Newsletter

Open Yad Takeover Shabbat
Friday, May 20 at 6:30 PM

We hope you'll join us at Kol Ami for a special "Open Yad Takeover" Shabbat this Friday evening! Our service will be led by Rabbi Levy and our very own newly ordained Rabbi Elana Rabishaw, who will be joined by Open Yad participant and Kol Ami board member Leonard Slutsky. Come one and come all as we welcome in Shabbat together alongside the upcoming generation of Jewish leaders!

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Lunch and Learn
Thursday, May 19 at 12:00 PM

Rabbi Levy steps in for Rabbi Eger this month with this monthly online Jewish teaching during your lunch break. REGISTER HERE

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Jews of Color & People of Color in the Reform Movement Affinity Space Gathering
Thursday, May 19 at 5:00 PM

These gatherings are led by and for Jews of Color & People of Color who are Jewish Adjacent (those of us who are People of Color & do not identify as Jewish but are partnered with a Jewish person or part of a Jewish family). Our hosts for the calls are Yolanda Savage-Narva and Deitra Reiser. This meeting is specifically only for People of Color, 18 years & older. MORE INFO / REGISTRATION

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Prophetic Torah
Saturday, May 21 at 10:00 AM

 Join our monthly Torah study group exploring the weekly portions alongside the traditional Haftarah readings, the prophetic passages that pair with our annual cycle of sacred study. No experience required. REGISTER HERE

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HIV+ Support Group
Saturday, May 21 at 12:15 PM

Facilitated by Rabbi Ross Z. Levy this month, this confidential group is open only to those with HIV/AIDS. We will meet in person on the roof deck at Kol Ami and online. REGISTER HERE

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Battle for Equality at the Kotel
Sunday, May 22 at 10:00 AM

Join us for a talk about equality at the Kotel/Western Wall with Yochi Rapport, Executive Director of Women of the Wall (WOW).  
 Yochi's identity as an Orthodox woman and feminist shows that a woman may indeed possess both attributes. Married and the mother of toddler girl, Yochi strives to make Jerusalem and Israel more tolerant places for her daughter’s generation and beyond. REGISTER HERE

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Book Circle: The Book of Lost Names
Saturday, May 28 at 4:00 PM

Join Kol Ami's book club, hosted by David Glickman and Dr. Jane Druker. We'll discuss The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel, inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II.  REGISTER

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Reform Jewish Community Shabbat
Friday, June 3 at 6:15 at Stephen Wise Temple

Please note: Shabbat Services on Friday, June 3
will not take place at Kol Ami
We will be coming together as a Reform Jewish community to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ordination of women rabbis at Stephen Wise Temple. Services will be at 6:15 PM (note the time change) in person and online. Rabbi Eger will participate in the service. 

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Shavuot with Kol Ami
Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Choosing Again at Sinai
Saturday, June 4

Join Rabbi Eger and Rabbi Levy for an evening of learning and sharing as we we welcome in the holiday of Shavuot. REGISTER HERE

Shavuot Yizkor
Sunday June 5 at 10:15 AM

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Join Congregation Kol Ami for Shavuot Yizkor service honoring the memory of our loved ones. This event will be livestreamed.

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Book Discussion: Halfway Home
Saturday, June 18 at 3:30 PM

Join the Tzedek Council and Anti-Racism Working Group of Kol Ami for a special book club discussion on Halfway Home: Race, Punishment, and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration (click here to get the book). The book illustrates the many challenges people face as they move through and eventually leave the criminal justice system in this country. Learn more/Register ​​​​​​​

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Pride 2022 with Kol Ami
Get a first peak at Kol Ami's Pride Events this year - going back to in-person.
kol-ami.org/pride

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Rabbi Eger Recieved an honorary doctorate from Ben Gurion University in Israel yesterday. Click on the image above to watch the Honorary Recepient video presentation BGU made about our Rabbi. You can now watch the full event online on Facebook .

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In the News...
Kol Ami's Gala made it to the Jewish Journal: "'It was wonderful to celebrate 29 years of Congregation Kol Ami by coming back together in person as a community,' Kol Ami Rabbi Denise Eger said." Read more in the Jewish Journal

Rabbi Eger was interviewed by Voyage LA magazine about her work and about Kol Ami: "We are a Jewish Spiritual community that engages in social justice work, community building, Jewish worship and holiday celebrations."Read the full interview

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Mazal Tov!
Mazal Tov to Kevin Gibson -Weinberger and his parents William Weinberger and Danny Gibson on his graduation from UC Berkeley with a degree in engineering!

Mazal tov to our rabbinic intern

Rabbi Elana Rabishaw

on the occasion of your ordination as a Rabbi. We are so proud of your great achievement.

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Cemetery Plot For Sale
 Through a congregant's generous donation, Congregation Kol Ami is offering a cemetery plot for sale located in the Garden of Jacob section at Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills.
 Asking $10,500.  
Contact info@kol-ami.org

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Refuah Shleimah: A Speedy Recovery
We keep the following members in our healing prayers: John Altschul, Richard Bernard, 

Arlene Drake, Gail Ehrlich, Richard Frank,

Yaffa Hughes, Tim Jordan, Heidi Kebbas, 

Peter Mackler, Chuck Pace,

Neil Romanoff, Ivan Rosenberg, Lowell Selvin, ​​​​​​​Michael Simental, Henry Somerfeld, Cathee Weiss

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Reminder: New COVID-safety Protocol

Kol Ami requires proof of vaccination including at least one booster for all events for all those eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine. If you are not yet eligible for a booster, you must provide proof a negative test within 24 hrs of the event. 
While masks are optional at indoor events the Los Angeles County Health Department strongly recommends that you wear a mask indoors. At Kol Ami we are mindful that there are many people who are immune compromised and as an act of loving kindness (Chesed) and compassion (Rachamim) we recommend you wear a mask except when eating or drinking indoors.

To learn more about Kol Ami's COVID-safety policy please click here.

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