In this issue...
“Big Sonia” AI project to be at KC Museum
Parashat Chayei Sarah Shabbat times (Overland Park): Candlelighting: 4:42 p.m. Havdalah: 5:42 p.m.
St. Joseph congregations form city’s first new synagogue in more than a century
By Sam Kricsfeld Editor
Editor’snote:Thisisthefirstofatwopart series about Beit Echad, a new congregationinSt.Joseph,Missouri. St. Joseph, Missouri, has a Jewish history stretching back more than 150 years, and two main synagogues, Temple Adath Joseph and Temple B’nai Sholem, have been the community’s only congregations for more than six
decades. Now, the two congregations have worked together to form Beit Echad, the first new synagogue in the city in more than a century.
The founding of a new synagogue is significant, especially considering that the Jewish population of St. Joseph, once in the thousands, is now estimated to be fewer than 75 people.
Beit Echad (meaning “One House”) opened on Sept. 27 with a Shabbat
Jewish Federation to honor community members at annual meeting
By Alexis Greenberg Special to The Chronicle
Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City will honor community members at its 2024 annual meeting, which will also feature speakers including the University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod; Kansas City, Missouri, City Manager Brian Platt; and Overland Park, Kansas, Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Simon Happer. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the BEST Confer-
ence Center on the KU Edwards Campus (12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park, KS 66213).
Girod, Platt and Happer will participate in a moderated discussion about antisemitism and keeping Kansas City and local universities safe while maintaining welcoming spaces for Jews.
Several individuals in the community will also be recognized for their contri-
butions and commitment to supporting the Kansas City Jewish community.
Merilyn Berenbom will be honored at the annual meeting for her leadership and dedication to the Jewish community. She will be presented the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, an award given to women who exemplify the spirit of a Lion of Judah with years of involvement, commitment, leadership, inspiration, impact and generosity.
“Merilyn Berenbom is known as the kindest and most caring leader across
dinner that drew 41 people.
“It was so exciting,” community member Sandy Rosenak said. “It was so hopeful, because not only was it finally happening… [but also] it showed that the community wanted to support [Beit Echad].”
Rabbi Beryl Padorr (formerly of Kansas City-area Congregations Ohev Sholom and Beth Shalom) affixed the mezuzot and led a Saturday morning Torah study and Kiddush lunch the following day.
“I was blessed to be a part of their first Shabbat together and in their new spiritual space,” Rabbi Padorr said. “They are a warm and welcoming community, and made me instantly feel a part of their Beit Echad community… I experienced the joy of the congregants and Shabbat as we sang in praise of G-d together, followed by an amazing Shabbat meal.”
The new congregation celebrated its second milestone the following week, when Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City’s community chaplain, traveled to St. Joseph to lead dozens in Rosh Hashanah services.
“These High Holidays with Beit Echad in St. Joseph were among the most meaningful experiences I’ve had as a rabbi,” Rabbi Rudnick said. “I hope I was able to bring uplift to Beit Echad — I know I was lifted up by Beit Echad, and I’m grateful for this
The J elects new board members
KU Chabad holds “Mitzvah Day”
Beit Echad’s first Rosh Hashanah services were led by Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick. St. Joseph Jewish community members at Beit Echad’s first Shabbat dinner.
Merilyn Berenbom
community news
St. Joseph’s Beit Echad synagogue opens
experience with them and look forward to continuing the relationship.”
Beit Echad also held an Oct. 7 memorial event, drawing about 30 community members, including St. Joseph’s only Israeli. Considering that Beit Echad’s email list of known Jewish community members contains only 56 accounts, the congregation considers these attendance numbers successful and a positive sign for the new synagogue.
A creative solution
St. Joseph’s Jewish population has been in decline for decades. There had been discussions of merging Adath Joseph and B’nai
Sholem multiple times since the 1970s, but concerns of the congregations losing their identities and being absorbed into each other barred a merger from fruition.
In 2016, the dwindling population and synagogue attendance resulted in the congregations agreeing to hold alternating weekly Shabbat services in Adath Joseph’s building. By 2018, B’nai Sholem had sold its building because of low usage and high upkeep costs, and some Jewish services were taking place in community members’ houses. With a merger being off the table and the two congregations feeling the effects of the shrinking community, the idea of creating an entirely new entity emerged.
“The decision was to meet in a new place,” said Bob Ott, president of B’nai Sholem. “[There were] two different entities trying to mesh their controls, so what it came down to is, through a lot of negotiation… to create a new congregation.”
In the spring of 2023, the first community meeting for what would become Beit Echad drew 29 attendees, including formerly inactive community members interested in preserving Judaism in St. Joseph. The meetings were fruitful, and months of work led to Beit Echad officially opening in time for this year’s High Holidays.
“I was struck by the indefatigable determination of a relatively
Chronicle submission deadlines
By Alissa Sanderson
The J
The J hosted its annual meeting at the Jewish Community Campus on Tuesday, Oct. 29, celebrating The J’s people, places and programs before electing a new board slate for the 2024-25 year.
This year’s theme was “Building For Our Future,” which was reflected in the remarks made by many throughout the evening. Meeting Chair Alan Edelman kicked off the meeting highlighting that fact.
The J reflects on past year, elects new board at annual meeting
Building for our future “reflects the commitment to innovation, growth and sustainability as we look ahead to the exciting opportunities that lie before us,” Edelman said. “The unwavering commitment from members, donors and staff has propelled The J to unprecedented heights.”
KU Executive Director Ethan Helfand shared a d’var Torah before The J’s President and CEO Jim Sluyter thanked the past chairs, current Board Chair Michael Novicoff and The J’s staff before highlighting the investments made at The J over the past year.
Sluyter also announced officially that The J and Kansas City would host the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games. The event will welcome close to 1,000 Jewish teens ages 13-17 to the area to compete against and connect with others from around the world.
“Please hear me loud and clear when I say that this is our community’s time to shine and to come together in a la-
continued from previous page
small group of Jews… to continue organized, vibrant Jewish life an hour away from Kansas City,” Rabbi Rudnick said.
Currently, Adath Joseph and B’nai Sholem still exist. Adath Joseph still has its historic building (though not in active use anymore), and both congregations still have boards and funds. Ott describes the older congregations as “charitable organizations at this point,” with all prayers and Jewish life now taking place at Beit Echad. The Adath Joseph and B’nai Sholem Sisterhoods
bor of love for our youth,” Sluyter said.
“Yes, it will be a lot of work… but if we truly want to broaden our impact, investments like this are what we are called to do.”
Throughout the evening, multiple awards were distributed. The Encore and Arts and Culture teams were awarded the Program of the Year Award for “The Jewish Nutcracker.”
The program, which will return to The White Theatre stage for its fourth year
have joined under Beit Echad.
“We’re not ‘us’ and ‘them’ anymore. We’re new,” Ott said.
“Beit Echad, one home, one house, [is] bringing the Jewish community together in love and compassion now and in the future, welcoming all who enter the sacred space,” Rabbi Padorr said.
The future of Adath Joseph and B’nai Sholem as entities remains unsure, but St. Joseph will have an active Jewish congregation in Beit Echad.
Thesecondpartofthisstorywillbe published in the Dec. 5 issue of The Chronicle.
on Dec. 8, was developed by Encore Director Maggie Osgood Nicholls and Encore Coordinator Caroline Ivison.
