I have belonged to Temple B'nai Shalom since its inception in 1986. Never have I met a more…read morewelcoming group of Jews. EVERYONE is accepted with open arms. There is very little gossip and almost no cliques. It is the kind of synagogue I didn't think existed. Although there is, of course, a concentration of programs to educate the young, it is not a pediatric congregation. There is much for adults and seniors as well. The only criticism I have is that the entire Reform movement has leaned too far into the traditional for my taste. I liked my religion in English and with a minimum of chanting. The Union of Reform Judaism has, over the past 20 years, leaned in the other direction, so Classical Reform hardly exists any longer. This is my personal taste and does nothing to diminish B'nai Shalom as a congregation. B'nai Shalom supports the food bank at Lorton Community Action Center all year. This is done with enthusiasm, generosity, and wholeheartedness.

Our family has been members of this outstanding Reform Jewish congregation for many years. You…read morecouldn't find a more active, welcoming, and spiritual synagogue anywhere.

When I was looking for a new place of worship, I first looked for one within my zip code. We joined…read moreback in early 2000 and I am so thankful we did. I am not super religious as I grew up in a reform Synagogues however, I took a Hebrew class that the Rabbi's wife lead and soon I was participating in Services. I had led a Friday night Service, led a morning Shabbat Service and I am a regular Torah lifter (Hagbah). I am so happy that Congratulation Adat Reyim is a Welcoming, Inclusion and allows members to participate in all aspects of Services regardless of religious level or Hebrew knowledge. The saying "We are a community of Friends." Is true to the core.

From the owner: Congregation Adat Reyim, is a welcoming, caring congregation in wooded Fairfax County, Virginia, a…read moreshort drive from Washington, D.C. From our name -- which means a "community of friends "-- to our inclusive approach to Judaism, this is a place you can feel at home. Our independent congregation draws on the richness of Jewish tradition and respects the many ways our diverse community members connect to each other and the Divine. Join us on a Friday night, and you will be personally welcomed. Come on Saturday morning, and you will be offered an honor and invited to lunch. Bring the kids to our religious school, our preschool, a Shabbat Family Jam, a Family & Friends Service, or any service - and they will be part of our family. Enjoy a pot-luck dinner or Adult Education program and share your ideas and perspectives; we will listen. We are committed to social action to support our broader community and our world. Whether you enjoy the traditional harmonies of a choir, or the ruach of our Spirit of Shabbat service with guitars and more, or a moving string quartet sharing Kol Nidre, there is music to inspire you. We are small enough to know each other and large enough to be a thriving community! Get to know us so we can get to know you.

Welcoming community, excellent preschool and summer camp. Many opportunities for personal growth…read moreand community involvement. The clergy and staff are wonderful.

I spent a great deal of time at Temple Rodef Shalom Nursery School. I worked as an aide for one of…read morethe children enrolled, so I was not employed by TRSNS but spent several days there a week observing staff and their preschool program. I was continually impressed with the professional and caring teachers, who have great approaches towards educating children. TRSNS focuses on exploratory learning, creative play, kindness to others, and respect for others and the environment. Many of the children are not Jewish- this is a great preschool for anyone!

