In this issue...
KU Chabad breaks ground for building
KC SuperStar raises $1.2 million for The J
Strangers No More turns 10 years old
Parashat Ki Teitzei
Shabbat times (Overland Park): Candlelighting: 7:11 p.m. Havdalah: 8:07 p.m.
Beth Shalom completes long-awaited new sanctuary
By Sam Kricsfeld Editor
Congregation Beth Shalom has completed its new sanctuary, concluding a yearslong endeavor to provide the synagogue a permanent prayer space.
The congregation held a dedication
Molly Hess named new director of Jewish Experiences
By Alissa Sanderson Special to The Chronicle
Molly Hess has been announced as the new director of Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of the Jewish Federation of Kansas City and The J, having joined the team at the end of August.
Hess brings eight years of experience in the Jewish nonprofit world, where she has found meaning through roles that bring community members together.
“I believe in connecting the community in a meaningful way,” Hess said. “I want people to have a holistic experience within our Kansas City Jewish
ceremony on Aug. 28 to showcase the synagogue’s new addition and honor those who helped with its realization.
The ceremony capped more than a dozen years of work to get Beth Shalom a sanctuary at its current location. The idea and process behind its construction
stretches back to 2011, when Beth Shalom moved its religious functions from its previous location at 95th Street and Wornall Road in Kansas City, Missouri, to its current location at 14200
Longtime J Camp Director DD Gass announces retirement
community, and I want to make sure that people who have an interest in connecting have an opportunity to do so, both by developing different programs that appeal to our diverse collective while ensuring these opportunities are affordable.”
As director of Jewish Experiences,
See page 9
The
J to establish endowment in her honor
By Alissa Sanderson Special to The Chronicle
After more than 10 years of dedication to The J, DD Gass, director of camps and school-age services, has announced her retirement. In the past decade, both J Camp and schoolage programs, which include after school care and vacation days, have seen considerable growth under her leadership.
In her honor, The J is launching the DD Gass Camp Endowment for Special Projects. The funds will be directed to special projects within J Camp, and The J will match all contributions dollar for dollar. Those who have felt a positive impact through Gass’ work
overseeing J Camp and other programming are welcome to donate to the endowment by visiting thejkc.org/ campendowment.
“DD has been an integral part of our community, and her leadership has been instrumental in creating a nurturing and joyful environment that embodies the values and spirit of The J,” said Carly Stein, chief operating officer of The J. “While we are excited for her as she
DD Gass
Community members in Beth Shalom’s new sanctuary listen to Rabbi David Glickman during the space’s dedication on Aug. 28.
Molly Hess
It is important to remember and stand in solidarity with those still held hostage by Hamas:
community news Community mourns murder of six hostages
On Tuesday, Sept. 3, community members gathered in the lobby of The J for a vigil to mourn the six hostages brutally murdered by Hamas on Sept. 1.
The memories of Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino were honored as their stories were told, prayers were read and the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, was sung.
Pictured honoring the victims are (from left) Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy students Avital Mullokandova, Sofia Levine, Molly Soloman, Norah Pabst, Naftali Tilove and Jake Sosland, and community member Yosef Silver.
JFS in need of sponsors, delivery drivers for Rosh Hashanah meals
Jewish Family Services (JFS) is offering community members the opportunity to help more than 350 households by sponsoring Rosh Hashanah meal kits.
One meal donation will provide a family with a JFS holiday meal kit prepared by Kim’s Creation including challah, apples, honey and other fresh produce.
“Seeing how the community comes together to ensure that all can celebrate a sweet new year always warms my heart,” Director of Pantry Partnerships Jo Hickey
said last year about the program. Donations are needed by Sept. 15 to help underwrite the holiday meal kits. Donations can be made online at jfskc.org/donate-holiday, by calling (913) 730-1429 or by mail to JFS, Attn: Holiday Meals, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211.
Volunteers are needed to pack food boxes, and drivers are needed to deliver these holiday meals to JFS client families on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Those interested in volunteering can
email volunteer@jfskc.org or call Vicky Leitnaker at (913) 7301410.
KU Chabad breaks ground for new building
By Sam Kricsfeld Editor
KU Chabad officially broke ground for its new building with a celebration of students, alumni, parents, supporters and donors last Sunday.
The groundbreaking was hosted by Rabbi Zalman and Nechama Tiechtel, who began KU Chabad 18 years ago and continue to direct it today.
“Our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude as we stand here on the threshold of making history,” Rabbi Tiechtel said, “as we build the very first brand-new building from the ground up that is dedicated to Jewish student community at the University of Kansas.”
The new Chabad building, which will be built at the same location as the old one, will be a 10,000-square-foot, $6 million center for Jewish students at the University of Kansas. The ceremony took place at the construction site.
a student, I don’t just see them. I see their grandchildren. I see their great-grandchildren.”
Rabbi Tiechtel also thanked community leaders in attendance, including Rabbi Sholom and Blumah Wineberg of Chabad House Center of Kansas City; Rabbi Mendy and Devory Wineberg of The Shul — Chabad of Leawood; Howard Cohen, co-chair of KU’s Ever Onward campaign; Ethan Helfand, executive director of KU Hillel; Patrick Kelly and Karen Willey, Douglas County, Kansas, commissioners; Bart Littlejohn, mayor of Lawrence, Kansas; Brad Finkeldei and Lisa Larsen, Lawrence city commissioners; and Rich Llewellyn, Douglas County fire and medical chief.
Following a celebratory blowing of the shofar, many supporters had the opportunity to address the attendees. In addition to Rabbi and Nechama Tiechtel, speakers included KU Chancellor Douglas Girod; Rick Ginsberg, dean of the KU School of Education and Human Sciences; students Tyler Bermundo, Alyson Weinberg, Shayna Weinstein, Ellie Segal and Ben Holiday; and major
donor and partner Bob Cutler.
Every speaker expressed their gratitude to KU Chabad and its work supporting Jewish students.
“This new Chabad house is not just a building,” Cutler said. “It’s a beacon of light. It’s a place where Jewish life will thrive, where students will learn about our tradition, and where ‘Jewhawks’ [KU Chabad’s name for Jewish students] will absolutely find a home away from home. It’s also a place where those searching for meaning
will find guidance and support… it’ll be a place where we celebrate together, learn together, and we all support each other in times of need.”
Themes of Jewish continuity from generation to generation were emphasized.
“Chabad at KU is all about ensuring that there is a strong and vibrant Jewish future,” Nechama Tiechtel said. “Each and every student who walks through our doors is not just one individual, but an entire generation. When I meet
Following a reading of a chapter of Tehillim by the Tiechtels’ son Yisrolik, honorees, donors and supporters received plaques and ceremonially broke ground with shovels as they wore hard hats.
In addition to thanking those present, the Tiechtels thanked their children and the Lubavitcher Rebbe (z”l) for inspiring them.
The old building, a converted duplex, was demolished at the end of August. The new building is scheduled to be finished by September of 2025 at 1203 W. 19th Street in Lawrence. More information and donation opportunities are available at buildkuchabad.com.
Service of Spiritual Renewal set for Sept. 15
The Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program, housed at Jewish Family Services (JFS), will offer its Service of Spiritual Renewal on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m. in the social hall at Village Shalom.
