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Dipping in Living Waters Dipping into Living Waters is an invitation to everyone to learn and ask questions about the rich and vibrant world of Judaism. ​ This six-week course offers an introduction to Jewish beliefs, practices, and traditions, from the ancient origins of Judaism to the diverse expressions of contemporary Jewish life. ​ Whether you are simply curious about Judaism or seeking to deepen your understanding of Jewish beliefs and practices, Dipping into Living Waters offers a supportive and welcoming environment for all learners from all faiths, philosophies, and backgrounds. ​ We will meet on Monday evenings (June 5, 19, July 3, 10, 17, 31 with August 7 as an alternate date) from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Joan S Beren Wichita Jewish Community Center. We will be offering a Zoom option upon request. ​ There is no charge for the course, but voluntary donations will be welcome . ​ If you have question about this course or would like to sign up, please fill out the form below. The deadline for signing up is June 4, 2023. Ahavath Achim Congregation 1850 North Woodlawn Street Wichita, KS 67208 Contact the AAC office: 316-685-1339 Contact Rabbi Pepperstone: rabbipepperstone@gmail.com First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for looking into Dipping in Living Waters!

C Weekly Email>> Monthly Newsletter>> Become a Member>> Facebook>> Calendar>> We'd love to hear from you! Contact our Office Name Email Message Submit Thanks for submitting! Subscribe Become a Member To become a member of AAC ​ fill out our application ​ ​ and contact us if you have any questions ​ Become a Member Connect with AAC on Facebook Facebook Monthly Our Monthly Newsletter: The Shofar View our monthly issue of The Shofar: ​ The Current Issue of the Shofar ​ We distribute the Shofar via email every month. You can subscribe to all of our email in our Subscribe form.

PROVIDING A MEANINGFUL JEWISH EXPERIENCE THROUGH ALL STAGES OF LIFE AHAVATH ACHIM CONGREGATION Ahavath Achim - אהבת אחים Ahavath Achim, which means brotherly love, has been our name for over 100 years and is the essence of our congregation. Offering a warm and friendly atmosphere, every one of us is family and we meet the needs of all members and their children. While we are a Conservative/Mastorti synagogue, all Jews are welcome, regardless of background or level of observance. Join us for services, become a member, celebrate life cycle events - then you will know what our name really means to us all. ABOUT OUR CONGREGATION With a history spanning over 100 years, our congregation has many members who are third and fourth generation. Many more recent member families and individuals of all ages, from Wichita and other areas of the country, are active in our synagogue. READ MORE >> SERVICES We maintain a robust series of services and classes that are open to the public. Our traditional services in an egalitarian Conservative/Masorti environment emphasize familiar melodies and community involvement. READ MORE >> GET INVOLVED Being involved at AAC means engaging in Jewish living whether that means doing mitzvot, learning, coming to services or simply participating in building community. B y helping create meaningful events or volunteering behind the scenes to keep AAC a vibrant congregation, you can connect with Jewish life at AAC. ​ READ MORE >> Introduction to Judaism Course Dipping in Living Waters Click below to get more information about this exciting course or to sign up. Learn More CONTACT US>> DONATE NOW >> GET INVOLVED>>

AAC Services, Classes and Events During COVID AAC Services and Classes and Zoom ​ As of May 1, we are no longer hold all services over Zoom. We only use Zoom for Friday evening services, (which still take place every other week) and for Sunday morning minyan. ​ Classes and meetings will still be either both in-person and on Zoom or just Zoom. All other events will be only in-person. ​ To learn more about Zoom, go to their website (www.zoom.us ), and download the free Zoom application, which will enable you to attend all Zoom functions. Once you have the application, installed, all you need is either to click on a provided Zoom link or enter the Zoom Meeting ID in the application. Zoom is likewise available to download on the Google Play store (for Android) and the App Store (for iOS) if you wish to use your mobile device or tablet. Making an account on Zoom is not necessary for participation. Since Summer 2021, we have been having lunch in the Bachus-Solomon Social Hall after services. ​ To receive links to participate in Zoom services, please contact Hannah See hannah.see@jsbwjcc.org or subscribe our weekly emails to receive regular updates and zoom links. AAC's COVID protocols are (as of December 2021) ​ Please, be kind. Coming back together has been both joyous and anxiety provoking. It is so important at in-person events to be kind and considerate to each other, and make everyone feel welcome. Everyone is Welcome! We encourage everyone to join us in-person, and all who are not ready to attend an in-person service to join us over Zoom. As of now, people joining on Zoom will count in the minyan. Vaccinations and Masks. We are requiring everyone to wear a mask over their mouth and nose at all services, whether you are fully vaccinated or not. We do have disposable masks available in the lobby of the WJCC in case someone needs one. People who are leading a service or speaking from the bima do have the option to remove their mask when leading. Rabbi and Cantor Pepperstone will be leading services without masks, and are regularly testing for COVID to ensure that this remains a safe practice. Illness. As always, if you are feeling ill, please stay and home and consider joining us over Zoom. ​ Seating. People may sit where ever they feel comfortable, either together or socially distanced. We want to be sensitive to people with different levels of comfort in communal settings. If you want to sit next to someone who is sitting apart from others, be sure to ask first. Revisions. We will re-visit this protocol on a regular basis.

