Congregation Beth Israel

A warm, welcoming, absolutely enormous temple! The size is important in my opinion because that means: something for everyone! We were there for Yom Kippur Kol Nidre services, so got a feel for the large scale culture. Very impressive!

Beth Israel is the historic center of Jewish life in San Diego. An inclusive Reform congregation, it offers a warm welcome and a nurturing home to all who seek a meaningful and enduring connection to Judaism.
After just finishing a year-​long celebration of its 150^th anniversary, the congregation today is celebrating a time of engaged members, stability, and peace in the house. Programs are available for many interest areas within the larger temple community.
Exciting news in worship: Beth Israel will move all its high holy day services to its own synagogue in 2013. This move provides the opportunity to re-​envision high holy day worship.

I have been an active member and regular attendee at Beth Israel worship services, educational programs, and social events for many years. Beth Israel offers a variety of services and programs that appeal to a wonderfully wide segment of the community, members and non-​members alike. I especially enjoy the Friday night services (check their website at
for service times), the Torah Study and lay-​led Minyan service (both held on Saturday morning). The «Soul Food Shabbat» service held at 8:30 on the 2^nd Friday of the month is extraordinary! So very spiritual, moving, and entertaining. Make a point to attend this service if you live in town or are visiting San Diego. The «Chai» service held on the last Friday of the month is also quite fantastic. The volunteer choir and band add so very much to the worship experience.
Beth Israel offers wonderful programming, educational classes and speakers, surely something for everyone. A very welcoming and inclusive community. Check out Beth Israel if you are visiting San Diego or if you are a long time or new resident of San Diego. If you are new to Judaism, just exploring, or have a strong familiarity, you will greatly enjoy your experience at Beth Israel San Diego.

As for Synagogue, I am a twice a year Jew, I go to temple for the high holidays and that is all. My mom and I went downtown for the services at the Civic Center and let me tell you, it was the most impersonal feeling I have felt in a long time. Not only was the rabbi an end zone away from me but there were 3000 people there who care less about Judaism than a Woody Allen fan (me). I love my religion, my culture and my race, but this synagogue did not remind me of the reasons for loving it. I understand that the high holidays are not a time to love the religion, they are more for contemplation and reflection on your year.
There was an organ at this temple as well as a goyish (not Jewish) choir, and oh how apparent it was. The choir were apparently professional so that is why they were not members of the tribe, but I heard one harmony that was familiar and sounded like he was singing Hebrew instead of phonetically reading the English break down. The Organ was the worst part, it kept on reminding me of two things and confusing my internal dialog, after a while I could not tell if I was at a church or a baseball game. Da da da da da da… Charge. Instead of thinking about my previous year’s faults I found myself debating whether or not Khalil Green would ever get back to his old self.
Can’t really review the normal services but the high holidays were sub par.