In this issue...
MCHE takes educators to Washington
JewBelong billboards put up near KU
Parashat Shoftim
Shabbat times (Overland Park):
Candlelighting: 7:35 p.m.
Havdalah: 8:32 p.m.
Judge Howard Sachs to retire at age 100
Soon-to-be-centenarian leaves
impact on Civil Rights Movement, Missouri law
By Michael Sudhalter Special to The Chronicle
From making an impact in the Civil Rights Movement to serving in the United States Navy during World War II, Judge Howard Frederic Sachs has spent decades in pursuit of justice. Sachs, who is 99 years old, is planning to retire shortly after his centennial birthday on Sept. 13.
It’s a deserved retirement, as Sachs has served as a federal judge for more than four-and-a-half decades and as an attorney for 28 years before that.
Sachs made history as the first Jewish judge in the eighth circuit since the 1800s when President Jimmy Carter appointed him in 1979. He served as U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri chief judge from 1990 to 1992 and became a senior judge in 1992. Sachs is currently the secondoldest senior judge still active (behind
I. Leo Glasser, 101, of New York) and has no interest in making history by surpassing the late Wesley Brown, who served as a senior judge until age 104.
“I am stopping at age 100, partly because parties and lawyers may question anyone being competent
that long, and partly because I am somewhat frail,” Sachs said.
Until the end of September, Sachs will continue working remotely from his Kansas City home, in which he’s lived since 1948. His work schedule largely consists of sentencing the convicted.
Sachs built a life inside that home with his wife, Susanne. They were married for more than 48 years when she passed away in 2009. In that home, the couple raised two sons, Adam Phinney and Alex Wilson, both of whom became attorneys. Alex, who followed his father into public service as an attorney for FEMA, retired before his dad.
Sachs is a lifelong member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. His family joined the synagogue in the 1880s, not long after its founding.
Kansas City athletes medal at 2025 JCC Maccabi Games
A delegation of 35 local Jewish teen athletes recently returned from Tucson, Arizona, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after competing at the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games. Fourteen of those athletes earned medals in multiple sports, medaling in basketball, dance, flag football, golf, soccer, swimming and tennis. In addition, Kansas City sent a staff delegation who connected with peers from JCCs and the broader Jewish community worldwide.
“There was an incredible sense of connection among the athletes, with a strong emphasis on Jewish values, sportsmanship and cultural pride,”
said Carly Stein, chief operating officer of The J. “The energy was contagious, and we plan to bring that same spirit to the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games in Kansas City.”
The JCC Maccabi Games is an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in North America and is the largest organized sports program for Jewish teens in the world. The week of competition also features an array of cultural and social activities. This year, more than 1,200 Jewish teens from across North America, Israel, Great Britain, Argentina and Ukraine competed.
Several athletes and coaches received “Midot” medals in recognition of exceptional sportsmanship, teamwork and respect on and off the field. Recipients included Gabriel Goodbinder, Coach Kelly Lagrant, Margot Lubliner, Coach Mitch Martin, Shefer
Rudnick, Elijah Shalinsky, Sasha Weiner and Aiden Zack.
“I am so proud to be a part of this team,” said Bob Hennecke, director of sports and recreation at The J and
The Kansas City Maccabi delegation’s upper bracket basketball team included (from left) delegation head Bob Hennecke, Hudson Weikal, Nathan Weiner, Ayden Mooney, Teddy Zitron, Uriel Noorollah, Phineas Green and Coach Mike Liss.
Judge Howard F. Sachs
remember and stand in solidarity with those still held hostage by Hamas:
Upcoming changes to The Chronicle letter from the editor
A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from the printing press that The Chronicle uses in Columbia, Missouri. They told me with dismay that their parent company, Gannett, was shutting them down and laying all employees off on Sept. 7 due to lack of profitability. They also said that since The Chronicle is not a large publication, Gannett wouldn’t transfer our services to another of their presses.
Immediately, we started looking for options and getting bids from companies as far west as Hutchinson, Kansas, and as far east as Illinois. As you’d expect, there weren’t that many to choose from.
After a hectic search, we settled on
the same printer that prints The St. Louis Jewish Light, a paper we think looks great. We can finally unclench our teeth.
Due to our new printer, The Chronicle’s pages will be slightly different starting with our next issue (which coincidentally happens to be our Rosh Hashanah issue). Each page of the paper will be about two inches taller, meaning that we can fit more content into each issue — 128 column inches of it (which is a lot!).
Another change will be that the average paper will be half color and half grayscale. Don’t worry though — the front page, Spotlight page and all important images will stay in color. We
also anticipate that the quality of the printing will improve, based on how crisp St. Louis Jewish Light issues look.
We will keep you in the loop as always, and we hope you will enjoy the bigger size of the paper for our Sept. 11 issue and beyond. Please feel free to reach out to us at chronicle@jewishkc. org with any questions or feedback.
Thank you so much for your support!
Sincerely,
Sam Kricsfeld, editor
community news
Local teens medal at JCC Maccabi Games
Kansas City Maccabi delegation head. “Seeing our athletes connect, support one another and represent Kansas City on such a large stage was truly unforgettable.”
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy students
Seven HBHA students were part of the Kansas City delegation. Shefer Rudnick earned the “Midot” medal for exemplifying Maccabi’s core values, and Naama Reem took home a silver medal in volleyball.
