MCHE to commemorate Kristallnacht on Nov. 6
KC Maccabi to start
Shemini Atzeret
Candlelighting (Oct. 23): 6:10 p.m.
Simchat Torah
Candlelighting (Oct. 24): 7:07 p.m.
Shabbat
Parashat Bereishit
Candlelighting (Oct. 25): 6:08 p.m. Havdalah (Oct. 26): 7:05 p.m.
By Jane Martin Contributing Writer
By Sam Kricsfeld Editor
Friends Ethan Hobbs and David Wasserstrom have turned their shared passion for video production and photography into Mitzvah Memories, a media company serving the Kansas City Jewish community. The two high school students offer a range of services including photography, video editing, graphic design and custom work, catered to the Jewish community.
Hobbs, the son of Chris and Heather Hobbs, and Wasserstrom, the son of Elizabeth Ellis and Bradley Wasserman, met as kindergarten students at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA). They formed a close friendship as children, bonding by watching videos on YouTube together.
As they watched their favorite YouTube content creators, the two gained an interest in video editing and production. They made their own YouTube channel, gaining firsthand expe-
rience by directly producing their own videos as early as first grade. Equipped with rudimentary video editing knowledge, Hobbs and Wasserstrom started making videos for HBHA, gradually
gaining a reputation over the years. This led to them being asked to make a video montage and media for a local bar mitzvah.
“As we were doing it, we [thought], ‘Well, we already know all these skills, and we’re already in the perfect community, and we think we can really offer something at a great value that doesn’t exist exactly,’” Hobbs said. “… It’s an untapped market — Jewish students [covering] Jewish events for other Jewish people.”
The two received “a storm” of positive feedback for their first bar mitzvah job and were approached for another gig. They decided to officially form Mitzvah Memories as their own business in early 2023, spending the entire ensuing summer honing skills in video editing, photography, graphic design and drone flying — the two own a remote drone they can use to take photos
Over the past few years, a combination of the pandemic and changing needs in the local Jewish community inspired the Kansas City Community Kollel’s board to develop a new vision and strategy. The plan was to relaunch the Kollel, a Jewish learning organization, to play a greater role in Jewish and Zionist programming in Kansas City, and ensure it has sufficient staff and resources to thrive.
“We wanted the person (or persons) to be able to promote a love of Israel
and teach more about Israel — the land, the people and more conventional study — particularly in light of Oct. 7 and the growing antisemitism we’re feeling,” said Jerry Bernard, the KC Kollel board president.
After laying a strong foundational strategy, the KC Kollel board got to work finding the right people for the job. While exploring several recruiting sources in the United States and Israel, board members learned that Torah MiTzion, the international network of Zionist Kollels, had redesigned their Kollel model around the vision of a
community-based beit midrash, or place of learning.
According to Bernard, board members also wanted to ensure the Kollel programs and events were community facing, accessible to the entire Jewish community (regardless of level of observance) and, most importantly, that it had the right staffing to successfully support their educational programs and the daily operations of the organization.
After a few months of conversation with Torah MiTzion, Benny and Tehilla Feldman emerged as outstanding candidates to become the shlichim (emissaries), Bernard said. The Feldmans felt the connection as well.
“We were looking for a warm and welcoming community that feels connected to Judaism and Israel,” Benny said, “and we really connected with
the people we met from Kansas City. It was a natural fit.”
The Feldmans, who recently arrived in Kansas City from Israel, emphasize inclusivity and plan to offer diverse programs, such as community baking,
children’s learning and an open community beit midrash space for all to study, wherever they are on their Jewish journey. Their goal is to foster a strong connection to Judaism and Israel through formal and informal activities, as well as provide learning opportunities for Jewish people of all walks of life. In addition to new programming, they will retain community programs like Torah study opportunities, Ahoovim (a program for Jewish adults with special needs) and Senior Scholars, a monthly Jewish program for residents at independent living centers in Johnson County.
Both Feldmans have backgrounds that are well suited to strengthening the revitalized Kollel. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for Jewish learning and Zionism.
Tehilla is an organizational psychologist, and Benny is a military reservist rabbi, accountant and
former teacher. Both of them hold advanced degrees from Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel.
“[Benny] brings a great deal of patience, creativity, knowledge and thirst for knowledge to his teaching and the programs he develops,” Tehilla said. “He isn’t afraid to delve into things or do things a little differently.”
“Tehilla is really creative and enthusiastic about her work,” Benny said. “She is also musical and plays the guitar. She is passionate and knowledgeable and a great storyteller who has grown up very connected to her Judaism.”
“I think it’s an advantage to work as a couple,” Tehilla said. “We each bring our strengths, and we’re able to support each other and complement each other when needed.”
Most important to the Feldmans is making meaningful connections through their work, both people-to-people and by creating strong connections between indi-
viduals and their Judaism. At the time of the interview, they had already held their first Ahoovim program, created a weekly inspiration event to prepare for Shabbat and were planning special events around the High Holy Days. They also work with various local Jewish organizations to co-sponsor events and are looking forward to launching new events and programs once the Jewish holiday season is complete.
“Our programming is meant to engage everyone Jewishly, no matter where they are at,” Tehilla said.
“We really want everyone who joins us to feel welcome,” Benny said.
The Feldmans welcome new ideas for events and programs. Those interested in more information or connecting with the KC Kollel can go to communitykollel.org or email the Feldmans at kccommunitykollel@ gmail.com.
The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education (MCHE) will commemorate the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht with a dance performance based on testimony from survivors and witnesses. The event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at The White Theatre (5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211).
This year’s commemoration seeks to recognize the human experience of Kristallnacht. The performance, “Beyond Broken Glass,” explores universal experiences of childhood, school, community, home, family, citizenship, race, religion and relocation shared through eyewitness testimony within the framework of Kristallnacht. Beyond Broken Glass features the music of composer John Currey and the choreography of Suzanne Ryanstrati. This is Ryanstrati’s second project presented with MCHE. Currey and Ryanstrati’s research in collaboration with the MCHE informed the movement of dancers Nora Burkitt-Davis, Katarina Fitzpatrick, Maggie Nicholls, Kerry Miller, Andrea Wolfe, and three from Encore! at The J.
The commemoration is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested — more information and reservation details can be found at mchekc.org.
For many years the violent attack on German, Austrian and Sudetenland
which was destroyed during Kristallnacht in 1938.
Jews on Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, was referred to as Kristallnacht. This name, meaning “night of broken glass,” conjures images of shattered windows and burned synagogues, but MCHE staff said it does not capture the personal violence experienced by hundreds of individuals during this period. People were attacked and beaten in their homes, and women experienced sexual assault. Kristallnacht went far beyond property damage. For this reason, Kristallnacht is now increasingly referred to as the November Pogrom.
MCHE Kristallnacht commemoration
Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m.
The White Theatre, 5801 W 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211
The following are the deadlines for articles, celebration announcements, Spotlight pictures, advertisements and editorials for upcoming Chronicle print issues. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Kricsfeld at samk@jewishkc.org.
Nov. 7 issue (Veteran’s Day issue) ............................ Oct. 31 deadline Nov. 21 issue........................................................... Nov. 14 deadline Dec. 5 issue..............................................................Nov. 26 deadline (changed because of Thanksgiving) Dec. 19 issue (end of year)....................................... Dec. 12 deadline Jan. 2 issue...............................................................Dec. 24 deadline (changed because of New Year’s)
By Alissa Sanderson The J
Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” will open The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre’s 20th season at The J, where it will run for 11 performances on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 26 through Nov. 17.
