Temple Beth-El is a trans-denominational synagogue that will be celebrating its 90th year of…read moreinclusive, musical and spiritually inspired service this year. this is the first synagogue I've stepped into in 50 years. I came here because the rabbi invited me to play guitar to back-up his piano. Five or six years later, I'm still here, playing guitar and even leading Shabbat services every now and then. If you want to welcome in the day of rest and restoration with song, dance and folks of all stripes.... this is da place!

This is the one and only synagogue on City Island in the Bronx. Though it's not the most ornate of…read moresynagogues, I find it to be very cool that this congregation was able to survive when so many other synagogues have come and gone, as Jews have taken off for sunnier climes. Check this place out for a piece of Bronx history!

First Iraqi synagogue on Long Island. Sabbath and festival services. Also some during the week when…read moreappropriate, such as after a death. Members live in Queens and Nassau, so drive to the synagogue. Orthodox ritual (separate seating). Uses Sephardic prayer book from Israel. Has newer, daughter congregation in Great Neck, Babylonian Jewish Center.

I accompanied my Grandma to Am Echad for Yom Kippur this year. Grandma LOVES Am Echad. She's always…read moreraving (to anybody that will listen) about how nice all the people are, how beautiful the services are, and how much fun she has going to temple. I can see why she feels that way. From what I could tell, Temple Am Echad is like heaven for a Jewish senior citizen -- without the whole "being dead" thing. I found myself surrounded by such apty-named octogenarians as "Seymour," "Ethel," and "Harold." And unfortunately, each elder lady tried to out-perfume the others, filling my nostrils with the most powerful old-lady smell one could imagine. It's not easy to breathe out of your mouth for two hours straight. Truth be told, Grandma was right about the people. They really were all very nice, having nice things to say about Grandma and how she had been talking up my Yom Kippur visit for weeks. Good ole Grandma. As for the temple itself, it was a nice enough building, if not particularly beautiful. The Rabbi cracked a couple of jokes, one or two of which actually wasn't horrible. The Cantor was good, though I was expecting a bit more theatrics after Grandma's assessment that he could easily hold a lead role on Broadway. Not sure about that one... And the service was pretty standard, as far as Reform High Holiday observances go. That is, until we reached the Torah service and things completely fell apart. The Torah readers could not find the proper starting place, leaving the congregation waiting some 5 minutes as they searched the scroll. Then some of the readers were painfully slow and obviously unprepared. One old lady reader said she was too short to see the words well, though I happened to agree with the guy behind me who loudly whispered, "I don't think she studied very hard." Ha. Temple Am Echad seems to be making efforts to modernize and appeal to a younger generation, though it's definitely still ruled by the old guard. The temple President made her remarks and asked for donations to help keep alive the special services that Am Echad offers during the year, including a special Jazz Shabbat and their patented Peter, Paul, & Mary service. As I looked around, I got the feeling most of the people in attendance, although Jewish, would have a better chance of knowing Peter, Paul, and Mary from the New Testament than the folk band from the '60s. I don't mean to make Am Echad sound too terrible, though. My overall experience was not bad, though I would imagine there are better options for younger people in other places. But if this review comes across as too harsh, let me now say that I am sorry. And I suppose I can always return next year to repent on Yom Kippur.

This synagogue is a true testimony to Jewish survival and continuity. It is the last remaining full…read moretime synagogue in Co-Op City, after the passing of Rabbi Solomon Berl and the subsequent closure of the Young Israel of Co Op City in section 1, and before that, the closure of several other synagogues, such as the Co Op City Jewish Center (Conservative). Despite the official name, this shul is Orthodox and a member of National Council of Young Israel, although members of all levels of observance and affiliations are welcome. The shul is friendly, welcoming, and heimishe, a warm place for all to come, worship, and enjoy a delightful kiddush luncheon after services. I encourage all in the area to come and pay us a visit. Your week will be greatly enhanced by the opportunity to come and pray with others on shabbat, the day of rest. We are available for all life-cycle events, including funerals, unveilings, conversions. weddings, and baby namings (for girls), and we can help arrange a kosher bris for boys. Welcome to your Jewish home in Co-op City.

