Kansas City Jewish Chronicle 12.19.24

kcjc.com | Volume 104, Issue 26 | December 19, 2024 | 18 Kislev 5785

Parashat Vayeishev Shabbat times (Overland Park): Candlelighting: 4:42 p.m.

Havdalah: 5:44 p.m

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2024 Recap

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JFS to restructure operations

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Officials speak at JFED annual meeting

December 19, 2024 | Page 2

letter from the editor

439 days It is important to remember and stand in solidarity with those still held hostage by Hamas: Tamir Adar* Muhammad Al-Atarash* Hisham AlSayed Hamzah AlZayadni Yosel AlZayadni Liri Albag Edan Alexander Matan Angrest Karina Ariev Aviv Atzili* Sahar Baruch* Uriel Baruch* Ohad Ben Ami Agam Berger Gali Berman Ziv Berman Ariel Bibas Kfir Bibas Shiri Bibas Yarden Bibas Elkana Bohbot Rom Braslavski Yagev Buchshtab Itay Chen* Sagui Dekel Chen Eliya Cohen Nimrod Cohen Amiram Cooper* Ariel Cunio David Cunio Alexander Dancyg Evyatar David Itzhak Elgarat

Ronen Engel* Daniella Gilboa Guy GilboaDalal Meny Godard* Hadar Goldin Romi Gonen Ran Gvili* Gad Haggai* Judi Weinstein Haggai* Tal Haimi* Inbar Hayman* Maxim Herkin Eitan Horn Iair Horn Tsachi Idan Guy Illouz* Bipin Joshi Ofer Kalderon Segev Kalfon Ofra Keidar* Bar Abraham Kupershtein Eitan Levi* Shay Levinson* Naama Levy Or Levy Oded Lifshitz Shlomo Asad Mantzur Eliyahu Margalit* Avera Mengisto Yoram Metzger Omri Miran Joshua Loitu Mollel* Eitan Abraham Mor

Gadi Moshe Mozes Avraham Munder Omer Neutra* Tamir Nimrodi Yosef-Chaim Ohana Alon Ohel Avinatan Or Dror Or* Daniel Oz* Daniel Peretz* Haim Peri Nadav Popplewell Lior Rudaeff* Yonatan Samerano* Eli Sharabi Yossi Sharabi* Oron Shaul Omer Shem Tov Tal Shoham Idan Shtivi* Keith Samuel Siegel Doron Steinbrecher Itay Svirsky* Alexandre Sasha Troufanov Ilan Weiss* Omer Wenkert Yair Yaakov* Ohad Yahalomi Arbel Yehoud Arie Zalmanowicz* Matan Zangauker

As it gets cold and gray outside, Christmas music written by Jewish songwriters has become inescapable, every Jew in town is emptying Target’s Hanukkah decoration aisle, and The Chronicle’s 104th year draws to a close.

This publication continues to evolve, but its purpose to provide local community news remains unchanged.

We take pride in the fact that in the past year, The Chronicle team produced more than 450 pages across 26 biweekly issues — in addition to updating the website weekly. In those issues were more than 400 community-specific news stories, most of which were exclusive to The Chronicle.

The best articles this past year have largely stemmed from a group of skilled writers who, either voluntarily or via assignment, stepped up to make sure The Chronicle produced varied, well-written content. We want to specifically thank Ruth Bigus, Kevin Deutsch, Alexis Green-

berg, Jane Martin and Alissa Sanderson for contributing multiple front-page stories in 2024.

The Chronicle also has an outstanding group of regular advertisers, and we look forward to new advertisers in the coming months. We especially thank Kansas City Monument, Louis Memorial Chapel and Village Shalom for their continued support, having advertised in every print issue for years; and The J, Jewish Community Foundation and the Lisa Ruben Team - Reece Nichols for advertising regularly with us throughout 2024.

Although obituary submissions are tied to sadness, we are honored to continue sharing the memories of deceased community members at no cost to their families. We now share these obituaries via a free monthly email sent to thousands of Jewish community member, not just subscribers. Additionally, we share community celebrations with the community via a bimonthly email.

We are also celebrating the fact that, despite significant inflation, 2025 will be the fifth consecu-

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tive year of no price increases for Chronicle subscribers. The standard annual rate for a yearly subscription (excluding sales and special offers) has not changed since January of 2020.

Of course, above all, we thank you, our subscribers. Your moral and financial support, constructive feedback and story submissions are the main reasons The Chronicle is still around. We aim to do the best we can to make this publication valuable and meaningful to you.

As we begin the 105th year of The Chronicle (and yes, we will be making a big deal out of this anniversary), we look forward to continuing to improve and evolve this publication to make it the best it can be for our Jewish community.

Thank you for being with us every step of the way.

Wishing you a happy 2025,

-Sam Kricsfeld, editor

Chronicle submission deadlines 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.

Jan. 2 issue.................................................................................................Dec. 24 deadline (changed because of New Year’s)

Jan. 16 issue.................................................................................................Jan. 9 deadline Jan. 30 issue...............................................................................................Jan. 23 deadline Feb. 13 issue................................................................................................Feb. 6 deadline Feb. 27 issue..............................................................................................Feb. 20 deadline

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Editor and business manager

Assistant editor

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chronicle@jewishkc.org | (913) 327-8116 kcjc.com | @kcjewishchronicle The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle (ISSN 0022-8524) (USPS 290-140) is published bi-weekly throughout the year by the Jewish Federation of Kansas City, 5801 W. 115th St., Ste. 201, Overland Park, KS 66211. Periodicals Postage paid at Kansas City, MO. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle at this address. Paid subscriptions are available annually; visit kcjc.com/subscribe for rates.

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December 19, 2024 | Page 3

community news A look back at the KC Jewish Family Services Jewish community’s year announces restructuring of operations

By The Chronicle staff

The Kansas City Jewish community experienced a significant number of major news events in 2024.

Hanging over the Jewish community worldwide is the cloud of the war in Israel, the ever-present memories of the Oct. 7 massacre and the rise in global antisemitism. The local community both addressed and experienced antisemitic incidents in 2024, and many front-page stories in The Chronicle covered this topic.

However, there was also much to celebrate this year — the beginnings and completions of large-scale projects, for example, and strong displays of unity throughout Jewish Kansas City. Below is a recap of some of this year’s biggest Chronicle stories.

Building projects Major construction projects began and were completed in the Jewish community in 2024. KU Chabad announced its plans for a new 10,000-square-foot facility to replace its original building; Congregation Beth Shalom finished its long-awaited new sanctuary; and Beit Echad opened as the first new synagogue in decades in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The KU Chabad House in Lawrence, Kansas, had been a converted duplex for 18 years before it was demolished in August to make way for the new building’s construction. The new building will feature a lounge area, large dining hall and commercial kosher kitchen, increasing KU Chabad’s ability to serve the KU Jewish community.

