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.
East Bay

Aquarian Minyan
A Jewish Renewal community, combining innovative and traditional approaches. Meets for holidays, potluck Shabbats, lifecycle events, guest speakers, and progressive discussion groups throughout Berkeley. Offers participatory worship, deep learning, meditation and dance.
http://www.aquarianminyan.org
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Chochmat HaLev
Dynamic Renewal shul with musical celebratory Shabbats, meditation, contemplative services and transformative High Holy Day observance. Meditation, Kabbalah, mysticism and adult/children's education. Walking distance from Ashby BART.
http://www.chochmat.org
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Congregation Beth Emek
Shabbat services with guitar, lots of singing and inspiring sermons. Participatory Shabbat morning Torah study. Outstanding preschool, religious school and adult education. Family services, senior groups and vibrant youth group.
http://www.bethemek.org
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Minyan Dafna
Independent, traditional egalitarian minyan in Berkeley. Meets for monthly Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning services. Also meets for High Holy Day and occasional other holiday services. Vibrant, energetic, and inclusive community committed to halachah.
http://www.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://www.nishmat.org
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Temple Beth Abraham
Living Judaism together as an egalitarian, participatory, vibrant congregation, serving from preschool, bar/bat mitzvah, confirmation and adulthood. The congregation has celebrated Judaism since 1907, enjoying Shabbat and holiday celebrations.
http://www.tbaoakland.org
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Temple Beth Sholom
Independent synagogue, Reform rabbi, Renewal cantor using Reform and Conservative siddurim. Everyone welcome. Services Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. Torah and Hebrew schools, adult Torah study, preschool, kosher kitchen.
http://www.tbssanleandro.org
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Santa Cruz / Monterey

Chabad of Monterey
A popular center for Jews of all backgrounds who want to learn more about their Jewish roots. Offering a wide variety of educational and spiritual opportunities, including Torah classes and lectures, Shabbaton dinners, and family and social activities.
http://www.chabadofmonterey.com
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North Bay

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. Warmly welcomes interfaith, singles and LGBTQ.
http://www.BethAmiSR.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.
http://www.rrc.edu
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Zmanim
Zmanim (seasons), a nature-connected, spiritual Jewish community in West Sonoma County. Programs for children and adults to engage body, heart, mind and spirit, exploring and celebrating connections between Judaism and the natural world.
http://www.zmanim-seasons.org
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Peninsula

Chabad of San 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://www.chabadsj.com
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Chabad of Sunnyvale
Open door to the entire Jewish community. Children's programs, bar/bat mitzvah preparation, teen club, Chabad Hebrew school. Adult education. Beginner and children-friendly services on Shabbat and holidays. Camp Gan Israel, summer and winter.
http://www.chabadsunnyvale.com
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Congregation Emeth
South Santa Clara Valley's only Reform synagogue, with 80+ families. Full religious school, Hebrew school and adult programming. Interfaith families welcome. Overseeing Jewish section of Gan Emet/Emeth Gardens Cemetery in Gilroy.
http://www.emeth.net
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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 foryoung professionals,
http://www.kolemeth.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 forthcoming Karaite Jewish Cultural Center, the synagogue will provide advocacy and learning resources throughout the United States.
http://www.karaites.org
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San Francisco

Congregation Anshey Sfard
Morning minyan Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 a.m. Shabbat services led by cantor on Friday night and on Saturday morning, followed by a luncheon. Children's Hebrew classes are ongoing.
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Russian Speaking Jewish Community
Traditional congregation serving the needs of Russian-speaking Jews in San Francisco Bay Area. No-membership High Holy Day program. Youth/teen programs. Bar/bat mitzvah classes.
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The Kitchen
A religious startup, an innovation-driven community that helps people live Jewishly in order to change lives, make meaning and invest themselves in the world.
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West Bay Chavurah
Jewish Renewal celebratory evening gatherings such as occasional Shabbat and Havdallah events. Services are inclusive and participatory. Potluck vegetarian meals.
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