IKAR is a non-denominational Jewish congregation and community founded in Los Angeles and led by Rabbi Sharon Brous.[1][2]

History

IKAR, which roughly means "essence" in Hebrew, was founded in 2004 by CEO Melissa Balaban, senior rabbi Sharon Brous, and others in a Santa Monica home.[3]

In September 2015, IKAR announced that it had signed a two-year lease to relocate to the newly-built campus of Shalhevet High School.[4] In August 2018, the synagogue announced that it paid $6.9 million ($8 million in 2022 dollars) for a building on South La Cienega Boulevard near 18th Street, although the move was not immediate due to time needed for construction.[5] As of 2019, IKAR still met at Shalhevet.[6]

The synagogue attracts a number of high-profile attendees, including Steven Spielberg, Eric Garcetti,[7] Mayim Bialik,[8] and Dara Resnik.[9]

Activites

IKAR schedules its services to avoid conflict with Shalhevet's school days, meeting in the gymnasium on Shabbat and other holidays where Shalhevet is not in session. Weekday morning services take place at IKAR's daycare center, which operates elsewhere.[4]

References

  1. Weiner, Rex (December 30, 2012). "IKAR Looks To Build Without Losing Magic". The Forward.
  2. Gruenbaum, Julie (June 23, 2010). "How Different Is IKAR; Rabbi Sharon Brous Inspires Change … and Controversy". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
  3. Feldman, Ari (June 2, 2018). "Ikar is building something. Just don't call it a synagogue". The Forward. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Torok, Ryan (September 3, 2015). "IKAR announces its move to Shalhevet". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  5. Torok, Ryan (February 14, 2018). "IKAR readies its next chapter". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  6. Hartog, Kelly (September 18, 2019). "Remembering Ruby and Hart Campbell". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  7. Trakin, Roy (2021-03-26). "Rock 'Hazzan' Hillel Tigay Shines Light on Progressive L.A. Synagogue Where Steven Spielberg, Eric Garcetti Are Members". Variety. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  8. Ben-Moche, Erin (September 14, 2020). "Mayim Bialik joins L.A. shofar wave that aims to bring Jewish community together for Rosh Hashana". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  9. Miller, Gerri (April 20, 2020). "A fourth grader solves a murder in Home Before Dark". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
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