A rendering of the upcoming 10,000-square-foot KU Chabad House in Lawrence, Kansas.

Groundbreaking for the $6 million structure occurred on Sept. 12 and featured guest speaker KU Chancellor Douglas Girod.

In Overland Park, Kansas, Conservative synagogue Congregation Beth Shalom opened its new sanctuary, a

project that had been in the works for more than a dozen years. The sanctuary replaces the synagogue’s multipurpose room as its new prayer space.

The new sanctuary is designed to look like an unfurling Torah scroll, with two cylindrical towers representing the Torah’s poles. The exterior is clad in metal panels, and the interior is full of wood accents and furnishings.

Community members in Beth Shalom’s new sanctuary during the space’s dedication.

At the sanctuary’s dedication in September, past Beth Shalom Senior Rabbi Alan Cohen spoke of the project’s earliest stages in 2011, and current Senior Rabbi David Glickman emphasized the timeliness of the construction in the months following Oct. 7.

In St. Joseph, Missouri, the Jewish community opened its first new synagogue in more than a century. Beit Echad is located in a fully renovated space with a custom ark and neir tamid (eternal light).

The city’s two existing synagogues, Temple B’nai Sholem and Temple Adath Joseph, supported the creation of Beit Echad instead of merging. The decision was necessary due to the declining Jewish population there. Beit Echad aims to respect and honor the legacies of the two congregations while also looking towards the future.

The synagogue opened shortly before the High Holidays. Due to the lack of precedence of opening a new synagogue in St. Joseph in the modern era, more work is underway to finalize Beit Echad, but it is now open, active and used as St. Joseph’s Jewish house of worship.

Tragic anniversaries Significant anniversaries of two tragedies affecting the Kansas City Jewish community occurred in 2024.

This year was the 10th since an antisemitic gunman shot and killed two

Jewish Family Services (JFS) announced a restructuring of its operations to better serve its clients and build a strong foundation for the future.

A principal aim of this restructuring is to allow the JFS team to better understand client needs by using more comprehensive assessments and then connecting clients more fully to a broader set of services provided by JFS. It is anticipated that this new approach will further enhance JFS services in the areas of food pantry support, social work, therapy, older adult services and Jewish Life programming, which together serve thousands of individuals annually.

As JFS undertakes this restructuring, it also is phasing out nine positions currently occupied by JFS team members, reducing its overall staff from 51 to 42 members. This change, alongside shifts in remaining team member roles, was considered necessary to both implement this new

operating model and ensure a strong and fiscally sustainable path as the organization transitions more fully to a post-Covid landscape.

“We were enormously proud to see JFS shift its operating model during Covid to meet the vital needs of the community during that time,” said Jeff Stolper, president of the JFS board of directors. “As we continue to navigate our community’s evolving needs, JFS will evolve with those needs by more holistically serving those who come through our doors.”

JFS expects that its current services will largely continue with limited disruption under its new model. New approaches to client assessment and service follow-up will likely be launched in the first quarter of 2025. The launch of this new model will also coincide with the selection of a new CEO for the agency, who is anticipated to be appointed in the first months of 2025.

Information on JFS’ CEO search can be found at tinyurl.com/3mskzzef.

Representatives of nearly every congregation at the community commemoration on the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 massacre.

people at the Jewish Community Campus and Village Shalom; and the first since the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas on Israel.

“Healing Hate,” a documentary that ran on PBS Channel 19.1, partially covered the aftermath of the antisemitic shooting and was funded in part by the funded in part by the Jewish Community Foundation’s Ronald & Susan Goldsmith Philanthropic Fund and Community Legacy Fund.

Multiple memorial services were held for both the Jewish and general communities.

The Chronicle also ran an article about how community security has

improved dramatically since the shooting. Efforts spearheaded by Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, its partner agencies, law enforcement and Secure Community Network have resulted in more security procedures and equipment for the Jewish community.

In October, the community gathered to mark the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attacks. Myriad services, prayers, sermons and artworks took place across the Kansas City area, with the largest being a community commemoration service organized by the Jewish Community Relations continued on page 6

December 19, 2024 | Page 4

community news

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Communitywide pre-Hanukkah Service for Spiritual Renewal set for Dec. 22 The Jewish Chaplaincy program, under the auspices of Jewish Family Services (JFS), will hold its pre-Hanukkah Service of Spiritual Renewal on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m. The event will be held in the social hall of Village Shalom (5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, KS 66209).

Jewish Community Chaplain Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick; Lezlie Zucker, music coordinator for Congregation Beth Torah; and Rabbi Talia Kaplan of Congregation Beth Shalom will lead the service. It will include traditional and contemporary prayers, songs and readings. The service includes moments for personal reflection.

“I love working with Rabbi Rudnick

and our guest rabbis to present Services of Spiritual Renewal throughout the year,” Zucker said. “Hanukkah is especially dear to me because I am drawn to the conversation between dark and light. As the year grows dark and cold, we are called to shine more brightly.

Our pre-Hanukkah service includes prayers and songs that explore this interplay of dark and light. While most of our songs aren’t traditional Hanukkah songs this year, they all touch on the themes of the holiday.”

RSVPs are required by emailing chaplaincy@jfskc.org or calling (913) 327-8250. This service will be recorded and made available after the event at jfskc.org/jewish-resources.

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Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, Lezlie Zucker and Rabbi Talia Kaplan will lead this year’s pre-Hanukkah Service of Spiritual Renewal.

Service of Spiritual Renewal Sunday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m.

Village Shalom, 5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, KS 66209

Szneler Scholarship Fund for Israel, Eastern Europe travel accepting applications The 2025 applicacamps and lost their ention process for the Jatire immediate families cob and Rose Szneler in the Holocaust. After Scholarship Fund has the liberation, they met begun. in Bergen-Belsen in In July 2016, the Beth 1945. They were marShalom Foundation ried in 1946 and immireceived a number of grated to Des Moines, contributions to estabIowa, in 1950 under the lish the Jacob and Rose auspices of the Hebrew Szneler Scholarship Rose and Jacob Szneler (z”l) Immigrant Aid Society.

Fund. The purpose of the fund is to They did not know English, so they provide funds to high school students attended night school in Des Moines to help underwrite the costs of their to learn English and proudly become participation in an organized trip to United States citizens. Rose Szneler Israel and/or Eastern Europe. worked as a seamstress for a furrier, Although the funds reside in the and Jacob Szneler worked in a bag facBeth Shalom Foundation, all Jewish tory. students in Kansas City and Des The Sznelers each were devoted Moines, Iowa, are eligible to apply. Jews who benefited their communiAll 2025 applications are due by Feb. ties with their kindness, hospitality 21 and should be emailed to diane. and sense of humor. They cared deepazorsky@yahoo.com. ly for the orphan, the widow, the aged Applications should include the stu- and the sick. The Sznelers took great dent’s name; grade they will be enter- pride in the State of Israel and the ing in the fall of 2025; name of Israel traditions and history of their people. and/or Eastern Europe travel program Jacob Szneler died in Des Moines in and sponsoring organization; and a 1994, and Rose Szneler passed away 300-400 word essay explaining why in 2014 in Kansas City, her adopted they chose to participate in this trip. home.