The Do More Charity Challenge was awarded the Hesed Award, which demonstrates the value of showing loving kindness. The event, which is coordinated by Meshugge CrossFit locally, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the local community. Finally, Ben Hake was announced as this year’s Howard Jacobson Emerging Leader Award winner.
Howard Jacobson and his wife, Ro Jacobson, were honored with this year’s Lifetime Membership Award. Novicoff presented Donna Thalblum the Otzma Award for her work at The
J for the last few years, volunteering her time and energy on the board, the KC SuperStar Committee and the recent rebrand of Heritage. During the meeting portion of the evening, board members were sworn in for another year. These officers were Board Chair Michael Novicoff; First Vice-Chair Kurt Kavanaugh; Vice Chair of Fund Development Lisa Schifman; Vice-Chair of Leadership Development Rachel Rubin; treasurer Ben Hake; and secretary Sheryl Kaplan. The meeting was led by Diane Azorsky, the immediate past chair of the board. In addition to electing a new board, two new board members were approved – Sarah Galler and Shannon Maker, each for three-year terms. Board member Steve Feinstein was nominated to serve a second term, while Jacob Mooney and Jason Sokol were nominated to serve a third term. Novicoff wrapped up the evening with his remarks about the last year and looking forward to the future. He also surprised Sluyter by recognizing him for 25 years working at The J.
“This is Jim,” Novicoff said, “a guy who revels being in the middle of things, who is the master of the big picture and of the details, a practical dreamer who gets things done, a humble guy with a big, big heart who isn’t a pushover. Jim has the characteristics of a mensch –responsibility fused with compassion, a sense that one’s own personal needs and desires are limited by the needs and desires of other people. A consummate professional whose love and commitment for The J is demonstrated every day… Let’s celebrate 25 years of a person that has made an incredible impact on our community and hope for 25 more to come.”
The 2024-25 J Board poses ahead of the annual meeting. Pictured are (front row, from left) Diane Azorsky, Sarah Galler, Leslie Anderson, Vicky Mayer, Sheryl Kaplan, Michael Novicoff, Jim Sluyter, Doris Mendel, Stephen Feinstein, Lisa Schifman and Rachel Rubin; (back row, from left) Dave Roesler, Jacob Mooney, Marc Hammer, Ben Hake, Kurt Kavanaugh, Harold Kaseff and Barry Kaseff.
President and CEO of The J Jim Sluyter, Annual Meeting Chair Alan Edelman and Board Chair Michael Novicoff prepare for The J's Annual Meeting
President and CEO of The J Jim Sluyter and Board Chair Michael Novicoff present Donna Thalblum with the Otzma Award at The J’s Annual Meeting.
celebrations and community news
“Big Sonia” Warshawski celebrates 99th
birthday
Sonia Warshawski, known as “Big Sonia” and star of the award-winning documentary of the same name, recently celebrated her 99th birthday with her family on Nov. 10.
Bar Mitzvah
Samuel Lawrence Katz
Samuel Lawrence Katz, son of Jonathan Katz and Jason and Rebecca Speier, will become a bar mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 30, at Kehilath Israel Synagogue.
Samuel’s grandparents are Aaron and Shelley Rissien and Barry and Linda Katz, all of Overland Park, Kansas. He has two siblings, Cameron Speier (17) and Zoe Speier (newborn).
A Hyman Brand Hebrew Acad-
emy student since kindergarten, Samuel’s hobbies include coding, enjoying his pets, playing video games and playing soccer.
Birth
Zoe Dera Speier
Zoe Dera Speier, daughter of Jason and Rebecca Speier of Overland Park, Kansas, was born on Oct. 8.
Wedding
Joel Gutovitz and Noam Geuli were married on Nov. 20. The couple live in Overland Park, Kansas. The bride is the daughter of Yossi and Elisheva Geuli, and the groom is the son of Samuel and Susan Gutovitz.
Zoe’s grandparents are Aaron and Shelley Rissien of Overland Park and Gary and Karen Schmidt of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Top: Sonia Warshawski (sitting, center) among four generations of her family, celebrating her 99th birthday. (Jason Kort and Rachel Black)
Above: Sonia Warshawski celebrating her 99th birthday on Nov. 10. (Jason Kort and Rachel Black)
Warshawski, a local Holocaust survivor and retired tailor, grew up in Poland and was 17 when, in 1942, Nazis forced her and her family into the ghetto. She was sent to multiple concentration camps before the British liberation. She met her husband, John, in a displaced persons camp, and the couple came to Kansas City in 1948. They owned John’s Tailoring at Metcalf South Mall.
The family and Inflatable Films, the company behind the “Big Sonia” documentary (led by her granddaughter Leah Warshawski), are leading a campaign to sell 99 Big Sonia Education Packages this year in honor of Sonia Warshawski’s 99th birthday.
Those interested in purchasing one of the remaining education packages can email Leah Warshawski at leah@inflatablefilm.com for more information.
Go to kcjc.com/advertise for information on ad sizes and rates.
Celebrations, memorials support JFS
When celebrating special occasions — birthdays, anniversaries, bar and bat mitzvahs, or family milestones — many people in the Kansas City Jewish community are choosing to commemorate them by supporting the Jewish Family Services (JFS) pantry, either by organizing a food drive or by serving as a monthly “Pantry Sponsor.”
These generous gestures help ensure that families and individuals facing challenges and transitions have easy access to food through the JFS Food Pantry and other JFS services.
Recently, Wyatt Coppaken celebrated his bar mitzvah by hosting a food drive. Coppaken’s effort resulted in collecting 820 pounds of food that will help keep shelves stocked at both locations of the JFS Food Pantry. An anonymous donor saw a JFS social media post about Coppaken’s food drive and has offered to match Coppaken’s contribution.
Jody Gottlieb Ervin, one of JFS’s first food pantry volunteers, has made it a habit to celebrate her birthday by giving the gift of food to others. For the eighth year in
JFS volunteer Jody Gottlieb Ervin and her two grandsons with food collected for the JFS Food Pantry.
a row, Gottleib Ervin and her two young grandsons have marked the occasion by delivering a carload of items for the pantry. This act of kindness reflects her commitment to caring for our neighbors and teaching her grandsons the value of tikkun olam — repairing the world.
This month, the family of Dr. David S. Jacobs is honoring his memory by sponsoring the JFS Food Pantry thanks to his wife Judy Jacobs, her children and grandchildren. A child of the Great Depression, Dr. Jacobs had
a lifelong interest in helping those with food insecurity. Dr. Jacobs believed in community and public service and devoted his services to areas where he had professional expertise. Through its sponsorship of the JFS Food Pantry for November, the Jacobs’ family will be supporting the 500 families it serves.
Each of these contributions goes a long way in ensuring JFS can continue supporting those in need. A monthly pantry sponsorship ($10,000 donation) helps underwrite the cost of food JFS must purchase from Harvesters and other distributors to keep pantry shelves stocked. Hosting a food drive boosts pantry inventory and directly supports individuals and families experiencing difficult times.
To learn more about ways to support the food pantry, those interested can contact Jo Hickey, director of pantry partnerships, at jhickey@jfskc.org. For opportunities to support other JFS programs and services, those interested can contact the development team at development@jfskc.org or (913) 730-1429.
