To the Olam Tikvah poster: at what ages is the Kids Shabbat aimed? Is it on Saturday mornings? I LOVE that it is every week. We belong to a different congregation now but would seriously come check out a weekly Kids Shabbat if we're not too old (mid-elementary).

I'd also be interested in hearing more about why you like the religious school. Most of the places we've been just seem so boring.

OP here. I'm at Kol Shalom which I like for the most part, but I feel like there is a group of men there that act like they own the place and can be very exclusive and snobby. It gives me such a bad feeling when I attend services. On the other hand, there are some very nice people there whose company I enjoy. I LOVE the rabbi. He's absolutely brilliant, I agree with everything he says, and he's very personable. It's just that darn group of men who make me feel like an outsider.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any experience with Reform congregations in Mo Co that welcome families with special needs children?

Try Temple Shalom in Silver Spring.

We love rodef shalom, falls church, va. Absolutely wonderful clergy, welcoming community, DC loved the nursery school and Sunday school. People are friendly, not snooty, reform (grew up conservative though). Love love love this place!

Anonymous wrote:A quick plug for Temple Emanuel in Kensington (Connecticut just outside the beltway). A very warm, welcoming Reform community. Very laid back, with just one Rabbi, one Cantor, a Religious School Director, and a Youth Director. Not clique-ish at all. Wonderful preschool.

This place was bad. Went to a tot Shabbat. The cantor was less then warm and welcoming. The atmosphere was total hippy. No way.

My favorite is Olam Tikvah in Fairfax. It's a big congregation but feels small. The sr. rabbi makes an effort to know his congregants. The asst rabbi is a dynamic young woman.

they've recently improved their religious school and tot shabbat. My kids love going there on Sat mornings. Tot shabbat is taughted by the preschool teachers. the k-1 programing is engaging, and fun for the younger set. the religious school director is there running kids shabbat every saturday. I love the continuity of the kids shabbat. It's every week...not once a month, not every other week. It's just like the primary minyan.

My mom is jewish but my dad is not. They have since divorced and my father remarried. The biggest compliment I can give OT is that one year, Xmas fell on Shabbat. I asked my preschooler if she wanted to go to grandpa's and open presents or go to shul. She wanted to go shul.

Does anyone have any experience with Reform congregations in Mo Co that welcome families with special needs children?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do Washington Hebrew and Temple Sinai compare? We have two small children (2 & 4) and are looking for a welcoming community to join.

They are totally different!!! I have been a member at Washington Hebrew for 10 years (without kids, so on the reduced membership for under 35). It is SO unfriendly, seriously. It is a very very wealthy synagogue with a very nice building. Try a service for yourself and see.

I will say that I did like their kids high holy day services though. Not that I talked to or met other families, but the service was nice.

To be clear, we left because we aged out of their reduced membership program!!

We left Washington Hebrew after about two years. I hated their religious school. Totally boring and unwelcoming and not friendly.

Sorry, I'm the TI poster-- i did mean tomcat Israel in rockville. Although I have been to tifereth Israel in the past, and it seemed nice...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp's, I know BI is B'nai Israel but what is TI?

Tikvat Israel

I thought TI referred to Tiffereth Israel, which is where I belong. I'm not that thrilled with it. We just joined this year and are thinking of switching so I appreciate this thread, OP.

We are thinking of joining Tiffereth Israel this year because of its school. Our friend's kid goes there and she is very happy with it. Tell me, what you you are not thrilled about? I would appreciate it a lot, PP.

Anonymous wrote:How do Washington Hebrew and Temple Sinai compare? We have two small children (2 & 4) and are looking for a welcoming community to join.

They are totally different!!! I have been a member at Washington Hebrew for 10 years (without kids, so on the reduced membership for under 35). It is SO unfriendly, seriously. It is a very very wealthy synagogue with a very nice building. Try a service for yourself and see.

I will say that I did like their kids high holy day services though. Not that I talked to or met other families, but the service was nice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp's, I know BI is B'nai Israel but what is TI?

Tikvat Israel

I thought TI referred to Tiffereth Israel, which is where I belong. I'm not that thrilled with it. We just joined this year and are thinking of switching so I appreciate this thread, OP.

How do Washington Hebrew and Temple Sinai compare? We have two small children (2 & 4) and are looking for a welcoming community to join.

A quick plug for Temple Emanuel in Kensington (Connecticut just outside the beltway). A very warm, welcoming Reform community. Very laid back, with just one Rabbi, one Cantor, a Religious School Director, and a Youth Director. Not clique-ish at all. Wonderful preschool.