Rabbi's Week in Review
The Kansas City Jewish community faced a horrific tragedy last week with the death of Stacey Bell, of blessed memory. Her tireless effort to try to find the needed help for her adopted daughter's mental illness and her constant love for that daughter were not enough.
For me, this tragedy provided a stark reminder of our ongoing struggle to adequately address mental illness in our country... Click here to read the rest of Rabbi Doug's blog post.
This Week's Torah Portion
This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Shoretim (Devarim/Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9). We read the famous verse, Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof — often translated as “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” A better translation may be “Pursue absolute justice.” The understanding is that a society, in order to function, must have judges who show no partiality and who take no bribes.
At a time when our Department of Justice has become politicized, and impartiality is not guaranteed, we need to do our part in order to pursue absolute justice. We risk the very foundation of our democracy if we cannot trust how justice is administered in our country.
Worship Event of the Week
Saturday, August 22, 9:30 a.m. Looking forward to studying together this coming Shabbat, followed by Shabbat worship and blessings. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82904549575
Weekly Features
Back to School
By Pat Clinton
While children will not be physically in school for a while, they still need supplies. Principal Dana-Mae Abram, of our partner school Martin Luther King Jr Elementary, spoke at our Friday-night Shabbat service August 14. She proudly told us of the school’s many accomplishments this past year, but teachers and students still face many challenges and barriers.
We can help. I will be in the parking lot of All Souls (4501 Walnut) for the next three Wednesdays — August 19 and 26, and September 2, from 3 to 6 p.m., to gather donations. The link below will connect you to school-supply lists by clicking on a grade. If you can fill a book bag, great — but any of the supplies listed are needed and welcome. You will also see a link to Amazon, Target, Office Depot, etc. Be aware: prices differ across retailers, so check for the best deal. See you on Wednesday.
https://www.teacherlists.com/schools/107538-martin-luther-king-elementary
Other school supplies that are needed: earbuds/headphones, small whiteboards and dry-erase markers, hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes, and student incentives such as gift cards.
Social Justice at Kol Ami: Rethinking How to Involve Everyone
in Something!
By Wynne Begun
Our members often say they join Kol Ami because of its commitment to social-justice issues. Our rabbi has been the voice of Kol Ami in his work to increase equity and to reduce the effects of racism. His presence and his efforts have shone a positive spotlight on our congregation. As we begin to prepare for the High Holy Days and enter a time of reflection and renewed commitment, it’s time to think about how we can stand with our rabbi to do social-justice work.
We have selected four groups for Kol Ami involvement. A calendar of these groups’ upcoming events and specific needs will be listed in our newsletter and on our website. The calendar listings will range from donations of goods or funds to hands-on activities (while maintaining social distance) to community actions and training opportunities.
The four groups are listed below, as well as the Kol Ami liaison to each group. Please contact the liaisons if you have any questions about the organizations or the calendar listings, or email office@kolamikc.org.
1. The Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund (MFAF), based in Kansas City, Missouri, assists migrant workers — those who travel and those who settle in the area year-round — with material needs, health and medical services, education assistance and advocacy. Kol Ami has begun collecting paper grocery bags for MFAF’s weekly food distribution to farmworkers. Liaison: Deborah Hirsch
2. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, of Kansas City Public Schools, serves the Manheim Neighborhood. Kol Ami has had a relationship with MLK for the last several years and has provided school supplies annually at this time of year. Our family program also raised funds for the school by setting up a lemonade stand. MLK is considered a Title 1 school, and at least 90 percent of the students qualify for free and/or reduced-cost lunch. Liaison: Pat Clinton
3. MORE2 — This community-organizing group, which Kol Ami has a long history with, is involved with many equity and access initiatives, including community policing, fair wages, access to health care, and immigration, just to name a few. Liaison: Saul Epstein
4. The Manheim Park + Garden Conservancy — Thanks to the work of several Kol Ami members and other sponsors, the garden has become the property of the Conservancy and will continue to be a positive force in the Manheim Neighborhood. Kol Ami members can work on and enjoy the outdoor space, gardens and orchard. Liaisons: Steve and Linda Sackin
Congregants In The News
Kol Ami Cats — Kitten Edition
By Leah Merrill
Though it's time for dogs (hooray for dogs!!), Mr Noodle wanted to show off his kitten. This is Oliver. He was rescued from a dangerous situation, and Mr Noodle has immediately adopted him as his own and is earnestly bathing him and teaching him the Ways of Cats.
Community Events
Don’t Miss the 2020 Virtual Day of Discovery — Sunday, August 23,
from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thirty classes are offered throughout the day, via Zoom, on a wide range of topics, and they’re facilitated by Kansas City experts, including Jewish educators, rabbis, professors and cantors. Our Kol Ami rabbi, Doug Alpert, will serve on a panel discussion of local, state and national issues of concern in the 2020 elections. Our music director, Lara Steinel, will lead a session on Jewish meditation.
For information and a listing of the classes, and to register by August 19, visit
https://kcrabbi.org/day-of-discovery/day-of-jewish-discovery-2020.
Questions? Contact Annette Fish, administrator/program director, Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City, afprogram@aol.com, 913-327-4622.
Kol Ami Website Sign-in
The new Kol Ami website is kolamikc.org. For members who wish to access congregational information, such as the directory, be sure to set up your personal account by clicking on the Login button in the top-right corner of the homepage and creating a password.