Rosh Hashanah begins on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 2, and Yom Kippur begins the evening of Friday, Oct. 11.
This gathering will be led by Jewish Community Chaplain Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick and Lezlie Zucker, music coordinator for Congregation Beth Torah. They will be joined by Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen, school rabbi at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. The one-hour service will include tra-
ditional and contemporary prayers, songs and readings to usher in the High Holiday season and words of hope for the year ahead.
“Amidst the unfolding trauma in Israel and its reverberations across the Jewish world, this year’s High Holidays may prove uniquely challenging — perhaps feeling more like ‘the Low Holidays’ for many of us,” Rabbi Rudnick said. “As we gather for our next Service of Spiritual Renewal, let us remind each other that hope endures, and the remaining pages of our Books of Life are still unwritten and await our stories. Join us in community to offer and receive the strength of Jewish human connection.”
Those interested in attending should RSVP by emailing their name and the number of people planning to attend with them to chaplaincy@jfskc. org or by calling (913) 327-8250. The Service of Spiritual Renewal will be recorded and made available for viewing after the event at jfskc.org/ jewish-resources.
Pre-High Holidays Service of Spiritual Renewal Sunday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m. Village
Shalom,
Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, Lezlie Zucker and Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen prepare for the 2024 pre-High Holidays Service of Spiritual Renewal.
Pictured at the KU Chabad groundbreaking celebration are (top row, from left) KU Chancellor Douglas Girod; students breaking ground; major donor Bob Cutler; (bottom row, from left) Rabbi Zalman and his son Yisrolik giving tzedakah; student Alyson Weinberg, Nechama Tiechtel and Rabbi Tiechtel; and KU School of Education and Human Sciences Dean Rick Ginsberg.
celebrations and community
Wedding
Tracy Gail Altman and Evan Lindsey Black
Tracy Gail Altman and Evan Lindsey Black will be married on Sept. 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri.
The bride is the daughter of Sharon and Jeff Altman of Overland Park, Kansas. Her grandparents are Marion Altman and the late Stan Altman, and the late Annice and Herb Mendelsohn.
The groom is the son of Robin Black of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the late Frederick “Rick” Black. He is the grandson of the late Don and
Gari Silverblatt and the late Jack and Melitta Black.
The couple currently resides in Denver, Colorado.
64th Anniversary
Abraham and Arlene Kopec
Abraham and Arlene Kopec of Kansas City, Missouri, celebrated their 64th anniversary on Sept. 6.
The couple married in 1960 and are the parents of Ida Wilson and David Kopec. They are the grandparents of Rachel Kopec.
Beth Shalom to host kosher artisanal cheese tasting with Green Dirt Farm
Congregation Beth Shalom will host an evening featuring artisanal cheese, beer and cheese-making discussion with Green Dirt Farm owner Sarah Hoffmann.
The event will be held on Monday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m., at Green Dirt Farm’s new restaurant, Green Dirt on Oak (1601 Oak St., Kansas City, MO 64108). Tickets must be purchased at www.greendirtfarm.com/event/bethshalom-cheese-tasting by Sept. 13.
There will be a tasting of three Green Dirt Farm cheeses with accompaniments, and three kosher beer selections will be available. Cheese made specially for this event will be available to purchase and take home.
This event is part of Congregation Beth’s Shalom’s Northern Initiative, which is aimed at bringing Jewish programming to the northern sector of the Kansas City Metropolitan area. It is
open to the entire Jewish community.
Green Dirt Farm, which is based in Weston, Missouri, has won over 80 awards in cheese and artisan food competitions, including the American Cheese Society annual competition, the World Championship Cheese Contest and the Good Food Awards.
Beth Shalom’s Rabbi David Glickman is overseeing all kashrut aspects of the event.
Artisinal cheese tasting
Monday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m.
Green Dirt on Oak, 1601 Oak St., Kansas City, MO 64108
2024 KC SuperStar winner announced; event raises $1.2 million for The J
Magdalena Nguyen has won the title of 2024 KC SuperStar, the top spot in The J’s high school singing competition and largest fundraiser, which raised over $1.2 million this year.
The finals event, held on Aug. 25, also included comedian Matt Friend as celebrity host and performer. WDAF Fox 4 television anchor Abby Eden served as emcee for the evening. Carol and David Porter served as co-chairs of KC SuperStar.
With the theme, “Put Your Records On,” the 10 finalists performed some of the top hits of the recording industry. To honor the 10th anniversary of the 2014 shooting outside of The J and Village Shalom which took the lives of Reat Underwood, his grandfather Dr. William Corporon and Terri LaManno, and the subsequent founding of SevenDays, the finalists performed “Free Bird,” an original music piece written by Michaelah Weaver, KC SuperStar co-music director. Weaver won the 2015 SevenDays songwriting competition with “Free Bird.”
“Everyone at The J and on the KC SuperStar team was pleased to see such a great crowd attend and cheer on the 10 finalists,” said Tammy Ruder, KC SuperStar producer. “A sense of community is felt throughout the evening which is so inspiring and is a reflection of one of The J’s values
of ‘kehillah,’ building community, in practice.”
In addition to Friend’s comedy set, 2023 KC SuperStar winner Brett Oplotnik returned to perform for the audience.
The group of 10 finalists was whittled down to the top four singers by a three-judge panel of entertainment professionals: Richard McCroskey, Millie Edwards Nottingham and Amanda Flynn. The audience then voted for the top prize winners. Magdalena Nguyen, a graduate of Blue Valley Northwest, took the title of 2024 KC SuperStar and was awarded a $10,000 scholarship. Janelle Marshall, a Blue Springs High School senior, was chosen as the second place winner of a $5,000 scholarship. Third place went to Bennett Chapman, a Liberty High School graduate receiving a $2,500 scholarship. Fourth place winner went to Jenna Holland, an Oak Park High School graduate, who received a $1,000 scholarship. The remaining finalists each received $500 scholarships.
In its 15 years, KC SuperStar has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for individuals and families. Because of community generosity, The J has been able to provide more than $1.4 million in financial assistance and subsidies to families and individuals in need.
Gathering after the 2024 KC SuperStar winners were (front row, from left) Jenna Holland, fourth place; Janelle Marshall, second place; winner Magdalena Nguyen; and Bennett Chapman, second place; (second row, from left) Faryn Clevenger, Rayna Key, comedian and celebrity host Matt Friend, Brianna Frohning, (back row, from left) Corbon Newberry, Aubree Smith and Leah Abai. (Photo by Brian Turner)
An example of cheese from Green Dirt Farm.
Rabbinical Association to offer new High Holy Day preparation program
The Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City will hold an evening of discussion and Torah learning in preparation for this year’s High Holy Days. The program will take place at Congregation Beth Torah, which is hosting the event on Sunday, Sept. 22.
The evening will begin with a dessert reception at 6:30 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. with a discussion with panelists Rabbi Caitlin Brazner of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah; Rabbi Mark Glass of Congregation Beth Israel Abraham and Voliner; and Rabbi David Glickman of Congregation Beth Shalom. The rabbis will share and discuss texts and teachings on the topic:
“Grappling with Failure.” Each rabbi will share one of their favorite Jewish texts related to failure and as a group discuss different perspectives and approaches to wrestling with missteps from the past year.
