Not a healthy environment for the younger generation. Filled with old people like me. Something…read morefeels awfully uncomfortable here. An all white leadership, feels very unrepresentative of the Jewish community. Came to a board meeting once, the president was awfully emotionally loud, I can't imagine what he's like at home.

It's small and intimate, and offers quite a lot considering it doesn't really have critical mass…read more This does mean there are lots of opportunities to be involved. The "rock-star Rabbi" who was here for four years moved on which was a loss. Over the years, depending upon the leadership, the atmosphere, flexibility, and welcomeness waxes and wanes. When we first arrived, we felt extremely unwelcome. Then, for several years it felt like a very warm, fulfilling, active, growing community! And then it didn't. My recommendation is to drop in (when there's a service or class) as it might just be your perfect place. And then again, it might also not be. But one thing's for sure: you won't know without trying it. Wishing you the best!!!

Inclusive and supportive Jewish community with strong Tikkun Olam efforts - make sure you download…read moretheir app or n your favorite app store!

An incredibly welcoming and intellectual congregation, whether you were raised in a Jewish…read morehousehold or have never attended synagogue. I was extremely skeptical of a "meditative synagogue," since I'm well-aware of the celebrity pseudo-Kabbalah "Kabbalah Center" trend. But this congregation is uplifting, mystical, and genuine. It truly embodies the mystic Jewish tradition without new age weirdness. There are no gimmicks. At so many other services, you don't feel like you're really digesting the Torah portion. Here, guided meditation forces you to think about the deeper implications of the text and its applications. And, as a person who has never successfully meditated before, I was able to meditate on the Torah passage with great success and find it more relevant than ever before. Converts, potential converts, and non-Jewish alike will also find a welcoming home here - none of that "cold shoulder" nonsense here, but genuine curiosity and acceptance.

Temple Beth Or has become my second home. TBO is a warm, inclusive, intellectually stimulating,…read morefriendly, and helpful Jewish community with a wonderful Rabbi!

We first experienced the warmth and welcoming community of Temple Beth Or about 5 years ago. We had…read morerecently moved to the area and were greeted as if we immediately belonged. Rabbi Marshall did our son's baby naming and since then we have gotten more and more involved. The level of religious observation runs from super secular to atheist/culturally Jewish to people who keep Shabbat in a strict sense. All are welcomed. With the addition of Rabbi Kort, the synagogue community is headed to even greater heights. We have made some of our closest friends at TBO and look forward to the future we can create there. We hope to meet you soon!

Great group of people, easy Jewish traditions that move around North Kitsap -- recommended!read more

Chavurat Shir Hayam is a Jewish community of over 40 families from the Bainbridge Island - North…read moreKitsap area that draws inspiration from many Jewish traditions and movements including Jewish Renewal, Reconstructionist, The community stands on three principles - the nurturing of Jewish spirituality and observance, the importance of learning and the responsibility of Tikkun Olam (social action) and is a warm and welcoming community.

A warm, welcoming community. The religious school program at this Reform temple is vibrant (your…read morekids will not complain about Jewish cooking class or outdoor adventures). Located in the heart of Bellevue but members come from around the region. Don't miss the soul Shabbat with Chava Mirel and her band.

We've been members of Temple B'nai Torah (TBT) for 22 years and keep coming back. Why? It's warm,…read moreinviting, welcoming and open to all. Both our boys were Bar Mitzvahed there. The cantor is great and the new rabbi is a welcome new face, replacing the beloved previous rabbi, who is now on emeritus status. Although we no longer use the religious school we hear it has a great reputation too.

I tend not to review religious organizations or facilities or groups as, when one is talking about…read moreany matter pertaining to the spiritual, it just seems way more subjective than, say, reviewing a restaurant or store. That said, here are my reasons why, for me and my family, at any rate, this is a wonderful synagogue: 1. They are all-welcoming, of everyone. My hubby is not Jewish. TSHS welcomes all interfaith couples, blended families, the LBGT community (they were very vocal in their support of same sex marriage), everyone and anyone. To me, this is what a religious-based community SHOULD be. 2.This is a community-oriented temple. There are so many opportunities to meet people here and join groups, or simply attend Shabbat services and those at holidays. There are adult-learning classes, a very active single "Tribe" group (they do so many fun activities, I kinda wish I were single again so I could join this group!), groups for teens, book clubs, pot-lucks, Temple trips, and more. In other words, you can do as much or as little as you wish. But there's a LOT to do, if you want. 3. There are two sites - one in Seattle, one in Bellevue - so that makes it a bit more convenient to go. 4. They have awesome preschool and religion/Sunday school programs, and fabulous Bat Mitzvah/Bar Mitzvah training and facilities, and will help you (the parents!) plan these events, every step of the way. 5. There's a focus on community involvement and awareness. I like how there are dialogues with Moslems and Catholics and how there are many inter-faith dialogues and meet-and-greets throughout the year, and how CHurch members come to our services and how we go to theirs. And how there are always opprotunities, through the Temple, to help others in our community (volunteering at shelters and soup kitchens, cleaning parks, clothing drives, etc.). 6. Personally, I like how they have their finger on the pulse of what's going on in the world. This is a very liberal reform congregation, led by a very charismatic senior rabbi and other super rabbis who speak in real-world terms about real-world issues. There's no emphasis on esotheric, abstract issues. The services focus on real, pragmatic themes and current events, and they are able to break down even the most fuzzy theologic material into terms us laymen understand. They have "Rock Shabbat" services where, with electric guitars in hand, they'll sing Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello or The Band tunes, and talk about the politics of the world, and how it relates to Torah. It's all discussed in ways we understand, and in an interactive format that makes us feel a part of the services itself. This is a huge contrast to the very Conservative synagogue of my youth. And I SO welcome these changes!

