Worship Events of the Week
Shabbat Blessings We gather on Zoom at 6:45 p.m. this Friday, March 22, to make Shabbos along with a little bit of Torah. As we celebrate Shabbat in our homes, we still can come together to recite the blessings for Shabbat and be together in community. For the Zoom link, click here.
Purim Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, we celebrate Purim at the home of Fay and Rabbi Doug. We read with joy from Megillot Esther, the Book of Esther — Esther is the hero of our story — and celebrate with an informal dinner and beverages. If you are attending, you must RSVP to rabbidoug@kolamikc.org.
Upcoming Kol Ami Events
Kol Ami Cooking Series Brunch With Bubbe Join us for a hands-on demo and a tasting of Eastern European Jewish brunch favorites — blintzes, chopped herring and more — with special guest and teacher Lois Balk. When: Sunday, April 7 Time: 2 - 5 p.m. Where: All Soul’s kitchen Cost: $20 per person Click here to reserve a spot! Questions? Email Brad Ordo at kehilahvp@kolamikc.org.
Passover Seder Save the date: Tuesday, April 23, Kol Ami is holding a second-night seder. More information to come.
Kol Ami News
Bring Joy (Oneg) to a Shabbat Service Thank you to Jon Scheinman and Anita Grow, who will provide treats for our April Oneg Shabbat. We invite other mensches to volunteer to bring simple vegetarian goodies (veggies, hummus, pita, crackers and cheeses, cakes, cookies, nuts, fruits, etc.) to share following the first Friday-night service of the month.
When you pick a month, we know we’ll have the pleasure of your company for Shabbat worship and post-service schmoozing. Please respond to worship@kolamikc.org to get on the Oneg Shabbat calendar.
— Kol Ami Worship Committee
Yahrzeit This Week
March 20 Betty Breinin – mother of Rick Breinin
We Wish Mi Shebeirach A complete healing of mind, body and spirit:
Karen Chisholm Robert Clinton Kenneth Dantzler Harriet Greenwald Michelle Hills Karla Jacobs Katie Nottingham Harolyn Richberg Shayndal Chana bat Bayla Riva Michah ben Sarah Louise 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.
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Rabbi's Week in Review
Last week, Fay and I attended another of the Trailblazing Talks, the speaker series at the Kauffman Center, this one titled “From Sandlots to Stadiums.” The featured presenter was sports photographer Jean Fruth. This followed the previous week’s program presented by the Jewish Experiences program through The J and Jewish Federation, featuring the great sports (and particularly baseball) writer Joe Posnanski. The program took place at ... Click here to read the rest of Rabbi Doug's blog post.
This Week's Torah Portion Parashat Vayikra (Vayikra/Leviticus 1:1-5:26)
We begin a new book of the Torah this week, and a narrative for the next few weeks addressing the sacrificial cult. While no one I know is lobbying to bring back animal sacrifice (and as a meatless diet becomes more and more prevalent), it is helpful to look beyond the methodology of the ritual and look to its goals. Whether it be to perform acts of teshuva — acts of repentance for wrongdoing — or to be grateful for our well-being, we consider how we seek out rituals today that will assuage guilt and lead to living better lives, or how we continue to express gratitude for the good things in our lives.
Weekly Feature
Purim Is Coming By Wynne Begun
The night of March 23, we get out groggers and costumes and the Megillah, and tell the story once again of the heroism of Esther. I enjoy the traditions around each holiday but find that my focus generally is on the food.
During the pandemic (which now seems so long ago), I had just moved into a new home, and I knew of several Jewish neighbors who lived in the same condo building. I was honing my baking skills during that time, and I decided to try hamantaschen — I had found an easy recipe for the dough. I now share my secret for foolproof, easy and delicious hamantaschen. Click here.
Be creative with the fillings. I was. Just ask my neighbors!
Community News
Mitzvah Mondays by Julia Patterson, Kol Ami's director of community engagement
I’d like to introduce “Mitzvah Mondays,” a space where we periodically share mitzvahs large and small — on Mondays or not! These good deeds will also appear on our social-media channels.
The first mitzvah I’d like to share is my family’s fully stocked "Little Free Library" that stands along our sidewalk for those passing by to take or share a book. It gives me great joy to see a child riding by on their scooter or an adult walking their dog grab a book. Please share your mitzvahs with me at engagement@kolamikc.org and I’ll share them in a future newsletter!
AIDS Walk Kansas City Mark your calendars for the morning of Saturday, April 27, as once again Kol Ami and Ga’avah team up for AIDS Walk Kansas City 2024. Registration info to come. Questions? Email Julia Patterson at engagement@kolamikc.org.
Membership
Interested in membership at Kol Ami? Email membership@kolamikc.org.
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