Where and When

Congregation Kol Ami holds regular and many holiday services at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church — 4501 Walnut Street (in the V between the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and the Kansas City Art Institute). We hold Shabbat services most Friday nights; one Saturday morning service is scheduled each month, sometimes at an alternate location. Specific times and places for services are included on our calendar.

What to Expect

Our worship is informal, warm and open to everyone regardless of where you happen to be on your Jewish journey. We use the Mishkan Tefilah, the new prayer book from the Reform Movement, but we’re open to new voices in the Jewish world and regularly draw from other sources. Music is a focal point of our worship…we like to sing! Our Music Director Lara Steinel leads a diverse ensemble of musicians that includes both adults and children. Rabbi Alpert weaves discussion into each service, explaining the intent and varying interpretations of prayers, texts and rituals. A brief period of meditation is usually included, along with the opportunity to greet visitors and each other. We also offer a healing blessing for those who are ill in our community, and we recall the names of Kansas Citians who have lost their lives to gun violence. At the conclusion of our Friday night services, we gather around the table for Oneg Shabbat, which to some means “the sweetness of the Sabbath.” To others, it means “munchies and conversation.” However you interpret it, it’s better when we share it with you.

Getting More Involved

Scheduling and programming for services are managed by our Worship Committee. One Shabbat a month we give Rabbi Doug the night off and have a service led by members of the congregation. In prior consultation with the rabbi, these can take diverse forms, sometimes being built around poetry, music, readings or meditation.

If you’d like to volunteer to lead a service, or to serve on the Worship Committee, please contact our Board members at office@kolamikc.com.