Meet Our Team Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone's rabbinate is devoted to: meeting people where they are collaborating with partners balancing tradition and innovation cultivating a multiplicity of pathways into Jewish learning and living centering on our relationships with each other, Torah, and God ​ Rabbi Pepperstone received his rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary (New York City) in 2002, where he also studied Jewish Education at the Davidson School of Jewish Education. Following his ordination, he served as rabbi in various capacities in Louisville, KY, including director of their local USY chapter, director of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, and Assistant Rabbi for Youth and Education at Keneseth Israel Congregation. From 2008 to 2011, Rabbi Pepperstone served as the first Rabbi-in-Residence at the Gross Schechter Day School in Cleveland, OH. From 2011 to 2020, Rabbi Pepperstone served as the rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas in Syracuse, New York, where in addition to serving his congregation, he also was involved in Syracuse's interfaith community, both in the areas of dialogue and education, as well as social action and justice. He holds a BA in Linguistics with a Minor in Hebrew Language from the University of California in San Diego. ​ During the past two decades, Rabbi Pepperstone has made professional development a cornerstone of his growth as a rabbi, including non-profit management, davening leadership, and pastoral care. Rabbi Pepperstone is married to Cantor Paula Pepperstone, who served Keneseth Israel as their first female cantor between 2002 to 2008. They have three children who arrived in Wichita in 2020: Hadar, Aviyah, and Matan. In addition, Rabbi Pepperstone is an avid cook and bread baker. A board game enthusiast, he aspires to develop a series of role playing games based on the Jewish lifecycle and festival calendar. Rabbi Pepperstone is a Hebrew grammar guru, stand-up comedy aficionado, Star Wars expert, and pop culture trivia master. ​ Rabbi and Cantor Pepperstone and their kids were excited to arrive in Wichita in summer 2020, and are enjoying the Jewish community of Wichita and the greater community of Wichita and Kansas. rabbipepperstone@gmail.com Cantor Paula Pepperstone Cantor Paula Pepperstone grew up in New Jersey singing in her synagogue’s children’s choir and reading Torah. Encouraged by her rabbi and cantor to attend the Jewish Theological Seminary’s H.L. Miller Cantorial School, she did so after graduating from Indiana University’s School of Music, and serving on the Hillel board and leading High Holiday services at IU. ​ After cantorial school, she and her family moved to Louisville, Kentucky where she was the cantor of Keneseth Israel. After six fulfilling years there, including three years on the Cantors Assembly's Executive Council, the five Pepperstones moved to Cleveland, Ohio where Cantor Pepperstone focused on pedagogy. The Pepperstones spent nine years in Syracuse, New York. While there, she worked side-by-side with her husband (a rabbi) at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, was the Director of the Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein High School of Jewish Studies, and taught in the Syracuse Community Hebrew School. Her community work there spanned serving on the Syracuse Jewish Family Services/Group Residence Board and on the Education Committee at the Syracuse Hebrew Day School to co-founding a monthly Jewish chant group. ​ In 2020, Cantor Pepperstone and her family moved to Wichita, Kansas, where she is the cantor for Congregation Ahavath Achim - Hebrew Congregation, and her husband is the rabbi. The Pepperstones have discovered the warmth of this community and the beauty of the Plains. cantorpepperstone@gmail.com Ellen Beren, AAC President president@aacwichita.org Hannah See, Administrator Hannah.See@jsbwjcc.org (316)-685-1339 Denise Bassett, Bookkeeper denise@jsbwjcc.org (316)-685-1339 AAC Board Members President: Ellen Beren First VP: Jeff Greenberg Second VP: Buma Fridman Secretary: Dan Chocron Treasurer: Lisa Klaskin ​ Gabbai: Jan Hoffman ​ Board of Directors of Ahavath Achim Congregation 2022-2023 Joyce Bachus Andi Bannister Cliff Bayne Laura Black Matt Conrad Ludmilla Fridman Jenn Gipson Debbie Hoffman Susan Mandlebaum Cynthia Walker Stephen Zacker Tiffany Zacker ​ ​

ABOUT US With a history spanning over 100 years, our congregation has many members who are third and fourth generation. Many more recent member families and individuals of all ages, from Wichita and other areas of the country, are active in our congregation. Our name, Ahavath Achim, means "brotherly love," which is the essence of our congregation. We strive to create a warm and friendly atmosphere. We consider everyone family and try to meet the needs of all members and their children. OUR HISTORY read more SERVICES read more EDUCATION read more GETTING INVOLVED read more OUR FACILITIES read more OUR COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE read more

Adult Education Ahavath Achim Congregation offers a range of opportunities for every level of learning, ranging from Rabbi Pepperstone's weekly column on the Torah portion of the week, his Shabbat morning teaching, Sunday morning learning after minyan, and Wednesday evening classes. Cantor Pepperstone offers one-on-one and small group learning to help people learn to lead a service, chant Torah or Haftarah, or take their skills up a notch or two. ​ We also offer our Third Place events, where we meet up around town or in people's homes and engage in Torah study on a range of topics in more informal settings. Course topics typically include Jewish history, in-depth Torah study, introduction to Judaism, and the Jewish liturgy. Courses are open to anyone in Greater Wichita and free to members of Ahavath Achim Congregation . It would be hard to imagine a more enriching educational experience. Foundations of Jewish Life Do you want to learn more about Jewish life in a more holistic, multi-faceted and integrated way? Do you have questions about big ideas in Judaism, Jewish practice, Jewish history, Hebrew Bible, the Jewish lifecycle, and any topic on your mind? This course is for both the person new to Jewish learning and for the experienced learner as well. This course began in Fall, and you can jump in any time! We would love to learn with you! ​ Contact rabbipepperstone@gmail.com for more info. Learn with Cantor Pepperstone By appointment Cantor Pepperstone is offering one-on-one and small group teaching and coaching for anyone interested in: ​ learning how to chant Torah, Haftarah or other sacred texts, leading part or all of a service, working on Siddur Hebrew, strengthening one's ability to lead a service. Cantor Pepperstone brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role. Help us to invest in our community with a donation towards your own class or someone else’s. Suggested contributions are $5-$75 per class, or sponsor a learner for a month for $250. If you would be interested in any or all of the above, please reach out to her directly (cantorpepperstone@gmail.com ) or Ellen Beren (ellenberen@gmail.com ). Sunday Morning Sessions @AAC On Sunday mornings, we move from the Shalom Sanctuary into the Social Hall for breakfast and learning. Rabbi Pepperstone has offered several different series of topics over the past two years, including an in-depth look at the commandments, understanding the Jewish prayer book, and a fresh take at electricity on Shabbat. Now Rabbi Pepperstone is doing a series based on the book T he Bible With and Without Jesus , by Marc Brettler and AJ Levine, who explore what the Bible says on its own terms, and how it has been interpreted both in Jewish and Christian communities. This series will run through Winter. READ MORE >> CONTACT US >>

The Joan S. Beren Jewish Community School Give your child the gift of a Jewish education Donate Our Educational Mission Educating our children about Judaism is one of the most important functions of our community. A strong Jewish education is critical to encouraging our children's love and understanding of Judaism, allowing them the ability to make Jewish life decisions as they grow older, and ensuring that they remain committed to a Jewish life. The Joan S. Beren Jewish Community School (JBJCS) is a joint effort of the two Jewish congregations in Wichita, Ahavath Achim Congregation and Congregation Emanu-El, to provide a broad and comprehensive Jewish education for our children from pre-K through 9th grade. ​ Our Curriculum The JBJCS curriculum includes the study of holidays, prayer, theology, Bible, Hebrew language, Israel, and various aspects of contemporary Jewish life including Jewish thought, values, history, music, and culture. With financial support from the Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation, JBJCS is led by a full-time education director and overseen by a committee comprised of members appointed by the boards of both congregations. ​ The school meets on Sunday mornings for Judaic studies and both Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings for Hebrew. The Joan S. Beren Jewish Community School is a fun, warm, inviting place for our children to learn and to grow as Jews. Our Leadership Jamie Smartt, JBJCS Education Director thewjcs@gmail.com ​

