A welcoming Jewish community with excellent family and spiritual programs…read more There is a full time Rabbi and Cantor with musical accompaniment so services are beautiful.

Temple Emanu-El deserves the most improved synagogue in RI award. In a dramatic turnaround…read moreinitiated by retired Rabbi Wayne Franklin, Emanu-El has morphed from a stodgy rigid institution to a welcoming and family friendly place of worship and socialization. They accommodate their congregation by holding early morning as well as regular time Shabbat services and will work with you on membership dues if you need financial help. Most impressive has been their commitment for online services that make it possible for just everyone to attend - even this Brooklyn based RI transplant! So if you are looking for a people friendly shul in the conservative tradition, I recommend the impressive synagogue at the top of the hill - Temple Emanu-El!

This shul has really figured out online zoom programming during covid. We have attended the…read morevirtual Israel Trip, many Trivia Nights, education classes, and Services. The "camera" man during Friday night services does a great job spotlighting families who are singing and dancing in their living rooms. It is common to have 50-100 devices logged into services. Lots of ruach.

I attended a wedding (I'm not Jewish). I can't speak to the religious subtleties, but I was very…read moreimpressed at the building - it's clearly been well-maintained, and it has a much better airiness and feel than European cathedrals that I've visited. I was also impressed at the education level of the Rabbi, the Cantor's enthusiasm was obvious (even if I didn't understand the words), and everyone clearly had a strong sense of what I would call a joyous sense of community. Something that Christian churches rarely have, unfortunately. People were really happy to be there, and to see and help each other. An inspiration.

This is a wonderful Jewish synagogue in the heart of Brookline, MA. A beautiful, large building,…read morewith a gorgeous main sanctuary, function hall, large daily minyan, and Hebrew School. They are open to interfaith couples who choose to raise their children Jewishly; they are open to gay and lesbian Jews; Jews of any ethnic background; Jews by birth and Jews-by-choice (halakhic conversions to Judaism); they are open to Jews who range from the very observant to not-so-observant. Their all-night Tikkun for the holiday of Shavuot is something to be experienced; the best that I have ever gone to. Make no mistake about it, this is a Conservative Jewish synagogue, in the broadest and most traditional sense of the term "conservative Judaism". Conservative Judaism, as it was intended by those who developed it, is trans-denominational, or if you prefer, non-denominational Judaism. They do not hew to a strictly rigid and narrow set of beliefs (theology) and practices (halakha), like so much of the Orthodox. Nor do they jettison all beliefs and practices, as did most of the Reform. As Reform Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut admitted, "there is no such thing as a [Reform] Jewish theological principle, policy, or doctrine", robbing people of the very thing people seek when they become part of a community, or religion. Instead, this synagogue follows the classical rabbinic Jewish path of acknowledging there are Jewish principles of faith, but recognizes that no one code of them ever developed canonical status, thus encouraging members to study many Jewish texts on the subject, and approach them intellectually; the same is true for halakhah (Jewish law and custom); Jewish law is considered to be normative (what one is supposed to do, as opposed to a mere suggestion), yet at the same time following the classical rabbinic Jewish path in which more than one interpretation of the law may be considered valid. This worldview is the basis of classical rabbinic Judaism in the Talmud, and of Conservative Judaism itself, whether or not a synagogue is formally a member of the Conservative movement. By the way, this definition also includes most of the Chavurah movement, the Union for Traditional Judaism, and the more liberal Partnership minyans which are nominally Modern Orthodox :-)

I started doing this weird thing ever since I moved to Cambridge from Chicago. I go around to…read moredifferent places of worship and harass - I mean, I ask tons of questions of clergy and churchgoers. A couple weeks ago, the place of worship was Temple Beth Shalom. I called before and asked to meet with a member of the congregation - you know, for the customary questions: Is there a dress code? Are women and men seated separately? Is there any special 'bread and wine' protocol? [This is more important than you'd think - some places of worship extend this to believers of all faiths, others solely to the baptized or members of that congregation - you never know...] So, I went to a service. Chicago's big on diversity, but not so much on the integration of said diversity. We sort of hover around each other. I'd had minimal exposure to the faith/culture; mainly the history of Jewish-Black relations during the Civil Rights era. To sum things up, it was a foreign experience. Thank god for hymnals with English translations alongside the original Hebrew and kind people that simply smile when you respond to their open 'Shabbat Shalom' with a feeble 'Um, thank you?'. At the end of the service, I got to ask even more questions. What was davening? Why do women only count in some of the services? Can Judaism be considered a forward-facing culture with such old-school roots? It was so worth it.

This community is family for me. I have a home for my heart, my mind, my spirit and my music. It is…read moretruly a blessing!

What? No reviews? It's the best unaffiliated synagogue in the metrowest area! What other place has…read morea rabbi that's been with the congregation since its inception? If you just moved to Acton and you're Jewish, send your kids to Hebrew School here. Come on, people...

