Port Jewish Center

I have been a member of PJC for 36 years, as long as my family and I have lived in Port Washington. Our rabbi is warm, caring and also fun-loving---a winning combination! Her intelligence and spirituality are evident in her teaching and in her leadership of prayer and rituals.Our religious school, led by our wonderful director, encourages students to engage in creative hands-on experiences, providing them with a means to develop pride in their Jewish identities while they learn. The learning extends to families and then to empty-nesters, as we offer intergenerational activities and adult programs, including Torah study with the rabbi. We love the intimacy and feeling of an extended family that we find here.

PJC is a warm, caring and welcoming synagogue. They strive to create a rich educations experience for their religious school students and offer an inclusive community for members and non- members alike. The Rabbi is amazing and once you meet her you will want to stay as a member and bring your friends.

Port Jewish Center is a very special congregation. It is a tight-knit community where everybody knows each other. The rabbi personally knows every member and what is happening in their lives. It is a welcoming community, with lots of interfaith families, in which people can experience Judaism in many different ways. They make the Hebrew school fun for the kids, and the students learn a lot about what it means to be Jewish.

PJC is a unique synagogue in Port Washington where it is both significantly impactful while having a, relatively, small congregation of members. The congregation is diverse and extremely involved. PJC welcomes mixed religious families and members of all background (it even has several members who participate remotely from out of state). The religious school creates such a lovely environment for the children to learn about Judaism, Israel and Torah. As it is one day a week, the children enjoy spending time participating in classes and activities. I have never been a part of a synagogue where the children feel so comfortable and the members enjoy the energy that they bring to services and events. Finally, Rabbi Mendelson bring a warmth and energy to the temple where she connects with all of the families on a very personal level. PJC is a place where you can be involved and get what you want out of the programming and religious services, which are in person and online. I highly recommend PJC.

Rabbi Mendelson and the congregants make Port Jewish Center (PJC) feel like a second home. There is always something fun and interesting happening at PJC with fun and interesting people. Whether celebrating a holiday, getting together for a social or social action event, or simply enjoying the peace and community of a Shabbat service, I always feel welcome. My interfaith family has a been a member of the PJC congregation since my now-college-aged son was in first grade. The PJC religious school model and amazing teachers made it easy and comfortable for everyone in my family to support our son's Jewish education -- through bar mitzvah, confirmation and beyond -- and for us all to connect to Judaism in a way that works for us.

PJC is the BEST! Its congregation is warm and welcoming. Rabbi Mendelson Graf's passion and enthusiasm is contagious. She is engaging and connects with all generations as well as with interfaith families. A homemade, freshly baked challah at the end of each service is just one example of how the Rabbi makes PJC so special. She also continually plans new and exciting events from author talks to religious school family dinners, trips to Israel, superbowl parties, baking hamantaschen, baseball game outings and museum trips. Last but not least is PJC's extraordinary Religious School Director. In PJC's once a week religious school, the children are happily engaged in fun, interactive and meaningful activities. Children's different skill sets are accommodated. I feel lucky to live in a community which offers this special synagogue.

A small caring congregation with a thoughtful, kind Rabbi and outstanding leadership at the religious school. PJC Has become the family we have chosen and are so grateful to be a part of this incredible place.
Fredda and Mark Meltzer

The absolute best congregation! As a member for nearly 50 years, I can speak to this fact. The people are warm and friendly and all are welcome.

It's a house of worship, filled with friendly and welcoming people. I was a visitor from a different congregation, from a different religion, but we prayed together, sang together, cried together, and laughed together about the recent event in Pittsburgh.

Very warm, caring Temple. Great Rabbi. Offers in person and hybrid services. Great for interfaith families.

I’m from a different religion I am a visitor and I would attend occasionally to worship. I find the people very friendly they do welcome outsiders and I think them for that. I’m looking for some peace and tranquility and I pray to God that maybe I can get that piece of mine when a visit the temple. Thank you!

Friendly congregants and President. Top School principle.