I like to go first class in whatever I do and Anshe Emet is a first class synagogue. This is an authentic orthodox synagogue and they make it easy for anyone who doesn't know Hebrew to keep pace and read the prayers in English. It can be done, and it's done here. Rabbi Summers is the main Rabbi at Anshe Emet. He has a deep knowledge of life based on Jewish law and wisdom. He's answered every philosophical question I have thrown at him, and he answered well. I have a limited Jewish background. One can get the full Jewish experience here; the prayer books have a literal modern English translation next to the Hebrew which make complicated things very simple. Rabbi Summers gives a Saturday afternoon lecture on complex philosophical life concepts in the most easily understandable way. While listening to his Saturday afternoon classes I marvel at how he so clearly and easily explains complex concepts. I know of no easier way to absorb high level Jewish wisdom. The outlook here is on character development. Friendliness and generosity of spirit are a main focus of Jewish texts taught here. Everyone I've chatted with is sincerely nice. If you are looking to experience authentic Judaism in the easiest way, Anshe Emet is the Synagogue for you. read more

I began coming to Anshe Emes in the summer of 1987. Within months, I became a "lifer". I've raised my family with the guidance and close personal friendship of Rabbi Summers. It's a synagogue for people who like to serve the community, not one for someone who pays their dues and expects to be served. Anshe Emes, a modest congregation, is disproportionately filled with community leaders who spearheaded the building of the large community eruv, built a local mikvah for utensils, became a role model that later was widely emulated in an all-day Tisha B'Av learning program, led with one of the first summer SEED programs, and so much more. If you want to be the director of a committee, raise your hand. Since the shul is family-owned (built by the rabbi's father), the politics and posturing and throwing weight around that is typical simply isn't found at Anshe Emes. It's a place of spiritual growth. Yeah, that comes at the expense of congregants feeling uncomfortable trying discuss talk sports scores and stock tips during services... but we like it that way. Services are led by congregants... not performers. It's among the few synagogues in Pico-Robertson where you might find a black-fedora'd yeshiva alumnus, a sandaled and knit-yarmulke'd Zionist Israeli veteran of the IDF, a Hasid in a shtreimel, a conversion to Judaism candidate... all sitting in the same row. It's not fancy. It's home. My sons were held by Rabbi Summers for their brises. My daughters were named here, had the Rebbetzin as a high school teacher and role model, and (the ones married so far) were blessed under their chupahs by Rabbi Summers. Being an Anshe Emes member, for those of us who are baseball fans, is not unlike being a Chicago Cubs fan. Not much glory if one counts the value of a team merely in championship rings... but for the purist, tradition is EVERYTHING. Anshe Emes isn't well-to-do, but it's deeply rich in tradition, If you want the kind of shul your great grandparents probably would have been comfortable in...and which your great grandchildren would be comfortable in as part of the chain from Mt. Sinai to the Moshiach, this is the place. It's not the place for egos who'd rather have a hit TV show, be the mayor of LA, own the Dodgers, whatever... Once one is willing to "aseh lecha rav" (make for yourself a rabbi) as the Mishnah Pirke Avos instructs and grow spiritually... try Anshe Emes for a few months. Robert F. is right... the late Shabbos afternoon mussar/ethics class is special and a great introduction to the values and wisdom taught by Rabbi summers, and of many stories learned over the years, including those from living in the home of the previous Rosh Yeshiva of the Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva. There is Torah one might hear from a rabbi who learned from lectures of other rabbis. There is subtle, even deeper Torah one learns from a Rabbi who had years of seeing and living in the home of one of the Torah leaders of the last century. The mussar shiur starts 45 minutes before mincha, the afternoon service, roughly 70 minutes before sunset. That means before 4pm in the winters and close to 7pm in the summers. The synagogue website always has a calendar with specific times. Shul-shopping? Give it 100 days. I think you'll find it among the best investments in your spiritual growth you've ever made. p.s. For the one negative review? Look at the pattern of his other reviews. The positive reviews are mostly for places where he doesn't interact with people. Everything else that isn't focusing on animals or his teeth or his back gets bitter negative reviews. Has he given any of those single-starred reviews a second chance? Doesn't seem so. Contact me if you ever plan to return, Moshe N... and I'll try to improve your second visit. I've gone to Anshe Emes since, as I've said, since 1987... I don't have a single recollection of Rabbi Summers "demanding" anything of a visitor. That's simply not his M.O. The entire Slobodka approach to mussar (personal character development) focuses on elevation, never reproach. Are you even sure that it was Rabbi Summers who said something to you and not a visiting rabbi? Before a one-star review, a truth-seeker would seem to want to dig a little deeper before leaving that as a permanent legacy. read more