Jacob and Rose Szneler (z”l) were More information regarding the born in Poland, spent World War II in scholarship is available by contacting a number of concentration and work Diane Azorsky at (913) 710-0354.

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community news

City and university officials speak at Federation annual meeting

December 19, 2024 | Page 5

NO ONE SAVES MORE LIVES IN ISRAEL IN TIMES OF CRISIS.

Kansas City, Missouri, City Manager Brian Platt; Overland Park Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Simon Happer; University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod; and Jewish Federation President and CEO Jay Lewis discuss antisemitism at Federation’s 2024 annual meeting.

By Alexis Greenberg Special to the Chronicle Jewish Federation held its annual meeting on Dec. 5, with more than 150 community members attending. Several community members were honored for their community involvement and volunteering. JCRB|AJC Interim Executive Director Neta Meltzer gave a d’var Torah, new Federation board chairs and board members were announced, and the accomplishments of Federation and the Jewish community were celebrated.

The meeting also included a discussion panel on antisemitism and cultivating safe spaces for Jewish students and residents, which was moderated

by Federation President and CEO Jay Lewis. University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod; Kansas City, Missouri, City Manager Brian Platt; and Overland Park Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Simon Happer were featured speakers at this event.

All three speakers stressed the importance of building relationships and forming connections with organizations around the community. Happer brought up having officers do their notes and reports while parked at Jewish and Muslim institutions. That way, he explained, police had visibility on these campuses and a presence there.

“The officers didn’t mind it. In fact, I think they kind of enjoyed it, because [they are] appreciative to you guys, that you came up and thanked the officers,” Happer said. “...It’s the appreciation that we got from you guys that [you said], ‘Hey, thank you’... I did receive

a lot of calls from people saying thank you.”

Platt had a similar sentiment to share about the importance of visibility. As a Jew himself, Platt wanted to stress the importance of education and awareness.

“I think we’ve got a lot of well-meaning people in the community in Kansas City and beyond, and they say things or hear things, and they repeat them, and they don’t know,” he said. “They don’t know that this is an antisemitic thing you’re saying. They don’t know the history and the background and the context.”

He went on to mention education efforts for elected officials and public symbols of visibility. Before Platt became city manager, he said, Kansas City had never done a Hanukkah menorah lighting at the city hall. In addition, Kansas City’s city hall was lit up in blue and white in honor of Israeli Independence Day. Signs of visibility intermingled with the broader community allows cultures to understand each other and the “why” behind it all, Platt said.

Both Girod and Platt have been on trips to Israel, and Happer had a trip booked for the fall of 2023, but it was cancelled due to the Oct. 7 massacre.

Girod went with four other university chancellors and presidents on a trip that aimed to show them Israel’s diverse society.

“I had a chance in 2018 to go to Israel with JCRB|AJC, and we did this incredible program,” Girod said. “They continued on page 9

This Chanukah, there are many ways to support Israel and its people, but none is more transformative than a gift to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical system. Your gift to MDA isn’t just changing lives — it’s literally saving them — providing critical care and hospital transport for everyone from victims of heart attacks to casualties of rocket attacks.

Join the effort at MagenDavidAdom.org or call 866.632.2763.

December 19, 2024 | Page 6

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community

A look back at the KC Jewish community’s year continued from page 3 Bureau | American Jewish Committee (JCRB|AJC); Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of The J and Jewish Federation; Jewish Federation and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City.

Representatives of nearly every community congregation shared solemn speeches, prayers, songs and poetry. The local Israeli community was represented by Moshit Snir and Kansas City Community Shalicha Mika Kislanski.

Kislanski was also a driving force behind “A Year Without,” an art installation of nearly 1,200 stones that were each hand-painted with the name of a victim of the Nearly 1,200 stones with names of Oct. 7 attacks. victims of the Oct. 7 attacks comDozens of staff prised “A Year Without.” (Rachel from organiza- Kaseff) tions at the Jewish Community Campus and Jewish students at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) and the University of Kansas helped paint hundreds of stones.

Surrounding the artwork were posters with photographs and testimonies of community members and their stories of how they were affected by the attacks. Visitors were also welcomed to share their responses and stories to display.

Organizations involved with the exhibit included JCRB|AJC, Jewish Experiences, the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education (MCHE), The J and HBHA. Upon the conclusion of the exhibit’s display, the stones were varnished and relocated to Mitzvah Garden KC. The Chronicle’s Rosh The cover of the 2024 Hashanah issue was Rosh Hashanah issue of The Chronicle. dedicated to the victims of the Oct. 7 attacks and featured a story about Israeli Kansas Citians’ experiences in the year since the attacks.

Antisemitism summit In April, JCRB|AJC hosted Driving Out Darkness in the Heartland: 2024 Regional Summit on Combating Antisemitism. Composed of a Unity Seder at Kehilath Israel Synagogue on April 15 and a daylong symposium at Rockhurst University on April 16, the summit drew hundreds of attendants, both continued on page 8

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YEARLYRECAP

• Federation Annual Meeting • Maccababy Playdate (pg. 11) • Spiritual Renewal (pg. 4) (pg. 5) • Menorah (pg. 8) • Szneler Scholarship (pg. 4) • Flourish (pg. 10) • Pajamakkah Party (pg. 11) • Yearly Recap (pg. 3) • PJ Library (pg. 11)

B’nai B’rith Bowling Scores The following bowlers achieved high scores in the Sunday Kansas City B’nai B’rith Men’s Bowling League at Ward Parkway Lanes on Dec. 8 and 15.

