About Us
JRC is a diverse, participatory, and sacred community dedicated to a daring, deeply-rooted Judaism.
Our congregation is infused with joyful spirituality, intellectual curiosity, inclusivity, and deep commitment to social justice. Whatever your gender, race, age, faith, place of origin, or your unique relationship with Judaism, you belong here.
We believe in lifting each other up. We believe in making Jewish practice accessible, hands-on, and relevant for everyone. We believe that Reconstructionist Judaism offers the best model to build and sustain Jewish community that is egalitarian, diverse, and meets you where you are. We are serious about what matters to us, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
Members engage weekly, monthly, or whenever their schedules allow. The recent pandemic provided the opportunity to create robust remote and hybrid programming, which JRC embraced and maintains to serve all our members.
The heart of JRC is our diverse group of members, who find connection and meaning in our rituals, services, vast Jewish learning experiences, social justice engagement, and community events.
JRC. Daring, Inclusive Judaism.
Our Fantastic Clergy Team
JRC is blessed to be led by outstanding clergy. Rabbi Rachel Weiss grew up at JRC and is the passionate, soulful, thought leader at the heart of our spiritual life. Cantor Howard Friedland has led us joyfully and lovingly in song and prayer for 20 years and guides our B’nai Mitzvah students. When our clergy gather us for services –whether at the lakefront in the summer or on the bima in our beautiful sanctuary– the experience is downright magical.
Our Amazing Community
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At JRC we do not simply accept your differences, we CELEBRATE THEM! Our congregation is as diverse as the American Jewish community, including interfaith families, people of color, LGBTQIA+ members, those with disabilities, members of any age, marital status, and level of observance. JRC provides a space for each member to connect with Judaism in any way that feels authentic and personal without judgement.
