Home
Welcome to Congregation Kol Ami!
We are a small, nonaffiliated, progressive, warm, eclectic, and LGBTQ-friendly synagogue located in Kansas City's urban core. Kol Ami aims to become a hub for Jewish activity in the city’s center. We focus on music, lively discussion and social justice, and we welcome people of all levels of Jewish observance and experience. Interfaith families, singles and searchers find Kol Ami a safe and welcoming place to explore their Jewish journeys.
Mission
Kol Ami is an inclusive kehilah (community) that offers vibrant worship and modern Jewish experiences in and for the urban core.
About Our Services
We once again are holding services and events in the Bragg Sanctuary at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in midtown Kansas City, across from the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and the Kansas City Art Institute. We also continue to hold some events via Zoom or livestream.
Our worship is informal, warm and open to everyone regardless of where you happen to be on your Jewish journey. We use the Mishkan T’filah for Travelers, the new prayer book from the Reform Movement, but we’re open to new voices in the Jewish world and regularly draw from other sources. Music is a focal point of our worship … we like to sing! Our music director, Lara Steinel, leads a diverse ensemble of musicians. Rabbi Alpert weaves discussion into each service, explaining the intent and varying interpretations of prayers, texts and rituals. A brief period of meditation is usually included, along with the opportunity to greet visitors and each other. We also offer a healing blessing, the Mi Shebeirach, for those who are ill in our community.
Periodically, Kol Ami invites a speaker to participate and briefly address the congregation on a topic relevant to our vision and mission.
At the conclusion of our Friday-night services, we gather around the table for Oneg Shabbat, which to some means “the sweetness of the Sabbath.” To others, it means “munchies and conversation.” However you interpret it, it’s better when we share it with you.
Our Prayer Book
While we convene on Zoom, the Kol Ami worship siddur Mishkan T'filah for Travelers is available on Kindle through Amazon for $4.99 or at ccarpress.org for purchase. The CCAR Press phone number is 212-972-3636, ext. 241. When we are back together at All Souls, copies will be available.
Morning Worship and Connection
Join us for morning prayer and connection each weekday (M-F) at 8:00 a.m.
Just a short 15 minutes for a little praying, a bit of Torah study, and to stay connected and support each other during this challenging time. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86547062122
Our Upcoming Events
-
Friday ,
FebFebruary 3 , 2023Shabbat Evening Service with Guest Speaker Rita Cortes
Friday, Feb 3rd 6:45p to 8:15p
Let's come together to get some refuge from the chaos and experience a Shabbat Shalom, a Shabbat of Peace. The speaker follows the Oneg Shabbat. Guest speaker Rita Cortes will discuss the state of KCPS and the superintendent search. -
Saturday ,
FebFebruary 4 , 2023Adult Study
Shabbat, Feb 4th 9:30a to 10:30a
Join us for a wonderful discussion, led by Rabbi Doug Alpert, that starts with our sacred texts as the foundation for an exploration of contemporary topics. Please RSVP to rabbidoug@kolamikc.org or join Zoom. -
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 5 , 2023Tu B'Shvat Seder
Sunday, Feb 5th 5:00p to 8:00p
On February 5, we observe Tu B'Shvat with a joyous seder to honor and support Suzanne Gladney and Alan Lubert’s work with the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund. MFAF helps provide food, health care, child care, school enrollment and other services to the migrant-farmworker community near Lexington, Missouri. Please put Sunday, February 5, on your calendar! Click HERE to learn more. Use the PayPal link on that page to purchase tickets. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 10 , 2023Erev Shabbat / Shabbat Shulchan
Friday, Feb 10th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join us for an informal service and light Sabbath meal in the lobby at All Souls as we celebrate Shabbat together at our Kol Ami Erev Shabbat service, with music, a D’var Torah (a word or two of Torah), Sabbath prayers and blessings. -
Saturday ,
FebFebruary 18 , 2023Shabbat Morning Adult Study and Worship
Shabbat, Feb 18th 9:30a to 11:30a
It is always a wonderful discussion as we start with our sacred texts as the foundation for an exploration of contemporary topics. Shabbat morning worship follows our discussion. RSVP to rabbidoug@kolamikc.org or join Zoom. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 24 , 2023Shabbat Blessings
Friday, Feb 24th 6:45p to 7:00p
Join us as we "make Shabbos,” reciting blessings together to get our Shabbat started. Candle blessings, Kiddush over wine or grape juice, and Motzi add a sense of the sacred to our Shabbat experience and lives. Join Zoom. -
Tuesday ,
FebFebruary 28 , 2023Book Club - Etty Hillesum: An Interrupted Life
Tuesday, Feb 28th 7:00p to 8:30p
Book club discusses Etty Hillesum: An Interrupted Life. For Zoom, click here.
Wed, February 1 2023
10 Shevat 5783
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Holidays At A Glance
Update this content.