Kansas marks Education and Sharing Day
Lowenstein exhibition at The Epsten Gallery
Rabbis share Passover messages
Parashat Tzav
Shabbat times (Overland Park):
Candlelighting: 7:41 p.m.
See page 2 for holiday times
Trip to Holy Land leaves lasting impression on two former Kansas City Chiefs
By Ruth Baum Bigus Special to The Chronicle
Anyone who has followed the Kansas City Chiefs for decades remembers fullback Tony Richardson and kicker Nick Lowery. Both are in the Chiefs Hall of Honor, etched into a ring surrounding Arrowhead Stadium. Richardson, a 17year NFL veteran, played 11 years in Kansas City, and Lowery played 14 of his 18 NFL seasons with the Chiefs. Lowery is currently tenth on the NFL’s list of all-time scoring leaders and is the Chiefs’ all-time leading scorer, with 1,466 points in his 14 seasons with the club.
these athletes an up-close and personal view of Israel and show their support for the country still reeling from the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, the ensuing conflict and the ongoing struggle to get its hostages returned.
As professional athletes, both men
Neta Meltzer named JCRB|AJC executive director
Neta Meltzer has been named the Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee (JCRB|AJC) executive director, having served as interim executive director for 10 months. Meltzer will also be the Bert Berkley Chair for Community Relations.
“After conducting an extensive national search, our board is highly confident that Neta’s steadfast leadership, balanced approach and unique background serve as the optimal mix of talents needed at this time to provide stewardship as JCRB|AJC enters its
Neta Meltzer
See page 11
focused on preparations for the situation they found themselves in on the gridiron. However, nothing quite prepared Lowery and Richardson for what they encountered on a whirlwind five-day trip to Israel in late December. The trip’s purpose was to give
Both men have good friends who are Jewish and have spent time in Jewish social circles; this trip gave them a deeper understanding of the centrality of Israel to the Jewish people. Richardson and Lowery traveled to Israel at the invitation of two organizations: Athletes for Israel and Project Max. Athletes for Israel is dedicated to
Angela DeWilde named new Jewish Family Services CEO
Jewish Family Services (JFS) has announced the appointment of Angela DeWilde as its new chief executive officer after a national search. She will start with JFS on April 21, succeeding Interim CEO Awais Sufi.
“We are thrilled to welcome Angela to lead JFS after a highly competitive search for our next leader,” said Jeff Stolper, president of JFS’ board of directors. “Her extensive experience in building both highly effective organizations and programs serving vulnerable communities was very compelling to our CEO search committee, the JFS board and core partners involved in the search process. We’re thrilled to have her lead JFS as we support those in need across Kansas City.”
DeWilde began her career as a teacher before becoming the founding executive director of Start at Zero, a Kansas City nonprofit dedicated to partnering with parents to foster healthy Angela DeWilde
Two IDF soldiers stand with former Chiefs players Nick Lowery (left) and Tony Richardson at the Nova Music Festival Site.
community news
Former Chiefs visit Israel
combating antisemitism and racism while promoting a positive narrative about Israel. It brings athletes to Israel, allowing them to experience the Holy Land firsthand and fostering an authentic connection with its history, culture, innovation and people. Project Max aims to tackle racism, antisemitism and intolerance through sports. Both Lowery and Richardson are affiliated with Project Max.
“It was an important and moving experience,” said Eric Rubin, an advisory board member for Athletes for Israel, who traveled with Richardson and Lowery. “They met with members of hostage families, including the parents of children murdered by Hezbollah in Majdal Shams and survivors; visited Kfar Aza and the Nova Music Festival site; and spoke with Israeli leaders such as President [Isaac] Herzog, Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana and MK Benny Gantz.”
Lowery invited Richardson to
make this quick trip with him. Lowery met Eric Rubin and traveled with him in 2023 to Israel, escorting Ukrainian Jews to their new homeland.
“We maintained a strong friendship,” Lowery said of Rubin. “We visited Yad Vashem and kept discussing what we could do. When Oct. 7 came, I was asked to track several of the hostages, including Noam Levy and another individual. I suggested to Eric that we act
in Israel, and that’s when I asked Tony if he would be interested. He told me he celebrates Shabbat with friends, which makes him the perfect choice.”
After seeing news reports about the ongoing war with Hamas, Richardson felt uneasy about traveling to Israel. A man of faith who was raised in the Christian church, Richardson
Passover holiday times
The following are the holiday times for Overland Park, Kansas, as per Chabad.org. Saturday, April 12: Stop eating chametz............................................................11:07
Pictured at the Knesset are (from left) human rights attorney Arsen Ostrovsky, former Chiefs kicker Nick Lowery, Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana, former Chiefs fullback Tony Richardson and Athletes for Israel board member Eric Rubin.
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took the next step.
“I prayed about it,” Richardson said. “I didn’t tell my parents until two weeks before.”
Once there and surrounded by the people of Israel, Richardson’s reluctance melted away. He admitted there were some tense moments.
“When you check into a hotel, they tell you, ‘here is the room key, and here is where the bomb shelter is,’ and I remember being in the hotel at night at 11:30 [when] the sirens went off,” Richardson said. “I was nervous, but I opened the door and paraded down the hallway. We were in the shelter for about 20 minutes, and that was it.”
Both Richardson and Lowery were deeply moved by a visit to the Druze town of Majdal Shams, where 12 children were killed on a soccer field in July. Conversations with their parents were difficult but important.
“It was about humanizing everybody as a child of God and that everyone deserves respect and dignity,” Lowery said.
A visit to the site of the Nova Music Festival was tough for Richardson.
“You see it on TV, but when you stand there and in the area where it happened, it was very real,” Richardson said. “Your heart is still hurting. These kids were at a peace rally. It was brutal… I walked through it with gratitude to share the space.”
The meeting with Na’ama Levy’s family was another poignant moment. The two athletes hope to go back to Israel to see her now that she is out of captivity.
There were some more lighthearted aspects of the trip. Richardson and Lowery, who both also played for the New York Jets, hosted a watch party for the Dec. 29 Jets vs. Buffalo Bills game. The pair signed autographs, fielded football questions and took part in Hanukkah festivities.
“Every single place we went, people were so appreciative,” Richardson said. “Everyone was saying, ‘Thank you for coming.’”
“Sports are a warm light that tends to transcend the noise and politics,” Lowery said.
Rubin was able to take Richardson and Lowery to several Christian sites; a special moment took place at the Sea of Galilee, where they were baptized on site.
“Being able to walk in some of the places where Jesus was amazing,” Richardson said. “Nick and I were holding hands, and we were weeping,” Richardson said. “Having read the bi-
ble many times, everything came to life.”
At the trip’s end, a common thread for both men was how appreciative people were for them making the journey at such a tense time in Israel.
“While we were in the security line getting ready to board our flight back to the United States, I was wearing a ‘Bring Them Home Now’ baseball shirt, and [a] lady in security came over to hug us and thank us,” Lowery said. “It was so beautiful and so unrehearsed.”
“The people of Israel were deeply appreciative of their visit, and the trip had a profound impact on both Nick and Tony,” Rubin said. “Tony and Nick have been speaking out regularly about the horrors of what they saw, the need to return all the hostages and the truth about the situation in Israel. They are committed to combating antisemitism and will visit college campuses to try and educate students.”
Although Richardson has received hate mail and a few death threats for making the Israel trip, he’s not deterred from sharing his story and his commitment to combating antisemitism. Since returning from Israel, Richardson has kept photos of the Bibas children on a rotating digital picture frame in his home “to keep them in my prayers.”
“I want people to use their voice to shed light on the human toll,” he said. “…I wear a dog chain that says, ‘Bring them home now,’ and I still communicate with the IDF soldiers I met… I was so struck by the resilience of the community and its way of life.”
“I love the fact that we have married anti-racism, antisemitism together — It helps people see the connection,” Lowery said. “Sports has entered a new era where we have stages that are better followed because of social media, and we can tell our own stories about these experiences.”
Richardson and Lowery plan to return to Israel; Lowery hopes to make the journey this May, inviting other former Chiefs to travel with him.
“You can’t understand Israel completely if you haven’t been there,” Lowery said. “You see the vibrancy and the resilience when the sirens go off at night and then the next day people are out there surfing.”
Lowery hopes to make this athlete experience an annual trip to Israel, “not just a one-time PR — something that lasts. I plan on doing this for the rest of my life… We don’t have to be Jewish to care about Jews,” Lowery said.
Kansas marks 2025 Education and Sharing Day in honor of Lubavitcher Rebbe
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly proclaimed April 9, 2025, as Education and Sharing Day, held to emphasize the importance of morality in education, a cause championed by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (z”l).
This year, April 9 marked the 123rd anniversary of the Rebbe’s birth. For more than 40 years, U.S. presidents, Congress and local governments have recognized this date as Education and Sharing Day, to honor him.
In commemoration of the Rebbe’s birthday, Gov. Kelly calls on all Kansans “to reach out to those within [their] communities to create a better, brighter, and more hopeful future for all” in the proclamation. She further emphasized that our educational system must focus not only on academics but also on building character through the cultivation of moral and ethical values.
During a ceremony on March 26 at the Kansas State Capitol, Governor Kelly presented the official proclamation to a delegation led by Chabad rabbis from across the state, Jewish student leaders from the University of Kansas and educators from across Kansas.
The Rebbe, one of the most influ-
ential rabbis in modern history, is the only rabbi to have received the Congressional Gold Medal and to be honored annually with a national day of recognition. His teachings continue to inspire millions and serve as the driving force behind the work of the 5,500 Chabad centers worldwide. In 1970, the Rebbe established Chabad in Kansas and Missouri when he sent Rabbi Sholom and Blumah Wineberg, who are currently the longest serving rabbi and rebbetzin in this state.
The Rebbe strongly advocated for education that goes beyond academic achievement, stressing the importance of character-building and ethical responsibility. His vision was echoed by President Ronald Reagan in his 1982 proclamation for Education and Sharing Day, stating that “knowledge is an unworthy goal unless it is accompanied by moral and spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Education and Sharing Day encourages initiatives such as a daily moment of silence at the beginning of the school day, allowing students time to reflect on moral guidance from their parents, and the ARK (Acts of Random and Routine Kindness) initiative, which promotes daily acts of kindness and charitable giving.
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.
Pictured at the Kansas State Capitol on March 26 are Charles Good, Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, Dr. Sam Bradshaw, Dori Jezmir, Rabbi Sam Stern, Governor Laura Kelly, Ralph Haimowitz, Rabbi Mendel Wenger and Spencer Gibbs.
Events to highlight history of Lawrence Jewish community
The Jewish history of Lawrence, Kansas, will be highlighted this month with a discussion with Dr. David Katzman at the Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation (LJCC) and an exhibition of Judaica at the Watkins Museum of History.
“We are very lucky to have Dr. Katzman presenting his research into Lawrence Jewish history at the same time that the Watkins will be running its exhibition of Judaica,” said Dr. Lara Giordano, LJCC director. “The resonance between these events makes for such a wonderful learning opportunity.”
“Origins of the Lawrence Jewish Community”
The LJCC will host Dr. Katzman for his discussion, “Origins of the Lawrence Jewish Community,” on Wednesday, April 23, at 7 p.m.
