Brith Sholom House

Pros

• The management is doing a great job and has made important improvements to the property.
• The property is a quiet, affordable place to live with a great location.
• The staff has been completely nice and sincere.
• Christine White, the property manager, is amazing and attentive, going out of her way to help residents.
• The public areas are welcoming, quiet, and homey.
• The new property manager is fixing up the place and making positive changes.
• The community is diverse and residents seem happy; management is knowledgeable, patient, and eager to assist.
• Birth Sholom is described as a home away from home with friendly people and helpful staff.
• The building is clean and secure, with convenient nearby amenities.
• The service has been described as 100% perfect and highly recommended.
• Christine is highly regarded by residents; relatives adore her.
• The staff are responsive and issues are handled in a timely manner.

Cons

• The building is described as creating inhumane conditions for residents, including bedbugs and roaches with trash in the hallways.
• Residents report there is no air, no heat, and no hot water.
• The HVAC system is leaking and the apartment floors are saturated with water, endangering elderly residents.
• On-site management is criticized as unhelpful, with examples of staff who are often unavailable or distracted.
• The property is claimed to be unsafe and not up to code, including lacking a license to rent and having leaky roofs and dirty corridors.
• The fire safety system is alleged to be nonfunctional, with the sprinkler system not working since 2009.
• Infestations (bed bugs and raccoons) and general disrepair are repeatedly described.
• Seniors are reportedly being told by judges they must vacate, and owners are in court for not paying bills, with the property in collections.
• The ownership is labeled by some as "slum lords" and the condition has deteriorated under new management.
• Some reviews issue strong warnings not to rent there, calling the place dangerous with inadequate management.

Review

The reviews about Birth Sholom/Brith Shalom House pour in from a spectrum of experiences, revealing a property that can feel like two different places depending on who you ask and when you visit. On one end, residents and family members paint a picture of a welcoming senior community that is clean, convenient, and staffed by people who care deeply about those living there. On the other, complaints erupt about dire maintenance failures, health and safety risks, and disputes over licensing and accountability. Taken together, the accounts suggest a building in transition, with some success stories and ongoing, serious concerns that potential residents and families should weigh carefully.

A large cluster of the criticism centers on severe and persistent conditions that many describe as inhumane. Reviewers recount bed bugs, roaches, leaks, and even floods, with walls and ceilings described as in disrepair. A recurring accusation is that basic amenities are unreliable - no air, no heat, and no hot water - creating uncomfortable and potentially dangerous living situations, especially for seniors and veterans. The criticisms also extend to waste management and housekeeping, with comments about trash being left in hallways and a general sense that the building is not being kept up to standard. One reviewer even references a news report about the "terrible conditions," underscoring a perception that the problem has reached the public eye. Another staunch warning urges readers not to move in, citing dangerous conditions and unlawful practices, including claims about fire safety systems and licensing.

Among the most pointed stories is that of an elderly resident - a 97-year-old grandmother - whose HVAC is leaking and whose apartment floor remains soaked. This reviewer describes repeated pleas to on-site repair staff, and cites Maurice Rouse as someone who promised to resolve the issue. Instead of a lasting fix, the water was vacuumed up, and the floor became wet again, forcing the grandmother to move around in sneakers rather than bedroom shoes. The account emphasizes the human impact of maintenance delays on vulnerable residents, highlighting the emotional and physical strain of living with ongoing water damage and an ineffective response to it.

Not all voices are negative, however. Several reviews focus on individual staff members who have earned high praise for their professionalism and kindness. Christine White, a property manager, is repeatedly singled out as a bright spot in the building's operations. Reviewers describe Christine as helpful, patient, and genuinely caring - someone who goes "above and beyond," stopping what she's doing to show apartments, guiding prospective residents, and making newcomers feel welcomed. One account lauds how she introduced visitors to other staff and treated a veteran cousin with understanding. Positive comments even extend to newly improved common areas, attractive apartments with ample natural light, and a sense that the management team is capable of addressing concerns when issues arise.

In addition to staff-driven improvements, some residents praise the building's location and amenities. The property is described as conveniently located within walking distance of a supermarket, a drugstore, and public transit. Residents note a security presence at night, which adds a layer of reassurance for seniors living alone. Social activities and communal spaces - such as bingo and church gatherings - are highlighted as important features that create a sense of community and belonging. A few comments specifically mention the clean appearance of the apartments, large windows, generous closet space, and overall hominess that makes the place feel like a home rather than a sterile rental.

