IKAR

At IKAR, a leading-edge Jewish community in Los Angeles, you’ll find a worship style that’s traditional, creative, musically diverse, and inclusive. IKAR’s programs create opportunities for learning and engagement that are stimulating and open to everyone regardless of Jewish background, knowledge, or previous involvement in Jewish life or learning. IKAR is dedicated to reviving Jewish life through imaginative thinking and engagement with ritual and spiritual practice, and a deep commitment to social justice. The organization is focused on four fundamental principles: accessibility, action, tradition and innovation. It’s a place that’s into bold, risky, surprising approaches to Judaism. What started as a handful of friends has blossomed into a community of more than 600 member households, all choosing their own adventure with IKAR. 

IKAR’s services draw hundreds of people each week, and there’s some fun twists on the tradition, such as a recent Beatles sing-along with a bourbon bar as a “prequel” to Friday night service. Want to pop in for Yom Kippur? Great—you’ll join more than 3,000 people. Want to be involved culturally but not religiously? All good. Get involved in IKAR’s “active pursuit of justice.” (No, it’s not a group of superheroes, but the social-justice movers and shakers you’ll meet at IKAR are super dedicated to causes like Organizing for Systemic Change, Feeding Our Neighbors, Green Action, and Global Partnership.) Just want to learn something new? Easy. IKAR has inspiring speaker series, meet-ups, and classes that don’t require any background knowledge. IKAR has become a leading model and cofounded the Jewish Emergent Network, a group of seven communities committed to revitalizing the field of Jewish engagement in both traditionally rooted and creative ways, and a Rabbinic Fellowship program to train early-career rabbis to help guide these new kinds of Jewish communities. No matter where you are in your Jewish journey, IKAR has the choices and open mind to support whatever adventure you choose.