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.
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.
Help stock our Food Pantry! The most-needed items in September are tomato products, such as canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, canned fruit, toothpaste, paper towels, and toilet paper.
During the Community Food Drive, donors are asked to pull into a designated parking space on the west side of the JFS Brookside Campus and call the number listed. A volunteer will pick up items directly from cars.
After dropping off items, donors are asked to register their donations at www.jfskc.org/inkind/. Donors may also purchase through the JFS Pantry Wish List on Amazon or make a financial contribution to the pantry at jfskc.org.
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.
Help stock our Food Pantry! The most-needed items in September are tomato products, such as canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, canned fruit, toothpaste, paper towels, 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.
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.
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.
Help stock our Food Pantry! The most-needed items in October are canned tomatoes, canned vegetables, liquid body wash, paper towels, and shampoo.
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.
Jewish Family Services (JFS) is a hosting a free community Health Fair at its Brookside East office and food pantry – 425 East 63rd Street in Kansas City on October 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. 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 29 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.
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.