Congregation Emanu-El Mission Statement

 The purpose of this Congregation is to promote the enduring and fundamental principles of Reform Judaism and to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people; to encourage religious, social, cultural, civic, and educational activities among its membership; to enlighten and direct public opinion in regard to an understanding of Reform Judaism; and to encourage the active practice of our principles in our lives, families, and the society in which we live.

135+ YEARS OF GROWTH AND COUNTING

Congregation Emanu El (CE) is proud of our rich heritage and role as the sole home of Reform Judaism in south-central Kansas. Here are just a few of our historic benchmarks.

●       1885 - Founded - just 15 years after the city of Wichita was chartered.

●       1903 - Began holding services at the First Unitarian Church (Topeka and Central)

●       1932 - Moved into our first temple building (Second and Fountain), today owned by the Wichita Community Theater.

●       1961 - Moved to a new building at 7011 E. Central, now Epic Church.

●       2019 - after four years of discussion and negotiation, chose to combine our campus footprint with our sister synagogue, the Conservative Ahavath Achim Hebrew Congregation (AAHC) by utilizing their building as the starting point of a $3 million renovation.

●       2021 - Grand Opening of the new Joan Beren Wichita Jewish Community Center located on North Woodlawn Ave., a combined facility housing all the Jewish organizations in town; CE, AAHC, the Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation (MKJF), and the jointly-funded Joan Beren Jewish Community School (JBJCS).

For more information on Judaism in Wichita see the linked paper written by Dr. Jay M. Price, Professor and Chair, Department of History at Wichita State University and a closely affiliated member of our congregation. Jewish Community In Wichita, 1920-1970 Same Wagon, New Horses

In addition, if you’re interested in more information about the wider North American and global Jewry, see the Berman Jewish Data Bank, a project of the Jewish Federations of North America.

TODAY AND TOMORROW

CE looks forward to a promising future of fostering Reform Judaism in Wichita and our surrounding geographic communities. We're as committed to tomorrow as we are to today. Traditions inform our actions but we are not constrained by them; we honor them. However, like every congregation in America today - we're seeking opportunities to evolve to better meet the wants and needs of a changing community and society.  Change is always a challenge but we’re committed to ensuring that there are Reform Jews in Kansas for decades to come.

We're open to ideas and participation that help us stay true to our mission and values while always remaining a welcoming home for ALL those who support our mission statement; Congregation Emanu-El is a progressive Reform Jewish congregation, dedicated to enriching the lives of our congregants and our society through worship, education, community, and service.

All are welcome. We provide a cordial environment that encourages guests, visitors, and the curious to visit, worship, and learn about Judaism.

Want to talk about our today and tomorrow? Let us know.