The preschool at Mishkon is a hidden neighborhood gem! It's such a warm, welcoming and safe environment! All of the teachers and staff are amazing, the kids love them and love going to school to play with their friends. On top of that, the parent community is beyond anything we could have imagined. The kids and parents get together often for casual get togethers outside of school where everyone is welcome. We could not have picked a better school for our daughter to be nurtured and loved and a better parent community for ourselves. We can't wait to enroll our future kids. We have no concerns for our child's health, safety and development when they're at Mishkon! They are thriving and as happy as can be! Oh! And Shabbat on the Beach in the summers is a blast! Don't miss out! read more

I came here for a channukah celebration and saw online it looked ADA friendly. ( in a complicated situation right now where I'm in a wheelchair) soo it was half ADA friendly in the process the food was great very diverse group of people and the rabbi was kid friendly. Music was wonderful also. read more

Mishkon Tephilo - Front steps of mishkon tephilo during channukah - Synagogues Near Me - Venice, California

I've been dedicated to Mishkon since 1994. I met my wife here and am still married. Lol. We love this place!

Our son has been a Mishkon student for the past year. We couldn't have found a more welcoming engaged and dynamic community had we been intentionally looking. The staff are amazing - we feel honored to be part of this! read more

My two daughters attend the preschool at Mishkon-- my oldest has been there for three years, and my youngest is in her second year. Their experience has been overwhelmingly positive. The teachers and staff are nurturing and committed to their growth, both academically and emotionally. Because of this, my wife and I have witnessed so much development in our kids' confidence, social skills, and love of learning. We also appreciate Rabbi Josh's presence in the program-- especially when he leads engaging holiday celebrations and finds opportunities for teaching moments through stories and songs for the kids. Beyond the classroom, my wife and I feel very connected to the other parents and staff at the school and synagogue. The synagogue in particular has created such a welcoming and inclusive environment. To us, this isn't just a preschool--it's a community, a family, and a place where our children have really thrived. read more

We feel so lucky to have found this daycare. From day one, it's felt warm, welcoming, and like a real community. April and her team are incredible -- kind, attentive, and truly care about the kids. It's a place where families from all backgrounds feel at home. They've created something really special here -- nurturing, enriching, and full of love. Just the best people in Venice. read more

I've been meeting friends for holiday services at this synagogue for several years. I enjoyed the services that I attended today. The volunteers are very welcoming and friendly when one enters the synagogue. I'm familiar with the area, so I didn't have a hard time finding parking. The Rabbi & Cantor make services very enjoyable. It's very encouraging to see a mixture of ages, cultures & background at services. I guess my biggest complaint would be how hot it is at services. I know that it takes a lot of money to put in air conditioning, but there must be some type of a solution to make it more tolerable.This was the first year that fans were passed out to those attending services. The windows & fans help a lot, but it's hard to feel comfortable for a very long period of time. All in all, a pleasant experience for holiday services. read more

Two notes before I begin my review: 1) Okay, I've started seriously going shul-shopping in LA. So you're about to see a bunch of reviews from me at various synagogues. 2) It's really, really hard to review a synagogue. Because a lot of it depends on where you're at in life, and what you're looking for. So, these things said, Mishkon is quite a lovely Temple (I think nicer looking during the day than at night, but most of Venice is). It's completely community-driven; the only paid person at Mishkon is the Rabbi. The Shabbat morning service I attended was both Conservative and had this strong sense of its community. I was immediately invited to read Torah (not ready for that, yet), and made to feel really welcome. There were no instruments - all songs were created from the voices of the congregation, which I really enjoy. A very traditional service. However, although everyone was extremely friendly and this Temple happens to be walking distance from my apartment, the community is, in general, much older. My theory is that because it's community-driven, it's a lot of retirees, and stay-at-home parents who have the time. I know they have a preschool, but not sure about other grades. I hope this little review helps someone else out new to the neighborhood and looking for a synagogue! read more

