Jewish Family Services

Supporting and strengthening lives throughout Greater Kansas City.

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Chaplaincy

Providing compassion and connection.

The Chaplaincy Program connects spiritually with Kansas City’s diverse Jewish community, providing support during difficult times. The breadth of spiritual services includes:

Direct Pastoral Care

The Chaplain, Spiritual Care Volunteers, and community clergy visit and counsel individuals and their families in times of personal crisis related to health issues, an ailing relative, or a death in the family. Visits are made in hospitals, eldercare centers, and homes. JFS serves those who are otherwise unaffiliated, isolated or disconnected from Jewish life. Together we ensure the needs of the community are met.

Community Chaplain

JFS clients have access to spiritual counseling. The Chaplain is available for programs providing the community with tradition and connection. JFS leads three annual community-wide Services of Spiritual Renewal focusing on comfort and peace for those in need.

Photo of Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick

Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick is JFS’s Community Chaplain.

Meet Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, JFS’ Community Chaplain. If you know someone in need of spiritual care, please contact rabbi@jfskc.org.

“Tonight’s service was just perfect…your willingness to put in the time and effort to help others reach a level of healing no matter what their particular sorrow or issue may be.”

– Healing Service attendee

Education & Training

The Community Chaplain trains and oversees a team of Spiritual Care Volunteers from nearly every local congregation. This dedicated group is an integral component of the Chaplaincy program. Volunteers receive extensive training to serve the spiritual needs within the healthcare community, including patients in area hospitals and eldercare centers. They provide connection and support as they graciously fulfill the mitzvah of “bikkur cholim”, visiting the sick. Read more about Spiritual Care Volunteers.

Community Collaboration

Within the Health Care Community

The Community Chaplain serves as a valued consultant with respect to spiritual care for patients, residents, and families throughout the Kansas City area. The program is a vital educational resource for local healthcare institutions, helping them become more culturally sensitive to Jewish patients and their needs.

What a fantastic pleasure it was today to learn and listen … I hope we can continue to partner in serving the community in this part of life’s journey! – Bereavement Services Manager, VITAS Healthcare of Kansas

Within The Jewish Community

The program serves as a referral resource to facilitate connection with a patient’s rabbi/congregation while respecting HIPAA laws. The Community Chaplain is available to congregational clergy as a consultant in specific cases, as well as to the entire Jewish Community as a resource on spiritual care issues.

Jewish Resources

Become a Spiritual Care Volunteer

Upcoming Chaplaincy Events

There are no upcoming events.

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Major Jewish Community Funding Provided By:

• Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
• Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City
• Menorah Heritage Foundation


Major Health Care Partners:

• Children’s Mercy
• HCA Midwest Health System
• Saint Luke’s Health System
• University of Kansas Health System


Supporting Health Care Partners:

• Advent Health
• Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care
• Village Shalom

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Copyright © 2023 Jewish Family Services
5801 W. 115th St., Suite 103 | Overland Park, KS 66211
913.327.8250 · info@jfskc.org

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