ABOUT IKAR

IKAR is a Jewish spiritual community that stands at the intersection of spirituality and social justice, a mandate that is integrated into everything we do.

We see an integral connection between intellectual and spiritual development, and political and social activism. We know that serious, honest encounter with things that matter, like loneliness, loss, AIDS and poverty, as well as love, joy, fulfillment and peace, are the cornerstone of an authentic Jewish prayer life.

We also know that soulful prayer and serious Jewish learning will inspire our sense of mission in the world. Central to the mission of our community is the belief in the vitality and relevance of the Jewish tradition, the fact that it can be compelling and exciting, and the commitment to introduce innovative interpretations into a traditional Jewish framework.

It is our hope that our community will energize and revitalize elements of the broader Jewish community, and profoundly impact the way we, as Jews, live and act in our world.

IKAR was created in the spring of 2004, and has been inspired by the spirit of B'nai Jeshurun in New York City, where Rabbi Brous served as a Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow before moving to Los Angeles.