Pico Shul

I am so grateful that I found pico Shul. I’ve been coming here for a month and it is amazing! Rabbi Yonah and his wife Rebecca are so greeting and full of good energy. Everyone that goes there are amazing as well. I recommend everyone to come to pico Shul. You will be glad you did :)

Pico Shul is hands down the best place to be a young professional in the Los Angeles Jewish Community.
I was on a quest to discover my own Judaism and I was able to begin that journey at Pico Shul and with the guidance of the brilliant Rabbi Yonah.
Pico Shul will give you a warm, non judgmental place to pray, learn & grow. There is always something fun going on for the holidays and there are always nice and welcoming people around to do fun stuff with.

Best Shul in LA! Warm, accepting and loving community that promotes Torah, unity and individuality. Always a great place to daven!

Rabbi Yonah is a truly wise and kind man! If you are looking for a community full of life, warmth, youth and a welcoming energy, look no further!

Pico Shul is a beautiful community that is dedicated to spiritual growth. There is a friendly bunch of people and a very welcoming atmosphere regardless of your level of observance.
The food is also worth a mention — the regular kiddushes have quickly become well-​known for their excellent flavor & the perfect setting to hang out with like-​minded people who are dedicated to bring their best selves.
Most importantly the Leadership team of Rabbi Yonah & Rachel are a force of nature and a force of Chesed (loving kindness). Come and Join us!

As a young single jewish professional, that likes a traditional service and fellow hip jewish professionals to socialize with, Pico Shul is amazing. Rabbi and Rebitzen Bookstein have the energy and creativity that infuses all their events with uniqueness and inspiration. I especially liked the camping trip they set up last year. I know a jew going camping, what a novel idea:) But it was way fun! Looking forward to lots of great shabbas lunches and fun social and davening opportunities this coming year. Dr. Dan

I am very non-​traditional – never even had much of a formal Jewish upbringing – and I feel completely at home at Pico Shul.
Yes, it is located in the heart of Los Angeles’ observant Judaism, and is orthodox at its core, but they are very welcoming to people of any observance level, and a great place to connect with others on the spiritual path.
Most of the congregants seem to be younger adults. However, there are many others in my age group (mid 40s) and older. I actually love the fact that so many young people gravitate towards Pico Shul; it speaks for itself.
They are involved in tons of activities year-​round from music festivals to community events.
Last but not least, Rabbi Yonah is a most joyful, enthusiastic and inspiring teacher, and definitely someone you should have in your life!

Pico Shul is a wonderful, warm, welcoming environment. It provides an orthodox Jewish experience that is open to all people from all backgrounds.
YOU are WELCOME at PICO SHUL so come and check it out.
If you want to experience a shul that is warm and welcoming where you don’t have to feel intimidated or pressured in any way, please take the time to check out this very special holy and cozy place!
Rabbi Yonah and Rebbetzin Rachel are wise, warm and wonderful.

Stepping into Pico Shul is to step into a space filled with love, friendship, camaraderie, and above all, strong spiritual energy.
Rabbi Yonah is a heart-​based rabbi, who leads with emotion, intelligence, and depth.
Anyone passing the Shul is sure to hear heart-​felt songs, and the booming of hands on tables, as modern and ancient songs fill the hall.
Rabbi Yonah blends ancient wisdom and modern commentary to the weekly Parsha.
Meals are served among friends — old and new. Havdalah becomes a felt experience, where friends embrace, shoulder-​to-​shoulder, to sing and close Shabbat; the candlelight illuminating the many faces.
Rabbi Yonah and his wife, Rebbetzin Rachel Bookstein, are a firsthand example of a family with solid values, a commitment to growth, and a dedication to teach others.
I consider Pico Shul to be a very special place, and one that needs to be experienced first-​hand by all — it’s a true beacon of light.

There are many things that make Pico Shul unique. Many amazing people have come together to create and grow this amazing community. In addition to the community, there are Jewish learning programs for all levels and fun Shabbat/​holiday festivities. Pico Shul and the amazing community would not exist without their passionate leaders, Rabbi Yonah and Rebbetzin Rachel.
Personally, I had a family emergency and was financially unable to provide a proper Jewish burial for my mother, of blessed memory. Members of the community rallied together to help me and my siblings raise the money. Rabbi Yonah learned of my situation and immediately stepped into action and sent out an email, explaining that a member of the community needed help with a Jewish burial, leaving my name anonymous.
Within 12 hours, Pico Shul reached their goal. From one email, 51 donations poured in ranging from $ 10 — $ 500. «Every Jew is responsible for one another,» is the shul’s way of life. I am forever grateful to the Rabbi and the entire community for participating in this mitzvah.

Pico Shul is an incredible community of young, vibrant, authentic, and eclectic individuals seeking to connect to their Jewish roots. Rabbi Yonah and his wife, Rebbetzin Rachel Bookstein are incredible bastions of Jewish spiritual connection and practice, and have created an environment that is incredibly hospitable and welcoming.
Definitely come and check out Pico Shul — the cholent alone is worth the visit!

Pico Shul is an Orthodox, eclectic, authentic community focused on people age 40 and under. Its primary goal is for attendees to take their spiritual growth seriously, but brilliantly creates a non-​judgmental space of love, joy and acceptance to do so. Expect to interact with people of all stripes and religious affiliations. Somehow, Pico Shul — led by its spiritual leaders, Rabbi Yonah Bookstein and Rebbetzin Rachel Bookstein — is able to channel the passion of its diverse attendees into a unified, cohesive atmosphere.
While many synagogues have set patterns of how they conduct their operations, Pico Shul is constantly shifting its colors, flavors, people, and points of connection in a mindful manner. Everything about this community — from its delicious and healthy kiddushes, to its heartfelt prayer, singing and dancing, to its opportunities for study and learning — attracts those who are searching for the gateways of their soul to be opened.
I recommend Pico Shul to any Jewish, young professional looking to connect with the Jewish people and who desires to commit themselves to working towards spiritual transcendence.

Pico Shul is the most welcoming and warm orthodox community I have ever experienced. Everyone in the community really cares about each other and giving back to the larger Los Angeles Jewish community. If you’ve never seen it, you should check it out for yourself!

I have never seen a shul more seamlessly integrate art, spirituality, chesed and pure ahavas into their practice than I have at Pico Shul. However, to refer to it simply as a ‘shul’ is to sell it short. I have found it to be much more a vibrant, welcoming community that binds souls together in their love of all things Jewish and Spiritual. From epic high holidays programs to weekly Shabbat services, ongoing classes, art shows & musical performances it richly covers the gamut of Jewish communal experience.
Rabbi Bookstein who runs the organization with his wife, is really unique: he’s an American who studied at Oxford and has dedicated his entire life to Jewish outreach. He’s run a ton of outreach programs at unusual venues, including rock & film festivals like Coachella & Sundance & created the massively successful Jewlicious Festival (which he held aboard the Queen Mary!)
The Booksteins really know how to reach out to people with creative, unique event programming: during sukkot they constructed a giant retro movie theater (complete with a concession stand) inside an enormous sukkah for a spontaneous film festival that people are still buzzing about! They continuously find new, stimulating ways to embrace and experience Judaism and share it in a gentle, authentic manner that makes everyone feel welcome.