Dr. Katzman, a KU professor emeritus, held appointments in American studies, history, African and African-American studies and Jewish studies. Additionally, he is the author or editor of seven books and has held Guggenheim, NEH, Ford and Rockefeller Foundation fellowships, as well as a Fulbright. He is an elected fellow
of the Society of American Historians. He heads the Kansas Jewish History Project and, with Andrea Weis, is completing a book about the lives and experiences of Kansas Jews and their communities. He has also been a member of the LJCC since 1969.
Dr. Katzman will talk about the “prehistory” of the LJCC itself and about the Jewish history of the area at large.
Though Lawrence Jews incorporated a congregation and acquired Bene Israel cemetery in 1869, it took nearly 80 years to acquire a building and more than a century to use Bene Israel as a communal burial ground. Dr.
Katzman's talk will illuminate these various Lawrence Jewish histories, organizations and individuals and explain why Lawrence Jews did not form a permanent organization until after World War II.
While Dr. Katzman’s talk is free and open to the public, the LJCC requests advance registration at ljcc.shulcloud.com.
“Transplanting Heritage”
Dr. Katzman’s talk at the LJCC coincides with an exhibition of Judaica at the Watkins Museum in downtown Lawrence. The exhibit, “Transplanting Heritage,” features items from The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah’s Michael Klein Collection.
Early Kansas was a land of immigrants, including many Jews from Germany. Committed to establishing lives as Americans, Jewish settlers were equally determined to preserve the heritage carried with them from
Europe. Religious observances and the objects they required became a way to preserve cultural identity in a new land. The objects that are on display at the Watkins share this story.
The LJCC will also partner with the Watkins Museum on the evening of April 26 to host a Havdalah candle lighting at the museum. Interested parties are welcome to join at 6 p.m. for a reception and to view the exhibit, with the Havdalah ceremony at 7 p.m.
Community members will also be able to visit the LJCC to see a rotating display of artworks from the Klein Collection. The first Klein Collection display to be featured at the LJCC will be a set of tzedakah boxes in honor of this season in the Jewish calendar between the holidays of Purim and Passover, when the tradition places particular emphasis upon our obligation to attend to matters of justice through our own acts of giving.
“Origins of the Lawrence Jewish Community” Wednesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. LJCC, 917 Highland Dr., Lawrence, KS 66044
Havdalah at the Watkins Museum Saturday, April 26, at 6 p.m.
Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS 66044
Spinning Tree Theatre to premiere Victor Wishna’s ‘First Generation,’ produced
Spinning Tree Theatre will present the world premiere of “First Generation,” a play by community member Victor Wishna.
The play, which will run from April 15 to 19, was commissioned by Wishna for Spinning Tree and is produced in partnership with Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) of Kansas City. Performances will be at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center (8788 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66212).
In the play, when high-schooler Ruthie volunteers in a classroom for young refugees, she clashes with Patience, a sharp and guarded student who challenges her assumptions. But a chance encounter with a mysterious young woman — foreign yet oddly familiar — forces Ruthie to confront a critical question: What does it truly mean to welcome the stranger, and what am I willing to do about it?
Inspired by real-life experiences of young refugees, “First Generation” is a play about identity, belonging and the power of empathy, inviting audiences to explore the complexities of finding home in a new world.
in partnership with JVS
“We are honored to share Victor Wishna’s story based on interviews with Kansas City teen refugees,” Artistic Director Michael Grayman-Parkhurst said. “‘First Generation’ is timely and compelling, thought-provoking and entertaining. It’s the type of play audiences will wonder on the ride home, ‘How did I not know more about this?’ and ‘What can I do?’”
The young artists featured onstage
are Kadence Bowie, Carl Brock, Nile Clipner, Joaquin Gonzalez-Layton, Aahil Hassan, Camille Kamseu, Alice Lenz, Elisa Lopez, Makayla Manning, Jordan Rosenwald and Raegan Rosenwald. Leonardo Aptilon will perform live violin music throughout the performance. The performers represent a variety of high schools from the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Jewish Vocational Service will host a special JVS night on Thursday, April 17. Tickets are open to the public.
“First Generation” is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Louis and Frances Swinken Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
More information and ticketing is available at spinningtreetheatre.com. The scheduled performances are:
• Tuesday, April 15, at 7 p.m., with ASL interpretation and opening night reception
• Wednesday, April 16, at 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 16, at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m., JVS Night
• Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 19, at 2 p.m., with ASL interpretation
“First Generation” April 15-19
Johnson County AHC, 8788 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66212
Victor Wishna
A Hanukkah menorah from the Michael Klein Collection currently on display at the Watkins Museum in Lawrence, Kansas.
Babs Lowenstein artwork on display at Epsten Gallery
The Epsten Gallery in Village Shalom is presenting “The Collection of Babs Lowenstein,” an art exhibit featuring the works of local artist Babs Lowenstein. The exhibit will be on display until May 1 and showcases a collection of abstract oil paintings and ceramics made to capture the essence of color, light and the artist’s lifelong passion for creativity.
This exhibition helps support art therapy and other art programs that engage residents in the community. The exhibit is funded by the Babs and Bill Lowenstein Art Fund to ensure that her legacy of creativity and community support will continue to inspire future generations.
Babs Lowenstein’s art is deeply rooted in her personal experiences, a lifetime of “collecting beauty in her mind” as she traveled the world. As an artist, she is captivated by color in all its forms.
"When I close my eyes, I see color," she said, "and when music plays, I witness it flowing and blending into one another."
Inspired by her travels — from the translucence of tulip petals in Holland to the reds and oranges of Chinese dragons — Lowenstein’s works are made as a celebration of hues and the interplay of color and light.
Light, a constant fascination for Lowenstein, also plays a significant role in her art.
"I am endlessly fascinated by the way light pierces the sky and gently rests over mountain ranges," she said. Each art piece was made to embody the merging of color and light, inviting viewers to experience the emotions she feels when she witnesses their beauty in the world.
Lowenstein began her journey into
painting later in life but has always been surrounded by creativity. A lifelong educator, she credits her family for nurturing her artistic spirit, with her mother, sister, daughters and granddaughters all sharing a deep connection to the arts. Lowenstein’s paintings can be found in collections in Kansas City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Houston and Boston.
The exhibit also honors Lowenstein’s legacy as a beloved educator and community member. Known affectionately as "Miss Babs," she spent more than 30 years as a preschool teacher at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, where her creative approach to teaching impacted the lives of thousands of young students. As a retired educator, she continued to nurture her own creative passions, studying painting and ceramics at the Jewish Community Center's Heritage Center under the guidance of mentor Patricia Caviar.
In her second chapter, Lowenstein found love again with Bill Lowenstein, and together they shared 30 years. Today, Lowenstein enjoys spending time with her children, 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren while continuing to create art that speaks to her dynamic spirit.
The exhibit is free to view until May 1 at The Epsten Gallery at Village Shalom (5500 W 123rd St, Overland Park, KS 66209), and donations are encouraged. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Those interested in more information about the exhibit or wanting to schedule a private tour can contact David Spizman at dspizman@ villageshalom.org.
Bill codifying IHRA antisemitism definition passed by Kansas legislature
Both the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives approved a bill to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism in the state’s statute. SB 44, as agreed to on March 25, includes that “antisemitism and antisemitic acts are against the public policy of the state, including, but not limited to, the purposes of public educational institutions and law enforcement agencies.”
A conference committee agreed to remove the original provisions of SB 44, intended to expand the Kansas Promise Scholarship Program, and insert the provisions of HB 2299, a bill concerning antisemitism that had been introduced by Representative Susan Estes in February. The committee comprised Representatives Estes, Kyle McNorton and Jerry Stogsdill; and Senators Renee Erickson, Adam Thomas and Dinah Sykes.
The Kansas Senate approved the bill 39-1, and the House of Representatives approved it 102-21.
The IHRA definition was previously adopted by the Kansas State Legislature in 2022; Kansas City and many of its suburbs in 2023; and by the United States government in 2019. SB 44 must still be signed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.
Jewish community members and leaders testified on behalf of the original HB 2299 antisemitism legislation before the Kansas House Committee on Education on Feb. 11, including Jewish Community Relations Bureau|AJC Interim Executive Director Neta Meltzer and President Barry Kaseff; Combat Antisemitism Movement Founder Adam Beren; University of Kansas graduate Robert Metz; and multiple KU students.
Angela DeWilde named new JFS CEO
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early childhood development. After leading Start at Zero for seven years, DeWilde served as interim executive director at Show Me KC Schools during that organization’s transition, shoring up community support and programming. DeWilde then became a full-time consultant and program director at SchoolSmartKC, a local philanthropic collaborative, where she launched a series of programs to bridge the gap between schools and social service agencies in the areas of food security, housing stability and mental health.
Most recently, DeWilde has served as chief development officer for Avenue of Life, where she led fundraising efforts and built partnerships to
strengthen community networks and enhance services for families facing housing insecurity.
“I am honored to join JFS at a time when its mission is more important than ever,” DeWilde said, “and I am delighted to work alongside its amazing team and extraordinary partners to build on its legacy of success and impact serving both the Jewish community and those more broadly in need within our community.”
Originally from southeast Missouri, DeWilde earned her degree from Webster University in St. Louis and has called Kansas City home since 2007, where she lives with her husband, Anthony, and their two children.
More information about JFS is available at jfskc.org.
Babs Lowenstein (center, sitting) with her family at The Epsten Gallery.
The Kansas State Capitol in Topeka.
This week in history
15 years
40 years
55 years
• Angela DeWilde (pg. 1)
• Annie Glickman (pg. 10)
• Babs Lowenstein (pg. 5)
• KCteen (pg. 7)
• KU Hillel (pg. 11)
• Lawrence (pg. 4)
GOVERNORKELLY VICTORWISHNA LAWRENCE JULIETS BABSLOWENSTEIN KUHILLEL SEVENDAYS VISIONASSOCIATES ANNIEGLICKMAN KCTEEN SOPHIESHAFTER PASSOVER ANGELADEWILDE TONYRICHARDSON NICKLOWERY MATZAHBALLMAVEN INCLUSIVESEDER MATZAHPIZZATIME
• SevenDays (pg. 8)
• Sophie Shafter (pg. 10)
• Tony Richardson (pg. 1)
• Governor Kelly (pg. 3)
• Inclusive Seder (pg. 11)
• JULIETs (pg. 7)
• Matzah Ball Maven (pg. 12)
• Nick Lowery (pg. 1)
• Passover (pgs. 13-20)
• Victor Wishna (pg. 4)
• Vision Associates (pg. 10)
Kehilath Israel Synagogue students prepared clothing donations for Crosslines Communtiy Outreach.
Pictured are (front, from left) Missy Rosenthal, Rochelle Adamous, Brody Kadosh and Alex Buberman; (back) Meirav Horak, Ellie Horak, Ariel Buberman, Leena Clark, Marcelle Kadosh and Rachel Lubowicz.
A television crew records the Holocaust memories of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Nelson. The videotape recording the experiences and recollections of Holocaust survivors who made their homes in Greater Kansas City aired on Sunday, April 13, 1985, on KBMA-TV.
