Not only is it a museum- and a lovely one at that, thus beautiful synagogue, recently renovated,…read morehouses an active congregation. Their Rabbi is personable, smart and seems to be a great leader. Saturday's prayers are on the main floor in the Beit Midrash....larger services are held on the second floor in the most beautiful sanctuary. I've had the opportunity to worship here three times, and look forward to the next opportunity. Centrally located near the Old Port section of Portland, it is easy to get here. Friday nights join at 6pm for a Reform style service. Saturday mornings the service is traditional, egalitarian with a triennial Torah reading. The pace is good, always ending well before noon. Stay for a small bite and time to meet the others.

This is a wonderful congregation. My only regret is I am not more involved. My wife is Jewish and I…read moream Presbyterian clergy. We first attended Kol Nidre when we moved to Portland from PA six years ago & have been ever since.

Love the relaxed atmosphere . High Holiday services were wonderful. Great community of all ages.read more

From the owner: We are a Synagogue serving the Jewish community of greater Newburyportread more

I attended the Winter Feztival with my children. What an amazing venue and event. The sponsored…read moreChristmas trees were amazing and decorated to reflect what the sponsors offered. The members of the Temple were kind and inviting. The craft fair was enticing and packed with artesian goods and services. The Kora Temple offered a variety of quick vendor foods and homage delights! Do NOT Pass Up on this magical event. It's held every year during the month of November!

Temple Beth Abraham (called TBA by members) is a neighborly, welcoming, Conservative Jewish…read moresynagogue. It follows the religious practices of Conservative Judaism: traditional Jewish law interpreted in a non-fundamentalist fashion. Given its location in the suburbs, many of TBA's members aren't fully observant; the community is sensitive to the needs of all members, from secular and Reform, to Conservative and Traditional. It is welcoming to interfaith couples, and has great outreach to couples who wish to raise their children Jewish. Unlike many suburban synagogues, TBA's membership is large and holding it's own, perhaps even growing. It has a vibrant, fun Hebrew School, for students from kindergarten up to high school. It has an adult education program, and an active men's club and sisterhood. Their services are primarily in Hebrew, following the Ashkenazi liturgical tradition, and using many of the traditional melodies that I grew up. Services also have a generous amount of English readings and are accessible for newcomers. In addition to Shabbat services every Friday evening and Saturday morning, and services for all the Chagim (holidays/festivals), they have daily Ma'ariv (evening) prayer services at 7:30pm; very good for building a sense of community, and for those saying kaddish or yahrzeit, The Shabbat services could use more Shlomo Carelebach-type melodies and harmonies. But that's true of nearly all synagogues nowadays. This is a community worth visiting and joining.

Etz Hayim ("tree of life") is warm and welcoming.read more

Ansha Sholum is like a beautiful flower that is growing out of a cement sidewalk. It is in one the…read moregrittiest neighborhoods in Lawrence, yet is not "just OK" inside. It looks and feels like a museum, like you have stepped back in time, or maybe outside of time entirely. It feels very peaceful. It's a very small, cozy congregation of older believers, more like a gathering of aunts and uncles than a typical congregation experience.

This is a great place to go if you are interested in the close, warm relationship that comes from a…read moresmall congregation. It is perfect for unaffiliated adults who are NOT looking for a synagogue with a school, or who are empty nesters. All are welcome, everyone participates, and (bonus) there is a very low almost nonexistent membership. Nervous about the location? It's considerably safer than it looks, gets an unnecessarily bad rap. If you are interested in an experience that feels like a chavurah that happens to have a building, this is the place!

TBINH is a very special place in the Lakes Region. As the only Reform Synagogue for many miles in…read moreany direction, it truly is the center for Jewish Life in the Lakes Region. The Friday night services with Rabbi Heilman really ground you for the week ahead. The 'We Care' concerts that benefit many local non-profits, the NH Jewish Food Festival, and the congregations participation in the Laconia Multi-cultural Festival and Interfaith groups make it an integral part of the community.