The Social Justice Committee and the Program Committee have jointly developed multiple opportunities for our members to get involved in the community in righteous and needed actions. We hope that every one of our members will find one way to be part of this wonderful congregational undertaking. Please note: All activities are Covid 19 appropriate.

Hanukkah Gift Card Drive for Jewish Family Services. Partnering with Jewish Family Services, we have been given the opportunity to participate in a Hanukkah gift card drive. Gift cards allow families to choose correct sizes and styles, shop for groceries, or surprise a family member. Gift cards from the following have been requested: Target, Walmart, Dollar General, gas card, Amazon and grocery stores such as Price Chopper, Hen House, Hy-vee and Aldi. Increments of $25 suggested.  Jewish Family Services will be receiving them by December 1. There are several ways we can receive your Hanukkah gift cards: Mail to NRT at 7100 Main Street, KCMO 64114; bring them to the NRT front door during the hours of 9:00am-noon & 1:00pm-5:00pm. Ring the bell, Chris will meet you at the door. (please wear a mask, thank you!); or drop them off in the NRT mail slot, by the back door, on Gregory Boulevard.

Digi-Tutor, a program created by Operation Breakthrough. This innovative program provides academic tutoring support for students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. Tutors work with children online. Tutors can select an age/grade level of a child with whom they would like to work in one of the following areas: homework, reading or math. This organization’s mission is to provide a safe, loving, and educational environment for children in poverty and to empower their families through advocacy, emergency aid and education. Operation Breakthrough cares each weekday for more than 650 children, ages 6 weeks to 14 years. Using technology has been incredibly beneficial in providing one on one tutoring to students. Instead of a student and tutor trying to share a computer or book or needing to sit together during the pandemic, both the tutor and student have a computer and headset to increase independence and efficiency. Tutors use Zoom to host a video call with the student over the computer. The sessions will run from 20 to 30 minutes. A training session is provided so the tutor understands the parameters and techniques of these tutorials. Technology support is also provided. This is an incredible opportunity to impact the lives of young children in our community and we can do from our own homes. Digi-tutor can change the lives of young people who are need of special support! For more information, contact the temple.

Jewish Family Services (JFS) Calling Connection. Loneliness is a major source of suffering in our society. JFS is offering an opportunity for NRT volunteers to be matched with JFS clients who would be called on weekly basis. Volunteers will be paired with 1-10 older adults to make calls to each week. Volunteers choose how many indidivudals they want to call. Calls are estimated to take anywhere from 10-30 minutes per call. To sign up for Calling Connections, click here: https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=859183264. For more information about this program, please contact the Temple office.

Shabbat Morning Torah Study at 9:00 am, will be accessible online through ZOOM. If you wish to join us for Torah Study, you will need to provide us with your email address so that we can send you an invite.

We are living in trying times.  The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted every part of our lives.

The New Reform Temple is a spiritual community but, for the time being, we must connect online. We are strengthened by sharing our hopes, fears, and feelings with each other.  Join Rabbi Londy along with other NRT members for an hour of talk, sharing, and, hopefully, some humor on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  Talk if you like.  Sit back and listen if you prefer. Only people who want to share will be asked to do so.

If you want to participate, email the temple at info@thenewreformtemple.com and we will send you an invite to our Zoom Conversation.