In basketball, Teddy Zitron (senior), Phineas Green (sophomore) and Uriel Noorollah (sophomore) competed in the upper bracket, while Gus Zitron (9th grade) and Evan Schlozman (8th
Lacey Storer Assistant
grade) played in a younger division.
For Teddy Zitron — competing in his third and final Maccabi Games — the event was a highlight. “This year we were in the upper bracket, so the competition was fierce,” he said. “It was pretty cool playing on a D1 college court and seeing two HBHA athletes win medals.”
Beyond the games, athletes enjoyed championship matches, a Pittsburgh Pirates game and meeting peers from continued on next page
Kansas City Maccabi girls basketball players (in blue) in a game at the JCC Maccabi Games in Tucson, Arizona.
continued from previous page
across the globe.
“It’s not just a normal tournament — you compete, but you also make friends, watch other sports and share meals with people from all over,” Zitron said.
The athletes and their respective sports were:
Boys 15U Basketball (Pittsburgh):
• Zack Blinn
• Daniel Brick
• Evan Schlozman
• Gabe Sherry
• Elliot Spizman
• Zack Wieland
• Gus Zitron
• Coach: Jason Sautter
Boys 17U Basketball (Pittsburgh):
• Phineas Green
• Ayden Mooney
• Uriel Noorollah
• Hudson Weikal
• Nathan Weiner
• Teddy Zitron
• Coach: Michael Liss
Boys 17U Soccer (Pittsburgh):
• Aiden Zach Dance (Tucson):
• Brooklyn Birnbaum – Gold (2), Silver
• Dahlia Feinberg – Silver (2)
• Isabella Malyarov – Gold, Silver (2), Bronze
• Hazel Metcalf – Silver (2), Bronze
• Logan Nicholls – Gold (3), Silver Flag Football (Tucson):
• Elijah Shalinsky – Silver
• Coach: Mitch Martin Girls 15U Volleyball (Pittsburgh):
• Naama Reem – Silver Girls 17U Basketball (Tucson):
• Macy Schroering – Silver
• Tatum Schroering – Silver Girls 17U Soccer (Tucson):
• Margot Lubliner – Bronze Girls 17U Softball (Pittsburgh):
• Roz Swinburne Romine – Silver Girls 17U Volleyball (Tucson):
• Shefer Rudnick
• Maya Rumple
• Coach: Kelly Lagrant Golf (Tucson):
• Hudson Zach – Silver Swimming (Tucson):
• Lauren Brand – Gold, Silver, Bronze (5)
• Sasha Weiner – Gold (8), Silver, Bronze
community news
MCHE takes local educators to Washington to learn about the Holocaust
The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education (MCHE) recently facilitated a trip to Washington, D.C., to provide Holocaust education for 12 local teachers. The KC to DC trip culminated in a trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM).
Before traveling, the 12 teachers, all from Missouri or Kansas, engaged in four hours of learning facilitated by MCHE’s historian, Dr. Shelly Cline. They also completed a rigorous guided-study assignment. After returning from Washington, the educators returned for four more hours of learning. During the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year, they will complete a variety of follow-up activities.
Tennis (Tucson):
• Jacob Palan – Gold
The opportunities of KC to DC are funded by Sam Devinki, a Kansas Citian and son of Holocaust survivors who is passionate about Holocaust education. While they were in Washington, Devinki shared his mother’s story with the KC to DC group. Several cited this as a highlight of their trip.
• Jacob Williams Track (Pittsburgh):
• Quinten Standridge
To kick off the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games in Kansas City, The J is hosting a community kickoff event on Sunday, Oct. 5. Individuals interested in learning more are encouraged to attend the celebration that will start the countdown to Aug. 2 through 7, 2026. Information about participation – as an athlete, host family, volunteer and more – will be available. More information is available at thejkc.org/MaccabiKickOff.
The 2026 Kansas City delegation will start forming in October of 2025. More information is available by contacting Maggie Osgood Nichols at (913) 327-4612 or Ilan Lakritz at (913) 327-8551.
Chronicle submission deadlines
The following are the deadlines for articles, celebration announcements, Spotlight pictures, advertisements and editorials for upcoming Chronicle print issues. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Kricsfeld at samk@jewishkc.org. Sept. 11 (Rosh Hashanah Issue)...............................Sept. 4 deadline Sept. 25............................................Sept. 16 (because of Yom Tovs) Oct. 9 ............................................... Sept. 30 (because of Yom Tovs)
To submit news toThe Chronicle,go to kcjc.com/chronicle-submissions!
“I’ve used USHMM resources in my classroom before, but seeing the museum and memorial in person was very impactful,” said Kelcey Willis, a teacher from King City, Missouri. “Hearing Mr. Devinki’s family testimony and building relationships with other educators from Missouri and Kansas made this experience invaluable.”
“Supporting classroom educators has always been a top priority for MCHE,” said Jessica Rockhold, executive director of MCHE. “This program allows us to provide intensive education and resources before and after the travel experience, taps into important resources available through USHMM and provides a bonding experience for the educators involved. In addition to being able to come back to the MCHE team, they become a professional support network for each other as they translate this learning into their classrooms.”
The 2025 KC to DC cohort represents schools in Shawnee, Overland Park and Wichita, Kansas; and Avilla, Centerview, Columbia, Deepwater, Gladstone, Harrisburg, King City, Raytown and St. Joseph, Missouri. Six of the 12 educators have
taught nine years or fewer; six have 10 years of experience or more. Five members of the group teach middle school; five teach high school, and two teach both.
