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    Beth Jacob Congregation Irvine

    5.0 (3 reviews)

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    Shir Ha-Ma'alot

    Shir Ha-Ma'alot

    4.6(9 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    I've been going here since 2000, I continue to love this phenomenal community more and more the…read moreolder I get. The clergy are so amazing and they make you feel like part of the SHM family.

    I really like this synagogue and the community. It's kind of hard being the new girl in town…read more.. moved here right before COVID. Finding a shul where most of the members are warm, welcoming, and kind is hard to find in general, but during COVID-19? Oy, it was a long process. Before moving to OC from LA, I belonged to Stephen Wise Temple up in Belair. We were the envy of all Shuls in the LA area... and at one point, I considered us the best... not due to the glitz and glam, but the dedication the clergy had for it's members. Esp. My cantor and one rabbi that is still there. It was so difficult to find a shul similar SWT in OC... until I decided to look into SHM It also helped that my teacher, mentor, friend, and arguably the greatest chazzan of our time, cantor Nathan Lam, pointed out that the LOVELY Rabbi Zive is now at SHM, in Irvine. (Where I live now), so that got my attention very quickly *it was kismet*. The words Rabbi Bryan Zive and Mensch are synonymous. He is a great leader- kind, compassionate, caring, WISE, and makes time for young people (like myself). I really appreciated the fact that he carved time out to meet with little 'ol me as he is such a busy man. With a little help from Nate, We started conversing, and finally scheduled a meeting as soon as it was good for us. Zive gave me the 411 on the temple and also put me at ease with respect to some concerns I had at the time. I also love the fact that SHM has an amazing musical program (& tons of things available for kiddos! Can't wait to bring my 1 year old as she deserves to be apart of a warm Jewish community and have the opportunities I had growing up). It seems like there's a program for everyone here. It's nice. I've been to this temple a couple of times before moving to OC (back when it was at the JCC), and really liked the vibe then. Their former Cantor, Arie, is such a dear and I love his Israeli flair with respect to music. Gotta love the lion from Zion. He's a very sweet man. I'm not sure if they have a full time cantor, yet... but I'm certain they will select a great one when the time is right. Big props to zive for being involved with the musical stuff + being a rabbi. I can't imagine it being easy to juggle both roles, but he definitely makes it look easy, lol. FYI:He was trained by the best and comes from great stock- just sayin'. My most recent experience at SHM was great. They had a lovely HHDs service, and everything was wonderful from the Classical chazzanut to the inspirational, educational, and insightful sermon. Truly fantastic from start to finish. Grateful to Zive for bringing me into the SHM community & I so look forward to some amazing "shecky" (Shehecheyanu) moments + making lovely memories with my daughter here in the future.

    Photos
    Shir Ha-Ma'alot - Chanukah Service at SHM

    Chanukah Service at SHM

    Shir Ha-Ma'alot - Rabbi Steinberg unrolls the Torah for students on the holiday of Simchat Torah.

    Rabbi Steinberg unrolls the Torah for students on the holiday of Simchat Torah.

    Shir Ha-Ma'alot - From the Grand Opening of the new Sanctuary in 2018

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    From the Grand Opening of the new Sanctuary in 2018

    Congregation B'nai Israel

    Congregation B'nai Israel

    5.0(8 reviews)
    4.9 mi

    Congregation B'nai Israel has become a home for me in so many ways. I came seeking education and…read morelearning in my Jewish journey. I have received so much more - a deepening knowledge and understanding of the struggles of my ancestors and what they endured while never losing faith in the one true G-d. The connections I am making with fellow Jews of all ages, genders, ethnicities and sexualities, is another unexpected gift. What has been the most surprising is the truly welcoming hearts and humility that the clergy and leadership embody. As a queer person who was raised in a church that didn't accept all of who I am, it has been amazing to have found a spiritual community that not only accepts me, but embraces me and other members of the synagogue who identify as LGBTQIA+. Rabbi Adam Greenwald and Cantor Amy Robinson Katz, along with synagogue administration and board leadership and members, have created a place were all belong. Their spiritual walk matches their actions in the world. This is exactly what I have been seeking in a place of worship, and to find it while also finding my place in the story of the Israelites and in my identity as a queer Jewish person, has been a gift beyond measure.

    This amazing pre school has provided the best education for my two grandchildren…read more My eldest grandson Kai will graduate in a week and is ready for his adventure into kindergarten in great part due to this school Thank you

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    Congregation B'nai Israel
    Congregation B'nai Israel
    Congregation B'nai Israel

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    Ben David Messianic Jewish Congregation.

    Ben David Messianic Jewish Congregation.

    4.0(6 reviews)
    9.9 mi

    A wonderful little congregation that sings praise songs in Hebrew (translations in English are…read moreprovided), celebrates Jewish holidays and festivals (e.g., Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot), and has two sermons (one from the Torah and another from the New Testament) every week! They have a nursery with a flat screen TV so nursing mothers can hear the sermons. Shabbat School Classes are available for ages 3-17 during the service. My wife and I have been attending this congregation for almost a year now and find it to be a wonderful place for our family to hear God's word, enjoy the richness of the language in which most of the Bible was originally written, and serve in a congregation that practices what is preached. Highly recommend this place. A++

    My wife, 2 kids and I have been attending Ben David now for almost 5 years now (the kids are now 12…read more&13). If you are looking for a Messianic congregation to attend, then Ben David is not too bad of a place to start, but it depends on what you are looking for in a church / congregational experience. Some Messianic congregations tend to behave like an orthodox or Jewish conservative "like" traditional synagogue experience. I have found that others have a more typical church like service with aspects, celebrations and teaching of Judaism. Ben David is in the middle with a leaning towards a church "like" routine a little bit I would say. As you know, you'll never find the perfect church or congregational experience that checks off all the boxes you're looking for unless you start in place and design your own church :). As far as a kids Shabbat school (like Sunday School) they have something for the different ages/grades for your children. Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, their Shabbat school curriculum teaching leans more towards teaching mostly from the Old Testament and about the Jewish culture, Jewish life and holidays and all the Jewish aspects of the Messianic movement (***BUT, this totally depends on who's teaching on that day, since the teachers rotate). Being a Messianic congregation, where is the "balance" of Jesus (Yeshua) in the teaching? Without the Messiah Jesus (Yeshua) there would be no Messianic movement. If this "elephant in the room" became obvious to our family, we think it's a problem. But if you want to get your feet wet and see what a Messianic service is like, come check them out. Like a lot of places, you could find the services online to watch if you don't want to go in person yet (which I would recommend with any place you want to visit). Ben David is a medium sized congregation, not large enough to get lost in but not small enough for everyone to know your business either. Come check them out for a month and you be the judge and see what you think (don't take my word for it). Consequently, my favorite orange county Messianic Congregational experience has been "Shuvah Yisrael Messianic Jewish Congregation" in Irvine, their website is https://shuvahyisrael.org/. You can watch them online also to see what you think. Like I said at the beginning, you can't find the perfect church or congregational experience that checks off all the boxes you are looking for unless you decide to start your own church :) So, if you are happy stay and grow, but if you find you are not completely happy to plant yourself and grow roots here, you can move on elsewhere in your spiritual journey of course. Whatever works for you. Just always keep it in prayer and listen for the Lord's direction.

    Photos
    Ben David Messianic Jewish Congregation.
    Ben David Messianic Jewish Congregation.
    Ben David Messianic Jewish Congregation. - New location at the Sanctify facility in Orange.

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    New location at the Sanctify facility in Orange.

    Beth Jacob Congregation Irvine - synagogues - Updated May 2026

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