Dec. 8 500 Series Hunter Thomas 779 (279 233 267) Mark Newton 609 (224 192 193) Ryan Thomas 600 (161 204 235) Michael Altman 572 (170 208 194) Michael Sokol 548 (180 159 209) Stuart Pollack 543 (185 165 193) Bruce W Parker 542 (181 202 159) Bill Sloan 542 (211 159 172) Steve Thomas 521 (184 160 177) Nick R Meyers 518 (172 168 178) Steve Eisman 508 (148 161 199)

170 Series Marion Potts 188 Larry Katzif 186 Steve Baraban 183 Jerry Shapiro 182

Tom Balke 181 Ray Kopek 178 Morty Rock 170 Christopher Eldredge 170

Dec. 15 500 Series Hunter Thomas 641 (236 180 225) Mark Newton 619 (227 175 217) Bruce Parker 603 (179 168 256) Michael Sokol 597 (210 225 162) Marion Potts 593 (151 264 178) Ryan Thomas 589 (222 217 150)

Steve Thomas 573 (215 164 194) Nick Meyers 569 (173 174 222) Steve Baraban 560 (170 200 190) Stuart Pollack 557 (171 203 183) Bill Sloan 554 (169 197 188) Steve Eisman 533 (180 197 156) Irwin Snitz 517 (138 157 222) Tom Balke 503 (179 175 149)

170 Series Larry Katzif 187 Kent Verden 178 Jerry Shapiro 171 Bruce Singer 170

If you are interested in bowling during the ‘24-’25 season for a competitive, fun, social atmosphere, you can contact Tom Balke at (913) 244-7010 or balketw@yahoo.com or Stuart Pollack at (913) 957-3716 or skp28@aol.com.

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December 19, 2024 | Page 7

Alumni vs. Students

Above: On Nov. 30, more than 150 members of the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) community packed the gym for the alumni versus varsity basketball game. The evening began with a Havdalah service led by HBHA students, followed by men’s and women’s games where the alumni teams swept both matchups.

Learn & Play

Left: HBHA and PJ Library of Kansas City recently teamed up to host “Learn & Play.” Parents and their 3-to-5-year-olds enjoyed breakfast and Hanukkah activities led by HBHA faculty. Pictured are Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen (far left) and Bridey Stangler helping children with their activities. This event was made possible with funding from Prizmah and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

BBYO Convention Above: From Nov. 8 to 10, more than 100 teens from BBYO’s Mid-America Region (MAR) gathered for the fall regional convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Teens from Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha and Minneapolis enjoyed the “MARvel” Superhero-themed Shabbat, Havdalah, carnival and spending time with friends.

Spice Drive

Left: Congregation Beth Torah hosted a “Spice Up The Night” Havdalah on Nov. 30. Congregation members were asked to bring spice donations for the Jewish Family Services food pantry. More than 190 spices were collected for the pantry.

Yearbook Award Winners HBHA yearbook staff won third place in the spread design category from Quill & Scroll, the journalism honor society, for the Super Bowl spread in the 2023-24 yearbook. Pictured are Avital Mullokandova (left) and Elia Ellis, who worked on the spread.

December 19, 2024 | Page 8

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community news

A look back at the KC Jewish community’s year continued from page 6 Jewish and not.

Scheduled to correspond to the 10th anniversary of the shooting at the Jewish Community Campus and Village Shalom, the summit featured more than 25 speakers and panelists from across the country with expertise in fields where antisemitism is experienced, including politics, education, social media, journalism and diversity, equity and inclusion.

United States Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, who is Jewish, was among the headline speakers. Also featured were AJC CEO Ted Deutch; AJC Director of Combating Antisemitism Holly Huffnagle; Charlottesville, Virginia, Mayor Mike Signer; Project Shema Executive Director Oren Jacobson; and Mindy Corporon, founder of anti-hate organization SevenDays.

Then-JCRB|AJC Gavriela Geller, Deutch and Emhoff closed the summit with a discussion about antisemitism.

Emhoff spoke as a representative of

Then-JCRB|AJC Executive Director Gavriela Geller (left), AJC CEO Ted Deutch and Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff at JCRB|AJC’s Regional Summit on Combating Antisemitism.

the White House, saying that since the Oct. 7 attacks, “the work that I’ve been doing as part of the administration will continue. It’s taken on more importance, and I’m not going to stop. I have no choice but to be involved.”

Campus antisemitism The University of Kansas was not immune to the nationwide eruption of university antisemitism. Widespread demonstrations against Israel and Zionism began in November of 2023 with walkouts and antisemitic

Hanukkah Menorah

By Ellie Holsten These nine chairs together are a Hanukkah menorah. Made in Europe in the 19th century, these pieces were most likely intended to be used by travelers. They are small and pack easily, so a person could observe Hanukkah even while on the move and far from home.

Each of these silver chairs has a space to light oil in the circular seat of the chair. Many surviving examples of chair-style Hanukkah lights are made up of chairs with square seats, so the shape of these chairs is unusual. Eight of the chairs have the same style of back, and the chair with a different style (the far left) is the shamash, or helper, light.

Using nine separate lights for Hanukkah is a tradition that goes back to ancient times. Long before branched candelabras and benchstyle menorahs came into popular tradition, Jewish families lit individual ceramic lamps, adding one more on each night of Hanukkah.

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 some of the collection’s unique pieces.

Some of the gathering of pro-Israel students stand across the sidewalk from the pro-Palestine encampment with Israeli flags and photos of hostages still held by Hamas. (Photo by Charles Lachman)

chants, and additional disruptions continued into 2024.

The year began with KU’s Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity’s Israeli and American flags cut down from its flagpole on Jan. 1.

In February, the University of Kansas Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) interrupted and protested at an event featuring an Oct. 7 attack survivor. The event, part of the Faces of Oct. 7 initiative to share firsthand accounts of the attack, featured survivor Gal Cohen-Solal and was jointly presented by KU Chabad, KU Hillel and Students Supporting Israel.

SJP claimed on social media that the event “endanger[ed] the safety and wellbeing of Palestinian students on campus” and planned a protest in response. Police officers and security were on hand and protected event attendees, ejecting SJP students who shouted anti-Israel messages at Cohen-Solal. Outside the event, protestors marched through the student union wearing keffiyehs and shouting anti-Israel slogans.

All Jewish organizations on campus condemned the protestors and stood in solidarity with Jewish students.

In May, SJP protestors began an encampment at KU, shortly after the University of Missouri — Kansas City’s branch set up a one-day encampment. Anti-Israel protesters chanted and carried signs with slogans such as “Intifada Now,” “Never Again for Anyone,” “Zionism Harms Jews,” “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free” and other messages condemning Israel, Zionists, the United States government, the university and its administrators.

The KU pro-Israel community was quick to respond. An estimated 30to-40 students, most of them Jewish, stood across from the encampment,

some draping themselves in Israeli flags and holding photos of the hostages taken by Hamas. Not all Jewish students were against the SJP protest; some partook, holding signs reading “Jews for Palestine.”

After multiple warnings from the university and the police, the encampment was dismantled by the police on the night of May 10.

KU Chabad and KU Hillel issued statements condemning the encampment and supporting Jewish students.

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach condemned the protestors as well.

Maccabi Games Kansas City was named the host site of the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games this year. The 2026 games will be the first ones in Kansas City since 1997, when nearly 800 Jewish teens participated, and community members welcomed delegates and athletes.

