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.
Register to receive Zoom link for this FREE program
Meghann Hennen, a Jewish preschool teacher, based in Cleveland, Ohio, discovered challah’s incredible impact on her life firsthand when she decided to start her own challah business on Instagram—during the pandemic. Hear her inspirational story and place orders for her amazing challah!
Thursday, April 15
5:00 p.m. CDT
Register to receive Zoom link for this FREE program
Meghann Hennen, a Jewish preschool teacher, based in Cleveland, Ohio, discovered challah’s incredible impact on her life firsthand when she decided to start her own challah business on Instagram—during the pandemic. Hear her inspirational story and place orders for her amazing challah!
A joint program between Jewish Family Services and Heritage Center at The J.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsd-uurzIrHdST78kcKFjFj1fZQlrXpZrJ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation emailcontaining information about joining the meeting.
Join Rabbi Aron Rubin as he discusses Shavuot – a festival thatis shrouded in mystery. Little is mentioned about it explicitly in the Torah,yet the Rabbis understood it to be the anniversary of one of the most importantevents in Jewish history. Join Rabbi Rubin as we explore the significance ofthis festival and some important themes that are at the core of what it meansto be a Jew.
Rabbi Rubin ispassionate about teaching Torah and communal involvement. He also has aninterest in cooking and baking, jogging, and indoor gardening.
In August 2019, Rabbi Rubin and his family movedto Kansas City, from Washington Heights, New York. Rabbi Rubin runs KansasCity Kollel and teaches at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
A joint program between Jewish Family Services and Heritage Center at The J.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsd-uurzIrHdST78kcKFjFj1fZQlrXpZrJ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Join Rabbi Aron Rubin as he discusses Shavuot – a festival that is shrouded in mystery. Little is mentioned about it explicitly in the Torah, yet the Rabbis understood it to be the anniversary of one of the most important events in Jewish history. Join Rabbi Rubin as we explore the significance of this festival and some important themes that are at the core of what it means to be a Jew.
Rabbi Rubin is passionate about teaching Torah and communal involvement. He also has an interest in cooking and baking, jogging, and indoor gardening.
In August 2019, Rabbi Rubin and his family moved to Kansas City, from Washington Heights, New York. Rabbi Rubin runs KansasCity Kollel and teaches at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
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.
We live in a hectic, fast-paced world now made more challenging by the ongoing pandemic. More people are experiencing stress and anxiety and are reaching out for tools to help them cope with our complex reality.
To address the rising need, Jewish Family Services is offering Mindful Mondays, a free, virtual mindful training program offered every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to noon through Dec. 13.
Using the Zoom platform, the sessions are free, but registration is required at Mindful Mondays registration link. Once registered, participants will receive a link to join each session. Participants may attend one or all virtual sessions.
Mindfulness is a practice anchored in science and focused on being intensely aware of what an individual is sensing and feeling in the moment without interpretation of judgement.
Led by Sondra Wallace, MSED, JFS YouBeYou and Mental Health Coalition Coordinator and Julia Grimm, LMLP, JFS therapist.
Weekly themes:
Sept. 27: Self-Compassion
Oct. 4: Generosity
Oct. 11: Non-Judging
Oct. 18: Body Scan
Oct. 25: Letting Go
Nov. 1: Sitting with Emotions
Nov. 8: Trust
Nov. 15: Values
Nov. 29: Generosity
Dec. 6: Acceptance
Dec. 13: Patience
For more information, contact Sondra Wallace at swallace@jfskc.org.
We are hosting a free community Health Fair at our Brookside East office and food pantry from 1-3 p.m., Oct 1, 425 East 63rd St.
Participants will have the opportunity to receive free services provided by JFS and several of its community partners including:
- Medicaid or Medicare counseling
- COVID-19 vaccine shots
- HIV testing
- Medical assistance
- Food and household items
- Information about JFS’ Counseling and Wellness programs.
“Taking care of your mental and physical health often takes a back a seat when you are struggling financially and facing food and housing insecurities. We see this everyday among our clients,” said Maggie Haghirian, LMSW,director of KesherKC, JFS’ social service and food pantry program.
“Neglecting your health can obviously lead to other ongoing challenges for you and your family,” she said. “We are excited to offer and provide access to many free healthcare services along with our other community partners.
The October 1 Health Fair is open to the public – no registration is required. Participating community partners are KC CARE Health Center, Kansas City’s Medicine Cabinet and Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center. JFS provides human services for people facing challenges in everyday life or times of crisis — regardless of faith, age, culture or lifestyle.
Facing infertility and family building challenges are hard, but you don’t have to suffer alone. Join Priya for the Bloom Support Group to find community, connections and support. We will meet virtually in a welcoming atmosphere to share our individual journeys.
Priya, a program of Jewish Family Services, offers Jewish individuals and families emotional support, resource connection, spiritual guidance and financial assistance with fertility treatments and adoption.
Every story is different, and we embrace all people along their paths to parenthood. Open to anyone touched by infertility or adoption.
Note: This support group is facilitated by the Molly Hess, Priya Program Manager, who is not a mental health professional. If you are seeking mental health support, JFS can help. Contact 913-327-8250 or email navigator@jfskc.org.
Register for the Bloom Support Group: https://forms.gle/sEZY4kigssnyycbq8
For more information about Priya, contact Molly Hess at mhess@jfskc.org.