Newsletters

Worship Event 
of the Week

Shabbat Shulchan
We always look forward to celebrating Shabbat together with our Shabbat Shulchan, our Shabbos Table. At 6 p.m. this Friday, December 13, at All Souls, join us for informal, joyous worship followed by our Seudah, our festive Shabbat dinner. And Julia has a Hanukkah-themed children’s activity for the kids! Click here to RSVP so Julia knows how much food to get! 

Kol Ami Social
Justice Event

Toy Drive
Help spread some joy for the young students at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. We are collecting toys for 70 first-graders at our Shabbat Shulchan service this Friday, December 13. Pick up a toy — or perhaps two. Your generosity is appreciated — for some of these children, holiday gifts are scarce. Thank you. 
— Pat Clinton

Yahrzeits
This Week

December 12
Leizer Balk – father of Fay Balk

December 14
Dude Marcum – grandfather of Rebecca Marcum Parker

December 15
Rosalie Alpert – mother of Rabbi Doug Alpert

Nathan Swerdlove – father of Victor Swerdlove

December 17
Albert Bamberger – father of David Bamberger, grandfather of Elissa Bamberger

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 participated on a panel discussing both the administration of the death penalty in general and how Judaism treats the death penalty. Whatever information I imparted, I learned much more from the other three panelists.

I was particularly struck by the presentation of Donna Schneweis, who chairs the KCADP, the Kansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. She presented information on how the imposition has a ... Click here to read the rest of Rabbi Doug's blog post.

This Week's Torah Portion
Parashat Vayishlach
(Bereishit/Genesis 32:4-36:43)



Jacob, in anticipation of meeting with his estranged brother, Esau, has a dream in which he wrestles — wrestles with an angel? with G-d? with his own conscience? Regardless, it is in the act of wrestling — confronting what is difficult to confront or confronting our own fear — that we often change and grow. In the meeting with Esau, Jacob discovers that in overcoming fear and, often, paralysis that can come with a broken relationship, reconciliation is attainable, and those we may see as our enemies can become our allies. 

Upcoming Kol Ami Events

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

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



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: By Thursday, December 19
RSVP/Questions: kehilahvp@kolamikc.org

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

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

Kol Ami News

Book Club
Book club is coming back, thanks to member Haley Ferguson. The first book will be Temim Fruchter's debut novel, City of Laughter, a story “spanning four generations of Eastern European Jewish women bound by blood, half-hidden secrets, and the fantastical visitation of a shapeshifting stranger over the course of 100 years.” Haley has asked for interested parties to weigh in on a date for the first meeting. Click here to vote, and email haleycferguson@gmail.com with questions.