Attending services removes my stress. Everyone is friendly. Enjoy hearing from different rabbis.. read more

Transformational Worship, even online! It is the liturgical worship that helps me/us to experience HaShem's Presence in a group setting as One collective Jewish soul called Israel. They don't grill you about what kind of Jew you are, and that was welcoming to me after getting dismissed from a local Reform synagogue for being too Orthodox. Inspiring, heartfelt messages from the Bima to constitute justice for the betterment of all. read more

Huge fan of what is being created here. A growing and very welcoming community, with prayers in English and Hebrew, and a gathering of all shapes, sizes, colors, (LGBTQ friendly) and serious about Judaism and giving back to community. A perfect and vastly different experience from conservative Jewish congregations. And Rabbi Sharon Brous is as thoughtful and well respected as they come. read more

All you need know is this: it's a synagogue so cool that it makes ME, a total Hebrew-School-Dropout kinda Jew, look forward to going to shul. Ikar is a super-progressive, very intelligent synagogue. The crowd is young and hip, the rabbi is incredibly amazing. And really, i can't stress this enough, I am simply not the kind of person who would have ever thought he'd write "the rabbi is incredibly amazing" - I'm too cynical and secular for that. Every service has lots of singing, and lots of dancing - there are bongo drums that keep the beat. The sermons are always brilliant and inspiring. And the people are just GREAT - young, hip, socially conscious - it's like the crowd at the Hollywood Forever cemetery screenings all decided to go to synagogue one weekend. Final story: at simchat torah, we're all dancing around and celebrating, and then a woman pushed a shot of vodka into my hand as we read the torah. These are my kind of Jews. Alright. read more

Ikar is the first temple I've ever been a member of as an adult. I've attended services at a dozen other temples in Los Angeles, but I've never felt so strongly connected to community as I have at Ikar. Where to begin telling why Ikar over all other places? There is a fervor at Ikar which is infectious. There is a learnedness amongst the congregation which is inspiring without being intimidating. On your average Shabbat there's often a dozen rabbis in the congregation NOT leading the services. That gives you an idea of the respect generated by Rabbi Brous, Cantor Hillel Tigay and our davening team. Why? So many reasons. Musically there is a variety of musical influences that keeps the service fresh, lively, inspiring, and interesting while never losing track of more traditional musical influences. As far as Rabbi Brous goes, she has a deep dedication to social justice and I walk away from her sermons and drashes feeling proud she represents me in the world. She is so articulate, cogent, passionate, persuasive, confident, modest and sincere with the intellectual ability to tie modern issues to rabbinic texts and Torah that I just say to myself. Yes. Yes. That. She's like a female Jon Stewart who went to rabbinical seminary and wasn't trying to be funny. OK. I'll work on that description, but you know what I'm saying. :-) Come by any first or third Friday night or any Shabbat morning. You don't have to dress up. You don't have to worry if you know the prayers or not. There are all levels of learnedness and a desire to bring people in to the level they want to be. I'm hopefully reading torah this year for the first time in years thanks to Hlilel re-teaching me trope. And if you want to get involved, but don't know how, here's my tip. After a Saturday morning service, do go out with the majority of people to the blessings over the challah and wine. Instead, stay in the sanctuary, stack the chairs, roll out the tables and ask how you can help. You'll make friends instantly. And if you really want to feel like you're part of the temple, go on the Shabbaton in the spring. 48 hours up at Camp Ramah whether you're single or with a whole family will fully integrate you into the community so they next time you show up, you'll feel like you're coming into a crowd of friends. read more

So it took me months to finally try Ikar, my parents heavily urged I go to a Shabbat service. I finally went and although Shabbat services are not really for me I will say it was a lovely and incredibly welcoming experience. Ikar is truly different from any other service I have experienced. For starters, they offer scotch pre services ha! It's a mixed crowd but mostly people in their 20-30's. It seems like a tight knit community, everyone seemed to know each other which was a little intimidating however there was such a warm welcome. Sharon, is a fabulous rabbi. She truly radiates warmth and leads an amazing service. I spoke with her briefly afterwards and she was so kind and welcoming, she's also pretty funny. Growing up, I was used to rabbis and cantors with little to no personality, so Ikar and Sharon are a wonderful change. This is a very progressive temple and although I probably wont attend a Shabbat service again I will definitely look out for their gatherings and talks. Thank you for a wonderful and interesting experience ; ) read more