“The Rabbinical Association is excited to offer this new High Holy Day preparation program for the Greater Kansas City Jewish community,” Rabbi Brazner said. “This gathering will give everyone an opportunity to come together as we wrestle with one of the hardest challenges the upcoming season poses: grappling with our mistakes and ‘failures’ from the last year. What does it really mean ‘to fail?’ How can
Beth Shalom Sisterhood, Polsky Religious School to host
anti-bullying event
Congregation Beth Shalom Sisterhood will host an event focused on combating bullying, featuring the committee of its Banishing Bullying Behavior Project and Dr. Ram Chettiar, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
The free event, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m., is hosted in partnership with the Beth Shalom’s Polsky Religious School.
About 15 years ago, after the publication of the book “Banishing Bullying Behavior,” co-author Blanche Sosland was asked to speak to one of Congregation Beth Shalom’s chavurah groups. Following that program, then-Sisterhood Vice President of Community Affairs Carol Yarmo helped to organize a committee to go out into the community to educate people on the serious issues of bullying.
A committee was formed, meeting monthly and conducting training sessions as part of the Banishing Bullying Behavior Project. After months of preparation, members were required to make age-appropriate presentations to the group and then choose an age group they were most interested
we transform our missteps from the last year into intentions for change and growth in the year to come? This night will give us all the chance to engage with these tough questions and help prepare ourselves for the cheshbon hanefesh, the accounting of our souls, that this season demands.”
After the panel, attendees will have an opportunity to participate in small breakout discussion groups and be invited to share their personal reflections on the provided texts and their own experiences of grappling with failure, especially in the context of the chesbon hanefesh which we are invited to do during the Yamim Noraim (the Days of Awe).
“The Rabbinical Association decided to pivot towards a new High Holy Day preparation program in lieu of
in working with.
For years, this committee has been presenting early childhood sessions at St. Therese School in Parkville, Missouri, and at Shawnee Mission East in Prairie Village, Kansas. It has been working with student teachers in colleges and universities within a radius of 25-30 miles of Kansas City.
Dr. Chettiar, who will speak at the event with the committee, is the medical director of the Depression & Anxiety in Youth (DAY) Clinic and the Pediatric Care Network for Behavioral Health at Children’s Mercy. He is also a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr Chettiar is also instrumental in Red Card KC, a joint effort between Sporting KC Soccer and Children’s Mercy Hospital to prevent bullying. Reservations for the program can be made by email Civia White at cwhite@bethshalomkc.org or Jill Goldstein at jgoldstein0127@gmail. com.
the previously offered Community Selichot observance,” Rabbi Glass said. “We’re responding to feedback that our previous Selichot program, while meaningful and engaging, was challenging for the wide range of observance and practice of our community. It is our hope that this new program, focused on learning and discussion, and scheduled for a Sunday evening as opposed to Saturday night, will be more accessible for the entire Jewish community.”
More Information is available at kcrabbi.org or by contacting Annette Fish, Rabbinical Association administrator, at afprogram@aol.com or (913) 327-8226.
Registrations must be done by Thursday, Sept. 19, at tinyurl. com/4dzjfyee.
High Holy Day preparation program Sunday, Sept. 22, at 6:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Torah, 6100 W 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66209
Take a look inside Village Shalom to see our remarkable Assisted Living and Memory Care communities. Maintenance-free, private apartments and specialized care from our caring staff give peace of mind to you and your loved ones. Learn more at VillageShalom.org or call 913-303-4826 or 913-317-2600 to tour our welcoming senior living community. We look forward to showing you what peace of mind looks like. Welcome to The Village.
Sept. 22, at 10 a.m.
Famed violinist Itzhak Perlman to perform klezmer in KC
Across
1. Noah’s floor?
5. Edomite king
10. Spelt or wheat
14. “Founders and Sons”, author
15. Similar
16. Abraham to Ishmael
17. Item on Schindler’s list
62. Imitated the sopher
65. Levayeh notice
67. “The Bridal Canopy”, writer
69. A. Lerner musical 70. Meshugge bird 71. Harpo’s brother 72. Seth’s boy 73. Night before (Heb) 74. Greenberg stat 75. Hebrew Letter
Reknown Israeli-American violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman will perform klezmer music on Sept. 29 at the Kauffman Center. He will play “In the Fiddler’s House,” a collaboration with musicians Hankus Netsky, Andy Statman and members of the Klezmer Conservatory Band. Perlman’s performance is part of the Harriman Jewell Series. More information and tickets are available at tickets.hjseries.org/1224.
Jewish
comedians coming to KC
18. Aaron’s oldest son
19. First murder victim
20. Wargear for David
22. Feh!!
24. Living
25. Mezzuzah scroll
26. Shabbat
28. Dov Moran invention
30. Shove
32. In front of
33. Fiddler’s station?
35. Jump
37. Biblical outcast
41. Synagogue no no
42. 1996 Gold medalist
44. Israeli fruit
45. Creator
47. Bar Kochba
48. Kill biblically
49. Jonah’s milieu
Down
1. Daniel’s test sites
2. Eilat, old style
3. Superman’s milieu
4. Jolson’s position
5. Small amounts 6. Oy Vay!
7. Acted 8. Eilat gulf
9. Disputation
10. Auditor
11. 12th Century talmudic scholar
Roberta Peters genre
Network Exec.
Round for Spitz 23. Imitate Koufax 26. Israeli Prime Minister
Three Jewish comedians are slated to perform in Kansas City in the next few months, all appearing at The Midland Theatre in downtown Kansas City. Iliza Shlesinger will perform on Friday, Oct. 4. Shlesinger has appeared on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and is a frequent guest host on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” She’s released six Netflix specials, including the 2018 special “Elder Millennial,” which helped her rise to fame. Chelsea Handler will also perform this fall, appearing at The Midland on Oct. 27. In addition to being a comedian, Handler is a former television host, heads the “Dear Chelsea” podcast and is a five-time New York Times best-selling author.
51. Sandal maker
53. Mems (Eng.)
54. Alef, Daled, Gimel etal
58. Roman and Messianic
60. __ Mitzvah
61. 551
Moses’ camouflage
“A priest with __ and Thummim” 29. __Stream
Adam’s son
Not with milkedic
Hearts on Rosh
Israel at times
Village of Simeon
Curious George creators
Ribicoff or Lingle
50. Like Moses’ bush 52. Rabbi Isaac Luria 54. Tent for Abraham 55. Gompers’ cause
Chutzpah (Eng)
ord Search
Sarah Silverman finishes out the year with her performance on Dec. 5. Silverman is a twotime Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, writer and producer. She currently hosts her weekly podcast, “The Sarah Silverman Podcast,” and also starred in the 2023 film “Maestro” about composer Leonard Bernstein.
More information on all shows and tickets can be found on The Midland’s website, midlandkc. com/events.
JVS needs fork donations
Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) is needing donations of forks for its clients. Donations can be taken to the JVS office at 4600 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64110, or purchased from the JVS Amazon Wishlist at amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ ls/344ZZ2GKBKJXL.
