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• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  A very friendly Conservative Jewish congregation. Small enough to be a real community, but with all the benefits of a much larger congregation. I've been a member for 22 years.

  Added December 08, 2022 by Susan Berger
• ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

  The religious school teachers are in the dark ages when it comes to awareness of bullying. They actually told my child, "well, you should have more self-respect and then maybe other kids will treat you better" and "kids are just rude sometimes" when he was bullied. When we took this up with the director of the religious school, the education director, and even the rabbi, they simply could not understand how damaging bullying is to children. They focused their "zero-tolerance policy" on the one time my child physically defended himself and his sister after years of verbal taunts and physical attacks (tripping, shoving, pushing... always when the tescher's back was turned). As a result, the synagogue became the bully to my whole family. Awful.
  
  Also, the rabbi is uninspiring. She isn't much of a leader and certainly isn't a person I would trust in times of personal crisis or grief. She does read stories to the preschoolers adequately, but my kids say she yells at the children in religious school. When she knew that my son was hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation, she never once asked how he was doing, but suggested I enroll in adult education classes so I could someday have a Bat Mitzvah.
  
  My youngest son loved going to preschool there when he was 2-4, but since changes in leadership have impacted CBE, getting him to go to religious school is like pulling teeth. Probably because the rabbi yells at the kids in his class.
  
  They are very concerned with collection of annual membership dues. This year High Holiday tickets were only sent to families if they paid their dues before a certain date. My family has been struggling financially and not getting tickets sent to us, or even a call to say that we were welcome to come, was immensely hurtful on what should have been a joyous day. Although my children demonstrated shofar blowing at the preschool for years, they were not asked to this year. I guess being an active member for almost 10 years isn't nearly as valued as that annual check. We loved this community when we joined in 2009. It is a shame it has gotten so bad. We miss Rabbi Steve.

  Added November 19, 2018 by Jessica Zaret
• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  So glad we found CBE when we moved to Northern Virginia 3 years ago. My family appreciates the warm community, inspiring Rabbi, and the huge amount of family-friendly programming. We love the outstanding preschool, award-winning youth group, and terrific learning opportunities for all ages. We had excellent experiences making 2 Bar/Bat Mitzvahs here. If you're looking for a synagogue or temple in Northern Virginia, this place is the best.

  Added January 09, 2017 by Jackie S
• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  My oldest son graduated the preschool at CBE two years ago and I still have two children attending the preschool. Last year we joined the congregation We felt welcomed and on several occasions one of a more senior members would reach out and invite us to join events and activities.

  Added December 04, 2016 by Alina Kirshon Goldman
• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  CBE has all the offerings of a large synagogue but with a small-synagogue spirit -- very participatory in prayer services and in programs. A very friendly place.

  Added November 18, 2016 by Susan Berger
• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  This is our son's first year at this excellent school (BEECC) and I really can't speak highly enough about it! His teachers, Theresa and Beth, are so loving and knowledgable about this age group. They do a lot of art, music, and movement in addition to free-play and they get outside as often as possible. There are also rotating specialist teachers, classes are never overfull and always well-staffed. I've met some wonderful friends in the fellow parents and many of us hang out on the playground together after school hours. While there is some Jewish education speckled in, you don't need to be Jewish to attend and the families there now come from all different backgrounds. We are so lucky to have found this school and community!

  Added August 18, 2016 by Lindsay Wieker