An Answer -- Kol Ami Newsletter September 16, 2025
09/16/2025 06:02:07 PM
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Kol Ami Newsletter: September 16, 2025
Worship Events
of the Week
Shabbat Blessings
We will be together on Zoom this Friday, September 19, at 6:45 PM to make Shabbos together with Shabbat blessings and a little Torah. Please join us. Kol Ami Events Mah Jongg Club
Kol Ami's Mah Jongg Club meets two Monday evenings a month at 7 PM. Email office@kolamikc.org for information.
Tashlich with Kansas City JVP
Join JVP (Jewish Voice for Peace KC) on Sept. 24 at 6:30 PM for Tashlich, the High Holiday ritual where we symbolically "cast off" the past year's sins. We will gather across from U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's Kansas City office, along Brush Creek, to call on the congressman to co-sponsor the Block the Bombs Act H.R. 3565.
Musical Invitation for High Holy Days
It’s not too late to join our musicians in singing and playing during Kol Ami’s High Holy Days services. Rehearsals will be held in All Souls’ sanctuary from 2-4 PM on Sunday, September 21st. For more info, contact Kol Ami’s music director, Karen Engebretson, at music@kolamikc.org.
We Wish Mi Shebeirach A Complete Healing of Mind, Body and Spirit to:
Harriet Greenwald Carol Ann Parker Edi Shifrin Melvin Michael Slater
Rufus Magobotha
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.
What to say as we approach the new year 5786? Can we somehow get beyond the present state of fear and polarization that is infecting our country and our world? While I feel that, as rabbi, it is important to project some sense of optimism and hope, regardless of how the general consensus leans to a more bleak outlook, I have to admit to having my moments this week. This past week it has been the response to the murder of right extremist, Charlie Kirk, by leaders who have, instead of calling for an end to political violence regardless of its origin, stoked the flames and fire that will only lead to more violence. That, coupled with the unconstitutional acts of our state legislature, has left me wondering about the pathway forward in 5786.
This week, we read that Torah is not beyond our reach. We can take from this that, in our pursuit of Torah values, we need not seek perfection, but rather to pursue the good. As we approach this time on the Jewish calendar for self-reflection and teshuvah-repentance, we can acknowledge our human frailty as we seek to do better in the year to come.
During the High Holidays, Kol Ami is collecting sweatshirts for our primary social justice partner: the Migrant Farmworker's Assistance Fund (MFAF). These will help farmworker's stay warm during Fall apple picking.
When: Erev Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur
Where: All Souls Lobby
What to Bring:
New or Gently Used Sweatshirts
Sizes: Medium, Large or X-Large
How to Prepare:
Fold Each Sweatshirt
Place Individually in a Paper or Ziploc Bag
Mark the Size Clearly on the Outside
Questions? or wish to arrange alternate drop-off times, please contact Brad Ordo at kehilahvp@kolamikc.org.
Muchas Gracias! from MFAF
A huge thank you to our friends from Kol Ami who joined us on Monday—the sandwiches were delicious, and the teamwork was even better! Together, we packed 45 outreach bags for labor camps and 29 rice-and-beans bags, while also serving sandwiches to farmworkers and families who appreciated having a meal on their way home. At the end of the evening, the 19 remaining sandwiches were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House “House Inside the Hospital” at Children’s Mercy, right next to the NICU. We are so grateful for the generosity and spirit of the Kol Ami group.
Our mailing address is: Congregation Kol Ami 4501 Walnut Street ℅ All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church Kansas City, MO 64111