Many of the 2025 KC to DC participants work in small communities where they may be the only teacher addressing the Holocaust. Therefore, building a support network within the group was one of MCHE’s goals.
According to MCHE’s program associate, Laura Patton, this group bonded. Prior to departing for DC, they created a group chat. They used the chat throughout the trip to meet for meals, schedule sightseeing and coordinate trips on the Metro. The group is still using the chat to plan both social and professional activities. Patton looks forward to connecting with the 2025 cohort throughout the upcoming school year.
“The KC to DC trip highlighted the importance of using primary and secondary sources about the past to examine current events and current thinking,” Joy Jackson of Gladstone said. “I am grateful to experience this trip with such amazing local educators.”
Another KC to DC cohort is planned for 2026.
Information about this and other MCHE programs is available at mchekc.org along with student and teacher resources for Holocaust education.
Pictured outside of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. are (front row) Stephanie Lee, program funder Sam Devinki, Joy Jackson; (second row) Angela Lea, Gabrianna Neuer, Brooke Rich, MCHE program associate Laura Patton; (third row) Ella Pritchett, Chere Ganaway, Kelcey Willis, Leslie Schrader; (back row) Kobe Messick, Jeremiah Baruxen and Nicholas Green.
celebrations and community
Bar Mitzvah
Avi Isaac Katz, son of Peter and Tricia Katz of Lakewood, Colorado, became a bar mitzvah on Saturday,
June 21, at Congregation B’nai Vail in Vail, Colorado. The service was held alongside Gore Creek in the courtyard of the Vail Interfaith Chapel.
Avi is the grandson of Ward and Donna Katz of Prairie Village, Kansas.
A rising freshman at D’Evelyn High School, Avi loves skiing, baseball, basketball and music. He’s also a skilled LEGO builder.
In his d’var Torah, Avi, who is 14 years old, said that he was inspired, in part, to become a bar mitzvah by his grandfather, Ward Katz, who was called to the Torah at the age of 78. Avi said that he learned that “it’s never too late in life to do what you really want to do to embrace Jewish values.”
Birth Hallel Tikvah Rosenberg
Engagement
Aaron Bradley Schifman and Alexandra Hayes Corbin
Dr. Marjorie Beebe of Kansas City, Missouri, announces the engagement of her son, Aaron Bradley Schifman, to Alexandra Hayes Corbin, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Corbin of Lake Quivira, Kansas.
Aaron is the son of Dr. Beebe and the late Bradley Aaron Schifman. He is the grandson of Robert and Madeline Schifman of Prairie Village,
Billboards targeting campus antisemitism go up near KU
Hallel Tikvah Rosenberg, daughter of Ari and Ayelet Rosenberg of Jerusalem, was born on Aug. 3.
Hallel is the granddaughter of Rabbi Dr. Bernhard (formerly of Kansas City) and Charlene Rosenberg of Edison, New Jersey, and Joel and Lynn Mael of Lawrence, New York. She has two siblings, Emunah and Eliana.
JewBelong, a national nonprofit organization for fighting antisemitism and making Judaism accessible, put up two billboards near the University of Kansas last week. They were erected ahead of KU’s Aug. 23 football season opener against Fresno State and will remain posted as students return for the fall semester.
Reaching an estimated 4.78 million eyes, the pink and white billboards feature provocative slogans calling out the presence of antisemitism on campuses nationwide. The billboards will remain standing until Nov. 10. Their locations and slogans are:
• “You don’t need to be a Jew to protect Jews.” (I-70 near mile marker 206.8)
interruption when pro-Israel speaker Gal Cohen-Solal was shouted down by protesters chanting anti-Israel slogans during an Oct. 7 survivor event in early 2024, and when vandals tore down and defaced both Israeli and American flags at KU’s AEPi Jewish fraternity house.
“It’s a terrifying time to be a Jewish college student. Jewish students do not feel safe and are up against some of the worst antisemitism of our lifetime,” JewBelong co-founder Archie Gottesman said. “The Jewish community is only 2% of the entire country, so we need to work extra hard to break through to the wider American public. Schools need to do better. Jewish students deserve to be safe on campus.”
Kansas, and the late David and Marie Beebe. He currently is the director of client relations at Federico//Duerst Consulting Group, having earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas. He is currently pursuing a Professional Master of Business Administration degree at the University of MissouriKansas City Henry W. Bloch School of Management.
Alexandra is the granddaughter of Dr. Murray Corbin and LaReta Corbin of Lake Quivira and Dr. Sam E. Hayes and Jeannene Hayes of Mission Hills, Kansas. She currently works at Psychiatry Associates of Kansas City, having graduated with honors from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in individualized genomics and health through Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs.
The couple are planning a wedding for Oct. 25 in Lake Quivira with Rabbi Mark Levin officiating.
• “Jewish students don’t need your pity. Just your spine.” (I-70 and E. 1500 Rd.)
KU was picked for the billboards in the wake of antisemitic incidents in the past few years such as the
JewBelong has run more than 1,000 billboards across the country, and trucks carrying its slogans have traversed the country. JewBelong offers a library of free resources for “Jews, allies and anyone who has felt like a Jewish outsider or feels disengaged from the religion.”
