Congreagation Sherith Israel is another congregation we had the pleasure of visiting the last time…read morewe were in San Francisco. Rabbi Jessica is a awesome and nice woman. We had the pleasure of introducing ourselves and talking about good things of our congregation back home. Lots of up and down stairs here inside the building. Parking structure is not bad either. Congregation Sherith Israel is a wonderful place, and beautiful place. People here are friendly and welcoming to all.

I've been a member of Sherith Israel for over twenty years and watched it go through lots of ups…read moreand downs. It's been around since 1850, but it's anything but ancient. They like me to describe themselves as 'a 170 year old startup', which is spot on. They're opening a preschool in Fall, 2023; have an active teens program, which recently traveled to Washington, DC to engage with elected officials and interact with other Jewish kids from across the country. So many other programs, including a vibrant volunteer membership network that cooks and delivers meals for battered women and children; a dynamic Climate Action Team; single's program; and on and on and on. A lot of reviewers focus on the (admittedly amazing) historical building, but to me the most compelling thing about this congregation to me are the warm, welcoming individuals of all ages and backgrounds who call this community their home! Check out Friday night services at 6pm or take a walk through its rich history every Wednesday afternoon at 2pm. You'll be glad you did.

very welcoming. enjoy the community. cantor bernstein amazing voice. rabbi copeland very…read moreapproachable

Thoroughly enjoyed the service here at this lovely synagogue. Beautiful music and friendly folks…read more Would definitely return. Recommended!

Very friendly and outgoing people. The Rabbi is a dear! Not to mention her 'angelic' voice!read more

Lana is right about the setting at CBT. It is peaceful and understated with a beautiful big tree…read morethat you glimpse from the pews and that shades the sweet little outdoor amphitheater. Though more importantly to me, it is a welcoming community of friendly and down to earth people. Our family has made many good friends at CBT over the years. When we were "temple shopping" the friendly manner and helpfulness we encountered from the front office was an immediate plus. Adding to that, the Cantor has a beautiful voice, the Religious School Director is full of positive energy and the Rabbi always greets you with a smile (and usually by name). Though we have friends at several local synagogues, CBT feels like home to us.

This is a wonderful synagogue with a very compassionate rabbi. I love the music. The sermons are…read morefantastic. Will definitely go there for services again.

I go there to learn Argentine Tango on Tuesday nights from Leslie and Rich. The dancers are…read moreusually nice, I try to help newcomers.

This is an amazing place to discover and explore Judaism. It is the right place for you no matter…read morewhat your background is. The rabbi and his family are wonderful, and the whole community is welcoming to everyone. I grew up appreciating my culture, but with no real sense of what it all meant, and never really feeling in touch with the reformed movement my family was a apart of. Chabad brings the ancient texts, and mystical practices to life with inspiring and touching services, study groups, and get-togethers known as 'Farbrengens'. Who would have thought studying Torah and a little Stoli could be so fun... Also, Shabbat or any holiday with the Rabbi is an amazing experience I encourage you to try.

Most Synagogues that I have visited are nice and warm but among all the most impressive one by the…read morewarm, kindness and loving spirit of Judaism is in Noeh Valley. The greatest Rabbi and amazing family Potash are the best of the best when we view Tzadikim as if Gan Edem was next to us. There are not enough words to describe all the great feelings inspired by the Synagogue's Yiddischkait

Very well organized programming, rich array of services, social activities etc but never felt very…read morewelcome so did not renew my membership after 1 year. As a newcomer I experienced a lot of clickishness, and a lack of feeling welcome at, for instance the oneg shabbats, which is where such bonding as a newcomer would take place. Interestingly I did witness, on a couple occasions, an AA person, who also appeared to be new or in process of considering whether to join, being shown great attention with a well organized welcomong committee response laying out the red carpet. I was also surprised to find one of the rabbis not to be very warm and friendly as was described in the other reviews. Whenever I saw her at an event and happened to make eye contact, her response was never warm and inviting. With such a large congregation I did not expect anything more than a smile or a hello but this did not happen-- not surprising however since this appears to be the cultural norm for Sinai's congregation as a whole. Now if I was a different demographic.... that might have made a difference!

Sinai writes they are a diverse community. Yet, at times, they lack people skills training and…read moresystems to work with diverse emotions and demonstrate skillful leadership. Sinai lacks a fair and skilled complaint process to investigate their own staff's harmful behavior and self-protective conduct to find the facts. Like a dysfunctional family, based on the cantor's fabrications, the rabbi and leadership did not hesitate to take manipulate perception, and take brutal, and unexpected punishment actions with me. Believing only the cantor, the rabbi spread false allegations about me to their board and failed to speak with me about my experience. Result? Many people know I am a long-term cancer patient. Clergy's unexpected aggression and ostracism led to my ongoing health damages and more medical oversight. Their hubris in leadership is demonstrated by their refusal to take responsibility, apologize to me, and model unity and caring for their own congregation. I had been at Sinai as long as the rabbi and cantor have. Fortunately, now, I am in a much smaller congregation, close to my home, and doing fine.

CBE is a wonderful Reform synagogue. We moved to the area five years ago and left a (large) temple…read morein our old 'hood. Beth Emek was just what our family needed - a smaller temple with a vibrant Jewish community. Unfortunately, there was some political posturing that sent our favorite rabbi moving to another temple out of the area. Luckily, things have since stabilized and the new rabbi seems to be a very nice man who is extremely competent and will do an excellent job leading CBE into the future. FIVE stars...(I wonder if G-d will read this?! I suppose...)