• Blintzes (pg. 8)
• Cheese (pg. 4)
• DD Gass (pg. 1)
• Goldenberg Duo (pg. 8)
• High Holidays (pg. 2, 3, 5)
• JULIETs (pg. 8)
• KC SuperStar (pg. 4)
• KU Chabad (pg. 3)
• KU Hillel (pg. 13)
• Molly Hess (pg. 1)
• New Sanctuary (pg. 1)
• Torah Tik (pg. 12)
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.
Freud inventions
Tsimmes
Good: (Heb.)
Public radio
Good Shabbos KC
Team Spirit
Jewish Federation’s Young Adults Division (YAD) hosted its annual Good Shabbos KC event at Boulevard Brewing Company last month. Approximately 100 young adults from the community got together for food, drinks and socializing. Pictured (from left) are Julia Osburn, Lacey Storer, Greyson Rubin, Shaina Falk, Maddie Reiches, Kaitlin Birnbaum, Alex Kaplan, Michael Portman, Jack Schreiber and Becca Levine; Ben Davis, Josh Sipp, Elliott Levine and Colby Liemer; and Nina Geller, Tim Fine and Violet Sonnenschein.
Members of Nordaunian AZA #22 joined nearly 100 other Jewish high schoolers to celebrate the kick-off of the fall semester on August 25th. Teens reunited with their friends and enjoyed lawn games, an inflatable water slide and slip and slide. Pictured (from left) are Micah Reif, Zach Reif, Jacob Palan, Eliezer Rich, Ben Ravis, Jonah Stein, Justin Parmet, Eli Zeldin, Dylan Freiden, Sam Cohen, Aiden Zach and Liam Abadi Bergholtz; (in front) and Brayden Cardozo, Nordaunian’s advisor.
On Sunday, Sept. 1, Two’s AZA volunteered at Mitzvah Garden KC. Members of the chapter picked peppers, okra and tomatoes, as well as did general garden maintenance. Those in attendance were (from left) Noah Bergh, Eli Nathan, Judah Bassin, Sam Hochler and Two’s Advisor David Wexler.
A recent Jewish Community Foundation event invited organizational partners to welcome and learn more about Elizabeth Peden, JCF’s new CFO. Pictured at the event are Mary Zahner Bauer, Peden and Cindy Bodker.
Jewish Federation staff members showed their team spirit last week for the Chiefs home opener. Pictured are (from left) Jay Lewis, Alexis Greenberg, Lindsey Lipsky, Ty Fernandez, Becca Levine, Kaitlin Birnbaum, Debbie Granoff, Lacey Storer, Sierra Debrow and Erin Markowicz.
Beth Torah selling blintzes for break-the-fast
Community members can order cheese blintzes, homemade by Michael Crane, from Congregation Beth Torah for breaking the fast after Yom Kippur.
The cheese blintzes are made with dry cottage cheese, cream cheese, butter, egg yolks, whole eggs, flour, milk and sugar. They are individually frozen and vacuum sealed in packages of six. The original recipe comes from Crane’s grandmother, Ethel Stein Gold, and has been passed through the generations.
Beth Torah is selling Michael Crane’s homemade blintzes for break-the-fast.
foods since his retirement from Crane Brewing.
Blintz orders can be made between now and Sept. 22 (or until the blintzes are sold out). Orders and prepayment can be made at tinyurl. com/bddxw37b or in person at Beth Torah (6100 W 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66209) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Goldenberg Duo to present free fall recitals across KC area
The Goldenberg Duo, consisting of siblings Susan and William Goldenberg, will present a series of free recital performances between Sept. 25 and Oct. 7. The series includes locations in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area on both the Kansas and Missouri sides.
Crane calls these blintzes “the number-one comfort food” and considers them his favorite food. He is known for working in the field of traditional Jewish
Pickup will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. at Beth Torah. More information is available by calling the Beth Torah office at (913) 498-2212.
JULIETs to host program on understanding antisemitism
Jewish Unforgettable Ladies Interested in Eating Together (JULIETs) will host “Understanding and Combating Contemporary Antisemitism,” a presentation by Sarah Markowitz Schreiber, director of education and programs for the Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee (JCRB|AJC).
stand together after their August presentation.
The program will explore what caused the recent increase in antisemitic speech and incidents and explain how to identify it in its various manifestations. Schreiber will talk about how to recognize common antisemitic stereotypes and tropes and determine when anti-Israel rhetoric and actions veer into antisemitic territory. Questions on how to combat antisemitism and when it violates the law will also be addressed.
The program will take place at Congregation Beth Torah (6100 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66209) on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 12:30 p.m. Reserva-
tions are required by Sept. 26; those wanting more information or to RSVP can contact 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.
Sept. 29 is also the date when those who ordered Michael Crane’s blintzes for break-the-fast will pick up their food in the Beth Torah lobby between 10 a.m. and noon. Attendees of the JULIETs event who ordered blintzes have the option of keeping them chilled until the conclusion of the event.
JULIETs “Understanding and Combating Contemporary Antisemitism” Sunday, Sept. 29, at 12:30 p.m. Congregation Beth Torah, 6100 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66209
Susan has been a violinist with the Kansas City Symphony for more than 40 years and performs in the Kinnor Philharmonic at The J. William is a pianist and serves as a distinguished teaching professor and head of keyboard studies at Northern Illinois University.
The sibling duo have performed concerts for more than 43 years across the United States and the world, including shows in Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, China, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Japan and more.
The duo will perform works by Frank Bridge, Jean Sibelius, Edvard Grieg, Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, Amy Marcy Cheney Beach, Fritz Kreisler, Gabriel Faure and Claude Debussy.
They have seven free shows scheduled:
• Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m. at Village Shalom (5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, KS 66209)
• Sunday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. at St.
James Catholic Church as part of its “Music on Troost” series (3909 Harrison St., Kansas City, MO 64110)
• Monday, Sept. 30, at 12 p.m. at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, KS 66101)
• Thursday, Oct. 3, at 12 p.m. at Kirk Hall in the Kansas City Public Library (14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, MO 64105)
• Friday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. at Bishop Spencer Place (4301 Madison Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111)
• Saturday, Oct. 5, at 12 p.m. at Leavenworth Public Library (417 Spruce St., Leavenworth, KS 66044)
• Monday, Oct. 7, at 12 p.m. at Asbury Methodist Church as part of its “KC Musical Club” series (5400 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208)
BSA Troop 61 to celebrate 100 years
Boy Scouts of America Troop 61 will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding this October.
The centennial celebration will take place on Oct. 26 and 27. All former scouts, as well as their families and friends of Troop 61, are welcome to join.
Troop 61 has been affiliated with Congregation Beth Shalom since 1925. According to Beth Shalom, more than 1,400 scouts have been members of the troop since its founding.
“Scouting instills values that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else,” said Brian Bell, Troop 61 scoutmaster, in November of 2023. “I have worked with hundreds of boys now, and it
teaches a love of the outdoors through campouts and hikes. It instills leadership and life skills with the help of a community of adult mentors.”
Troop 61 also participates in Scoutreach, a BSA program aimed at expanding scouting to youth in underserved communities.
Looking toward the future, Troop 61 has regular meetings and recruiting events where new members are welcomed.
Those interested in learning more about the 100th anniversary event can email bsatroop61.100years@gmail. com to share their contact information and receive updates about the event.