When it comes to reform synagogues, Stephen Wise Synagogue is up there: they stream services…read moreonline, they post the Rabbi's speech on YouTube, they have a serious band that plays after the sermon, men and women are mixed, kiddush altogether after prayers, traditional prayers and new songs, and large, beautiful, and modern synagogue where space is never lacking. They host a cheese and wine Shabbat event for young professionals about once a month. It's a great idea to create a networking scene, so you could check it out if you want to meet people, although most of them are odd ducks. There were a few creeps who literally followed me throughout the event. A lot of them are established, interesting people, but the turnout is light. The crowd is typically the same peeps each time, so if you've gone once, I wouldn't feel the need to go again if the aim is to meet new people.

This is THE synagogue to make you want to go to schul. This…read moreis the most Progressive you'll ever find: Online streaming video services content, Rabbis' sermons on You tube, an incredible 6-piece band-ensemble, known as 'Hallel,' to accompany services, an high-caliber, established yet polished congregation, gorgeous, modern sanctuary, Kiddish with connoisseur-level yayn and healthy sweets and treats to keep you in the mood of shabbat, family programs and torah learning galore. A good portion of the service is in Hebrew. A picture is worth a thousand words: Go to swfs.org and find out more. Lawrence Weinzimer

Came here for a few holidays after a friend recommended it. The atmosphere is quiet and warm. The…read morepeople seem to be regulars but not pretentious. I like that about any new place I visit. After shabbat services and other holidays, they have a nice spread for the kiddush meal. My impression? Come here if you don't have a membership commitment and don't want to deal with the "Kosher Nostra" committee sizing you up.

I started going to this shul a few years ago. I had been shul hopping in the neighborhood. Some…read moreshuls I went to had a much older crowd, or the mechitza was too off putting. Most of the time the no one came up to me and said hello or even cared if I ever came back. The Rabbi's never introduced themselves to me. Beth-El is very different! When I first walked in I was taken with the sun shining in from the beautiful stain glass. The women sit on one side and the men sit on the other. When the Torah came around the Rabbi greeted everyone in both the men and women's section! Women aren't ignored in this shul. He welcomed me and invited me to stay for kiddish. The other members of the shul also said hello and wanted to get to know me. Even though people have been going there for years they aren't cliquish at all. There is a book club, movie club and weekly lessons that are always worth coming to. We have a regular group of people who always have interesting opinions. If you're looking to doven at a shul which has a family feel this is the place. There are young people, older people, a mix of black hats and more modern orthodox. Everyone is respectful of each other. There is a full kiddish meal downstairs and people usually stay and talk for a long time afterward. It didn't take long for me to feel at home here, a matter of weeks actually. Within a year I was asked to join the board.

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.

Wherever i visit I always like to visit churches and religious places. I was upset that I was not…read morealloewed in to visit and was stopped by a gentleman at one of the doors. He said i was not allowed in. He asked if i had been before. I questioned him and said I thought churches were open to everyone. He said no. He was very rude. listed on their site it says the following - Central Synagogue is an inclusive and welcoming community. We encourage participation from all who seek a connection to Jewish life and want to be part of our sacred community regardless of religious background, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We are committed to being an open tent, a place that welcomes all people, including those who have been historically and institutionally marginalized or excluded from the Jewish community. I GUESS NOT!

A true Renaissance. Rabbi/cantor Brian Shamash is energetic, charismatic, and innovative. The…read moreservices are embracing, inspirational and the camaraderie makes one feel welcome and at home. Having young people involved in the services adds a new dimension of hope for the future while enhancing the experience. Would recommend that everyone experience this renewed religious expression!!

This place has been my synagogue for about 4 years. Since then, my family has become close friends…read morewith the Rabbi, who is extremely nice. With my Bar Mitzvah coming up in a few weeks, I am especially thankful for this place.