Rockville, Potomac

Rockville is the third largest incorporated city in Maryland (after Baltimore and Frederick) and is the county seat of Montgomery County. Rockville is the center of the Washington, DC area’s Jewish population.  Here resides the largest of the DC area’s three Jewish community centers, part of a complex which includes a nursing home, assisted living facilities and day school. Rockville is also home to the community’s educational resource center, social service agency, senior services agency and numerous synagogues and organizations.

There is easy access to the Metro and it is an attractive location for home buyers and visitors.  Rockville Town Center, newly developed in 2003, is home to restaurants, funky artistic shops, a plaza which offers live entertainment and fountains, and a the flagship Montgomery County library.  The town has several upscale shopping malls and is one of the major retail hubs of Montgomery County.  The historic Rockville district is also an attraction. The “I-270 technology corridor,” a biotech version of Silicon Valley, runs through Rockville.  Rockville is also within commuting distance of Washington, DC and Northern Virginia.

Potomac is known for its sprawling homes and bucolic setting.  Potomac sits just outside the Beltway along the banks of the Potomac.  River Road, the suburb’s main artery, winds past older neighborhoods of brick colonials on deep lots and newer custom-home developments.  Like the suburbs of Chevy Chase and Bethesda, much of the single-family housing and many condominiums are the most expensive in the area.

As a result, the suburb is home to some of the best public schools in the Montgomery County School District.  The population of Potomac is known for its very affluent and highly educated residents.

The Rockville/Potomac area is home to many congregations that run the gamut of affiliations.  One can find orthodox synagogues that are within walking distance of moderately- to high-priced housing, conservative congregations of differing character, a reconstructionist congregation and  reform congregation.

Rockville

Potomac

Jewish Life

Congregations

  • Aish Hatorah: Orthodox
    • Education: pre-school (Alef Bet Montesorri)
  • Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah: Orthodox
    • Education: Religious school, Nursery School, Adult Jewish Education
    • Additional Programs: Jr. Congregation, Youth Group, Summer Camp, Social Action/Outreach, Sisterhood, Tot Shabbat, Library
  • B’nai Israel Congregation: Conservative
    • Education: Religious School , Junior Congregation, Confirmation Class, Nursery School, Adult Jewish Education
    • Additional Programs: Youth Groups, Single Groups, Young Married Groups, MetroZoog, Scholar-in-Residence Program, Senior Groups, Social Action/Outreach, Men’s Club, Sisterhood, Havurot, Library
  • Chabad Israel Center: Orthodox
    • Education: Adult Jewish Education
    • Additional Programs: Shabbat dinner, children’s services, Mommy and Me classes, women’s circle, koshering services, mezuzah house calls
  • Chabad Shul of Potomac: Orthodox
    • Education: Hebrew School, Adult Jewish Education
    • Additional Programs: Educational and inspirational Shabbat children’s program, Focus on Women’s Study and Social Activities, Young couples groups, Jr. Congregation
  • Congregation B’nai Tzedek: Conservative
    • Education: Preschool, Religious School, Adult Education
    • Additional Programs: Tot Shabbat, Junior Congregation, Youth Groups, Young Married Group, Chaverim, Social Action, Library
  • Congregation Ezras Israel of Rockville: Orthodox
    • Members include ashkenazim and sephardim; traditional, modern, Litvish, and chassidish; and range from “frum-from-birth” to just beginning their exploration of Judaism
  • Congregation Har Shalom: Conservative
    • Education: Preschool School, Religious School, Confirmation Class, Adult Jewish Education
    • Additional Programs: Junior Congregation, Summer Camp, Youth Groups, Social Action/Outreach, Men’s Club, Sisterhood, Havurot, Library, Israeli Dancing
  • Jewish Rockville Outreach Center: Orthodox
    • Education: A variety of adult education classes and lectures
  • Kol Shalom: Conservative
    • Education: Talmud Torah Religious Schools, Hebrew High Religious School
    • Additional Programs: Social Action/ Tikun Olam, Sisterhood, Hazak Chapter of Mature Jews, Youth Groups
  • Magen David Sephardic Congregation: Orthodox
    • Education: Religious School, Adult Jewish Education, Junior Congregation
    • Additional Programs: Youth groups, Sisterhood Local Chapter of Sephardic Education, social & educational programs, Young Couples Groups, Men’s Club Center, social action, Tot Shabbat
  • Temple Beth Ami: Reform
    • Education: Religious School, Confirmation Class, Nursery School, Adult Jewish Education, confirmation class
    • Additional Programs: Summer Camp, Youth Groups, Social Action/Outreach, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Havurot, Library, Senior Programs, College age group, Tot Shabbat, Interfaith programming
  • Tikvat Israel: Conservative
    • Education: Broadman-Kaplan Early Childhood Center, Religious School, Adult Education, Confirmation Class
    • Additional Programs: Summer Camp, Torah Club, Bereavement, Bikur Holim, College Outreach, Senior Hazak Program, Social Action, Youth Groups, Havurot, Jewish Meditation, Rosh Chodesh Group, Sisterhood, Toastmasters
  • Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac: Orthodox
    • Weekly classes committed to the Torah and Torah values

Schools

Preschools

Day schools

*Any student within commuting distance is welcome at any of the area day schools.

Social Services

Kosher

Jewish Shopping

Neighborhood Attractions

Culture/Attractions/Recreation

For a comprehensive list of county parks, click here.

Transportation

Our Local Neighborhoods

Washington, DC

Maryland

Northern Virginia