Tickets are available at thewhitetheatre.org. Performance dates and times include Saturdays, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9 and 16 at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.; and Thursdays, Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and 14 at 7:30 p.m.
The award-winning, critically acclaimed Broadway show is an American classic thanks to its characters, charmingly predictable dramatic situations and score of marches, barbershop quartet numbers and sentimental ballads which have become popular standards.
“The Music Man” follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize, despite the fact that he doesn’t know anything about music. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, a librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.
Professional actor, musician and Kansas City native Patrick Lewallen has come to perform on The White Theatre stage for the first time as Harold Hill. Lewallen has previously performed internationally in the original Broadway tour of “Rock of Ages” and the international tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Lewallen considers playing Hill to be a “bucket-list role.”
“Who wouldn’t want to be part of this American institution dubbed as ‘the perfect musical?’” Lewallen said. “I knew this role would provide an extra challenge based on my character’s believable yet over-the-top presentation, conversational cadence and unique charm. Most importantly, doesn’t everyone want to sing ‘Ya Got Trouble’ at some point in life?”
Though conman he is not, Lewallen does relate to some of Harold’s char-
acteristics as he brings them to life on stage.
“I love this character’s showmanship,” he said. “His imagination is so creative, but despite his best efforts, he still leaves himself open to true relationships and love. I think the best aspects of this character are his undeniable humanity as he discovers himself and his ability to uncover the untapped potential of people, helping them to truly shine.”
Lacey Connell, playing Marian Paroo — the town’s librarian — is also making her debut on The White Theatre stage, though she has served in behind-the-scenes roles before, most recently as music director for last summer’s production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” Connell’s passion for theater extends throughout her life. A Kansas native, Connell studied at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City and performed professionally before focusing on family and taking a more behind-the-scenes career as a music writer and director. In her day job, Connell acts as the performing arts coordinator for Johnson County Parks and Recreation District (JCPRD). She thought the role of Marian was a perfect opportunity to come back to the stage.
“[‘The Music Man’] is such a classic musical that speaks to my classical roots,” Connell said. “It felt like the perfect show to come back to performing after focusing on family and career.” Her connection to family and her own background has helped her empathize with Marian as she fills her shoes.
“I love that Marian is a strong woman who supports her family and has
Kara Harper Freiden, daughter of Robyn and Seth Freiden, will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Congregation Beth Shalom. Kara is the granddaughter of Anne Jacobs and Bari and Floyd Freiden, and she has an older brother, Dylan. A student at Leawood Middle School, Kara enjoys dancing, art, reading and spending time with friends.
For her mitzvah project, Kara raised more than $12,000 for Breakthrough T1D (type 1 diabetes) and volunteered at the organization’s gala and walk.
JFS is seeking donations to keep its pantry shelves stocked as it heads into the fall and winter when demand is likely to increase. About 50% of the pantry’s inventory comes from public donations.
For the fall food drive, conducted in partnership with the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City, the public is asked to fill a bag with groceries. The most needed items are canned tomato products, soup, canned fruit, paper towels, body lotion and bar soap. Donors can drop off donations in the designated barrels during business hours at The J (5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66214) or the Brookside location (325 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, MO 64113). Alternatively, those interested can shop online and ship items directly to JFS. JFS has an Amazon Wish List to shop from at amzn.to/3XH5v7Z.
Barrels at Congregation Beth Torah overflowing with donations following this year’s High Holiday services.
continued from page 3
strong values,” Connell said. “I can empathize with trying to find your soft, romantic self even when trying to be a strong leader… Digging deeper into the character, Marian has so many more layers than you would expect. I also am loving this opportunity to perform with my kiddo.”
Connell’s daughter, Jane, joins her on stage as part of a cast composed of veterans to The White Theatre stage as well as newcomers. Cody Kreutzer, Julie Fox, Don Leonard, Lindsay Day and Damon Bradshaw are all returning to The White Theatre stage in their roles as Marcellus Washburn, Mrs. Paroo, Mayor Shinn, Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn and Charlie Cowell, respectively. Kenyon White as Tommy Dijlas, Delilah Pellow as Zaneeta Shinn, Luke Pyron as Winthrop Paroo, Grace Taylor as Amarylis and Ceci Sellers as Graci Shinn are all making their debut. The full cast is listed at thewhitetheatre.com.
In his lead role, Lewallen has enjoyed the opportunity to work with this experienced and energetic cast as well as the production team and crew at The White Theatre.
layers to their characters, and watching the direction settle in is always magic.”
Both Connell and Lewallen feel that The White Theatre offers a unique experience for actors in the Kansas City community.
“The professionalism and quality of both the establishment and the production team are that of top tier theaters,” Lewallen said. “Obviously, the stage itself carries a reputation of greatness, and understandably so. The respect shown to performers and crew members alike is noteworthy.”
“The opportunity to perform in a professional environment is priceless,” Connell said. “The high-quality show with wonderful production values and wonderful cast has been an exceptional experience… This cast is stacked and beyond talented. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to perform with such amazing humans who are so kind and talented.”
Financial donations are welcome at jfskc.org/donate or mailed to JFS, 5801 W. 115th St., Suite 103, Overland Park, KS 66211.
More information about donating or hosting a food drive is available by calling (913) 327-8257 or emailing Jo Hickey, JFS director of pantry partnerships, at jhickey@jfskc.org.
“There’s a genuine, universal passion for this show, and the full cast/ crew are working hard to make this show something truly special,” he said. “Many of the cast members have dubbed this musical as their favorite of all time, and it shows. It’s been very fun to see the evolution of the story as my fellow performers discover new
Other featured shows in The White Theatre’s 20th season include “Hairspray” (a co-production with The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City), “The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time,” “West Side Story” (a co-production with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City), two new works and more.
Full descriptions and performance times for each event are available at thewhitetheatre.org. Auditions for musicals and plays produced at The White Theatre are announced online and on Facebook.
Jewish Unforgettable Ladies Interested in Eating Together (JULIETs) will host cardiologist Dr. Rachel Sosland for a conversation on women’s cardiovascular health. Sosland will teach attendees about heart attack symptoms and prevention, blood pressure, cholesterol management and more.
The program will take place at Con-
gregation Beth Torah (6100 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66209) on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 12:30 p.m.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease used to be considered only a problem for men. For decades, only men were included in heart testing and research.
Today, heart disease is recognized
as the most common cause of death for both women and men in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Women’s symptoms of a heart attack sometimes are the same as men’s, but they often differ.
Reservations are required. Contact Susie Klinock at JULIETs.KC@gmail.
com for reservations and more information.
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 event on women’s heart health
Sunday, Oct. 27, at 12:30 p.m.
“From Paris With Love” is the theme of this year’s Kehilath Israel Synagogue Grand Givers fundraising event. This year marks the 48th Grand Givers event, which will be held on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the synagogue (10501 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66212).
Last year’s Grand Givers featured Parisian musicians and singers who are former members of the choir of the Grande Synagogue de la Victoire, where K.I. Cantor Aron Hayoun previously sang. Many of the musicians from last year are returning to perform a new lyrical concert highlighting musical styles from light opera to Broadway showtunes. This year’s concert will feature a specially prepared selection of love songs.
“Due to the enthusiastic response from last year’s concert, we are bringing back that same level of musical artistry and some of the same performers,” said Grand Givers cochair Shari Sokol. “They loved Kansas City and the warm reception they received so much that they are eager to return.”
“This is a not-to-be-missed event,” said co-chair Dr. Michael Sokol. “It comes from the heart, as all the performers have a personal relationship with our cantor. This concert, featuring love songs, is a gift of love from the performers to K.I. Synagogue, and we encourage all in the community to attend.”
