The Neshamah Institute Reviews

Mark Deutsch 2026.03.09

     

Our family was incredibly fortunate to have found Rabbi Amy Rader and the Neshamah Institute. We were searching for a way to offer our son a start to his Jewish education, beginning at the late age of 11, and a community that we could turn to easily practice our faith in a reformed setting and without judgement. Sure, we celebrated the holidays during the year, but my wife and I felt that our son needed a bit more learning, leading to his bar mitzvah, that would come less than 2 years later. The Neshamah Institute made my son, Daniel, (and us) feel welcome. My 11- 13 year old son even enjoyed the classes that he attended on Sundays, which in itself was a miracle. It was simple to see why...Rabbi Amy and her teachers Lori, Shelley, Kira, Jennifer and Cantor/Rabbi Sharon were kind, knowledgeable and taught with an open heart, sincerely wanting Daniel to succeed. He felt their warmth and they have a unique ability to remove any anxiety and fear associated with learning something new and with presenting in front of a room of friends and family. We are proud to say that Daniel had a beautiful Bar Mitzvah last week and it truly would not have been possible without the Neshamah Institute Team. Rabbi Amy is an wonderful, inspirational person and leader. She made us feel very welcome and lead us to wanting to attend monthly Shabbat Dinner and Services. If you are looking for a friendly, special place to informally practice your Jewish faith, give Neshamah a try. We are so thankful that we did.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute

Thank you Mark! We adore Daniel and your family and are so grateful for your kind review. Daniel is such a gem and brought so much curiosity and joy to our classes. We are excited to continue sharing Jewish life together in the years to come! Mazal tov and many thanks!

robin 2026.02.17

     

Rabbi Radar was so supportive before during and after my mother’s funeral. Can’t say enough about the Neshamah model. So impressed we’re doing a scholarship in her memory!

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute

Thank you Robin! It was such an honor learning more about your brilliant mom, Sandy. We will continue educating our students in her memory!

Josh Eidenberg 2026.01.25

     

If you have been blessed with discovering The Neshamah Institute don’t think twice. God sent you 😉. You can visit the website now or expereince it through my lens over the years….👇 The Neshama Institute has become one of the most meaningful Jewish communities for me and my family. We love attending their monthly Shabbat services—including the truly magical ones on the beach—and our experiences during the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) have been especially powerful. The services are deeply musical, inclusive, and accessible, with a thoughtful blend of Hebrew, English, translation, interpretation, and reflection. It genuinely feels like it’s for everyone, regardless of background or level of observance. Growing up, I knew many of the prayers by heart—but I didn’t always know what I was actually saying or why. Rabbi Aimee has an extraordinary gift for bringing depth, meaning, and relevance to the prayers. Through her teachings, explanations, and framing, I feel truly connected to the words and intentions of the service in a way I never did before. One moment that really stood out was during Rosh Hashanah, when Rabbi Aimee invited everyone up for aliyah in large groups—it was inclusive, moving, and deeply communal. That spirit of belonging runs through everything Neshama does. I also love Rabbi Aimee’s weekly Shabbat emails; they consistently offer insight, reflection, and grounding. I’m 36 and my fiancé is 38, and we feel completely at home here. We see people of all ages and stages of life, and it’s rare to find a Jewish community that feels this welcoming, thoughtful, and alive. I would wholeheartedly encourage other young Jewish couples—and anyone seeking meaning, connection, and soul—to attend and experience Neshama Institute. Deeply grateful for this community and everything it offers.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute

Josh, thank you for sharing your Neshamah experience here! You are an essential part of our community and I've loved watching you grow and expand in your Judaism over the recent years. Looking forward to many joy filled moments ahead!

Susan G. 2025.12.23

     

I am so glad that I was introduced to Rabbi Amy and The Neshamah Institute at a time in my life when I was looking to connect to my faith. I felt immediately connected to Rabbi Amy’s modern interpretation of Judaism and the congregation has been warm and welcoming. I have participated in several mitzvah projects and have met many wonderful people, along with helping our community. I have found my “home”!

