Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

Dear Kol Ami family,

I hope you all enjoyed a restful Shabbat and that your week is off to an auspicious start. For the last two years, I have had the joy of worshiping alongside you, first as a conversion student
and then as a member of Kol Ami. Now, I am honored to transition into a new role as Board
President. I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share my intentions and
aspirations for this new position with you.

I grew up in Liberty and attended college in California, where I studied Romance Languages and Literatures. After college, I completed two years of service with AmeriCorps: one as a Student Success Coach with Kansas City Public Schools through City Year Kansas City, and one as a Justice Corps Graduate Fellow providing assistance to self-represented litigants in Los Angeles County. I returned to Kansas City to pursue a master’s degree in education at UMKC. For the last five years, I have taught at Northeast Middle School in KCPS, where I have had the pleasure of working with children whose families come from all over the world, from Independence Avenue to Honduras, Tanzania, Thailand, and beyond.

For me, tikkun olam is about building a world that is safer, kinder, and more equitable for
ourselves and for the generations that come after us. As president of the Kol Ami Board, I plan
to help forge a new partnership between our congregation and Northeast Middle School and
build upon the many amazing social justice initiatives already in place, including our
partnerships with the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund and Ga’avah KC and our efforts to create radically inclusive spaces for connection in the Kansas City Jewish community.

This historical moment we find ourselves in is, in turns, absurd, frightening, infuriating, and
tragic. You all remind me every day of the beauty, meaning, peace, and good works that can
happen when a community comes together with love and an unfailing commitment to making
this world a better place. If you have ideas for more ways that we can transform that vision into a reality, please do not hesitate to email me or chat with me at services. I look forward to
working alongside all of you to make it happen!

With gratitude and love,

Haley Ferguson