"Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name...."…read more Temple Beth Sholom is a small, caring, tolerant place for East Bay Jews. Rabbi Manhoff is extremely dedicated to his congregants and to the greater community. He is involved in interfaith dialogue and teaches a class on Christianity at a local college. His worldview is reflected in his sermons and in the temple's welcoming atmosphere. His sermons are often are often controversial - but that is to be expected in a very diverse, conservative congregation lead by a reform rabbi. Temple Beth Sholom is in many ways, a blank canvas. The benefit of this is that if you are looking for something in your Jewish community that you haven't yet found, this is the place to create it. If you have an idea, this is the place to bring it to fruition. The membership is small but committed, and open to new ideas and programs. Rabbi Manhoff offers several weekly adult education classes, but invites suggestions for new classes based on what participants want to learn. The new President seems full of ideas and energy. Cantor Hirschorn is passionate about Jewish music and brings a lot of knowledge to the pulpit. This is a homey, little community where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came.

Temple Beth Sholom is a synagogue located in San Leandro that serves the general area. It is a…read morewarm congregation, that is listed as a Conservative synagogue, but in fact is more open than that. Rabbi Harry Manhoff is an ordained Reform Rabbi, and is warm, accepting and also is highly knowledgeable on many aspects of both Judaism and Christianity. Cantor Linda Hirschhorn is a brilliant, warm and accepting Cantor, who has a wonderful voice. She has produced several cds and song books, including some with her ensemble group, Vocolot. The congregation is one that is warm, accepting, and inviting. People of all walks of life are accepted warmly and heartily, including interfaith, LGBT, and any form of Judaism, and the membership reflects this. If you are looking for a warm, accepting shul, I highly suggest this synagogue. There usually is a dinner served on the first friday of each month, with kid friendly services starting at 6:30pm and the dinner served after, at about 7:15pm. The other Fridays, services start at 8pm on Fridays, and I hear the Challah is exceptional. Saturday services are held at 10am in the Little Shul, which is the oldest wooden Synagogue west of the Mississippi still in use today. The congregation was founded in 1886, and is still going strong. I highly recommend it and I urge you to visit it for services any time. There also is a preschool located on the premises. Children from 2 to preK are accepted, and kids learn about Jewish holidays and have a Tot Shabbat every Friday morning. For Hanukkah, there is a rooftop menorah that is lit every evening at 6pm, and on Christmas day, there is a pot luck lunch, and usually Chinese food and a movie are played in the evening after the menorah lighting on the roof. The website is www.TBSSanLeandro.org, and inquiries can be sent to President@tbssanleandro.org. Thanks!

I have visited Beth Emek a few times, since my daughters were first invited to visit while…read moreattending Sunday School at a neighboring Unitarian Universalist church, as part of an interfaith effort to help young people experience faiths other than their own. Toward this same intent, I have attended a couple of times on my own. They have always been welcoming. Friday night was more oriented toward inclusion than Saturday morning, which attendees told me and I experienced. Saturday had more language that I didn't understand. On Friday, a couple of ladies invited me to join the choir. On Saturday, I joined the lunch after service, when the Rabbi sat next to me, included me in conversation and invited me to return, adding that I would always be welcome.

I sat down on the bench. Lady came out within 30 seconds to kick me off the property. Then proceeds…read moreto call in a police squad car after I had already left the premises. I see it as poor hospitality / unhappy staff. I would not bring my children here.

This is a nice synagogue. The new rabbi seems like a good fit for a typical reform community. If…read moreyou are looking for a mainstream congregation that is comfortable and familiar, this would be a place to consider, especially if you live nearby.

Synagog in my own backyard, for someone who's been wary of organized religion most of my life. This…read morecould be a good starting point, very friendly and welcoming to all, and they don't mind the husband is a gentile ( he was more into the Friday Shabbat service than me). I look forward to going to future events. Rabbi Mike spoke poetic words regarding the recent terrorist attack in Paris, and reference of freedom and lives lost. And the always lingering reminder that no matter where you live you are in danger of being targeted as long as you are a jew.

Very friendly and outgoing people. The Rabbi is a dear! Not to mention her 'angelic' voice!read more

Lana is right about the setting at CBT. It is peaceful and understated with a beautiful big tree…read morethat you glimpse from the pews and that shades the sweet little outdoor amphitheater. Though more importantly to me, it is a welcoming community of friendly and down to earth people. Our family has made many good friends at CBT over the years. When we were "temple shopping" the friendly manner and helpfulness we encountered from the front office was an immediate plus. Adding to that, the Cantor has a beautiful voice, the Religious School Director is full of positive energy and the Rabbi always greets you with a smile (and usually by name). Though we have friends at several local synagogues, CBT feels like home to us.

I've been attending services here since I was 7, and I have to say I would never want to join any…read moreother temple. Such a warm and welcoming environment. The Rabbi and cantor are absolutely fabulous and everyone is extremely nice and welcoming to new memvers .

Each shul has a personality depending on the rabbi and staff as well as its members. Our experience…read moreat PSC has been of warmth, friendship and most of all inclusion. No one is left alone. Yes, there are larger and wealthier congregation. But, having been president of a larger shul back in NJ, it is a breath of fresh air to feel like being greeted at your own home.

