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, June 26 2025
30 Sivan 5785
All Events
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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
-
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.
Joing our Mailing List
Email lawrencejcc@gmail.com to subscribe!
Upcoming Events:
Thu, June 26 2025 30 Sivan 5785
Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation
917 Highland Drive
Lawrence, KS 66044
785.841.7636
lawrencejcc@gmail.com
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