The b’nai mitzvah of Cindy Lou, Jay Joseph and Wendy Kay Dallen, children of Mr. and Mrs. Sol Dallen, was the first such ceremony for triplets in the history of the Kansas City Jewish community.
Sasone Students
PJ Library Conference
JULIETs to host event on estate planning and elder law
All Jewish women are invited to attend the next Jewish Unforgettable Ladies Interested in Eating Together (JULIETs) event, which will focus on estate planning and elder law for Kansas and Missouri. It will be held on Sunday, April 27, at 12:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Torah (6100 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66209).
Estate planning focuses on beneficiaries and the disposition of possessions, while elder law is used to plan the need for healthcare as people age. Eventually, many Americans need to learn how to make or modify an estate plan and how to navigate the complex
Medicaid system, whether for themselves or their parents.
The speaker, Amber Thailing, will teach how to pay for the cost of healthcare without losing all assets. She will teach how to deal with the process of applying for benefits to pay for care and safeguarding loved ones so they don’t end up out of money and options. Women can reserve their seat by emailing Susie Klinock at Juliets.KC@ gmail.com by April 24. Admission is free. Attendees should bring their lunch and arrive at least 10 minutes early to check in so the event can begin promptly.
JULIETs discussion on estate planning and elder law
Sunday, April 27, at 12:30 p.m. Congregation Beth Torah, 6100 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66209
KCteen, JFS host Teen Mental Health First-Aid program
Jewish Family Services (JFS), in partnership with KCteen, recently offered the Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA), a three-part training for teens in grades 9-12 helping them identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges amongst their friends and peers. The Teen Mental Health First Aid training is free and open to any teens in grades 9-12 of all faiths and backgrounds Teens, parents and organizations
interested in participating in future sessions can visit kcjewishteens.org/ tmhfa.
"We love our youth and want them to thrive,” JFS Family Life Educator Jodi Perelmuter said. “Teens today manage stress, anxiety, friendships and the added pressure of social media. At tMHFA, kids learn an evidence-based curriculum taught by trusted educators. Adding more tools to the modern teen toolbox and connecting with trusted adults support healthy outcomes.”
Students who participated in recent Teen Mental Health First-Aid program included (back row, from left) Zachary Granoff, Ari Green, Keenan Segal, Abby Hill, Sarah Villacorta-Zander, Rachel Jacobs; (front row) Molly Solomon, Elia Ellis, Orli White, Rylee Rothwell and Sara Natanova.
Sasone's Melton Class cohort celebrated its last class on Sunday, March 30. Pictured are (from left) Greg Soltz, Azariah Betzalel, Pam Stein, Sam Passer, Amy Isenberg, teacher Lindsey Lipsky, and Michael Kanter.
Jay Lewis, Jewish Federation president and CEO, and Bridey Stangler, Federation’s engagement strategist and PJ Library coordinator, recently attended the national PJ Library Annual Conference, where they both spoke on panels. Lewis also had the opportunity to meet PJ Library founder Harold Grinspoon.
The Jewish Unforgettable Ladies Interested in Eating Together (JULIETs) group celebrated its one-year anniversary at its March event. Members were asked to bring donations of cake mix and icing for the JFS food pantry. The group also heard a presentation from Jewish Chronicle staffers Lacey Storer and Sam Kricsfeld, pictured with JULIETs leader Susie Klinock.
Right: Jewish War Vets Mo-Kan Post 605 hosted Jewish Chronicle staff members Sam Kricsfeld and Lacey Storer, pictured with Post Commander Bill Greenberg, as speakers for its March meeting.
KCJC and JWV
JULIETs Celebrate
Tiered Passover set
By Ellie Holsten
Made in Poland in the 19th century, this large tiered set holds all of the components necessary for a Passover Seder. Its brass sides open up to reveal three wooden trays, one for each of the requisite pieces of matzah. Each of its ceramic cups is labeled with the Seder component it is meant to hold. Six of its cups hold the standard Seder items and the seventh is labeled “vinegar.” Instead of dipping the karpas in salt water, some Jewish communities dip it in vinegar for a similar effect. Seder plates with a built-in space for salt water or vinegar are uncommon.
The style of the brass metalwork on this piece, with its crowns and rampant lions, is reminiscent of the wood carvings found on Polish synagogue arks. Its enamel plaque has been painted with the text of the blessing over matzah.
More information about the Michael Klein Collection at the Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah can be found at kleincollection.org or by calling (913) 663-4050 to schedule a tour.
The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle and the Klein Collection are partneringtoshareandhighlightsomeofthe collection’suniquepieces.
Jewish students help spread kindness in SevenDays youth leadership team
Seven members of the 2025 SevenDays Kindness Youth Leadership Team (KYLT) are Jewish students. Students in the KYLT meet monthly to participate in leadership training, perform acts of community service and advance SevenDays’ message of spreading kindness at their schools. Though the 2025 SevenDays’ Kindness Week has concluded, these students remain dedicated to the organization’s mission.
knew the effects of its absence.
SevenDays is a Kansas-City based nonprofit organization that promotes kindness and understanding through education and dialogue. SevenDays was founded in 2014 after a white supremacist murdered Reat Underwood, his grandfather Dr. William Corporon and Terri LaManno outside of Jewish organizations in Overland Park.
“I joined KYLT because of my connection to the Jewish community and the hatred that was shown in 2014,” said KYLT member Jonah Stein, a junior at Blue Valley North High School. “I have always loved all the amazing work that SevenDays does, and since joining KYLT, I have gained an appreciation for what they do and also learned about the diverse cultures in our communities. I have learned positive advocacy and been given the ability to make our world a kinder place.”
SevenDays’ mission of kindness was a major attractor for Blue Valley High School junior Mia Mondry, who
“I joined KYLT because I saw and experienced unkindness during my early teen years, and it impacted my mental health negatively,” Mondry said. “I didn’t want others to feel that, so I joined the organization that aimed to make others feel positivity and kindness that not everyone can experience.”
In addition to the message of spreading kindness, the Jewish KYLT members say that the organization further connects them to their Judaism.
“I feel like I am more comfortable talking about and sharing my Judaism because [SevenDays] was started from a terrible act of antisemitism,” Mondry said. “I know that being silent is never the answer and that speaking up about being Jewish, especially in this day and age, can make a huge change.”
Involvement in the KYLT has also led the Jewish members to connect with more of the community.
"Through SevenDays, I was able to meet more Jewish people in the area and connect with them on deeper levels,” said Sam Sandler, KYLT member, BBYO president and student at Blue Valley High School. “A part of my identity — that, due to antisemitism, I have to hide at times — gets to shine at every meeting… I get to not only teach about
my Jewish traditions, but I have opportunities to share them with other members, and in return, they share their traditions. It's truly wonderful how SevenDays brings such a diverse community together. Everyone is welcome no matter what disability, skin color, gender or religion — everyone has a place here."
“Being in KYLT has allowed me to meet others that are Jewish and connect over our similarities,” said Sophia Naronov, a junior at Blue Valley North High School. “In a way, it’s strengthened my Jewishness and my pride for being Jewish.”
The seven members include Stein, Mondry, Sandler, Naronov, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy sophomore Dani Glickman, Pembroke Hill School junior Bea Colbert and Barstow School senior Abby Hill (whose editorial about the KYLT was published in the March 27 Chronicle issue).
SevenDays leadership also includes Jewish community members, including board members Alana Muller, Matt Waggoner and Jake Goldman and team member Ruth Baum Bigus. One of the organization’s 2025 Ripple of Kindness winners, Carol Barnett, is also Jewish. More information about the Kindness Youth Leadership Team or other youth activities is available by emailing Jill Andersen, SevenDays’ youth engagement director, at jill@SevenDays. org, or by visiting sevendays.org.
Kansas City Manager Brian Platt fired after three-week suspension
Brian Platt has been fired from his position as Kansas City, Missouri, City Manager. The firing comes after the three-week suspension he received following a near-$1 million lawsuit against the city alleging that Platt discriminated against a city employee who spoke against Platt’s suggestion of lying to the media.
Mayor Quinton Lucas told local media outlets that Kansas City’s reputation has been damaged and the city council lost confidence in Platt’s leadership abilities. The City Council vote to remove Platt was unanimous and was based on more than just the lawsuit.
At the City Council meeting, Mayor Lucas listed additional factors that led to Platt’s dismissal, some of which were ineffectiveness in handling personal matters, failure to establish department goals, unresponsiveness to elected officials on certain issues and failure to accept constructive criticism. Platt, who is Jewish, began his role as city manager in 2020, having previous-
ly held the same position in Jersey City, New Jersey. Last year, Platt was in the running for the city manager position of Austin, Texas, but dropped out of consideration, subsequently receiving his contract extension and raise.
In a farewell message on social media, Platt thanked the city for “an amazing 4+ years” and expressed pride in the work to “elevate our quality of life for all Kansas Citians.”
Platt’s involvement in the Kansas City Jewish community has included involvement and appearances at multiple events, including the city’s menorah lightings and Oct. 7 commemoration.
Brian Platt
FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS... Chag Sameach!
HBHA head of school joins Day School Leadership Training Institute cohort
Annie Glickman, head of school at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA), has joined the 14th cohort of the Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI) fellowship for new and aspiring heads of school, offered as a partnership between Prizmah and the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Glickman joins 200 Jewish day school and yeshiva leaders who have participated in DSLTI. This two-year fellowship provides the opportunity for new and aspiring heads of Jewish day schools to deepen their knowledge and skills, face vulnerabilities, build professional and personal connections and engage in reflective practices with a cohort of colleagues and mentors.
Through this fellowship, Glickman will work to strengthen her leadership practices in a Jewish context, learn from experienced heads, read literature and build a cohort of colleagues to become a strategic leader whose decisions, interactions and priorities are grounded by HBHA’s mission and vision.
"I am honored to be part of DSLTI’s 14th cohort and join a network of leaders who are deeply committed to Jewish education. This fellowship is an opportunity to grow, learn, and bring new ideas back to HBHA to ensure we continue to im-
prove upon HBHA’s strong and vibrant learning environment," Glickman said.
HBHA’s investment in leadership development is aligned with its commitment to professional growth and leadership excellence.
"At HBHA, we recognize that strong leadership is the foundation of a thriving school community,” HBHA
Board President Michael Levine said.
“We are thrilled to support Annie’s participation in this prestigious fellowship, knowing that the insights and connections she gains will help shape the future of our school.”
JFS honors volunteer Sophie Shafter
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and Jewish Family Services (JFS) is honoring its volunteers, including Sophie Shafter.
While Shafter has lived in many cities in her adult life, she has always focused on connecting with the Jewish community no matter the place. When she moved to the Kansas City area about eight years ago, it wasn’t until after COVID that Shafter found her new volunteer home with JFS through board member Courtney Landy.
“She and the JFS team were expanding leadership opportunities to develop a team of young volunteers through the Emerging Leaders program,” Shafter said. “The program has been a great
way to volunteer with friends and peers while supporting the mission of JFS. I found JFS was the perfect intersection of building community while also giving back.”
Shafter has jumped in feetfirst helping plan events and side projects with Emerging Leaders, including the group’s involvement with the JFS Hanukkah Project. She also found her way to helping with the JFS Food Pantry, which serves more than 400 families each month.