The performers will include classi-
cally-trained singers Maxime Cohen, Ronan Meyblum, Benoit Riou, Artavazd Sargsyan, Dominique Trouve, Ping Zhang; violinist Jean-Claude Tartour; and pianist/conductor Emmanuelle Souffran.
“In these tense and uncertain times, the best thing we can do for ourselves is to share a little love,” Dr. Sokol said. “This concert will bring both joy and love into our community.”
There are a variety of tickets available for purchase, including regular tickets for two people; and “Grand Givers” and “Dreiseszun Grand Givers” tickets with admission for up to 10 or 20 people, respectively, with a private pre-concert reception and preferential seating.
Tickets for corporate sponsors are also available and admit up to four people. All corporate sponsors will be acknowledged in the event’s program.
All ticket holders will be entered in a raffle for prizes, including Kansas City Chiefs tickets and tickets to upcoming theater events.
For more information and tickets, those interested can visit kisyn.org/ event/grand-givers-2024, call (913) 642-1880 or email Karen Smith at karen@kisyn.org.
K.I. Grand Givers “From Paris With Love”
Sunday, Nov. 3, from 3 to 5 p.m.
K.I. Synagogue, 10501 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66212 Serving All Cemeteries BEFORE YOU BUY-SHOP & COMPARE
In its core granting cycle, the Jewish Community Foundation’s (JCF) Community Legacy Fund has awarded $349,175 to 21 Jewish community organizations. These grants are intended to help enhance and maintain the quality of Jewish life in the Greater Kansas City area. Core grants support the general operating expenses (core expenses) central to the accomplishment of an organization’s mission. The Community Legacy Fund also makes core grants for unique services not otherwise available within the Jewish community that are essential to Jewish life.
One of the organizations that received funding was Kansas City Commuity Kollel, an organization working to bring Jewish learning and living to the local community through educational opportunities, programs and events.
“As we work to relaunch the Kansas City Commuity Kollel, the support from the JCF Legacy Fund is essential to our success,” said Jerry Bernard, president of Kollel’s board. “On behalf of the Kollel’s board of directors, we appreciate the Foundation’s commitment to supporting organizations like the Kollel that are committed to providing engaging Jewish experiences across our community.”
In an effort to have the greatest impact upon the Jewish community, the Community Legacy Fund maintains the following objectives: to provide financial support for safety net services; to nurture a strong Jewish community by providing underwriting for Jewish education, community relations and cultural arts; to provide financial support for seed programs which meet an identified community need; to purchase equipment which enhances an organization’s general operations or programs; to provide core support for Jewish community agencies; and to provide support for programs which are essential to Jewish life in Kansas City.
The Community Legacy Fund consists of permanent endowments from which grants are awarded to agencies whose applications are reviewed and evaluated by the JCF Grants Committee and board of trustees. In addition to its core granting cycle, the fund has an
innovation/emergency cycle intended to support high-quality, new programs that provide an innovative approach or solution to an existing or emerging community need or respond to financial or humanitarian emergencies.
“The Community Legacy Grants Committee is a large committee, but I believe each member of the committee feels not only a great responsibility but also that it is a privilege to be able to help the agencies we fund make a difference in people’s lives,” said Grants Committee Chair Linda Lyon. Community Legacy Fund grants were awarded for the following programs:
• BBYO (Rent)
• Gan Chabad Torah Learning Center - KC Kosher Meals on Wheels (Audit)
• Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (Scholarships)
• The J (Property, liability and casualty insurance)
• Jewish Community Relations Bureau | AJC (General support)
• Jewish Community Campus (Utilities)
• Jewish Family Services (Chaplaincy program; pantry rent and technology; Priya)
• Jewish Vocational Services (General support)
• Kansas City Commuity Kollel (Health insurance)
• Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care (National accreditation)
• KU Chabad (Bookkeeping services)
• KU Hillel (Accounting services)
• Midwest Center for Holocaust Education (Rent and financial services)
• Mikvah Association (General Upkeep)
• Missouri Hillel (Staff salaries, benefits and facility upkeep)
• NCSY (Jewish Student Union)
• Overland Park Eruv (Operational support)
• Rabbinical Association (Funding for part-time administrator)
• Sasone (School support and enhancement)
• Vaad HaKashruth (Kosher supervision staffing)
• Village Shalom (New computers and software)
More information about the Community Legacy Fund is available by contacting Beatrice Fine at bfine@ jcfkc.org or (913) 327-4618.
JCRB|AJC Kansas City, in partnership with the City of Overland Park and the Strong Cities Network — a global network of 245+ cities dedicated to addressing hate, extremism and polarization — is working on an initiative to help prevent hate and targeted violence in Overland Park.
As part of that effort, JCRB|AJC is seeking the community’s input on the biggest concerns regarding hate and targeted violence in Overland Park and how the city and the community can work together to prevent and respond to them.
Those interested can take the survey at bit.ly/ JCRBopsurvey. The survey is anonymous and takes approximately five minutes to complete.
Volunteers are needed from 12 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, to help clean up Mt. Carmel Cemetery, 5529 Ditzler Rd. Volunteers will help paint, clean, weed, rake and more.
This is a good opportunity for groups or individuals to earn community service credits. For more information or to sign up, contact Bruce Luchen at bluchen0731@gmail.com or David Herbet at easttomid@gmail.com.
Acclaimed Author Series
Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J, is kicking off its Acclaimed Author Series next month with Dan Slater, author of “The Incorruptibles: A True Story of Kingpins, Crime Busters, and the Birth of the American Underworld.”
The event is on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Lathrop GPM building in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. It will be moderated by retired journalist and community member Dan Margolies.
Other authors scheduled to appear are Beth Kander on Dec. 19, Lee Yaron on Jan. 15 and Chris Heath on March 4.
To learn more and register for these events, visit thejkc.org/jewishevents.
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.
MAHJONGG COREGRANTS DRRACHELSOSLAND GRANDGIVERS JFSFOODPANTRY MACCABIGAMES THEMUSICMAN MITZVAHMEMORIES KCKOLLEL SIMCHATTORAH SHEMINIATZERET MRSNOW DONTFORGETOVOTE
• Core Grants (pg. 5)
• Dr. Rachel Sosland (pg. 4)
• Grand Givers (pg. 5)
• JFS Food Pantry (pg. 4)
• KC Kollel (pg. 1)
• Maccabi Games (pg. 9)
• Mahjongg (pg. 10)
• Mitzvah Memories (pg. 1)
• Mr. Snow (pg. 7)
• Shemini Atzeret
• Simchat Torah
• The Music Man (pg. 3)
The following bowlers achieved high scores in the Sunday Kansas City B’nai B’rith Men’s Bowling League at Ward Parkway Lanes on Oct. 13 and Oct. 20.
