The Rabbi is very nice and l enjoy his teachings and l love that the community is so welcoming to…read morepeople of all backgrounds. They have many activities and ways to get involved.

In the past, my experience with Congregation B'nai Shalom has been incidental via their Rabbi. The…read morefirst time was with Rabbi Gordon Freeman during my Son's conversion to Judaism (at birth) and years later with Rabbi Daniel Stein as he participated in a religious diversity teleconference that Gayle organized through the City of Pleasant Hill. It was only during the 2nd night of Pesach (2023) that I physically set foot in Congregation B'nai Shalom as part of their Community Passover Seder. As I happened to be in town that week, I very much appreciated this opportunity to break matzah with this slice of the Bay Area Jewish community. There was so much to appreciate: - The hard work of the folks who put this even on, including the program, table service, the food buffet, and of course set up and take down. - A meaningful and relatively short Seder. This was not the Orthodox version that tries to finish as close to midnight as possible. At the same time it hit the right notes and was nicely led by Rabbi Stein and Ḥazzan Sandy Bernstein. - The interesting and friendly folks at my table. Let's see what happens next year....

Very friendly and outgoing people. The Rabbi is a dear! Not to mention her 'angelic' voice!read more

Lana is right about the setting at CBT. It is peaceful and understated with a beautiful big tree…read morethat you glimpse from the pews and that shades the sweet little outdoor amphitheater. Though more importantly to me, it is a welcoming community of friendly and down to earth people. Our family has made many good friends at CBT over the years. When we were "temple shopping" the friendly manner and helpfulness we encountered from the front office was an immediate plus. Adding to that, the Cantor has a beautiful voice, the Religious School Director is full of positive energy and the Rabbi always greets you with a smile (and usually by name). Though we have friends at several local synagogues, CBT feels like home to us.

CBE is a wonderful Reform synagogue. We moved to the area five years ago and left a (large) temple…read morein our old 'hood. Beth Emek was just what our family needed - a smaller temple with a vibrant Jewish community. Unfortunately, there was some political posturing that sent our favorite rabbi moving to another temple out of the area. Luckily, things have since stabilized and the new rabbi seems to be a very nice man who is extremely competent and will do an excellent job leading CBE into the future. FIVE stars...(I wonder if G-d will read this?! I suppose...)

So I'm not much for cumbaya, group cuddles, and a singing, guitar-playing rabbi. Then I met Rabbi…read moreMilder at Beth Emek. I'm still not much for cumbaya and group cuddles, but Rabbi Milder does the best services. He moves. He talks. He's informative and educational. I learn something every time I go to services. Aaaaand the guitar playing actually does make the whole experience much more enjoyable. There, I said it. The people at this temple, especially the leadership, work hard to include everybody in a warm and caring atmosphere. Somebody always says hi. There's always a smile. We belong. Our children belong. It's a great feeling that doesn't happen at all congregations. The educational program is top notch. The facilities are pleasant and clean. The children are above average. If you're looking for a temple, you owe it to yourself to check out CBE!

I grew up going to Temple Isaiah but haven't been there in 7+ years. I attended the Tot Rosh…read moreHashanah service there today with my mother (who's still a member and my two little girls). I cannot believe how much the Temple has changed/grown since I was there. Not only has the main sanctuary been enlarged and re-designed there are two new buildings on the campus-One, for the new Jewish Day School and one for the Hebrew School. It's absolutely beautiful! Rabbi Graetz did an amazing job at keeping the tot service short (30 min) while still getting across the important points of Rosh Hashanah to our children. My girls were mesmorized. There was a new song leader-and I'm kicking myself for not remembering her name-and she was fabulous as well. The kids had a great time! I can't believe there are now 4 rabbis serving the congregation. Growing up we only has one rabbi-Shelly Waldenberg and one cantor-Cantor Silverman. It warms my heart to see the congregation grow. I also have to commend Temple Isaiah for their welcoming of interfaith/interculture families. It's so nice to see so many different faces! Yeah for progress!

This synagogue is very close to my heart. My family moved to the Lafayette area when I was an…read moreadolescent and began attending this temple. We were met there with open arms, a warm staff, and a wonderful and supportive congregation. The congregation has now grown, and so have their accolades. From feeding the homeless, to painting non-profit centers, to visiting the elderly; every day is a mitzvah with this temple and congregation. The rabbis are wonderful and no matter how large the congregation grows, they seem to remember everyone. If you are looking for a wonderful temple in the Diablo Valley area, this is definitely the one. I can't say enough about it. Check it out sometime for a Friday night service.

The people of this community are great. Love the food and the inclusivity. I was raised Christian…read moreand married a Jewish woman and they accept and support us both!

I became a member of Shir Ami when I wanted my son to have a Jewish education (he was entering…read morekindergarten) and my daughter needed a naming ceremony. Shir Ami ably provided both and my family has been members ever since. That was 1990! Both children studied in the Sunday school and each became b-mitzvah. I have been a teacher and a student there as well (always something new to learn). Shir Ami has become my West Coast family and I am very happy to be a member here.

"Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name...."…read more Temple Beth Sholom is a small, caring, tolerant place for East Bay Jews. Rabbi Manhoff is extremely dedicated to his congregants and to the greater community. He is involved in interfaith dialogue and teaches a class on Christianity at a local college. His worldview is reflected in his sermons and in the temple's welcoming atmosphere. His sermons are often are often controversial - but that is to be expected in a very diverse, conservative congregation lead by a reform rabbi. Temple Beth Sholom is in many ways, a blank canvas. The benefit of this is that if you are looking for something in your Jewish community that you haven't yet found, this is the place to create it. If you have an idea, this is the place to bring it to fruition. The membership is small but committed, and open to new ideas and programs. Rabbi Manhoff offers several weekly adult education classes, but invites suggestions for new classes based on what participants want to learn. The new President seems full of ideas and energy. Cantor Hirschorn is passionate about Jewish music and brings a lot of knowledge to the pulpit. This is a homey, little community where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came.

Temple Beth Sholom is a synagogue located in San Leandro that serves the general area. It is a…read morewarm congregation, that is listed as a Conservative synagogue, but in fact is more open than that. Rabbi Harry Manhoff is an ordained Reform Rabbi, and is warm, accepting and also is highly knowledgeable on many aspects of both Judaism and Christianity. Cantor Linda Hirschhorn is a brilliant, warm and accepting Cantor, who has a wonderful voice. She has produced several cds and song books, including some with her ensemble group, Vocolot. The congregation is one that is warm, accepting, and inviting. People of all walks of life are accepted warmly and heartily, including interfaith, LGBT, and any form of Judaism, and the membership reflects this. If you are looking for a warm, accepting shul, I highly suggest this synagogue. There usually is a dinner served on the first friday of each month, with kid friendly services starting at 6:30pm and the dinner served after, at about 7:15pm. The other Fridays, services start at 8pm on Fridays, and I hear the Challah is exceptional. Saturday services are held at 10am in the Little Shul, which is the oldest wooden Synagogue west of the Mississippi still in use today. The congregation was founded in 1886, and is still going strong. I highly recommend it and I urge you to visit it for services any time. There also is a preschool located on the premises. Children from 2 to preK are accepted, and kids learn about Jewish holidays and have a Tot Shabbat every Friday morning. For Hanukkah, there is a rooftop menorah that is lit every evening at 6pm, and on Christmas day, there is a pot luck lunch, and usually Chinese food and a movie are played in the evening after the menorah lighting on the roof. The website is www.TBSSanLeandro.org, and inquiries can be sent to President@tbssanleandro.org. Thanks!

Although demographically I don't feel like I totally "fit" (single, early 30's) this is home to me…read more The congregation is warm and welcoming, Rabbi Schulman is everything you'd want your Rabbi to be, and despite moving and trying other congregations I still travel from Dublin back to Fremont when I need to re-center myself. If you're over the age of 50 or have a young family you'll fit in nicely. After attending services here off and on for 15 years this is home. Compared to other reform congregations TBT seems a bit on the conservative side, which I personally like. This is a culturally diverse, open minded community that still is very strongly attached to its heritage and tradition, a perfect blend. I don't have kids yet, but I can very much see myself raising them in this community.

From the owner: Temple Beth Torah is a Reform Jewish synagogue dedicated to serving the spiritual, intellectual,…read moreand cultural needs of the Tri-City Jewish community. We offer innovative worship services, preschool through adult educational programs, and social events. We deeply value our community and embrace the diversity of our Temple family.

una congregación muy cerrada a sólo apoyar y estar para quienes pertenecen ahí, no es por Dios ni…read moreles importa lo que pase afuera de lo que es su congregación

I wrote the first review back in 2016. At the time I had contacted Congregation Beth Shalom for…read moreconversion process. I'm thrilled to say that after 1 1/2 years of studying under Rabbi Shalom Bochner I had my Beit Din and Mikveh on January 4, 2018! Since then I have become a member at the Congregation and have attended Shabbat Services and many activities that the Congregation have such as Cafe Shalom, Shabbat Dinners, Art Group, Sunday Afternoons at CBS, Passover Services and Seder, Chanukah, Simchat Torah, Sukkot Celebrations, High Holidays, Purim, and much more! Now that I am a Jew, my studies doesn't stop here. I continue to attend Adult Education on Sundays followed by Adult Hebrew. What is great about Adult Education on Sundays is that we are there along with the children who are attending Beit Sefer ( Hebrew School)! Congregation Beth Shalom is a very warm and friendly Synagogue. If you are interested in conversion or simply looking for a Shul, please stop by! Here are some useful links: http://www.cbsmodesto.org/ YouTube: JewishModesto Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqREBrRdVBLhxbl7BP1EsAA Twitter: JewishModesto Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beth_shalom_modesto/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbsmodesto/ Sundays Afternoon at CBS Concert Series: http://www.cbsmodesto.org/concert-series.html Hope to see you at Congregation Beth Shalom!

This is a wonderful synagogue with a very compassionate rabbi. I love the music. The sermons are…read morefantastic. Will definitely go there for services again.

I go there to learn Argentine Tango on Tuesday nights from Leslie and Rich. The dancers are…read moreusually nice, I try to help newcomers.