Joel Gutovitz and Noam Geuli
KU Chabad holds its fall 2024 Mitzvah Day
“Mitzvah Day” has now become a tradition at KU Chabad, as each semester a Sunday is dedicated to students gathering together for a day of impact. Earlier this month, tens of students at KU, among them many brothers of Jewish fraternity AEPi, undertook service projects to bring Jewish values to life and help the community.
“At times like these when there is so much darkness in our world, we need to each recognize how we are a candle,” said Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, co-director of KU Chabad. “When we use the flame of our candle to light a candle in someone else’s life, our light is not diminished. It grows, because there is now more light in the world.”
The volunteers dispersed to tackle a range of projects, each chosen
to meet a unique need in the area. Some groups set out to restore and clean up the 150-year-old B’nai Israel Cemetery. Another team visited senior citizens, offering companionship, conversation and assistance with daily tasks. Meanwhile, others worked in the local community garden, helping to cultivate fresh produce for those in need.
Adam Goldsmith, a KU sophomore from Colorado, was one of the organizers of the event.
“It was really amazing that everyone could come together on a Sunday afternoon and do acts of community service together,” Goldsmith said. “It’s part of our duty as members of the Jewish community, and I’m so proud of everyone for showing up.”
HBHA launches inaugural national speech and debate team
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) has announced the launch of its first-ever National Speech and Debate Association team for the 20242025 season. This initiative will offer upper school students an opportunity to enhance their public speaking, critical thinking and leadership abilities while competing at a national level. HBHA teacher and parent Alexa Cohen will lead the team.
As a new team, HBHA’s top two students will qualify to represent the school at the National Speech and Debate Association competition in Des
Gather KC latke competition announced, registration open
Gather KC, a Jewish, volunteer-led young adult organization, will host its 2024 Chanukah Throwdown, featuring its second competition to determine who makes the best latke in town. Judges will choose a winner, and spectators and attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy Hanukkah festivities. The event and competition will be held on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at Torah Learning Center (8800 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, KS 66212). Early-bird pricing is available until Dec. 1 or until half of all tickets have been sold. A limited-edition t-shirt is also available.
The 2024 Chanukah Throwdown will include a dinner buffet, refreshments, dreidels, drinks and music. Those interested can attend either as part of a latke-making team or as a spectator. Teams must consist of at least three members. Gather KC will purchase and supply all ingredients. Team members must be at least 13 years old. As of publication, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Principal Zohar Flacks and Vaad HaKashruth Director Rabbi Eddie Shapiro have been confirmed as two of the three guest judges.
More information is available at gatherkc.org/throwdown and Gather KC’s social media pages.
Gather KC Chanukah Throwdown
Sunday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m.
Torah Learning Center, 8800 W 103rd St., Overland Park, KS 66212
Peace of mind
Moines, Iowa. Beyond the experience, students will have the chance to earn national recognition and awards for their skills and dedication.
To participate in the team, students are required to enroll in both the debate winterim and the debate elective, with competitions set to begin in February. More information about the debate team is available by contacting Alexa Cohen at acohen@ hbha.edu.
More information about HBHA is available by contacting Bekah Zitron at rzitron@hbha.edu.
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.
Pictured are students at KU Chabad’s Mitzvah Day brunch where they explored texts related to the Jewish value of giving before they head out for other projects.
Local Jewish politicians’ election results
Three local Jewish politicians were on the ballot for the 2024 election, and two of the candidates won their elections.
ord Search
Sen. Ethan Corson (left) won with 64% of the vote in the Kansas Senate District 7 race; and Rep. Dan Osman (right) won with 53% of the vote in the Kansas House District 48 race. Dr. Ace Allen lost with 49% of the vote for Kansas House District 28.
HBHA launches online shop
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) has opened its online spiritwear shop. The shop features HBHA apparel including t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts (pictured), polos, backpacks and more.
The shop is open through midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Those interested can visit bsnteamsports.com/shop/gdYTehBLAR (access code gdYTehBLAR) to shop.
KC Kosher Meals on Wheels looking for volunteers
TLC is looking for volunteers to help prepare food for its KC Kosher Meals on Wheels program. No experience is needed, and volunteer shifts are only two hours on Mondays and Tuesdays. Visit bit.ly/KMOWSignUp to sign up for a shift. If you have questions, contact Henri Gaeddert, TLC’s community outreach coordinator, at henrig@torahkc.org.
Teddy Bear Takeoff benefits JVS
Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) will be one of two beneficiaries, along with Children’s Mercy, of The Teddy Bear Takeoff. The Teddy Bear Takeoff is a charity game hosted by the Kansas City Jets hockey team.
Teddy bears, plush toys and cash donations will be collected during the game, which takes place at 5:10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Kansas City Ice Center in Shawnee, Kansas.
The event is free to attend. Cash donations can be made online for those unable to attend. Learn more at teddybeartakeoff.com.
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.
LATKES SHARONPOISNER CAFEOHEV BIGSONIA HANUKKAHPROJECT VILLAGESHALOM CELEBRATIONS HBHADEBATETEAM THEJBOARD MITZVAHDAY BEITECHAD FEDERATIONAWARDS HOPEYOULIKEDOUREMAILS
• Beit Echad (pg. 1)
• Big Sonia (pg. 9)
• Cafe Ohev (pg. 10)
• Celebrations (pg. 4)
• Federation Awards (pg. 1)
• Hanukkah Project (pg. 9)
• HBHA Debate Team (pg. 5)
• Latkes (pg. 5)
• Mitzvah Day (pg. 5)
• Sharon Poisner (pg. 8)
• The J Board (pg. 3)
• Village Shalom (pg. 10)
B’nai B’rith Bowling Scores
The following bowlers achieved high scores in the Sunday Kansas City B’nai B’rith Men’s Bowling League at Ward Parkway Lanes on Nov. 10 and 17.
Nov. 10
500 Series
Hunter Thomas 639 (233 216 190)
Ryan Thomas 623 (208 235 180)
Michael Sokol 609 (174 223 212)
Mark Newton 577 (201 183 193)
Steve Thomas 575 (220 181 174)
Steve Baraban 562 (193 170 199)
Scott Hecht 529 (177 180 172)
Bruce W Parker 529 (193 204 132)
Jerry Shapiro 515 (196 136 183)
Bill Sloan 507 (158 177 172)
Morty Rock 505 (146 157 202)
170 Series
Marion Potts 187
Kent Verden 187
Tom Balke 186
Ray Kopek 181
Miles Ross 180
Irwin Snitz 180
Michael Altman 179
Steve Greenberg 179
Steve Eisman 172
Nov. 17
500 Series
Ryan Thomas 668 (186 235 247)
Steve Thomas 653 (150 246 257)
Hunter Thomas 620 (193 225 202)
Mark Newton 620 (202 191 227)
Morty Rock 556 (189 164 203)
Bruce W Parker 552 (167 195 190)
Michael Altman 546 (180 209 157)
Bill Sloan 545 (191 193 161)
Michael Sokol 535 (146 185 204)
Steve Baraban 510 (177 168 165)
Tom Balke 505 (176 189 140)
Nick R Meyers (188 156 158)
170 Series
Larry Katzif 183
Steve Eisman 178
Jerry Shapiro 171
If you are interested in bowling during the ‘24-’25 season for a competitive, fun, social atmosphere, you can contact Tom Balke at (913) 244-7010 or balketw@yahoo.com or Stuart Pollack at (913) 957-3716 or skp28@aol.com.
