Celebrating 105 years of The Chronicle
By Sam Kricsfeld Editor
This issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle marks its 105th year of publication, and we’re going to make a big deal out of this anniversary.
The Chronicle is in the unique position of walking the line between the past and present on its way to the future. As the stewards of this institution, it’d be a crime for us to ignore more than a century of legacy, but we’d also be remiss to dig in our heels and resist change. We have to honor and learn from yesterday as we work and look towards tomorrow.
Before we talk about the future, I must acknowledge the obvious — The Chronicle is old. It’s older than traffic lights, bubble gum, sliced bread and chocolate chip cookies. It was old when both Assistant Editor Lacey Storer and I were born, and it’ll continue to be old as long as it’s still around. But contrary to the stereotype of a legacy publication that’s stuck in the past, The Chronicle remains flexible and malleable, able to adapt to changing technology, a changing industry and a changing world.
The Chronicle has successfully evolved and survived in an environment that has killed many a publication. Multiple cornerstones of American Jewish journalism have ceased operations completely in the last decade, victims of rising costs, reduced demand and an inability (or unwillingness) to change their business models.
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Jewish saxophonist stands out in Kansas City jazz scene
By Kevin Deutsch Special to The Chronicle
When Jacob Schwartzberg stepped on stage at The Phoenix jazz club wearing a well-cut suit and black yarmulke, his gleaming saxophone in hand, the 25-year-old looked as cool and self-assured as any jazz musician in Kansas City, Missouri.
When the sound of Schwartzberg’s saxophone filled the crowded jazz club, something else about the observant Jewish musician became clear: He ranks among the finest young jazz saxophonists in a city brimming with musical talent.
Schwartzberg spoke humbly about his abilities, yet played skillfully alongside his bandmates in Alex Abramovitz and His Swing’n Kansas City Jazz Band — one of the Kansas City Pitch’s Best of KC 2024 finalists — at their Nov. 23 show at The Phoenix. Some of the biggest KC jazz devotees in attendance said they were impressed.
“I’ve never thought about it like this, but I couldn’t tell you anybody else that looks like me, doing what I do [in Greater Kansas City],” Schwartzberg told The Chronicle between sets.
Schwartzberg is the rarest of sights in the city’s jazz scene: a kippah-wearing Jew who proudly displays his identity both on stage and off. At a time
when Jewish representation in the arts sometimes attracts antisemitic protests, the saxophonist is boosting Jewish visibility while wowing discerning jazz audiences across the metro.
“You never know what’s going to happen, right? One person sees you and has an issue, and that’s that,” Schwartzberg, who attends services at Congregation Beth Shalom, said of antisemitism since Oct. 7. “Or playing with a band where you don’t know what people think; it can feel like, ‘Oh gosh, am I going to be on my own here?’ But playing with this band is so far from that. It’s a really nice experience, not only to be backed up [by bandmates] but to have common ground even with people outside of the Jewish community.”
A native of Denver, Colorado, Schwartzberg moved to Kansas City in 2017 to study jazz saxophone at the University of Missouri-Kansas
Downtown Minyan celebrates 20 years
By Sam Kricsfeld Editor
Though it may take some “minyan wrangling,” at least 10 men meet nearly every Thursday as part of Kansas City’s Downtown Minyan. The group, largely led and organized by founders Paul Blackman and Max Jevinsky, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Starting in November of 2004, Blackman and Jevinsky defied odds by creating and maintaining a regular minyan downtown — a Jewish asset that many other big cities do not have. The Downtown Minyan forms every Thursday (except for holidays) in the Harzfeld’s
Attendees of the Downtown Minyan daven together on Dec. 12, 2024, before celebrating the group’s 20th anniversary.
Building, with Jevinsky and Blackman estimating a regular attendance of about 12 to 14 men.
“We’re not very big,” Blackman said, Parashat Vayigash
“but we’re here, and we’ve been here a long time, and hopefully will still be
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Shabbat times (Overland Park): Candlelighting: 4:51 p.m. Havdalah: 5:54 p.m Community-wide Hanukkah celebrations 6-8 Fire destroys house before Hanukkah 3
Saxophonist Jacob Schwartzberg
letter from the editor
Celebrating 105 years of The Chronicle
This market shift has had an effect on The Chronicle — many of you might remember when Federation had to make the difficult decision to print The Chronicle every two weeks instead of weekly. You might remember when The Chronicle’s staff numbered more than a dozen instead of just two. You might remember when The Chronicle had 48 pages in every issue.
None of those things are feasible anymore, and while that is unfortunate, it is far from a death knell for The Chronicle.
I would argue that what makes this publication worthwhile isn’t the page numbers, print frequency, website or staff size. Although those things serve as a framework or body, they are not the essence, the soul of The Chronicle. That soul is you and your stories. It is this community and what happens in it.
I’m aware that it sounds meshuggah to claim what makes a publication isn’t the newspaper or website itself, but without you and your stories, you’d be star-
ing at a blank page. And, thank G-d, this community and its stories are still around and thriving, which gives The Chronicle the energy and content to continue making a meaningful product.
You have helped Lacey and me make great improvements to The Chronicle over the past few years. Your honesty and feedback in our 2023 readers survey helped us determine where we should most focus our resources. You served as the impetus for the first comprehensive redesign of The Chronicle in 15 years; a games page; more profiles; sharing community celebrations and obituaries beyond just our subscribers; and increased social media presence and quality. You deserve credit for where The Chronicle is today.
The Chronicle is still around, and we thank you for helping it get here and reading this editorial. But, the elephant in the room is the question, “What’s next?”
I’m excited that the answer to that question is, “A lot.” It starts with this issue. We have added three features to print issues of The Chronicle: a cryptogram,
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy sports scores, and, most requested of all, recipes.
These are among many additions and changes we hope to enact over the next few years, both in print and online. Expect special issues, interesting stories, engagement opportunities with Chronicle staff and quite a few surprises.
We ask for your continued support as we steer this 105-yearold publication into the future — you can renew your subscriptions or gift subscriptions to your friends and family at kcjc. com/subscribe; advertise with us at kcjc.com/advertise; and continue sending us your stories, celebrations and photos at kcjc. com/chronicle-submissions. We also accept donations at kcjc. com/donate.
On behalf of everyone who plays a part in this publication, thank you so much.
Sincerely,
-Sam Kricsfeld, editor
community news
Fire ruins Kansas City family’s home ahead of Hanukkah
By Alex Love KCTV5
Editor’snote:TheChronicleisgrateful for permission from KCTV5 and author Alex Love to republish this story from Dec.24.TheonlyeditspertaintoChroniclestyleandtime-sensitiveinformation.
This Hanukkah, the festival of lights is dark for a Kansas City family after a fire burned them out of their house and home. It all happened so fast with no warning.
Laura Waters and her two youngest children were able to get out safely, but all they’re left with now is essentially the clothes on their backs. The following 48 hours were “survival mode.”
Instead of a Hanukkah filled with light, love and laughter, Laura Waters is spending this holiday making sure her kids have just the bare necessities.
“The first night [of Hanukkah] for us, I give the kids new pajamas. We light our candles and have a special dinner,” Waters said. “[We] just have to put that on hold right now.”
Life took a drastic turn on Dec. 22, when, all of the sudden, the family heard loud noises coming from the attic.
“Popping and crackling, and I knew that’s not normal at all,” Waters’ son Rylan Waters recalled. “I ran to my mom’s room. She told me to get my little sister. I had to drag her out of bed and get out as soon as possible.”