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.12.24

I'm so happy you're part of our Neshamah family, Susan! You bring such a beautiful attitude and positivity to our community. So much more learning and growing is ahead! Welcome home :)

Rachel Cutler 2025.12.23

     

Nashma Institute Synagogue is an incredibly warm, welcoming, and inspiring community. Rabbi Rader is a truly exceptional rabbi—knowledgeable, thoughtful, and deeply caring. Her teachings are meaningful and relevant, and he has a rare ability to make everyone feel included and valued. The atmosphere at Nashma is uplifting and genuine, whether you’re attending services, learning, or just connecting with others. It’s a special place that nurtures both spiritual growth and a strong sense of community. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a synagogue that truly feels like home.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.12.23

Thank you Rachel! From your Bat Mitzvah to our adult cooking crew you are an inspiring member of our community!

Brent Routman 2025.12.23

     

Rabbi Rader and the Institute are remarkable. Loving, sensitive, and supportive. We couldn’t have asked for a more meaningful and comforting experience. Thank you.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.12.23

Thank you Brent! I loved seeing your family together and laughing about Sylvia and honoring her memory. Thank you for being part of our Neshamah family!

Rachel Kaplan 2025.11.25

     

Rabbi Amy and her entire staff at Neshamah Institute are incredibly professional, supportive, and dedicated to their students and families. Over the past year, my daughter had the pleasure of working with Lori to help her learn Hebrew for her Bat Mitzvah. As my daughter is a competitive dancer, Lori was beyond caring and flexible with her schedule to ensure Alexa practiced every week and was prepared for her service. Rabbi Amy treated us like family and we could not be happier with her patience and kindness she had for my daughter. Our guests were very impressed with the beautiful service Rabbi Amy helped create. Thank you from the Kaplan family!!!

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.11.26

Thank you Rachel! We loved sharing this milestone with your family! Big mazal tovs from all of us!

Mayya Fishman 2025.11.18

     

My wedding was wonderful. Rabbi Rader is the best!

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.11.18

Thank you Mayya! You were a beautiful bride and I love seeing you under the chuppah!

jessica evelson 2025.11.15

     

Since we joined The Neshama Institute we felt incredibly welcomed. Our son prepared his Bar Mitzvah here. Rabbi Rader , Jennifer, Carol, Shelly were all amazing and helped Lucas prepare for his special day! Keira was on top of everything as well as other staff at Neshama. We are incredibly thankful for everything!!

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.11.16

Thank you Jessica! It was so memorable to see Lucas on the bima! He was confident and full of joy :) I'm so thrilled to share Jewish life with your family.

Jill Hodes 2025.10.29

     

Neshamah is not only a religious school, but an entire Jewish family. We have absolutely loved the Jewish education as well as the services and programming. We will always feel grateful to have found this home.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.10.30

Thank you Jill! We're 3 for 3 with outstanding Bnai Mitzvah in your family. Thank you for sharing your family with us!

Ellen Davis 2025.10.27

     

Neshama is so special, and Rabbi Rader’s services are warm, meaningful and welcoming. My son and daughter in law were married by Rabbi Rader and she truly made the connection between them shine through so beautifully. My family looks forward to celebrating many more simchas and a wonderful spiritual future with Neshama!

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.10.28

What a beautiful couple and a wedding showered (just a few light rain drops) with so much love. Thank you for sharing this memorable day with me and our Neshamah community! Mazal tov!

Jennifer Cohen 2025.10.27

     

Neshamah Institute is a wonderful and inclusive place for learning about Jewish culture, traditions and theology. Rabbi Rader and the rest of the staff have created something truly special and serve the community in such a beautiful way. Both of our sons had the privilege of becoming a Bar Mitzvah under her guidance and we could not be more pleased to have chosen Neshamah as their home for carrying on such an important religious and cultural tradition. In chaotic times, the world needs more places of peace and learning like this!

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute

Thank you Jennifer. It was an honor to study with your sons and share this meaningful experience with your family. We are grateful that families like yours make your Jewish home with our community.

Elan Klein 2025.10.27

     

Our son recently had his Bar Mitzvah with Rabbi Amy at the Neshamah Institute. The feedback that we received from family and friends is a testament to the amazing work she puts in to creating a learning environment that is both enriching and enjoyable for the student. Our attendees were impressed that our son was able to co-lead the service, read from the Torah, provide engaging and informative speeches on several topics, and recite the prayers. Our son also enjoyed his time participating in Hebrew School. So much so that he would like to volunteer at Neshamah now that his Bar Mitzvah studies are complete. We are grateful to Rabbi Amy and the whole Neshamah staff for creating a warm and supportive environment for our son and all of her students.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.10.28

Thank you so much Elan! Emerson was a true Jewish young man on the bima with so much poise and knowledge. We are thrilled he'll be back as a teen tutor with our younger students. Mazal tov to Emerson and your family!