Veterans Day
On Nov. 11, Jewish War Veterans Post 605 members and guests assembled at the Korean War Memorial in Overland Park, Kansas, to honor all U.S. veterans. In the afternoon, Post 605 members participated in the Veterans Day ceremony at Village Shalom as Paul
Design and Shine
On Oct. 26, as part of an ongoing bat mitzvah project called Design and Shine, Leora Stein sponsored a pumpkin patch and creative activities for EarlystART's students and community members.
JFNA General Assembly
and
KC Sports Panel
of
Scout Troop 61 recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Pictured are those who celebrated at an event on Oct. 27 at Congregation Beth Shalom. Beth Shalom has been the sponsor of the Scout Troop for the entire 100 years.
Fourteen Kansas Citians, both community leaders
Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City professionals, attended the Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly in Washington, D.C., from Nov 10 to 12. Pictured (above left) are Neta Meltzer, Catherine Singer, Sarah Dubin and Taly Friedman; and (above right) Katie Berger, Merilyn Berenbom, Dubin, Erin Markowicz, Meltzer, Barry Kaseff, Beth Liss, Sondra Friedman, Jay Lewis, Taly Friedman, Singer, Deanna Culver, Jay Gilman and Erin Berger.
Members
Jewish Federation’s Jewish Business Networking Group (JBIZ) heard from business leaders in Kansas City sports. The panel included Jason Sinnarajah, COO of the Kansas City Royals; Dave Borchardt, VP of Corporate & Community Relations at the KC Sports Commission, and Jake Reid, president and CEO of Sporting KC. Dani Welniak (far left), vice president of communications for KC Current moderated.
Salavitch and Dr. Wallace Weber presented the colors.
Mezuzah Cover
By Ellie Holsten
Instead of using a case to hang a mezuzah scroll, some Jewish communities have the tradition to carve a hole into the wall or door post and place the scroll inside of it. In Morocco, that recess is generally covered with a decorative piece like this one. Sometimes, for reasons of privacy and security, the recess is carved on an interior wall near the door. Moroccan mezuzah covers were considered feminine objects because of their placement in the home. Often, a bride’s dowry would include a mezuzah cover like this one, typically engraved with her name.
Jews have lived in North Africa in small populations for thousands of years. The largest immigration of Jewish people into North Africa came from Sephardic Jews fleeing the Iberian Peninsula after Spain’s formal expulsion of the Jews in 1492. Jewish communities thrived in North Africa for hundreds of years after that, with the largest population of Jews in North Africa living in Morocco. After the establishment of Israel in 1948, huge numbers of Jews who had settled in North Africa left their homes for Israel. There are still Jewish communities in North Africa, but they are much smaller now than they were in the 1940s.
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 partnering to share and highlight someofthecollection’suniquepieces.
Sharon Poisner’s story, art exhibited at Epsten Gallery
The Epsten Gallery at Village Shalom is hosting “Sharon Poisner: Thought, Biography & Imagination in Art,” an exhibit featuring the works of Poisner throughout her artistic journey.
The exhibit opened on Nov. 14 and will be displayed at The Epsten Gallery (5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, KS 66209) until Jan. 2. It is supported by the Polsky Family Supporting Foundation.
“Art, for me, is a personal and biographical pursuit,” Poisner said. “It’s an ongoing hobby that brings me joy, even if I sometimes take significant breaks from it. I tend to start without a fully formed vision, letting the work evolve as I go along. The themes often reflect my Jewish values and family life, but they also express a side of me that isn’t always immediately visible. The process of creating art allows me to explore spontaneity, creativity, and a playful side that’s not always apparent in my day-to-day life.”
Poisner’s story, reflected in her art, is deeply entwined with the community. Born Sharon Agron on Dec. 8, 1937, to Gus and Ann Agron, she was introduced to music at a young age when her father insisted she would play the accordion. At age seven, he invested a significant portion of his income to buy her one of the rare “midget” accordions in the U.S. Though she never understood her father’s fascination with the instrument, music remained an important part of her life.
Judaism was a central part of Poisner’s identity, moreso than her gender. A competitive, goal-oriented tomboy, she was driven to excel. In eighth grade, she set her sights on attending out-of-state universities and, after negotiating with her parents, completed both high
school and college in just three years, earning her B.A. at 19. At 19, she met Bill Lowenstein, a 31-year-old who quickly became the love of her life. They married that summer, and she soon had four sons. As her children entered school, she returned to her studies, earning an M.A. in Middle Eastern history from UMKC and a Ph.D. in American history from KU. Her academic journey was interrupted by a near-fatal car accident that left her paralyzed for several months. This traumatic event, however, became a turning point, leading to seven years of psychoanalysis that helped her overcome repressed memories and reshaped her life.
After 32 years of marriage, Sharon and Bill Lowenstein divorced amicably. They remained on good terms, sharing updates about their sons and families, and continued to work out together at the Jewish Community Center. Years later, after completing law school and building a successful family law practice, her life took another unexpected turn. Rabbi Gil Shoham, a widowed Orthodox rabbi, was introduced to her through a mutual friend. They married in 2012, with Sharon believing their time together would be brief due to his health issues. But ten years later, she lost Rabbi Shoham, an event that profoundly impacted her.
In 2014, she moved from her dream lake home to a villa at Village Shalom, a decision that would again lead her to a new chapter in life. A friend invited her to a Great Books Discussion Group at Village Shalom, where she met KU Professor Emeritus Alan Poisner, who had also recently lost his wife of 50 years. They quickly connected and
became engaged in May 2014. By October, she became Sharon Lowenstein Poisner, and her villa became their shared home.
“Now in my mid-80s, I continue to be a lifelong learner,” she said. My passion for learning remains as strong as ever, particularly when it comes to visual art. I’ve always enjoyed analyzing art-whether it’s interpreting the meaning behind a piece or simply appreciating the details. In the 1970s and ‘80s, I created three needlepoints on pre-painted canvases, one of which modified by transforming a Catholic cardinal into a rabbi reading Torah. However, it wasn’t until decades later, at a JCC Heritage art show, that I took my first formal art class.”
Poisner credits The J art instructors Patricia Caviar and Gloria Gale for encouraging her independence in exploring art. To this day, she considers herself “an artist in progress.”
“Ultimately, I’ve learned to appreciate the value of the journey, not just the destination. In art, as in life, the act of creation itself brings pleasure-without the need for deep thinking, approval, or judgment. It has also taught me to look more carefully, to notice the details around me and to keep growing through the act of creation.”
More information about the exhibit and The Epsten Gallery is available by calling (816) 6454145.
Sharon Poisner and her husband, Alan Poisner. (Jewish Community Foundation)
“Big Sonia” AI video project to open at Kansas City Museum
By The Kansas City Museum
The Kansas City Museum has announced that it will feature a conversational AI video project with great-grandmother, businesswoman and Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski, lovingly known as “Big Sonia.”
A behind-the-scenes video of the making of this project is available at vimeo.com/581924926. This AI project with Warshawski is similar to other “Dimensions In Testimony” projects at the USC Shoah Foundation.