Warm and welcoming with great leaders, community, building, and Shabbat kiddish. Perfect for both…read morevisitors and regulars.

This is absolutely the best religious Jewish experience. Fine and wise and always there for you…read moreRabbi and staff. As one of my sons said, "the first time we visited it for service is" I've been waiting for temple where I'll feel home, comfortable and absolutely relaxed and happy. This Chabad of San Mateo is it! You know you belong there any time you visit it. No ridiculous organ music, no ridiculous statements or opinions. Simply conservative, hones and totally common sense environment. I am very happy and proud we found it few years ago. Thank you for everything yo do for people including "donating" your own lives and time to this Nobel cause.

Although demographically I don't feel like I totally "fit" (single, early 30's) this is home to me…read more The congregation is warm and welcoming, Rabbi Schulman is everything you'd want your Rabbi to be, and despite moving and trying other congregations I still travel from Dublin back to Fremont when I need to re-center myself. If you're over the age of 50 or have a young family you'll fit in nicely. After attending services here off and on for 15 years this is home. Compared to other reform congregations TBT seems a bit on the conservative side, which I personally like. This is a culturally diverse, open minded community that still is very strongly attached to its heritage and tradition, a perfect blend. I don't have kids yet, but I can very much see myself raising them in this community.

From the owner: Temple Beth Torah is a Reform Jewish synagogue dedicated to serving the spiritual, intellectual,…read moreand cultural needs of the Tri-City Jewish community. We offer innovative worship services, preschool through adult educational programs, and social events. We deeply value our community and embrace the diversity of our Temple family.

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.

Finding Eden UCC has been such a blessing to my wife and me. We'd been in the Bay Area for a number…read moreof years, trying out all kinds of churches. We wanted a faith community that was inclusive, had diversity, would be social justice-focused, and leaning to the left. We found just that and so much more at Eden. Though not as racially diverse as I would've wanted, we were so happy to find an open and affirming faith space, where there are a number of same-sex couples, including the pastor and her wife. Knowing that we wouldn't be an oddity made the church feel safe and comfortable for us off the bat. Eden does so much in the Cherryland and Ashland communities in Hayward. There is a food bank, computer lab, youth groups and so much more. There are currently free, bilingual yoga classes, a book club, bible study, and always opportunities to socialize and get to know your church family. We have been going to Eden for about 1.5 years now and love it so much. We always invite our friends and family when they're in town. Eden is progressive, inclusive, has tough conversations, and is changing, evolving, and growing in meaningful, community-focused ways. They try hard to create a welcoming space for non-English native speakers, occasionally have bilingual Spanish services. Hoping in couple of years, the population at Eden will grow and shift to be more representative of the community it serves. I highly recommend giving Eden a shot if you're looking for a great community-based, Queer-friendly faith community in the Hayward-San Leandro-Castro Valley Area. Check out a 10am Sunday service, and stay for fellowship hour afterwards. And come back again. We'd love to welcome you to the family!

Walking into Eden I experienced the warmest welcome in a church so far since I moved to the bay…read morearea in August. Each person we met was friendly and was so happy to be there. The church is progressive in its beliefs and is ONA (Open and Affirming) which means they welcome ALL people into full membership of the church. There seems to be a lot of opportunities to get involved in this church from service projects, to education to Yoga. I don't have kids but children and youth seemed to be a valued part of the church family. In fact, the confirmation class was serving as greeters and helped with communion. I will definitely be going back to Eden!

I recently moved to Alameda and although I am not an observant Jew or a very religious person I…read morehave my rituals firmly planted since childhood, One of them is lighting the Hanukkah menorah. I was unable to find candles in the usual stores so I called the local synagogue to see if they could suggest where I could purchase them. The Rabbi answered the phone and when I asked him my question he responded by saying that if I could get there in 15 minutes he would give me a box. I made it in the allotted time and scored my candles. Nice touch for the holiday. I am not sure if I will attend services but the experience gave me a nice feeling.

I have been a member of Temple Israel since 2007. I am a part of an interfaith family raising our…read moredaughter Jewish and there are serveral other interfaith families at Temple Israel (in fact over half are interfaith families). I grew up at Temple Israel and am a 4th generation member. It has many multi-generational families as members so this place must be special. Temple Israel is a Reform congregation and is the only Jewish synagogue in Alameda. It has 130 families as members so there really is a chance to get to know everyone in this congregation. This year, 2010, Temple Israel is celebrating it's 90th Anniversary. Quite an accomplishment! The temple offers several programs, mostly geared towards families, such as Tot Shabbat (shortened Friday night service for little ones once a month), Little Latkes Playgroup (Thursday afternoon playgroup for children age zero through 4), Religious and Hebrew Schools, and for adults there's the fun Jewish Chef Series, Jewish Film Series, a Women's Seder during Passover, several other seders and congregation-wide potlucks observing other holidays, picnics, and a ton of other programming for children and their families that you can learn more about on the website. Like all places of worship, it's not perfect, but it has something for everyone in addition to regular services. There is room to grow here and a chance to become involved in the Jewish community instantly. I'm glad I joined and am active in the congregation. Come check it out!