I have been a member of the Synagogue for 23 years. I have watched the Synagogue grow into a…read morevibrant community, with a preschool and classes for Bar/ Bat Mitzvah, high school students, and adult education. The Synagogue is a welcoming place for converts. The Synagogue is truly egalitarian. . I like that the services are not noisy. The Congregation is involved with the services. There are classes for children and even babysitting. At the end of services, the Rabbi also says, "Introduce yourself to two people you don't know." These words have made the Synagogue warm and welcoming. The Synagogue is very involved in community activities, such as the Homeless Shelter and newly arrived Syrians, who have escaped from war. The Rabbi does not use the pulpit to spout his political views; he never tells people how to vote. I think he views himself as the Rabbi to the congregation, regardless of politics. At voting time, he sends a prayer for those who choose to use it, a meditation of pondering. I read the reviews referring to Rabbi Naomi Kalisch; she is the Rabbi's wife, not the Rabbi of the Synagogue. These are modern times. A couple is two individuals and should be viewed as such.

This synagogue is the only Conservative one in Hoboken & is very active. Lots of member families,…read moremany with young children. They have an amazing preschool, the Kaplan Center for young children (up until kindergarten age) & a Hebrew school program for K-8th grade kids after school. The leadership is great, particularly Rabbi Robert Scheinberg who has led the congregation for many years. They have all types of programs from weekly services on Friday nights & Saturday mornings, as well as films, lectures, community dinners & children's events. Great place to join or just attend!

Love this temple! It's a welcoming and warm community. Great kids programming and events. The new…read moresocial hall is amazing.

Rather than feeling ephemeral ("lasting for a very short time"), in reality this congregation has…read moresolid roots in the community. It was founded in 1864 and has been in its present building since 1925-26. The temple has a new program, called terumah, in place that replaces traditional dues. In the Torah, terumah indicated a "free-will" offering, not a required one. It is based on how much your heart is moved to strengthen, celebrate and grow Jewish life there. You can follow TBE on their website (http://www.betheljc.org/) as well as on the social media sites Facebook and Twitter. As I write this review, the High Holy Days are fast approaching. Everyone can obtain complimentary tickets at http://www.betheljc.org/worship/services. Attend services and be inspired!

Romemu isn't your traditional congregation. All are welcome for Shabbat services, regardless of…read moreyour age, level of religiousness, race, or ethnicity. In fact, I even met curious non-Jews here at the Shake It Off event. The only reason you should stay away is if you're offended by microphones, a band, female prayer leaders, a live stream, or a mixed-sex audience. But if you've felt alienated by other synagogues for whatever the reason (sexual orientation, skin color, ethnicity, atheism), then Romemu is what you've been searching for. They're based out of an UWS church, for reasons having to do with both efficiency and unity. So prepare to see images of angels during prayers. The group was mainly made up of females under thirty and male baby boomers. Most striking to me was meeting people who were all over the denominational spectrum. The leader (David Ingber?) is quite soulful in his sermon, and I'll admit he got a bit too preachy for me (touching on parsha to gun control to kashrut to Hebrew origins, whoa buddy), but his passion for creating community and connection is clear. If you go to dinner on their third floor for events, you'll notice a less traditional ambiance than other Jewish social scenes. With its same-sex bathroom, chill area on the rug, and passing around challah for interactive community discussion, Romemu has more of a "kumbaya" feel. We were one step away from sitting in a circle and holding hands. It's very sweet! They're working to not only bring more awareness to Jewish traditions, culture, and identity, but also they're being engaging and innovative about it. It may be a bit new-agey for you. But you won't know until you try, and I believe it's worth a try if you're looking for services that's at the very least more open-minded than most.

My wife and I recently joined this congregation. We immediately felt welcomed into the community…read more While we have not attended a ton of the services, we have enjoyed the Sha'baby services with our toddler, the high holidays services, and some Friday night services. I like that the temple offers a new member orientation. It is held in three parts and one of the nights is even at the rabbi's apartment. If you are looking for a non traditional temple where people take off their shoes during the service, dance, sing, and leave pretense behind -this is a place for you.

I have been tuning in to Central's various livestreams and they have carried me through the…read morepandemic, spiritually speaking. Had an amazing time touring the sanctuary with my local JCC group recently. A member of the temple took us around and told us some of the building's history. It's like a little jewel in the middle of fatigued, gray, UES drab. Thank you Central for providing your spiritual resources to a wider community.

If you're going there alone, you might feel lonely on Friday night. Everyone comes with friends or…read morefamily. singing and musical prayers are about 1hr. they have kiddish downstairs. No one really talks to you to say hello but if you say hello, they get back to you :) young professionals aren't here for mingling.... Most of ppl here are retired over 70s'. 20&30s', perhaps feel old people's club........ they don't judge with look but young one wont make friends while visiting.... if you come with family, this is the perfect place. beautiful reform synagogue and non- judgmental energy. It's pretty friendly workers everyone say hello to you when you get in. Few securities aren't friendly. You can bring your own bags. No one says anything. Bring your own jacket, it's a bit cold inside. Doors are open on Fridays Around 5:45pm

This year is the 3rd year I am attending services at B'nai Jacob. The first time I walked into this…read moresynagogue I was a fan. One of the most welcoming communities I have ever come across. The Rabbi is warm and vibrant and the members will make you feel as if you were a part of their family. The sanctuary looks like something out of Frank Lloyd Wright's portfolio and there is also plenty of off street parking. They have an "All Are Welcome" policy and will not shake you down for gelt! If you are looking for a synagogue that will welcome you and your family you must give this place a try.

Beautiful Shul, programs for kids, Shabbat (of course) Holidays. It's a huge modern building in an…read morearea that doesn't have all that many observant Jews. There are many local business people that pray here in the AM. Their Sukkah is straight-outta "Gilligan's Island" and it's probably one of the coolest ones in the city so definitely check it out on Sukkot.

I want to share that not only was I married in this building in 1996 my Maternal grandfather was…read morethe first president and helped do a major part of the fundraising for this synagogue to be built. Fun fact is a next to an infamous Italian funeral parlor so we always felt safe attending serves there. I went there during the 1980's and felt at home getting married there when it was led by an orthodox rabbi. Each bench was marked with a plaque with the family name. The wood was mahogany. The torah cover donated in honor of my birth and another child of a prominent doctor. Good to be able to add to the history and connection. I hope that when I drive over to see this building next weekend it will be beautiful still in what ever form it is today.

This is the most welcoming conservative haimish congregation I have ever been too. Rabbi Engelmayer…read moreis easily approachable and is a brilliant Torah scholar. He has a very easy way or conveying any Torah message in a very understandable way with meaning and relevance to today. Services are laid back and participatory with Torah study occurring during the Torah reading. Certain prayers are said in many languages including Russian, Hebrew, French, Spanish and English to reflect the diversity of the congregants. Everyone here is special and important. Rabbi runs many opportunities for learning and there is always a kiddush luncheon after Shabbat services. The new Chazzan is wonderful as well and his voice certainly adds to the ruach! Walk into this shul and you feel home. Everyone is important in this community and everyone is well respected.