I visited this venue for the first time recently to attend an author talk with Kelly Bishop, famous…read morefor her matriarch role in Gilmore Girls. Despite having to go through security, attending this event was seamless; you could tell they were a well-oiled machine. I was quickly through security, scanned my ticket, picked up my book, and found a great seat--although, I don't think there were any bad seats. It's a rather intimate venue, and it seemed like there was a great view from everywhere. It was easy to hear Kelly and her conversant, and it was so cool to have them walk down the aisle right next to me. I did not get a drink, but they do have beverages, including alcoholic ones like White Claw, available to purchase and to bring into the event space.

I've been here a few times to see some of my favorite creators. Once for The Minimalists and once…read moreto see Joshua Weissman. There's so much space for viewers to see the talks and - even sitting all the way in the back - you can hear all the conversations and interviews. The check in process is smooth and both experiences were different based on the creators personality. It's a beautiful venue with very intentional design to accommodate guests.

Amazing Rabbanim, great services and a huge congregation. Almost every Shabbat service I've…read moreattended there has been a bar mitzvah. Decent parking, particularly for DC and did I mention that the services are beautiful??!!! I love service in general, so it's not like you'll hear me say there was a bad one, however the services here are especially uplifting. Maybe this is because there seems to be a great age mix and they provide options for each one. If I were staying in the DC area, this would probably be the best place to make my Shul home. The ethnicity mix is nice too; it is always uncomfortable when I go and stand out, then all the questions start pouring in about how did I get to be Jewish (wait...you mean I'm black?!?!...kidding). Thankfully, this has NEVER happened here...but that may be because of the reason I deducted one star... I did not go 5 stars because despite all the amazing things about Adas, the congregation itself hasn't been so welcoming. They weren't rude either, but we definitely were not warmly welcomed (except by 1 sweet Rabbi and 1 person at a young adult event) and everyone just kept to their cliques. Aw well, after a year in DC area, I'm headed out next month anyway. Neshikot vehibukim!

Big, busy, friendly. They have a newbie welcome group that hosts nice regular Sabbath lunches…read more There's something.... I dunno... anesthetic... about this place. One star off for meat market vibe on Friday night... but I suppose that depends on the ever changing DC crowd.

I have to pile on to the previous review. You can't find a warmer, kinder or more progressive…read morecongregation. It is filled with caring souls who reflect the light shed by their wonderful clergy, all under the leaderships of their most wonderful senior rabbi, Danny Zemel. I would not have found the need to even comment about this nationally renowned rabbi and this congregation were it not for a totally unfounded, ill informed review posted by someone else previously. It is sometimes hard to overcome negative comments, but this derisive one, to which I refer, should be dismissed by anyone with even the least degree of discernment.

Temple Micah is an extraordinary place. Welcoming, open-minded, spiritual and fun. A great place…read moreto check out if you're looking for a non-judgmental, spirited synagogue environment!

How do you review a synagogue? Here goes:…read more The good: Kesher has a really nice building (small, intimate, cozy). It is located well, right near the Georgetown scene. I've never been too regular, but, I know from their announcements that there's a wide variety of classes and events to be involved with. A lot of young people (20s, 30s) go to Kesher and some of them are friendly. DC is a transitory community, so there's usually new friends to make. There's a weekly kiddush after lunch, so socializing is encouraged. For new people to DC, Kesher offers a way to become part of the community. Religiously, Kesher falls within Modern Orthodox. Women do not participate in services, but are able to be active members of the shul. There is a women's "study group" that meets regularly. The middle: First, if you're looking for egalitarian, look elsewhere. The women's "study group" is fashioned like a prayer group (with a torah reading) but does much to emphasize that it is not one (such as changing prayers for the torah). Some like it, but a true egalitarian probably won't. Second, the rabbi has very strong opinions and is not afraid to express them. The rabbi is also heavily involved in Jewish politics. This could be good or bad depending on how you feel. Third, expect lots of speeches during shabbat prayer. If you like your prayers short and sweet, this is not the place for you. The bad: I mentioned that some people are friendly. Unfortunately, some people are not. I don't want to point to any specific person, but I think that some of those on the top of the synaguge hierarchy are more "cliqueish" than friendly and don't emphasize the importance of being welcoming to newcomers. I've heard from a number of people new to Kesher that the atmosphere can be downright insulting at times. Many a person has tried Kesher only to go elsewhere because of the general snobbery they've encountered. Moral: Give it a try, make your own decision. If you're looking for a community, make sure to check it out first before signing a lease in the area.

