Churches & Places of Worship near El Cajon, CA

“Not only was it easy for me to get to, everyone was friendly, talkative, and helpful. I definitely plan to come back when I need to. I would recommend this place that could use a little help.”

“I love this place. The people are amazing, like Norma helped me with my membership. They have everything here for young and old . Love My workout class for Senior's.”

“Come as you are. CCLG made me feel valued, welcomed and excepted. Never been to a church that was so welcoming. I was greeted by so many of the members it felt more like a family gathering. I have always felt going into a church that I would be judged by my appearance, not there. The atmosphere was like no other. The worship team was inspiring and a pleasure to listen to. I plan on going back again soon.”

“In response to a visitor who thinks church is a bit big for such a small congregation? We might be few, but we must leave big room for the Holy Spirit to fill the place, my dear. ♥️?”

“I've visited this Church many times with friends and Family and Love the friendly atmosphere ‼️I live in Santee and I'm thinking of registering here because I feel comfortable and it's close to home ❣️”

“最近洛杉磯遇到幾十年難得的奇景， 在很多地方都在上演著雪花緩緩飄落的美景，整個Facebook 都是大家手舞足蹈讚嘆的post, 上次在洛杉磯平地下雪應該是我十幾歲讀高中的時候，再見前庭後院白色一片已是快40 年後，到Downtown 有名的天后宮點蠟燭火， 添點油箱，在心中的信仰，是很重要的一帖良藥，也是支持我生活的的一道力量，祈求葵卯年平安順利， 富足安康！”

“Healthy scriptural foundation, relatable and practical preaching. Awesome culture and atmosphere. I love the ethnic mix. Annointed praise and worship, a place to come as you are, and be restored and loved”

“Overall the congregation is warm, supportive and friendly. I think visitors get a good greeting and are welcomed well. There is good Jewish education from tots to senior adults and Rabbi Benj Fried is flexible and creative that I have experienced thus far, in terms of encouraging congregants to take leadership with different topics and ideas. His mind is sharp. He is very much a scholar and I can see him teaching at university one day.If you want to simply attend service you can. If you want to be involved and engaged you can. There is a lot of lifecycle support. They do an excellent job of supporting people when someone dies. From the moment of death through shiva and the entire year following, there is support in a number of ways. There are multiple groups using the site. The WRJ women's group is active - and even better now that there is weekly mahjong!Jewish holidays are well observed and there is ample space and time to learn the prayers and songs. Hebrew is taught. Interfaith couples are embraced and those who find that this is who they REALLY are, there is a conversion process that involves a long course and engagement. The Purim carnival, Artisan Fair, Sukkot, and high holy days observances - can I give a 10-star? Things are well organized, meaningful, educational, spiritual, welcoming.Rabbi Devorah Marcus, the senior rabbi, is very human and humane, warm, intelligent, good at pastoral care, a connector of people and very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. The congregation is too. Rabbi Marcus has a lot to do! She could use another half of herself!Diversity, equity and inclusion is developing within the congregation. If you are a Jew of Color then you know Ashkenazi Jewish synagogues can be a harsh and unwelcoming place full of microaggressions where people tell you that you are not experiencing what you ARE experiencing. Ideally Black Jews and other Jews of Color are centered throughout a Jewish congregation and it is coming into full flower in TEESD. There was recently, for the first time, Saturday afternoon Kwanzaa shabbat that was attended by a few but enthusiastically received. Rabbi Benj Fried brilliantly tied together the cultural observance of Kwanzaa and the religious observance of Hanukkah with the Torah. When Kwanzaa shabbat moves into Friday night family shabbat with a packed social hall eating dinner together as part of it, that will reflect a movement away from the fringe to centering of Black/Jewish. The congregation participated in Juneteenth in 2023 in a very centering move. The congregation eagerly got behind that educational and social justice work. There are interfaith events for MLK Jr Day and a schedule of relevant films like "Shared Legacies". There is also a good sense of humor and Jewish values incorporated in the community as reflected through, for one example, conversation and insight about films like the Mel Brooks/Richard Pryor comedy "Blazing Saddles" and its use of satirical comedy to address and call out racism. The rabbi emeritus and his wife are beautiful souls who have reflected and been living examples of justice, peace and love, serving through civil rights action, and preaching and teaching about not only that but antisemitism and discrimination against LGBTQ+.Saturday morning Torah study is where you want to be if you want to delve deep into Torah. We often barely make it through two verses in an hour. But a good bagel with schmear and lox and some coffee helps energize your learning abilities.Board members are approachable and work hard to keep the congregation thriving.The admin to the senior rabbi reminds me of my horrible mean 4th grade math teacher, like something you see in a comedy movie. It won't change and could be offensive but it is moreso humorous. However the receptionist/front office person is cheerful, always friendly and helpful. The remainder of the staff are also professional, friendly people.Did I mention there often food and a lot of it? It lends to the warmth and the tradition.Be ready to go through security!”

“We went to Skyline today for the first time. It was a wonderful service, the music was beautiful and the sermon was right on point. We will be there again soon.Thank you Pastor Jeremy McGarity”