It was okay - Avis employé Communications Specialist Beth Torah Congregation

As much free popcorn as you could stuff your face with. Really fun events that staff also attended. Some truly terrific congregants and staff. A beautiful modern synagogue. A charismatic Rabbi whose congregation adored him and a vibrant community.

If the Rabbi loves you, you are golden. Now, that only lasts a short time and it was longer for me than most - I lasted 2 years. Because when he stops loving you, man does he get mean and fires on a some after saying really cruel things. I saw him do it to so many people over those 2 years. The Rabbi once videoed the staff from Israel without a shirt on, telling us that was what a real man looked like. Other staff could be and were blunt to the point of cruelty. Alcohol is everywhere. In every cabinet. The Cantor was drunk during services most of the time. I had alcohol forced on me once - 5 shots of something very strong that made me vomit in the cab on the way home from work. Some very rude and/or handsy congregants.

There are some very lovely congregants who make coming to work much easier

TOXIC environment. There is constant staff turnover, whether people are being let go or forced to quit; people are often bullied into leaving as the Rabbi will like you and then turn on a dime and work to get you removed. Congregants and staff alike have spoken of the bullying nature of the Rabbi. My job was terminated (due to a "lack of need for my role during restructuring", despite there being a large number of upcoming events, and the synagogue hiring someone in a similar role just a few months later. I did see this change coming however because the Rabbi and Managing Director went from being my biggest fans to being very hostile toward me after an approved 1-week vacation. Being let go while I was in the middle of sitting shiva for my grandmother, and was 8 weeks pregnant was also a tough blow. That said, it was a blessing in disguised because it was best that I leave such a rough environment.