Religious Life & Congregations

Religious & Rabbinical Organizations

East Bay
Bay Area
Northern California
San Francisco
South Bay

Congregations

Because Bay Area residents come from a variety of communities and backgrounds, our synagogues take pride in being warm, welcoming and inclusive. Call individual synagogues for information about schedules for services, holiday worship, bar/bat mitzvah training, religious schools, day care, children’s and adult classes, and special program offerings.
Santa Cruz / Monterey
Jewish Renewal
Orthodox

Chabad of Monterey

A popular center for Jews of all backgrounds who want to learn more about their Jewish roots. Offering educational and spiritual opportunities, including Torah classes and lectures, Shabbaton dinners, and family and social activities.
http://chabadofmonterey.com
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Reform
Conservative
East Bay
Independent

Beth Chaim Congregation

Highly engaged community that provides preschool, religious school, b'nei mitzvah program, sisterhood, brotherhood, tikkun olam programs, chavurah, adult education, chesed support, Sharing Shabbat Together, Tot Shabbat and Ruach services. All backgrounds/interfaith families welcome!
http://bethchaim.com
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Minyan Dafna

Independent, traditional egalitarian minyan. Monthly Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning services; High Holy Day services and communal events throughout the year. Committed to halachah.
http://minyandafna.org
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Nishmat Shalom

Egalitarian, observant, feminist. Committed to inclusive liturgy and encouraging women's leadership. Shabbat services in members' homes. Men and women of all backgrounds and orientations are welcome.
http://nishmat.org
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Temple Beth Sholom

Historic synagogue with forward-thinking membership, provides innovative programming while honoring tradition. Renewal cantor uses Reform and Conservative siddurim. Friday night services, monthly family Shabbat services and first Saturday morning services, on line and in person.
http://tbssanleandro.org
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Jewish Renewal

Aquarian Minyan

A Jewish Renewal community combining innovative and traditional approaches. On Zoom, hybrid-in person: weekday noon yeshiva classes, holidays, Shabbats, lifecycle events, guest speakers. Offers participatory worship, deep learning, meditation.
http://aquarianminyan.org
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Chochmat HaLev

A home for a Jewish heart. Dynamic Renewal synagogue with musical celebratory Shabbats, meditation, contemplative and transformative services. Walking distance from Ashby BART.
http://chochmat.org
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Orthodox

Chabad of El Cerrito

Serving the community of El Cerrito. Promotes Jewish identity and pride, study and celebration. Adult education, Hebrew school, Bar/bat mitzvah preparation, Covid-safe Shabbat and holiday programming and social services. No membership required.
http://chabadelcerrito.com
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Chabad House of Berkeley

Spreading Jewish joy and inspiration; mikvah education; adult education, holiday celebrations and Shabbat services. Hebrew school, bar/bat mitzvah training, children's winter and summer camp, prison and hospital visitation. Jewish Lending Library.
http://chabadberkeley.org
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Chabad of Union City

Welcoming Jews of all backgrounds who want to learn about their Jewish roots. Chabad offers a wide variety of educational and spiritual opportunities.
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Congregation Beth Israel

Berkeley's Modern Orthodox community is vibrant and diverse. Indoor daily services, in-person and virtual youth and adult programming, ongoing adult education classes and lectures, engaged membership and inspirational leadership.
http://cbiberkeley.org
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Reconstructionist
Reform
Conservative

Temple Beth Abraham

Living Judaism together as an egalitarian, participatory, vibrant congregation, providing services to preschool, bar/bat mitzvah, confirmation and adulthood. Celebrating Judaism, enjoying Shabbat and holiday celebrations since 1907.
http://tbaoakland.org
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Humanist-Secular
North Bay
Independent

Mendocino Coast Jewish Community

Serving the Northern California coast. Hybrid Shabbat morning services; holiday celebrations, weekly Zoom candle lighting, cultural and lifecycle events, adult/family education, annual women's retreat, Younger Adults, Justice and Elder's Groups.
http://mcjc.org
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Orthodox

