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    Temple Beth Hatfiloh

    4.0 (1 review)

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    Recommended Reviews - Temple Beth Hatfiloh

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    12 years ago

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    Temple Beth El

    Temple Beth El

    3.7(3 reviews)
    23.0 mi

    I have to say that after all these years that it surprises me that Temple Beth El has not been…read morereviewed on Yelp! In one way or another, I've been involved with this synagogue since about 1980 or so, even though I didn't convert until 2002. I had the privilege of meeting legendary founding Rabbi of the new location, Rabbi Rosenthal on numerous occasions in the 80s, including being the photographer for the 1987 (?) confirmation class. As coincidence goes, I attended services tonight for the first time in a long time only to find that tonight is the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Rosenthal (as well as the first Yahrzeit of Cantor Leah Elstein). It's a beautiful, welcoming place - Rabbi Kadden has helped to make Temple Beth El such a place, and the congregation reflects this. And for those who may have a tendency to shun some of the modern Reform traditions, Temple Beth El has lots of Hebrew in the services, with many traditional melodies. Some Reform congregations have moved to "mostly English" but Temple Beth El still honors the Hebrew tradition, but in a welcoming "you don't have to speak Hebrew to belong" sort of way. I've always liked that. If you're looking for a Reform congregation in the Tacoma area, this is your place. It was for me for many years since my conversion under Rabbi Glickman. We'll very likely be rejoining after our few years' absence. It was a very nice service tonight, and very inspiring especially given the coincidence of it being the Yahrzeit of both Rabbi Rosenthal and Cantor Leah... maymay their place of rest be in Gan Eden. Dave

    I'm so incredibly disheartened after my visit to Beth El. My husband and I are new to the area and…read morehad such high hopes in finding a like minded community in our new home. The Rabbi and Cantor where both kind and welcoming, but the general feeling was that kids aren't welcome. We have a two year old, who we took turns taking out into the hall to rock and try to keep quite (she's well behaved but she's also two. She wasn't screaming or yelling, just playing with a puzzle as quietly as a two year old can play). We had been given serval looks from people sitting around us, and not sympathetic, 'oh, we've been there, we understand' looks, the kind of scolding looks that left me red with embarrassment. Towards the end, someone came up and told us she was 'just a bit much too' to be in the sanctuary. I left in tears, I've never felt more unwelcomed in a place of worship.

    Congregation Kol Ami - Simchat Torah!

    Congregation Kol Ami

    3.5(11 reviews)
    54.5 mi

    I used to follow Kol Ami. They sent a blog post after 10/7 that I found offensive. When I responded…read morewith dismay, I received the most unhinged screed I have ever been subjected to by a rabbi in my life. Being told once by a Conservative rabbi that I should cancel my marriage to a gentile (now in our 18th year!) was nowhere near as upsetting as her response. She singlehandedly destroyed my desire to seek a Jewish community where I live. I posted this information to Reddit in response to someone asking about Eastside synagogues. I have said nothing further on the matter publicly since then and have been trying to forget about it. Months later, this rabbi just today posted another screed in reply on Reddit, *and* sent a threatening chat message to me. Reddit agreed that this was harassment. She is still with Kol Ami. I realize Yelp is not the place to grind an axe, and so I did not post a review of the synagogue at the time. I am posting this now because I believe new potential members should really know that this is how at least one of the rabbis here behaves in her personal life.

    My family and I have been members and guests of several synagogues across the country through the…read moreyears. This is one of only two at which I've felt comfortable and included. Our rabbi is thoroughly invested in tikkun olam, and walks the walk. She is serious about inclusion, and not for just a garden variety of Jews, but for people of color, interfaith families, and differing sexual orientations and genders. We are a diverse family of congregants who aren't afraid to redefine synagogue and observance conventions, and tackle tough socio-Jewish problems, but we expect our members to engage in civil discourse and non-threatening community behavior. Our congregational and religious school staff and volunteers work hard to be supportive and avoid shaming tactics, and we are mapping a course to move us into a connected, active, and brave Jewish future.

    Photos
    Congregation Kol Ami - Kabbalat Shabbat Potluck

    Kabbalat Shabbat Potluck

    Congregation Kol Ami - Kol Ami logo

    Kol Ami logo

    Congregation Kol Ami - Rabbi Kinberg Rosh Hashana

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    Rabbi Kinberg Rosh Hashana

    Temple Beth Hatfiloh - synagogues - Updated May 2026

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