Laura Waters added, “I grabbed a jacket, grabbed a blanket off my couch. As soon as we got across the street, we started seeing smoke and within a couple of minutes, there were flames.”
er issues and things of that nature,”
What sparked the flames is still unclear, but the Kansas City Fire Department says this time of year there are more risks for fire.
“One of the biggest things we experience this time of year is space heat-
Station 39 Battalion Fire Chief Aaron Lawson said. “So, people are supplementing their furnace with that. We get the food thing where people leave stuff unattended on the stove that gets up into the cabinets.”
For the Waters right now, it’s the gen-
MeltonKC, Sasone to hold class for adults with disabilities
MeltonKC and Sasone are partnering for a new class designed specifically for adults with disabilities. The course, entitled “What’s Mine is Yours,” was adapted by The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, in conjunction with Matan, a national Jewish disability inclusion organization that works to support Jewish disability inclusion work throughout the country. Kansas City will be one of a handful of communities piloting this program.
“We are happy to be able to host this course in Kansas City. MeltonKC and Jewish Experiences strive to offer programming that is inclusive to the entire community,” said Megan Pener, manager of Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J. The curriculum consists of various modules (three one-hour lessons each). The first four modules were adapted from Members of the Tribe, covering foundational Jewish concepts related to identity and meaning. Part of the impetus for this project was the recently completed Matan community study
which pointed to a lack of opportunities for Jewish adults with disabilities.
“Like most other communities around the country, once students with disabilities age out of school programs, there is really not much left,” said Lindsey Lipsky, director of Sasone. “After age 21, [there] is just a cliff in terms of services and support for individuals with disabilities. The results can often be shocking for families.”
With the help of the Katianne Sun-
shine Fund, which was established at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City in memory of Katianne Bordy Tannenwald, Sasone and MeltonKC collaborated to receive a grant to start the class.
“I can think of no greater project than Sasone beginning an initiative to support students beyond just our current space,” said Lipsky, who will also serve as the first instructor of this course. “I hope this will serve as a turning point for new adaptive programs in our community.”
The first cohort will begin Jan. 5, meeting select Sundays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Campus. Ongoing registration spots are available; peers and/or caregivers are also welcome to attend.
Sign up and more information is available at thejkc.org/meltonkc or by emailing Pener at meganp@thejkc.org to sign up.
erosity of friends, co-workers and the Red Cross giving them hope, showing what Hanukkah is all about.
“Four of them are going to give me four bags of clothes,” Waters’ daughter Leah said, crediting her American Heritage Girls Troop donation.
“Way more than I need, so I’m definitely thankful for that.”
“Hanukkah is definitely about shining light into a dark world, and that’s what everyone has done for us,” Laura Waters said.
The family of the Waters have started a GoFundMe page (tinyurl. com/4dz2dc6h) to gather donations for the time being while insurance claims are filed. One other thing the Waters recommend is to have a plan to escape a house fire, so you get out quickly. This article was originally published at kctv5.com.
Instead of a Hanukkah filled with light, love, and laughter, Laura Waters is spending this holiday making sure her kids have just the bare necessities. (KCTV5)
celebrations and community news
95th Birthday
Bobbi Arenson
Bobbi Arenson recently celebrated her 95th birthday with her family. Pictured (from left) are her grandson Matt Arenson; niece Sherry Widman; daughter Linda Arenson; son Howard Arenson; Bobbi; and son Barry Arenson. A great celebration was enjoyed by all.
Engagement
Katie Fine and Robert Silverman
Jill and Michael Fine of Leawood, Kansas, announce the engagement of their daughter, Katie Fine, to Robert Silverman, son of Adam Silverman and Leslie Silverman of Connecticut.
Mia Brynn Kricsfeld
Michael and Megan Kricsfeld of Overland Park, Kansas, announce the bat mitzvah of their daughter, Mia Brynn Kricsfeld, on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Congregation Beth Shalom. Mia is the granddaughter of Cheryl
Katie is the granddaughter of Joan and Wade Wilkerson of Bradenton, Florida, and the late Diane and Larry Fine. She is currently a 4th grade teacher in Cupertino, California, and holds a degree in elementary education with TESOL endorsement from the University of Kansas.
Robert is the grandson of Marylin Silverman, the late Robert Silverman, the late Edward Egnuss, and Vera Egnuss. He is currently a research and development engineer at Stryker in San Jose, California, and holds a degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Connecticut.
The couple met at the URJ Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York, in 2014. They currently live in Campbell, California.
A wedding is planned for June 15, 2025, in Leawood.
and Richard Diamond of Omaha, Nebraska; Dr. Barry and Barbara Kricsfeld of Omaha; Karen Bram Miller of Overland Park; and the late Doug Murphy. She is the greatgranddaughter of Irene Murphy of Lincoln, Nebraska. She has a younger sister, Lauren Finley (9).
A student at Lakewood Middle School, Mia enjoys dancing, theatre, reading and spending time with her friends and family. She also loves following Sporting KC and the Chiefs.
For her mitzvah project, Mia is assembling “comfort bags” to distribute to people in need throughout the Kansas City Metro area. These bags contain essentials like socks, bottled water, hand warmers, high-energy food and other items to provide nourishment and comfort to those on the streets.
KC Kollel to hold Israeli wine and cheese tasting, tour of Klein Collection
The Kansas City Community Kollel will host an Israeli wine and cheese tasting and tour of the Michael Klein Collection. The event will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah (12320 Nall Ave., Overland Park, KS 66209).
The wine and cheese tasting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will celebrate “the rich history and innovation behind Israeli wine,” said Tehilla and Benny Feldman, the KC Kollel shlichim (emissaries).”
“From the diverse climates of the Galilee to the Golan Heights, each region offers unique flavors, shaped by the land and modern winemaking techniques,” they said. “Israeli winer-
ies, many struggling in the wake of recent events, reflect the resilience of a nation that connects deeply to its identity and history.
At 7:30 p.m., Curator Abby Magariel will lead attendees on a tour of the Klein Collection and its recent acquisitions.
“Alongside the wine, we’ll showcase Jewish artifacts, offering a meaningful way to explore our heritage, think creatively, and enjoy together,” the Feldmans said.
More information about the event is available at communitykollel. org/israeli-wine-cheese-and-kleincollection-tour. RSVPs can be sent to kccommunitykollel@gmail.com.
Wine and cheese tasting, Klein Collection tour Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. B’nai Jehudah, 12320 Nall Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66209
Bat Mitzvah
Israeli journalist to share stories of Oct. 7 victims at Acclaimed Author Series event
The Acclaimed Author Series, presented by Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J, will host Israeli author Lee Yaron to talk about her new book, “10/7: 100 Human Stories.”
The event will be held on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Campus (5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211). The event is free, and registration is strongly encouraged. Interested individuals can visit thejkc.org/aas for more information and to register.
Yaron, a journalist with Israeli newspaper Haaretz, shares the accounts of the Oct. 7 massacre through stories of its victims and their communities in her book. “10/7 One Hundred Human Stories” chronicles the horrors of the massacre and the war that followed through the stories of more than 100 civilians.
Neta Meltzer, interim executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Com-
mittee, will moderate the discussion with Yaron.
Lee Yaron’s
“It is so urgent that we bear witness to the stories of Oct. 7 and grasp how this moment has changed Israel and the Jewish community worldwide,” Meltzer said. “As Lee paints the portraits of those impacted by that tragic day in her book, we are invited to reflect on the impacts and aftermath – both for our community and for ourselves as individuals. We’re so grateful to host her next month.”