Troop 61 100th anniversary
Saturday, Oct. 26 to Sunday, Oct. 27
TBD; contact bsatroop61.100years@gmail.com for updates
JULIETs
The Goldenberg Duo, comprising Susan and William Goldenberg.
What is your favorite aspect of Jewish culture?
Do you or your family take part in a Rosh Hashanah meal?
Molly Hess named new director of Jewish Experiences
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Hess will collaborate with both Jewish Federation and The J as she works to further the mission of the department. Jewish Experiences was reimagined in 2020 as a full collaboration between the two organizations, with the focus of educating and engaging those interested in learning more about Jewish arts, cooking, history, language, literature, meditation, spiritual growth and more.
“I am so excited that Molly is stepping into this key role,” said Jay Lewis, president and CEO of Federation. “I have been privileged to work with her in multiple settings and have seen her talents up close. Molly’s passion for connecting people to the Kansas City Jewish community is unparalleled, and we are fortunate to have her on board.”
Through Hess’ leadership, The J’s Chief Operating Officer Carly Stein hopes to see continued growth in programming that will allow individuals of all backgrounds to engage and learn about Jewish culture.
“We are ecstatic Molly has joined The J team,” Stein said. “Her wealth of
knowledge and extensive experience in Jewish programming and education will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our Jewish Experiences team. Molly’s passion for fostering meaningful connections promises to elevate our offerings and engage our community in new and exciting ways. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly make.”
Hess most recently served as the Priya and chaplaincy program manager at Jewish Family Services. In her role at Priya, she helped individuals and couples within the community on their family-building journeys. She worked to foster a supportive environment for all people navigating personal experiences.
Prior to her work with Priya, Hess served as the Community Connector for TribeKC, where she developed comprehensive engagement and outreach strategies for Jewish millennials in Kansas City. This included programming, leadership development, individual connection and consulting with local Jewish agencies and synagogues.
In addition to her professional roles within the Jewish community, Hess
volunteered on the Day of Discovery committee in 2024, the Jewish Culture Fest committee in 2022-2023, the PJ Library committee and as a religious school teacher at New Reform Temple.
Hess is a native of San Diego, California, and she holds a Bachelor of Arts in art history from Indiana University Bloomington and a Master of Arts in art history from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Before transitioning to the Jewish nonprofit sector, Molly worked at the Nelson-Atkins Muse-
um of Art, but Hess has always been drawn to working within the Jewish nonprofit world.
“It’s my family business,” she said. “My mom ran a Jewish preschool at our synagogue for 20 years, and my dad was the programming director at Jewish Family Services of San Diego. My younger sibling is a director of education for a congregation in Boston, so after working in the museum world for six years, it only felt natural to come work in the Jewish community.”
New Beth Shalom sactuary designed with motifs of an unfurling Torah scroll community news
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Lamar Avenue in Overland Park, Kansas. Since then, Beth Shalom has had no permanent sanctuary, using Goldsmith Hall, its large multipurpose room, as its main prayer space.
“I am thrilled that Beth Shalom now has an inspiring and unique sacred space in which to worship, celebrate and connect with the divine and with each other. Many people gave countless hours to make this dream a reality. I am grateful to all of them and to our very generous donors,”
Gina Kaiser told The Chronicle. Kaiser has been the chair of Beth Shalom’s Sacred Space Steering Committee since its conception and is a member of the sanctuary fundraising and construction committees.
“After years of planning, fundraising, a stop due to COVID, value engineering after COVID due to large cost increases, construction delays and many other issues, finally and joyfully… [we can enjoy] what we have created,” Kaiser said at the ceremony.
The new sanctuary, built as an addition to the synagogue, departs from the rest of the building’s architectural design. The exterior, clad in corrugated metal panels, is designed to look like an unfurling Torah scroll, with two cylindrical towers representing the Torah’s poles. Large rectangular windows are spread along the walls, allowing natural light to fill the sanctuary during the day.
“In some ways, this building needs no introduction,” said Victor Wishna, Beth Shalom’s president. “It’s an architectural statement, and it speaks for itself, and it is not shy. It is not a rectangular box tucked behind a strip mall — it is literally a shining bastion on a hill… a vibrant new strand in this tapestry of Kansas City’s architecture.”
“It looks as if there is a giant underneath this hill, and he’s doing hagbah, lifting a Torah scroll up over his head,” said Rabbi David Glickman, Beth Shalom’s senior rabbi.
Inside, chairs and pews are arranged in semicircular rows around the bimah, and a balcony with more seating follows the curve of the wall of the sanc-
tuary. The centerpiece is the ark, a large wooden cylinder also shaped like a scroll. On it is an excerpt from Tehillim 16:8 in Hebrew that translates to “I have placed the Lord before me constantly.”
The ark, readers’ table and furniture on the bimah were all custom made by New Holland Church Furniture in New Holland, Pennsylvania. Kaiser told The Chronicle that the furniture maker worked closely with the sanctuary’s architects when designing them, and it also built the wooden chairs and pews.
The windows are flanked with wood accents, most also including inscriptions from Tehillim. The ner tamid (eternal light) above the ark was custom made by Machine Head, a metal fabrication company in Kansas City, Missouri, to match the style of the space’s architecture.
The new sanctuary also includes accessibility aids, such as a ramp up to the bimah and a height-adjustable lectern with a microphone. One of the Torah scroll mounts in the ark is lower than the others to allow people in wheelchairs to kiss the scroll.
Architects Preston Scott Cohen and Carl D’Apolito-Dworkin of Preston Scott Cohen, Inc., spoke of their design and its intent at the dedication.
“Judaism marks the passage of time with rituals that help people process what happens now, the good and the bad, through and alongside their connection to that deep path,” D’Apolito-Dworkin said. “With this building and with [the congregation], we have tried to think about how an architecture in space can interact with an architecture in time — how the building
can change throughout the years and then repeat, like the experience of reading the Torah.”
D’Apolito-Dworkin said that through working with Beth Shalom members and leadership, he learned that Judaism emphasizes “the modeling of deeply held values in order to show the next generation what it means to lead a good, generous Jewish life.”
“This is why building a shul is the most meaningful architectural act I can conceive,” he said.
The culmination of years of work
Over the years, multiple committees, dozens of lay leaders and well over 200 donors helped contribute to the sanctuary.
Kaiser said at the ceremony that, with the guidance of fundraising committee chair Ron Coppaken and help from clergy, staff and the congregation, the $15 million fundraising goal was reached and the building was finished without any outstanding debts. The synagogue is still raising funds to ensure that the new sanctuary has minimal financial impact on the synagogue’s operating budget, and Kaiser said there are still donor opportunities.
Kaiser also said John Almeida, the building’s owner’s representative, and Stef Misler Williams, Beth Shalom’s executive director, were instrumental in the building process, working with general contractor A.L. Huber, architects and engineers.
The dedication ceremony also honored the memories of those who helped and supported the construction but died before its completion.
A featured speaker at the dedication was Rabbi Alan Cohen, Beth Shalom’s previous senior rabbi. He retired and moved to Florida in 2012, but he flew back to Kansas City for the ceremony.