The Maccabi Games are an Olympic-style sports competition that engages Jewish teenagers in experiences to deepen Jewish identity and values through competition and sportsmanship.

“We look forward to using the knowledge and experience we have gained over the past 30 years to create a memorable experience for our local delegation, the participants and, most importantly, our community, as we bring the JCC Maccabi Games to Kansas City once again,” The J’s Director of Sports and Recreation Bob Hennecke said.

The announcement of the upcoming Kansas City games came shortly after 22 local teens won medals at the 2024 Maccabi Games in Houston, Texas. Kansas City’s 2025 team is being assembled to compete in next year’s games.

kcjc.com

community news

December 19, 2024 | Page 9

Federation honors leaders at annual meeting made a tremendous effort to help us understand just the complexity of the challenges and the diversity of thought on the challenges within Israeli society.”

Each of the panelists shared experiences with antisemitism training and hate. Happer discussed a field trip to a Holocaust museum during a class on hate at the FBI national academy.

“It was probably the most moving thing I’ve ever been to in my life. The lady that came and spoke to us was an Auschwitz survivor,” Happer said. “It really made me realize some of the things that you go through that I might take for granted, that I don’t have.

There’s things that are anti-Catholic, but not like anti-Jewish.”

Platt brought up the Mayors Against Antisemitism conference in Los Angeles. Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas and Platt will both be

attending the conference this year.

Platt said that this conference is one of the most uplifting things he does when it comes to the Jewish community.

“You see these mayors from cities all over the country who are not Jewish, who don’t have necessarily a connection to it, but they’ve got Jewish people in their cities, and they are all arm-inarm unified with the same message of, ‘we’re going to do whatever it takes to protect the Jewish community,’” Platt said.

Lewis thanked each panelist for their dedication to the Jewish community and for showing up for the community before and after Oct. 7. All three speakers assured the annual meeting attendees that the Jewish community was not alone.

“I think there is hope,” Happer said.

“I think if we come together as a community, we can show people that we can all stick together, work together and be peaceful together.”

Photo by Andy

continued from page 5

Federation award winners

Winner of the Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, PARADE has received overwhelming acclaim since its debut.

Pictured are (from left) Dan Fingerish Young Leadership Award winners Mollie Berenbom and Michael Berenbom; Educator of the Year Award winner Marcia Rittmaster and Federation President and CEO Jay Lewis.

Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion.

Riveting and gloriously hopeful, PARADE reminds us that to love, we must truly see one another.

PARADE is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony Award® winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award®-winning legend Harold Prince.

KAUFFMAN CENTER JAN 28-FEB 2 BROADWAYINKC.COM Pictured are (from left) Debbie Granoff, who was honored for her decades of service at Federation, and Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award winner Merilyn Berenbom; and playwright Victor Wishna and Director of Arts and Culture at The J Keith Weidenkeller, who both accepted the Program of the Year Award for The New Work Initiative’s “Tree of Life” play.

SCAN FOR TICKETS!

December 19, 2024 | Page 10

JVS partners with local furniture bank Recently, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) entered into a partnership with Flourish: A Furniture Bank to provide much of the furniture and household items for the homes of the hundreds of refugees the organization welcomes.

JVS helps refugees resettle in the Kansas City area, providing support for basic needs, including healthcare and housing, as well as orientation, employment and educational opportunities. Flourish will help provide furnishings for the homes of local resettled refugees.

“Flourish is honored to be a part of opening the doors of Kansas City to refugee families from around the world who are making their new home in Kansas City through our partnership with JVS,” Flourish Executive Director Amy Cox said.

“Flourish envisions a community where all of our neighbors live in a dignified, functionally furnished home," Cox continued. "Through the collaboration between JVS and Flourish, we are bringing that vision to life.”

Flourish partners with dozens of social service agencies, providing furnishings for approximately 25 homes per week. More information about Flourish and its furniture donation process is available at flourishfurniturebank.org.

Get yourself, your family and your friends subscriptions to The Chronicle!

Scan the QR code below or go to kcjc.com/subscribe for more information.

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community news

Students visit Holocaust museum in D.C. as part of Together We Remember A cohort of local high school students recently traveled to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Washington, D.C., as part of the Together We Remember program.

One of the program’s stated goals is, “We teach our children to ‘never forget,’ but we must also teach them what it is that they are supposed to remember.”

The Together We Remember program was founded by community member Sam Devinki and is facilitated by the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education (MCHE). Founded in 2007, this program has taken over 200 Jewish high school students from the Kansas City area to Washington, D.C., for a visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Devinki serves on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council and received the Wings of Memory Leadership Award for the Midwest Region by the United

Pictured in the front two rows are the 10 high school students who made up the 2024 Together We Remember cohort that traveled to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Washington, D.C. In the back row are Midwest Center for Holocaust Education (MCHE) Director of Education Dr. Shelly Cline; MCHE Program Associate Laura Patton; and Together We Remember founder Sam Devinki.

States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

This year’s group of 10 students recently completed this experience.

Prior to travel, students selected for the program engaged in educational

sessions led by MCHE. These classes, combined with their visit to USHMM, are designed to help students recognize and combat hatred, bigotry and antisemitism.

commentary Jewish Family Services is here for you

By Jewish Family Services As the end of the calendar year approaches, many think about ways they can help others. Jewish Family Services does this year-round, thanks to the generous support of members of the community. However, JFS needs ongoing financial support to help people like Donna Brown (whose name is changed to protect client confidentiality) who count on the organization in so many ways.

For the past 13 years, Donna has been part of JFS’ Help@Home program. With her children living out of town, JFS has stood in the gap, helping the 89-year-old with minor home repairs and chores she’s unable to perform herself. It has given Donna — who is fiercely independent — a real sense of security and comfort to continue living independently in the place she’s called home since 1961.

After a small stroke, Donna’s family became increasingly concerned about her ability to live alone. Because of her trusting relationship

JFS client “Donna Brown.”

with JFS, Donna agreed to let her children contact the agency for guidance and help. Last month, a member of the JFS older adult care team and a Help@Home occupational therapist completed a thorough safety assessment of Donna’s three-story home.

Thanks to the team’s respectful and patient approach, Donna agreed to implement several preventative safety recommendations — small changes that mean she can continue to maintain her independence.

Soon she’ll stop driving, and Donna plans to use JFS’ JET Express program, ensuring she’ll remain connected and mobile.

Delivering compassionate, comprehensive assistance to people facing life’s challenges – no matter what stage they are in – is what JFS is all about.

For every person like Donna, there are countless others who depend on JFS to navigate the uncertainties of aging, illness or family hardship.

As you consider your end of the year giving decisions, please consider JFS. With your support, JFS continues to provide essential services, from home safety assessments and transportation to case management, counseling, and beyond.

