Newsletters

Worship Events
of the Week

Erev Shabbat Service
At 6:45 p.m. this Friday, December 6, at All Souls, we are in community together to celebrate Shabbat, with music, meaningful prayer and Oneg Shabbat joy — a welcome respite from the stress of the week and to catch up with friends in our Kol Ami family.

Adult Study
We continue our study of “Why We Pray What We Pray” at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 7, at the home of Fay and Rabbi Doug. Zoom is also an option for those who cannot make it in person. For those attending in person, RSVPs are needed to rabbidoug@kolamikc.org. For the Zoom link, click here.

Upcoming Social Justice Event

Toy Drive
Help spread some joy for the kids at Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School. We are collecting toys for first-graders at our Shabbat Shulchan service Friday, December 13. Pick up a toy — or two (maybe one that a boy might prefer or one that a girl might like). As always, your generosity is appreciated — and know that for some of these children, holiday gifts are pretty scarce. Thank you. 
— Pat Clinton

Kol Ami/
Community Event

PJ Library Hanukkah Glow Party
Kol Ami hosts a dreidel game table at the Hanukkah Glow Party Sunday, December 15, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, in the social hall (5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park). The party includes games, crafts, jelly donuts, and a silent disco. Register here by December 13 — tickets cost $10 per family ($20 per family after December 6). Interested in volunteering at the Kol Ami table with Julia? Email her at engagement @kolamikc.org. 

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

Robert Clinton
Kenneth Dantzler
Alan Dietchman
Renée Dietchman
Yale Krugman
Steve Sackin
Micha ben Sarah
Jean Shifrin
Melvin Michael Slater
Serena Verden

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 recently read an article in The Atlantic, “A Guide for the Politically Homeless,” by Eliot A. Cohen. While I did not agree with every assertion made in the article (and maybe that is part of the point, that we can find points of agreement even when we have areas of disagreement), I found resonance with the overarching point of the piece. Cohen sees a way forward through what he describes as a coarse and brutal politics within an ... Click here to read the rest of Rabbi Doug's blog post.

This Week's Torah Portion
Parashat Vayetze (Bereishit/Genesis 28:10-32:3).  



Jacob prays to G-d for protection so that he will return to his homeland. He says if G-d does this, then he will worship G-d. Our biblical commentators see this form of prayer as inappropriately hedging his bet — qualifying his fealty to G-d based on whether G-d delivers for him or finding ways to rationalize his form of prayer; he will worship G-d regardless but will worship G-d only in that particular place if G-d provides protection.

In praying, we are, in a sense, characterizing our relationship with G-d. Praying with some form of ultimatum diminishes the relationship. As it is detrimental to our relationship with G-d, likewise requiring a quid pro quo is detrimental to our interpersonal relationships.

Upcoming Kol Ami Events

Community Happy Hour
Our next community happy hour is from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, at True Food Kitchen, on the Plaza (4749 Pennsylvania, Kansas City). Join us. Click here to RSVP.

Kol Ami Cooking Series Presents ...
Hanukkah Cookie Baking and Decorating 



Come help us prepare cookies for our special Hanukkah Oneg Shabbat on Friday, December 27. Snacks provided. 
• Date: Sunday, December 22 
• Time: 2 p.m.
• Where: All Soul's Kitchen
• Cost: Free 
• RSVP: No later than Thursday, December 19
RSVP/Questions: kehilahvp@kolamikc.org

Resting in Mindfulness Class
Julia Billquist teaches a beginner-friendly mindfulness class Saturday, December 14, at
11 a.m. at All Souls. It's an hour of mindfulness-based practices, including gentle movement; guided meditations; and ways to self-connect and access a grounded, rested nervous system. Click here to RSVP. 

Community Event

Ga'avah KC Hanukkah Party
“Queens of Pop: Madonna, Lady Gaga and Chappell Roan” — a celebration of music, empowerment and pride — features musicians performing the hit songs of these iconic singers Saturday, December 14, from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Uptown Lounge Piano Bar (3400 Main, Kansas City, Mo.). The event also includes trivia, sing-alongs, and other surprises. Click here to get your tickets, and bring a friend. This event is open to LGBTQ+ adults, ages 21 and over.



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