Newsletters

Worship Event
of the Week

Shabbat Shulchan
We look forward to our monthly Shabbat Shulchan — our Shabbat Table — at 6 p.m. this Friday, February 9, at All Souls. Informal, meaningful worship is followed by a Seudah, a festive Shabbat dinner. It is a great time to be together and enjoy each other's company. 

​​​​​​​So we are sure to have enough food for everyone, those attending need to RSVP to rabbidoug@kolamikc.org.

We Collect — and Donate — Paper Bags
When coming to All Souls, bring the gently used paper grocery bags you’ve been saving. We donate them to Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund for food distribution to farmworkers and their families. Thank you!

Yahrzeits
This Week

February 11
Robert Rosin – father of Elizabeth Rosin

February 12
Daniel Freeman Jaffe – father of Anna Jaffe

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

Robert Clinton
Kenneth Dantzler
Bill Drummond
Rev. Lloyd Fields
Amanda Goldstein
Harriet Greenwald
Michelle Hills
Karla Jacobs 
Katie Nottingham
Larry Parker
Dr. Carol Pohl
Harolyn Richberg
Michah ben Sarah
Edi Shifrin
Rachel Silk

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



I had the chance to have breakfast this past week with a valued friend, the Rev. Dr. Rodney Williams. As always, the conversation was far-ranging, catching up on the personal, the work of our respective congregations, and our shared work in pursuing justice.  

How we approach our various relationships seems to be a topic that crosses all facets of our lives. More specifically, whether the way we and others engage is done ... Click here to read the rest of Rabbi Doug's blog post.

This Week's Torah Portion
Parashat Mishpatim (Shemot/Exodus 21:1-24:18)



Parashat Mishpatim, meaning rules or laws, follows up on last week’s Torah portion enumerating the Ten Commandments. This week our Torah focuses on a series of laws governing everyday life. Embedded in what could be seen as the little stuff is the mitzvah, the commandment to not oppress the stranger, recalling our own history as strangers enslaved in the land of Egypt. Our obligation to the other, to those not like us, represents a seminal Jewish value. As one of the strangers, we must find ways to connect to and protect all of the strangers in our midst.

Weekly Feature

Professional Jewish Football Players Are (Somewhat) Plentiful
By Stan Stern

Is Patrick Mahomes Jewish? No (sorry). But Green Bay Packer running back A.J. Dillon is. In fact, Dillon, 25, spoke at a BBYO convention last year to talk about being a Jew of color, and missing Hebrew school for football practice as a kid.

Several Jewish football players are in the NFL.

Michael Dunn, 29,  a 315-pound guard, plays for the Cleveland Browns. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), Dunn played in Cleveland’s first eight games this year, but a back injury put him out for the season.

Greg Joseph, 29, is the primary kicker for the Minnesota Vikings. Born in South Africa, he attended Jewish day schools growing up in Florida. He’s known especially for two clutch field goals that won games.

Jake Curhan, 25, offensive tackle on the Seattle Seahawks, grew up attending Jewish summer camps. According to the JTA, his nickname at Stanford was “Bear Jew.” I understand the Bear part, as a reference to the Stanford team name, but why the two words are together I have no idea. 

Three free agents are Anthony Firkser, 28, who plays tight end and is a Harvard grad; Josh Rosen, 26, a quarterback who was once thought to be a successor to Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman (probably the best Jewish football player); and Sam Sloman, 25, a kicker who was known as “Kosher Cannon” at Miami University in Ohio.

Off the field are Jewish team owners and Jewish broadcasters. Among the 10 owners is Josh Harris, who bought the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder — who is, as Adam Sandler would say, “also a Jew.” Jewish broadcasters are even more numerous, including Chris Berman, Al Michaels and Tracy Wolfson.

See jta.org to learn more.