It’s easy to make a gift. You can do so securely online at jfskc.org/support, sending a check to JFS at 5801 W. 115th St, Suite 103, Overland Park, KS 66211, contacting the JFS Development Team at development@jfskc.org, or calling (913) 730-1429.

Thank you for your generosity.

kcjc.com

December 19, 2024 | Page 11

Be the light in dark times

By Molly Hess Director of Jewish Experiences Hanukkah is the festival of lights.

Each night of Hanukkah we light an extra candle to create more light and enhance miracles in the darkness of winter. Many of us lean into more secular traditions of gift giving during this time of year as well — it’s fun and thoughtful, and it creates amazing memories for our children. But part of the Jewish experience is embodying the creation of light in the darkest times, in finding humor in sorrow, and in finding peace in times of communal trauma.

How do we teach this aspect of Judaism to our children? It’s not something that can be learned from a book, nor is it something that has clear instructions. Finding light is a modeled behavior. It is something our children need to see from us, the adults in their lives.

As Hanukkah approaches, many of us feel the weight of darkness.

The literal darkness of winter affects many of us emotionally, and with the realization that this will be the second Hanukkah in war with hostages in captivity, and with our changing political atmosphere, darkness feels heavy. It can be hard to model being the light for our children. Yet, it is imperative that we continue to find and acknowledge the miracles in our lives and engage our children in this practice.

This practice of finding light and miracles starts in the home and doesn’t have to wait until Hanukkah. Find things that are meaningful to your family and intentionally point out why that thing brings light to your family. Show appreci-

ation for the people in your home, not because of a chore completion, but because of who they are as people. When you are cooking a meal, discuss how different ingredients come together to make something delicious and how that can feel miraculous. As a family, go for a walk, even in the cold, and talk about the different things in nature you see, how we can change our view of the world to look at everyday things we take for granted as gifts.

Once you have done the internal work inside your home, begin to look outward. How can we add light? How can we be the shamash (helper candle) of the Hanukkiah?

Can we open a door for someone (physically and metaphorically)?

Can we give tzedakah? Can we volunteer? What can we do as a family to add light to our community? Discuss these things with the children in your life. Be active in brainstorming with them about how to create miracles. By opening a door for someone else, you may be adding a miracle to their life.

Lastly, and selfishly, relish in Jewish joy. Show your children what it means to love being Jewish, to embrace your heritage and culture wholeheartedly. Wear that ugly Hanukkah sweater to the “winter” concert at school, show up to community events. Go to your kids’ classroom and help teach other students about Hanukkah, and put the Menorah in the window. Be an active participant in the community and shine light from within.

The miracle of Hanukkah is not only that the oil lasted eight days, but that we survived, and we thrived. We will continue to do so by shining your light and seeking out miracles.

Molly Hess is the director of Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J.

UPCOMING EVENTS DEC. 19 | 7 P.M. Mom’s Night Out with Jewish Experiences PJ parents can join us for the Jewish Experiences Acclaimed Author Series to hear from author Beth Kander!

DEC. 22 | 3:30 P.M. Maccababy Playdate with Chabad of Leawood & Chabad on the Plaza Kids under 4 (and their siblings and grownups) are invited to a Hanukkah-themed playdate at Hümanette Play Cafe!

DEC. 27 | 9 A.M. Grandparents Hanukkah Pajamakkah Party Kids under 4 and their grandparents (or grandfriends) can enjoy a morning of Hanukkah fun with stories, snacks, and games.

JAN. 12 | 12:45 P.M. PJ Our Way Game On! PJ Our Way is having a fun afternoon for tweens 9-12, with interactive gaming experiences, snacks, and book talk at Activate!

Please visit JewishKansasCity.org/PJLibrary to learn more and register.

December 19, 2024 | Page 12

national and global news

kcjc.com

With Jews feeling unsafe, mayors search for concrete solutions

By Jewish News Syndicate

Editor’s note: Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas was an attendee of the 2024 Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism.

About 3.5 million of America's 6 million Jews experienced antisemitic incidents last year, according to a Combat Antisemitism Movement survey.

To develop concrete action plans for addressing hate in their communities, more than 200 mayors from across North America gathered in Beverly Hills late last week for CAM’s largest-yet Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism.

Also last week, more that a hundred European, American and Israeli decision makers met at the the second-annual “Actions Matter: The Antisemitism Summit,” hosted by the ELNET—European Leadership Network and CAM. The Mayors Summit saw the unveiling of the Municipal Antisemitism Action Index, a first-of-its-kind tool that measures and ranks municipalities' effectiveness in combating antisemitism

North American municipal leaders at the CAM Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in Beverly Hills, December 2024. (Royalty Creation Studios)

and protecting Jewish residents.

"Antisemitism is at an all-time high, and with Jews around the world feeling unsafe in their communities, we felt that those who are most likely to affect change for the better are local leaders,” said CEO of CAM Sasha Roytman Dratwa. "The unprecedented attendance at these emergency summits reflects the urgency of our mission.

"The many mayors and local leaders who answered our call and participated have committed to fighting anti-

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semitism and adopted a policy of 'zero tolerance.' Nevertheless, the outcome is what matters, and we will continue to work with them on its implementation," Roytman Dratwa said.

The Mayoral Summit's location in Southern California was significant, given the region’s struggles with escalating antisemitism, notably on college campuses. At UCLA, repeated pro-Hamas protests have created an increasingly hostile environment for Jewish students, including discriminatory hiring practices and incidents of students being blocked from entering classes.

"Mayors are the most accessible and visible leaders in people’s lives.

When acts of hate occur in your city, it threatens and undermines stability, and they must be addressed with decisive action,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “Rising antisemitism is a local issue where local action can have a profound impact. Standing against antisemitism is always the right thing to do.”

Dean Trantalis, mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said: "The horror of Oct. 7, and the challenges that followed, have left an indelible mark on our lives. If it starts with antisemitism, when and where will it end? We must remain steadfast, protect those in need—and educate."

Israel trying to locate remains of spy Eli Cohen in Syria

By Jewish News Syndicate Israel has connected with Russian mediators for assistance in locating the remains in Syria of Israeli agent Eli Cohen.

The latest Israeli attempt to find and repatriate Cohen’s body comes in the wake of the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, whose family ruled Portrait of Sophie Ben Dor, the daughter of Israeli spy Eli Cohen. Aug 18, 2023. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90) Syria decades.

Cohen was tried and hanged for es- er on Tuesday that rumors that Jerusapionage by the Syrians in 1965 after lem had already brought back Cohen's he infiltrated the top levels of govern- remains for burial were untrue. ment.

The information the legendary MosTwo Palestinian officials in Damas- sad spy obtained is seen as having cus told the AFP on Monday that con- played a key role in Israel’s conquest tacts were underway via mediators to of the Golan Heights from Syria in the help find his remains.

