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Synagogue Ratings

See Jewish Journal synagogue listing Email Luke Ford

The following ratings were composed by a committee. The ratings do not necessarily reflect the views of the owner of this website, Luke Ford.

Here's the Aug. 30, 2007 KNBC TV report on my synagogue ratings:

Anchor: "But now finding the right synagogue for you could be just a click of the mouse away. Channel 4's Cary Bergland's live in Hollywood with more."

The graphic says "Temple Ratings."

Cary stands outside Kol Ami, the gay Reform temple on Sunset Blvd.

Cary: "...Casual observers may be trying to figure out where they will spend the high holidays this year. The synagogue shopping has begun.

"This is Luke Ford and this is Luke Ford's website, Lukeford.net. This website is where, among other things, Luke rates and reviews Los Angeles-area synagogues."

Luke: "I want to go to every synagogue I can and check out the atmosphere and get a sense of the rabbi and the congregation... I want to get a feel for what it is like to be Jewish because I am new to this."

Cary: "To understand why Luke's website has become the most popular Jewish blogger site, you have to understand Jewish congregations. They each have distinct personalities..."

"Luke...says he's visited more than 50 temples in the L.A. area and he describes each one in detail on his site. So, if you're new to the area, newly out on your own... Luke's the go-to guy to find where the go-to temple is for you, even if you only go for the high holidays."

Luke: "Unless you form several close friendships in a synagogue, you're going to drop out."

Cary, live in Hollywood: "Luke says he's not always welcome in certain synagogues because of his reviews, but Rabbi Eger says today is the first day she's heard of him."

Fred emails: "If the KNBC crew is still there, tell them I depend entirely on Luke for my spiritual and ethical guidance.  If it weren't for him, who knows what sort of trouble would ensnare me."

This was my first media appearance that I could show to my mother without shame.

Adat Shalom (C); 3030 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 475-4985; www.adatshalomla.org .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: B+
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 45.

Misc:

Adat Yeshurun Valley Sephardic (O); 12405 Sylvan St, North Hollywood, CA 91606; Phone (818) 766-4682

Prayer: B
Friendliness: C
Food: B
Singles: ?
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: Typical Moroccan Sephardic shul. If you're ashkenazi it's not for you. A nice mix of young and old people attend.

Temple Akiba (R); 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City; (310) 398-5783; www.uahc.org/congs/ca/ca008/ .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: D
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 55.

Misc:

Aish HaTorah Los Angeles (O); 9106 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 278-8672; www.aish.com/branches/los_angeles_ca/

Prayer: A
Friendliness: A
Food: B
Singles: A
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: Outreach center. Passionate, excited, fervent shul. You either move into Orthodox Jewish observance and fit in within a few months or they will push you out.

Congregation Bais Bezalel/Chabad of South Beverly Hills (O); 8850 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 282-0444.

Prayer: B
Friendliness: A
Food: C
Singles: D
Decor: D
Average Age of membership: 40.

Beis Midrash Toras HaShem (O); 12422 Chandler Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607; Phone 818-980-6934; http://torashashem.blogspot.com/

Prayer: B+
Friendliness: C+
Food: B
Singles: D
Decor: B Average
Age of membership: 40.

Misc: Good kiddish and decent childcare. The shul is comprised of a few young married couples with mostly middle age couples and a few "alter cockers". People are generally friendly but not overly so. If you need a place for Shabbos dinner or lunch speak with the Rabbi or Gabbai. Was mainly a Kiruv shul over the last 25+ years but is moving away from that. Would be Centrist Orthodox at best. There are still a fair amount of learning opportunities for those that are interested. The shul may be officially changing into a Young Israel of Valley Village. Stay Tuned.

Joe emails:

Your shul reviewer is about as useful as tits on a bull when it comes to Toras Hashem. TH is the old original aish that Rabbi Block founded. It was burned down about 20 years ago and rebuilt into a fairly decent structure that is there toda. Rabbi Block has changed many lives through that shul, but he is definitely slowing down. I had heard that TH had received a substantial bequest from a congregant that would ensure its finances for a long time.

All of Rabbi Block's kids are adults and all but one are married - he has the mind and the affect of a superstar - his pedigree is from the Mir under the grand Rabbi Shmuelevit, but the force in Rabbi Block is weaker than it once was.

It is a shul mainly for people who do not like Shaarey Zedek, but given that about 98% of the valley pisses on Shaarey Tzedek, there is a lot of competition for the disaffected and those who think SZ sucks can daven under Rabbi Eidlitz at Emek or even at the 8;15 minyan at SZ itself and harbor disdain for SZ.

As for a change to Young Israel of Valley Village, give me a break. If any shul opens in the valley without a right wing black hat rabbi, Obama Barack along with that dipshit of a wife of his will be invited to a communal seder.

