From Our Lips to God’s Ears: Jewish Women Shaping the Way We Pray, Learn, and Mark Sacred Moments Tuesday, April 5 at 4:30 PM Women's Rabbinic Network hosts a panel discussion with Rabbi Eger, alongside Rabbi Elyse Frishman, Rabbi Jessica Marshall, and Rabbi Dr. Kari Tuling. REGISTER HERE
Passover Workshop with Rabbi Levy Wednesday, April 6 at 7:00 PM Join Rabbi Levy for a workshop on putting together a Passover seder! We'll go through the order of the meal, some classic songs you can sing at the seder, and different ways you can personalize your seder at home. The program will take place in-person at Kol Ami. REGISTER HERE
Kol Ami Annual Gala Finally in-Person! Community-wide gathering Sunday, May 1at 6:00 PM Kol Ami’s Annual Gala will take place on May 1st at 6:00 PM at Playa Studios in Culver City. Support Congregation Kol Ami’s good work and programming by joining us for our in-person gala. Purchase your ticket by April 22 and be automatically entered in our guest drawing to win a $500 gift card of your choice. Get your tickets and sponsorship now at kol-ami.org/gala
Prophetic Torah Saturday, April 9 at 10:00 AM Note the date change 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. REGISTER HERE
HIV+ Support Group Saturday, April 9 at 12:15 PM Note the date change! Facilitated by Rabbi Eger, 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
Book Circle: Betraying Spinoza Saturday, April 9 at 4:00 PM Join Jane Drucker and David Glickman for the Kol Ami monthly Book Circle. We'll discuss "Betraying Spinoza" by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein. REGISTER HERE
Limited Seats Available 2nd Night Seder Saturday, April 16 at 6:00 PM
Join Rabbi Eger and Rabbi Levy in celebration of the holiday of freedom. And this year it’s going to be twice as special since we are going to return to celebrating in person in our Sanctuary after two years! Join us as we tell the story of the exodus from Egypt, an important custom in Jewish tradition. Our glatt kosher for Pesach Seder meal will cost $79 per person ($35 for children 12 and under). REGISTER HERE
Volunteers needed to participate in our Dessert Seder with the LGBT Center Tuesdaym April 19 at 3:00 PM We are seeking volunteers to participate in a sweet and delicious program with the LA LGBT Center! Guided by Student Rabbi Elana Rabishaw and Education Resident Eliana Rubin, we'll join the folks at the center for a Dessert Seder filled with your typical Passover favorites with a sweet, dessert twist. The Seder will begin at 3 pm. If you would like to participate please contact Rabbi Levy (rlevy@kol-ami.org) or Student Rabbi Rabishaw (studentrabbi@kol-ami.org)
Our congregation was honored to welcome Dr. Andrew Rehfeld, the 10th president of our Reform Movement’s seminary Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion on Shabbat evening. Pictured with Dr Rehfeld is Rabbi Eger, our student rabbi Elana Rabishaw and our past president Cary Davidson who serves on the executive committee of the Board of Governors of HUC-JIR. Rabbi Eger and Rabbi Levy are both alumni of the College-Institute and Elana will be ordained in May and our education Resident Eliana Rubin will graduate from the School of Education of HUC-JIR in May. HUC-JIR is the oldest rabbinical seminary in North America. It was founded by Rabbi Isaac Meyer Wise in 1875.
Tzedek Council Call To Action: Help A Two-Mom Russian Family We have recently learned of a Russian family in need of our support. A mother and three children fled after learning that Russian Social Services were planning to take the children due to the fact that they were being raised by two mothers. Unfortunately, only one mother and three of the four children were able to leave and arrived in Los Angeles last week. The family is working with HIAS and Russian-speaking non-profits but could use some support to help them get by in the coming weeks. As Jews and members of the LGBTQ community fleeing persecution, we feel it is our sacred obligation to offer support.
How can we help? Right now, the easiest way for us to help is through collecting gift cards. The family was only able to bring a small amount of money with them and could use some help getting by in the coming weeks as they apply for official asylum status. Here are a few options for gift cards that would be helpful:
Visa Gift Card (click here to order online) Target Gift Card (click here to order online) JONS Marketplace (Gift cards must be purchased in a store with cash, debit or EBT. This grocery chain carries international products, which can help give them some familiarity and a taste of home)
We will be collecting gift cards at the Kol Ami building. If no staff member is present, please place the gift card in a sealed envelope and place it in the metal mailbox near the gate door on Lexington Ave.
If you have any questions, be in touch with Rabbi Levy ( rlevy@kol-ami.org ). Help us welcome this family and support them during such a difficult time!
To align the Congregation with the requirements of the City of West Hollywood, County of Los Angeles, and best practices of the CDC, we continue to require proof of full vaccination for Covid-19 upon entry for anyone 5 and older. All fully vaccinated congregants, guests, and staff can choose whether or not to wear a mask indoors. "Fully vaccinated" is defined as having received a first round of vaccination AND having a booster, as recommended/eligible.
To learn more about Kol Ami's COVID-safety policy please click here.
