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 synagogue is very welcoming, especially to young children! They have Tot Shabbats and the…read morecantor is very lively and fun. They make Shabbat services fun as well. Though we live 35 minutes away by drive so it's tough to get there for us for Shabbats, I love it when we are able to go for the High Holidays and other events. I am looking into Hebrew schools for my three children and I am happy to say that this synagogue is a strong contender!

I cannot say enough good things about Congregation Beth Am. Rabbi Marder is the best teacher I've…read moreever had (and I went to school for 29 years!). Her sermons are a work of art. I have seen no better master of the art of public speaking. I have rarely been so moved and inspired as I am when I listen to her. The highlight of my entire week is going to Torah Study at Beth Am at 9 am to hear Rabbi Marder. The group is progressing through Genesis, having recently started over after a 10 year cycle or so, I understand. (This class does NOT do the Portion of the Week). This class is positively addictive, which may explain why it keeps growing and now seems to have 150 people who come regularly. Come early for bagel breakfast at 8:45 am. Friday services begin at 6:15 pm. It is hard for a working full time person to get to, but worth the effort. This shul has a wide variety of activities for people of all ages. In addition to the usual bar and bat mitzvah education, and in addition to traditional Sunday school, it has an excellent educational program for families of young children on Saturday afternoons (the Shabbaton program), where my daughter and I have gone for three years now. In Shabbaton, there is a joint educational activity first, then separate classes for adults and children, and then a reunion for havdallah at the end. There are also Hebrew classes beginning in third grade. Beth Am has many volunteer activities to get involved in, including a program for visiting the homebound sick and elderly (Yad L'Yad), and is a site for the Jewish Family and Children's Services Chicken Soupers program, a volunteer activity in which congregants make and deliver meals monthly for disabled people between 18 and 60 in the community. There is an affiliated hiking club (Torah Trekkers), an alternating shabbat salon and film series at 4 pm on Saturday afternoons, a club with monthly events for people in their 50s and 60s (Club 5/6), singles events, and an active teen group. The temple also has a men's group which hosts poker nights for charity, a yearly ski trip (Slalom Rav), and a family camping trip each year on Father's Day weekend. The more traditional women's group hosts monthly Rosh Chodesh events, a Passover dessert seder, and an annual dinner, and leads many other volunteer activities. The clergy, including Rabbis Janet Marder, Sarah Wolf (a recent rabbinical school graduate), Jennifer Clayman, and Adam Rosenwasser are all innovative, knowledgeable, and nice human beings. The cantor, Lauren Bandman sings like an angel and has incredible mastery of Hebrew and the liturgy in general. The temple is welcoming to interfaith couples, converts, LGBT and everyone else.

If you are a "half breed" in their eyes (blood, not twp Jewish parents and having had a bat mitzvah…read moreis apparently what makes you a Jew at this institution) they will take your money, but introduce you to other members NOT as a member but a student of Judaism. Be warned!

We chose Kol Emeth primarily for the Hebrew school. We love the quality of the education it…read moreprovides to our four children. We are also in agreement with the philosophy of the conservative movement, and really appreciate this egalitarian and diverse congregation. We evaluated several synagogues in the Bay Area, and definitely preferred Kol Emeth! Over the years, we chose to become more engaged and involved in volunteering with the programming, and on the Board.

An egalitarian welcoming community joyfully linking tradition with deep appreciation for the needs…read moreand opportunities of the present moment. CBJ Nurtures every part of you!

I attended a wedding party held here. It was a simple and good size for it…read more The dinner serving was not enough. I had 2 plates, but beef was run out of at 1st round. Dessert, and other stuff was good.