Valley Village is so right wing right now that a Young Israel trying to be tolerant of newcomers and succeeding would be like nailing jello to a tree. The only group that might leave SZ are the right wing greaseball types that might take Rabbi Edelstein and try to rent some space on Burbank and Whitsett.

Temple Beth Am (C); 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 652-7353; www.tbala.org .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: C
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: Gay and lesbian havurah! Large number of intellectuals, particularly at the Library Minyan. A minyan for most any taste. In case you are wondering, no sure fire synagogue in Los Angeles for meeting hot-looking single women.

Beth Jacob Congregation (O); 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 278-1911; www.bethjacob.org .

Prayer: A-
Friendliness: C
Food: B
Singles: C
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 45.

Misc: Dynamic fire-breathing rabbi. Politically Right-wing shul. Rabbi's a fiery Republican married to a therapist who's a Democratic. Arik Sharon, George Bush territory. Shul with strong boundaries. Those who desecrate them are quickly ejected. Traditional rap on the shul: "Death Jacob" because of its aging membership. That's changed. In his office, rabbi Weil has pictures of himself with all sorts of political leaders (generally on the right).

Beth Shir Shalom (R); 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 453-3361; www.bethshirsholom.com .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: D
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 45.

Misc: Great music.

Temple Beth Torah (C); 11827 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles; (310) 398-4536.

Average Age of membership: 65.

B’nai David-Judea Congregation (O); 8906 W. Pico Blvd; (310) 276-9269; www.bnaidavid.com .

Prayer: C
Friendliness: A
Food: B+
Singles: A
Decor: B+
Childcare: A
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: Best kiddish, best childcare in town. Tons of young married couples. Sermons on love and faith and piety. Only Orthodox shul in Los Angeles to do a lot of edgy things including show documentary on homosexual Orthodox Jews - Trembling Before God. Rabbi is the most active Orthodox rabbi in town in interacting with non-Orthdox rabbis and Jews. He got an award from Jewish Federation for it. Orthodox Jews typically shy away from the secular Federation.

B’nai Tikvah Congregation (C); 5820 Manchester Ave., Los Angeles; (310) 645-6262.

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: B+
Decor: C
Average Age of membership: 45.

The Chai Center (O); PMB No. 66861, Los Angeles 90066; (310) 391-7995; www.chaicenter.org .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: A
Food: B
Singles: A
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 35.

Misc: Rabbi Shlomo Schwartz is the best. Embodies the best of Chabad.

Temple Emanuel (R); 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills; (310) 274-6388; www.templeemanuelbh.com .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: A
Singles: B
Decor: A
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: Centrist Reform. Used to have a rabbi who quoted from the Playboy philosophy till he left shul and went on to scandals. Now led by a scandal-free female rabbi, Laura Geller.

Happy Minyan (O); PMB No. 16002, Beverly Hills 90209; (310) 285-7777; www.happyminyan.org. Meets at Mogen David at 9218 West Pico Blvd.

Prayer: A
Friendliness: A
Food: B+
Singles: B+
Decor: D
Average Age of membership: 35.

Misc: Huge diversity of people. A lot of artsy-types. Tons of Torah, singing, best davening in town many Sabbaths. Inspired by rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Yehuda Solomon (lead vocalist for the Moshav Band) usually leads the davening. Shabbos hospitality. Happy minyan regulars regularly open their hearts and their homes to their fellows. Spiritual ecstasy.

Temple Isaiah (R); 10345 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 277-2772; www.templeisaiah.com .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: B
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 45.

Kahal Joseph Congregation (S); 10505 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 474-0559.

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: D
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 45.

Kehillat Israel (Rec.); 16019 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades; (310) 459-2328; www.kehillatisrael.com .

Prayer: C
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: C
Decor: A
Average Age of membership: 45.

Misc: For smart successful affluent types.

Leo Baeck Temple (R); 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 476-2861; www.leobaecktemple.org .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: D
Decor: A
Average Age of membership: 50.

Misc: Put on much interesting adult education programming.

Congregation Mishkon Tephilo (C); 201 Hampton Drive, Venice; (310) 392-3029; www.mishkon.org .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: B
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 40.

Congregation Mogen David (O); 9717 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 556-5609.

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: B
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 70.

Synagogue for the Performing Arts (I); 11727 Barrington Court, No. 205, Los Angeles; (310) 472-3500; www.sftpa.com .

Prayer: B+
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: C
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 55.

Ohev Shalom (O); 525 S. Fairfax., Los Angeles, CA 99048; (323) 653-7190. (No website)

Prayer: A
Friendliness: B
Food: C
Singles: D
Decor: C
Average Age of membership: 60.

