Are you a synagogue or what? Yes and no and kinda. Words like “synagogue” can feel constraining, and we want to think expansively about what Jewish life can be… so we think of ourselves as a spiritual community, and let the experience define itself.

“Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism, falsehoods. The liturgical movement must become a revolutionary movement, seeking to overthrow the forces that continue to destroy the promise, the hope, the vision.” –Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, “On Prayer”

“To educate means to cultivate the soul.” -Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

“Love your neighbor, and love yourself. That is the whole Torah. All the rest is commentary.” –Hillel

This community is crawling with good folks — from longtime members to newbies — and there are so many ways to connect.

IKAR is fueled by the love, talent, and creative investment of each of our community members. Our membership is an expression of individual commitments and a way for each person to expand their Jewish horizons through learning and spiritual growth.

“All beginnings require that you unlock new doors. The key is giving and doing. Give tzedakah and do kindness.” – R’ Nachman of Bratslav