Erwin and Phyllis Abrams honored by Johnson County Library
Community members Erwin and Phyllis Abrams have been selected as the honorary hosts for the Johnson County Library Foundation’s (JCLF) Library Lets Loose celebration fundraiser.
Supporters of libraries wherever they resided, the Abrams have also been involved with Congregation Beth Shalom for many years.
Erwin Abrams has been a member and contributor to the JCLF for 14 years. His love of libraries has lasted for more than 80 years — among his
earliest memories is being taken to his local library by his brother.
“How vital it is to our community to nurture inquisitiveness, improve literacy and to be part of community,” he said. “My wife and I give in order to preserve that child’s sense of awe, that adult’s resource for research, that senior citizen’s place of quiet and safety. We give because strengthening community means strengthening America.”
Information about the fundraiser is available at libraryletsloose.org.
Avi Isaac Katz
New JewBelong billboards on I-70 off E. 1500 Rd. (left) and on I-70 near mile marker 206.8 (right).
Erwin and Phyllis Abrams
Pre-High Holiday Service of Spiritual Renewal to be held Aug. 31
The Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program, housed at Jewish Family Services (JFS), will offer its Service of Spiritual Renewal on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 4 p.m. in the social hall at Village Shalom.
(Rosh Hashanah begins on the evening of Monday, Sept. 22.)
This gathering will be led by Jewish Community Chaplain Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick and Lezlie Zucker, music coordinator for Congregation Beth Torah. They will be joined by Rabbi Monica Kleinman, assistant director of programs for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. The onehour service will include traditional
nick; Lezlie Zucker, music coordinator for Congregation Beth Torah; and Rabbi Monica Kleinman, the assistant director of programs for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.
and contemporary prayers, songs and readings to usher in the High Holiday season and words of hope for the year ahead.
Those interested in attending should RSVP by emailing their name and the number of people planning to attend with them to Moshit Snir at chaplaincy@ jfskc.org or by calling (913) 327-8250. The Service of Spiritual Renewal will be recorded and made available for viewing after the event at jfskc.org/jewish-resources.
Service of Spiritual Renewal
Sunday, Aug. 31, 4 p.m.
Village Shalom, 5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, KS 66209
Raising Charitable Children community event announced
The Jewish Community Foundation (JCF), Jewish Federation and Jewish Experiences will host a complimentary program, “Raising Charitable Children.” The event will feature a presentation by philanthropic expert MiaLisa Millares, executive director of Doing Good Together, a national nonprofit that works to make volunteering, service and daily kindness easy for every family. Millares will share tips on giving back, volunteering as a family and parenting with purpose.
Parents and grandparents with children up to age 18 are invited to attend the program, which will take place on Sept. 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the social hall of the Jewish Community Campus.
“I feel so privileged to be able to work in this field,” Millares said. “One of the parts of my work that inspires me the most is walking alongside parents, grandparents and mentors who want to intentionally model, teach and inspire their young people to give back to important causes. I’m especially excited to visit Kansas City and connect with this vibrant community to explore how families can make philanthropy a meaningful part of everyday life.”
The program will feature a presentation from Millares. Drawing on her expertise in family-centered philanthropy, Millares will guide participants through practical strategies for nurturing empathy, generosity and community-mindedness in children. The session will include breakout table conversations and information on eight actionable strategies for integrating giving into family life. The program’s goal is for families to leave with tools to create a family mission statement, foster meaningful conversations, and inspire children of all ages to become compassionate changemakers.
Family philanthropy expert MiaLisa Millares will share tips with parents and grandparents at the Raising Charitable Children event on Sept. 14.
is a high priority of many in our community,” said Suzanne Galblum Dicken, JCF director of philanthropy. “Together with our organizational partners, we’re proud to offer this important opportunity for parents and grandparents to learn from an acclaimed expert, as well as from one another, about easy ways to instill charitable values and raise children who understand the importance of giving back.”
NCJW’s Stacey’s Closet program enters fifth year
NCJW’s Stacey’s Closet program is beginning its fifth year providing school children in the Kansas City metro area with essential clothing. Last year, NCJW partnered with 15 schools and helped 240 children with school clothing, undergarments, coats, tennis shoes and backpacks. The program’s goal is that every child has clothing that fits and makes them feel confident walking into school each day. NCJW also hopes that by meeting these needs, we can ease some of the burden and stress on families.
“Through our work with families at the Jewish Community Foundation, we understand that developing practical skills to raise charitable children
A light Vaad-supervised brunch will be served, and babysitting will be provided (by reservation only) in the Clubhouse at The J. Those interested can visit jcfkc.org/Children by Sept. 5 to register and to reserve babysitting. Questions can be directed to Suzanne Dicken at (913) 327-8286 or sdicken@jcfkc.org.
Raising Charitable Children
Sunday, Sept. 14, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211
“Many times, Stacey's Closet has come through for our students quickly and efficiently,” said Rachel Pollack, a social worker at Grant Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas. “A parent contacted me because her child needed new shoes after their apartment flooded with backed-up sewage — everything was ruined. This family was already facing tremendous challenges, including the recent deportation of the father, which created uncertainty and fear. Without hesitation, Stacey's Closet delivered the much-needed shoes in less than 48 hours. Mom was so thankful and relieved during such a stressful time.”
Stacey’s Closet is now fully stocked with new clothing, and dedicated volunteers are ready to fill orders for the new school year. This year, NCJW is expanding to serve students working with Jewish Vocational Service youth center as well as four additional elementary schools.