1967 Six-Day War. Israeli security officials told the Syria has previously denied knowing country's Channel 12 News broadcast- where Cohen was buried.

kcjc.com

December 19, 2024 | Page 13

obituaries

Jacqueline Joan Fredkin Arst Jacqueline Joan Fredkin Arst passed away on Nov. 30 at age 91.

Her American family history began when her grandparents immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe in the early 1900s.

She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 27, 1933, to her loving and devoted parents, Henry Fredkin and Bertha Gladstone, four years after the birth of her older sister, Rae. Her earliest years were spent in Sedalia, Missouri, until her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where her fondest childhood memories were made. It was during her teenage years that she was introduced to her future husband, Herbert E. Arst of St. Joseph, Missouri, who was attending Washington University at the time.

She graduated from Clayton High School in 1951 and then pursued higher education, also at Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in education. Jacqueline and Herb married on March 20, 1955 in St. Louis. Their marriage lasted 47 years until Herb’s passing in 2002.

She welcomed her first child, Henry, in 1957, naming him after her beloved father who tragically passed away during her pregnancy. She welcomed her only daughter, Sally, shortly thereafter in 1958, and then, to their surprise, a third child, Daniel, in 1969. During these years, while living in Kansas City, Missouri, Herb was in private practice in internal medicine.

Jackie enjoyed traveling with her family around the country in Herb’s Mooney aircraft. She also enjoyed homemaking and socializing with her dearest friends, of which she had many. Later in life, she utilized her education degree, becoming a substitute teacher in the North Kansas City School District. She also became interested in and loved creating artwork, and she took classes at the Jewish Community Center where she became friends with her teacher and classmates. She became a grandmother in 1985 when her daughter, Sally, gave birth to her son, Lee. In 1988, her son Henry became a father to Nicholas, followed by Hannah, in 1992.

Jacqueline was loved by many, as she was incredibly selfless, thoughtful and supportive. She had a great sense of humor and outlook on life. She was

extremely close with her sister, Rae, who preceded her in death in June of 2022. She was also a wonderful aunt to Rae’s daughter and son, Susan and John, whom she loved like her own children. She leaves behind not only her children, grandchildren, niece and nephew, but also the children of her late cousin Nancy Weneck. In addition, she leaves behind her brother-in-law Roger and her sisters-in-law Renee and Gay Arst, all of California, and their children. She also remained very close to her cousin Sara Cleveland.

Jackie felt overwhelming affection for her family and friends and made sure to thank them for their loving care during her long illness. She passed away on Nov. 30 at the Kansas City Hospice House with her sons Henry and Dan by her side. Jackie wanted to express her deep gratitude for the wonderful care she received at the University of Kansas Cancer Center and Kansas City Hospice. In particular, she wanted to recognize the wonderful nurses and other personnel, who adored her very much.

Our mother, grandmother, aunt and friend will be missed beyond measure, but we take comfort in knowing she has been reunited with her loving parents, husband and sister. She will be forever loved and remembered.

The family requests that instead of flowers, all memorial donations be made to Kansas City Hospice Foundation (9001 State Line Road, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64114, or kchospice. org/donate).

Maurice Mizrahi Eastman Maurice Mizrahi Eastman, 84, of Mission, Kansas, passed away on Dec. 5.

He was born on Feb. 27, 1940, to Albert and Soly (Taraboulos) Mizrahi in Cairo, Egypt. The family moved to Mission, Kansas, in 1961 and became lifelong members of Kehilath Israel Synagogue.

He was an avid Egyptian and Israeli historian. He started his career as an accountant working for Nelly Don, and later in life, he transitioned to running his own CPA business.

Maurice was preceded in death by his parents and his companion, Gela Adelman.

He is survived by his sons, Abraham Eastman of Olathe, KS; Jacob (Abby) Eastman of Tampa Bay, Florida; and Isaac Eastman of Lenexa, KS; two grandchildren, Eli and Asha Eastman; continued on next page

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continued from previous page sister, Allegra (Kent) Shanberg; nephew, David (Cheryl) Shanberg; and niece, Rachel (Alex) Simon.

Funeral services were held on Dec. 6 at K.I. Blue Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kehilath Israel Synagogue Blue Ridge Cemetery. Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.

Ruth Margolies Ruth Margolies, beloved wife of the late Rabbi Morris B. Margolies, died on Dec. 11 at age 98.

Ruth met her husband on a blind date in Brooklyn, New York, in November of 1951, and, following a whirlwind courtship, they married in February of 1952. Her husband wanted to delay the marriage because he was about to ship off to Korea as an Army chaplain, but she wouldn’t hear

obituaries of it. They wed just before he headed off into the thick of the Korean conflict. He returned nine months later for the birth of their first child, and she remained his helpmate for the next 61 years, through the birth of two more children and synagogue posts in Brooklyn and then Kansas City.

Ruth Smith was born in Brooklyn on January 28, 1926, the second of four children – two girls and two boys. Her father, Sidney Smith, was a tailor who emigrated from Poland during the First World War. Her mother, Helen (née Rosenblitt), also an immigrant from Poland, arrived in the U.S. soon afterward.

Ruth worked in midtown Manhattan as a model for hats and high-end costume jewelry before meeting her husband-to-be.

Her brief courtship provided little preparation for the life of a “rebbetzin” that would follow, but she grew into the role, an indispensable factotum to her husband as he fulfilled the demanding duties of his congregations, first at Temple Beth El in Brooklyn and then, beginning in 1961, Congregation Beth Shalom in Kansas City.

Ruth loved to socialize and relished entertaining guests in her home, particularly during Jewish holidays. She enjoyed nothing more than showing guests her husband’s vast Jewish library, the books of which she regularly availed herself to further what, at the outset of her marriage, had been a rudimentary Jewish education.

She loved classical music, good fiction and traveling on cruises with her husband. She was a fine cook and enjoyed experimenting with new recipes, especially soups. She had a surprisingly bawdy sense of humor and would surprise visitors with snappy one-liners, as she did just a few weeks ago, when she observed her eldest son with a woman she didn’t recognize.

“Where’d you pick up the blond?” she queried.

A devotee of Yiddishkeit – Yiddish was the language spoken in her home growing up – she was intent on teaching basic Yiddish to whomever came to visit her at Village Shalom, including the non-Jewish chaplain. She and her husband used to confer in Yiddish if they wanted to keep some important secret away from their children’s

kcjc.com

prying ears. Regrettably, that meant that while their children grew up proficient in Hebrew, they never picked up on Yiddish.