Oct. 13
500 Series
Hunter Thomas 637 (193 247 197)
Ryan Thomas 632 (177 243 212)
Bill Sloan 585 (213 175 197)
Steve Thomas 546 (183 159 204)
Steve Baraban 540 (167 190 183)
Stuart Pollack 538 (155 202 181)
Mark Newton 537 (167 222 148)
Michael Altman 533 (146 195 192)
Tom Balke 520 (183 194 143)
Michael Sokol 517 (204 157 156)
Irwin Snitz 515 (167 177 171)
Nick R Meyers 510 (125 206 179)
Steve Greenberg 507 (161 163 183)
Scott Hecht 504 (161 140 203)
170 Series
Christopher Eldredge 190
Marion Potts 181
Bruce W Parker 174
Morty Rock 171
Larry Katzif 170
Oct. 20
500 Series
Hunter Thomas 590 (184 207 199)
Bill Sloan 585 (171 195 219)
Scott Hecht 583 (183 225 175)
Marion Potts 582 (207 189 186)
Stuart Pollack 582 (200 216 166)
Bruce W Parker 566 (172 184 210)
Michael Sokol 544 (186 183 175)
Nick R Meyers 543 (178 170 195)
Michael Altman 531 (154 183 194)
Morty Rock 519 (191 135 193)
Steve Thomas 506 (147 172 187)
Miles Ross 503 (146 199 158)
170 Series
Kent Verden 196
Irwin Snitz 188
Mark Newton 186
Larry Katzif 186
Steve Greenberg 180
Bruce Singer 179
Tom Balke 172
Steve Baraban 171
Ryan Thomas 170
If you are interested in bowling during the 2024-2025 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) 957-3716 or skp28@aol.com.
Three of the top fundraising teams for Kansas City’s Breakthrough T1D (type-1 diabetes) walk on Oct. 20 were led by Jewish kids. Alexander Raiche, Kara Freiden and Jonah Alpert raised $40,000 and awareness for the disease through their teams Alexander’s Army, Kara’s Crew and Jonah’s Shot At A Cure.
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and PJ Library held a “Fall Fun at KC Pumpkin Patch” event on Oct. 20 for children and their families. Pictured at the pumpkin patch are (from left) Amanda Birger, Bridey Stangler and Rebecca Zitron.
Heritage Center members took a day trip to Taylor Family Orchard last month to prepare for Rosh Hashanah. Owner Brandon Tayler gave the group a tour of the orchard. Members who attended included Christine Degen, Janice Conroy, Beth Loudon, Ann Tannenbaum, Nancy Prince, Diana Warren, Annette Stoerman, Cheryl Rabicoff, Lois Clayman, Janice Sandler and Marcia Fagin.
Jewish Experiences built a sukkah outside the entrance of The J, offering community members the opportunity to shake the lulav and etrog. Pictured are Megan Pener and Molly Hess.
We at The Chronicle are always glad to hear about new readers, so we were thrilled when subscriber Joie Arnold shared that her cat, Mr. Snow, was “reading” our previous issue.
Above: Simcha Gifts prepared and distributed 1,000 Rosh Hashanah packages to Jewish people in area nursing homes, retirement centers, people in their own homes and lone Jewish people in outlying towns. Pictured (top) are volunteers Susan Erenberg and Joyce Zeldin. Simcha Gifts also brought in two rabbinic students (above) who led Rosh Hashanah programs and Shofar blowing in some senior communities within walking distance. Mitchell Kranitz (center) donned Tefillin and recited the Shema with Rabbi Mendel Carlebach and Rabbi Simcha Vogel.
Left: Beth Shalom’s Sisterhood held its Fall 2024 diaper drive, which resulted in approximately 3,000 diapers being donated to Happy Bottoms. Pictured at the Happy Bottoms warehouse are Sisterhood members (far left, from left) Susan Erenberg, Jill Goldstein, Naomi Silverman, Susan Krigel and Nancy Reichman in front of the diaper donation set to go to Jewish Vocational Services. Sisterhood members also (left) gathered at Board & Brush in Lenexa, Kansas, to make custom doormats ahead of Sukkot.
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and videos.
By the time school began, the two had built a website and were ready to fully launch Mitzvah Memories. Although they spent the summer learning and preparing, they faced a “big learning curve” during their first initial gig.
“Something that we could not practice over the summer, just the two of us, was the people skills, the communications, the interactions, the contract-making and signings,” Hobbs said.
The first client was understanding and satisfied with the product, and Hobbs and Wasserstrom worked to further develop their professional skills.
“There was definitely a lot more pres-
sure going into a more professional setting, especially with people trusting us with these really important events in their lives,” Wasserstrom said.
Since that initial job, Hobbs and Wasserstrom have taken on more than 25 gigs. In addition to b’nai mitzvah work, Mitzvah Memories has expanded its coverage to include weddings, family portraits, fundraising campaigns and aerial footage.
“[We work to] make sure we can create professional products that can compete with people who are doing this as their full-time job,” Wasserstrom said, “...we want to be able to offer that quality of product, if not better, for a better price and a more personal connection.”
Mitzvah Memories is unique in terms
By Ellie Holsten
This page comes from the Nuremberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel, a German cartographer, historian, physician and philosopher. The Nuremberg Chronicle is an illustrated encyclopedia of world history, including historical events told through biblical paraphrase. Published in 1493, it is also called “The Book of Chronicles” by Latin scholars or “Schedel’s World History” by German speakers.
It is an example of an incunable — a material printed in Europe before 1500, prior to widespread use of the printing press. The Nuremberg Chronicle is one of the first incunabula with integrated illustrations. Its illustrations
of its catering to the local Jewish community. Having both grown up as Jewish Kansas Citians, the two have connections and familiarity with many community members and organizations.
“What really set us apart, and why people were so excited to work with us, was because they know who we are as HBHA students and members of our synagogues — friendly faces in the community. That made it very easy for people to trust us with their jobs,” Hobbs said.
Hobbs and Wasserstrom cater to a Jewish niche, having the benefit of understanding rituals and traditions that many other media companies wouldn’t.
“It saves the family a lot of stress of having to explain what’s going on, explain what’s important, or say what we can and cannot photograph,” Hobbs said. “Because we’re Jewish students, it makes it a lot easier for the families to work with us, as opposed to somebody outside the community who might not understand what’s going on.”
In alignment with their Jewish upbringings and values, Hobbs and Wasserstrom have also used Mitzvah Memories for charitable purposes and tzedakah projects, providing pro bono services for various synagogues and Jewish organizations in the area.
are particularly important because many of the maps are the first-ever published depictions of their respective cities and countries. One such early view is this drawing of the city of Jerusalem. It was the second view of Jerusalem ever printed and shows its 586 BCE destruction by Nebuzaradan, the commander of the guard of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
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.
“We make an effort to give back to the community that was so welcoming and supportive of us when we got started,” Hobbs said. “[Judaism teaches] that we should give back what we earn, so even if we aren’t doing it necessarily with money, we think it’d be more meaningful to the community to give back with our services and provide them with something that would otherwise cost a lot.”
Hobbs and Wasserstrom are aware that the experience they’re gaining and the portfolio they’re building are beyond that of most high school students.
“I think Mitzvah Memories as a whole, especially for us as high schoolers, not only teaches us how to use the hardware and software but also teaches us how to have positive, business-level interactions with members of the community, which is something that is not taught in any school,” Hobbs said. “It’s something we’re very blessed to have — an opportunity to really learn communication skills through our company.”
Hobbs and Wasserstrom are still students with extracurricular passions, and they had to learn time management skills to balance their school obligations with their work. Decisions regarding priorities are often made.
“It’s been really interesting for both of us to juggle everything, and, most importantly, make sure everything is done well,” Hobbs said. “People don’t want sloppy work, and we don’t want sloppy grades.”
Education obligations also play a factor in the long-term plans for Mitzvah Memories — Hobbs and Wasserstrom will graduate in less than two years. However, they have developed contingency plans for the continuation of Mitzvah Memories, ranging from managing the company remotely to passing the business on to other students so they can “learn by doing,” which Hobbs said was the “recipe to success for Mitzvah Memories.”
“Obviously, this company is by and for the people in the Kansas City Jewish community,” Hobbs said. “...We still want this business to continue, and we still want people to have other Jewish students working affordably for them on events that are important to them.”