Those interested in becoming a Stacey’s Closet volunteer can contact Kelly Somberg at ncjwofkc@gmail. com.
Pictured preparing for the Service of Spiritual Renewal are (from left) Jewish Community Chaplain Rabbi Jonathan Rud-
Girls’ clothing at Stacey’s Closet.
• Beni Israel Cemetery (pg. 8)
BENIISRAELCEMETERY BILLBOARDS CHARITABLECHILDREN HOWARDSACHS KCTODC KUJEWISHSTUDIES
• KU Jewish Studies (pg. 16)
• Phyllis Stevens (pg. 8)
LIBRARY MACCABIGAMES NEWPRINTER
• Billboards (pg. 4)
• Library (pg. 4)
PANTRYPARTNERS PHYLLISSTEVENS SIMCHAGIFTS SPIRITUALRENEWAL STACEYSCLOSET STRANGERSNOMORE
• Charitable children (pg. 5)
• Howard Sachs (pg. 1)
• KC to DC (pg. 3)
• Maccabi Games (pg. 1)
• New printer (pg. 2)
• Pantry partners (pg. 13)
• Simcha Gifts (pg. 14)
• Spiritual Renewal (pg. 5)
• Stacey’s Closet (pg. 5)
• Strangers No More (pg. 7)
First Day of School
Summer Meetup
Strangers No More begins 11th year
Strangers No More (SNM), originally planned to be a one-time program following the shootings at the Jewish Community Campus and Village Shalom in May of 2014, is announcing plans for the fall season of its 11th year.
Programming will begin on Monday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. via Zoom with a presentation on the importance of voting rights. The convenors have also planned programs on “Connecting with God in the Natural World;” a conversation with SNM member and Kansas City Jewish Chronicle columnist Nancy Kalikow Maxwell on her book, “Typically Jewish;” a community service project; and, by popular request, a holiday luncheon.
Meetings are held twice a month:
one Monday evening at 7 p.m. on Zoom and one Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the community room of Westbrooke Church (9777 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66212).
Co-sponsors of SNM are the Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee and United Women in Faith of Resurrection, a United Methodist Church.
There is no charge to join. The group is open to all women of any religion or no religion. Those interested in requesting to join can go to the Facebook page “Strangers No More; Women Building Bridges to Understanding” and request to become a member. More information is available by emailing RSVPJCRBAJC@jewishkc.org.
The members of Strangers No More participated in the group’s final service project of the year volunteering at the Veterans Community Project. Pictured are (standing, from left) Felicia Watson, Betse Gage, Tiffany Hurt, Sharon Ritter, Marcia Rittmaster, Judy Hellman, (seated) Judi Purcell and Trudy Stula.
Members of Jewish War Vets MO-KAN Post 605 got together for a Kansas City Monarchs game. Pictured are (back row, from left) Simon Wajcman, Wally Weber, Scott Bronston, Steve Schorr, (front row) Howard Eichenwald and Howard Noah. Jewish War Vets
Community member Linda Weinberg-Hammer poses by her original artwork that is currently on display at the Blue Koi restaurant at Mission Farms in Leawood, Kansas. Her artwork will be displayed through September.
Art Exhibit
Above: Congregation Beth Torah Weiner Religious School families gathered for a summer meet-up in North Kansas City at The Rabbit hOle children’s museum on Aug. 10. Left: Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy students celebrated the first day of school recently. This class of 21 is the largest HBHA kindergarten class in recent history. The school welcomed 184 students overall, which is up from last year.
Good Shabbos KC
The Young Adults Division of Jewish Federation held its annual Good Shabbos KC gathering at Boulevard Brewing Co. on Aug. 15. Pictured are (top row, from left) Michael Portman, Keil Young, Becca Graham and Maddie Reiches; Tyler Josephs, Jacob Elyachar and Jack Schreiber; (bottom row) Federation President and CEO Jay Lewis, Eric and Lisa Rubin and Alex Kranzberg; and Jamie Weiss Liemer, Annie Twells, Julia Osburn and Maya Gorup.
community news
LJCC to hold on-site historical tour of Beni Israel Cemetery
The Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation (LJCC) will host an onsite historical tour of the Beni Israel Cemetery. The tour will be held on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 4 p.m.
Beni Israel Cemetery (1301 E. 2100 Rd., Eudora, KS) was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2013 and is one of just two Jewish cemeteries dating from Kansas’ pre-statehood territorial time. It stands as the last trace of the pioneering Jewish community that helped found the small town of Eudora.
Israel Cemetery
Beni Israel Cemetery was founded in
1858 by territorial settlers who relocated to the area via the German Immigrant Settlement Company of Chicago. The LJCC has served as the steward of the property since 1978.
Dr. David Katzman, University of Kansas professor emeritus of American and Jewish Studies, will offer insights into the history of the cemetery
and tell the stories of prominent citizens interred therein.
Recent upgrades to improve access at the Cemetery have been funded by a 2024 grant from the Douglas County Historical Commission.
All in the community are welcome to attend. The LJCC requests advance registration at tinyurl.com/yck2zccd.
Tour of Beni Israel Cemetery
Sunday, Sept. 7, 4 p.m.
Beni Israel Cemetery, 1301 E.
