What a nice haimish Shulread more

Over the past few decades, many North Shore communities saw a decline in their Jewish populations;…read moremany synagogues shrank or shut down. Yet some communities have stayed strong, like Marblehead and Swampscott. And some places offer new life to the community. Chabad of the North Shore is one many new outreach centers (nationwide and worldwide) that reaches out to Jews of all backgrounds and observance levels. Chabad has a point of view, like any group worth respecting does. It's Orthodox, an open-hearted Orthodoxy that meets Jews where they are, offering pathways to a meaningful Jewish life. They're not missionaries; rather, they inspire Jews to become educated about their own heritage, and to take a step up the ladder of observance, from wherever they are. As is traditional, some rituals are for men, some are for women; only men can be rabbis; and there is a tasteful mechitzah (divider) between the men's and women's sections during prayer services, made simply of a row of trees in planters. Women and men are both valued equally. Chabad encourages women to study Torah and Talmud, and to teach. At their community seder, the service was led equally by the Rebbetzin and Rabbi. The Rebbetzin teaches classes on Talmud and on Kabbalah. That's egalitarian, even if not Reform style. My family has been to the Chabad Community Synagogue for their community Purim party, a traditional Shabbat morning service, and to their community Passover seder. We felt most welcome! I have been to many kinds of synagogues, and what matters most is this: Is there joy? Ruach (spirit)? Does it encourage people to come to again, and inspire children to think "Judaism is worth doing, learning, celebrating." Chabad of the North Shore succeeds in this. Their Purim celebration and Passover seders were lively, and a joy. If you haven't been to one, you are missing out. The Shabbat service could use more Shlomo Carelebach-type melodies and harmonies. But that's true of nearly all synagogues nowadays. It also could use a few more moments of prayers in English, which helps keeps people involved if they don't know the format. That aside, this is a place very much worth coming to, and a worthy addition to the Jewish community of the North Shore.

My dad and I walked there on Friday nights and Saturday mornings many years ago. I so remember the…read morecantor as well as the men dovening. Extremely peaceful as well as respectful.

Love the relaxed atmosphere . High Holiday services were wonderful. Great community of all ages.read more

From the owner: We are a Synagogue serving the Jewish community of greater Newburyportread more

What? No reviews? It's the best unaffiliated synagogue in the metrowest area! What other place has…read morea rabbi that's been with the congregation since its inception? If you just moved to Acton and you're Jewish, send your kids to Hebrew School here. Come on, people...

This community is family for me. I have a home for my heart, my mind, my spirit and my music. It is…read moretruly a blessing!

Ansha Sholum is like a beautiful flower that is growing out of a cement sidewalk. It is in one the…read moregrittiest neighborhoods in Lawrence, yet is not "just OK" inside. It looks and feels like a museum, like you have stepped back in time, or maybe outside of time entirely. It feels very peaceful. It's a very small, cozy congregation of older believers, more like a gathering of aunts and uncles than a typical congregation experience.

This is a great place to go if you are interested in the close, warm relationship that comes from a…read moresmall congregation. It is perfect for unaffiliated adults who are NOT looking for a synagogue with a school, or who are empty nesters. All are welcome, everyone participates, and (bonus) there is a very low almost nonexistent membership. Nervous about the location? It's considerably safer than it looks, gets an unnecessarily bad rap. If you are interested in an experience that feels like a chavurah that happens to have a building, this is the place!

Rabbi Goldstein is fantastic and has a way with children that helps to create a warn and inviting…read moreenvironment. Cantor Idan is an iconic musician who has a few cds out as well as leading all in house music. It is exciting to come to services and watch they two ordained officials work their magic. The temple has a very large sisterhood and brotherhood both of which host tons of events during the year which in many cases are opened to non members of the temple.

I love this Temple! They have a great preschool program with 3 grades. They have Hebrew Sunday…read moreschool which is on sundays, Monday's, and Wednesday's. They have a program for older children to do fun activities. The rabbi is very funny. The cantor is a great singer and is from Israel. They have a beautiful synagogue and a great temple. They are very accepting and is open to anyone who wants to come. The high holidays are always packed so get your tickets early! The building itself is beautiful, and is in a beautiful place. Although I only go during the holidays, I love this temple overall.

Felt like I received a giant hug the first time I walked into Shabbat morning services. Services…read moreare beautifully done with Conservative liturgy. There are Friday nights with an assist from Bashert, the in house band. True community with a range of activities from dairy pot luck dinners, book discussions, guest speakers, and giving back to the larger community. The Purim Spiel is pure joy.

Ive visit this synagogue last shabbat morning and it was a special service for a baby naming. I was…read moreinformed it is the synagogue of andover inwhich, moved hoping to meet its members in the middle of Andover and Lawrence. The members and visitors were very friendly. I even gave aliyah and, thats a 2nd time experience in a conservative synagogue I do not belong to. Very friendly people, the sanctuary and social hall is in one large space but, well seperated. To me it was nice and its definetly complamented by the Ark. As far as location, it wasnt hard to find however, GPS may label it as Cube3 studio because its in the same building 5 on the 3rd fl.