By popular demand, The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah is hosting a singles event for the entire Jewish community.
Singles Mingle is for all members of the Kansas City Jewish community and is LGBTQIA+ friendly. Nearby communities are also welcome to attend. The event takes place June 21 and 22 at Brew Lab in downtown Overland Park (7925 Marty, Overland Park, KS 66204).
The two-evening event will be divided into age groups which meet at specific times:
- June 21, 6 to 7 p.m., for ages 65+
- June 21, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., for ages 21-35
- June 22, 6 to 7 p.m., for ages 50-65
- June 22, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., for ages 36-50
“Singles Mingle was indirectly born from a community-wide Jewish single mothers group, which is now called Independent Mothers of the Tribe (IMOT),” said Rabbi Rachel Rothstein, who is spearheading adult Jewish engagement for B’nai Jehudah. “This amazing group of mothers expressed an interest in forming a group for independent Jewish moms who are divorced, widowed or just doing it on their own. After a strong and positive response, we realized there was a need for more ways to connect in the Jewish community. I am excited to be able to facilitate some of these connections as they take shape in Kansas City.”
Most important, according to Rabbi Rothstein, is bringing the entire community together. Her goal is to create spaces where Jewish adults can meet new people and just “be Jewish.” Her passion for connecting people in Jew-“ish” spaces dates back to the beginning of her career, when she worked with a Cincinnati-based foundation whose goal was to create community among loosely affiliated young Jewish professionals and families. Prior to her rabbinic ordination and joining B’nai Jehudah clergy, she developed creative approaches to engaging people across the spiritual and religious spectrum through her work at Beit T’shuvah Residential Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles, California, and Congregation Beth Adam in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“When we asked adult members of B’nai Jehudah what they wanted in an event, we received an overwhelming response for opportunities to connect with other like-minded people,” Rabbi Rothstein said, “and a notable subset of the respondents asked for connections to other single people. I’m sure we will all learn a few things from the first singles event, and I hope the people of KC are willing to see what is possible.”
The event is free of charge; appetizers will be provided, and attendees can purchase their own drinks. Those interested must register by June 11 at ttcbj.com/mingle23 or by calling (913) 663-4050.