Phyllis Stevens continues serving the community
By Tanner Cobb Swope Health
Editor’s note: The following article was published by Swope Health in honor of its former employee, communitymemberPhyllisStevens.
Growing up in the 1950s, Phyllis Stevens recognized the social inequalities that people of color faced and grew passionate about addressing those issues. Stevens started off as an educator
Birchat Hachama
By Ellie Holsten
before coming to Swope Health (called Swope Parkway Health Center at the time), where she used her talents and skills for special event fundraising. In 1993, she joined Bernstein-Rein Advertising (where she still works part-time) to impact the community in a different way.
Stevens was raised in a modest neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, and witnessed how people of color were mistreated. She recalls how
A Jewish blessing lesser-known because of its infrequency is the Birchat Hachama, recited every 28 years. According to tradition, this event marks the sun’s return to the position it held on the day it was created. When the sun is in the appropriate position on a Tuesday (the beginning of the fourth day of creation), it is the time to recite blessings and celebrate the sun and the Earth’s creation. Unlike some Jewish traditions like Rosh Chodesh that occur at the new moon, Birchat Hachama does not have any actual ties to contemporary understanding of astronomy; it is a symbolic celebration.
This paper was made in New York for
the 1925 Birchat Hachama. It includes the text of blessings typically said and drawings of lions wearing crowns. As with many pieces of Judaica related to astronomy, the symbols of the Zodiac are also featured. The most recent Birchat Hachama was in 2009, and the next will be in 2037.
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.
some individuals couldn’t ride certain buses and that the Kansas City Star would advertise homes in areas where Black families couldn’t live.
“My values came through my mother, but she never sat me down to say these things aren’t right; I just knew what was happening was wrong, and I wanted to do something about it,” Stevens said. “When I got married in 1962, my husband and I would attend meetings by Black-led organizations. I’m still involved with several nonprofits that support the cause of equity.”
Phyllis Stevens
fundraising efforts for the health center. While there, she earned her Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She created “Trick-or-Treat Village,” which was a Halloween event that also advertised Swope Health inside the Ward Parkway Shopping Center.
Going from a middle school teacher to a stay-at-home-mom, Stevens went back to work in 1974. She taught at Ozanam — a residential treatment facility for children with behavioral and emotional problems — then in the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City’s early childhood department. She eventually left education to work for a friend of hers, Brenda Pelofsky, who ended up serving as Swope Health’s Executive Vice President for 22 years.
“At a dinner party, I learned that Brenda was starting a new State of Missouri initiative integrating individuals with mental health diagnoses into the workforce, and she invited me to work with her,” she said. “Brenda subsequently led Swope Health’s mental health program and fundraising under E. Frank Ellis’ leadership. I joined her in the development department.”
Stevens also helped coordinate “roasts” of notable figures in Kansas City, where the public could attend and make playful jokes towards the “roastee” at the fundraising event. It started with a banking executive Gene Periera, and went on to include notable Kansas Citians, including Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II.
Stevens’ main responsibility at Swope Health was to raise awareness of the health center to the Kansas City community. After successfully accomplishing that, she reconnected with two of her high school classmates. Herb Koahn and Bob Bernstein, who are successful businessmen and Kansas City advocates, wanted her assistance at Bernstein-Rein Advertising as the director of corporate relations.
“Herb called me one day and told me that Bob wanted Bernstein-Rein to better organize their commitment to the community, which has always been a strong value at the agency. Through my 13 years working in urban Kansas City, I understood the nonprofits’ mindset and Bob wanted me to help professionalize what they do,” Stevens said. “I accepted the job and have learned a lot in 30 years.”
Stevens became Swope Health’s Associate Director of Development in 1980 and was closely tied to the continued on page 12
Beni
2100 Rd., Eudora, KS
Smarter Giving. Your Way.
jcfkc.org
Lauren S. Aaronson
Evelyn R. & Charles L. Abrams
Phyllis & Erwin Abrams
Renana & Michael Abrams
Alice & David Jacks
Achtenberg
Bertha S. Adelson
Ida E. Adelson
Herbert Adler
Jeanne & Dan Adler
Janet & Allen Agron
Cathy & Jeff Alpert
Helen & Abe Alport
Brenda Althouse & Paul Fingersh
Meredith & Jon Angrist
Danielle & Jeremy Antes
Elizabeth Appelbaum
Gail & James Appelbaum
Elisabeth & Hans Archenhold
Audrey Asher & Michael Lerner
Barbara & Richard P. Atlas
Diane & Steve Azorsky
Gloria & Michael A. Azorsky
Greg Baber
Dierdre & Ronnie Baker
Janet Davis Baker & Bruce Baker
Ruth & Harry Baker
Li Balanoff
Ida & Albert Bamberger
Dorothy Freiden Baraban
Jack Baraban
Carol & Thomas Barnett
Melanie & Tim Barton
Ann & G. Kenneth Baum
Bernice & Sol Baum
Christopher Beal
Jaclyn Rae Beaulieu
Stacey & Rick Belzer
Sarah & Peter Beren
Merilyn & Loren Berenbom
Carol & Lewis Berey
Carole & Jim Bergh
Susan & Victor Bergman
Joan & Bert Berkley
Marcia & Eliot Berkley
Maureen & William Berkley
Anita Berkowitz
Marian & Harold Berkowitz
Estelle Berman
Lisa & Jerry Bernard
Doris Bernhard
Phyliss Bernstein
Irene & Leonard Bettinger
Mary & Arnold Birnbaum
Muriel & Jack Blackman
Rita Blitt
Gloria & Allen Block
Sharyn & Irwin Blond
Sherry & Michael Blumenthal
Cindy & Fred Bodker
Harvey S. Bodker
Anna & Abe Bograd
Elizabeth & Jack Bohm
Laurie Bomba & Andy Fromm
George G. Bornstein
Karen & Jerry Borowick
Thank you to the following generous donors who have Created a Jewish Legacy and ensured a vibrant community for generations to come.