Rabbi Cohen was involved in the project’s earliest stages. He recounted the story of Hannah Krumholz (z”l), who he said made a financial contribution that served as the basis for the new sanctuary more than a decade ago.
continued on next page
Pictured are (top) the exterior of Beth Shalom’s new sanctuary and (above) its podium, bimah and ark.
continued from previous page
“The fact is that her memory will always, I think, be with us and be with Beth Shalom because of the fact that she laid… the foundation for this particular space,” Rabbi Cohen said.
Wishna shared the story of his mother, Jeanette Wishna (z”l), a past Beth Shalom president who led when the congregation broke ground for its current building in 2002. The building served as the congregation’s preschool, religious school and administration offices before religious functions were fully moved there in 2011.
“Nineteen years later, our son, Abe, the grandson that she never met, took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for this [sanctuary],” Wishna said, underlining the meaningfulness of l’dor vador (generation to generation).
Kaiser also honored the memory of her father, Bill Kaiser (z”l), and his dedication to Judaism and Beth Shalom.
Timeliness played an additional factor in the sanctuary’s story during the last year of construction. During his closing remarks, Rabbi Glickman said that its construction has served as an inspiration to some community members during the weeks and months fol-
community news
lowing Oct. 7.
“In the weeks following the devastating attack on Oct. 7, as antisemitism was on the rise, I received numerous calls and texts from people in this community saying how it inspired them and it uplifted them to see such a public, unembarrassed display of Jewish shape arising from a hill in Johnson County,” he said. “There was a Torah scroll arising from the ground in Overland Park during this otherwise dark time for the Jewish people.”
Before concluding the ceremony with a prayer he wrote, Rabbi Glickman made clear that although the construction of the sanctuary was complete, the work of the congregation is not done.
“Today begins our work to create a community inside these walls,” he said. “...[Here] we can lift each other up with our presence. We can raise each other up with our singing. We can challenge each other with our learning. We can catch up on our lives. We can connect with each other, and we can dream about the better world that we want to create outside of these windows.”
Ward Katz authors new book on history of Oakwood Country Club
The history of Kansas City’s Oakwood Country Club is covered in detail in Ward Katz’s new book, “Oakwood’s Living History: From the Progress Club to a New Future — A Family Story.” Katz was assisted in the book’s research and writing by Ruth Bigus.
Through most of its history, Oakwood was widely considered to be a Jewish club. As such, it is the second longest continuously running organization in the Kansas City Jewish community (behind only The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah). Today, the club welcomes a diversity of members and celebrates the improvements brought to the facility by a group of members led by Ken Block.
Originally called the Progress Club at its founding in 1881, Oakwood Country Club has long provided a home for recreational and business functions, as well as social functions such as marriages and other significant occasions. “Oakwood’s Living History” tells of that history using archival photographs and recollections from past members.
“(This) history of Oakwood Country Club is an important addition to the many works about the broader history of Kansas City,” said Randee Krakauer, daughter of Kenneth Krakauer, former club historian and author of “When Golf Came to Kansas City.” “It speaks to the community at large as much as to the Jews of this region.
“It is warm, personal, informative
and often quite humorous,” she continued. “What a shame the generations before us did not have the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of these facts and anecdotes that belonged to them. But how fortunate that we, our children and future readers are to have this delightful book. I was smiling while reading along.”
The book’s author, Ward Katz, is a former practicing attorney and real estate developer. He operates a property management company specializing in multi-family housing. A graduate in English at the University of Wisconsin, Katz also earned J.D. and L.L.M. degrees in law from Washington University and the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Katz and his family have been members of Oakwood Country Club and its predecessor for more than a century, with his grandfather, Isaac “Ike” Katz, having become a member of the Progress Club in 1923.
Ruth Bigus, who assisted with the book’s creation, is a freelance journalist and media relations consultant with a history of working with community nonprofits such as Jewish Family Services and The J. She also was managing editor of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle from 1987 to 1993.
“Oakwood’s Living History” is published by Mission Point Press and available in bookstores and online. The author can be contacted for events or signings at oakwoodcountryclubbook@gmail. com.
Pictured are (top) the view of Beth Shalom’s new sanctuary from the bimah and (above) past Beth Shalom presidents passing a Torah from one to the other before its placement in the new ark during the sanctuary’s dedication on Aug. 28.
“Oakwood’s Living History: From the Progress Club to a New Future — A Family Story,” by Ward Katz.
Torah Tik
By Ellie Holsten
In contrast to the textile mantles that protect Torah scrolls in Ashkenazi communities, this hard-sided case is called a tik. These cases most often come from Sephardic or Mizrachi communities (those who trace their ancestry to Spain or the Middle East). The hard sides protect the Torah, and the case allows it to be moved from place to place. Some examples even have handles on them to make that carrying easier. By the time this piece was made, Sephardic and Mizrachi communities often had permanent synagogues and did not need to use their Torah tiks for the reason they were originally conceived, but the style was kept as a way to hold on to the heritage of migratory communities.
This tik was made in Uzbekistan around 1920 and is covered with delicate silver filigree and semi-precious stones, including turquoise and carnelian.
Judaica made in Central Asia often features inlaid metal and semi-precious stones. This is an example of the Judaica created in a place reflecting the staples and design customs of the rest of the art and ritual objects produced in that region. Gemstones have been used in Central Asian art for hundreds of years and are often ascribed with mystical properties. Turquoise stones, like the ones on this piece, are said to ward off the evil eye. 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.
community news Longtime J Camp Director DD Gass announces retirement
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embarks on her next chapter, we will miss the impact she has made on the lives of countless children in our community.”
Over the years, J Camp has thrived under Gass’ leadership. During her tenure, J Camp grew from 458 to 863 individual campers. In addition to growth, Gass focused on retention, both of campers as they got older and after they had ‘aged out’ of the program itself. This was done by adding new programs, including a kosher culinary camp, STEM and LEGO camps for older campers and the Leaders In Training (LIT) program.
“I don’t want them to go to other camps in the area as they get older,” Gass said. “I want to support our campers by providing diverse options to them, allowing them to be active
here at The J.”
The LIT program allows 14-15 year olds who want to volunteer at camp to participate in the years between being a camper and a counselor. This program, which had 60 participants this year, is designed to help develop leadership skills and set them up for success in future years. Many return to work as paid counselors for years to come.
New and renovated spaces for camp and school-age children have been built and opened, allowing Gass and her team to provide the best possible experience for their attendees. This summer, the Merna & Sylvan Siegler Family Pavilion and Reat’s Place – Corporon Family Amphitheater were fully open for J Camp to use, as were the newly renovated after-school rooms, which allow for more flexibility and space throughout the year.
Gass led the camp program through
the COVID-19 pandemic, anticipating staff and camper needs through rapidly changing conditions. Since COVID, camp has recovered to its highest numbers ever.
Gass has committed to staying on board until her replacement is found. As her time comes to a close, she has already seen an outpouring of support from campers and their families from the past decade.
“I’ve been so touched by the people who have reached out to me since making this announcement,” she said. “It’s incredibly humbling to hear about the positive impact I’ve made on their children’s lives in my time working at The J.”
A retirement celebration will be planned for later this fall, during which the endowment fund proceeds will be announced. All are welcome to attend, and more details will be available soon.