Yaron was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, and splits her time between her native city and New York. She is an elected member-representative of the executive committee of the Union of Israeli
Journalists and works to bring attention to marginalized communities in both Israel and throughout the Middle East.
“I am deeply excited to bring Lee Yaron to the Kansas City Jewish community,” said Mika Kislanski, the Kansas City community shalicha. “[Her] impactful book offers a profound and personal glimpse into the lives of those who endured the tragic events of Oct. 7. It is crucial that we hear these powerful stories, as they not only honor the experiences of those affected but also deepen our understand-
ing of the resilience and humanity that emerged in the face of unspeakable tragedy. Lee’s book is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and I am confident it will resonate deeply within our community.”
The Acclaimed Author Series is co-sponsored by Jewish Experiences and the Jewish Book Council and is supported by the Sam Schultz Jewish Book Fair Fund.
Monarch Books & Gifts is the exclusive bookseller of the Acclaimed Author Series. Only copies purchased from Monarch Books & Gifts will be eligible for signing by the author.
Additional information about the Acclaimed Author Series and other programs held by Jewish Experiences is available at thejkc.org/ jewishexperiences.
Acclaimed Author Series with Lee Yaron Wednesday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m.
Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211
HBHA launches new opportunities for prospective students
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) has announced the New Beginnings Scholarship, created to support Jewish students in 6th-10th grade who are new to the HBHA community.
HBHA is the only K-12 Jewish day school in the region and offers a flexible Jewish studies program — HBHA allows families to choose between an egalitarian curriculum, best suited for Reform and Conservative families, and a more traditional curriculum taught through an Orthodox lens. This tailored approach is designed to ensure that every student receives a well-rounded education, rooted in Jewish values and honoring the wide spectrum of traditions represented in the Kansas City Jewish community.
A recent study conducted by the Jewish Federations of North America showed that 38% of parents with children in secular private schools are considering a transition to Jewish day schools. This reflects an increasing interest in fostering stronger connections to Jewish communal life and val-
ues in a post-Oct. 7 world. In response to this surge, HBHA is introducing new opportunities to make Jewish education more accessible and engaging for families in the Kansas City area.
New Beginnings Scholarship
The New Beginnings Scholarship is designed to recognize students who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement, leadership and a commitment to Jewish values. This initiative reflects HBHA's commitment to ensuring that every Jewish family has the opportunity to pursue a quality Jewish education.
financial support — it’s about welcoming students into our community and celebrating their potential," said Head of School Annie Glickman.
Friday, Jan. 31, for students in the Blue Valley School District.
HBHA invites students in 6th-10th grade to experience a morning at the school, beginning with prayers and concluding with lunch. Visiting students will have the chance to meet teachers, tour the school and the Jewish Community Campus, and spend time with their prospective peers.
Recipients of the New Beginnings Scholarship may receive up to 50% off tuition for the 2025-26 school year. Scholarship amounts will be determined based on a comprehensive review of each applicant's submission. Applications are open now and must be submitted by Tuesday, April 1.
"This scholarship is about more than
January Student Experience Days
For families interested in exploring life at HBHA, the school is hosting two Student Experience Days in January, coinciding with days off in local school districts: Tuesday, Jan. 21, for students in the Shawnee Mission School District; and
"Student Experience Days are a chance for students to see what a ‘new beginning’ at HBHA could look like," said Bekah Zitron, director of admissions at HBHA. “The best way to understand what it’s like to be part of our community is to experience it firsthand.”
Both the New Beginnings Scholarship application and Student Experience Day registration are available on the HBHA website. More information is available at hbha.edu/admissions. Those interested in learning more about HBHA can contact Zitron at rzitron@hbha.edu.
book “10/7: 100 Human Stories,” is the subject of the upcoming Acclaimed Author Series event.
Middle and Upper School students at HBHA.
Wrapping Party
FRANKLIPSMAN JOSEPHHIERSTEINER TUBSHVATSEDER GEEKSFORKIDS PEACEANDJUSTICECENTER NEWBEGINNINGS STUDENTEXPERIENCEDAYS BETHKANDER LEEYARON
The words you’ll be searching for are all subjects of articles in this week’s Chronicle! The words can be forward or backward, oriented up and down, left and right or diagonal.
KCKOLLEL KLEINCOLLECTION MELTONKC SASONE YAYMIA
• Beth Kander (pg. 9)
• Frank Lipsman (pg. 10)
• Geeks for Kids (pg. 12)
• Joseph Hiersteiner (pg. 10)
• KC Kollel (pg. 4)
• Klein Collection (pg. 4, 8)
• Lee Yaron (pg. 5)
• Melton KC (pg. 3)
• New Beginnings (pg. 5)
• Sasone (pg. 3)
CRYPTOGRAM
• Peace and Justice Center (pg. 12)
• Student Experience Days (pg. 5)
• Tu B’Shvat Seder (pg. 12)
Pictured at its annual Hanukkah Wrapping Party are (top row, from left) JFS staff members Debbie Bass, Teresa Woods and Melanie Hayden; Megan Pener, Evelyn Pener and Morgan Fasbinder; (second row) Sarah Freyman, Nora Freyman and Michael Portman; (bottom left, front row), Eliana Salazar, Noah Salazar, Lainey Silver, (back row) Sydney Salazar, Jennifer Polsky Salazar, Ellen Polsky, Sophie Silver and Renee Polsky Silver; (bottom right) Jennie Stolper and JFS Board President Jeff Stolper.
Sisterhood Hanukkah
Members of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah’s sisterhood got together for a girls’ night out with an Italian-style early Hanukkah dinner including wine and Hanukkah cookies on Dec. 18, at Viona’s in downtown Overland Park.
Jewish Family Services (JFS) donated gifts to 379 individuals in 212 households this Hanukkah.
Jewish Federation staff and lay leaders attended the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s Jacob H. Schiff Society event in New York City. Pictured are (from left) Sondra Friedman, Federation President and CEO Jay Lewis, Maddie Reiches and Patricia Uhlmann.
in NYC
Deliveries to Veterans
Above: Jewish War Veterans Post 605 delivered gift cards to multiple locations in the metro area, including the Kansas City veterans facility, the Leavenworth veterans facility, St. Michael's Veterans Retirement Center, the Topeka veterans facility and Community Veterans Project.
Pictured are (top row, from left) Josh Goldfarb, Sheldon Turetsky, Bill Greenberg, Kansas City veterans facility workers Jessica Johnson and Kennedy Saim, Paul Salavitch, Scott Bronston and Dave Lerner; Greenberg, Topeka veterans facility volunteer Denise Cunningham and Rachel Harold; (bottom row, from left) Goldfarb, Turetsky, Susan Endall, Greenberg, Bronston, Salavitch and Lerner at St. Michael’s Veterans Center; and Roger Cooper, Janny Neal and Howard Noah at Community Veterans Project.
“Chanukkah
Nearly 100 teens gathered for The Chanukkah Chill, a celebration for Jewish high schoolers across Kansas City. Teens participated in a Havdalah service under the stars, followed by time spent in heated cabanas, igloos and around fire pits. The Chanukkah Chill was a collaboration of BBYO, CTeen, NCSY and JSU.
A Hanukkah celebration hosted by the Simcha Gifts program was attended by many residents at Tallgrass Creek and their friends on the second night of Hanukkah. KCTeen Ethan Hobbs led the party with help from Sapir Hobbs and Elia Ellis. Pictured are Jack Forman and Marcia Fagin with other Tallgrass residents.