Misc. Occasional good kiddush, otherwise very little fare. Siddur collection is eclectic. Very convenient to Park La Brea and Farmer's Market area. Shabbat services begin 9:00 a.m. Rabbi is David Tropper, who also teaches at various schools. The building was the shul scene for the movie "The Jazz Singer" in 1927.

Temple Shofar

Pete writes Sept. 24, 2007: "Having been a member for 15 years of the industry roving synagogue, Temple Shofar of the DGA and then having watched it dissolve before my eyes this past Yontif when the Rabbi from Argentina (by way of Israel and Sweden) introduced the African Drummer "Mr. Happy" to accompany us while we chanted our prayers and I whispered "I'm outta here!" to my equally shocked temple mate."

Shtibl Minyan (I); meets at Workmen’s Circle, 1525 Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 440-1262; www.shtibl.com .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: C
Singles: B
Decor: C
Average Age of membership: 40.

Torat Hayim Synagogue (O); 1026 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 652-8349; www.torathayim.com.

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: D
Decor: C
Average Age of membership: 50.

Ohr HaTorah (I); meets at Faith Tabernacle Church, 2147 Purdue Ave., West Los Angeles; (310) 278-9049; www.ohrhatorah.org .

Prayer: A
Friendliness: A
Food: B
Singles: B
Decor: C (cramped)
Average Age of membership: 40.

Pacific Jewish Center (O); 2633 Lincoln Blvd., No. 516, Santa Monica; (310) 392-8749; www.pjcenter.com .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: A
Food: A
Singles: B
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 45.

Misc: Founded by Michael Medved and Rabbi Daniel Lapin. Proud 25-year history.

Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel (S/C); 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 475-7311; www.sephardictemple.org .

Prayer: C
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: D
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 50.

Shaarei Yerushalayim (O); 12435 Chandler Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607; Phone 818-980-9278

Prayer: B-
Friendliness: C-
Food: B
Singles: ?
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: Typical Israeli Sephardic shul. If you're ashkenazi it's not for you. Small intimate minyan on weekdays. A large number of Israelis.

Shaarey Zedek (O); 12800 Chandler Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607; Phone 818-763-0560; www.valleyshul.com

Prayer: B
Friendliness: F
Food: B
Singles: D
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 40.

Joe writes about the Valley shul:

Biggest Orthodox Synagogue in the Valley. Very crowded, lots of families and an average age in the 30s. Growing slowly, and the new building can hardly contain the membership.

Many young marrieds due to the relative affordability of homes in the area and the tendency of Valley kids to return home after marriage and the previous Rabbi and Rabbi's wife really catering to the younger crowd. Has three minyons on shabbos with very different types of style:

8:00 - the early minyan - black hat, but a touch faux, a very noisy affair with horrible decorum, very good for guys who are black hat because they like to be seen in black hats and despise people who do not wear black hats. If you are black hat because you are serious, sit close to the center. If you want to futz around, sit towards the back. Tries to dominate the shul and is succeeding pretty much due to demographics of the larger families of the early minyan and the ability to put asses in the seats. A rabbi gives a speech about the laws against gossip, not some flimsy sermon on the portion of the week and how it relates to current events. It is downstairs in the social hall, which is the worst room because it is all "toe up" from constant use and the seating is on chairs, not traditional pews so people tend to meander around while davening. Fields the biggest crowd of males and kids (very few woman attendees, most are still in their shabbos robes taking care of the kids), and usually has the best food - most of the time it is a kiddush or sitdown and there is cholent (if your stomach can handle it at 10:00 a.m.). It is the most vibrant service in terms of the growth of the synagogue. I recommend you make a point to try this minyan. You will either swear by it or against it.

8:15 - the second minyan - held in a smaller room (about the size of a large classroom) a breakaway from the 8:00 for people who are black hat or non-black hat who want a more devotional service. No talking is allowed, and the Rabbi gives a very learned speech that sometimes does not make sense, but is still learned. Not for a casual visitor, more of an acquired taste, and the decorum is a vast improvement over the early minyan. If you went to yeshiva and liked the davening there (no melodies, no noise, but lots of bodies swaying, you will like it). A very small mini-kiddush afterwards and many of the attendees will learn with the Rabbi afterwards. About 5 women attend. Not quite sure how any of these guys get away with being absentee fathers for 3 hours plus on a saturday morning without telling their wives they are gambling addicts and have to play poker.

8:45 - the third minyan - this is the mainline service, replete with a cantor, a sermon from the head rabbi and a slightly older crowd. Very few black hats, mostly modern orthodox guys without the holier than thou chip on their shoulder. A while ago a Rabbi leading this service hectored the congregants to come earlier to the service, and one of the big guns in the synagogue took said Rabbi to the woodshed. A low key service, where guys tell dirty jokes, give stock tips and complain about their lives. Very few people will be talking about torah topics. The "evangelical" types of jews who are newly observant do not much like this minyan, there is very little fire and brimstone and too much chatting and gossiping. because less and less people are using this minyan, the food situation afterwards is paltry and there is often not a kiddush, just a mini kiddush.

