Shabbat Blessings We gather at 6:45 p.m. this Friday, March 24, via Zoom for Shabbat Blessings and a little bit of Torah. This is always a nice way to connect with one another and make Shabbos together. For everyone, this is an opportunity to gain greater comfort in performing the rituals of Shabbat. For the Zoom link, click here.
Congregant in the News
Kol Ami Member Jenna Brofsky Files for Second Term on Fairway City Council “Jenna Brofsky, local attorney and community volunteer, has filed for re-election to the Fairway City Council, representing Ward 4. This would be Brofsky’s second term on the council.” (Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, March 9, 2023). Click here to read the full article. Community Event
Women's Heart Health Program Hadassah Greater Kansas City invites the community to a free Zoom program: "Taking Women's Health to Heart," with speaker Rachel Sosland, M.D., at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 28. Register by this Friday, March 24, and receive the link by emailingmkhadassah@gmail.com.
We Wish Mi Shebeirach A Complete Healing of Mind, Body and Spirit to:
Robert Clinton Kenneth Dantzler Rev. Kendyl Gibbons Amanda Goldstein Frank Karr LJ Karr Sheryl Kretchmer Marc Ordo Rachel Perera Michah ben Sarah Edi Shifrin Carol Swartz
If you would like a name to continue to be listed or if you have a new name to include, please send an email to healing@kolamikc.org.
Rabbi's Week in Review
Beginning the Book of Vayikra/Leviticus in our Written Torah, we are confronted with what is seemingly the least relevant discussion relative to our contemporary sensibility. Although there are those within the Jewish world who look forward to the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem and the return of the sacrificial cult, no one I know is lining up to bring back, much less perform, animal sacrifice.
This Week's Torah Portion Parashat Vayikra (Vayikra/Leviticus 1:1-5:26)
With this week’s Torah portion, we begin the third of the Five Books of Moses. We read about the sacrificial cult and whether we see our prayers as a worthy substitute for the sacrificial cult — how we engage with G-d and with each other.
Upcoming Kol Ami Event
Kol Ami Passover Seder
Kol Ami gathers in person for a seder on the second night of Passover, Thursday, April 6. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the seder starting at 6 p.m.
Rabbi Doug is bringing new Haggadot for the service, compiled by his seminary colleague, Rabbi Ellen Bernstein. (Rabbi Bernstein is the founder of the Jewish ecological movement.) It comes with wonderful and easy-to-follow commentary on different parts of the Passover seder, along with beautiful illustrations. Lara Steinel, our music director, will provide musical accompaniment for the service.
The seder will be vegetarian (not vegan) and catered. (Attendees are asked to bring their own wine or grape juice.)
The cost is $25 for those 12 and older, $15 for those aged 6-11, and free for children 5 and younger. The seder takes place at Guadalupe Center, 1015 Avenida Cesar E Chavez, in Kansas City, Mo. (Guadalupe Center has free adjacent parking and is near KC's downtown Crossroads Arts District.) Register by April 2 by clicking here.