“Sophie tackles each volunteer opportunity [with] the spirit of gratitude and adventure,” added Jo Hickey, JFS director of volunteers and pantry partners. “It doesn't matter if it is raining buckets or sunny and 65 [degrees] — Sophie is there.”
Vision Associates announces new leaders
Leadership of Vision Associates, the nonprofit that owns the 14 acres of land adjacent to the south of Village Shalom, changed last month. Jim Klein succeeds the late Stanley J. Bushman as president; Michael Berenbom succeeds Charles M. Helzberg as vice president and secretary/ treasurer; and board members Joe Hiersteiner and Josh Stein were elected.
“Sophie has been a great addition to the Emerging Leaders,” said Melanie Hayden, JFS senior development director, who works with the group. “She's always ready to jump in and help at group volunteer opportunities and is warm and friendly to our clients and donors. She ‘gets’ JFS in a very special way.”
Shafter, who is a massage therapist and does freelance work in marketing and communications, volunteers to pick up and deliver fresh produce and other items donated by Whole Foods to the JFS Food Pantry. Shafter usually joins another volunteer at the Overland Park location where they load up.
“We pack in every inch of free space in our vehicles or the JFS transit van and drop off the goods at one of the two JFS food pantry locations — at the Jewish Community Center and Brookside. The last delivery was more than 1,200 pounds of food made available to our community,” Shafter said.
Shafter has made memories volunteering for JFS “from getting drenched in a rainstorm while loading 40-pound crates of produce for the food pantry to awkwardly wrapping gifts for Hanukkah as well as packaging diapers and more,” she said. Kansas City has provided so many opportunities to give back while connecting with a talented group of peers who have become good friends.
Shafter encourages others to consider volunteering at JFS.
“It does not need to be a huge commitment or even interfere with workday activities. Find some people you know who are involved and ask them about what they do,” Shafter said. “Whether it’s a weekend volunteer project to support JFS-affiliated organizations in the community or using your contact list to promote a digital drive for the food pantry, there are many flexible ways to get involved on your own time.”
Those wanting to learn more about volunteering at JFS can visit jfskc.org/ volunteer or please email volunteer@ jfskc.org.
In 2001, Bushman learned of a potential closing on the land by a developer in about two weeks and had the vision that the pending sale would preclude any potential use, if needed, for the future for Village Shalom. He asked Helzberg, his friend and business partner, to join him in an urgent effort to raise $2,800,000 to close on the land before the proposed sale to the developer. With help from a select group of other community leaders who understood the importance of this acquisition, $2,800,000 was expeditiously raised.
Vision Associates was created as a 501 (c) 3 organization for this purpose. At the request of community banker and real estate developer Sherman Driesezun, Bushman and Helzberg accepted the role of managers, a responsibility which they carried out for 24 years until they determined it was time to pass the baton.
Helzberg added that there is nothing imminent in terms of any changes with the property. The new board will continue to look after the best interests of Village Shalom as they consider their options.
New Vision Associates President Jim Klein (left) and Vice President Michael Berenbom.
HBHA Head of School Annie Glickman
Sophie Shafter
By Lindsey Lipsky Sasone Director
Passover is, hands down, one of my alltime favorite Jewish holidays. A gripping story? Check. A delicious meal? Absolutely. A gathering of friends and family filled with song, laughter and a high-stakes game of afikomen hideand-seek? Check, check and double check.
As a parent and an advocate for inclusivity, I see the Seder as the perfect opportunity to create a welcoming and engaging experience for all. With approximately one in four students nationwide experiencing some form of neurodiversity (Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, sensory differences and more), it’s essential to make sure everyone can participate in a way that works for them. Here are some tips to keep your Seder fun, inclusive, and — most importantly — memorable.
Ask first — don’t assume
We are pretty good at asking about dietary restrictions, but what about checking in on other needs? Some guests might struggle with bright lights, loud noises or sitting for long periods. A quick conversation beforehand can help you plan accordingly and make everyone feel more comfortable. Plus, it makes you look like a super host.
Play with a purpose
Want to keep kids engaged? Bring on the props. Toy frogs jumping across the table? Yes, please. Ten plagues masks? Of course. A placemat with a visual checklist of Seder steps? Genius. Purposeful play — a.k.a. structured fun that sneaks in learning — helps everyone, neurodivergent and neurotypical alike, stay engaged. Who said educational moments can’t involve a little fun?
Let’s talk attention spans
Expecting kids to sit quietly for hours? Good luck. On average, a neurotypical child can focus for about two–five minutes per year of age. That means a six-year-old can last roughly 12–30 minutes before their attention wanders to more interesting things — like, say, that crumb on the floor. Kids with ADHD, autism or sensory sensitivities? Their attention spans vary even more. The solution? Keep things moving, mix in interactive elements and don’t expect anyone (adults included) to be laser-focused the whole time.
Encourage breaks
As a kid, I spent half of my Seders under the table, and guess what? I still learned the story. The Seder itself builds in breaks (handwashing intermission, anyone?), so take advantage of them. Let kids (and grownups) step away when needed, stretch their legs or even get some fresh air (Hello, Elijah, are you there?). A little movement can go a long way in keeping everyone happy and engaged.
Keep your eye on the prize
At the end of the day, a great Seder isn’t about flawlessly reading the Hebrew or sticking to every single step in perfect order. It’s about storytelling, connection and passing down an epic tale of our ancestors’ journey out of Egypt. The goal? That our children and our children’s children will be able to pass on the tale and some of the awesomeness that comes with being Jewish. By following these tips, you can ensure that everyone — kids, adults and even the occasional wandering toddler — has a seat at the Seder table.
Lindsey Lipsky is the director of Sasone, the Jewish community’s program to support students with special needs. Inclusive best practices and downloadable Passover resources are available at sasone. org/resources.
KU Hillel preparing to host Passover celebrations
KU Hillel is preparing to welcome Jewish students for its annual Passover celebrations.
KU Hillel is dedicated to making sure every Jewish student has a place at the Seder table. Thanks to the generosity of parents, alumni and community members, KU Hillel will provide kosher-for-Passover meals, Seders and opportunities for students to celebrate together.
"Passover is such a special time, and we want to make sure no student feels alone during the holiday," said Ethan Helfand, KU Hillel’s executive director. "We are excited to create a space where students can experience the traditions of Passover while forming lasting friendships."
In addition to Seders, KU Hillel will offer a variety of Passover-friendly meal options throughout the holiday, along with educational and social programming including a Chocolate Seder and Matzo Brei Brunch.
More information about KU Hillel’s Passover programming and information on how to support these events is available at KUHillel.org/donate by reaching out to Ethan Helfand at ethanhelfand@kuhillel.org.
Neta Meltzer named JCRB|AJC executive director
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next chapter,” said Barry Kaseff, JCRB|AJC board president, in an email to community members.
Meltzer had previously served as JCRB|AJC’s community and government relations director, starting with the organization in November of 2023. Her time and work at JCRB|AJC, as well as her leadership and achievements as interim executive director, inspired confidence in the board’s decision to promote her.
“This moment is perhaps one as challenging as our Kansas City Jewish community has seen,” Kaseff said. “Building upon her relationships with local Jewish leaders, and with a renewed focus on Jewish community engagement and relationship-building with interfaith and intergroup communities, Neta will continue to lead her staff and collaborate with the board as she has already done so aptly.”
Meltzer was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, and grew up in the Kansas City Jewish community. Three generations of her family are at the Jewish Community
Campus regularly. Her mother, Edna Meltzer, is the Hebrew Department chair at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, and her daughter, Mira, is a student at the Child Development Center.
“This is the community that I grew up in,” she told The Chronicle in 2023. “This is a community that my daughter is going to grow up in, so to be able to do this kind of work here on the local level is really personal and really meaningful to me.”
Meredith Goldstein (left) and Josie Safir at last year’s KU Hillel Chocolate Seder at the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Neta Meltzer and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress on July 24, 2024.
Matzah Ball Maven
I hate to brag, but mine’s the best. I know that’s quite a statement to make in a Jewish newspaper, but I just know that my matzah balls are the best I’ve ever tasted. My dinner guests agree. Invariably, whenever I serve them someone at the table will say, “Oh, these matzah balls are delicious. Can I have the recipe?”
“Of course,” I say, never one to withhold such information. “Just go to the store, find the Jewish aisle, and buy the box. That’s my recipe.”
Yes, gentle readers. My secret’s out. I use a mix. But I don’t feel like I have been “found out” because I never meant to conceal this in the first place. Despite what my fellow diners may think, I did not spend all day slaving over a hot stove.
Speaking of slaves, the first time I hosted a Passover Seder, I attempted to make matzah balls from scratch. Perhaps I was subconsciously remembering the mortar we slaves were forced to forge into bricks. My matzah balls had the consistency of concrete.
I tried again the next year, but that attempt yielded the opposite effect. The matzah balls were so light and fluffy they fell apart, refusing to form into anything resembling a ball. The batter produced a delicate souffle which tasted pretty good, but the texture was all wrong.
So, the next year I gave up. I bought a mix.
What’s so wrong with that? Many people insist that homemade is inherently better than store-bought. As food historian Laura Shapiro explains, for some people, prepared mixes pack an emotional punch.
“If you made it from a box, it didn’t count. Getting it from someone else was cheating,” she says. Which might explain why some cooks will rush home with a store-bought roasted chicken, dump it into a pan and present it as their own personal accomplishment.
Others will purchase a readymade product but insist on altering the contents. At Seders every year, my aunt would bring her “famous”
gefilte fish, which she always reminded us originated from a jar, but had been “doctored” by herself. (I never thought hers was any improvement.)
Food marketers are well aware of this penchant for product-involvement. For instance, in the 1950s, psychologist Ernest Dichter advised cake companies to remove eggs and “put them back into the hands of the baker” so they would feel more emotionally invested in the process.
But when it comes to making matzah balls, I’m happy to leave my hands out of it as much as possible. Shannon Sarna, the author of several Jewish cookbooks, agrees. As she wrote in the online forum The Nosher, “I am here to say loud and proud: Boxed matzah ball mix is actually the best.” Even her grandfather, a food chemist, backed her up, claiming that science had perfected three packaged mixes: brownies, onion soup and matzah balls. As an interesting aside, Sarna reports that her grandfather invented Tang, that powdered drink mix from the space race days. Here was a man who “knew from food.”
To those following my advice to buy ready-made, I must offer one caveat. In years past, I would add to my instructions, “Make sure you get the white box.” But now my preferred brand comes in an orange box. Sarna recommends the blue box, but after checking at several stores, I find none of the matzah ball products now come in that color. And to complicate the purchase even further, a new brand is available in a red box. Regardless, they’re probably all good. Just pick one. I agree with Sarna who concludes, “Life is complicated, matzah balls don’t need to be. Go box, or go home.”
Nancy Kalikow Maxwell is a Kansas City native and award-winning author. Her latest book, “Typically Jewish,”isavailablethroughtheJewish Publication Society or Amazon. Her website is kaliwellinc.com and email is nancykalikowmaxwell@ gmail.com.
Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle staff, the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, or the Kansas City Jewish Community as a whole.