Hanukkah at Tallgrass Creek
Left: Musician Benjamin Cartel and his band held their third annual “Hanukkah Rocks” show. Held on Dec. 28 at The Granada in Lawrence, Kansas, the band celebrated rock music written by Jewish artists such as Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Beck, Carole King, Billy Joel, Lisa Loeb, Leonard Cohen and more. Pictured (far left) are Cartel and KU Chabad’s Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel leading the lighting of the menorah; and the band playing Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe.”
Above: PJ Library, Chabad on the Plaza and Chabad of Leawood teamed up to host the city's tiniest Hanukkah party. The Maccababy Play Date at Humanette Kinder Cafe in Brookside included handson holiday fun for toddlers and their parents on Sunday, Dec. 22.
By Ellie Holsten
Many pieces of Judaica in the Klein Collection are repurposed from objects that once served other purposes. One unusual example of recycling is this Indian yad from the early 20th century, made from a decommissioned opium pipe. The bottom end where the hand comes out is a slightly different color than the rest of the piece because it was once the mouthpiece of the pipe. A cast hand was inserted into the mouthpiece, which was sealed shut. The piece of turquoise in its other end fills the hole left by removing part of the apparatus where the opium would be lit.
Jews have lived in India since ancient times, so long that Judaism was one of the first foreign religions ever to arrive in India. Indian Jewish population numbers peaked in the 1940s at around 20,000 and declined sharply after the establishment of Israel, but there are still small Jewish communities around India, the largest of which is in Mumbai. There are currently about 4,800 Jews in India. Jewish tradition in India is mostly Orthodox and Sephardic.
More information about the Michael Klein Collection at the Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah can be found at kleincollection.org or by calling (913) 663-4050 to schedule a tour.
The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle and the Klein Collection are partneringtoshareandhighlightsomeofthe collection’suniquepieces.
State and city governments host menorah lightings
Alongside Jewish community members, city and state officials celebrated Hanukkah with menorah lightings.
On Dec. 23, Kansas officials participated in the “Light Up The Night” pre-Hanukkah celebration at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, and on Dec. 26, the second night of Hanukkah was celebrated at the Kansas City, Missouri, City Hall.
State celebration
The pre-holiday reception at the capitol was hosted by Chabad and attended by Governor Laura Kelly and other elected officials. The event brought together Jewish Kansans from areas including Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita.
Sponsored by Chabad of Kansas, the reception was one of many Hanukkah programs aimed at fostering holiday awareness and reaching thousands. This year also marked the 18th anniversary of Hanukkah celebrations at the capitol.
“Having the celebration of this important holiday at the state capitol is a great boost of Jewish pride for the Jews of Kansas,” said Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel of KU Chabad, who organized the event. “Unlike other Jewish holidays celebrated at home or in the synagogue, Hanukkah emphasizes sharing its light and miracle through
public menorah lightings.”
This year’s theme, “Illuminating Impact: Honoring Kansas’ Lamplighters,” celebrated individuals whose dedication and leadership inspire and uplift communities across the state.
The program opened with Rabbi Tiechtel explaining the significance of the event, highlighting the governor’s role as a “shamash” — the menorah’s servant candle that kindles others. He encouraged attendees to look beyond global challenges and take personal responsibility to bring light into the world.
“Let’s pledge together to do our part to light up the world, starting with the candles we will light this Hanukkah,” he said.
Ann Slegman Isenberg of Kansas City, one of the honored lamplighters, shared reflections on her contributions to the community before introducing Gov. Kelly.
In her remarks, Gov. Kelly denounced antisemitism and all forms of prejudice.
“I will continue to call out and condemn antisemitism, racism and prejudice of any kind,” she said.
The event featured a special announcement about the establishment of Chabad of Olathe, the first Jewish institution in that city. Rabbi Mendel and Sheina Wenger shared their vision for a vibrant Jewish future in Olathe,
Kansas’ fourth-largest city.
Nechama Tiechtel presented Gov. Kelly with a handcrafted dreidel featuring Kansas icons and university mascots as a token of appreciation from the Jewish community.
David Block, a real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist and publisher of Kansas City Magazine, was also honored as a lamplighter. His remarks highlighted his commitment to addressing critical community issues and encouraged others to do the same.
The menorah lighting followed, with Gov. Kelly lighting the shamash and eight additional lamplighters, including Jewish and community leaders, lighting the menorah candles. These included David Block; State Rep. Dan Osman; Michael Levine, president of the board of Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy; Rabbi Sam Stern of Topeka’s Temple Beth Sholom; Tom Isenberg, past board chair of Synergy Services; John Isenberg, past board chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City; Rabbi Avremi Baron of KCteen; and Jewish teen leader Ethan Hobbs.
The celebration concluded with traditional Hanukkah music, latkes, sufganiyot, chocolate gelt, dreidels and other holiday treats.
“King Solomon said, ‘The soul of
Above, from left: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly; Kansas State Rep. Dan Osman; and Temple Beth Sholom Rabbi Sam Stern lighting an electric menorah at the Kansas State Capitol on Dec. 23. (Ailecia Ruscin)
KU Chabad co-director Nechama Tiechtel gifting Gov. Kelly a KU dreidel. (Ailecia Ruscin)
Rabbi Mendel Wenger, Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, Gov. Kelly, Rabbi Mendy Wineberg and Rabbi Avremi Baron at the Kansas State Capitol on Dec. 23. (Ailecia Ruscin)
KU Chabad co-director Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel speaking to community members, Kansas officials and the media about Hanukkah at the Kansas State Capitol on Dec. 23. (Ailecia Ruscin)
community news
Jewish author Beth Kander speaks to community
By Alexis Greenberg Special to the Chronicle
Jewish author Beth Kander spoke to community members as part of the Acclaimed Author Series hosted by Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J, on Dec. 19. The event was also co-sponsored by the Jewish Book Council, PJ Library Kansas City, the Sam Shultz Jewish Book Fair Fund and Monarch Books & Gifts, where the event was held.
Moderated by community member Lindsay Fineman, the conversation ranged from Kander’s experience growing up in a small Jewish community outside of Flint, Michigan, to her inspirations behind her novel.
Kander’s book, “I Made it Out of Clay,” was released on Dec. 10, and by the 18th, made the USA Today Best-selling Booklist, debuting at number 85. Kander has published two other books geared towards children, but “I Made it Out of Clay” is her debut full-length novel. The book is a romantic comedy set in modern-day Chicago, with elements of friendship, magic and coming to terms with loss.
After reading excerpts from the book, Kander answered questions from Fineman and the audience. She talked about her experience
being the only Jewish family in her town, driving over half an hour to any organized Jewish community.
Kander said that living in a smaller community means that everyone has to be involved in creating the spaces they want to keep alive. In addition, she said having a small Jewish community means participating in the broader community and creating change all around.
“In literally any place that Jewish people live, we are chairing the PTO, we are involved in our larger community in really important and meaningful ways, and I think that’s incredible,” she said.
“I think there is such power in getting to be in the community that you’re in and to be in community with everyone around you, [both]
your Jewish community and your larger community.”
One question Kander answered was about the intended audience, and how her book can help nonJews understand Jewish traditions and culture.
“I really wanted it to be a book that everyone could read, and Jewish people would feel seen reading,” she said. “It was a hard balance with some of the explanation versus assumption of knowledge. So you’ll see light explanation... I don’t want it to become a slog.”
