Temple Emanu-El

I'd like to speak about how helpful Barbra Gerber was in explaining things to me and then giving me information so that I may still go to Temple on Friday even though it's closed.nnShe explained to me the live stream which I will be watching Friday January 22, 2021 at 7:15pm.nnBarbra Gerber thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've reached out to many lately and she took the time to help me. Thank you!

It was a very tight knit community which I loved to see. Of you saw my reviews on some hotels based in Sarasota and Tampa, you'll see that I had a broken foot. This synagogue was extremely accommodating. I just did not see this as a traditional synagogue with there being drums and tambourines and other instruments during meaningful prayers. Whoever the rabbi was is one of the best I have ever seen as well!

Great Rabbis and a beautiful, recently-renovated synagogue. To me, the Rabbi makes the Temple. Temple Emanu El's main Rabbi, Brenner Glickman is the best Rabbi I ever saw. He is extremely friendly and warm and gives great sermons. He is very approachable and his wife, who is very sweet, too, is also a Rabbi and they just hired another assistant Rabbi, who is very nice and kind and knowledgeable, too. There is a great religious school, where they focus on making Judaism a fun experience for the kids. There are lots of interfaith couples at the Temple, and, this being Sarasota, a lot of people from other places. There is a very warm, family feeling there. I have not observed any cliques like there can be in Temples in other cities, probably because there are so many people from other places. It is a Reform Temple, so there is a strong focus on charity and community service. I think Temple Emanu El is the biggest Temple in the area now and I know that the religious school has the most students. However, they manage somehow to make you feel like they know you and manage not to treat you like a number. I came from a Conservative Temple and I notice that the services are shorter and more in English. The Rabbi doesn't wear a Yarmulke, as happens in some Reform Temples, but his sermons are pretty neutral politically and do not have a strong liberal bent, as also happens in some Reform Temples. The Rabbi has a strong connection to Israel.

Temple Emanu-El is like a second home for our family. The religious school is superb - my kids actually look forward to attending - and the monthly family services are a delight. To hear children reciting prayers fluently is something to behold. There are abundant programs for young and old to enjoy all year 'round and the congregation's commitment to community service is incredible. Rabbi Brenner Glickman is an inspiration who serves to connect his congregants to Judaism and each other. We have made an entire community of friends that we socialize with regularly. We can't imagine any other congregation for our family!

What makes a great congregation? It is the people. Temple Emanu-El has the best.