As Hobbs and Wasserstrom continue Mitzvah Memories and their studies at HBHA, they still prioritize maintaining balance and preserving their close friendship.
“We’ve been friends for 12 years now, and I think the biggest thing we want to focus on — with our friendship and actually running the company — is that everything is 50/50. The work is 50/50. The money is 50/50. We never want that to get in the way of our relationship or the quality of our work,” Wasserstrom said. “In terms of [Mitzvah Memories] affecting our friendship, I think it’s only been positive. We’ve already shared so many experiences together in life, and this is just another great one that we’re really proud to be able to do together.”
“It definitely wouldn’t be the same without both of us doing it,” Hobbs said. “It’s two very different people, different personalities, different styles, but we can come together and make something that’s really unique and really interesting… It only strengthens the friendship.”
More information about Mitzvah Memories and its work is available at mitzvahmemories.com.
By Alissa Sanderson
The
J
Officials for the Kansas City JCC Maccabi delegation are hosting an event to celebrate the accomplishments of recent athletes and to share developments for the program in 2025. The event will be held in the social hall at the Jewish Community Campus on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 6:45 p.m.
Athletes from the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Kansas City delegations who earned a medal will be recognized in a banner unveiling that denotes their accomplishments at the Games. The delegation has grown from 12 to 16 to 28 athletes over the past three years. Most recently, the delegation of 28 local Jewish teen athletes competed at the JCC Maccabi Games in Houston, Texas. Twenty-two of the 28 athletes medaled across multiple sports, including basketball, dance, swimming, tennis, soccer, volleyball and bowling.
In addition to the celebration, past
athletes and interested participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the plans for the 2025 JCC Maccabi games and ways to grow the Kansas City delegation again.
“We are thrilled with the growth of our Kansas City delegation over the past few years,” said Bob Hennecke, Kansas City Maccabi delegation head and the director of sports and recreation at The J. “We are looking forward to celebrating our past accomplishments as we look to our future participation in the games. We have a number of developments that we are excited to be sharing with all those interested in competing in 2025.”
For 2025, the age limit for competitors has expanded from 13-16 to 1317, which means all the athletes who competed this year will be eligible next summer.
The JCC Maccabi Games is an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in North Amer-
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Village Shalom has never asked a resident to leave due to the inability to pay for the cost of their care.
The Village Shalom Financial Assistance Program can trace its origins back to a benevolent society formed in 1912. Today, thanks in part to charitable gifts and grant funding, our Ages of Excellence campaign helps make this care possible.
All gifts, regardless of size, make an impact in the lives of Village Shalom residents.
Thank you for your support,
ica and is the largest organized sports program for Jewish teens in the world. The week of competition also features an array of cultural and social activities. Each summer, over 3,000 Jewish teens participate in one of fifteen sports as well as social
events and opportunities to give back to the community.
More questions regarding the event or participating in future 2025 Maccabi Games can be directed to Hennecke at (913) 327-8005 or Maggie Osgood Nichols at (913) 327-4612.
KC Maccabi gathering Sunday, Nov. 10, at 6:45 p.m.
The J, 5801 W 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211
Congregation Beth Shalom Sisterhood will be holding a Warm Up America knitting event and a “Bams for Mams” mahjongg event in November.
Warm Up America, a program to make and donate handmade afghans to various social service organizations, holds community-wide “Come and Knit” events on the first Wednesday of each month. The next one will be on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. in Goldsmith Hall at Beth Shalom (14200 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223).
Beth Shalom Sisterhood’s goal this year is for 50 new blankets to be created by its Warm Up America group. The organization also offers yarn and directions for those interested to knit at home.
More information about Warm Up America is available by emailing Naomi Silverman at naomisilverman@ att.net.
Beth Shalom Sisterhood will also hold its 15th annual “Bams for Mams”
Warm Up America
Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m.
mahjongg fundraiser for breast cancer research. The event, also open to the community, will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Goldsmith Hall at the synagogue. A brunch will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by game time at 11 a.m. Attendees can play with their regular group or be placed with a table, and prizes will be awarded.
To participate, two separate checks must be sent to Carol Peltzie (14919 Brentwood Dr., Lenexa, KS 66215) by Monday, Nov. 4 — one for brunch and snacks, payable to Beth Shalom Sisterhood; and one as a donation (minimum of $15), payable to the KU Breast Cancer Center. For more information about the “Bams for Mams” event and payment, those interested can visit bethshalomkc.org/events/join-sisterhood-for-bams-for-mams or contact Peltzie at cpeltzie1@gmail.com or call (913) 449-1107.
More information about Beth Shalom Sisterhood is available at sisterhood.bethshalomkc.org.
Beth Shalom, 14200 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223
Bams for Mams fundraiser
Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 10:30 a.m.
Beth Shalom, 14200 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223
Jewish Family Services (JFS) is beginning its 2024 Hanukkah Project to provide wrapped Hanukkah gifts and gift cards for more than 300 individuals and families (including children and older adults) in the community who are facing challenges. Though Hanukkah is weeks away (starting on Wednesday evening, Dec. 24), JFS plans for this project early to make sure those in need are taken care of. Currently, JFS invites community members to participate by adopting recipients.
“Last year we had an incredible community response with 75 individuals and groups signing up to support JFS clients for Hanukkah,” said Rachel Ohlhausen, JFS director of program operations. “Our supporters make the holidays brighter. One client last year received a microwave for cooking, along with his gift card. The surprise in his face and laughter
of joy and disbelief receiving that box has been a special memory and reminder of why we do this important work.”
Those interested in adopting a JFS client for Hanukkah (family or individual) should complete an “Adopt a Recipient” interest form at bit.ly/ hanukkahadoption. The deadline to adopt is Oct. 28.
Once adopters are matched to recipients, JFS will send the recipient’s wish list by Nov. 1, and the adopters can shop for them. Gift drop-off will take place between Nov. 18 and 27 at the JFS office at The J (5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211).
JFS is also asking for the donation of gift cards, which allow clients to choose items for themselves, get the correct sizes and styles, shop for groceries or surprise a family member. Gift cards should be from Target, Walmart or Amazon. The gift card drop off deadline is Nov. 27.
refer them today!
Financial donations made to JFS for the Hanukkah project will be used to purchase gift cards on the donor’s behalf. Donations can be made online, mailed or delivered to the JFS offices at the Jewish Community Campus or at JFS’ Brookside office (425 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, MO 64110). Checks should have “Hanukkah Project” indicated in the memo line.
Any questions about the Hanukkah Project should be emailed to hanukkah@jfskc.org.
The JFS Hanukkah Wrap Party will take place on Monday, Dec. 9, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the social hall of The J. Volunteers are needed to wrap gifts to clients. Registration for the wrap party and opportunities to sign up to do gift delivery will be posted on JFS’ website in early November.
By Marcia Rittmaster and Sara Glass
Congregation Beth Torah’s Weiner Religious School
Congregation Beth Torah’s Weiner Religious School (WRS) has a new mascot this year. Dov the bear spends Sunday mornings involved with religious school students, but during the week, he lives with a different WRS family. The host families make sure Dov participates in Jewish activities to keep them all entertained. They might listen to bedtime prayers, sing some Jewish songs or read books, enjoy Shabbat dinner with the family, or even help bake a challah. Dov carries a special diary, and the families help record their experiences to capture Jewish family life in the home.
By Bridey Stangler PJ Library
It’s going to be a momentous day! It will be a day that calls to our deepest sense of responsibility! A day that sets us apart from the masses! It will be a day that reminds us that we are the stewards of something greater than ourselves and defines who we, the people, truly are! A day upon which our hearts and souls rest!
True, we don’t all play by the rules, and sometimes we lose track of the true spirit of the thing. But ready or not, it marches ever closer, and it’ll be here in the first week of November.
ing. And our anxiety? It’s catching. As American parents, we respond by controlling what we can control. We take them with us to the voting booth and spend Nov. 5 touting the beauty of democracy.
But as Jews? Even as we snap photos of our kids proudly wearing their “future voter” stickers, we remember that gamzehya’avor— this too shall pass. Proud Americans we certainly are, but we are also a people who measure our history in millennia. We treasure traditions over trends. We were here long before presidential elections, and we will be here long after them.
Near the end of the school’s Family Tefilah Worship each Sunday, the host family shares their adventures with Dov. They may describe their activities or read from the log. At the conclusion of worship, a new family is chosen to be the host for the week, and Dov’s journey continues, just like the students in the WRS.
The students and parents have enjoyed having this special guest with them, and they strive to provide Dov with rich Jewish experiences — either longtime family traditions or new rituals they can create together.
The “Prayer Bear” actually came alive several years ago at WRS and is making a comeback, along with the school itself. Bringing in long-time Jewish educator and admin staff Sara Glass, along with a team of educators led by past and long-standing Religious School Director Marcia Rittmaster — as well as the Talmud Torah committee — Beth Torah has a new school curriculum and a renewed “sense of vitality” coming from its community. The building has had activities for all age groups, and momentum is building.
Glass returns to Kansas City after working in San Francisco for the past 10 years, where she was the assistant
education director at Conservative synagogue Congregation Kol Shofar. She continued on to be the private events manager of the JCCSF, working large-scale event booking and production. Most recently, she served as the education administrative support for the reform congregation Sherith Israel, supporting their religious school, overseeing the b’nei mitzvah program and the preschool, and providing other programming support to the head rabbis and executive director.
And the second. And the third… I speak, of course, of Shabbat, which awaits us at the end of every week. Wait — what did you think I was talking about?
Election Day, that celebration of democracy, supposedly wraps up a calamitous year of showmanship, vitriolic hyperbole and — good heavens — so much shouting! We’ll see. Many fear that, instead, the dawn of Nov. 6 will simply dial the volume up to 11.
To help our children (and ourselves) manage the fear of the present moment, we should take down our Shabbat candlesticks from the shelves. We should shine them up in preparation for something more timeless than politics. Instead of scrolling or flipping on the news, let’s make challah or smash grapes in plastic bags to make our own kiddush wine.
Glass is from Overland Park, Kansas, originally, having grown up at Beth Torah, becoming a bat mitzvah there, and then working at Beth Torah as the communications associate for almost 10 years prior to moving to the West Coast. She is thrilled to be back in her home community doing work with many familiar faces as well as new families.
“When I first received my journalism degree in marketing and strategic communications from KU in 2007 and asked myself what I wanted to do with my career, I remember thinking that if I were going to use these powers (of journalism and marketing) for good, it would have to be for an organization like my synagogue or a
I hope I’m wrong. The anxiety that we carry as Americans has reached a fever pitch and how could it not? Voices chant from our televisions that “democracy is at risk,” “freedoms are under attack” and only one person can “save our country.” We are assaulted with warnings of fascism or anarchy or World War III or nuclear winter or — worst of all — tax increases.
I do not mean to jest. The results of presidential elections are very real and their effects are felt for generations. The palpitations of our hearts and fraying of our nerves are completely legitimate. We are right to exercise our patriotic duty as the future of our country is shaped.
But as we tune in to that 24-hour news cycle in the days leading up to Nov. 5 and the days that follow, remember: Our children are listen-
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once described Shabbat as a “palace in time,” which, when observed according to our laws and tradition, reminds us of who we are. We are a people immersed in gratitude — for a beautiful world, for a loving family, for rainbows, for warm bread, for America, for cuddly pets, for our health and the myriad blessings that fill our lives. And we have a day set aside to bask in the glory of all of it and say, “Thank you, G-d.”
I speak to you as someone who does not “play by the rules.” I drive on Shabbat, spend money, clean the house. But in the days that come, I hope to let Shabbat spill into the rest of my week, if not in action, then in spirit. I hope to play quiet board games, rake leaves and listen to music with my children. I hope to cook with them to prepare for that which is both timeless and timely: Shabbat.
Because we need it, and so do our children.
I’ll see you at the polls, friends, and then maybe we should all go outside and play.
Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle staff, the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, or the Kansas City Jewish Community as a whole.
continued from previous page
nonprofit I could really get behind and support whole-heartedly,” she said. “So when my father, Norman, suggested I apply for the communications role at Beth Torah right out of college and I landed the job, I knew I was right at home. It was an honor to work with Rabbi Levin, Rabbi Harris, Rabbi Reice, Rabbi Shapiro, Aaron Nielsensultz, Cantor Finn, Laura Intfen, Jack Feldman, and of course, Marcia Rittmaster, among other staff and lay leaders, all of whom I admired greatly and learned so much from. Now is our opportunity to take all the tools in our toolkit and keep paying it forward, following in the footsteps of so many gifted educators who came before and taught me so much.”
Coming up, Beth Torah has a full calendar of programs and learning opportunities for youth and families of all ages. Those interested can visit the website calendar at www. beth-torah.org or call Glass in the office with questions (913) 498-2212 x1003.
By Ruby Sokol RampageWired
This editorial was originally published on RampageWired.com, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s (HBHA) student news site.
America has always had a divide between the Democrats and the Republicans. Over the past few decades, we have witnessed our country split to extremes similar to both the 1860s and the 1960s. One major cause of this is the capacity to reply instantaneously and not face-to-face with your opposing believer through social media platforms.
Politics have always been heavily debated, but since the rise of social media, there have been fewer real debates and more aggressive attacks. Everyone is too busy trying to get their point across, and they forget how to act civilly. Social media enables people to lash out while hiding anonymously behind a screen, and this often results in people growing
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even more riled up.
There is so much hatred in the U.S. between Democrats and Republicans that people forget we are all part of one nation. Even though most Americans are not extremists when it comes to politics, the ones who make their beliefs known speak their minds. Those who speak their minds stand out to the world.
Social media is not the only cause of our country’s division. News channels and the politicians themselves share the blame for the increase in our constant divide. Certain news channels, including FOX and CNN, have always been biased and had a reputation for pandering to a certain party. Now, it is almost impossible to find straight facts of the political issues, which makes it harder for the citizens to form an opinion themselves.
“Thirty-to-forty years ago, the media was much more objective, so you felt like you were getting information, and you could make your own decision,” said Jenny Safir, a fourth-grade teacher at HBHA.
With the rise of social media and A.I., it only takes a few clicks to start spreading misinformation or disinformation. Since news spreads so quickly, more and more people believe this misinformation and disinformation.
Community member Carol Katzman explains how social media has eliminated everyone’s ability to have a more thoughtful reaction time. When it comes to politics, everyone used to take the time after watching a debate or hearing about a new policy to form their own opinion. Now, everything is on social media right when it happens. People will comment and post before they spend time getting the facts straight. This causes extreme comments to be posted online with severely harsh tones and equally polarizing responses.
Online comments lead to fighting between strangers in opposing political parties, which is a bad look for Americans and America as a country.
The political divide has always been present in America, but in the past, it has not been posted all over social media. Katzman shared, “I don’t think today’s divisiveness is any worse than it was 50 years ago. I think the thing that makes it appear to be worse is social media.”
