Our History and Values
Congregation Leyv Ha-Ir~Heart of the City is a Reconstructionist community located in Center City Philadelphia. Leyv Ha-Ir is Hebrew for Heart of the City, although our close-knit community extends beyond Philadelphia.
The congregation was founded in May 1990 by a small group of women and men looking to create a lively Jewish community geared toward mature adults not always well served by traditional family-oriented synagogues. Rather than host a Hebrew school or youth programs, Leyv Ha-Ir focuses its resources on creating a spiritually rewarding and intellectually stimulating place for adult worship, learning, and friendship.
Led by Rabbi Julie Greenberg and our lay leadership, the congregation brings together people from all branches of Judaism and includes singles, couples, and those in traditional and non-traditional families regardless of color or gender identity.
Leyv Ha-Ir is affiliated with: