Adat Ari El050

Looking for a Jewish home away from your own Jewish home? Adat Ari El welcomes visitors and members into its haimish (Yiddish for friendly - you have to ask?) environment.

The first Conservative Jewish synagogue in the San Fernando Valley, Adat Ari El is a full-service community center, with religious services, member organizations, religious and secular events, and schools. Rabbi Moshe J. Rothblum, Assistant Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard, and Cantor Ira S. Bigeleisen lead the synagogue and its large congregation of more than 850 families.

Adat Ari El Schools offer preschool and elementary school with a mix of Jewish and non-religious education, while the religious school focuses on Jewish studies for kindergartners through seventh graders. A religious confirmation program educates teenagers, 8th through 12th grade.

The synagogue's Youth Department provides a wide selection of activities for children ages 5 to 18, including athletic and social events, USY (United Synagogue Youth for teens) activities, an annual theater production, and a Tikkun Olam social action program.

Music pervades much of what happens at Adat Ari El. Teens can join a youth choir (adults have their own group) and families can attend monthly Friday night shabbat services (shabbat services for adults are weekly in the main sanctuary).

Also, the unique One Shabbat Morning service caters to children preschool through 3rd grade. With music composed and performed by Cantor Bigeleisen and Craig Taubman (of Craig N Co. fame) and leadership from Rabbis Rothblum and Bernhard, kids participate without their parents (but are supervised by synagogue caretakers) in creative services and activities. Pre-registration is required for this popular program.

Membership dues information is available by contacting Joanne Klein through the synagogue's main number or by e-mailing her at jklein@adatariel.org.

Office hours are Mon-Thu 8:30am-5pm and Fri 9am-4pm. For services, Adat Ari El has special hours on weekday mornings, evenings, and weekends.