Social media has taken political de-
bates to another level. This is due to the memes and reposts on all platforms, but social media is not fully responsible for the lack of substance in the recent debates. The past three elections have been filled with lashing out, immature comments, and, especially in the Sept. 10 Trump-Harris debate, a lack of policy discussion.
Safir said a big cause of the recent increase in the political divide was the Trump-Clinton election in 2016. These two candidates were both so far away from the median that they pulled Americans as a whole away from each other. Due to the extremity of each candidate, propaganda and social media, people’s emotions got fired up. We saw this occur again during the Trump-Biden election in 2020.
Now, each party thinks the other is a threat, but politics were not always like that. Safir continued, “People are more opinionated in a way that’s not as open-minded, so when you discuss a topic, when before you could say your piece… now you’re cut off.” Twenty years ago, a political discussion could have stayed extremely respectful. Whether someone is an extremist or not, their political beliefs give them a certain reputation. People make “assumptions about who a person is, like their core, from a candidate that they vote for, or somebody/a news agency they follow,” Safir said. This has caused our country to get to the point of judging people by their political beliefs, which Safir “just never remembered that happening before the last several years.”
According to the Pew Research Center, a person’s ideology more often now coincides with their political party. Most people’s social circles consist of people who “think like them.” Regardless of political beliefs, most liberals and conservatives want different lifestyles. They want to live in different places, and they want the people who marry into their families to have similar or equivalent beliefs regarding politics.
The political divide has also fractured families. People have such big disagreements that they quit having contact with close family members and friends because of ideological differences.
With some of Katzman’s family, they continued on next page
Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle staff, the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, or the Kansas City Jewish Community as a whole.
continued from previous page
do not “talk politics … We just stay away from it.” She believes everyone has the right to vote for whichever candidate they choose, however, previous conversations have caused her to leave their family WhatsApp chat due to disagreements. If they decide to unfriend her due to her beliefs, then it is just “immature” and shows “a lack of confidence in your belief system.”
Everyone has pride, and when someone is talking about their beliefs, their pride shines through. When it comes to politics, people get a little too proud, and instead of debating, they fight.
Sofia Levine, a high school senior at HBHA, believes a lot of good can come out of getting certain information from social media platforms like TikTok.
Levine shared, “[Tiktok is] more accurate. It’s less biased, and it’s just like I’ll do my own research after I figure out what’s going on.” Even though not everything you see online is true, TikTok has clips from every perspective. You can even find the raw, unbiased facts and form your opinion by watching the clips.
Levine is, “all for Gen-Z, Gen-Alpha right now,” because she thinks kids are more open to understanding both sides. Normally, people grow up hearing what their parents believe about each candidate and each policy, but because of social media, the younger generations are hearing and watching videos supporting and disagreeing with both parties. This is good because instead of being brainwashed, children are more aware of politics all around.
“The younger kids are getting better, but everyone else is getting worse… That’s why I’m hoping in the future [the political divide is] going to be better,” Levine said.
If this is true, then the future of America will be more open-minded. Instead of the pure hatred and stubbornness of the older generations (a big cause of the divide), Levine thinks people who recognize issues on both sides and consider themselves to be in the middle are improving political divisions.
On the other hand, the Democrats and Republicans have come together against TikTok. A bipartisan committee is currently trying to ban the app because they believe TikTok’s owners, ByteDance, collect data from their users. Both parties agree that information could go to the Chinese govern-
ment.
Over the past century in America, there have been ups and downs when it comes to the political divide. America as a country has formed such hatred between the opposing parties that people tend to forget the fact that we are all part of one nation. We all have freedom of speech, and we all are allowed to support whichever candidates we prefer.
Stories like Katzman’s and many others show how even if America guarantees free speech in the Bill of Rights and maintains it as a cultural norm, socially we can not actually say whatever we believe. It leads to fights, disrespect of others and family/friendship breakups, so people have just learned to keep their mouths shut. Social media has shown us time and time again that for each thing someone says, another person will attack back in disagreement. Our country has become a nation of hate, and if someone does not want to get criticized, all they can do is keep their mouth shut.
Ruby Sokol is the co-editor-in-chief of RampageWired. More news and opinionsfromHymanBrandHebrew Academy students is available at RampageWired.com.
By Karen Gerson
In December, my 20-year-old son Gilli and I traveled to Israel to volunteer through an agricultural farming experience called Israel Food Rescue (IFR).
As I write this editorial, I know that there are many different thoughts that one may think about when voluntarily traveling to Israel during a war to spend a week in the fields. For Gilli and me, when this experience presented itself, the only thought was, “yes, how do we sign up?” This was one way to fill our void of feeling close to our brothers and sisters and show our personal commitment and love for Israel.
If you are reading this and thinking, “yes, I want to volunteer too” … do I have an opportunity for you! IFR is reaching out to 16-40 year olds to come to Israel for a hands-on experience of working the land side-by-side with Israeli farmers.
There are three upcoming volunteer experiences November through January that are 100% grant-funded, which include an eight day/seven
night mission in Jerusalem; five days of volunteering; and one day of touring/cultural exchange and Shabbat experience. Also included are kosher meals, transportation to farms and a hotel (double occupancy), a guide and medical insurance.
For the full itinerary and additional information, the website address is israelfoodrescue.com and/or you are welcome to get in touch at kbgerson@ me.com.
By Ellen Alper and Phyllis Langsdorf National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis
So much is at stake. Our vision of a just, safe and equitable democracy hangs in the balance in this upcoming election. Nowhere is this clearer in Missouri, where we have the opportunity to end Missouri’s abortion ban and give women the power to make their own decisions without politicians interfering.
The upcoming Missouri general election will feature Amendment 3, a critical measure that will restore women’s right to choose an abortion. A “yes” vote on Amendment 3 will put an end to Missouri’s extreme abortion ban, which is extremely dangerous. Survivors of rape and incest are being denied the care they need, women who are miscarrying are being turned away from emergency rooms and women with life-threatening complications are being told their conditions must get worse before doctors can help them.
What does this have to do with Judaism and Jewish law? Judaism not only permits abortion but even requires it when life is at stake. Pikuach nefesh and, more broadly, building a just society are ultimate Jewish concerns. We must not remain idle while barriers to health care place any individual’s health, wellbeing, autonomy or economic security at risk.
Abortion bans are a direct threat to Jewish religious freedom. Judaism teaches us to respect and affirm the dignity of all people.
We all deserve to make our own moral decisions about our body, health and family.
Restrictions on abortion and reproductive health care are rooted in Christian extremism and white supremacy, in conflict with our nation’s core promise of religious liberty and justice for all.
A Jewish midrash(interpretive story) teaches, “If a person sits in their home and says to themselves, ‘What have the affairs of society to do with me?... Why should I trouble myself with the
people’s voices of protest? Let my soul dwell in peace!’ — If one does this, they overthrow the world” (Midrash Tanhuma, Mishpatim 2:1). Staying on the sidelines on Amendment 3 is in itself an act of destruction. We each must do our part to repair the world.
Regardless of how you personally feel about abortion, this vote will determine who makes decisions about your health and your family. Missourians want to make their own decisions, not have politicians make decisions for them. Voting “yes” will make sure patients are treated with compassion, dignity and privacy – not shame or judgment.
Please join us and countless other Missourians in voting “yes” on Amendment 3 on Nov. 5 – it is the only way to ensure we will have the right to make our own personal medical decisions without government interference.
Ellen Alper and Phyllis Langsdorf are the CEO and president, respectively, of National Council of JewishWomen St. Louis.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a hostages-for-ceasefire-and-terrorists-release deal have yet to resume since Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s Oct. 16 death, U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.