Working in collaboration with Leah Warshawski, Impact producer and director of Inflatable Film and granddaughter of Sonia Warshawski, the museum will launch this AI media experience in 2025. It will be located in Corinthian Hall’s third-floor gallery called “Our City, Our Stories.”
The Kansas City Museum will be the first museum in the United States to feature this AI media experience and advance the impact of it by creating educational materials using a restorative practices methodology.
The Museum is actively fundraising
Sonia Warshawski on April 28, 2023. (The Chronicle)
for the project and has received a lead contribution from the Barton P. Cohen and Mary Davidson Cohen Charitable Trust housed at Midwest Trust Company.
Those interested in making a contribution can contact Paul Gutiérrez, deputy director, visitor experience and public engagement, at pgutierrez@kansascitymuseum.org.
More information is available at www.kansascitymuseum.org/soniawarshawski.
JFS asks for gift card donations for Hanukkah Project
Jewish Family Services (JFS) invites the community to support its annual Hanukkah Project by donating gift cards. This initiative provides more than 300 Jewish individuals facing challenges with the opportunity to receive Hanukkah gifts. This year, Hanukkah begins Wednesday evening, Dec. 24.
Providing gift cards for JFS to present to its Hanukkah recipients provides them with flexibility to shop for what they most want and need. Gift cards should be to Target, Walmart or Amazon.
Those interested can also donate to JFS, which will purchase the gift cards on their behalf. Donations can be made online, sent by mail or delivered to JFS offices at the Jewish Community Campus or at JFS’s Brookside office at 425 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, MO 64110. For checks, “Hanukkah Project” must be written in the memo line. Gift cards
Jewish
must be dropped off by Nov. 27 at one of JFS’s two locations.
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 Campus. Volunteers are needed to wrap gifts for clients. To register for the wrap party and for opportunities to sign up for gift delivery, email hanukkah@jfskc.org.
Family Services Senior Development Associate Teresa Woods holds a donated gift card for the Hanukkah Project.
Café Ohev holds ‘We Are Not All Ashkenazi’ presentation
Alisa Meireis and Sadie Waldberg, members of Congregation Beth Shalom, shared their histories with synagogue members at a Café Ohev program held on Oct. 20. The discussion topic was “We Are Not All Ashkenazi.” Both women are African American and had different stories about their upbringings and traditions.
Meireis shared stories from her paternal side, where traditions like lighting candles on Friday night and not working on Saturday were passed on. Later, as a young adult, she came to understand the connection to the Jewish people and did a DNA search, which confirmed her assumptions about her Jewish roots.
Waldberg grew up in a Black synagogue in Queens, New York, which followed Orthodox/Conservative traditions. The synagogue was the center of her family life and nurtured her identity as a Jew. She also did a DNA search and found connections to parts of Africa where Israelites had migrated.
The Café Ohev program began with breakfast in the newly constructed sukkah dedicated to Congregation Ohev Sholom and was followed by the talk in the Ohev Memorabilia Room. This discussion was an event of Café Ohev, a breakfast and speaker program that originated at Congregation Ohev Sholom and has been part of Congregation Beth Shalom’s programming since the two congregations consolidated in 2021. Community members who know of a local speaker on a topic of broad interest that they would like to hear present at a Café Ohev program can contact Chair Audrey Asher through the Beth Shalom office.
Village Shalom to host Red Friday party for Chiefs game
Village Shalom will host a Red Friday Event on Friday, Dec. 6, in celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., residents and guests from the outside community are invited to join in the festivities, which will include special Chiefs guests and musical appearances. The community is invited to wear red and cheer on the game.
Living Resident Association. “Out here, we can yell and scream at the bad plays and celebrate the good ones together.”
At Village Shalom, a Kansas City Chiefs game day brings energy inside the community of independent living residents.
A visit during a noon Chiefs game often reveals a lively scene, with Village Shalom’s Bistro filled with a regular crowd that gathers to support the team and enjoy the game together. The tables are filled with snacks and drinks, and the sound of cheers and groans from residents often fill the air as the game unfolds.
“It’s much more fun to watch the game with other people,” said Harold Godwin, president of the Independent
This tradition, which began last year, has grown into a weekly highlight for the residents, and new faces are always welcome to join in the fun.
In Village Shalom’s Gould Theater, where games are also shown, independent living resident Joe Heidi often leads the charge, shouting, “Blitz, blitz, blitz!” as the game plays out on the theater’s movie screen. A group of about 15 Village Shalom residents gather to enjoy the game.
“I’ve been here for a year and a half, and I love sharing the game with everyone,” Heidi said.
Red Friday at Village Shalom Friday, Dec. 6, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
KS 66209
Pictured at the October Cafe Ohev event are Sadie Waldberg (left), Cafe Ohev Chair Audrey Asher and Alisa Meireis.
Village Shalom, 5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park,
Top: Pictured (from left) are Village Shalom residents and Chiefs fans Morrie Soltz, Bob Keith, Ken Lerner and Independent Living Resident Association President Harold Godwin.
Above: Village Shalom residents and family fill the Gould Theater to watch a Chiefs game.
community news
Federation to recognize Berenboms at annual meeting
continued from page 1
our community — her involvement is widespread, her reputation is flawless and she has inspired countless others to both take action and lead themselves,” said Derek Gale, Federation Vice President & COO. “She is a model for the entire community, including the youngest generation and generations still to come.”
Merilyn Berenbom is the mother to three children, Michael Berenbom, Annie Wishna and Katie Berger. All three remain involved with their Jewish communities and Federations. Merilyn Berenbom is a past president of Federation, served as a former Federation annual campaign co-chair, is a longtime Lion of Judah and a life member of the Jewish Community Foundation board of trustees.
“After returning to Kansas City over 40 years ago, my first Federation meeting featured the amazing Bronia Roslawowski,” she said. “Having survived the horrors of the Holocaust, she embraced everyone around her with joy and love… always. How Bronia lived her life has been an incomparable motivator.
“We are responsible one for the other, from generation to generation and onward,” Berenbom continued. “We need the example of Bronia’s generosity of spirit now more than ever. Working in the Jewish community has been an incredible journey full of learning, growth, friendships and the promise of possibilities.”
Michael and Mollie Berenbom will receive the Dan Fingersh Young Leadership Award. The honor is awarded each year to volunteers under the age of 45 who have shown impactful leadership in the Jewish community and Jewish Federation.
“We grew up in families where tzedakah was a cornerstone of Jewish identity,” Mollie Berenbom said. “Our institutions are where we experience the continuity of the Jewish people and our community in Kansas City. It is a responsibility to give back to a community that has given us so much.”
Mollie is a current Federation board member, active annual campaign ambassador and the incoming Israel and
Overseas Committee chair for 20252026. She is a Jewish Federations of North American National Young Leadership Cabinet Member, serves as a board member for Herzl Camp and was the former co-chair of the Breaking Bread Fundraising Dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom.
“Mollie is an outstanding example of someone whose strong Jewish identity moves her to take on leadership roles locally and beyond,” said Gale, who has known her since they were teenagers at Herzl Camp. “Through the years she has willingly and repeatedly stepped up and has grown in her confidence and her willingness to ask others to show up, participate and be generous to help the Jewish community. We are fortunate that Mollie has chosen to focus so much of her time and energy on behalf of Jewish Federation.”