Anshe Emes Synagogue - Anshe Emes logo - Synagogues Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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It's hard to believe that these people don't notice how this man is living under neath the stairs and constantly leaving his fake wheel chairs in the back he is urinating all over the walls in the neighborhood as well using #2 He is a black man with the maroon hat and he is able to walk he pretends he is handicap and strolls along in the two wheelchairs From the corner of Cascio and Robertson to the corner of pico and Robertson at the Walgreens you will catch him there begging people for money pretending that he is sick when he can actually walk with sickens me is that these holy people at a synagogue can't even help take a shower or take them to 24 hour fitness where he can get a weekly pass to go shower or help him out . He continuously talks to people in the neighborhood and asks for cigarettes and money I have been dealing with this for over a year and a half and I would like it to stop read more

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Ok synagogue. Nice people. I came for a Torah reading, and was surprised that they didn't add the Book of Enoch into the canon. I think Jews should add it back, I think it's a good book. read more

This is a wonderful and welcoming synagogue. Rabbi Summers and his family are warm and welcoming, and the regular members are very friendly.

I love this Shul! Rabbi Summers is the true embodiment of what a Jewish leader should be. Not only is he a mentsch, he is also patient, caring, giving, and eminently knowledgeable on all aspects of Jewish law. He is also not afraid to say, "I don't know" and either seek the answer through further research or referral to a posek. For the approximately 23 years my family has belonged to this synagogue, we have definitely received more than we have given. That is not to say we have not given. We volunteer regularly. What I mean is that basically on a shoe-string budget that would cause other rabbis in the city to blush, this Shul accomplishes tremendous things for our community. Just to name a few things: *The Keilim Mikvah *The Los Angeles Community Eruv *Shalosh Seudos EVERY Shabbos *Early and late Shacharis on weekdays *Early and late Shacharis on Shabbos *Mishna Berurah between Mincha and Maariv Sunday - Thursday *Mussar Shiur EVERY Shabbos *Drasha EVERY Shabbos My personal favorite is the Mussar Shiur. Rav Summers' mesorah rock solid and comes from Slabodka. Therefore, the Mussar approach is NOT fire and brimstone, but rather an uplifting and encouraging message that builds people to reach higher levels. The people who come to Anshe Emes show in their behavior that this approach is effective. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. read more

I've been a member of this synagogue for 30 years, from about the first year that Rabbi Summers and his family returned to Los Angeles to step into the place left vacant when his father, the founder, passed away when the younger Rabbi Summers was 15. The growth of the synagogue has been phenomenal. Yes, it has a nice social hall, well-stocked Beit Midrash and all. However, the real thing is the Rav Summers. Its simply this--he is diplomatic, but not a politician. He takes the name Anshe Emes -- "People of Truth," seriously. If you ask him a question, his answer will sometimes be what you want to hear, and sometimes what you don't want to hear--but it is always what you need to hear. You generally don't see this sort of thing in today's age of personality over character. However, the synagogue emphasizes it Mussar ("Ethics") approach--and here, personality is appropriate as a nice suit on a respectable person, but first you have to be that respectable person--character is key. A fantastic new addition this past year has been the new Assistant Rabbi, Rabbi Geiger. He has brought a new style in learning, melody and drash (sermon), that together with Rabbi Summers approach, makes the synagogue particularly rich (in money would be nice :-) -- but at least in character and spirituality). read more

I've been a member of Anshe Emes for over 20 years. Lead by Rabbi Summers, Anshe is a place were depth in Torah learning and good ethical behavior is paramount. Rabbi Summers has "Black Belt" in Rabbinical ordination and a solid tradition dating back hundreds of years. This means you get truth a clarity, which is what we all want. You should check out Anshe Emes if you're in the West Los Angeles area, I'm sure you'll be happy you did. read more

Many years ago, I went there to hear some Rabbi speak. I had come a bit early, and while sitting and waiting, my neck hurt me, and so I temporarily took off my yarmulke (Jewish head covering for men) so that I could properly twist my neck around. The whole process would have taken less than a minute. Unfortunately, the Rabbi came seemingly out of nowhere, and demanded that I put my yarmulke back on my head, or I would have to leave immediately. I tried to explain why I had only very temporarily removed it from my head, but he refused to listen to anything I said. Then, some months or years later, he called me up, needing a favor from me, which I did for him. To this day, I so much regret doing so, as he did not deserve my kindness. I have since then avoided his shul (synagogue) like the plague, which, given his behavior toward me, probably suits him just fine. read more

Anshe is a nice, family-friendly unpretentious place in the heart of Pico-Robertson. Very welcoming, well-run and beautiful, modern and clean building. read more