In a city where meaningful connections can be hard to find, Adat Shalom offers something increasingly rare: a warm, multigenerational Jewish community where people can build relationships, deepen their faith, and truly feel at home.
For more than 75 years, Adat Shalom has served the Westside Jewish community from its campus in Los Angeles. While much has changed over the decades, its mission remains the same—to provide an inspiring place to worship, learn, celebrate, and belong.
“We’ve always been a place that provides both religious and social community,” said Marla Knoll, president of Adat Shalom. “Our goal is to be a place where people feel welcomed, supported, and at home.”
Creating Connections
Members value the intimate atmosphere of Adat Shalom, where familiar faces greet one another and friendships extend well beyond Shabbat services.
“People join and stay because they find genuine community here,” Knoll said. “That’s what sets us apart.”
Led by Rabbi Miriam Potok, Adat Shalom embraces an egalitarian and inclusive approach to Jewish life. The congregation welcomes people from diverse backgrounds, including those who have converted to Judaism and others exploring or reconnecting with their Jewish roots.
“We want people to feel comfortable and included, no matter where they are on their Jewish journey,” Knoll said.
The congregation is also working to make worship more accessible by introducing prayer books with additional transliteration, allowing those who do not read Hebrew to participate more fully in services.
To better serve its growing community, Adat Shalom is renovating its social hall and reimagining its campus as an inviting indoor-outdoor gathering space, incorporating its spacious patio for celebrations, community events, and family gatherings.
“We love when someone new walks through our doors,” Knoll said.
Living Jewish Values
Alongside traditional worship and learning, Adat Shalom places a strong emphasis on social action, education, and support for Israel.
The synagogue regularly hosts speakers who explore contemporary issues through a Jewish lens, encouraging thoughtful discussion and exposure to a variety of perspectives.
Adat Shalom’s Israel Action Committee recently organized its first Yom Ha’atzmaut Fair, celebrating Israel’s 78th birthday with Israeli food, dancing, arts and crafts, and a marketplace featuring products from Adi Negev, a rehabilitation village in Israel serving individuals with disabilities and serious injuries.
The congregation is also proud of its longstanding partnership with Café Europa, a program of Jewish Family Service Los Angeles that supports Holocaust survivors. Each year before Passover, volunteers help purchase, pack, and deliver kosher-for-Passover food to approximately 200 households throughout Los Angeles.
Jewish learning remains central to congregational life. Adat Shalom offers educational opportunities for all ages, including a growing Religious School for children in Pre-K through seventh grade and Rabbi Potok’s popular weekly Torah study series, “Weekly Wind Up.”
Looking Ahead
The synagogue’s calendar remains active throughout the summer. On July 17 and August 21, Adat Shalom’s popular ShaBBQ transforms Friday night Shabbat dinners into festive outdoor barbecue.
The season concludes on August 30 with the annual Concert in the Courtyard, an evening of dinner and live music under the stars. This year’s featured performer is Paul Shapiro, whose music blends jazz, klezmer, Yiddish swing, R&B, and humor.
High Holy Day services begin in September, welcoming both members and visitors to experience Adat Shalom’s warm and engaging community.
Adat Shalom is located at 3030 Westwood Boulevard in Los Angeles. For information about services, classes, events, and membership, visit adatshalomla.org.