Great music, intelligent rabbi, good people. Went to a 3rd Fri Shabbat service at the JCC and then the 1st Fri picnic in the park, followed by a service inside the park building. They've begun a potluck picnic blanket, so you don't need to be intimidated by joining a group of picnicking strangers. I have an 8 month old, and the music was kind of loud but good. Great ruach. Will try HHD services here this year. It's far for me in Burbank and prob. not great for Fri night services once I begin work, but it's good for now. It is a bit difficult to get to know people, though the communal meal at the JCC ($20) was excellent and people very friendly at the table. At the picnic I spoke to a few people but didn't make any deep connections. read more

As a cradle-Catholic-turned-atheist, I never thought I would join a congregation or raise my kids with any sort of religion. IKAR has changed my mind about all of that. Every week, I come away with teachings and discussions that so directly apply to how to live a more considerate life. I've made life-long friends and have found my community here in LA. IKAR's focus on social justice and personal involvement is unlike any sort of organization I've ever seen before. I don't know how the congregation can so seamlessly run the spectrum from the most devout Jews to non-Jewish atheists, but it does. For anyone who's ever wanted a community that focuses on the betterment of society, this is the place. read more

We relocated and took our little girl to their "school". They were super nice upon the intro meeting and kept talking about their values and community. This was 2 weeks before the years's end and we wanted to try. The level is very low! After 2 days we didn't want to continue and asked our 700 dollars deposit back... they refused! Zero values, super low level and bullshit talk about the value of the community, non of this stick when it comes to money. They are greedy and disgusting management team. I wouldn't send my dog there! read more

I have attended Ikar off and on for a year and then last year, I became a member. What I like most is that it is what I refer to as 'foot stomping Judaism'. Hillel Tigay's voice and intonations are inspirational. The music, the ruach, is heartfelt and it just makes me feel good, and happy to be in shul-which of course is the most amazing thing. Even though I am a mature adult, shul has not really been my thing. Mostly it makes me yawn, then my nose runs, and as I hunt for Kleenex I am thinking what am I doing here? The words of Rabbi Brous always move me, and sometimes even to action. The fact that there is a social action component is good. I hope in the future to be able to be more active, kinda depending on my work life. Even though I am a fundraiser by profession there seem to be many 'asks' throughout the year which is a bit of a concern to me. I support the needs but question the method. I highly recommend visiting and joining. The participants themselves display an enthusiasm which is downright contagious. Sherri Morr read more

This was really disappointing. People were not friendly, even kind of mean. What a shame.

I moved to LA 6 years ago with a recommendation to check out this new Jewish community Ikar. It took about 6 months, but I finally did. I was welcomed warmly at a picnic before services, and then mesmerized by Rabbi Brous' thought provoking, funny and fully engaging sermon. I'm an active member now and feel so blessed to have this amazing community. It's a synagogue chock full of socially conscience friends. We pray together, do community service, and learn from each other. The Shabbat services are full of soulful music, sometimes dance, and always a sermon to remember. The Rabbi was invited to speak at President Obama's inauguration this year because she's getting so well known. I can never move away from LA, unless Ikar comes with me! read more

Just the synagogue I was looking for! I am honored to have attended the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipper Services at Ikar. The Rabbis are fearless leaders who challenge you to be yourself, to be active community members, to be always living Judaism. Love of G-d and of humanity radiate from everyone at Ikar. Simply amazing. read more

I must admit I was looking for something different in a Shabbat service when I stumbled upon this place. This is really cool. the music is definitely different than what I was used to but okay. the people are warm and friendly as well. i like the idea that everyone is welcome, we need to bring in those that are hurting, druggies, don't believe in Yahweh, etc. if you are looking for a place to minister to different people this is it. I also like the idea of a female bring the Torah portion. It's nice to see that women are moving up in this area as well. read more

I've been meaning to come here for over a year now, and finally did for a Friday night Shabbat service. It wasn't at all what I expected, but I thought it was great. Almost the entire service was singing, and lots of people were dancing as well (as we were all standing the entire time, so do wear comfortable shoes!) There was Scotch to drink before the service, and delicious treats to nosh on post service. We were even invited to go back to a congregant's house for a 20-something/30-something potluck after. Very welcoming community, and we spent some time talking with the asst rabbi who was lovely and had a beautiful singing voice. This is perhaps one of the most unique temple services I've ever attended. read more

Everytime I go to services at IKAR, I come away wanting to be a better person. And, I am always fascinated by the teachings which meld Torah, Social Justice and Community together so beautifully. read more

It is wonderful: soulful, musical, smart, friendly, warm, active. I'm loathe to review it because I don't want to share it too much! I like how personal it feels. But I'm trying to be generous here. Worth a visit if you're curious. read more