I'm a bit of an architecture nerd and a Jewish history nerd. So when my mom, my husband, and I were…read morein Philadelphia for a long weekend a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted to visit Beth Sholom and take a tour. Why? It's Frank Lloyd Wright's only synagogue and so has a fascinating history! You can book a guided architectural building tour a head of time on their website - it's a 1.5-hour experience (movie and tour of the building). There's a gallery area with timelines and photographs that tell the story of Philadelphia's Jewish community and the Beth Sholom synagogue as well. The tour was great. I don't know if I find the synagogue beautiful, but I found it interesting and awesome (the glass panels, the ceiling, the chandelier, the sloped floor,...!). I'm so glad we made the hike up to Elkins Park to visit (we didn't have a car, so we took the regional train up from Philly and walked to the synagogue; we took a ride share on the way home since we were in a bit of a rush then). If you're interested in Frank Lloyd Wright, American architecture history, or Jewish American history, Beth Sholom is well worth a visit!

Beth Sholom "House of Peace" is a truly spectacular building with a spectacular story…read more Through trial and tribulation to get this masterpiece erected from the ground, it took around a decade. Frank Lloyd Wright was a master artist/architect/artisan to be able to take the requests of the Rabbi and create it into the space it is today. We really enjoyed the tour and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. I recommend stopping by this architectural wonder if you are ever near the Philly area. You can register for a tour online. Don't forget, tickets to tour FLW homes and buildings help the preservation efforts of these beautiful structures!

Or Hadash is a vibrant, inclusive and welcoming Reconstructionist synagogue with an excellent…read morereligious school. Or Hadash offers congregants Kabbalah Shabbat services on Friday evenings, plus Torah study and services on Saturday mornings. Our innovative religious school meets once per week on Sundays and offers Hebrew studies from pre-K through Confirmation. Our active, diverse congregation is engaged in various Havurot, and artististic, musical and creative endeavors.

What a nice synagogue we attended for Friends 4 Life Cancer Foundation. The building is nice and a…read morewonderful space events. It was very nice and comfortable.

I went here for a wedding and the hall was beautiful! The hall fit about 200 ppl…read more It had dim lighting and it was simple but had a modern look to it. The bathrooms were also very clean. They have their own parking lot and its huge. Theres a few parking spots in the front and the rest of the spots are in the back which can be a little walk to the entrance.

Like Rachel U. puts it is so hard to find the words to describe how gorgeous BZBI ( as it is…read moreaffectionately known) is! A great place for everyone!

I keep trying to figure out how to review this place and not quite finding the words. I love this…read moresynagogue, both for the gorgeous Neo-Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows, and for the community where I spent most of my childhood eating hydrox and going to bar mitzvahs and USY dances. Since living away, I've still come back for the high holidays and always felt welcomed. The congregation seems to be growing with some younger families getting involved, and they offer lots of different services and classes during the year. I also knew this is where I wanted to get married, and so did just that =) They were a great help as I planned from Boston, with a wedding coordinator on staff for the day-of details. It was a bit surreal, but perfect.

I have attended services off and on since 2016. Rabbi Goldman is a huge asset to the local Jewish…read morecommunity. He has always made time to answer my many questions. Architecturally this Shul is a masterpiece. For me walking there on Shabbes is 1.8 miles each way. It's definitely worth the effort. I have met some very nice people there and I have totally enjoyed taking classes. I am all about tradition and this Shul never disappoints.

This is by far the most beautiful synagogue in Philadelphia. At one time, many years ago, they…read moreused to have multiple morning minyans of over 500 people each. How many people walked by this shul and said, "That's where I'm getting married." That's how nice it is. Today, it is operated by Chabad. They have revitalized and injected new blood into this historic shul. The services are amazing, warm and friendly, as well as all of the classes and guest speakers they invite. Like I said, no other shul comes close. The rabbis are approachable, know Jewish law and are always available to the community. Contact Rabbi Goldman and Rabbi Schmidt for more information.

