Newsletters

Worship Event 
of the Week

Shabbat Blessings
At 6:45 p.m. Friday, December 22, we gather on Zoom for Shabbat blessings. This is a nice way to make Shabbos in our own homes and connect with one another. Click here.

Upcoming
Kol Ami Events

Shabbat and New Year's Celebration
We are together in person at All Souls Friday, December 29, beginning at 6:45 p.m., for our annual Shabbat around the secular new year, with informal  worship, food and games.

Bring Joy (Oneg) to Future First-Friday Shabbat Services
We are looking for some mensches to pick a month to bring simple handheld treats (e.g., veggies, brownies or cookies) to share following our Friday-night service. If you are able to do this, please respond to office@kolamikc.org.

Yahrzeits
This Week
December 22
Besse Engleman Gottstein - grandmother of Beth Thompson
December 25
Denise Green - mother of Rachel Bishop

We Wish 
Mi Shebeirach
A complete healing of mind, body and spirit to:

Robert Clinton
John Cottrell
Kenneth Dantzler
Bill Drummond
Rev. Lloyd Fields
Dana A. Fuller
Amanda Goldstein
Harriet Greenwald
Brian Guthrie
​​​​​​​Karla Jacobs 
Butch Murphy
Katie Nottingham
Michah ben Sarah
Rachel Silk
Gerry Trilling
Joel Zitron

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

Rabbi Doug’s blog will resume next week when the rabbi returns from vacation.

This Week's Torah Portion
Parashat Vayigash
(Bereishit/Genesis 44:18-47:27)



Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, and they have an emotional reunion. He asks that they get Jacob, their father, and return with him and their families to live in Egypt. Joseph then reunites with his father as well. Pharoah suggests that the entire family settle in Goshen, a fertile area of Egypt. Joseph, his brothers and Jacob settle in Goshen and become prosperous there. 

Last week, we read that Joseph forgave his brothers for their betrayal. This week, we see the strong bond of family, even after so many years apart and the brothers' previous treatment of Joseph. They revel in their newfound connection and reside together going forward.

Kol Ami News

Music to Our Ears
By Pat Clinton

Lara Steinel has been Kol Ami’s music director for 10 years. As she steps down from this position, I have been pondering what it is that she has brought to every service that has inspired each of us, in our own way, to reflect on the past week and contemplate what the next week will bring. Some of this reflection can be attributed to the songs we sing and the prayers we recite. But Lara has had a way of connecting to us individually with her smile and invitation to participate. 

Music is the vehicle that connects all of us. It is said that music is the social glue and agent of solidarity, helping create, maintain and strengthen a sense of community. It touches our deepest emotions – it can make us laugh, cry, stamp our feet, clap our hands, shout with joy and dance. This is fundamentally what Lara has brought to Kol Ami. 

Lara and the musicians and singers she brought together have transported us from passively sitting to understanding the meaning of celebrating Shabbat. And, for many of us, the musical performances at the High Holidays were deeply moving and magnificent. Now, in these times of tension and conflict, Lara has reminded us why observing and honoring our heritage and culture is critical. 

We will remember the joy and the kehilah, the community, she has nurtured, and the unrestrained exuberance she has brought to us. We celebrate her accomplishments, her energy and her devotion to Kol Ami.

Please note: We will all miss Lara as music director, but she isn’t going anywhere! The Kol Ami board is in the process of bringing on a new music director and will keep you informed. In the meantime, if you have suggestions or music connections, please let us know by sending an email to Pat Clinton at president@kolamikc.org.