community School of L.A. that focuses on project based, real-world learning. Our students, and parents, are loving it! We invite any and all to come meet us! read more

If you are looking for a true sense of community in a reform congregation, look no further. Throughout the summer, it was wonderful to have Friday night Shabbat services outdoors in the parking lot. Services are streamed on Zoom for congregants and they are streamed live on Facebook every Friday night. Lots of exciting things are happening at the Santa Monica Synagogue. Rabbi Shira Freidlin will be beginning a new Jewish Family Learning program, called B'Yachad. Parents/Grandparents together with their child and Rabbi Shira will gather once a month to learn about the Jewish holidays and traditions. This is geared towards kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. The Santa Monica Synagogue is very welcoming to inter-faith families. Anyone who has come to a service since Rabbi Shira started here has instantly felt welcomed as soon as they walked in the door. read more

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This is a welcoming place with no pretense. There are many interesting and fun activities run by groups in the synagogue. Come join us on a Friday night and enjoy the warmth of this community and intellectual ideas discussed. read more

The Santa Monica Synagogue is a wonderful congregation. Friendly and warm. A whole bunch of smart, nice people. When I was shopping for a synagogue, I went to another temple in Santa Monica first. I arrived early and waited. There were other people there also waiting but no one came up to welcome me. And the next week, I went to the Santa Monica Synagogue. There was a man at the front door greeting everyone and welcomed me warmly. And everyone else did as well. That's what sold me. As I said, the congregation is made up of a large number of smart nice caring people. It's wonderful being a member. If you are looking, please come by. read more

Small, intimate, friendly with some of the nicest people you will ever meet. There's a new Rabbi who brings a fresh welcoming style and engaging warmth to her interactions with members and with Torah. I couldn't be happier. read more

I like this temple and have been to Bar Mitzvahs, High Holy Days and whatnot here. It's in the heart of Santa Monica and it's reform. The Rabbi doesn't even wear a Yarmulke (or Kippah, if you prefer Hebrew to Yiddish). And speaking of him, they've had the same Rabbi since 1985. He's kind and helpful. The facilities aren't stellar (or at least weren't last time I was here), but they get the job done. I'm partial to reform Judaism, and the "whatever works for you" end of the spectrum of life where ever I find it; I found it here. read more

Low key, welcoming synagogue. It's Reform, and there are lots of interfaith and multi-cultural families that belong here. The community isn't pretentious, it values children and family, and equality. read more

An outstanding example of Judaism supporting not only their own, but supporting the Community at large with charitable works, events and outreach. There is a strong sense of community. We have had two beautiful Bar Mitzvahs here and we plan to have two more. The staff is so supportive and our kids have gained so much knowledge about Judaism. We love this place ! read more

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I was lead to this special place by my daughter's interest in her Jewish heritage. It has been and continues to be an oasis, a safe landing for our unusual family. My husband condemns all religion. Yet he is comfortable here. My daughter continues to cultivate her Jewish identity and has found a place where her voice is both heard and refined. I have found great solace in the wisdom of our extraordinary Rabbi. I have also found a place of joy and humor, great intellectual and spiritual challenge. But most importantly, the SMS gives forth an abundance of generosity from the congregation and an atmosphere of acceptance I truly have not experienced any where else. When the east coast clan came for the great Bat Mitzvah, I was as proud of our simple Synagogue as I was of my articulate and well-studied only daughter. read more

This is a wonderful temple where you can be yourself and meet amazing people. Everyone is so welcoming and warm. The religious school is stellar and provides an excellent Jewish education to families of all ages and even offers adult education. In addition to education, SMS provides a multitude of activities and events from movie nights and cooking events, to wine tasting weekends and a trip to Israel with the Rabbi. This is an excellent reform temple! read more

A wonderful, warm and inclusive congregation. Everyone is down to earth and friendly. Our children have been going to the excellent religious school for years. In addition to b'nai mitzvah, the older kids have opportunities to travel to New York and Israel. Rabbi Marx has a great sense of humor and is always approachable. Whether you come from a more traditional background, or are just wanting to connect with a Jewish community, it's a great place to be. read more

The SMS is all about the people. It is a warm and accepting community with something for everyone. The education is terrific and goes far beyond what most synagogues expect from their religious students of all ages. My children and I have both found a second family in The Santa Monica Synagogue. We have each studied Judaism in our own way, socialized and celebrated with other families and peers, and have even traveled as part of a Jewish delegation to learn more about Jews in other parts of the world. This is a unique place with a huge heart. read more

This is an amazing synagogue if you are looking reconnect with Judaism or you are just interested in Judaism. The environment is warm and friendly. read more

Santa Monica Synagogue is very family friendly. We have been members for years. Our kids go to Jewish school here. The staffs are amazing. Rabbi is very knowledgeable and offers several great programs to help us learn Jewish heritage. The education director is very hands-on and brings on lots of activities for the kids including NewYork trip, DC trips and Oversea exchange programs, etc. There are lots of adult programs as well. We have wine club, book club, movie club, softball team.....and bagels every Sunday. read more