Temple Emanu-El deserves the most improved synagogue in RI award. In a dramatic turnaround…read moreinitiated by retired Rabbi Wayne Franklin, Emanu-El has morphed from a stodgy rigid institution to a welcoming and family friendly place of worship and socialization. They accommodate their congregation by holding early morning as well as regular time Shabbat services and will work with you on membership dues if you need financial help. Most impressive has been their commitment for online services that make it possible for just everyone to attend - even this Brooklyn based RI transplant! So if you are looking for a people friendly shul in the conservative tradition, I recommend the impressive synagogue at the top of the hill - Temple Emanu-El!

This shul has really figured out online zoom programming during covid. We have attended the…read morevirtual Israel Trip, many Trivia Nights, education classes, and Services. The "camera" man during Friday night services does a great job spotlighting families who are singing and dancing in their living rooms. It is common to have 50-100 devices logged into services. Lots of ruach.

Located in the center of the historical town of Plymouth, Congregation Beth Jacob has the…read moredistinction of being the oldest continually operating synagogue in Massachusetts. The synagogue building was erected in 1913 and was originally an Orthodox schul with a balcony for the women congregants. CBJ became a Reform synagogue in the 1960's, and Rabbi Lawrence Silverman became its rabbi in 1975. As the congregation grew, there was a need for a larger space to accommodate high attendance at High Holy Days services, community Bingo nights, community Passover seders, and large social gatherings, and CBJ purchased a former Methodist church on Court Street to serve as its community center. This building served for many years until it was eventually sold to the Town of Plymouth and is now operating as The Spire Center for the Performing Arts. CBJ is a small congregation, presently about 80 families located in the Greater Plymouth area. We pride ourselves on our "haimishe," friendly atmosphere, welcoming new residents to the area, as well as tourists who are visiting Plymouth. Our members include families with lifelong affiliations with CBJ, many being descendants of its Founders. While the majority are retirees and empty-nesters, we also have a growing number of young families with children who are enrolled in CBJ's outstanding Beit Sefer (Hebrew School) program. After Rabbi Silverman retired at the end of July, 2021, after 44 years of devoted service to CBJ, Rabbi Estelle Mills became our rabbi. Although the synagogue building was closed to in-person services because of the Covid pandemic in March of 2020, CBJ has continued to conduct weekly Friday evening Shabbat services by Zoom, and Rabbi Mills has proven to be a technical wizard, creating PowerPoint slides for inspiring readings and prayers and sharing them with our minyan-goers. She incorporates beautiful music videos into our services, introducing us to new melodies that keep our services fresh and exciting. Her D'var Torah for the week is always relevant to current events while reinforcing the message and substance of the parashah. Significantly, Rabbi Mills has introduced us to the Reform practice of reading from the Torah at our Friday evening services - something that we had never done before. She includes congregants in the service, inviting selected people to light the Shabbat candles, do readings, share special blessings that we have enjoyed over the past week, and to actively engage and participate in the service. If you would like to learn more about CBJ, please visit our website: cbjplymouth.org.

This synagogue is conveniently located in downtown Plymouth, MA. We moved to Plymouth because there…read morewas a temple in the town. Great people, great Rabbi, and a great Religious School.

"I have finally found a place to live Just like I never…read morecould before And I know I don't have much to give But soon I'll open any door In the presence of the Lord" (Eric Clapton) In June 2014, we visited the third oldest synagogue in the US when we toured Savannah, Georgia's Congregation Mickve Israel. Yesterday, we toured the second oldest synagogue in the US when we visited the Touro Synagogue and Visitor Center in Newport, RI. The congregation's history goes way back to 1658 and its quite a fascinating history. The building itself was constructed in 1763 and is now both the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States and North America. Rightfully so, it was declared a National Historic Site in 1946. Jewish history and American history intersected in the form of a famous letter written by George Washington on August 21, 1790. After his visit to Newport, Washington sent a letter to the synagogue's warden to express his support of the Congregation's Jews, all American Jews, and his vison for religious tolerance in the newly born nation. Washington's letter stated: "... the Government of the United States ... gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance. ... May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy". Lew, our Tour Guide, was the very best tour guide I ever had. He was funny when he wanted to be, but brought enough serious gravitas when needed, to explain the magnificent history of Newport, the significance of Washington's letter, and the contribution of American Jews to Newport and Colonial America. I can't recommend a visit and tour of the Touro Synagogue highly enough.