Kander went on to talk about the effects of friendship throughout big life moments, both positive and negative. She discussed the importance of opening up to loved ones and helping them understand how they can help you in times of stress.
“Just naming it and telling the people in your life when you’re feeling down and inviting them in and not having it be something we tuck away [is important],” Kander said.
Kander and her team are beginning to look at pitching the story to production companies, in hopes of it becoming a film.
More information about the Acclaimed Author Series and other programs developed by Jewish Experiences is available at TheJKC.org/jewishexperiences.
B’nai B’rith Bowling Scores
The following bowlers achieved high scores in the Sunday Kansas City B’nai B’rith Men’s Bowling League at Ward Parkway Lanes on Dec. 22 and 29.
Dec. 22
500 Series
Mark Newton 662 (299 192 171)
Steve Thomas 637 (219 215 203)
Bill Sloan 634 (234 181 219)
Ryan Thomas 617 (191 216 210)
Hunter Thomas 615 (215 221 179)
Stuart Pollack 594 (236 167 191)
Marion Potts 565 (181 237 147)
Steve Greenberg 562 (212 145 205)
Irwin Snitz 528 (180 192 156)
Scott Hecht 526 (200 172 154)
Steve Baraban 526 (179 190 157)
Nick Meyers 516 (172 158 186)
Michael Sokol 513 (157 164 192)
Steve Eisman 502 (157 166 179)
170 Series
Maury Kohn 185
Morty Rock 176
Jerry Shapiro 174
Dec. 29
500 Series
Hunter Thomas 630 (209 204 217)
Mark Newton 610 (244 190 176)
Steve Thomas 591 (191 209 191)
Marion Potts 575 (183 201 191)
Scott Hecht 564 (201 204 159)
Michael Sokol 543 (225 177 141)
Recent Scores
Basketball
Varsity Boys
• Dec. 10 — 16-50 loss vs. Crossroads Prep
• Dec. 12 — 35-27 win vs. Guadalupe
Varsity Girls
• Dec. 7 — 36-37 loss vs. Chesterton
• Dec. 12 — 56-7 win vs. Guadalupe
7/8 Boys
• Dec. 10 — 32-26 win vs. Daniel
5/6 Boys
• Dec. 12 — 28-20 win vs. Daniel MS Girls
• Dec. 10 — 15-25 loss vs. Daniel
Upcoming Games
Basketball
Varsity Boys
• Jan. 7 — Rams vs. IHS, 5:45 p.m. at The J
• Jan. 13 — Rams vs. SOE, 6 p.m. at SOE
• Jan. 14 — Rams vs. STEM, 6 p.m. at STEM
Varsity Girls
• Jan. 7 — Rams vs. Daniel, 7:15 p.m. at The J
• Jan. 14 — Rams vs. STEM, 4:30 p.m. at STEM
7/8 Boys
• Jan. 7 — Rams vs. St. Vincent de Paul, 4:30 p.m. at Christ the King
• Jan. 11 — Rams vs. Midland, 8:15 p.m. at The J
• Jan. 13 — Rams vs. SOE, 4:30 p.m. at SOE
• Jan. 16 — Rams vs. Summit Christian, 6:30 p.m. at Summit Christian
Nick Meyers 518 (171 169 178)
Stuart Pollack 515 (171 204 140)
Bruce Parker 510 (171 148 191)
Irwin Snitz 510 (135 197 178)
Steve Baraban 509 (159 179 171)
Bill Sloan 500 (157 169 174)
170 Series
Ryan Thomas 198
Steve Greenberg 182
Morty Rock 179
Bruce Singer 176
Jeff Martasin 177
Chris Eldredge 174 Ray Kopek 170
If you are interested in bowling during the ‘24-’25 season for a competitive, fun, social atmosphere, you can contact Tom Balke at (913) 244-7010 or balketw@yahoo.com or Stuart Pollack at (913) 9573716 or skp28@aol.com.
5/6 Boys
• Jan. 14 — Rams vs. Maranatha, 5:45 p.m. at The J
• Jan. 16 — Rams vs. Summit Christian, 5:30 p.m. at Summit Christian
MS Girls
• Jan. 11 — Rams vs. Midland, 7 p.m. at The J
• Jan. 14 — Rams vs. Maranatha, 4:30 p.m. at The J
• Jan. 16 — Rams vs. Summit Christian, 7:30 p.m. at
Moderator Lindsay Fineman (left) and author Beth Kander at the Acclaimed Author Series event featuring Kander’s “I Made it Out of Clay.”
Using The Chronicle’s archives and community submissions, here are some recipes for you to try out. Email samk@ jewishkc.org with a recipe, and it might be published here!
“Chinese” Knishes
Ingredients
1988, NCJW
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 cup cooked bean sprouts, chopped and drained
• ½ cup water chestnuts, chopped and drained
• 1.25 oz. package of beef-mushroom soup mix
• 1 tbsp. pareve margarine
• 4 8-oz. Packages refrigerated crescent roll dough
Instructions
1. Set oven to 350°
2. In a medium skillet, brown meat and onion
3. Add bean sprouts, water chestnuts, soup mix and margarine, let cool
4. Remove crescent dough from package and cut into small triangles (3 out of 1 piece)
5. Place a teaspoon of meat in the center of each triangle
6. Pinch each triangle together to seal
7. Bake for 10 minutes
Blueberry Bread
1970, Mrs. Jerry Greenstein
Ingredients
• 3 cups sifted flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp. instant coffee
• 1 lemon rind, grated
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
Instructions
1. Set oven to 350°
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar
3. Cut in shortening
4. In a separate bowl, mix honey, eggs, coffee, rind and water
5. Combine mixtures, stir until blended
6. Fold in nuts and blueberries
7. Pour into 9x5x3” pan
8. Bake for 55-60 minutes; let cool
community news
Saxophonist unique in KC jazz scene
continued from page 1
City Conservatory, learning from accomplished saxophonists Adam Larson and Bobby Watson.
By the time he graduated in 2021, Schwartzberg had performed at venues including the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Black Dolphin and the Blue Room.
A composer and music educator, Schwartzberg also plays with Arnold Young and the RoughTet, an avant-garde jazz group, as well as the jazz-rock horn band Brass Rewind.
But it’s Schwartzberg’s work with Abramovitz’s swing jazz band — for which the saxophonist also handles some musical arrangements — that’s taught him most about local music traditions.
“Playing with these guys, I think there’s something different happening [musically],” he said. “It’s higher energy than most people think of when they think of a jazz band. When you look at us, we don’t necessarily look like we’re going to get up there and have a really good time; we look very much like we’re going to be super boring. And so I think a lot of people hear us defy those expectations and say, ‘Oh, that’s different.’”
Abramovitz’s band won plaudits in 2024 from the Kansas City Pitch, whose readers ranked Abramovitz one of the top jazz vocalists and allaround musicians in the publication’s Best of KC 2024. The singer and several bandmates were also ranked among the best local jazz groups by the Pitch and received numerous 2024 award nominations from JAM (Jazz Ambassador Magazine).
Schwartzberg, who’s been playing with the band for about a year and a half, said his musical path began in third or fourth grade — the year his school music teacher organized a jazz show for the class production.
“We talked about Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie and the ‘OG’ cats,” Schwartzberg said. “I came home one
day and said to my dad, ‘Hey, I’m into this. What do you know [about jazz]?’ It turns out my dad was already majorly into jazz, and so he burned me a CD of what he called ‘Jacob’s Classic Jazz;’ a little bit of this, a little bit of that, all the things he thought I would need to know.”
Schwartzberg listened to the CD over and over again. He was hooked.
The budding musician picked up the clarinet in fourth grade and switched to saxophone when he entered middle school. As his musical journey progressed, he simultaneously forged his own path of Jewish practice.
“I’ve gone through more and less observant phases,” said Schwartberg, who used to wear tzitzit.
“Not that I really think the boxes matter, but I’ve always had a tough time placing myself. I’ve found my own way a little bit.”
Schwartzberg gives much of the credit for his feeling at home in KC’s jazz scene to Abramovitz, 36, who is Christian and of Polish-Jewish descent.
“Jazz is for all kinds of people; people from different backgrounds helped to establish it, made it popular, helped mold it, helped it grow and develop,” said Abramovitz, who JAM named its favorite KC Jazz singer and instrumentalist.
An ally of the Jewish community, Abramovitz took time to check in with Schwartzberg following Hamas’s Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
“Alex is one of the only non-Jewish people in my life who cared to ask like, ‘Hey, how are you doing? I know things are tough,’” said Schwartzberg, who lives in Rosedale with his fiancée, ballerina Liat Roth.
“That makes it really easy in a situation like this to feel comfortable and to go to new places all the time to play music,” he said.
Schwartzberg follows in the footsteps of Jewish musicians who played key roles in shaping jazz as an American art form. Saxophonists Stan Getz and Lee Konitz were Jewish. So were Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman, considered two
of jazz’s greatest clarinetists. Jazz originated in Black communities in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Kansas City musicians developing unique sounds and styles. As the art form spread it attracted musicians from different cultures and backgrounds, including Jews whose families had fled antisemitic persecution in Europe.
In 1938, Goodman’s groundbreaking concert at Carnegie Hall – the venue’s first jazz performance – also featured the first racially integrated jazz group to play before a paying audience in the U.S.
“The history of jazz came out of a lot of problematic stuff,” said Schwartzberg, alluding to the enslavement of African Americans and Jim Crow laws that subjugated Black musicians.
“To me, there are a ton of parallels to be made between the experience of the Jewish people [and the Black experience in America],” he said. “...We get what it’s like not to be loved by the people around us. And that’s such a big part of where the music came from.”
Abramovitz, a Kansas City native and jazz historian, has been playing jazz venues with his band since 2013 and credits Jewish band leaders like Goodman and Shaw as inspirations.
“As a Kansas City jazz musician, the respect that I have for these guys and what they’ve done is immense, not to mention that the time in which they’re doing it — when antisemitism on a global level is just through the roof — and in the face of that they became some of the most popular entertainers in the world in the 1930s and 1940s,” Abramovitz said.
The Olathe resident said his Jewish ancestors were the subjects of forced conversions to Roman Catholicism in 19th-century Poland. At times, Abramowitz added, his last name has made him a target of antisemitism.
“God’s got a funny sense of humor,” joked the musician, who keeps kosher when he’s with Schwartzberg as a show of respect. “I became a Christian, and God decided to remind me I’m perpetually Jewish.”
Religion seemed to be the last thing on the crowd’s mind as they applauded the band at The Phoenix.
“It’s really cool to be part of Kansas City jazz and this incredible tradition,” Schwartzberg said after the show. “I’m lucky to be making a career doing what I love.”
Saxophonist Jacob Schwartzberg performs on Nov. 23 at The Phoenix jazz club in Kansas City with “Alex Abramovitz and His Swing’n Kansas City Jazz Band.” (Kevin Deutsch)
Welcoming guests
By Lindsey Lipsky Director of Sasone
There is a story in Judaism that I think about a lot. The story of Abraham, who, as the tale goes, sees three strangers walking in the desert. Rather than turning away from what could realistically have been a dangerous situation, Abraham runs to these men. The text is very clear here: Abraham doesn’t just walk, he runs. A full throttle, open-arms, out-stretched hands kind of run. Abraham beckons them, offering food, comfort and shelter; no second-guessing, no questions asked. The story, of course, goes on to become the underpinnings of the Jewish mitzvah to “welcome guests.”
As a parent, I think about welcoming guests all the time. The weight of it, the expectations of a clean house, a nice meal. How exactly am I supposed to welcome people when there are toys all over the floor? My kitchen is outdated, and there are no plans for renovations. I need a new couch. The thought of planning, prepping and cooking a meal for a group is exhausting just to think about. How can I welcome guests when I barely have the energy for my own brood?
But here comes the ultimate parenting conundrum. The exact time when we feel most overwhelmed is exactly the time when we should be opening our homes to guests. And yet, too often, it is then when it feels most impossible.
Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy declared the stress and burnout of parenting a national emergency. The year before, in 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.” The irony is not lost that just three years before, we were all huddled alone in our homes, isolated, fighting a raging COVID pandemic.
However, even before the pandemic, our country had a loneliness problem.
As the director of Sasone, a program that helps support access to Jewish education for students with diverse needs, I think about exclusion and its aftermath often. I get to consider myself one of the hardened warriors who survived “parenting during a pandemic,” isolation to the highest degree. Nonetheless, I still know the right thing to do is gather — no judgments, no expectations. They say it takes a village to raise a child — yet so often, that village feels far away. Like a distant dream in a distant land, we no longer live in nomadic tribes in the desert. But one thing remains — humans, and I think especially parents, need other humans. It’s in our DNA; we are not supposed to parent alone. Abraham was on to something when he ran to those strangers that fateful day. He recognized that people didn’t belong out in the desert on their own. He saw them and didn’t wait; he didn’t fear judgement at what his tent might look like or second guess how his food might taste — he just did it. And yes, while Sarah and Abraham were still childless at the time — plot twist — they were rewarded for this act of service with the birth of their only son, Isaac, and with him the dream that the Jewish people might one day become “more numerous than the stars in the night sky.”
So, the next time you are thinking about inviting guests over — as the famous Nike advertisement from my childhood goes — “just do it.”
Open your arms, open your hearts — maybe even run? Outdated kitchens, unfolded laundry, toys on the floor be damned. Like Abraham, you too will be rewarded.
Lindsey Lipsky lives in Overland Park, Kansas, with her husband and three children. She works as the director of Sasone. For more information on this work, visit sasone.org.
PJ Library hosted its annual Hanukkah Glow Party on Sunday, Dec. 15. Almost 400 children, parents and grandparents attended the event, which included activities organized by our
community’s synagogues and organizations, and a tween zone with a Gaga pit. It culminated with a silent, black-light disco featuring DJ Stann and a light-up hula hoop performance by Sara Glass.
Ask the Rabbi
What are several different customs that vary between Ashkenazi and Sefardic Jews?
By Rabbi Herbert J. Mandl, Ph.D.
community news
Temple Beth Sholom to host director of Topeka Peace and Justice Center
Temple Beth Sholom in Topeka, Kansas, will host Pastor Carl Frazier for a discussion about the Topeka Peace and Justice Center, of which he is the executive director.
There are many of them that seem to be known about the different laws of what foods one can eat on Passover. However, there are other traditions of a much more minor nature between these two major streams in the Jewish tradition.
For example, many Sefardic Jews cover their eyes every time in the service the Shema is recited, not just when the Shema prayer itself is recited. I have noticed more people covering their eyes numerous times during the service, and that is harmless, but it is not an Ashkenazi tradition.