I love Temple De Hirsch!…read more Even though I have spent most of my time at the Seattle Temple De Hirsch, I attended some services at this Synagogue. The location can be a little confusing, but there is plenty of well lit parking (winter is dark :/). I 100% agree with Nancy, they truly are all welcoming, I enjoy the diverse, genuine atmosphere.

Mourning practices in Judaism are extensive, but they are not an expression of fear or distaste for…read moredeath. Jewish practices relating to death and mourning have two purposes: to show respect for the dead (kavod ha-met), and to comfort the living (nihum avelim), who will miss the deceased. Temple De Hirsch helped me through a really difficult loss. This is my favorite Synagogue, they are so accepting and nice, no judgements here. I get seriously uncomfortable in churches and religious events, but not here. I am so glad to have found them! Did I mention they have Torah and Tonics night? Love.

This is a Jewish reformed synagogue, welcoming to all. Classes are offered on a regular basis…read more If you want to learn a new language, or practice your Hebrew, classes are offered: Hebrew 101 and up. The introduction to Judaism is an 18 week class that meets once a week for two hours. It covers all the major holidays, events and answers many questions that you may have about what it means to be Jewish. Very welcoming and warm environment. You earn a certificate at the end of the course. Other classes are offered as well. You should contact one of the Rabbis with question about attendence or cost of classes.

I have to say that after all these years that it surprises me that Temple Beth El has not been…read morereviewed on Yelp! In one way or another, I've been involved with this synagogue since about 1980 or so, even though I didn't convert until 2002. I had the privilege of meeting legendary founding Rabbi of the new location, Rabbi Rosenthal on numerous occasions in the 80s, including being the photographer for the 1987 (?) confirmation class. As coincidence goes, I attended services tonight for the first time in a long time only to find that tonight is the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Rosenthal (as well as the first Yahrzeit of Cantor Leah Elstein). It's a beautiful, welcoming place - Rabbi Kadden has helped to make Temple Beth El such a place, and the congregation reflects this. And for those who may have a tendency to shun some of the modern Reform traditions, Temple Beth El has lots of Hebrew in the services, with many traditional melodies. Some Reform congregations have moved to "mostly English" but Temple Beth El still honors the Hebrew tradition, but in a welcoming "you don't have to speak Hebrew to belong" sort of way. I've always liked that. If you're looking for a Reform congregation in the Tacoma area, this is your place. It was for me for many years since my conversion under Rabbi Glickman. We'll very likely be rejoining after our few years' absence. It was a very nice service tonight, and very inspiring especially given the coincidence of it being the Yahrzeit of both Rabbi Rosenthal and Cantor Leah... maymay their place of rest be in Gan Eden. Dave

I'm so incredibly disheartened after my visit to Beth El. My husband and I are new to the area and…read morehad such high hopes in finding a like minded community in our new home. The Rabbi and Cantor where both kind and welcoming, but the general feeling was that kids aren't welcome. We have a two year old, who we took turns taking out into the hall to rock and try to keep quite (she's well behaved but she's also two. She wasn't screaming or yelling, just playing with a puzzle as quietly as a two year old can play). We had been given serval looks from people sitting around us, and not sympathetic, 'oh, we've been there, we understand' looks, the kind of scolding looks that left me red with embarrassment. Towards the end, someone came up and told us she was 'just a bit much too' to be in the sanctuary. I left in tears, I've never felt more unwelcomed in a place of worship.

Congregation Emanu-El is the oldest surviving Jewish Temple on North America's West Coast. It's…read morealso a national historic site, and guests are welcome on Shabbat. They are reported to be an inclusive, warm, haimishe, and progressive Conservative synagogue, with current membership at around 190 Families. Gayle and I came across this architecturally interesting shul during one of our long walks in and around Victoria. In the 1850s, during the time of gold prospectors, fur traders, and steamships, the Jewish community of Victoria began. The first Jews came in 1858, mostly from San Francisco. Gold prospectors had to stop in Victoria, to obtain mining licenses, and then go on to the mainland where gold was discovered. The first Jews came with these prospectors, and supplied the mining camps with food, clothing, household goods, and tools. In the 1850s, there were about 200 Jews in Victoria. The congregation "Emanu-El of Victoria, Vancouver Island" came into being in 1862, and members purchased the present site of the synagogue just after that. The cornerstone-laying ceremony took place on June 2, 1863.