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Thanks to the reviews, other people are able to learn of mistakes or read of the warmth and delight of your gratitude. Please keep your comments--whether praise or criticism--kind and appropriate. This is not the place to ask questions, or post contact information. Inappropriate language, off-topic or duplicate comments, names of individuals criticised, phone numbers, etc will be X'd out or removed, according to the moderator's notice and discretion. Thank you for your comments and participation!

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  perhaps the local newspaper did not 'pick up' because there is no issue.

  Added July 07, 2017 by A Google User
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  Congregation Beth Shalom in Bloomington, IN, is amazing. I'm so sorry Yiddishe Bocher had a bad experience. We're a small community so house many kinds of Judaism under the same roof. The Shabbat morning service is an acquired taste; it is the conservative minyan and run by some very learned, mostly older congregants. Even though some may seem testy, beneath the surface they have hearts of gold. Don't give up. Get to know them a little and then make your judgment. If you want to be embraced by a congregation immediately, come to the Friday night liberal service or the monthly renewal service. Each has different strengths and different gifts to offer you. In a short time, you will be part of this very loving family.

  Added June 11, 2017 by A Google User
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  Beth Shalom is home to most Jews in Bloomington and being a small tight knit group it may at times feel cold to an outsider, however after a friendly "Shabbat Shalom!" you will get your leg talked off. Beth Shalom is the most loving congregation I have ever been apart of, we stand together to support each family as well as the wider Jewish population. I assure you the building is very clean even if it needs some renovation. Being a home it may at times have kids running through it with a few dishes in the sink but it is that spirit that has made me never want to be in any other congregation in Bloomington.

  Added May 06, 2017 by A Google User
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  Congregation Beth Shalom is more than just a house of worship. It is the home to the most supportive and loving community that I have ever know. Our members worship in the way that they find most comfortable be it the liberal Friday evening services, the conservative Shabbat morning minyan, or the monthly renewal service. While we may choose to observe in varying ways - we stand together as one community - one family.
  
  When my husband and I moved to Bloomington, we were drawn to the warmth of this synagogue and impressed by Beth Shalom's commitment to it's members, the greater Bloomington community and the world community. We joined the synagogue, and for the first time ever, we felt that we were members of a truly caring community.
  
  I have dealt with some extraordinary challenges in the past year, and were it not for our wonderful Rabbi and this incredibly loving and caring community, I don't know how I would have gotten through. Beth Shalom is an amazing congregation. You may find some people or practices that you don't care for, but turn around and you will find so many more that you love.
  
  Please join us.

  Added March 14, 2017 by Delia Igo
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  I went to the Shabbat morning services, and this was my first time going to Congregation Beth Shalom. I am new to the area and I want a shul I can call home.
  
  Congregation Beth Shalom greeted me with a luke-warm welcome, I was asked who I was and if I were a student at IU. When I said I was a staff member and not a student or a professor, the conversation ended fairly quickly.
  
  The traditional service itself was nice, but their siddurim lacked transliteration, so it was harder to follow along.
  
  The worst experience came when I was helping them put away siddurim and Chumashes. I was told to come to the kitchen for Kiddush, so I hurried the last of the books and removed my tallis. As I was returning my tallis to the rack, the man yelled at me to come now, they were waiting for me so they could make kiddush. I have never been treated like that ever before at a shul. I hurried in to make kiddush, and afterward I was pretty much ignored so I left. I am never returning to this shul again. If they want to yell at new comers and treat them with an artificial, lukewarm welcome, then they will never grow their numbers.
  
  I certainly wish them the best, but I will not return to that shul. I would recommend you try another synagogue elsewhere, unless being welcomed coldly and then yelled at is your thing, then, by all means, be my guest. Sidenote: I saw the other review for this shul, but I decided to give the shul the benefit of doubt. Big mistake. I'd find another shul if I were you!

  Added December 02, 2016 by A Google User