Michael Berenbom is a current Menorah Heritage Foundation Board Member. He is a former Jewish Community Campus board member and has been heavily involved in Federation for years. He has been the Ben Gurion Society co-chair, an annual campaign ambassador and a Jewish Real Estate Professionals co-chair. He also served as a co-chair of the Breaking Bread Fundraising Dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom.
“Growing up in the Kansas City Jewish community, Mike had Jewish leadership modeled for him by his mother
continued on next page
By Bridey Stangler PJ Library
A balabusta
– a homemaker - I am not. I like to pretend a few times a year by making a brisket or perhaps a challah, but my influence over the domestic is superficial at best. And so, in the 15 years since we met, my husband and I have found the roles that suit us best and provide balance to our home. McKay is our COO, and I am our CFO.
The COO, or chief operating officer, handles paperwork, schedules, bill-paying, timeliness, cleanliness and rectitude. The CFO is the chief fun officer. That’s me. I arrange playdates, serve popcorn for dinner and hang twinkly lights from plants. Wearing an apron is the extent of my balabusta behavior.
I’m afraid this is something our children have internalized (the tween, at least; I’m hopeful the toddler doesn’t care yet). Questions about upcoming meals, missing sweatshirts and permission forms are rightfully directed to my husband. And so when McKay Stangler, Ph.D., lover of laundry, household chef and key breadwinner began traveling for work, I knew there would be a learning curve. I prepared for this change with an excess of false bravado: Of course I know how to cook, and certainly I remember how to use the washing machine, and naturally I know that dogs eat twice a day and children eat three times a day — and not always in that order! McKay would return home to clean children, and a freshly cooked meal and a ready-made cocktail.
But then he left. In only a few days, I learned a lot about myself: I consider bedtimes and school dropoff times to be suggestions. I leave cabinet doors open — all of them, all the time. I prefer to build towers of wet dishes atop dry ones instead of putting the dry ones away first. I dig through piles of laundry for a full day (maybe two) before I think to fold it. These small and infrequent
stints of solo parenting leave me feeling humbled and awed by those who parent alone all the time.
At first, I was downright ashamed. What exactly did our children see when their father left town? A barely functional adult who woke the kids up too late and forgot to send the water bottle and just served doctored up, dorm-style ramen noodles for dinner. Also, is her shirt on backwards?
A few months ago, though, as I was bracing myself for McKay’s absence by creating obsessive checklists (“lock the door, turn off back lights, shower”), our 10-year-old Darby said to me, “Remember when Dad was out of town and we had a movie picnic and watched ‘Willow?’ That was the best. Can we have ramen again?” That’s when it clicked.
In the famous tale, Rabbi Zusya of Hannipol lay on his deathbed in tears. “You have nothing to fear from death, Rabbi!” said his students. “You have lived a life with the wisdom of Moses and of kindness of Abraham!”
The good rabbi groaned in turmoil, “When I am judged on my life, no one will ask why I did not act more like Moses and Abraham. Rather, they will ask me, ‘Zusya, why were you not more like Zusya?’”
I have grown a bit in recent months. Bedtime is still more of a 45-minute window and popcorn is still absolutely an acceptable dinner as long as there are carrot sticks on the side. But I also check in on the laundry situation every day that McKay travels, and Darby has taken on the role of feeding the dogs (I still feed the children with some regularity). I certainly feel more on top of everything if I’m wearing an apron.
Years from now, I pray that our older son will not say, “I wish my mom had been more of a balabusta.” Instead, he’ll pull up his AI glasses and project a hologram of one of our best afternoons: popsicles melting on the countertop and Velvet Underground in the background as Darby skateboards, ever so carefully, inside the house.
I’ll never be the COO. But I’m a pretty solid chief fun officer.
Michael, Adam, Eliana, Mae and Mollie Berenbom.
Federation to give awards at annual meeting
continued from previous page
and grandmother, and upon his return to Kansas City, stepped into leadership himself,” Gale said. “He helped reinvigorate the then-dormant Ben Gurion Society of young philanthropists and helped create the Jewish Real Estate Professionals affinity group, all while serving on other Jewish boards and taking an active role in his congregation. He also intentionally makes room for his wife and partner, Mollie, to be her own leader in the community — from which we all benefit and for which we are truly grateful.”
Federation’s Program of the Year has been awarded to The New Work Initiative’s “Tree of Life” play, which debuted at The White Theatre at The J. The award will be accepted by Keith Wiedenkeller, director of arts and culture at The J, and Victor Wishna, the playwright.
The Educator of the Year award will be given to Marcia Rittmaster, former director of the Weiner Religious School at Congregation Beth Torah.
Federation’s Annual Meeting is free to attend and open to the entire community. Registration is available at jewishkansascity.org/ annualmeeting2024.
community news
LJCC event to host panel on contemporary corporal and capital punishment
The Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation (LJCC) will host a panel devoted to the topic “What Judaism Says about the Death Penalty and the Carceral State.” The event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8, beginning at 5 p.m.
Four panelists will participate: Dr. Samuel Brody, KU associate professor of religious studies; Rabbi Doug Alpert of Congregation Kol Ami; Kelson Bohnet, an attorney with the Kansas State Board of Indigents Defense; and Donna Schneweis, the chair of the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty (KCADP).
Dr. Brody and Rabbi Alpert will offer reflections about what traditional Jewish sources say about the ethics of imprisonment and execution and speak to what contemporary Jews and others might learn from this body of thought today. Bohnet will offer a brief history of the death penalty and speak to how the legal processes associated with it operate today at a national level and in the state of Kansas. Schneweis will provide an activist’s perspective, discussing the collateral damage of capital punishment – its effects on the larger community – and offer information about how to get involved for those who wish to put an end to this public
policy.
“This event is the final installment in our 2024 ‘Dying Well’ series,” LJCC Director Lara Giordano said. “This series was meant to approach death from a plurality of perspectives — spiritual, ritualistic, communal, practical. I thought that bringing a Jewish lens to the contemporary practice of capital punishment was an interesting way to explore ‘dying well’ through its inversion – which is to say, dying badly; dying at the hands of the state.
“The richness of Jewish tradition is a function of our perpetual revisitation of — our wrestling with — that tradition in new and different historical contexts,” Giordano continued. “I wanted to create a context where we could think Jewishly — think critically — about our own state policies in regards to corporal and capital punishment.”
The panelists’ presentations will
be followed by a Q&A session and reception. This event is free and open to the public, but the LJCC requests advanced registration on its website, ljcc. shulcloud.com.
What Judaism Says about the Death Penalty and the Carceral State
Friday, Dec. 6, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
LJCC, 917 Highland Dr. Lawrence, KS 66044
Victor Wishna (left) and Keith Wiedenkeller will be honored for the “Tree of Life” play.
Marcia Rittmaster
Pictured are panelists at the upcoming LJCC presentation on Judaism and the death penalty: (top) Professor Samuel Brody, Rabbi Doug Alpert, (bottom) Kelson Bohnet and Donna Schneweis.
Community members among co-chairs, guests, honorees of American Public Square gala community news
American Public Square at Jewell’s annual gala, Evening at the Square, will feature Jews among its guests and honorees and is co-chaired by Jewish community members.