Similarly, many Sefardic Jews lift up their little finger when the Torah is lifted. This is also not an Ashkenazi tradition. Many people have picked that up along the way as well.
Rabbi Mandl is Rabbi Emeritus of Kehilath Israel Synagogue.
The event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. at Beth Sholom (4200 SW Munson Ave., Topeka, KS 66604). It will also be livestreamed on the synagogue’s YouTube channel.
The evening will begin with a pizza dinner followed by Havdalah and Pastor Frazier’s talk.
Beth Sholom has been involved with the Topeka Peace and Justice Center for years and has contributed to their cause. The Center has also been selected as the synagogue’s January tzedakah recipient.
Pastor Carl Frazier
Sholom with Pastor
Saturday, Jan. 25, 6 p.m.
The Center is active in programs addressing multiculturalism, racism, war and peace, women’s issues, hate speech and bullying, among others. RSVPs can be made by emailing office@tbstopeka.org.
Temple Beth Sholom, 4200 SW Munson Ave., Topeka, KS 66604
JULIETs to host president of children’s mobility aid program
Jewish Unforgettable Ladies Interested in Eating Together (JULIETs) will host Rebecca Kidwell, president of Geeks for Kids, an organization that builds custom electric cars and other assistive devices for children with mobility problems.
Over the past five years, Geeks for Kids has delivered more than 300 cars and thousands of assistive devices to help children with movement limitations. In 2024, they helped more than 80 children. Their cars and aids are de-
livered at no cost to the recipient family.
According to Geeks for Kids, “more 500,000 American kids under the age of five have mobility problems, but few have access to devices that give them free movement,” limiting their interactions with other children. Geeks for Kids’ cars and mobility aids give children with movement limitations the ability to play independently. Oregon State University research shows kids’ interaction with ride-on cars advances developmental, physical, social, language and cognitive skills.
The JULIETs program will take place at Congregation Beth Torah (6100 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66209) on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required by Thursday, Jan. 23, by contacting Susie Klinock at JULIETs.KC@gmail.com. Jewish women (and non-Jewish women with a Jewish spouse) are invited to all JULIETs events, and no synagogue affiliation is required. Attendees should bring their own lunch or snack; JULIETs will provide beverages and paper goods.
JULIETs with Rebecca Kidwell
Sunday, Jan. 26, 12:30 p.m.
Beth Torah, 6100 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66209
Beth Shalom Sisterhood to hold Tu B’Shvat seder
Beth Shalom Sisterhood will hold its annual seder celebrating Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish agricultural new year. Fruits and wines related to the holiday will be among the light snacks and drinks available at the seder.
The event will be held in Goldsmith Hall at Congregation Beth Shalom (14200 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223) on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. Prices for members and non-members as well as payment in-
Tu B’Shvat Seder
Thursday, Feb. 6, 12:30 p.m.
formation are available at bethshalomkc.org/events/sisterhood-tu-bshvat-seder.
The evening will include music, dancing, time for mingling and conversation based on parts of the Tu B’Shvat haggadah. The winner of Sisterhood’s art contest will be announced, and there will be a raffle drawing at the end of the seder.
Dried fruit and nut packages will also be available for purchase.
Beth Shalom, 14200 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223
Beth
Carl Frazier
community news
Downtown Minyan celebrates 20 years
continued from page 1
here a long time.”
The Downtown Minyan’s 20th anniversary was celebrated during a dinner last month. Between the regular and occasional attendees and their families, Jevinsky and Blackman estimated nearly 40 people attended the celebration, which featured kosher barbecue.
Attendees of the Downtown Minyan and their families at the group’s 20th anniversary celebration on Dec. 12.
Two decades of minyans
The seeds of the Downtown Minyan began in 2004 at Kehilath Israel Synagogue, when Blackman was saying Kaddish for his late father and Jevinsky was saying Kaddish for his late mother.
“We did not know each other, even though we were the same age and both attorneys downtown,” Blackman said. “There was no problem [coming to K.I. for a minyan] throughout the summer, but when November came around, we saw [a problem] coming.”
The problem was that when daylight saving time ended in November, the two would have to leave their jobs downtown in the mid-afternoon to make it to Mincha services at K.I. in Overland Park. They approached K.I.’s Rabbi Herbert Mandl about starting a minyan downtown, and he said that it was permissible by Jewish law, but similar ideas have failed in other cities.
“All you have to do is dare me that I can’t do something,” Blackman said about the motivation to establish the minyan.
“[The best way] to get something done is to tell him, ‘You can’t do it,’” Jevinsky said about Blackman.
The Downtown Minyan formed and continued strong throughout the winter. When daylight saving time restarted the following March, attendees held a vote to continue gathering yearround.
“The reason they voted for that wasn’t religious at all,” Blackman said. “...They didn’t want to break up the group. They were fearful that if we stopped in March or April of 2005, we would never resume again. The camaraderie was such an esprit de corps that they wanted to keep the group together.”
The Downtown Minyan continued
throughout 2005 and into the current day. In 2014, upon the Downtown Minyan’s 10th anniversary, Rabbi Mandl told The Chronicle, “I’m tickled pink that it worked.”
The group calls itself B’nai Bryant because it was originally held in the Bryant Building on 11th and Grand, where Blackman’s law office was. It later moved to the Palace Clothing Company Building and then to the Harzfeld’s Building at 1111 Main Street, where it still meets today.
Jevinsky said that in the early days of B’nai Bryant, most minyan attendees were within walking distance, if not working in the same building already. It wasn’t difficult to secure 10 men.
Minyans used to gather multiple times a week, but after a 16-month hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, minyans are now only held on Thursdays. Herring and schnapps are often served. During fast days when the Torah must be read, Blackman picks up a Torah from K.I., and Rabbi Yitzchak Itkin of Chabad on the Plaza (who is a regular attendee) reads.
Additional gatherings include Passover Chol HaMoed lunches and annual anniversary dinners with kosher barbecue.
Continuing strong today
Jevinsky and Blackman’s drive to maintain a Jewish presence downtown is a main reason B’nai Bryant still exists today.
“It’s important to me to have a Jewish presence in the central city,” Blackman said. “So many of our institutions, including The Chronicle [and] most of the synagogues, have left for Johnson County… Kansas City, Missouri, is still a central community. It’s the anchor of the metropolitan area, and so I want there to be a Jewish influence.”
There is a risk of not having enough men for a minyan some Thursdays, despite Rabbi Itkin, young people and
Jewish travelers coming regularly in addition to longtime attendees. In order to reduce the risk of not getting 10 men, Jevinsky and Blackman often “minyan wrangle” to ensure attendance. Jevinsky keeps a thorough record of attendees going back years as well as a list of people who say they’ll attend if needed.
“I’m quite certain that if we didn’t do the wrangling, then at 5 p.m. on Thursday afternoons, nobody would show up,” Jevinsky said.
“I wear the moniker of ‘the noodge,’” Blackman said. “But you can only
[noodge] in a kind and friendly fashion, and you can’t be overbearing. You can’t lay guilt on anybody.”
Friendliness and camaraderie are key aspects of B’nai Bryant, as is charity. A tzedakah box is present at every minyan, and Jevinsky estimates that over 20 years, the group has donated about $25,000 to many different charities. When anybody connected to B’nai Bryant dies, the group donates $150 to the charity of the deceased’s family’s choice.
With two decades stewarding B’nai Bryant under their belt, Jevinsky and Blackman hope that the group continues well into the future.
