Web frameworks

I want to prototype a web service that allows someone to register, enter some personal information and receive SMS alerts. Rails is probably one answer but I didn't take to Ruby so it could be Django, TurboGears or some other Python answer to Rails. I had a play with a combination of Jython, Spring and Velocity but I would like some AJAX without having to integrate it myself. On the Java side JSF scores well on AJAX (and other) widgets even if it seems overly complex. The Click Java framework has a nice simplicity about it.