While shul shopping; no place is as welcoming as Mishkon. Combined with the high level of communal knowledge and participation; we knew this was a place that we could grow and develop a stronger and more meaningful practice together. The commuinity is the most inclusive and non judgemental group of people we have ever met. Deeply intrenched in tradition, Mishkon still allows for every personality within that tradition to allow itself a freedom of expression. An eclectic mix of some the most colorful members you could find in a synagogue. No matter what level of observance you might find your self ready to take on, there is a place for you. There are no clicks to join, no closed door inner circles, no secret handshakes . Rabbi Dan embodies the Mishkon spirit; a mixture of genteel warmth; a fountain head of knowledge; precise descernment; and an obtuse sense of houmor. Rabbi Dan does not mince his words - nor does he try to evoke a false sense of profundity. Honest and straight to the point with a quirky wit - The Rabbi put it best when he explained to us :" Here at Mishkon, we take what we do seriously ; but we do not take ourselves too seriously." read more

Back when I was homeless in Venice, I would sometimes sleep here. This was more during the latter half. I first got targeted for my Jewish sympathies here by a Hollywood associated brigade of "scientists". Jews save though because it's sort of a safe space. I remember going to one of their Sabbaths and I had a great release of emotion after listening to a passage from Genesis. I had to check though because I don't actually speak Hebrew. It was because of that that I will always proclaim Jew God to be above and more powerful than pagans and scientists and adversaries to me (Native man). read more

This is a very welcoming synagogue. It isn't often that you see a lot of diversity in a Conservative congregation, but this synagogue embodies Venice as much as it embodies Judaism. It is Conservative, so the services are mostly in Hebrew and there are no instruments, but it's an enthusiastic group and the conversation during the Torah reading is lively and informative. After most Saturday services, there's a luncheon to which everyone is invited, which makes it really easy to get to know people. The Religious School is small, but also embodies the same level of enthusiasm and 'Venice' spirit as the rest of the congregation. The group has field trips, cooking, art projects and other creative ideas to make learning about Judaism interesting and exciting for the children. The Susan Sims Bodenstein Preschool has a great, and well-deserved, reputation. It's a warm, loving school that welcomes the children's creative ideas and uses them for learning. I really enjoy Mishkon and am happy that my family attends. read more

Mishkon is an egalitarian, down-to-earth, participatory synagogue with one of the warmest collections of people you will meet. On high holidays, the regulars are the ones who are dressed down, not dressed up, usually in white. Come on a regular shabbat, and people will welcome you. The preschool is terrific. There is room for everyone who wants to participate. The congregation is comprised of a lot of scholars, academics, and creative types, many of whom have strong Jewish knowledge and are very committed to the synagogue and to Jewish values. You won't find moms dropping off soccer-clad kids for junior congregation in yoga pants and coming back at noon to pick them up. Come for a shabbat or holiday and check it out. read more

I've been a member of Mishkon Tephillo for over 12 years. In that time the congregation as a whole and the individuals who comprise it have become very precious to me. Rabbi Dan Shevitz has a brilliant mind and has a way of expressing himself that makes the most difficult teachings accessible. He has a cute sense of humor and often and patiently engages the congregants from the pulpit and in the social hall. Chanting with him is a delight - his is a beautiful and inspiring voice. As might be expected for a shul in Venice - adjacent to Santa Monica and the Westside - the congregation is made up of very unique and sometimes colorful individuals that share a love and respect for the Jewish tradition and each other. Attending and participating in Shabbat and holiday services as well as educational and social activities has become a meaningful and satisfying way of life for me. The Mishkon "crowd" is very welcoming and I highly encourage people of all ages to come visit and stay!! read more

I first visited Mishkon when our daughter and son-in-law had their aufruf there the day before their wedding. We and our many out-of-town guests were delighted with the warmth, welcoming and caring of the members, who seemed to share our joy of the occasion. Since then, I've attended two baby namings, both of which were loving, happy and special services, and several parties and special events. The rabbi is a wonderful person, knowledgeable, caring, intelligent, funny, realistic and a real mench. His sermons are thought provoking and carefully crafted. Lay people who read the torah and assist in the services are committed and knowledgeable. The congregation has lots of spirit and joy. When I attend shul at Mishkon, I feel safe and warm. People greet me as if I were an old friend. That seems to be the Mishkon way. I've also visited the pre-school, which has a warm and friendly staff and lots of delicious little kids who seem happy and busy. Although I don't live in LA or even in California, I joined the shul as a member just to enjoy the bulletins and my occasional visits for yom tov services or because I happen to be in town at the time. If I lived near Mishkon, I would be there all the time and would also be a regular volunteer, both of which would enhance my pleasure in being a Jew. read more