So I'm not much for cumbaya, group cuddles, and a singing, guitar-playing rabbi. Then I met Rabbi…read moreMilder at Beth Emek. I'm still not much for cumbaya and group cuddles, but Rabbi Milder does the best services. He moves. He talks. He's informative and educational. I learn something every time I go to services. Aaaaand the guitar playing actually does make the whole experience much more enjoyable. There, I said it. The people at this temple, especially the leadership, work hard to include everybody in a warm and caring atmosphere. Somebody always says hi. There's always a smile. We belong. Our children belong. It's a great feeling that doesn't happen at all congregations. The educational program is top notch. The facilities are pleasant and clean. The children are above average. If you're looking for a temple, you owe it to yourself to check out CBE!

I went to Beth Sholom for Yom Kippur services last year. I found the congregation extremely…read morefriendly and welcoming, and the service was excellent. The congregation is multi-ethnic, which is important to me because I come from a mixed family. The service was traditional - lots of people reciting hebrew at different places, and at one point the children's service got out early so there were kids running around. That's what a jewish holiday service should be - the focus was on the religion and our moral code, not on formalities or formalisms.

My wife and I became members of Beth Sholom in 2010. I was drawn to the shul because of Rabbi Micah…read moreHyman's energy and enthusiasm, and my wife, raised in a Reform congregation, was impressed by the haimish-ness of the community. Both of us were delighted that the liturgy was in Hebrew and the services were led without instruments. (I suppose we're old school that way...but there are musical services available for folks who are into that sort of thing which, unfortunately for my wife and me, seems to be most people!) In 2012, Rabbi Hyman presided over our marriage, and many of our friends and family still talk about Rabbi Hyman being one of the best officiants they'd had the pleasure of meeting/experiencing. We're biased....but we agree! :) As a Jew who strongly identifies with the thoughtful philosophy of the Conservative movement, I'm proud of the fact that Beth Sholom has been a trailblazing congregation within the stream (e.g., setting a particularly fine example with respect to gender and sexuality considerations). And although I generally prefer to daven at home, I'm also proud that Beth Sholom provides daily shacharit and mincha minyanim. When I do attend a weekday mincha service, I often see out-of-towners who have landed at Beth Sholom to say kaddish. That's no small thing...klal Yisrael, so to speak. With a terrific new rabbi leading the congregation and a new Executive Director at the institutional helm, I feel Beth Sholom's future is bright.

I have been a member of Temple Israel since 2007. I am a part of an interfaith family raising our…read moredaughter Jewish and there are serveral other interfaith families at Temple Israel (in fact over half are interfaith families). I grew up at Temple Israel and am a 4th generation member. It has many multi-generational families as members so this place must be special. Temple Israel is a Reform congregation and is the only Jewish synagogue in Alameda. It has 130 families as members so there really is a chance to get to know everyone in this congregation. This year, 2010, Temple Israel is celebrating it's 90th Anniversary. Quite an accomplishment! The temple offers several programs, mostly geared towards families, such as Tot Shabbat (shortened Friday night service for little ones once a month), Little Latkes Playgroup (Thursday afternoon playgroup for children age zero through 4), Religious and Hebrew Schools, and for adults there's the fun Jewish Chef Series, Jewish Film Series, a Women's Seder during Passover, several other seders and congregation-wide potlucks observing other holidays, picnics, and a ton of other programming for children and their families that you can learn more about on the website. Like all places of worship, it's not perfect, but it has something for everyone in addition to regular services. There is room to grow here and a chance to become involved in the Jewish community instantly. I'm glad I joined and am active in the congregation. Come check it out!

I recently moved to Alameda and although I am not an observant Jew or a very religious person I…read morehave my rituals firmly planted since childhood, One of them is lighting the Hanukkah menorah. I was unable to find candles in the usual stores so I called the local synagogue to see if they could suggest where I could purchase them. The Rabbi answered the phone and when I asked him my question he responded by saying that if I could get there in 15 minutes he would give me a box. I made it in the allotted time and scored my candles. Nice touch for the holiday. I am not sure if I will attend services but the experience gave me a nice feeling.

CBI is probably the best synagogue in the San Francisco Bay Area. Welcoming, friendly and…read moreenergetic. Come visit for a Shabbat and you'll see for yourself: you'll get a "CBI Shabbat welcome" and hosted meals for Friday night and Shabbat day. Kiddush is usually scrumptious - essentially a mini lunch with crackers, dips, vegetables, table wine and often cooked food too. Compared to most Orthodox Jewish communities, this synagogue is more egalitarian and women-friendly. They have womens prayer services and Torah readings, an accessible mechitza and a Maharat (along with the Rabbi). It's really a place where everyone can feel welcome regardless of background, religious level or gender.

Beth Israel is a super welcoming modern orthodox shul, someone found me a seat right away even…read morethough the shul was very crowded. The Rabbis speak very nicely and I liked the fact that the women get to take out the torah and parade it around their section - unlike many modern orthodox shuls, Beth Israel is a bit on the progressive and open side and I like that. They also had a very nice kiddush in honor of a Bar Mitzvah afterward and people at the kiddush were quick notice me as a guest and come over for a friendly chat.