These individuals and families have made planned gift commitments through their estates or other gift arrangements to a local Jewish organization or synagogue, or currently supported their endowment. We invite you to join them.
The following is a list of donors who have made planned gifts, future and realized. JCF will publish a list of Donor Advised Funds in the Chronicle on September 25th.
Brooks H. Bower
Cathy Boyer-Shesol & Ron Shesol
Aaron Braeman
Family of Aaron Braeman
Betty Brand
Clara & Hyman Brand
Laura & Roman Breitberg
Daniel Brenner
Stevi & Jeffrey Brick
Betty & L.H. Brickman
Joan Briman
Brian Brockman
Charlotte & Richard Brockman
Jean & David Brockman
Marla Brockman & John Goldberg
Mark Brodkey
Scott Bronson
Carol Brooks
Frances & Jack Brown
Helen & Martin Brown
Peedee & Phillip Brown
Regina & Morten Brown
Bonnie & Herb Buchbinder
Betty & Jordan Bushman
Stanley J. Bushman
C. Charles Cantor
Cathy & Craig Caplan
Phyllis Carozza & Frank Loeffler
Robin & Bill Carr
Carol & Arnold Caviar
Ed Christophersen
Ann Morse Cohen
Debra L. & Howard E. Cohen
Donna Gould Cohen
Gloria & Steven Cohen
Jeannette & Jerry Cohen
Joseph Cohen
Linda & Rabbi Alan L. Cohen
Lisa & Leonard Cohen
Lynn Cohen
Mary Davidson Cohen & Barton P. Cohen
Miles A. Cohen
Nancy Sher Cohen & Robert Cohen
Phyllis G. & Barton J. Cohen
Barbara & Sanford Cohn
David Cohn
Naomi & Todd Cohn
Celine & Todd Coppaken
Denise & Ronald Coppaken
Debby & Gary Cortés
Rita Cortés
Dorothy & Louis Cumonow
Cutler Family Foundation
Robert S. Cutler
Sadie & Joseph Danciger
Ann L. Darke
Diane & Mark Davidner
Sheryl & Ron Davidow
Gregg S. Davidson
James H. Davis
Lainie & Jim Decker
Devinki Family
Maria Devinki
Allison DeWitt
Kathy & Robert DeWitt
Dreiseszun Family
Irene & Sherman
Dreiseszun
Selma Dreiseszun
Janet & Daniel Dubrava
Marvin Dunn
Marian Durbin
Stanley H. Durwood
Dora & Ben Edelbaum
Doris & William Edelman
Rhonda & David Eigenberg
Joan & Alvin Einbender
Elinor & Gustave Eisemann
Sandy & David Eisenberg
Sandra & Martin L. Eisenman
Jessica & Michael Ellis
Ann R. Elyachar
Fran Emmer
Meredith Farnan
Ann & Isak Federman
Diane & Arthur B. Federman
David Feingold
Harry C. Feingold
Gloria Baker Feinstein & Eddie Feinstein
Selma & Milton Feld
Cynthia & Robert Feldman
Nicole & Jack Feldman & Family
JoAnn S. Field
Beatrice & Steve Fine
Pella & Jack N. Fingersh
Beverly & Herbert Fishman & Family
Doris & Paul Flam
Dora Fox
Bari Freiden
Sandi & Ed Fried & Family
SuEllen & Harvey Fried
Elaine & David Friedman
Jacob Friedman
Morris Friedman
Sondra & Frank Friedman
Bernie Fromm
Kristen & Daniel Fromm
Rhonda & Jeff Fromm
Lawrence (Larry) D. Fry
Amy & Derek Gale
Louise Garfinkle
Albert Gerecht
Frances Wang Gershon
Phillip L. Gershon
Susie & Paul Gershon
Gloria Gershun
Martha Gershun & Don Goldman
James S. Gerson
Karen & Jeffry Gerson
Lynn & John Gerson
Chuck Gilbert
Noreen E. Gilmore
Cheryl & B. William Ginsberg
Annie & Rabbi David Glickman
Karen Glickstein & Don Swartz
Henri & David Goettel
Goldberg & Intrater Families
Geraldine & Stan Goldberg
Solomon Goldberg
Vita & Nathan Goldberg
Jeff Goldenberg
Hildy & Joel K. Goldman
Lila Goldman
Madeline & Barry Goldman
Michelle Goldsmith
Susan & Ronald W. Goldsmith
Adelle & Marvin Goldstein
Carol & Marvin Goldstein
Debra & Stuart A. Goldstein
Margaret & Larry Goldstein
David R. Goodman
Roz & Fredric Goodman
Gorlin Family Foundation
Evelyn Gorten
Karen & Michael Gortenburg
Arvin Gottlieb Foundation
Shirley Gottstein
Lucy & Sam Gould
Marlis Grad
Evie & Bob Grant
Phyllis & Rudy Green
Marvin “Buddy” Greenbaum
Joel D. Greenberg
Sidney Greenberg
Susan & Bob Greenberg
Sharon & James Greenwood
Amy & Lee Greif
Megan & Michael Grossman
Guckenheimer Family
Charlotte Gumowitz
Gail & Allen Gutovitz
Berenice Haberman
Hortense & Joseph J. Haith
Randi & Larry Haith
Rickie & Edward E. Haith
Natalie & Hanan Hammer
Susan & Steve Hammer
Hammontree Family
Flo Harris
Hannah B. Harris & Jerald S. Enslein
Regine & Max Harwick
Judy & G. Richard Hastings
Shanna & Matt Haun
Kathy Krigel Hawley
Barbara & Scott Hecht
Judith & Lloyd Hellman
Bush Helzberg
Charles M. Helzberg
Shirley & Barnett
Helzberg, Jr.