Walking through shadows
By Dori Jezmir
It was a dark and quiet evening; we walked into a forest where we were confronted with a large grave. The grave contained 801 children who were brutally murdered for one reason and one reason only – they were Jewish. Standing there, I was told the story of a mother who gave up her baby before being killed. She wrote a letter to the child about her history and the pride her parents felt so when her daughter grew up, she would know her mother.
Shortly after, I was presented with a letter. It was a letter from my own parents that told me about my history and their pride in me. I broke down and couldn’t stop crying – in the grave were innocent children who were faced with the crime of being Jewish, not too far from my age, helpless in the horrors of a genocide.
Five of my eight great-grandparents were murdered in the Holocaust. My grandmother survived by hiding during Soviet blockades, but her first child — my aunt — tragically died of starvation as a baby. My grandfather fought for the Soviets and lost an arm due to a Nazi shooting him. In 1990, even my parents had to flee the Soviet Union after neighbors warned them of looming pogroms, offering to take in my sisters if anything happened to them.
These thoughts and feelings occurred over spring break, when I had the opportunity to go to Poland through a Chabad on Campus trip called Living Links. This trip hit home deeply. I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, Majdanek, Sobibor and the Children’s Forest. Seeing the ashes of more than 200,000 innocent Jewish souls in a pile, the remnants of lives stolen — shoes, bags, memories — I was confronted with the unimaginable horror our ancestors endured. I was bundled up with several layers of clothes, a coat, hat, scarf, gloves, 32-below socks and boots, yet I was freezing. I could barely feel my toes, which made me reflect even more about the Holocaust. I had no place to complain or even feel discomfort when our ancestors barely had a light layer of ripped clothes to cover their frail bodies.
Walking around Auschwitz-Birkenau,
feeling the brick walls of the barracks and hearing heartbreaking stories of individuals was painful and chilling, but necessary. The most powerful moment was singing “Am Yisrael Chai,” “One Day,” and various other Jewish songs as we were walking out of the concentration camp, heads held high, unlike our ancestors that remained there. Hearing stories of how Jewish people maintained their faith and spirituality in secret, in the face of oppression, served as an inspiration to an impressionable mind like mine that is on its own religious journey. We walked through former Jewish neighborhoods and synagogues, and I could almost feel the rich traditions, learning and community life that once thrived there. It was a powerful reminder that Jewish life in Poland had the same deep-rooted traditions that we have now. These people were no different than us — they smiled, danced, laughed and lived peaceful lives as proud Jews. During this trip, my emotions were stirred, as I was filled with anger. Anger that Oct. 7 happened, anger about the rise of antisemitism on campus and around the world, but more importantly, anger that this systemic hate against my people has shaped who I am, my passions and my life. I started Students Supporting Israel at KU and was the president during Oct. 7. Since then, I have been fighting against antisemitism and standing up for Jews on my campus. This trip showed me the uttermost importance of the existence of Israel, a place where Jews can call a home post-Holocaust.
This powerful experience reaffirmed that nothing should ever be compared to the Holocaust, and the word genocide should never be used lightly. When you stand in the very places where it happened, the weight of history becomes undeniable. I feel numb. I feel heartbroken. I feel forever changed. But more than anything, I feel the responsibility to remember and to bear witness. Never Again! Never Forget! Am Yisrael Chai! Dori Jezmir is a student at the UniversityofKansasandformerpresidentofits chapterofStudentsSupportingIsrael.
Dori Jezmir, draped in an Israeli flag, walking on the railroad tracks at Auschwitz.
By Rabbi Moshe Grussgott
Kehilath Israel Synagogue Senior Rabbi
Last year on Passover, the anti-Israel group Jewish Voice for Peace staged what they called an anti-Zionist Seder at the University of Southern California.
I was bewildered at how such a Seder can even be constructed. The following serves as my open letter to JVP, going through each of the Seder’s 14 steps and demonstrating how each and every step contains a connection to the Holy Land:
Kadesh — making Kiddush over wine
According to Jewish law, the wine must be grape wine specifically, because grape vines are listed amongst the produce of the Land of Israel in Deuteronomy 8:8 – “A land of wheat and barley, grape vines and figs and
An anti-Zionist Seder?
pomegranates, a land of oil producing olives and honey.”
Urchatz — handwashing without a blessing
In ancient Israel, before eating foods dipped in liquids, they would ritually wash their hands so that their hands would not subsequently defile the teruma, the gift of produce to a Kohen. We wash our hands before Karpas in memory of this ancient practice. Note that the laws of teruma are only operative in the Holy Land.
Karpas — dipping the green vegetable in salt water
Karpas has many layers of meaning, but the Talmud says that the reason we must perform it is to elicit curiosity and questions from the children, in keeping with the verses in Exodus 12:25-26 – “And it shall come to pass when you enter the Land that the Lord will give you, as He spoke, that you shall observe this service. And it will come to pass if your children say to
you, what is this service to you?”
Yachatz — breaking the middle matzah
The ensuing section of Maggid must be recited over a broken matzah in order to signify a sense of “poor man’s bread.” And so, we break the matzah and then immediately declare that we are considered as poor and enslaved until we all return to Eretz Yisrael; that declaration ends with: “Now we are here; next year in the land of Israel. Now – slaves; next year we shall be free.”
Maggid – telling the story of the Exodus
The entire long Maggid section dramatically concludes with the line: “It was not only our ancestors whom the Holy One redeemed; He redeemed us too along with them, as it is said: ‘He took us out of there, to bring us to the Land He promised our ancestors and to give it to us.’”
Rochtzah — washing hands with a blessing
We wash our hands with a vessel in memory of the ancient Temple practice of the Kohanim.
Motzi Matzah — blessing over the matzah
According to Jewish Law, matzah must be made from one of the five species associated with the first two grains listed as grains of Eretz Yisrael in Deuteronomy 8:8 – “A land of wheat and barley, grape vines and figs and pomegranates, a land of oil producing olives and honey.”
Marror — eating bitter herbs
The Midrash connects this practice to the verse in Lamentations 3:15: “He has filled me with bitterness; He has sated me with wormwood,” which the prophet Jeremiah uttered in lamenting the downfall of Zion.
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Korech — eating the famous “Hillel Sandwich”
Hillel made Aliyah (moved from the exile to the Land of Israel) in the first century C.E.
Shulchan Orech — eating the meal
We are required to have a festive meal on all holidays, in fulfillment of the verse in Isaiah 58: 13-14: “And you shall call the Sabbath a delight, the holy (day) of the Lord honored… Then, you shall delight with the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the high places of the Land, and I will give you to eat the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Tzafun — eating the Afikomen
We make dessert over a piece of matzah in memory of Temple times, when the last thing you eat must be the Passover sacrifice. The sacrifice could only be eaten in the holy city of Jerusalem, and its meat could not be removed from the city.
Barech – reciting the grace after meals
Barech is in fulfillment of the Biblical verse in Deuteronomy 8:10 – “And you will eat and be sated, and you shall bless the Lord, your God, for the good Land that He has given you.”
Hallel — reciting Psalms
The text of Hallel is replete with references to Jerusalem.
Nirtzah — concluding the Seder
The Seder famously concludes with the lines: “Soon, lead the shoots of our stock, redeemed, into Zion with great joy! Next Year in Jerusalem!”
This should all suffice to show that a so-called anti-Zionist Seder is impossible.
I wish us all a happy Pesach.
Passover 2025
A Seder evening in five senses
By Rabbi Monica Kleinman Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
One of my favorite quips about Passover is that it’s the holiday on which everything needs to be “just right.” Are the matzah balls too dense? The whole meal is ruined! Did the littlest one not find the afikomen but their big sibling did? Meltdown! Are the songs and melodies different from the ones you grew up with? Cue embarrassment. There is so much packed into one evening that it can feel overwhelming and sometimes impossible to relax and enjoy the experience.
Let’s turn to a grounding technique I’ve learned for when we’re feeling out of control. A grounding technique helps us reconnect with what is going on right here and now amid any chaos, big feelings or dysregulation. The procedure goes: Identify five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. It’s like a counting mnemonic, very much in the spirit of our Passover traditions.
Let’s pretend it’s right before the Seder meal. You’re a gracious guest at someone else’s home, and it’s filled with hustle and bustle. Someone is kvetching, “When will we eat?” (Nevermind the fact that you're hungry, too!) The kids are running around playing with toys brought up from the basement that almost poke someone’s eye out. The guest who is bringing a key dish has yet to appear, and the smells from the kitchen are enticing. I’m feeling overwhelmed — are you?
Let’s start our journey together:
What are five things we can see? A finely set table, bright green parsley, cups for wine or grape juice, a wellloved haggadah at every place and
Serving All Cemeteries BEFORE YOU BUY-SHOP & COMPARE
a pile of matzah in the middle of the table. Everything looks different from the everyday, even if you’ve never been to this place before. The fine china is on the table along with a cup for Elijah. Cloth napkins adorn each setting along with an extra small plate for all the Seder traditions. Cups of salt water and a roasted bone seem right in place on this night, but not any other. This begets the question of the evening, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” We see that things are different.
What four things can we touch? A fancy cloth napkin, matzah crumbles on the tablecloth, the pages of the wellloved haggadah, the pillow on which we recline. We are instructed to dip not once but twice. We put down the fancy silver utensils, polished for the occasion, and use our bare (but recently washed) hands. Parsley goes into salt water, and maror into charoset. Matzah crumbles between our fingers as we seek to break off just the right size. We feel things that are different. What are three things can we hear? The clanking of dishes in the kitchen, the voice of the Seder leader reading aloud, and the warbling voice of the child reciting the four questions. Jewish traditions teaches us in one of the earliest descriptions of the Passover Seder that the Seder leader is to respond to inquiries about the evening by expounding (doreish) — not lecturing, not informing, but going into detail, describing our people’s journey
Banana Passover Cake
From Betty Kalikow’s “Mom’s Best Recipes”
• 7 eggs, separated
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 3/4 cup cake meal
Instructions
1. Set oven to 350°.
• 1/4 cup potato flour
• 1/2 cup nuts, chopped fine
2. Beat egg whites until stiff.
3. Mix sugar and yolks well until thick and creamly, add bananas, cake meal and potato flour. Mix thoroughly.
4. Add nuts and mix by hand.
5. Add stiff egg whites and fold in, mix well.
6. Pour into ungreased tube pan
7. Bake for 20 minutes
8. Reduce oven to 325° and bake for 20 more minutes
9. Turn over to cool
not by reading dryly from a historical manuscript, but recounting the tale replete with song, hand motions, physical symbols at which to point, and involving others’ voices along the way. We hear different sounds.
What two things can we smell? The warmth of matzah ball soup or the distinctive aroma of gefilte fish. Smells can transport us from where we are to a place in our past. The right combination of spices for the brisket or charoset with just the right amount of sugary wine can bring us right back to childhood. We smell different smells.
What can we taste? That never-changing taste of matzah, again this year. A tradition in some circles teaches that we do not consume matzah during the first part of the month of Nissan, perhaps so that the first bite is more enjoyable. We will revisit this taste day after day for the duration of the holiday, seemingly swimming in it until it truly feels like the bread of affliction. We taste different tastes.
