Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center — Local services in Pasadena

This is not an easy review to write; I do so w/ tremendous inner turmoil as I am ultimately a member of the larger Pasadena Jewish community—a small world onto itself.

Yet in the end, being a Jew who believes in Tikkun Olam, I should speak.

We live 1/2 mile away-to choose to not be a member of this this temple is not minor. In fact, we have tried—1st joining in 2009 we left 1st time bc, we didn’t feel sincerely welcome as a young family. The lack of support + direct competition w/ the struggling day school, Weizmann, where r son attended. We were committed to building Weizmann back up, keeping a Jewish Day School in the SGV. The school was on the campus of PJTC but not affiliated. Yrs of despair followed. A great deal could have been done to keep this school, for PJTC to be adaptable not static, to see why a temple should support jewish education financially. But the Day school reduced their religious school enrollment. Weizmann has since closed. PJTC’s religious school now uses the entire campus, including the playground Weizmann parents built w/ their funds, hearts, + elbow grease.

This alone isn’t a reason PJTC is problematic, it is AN example of what’s fundamentally problematic w/ PJTC modus operandi as it relates to younger families.

3.W/o getting into too many details—the nail in the coffin was when the Board voted to ‘not renew’ the new Rabbi’s contract after 2 yrs. This Rabbi had moved across the country w/ his very young family for this position. And many many of us felt connected to PJTC for the 1st time bc of him. After a decade, this was the only board meeting I had asked to speak at— we had rejoined PJTC w/ the intention of being more involved in order to make it a place more welcome to younger jews (‘younger’ defined as not retired). We actively participated in recruitment of the new rabbi—who made PJTC feel like a place where crying babies + single millennials wandering in for Shabbat was normal. We felt at ‘home’. Finally. And we weren’t alone. We invited our friends who had left PJTC for similar reasons, they agreed—the synagogue felt alive, they felt welcome. For once, I personally didn’t feel like I was disturbing the congregation when I’d enter w/ my children.

In the end, despite the many of us who spoke at the meeting, the Rabbi was let go. Just like that. His life thrown into quite a whirlwind. How could we treat a fellow Jew like this? My children and his children were growing up together. I couldn’t bare to be part of any institution that could dispose of a very well liked Rabbi who they had displaced for this position in such a way.

There was an uproar after this occurred. Many of us took to FB to show our support for the Rabbi, including myself. I received a call from a board member—who is also an attorney—asking me to ‘consider’ taking down my post about the board’s decision.

To me, this was another example of how PJTC operates—lack of transparency & a disconnected board.

Ultimately, PJTC didn’t seem like a temple led by a Rabbi—rather the Rabbi was to be a figurehead who would defer to the Board & the Cantor

From my decade-long experience, PJTC isn’t fundamentally invested in the future of Judaism in the SGV (except for our high dues —families 40+ & religious school tuition), nor what Rabbi’s role is—the Cantor and Board felt like clergy by proxy, w/ little respect for the position of a Rabbi.

Lastly, this happened. After YEARS of religious school prep for his bar mitzvah, our son—who has an IEP—couldnt get through the 60 min+ ceremony w/o sig distress. We discussed w/ rabbi (B4 they fired him)—he was understanding, suggesting a modified reading.The Cantor: more $ for 1:1 tutoring, + mb I should focus less on my job, be more present as a mother, bc, “He didn’t ask to be born.” The Cantor’s decision over-rode the Rabbi’s. Mom-shaming, insensitivity to a child’s disability, all while asking me to pay more doesn’t make for a spiritual home.

Perhaps things have changed, if not, that is why I wrote of...

To be honest, I don't have a lot of synagogue experience to compare PJTC to, but I don't think many temples could beat it. When I went looking for a Jewish community to be a part of, I didn't know what to expect. (I am not Jewish, but wanted to follow the Jewish faith.) I sort of just stumbled upon it through one of their rabbis whom I enjoyed listening to. Because I don't live in California, I had to attend virtually. This was during the COVID shutdown in 2020/2021. I was warmly and lovingly welcomed into this beautiful group of people. Everyone there did everything humanly possible to involve me in almost every aspect of Jewish/temple life, even though I lived far away in another state. Although the distance and personal life situations caused me to stop attending for about three years, I was finally able to start back, and I have, once again, been welcomed back in with the same love and kindness they have always shown me. The fire that horribly took away the lovely building has not diminished the spirit and resolve of the clergy and congregants. They are persevering and growing! When I attend services online, the people rejoice and praise God with the same fervor as before. They carry on steadfastly, proving that, with or without a temple building, it is the Jewish people as a whole, in the presence of Almighty God, that is the most important thing. I love PJTC. I've never been to any other Jewish services...

This synagogue is such a great place! The community is super welcoming and really makes you feel at home. The services are thoughtful, and the atmosphere is warm and inclusive. It’s a fantastic spot for anyone looking to connect with a supportive Jewish community....