Judy Roitman
Judy Roitman
When I moved to Lawrence in 1978 (the way back times) I hadn’t set foot in a shul — except for the random bar/bat mitzvah or to please my parents or grandmother — in over a decade. To be honest, I started regularly showing up with my ex-Catholic husband in order to prove to the adoptive services division of Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Kansas City that we would raise our hoped-for child in a Jewish home. I have always felt Jewish. I just never cared for congregational life as I, a cantor’s daughter in a semi-suburban Conservative shul, had known it.
But from the minute I walked in I could see that the LJCC was different. It felt like family. Sure, people would bicker at times — all families do — but people were there for each other, in good times and bad. The LJCC was mishpochah. It still is.
The LJCC is unaffiliated. It is lay-led. Its resources are its community; its community is its resource. And this community creates a full Jewish life in Lawrence — learning and worship, kid programs and adult programs and family programs, hanging out together, casting our bread into the waters (Tashlich) and staying away from bread (Pesach); a community that is truly inclusive, truly egalitarian; a community that rejoices in its members’ joys, grieves with them in their sorrows, and steps forward to help when help is needed. On the rare occasions when I find myself in another town in another shu,l I am so grateful that the LJCC is my shul. Our shul. The shul we build together.
Our community has changed over the decades, the way we do. So many things are different than they were back in 1978, but that heimishe feeling is a constant. As is the need for financial support (you knew I was going to get around to this).
The need for this support won’t go away when we do. I believe in this community long-term, and want to help sustain it past my lifetime. Which is why the LJCC is a beneficiary on my retirement accounts. I don’t know how the LJCC will morph over the next many decades. But I know that its wonderful, quirky, welcoming spirit will remain as long as the resources are there to sustain it.
Thu, June 26 2025
30 Sivan 5785
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Friday ,
JunJune 27 , 2025
Friday, Jun 27th 5:30p to 7:00p
This month, we gather for a nosh, kiddish, and motzi. The Family Programming will provide a "mediterranean" main and encourage potluck contributions of olives, hummus, pita, salads, etc. -
Friday ,
JulJuly 4 , 2025
Friday, Jul 4th 7:00p to 8:00p
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 12 , 2025
Shabbat, Jul 12th 10:30a to 1:00p
Alyssa Appelman and Barry Shalinsky lead with a kiddish lunch to follow. Please let us know in the notes section what you can bring. -
Sunday ,
JulJuly 13 , 2025
Sunday, Jul 13th 3:00p to 4:00p
An afternoon of show & tell of family heirlooms and other Judaica! We will be joined by Abby Magariel, curator of the Michael Klein Collection at the Temple B'nai Jehudah. Snap a photo of your piece(s) in advance and send to Lara, so that Abby can research the provenance of these vintage and historical items before we get together. -
Friday ,
JulJuly 18 , 2025
Friday, Jul 18th 5:30p to 7:00p
Join us for an early family-friendly nosh and Shabbat. We'll Nosh and then Shabbat with Religious School Director Rachel Downs-Doubrava and teacher Benjamin Rosenthal leading a musical services beginning at 6:30pm. The LJCC will provide a main. Potluck contributions are encouraged. If possible, let us know in the notes section what you will bring. -
Friday ,
JulJuly 25 , 2025
Friday, Jul 25th 7:00p to 9:00p
Friday Night Services with a potluck oneg to follow. Daniel Smith of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center joins as part of our summer speaker series. -
Sunday ,
JulJuly 27 , 2025Fragments of Sinaiism: a conversation with Sam Brody & Ken Lassman
Sunday, Jul 27th 4:00p to 5:30p
In advance of Tisha B'Av, Professor of Religion Sam Brody will speak about his new piece for the Halachic Left, "Sinaiism." -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 31 , 2025Summer Trivia at the LJCC: Singo Fundraiser!
Thursday, Jul 31st 7:00p to 9:00p
Join us for a night of Singo - musical bingo! All proceeds go to support the LJCC Religious School. -
Sunday ,
AugAugust 24 , 2025Blintz Rolling!
Sunday, Aug 24th 10:00a to 12:00p
Participate in one of the longest running and deepest LJCC traditions: rolling blintzes together for the Annual Blintz Brunch! Come work with chef extraordinaire Michael Hennecke to prepare this special treat for sale at our annual fundraiser. -
Sunday ,
SepSeptember 7 , 2025Blintz Rolling!
Sunday, Sep 7th 10:00a to 12:00p
Participate in one of the longest running and deepest LJCC traditions: rolling blintzes together for the Annual Blintz Brunch! Come work with chef extraordinaire Michael Hennecke to prepare this special treat for sale at our annual fundraiser.
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