(Conservative)
2401 Woodbourne Avenue
Louisville, KY 40205
Phone: (502) 458-5359
Fax: (502) 451-5634
Preschool: (502) 451-3434
Email: info@adathjeshurun.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/adathjeshurun
Web Site: www.AdathJeshurun.com
Visit Adath Jeshurun’s Virtual Tour!
Adath Jeshurun is Louisville’s original egalitarian Conservative congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Women and men participate equally in all aspects of congregational life, which includes a full range of educational, religious, social and youth activities.
Founded in 1856, the synagogue was located in downtown Louisville until the relocation to the Highlands in 1957. Rabbi Robert B. Slosberg has been rabbi of the congregation since 1981. Cantor David A. Lipp was named Hazzan in 1994. In 2012, Adath Jeshurun added a Membership Services Coordinator to the staff to help provide exemplary assistance and service to both new members and existing members of the congregation. AJ’s beautiful sanctuary, chapel, auditoriums and offices have recently been renovated, and further building renovations are scheduled for 2013.
Worship
Adath Jeshurun provides a full range of worship opportunities: Shabbat, High Holy Days, festival services, and a daily morning and evening minyan. Equipment is available for the hearing-impaired. Childcare is available for children ages six weeks through six years during Shabbat services and special events. Shabbat at Adath Jeshurun is a spiritually uplifting time.
Shabbat is observed during Friday evening family services, Saturday morning traditional services and monthly “Short & Sweet Shabbat Jr. Congregation” services for school-aged children. Each week a delicious homemade Kiddush lunch is provided after services, and members and guests enjoy the fellowship of one another.
Once a month, AJ hosts a “Shabbat Scholar” to lead a discussion on a current topic of interest. Additionally, “Celebration Shabbat” is AJ’s monthly recognition of members and guests celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.
Shabbat Services are held at 9:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Daily minyan Monday – Friday is held at 7:15 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Sunday and holiday minyan services are held at 8:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Education
Adath Jeshurun is rich in culture and learning. Rabbi Slosberg and Cantor Lipp teach a “Lunch and Learn” program each week at a downtown location for noontime Talmud study. The adult education program offers classes in Hebrew, trope, Talmud, basic Judaism and Jewish studies.
Adath Jeshurun offers an exciting program called “LIVE from NY’s 92nd Street Y.” Each program is broadcast live via satellite from the 92nd Street Y in New York City, and includes an interactive experience for attendees.
Recognizing that the Jewish community extends beyond the walls of the synagogue, AJ offers a series of programs called “Out-of-Shul Experiences.” These unique programs take place in restaurants, party rooms, nursing homes, and other locations around the city to bring people together for Jewish programming.
Cantor Lipp invites guest cantors and other performers in the community to join him for the annual AJ Music Festival.
Youth Programs
Adath Jeshurun has a combined Religious School/Hebrew School program for students in kindergarten-grade 8 in conjunction with Keneseth Israel and Temple Shalom, known as LBSY, Louisville Beit Sefer Yachad (see page 21). Additionally, AJ students participate in Shabbat worship.
Adath Jeshurun’s high school students are educated in the community High School of Jewish Studies. The synagogue also provides family education programs and b’nai mitzvah training. Adath Jeshurun recently restructured its youth groups to include a new Youth Services Coordinator. A variety of creative programs have been planned for students in grades 4-12, primarily centering on social action, Jewish community and Jewish values.
Preschool
The award-winning Adath Jeshurun Preschool (see page 14) was founded in 1953, and is licensed by the Kentucky Cabinet for Human Resources. The preschool accepts children from all ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds – ages six weeks-pre-kindergarten. A trained, highly-skilled, nurturing staff treats each child with love, care and respect. The school provides a safe, loving environment in which children can grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.
Carefully planned classroom activities for each child’s developmental level include creative movement, science, music, educational field trips, age-appropriate reading and math readiness programs and Hebrew. Children participate in activities that teach elements of Jewish tradition, history and religion to youngsters from all religious backgrounds.
The school also has a safe, well-equipped, fenced outdoor playground. Early-morning and extended-day options are available, as well as an innovative summer program.
Programs
The congregation sponsors a broad array of social events including young family get-togethers, young adult social events, lavish dinners in the sukkah, craft days, Bonnie’s Baking Bunch, specialty cooking and baking workshops, the AJ Book Club, AJ Movie Matinees, Israel trips, congregational cruises and more. Members and guests are welcome to browse through the well-stocked Adath Jeshurun Gift Shop full of Judaic items, jewelry, books and gifts for all occasions.
Outreach to Interfaith Families
A very important component of AJ is commitment to “Keruv,” or outreach. Interfaith households are welcome at Adath Jeshurun and are accepted and embraced as part of the AJ family. AJ’s Rabbi Robert B. Slosberg is a former National Chairman of the Outreach Commission for the Conservative Movement.
Repairing the World
Tikkun Olam projects include participation in Jewish Family & Career Services food drives, outreach projects, Habitat for Humanity participation, as well as monthly collections of items to assist needy members of the Louisville community. Community Bikkur Cholim (visiting the sick) is an ongoing program at Adath Jeshurun. Congregational volunteers visit Jewish patients from all congregations at Jewish and Baptist East Hospitals on Friday afternoons. They bring challah, wine and grape juice, along with a warm Shabbat greeting. Additionally, both the rabbi and cantor make regular hospital and nursing home visits, often bringing gifts created by AJ members.
Communications
Communications at AJ are handled using a variety of electronic means. AJ’s state-of-the-art website contains a wealth of information about AJ events and about Jewish topics. In addition to a mailed monthly newsletter, AJ members receive weekly e-letters, a monthly e-bulletin and Facebook updates. The entire building offers Wi-Fi capability.
Arnold C. Zegart, President
Robert B. Slosberg, Rabbi
David A. Lipp, Cantor
Robin Silverman, Synagogue Administrator
Holly Southwick, Financial Administrator
Melissa Loyd, Preschool Director
Deborah Slosberg, Adult Education Coordinator
Molly Evancho, Facility and Event Manager
Lizzie Tasch, Membership Services Coordinator
Learn more about Community Programs in Adath Jeshurun’s Life & Learning Page.
Visit AJ Preschool and other Adath Jeshurun Jewish Education Programs.