Temple Beth Am

I know this place well. Really well. «Warts and all» well.
Many people review a shul by its clergy (awesome) or its music (amazing) or the beauty of it’s building. (Understated, but nice.) All of these things can change over time, so I want to speak to the community aspects of this synagogue. I am not particularly religious or pious. One day I was sitting in a average Friday night service daydreaming and looking around (Shh, don’t tell.) and I realized that my friends were in the room with me. Good friends. The kind you can call in the middle of the night when things go south. There are simply great people in this community. Not universally of course. We have our share of wacky folks too just to keep things interesting. Just like your family… or mine! But that is kind of the point, isn’t it!
I disagree with some of the other reviewers that felt the synagogue was not there for them in a time of need. Our family has had some tough times and the shul was there for us. Maybe realistic expectations are the key?
If you are looking for a super inclusive, social action oriented reform congregation you should definitely check it out.

Any review of any shul anywhere in the world should start with the old joke about the Jew shipwrecked on a desert island: He builds two synagogues and when the rescuers find him and ask, «Why’d you build two synagogues?» he answers, «Easy, the first is the one that I should pray in and the other one is the one I should never set foot in.» So, I don’t doubt that if I were a member of Beth Am (or any other shul anywhere else in the world) I’d have some personal feud or snubbing at the hands of the local rabbi to mention. But I’m not a member, I just spend a lot of time there (long story), and from that point of view it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with TBA.
Let’s start with the non-​controversial stuff. Everyone there is warm and friendly and very welcoming of visitors. They’re open to families and individuals no matter where they fall on (or off) of the Jewish spectrum. The same goes for where anyone falls on the racial/​ethnic/​sexual/​gender identity spectra. They’re receptive to people seeking conversion to Judaism and actually celebrate the process, so none of that ask the rabbi three times nonsense. They’ve also got a really big and well-​developed Jewish education program for youth. I don’t know whether the kids in 4^th grade actually study global warming like an earlier review said (though I wouldn’t be entirely shocked, either), but the one teacher I know quite well is really committed to getting her kids some serious chinuch and that seems to be the order of the day around the Sunday School and Tuesday Night Hebrew programs. Speaking of Jewish Ed., they do a whole bunch of adult learning type things usually built around Jewish culture with the pinnacle of their offerings being year long Yiddish classes taught by the remarkable and multi-​talented Wendy M. who also serves as Beth Am’s Music Director in which capacity she puts on quite the show for Shabbos.
I’ve only ever been to Friday night services, which are their best attended ones, and they are, frankly, a hoot. They kick off with a nice oneg and once you’re in the sanctuary the music strikes up and off you go. Thanks in no small part to the aforementioned Wendy and the house band the service seems to breeze by, and you should at some point consider joining the giant hora that forms about a quarter of the way through the liturgy. It’s a pretty standard Reform liturgy so the whole service is usually over somewhere between an hour to an hour and a half (unless they have a long-​winded guest speaker).
After all that, what could be controversial? Well, as one reviewer noted, this is a self-​consciously Liberal institution. That fact typically doesn’t bother me any, but then I’m a self-​consciously Liberal sort of fella. Others of a different bent will likely have a different experience. I have to admit that occasionally the line between an affirmation and a parody of affirmation gets a little blurred there. The partner and I make make it a point not to miss Pride Shabbos (the Friday service during Seattle Pride) and it’s always a lovely and inclusive gathering — they even make sure to have a catered kosher meal available afterward so that Jews who practice the most traditional forms of observance will be able to join everyone else for dinner — but about 30 minutes into an ocean of rainbow kippos and repeated readings from ha-​Rav Harvey Milk even I start to think this might be too much.
Bottom line: Whether you’re a Jew or not, if you’re contemplating a journey into Judaism at whatever level you should give the folks at Temple Beth Am a visit. It may not be where you’ll end up, but it’s not a bad place to start.

Being new to Seattle, and coming from a highly Jewish city, Temple Beth Am was one of the first places I contacted as part of our relocation. From the first contact they were extremely welcoming. We’ve been invited to events and services. We were invited to join classes and become engaged with the community. I’ve been a member at a few synagogues in the past but have honestly never felt as at home as I do here!

My family has been really disappointed with our experience at TBE. The temple has become very political; first advocating for gay rights during the last election, and now advocating for stricter gun control. Rather than simply being inclusive of the LGBT community, the temple is aggressively promoting inclusion. This Sunday, there is a book signing with the author of an LGBT Purim book written for children between the ages of 4 and 9. The political position of the Rabbis is found in the temple bulletin as front page news. There is nothing in the temple bulletin to help congregants deal with common life struggles or to inspire them to be better people. TBE does not feel like a spiritual home in any way.
The quality of the Sunday School lessons vary from year to year, depending on the teacher. My daughter is a 4^th grader and they have been coloring Hebrew letters and watching Sesame Street videos in class which is far below what they’re capable of. We are considering leaving the temple and giving our daughter an independent Bat Mitzvah. Even if you are a person who is socially liberal (as we are), you might want to consider whether or not you want your child studying global warming in Sunday school or having your child aggressively exposed to political beliefs that leave no tolerance for differing viewpoints.

I really feel bad to say negative things about a shul, especially one that I had long familial ties with, but the rabbi provided absolutely no assistance to my family in a time of extreme need and pain.

Been going here nearly a decade and can safely say it’s one of the few places that’s a comfortable Jewish home for us here in the otherwise unaffiliated northwest. We started going here when we were just a couple, then Rabbi Jonathan married us, and we’ve been members ever since.
Here’s the details: This synagogue is affiliated with the reform movement. It’s egalitarian at its core. Gays & lesbians are more than welcome. Interfaith couples? Absolutely. Families with young kids? Tot shabbat on Saturday and Friday night once/​month. Senior citizens? Many many many activities for you. Like to volunteer? Join one of the myriad committees. Hate to volunteer? Show up at one of the events targeted at every niche you could imagine. If you’re even at all interested in learning more about Judaism (whether you’re already a Jew or are dating/​married to one) there’s tons of adult learning classes too — and even a conversion «track» if you’re interested.
There are two main rabbis — Jonathan and Beth Singer (yes, they’re married). Besides leading interesting services they also lead trips to Jewish sites around the world (if you’re up for it). There’s also a great cantor in Wendy Marcus who, along with her husband Sean Weaver, do an incredible job of bringing many cultural and musical touches to the services without making it feel like a church. We haven’t gotten to the religious school yet (our kid is almost old enough) but it’s the largest in the northwest, and the teenage youth group is also very active.
There’s an increasing amount of Hebrew (at least compared to when I was a kid at reform shuls on the east coast) but even if you don’t know a tallis from a tennis racket you’ll be comfortable here as long as you’re interested in exploring or expressing your Judaism.