Shabbat and Festival Services AAC holds regular Shabbat, Festival and Sunday morning services that are open to the public. Our services in an egalitarian environment emphasize familiar melodies and community involvement. Friday evening services are typically held every other Friday evening. ​ At this time, we are holding all Friday evening services over Zoom, and also have a Zoom option for Shabbat and Festival morning services. If you would like the Zoom link to our services, please contact the AAC office at office@aacwichita.org . ​ Please join us for our services and a kiddush lunch when you are in in Wichita! Please contact us to learn more about our service times. Find Us We would love to have you join us for our Shabbat or Sunday services, whether you are a long-time resident of the area or just in town for a few days. Everyone is welcome at AAC! This Week Services will be held at regular hours

WELCOME TO A YEAR OF Jewish Celebrations! From the Passover Seder table to the Ten Commandments, from the blasts of the Shofar to the joy of Sukkot, from the lights of Hanukkah to the chanting of the Megillah, holiday celebrations are times rich with community, learning and traditions. They create a rich tapestry each year, and connect us to each other, our common past and our shared future. Each section below describes how that time of the Jewish calendar is celebrated at AAC and in the WIchita Jewish Community. Below each section is a link to the website My Jewish Learning , an outstanding pluralist website for learning more about Jewish living. Scroll Down High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) Sukkot Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Hanukkah Tu Bishvat Purim Passover ​Counting the Omer Yom HaShoah Yom HaZikaron Yom Ha'atzmaut Yom Yerushalayim Shavuot Tisha B'Av (and minor fast days) Chodesh Elul High Holidays A Time of Renewal AAC celebrates Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur all at the WJCC. Lead by Rabbi Pepperstone and Cantor Pepperstone, our High Holiday services provide times of reflection, renewal and celebration. Contact the AAC office for more information about attending our High Holiday services. Sukkot A Time of Joy Cantor Pepperstone will be leading all of AAC's services for the first two days of Sukkot, and Shabbat during Sukkot. We have at least one communal meal in the Sukkah, as well as making the WJCC Sukkah available for people to come and enjoy a meal throughout all of Sukkot. Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah A Time of Endings Cantor Pepperstone will lead services for Shemini Atzeret, which include Geshem, the prayer for rain at the beginning of Musaf, as well as the Yizkor services. For Simchat Torah, we will take our our Torah scrolls, and sing and dance with them, as we conclude reading the Torah and begin again with Breisheet. Read More read more Read More read more Read More read more Hanukkah A Time of Miracles Join AAC for Shabbat and Sunday morning services during Hanukkah. Each year, we also have one or more communal Hanukkah celebrations. The details for upcoming Hanukkah celebrations this year will be announced in the Shofar bulletin and our weekly Hebrew Happenings emails. Tu Bishvat A Time of Growth We mark the end of Winter and beginning of Spring with a Tu Bishvat seder, celebrating the cycles of creation, our connection to and stewardship of the earth . In 2021, AAC and CE held a joint Tu Bishvat Seder. Look at our weekly email and newsletter for details on this year's celebration. Purim A Time of Courage On Purim, we chant the full Megillah (Scroll of Esther), celebrate with a Purim party, and participate in the community Purim Carnival. We also provide opportunities for Mishlaoch Manot (Sending gifts of food to others) and Matanot La'evyonim (gifts to the less fortunate ). Read More read more Read More read more Read More read more Passover A Time of Freedom Cantor Pepperstone leads AAC's services for the first, second, seventh and eighth day of Passover, as well as Shabbat during Passover. We hold a communal seder each year, usually on the First Night (but sometimes on the Second Night). We also can help you sell your chametz before Passover, and help with locating kosher food for Passover. Counting the Omer A Time of Anticipation Between Passover and Shavuot , we count 49 days. We count each day when we meet during this time, and Rabbi Pepperstone also creates a daily reflection, which comes by email to encourage everyone to mark this time from Passover to Shavuot, the time of Receiving the Torah. Shavuot A Time of Receiving For Shavuot, we begin the festival with a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an evening of learning from our sacred texts. Cantor Pepperstone leads AAC's services for both days of Shavuot, which includes the chanting of Akdamut and reading the Ten Commandments on the first day, and the chanting of