This Pesach, I invite you to spend a moment with each of your senses to bring you back to a feeling of calm throughout the holiday.
Rabbi Monica Kleinman serves as the Assistant Director of North American Programs at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, as well as the Rabbinic Consultant for Sasone. She lives in Overland Park with her husband, RabbiJonKleinman,four-year-oldson Jacob and the family beagle who loves cleaningupPassovercrumbs.
“Matzo Shalet” KCJC “Delicious Recipes for Passover,” 1934
• 4 soaked matzahs
• 9 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 grated apples
• 1 1/2 cups raisins
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
• Grated rind of orange
• “A few” pounded almonds
• 1/2 pound fat
1. Beat sugar, eggs and cinnamon until light
2. Add all ingredients except matzah and fat
3. Drain matzahs, gradually adding to mixture and beating until light
4. Melt fat in baking dish, then pour in the mixture
5. Bake in “moderate” oven for 1 1/4 hours
Can be served with a wine sauce of 1 cup white wine, 1/2 cup water, grated lemon peel, 1 tsp. wettened potato flour and two eggs .
By Rabbi Stephanie Kramer
The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah Senior Rabbi
The struggle to keep a soft heart A Passover reflection in the shadow of crisis
As we approach Passover, we are reminded of the incredible journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to freedom. Passover is a time to reflect on the miracles that shaped our history and to renew our sense of hope and faith in the possibility of redemption. The recent atrocities in Israel, particularly since Oct. 7, 2023, have weighed heavily on my heart, and the challenge of maintaining an open heart in the face of overwhelming news has been a constant internal battle.
In the Passover story, we read that God repeatedly hardened Pharaoh’s heart, creating a tension between divine intervention and Pharaoh’s stubborn resistance. At first glance, it may seem perplexing that God would hard-
en Pharaoh’s heart. Why not simply allow Pharaoh to relent, to let the Israelites go free without all the plagues?
The Torah offers no simple answer, but one interpretation is that the repeated hardening of Pharaoh’s heart served to demonstrate the strength of the miracles, the persistence of God’s will and the ultimate triumph of freedom. Each hardened heart, each refusal to release the Israelites, created an opportunity for a greater miracle. With each subsequent plague, Pharaoh’s resistance solidified the magnitude of what was happening. The deliverance of the Israelites was not just an act of liberation but a monumental display of God’s power and love.
As we read this story, we might be tempted to think of Pharaoh’s hardened heart as something distant, something we could never relate to. Yet, in the midst of our own challenges and suffering, it becomes clear that the metaphor of a hardened heart is all too real. It is easy to allow ourselves to
become numb in the face of relentless pain and tragedy, especially when we are bombarded with heartbreaking news every day. Praying for the safety and return of hostages every day, and then learning the fate of the Bibas family was devastating. Their faces will forever be etched in my memory. The temptation to harden our hearts is real. It is a defense mechanism — a way to shield ourselves from the overwhelming weight of sorrow and anger.
I find myself struggling with this very issue. In the face of relentless headlines of suffering, of loss, of grief, it is difficult not to feel overwhelmed, angry and, at times, to close off emotionally, to protect oneself from the constant barrage of news and images, to guard against the heartbreak that seems unending. But deep down, I know that this would be a betrayal of the values that sustain me — values of hope, compassion and the belief in the possibility of healing, even in the darkest times.
I am in awe of those that can keep
their soft hearts even in the face of evil and suffering. I was shocked to hear from Gadi, an 80-year-old man who was held hostage by Hamas for 483 days. After his release, he pledged to return to Gaza, a war-torn region, to teach Palestinians how to farm. Despite having suffered unimaginable trauma, Gadi chose to extend an olive branch — to sow seeds of peace, even in the most difficult circumstances. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and to the belief that healing can begin even in the most broken places.
As I reflect on Gadi’s example, I am reminded that it is possible to hold on to hope without being naive. It is not about ignoring the pain or evil pretending that everything will be okay without effort. Rather, it is about finding the strength to remain open-hearted in the face of adversity. It is about choosing not to let our hearts become hardened, even when the world around us seems
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bent on tearing us apart.
This is not an easy task. It requires courage, vulnerability and a deep sense of faith. It is a fine balance, one that demands we face the harsh realities of the world without allowing them to close us off from one another. It asks us to remember that we are not just individuals enduring hardship, but part of a larger community — a people who have known suffering and liberation, who have witnessed both miracles and tragedies and who are called to build a future of peace, even in the face of hate and persecution.
As we celebrate Passover this year, may we draw strength from the story of the Exodus and from the courage of those who choose hope over despair. Let us remember that while we cannot control the circumstances of our lives, we do have the power to choose how we respond. Let us choose, as a community, to keep our hearts open, to extend compassion and love.
May this Passover be a reminder of the power of miracles, the strength of the human spirit and the unbreakable hope that sustains us all, even when the world seems darkest.
By Rabbi Mark H. Levin, DHL Congregation Beth Torah Founding Rabbi
Why remove leavening from Jewish homes?
The Torah commands that leavening, chametz, disappear from Jewish homes and lives for the duration of Passover. For many, the mitzvah extends much further: thoroughly cleaning homes down to the smallest crumb, removing from storage special Passover dishes and utensils, and selling or otherwise disposing of all leavening a family owns.
Passover, according to national surveys, is the most widely celebrated Jewish holy day annually. Some 60% of Jews attend a Seder or some semblance thereof. But most importantly, every Jew knows the story: “Once we were slaves, now we are free.”
When you think about it, that’s
quite remarkable. For over 3,000 years, Jews have preserved not just the memory but the identity of having been slaves. As the most repeated quotation in the Bible says, “You know the soul of the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Or, perhaps more impressively, the opening commandment of the big Ten Commandments, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”
The Seder itself states in no uncertain terms, in a key prayer before the sumptuous Passover feast, “In every generation, each person is obligated to see him/herself as though s/he [personally] came out of Egypt.” It’s ingrained in the Jewish brain; the core experience of Jewish history: God redeemed us from slavery.
Yet, my personal observation is that fewer and fewer families refrain from leavening for the Passover week. Certainly, everyone I know serves matzah at the Seder, but that may be the end of it. Obviously, there are variations on the theme: some refrain from all grain, some only from bread. Some refrain for one day or even one night. But the absolute renunciation of chametz appears, at least to this rabbi, to be much less widespread than the 60% of Jews who gather at some point during Pesach to recite the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
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The basis of Judaism, traditionally and for strictly modern Jews, is morality. As Rabbi Joseph Telushkin states in the opening line of his book, “A Code of Jewish Ethics,” “God’s central demand of human beings is to act ethically.” With all of our ritual observance, the core of Jewish practice is not theology but ethics: how we treat one another.
In the Talmudic personal prayer of Rabbi Alexandri (B. Berkhot 17a), he states that what prevents us from doing God’s will is “the yeast in the dough,” by which he means our internal evil inclination, the yetzer hara. Leavening, “the yeast,” becomes a symbol of the inclination within each human to pursue our evil self-interests, against our better angels that we know in our hearts tell us to “choose good and not evil” (Amos 5:14) in order to “choose life that you and your children shall live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
In the 16th century, the sainted Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Ari, composed a Seder prayer used among some Hasidim but not otherwise widely known. The essence of the prayer is quite simple: removing leavening symbolizes a greater ideal, namely, removing our inclination to do evil. Just as on Yom Kippur we repent for our sins, on Passover, with the removal of leavening, we symbolically rid ourselves not only for seven days but for the entire year of our desire to pursue evil rather than good.
At your Seder this year, or perhaps when you remove the chametz from your home, read this prayer. You’re not just removing dough that has leavened, you’re reinforcing the moral imperative at the heart of Judaism.
“May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our ancestors, that just as I have removed the chametz from my house and properties, so too, should You remove all of the forces of evil, and the spirit of impurity shall be removed from the earth. May our evil inclination be removed from us and mayyougrantusapureheartintruth. May all the forces of the ‘Other Side’ [sitra achra] and the k’lipot [wickedness] vanish like smoke and the kingdom of the wicked be eradicated. May You destroy all those who challenge the Divine Presence with vengeance and judgment, just as you destroyed the Egyptians and their idols in those daysatthatseason.”(TheBreslovHaggadah,p.23)
“Yom Tov Yams” Manischewitz, 1996
• 7 cups (about two pounds) sliced, cooked yams
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 oranges, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
1. Set oven to 325°.
• 3 tbsp. peanut oil
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
2. Cover bottom of an oiled, 1 1/2-quart casserole with half the yam slices
3. Top with half the orange slices
4. Sprinkle with half the sugar
5. Repeat steps 1-3 with remaining yams, orange slices and sugar
6. Combine orange juice and peanut oil, then pour over layers
7. Sprinkle with pecans
8. Bake for about 50 minutes or until thoroughly heated, basting occasionally
Rabbi Herbert Mandl
Kehilath Israel Synagogue Rabbi Emeritus
An excerpt from the ‘sermon of a lifetime’
On May 5, 2000, I delivered a very strong message to the community about Passover. In reading it over again, I think it is even more true today. It was based on remarks of the late blessed Lubavitcher Rebbe. He wanted to know where the fifth son was from the Passover Haggadah, why he was missing. Here is an excerpt:
“My remarks today are inspired by an article that was written by Rabbi Manis Friedman, who is the brother of Rabbi Friedman here in Kansas City. The article is entitled, ‘The Fifth Son.’ I found this article, which was based on an idea by the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, fascinating. It speaks about a fifth son not referred to in the Seder, but very much a factor in our lives today.
“Let me begin by reading a quote, referring to the Rebbe, from Rabbi Manis Friedman’s article: ‘Who else is there besides the wise son, the wicked son, the simple son and the one who doesn’t know how to ask?’
“There’s a fifth son… the one who refuses to come to the Seder. Traditionally, this was the lost member of the family, the one who stopped being Jewish. I see, unfortunatley, many of you have fifth sons who don’t come around.
“What part of him refuses to come to the Seder? His Jewish soul is objecting because the Judaism that is being offered doesn’t live up to his expectations. His Jewish soul is asking us to listen.
“By hearing what the fifth son has to say, Judaism can be all that it’s meant to be. The fifth son is like a safety valve.
He is a warning valve that tells us when we’re drifting, becoming too petty… or simply just too bland. The fifth son is right. Judaism is not just for the Jews.
“Let’s ask ourselves a question: ‘Why did the Jews go into exile 2,000 years ago?’ I know our tradition says the Second Temple was destroyed because of the wrongdoing of the Jewish people. We were exiled all around the world.
“But, that can’t be all of it. Why do three quarters of the Jews around the world remain ‘in exile’ today by choice?
“Are our goals oriented correctly?
“... Not that much has changed over the last 30 years. And, I think that synagogues, and our community, and our congregations and our own congregation in particular need to analyze where we are and where we are going.”
The complete transcript of Rabbi Mandl’s speech is available on page39oftheMay5,2000,issueofThe Chronicle, available to read at kcjc. com/archive.
By Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick Jewish Family Services Community Chaplain
Domestic violence — tradition demands that we act
During our Passover Seders, we recount our ancestors’ Exodus from Egypt, celebrating our liberation from the shackles of Egyptian slavery into the promise of freedom. Yet, as we celebrate our freedom, we must also confront a painful truth: For too many in our community, the journey to freedom remains incomplete. Domestic violence — a modern form of bondage — persists, even within Jewish homes, undermining the peace and dignity we cherish.
The statistics are sobering. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that more than one in three women and one in four men will experience intimate partner abuse in their lifetimes, and our Jewish communities are not immune. As Jewish Women International’s (JWI) Needs Assessment on Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community found, this is not a problem confined to “others” — Jewish men and women across the religious spectrum experience and suffer from this form of abuse. Troublingly, one in three Jewish survivors of intimate partner violence report staying in re-
Walnut Roll
Mrs. Doreen Leifer, 1977
• 1 2/3 cups walnuts
• 6 separated eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
Instructions
1. Set oven to 375°.
• 1/2 pt. whipping cream
• 2 tbsp. powdered sugar
2. Grind nuts in a blender.
3. Whip whipping cream and powedered sugar together until stiff.
4. Beat egg whites stiff, then set aside.
5. Beat egg yolks in a small bowl, then add sugar and beat until thick and light yellow.
6. Add nuts, then fold in the egg whites.
7. Pour into 10”x15” jelly roll pan lined with greased wax paper.
8. Bake for 20 minutes.
9. Turn out on towel that has been sprinkled with extra powdered sugar.
10. Cool for 5 minutes, then remove wax paper and roll up in towel.
11. Unroll before serving, spread with whipped cream, re-roll, slice and serve.
lationships due to feelings of embarrassment or guilt and a lack of support from clergy.
As a rabbi and a member of JWI’s Clergy Task Force to End Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, I’ve seen firsthand the urgent need to change this reality.
The Passover Haggadah teaches us that freedom is not merely an escape from slavery, but requires dignity and safety. For survivors of domestic violence, the tears we symbolize as we dip the karpas into the saltwater are not ancient history but a daily reality, and our tradition demands that we act. We cannot sit idly by while shalom — peace and wholeness — is shattered.
Passover is a time of telling our story — the story of escaping oppression and resilience. Yet, for those experiencing abuse, finding the courage to tell their story or to leave an abusive situation can be daunting. Fear, shame, financial dependence and stigma can silence survivors. As a Jewish community, we are called to create an environment where these stories are not only heard but honored. This commitment to listening to these stories can be understood both spiritually and literally as ShemaYisrael — to hear the struggle of another to become more able (vatukhal).
Teaching healthy relationships root-
Passover Chocolate Cake
Mrs. Hyman Brand, 1954
• 3/4 cup cake meal
• 8 separated eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 orange, juice and grated rind
• 2 tbsp. cocoa
• 1/4 cup wine
Instructions
1. Stir egg yolks and sugar.
2. Add orange juice, rind, cocoa, wine and cake meal and mix.
3. Beat egg whites until stiff, then fold in.
4. Bake for 50 minutes in a “moderate” oven.
5. Remove from the oven and invert until cool.
ed in Jewish values is also part of the antidote to this crisis. The Torah instructs us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), a commandment that applies most intimately to those with whom we share our lives. A healthy relationship entails chesed, trust and partnership — qualities exemplified by our ancestors. Consider Sarah and Abraham, who, despite their challenges, navigated their marriage with mutual respect. Contrast this with the coercive control or violence that marks abusive relationships. Passover invites us to ask: Are we fostering homes of liberation or perpetuating cycles of harm and servitude?
JWI’s Clergy Task Force, which I’ve been privileged to join, works tirelessly to equip rabbis and cantors with tools to support survivors and educate our communities. We empower spiritual leaders to recognize red flags — be it physical harm, emotional manipulation or financial control — and respond with compassion and urgency. Two-thirds of clergy surveyed by JWI report being approached by survivors, often as their first point of contact. This trust places a sacred responsibility on us to act.
This Passover, let us take concrete steps. As the Talmud teaches, “Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if they have saved an entire world" (Sanhedrin
2. Break matzah into pieces.
3. Soak matzah in water until soft.
4. Drain matzah but do not squeeze dry.
5. Beat eggs with salt, sugar, margarine and cinnamon.
6. Add to matzah mixture.
7. Stir in chopped nuts, apples and raisins.
8. Dot with butter.
9. Bake for 45 minutes or until lightly browned.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Passover Treasures, 1995
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp. orange juice
37a). This compels us to support survivors, break the silence and reject the stigmas that isolate those in abusive relationships. Let’s commit to education — training our children, from Hebrew school to summer camps to day schools to youth groups, to recognize the signs of abuse and the hallmarks of love.
The Seder ends with “Next year in Jerusalem,” a prayer for ultimate redemption. But redemption must begin now, in our homes. Yerushalayim can be understood "midrashically" as "they will see wholeness." Moving from brokenness (yahatz at the Seder) to wholeness (Yerushalayim) is our life mission and vision in general, and in particular with respect to domestic violence.
Let us make this Passover a turning point, breaking the chains of domestic violence and building relationships that reflect the freedom we celebrate. May our Jewish communities embody the promise of shalom, ensuring that every Jew — every person — can live free from fear and more fully as whole human beings.
As we remember the tears of our ancestors, let us also remember those who cry unseen tears today. As we break the middle matzah, acknowledging the brokenness in our world, may we commit to the healing and wholeness of all people.
chocolate chips last, and mix well.
6. Drop by tablespoon onto cookie sheets.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until light brown.
KCJC, 1920
Ingredients listed relative to 1 tbsp. of matzah meal
• 1 egg
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. of ground almonds
• A few raisins
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Spool of oil
• Water
• 1 tsp. potato starch
• 1 tsp. salt
• 8 oz.
• 1 1/2 cup matzah cake meal
Instructions
1. Set oven to 350°. 2. Grease cookie sheets 3. Cream shortening and sugar.
Add eggs and mix. 5. Add all remaining ingredients, adding
Instructions
1. Mix all ingredients very thoroughly, adding just enough water to make the whole into a stiff paste.
2. Boil oil in sauce pan, but do not let it burn.
3. Shape the paste into small pieces and drop them into the boiling fat.
4. Turn them continually until wellbrowned, then remove them and drain them carefully on a strainer.
By Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel
KU Chabad CoDirector
So, it’s Passover again. Another Seder night where we reunite with distant relatives we nearly forgot about to retell a story we are never allowed to forget. One might wonder: Is it really necessary, more than 3,000 years later, to still commemorate our ancestors’ freedom from slavery in Egypt? Can’t we move on to more pressing and contemporary issues?
My friend, you’re reading the wrong Haggadah.
The Seder is not just a memorial to ancient events — it is a dynamic process of liberation from the challenges we face today. We are all slaves. Slaves to our inhibitions, fears, habits, cynicism and prejudices. These self-appointed pharaohs — layers of ego — keep us from expressing our true in-
Another boring Seder?!
ner selves, from reaching our spiritual potential. Our souls are trapped by selfishness, laziness and indifference.
Pesach means “Passover.” It is the season of freedom, when we pass over these obstacles to reach true inner liberation. On this night, we allow our souls to be expressed.
This year, let’s reread the Haggadah through a new lens. Every time it says “Egypt,” read “limitations.” Every time it says “Pharaoh,” think “ego.” And read it in the present tense: “We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt” becomes “We are slaves to our egos, trapped by our limitations.”
How do we break free? By eating matzah. After eating matzah, the Israelites found the strength to leave Egypt and follow G-d into the desert, because matzah represents the suspension of ego. Unlike bread, which rises with air and pride, matzah is flat and humble — the bread of surrender.
We often fear letting go of our egos, thinking we will lose ourselves. But on
Pesach, we do the opposite: we eat the matzah, we set our egos aside — and in doing so, we find our true selves.
This night is different from all other nights because on this night, we let go. We free our souls to follow G-d without hesitation, without shame. We say, “I may not fully understand what this means, but I have a Jewish soul, and that soul is the deepest part of my identity.” That soul is the innocent child within us, waiting to be set free.
This Pesach, let’s allow that child to sing, “MaNishtanaHaLaylaHaZeh…”
As a campus rabbi for nearly two decades, one of my greatest aspirations has been to bring Judaism to life — to make our people’s story feel personal, relevant and deeply meaningful in our daily lives.
One of the biggest obstacles for young people in connecting with Judaism is the struggle to see it as something timeless and relevant rather than ancient and distant. That’s why one of our core missions at KU Chabad is to
ROOTED IN TRUST.
rewrite the Jewish experience — to make it fun, engaging and, most importantly, joyful.
In Hebrew, there is no word for “history” in the way we think of it in English. History is “His story.” Instead, we use the word “zachor,” which means “memory,” because this is my story — not just something from the past, but something that lives within me.
This year, as we celebrate the Seder with hundreds of Jewish students, we will collectively attempt to leave our own personal Egypts — the self-imposed limitations that hold us back — and reach our promised land of inner peace and spiritual freedom.
We encourage you to do the same. Climb beyond your personal Egypt. Break free. Reach your highest spiritual potential.
And as you eat the crunchy matzah, drink the four cups of wine and retell our people’s story, may you not only go through the Seder — but may the Seder go through you. Chag Sameach!
obituaries
Jeffrey R. Cohen
Jeffrey R. Cohen, 78, of Kansas City, Missouri, died on March 28. Funeral services were held graveside on March 30 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Jeff was born on April 30, 1946, to the late Florence and Myrl Cohen in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended J.C. Nichols Elementary School, Highlands Elementary School, Indian Hills Junior High School and Shawnee Mission East High School, graduating third of 800 students in 1964 and as a member of the Honor Society. Jeff attended Brandeis University and ultimately graduated with a degree in theatre from the University of California at Berkeley.
Jeff was an active member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah for many years. He enjoyed the play reading group at the JCC. As a young person, he was an accomplished pianist and guitar player. He enjoyed motorcycling, hiking and camping.
He worked in his family’s business for many years, Glasco Electric Company, and then when Glasco closed, he worked for the Isenberg family in their electrical supply business, Western Extralite. He was very proud of his IT work there.
Jeff is survived by his brother, Clifford Cohen of Leawood, Kansas; sister Nancy Cox of Chicago, Illinois, and Tucson, Arizona; brother-in-law Bob Cox and sister-in-law Paula Cohen, who assisted Jeff tirelessly with his healthcare needs; and nieces Laura Ahern and her husband Tim Ahern; and Hilary Singer (Jeremy) and their daughter, Lila Singer.
Donations in Jeff’s memory may be made to Jewish Vocational Services, Kansas City PBS, Harvesters or ACLU.
Harriet Bodker Epstein
cluding playing the piano, cooking and sewing, as well as being an avid reader. She excelled in her studies, graduating high school at just 16 before attending the University of Missouri, where she was treasurer of her sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi.
Education and a curiosity for knowledge were incredibly important to Harriet, and upon graduation from Mizzou, she became a dedicated teacher at Border Star School. She exposed her students to endless subjects; she taught the entire 6th grade class how to dance the Charleston and used her sewing skills to make everyone costumes for their school performances.
