Kesher Israel Congregation

The people writing the reviews are the only kind thing about Kesher. They preach politics from the bimah, like churches, except its extreme right wing. There is an effort to attract a healthy minded younger crowd but the majority successfully manage to scare others away.

After searching for my shul all over Philly — I have finally found the Jewel I was looking for: Kesher Israel is a welcoming religious community that is both spiritually and intellectually enriching, while being welcoming and making me feel at home. Lets just say, I look forward to Shabbat services followed by the best kiddish in town (even though it means that I have to wake up early on Saturday — its more then worth it). The people become your friends, the rabbi is enlightening yet down to earth, and the cantor has a gorgeous voice and includes you in the singing. Kesher is the synagogue that I was looking for all along, come on by and see for yourself. L’chaim !

Kesher Israel is a warm and welcoming religious community, housed within a beautiful historic building. A brilliant and accessable rabbi, a cantor whose kids are in the hebrew school here (there’s also a pre-​school in house), and egalitarian conservative literagy all make this place wonderful, however, its the people who make this place really special. I look forward to waking up early on a Saturday to come see friendly faces, reflect on the week, and enjoy a delicious meal after services. See you there.

Kesher Israel is the Spiderman of shuls — your friendly neighborhood synagogue. It isn’t looking to be a mega shul, but it is growing its membership and programming and has a very community-​oriented atmosphere. Kesher Israel offers traditional egalitarian services (a traditional prayer book, mixed seating, women with aliyot, etc), lunch after services every week, and weekly Torah study. The rabbi is South Philadelphia born and raised and worked for a number of different synagogues in the area before landing here. He gives rambling, but very interesting/​funny/​theological d’vars. The cantor seems to know his stuff and invites congregant participation. There is an active group of lay leaders and regulars who seem very invested in Kesher Israel. My only complaint is the website, which is awful, but it’s an easy fix and certainly shouldn’t deter you from visiting.