Temple Shalom Emeth

Amazingly welcoming and open Temple. The community here is warm and quick to welcome new members. The Rabbi writes awesome kids books and is wonderfully nice.
They have a great Hebrew school program with some of the nicest teachers I’ve ever met! My son has loved it since day 1.
Lots of events and lots of chances for the children to participate in various activities and services.
This temple could never be described as stuffy or uptight and everyone is clearly accepted and welcomed. It’s a great place for families who want to be involved in community events. For me a big plus was that my young sons are welcome at service and no one glares at us if the baby babbles a little.

Yeah, I’m reviewing a shul on Easter. So?
This is the only temple in Burlington. Many people go to the larger, ‘prettier’ Reform synagogues in Lexington or Newton. It’s true the grounds of Temple Shalom Emeth are not much to look at and all three buildings are in desperate need of a huge cash injection to the capital fund. Please G-​d, at the very least do something about that bathroom; your worshippers are freezing. But it isn’t about that, is it? It’s about the rabbi, the cantors, and the community. And that’s why this temple gets five stars.
A published author children’s books, Rabbi Dr. Susan Abramson was one of the first fifty women ordained and is the longest-​serving female Rabbi in Massachusetts, has founded an all-​encompassing Jewish and interfaith adoption information & support network, is involved in many progressive political organizations, and much more. She is a deeply impressive human being and a thoughtful, truly inspiring Rabbi. Although I am most familiar with the exceptional creative talents of Don Levey, both cantors are fantastic.
Every synagogue has ‘temple politics’ and Shalom Emeth is no exception, but the community is great. It was too many years ago that I was in pre-​Hebrew school or Hebrew school to comment on them but the option of three years continued education post-​Mitzvah with the Rabbi is an amazing experience (and I believe they have another two-​year program following that now). The youth group, SEFTY, is fantastic. There is adult education, interfaith groups, and special events. While some shuls are better for young single people or families etc, this temple has an unusually wide demographic range and seeks the involvement of both old and new members.
I am very fond of this synagogue. Try it! You’ll like it.