Summer Singers of Kansas City perform Ernest Bloch’s “Avodath HaKodesh”
The Summer Singers of Kansas City, 165-voices strong, joined with organist Dr. Jacob Hofeling, baritone Dr. Joshua Markley (in the role of the cantor) and percussionist Mark Lowry to perform the “Avodath HaKodesh” (Sacred Service) of Swiss/American Jewish composer Ernest Bloch.
The concert was led by Music Director and Conductor Dr. William O. Baker before an audience of nearly 500 people in Helzberg Hall of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The performance, held on Sunday, Aug. 25, also included Max Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei” for cello and organ, performed by Dr. Hofeling and young cellist James Farquhar.
Composer Ernest Bloch was commissioned by a Reform congregation in the San Francisco area to compose a choral-orchestral setting of the temple service from the Union Prayer Book in the early 1930s. The commission was generous, and the composer took two years to compose one section of the work alone. He spoke often of how he had considered himself
“Swiss by birth, American by adoption and Jewish by heritage.” Before his work on “Avodath HaKodesh,” Bloch considered himself a largely secular person, but his Jewish faith grew during his work on the piece.
The Summer Singers of Kansas City is an ensemble of the Roeland Parkbased William Baker Choral Foundation, an organization with a long history of supporting music of the Jewish tradition. The semi-professional William Baker Festival Singers, an ensemble of the Choral Foundation, commissioned, performed and recorded William W. Dreyfoos’ “Songs of the Holocaust” in Atlanta, Kansas City and Charleston’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival.
In 2014, the Choral Foundation created a year-round Jewish chorus, Zimria Festivale Atlanta. In 2023, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and 2024, in Marietta, Georgia, the Choral Foundation mounted two performances of Donald McCullough’s “Holocaust Cantata.” The Lee’s Summit event was in partnership with the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education and the Hyman Brand He-
Some of the The Summer Singers of Kansas City performing Ernest Bloch’s “Avodath HaKodesh” on Aug. 25 at the Kauffman Center.
brew Academy.
The Summer Singers of Kansas City expressed appreciation to the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City through the Louis and Frances Swinken Supporting Foundation; the Kenneth Babcock Memorial Masterworks Fund; the Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music Performance Fund; and the Kansas Arts Commission for their generous support of the project. Additional information about the work of the Choral Foundation is available at ChoralFoundation.org, by emailing Mail@FestivalSingers.org or calling (913) 488-7524.
community news
Strangers No More celebrates 10 year anniversary
Strangers No More is celebrating its 10th year highlighting the similarities between Judaism and Christianity to build bridges between the two communities. It held its first program in May of 2014, following the shootings at the Jewish Community Campus and Village Shalom.
Pictured are attendees of Strangers No More’s 10th anniversary celebration at Gezer Park.
The session left attendees eager for more such programs. Ten years later, the group ended its programming season with a dinner and a program in Gezer Park in Leawood, Kansas.
The anniversary celebration at Gezer Park included dinner and culminated at the bench donated by Strangers No More and other friends of Nancy Brown, one of the program’s founders. Brown’s favorite psalm and prayer were read and sung to commemorate the organization’s milestone.
Programs held over the years have included a speaker on lynching, a visit to the mikvah, Christian and Jewish holiday celebrations, talks on forgiveness, attendance at Jewish and Christian worship services and more. Community service projects are held once a year and have included collecting birthday party supplies for Jewish Family Services, books for Operation Breakthrough and Della Lamb Community Services, items for pregnant women in prison and personal hygiene products for women in shelters.
Convenors Betse Gage, Linda Hall, Judy Hellman, Sharon Ritter and Marcia Rittmaster have planned programs for the fall season, which began on Sept. 9. Programs will include a speaker from American Public Square and a study of some of the parables from a book by Dr. Amy Jill Levine, “Short Stories by Jesus.” The group has studied and heard from Levine over the years. She is back by popular demand to talk about her book, which provides an unusual look at the parables as stories presented by a Jewish rabbi to fellow Jews. A purely social event will also be included. Meetings are held twice a month; on Monday evenings over Zoom and
KU Hillel’s 2024 Rock Chalk
Shabbat announced for Nov. 1
KU Hillel has announced its annual Rock Chalk Shabbat event will be held Friday, Nov. 1, at the Burge Union on the University of Kansas’s campus in Lawrence.
on Thursday during the day in the community room of the Westbrooke Church (9777 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66212). There is no fee to join. The group is open to all women. Those interested in joining can go to the Facebook page “Strangers No More; Women Building Bridges to Understanding” and request to become a member. More information is available by emailing rsvpjcrbajc@ jewishkc.org.
For all ten years, Strangers No More has been co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee and United Women in Faith of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
Rock Chalk Shabbat is a tradition for KU Hillel, welcoming KU families, alumni and community members to campus for Shabbat services, food and connection. In addition to highlighting the past, present and future of Jewish life at KU, the evening helps support Hillel programs and Jewish education.
“As a Hillel, there are so few times when we truly get to bring the entire Jayhawk Jewish community together to celebrate as one,” said Ethan Helfand, executive director of KU Hillel.
“I’m excited to bring generations of KU Hillel supporters together as we embrace the pause of Shabbat and reflect on all the support our community provides for Jewish life at KU.
“Rock Chalk Shabbat continues to be a high point of the year at KU
Hillel,” Helfand continued. “We can’t wait to welcome students, parents and community members to Lawrence for this incredible evening.”
Rock Chalk Shabbat will include student-led Shabbat services followed by a Shabbat dinner and dessert reception for mingling. Throughout the evening, attendees will learn more about KU Hillel, its students and the community.
Those interested in sponsoring a table or attending Rock Chalk Shabbat can visit kuhillel.org or contact Helfand at ethanhelfand@kuhillel.org.
2024 Rock Chalk Shabbat
Friday, Nov. 1
Burge Union, 1565 Irving Hill Rd, Lawrence, KS 66045
KU alumni Raphi and Sarah Schuster, Kara Kahn, Becca Adler and Jonathan Bush at last year’s Rock Chalk Shabbat in November of 2023.
community news
Congregation religious schools host professional development day for faculty
More than 30 faculty members from local congregations’ religious schools recently participated in a day of professional Jewish learning and networking. The interactive workshop provided opportunities for educators to brainstorm, collaborate and create with the goal of enhancing their personal classroom toolkits and expanding their professional networks as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
The session was facilitated by Ethan
Helfand, a Jewish community professional and current executive director of KU Hillel. With his experience in Jewish community programming and organizational leadership development, Helfand guided participants through a series of activities designed to empower teachers with practical strategies and resources.
The workshop centered around the essential tools educators rely on to streamline their work, as well as iden-
tifying resources and support systems for when those tools are lacking. Key topics included social-emotional learning, leveraging technology in teaching, fostering leadership skills in students, utilizing community and relationship-building techniques, experiential learning and engaging parents and guardians as partners in education.
The program was coordinated by education directors from area religious schools, including Sara Glass (Congre-
gation Beth Torah), Dayna Gershon (The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah), Shelley Hedrick (New Reform Temple), Shelley Rissien (Kehilath Israel Synagogue), Civia White (Congregation Beth Shalom) and Annette Fish (Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City). This workshop is an annual initiative of the Rabbinical Association and area congregation religious schools, funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.