Chabad of Marin

Celebrates Jewish life with warmth, humor and tradition. All levels of knowledge and observance welcome. Community meals, catering, koshering services, lifecycle events. Celebrations, hospital visits, holidays, weekly services, educational classes for kids, teens and adults.
http://chabadofmarin.com
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Reconstructionist

Congregation Ner Shalom

Drawing from Reconstructionist roots and the soulfulness of Jewish Renewal, embracing Judaism through ritual, social justice, music, learning and laughter. Nurturing spirituality through learning, prayer and tikkun olam.
http://nershalom.org
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Dorot

Welcomes unaffiliated individuals and families. Workshops and services support Jewish life-learning through a Reconstructionist lens. High Holy Day services, children's education, interfaith programs, b'nai mitzvah training for all ages and lifecycle events.
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Reform
Conservative

Congregation Beth Ami

Monthly Shabbat dinners and holiday celebrations, fostering a strong sense of community. Toddler through teen programming, adult education, library and gift shop. Conservative/egalitarian. Welcomes interfaith, singles and LGBTQ.
http://bethamisr.org
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Peninsula
Independent

Congregation Etz Chayim

Creating community: sing, learn, pray and celebrate. Around 300 Jewishly diverse households. Using a community-created prayerbook for egalitarian, participatory services. Programs for adults, kids and families.
http://etzchayim.org
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The Karaite Jews of America

The only Karaite Jewish synagogue in the United States, representing families with roots in Cairo, Egypt. With its new Karaite Jewish Cultural Center, the synagogue provides advocacy and learning resources throughout the United States.
http://karaites.org
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Orthodox

Chabad of Burlingame

Providing Jewish education on all levels in a friendly, non-judgmental environment through creative and innovative programs and activities. Doors open to all, regardless of affiliation, background or level of Jewish practice and knowledge.
http://chabadburlingame.com
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Chabad of North Peninsula

No membership required to participate. Sunday school, bar and bat mitzvah, preschool, adult education, High Holy Day services and holiday events, adult education. Hebrew tutoring for all ages. Summer camp ages 5-12.
http://chabadnp.com
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Chabad of S. Jose

Shabbat services, adult education classes, holiday awareness programs, Hebrew school, bar/bat mitzvah lessons, drug prevention. All welcome regardless of religious background, knowledge or level of observance.
http://chabadsj.com
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Los Altos Chabad

Offering Jews of all backgrounds and ages innovative and exciting programs: men's and women's classes and groups, monthly Shabbat service, holiday programming, bar/bat mitzvah preparation, children's programs and more.
http://jewishlosaltos.com
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The Village Chabad

A center for Jewish life where everyone is welcome, regardless of background, knowledge or Jewish affiliation. Providing educational programs from preschool through Hebrew school to advanced Jewish learning classes for adults.
http://thevillagechabad.com
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Reconstructionist

Keddem Congregation

Community-led Reconstructionist congregation that is inclusive, egalitarian, participatory, inquiring, innovative and compassionate. Practicing an evolving Judaism that infuses tradition with new meaning.
http://keddem.org
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Reform

Congregation Beth Am

Inclusive Reform congregation. Come worship, study, learn, and schmooze. Family, youth and adult education resources. Participatory worship. Interfaith families and people of color welcome.
http://betham.org
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Congregation Emeth

South Santa Clara Valley's only Reform synagogue. Full religious school, Hebrew school and adult programming. Interfaith families welcome. Overseeing Jewish section of Gan Emet/Emeth Gardens Cemetery in Gilroy.
http://emeth.net
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Conservative

Congregation Kol Emeth

Conservative, participatory, egalitarian, traditional services; daily minyanim; Friday night Shabbat programs; religious school; social action programs; adult and family education; and programs for young professionals,
http://kolemeth.org
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Northern California
Jewish Renewal

