Berkeley Hillel Jewish Student Center is a community center and synagogue for Jewish students at UC Berkeley. It has various groups that focus on Jewish issues of social change, Israeli self-determination, Hebrew culture and religious life. Visit the website for a full calendar of events.
Congregation Beth Israel is located just west of downtown. It describes itself as a Modern Orthodox synagogue. It has a pre-school, youth programs and adult Torah study classes and it works with several charitable organizations. Refer to the Web site for a full schedule of weekly events.
"Lehrhaus" means "house of learning" in Hebrew—you would have known that had you taken language classes at this non-denominational center for Jewish studies located across from the UC Berkeley campus. Here, adults of all religions can study with distinguished scholars all aspects of Jewish arts, religion, history, language and life. The courses change frequently and are offered at various locations throughout the Bay Area. The center also houses an extensive library on Jewish studies that is open to the public and hosts study tours of areas of interest around the world.
ISKCON Berkeley (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness) is a Hare Krishna temple south of UC Berkeley campus just west of Telegraph on Stuart. Its full schedule of prayer, meditation and classes are available online. ISKCON also hosts the annual Festival of Chariots in Golden Gate Park.
Congregation Beth El is a synagogue located on Oxford Street in north Berkeley. It is a member of the Union of Reform Judaism Congregations and headed by Rabbi Yoel Kahn. In keeping with Jewish tradition, Congregation Beth El is a House of Study, House of Worship and House of Assembly. Classes are available for nursery school students through adults. The synagogue has weekly sermons and cantorial music, as well as frequent social events so members can participate in the Jewish community as well as interfaith events. Please call or visit the website for more information about Congregation Beth El's extensive calendar of events, or to subscribe to its newsletter.
Congregation Netivot Shalom is on University Avenue just west of downtown Berkeley. It is Egalitarian in structure, has a commitment to Conservative Judaism and is open to people that are Jewish, considering Judaism or intermarried. It has educational programs and events for all ages.
Chochmat Halev is a Jewish community just west of the Ashby BART station that holds religious services as well as educational and meditation classes. Those of all faiths are welcome at this GLBT Safe Zone. Check out Chochmat Halev's a full calendar of events or learn more about its perspective, by visiting its Web site or calling the number provided.