Friendliness - Once you are in SZ, you have friends, but do not look to be invited for lunch just showing up off the street. There are lots of ways to get semi-involved - it is not like Young Israel of Century City where there is a committee on everything, but if you want to meet guys who learn torah, you can go to a class. You want to meet guys who play poker, hang out in the third minyan. You really have to make your own way at SZ, there is no outreach, and there is no need to do it. The membership grows a bit each year with no effort on anyone's part.

Vibe - Again, it depends on which service you go to. Friday night services are actually the best in a way as there is only one service and it is packed (half of the woman's section is closed and there must be 250 men praying. And it is very quiet and devotional. If you have kids, you cannot beat SZ because your kids have someone to play with, which might not be the case if you go to one of the offshoots in the Valley.

Singles - Very few. The singles there are either committed to be single, in the closet, or hideous. There are of course exceptions, but they prove the rule.

Rabbi - generally very good. The synagogue has had three in its existence. Rabbi Sugarman, very erudite but not too warm, but of high caliber intellect. Retired after about 30 years Next was Rabbi Aron Tendler, credited with growing the synagogue and brining a younger crowd (this might have happened anyways due to the affordable housing, but he certainly pushed the younger crowd to join and be active). Did about 20 years as associate Rabbi and 10 in the lead role. Left under a cloud regarding sexual misconduct issues. Rabbi Jonathan Rosenberg now, a superstar in the making.

Flaws - Lack of unity. Having three minyans means three shuls. They are just now starting to reunite behind a Rabbi and having a single fundraiser. Somewhat cliquish, which cannot be avoided, but you will find your clique. Somewhat unfriendly to the newcomer, but again, once you have arrived, you are family.

Sinai Temple (C); 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 474-1518; www.sinaitemple.org .

Prayer: B+
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: A
Decor: A
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: Most eloquent rabbi (and most highly paid?) in town - Rabbi David Wolpe. Dynamic shul. You can get lost it is so big.

Stephen S. Wise Temple (R); 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles; (310) 476-8561; www.sswt.org .

Prayer: B+
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: B+
Decor: A
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: By membership, the largest synagogue in the world. Most beautiful music consistently in Jewish Los Angeles. With its founding rabbi Isaiah Zeldin retired, the temple's rabbis are unlikely to blow you away with their oratory. SSW is more Jewishly traditional than Wilshire Blvd. Temple.

Valley Beth Shalom (C) 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino (818) 788-6000 http://www.vbs.org

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: B
Decor: B
Average age: 40

Misc: Powerful establishment Conservative shul. Eloquent rabbis. Some who've turned Orthodox regret the years they spent at VBS bewitched by the honey-tongued rabbis.

University Synagogue (R); 11960 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 472-1255; www.unisyn.org .

Prayer: C
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: C
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 45.

Westwood Kehilla (O); 10523 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 441-5288; www.kehilla.org .

Prayer: B+
Friendliness: A
Food: B
Singles: B
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: Dynamic outreach shul, filled with Torah, young people, young rabbis, guest speakers.

Wilshire Boulevard Temple — Irmas Campus (R); 1161 W. Olympic Blvd.; (213) 388-2401; www.wilshireboulevardtemple.org .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: B
Singles: B
Decor: A
Average Age of membership: 45.

Misc: Thin on Jewish observance, rich in Jewish culture and the oratory of its head rabbi. It's West LA branch is strong and has a great day school.

Pete writes Sept. 24, 2007: "I tried Wilshire Boulevard Temple and though it was okay, I wasn't 100% happy. I wasn't used to the massive organ (that's pipe organ!) and choir (a little goyishe sounding), nor was I prepared for what was essentially a very tightly rehearsed and choreographed service, down to the perfect Little Mermaid-like harmonies {albeit in Hebrew!} between the wonderful Cantor and his guest Cant-ress. So I finished out the New Year feeling very homeless and very dispirited."

Pinto Torah Center (S); 8660 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 659-6700.

Prayer: B
Friendliness: A
Food: B
Singles: B+
Decor: B+
Average Age of membership: 40.

Young Israel of Beverly Hills (O); 8701 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 275-3020.

Prayer: B
Friendliness: B
Food: C
Singles: C
Decor: D
Average Age of membership: 45.

Young Israel of Century City (O); 9317 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles; (310) 273-6954; www.yicc.org .

Prayer: B
Friendliness: F
Food: B+
Singles: D
Decor: B
Average Age of membership: 40.

Misc: The establishment Orthodox shul, maintains high standards all the way round. High-achieving membership (both in secular and religious life). Affluent. Powerful. Rigorous. Intimidating. The least likely shul to have a scandal.