Ruth was active in various Jewish organizations, including the Beth Shalom Sisterhood, Hadassah and Women’s League.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the longtime senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom, who died in November of 2012. She is survived by her three children, Daniel Margolies (Deborah), Jonathan Margolies and Malka Margolies (Walter); six grandchildren, Rachel Goldberg (Ari), Max Margolies (Brittany), Micah Margolies (Gabrielle), Jacob Margolies, Shoshana Margolies and Gavriel Scott; and seven great-grandchildren, Leora Goldberg, Ezra Goldberg, Adina Goldberg, Hillel Goldberg, Jonah Margolies, Ruby Margolies and Elijah Margolies.

She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, among whom particular gratitude is due to Shari Sokol, who regularly visited her at Village Shalom continued on next page

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December 19, 2024 | Page 15

obituaries

continued from previous page and lifted her spirits, and to Shari’s husband, Dr. Michael Sokol, who was attentive to her health needs.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Village Shalom, to which Ruth and her husband moved in 2011 after it was no longer feasible for them to live in their Leawood home of 43 years. After Ruth broke her hip eight years ago, she moved to the skilled nursing facility at Village Shalom, where the loving ministrations of its skilled staff, particularly Chasity, Rhonda and Jaci, brought her physical relief and contentment. Thanks are also due to the wonderful caregivers of Monarch Hospice, who tended to her in the last weeks of her life.

The funeral service took place in the Yukon Chapel at Mt. Carmel Cemetery on Dec. 13.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions in Ruth’s memory be made to Village Shalom, Congregation Beth Shalom or Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.

Parvin Khalili Rahbarrad Parvin Khalili Rahbarrad passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 10 in Olathe, Kansas.

She was born in Kermanshah, Iran, as the second daughter of Simin and Salar Khalili.

In a culture where there were few women in the workforce, Parvin skillfully juggled the demands of teacher, wife and mother. She ingrained the importance of education onto her children and grandchildren as the path to success.

In the early 1980s, Parvin and her husband, Sion, immigrated to the United States to join their children, whom they had sent here a few years earlier.

Her courage and strength allowed her to leave her established life behind in Iran and start over in a foreign country from scratch. This required her to learn a new language, adopt a new culture and start a new career.

Parvin expressed her love by preparing elaborate meals for her weekly family dinners. Most of all, it was the love of family togetherness that brought her joy.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sion; her sister, Valantin; and her brother, Ezat.

Her memory lives on through her two children, Mahta and Mahyar with their respective spouses Mark and Christiane; four grandchildren and spouses, Setareh and Michael; Sanam and Eric; Arman; and Amita; and four wonderful great-granddaughters, Isabelle, Layla, Sasha and Alora. She will be missed dearly.

Services were held on Dec. 12 at Louis Memorial Chapel. Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Olathe Hospice House (tinyurl.com/yuuh5mjs) or Congregation Beth Torah (beth-torah. org/donate-pay-fees).

Sally Louise Strauss Sally Louise Strauss passed away peacefully on Nov. 15 at St. Luke’s Hospice in Kansas City, Missouri, in the loving and protective company of her devoted friend and caregiver, Judy Shepard. She was taken by a super aggressive cancer throughout her body.

Sally was born on April 16, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri, welcomed with delight by her mother, Gerre Gene Strauss; father, Eugene “Gene” M. Strauss; big brother, Frank Goodman Strauss; and sister, Barbara Ann Strauss. Irresistibly cute, sparkling

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brown eyes and always on the run, she earned her daddy’s nickname.

“Steamboat.” until at age two she contracted infectious encephalitis. Her strong inner core survived the disease, enduring and fighting lifelong damage to her immune and nervous systems, hearing, mood and overall health, which she endured with grit.

Consequently, she developed extensive medical knowledge. Her senior yearbook picture quote was “I will overcome.”

Sally and her sister, “Boo”, were very close throughout childhood.

They had their own ribald imaginary story with a language and names that they thought were hilarious and the family found obnoxious. It was a great source of levity, comfort and bonding into adulthood.

Brother Frank was six years older than Sally, always watchful, protective and a tease. Growing up, Sally spent summers in Kansas City, Missouri; Coronado, California; and Camp Walden in Maine. The highlight of her summers were card games in Coronado with her next door neighbor, Uncle Harry Jacobs, who absolutely adored her.

Sally was a 15 year “Lifer” at Sunset Hill School, starting in pre-nursery and graduating in 1973.

High school activities included stagecraft, drama, the American Field Service Board, treasurer junior year and vice president senior year. She majored in political science at Pitzer College and attended American University in D.C. her senior year. She worked in the family publishing firm for a number of years.

Sally was sophisticated, cynical, and in some ways fearless and confident. She inherited her mother’s high style and elegance; her father’s gift at the piano and love of music; and her grandmother Sophia’s unflappable, succinct and acerbic wit. She was wickedly funny, smart, clever, rebellious, proud and decisive. She used her knowledge and wit to entertain, challenge and assist. National politics

fascinated her, and she followed them closely. She enjoyed reading as well as quiet time. Best of all, Sally enjoyed her friends.

Deep and enduring gratitude and sympathy to Judy Shepard and her family for their tender loving care, friendship and assistance throughout the years, as well as to all family, friends and helpers who loved, enjoyed and helped Sally, contributing to her best possible life.

Sally wished her ashes to be scattered in Coronado. A grave marker is to be ordered at Rose Hill Cemetery alongside her family. A memorial gathering is under consideration.

Her family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory go to the ASPCA. Sally was also predeceased by her grandparents, Barney Goodman, Sophia K. Goodman, Harry B. Strauss and Anna C. Strauss; great-aunt Elizabeth Jacobs (Harry L. Jacobs)); great-aunt Louise Schwartz (Charlie Schwartz); uncle John K. Goodman (Beatrice P Goodman, Aline Bragg Goodman); uncle Leonard Strauss (Elaine Stern, Una Chang Strauss); uncle Norman Strauss (Marilyn Fred Strauss); first cousins Leslie Ann Strauss and Lucy P. Goodman; and dear friend Yancy Shepard.

Sally is survived by her sister, Barbara Strauss Bullis (James Bullis) of Sunnyvale, California; first cousins Susan Strauss of Kansas City, Missouri; Ellen Strauss of Pasadena, California; Meredith Jackson (Jay Jackson) of Glendale, California; Fred Strauss (Rosemary Strauss) of Omaha, Nebraska; John K. Goodman II of Santa Monica, California; Alex D. Lee (Stephanie Lee) of Tucson, Arizona; and their beloved families. She is also survived by her dearest friends, Judy Shepard of Kansas City, Missouri; Rachel Johnson, Rick Shepard, Brooke Shepard and their families.

Condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.

Visit kcjc.com/obituaries to read the full obituary.

Kansas City’s Jewish Funeral Home Over 104 years Proudly Owned & Operated by the Epstein Family 6830 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64131

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December 19, 2024 | Page 16

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