On June 19, 1955, she married the love of her life, Richard Epstein, a union that became the foundation of a family filled with warmth, laughter and unwavering support. They shared 52 years of love and admiration until his passing in 2007. Together they raised three children, Hal, Susan and David, who, along with her four cherished grandchildren, were the center of her world.
Harriet had an impeccable sense of style and a lifelong love of the arts, including fashion, music, literature and interior design. She had a discerning eye, staying ahead of the trends and possessing a deep knowledge of antiques. Beyond her excellent taste and sophistication, she cared deeply about her loved ones and neighbors, always putting others before herself. She remained actively involved in causes she championed, like protecting the environment by serving on the Prairie Village Tree Board.
Through her kindness, sense of humor, devotion to her family and loyalty to her many friends, she was a cornerstone of her community in Prairie Village. Her love was endless and her memory eternal.
Harriet Bodker Epstein, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and beloved member of the Prairie Village, Kansas, community, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on March 25. Born on Jan. 19, 1932, to David and Anna Bodker in Kansas City, Harriet was a woman of intelligence, grace and boundless compassion. From an early age she had many talents, in-
Harriet was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Epstein, and her older brother, Stanley Bodker. She is survived by her oldest son and daughter-in-law, Hal and Carol Epstein; their children, Annie and Jeremy; her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Paul Leonard; their children, Allie and Nicky; Allie’s husband, Sam Lipnick; and her youngest son and son-in-law, David Epstein and Wade Tajerian.
The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to her doctor of many years, Dr. John Dunlap, and her loving caregivers. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Harriet’s memory to the American Heart Asso-
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 services 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 rocket attacks. Donate today at MagenDavidAdom.org or call 866.632.2763.
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ciation, Wayside Waifs Animal Shelter or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel. com.
Thomas Fasbinder
Thomas Fasbinder, 63, passed away on March 8 at Kansas City Hospice House with his family by his side.
Tom was born on Oct. 30, 1961, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Dr. Sam and Symie (Kershenbaum) Fasbinder. He was a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area.
Tom graduated from Southwest High School and then attended the University of Central Missouri.
Since his youth, Tom held a passion for cars and music. He was known to often combine those passions, usually with new and improved speakers, video screens or other unique electronic additions. In his work, Tom followed his passions of cars and music into the automotive electronics industry. Tom coowned and operated Fastronics from 1988 until 2002, when he went to work for Deffenbaugh industries. In 2008, Tom, along with family, founded and operated Tronics, where he provided a mobile service for automotive electronics to the Kansas City metro area. In 2016, Tom retired due to health complications. Although he could no longer work on cars, he still had a great interest in and appreciation for cars, electronics
and gadgets.
Outside of cars and music, Tom also had a passion for good food, specifically barbecue. He competed in multiple events in the Kansas City area and often had friendly BBQ competitions between his brothers and other family members. While he didn’t always win bragging rights, it was always an opportunity to be with family, and that is what Tom loved the most. There was rarely a time that he wasn’t excited for a family visit or dinner party.
Through his health battles, Tom touched many people in the healthcare community. His multi-weekly trips to the dialysis center introduced him to a variety of new friends over the years, including healthcare workers as well as other patients.
Tom married Ruby Ingalls on May 24, 2008. With their union, Tom expanded his family to include sons, Bill and Ken; a daughter-in-law, Darla; and two granddaughters, Kelsi and Allyson. Tom’s highest priority was his family and friends.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Ruby Ingalls Fasbinder; sons, Bill Irwin and Ken Irwin; daughter-in law, Darla Irwin; granddaughters, Kelsi (fiancé, Austin) Lawrence and Allyson (Jonathan) Trinidad; brothers John (Cherie) Fasbinder and Paul (Sheila) Fasbinder; sister-in-law, Lauren Fasbinder; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark Fasbinder.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests
contributions to Pet Resource Center of Kansas City or Catch-a-Ride program through Johnson County Aging & Human Services, Johnson County, Kansas.
Tom’s love, laughter, jokes and willingness to open his home to others will never be forgotten. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.
Nedra Rosen
Nedra Rosen, 82, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away peacefully on March 23.
Nedra was born in Denver, Colorado, on Aug. 29, 1942, to the late John E. “Ned” and Mary Jane Lilly. She spent her childhood in Stanton, Michigan, from the age of five until she attended Michigan State University, where she earned a BA in education.
Following graduation, Nedra embarked on a fulfilling career with TWA, beginning as a hostess and leading to many exciting adventures. In 1968, she married Leonard, and they shared more than 52 wonderful years together, enjoying travel across the United States and internationally. After relocating to Kansas City from San Francisco, Nedra dedicated herself to balancing a career and her family.
Her family was the center of her life, and her grandchildren became her greatest joy. She was always eager to
hear about their activities, the scores of their games, and proudly cheered them on at every opportunity. Nedra instilled in her two children a deep appreciation for the importance of family.
Nedra was an international officer of TWA Clipped Wings International and served as president of the Kansas City chapter. She spent much time with the organization and treasured the lasting friendships it cultivated. Her hobbies included travel, attending her grandchildren’s sporting and school events, and gardening. She was a gracious host, always putting family and friends first. Known for her decisive nature, Nedra confidently orchestrated family gatherings, and her plans were rarely questioned.
She was glamorous even to strangers; one which sketched her on an airplane while she was a passenger and named it, “The Echo of an Amazing Woman.”
Nedra was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leonard.
She is survived by her brother Dan and sister-in-law Marian Lilly; brother John Lilly; brother-in-law Edward Rosen; son and daughter-in-law Brent and Daiquiri Rosen; and daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Darin Davis. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Chase and Finley Rosen and Reagan and Riley Davis, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held on March 25 at KI Blue Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Kehilath Israel Synagogue (kisyn.org/donations or 10501 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66212) or the TWA Museum (twamuseum.org/donate).
Condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
Lance Shelley Ross
Lance Shelley Ross, 65, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on March 20. He grew up in Kansas City and was a graduate of Southwest High School.
Lance studied culinary arts at Metropolitan Community College and operated a restaurant in Chicago, Illinois. He met Beth Cohen, married her, and relocated to Atlanta, where he managed internet sales for automobile dealerships. A sports enthusiast, Lance rooted for the Atlanta Falcons but loved his KC Chiefs. He loved life and pets, owning
as many as three dogs at one time.
Son of the late Edward and Dorothy Ross, Lance was preceded in death by his brothers Bertram Ross and Joel Ross. Lance leaves his wife, Beth Cohen Ross of Atlanta; brothers and sister Miles (Sally) Ross, Rudy (Judy) Ross, Sherree Ross, all of Kansas City, and sister Sonja (Irving) Hammer of Chicago. He was the son-in-law of Margie Cohen and the late Jerry Cohen of Atlanta. Graveside services were held at Mt. Carmel Cemetery on March 25. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lance’s name to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) would be appreciated. Condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
Adelaide “Adi” Simon
Adelaide “Adi” Simon passed away on Feb. 16.
Adelaide Freida Rybka was born in 1930 in Ostrava, Czechia. Adelaide
were forced out of their home after the communist takeover shortly after World War II ended. Adelaide, at the young age of 17, was separated from her family and wound up in a displaced persons camp in Regensburg, Germany. It was there she met the love of her life, Ernie Simon.
Adi and Ernie relocated to a second displaced persons camp in Murnau, Germany, where she reunited with her parents, Frank and Albina, and her sister Erika. In 1950, Adi, who spoke only German and Czech, immigrated to the United States with Ernie and their 10-month-old son, Robert. They landed in Rock Island, Illinois, part of the Quad Cities, where they raised a family and became active members of the community for the next 26 years. They later moved to Kansas City and eventually retired to Boynton Beach, Florida, where they enjoyed a healthy and happy retirement. After Ernie passed away, Adi moved to Redondo Beach, California, to be closer to family.
Ernie and Adi thrived wherever they went. They were both hardworking and lived the “American Dream.” Adi was the consummate perfectionist and embraced the challenges of coming to a new country with little more than
the clothes on her back. Adi learned to speak English by going to the movies and listening to radio shows of the likes of Arthur Godfrey and others.
Adi was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a cherished grandmother (aka “Omi”), as well as a trusted friend. She had a generous spirit, always remembering birthdays and making everyone feel special with her warmth and kindness. She believed that a thoughtful gesture, whether a homecooked meal or a heartfelt note, could brighten someone’s day. With a host of talents including being a fabulous cook and entertainer, she took great joy in preparing family favorites such as plum dumplings, Hungarian goulash and sauerbraten. She also enjoyed sharing her love of cooking, knitting and needlepoint with her children and grandchildren.
Adi is survived by her children Bob (wife Debby) Simon of Overland Park, Kansas; Herb Simon of Littleton, Colorado; Judy Simon of Prairie Village, Kansas; and Linda Simon of Manhattan Beach, California; and her sister Erika Theile of Milford, Ohio. Adi is also survived by her six grandchildren: Benjamin, Alex (and Rachel), Jorie, Adam (and Erica), A.J. (and Hana) and Gabriella.
Adi was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie, and daughter-in-law, Erin. A celebration of Adi’s life will be held at a later date, with details to be announced soon. Contributions in her memory may be made to Jewish Distribution Committee (JDC.org) or Alzheimer’s disease research.
John Robert Slegman
John Robert Slegman, 76, died on March 9.
Funeral services were at the gravesite with immediate family only on March 16. A celebration of life brunch was held afterwards at Ann and Tom Isenberg’s home. The family suggests contributions to Children’s Mercy Hospital Autism Clinic, The New
Reform Temple, Heartland Therapeutic Riding and Kansas City Hospice.
John was born on April 23, 1948, to the late Robert and Betty Slegman in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1966 and received a B.A. in economics from Ithaca College in 1970. He also earned a certificate from the Fashion Institute of Technology with honors, and he was on the dean’s list. John married the late Holly Franking in 1987 and lived in Kansas City most of his life.
John worked for Betty Rose Coats and Suits, first in Kansas City and then at its showroom on 7th Avenue in New York City for eight years. He then received a degree in computer science and worked at H & R Block for 18 years doing data input.
As a young man, John enjoyed bowling and golf. He started riding horses as a child and continued his passion for riding his entire life. He especially cherished his horses, Captain and Ollie. In addition, his dog, Mikey, was a beloved companion.
John was an avid sports fan, and he cheered for his favorite teams — the Chiefs, Royals, Liverpool FC soccer and Mavericks hockey. He also had an incredible memory for sports facts, TV trivia, politics, people and events.
John was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and mother-in-law, Elizabeth Franking.
He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Slegman, and brother-in-law, Jim Brewer, of St. Paul, Minnesota; his sister, Ann Slegman Isenberg, and brother-in-law, Tom, of Mission Hills, Kansas; his brother-in-law, Michael Franking, of Overland Park, Kansas; his niece, Kate Ruber, and her husband, Bret, of Westwood, Kansas; his nephews, Samuel Brewer and David Isenberg and his wife, Chantal, all from New York City; and his great-nephews and nieces, Leon Isenberg and Micah, Eloise and Ava Ruber.
The family would like to thank John’s amazing care team: George and Ruth Olendorf, Brittany Ward, Anastasia Dudek, Korey Taylor Davis and the rest of the wonderful staff at Creative Care.
Condolences can be shared at
Okay John, ride on!
