Newsletters

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. 

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.