The event will be held at the Nelson-Atkins Museum (4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111) on Monday, Dec. 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is co-chaired by Jewish community members Bill and Regina Kort, as well as Dr. Valerie Chow and Judge Jon R. Gray (ret.).
One of the featured speakers will be Bret Stephens, an opinion columnist for the New York Times and founder and editor-in-chief of SAPIR: A Journal of Jewish Conversations, a quarterly magazine about issues facing the Jewish community. He previously served as editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post and foreign-affairs columnist of the Wall Street Journal. Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will also be featured.
American Public Square founder, Amb. Allan J. Katz, will be honored in celebration of the organization’s 10th year. Katz, raised Jewish in St. Louis, Missouri, served as the American ambassador to Portugal. The evening will also honor Ramón and Sally Murguía with the 2024 Founder’s Civility Award. More information, sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales are available at eveningatthesquare.org.
Evening at the Square Monday, Dec. 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nelson-Atkins Museum, 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Thanksgiving Day this day in history
Editor’snote:Thiseditorialwaspublished 100 years ago on Nov. 21, 1924, andwaswrittenbyTheChronicle’seditorialstaff.AlthoughAmericatodayis much different than it was a century ago, much of this editorial still rings truetoday.
Thanksgiving Day is America’s greatest Holy Day. It is not a holiday. It commemorates no particular historical event as do our other national days of special observance. It is not a day given to unrestrained celebration. It is ushered in with no booming of guns, no military pageantry, no fireworks and no vociferous hilarity. It is essentially a day of spiritual values, a day of prayer.
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It is, happily, still what it was intended to be — a Day of Thanksgiving, and it is observed as such.
It is one day on which all the citizens of America, Jew, Catholic and Protestant, of every national or racial origin, and of every condition in the scale of economic and social life, may well join in spiritual harmony. It is the one day on which Jewish rabbi, Catholic priest, and Protestant minister may stand on the same pulpit and in the same language and in the same spirit utter up to the God of them all a common prayer of gratitude for the common blessings
continued on next page
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Evening at the Square co-chairs Bill and Regina Kort; Dr. Valerie Chow; and Judge Jon R. Gray.
this day in history
that have been bestowed upon all the citizens of this great nation.
No other people in all the world’s history have more reason to give thanks to the Almighty than have the American people. We are thrice blessed with peace, prosperity and progress. Despite all the differences, the prejudices, the bigotries and the hatreds between citizen and citizen within the nation, we live and work and go ever forward in closer harmony than any other people. The lowliest citizen in the land may well give thanks for the privilege of living in this day in this country. Regardless of whatever personal grievance he may nurse concerning his economic or social status, he is infinitely better able to enjoy the good things of life than were kings and
continued from previous page potentates centuries ago. Every American citizen may well give thanks for the personal rights, preserved to him by our form of government, in the protection of his life, property and freedom. Despite the protests of politicians and malcontents and reformers and uplifters who point to the impairment, usurpation, and deprivation of these rights by every insidious force, the fact remains that the American citizen is the freest, most prosperous and happiest human being in all the world, and for that blessing every Jew, Catholic and Protestant, native-born and foreign born resident in these United States may well utter a prayer of wholehearted gratefulness and appreciation to the Father of us all on next Thursday, our national Day of Thanksgiving.
national news
Missourian Will Scharf, co-founder of ‘Jews
Against Soros,’ is Trump’s new White
House staff secretary
By Jacob Kornbluh
The Forward
Thisstorywasoriginallypublishedin the Forward. Subscription to The Forward’s free email newsletters are availableatforward.com/newsletter-signup.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed one of his Jewish personal attorneys to a powerful position in the White House for his second term. Will Scharf, who earlier this year played a role on Trump’s legal team in the presidential immunity case, was named on Saturday as White House staff secretary. In his role, Scharf will oversee the flow of information to the president and manage the circulation of material among senior staff.
In the announcement, Trump noted that Scharf, a former federal prosecutor, “played a pivotal role in overcoming the election interference and lawfare directed against me, including securing the historic immunity decision in the Supreme Court.” Scharf, 38, was raised in a Modern Orthodox household in New York City and North Florida. He told Jewish Insider that he keeps kosher, wraps tefillin daily, and attends Shabbat services at his local Chabad synagogue.
He previously served as a senior adviser to former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens,
who is Jewish and resigned in 2018 amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Scharf recently lost a tense Republican primary race for Missouri attorney general. During the campaign, he drew backlash for a TV commercial that featured a grenade launcher that exploded boxes of documents in Trump’s court cases. “It’s time for a Missouri attorney general who will return fire,” Scharf said in the 30-second clip.
Scharf’s opponents during the election were accused of antisemitism.
One ad during the GOP primary featured his face imposed on U.S. currency, describing him as a “New York City liberal,” and “sneaky.” A Democratic candidate accused him of being a Mossad agent on a mission to destroy American democracy.
Last year, Scharf co-founded “Jews Against Soros,” a conservative group that rejected the notion that targeting George Soros, the Holocaust survivor and billionaire Democratic donor, was antisemitic. Soros was the frequent target of antisemitic tropes that depicted him as a puppet master who manipulates national events for malign purposes. Scharf’s website highlighted Soros’ history of supporting far-left political activism, including the boycott movement against Israel.
Phyllis Faye Roth Schlezinger Cantor
Phyllis Faye Roth Schlezinger Cantor, died on Nov. 16, at age 89.
She was a resident of Village Shalom in Overland Park, Kansas, where she received exceptional care from the staff.
Phyllis was born in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 22, 1934, the daughter of Irvin and Mildred (nee Pailet) Roth.
She is survived by her children, Lauren Cantor Fasbinder (nee Schlezinger), Chuck (Sandi) Cantor (nee Schlezinger), Dr. Michael (Tammi Levy-Cantor) Cantor and Dr. Bruce (Susan) Cantor; grandchildren, Rabbi Rachel Short, Morgan Fasbinder, Chip Cantor, Graham Fasbinder, Samson Cantor, Benjamin Cantor, Lily Cantor and Isaac Cantor; and great-granddaughter, Sephira Short. Phyllis also leaves behind her brother, Benson (Arlene) Roth; sister, Hellan (Brad) Dowden; and many, many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by husbands, Clifford Schlezinger and Solomon Cantor; son David Cantor; sonin-law Mark (Lauren) Fasbinder; and brother L. Jack (Janice) Roth. A graduate of The Ohio State University, she lived in Columbus, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri; and the Kansas City area.
A fighter for justice and social action, she fought to help those in need, for the environment and other worthy causes, and she battled cancer three times. While her fighting days are over, the difference she made in so many people’s lives will live on.
A funeral was held graveside on Nov. 18, at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in Chesterfield, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Village Shalom in Overland Park or Congregation B’nai Amoona in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Online condolences for the family
may be left at louismemorialchapel. com.
Stephen James Fein
Stephen James Fein passed away on Nov. 9 at Village Shalom. Stephen was born in 1937 in Hartford, Connecticut, to Jack Fein and Sophie Schneider Fein. The family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, when he was six months old and lived there until 1947, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri.
He graduated Southwest High School in 1955 and immediately joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served for three years, two of which were in Japan.
