Unless otherwise noted, all events are virtual. Some events require an RSVP or enrollment in our programs, so please confirm your spot in advance. Please check directly with JFS on program dates, as dates may change.
An exclusive sneak peek screening and discussion hosted by JFS and the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition. Clips from the four-part series to be broadcast in June on PBS will be shown followed by discussion.
Join on Facebook Live facebook.com/jfskc
OR Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 358 566 1652
Join artist and gardener, Karen Lyman as she shares the latest tips and techniques to create fabulous containers beyond red geraniums and spikes during a free virtual presentation.
Based on the elements of fine design, Lyman will present everything you need to know to make your next container garden a work of art. A Johnson County Extension Master Gardener volunteer, Lyman combines her art background and gardening knowledge to create many fabulous container gardens for herself and others to enjoy.
The free virtual program is part of the Learn Laugh & Love series sponsored by Jewish Family Services and The Heritage Center at The J. Register to receive the Zoom link at Meeting Registration – Zoom.
For questions, please contact Susie Hurst, JFS Director of Family LifeEducation, at susieh@jfskc.org.
This year’s Tisha B’Av observances will include a virtual discussion at 4 p.m., July 18: From Destruction to Redemption: Personal Stories of Addiction and Recovery hosted by the Rabbinical Association and Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City.
Hear from members of the community who have suffered personally or have a loved one who has suffered from addiction. The program will also include reflection of the path from addiction to recovery as a form of transition from destruction to redemption.
Participants will include: Rabbi David M. Glickman, Congregation Beth Shalom, who will share the story of his brother’s struggles with addiction; Mia Cohen, a recording artist and social media branding specialist currently working for Jewish Family and Career Services in Atlanta; a college student; an adult who has struggled with addiction; and Marla Kauffman, executive director and founder of Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN), whose son is in a long-term recovery from substance use disorder. Kauffman has been active in the Seattle Jewish community since relocating there with her husband, Joe, in November 2019.
Sarah Link Ferguson, development officer at First Call and member of Congregation Koi Ami, will moderate the discussion. Ferguson is also a member of the recovery community and has written about her experience as a Jewish person in recovery for outlets such as Tablet magazine and the Temper. She is passionate about destigmatizing issues such as mental illness and substance use disorder especially within the Jewish community.
“We are excited to hold this important community discussion especially at this time. Talking about addiction has always been somewhat of a taboo subject in the Jewish community, but the number of individuals with substance abuse disorder has dramatically increased due to the pandemic,” said Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, Community Chaplain at Jewish Family Services and co-organizer of the event. “We are hoping this will be the beginning of many more discussions and a pathway to help for many individuals.”
Register for the virtual program : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSer_AM1wqqIJlc75r4FTpuiercPI_eRPrjOM9rBJK28LRcDsQ/viewform.
Tisha B’Av (The nineth day of the Hebrew month of Av) is a day of national mourning. The holiday primarily commemorates the destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples, but also other tragedies of the Jewish people. The community Tisha B’Av observance will be held at 9:30 p.m. July 17 at Beth Shalom and online.
For more information, visit kcrabbi.org or contact Annette Fish, Rabbinical Association Administrator/Program Director at afprogram@aol.com or 913-327-8226.
Help stock our Food Pantry! The most-needed items in August are toilet paper, deodorant, shampoo and canned mained dishes (ravioli, spaghetti).
Donors are asked to pull into a designated parking space on the west side of the building and call the number listed; a volunteer will pick up items directly from cars.
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Help stock our Food Pantry! The most-needed items in August are canned main dishes, such as Spaghettios or ravioli, deodorant, shampoo and toilet paper.
During the Community Food Drive, drop off will be in the front circle drive of the Jewish Community Campus where JFS volunteers and staff will take items directly from cars.
Monthly the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City and area congregations host food drives to help stock the two locations of Jewish Family Services Food Pantry.
JFS is hosting a free Vaccination Clinic from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Oct. 11 in the White Theatre at The J, 5801 W 115th St, Overland Park, KS.
Pfizer Covid19 vaccines and flu shots will be offered. The Pfizer booster shots will be for ages 65+ or individuals with underlying medical conditions, and essential workers (teachers, grocery workers, and healthcare workers).
Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, email info@jfskc.org.
Our food choices have a profound effect how we feel not only physically but mentally, emotionally and psychologically. Learn about ways to incorporate plant-based meals into your daily diet during Learn, Laugh & Love: “The Surprising Benefits of Plant Based Nutrition,” at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 presented by Jewish Family Services and The J.
“Many of the nutrients we need to survive and thrive are not only found in plants first, but they are actually better absorbed and digested. Studies have shown that a plant-based diet can positively impact feelings of anxiety, depression and fatigue,” said Lauren Glass, LCSW, with JFS, and presenter of the virtual event.
Glass is also certified in plant-based nutrition and is a certified yoga Instructor. She has many years of experience working with older adults, children and families. Glass gravitates towards cognitive behavioral therapy and solution focused therapy in her work. Her favorite techniques involve breathing, mindful movement and other short meditative practices clients can freely access whenever and wherever needed.
Register for the free event at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAscu6grDgjGN2zLAyEHSfNTj2NGo-9u1Nt. After registering, a Zoom link will be sent. The Learn Laugh & Love series is sponsored by Jewish Family Services and The Heritage Center at The J. For questions, please contact Susie Hurst, JFS Director of Family Life Education, at susieh@jfskc.org.
Join this expressive and supportive gathering in preparation for the festival of Hanukkah. We will join in traditional and contemporary prayers, songs, and readings at Village Shalom’s Social Hall on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021.
The service includes moments for personal reflection to guide us away from darkness and head us toward the light of the season. All are welcome, and masks are required. Please RSVP to chaplaincy@jfskc.org. Include your name, number in your party, and email address. The service will be recorded and will be posted on our website.
Learn more about the critical challenges facing Kansas Citians and how JFS is responding during our virtual speaker series.
For our third session, join us for a conversation with Jo Hickey, Director of Pantry Partnerships, and Maggie Haghirian, LMSW, KesherKC Director, who will share their firsthand knowledge of clients’ daily challenges and vast network of collaborative partners working to provide effective solutions. Register here.
“Working with more than 10,000 individuals a year, our team has a unique lens into the complicated problems facing Kansas Citians. This series is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the critical social issues we’re collectively tackling,” said Don Goldman, Executive Director and CEO of JFS. “It’s also an opportunity to have a dialog with us about the evolving challenges due to the pandemic.”
Join us on Sunday, March 20 for this expressive and supportive gathering in preparation for Passover, when we are reminded of the Exodus, being led out of the confines of Egypt and toward a future filled with hope. We will share in traditional and contemporary prayers, songs, and readings.
All are welcome.
Masks are required
Please RSVP to chaplaincy@jfskc.org. Include your name, number in your party & email address. Afterwards, a recording of the service will be posted at jfskc.org. For more information, call (913) 327-8250.