Last year, as the pandemic forced the Jewish community to celebrate the High Holidays differently, members were certain that this year, they would be able to go to temple or synagogue and pray the usual way. But the resurgence in COVID-19 cases and the rise of the Delta variant has many people on edge, and local congregations are adapting to make sure they offer safe High Holiday services.
Kansas City-area Jewish teenagers will soon have a new way to blend fun, friendship, community outreach and spiritual study.
Following a live show with a limited in-person audience at Yardley Hall in Overland Park, Darcie Hingula was announced as the winner of the 2021 KC SuperStar competition.
Simchat Torah is the celebration of the entire Torah, the holiday on which we honor the Torah itself, from the creation of the world to the moment the Israelites are on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, and every narrative moment and law in between.
Nearly 200 people participated in the recent virtual community Day of Jewish Discovery. Twenty-four classes covering a wide range of topics were offered throughout the day and presented by 28 different presenters. Participants had the opportunity to learn and study with some of the community’s finest Jewish educators, rabbis, professors, and cantors who shared their time and expertise with attendees.
With the COVID-19 pandemic heating up again, Jewish Family Services continues to provide approximately 800 families with food, household and personal care items - even pet food.
Dr. Jane Sosland, Priya board president, is a strong advocate and dedicated volunteer for the Jewish Family Services’ program. Priya, a program of JFS, offers Jewish individuals and couples, including LGBTQ+ and interfaith families, emotional support, resource connection, spiritual guidance and financial assistance with genetic testing, fertility treatments and adoption.
Following Havdalah and a virtual keynote presentation by Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, “Looking for God in all the Right Places” a beautiful and moving Selichot service took place Saturday evening at host congregation Beth Torah with multi-access participation.
Magen David Adom is Israel’s national EMS, blood-services, and disaster-relief organization, and Israel’s representative to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Magen David Adom has prioritized the task of placing defibrillators in public spaces throughout Israel. Already, thousands have been installed around the country. Defibrillators can be operated without medical training and are intended to save lives in the event of a heart attack until emergency crews arrive.
JVS TAKING DONATIONS FOR REFUGEES
Jewish Vocational Service is now accepting donations of furniture, clothing and household items to support newly-arriving refugees. All items will be going directly into the homes of refugee families and need to be clean, functional and in good condition.