He married Rosalie (Riki) Barsky in 1963, and they had two children, Alisa and Paul.
He was employed at Sprint in data security for 26 years.
Steve was an eager volunteer. He served with the Congregation Beth Shalom Lechem Committee; St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen for 15 years; The Ronald McDonald Rooms at the KU Medical Center and Children’s Mercy Hospital for 15 years; and was a hike master for Troop 61 for troop hikes and at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. His work there earned him the Shofar Award, and he was inducted into the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He loved coaching his daughter’s and son’s softball teams.
His passion was bicycle riding. He enjoyed riding 30 miles a day all around the area. He especially loved going to Chicago, Illinois, for the annual “Bike the Drive” along Lake Shore Drive with his son and daughter-in-law.
He also enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world with his family. Every new adventure was a thrill.
He was a member of Congregation Beth Shalom.
continued from previous page
He was preceded in death by his daughter Alisa Fein; his parents Jack and Sophie Fein; his sister, Lina Conway; and his brother and sister-in-law, Stephen and Dolores Miller.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rosalie (Riki); his son Paul Fein; daughter-in-law Marlise Fein; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy and Niles Corson; his brother-in-law, Rabbi Bernard Barsky; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Beth Shalom Lechem Committee, The Ronald McDonald House Charities or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel. com.
Adelle Barbara Goldstein
Adelle Barbara Goldstein died on Nov. 8 in Brooklyn, New York, after a brief illness.
Adelle was born on Dec. 3, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Hyman and Sarah Zeldin. She was a twin along with her sister, Estelle Grundstein.
In June 1959, she married Marvin Goldstein as he was starting his medical residency. They moved to Philadelphia in 1960, then to Columbia, Missouri, in 1961, and then to Kansas City in 1963.
Adelle loved to play cards, particularly Bridge, and she loved her weekly Mahjongg game with the ladies. She was active in Congregation Beth Shalom Sisterhood for decades and was charitable supporting many human service organizations. She loved all of that, but her number one love was her family.
She was a dutiful daughter who helped to care for her mother, who lived to 106, and she was a loving wife and mother who made it her point to take great care of her family. She also loved her siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, but most of all, “Bubie” loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved family, she loved cooking, and Friday night and holiday dinners were her thing, and she was the best at it.
She is survived by her children, Bruce Goldstein of Roswell, Georgia, Alan Goldstein (Megan) of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and Stephanie Eisenbach (Danny) of Brooklyn; her grandchildren, Katie, Jessie, Ethan, Isabelle,
obituaries
Caleb, Rochel, Shalom, Yoni, Rivki, Chaim, Yaakov and Avrumi; her 15 great-grandchildren and counting; her brothers Stan Zeldin (Joyce) and Robert Zeldin (Jean) of Overland Park, Kansas; and her other sister-in laws Irene Silberg of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Zelma Saltzman of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Goldstein; her brother Bert Zeldin; and her sister, Estelle Grundstein.
The family held graveside services on Nov. 11 at the Yukon Chapel at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Village Shalom, Congregation Beth Shalom or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel. com.
Martha Sara Heflin Moldaver
Martha Sara Heflin Moldaver, 73, of Maryville, Missouri, passed away on Nov. 18.
She was born on Nov. 10, 1951, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Earl and Serina (Weinshank) Moldaver.
Martha married Paul James Heflin on June 12, 2010. He survives of the home.
She enjoyed expressing her creativity as an artist at Hallmark for 25 years, where she designed cards and Christmas ornament packaging, among many other things. After retiring from Hallmark, she earned her CNA certificate and worked at Shawnee Mission Medical Center for two years. After marrying Paul, she focused on her longtime volunteer work with hospice and the Maryville Garden Club.
Martha was an avid gardener and antique collector. She also was a longtime member of Congregation Ohev Sholom in Prairie Village, Kansas.
Most of all, Martha was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who leaves a legacy of love and creativity for all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Marcie Sitron; brotherin-law, David Heflin; and step-son-inlaw, Brian Halley.
Survivors include her husband of 14 years, Paul; son, Devin Mundy; stepchildren, Jenni Halley, Karis Morrow (Adam), Erin Allen (T.J.) and Jacob Heflin (Rosie); grandchildren, Rachel, Amberlea, Tye, Zeke, Isaiah, Victoria, Don, Luke, Gordon, Ann, James, John, Alice,
Sylvia and Louise; and sister, Natalie Powell.
Private graveside farewell services and interment were held at Shaare Sholem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Mosaic Life Care Hospice or the Maryville Garden Club. An online guest book and obituary are at meierhoffer. com.
Marshall N. Myers
Marshall N. Myers passed away on Nov. 10.
He was the beloved husband of the late Sara Raskas Myers for almost 57 years; dear father of Edward (Marla) Myers, Anne (Danny Contreras) Myers and the late Stephanie (Marc) Seleman; loving grandfather of Brian (Katie McKinstry) Myers, Suzy Myers, Melanie Seleman and Carrie (fiancé, Amitai Lowe) Seleman; beloved brother of the late Dr. Andrew (late Sharon) Myers; dear brother-inlaw of the late Jerome (Nancy) Raskas, the late Herbert (Betty) Raskas, the late Shirley (late Dr. Norton) Kronemer and Nancy (Howard) Agronin Blonsky; beloved son of the late William and the late Edith Weiner Myers; and a dear uncle, cousin and friend.
Funeral services were held on Nov. 13 at Kol Rinah synagogue in Clayton, Missouri, followed by interment at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Kol Rinah (7701 Maryland Ave., Clayton, MO 63105) or to the Stephanie Seleman Jewish Continuity Fund c/o Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School (348 S. Mason Rd., St. Louis, MO 63141).
Dr. William Jacob Nowack
Dr. William Jacob Nowack, 79, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away on Nov. 12 at Menorah Medical Center.
William was born in New York City to Aaron and Jeanne Nowack on Jan.
15, 1945. He earned a degree in medicine from Stanford Medical School. He worked as a neurologist with specialty in epilepsy and seizures at University of Kansas Medical Center and other institutions for more than 50 years. He was involved in Friends of the Johnson County Library and various medical organizations.
William is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughter, Rebecca; and son, Aaron. Funeral services were held at Blue Ridge Cemetery on Nov. 14 with Rabbi Grussgott of Kehilath Israel Synagogue officiating. Burial followed.
Memorial donations may be made to KI Synagogue or Friends of the Johnson County Library.
Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel. com.
Yefim Borisovich Perel of Overland Park, Kansas, died on Nov. 1.
A graveside service was held on Nov. 5 at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Overland Park.
Yefim was born in Odessa, Ukraine, on Feb. 8, 1939, to the late Boris Perel and Rivka Ryhlya Korostoshevskaya. As a young child, he fled from the Nazi-occupied Odessa to Uzbekistan with his family to escape World War II. They returned after the end of the war to Odessa.
He married Raisa Beider on March 11, 1967. Together they raised two sons, Oleg and Igor Perel. The family immigrated to Overland Park in October of 1991.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Musia and Polya. He is survived by his wife, Raisa; sons, Oleg and Igor (Greta); grandchildren, Alex (Justin) Spellman, Alan Perel and David Perel; and great-grandchildren, Katarina and Benjamin.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel. com.
Yefim Borisovich Perel