Donors across the country contribute to JCF
While the majority of Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) fundholders live and give in Kansas City, JCF also serves a growing contingent of fundholders across the country.
For many fundholders who were born in Kansas City but have since moved away, the JCF is a form of connection to their hometown. Maintaining or opening donor advised funds (DAFs) at JCF ensures that they remain linked to the Kansas City Jewish community and are able to support their favorite organizations in Kansas City and across the country. DAFs are charitable giving accounts intended to streamline giving, maximize philanthropic impact and offer significant tax advantages.
Many find that giving through JCF helps establish or continue a legacy of giving that honors Kansas City’s values of kindness and generosity.
“We have had a donor advised fund at the Foundation for many years, even though we no longer live in Kansas City,” said Cynthia Gensheimer of Denver, Colorado. “Because of outstanding investment returns, terrific staff and wonderful customer service, we would never consider moving our fund elsewhere.”
A number of JCF fundholders have no prior connection to Kansas City. JCF says that these fundholders are drawn there because of its reputation for excellent service and charitable giving expertise, and that many appreciate that its fees are reinvested into the local community. Unlike many large
corporate DAF providers, JCF’s administrative fees are used to help support programs that engage and educate the next generation of givers. This, along with JCF’s creative and personalized strategic solutions, has positioned it as the preferred choice for those seeking a reliable and responsive philanthropic partner, according to JCF.
“While I haven’t lived in Kansas City for many years, it will always be my hometown,” said Dana Bettinger of Seattle, Washington. “When I decided to establish a donor advised fund, it was easy to choose the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City. In addition to serving as an ongoing connection to the city, the fund is substantial, well-managed and highly respected. My DAF experience also maintains my connection to Kansas City’s Jewish community. As a donor, fees are minimal; the online interface makes it easy
to make new and recurring grant recommendations; and the staff is easily accessible when I have questions.”
More information about JCF DAFs is available by contacting Suzanne Galblum Dicken at sdicken@jcfkc.org or (913) 327-8286.
Faculty members from local congregations’ religious schools recently gathered for Jewish learning and netwrking .
Former Kansas Citian and current JCF donor advised fund holder Dana Bettinger.
By Nancy Kalikow Maxwell
If you’re reading this in The Jewish Chronicle, there’s a good chance you have never been inside a Christian Science Reading Room. But I have. Last year, while researching a magazine article, I needed to consult a Christian Science publication. Rather than schlepping to the library, I remembered walking past a Christian Science Reading Room in Old Overland Park. Checking its website, I discovered that these storefronts were provided “as a resource for the community and welcome to all.” Figuring that included a seventy-something-year-old Jewish woman, I stopped by.
“Well, hello there,” said a woman with a halo of gray hair who looked like those women in Hallmark movies always arranging the flowers in the church. “What can I do for you?”
From the website, I knew she was here “to help in my study of the Bible.”
Jewish Reading Room
Unable to quickly invent some biblically-based reason for my presence, I confessed, “I need to see some recent Christian Science Monitor Weekly issues for an article I’m writing.”
“Of course. I’d be happy to get them for you,” she said, evidently not the least bit disappointed in my lack of interest in biblical exegesis.
As she went to retrieve the magazines, I studied my surroundings. Originating in the 1800s as “dispensaries” of Christian Science treatment and literature, there are now more than 1,000 Reading Rooms worldwide selling Christian Science books, music and periodicals. With its wall of bookshelves and study carrels, this one appeared to be more library than bookstore; the sort of place where you automatically lower your voice. Indeed, silent contemplation was another stated purpose. Reading Rooms were meant to be “a quiet place to read, pray and get inspired.”
How lovely, I thought. But how very non-Jewish. Which made me wonder: What would a Jewish Reading Room
TROOP 61 WANTS TO HEAR FROM
look like? First and foremost, no Jewish anything would be quiet. I say this as sincere praise. Jews traditionally study Torah in pairs so they can talk about the text and together reach a better understanding of what they are reading. Any Jewish Reading Room would be called a Jewish Discussion Room. Or better yet, a Jewish Debating and Arguing Room.
Also, the Jewish clientele coming to such a facility would most likely be more interested in reading and discussing contemporary books than the Bible. As a former public librarian, I can attest that the Christian Bible section in a library constantly needed reshelving, while Jewish texts went untouched for weeks. Jewish-related fiction and non-fiction books, however, were routinely rummaged through.
And in the Jewish facility, the kindly lady greeting guests would be replaced with a boisterous balabusta foisting bagels on visitors. “Come have something to eat,” she would say, “You look hungry,” even to those holding takeout boxes from the Upper Crust pie shop down the street.
A canister for donations would be placed next to the coffee station and the purchasing opportunities throughout would be featured. Prices would be prominently displayed on the material for sale, with discounts marked on each offered. Woody Allen had it right
when he said the ultimate sin for Jews is to pay retail.
Along with books, the walls and available surfaces would be adorned with plenty of plaques. From the water fountain to the magazine rack, donors’ names would be prominently displayed.
And, of course, frequent fundraisers would be held to underwrite this venture. Which of the myriad Jewish organizations would be responsible for funding this operation would be hotly debated. So contentious would be this issue, a splinter group would likely be formed, with the dissenting group setting up their own Reading Room next door. In time that one would divide again, so there would be three Jewish Rooms. As the classic joke about synagogues has it, everyone would have “mine, theirs, and the one they wouldn’t step foot in.”
All of them would be tumultuous, noisy places. Which would be okay. Because anyone needing some peace and quiet could always seek out a Christian Science Reading Room.
Nancy Kalikow Maxwell is a Kansas City native and award-winning author. Her work has appeared in Hadassah Magazine, The Forward, and other publications you’ve never heard of. Her latest book, “Typically Jewish,” is available through the Jewish PublicationSocietyorAmazon.
obituaries
Sharon Lee Fink
Sharon Lee Fink, 79, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on Sept. 5 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
She was the daughter of the late Martin and Faye Gerber. She was a past member of Congregation Ohev Sholom and a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Walter J. Fink; daughter, Anita (Ken)
Kraus; her brothers, Spencer (Bronna) Gerber and Ronald (Kim) Gerber; sister-in-law, Bobbie Fink; grandchildren, Danny (Mara) Kraus and Ben (Bella Gross) Kraus; and great-grandson, Jackson.
A memorial service was held on Sept. 6 at B’nai Jehudah. In Sharon’s memory, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
The Kansas City community is full of deserving charitable organizations and our Donor Advised Fund allows us the opportunity to contribute to a variety of great causes both locally and beyond. Most importantly, it allows us to make these donations as a family and show our children the importance of tzedakah.” - Neil & Alexis Miller
For more than 60 years, the Jewish Community Foundation has partnered with people of all ages and financial means to help them achieve their philanthropic goals. JCF Donor Advised Funds, which are personal charitable giving accounts, offer significant tax and planning advantages, the ability to streamline giving, and access to JCF’s philanthropic expertise and exceptional personal service.
To learn more, contact Suzanne Galblum Dicken at 913-327-8286 or sdicken@jcfkc.org. www.jcfkc.org
JCF will match your first gift! Call today.