When I first moved to the Providence area, I went 'shopping' for a synagogue. I found a wonderful…read moreassortment of various traditions and practices, but the one synagogue that really felt right was Temple Beth-El. While raised in the Conservative tradition, I find Reform Judaism to be right in my comfort zone. Meeting with Rabbis Gutterman and Mack, I found them to be warm and welcoming. Other synagogue 'machers' were similarly friendly, and made me feel like I'd found my religious home in Rhode Island. Services are open and accessible, and the congregation is full of truly lovely people. What strikes me most about Beth-El, however, are the family-based programs they offer. I've taken my son to the Shabbat K'Tantan and K'Tantan B'Yachad services, and we've both had a wonderful time. These services are kid-oriented, featuring singing, games, activities, and food. It's a great way to introduce my son to his heritage. Beth-El also offers an excellent "Intro. to Judaism" class for people interested in converting, or just interested in learning more about Judaism.

This synagogue community has become a foundation of my social life-- and I'm not even Jewish! My…read morewife is, and from the start Agudas Achim welcomed our interfaith family so warmly. This is a congregation of active, engaged, and thoughtful people, working together to become more informed in their faith and also to improve their community and the world at large. If you're looking for a synagogue in the Attleboro area, this is the place.

Congregation Agudas Achim is the only Reconstructionist synagogue in the greater RI area. Five…read morestars for the thoughtful sermons and services for adults, the warmth and welcoming community and lovely sanctuary. We were members for a decade and have now returned, after about a decade away. This is a congregation that values each member - and that needs a contribution of time or energy from most to continue to thrive. Because the congregation is so small, even when services are scheduled there are a few Saturdays where there isn't a minyan. For that reason only, four rather than 5 stars:

"I have finally found a place to live Just like I never…read morecould before And I know I don't have much to give But soon I'll open any door In the presence of the Lord" (Eric Clapton) In June 2014, we visited the third oldest synagogue in the US when we toured Savannah, Georgia's Congregation Mickve Israel. Yesterday, we toured the second oldest synagogue in the US when we visited the Touro Synagogue and Visitor Center in Newport, RI. The congregation's history goes way back to 1658 and its quite a fascinating history. The building itself was constructed in 1763 and is now both the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States and North America. Rightfully so, it was declared a National Historic Site in 1946. Jewish history and American history intersected in the form of a famous letter written by George Washington on August 21, 1790. After his visit to Newport, Washington sent a letter to the synagogue's warden to express his support of the Congregation's Jews, all American Jews, and his vison for religious tolerance in the newly born nation. Washington's letter stated: "... the Government of the United States ... gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance. ... May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy". Lew, our Tour Guide, was the very best tour guide I ever had. He was funny when he wanted to be, but brought enough serious gravitas when needed, to explain the magnificent history of Newport, the significance of Washington's letter, and the contribution of American Jews to Newport and Colonial America. I can't recommend a visit and tour of the Touro Synagogue highly enough.

We attended a presentation in Touro's gardens. The docent talked about Touro's beginnings. Several…read moreSephardic Jewish families immigrated to Newport in the late 1600s and formed the Jeshuat Israel congregation. They built the Touro Synagogue in 1763. It is the oldest synagogue building in North America. The docent told us the elders transferred the deed to the New York congregation for safekeeping when the revolutionary war broke out and that congregation now owns Touro. After the initial presentation, we walked over to the entrance of the synagogue. We were allowed to view the interior from the threshold, but couldn't go inside due to Covid.

Yeah, I'm reviewing a shul on Easter. So?…read more This is the only temple in Burlington. Many people go to the larger, 'prettier' Reform synagogues in Lexington or Newton. It's true the grounds of Temple Shalom Emeth are not much to look at and all three buildings are in desperate need of a huge cash injection to the capital fund. Please G-d, at the very least do something about that bathroom; your worshippers are freezing. But it isn't about that, is it? It's about the rabbi, the cantors, and the community. And that's why this temple gets five stars. A published author children's books, Rabbi Dr. Susan Abramson was one of the first fifty women ordained and is the longest-serving female Rabbi in Massachusetts, has founded an all-encompassing Jewish and interfaith adoption information & support network, is involved in many progressive political organizations, and much more. She is a deeply impressive human being and a thoughtful, truly inspiring Rabbi. Although I am most familiar with the exceptional creative talents of Don Levey, both cantors are fantastic. Every synagogue has 'temple politics' and Shalom Emeth is no exception, but the community is great. It was too many years ago that I was in pre-Hebrew school or Hebrew school to comment on them but the option of three years continued education post-Mitzvah with the Rabbi is an amazing experience (and I believe they have another two-year program following that now). The youth group, SEFTY, is fantastic. There is adult education, interfaith groups, and special events. While some shuls are better for young single people or families etc, this temple has an unusually wide demographic range and seeks the involvement of both old and new members. I am very fond of this synagogue. Try it! You'll like it.

Amazingly welcoming and open Temple. The community here is warm and quick to welcome new members…read more The Rabbi writes awesome kids books and is wonderfully nice. They have a great Hebrew school program with some of the nicest teachers I've ever met! My son has loved it since day 1. Lots of events and lots of chances for the children to participate in various activities and services. This temple could never be described as stuffy or uptight and everyone is clearly accepted and welcomed. It's a great place for families who want to be involved in community events. For me a big plus was that my young sons are welcome at service and no one glares at us if the baby babbles a little.