IKAR’s mission is to reanimate Jewish life and develop a spiritual and moral foundation for a just and equitable society. The IKAR Center will be a permanent, central place for all of IKAR’s activities and work, bringing together our prayer space, religious school, ECC, event space, and offices.
IKAR has become one of the most vibrant and influential Jewish communities in the country, with over 1,300 member families and a global audience in the tens of thousands.
For nearly two decades, IKAR has thrived in a series of temporary spaces, but to provide for the growing needs of our community, to educate our children, and to more fully live our values, we need a true sanctuary.
That is why IKAR has embarked on a transformational journey to build a permanent home for our community and our spiritual work.
Capital Campaign Co-Chairs: Lorne Buchman, Sophie Pritzker, Sarah Wick
Building Campaign Co-Chairs: Eric Beckman and Ethan Goldstine
Board Chair and Vice Board Chair: Jeremy Rosenthal and Marta Kauffman
Professional Staff:
Nikky Schulman – Capital Campaign Senior Director
Elad Dvash-Banks – Chief Advancement Officer
Melissa Balaban – CEO + Founder
Rabbi Sharon Brous – Senior Rabbi + Founder
The IKAR Center is being designed by Barbara Bestor and her incredible team at Bestor Architecture. A visionary architect with an international reputation, Bestor has designed a number of award-winning projects including headquarters for Beats by Dre and Intelligentsia Coffee, Blackbirds, a groundbreaking new typology for dense housing in Echo Park, and a variety of experimental residences and commercial establishments. Her varied, creative, and aesthetically progressive body of work expands the territory of architecture into atmospheric urbanism.
The Esther Minyan is a dedicated group of early supporters whose generosity and leadership have laid the foundation for the IKAR Center Capital Campaign. Named in honor of Queen Esther’s courage and resilience, these donors have committed significant resources to ensure IKAR’s vision becomes a reality in the early stages of the campaign. Their contributions provide critical early funding that enables planning, development, and construction to move forward with confidence.
What is the goal of the IKAR Center Capital Campaign?
We are building a permanent physical home for the IKAR community in the heart of one of the most diverse cities in the world. The Center will be a laboratory for Jewish life and learning, and a hub of spiritual, cultural, and justice endeavors and a space for Shabbat and holiday services.
Where will the new IKAR Center be located?
The new IKAR Center will be built at 1737 S La Cienega Blvd, in the heart of Los Angeles.
How much do we need to raise and how much has been raised so far?
Our goal is to raise $75 million—including $65 million for the land acquisition and construction and $10 million to seed an endowment for ongoing operations.
As of September 2025, we have raised $61,000,000 toward the campaign goal.
Who is designing the building?
- Architect: Barbara Bestor Architecture
- Landscape Architect: SALT
What will the new IKAR Center include?
- Sacred assembly space
- Café and multi-faith library
- Event and gathering space
- Early Childhood Center for up to 80 children (infants through pre-schoolers)
- Limudim (religious school) classrooms for kids ages 5–13
- Art studio and music lab
- Commercial-sized kitchen
- Rabbinic and administrative offices
How big will the new facility be?
- Indoor space: approximately 35,000 sq. ft.
- Outdoor space: approximately 11,000 sq. ft.
The IKAR Center will be able to accommodate 2,500-3,000 people on campus during our busiest times, such as the High Holy Days.
What’s the timeline for the project?
- Groundbreaking: Planned for Spring 2027
- Construction: Estimated 2 years
- Opening: Summer 2029
What about affordable housing?
IKAR is committed to including at least 50 units of affordable housing, located adjacent to but separate from the IKAR Center.
- This portion will be funded and operated by our housing partner, not through IKAR’s capital campaign.
- Capital Campaign funds will be used solely for the IKAR Center.
- All operations, management, and maintenance of the housing will be handled by the partner and their management team.
Who is the lead donor?
Marta Kauffman has graciously made a $25 million pledge—the largest in IKAR’s history—as part of the IKAR Center Capital Campaign to fund the construction of the new Center. Marta currently serves as Vice Chair of IKAR’s Board of Directors and is a deeply committed leader and ambassador for our mission and work. Marta is dedicating her extraordinary gift to her beloved parents, Dorothy and Herman Kauffman, whose values and love helped shape her deep commitment to community, justice, and Jewish life. To learn more about Marta and her transformational gift, please click here.
We are currently engaging lead donors to propel the campaign. For more information or to discuss how you can support the IKAR Center, please contact:
Nikky Schulman
Senior Director, Capital Campaign
[email protected]
323-250-0015