Yet even among the positive notes, there are cautions about the building's management and compliance status. Some reviewers accuse the owners of neglect or mismanagement, describing the operation as lacking a professional approach and calling for licensed, qualified repair personnel rather than improvised fixes. A subset of comments raises regulatory concerns - claims of not having a current license to rent, court orders related to rent payments, and alarms that the fire system is outdated or nonfunctional. One alarming post asserts that a court has ordered seniors not to pay rent until fire-system updates are completed, adding a layer of legal and safety complexity to the housing decision. These points underscore a tension between perceived improvements and unresolved regulatory and safety issues.

Overall, the body of feedback suggests a place that can be a lifeline for seniors and veterans when well-run and well-maintained, but that can also become a source of stress and danger when conditions deteriorate or when licensing and safety obligations are neglected. The strongest endorsements center on compassionate, effective staff, particularly Christine White, and on the practical conveniences that make life easier for residents - location, security, and social opportunities. The strongest cautions center on persistent maintenance failures, serious infestations, water damage, and questions about licensing and fire-safety compliance. For anyone considering this housing, the message is clear: there are meaningful positives to build on, but a thorough, up-front inspection of units, common areas, and critical systems - and a candid check on licensing and ongoing repairs - are essential to form an accurate picture of current conditions.

In the end, Birth Sholom/Brith Shalom House appears to be a community with real potential and real peril coexisting under the same roof. If you're evaluating it, gather firsthand feedback from current residents, tour several units at different times of day, and ask pointed questions about heat, hot water, pest control, water leaks, and the status of licensing and fire-safety systems. Look for consistent maintenance responsiveness, measurable improvements in the common areas, and a clear plan from the management team on how to address lingering hazards. The stories here suggest that when the management team, led by compassionate staff like Christine White, commits to steady, reliable service, the place can feel like a true home. When it lags, the risks and frustrations become hard to ignore.

This part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offers a convenient and bustling urban environment with easy access to a variety of amenities. There are numerous cafes such as Panera Bread and Starbucks within close proximity, providing opportunities for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Additionally, there are several dining options nearby including Pizza Hut and Larry's Steaks for delicious meals. For medical needs, there are several pharmacies in the area such as Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacy, ensuring easy access to medication and health supplies. The neighborhood also features beautiful parks like Fairmount Park and Schuylkill River Park, perfect for leisurely strolls or enjoying nature. Transportation options are readily available with Septa stations nearby including Wayne Junction Station for convenient travel. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable hospitals like Temple University Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center in close proximity. Overall, this part of Philadelphia provides a vibrant and well-connected community suitable for senior living.

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• The Landing Kitchen (1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Pilgrim Roasters (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)

Restaurants

• Pizza Hut (1 miles)
• Custard & Cakes Creamery (1.4 miles)
• Larry's Steaks (1.5 miles)
• Dalessandro's Steaks (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)
• Rosy's Taco Bar (3.9 miles)
• K'Far (4.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Fairmount Park (1.1 miles)
• Schuylkill River Park (4 miles)
• Rittenhouse Square (4.2 miles)
• Palmer Doggie Depot (4.4 miles)
• Palmer Park Farmers Market (4.4 miles)
• Piazza Dog Park (4.5 miles)
• Franklin Square (4.5 miles)

Transportation

• Septa Wayne Junction Station (2.9 miles)
• 30th Street Station (3.6 miles)
• SEPTA: MFL/TRL 30th Street Station (3.6 miles)
• Stenton Station (4.2 miles)
• Jefferson Station (4.4 miles)
• SEPTA: 101/102 Lansdowne Avenue Station (5.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Temple University Hospital (3 miles)
• Lankenau Medical Center (3 miles)
• Philadelphia VA Medical Center (3.8 miles)
• The Pavilion (3.9 miles)
• Veterans Administration Community Living Center (4 miles)
• Albert Einstein Employee Health Center (4.2 miles)
• Episcopal Hospital (4.3 miles)

Physicians

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (3.8 miles)
• CHOP Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care - Raymond G. Perelman Campus (3.9 miles)
• Simms Hank Md Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia (4.1 miles)

Theaters

• Landmark Theatres - Ritz Five (5.1 miles)