It feels a bit weird to say this after just being a member for a couple of months, but I love this…read moreplace. My family and I kicked around the Jewish community in Albany for a couple of years looking for our spiritual home. And of all places we found it in Schenectady. We feel it is a great fit for us. It's not too big, it's not too small. It's not too religious (I don't feel guilty about my love for bacon), it's not too secular. It's not too fancy, it's not too drab. There is a word in yiddish that sums it all up nicely, and that is haimish. For those who don't know what that means, it's "having qualities associated with a homelike atmosphere; simple, warm, relaxed, cozy, unpretentious, etc." They also have an annual Jewish Food Festival, which I have to say I'm excited to be participating in this year. Don't tell the rabbi, but it also doesn't hurt that I can drop my kid off at Sunday school and then hang out at the Schenectady Greenmarket. I love it there, and I love any excuse to make the trek out to the Electric City.

From the owner: Gates of Heaven is the oldest Jewish congregation in Schenectady, NY, with over 300 member…read morefamilies, many of whom are multi-generational members, and a senior rabbi who has served this community for over 30 years. We offer a variety of programming for young families, single adults, and senior members, including social, educational, and spiritual experiences, in following with the Union of Reform Judaism. Our supplemental school, Gates Quest, provides high-quality education to children from preschool through 7th grade, followed by an enriching high school-level social group we call GOHTY (Gates of Heaven Temple Youth), and adult education programs throughout the year. Holidays like Purim, Passover, High Holy Days, Sukkot, Hanukkah, and more, bring opportunities to come together to celebrate our history and our culture. Join us for a Shabbat service, Shabbat family dinner, Torah Study, or one of our many upcoming weekday programs, and see what sets us apart from other congregations in the Capital District! No commitment necessary for your first visit; our Gates are open to all!

A beautiful, friendly, egalitarian Conservative synagogue in Saratoga Springs, offering many…read moreprograms. A dynamic Rabbi and an active Sisterhood.

Friendly congregation, hamish community - lay and professional leadership get along well - services…read moreare mainly lay led

This is a great conservative congregation…read more When my family arrived in the area, we weren't sure if we would be more comfortable joining a reform or conservative congregation. Back in Berkeley we were at a reform temple that used mostly Hebrew during worship, and was led by an old school Hungarian rabbi. The clergy at Ohav are fantastic. Loved Rabbi Dan. Love that the congregation shows off its egalitarian stripes with Rabbi Rena on the bima. Services were always kid friendly, from little toddlers all the way through fidgety grade schoolers. And we found it to be a warm and welcoming community. In the end, we decided our family was ultimately more comfortable being on the more religious side in a reform congregation, than the slackers in a conservative one. But this place still holds a warm spot in our heart, and it's an active and thriving part of the local Jewish community.

"Hear, O Israel! Adonai is our G-d! Adonai is One!" - Proud of this amazing structure, tremendous…read moreamount of Jewish history - alive and well in this amazing town! G-d Bless America!

Nice old shul. It's a historic landmark. During the summer, they use it every day. During the year…read moreit's used infrequently. In the summer, it's orthodox.

Friendly, warm, inclusive, musical, spiritual, homey - as good as it gets. You'll be glad you went.read more

This is a wonderful place. I've only attended one event here. But I plan on attending many more…read more The people are so friendly. Anna Langford, the temple administrator is so warm and helpful. And the Rabbi Jonathan is welcoming. And a talented singer and guitar player.

It's nicer on the inside…read more Don't tell my rabbi, but if my family was ever to leave our current temple, this would be where we would go instead. I love Rabbi Don, who presides over Albany's smaller reform congregation. He loves food, grows his own hot peppers, cooks, and plays a mean guitar. A rabbi who can carry a tune is a rare commodity and not something to be overlooked. Plus he's funny, and just a really nice guy. Reform Judaism is a funny thing. And there are a lot of people who go for glitz and glamor in their synagogues. That's not really my scene. I want a place where I can come as I am, and B'nai Sholom is like that. Some might dismiss the place out of hand, given the building's exterior design. It looks a bit more like an industrial warehouse than a house of God. I wasn't joking when I said that it's nicer on the inside. It is. And not just the physical aspects of the building. But there is a warmth in there, that I think emanates from Rabbi Don, which I find to be particularly appealing.

hi, i am a young married mother of two beautiful kids. my husband and i love to travel and see…read moredifferent places. well when my husband and i were traveling to lake George and our car broke down we decided to stay in the town nearest the exit where our car would be fixed. turned out to be troy. so my husband and i both being modern orthodox decided to look up the local synagogue to see if there was a place to have services for Friday night, since our car broke down on Friday. well, we called up Rabbi Morrison, and he told us to come, so we went and had such an amazing time there! there was really i mean really good food! The synagogue is just one of the most beautiful synagogues I've seen in New York and the congregation is really warm, and friendly. we sad to leave and as my husband and i were about to go we offered to pay for the meal and services, which common in places like Manhattan and flatbush, Rabbi Morrison refused to take the money. He said that he couldn't take the money because that's what fellow Jews do for one another, they help each other out. Needless to say, my husband and i were really impressed. So i would rate and say Beth Tephilah synagogue is one of the most warm, generous, and beautiful places i, my husband and my kids been too. i would definitely revisit !

A remarkable example of a congregation brought back to vitality by a fine rabbi. The coming…read moretogether of students, the disabled , the OTHER - however one defines it : happens here. Amazing.

Amazing community of people! Welcoming and inviting congregation and an inspiring rabbi!read more