“I would like this to continue on,” Blackman said. “I don’t want this to just be ‘the Paul and Max show,’ so when we’re gone, it’s gone. I hope [B’nai Bryant] is a permanent part of Jewish presence in the central city.”
Peace of mind is pricele . v
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community news
Jewish Community Foundation hosts 65th Annual Meeting
Frank Lipsman honored; Joseph Hiersteiner welcomed
More than one hundred Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) fundholders and supporters gathered on Dec. 11 for JCF’s 65th Annual Meeting and installation of officers and trustees. JCF also celebrated the leadership of its outgoing Board of Trustees President Frank Lipsman and welcomed Joseph Hiersteiner as the Foundation’s new board chair.
The event included socializing, refreshments and a program which reflected on a year of philanthropy for every age and stage of life. The theme of the event was “Be the Change,” based on the Mahatma Gandhi quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
The program began with remarks from honorary event chairs Gail and Gary Weinberg, close personal friends of Lipsman and his wife, Janet Mark.
“Over the years, we’ve watched Frank in many leadership roles, as it seems he has been chair or president of almost every agency in our community,” the Weinbergs said. “Frank is an exceptional leader. He is a great calming voice and always reflects wisdom and intelligence.”
Another friend of Lipsman, Rabbi Doug Alpert of Congregation Kol Ami, provided a d’var Torah.
During the business meeting of the program, JCF membership approved an amendment and restatement of the JCF bylaws to ensure alignment with best practices in nonprofit governance and the strategic direction of the organization. The revisions included addressing JCF’s governance practices to allow for more regular leadership transitions, and changing the title of “executive director” to “president and CEO” to be consistent with nonprofit best practices and industry trends.
Investment Committee Chair Brian Scharf shared an update on market performance and announced that, thanks to the generosity of JCF fundholders, JCF assets have reached an all-time high of $310 million.
A video was shown featuring JCF’s programmatic highlights of the year, which featured community members active in the Foundation’s B’nai Tzedek, J-LEAD, Donor Advised Fund and Cre-
ate a Jewish Legacy programs. Josh Stein, the JCF’s executive director, recognized the contributions of JCF leadership and staff and shared an update about the Foundation’s growth, noting that legacy gifts are trending at 140% of 2023 levels and new fund creation has increased more than 65% over last year.
In recognition of Lipsman’s leadership, Immediate Past President Alice Jacks Achtenberg presented Lipsman with a tribute book which included messages from those he had worked with during his tenure. She shared a portion of her own tribute to Lipsman, which read, “You gave generously of your time to the entire Jewish community, and we are all better and stronger because of you. Working with you made it clear how any organization, especially JCF, is enhanced by your leadership.”
reach efforts seeking new donors and enhancing our attention to the wants and needs of existing donors,” he said.
In looking towards the future, Hiersteiner acknowledged the uncertainty that many people are struggling with in the current political climate.
“In the face of this uncertainty, we have to redouble our efforts to support those who are marginalized, those who need a leg up, those who are discriminated against, those in need,” he said.
“Serving as president of the board of trustees of the Jewish Community Foundation has been an honor that I won’t forget,” Lipsman said. “I have forged friendships; learned a lot about philanthropy from staff and both current and past leadership; and broadened my own views of tzedakah. Most of all, I have learned that philanthropy
comes in all shapes and sizes, and the important thing is that we all do what we can to help others.”
Lipsman then introduced Joe Hiersteiner as the new chairman of the board of JCF. Hiersteiner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead JCF and invited each member of the “Foundation Family” to help further the organization’s mission. One major focus of Hiersteiner’s work as chair will be helping create a new three-year strategic plan for the JCF.
“An important part of that plan will be a commitment to enhance our out-
“We can rest comfortable in the knowledge that despite everything going on around us, the Foundation is in capable hands.”
The following trustees were elected: Ben Abelson, Ace Allen, Carol Barnett, Lindsay Fineman, Michelle Goldsmith, Susan Himmelstein, Pamela Kanter, Linda B. Lyon, Robert V. Palan, Rosanne Rosen, Miles Ross and Catherine D. Singer.
The following officers were also elected: Joseph L. Hiersteiner, chair; Martha Gershun, vice chair; Lara Krigel Pabst, vice chair; Brian M. Scharf, vice chair; Catherine D. Singer, treasurer; and Gary Weinberg, secretary.
State and city governments host menorah lightings
man is the candle of God.’ The theme of this event, ‘Lamplighters,’ reminds us that each of us is a shining candle. It is our duty to shine our light so brightly that others can find their way out of the dark,” Rabbi Tiechtel said.
Kansas City celebration
In Kansas City, Missouri, the Hanukkah celebration at City Hall included government representation by Mayor Quinton Lucas, who opened the event; City Manager Brian Platt (who is also a Jewish community member); and city councilman Wes Rogers. Jewish community leaders involved
continued from page 8 in the program included Jay Lewis, president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City; Neta Meltzer, interim executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee; Derek Gale, vice president and COO of Jewish Federation; and Rabbi Doug Alpert of Congregation Kol Ami. Rabbi Alpert led lighting of both a menorah inside the
Pictured at the JCF’s 65th Annual Meeting are (from left) Jewish Community Foundation Executive Director Josh Stein; Incoming Board Chair Joe Hiersteiner; and Outgoing Board President Frank Lipsman.
Federation President and CEO Jay Lewis, JCRB|AJC Interim
Executive Director Neta Meltzer and Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas at the City Hall for a Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 26.
community news
chambers and the 12-foot-tall menorah outside of the city hall. The outdoor menorah was lit at 7 p.m. each night of Hanukkah.
Spencer Gerber
Spencer Gerber, 76, of Overland Park, Kansas, died on Dec. 18. Funeral services were held on Dec. 20 at Louis Memorial Chapel, followed by burial at Rose Hill Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers; the family suggests contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Spencer was born Jan. 28, 1948, to the late Martin and Faye Gerber in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1966 and received a degree in business from the University of Kansas City Missouri in 1970. He married Bronna Gerber in 1970 and was a lifelong Kansas City area resident.
After college, he worked with his father, Martin, at his Chrysler dealership
Following the menorah lighting, Gale announced a 1-minute-and-40second moment of silence. Each second represented a hostage currently held by Hamas.
in Independence, Missouri. He next worked in real estate before starting The Gerber Insurance Group more than 40 years ago.
Spencer was a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah where he served as brotherhood president and sat on the temple board. He was an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association and was a large fundraiser for the cause, as his mother had Alzheimer’s.
Spencer was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Sherry Fink. He is survived by his wife, Bronna Gerber; his son, Zachary Gerber; his daughterin-law, Julie Gerber; his two grandchildren, Wyatt and Liam; as well as his brother, Ron, and his wife, Kim.
Condolences may be shared at louismemorialchapel.com.
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An afternoon for tweens 9-12, with interactive gaming, snacks, and book talk.
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Jewish Experiences will host Lee Yaron, author of "10/7, 100 Human Stories" January
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Teens ages 14 and up are invited to join the 2025 Sasone Disability Training Cohort
Join Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy for an evening of challah braiding and candle painting.
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas (center) with young Jewish community members (from left) Asher Bassin, Solomon Abelson, Tali Bassin, Sidney Hoffman, Judah Bassin, Zeke Abelson, Declan Karns and Eli Gale on Dec. 26. (City Hall)
from previous page A lit menorah outside of the Kansas City, Missouri, City Hall on Dec. 26. (City Hall)
