Temple Emanu-El

This is a warm and inviting community of Reform Jews and their families. All are welcome here. The Bar Mitzvah program, Preschool and Services are all excellent and extremely well run. There is a strong emphasis on service to the community. My favorite temple activity is family shabbat which is a monthly friday night service devoted the themes of love and family unity in the home.

My husband and I were members of Teferith Israel for many years I have always been conservative. My kids didn’t like going to Torah school there was barely any kids in their classes too. The 16 years we were members we never felt quite connected. The rabbi is awesome Rabbi Rosenthal, that’s why it was difficult for us to leave. We did it we went to Temple Emanu-​El my kids are so happy they love going to Torah/​Hebrew school now. the teachers are incouraging and inspiring. My three kids have learned more Hebrew n about the traditions in this one year then all the years they went to Teferith. The parent participation is incredible, and Cathy the director is warm. Friendly and genuine. I love to volunteer here it’s so welcoming from the other members and teachers. So many kids in the kids classes. Changing to this temple was the very best decision we have made. We are so happy n so are each one of our kids. We also feel honored and blessed to be members and have our family be members here.

A very nice place with outstanding facilities. I am there weekly with my kids. It is inviting, well kept, and offers many services for education and worship.

For years my family belonged to Tiffereth Israel until I went away to college. My parents then switched to Emanu-​El when I went away to college. When I came back to San Diego in ’99 my parents had been members for a while and it was so easy to join. It is all of 5 blocks from my house. I was raised in a conservative synagogue so it took a bit of getting used to in the reform temple. The rabbi, Marty Lawson, is a real stand up guy and well-​respected in the community by Jews and non-​Jews alike. When you meet him he’s real easy to talk to and is very warm and friendly. He almost seems more like an older brother than your rabbi.
The original temple was a converted church and wholly inadequate for the 350 families that are members. Last weekend, we had the dedication for the new temple and it is very nice. The place is a definite asset to the neighborhood.