IKAR
Jewish congregation founded in Los Angeles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
IKAR is a non-denominational Jewish congregation and community founded in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. The congregation was founded in 2004 and is led by rabbi Sharon Brous,[1][2] who was one of its founders.[3]
- Rabbi Sharon Brous
- Rabbi Morris Panitz (Associate)
- Rabbi Hannah Jensen (Assistant)
- Rabbi Deborah Silver (Associate)
| IKAR | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Rite | Non-denominational Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Congregation |
| Leadership |
|
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Shalhevet High School, 910 South Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036 |
| Country | United States |
  Location in western Los Angeles, California | |
| Coordinates | 34°03′35″N 118°21′46″W |
| Architecture | |
| Founder |
|
| Established | 2004 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 2015 |
| Website | |
| ikar | |
History
IKAR (transliterated from Hebrew as "essence"), 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 ($8.8 million in 2025 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 January 2024[update], IKAR still met at Shalhevet.[6]
Activities
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.
Notable members
- Mayim Bialik, actress[7]
- Eric Garcetti, former mayor of Los Angeles[8]
- Rick Jaffe, screenwriter[9]
- David Nevins, president of entertainment for Showtime Networks[1]
- Andrea Blaugrund Nevins[10]
- Dara Resnik, screenwriter, producer, and director[11]
- Amanda Silver, screenwriter[9]
- Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund[10]
- Steven Spielberg, film director and producer[8]