Path With Heart

An online Jewish mindfulness community. Offers programs, courses and resources for people exploring their own personal growth within a Jewish framework. An ongoing spiritual community, Hineni, meets online regularly for learning and Shabbat.
http://ravjill.com
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Danville
Orthodox
San Francisco
Independent

Mission Minyan 


Community of Jews who get together for spirited traditional davening (and related festivities) in San Francisco's Mission District. Meets Friday nights for Kabbalat Shabbat and twice monthly on Shabbat mornings.
http://missionminyan.org
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Sephardi-Orthodox
Orthodox

Chabad of Cole Valley

Community-based organization with mission to make Judaism's rich heritage and values available to all. Offering community holiday celebrations, Shabbat services, after-school program and other opportunities to connect.
http://chabadcv.org
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Reconstructionist

Or Shalom Jewish Community

San Francisco’s only Reconstructionist congregation, offering down-to-earth Jewish practices, educational classes for adults and children, and volunteer opportunities. Or Shalom Jewish Community is a modern, dynamic, and musical community of Jews and non-Jews.
http://orshalom.org
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Reform
Conservative

Congregation Beth Sholom

Opportunities for contemporary Jews along with their loved ones and friends to share authentic, meaningful religious and spiritual experiences. Builds and sustains a community empowered to make a positive difference in the world.
http://bethsholomsf.org
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Conservative - Reform

Am Tikvah

With a name that means “people of hope,” this congregation grew out of the 2021 merger of two synagogues, B’nai Emunah and Beth Israel Judea. Embracing myriad Jewish rituals, values, social justice and continued learning.
http://amtikvah.org
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Modesto
Denominations
Conservative
South Bay
Sephardi-Orthodox
Orthodox

Chabad of Almaden

Offering a wide variety of educational and spiritual opportunities for Jews of all backgrounds who want to learn more about their Jewish roots. Featuring holiday celebrations , adult education classes, Hebrew school and Shabbat dinners.
http://chabadalmaden.com
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Chabad of Cupertino

Promoting and strengthening Jewish awareness, pride and observance by providing educational, cultural and social activities to all Jewish individuals and families, regardless of background or affiliation.
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Reform
Conservative

Congregation Sinai

Conservative synagogue in San Jose connecting people to each other, Judaism, Israel and the world. Shabbat and Sunday services and holiday celebrations. Religious school and nursery school onsite.
http://sinai-sj.org
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Corte Madera
Orthodox
Santa Cruz
Orthodox
Emeryville
Orthodox
Petaluma
Orthodox
Mountain View
Orthodox
Santa Clara
Orthodox
Fairfax
Orthodox
Lafayette
Orthodox

Chabad of Lamorinda

A popular center for Jews who want to learn more about their Jewish roots. Offers a wide variety of educational and spiritual opportunities, including Torah classes and lectures, Shabbaton dinners, and family and social activities.
http://chabadoflamorinda.com
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Castro Valley
Orthodox
San Leandro
Orthodox
Concord
Orthodox

Conversions

Most congregational rabbis are available for lifecycle events and to teach Jews-by-choice. Many synagogues have conversion programs. Contact the Board of Rabbis of Northern California at (415) 369-2860, the East Bay Council of Rabbis at (510) 522-9355 or the Cantorial and Rabbinic Association of Greater San Jose at (408) 358-3033. Also see Chapter 3, Lifecycles.

Interfaith Programs

Interfaith programming is provided by most JCCs, JFCS and synagogues, as well as the organizations listed below. Activities include holiday workshops and celebrations, support groups and social occasions. Several local rabbis perform interfaith marriages. Contact individual rabbis or the organizations listed below for further assistance.
East Bay
Bay Area

Building Bridges Together

A nonprofit organization offering easily implementable interfaith dialogue programming for Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith communities. The six-session Interfaith Bridges™ program includes dinner and facilitated discussions.These lay-led programs create meaningful relationships among participants.
http://buildingbridgestogether.net
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