So much of our time in secular Washington DC is consumed in the accumulation of visible…read moreachievements, and it's by those externalities that we are judged and measured. How we make a living, our financial and professional rank, how many boards we sit on, what we've published, where we live, where our kids go to school, where we vacation, and on and on--these are the externalities that largely govern the relationships we form. We go to Tifereth Israel to lay down those embellishments, and be more truly ourselves, in the company of people who have embraced lives of meaning and engagement. Simply show up to morning services (even if you don't care for services, just be patient and hang there a couple of times), and then stay for the Kiddush and talk and listen to people. You do that often enough, then you'll notice over time that you've begun to form deep, lasting, values-driven, and authentic relationships that sustain and nourish you in a way that you rarely, if ever, find in the secular world. Yes, Tifereth Israel checks the other boxes: the rabbi is phenomenally talented, services are mostly lay-led and intellectually challenging, the congregation is extremely LGBTQ-friendly, there are several active social-action initiatives, it's got a ton of young families with children, and a vibrant education program serves kids and adults. But the main asset at TI that you can't have anywhere else? It's the people.

Conservative. Very…read morefriendly and inviting. Medium sized. Simpler (less jappy) than other DC shuls.

MoEd is good. Ecc is decent. Good shul though. Nice people and a very good E-galitarian service.read more

Ohr Kodesh is a warm and open place. They have tons of great family and kid events and resources…read more The early childhood center is one of the best in Maryland.

My family joined Beth El way back in 1957, very shortly after it opened. My mother and aunt still…read morebelong to the congregation. My sister & I attended Sunday School there for eleven years/each and we were confirmed at Beth El. I adored Rabbi Scolnic & Judy and I've been very impressed with Rabbi Rudolph's kindness & humor. The staff - and there are many - have always been wonderful. In particular, I'm very fond of Ricardo; he's in charge of senior programs and my mother participates in those. The kitchen & the facilities staff are terrific and there's very little turnover (I fondly remember Dorothy Beverly, who ran the kitchen for eons). Cantor Lubin had an incredibly beautiful singing voice and "a heart of gold". I've also heard great things about the new cantor. The receptionist - Hattie - is very friendly. Beth El's Nursery School has always had a superb reputation. My sister & I belonged to Beth El's USY (youth group) and loved it. I have great memories of attending my sister's wedding and two of my close friends' weddings at Beth El (I met them via USY in 1965 and we're still friends). I have special memories of attending my late grandfather's 90th birthday party at the Morning Minyan, where the beloved (late) Max Cohen prepared the food. I spoke at his funeral service at Beth El....I have myriad memories of my association with Beth El throughout my life, both happy and poignant. The thing I love in particular about the congregation is that its large size doesn't detract one bit from its incredibly personal ambiance. In recent years the building has been expanded a few times due to increased enrollment and it's a beautiful place. I'm not a religious person, but I love Beth El in its entirety.

This is an odd review. I am not Jewish. I donated blood this morning through Inova Blood Donation…read moreServices at the Congregation Beth El in Bethesda. Members of the congregation were volunteering at various stations. I was so impressed with the kindness, courtesy & respect with which I was treated by the volunteering members. This was such a positive experience - I left with a warm feeling for these generous people who gave of their time to volunteer. Sincerely, Susie

I attended Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur at Woodside Synagouge. The davering was pretty good. I…read morecould follow along the machzor very well. WSAT has a large of population of young professional Juden. I am going back for Sukkot. I did not see a schedule of the coming Sukkot or how to get on the mailing list.

Friendly Rabbi (Moshe Walter). About 130 memberships. Orthodox. Just north of downtown silver…read morespring. Kiddush most shabbats. Lack of singing. http://wsat.org/

Jewish Orthodox synagogue located in Lamberton Drive Shopping Center in Kemp Mill area. Open during…read morethe week, holidays and Sabbath.

This is a warm and inviting synagogue. I love the music lead by Hazan Tasat and the choir Kolot…read moreHaLev. The music adds to the spiritual depth of the service. As a "transdenominational," it takes "the best from all the movements." I couldn't ask for more.

I am so excited about our great High Holy Day Services - especially the music and the Teen…read moreservices!!! Check out the website ShiratHaNefesh.org to come! This is a small warm community with a wonderful commitment to spirituality, music, education and involvement. All of our best friends are there - and we meet new friends all the time! I am learning so much about my religion, my self and our wonderful Rabbi Gerry and Hazzan Ramon give us all new insights every week. I sing in the Kolot HaLev Community Choir and we reside with Shirat HaNefesh once a month (except during July and August). I love how we can bring the prayers back to life with both age old arrangements from Vienna and Italy as well as new music written by contemporary composers - including our own Hazzan! It just turns prayer from something obligatory into something transcending. And my kids love it - they are learning so much and creating the most soulful art projects during Saturday school. I love that they can go to their learner's minyan and class while we go to services and we are all together for Shabbat. We're always looking for friendly faces to join us!

I have to pile on to the previous review. You can't find a warmer, kinder or more progressive…read morecongregation. It is filled with caring souls who reflect the light shed by their wonderful clergy, all under the leaderships of their most wonderful senior rabbi, Danny Zemel. I would not have found the need to even comment about this nationally renowned rabbi and this congregation were it not for a totally unfounded, ill informed review posted by someone else previously. It is sometimes hard to overcome negative comments, but this derisive one, to which I refer, should be dismissed by anyone with even the least degree of discernment.

Temple Micah is an extraordinary place. Welcoming, open-minded, spiritual and fun. A great place…read moreto check out if you're looking for a non-judgmental, spirited synagogue environment!

I yelp EVERYTHING. One night, I was thinking about attending a new synagogue and A crazy thought…read moreentered my mind. Why not yelp a new Synagogue and see where I am sent. Beth Torah came up as a result. I have not been there, but the page seems a little lonely so this this is my Mitzvah. Hopefully, this will start a meaningful conversation with the congregation. From the front page of their web page: http://bethtorah.ws/: QUESTION: Are you looking for a warm, welcoming, interactive congregation? Are you looking to find an accepting and loving community, where you will feel like you're among family, rather than feeling like a face in the crowd? ANSWER: Come visit our inclusive congregation, serving the Jewish Community of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties and Washington, D.C. since 1947. We look forward to having you join us for services and for our many religious and social programs. We are an open and accepting congregation whose membership includes traditional and interfaith families. Office Phone: (301) 927-5525 (The five star rating-because as a teacher I start everyone with an A and it is your job to maintain it!)

Fabrangen is a truly welcoming, joyous, spiritual gathering. The community spirit is extremely…read moreuplifting. You don't need to be dressed up, fluent in Hebrew, or dedicated to this or any other religious practice. You are made to feel welcome from wherever and whoever you are.

These folks put on a mean egalitarian high holidays extravaganza. Don't expect an overly formal…read moreaffair, but this is a reliably welcoming and committed community.