Beth Chaim is warm and inclusive Reform Jewish congregation, welcoming singles and families,…read moreincluding interfaith families, and accompanying people regardless of where they are on their Jewish journeys. Under the dynamic leadership of Rabbi Michelle Pearlman, the synagogue offers a variety of worship experiences, as well as educational, social and cultural programs for people of all ages. Religious school emphasizes the joy of Judaism, prepares teens to become bar and bat mitzvah, and emphasizes tikkun olam (repairing the world). Diversity is our strength. Interfaith families, LGBTQ+ members, and people of color enhance Beth Chaim's diverse community.

Best Synagogue ever. A few years back, I moved to a new home. I am not religious, but I was looking…read morefor a warm accepting community. I looked for a Reform congregation. I found Beth Chaim. Very welcoming, accepting all lifestyles and interfaith families. The Rabbi is a ball of energy that leads the congregation (old and young) in all kinds of Social justice events. Check it out!

I attended a Bar-Mitzvah this weekend at this quaint Reconstructionist synagogue in the heart of…read moreManayunk, just a few long blocks off of Main Street. They have a lovely, warm, friendly congregation. This is an older building and has much charm to it. Apparently it used to be a mill, and I can certainly see that. It's definitely a more modest synagogue. There were no photos allowed in the chapel on the third floor during the service. The reception was on the entrance floor and with minimal decor, it was quite lovely. I actually could see hosting my own daughter's party here. I remember saying how the intimate, more casual space felt like it kept true to what a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is really about, and it was refreshing. The room with exposed wooden beam ceilings and large windows that allowed for much daylight kept reminding me of Tuscany. I loved it! The room sat 100 guests comfortably. The restrooms and kitchen were conveniently located close by. Dreading Manayunk parking, I was happy to see they do have their own small lot and unmetered street parking was very easy to find. All around, a lovely experience was had here.

The Rev. Dr. Steak, the Young 'Un and I had an opportunity to visit Miskan Shalom today to…read morecelebrate the Bar Mitzvah of the Young 'Un's BFF. Being non-Jews (AKA "gentiles"), the only one of us who had ever been to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah before was I, and that was some 35 years ago. First, the space is lovely. It's a daringly restored old mill, one of many that dot the slopes of Manayunk in various states of decay. Here, they took care to preserve the mid-1800's arched windows, expose some of the brick and stone, while warming the space with new beaming and lighting. The sanctuary is on the third floor and is a wide, open, welcoming space. The congregation has a reconstructionist view and is both welcoming of all and engaged in many issues of social justice. As gentiles, we felt very welcomed and embraced. The hall is on the lowest floor, and is also quite nice. Again, preserved windows, new wood beaming, and a lovely terrace to one side. There's a modest dance floor and kitchens for catering. I would definitely consider renting this for a future event, as the congregation also has two parking lots ( a very big deal in Manayunk) and there was not an issue with on-street parking nearby. If you're looking for a congregation that is warm, friendly, welcoming and accepting, I'd check them out. If you're looking for a light-filled, mid-sized hall with a feel of the past blended with the present, I'd also check them out.

I always find Beth Chaim to be most welcoming, accommodating, and warm. A great place to be!!read more

Congregation Beth Chaim is just that, a congregation. It's not just a synagogue for prayer, it's a…read moreplace where anyone and everyone is welcome, a place that you can call your second home. I pretty much grew up at Beth Chaim and experienced amazingly meaningful times there. They expanded about a decade ago to include wonderful classrooms for children of all ages, including study rooms for adults. This multifunctional building can be used to host a multitude of events and services. The people who work here are kind and friendly and are always a huge help. If you're new to the area, or you've just never stopped by, it's definitely worth a little time to check out the place and see all they have to offer. Amazing place, beautiful people, and a wonderful space to enjoy.