Ruth and the Yizkor service on the second day. Read More read more Read More read more Read More read more Yom HaShoah A Time of Mourning Yom HaShoah uGevurah is the Jewish day to remembering those who died during the Holocaust, which is Shoah (catastrophe) in Hebrew. This day also recall those who fought and resisted during World War II, whether it was taking up arms against the Nazis, helping to save lives at the risk of their own, or even just celebrating the Jewish holidays, supporting each other or telling jokes during one of the darkest periods in our history. The Wichita Jewish Community marks this day on the calendar with a communal commemoration, often with the lighting of candles, prayers and poems, and a guest speaker. Yom Hazikaron A Time of Remembering Yom Hazikaron is the Israeli Day of Remembrance for those who fought in Israel's wars since 1948, and for all victims of terror as well. In Israel, this day is marked with national and local ceremonies at all of Israel's military cemeteries, including Mount Hertzel in Jerusalem, Israel's national cemetery. In the Wichita Jewish Community, we often note this day as a prelude to Yom Ha'atzmaut, which comes right after Yom Hazikaron. Yom Ha'atzmaut A Time of Celebration Yom Ha'atzmaut is the Israeli Independence Day celebration, which commemorates the declaration of the founding of the State of Israel in May of 1948. In Israel, the day is marked with nationwide celebrations and festivities. The Wichita Jewish Community marks this occasion together as an entire community in different way each year. Read More read more Read More read more Read More read more Yom Yerushalayim A Time of Reunification Yom Yerushalayim marks the day on the Jewish calendar when the Six Day War ended and all of the Jerusalem was under Israeli auspices. In Israel, the flag of Jerusalem is displayed all over, and there are festivities and special events in Jerusalem. AAC plans to mark this date in 2022 with a special service, based on the emerging liturgy in Israel. Tisha B'Av A Time of Grief The Jewish calendar includes a series of fast days commemorating the events that lead to the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The 10th of Tevet (right after Hanukkah) marks the beginning of the Babylonian siege on Jerusalem. The 17th of Tammuz (in early summer) marks the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem. The 9th of Av (mid-summer) marks the day of Jerusalem and the Temple's destruction, and is the only full day fast in this set of days. Tzom Gedaliah, the Fast of Gedaliah (observed on the day after Rosh Hashanah) marks the assignation of the Judean governor by Jewish zealots. We mark these fast days abstaining from eating and drinking, and special Fast Day services. Tisha B'Av includes the chanting of Eichah/Lamentations and Kinot/Song of Lament. Chodesh Elul A Time of Turning Beginning right after Tisha B'Av in the summer, there is a slow turn towards the High Holidays, which picks up in earnest during the month of Elul. During this month, leading up to Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, there is a focus on reflecting on the past year, and a (re)turning back towards God. Each morning the shofar is blown to wake us up to this process, helping us get ready for the New Year. Read More read more Read More read more Read More read more

Give As You Purchase Support Congregation Ahavath Achim while you do your regular shopping! AmazonSmile Dillon's Community Rewards How to Add AAC as Your AmazonSmile Charity AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the Amazon Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. However, in order for the donations to reach Congregation Ahavath Achim, you must make your purchase at smile.amazon.com or enable AmazonSmile on your Amazon mobile app. ​ Here’s how: ​ On Amazon Mobile App Turn on AmazonSmile on your Amazon Mobile App by tapping ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Then tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ On Desktop Browser ​ Step 1. Visit amazon.com and sign in. Under the main menu with the three bars in the top left corner, choose AmazonSmile. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Step 2. In the top right, click change charity. Search up "Hebrew Congregation Foundation Inc" ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ How to Add Ahavath Achim Congregation as Your Dillon's Community Rewards Charity On Desktop Browser ​ Step 1. Create a digital account A digital account is needed to participate in Dillon's Community Rewards. If you already have a digital account, simply link your Shopper’s Card to your account so that all transactions apply toward the organization you choose. ​ Step 2. Link your Card to an organization. 1. Sign in to your digital account. 2. Search for "Hebrew Congregation of Wichita" 3. Select the appropriate organization from the list and click “Save”. ​