Sandy Gerstein 2025.10.27

     

For over 16 years, the Neshamah Institute has been an important part of our family’s Jewish life. We followed Rabbi Amy Rader when she started Neshamah, and it immediately felt like home. Our son continued his Bar Mitzvah training with her, and watching him truly connect to it was amazing. When we went to Israel for his Bar Mitzvah, Rabbi Rader (and her son!) joined us to tour, and she officiated at the Kotel. It was such a beautiful and meaningful experience for all of us. Over the years, we have celebrated so much with Neshamah: High Holidays, Sukkot, Neshamah Mamas, monthly Shabbat, Beach Shabbat, Mitzvah projects, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and more. My parents and in-laws have been involved for over 15 years, and have brought many of their friends into the Neshamah fold as well. The people here don’t feel like a congregation. It feels like family. Rabbi Rader has been there for us through the happiest celebrations and the hardest times. She officiated memorials for my grandparents, helped celebrate our 25th anniversary, my parents’ 60th, and so many birthdays and simchas. I’ve never felt such a personal connection to a rabbi or a Jewish community. The Neshamah Institute is truly our Jewish home. It’s where we feel connected, supported, and surrounded by people who care. We are so grateful to be part of this community.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.10.27

thank YOU Sandy! You have been instrumental in building Neshamah and guiding our mission to be an open door Jewish home for people of all backgrounds. We're so thrilled to share all of Jewish life with your family.

Marion Malkin Taub 2025.10.24

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It is a unique congregation in South Florida. Rabbi Amy is welcoming. We meet for Shabbat 6 times a year. We have dinner and listen to Rabbi’s sermon. We have attended High Holiday services for several years. It is inspiring. The choir is wonderful. All in all it is an enriching experience.

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Stacey Labell 2025.10.21

     

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We can’t say enough wonderful things about Neshamah and Rabbi Rader. From the moment we first walked in, we were welcomed with open arms and genuine kindness. The community is warm, inclusive, and truly feels like family. Rabbi Rader is compassionate, inspiring, and always takes the time to connect personally with everyone. The services are meaningful, the programs are engaging, and there’s a real sense of belonging here. We feel so grateful to have found such a special spiritual home.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.10.21

Thank you Stacey! I'm so grateful your family is part of our community. It's incredible to see your kids growing up!

Maxine Ofsowitz 2025.10.16

     

The entire service was wonderful, and the rabbi’s message was both insightful and engaging. The Yizkor (Memorial) Service was conducted with great empathy and beauty, allowing each family or individual to come forward and recite the names of their departed loved ones in remembrance. Everything was handled with care and reverence, creating a deeply meaningful experience. General organization was excellent, the choir sang beautifully, and security was also provided, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for all.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.10.17

Thank you Maxine! It's been so wonderful sharing B'nai Mitzvah and Shabbat with your family. We're so grateful for your active participation!

Jaime Bueller 2025.10.16

     

The high holidays were such a warm and inviting experience. I’m looking forward to being part of the future, Shabbat services and holidays.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.10.16

Thank you Jaime! It was great to start the new year with you!

shelley katz 2025.10.15

     

The Neshamah Institute is a community filled with kindness, purpose, and shared values. It’s a place where learning, and genuine care come together in the most meaningful way. From the inspiring leadership & dedicated staff to the warm and welcoming families, every person contributes to creating a community that feels like home. There’s a real sense of connection here, where everyone is valued, supported, and celebrated.I feel grateful to be part of such a beautiful community.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute 2025.10.16

Thank you Shelley! You have been a valuable member of our community since the very beginning!

SVETLANA KISLIN 2025.10.15

     

Rabbi Amy Rader’s Neshamah Institute congregation has been a part of all my family’s milestones. From teaching our daughters Torah and officiating their Bat Mitzvahs to the difficult times such as my mother’s passing, through it all Rabbi Rader shows compassion, commitment and great knowledge. Rabbi Rader’s faith naturally envelopes and engages all those around her. We look forward to the High Holy Days with the entire Neshamah community. We feel truly fortunate to have Neshamah, the wonderful music of the Soulmates, and Rabbi Amy Rader as our lifelong Rabbi.

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Reply from The Neshamah Institute

Thank you Lana! I'm so grateful to know your family and to share Jewish life with all of you!