I attended this synagogue for four days (not Shabbat) while vacationing in DC in August 2019. It's…read morean okay shul if you, like me, need a minyan to daven. Nobody bothered to greet me, but nobody asked me to move because I took somebody else's seat either. On second day I told the gabbai that I needed to recite Gomel and was given the opportunity to do so. On my last day I mentioned that to the gabbai and he called me for aliyah on his own. The shul was always packed. I mean it as a positive thing, that the minyan was strong and reliable, not that there wasn't enough room. The only minor negative thing I can say is that there is no bulletin board with service schedule, although that information is available on their website. Overall, a nice place to daven.

So much of our time in secular Washington DC is consumed in the accumulation of visible…read moreachievements, and it's by those externalities that we are judged and measured. How we make a living, our financial and professional rank, how many boards we sit on, what we've published, where we live, where our kids go to school, where we vacation, and on and on--these are the externalities that largely govern the relationships we form. We go to Tifereth Israel to lay down those embellishments, and be more truly ourselves, in the company of people who have embraced lives of meaning and engagement. Simply show up to morning services (even if you don't care for services, just be patient and hang there a couple of times), and then stay for the Kiddush and talk and listen to people. You do that often enough, then you'll notice over time that you've begun to form deep, lasting, values-driven, and authentic relationships that sustain and nourish you in a way that you rarely, if ever, find in the secular world. Yes, Tifereth Israel checks the other boxes: the rabbi is phenomenally talented, services are mostly lay-led and intellectually challenging, the congregation is extremely LGBTQ-friendly, there are several active social-action initiatives, it's got a ton of young families with children, and a vibrant education program serves kids and adults. But the main asset at TI that you can't have anywhere else? It's the people.

Conservative. Very…read morefriendly and inviting. Medium sized. Simpler (less jappy) than other DC shuls.

I want to kindergarten here in the early 60ies because we lived a The Berkshire around the corner…read moreon Mass avenue. The funny thing was the Kindergarten was run by Catholic Nuns, I guess that rented the place. I remeber have a small rug I brought with me that we would take naps on. They would not let you graduate unless you pass some test and one was skipping. I did not know how to skipp and maybe due to my dyslexia (diagnosed later) that added to the challenge. My Mom was determined that I would pass and learn to skip. I remember practicing and learning to skip on the sidewalk between this center and the Berkshire over and over. I finally learned to skip and graduated from Kindergarten but have the memory every time I pass that area of Mass avenue. Will have to stop in to the center sometime and see what I remember as a large room we had class in looks like today.

Fantastic kiddish, welcoming congregation that really felt nice, with a lovely service and nice…read moreRabbis.

I whole heartedly agree with Jeff's review! The community…read moreneeds to know that the Sisterhood runs one of the best Judaica Shops in the area (2019 Winner of Best Judaica Shop by the Washington Jewish Week). The Shop is open now, even during the pandemic, but by appointment only. Call 301-770-7577 for more information.

Machar is my home! After being schooled in Reform Judaism, saying words I didn't really believe in,…read moreI found myself in a congregation that not only respects a variety of views, but also encourages logical thinking-- all in the pursuit of our common goals: to make sense of our place on earth so that we can do tikkan olum , we can repair the world and have fun at the same time. Machar is my home!

My wife and I joined Machar because we want our daughters to experience Jewish life, but we are not…read morecomfortable with a lot of the traditional theistic prayers. Machar's perfect for us, and the new rabbi, Nehama Benmosche, is energetic, thoughtful, and great with kids. (Full disclosure: I was until recently a board member of Machar.)

Welcoming community, excellent preschool and summer camp. Many opportunities for personal growth…read moreand community involvement. The clergy and staff are wonderful.

I spent a great deal of time at Temple Rodef Shalom Nursery School. I worked as an aide for one of…read morethe children enrolled, so I was not employed by TRSNS but spent several days there a week observing staff and their preschool program. I was continually impressed with the professional and caring teachers, who have great approaches towards educating children. TRSNS focuses on exploratory learning, creative play, kindness to others, and respect for others and the environment. Many of the children are not Jewish- this is a great preschool for anyone!