The annual Day of Discovery will take place in person and virtually on Sunday, Aug. 21.
This program provides the opportunity for the Jewish community to discover the richness and diversity of Jewish learning in Kansas City. Over 30 different courses will be offered in 2022.
The day will begin at 8:45 a.m. with registration and a light breakfast, and classes begin at 9:30 a.m. Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Jewish Family Services Food Pantry High Holy Day food drive.
Although pre-registration has closed, limited walk-in registration for sessions is still available. Interested walk-in participants should arrive by 9 a.m. to sign up. Information on class offerings can be found at www.dayofdiscoverykc.org.
In addition to more traditional course offerings, Day of Discovery is bringing sessions that engage learners through music, movement and dance.
Yoga therapist Sharon Friedman will encourage learners to use their breath and gentle movements in her session “Modeh Ani Embodied.” She encourages learners to come with an open mind and heart.
Rachel Downs-Doubrava and Bailey Kivett, educators and artists, are preparing to present their session called “The Journey of my Jewish.” Downs-Doubrava and Kivett encourage participants to come into the class with flexibility, an open mind, and focus.
Another class, Lezlie Zucker’s “Beyond Eileh Ezk’rah: Music of a Tikkun Service,” encourages learners to experience traditional melodies and inspiration when looking into the text of the Eileh Ezk’rah service.
In addition to the sessions offered, JFS is hosting a family program from 10-11:30 a.m. Families will take part in activities geared for students in preschool-5th grade. The program will include connecting through play, touring stations throughout the Jewish Community Campus, and music in a sukkah with students from the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Band and musician Coleen Dieker. The morning will include story time (with snacks) with PJ Library, a tour of the JFS Food Pantry and a scavenger hunt.
JFS’ Family Life Educator Jodi Perelmuter, along with JFS colleagues Sondra Wallace, Director of Mental Health; Wendy Anderson, YouBeYou Coordinator; Kerry Scott, Clinical Manager; and the mental health team, came up with activities for families to enjoy together. Perelmuter reached out to colleagues at other organizations to enhance the program.
“The Day of Discovery Family Program is an incredible time to come together as a community, with the goal of increasing joy, having fun, and entering your child’s world to connect and learn how to parent through play and incorporate Jewish values,” Perelmuter said.
Perelmuter is looking for volunteers to assist in the morning; volunteers can contact her at (913) 327-8959 or .
Day of Discovery is a partnership of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City and Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation at The J. Other co-sponsors include Jewish Family Services, Village Shalom and area congregations. This program is generously funded in part by the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.
Information can be found at dayofdiscoverykc.org or by contacting Annette Fish, Administrator/Program Director of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City, by email at or by phone at 913-327-8226.
