Leadership & Staff
Leadership at the LJCC
The LJCC is a lay-led, horizontally-constituted community. Our activities are powered by volunteer efforts aided by a handful of staff members.
The LJCC has a volunteer Board of Directors. The board, which meets regularly, and various committees oversee programming and the other matters relevant to daily congregational operations as well as the business of the B'nai Israel Cemetery.
For general questions or to get involved, contact Lara Giordano or call the LJCC front office at (785) 841-7636.
Officers of the Board:
Rita York Hennecke, President
Shelley Skie, Treasurer
Suzanne Sherr, Corresponding Secretary
Suzanne Sherr, Corresponding Secretary
Heather Frost, Recording Secretary
Robin Rosenberg, Past President
Members at large:
Rachel Benefiel
Sam Brody
Siobhán Kirchstein
Cameron Leader-Picone
Anne Schulman
Jordan Yochim
Staff

Lara Giordano, PhD
Director of Programming, Engagement, & Development
Lara came to the LJCC in January 2023 following a brief but happy enough career as an academic philosopher. Please reach out to Lara with any questions that you have about the LJCC or the pleasures of building Jewish community in NE Kansas - or to talk about how Judaism may (or may not) secretly inform the critical philosophies of secular Jewish thinkers such as Marx, Freud, Benjamin, Adorno.

Nixx Sandidge (they/them)
Office Administrator
Nixx moved to Lawrence from Middle Tennessee and is now a proud NoLaw Sandrat and DoCo Master Gardener.
Generally, Nixx staffs the office between 8:30am and 12:00pm. Appointments by request during this time.
Religious School Director
Learn more about the LJCC Religious School and its director.
Thu, July 24 2025
28 Tammuz 5785
All Events
-
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 (Hybrid)
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, "Fragments of Sinaiism." -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 31 , 2025Summer Game Nights 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. -
Friday ,
AugAugust 1 , 2025
Friday, Aug 1st 7:00p to 9:00p
Lara Giordano & Judy Roitman lead with an oneg, compliments of Nancy & Jimmy Linden, to follow. -
Saturday ,
AugAugust 2 , 2025Tisha B'Av (Hybrid)
Shabbat, Aug 2nd 7:00p to 8:00p
Observance of Tisha B'Av -
Friday ,
AugAugust 8 , 2025
Friday, Aug 8th 7:00p to 9:00p
Barry Shalinsky leads with a potluck oneg to follow -
Friday ,
AugAugust 15 , 2025
Friday, Aug 15th 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 leading a musical services beginning at 6:30pm. The Family Programming Committee will provide a main. Potluck contributions are encouraged. If possible, let us know in the notes section what you will bring. -
Thursday ,
AugAugust 21 , 2025Welcome Back Mixer
Thursday, Aug 21st 8:00p to 9:30p
A Cocktail party to kick off the 2025 - 2026 academic year, reunite with old friends, and welcome new members of the Jewish community. We'll have small bites, tasty beverages, and music. All members of the Lawrence Jewish community are invited to attend! -
Friday ,
AugAugust 22 , 2025
Friday, Aug 22nd 6:00p to 8:00p
Join LJCC President Rita York Hennecke and other friends and members for a casual dinner and candlelighting at Aladdin Cafe in downtown Lawrence. -
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.
Joing our Mailing List
Email lawrencejcc@gmail.com to subscribe!
Upcoming Events:
Thu, July 24 2025 28 Tammuz 5785
Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation
917 Highland Drive
Lawrence, KS 66044
785.841.7636
lawrencejcc@gmail.com
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