Kerem Shalom is a vibrant Jewish community. I had to laugh when I read the poor Yelp review posted…read morein 2012. Although I feel that person really got it wrong, much has changed since then - we have a new rabbi, new programming, and lots of enthusiastic new members, adding to our already wonderful community. There is so much going on at Kerem Shalom, for adults and for families with young kids, and the atmosphere is welcoming and warm. and yes, it is very down to earth and there is still a lot of beautiful music.

Kerem Shalom has helped me to reconnect with my Jewish childhood after many years of ignoring it. A…read morewelcoming, caring community for all types of families and all types of people. i enjoy the peacefulness and release that comes from ending the work week with a Shabbat service filled with music and discourse and prayer. There are so much going on there, programs and events for all ages, really something for everyone.

Joyous music filled Friday night and bar/ bat mitzvah services. Inspiring high holy day observance…read more Young compassionate rabbinate and cantor. Exceptional education program for children and adults. A strong community that will enhance your connection to Judaism and Israel and Jewish families in metro west.

I've been a member of Temple Isaiah for almost 30 years, and a member of Yelp for as long as it has…read moreexisted. Until now, I never thought of linking the two, but I guess you can review anything. T.I. is in Lexington, but it also serves Bedford, Burlington, Waltham and other surrounding communities. With about 800 families it is large enough to be many things to many people. The religious school is famously innovative. The clergy is caring and erudite. The congregation includes people with many different religious views. Social action is a high priority both for the adult members and for the teen group, LEFTY. LGBT members are welcome - and have been for many years. Temple Isaiah is a great place for families with kids, young professionals, anyone who is looking for a vibrant Reform Jewish community in the Western suburbs. Since this is Yelp, I should say something about the food, right? The Brotherhood holds bagel and lox breakfasts with amazing speakers, many of them world famous. Community Shabbat dinners are a highlight. And for credibility, let me say that the coffee is only fair. But Starbucks and Peets are just minutes away.

We worked with Amy Hertz of Temple Isaiah to plan the ceremony for our wedding. She was amazing --…read morethoughtful, kind and responsive. The congregation is also very welcoming and their space beautiful. A true center of Jewish life in Suburban Boston.

This synagogue is awesome! Services are joyful and participatory...lots of singing. And the people…read moreare open and welcoming. The congregation is lively and egalitarian. This is the real deal!

This is a special, sacred place filled with warmth and community. They welcome you with open arms…read moreas you are, without any pretense, and regardless of how observant you are.

Went here for the holiday today. The most spiritual experience. Not uptight, not snobby. The canter…read morewas upbeat and brought the room to life. I felt at home and I'm looking forward to Yom Kipper.

Temple Emanuel is a small congregation where everyone knows who you are. Very warm and welcoming.read more

great community of people, everyone is super friendly and welcoming!read more

Attended a bat mitzvah here…read more I will admit (1) I do not believe in organized religion (2) I have never been in a Jewish Synagogue before (3) I do not know anything about being Jewish or the true significance of a bat mitzah (4) I step into a house of worship on average once every 5 years. With all that being said, I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. The rabbi was warm and welcoming. She understood that many in the audience were not Jewish. She explained things along the way. What we were doing. Why we were doing it. She told us to join in if we felt comfortable. Most of the service was in Hebrew. So she gave the English translation. The prayer books - she explained that you read them backwards! They have lots of music which helped make the experience extra relaxing.

Over the past few decades, in some locations, Jewish communities declined. Yet some places offer…read morenew life to the community. Chabad of the Nashoba Valley is one many Chabad outreach centers that reaches out to Jews of all backgrounds and observance levels. It is a small, haimish Chabad outreach center, which double as the community synagogue. They provide Orthodox Jewish prayer services on Shabbat (Friday night and morning) and holidays. Out here in the burbs its great to find a meaningful shul for Jewish people to come to. They have community Passover Seders, and services for the Yamim Nora'im (High Holy Days, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur) Also a Kids'n Krafts hands-on Jewish educational program for kids 4 to 9. Chabad has a point of view, like any group worth respecting does. It's an open-hearted Orthodoxy that meets Jews where they are, offering pathways to a meaningful Jewish life. They're not missionaries; rather, they inspire Jews to become educated about their own heritage, and to take a step up the ladder of observance, from wherever they are. The Shabbat service could use more Shlomo Carelebach-type melodies and harmonies. But that's true of nearly all synagogues nowadays. It also could use a few more brief readings in English, which helps keeps people involved if they don't know the format. This is a place very much worth coming to, and a worthy addition to the Jewish community of the Meerimack Valley/Metrowest area, If you're looking for a synagogue where a larger percent of the services are in English, and/or which is helpful to intermarried couples looking to raise their kids Jewish, nearby is Congregation Shalom (Reform) in Chelmsford, or a bit further north, Temple Beth Abraham (Conservative), in Nashua NH.