We attended a presentation in Touro's gardens. The docent talked about Touro's beginnings. Several…read moreSephardic Jewish families immigrated to Newport in the late 1600s and formed the Jeshuat Israel congregation. They built the Touro Synagogue in 1763. It is the oldest synagogue building in North America. The docent told us the elders transferred the deed to the New York congregation for safekeeping when the revolutionary war broke out and that congregation now owns Touro. After the initial presentation, we walked over to the entrance of the synagogue. We were allowed to view the interior from the threshold, but couldn't go inside due to Covid.

When I first moved to the Providence area, I went 'shopping' for a synagogue. I found a wonderful…read moreassortment of various traditions and practices, but the one synagogue that really felt right was Temple Beth-El. While raised in the Conservative tradition, I find Reform Judaism to be right in my comfort zone. Meeting with Rabbis Gutterman and Mack, I found them to be warm and welcoming. Other synagogue 'machers' were similarly friendly, and made me feel like I'd found my religious home in Rhode Island. Services are open and accessible, and the congregation is full of truly lovely people. What strikes me most about Beth-El, however, are the family-based programs they offer. I've taken my son to the Shabbat K'Tantan and K'Tantan B'Yachad services, and we've both had a wonderful time. These services are kid-oriented, featuring singing, games, activities, and food. It's a great way to introduce my son to his heritage. Beth-El also offers an excellent "Intro. to Judaism" class for people interested in converting, or just interested in learning more about Judaism.

We found Falmouth Jewish Congregation while vacationing on the Cape. Shabbat services outside on…read morethe bay with the Rabbi playing guitar and reading poetry. It was magical.

This synagogue community has become a foundation of my social life-- and I'm not even Jewish! My…read morewife is, and from the start Agudas Achim welcomed our interfaith family so warmly. This is a congregation of active, engaged, and thoughtful people, working together to become more informed in their faith and also to improve their community and the world at large. If you're looking for a synagogue in the Attleboro area, this is the place.

Congregation Agudas Achim is the only Reconstructionist synagogue in the greater RI area. Five…read morestars for the thoughtful sermons and services for adults, the warmth and welcoming community and lovely sanctuary. We were members for a decade and have now returned, after about a decade away. This is a congregation that values each member - and that needs a contribution of time or energy from most to continue to thrive. Because the congregation is so small, even when services are scheduled there are a few Saturdays where there isn't a minyan. For that reason only, four rather than 5 stars:

A welcoming Jewish community with excellent family and spiritual programs…read more There is a full time Rabbi and Cantor with musical accompaniment so services are beautiful.

We were members for several years, then decided to leave after my children's B'nai Mitzvah. The…read moreexecutive director made me feel uncomfortable (often gazing down at my chest when talking with me), was minimally accommodating when we were dealing with the B'nai Mitzvah logistics, and in general, conveyed a rude and controlling tone via email. Upon checking their website recently, I thought this person had retired (as he's not listed on the website). Unfortunately, that's not the case. To add to our experience, on the day of my kids' B'nai Mitzvah, the cantorial soloist's husband (& former synagogue president) allowed our photographer to enter the building earlier than when we were allowed in. Upon opening the door for us, he glared at me. Very strange behavior.

A tremendously welcoming community with more activities than you can imagine. We moved here just 2…read moreyears ago and now many of our friends are from this community. The Rabbi is very creative in making everything interesting and adding something a little unusual to many of the programs. Rabbi and many members of the congregation started a local Interfaith group inviting everyone to learn about other faiths and to all work together to make a better community. My grandkids love the Sunday School and look forward to going every week. A terrific place for all ages.

I was amazed to be in this wonderful place I felt connected to God through this shul. Rabbi Lauffer…read moreis the best Rabbi ever! Just do it.