“I cannot sit here today and tell you that negotiations are about to restart in Doha or Cairo, or anywhere else for that matter,” Kirby told reporters at a virtual briefing, adding that “we have started to begin to think about it here and had some initial conversations with our Israeli counterparts, as you would expect we would, in the wake of that truly historic news.
“We have certainly expressed, as the president did publicly, our strong desire to see what can be done to find a diplomatic path forward here to get the hostages home,” the senior White House official said.
The captives remain “a top priority of President Biden. The Israelis understand that that remains a top priority
of the president,” he added.
Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) chief Ronen Bar visited Cairo on Sunday in an attempt to revive the talks.
Bar, according to the Ynet, held an introductory meeting with Egyptian intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, who assumed the position last week, replacing Abbas Kamel, who had led Cairo’s powerful General Intelligence Directorate since June 2018.
Ahead of a meeting of the Security Cabinet on Sunday night, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with senior security officials to discuss prospects for the release of the hostages from Hamas captivity.
Gallant was joined by Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi; IDF Missing and Captive Soldiers Division head Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon; and Military Intelligence Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, as well as other officials, his office said in a statement.
During the subsequent Cabinet meeting, government ministers were reportedly informed of an initial proposal for Hamas to release five hostages in return for a two-week cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
The Cabinet was said to have tasked Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer with formulating a detailed response to the new proposal, with some ministers voicing reservations to a deal as the IDF’s campaign against Hamas is gaining momentum in the wake of Sinwar’s death.
Ministers opposing the proposal, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, reportedly also expressed concerns about international and domestic pressure to end the war while allowing Hamas to recover its power.
Sinwar, the mastermind of the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel, survived for more than a year until Israeli forces killed him during an encounter in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah on Oct. 16.
During a phone call between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the continued on next page
Bruce Bettinger, 77, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Oct. 15 at St. Luke’s Hospice House after an extended illness. As were Bruce’s wishes, no funeral service will be held. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date.
Bruce is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard Bettinger. He leaves extended family and many close friends.
Online condolences may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
Roger Mark Fallek passed away at his home on Oct. 11. He was born on July 25, 1948.
The son of the late Frank Fallek and Idelle Kraus, he was a native Kansas Citian and attended Shawnee Mission East High School, where he graduated in 1966. After a short stint at Pittsburg State University, he joined the family business, Jim’s
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next day, the two leaders “agreed that there is an opportunity to advance the release of the hostages and [to] work together to achieve this objective,” according to Jerusalem.
The Wall Street Journal, citing documents discovered by IDF soldiers in Gaza, said on Sunday that Sinwar believed he had the upper hand in negotiations due to American and domestic pressure on Netanyahu.
In a message to Hamas officials dated March, Sinwar urged negotiators to refuse a deal, citing internal political divisions within the Jewish state, discord in Netanyahu’s wartime government and mounting pressure from the Biden administration to address humanitarian concerns.
In September, Sinwar began preparing for his possible death, advising fellow terrorists that while Jerusalem would likely offer concessions to end the war after he was gone, Hamas would be in a stronger position.
Sinwar said the terrorist group was likely to face pressure to compromise but shouldn’t, according to Arab mediators who spoke with the Journal.
Famous Rugs, in 1971. He opened his own business, Carpello, in 1982 and, later, a second business called Metro Leasing in 1990.
Roger loved his work. His custom area rugs soon became an industry standard and at one point, his rugs were seen at every AMC movie theater in the U.S., as well as military bases, homes and other businesses throughout the U.S.
He loved to play as well. His golf game was legendary, and his love for the sport was apparent to all who knew him. He was a world traveler, and he visited his favorite place, Las Vegas, every year.
Finally, Roger loved his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Philip Fallek. He is survived by his wife, Christina Fallek; his son Hayden Fallek and daughterin-law Jessica Fallek; his sister, Karen Fallek; four grandchildren; and numerous in-laws. He will be greatly missed by all of those who knew him.
Carolyn (Slack) Kershner peacefully passed away on July 2, 2024, at Saint Luke’s Hospice after a lengthy battle with a brain tumor and multiple strokes.
Carolyn was born on May 26, 1947, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Irving and Sylvia Slack. She was a lifelong member of Temple Adath Joseph.
She leaves behind her loving husband, David, of 30 years. She was preceded in death by her son, Adam Chesser, of the home; her sister, Jennifer Dennison and her husband, Jim, of Onalaska, Wisconsin; numerous nieces and nephews; and a stepson, Joseph Kershner.
She was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma (Class of 1969) with an associate’s degree, and she went on to receive her Bachelor of Science from Missouri Western State College in 1987.
She was an account auditor for Aetna Life Insurance and for several federal organizations, recently retiring from the IRS as a final auditor examiner.
Carolyn will be dearly missed by all that knew her.
Marilyn Sheila Kessler
Marilyn Sheila Kessler, 69, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Oct. 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Marilyn was born on Aug. 28, 1955, to the late Sam and Charlene Kaswan and was the daughter-in-law of the late Marianne and Mason Kessler.
Marilyn graduated from Center Senior High School in 1973 and received her degree in dietetics from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She worked as a dietitian at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Louis, of 41 years; two sons, Scott and Brad (Ty); her beautiful granddaughter, Baylee; and her furry friend, Poncho. She will be greatly missed by her sisters (besties) Sandra (Dr. James) Feigenbaum and Elaine (Michael) Altman; sister-in-law Debbie (Mike) Shapiro; Dr. Alan (Debra) Kessler; and all her aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery on Oct. 13. Online condolences may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
Donna Sue Krichiver
Donna Sue Krichiver, 76, died peacefully surrounded by family on Oct. 18.
Donna was born to Joseph and Adrienne Cohen of Chicago, Illinois, on Dec. 30, 1947. She graduated from Sullivan High School and Northeastern Illinois University. She married her high school sweetheart, Joel Krichiver, in 1968 even after, on their first date, she bowled a 209 (and no, they were not on “Candid Camera”). Joel’s work took them to Kansas City in 1979.
Donna’s two sons, Brett and Ari, were the joys of her life, and she burst
with pride watching Ari’s two outstanding arguments before the Colorado Supreme Court and Brett’s rabbinic ordination. Her grandchildren, Sierra and Jaiden, were the lights of her life on a daily basis.
Donna impacted the lives of all who knew her, including her many friends and the thousands of students who took her math courses over 30 years of teaching mathematics at Johnson County Community College. She inspired many to continue with math and dozens to take careers in mathematics or related fields.
Donna received numerous awards for her teaching excellence and was well respected by her peers. She was instrumental in creating the technical math curriculum at the college, and during one sabbatical, she created a pioneering program exploring strategies for relieving students’ math anxiety. She was an incredibly effective instructor, particularly with older, returning students and veterans.
After many years of serious ballet study during her teen and adult years, Donna was a lifelong supporter of the Kansas City ballet and many other local dance organizations. She was an avid supporter of local theater groups and the arts, and in recent years, a passionate racquetball and pickleball player. She also loved jazzercise and pilates. Donna felt a particular passion for her Judaism and was an active member at Congregation Beth Torah since its inception in 1988.
She deeply appreciated the tremendous support from her many friends during the difficult last months of her illness.
She is predeceased by her parents and survived by her husband, Joel; her sister, Julie (Bill); her children, Brett (Tami), and Ari (Katie); her grandchildren, Sierra and Jaiden; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Oct. 21 at Mt. Moriah South Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Donna’s memory to Kansas City Hospice, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or Congregation Beth Torah.
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