This place is so friendly. The Early Childhood Center is amazing,…read more # 1 it's a reggio-emilia inspired education. # 2 the kids attend based on real school time Sept-May, preparing our son for a healthy transition to Pre-K or Kinder eventually. #3 The staff of the Early Childhood Center is great and loving. Facilities are clean and neat. The playground is perfect. Plenty accesories for entertainment. #4 Small group (under 10) for better one on one dedication, always to teacher per classroom. Very happy with pur choice HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The religious school teachers are in the dark ages when it comes to awareness of bullying. They…read moreactually told my child, "well, you should have more self-respect" and "kids will be kids" when he was bullied. When we took this up with the director of the religious school, the education director, and even the rabbi, they simply could not understand that my child had been harmed. They focused their "zero-tolerance policy" on the one time my child defended himself and his sister after years of verbal taunts and physical attacks (tripping, shoving, pushing... always when the teacher's back was turned). When out of concern for other children being bullied, or being harmed by seeing kids bullied without consequences, we shared our concerns publically, the synagogue took steps to kick us out. Also, the rabbi is uninspiring. She isn't much of a leader and certainly isn't a person I would trust in times of personal crisis or grief. She does read stories to the preschoolers adequately, but my kids say she yells at them in religious school. When she knew that my son was hospitalized with suicidal ideation resulting from the bullying, she never once asked me how he was doing. My kids loved going to preschool there and my husband continued to volunteer for the preschool long after our kids were in grade school, but lately my youngest refuses to go to religious school and although my daughter loves her teacher this year, she has no interest in being a Bat Mitzvah after a couple classes with Rabbi Mina. They are very concerned with collection of annual membership dues. This year High Holiday tickets were only sent if dues were paid before a certain date. We have had financial difficulties this year and finding the High Holiday envelope empty with just a reminder to pay up brought me to tears on what should have been a joyous day. I guess being an active member for almost a decade isn't as valued as checks. We loved this community when we joined in 2009. Now I'm sort of relieved as well as shocked and angry that they kicked us out.

Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation (NVHC) is one of the most warm and welcoming places you could…read morego to. The community is about a medium sized (400 families or so) which makes it both feel intimate yet filled with diversity. The Rabbis and Cantor are truly incredible. They are always happy to meet new people and figure out how you can best practice your Judaism. The community is truly wonderful. NVHC serves people all over the Northern Virginia area. The services are always filled with great music and words from the clergy that really make you think. If you are looking for a new community to be a part of, no matter what age you are or where you are in your life NVHC is the place for you. They have programs for every age group and it's really easy to become involved. What are you waiting for?

This is my very busy, growing and engaging congregation. I enjoy worship, singing in the choir,…read morelearning, and friendships. If you are looking for a community with lots of options, an amazing clergy team, and real ruach, check us out.

Ohev was a truly engaging group of people. They hosted our school group and gave the kids an…read moreinformative and fun field trip to learn about the Jewish faith. We visited during a holy holiday and it was great for them to have a practical and personal experience when learning something about beliefs and faith. They answered numerous questions, were able to talk about history and we got a lot of references for the students. Their members were open, interesting and knowledgeable. They encouraged everyone to come for services and to experience it first hand. It made everyone feel welcome and special.

This is a Messianic Jewish Congregation with a mix of Ashkenaz and Sapphardic traditions. It is a…read moretraditional place to learn how Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah) is the fulfillment of the Torah and the prophecies. Contrary to uninformed opinions, this is most definitely NOT Jews for Jesus. (Jews for Jesus is a movement to take Jewish people from their Judaism into evangelical Christianity. Ohev Yisrael recognizes the Creator's chosen people, emphasizes and celebrates Judaism and is a safe place for Jews and gentiles to investigate and grow in faith.) Renowned Sabbath school classes for kids include Hebrew language lessons and Bar/Bat Mitzvah training; adult education programs on Torah and Jewish history as well as Jewish contemporary life; stable elder-based leadership is overseen by Tikkun Ministries and the congregation is a member of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC). Small group fellowships (chavurah) help bring faith and fellowship home for those who choose to be so engaged. Professional-grade (mainly minor key, of course) music and interactive Davidic dance are part of the worship, etc., etc., etc... The motto is, "Training the next generation, restoring the body of Messiah in our community."

Saturday night Trio Sefardi presenting La Nona Kanta, the remarkable life of Flory Jagoda. This…read morelive music venue offered history of the musical instruments used, the translation of the lyrics and wonderful harmony.

My wife and I found Adat Shalom when we were synagogue shopping prior to becoming parents. When we…read moremet the community, and the young rabbi at the time, Sid Schwarz, we knew there was no question, this was the right place for us. I personally loved the work of the social action committee like Sukkot in April, the principles that Reconstructionism stands for like ordaining LGBT rabbis, and ultimately a great place to raise my family -- where they felt connected to something much bigger. This Community is blessed with a diverse group of incredibly smart and good people.