Karen & Mike Herman
Betty & Lenny Hershman
Cathy & Joe Hiersteiner
Jean Hiersteiner
Gail & Harry Himmelstein
Louise C. Hipsh &
Neil W. Breslow
Liz & John Hjalmarson
Heather & Chris Hobbs
Judy & David Hochman
Bernard Hoffman
Kathy & Elliott Hollub
Lauren & John Hoopes
Lynn Hoover
Brita Horowitz
Amy Hurst
Laura & Tim Intfen
Lynn & Bill Intrater
Ann & Tom Isenberg
Jenny & John Isenberg
Mark Isenberg
Vera Isenberg
Sandra & Lawrence Jabenis
Jacobs Family
Cory & Daniel Jacobs
Harry Jacobs
Judy & David Jacobs
Phillip Jacobs
Sherri & Jonathan Jacobs
Ann R. Jacobson
Rosalyn & Howard T Jacobson
Trudy & John Jacobson
JAZ-MD
Donna & Baruch Kaelter
Don Kahan
Norman Kahn
Harold Kain
Gina Kaiser & David Gale
James F. Kanally
David Kaplan
Florence Kaplan
Marian Kaplan
Michele & Harvey Kaplan
Sheryl & Andrew Kaplan
Karbank Family
Marcia Karbank
Rose & Barney Karbank
Arlene & David Kaseff
Barry Kaseff
Miriam & Eric Kaseff
Donna & Ward A. Katz
Linda & Barry Katz
Marlene & Stanley A. Katz
Marvin Katz
Leon Katzberg
Leibert Kaufman
Lynn & Andrew B. Kaufman
Stephanie & Kurt Kavanaugh
Andrea Kempf
Gordon Kingsley
Suzanne Kingsley
Marc Kingston
Melissa Kingston
Margaret & Clarence Kivett
Lori Silvers Klarfeld
Carla & Tiberius Klausner
Betty & Richard Klein
Lisa & James Klein
Michael Klein
Jan & David Knopke
Sol Koenigsberg
Joy & Stewart Koesten
Amanda & Brad Koffman
Phyllis & Ronald Kogan
Shirley & Alfred Kohlman
Cantor Sharon R. Kohn & Richard Simon
Kolkin Family
Ellen & Stephen Kort
Regina & William Kort
Robert A. Kort
Judy & Alan Kosloff
Marlene Krakow
Polly Kramer
Miriam & Harry Krantz
Rachel B. Krantz & Edward J. Goldstein
Nicole Krein & Gerald W.
Lyons
Barbara & Edwin Krigel
Erlene & Sanford P. Krigel
Gayle & Bruce Krigel Family
Marsha & Seymour Krinsky
Mildred “Millie” S. Kritzler
Barbara & Sandy Krug
Emma Landie
William Lee
Barbara & Allen Lefko
Doreen Leifer
Fannie & Morris Lerner & Meyer Lerner
Paul Lerner
Linda & Larry Lessner
Carol & Richard M. Levin
Emelie Levin
Gayle & Ronald Levin
Kacy Childs Levin &
Rabbi Mark Levin
Julie, Michael, Sofia &
Noa Levine
Robin Levine
Jane & James Levitt
Molly & Tom Levitt
Judith U. & Martin Levy
Nicole & David Levy
Nita Levy
Kim & Jay Lewis
Margery Lichtor
Floriene & George Lieberman
Lillian & David N. Lieberman
Colleen & Craig Ligibel
Sharon & Jerry Lindenbaum
Lilian & Norbert Lipschuetz
Marcia & Jeff Lipsky
Beth & Michael Liss
Myra Litman
Dorothy & Julius Loeffler
Karen Loggia & David Spizman
Christa & Stanley Louis
Lowenstein Brothers Foundation
William Lowenstein
Gail & Richard Lozoff
Jill & Jim Maidhof
Gwenn “Babe” Mallin
Lore & Mel Mallin
Sharon & Jeffrey Mallin
Jack Mandelbaum
Barbara & Rabbi Herbert J.
Mandl
Sylvia Manko
Aaron March
Florence & Abraham E. Margolin
Bernard A. Margolis
Janet Mark & Frank Lipsman
Leslie Markowitz
Esther Markus & Weber Ingersoll
Henry Massman
Kim & Adam Matsil
Golda & Ernest Mayer
Vicky & Howard Mayer
Sue McCord-Belzer &
Irv Belzer
Michael McCune
Mary Kay McPhee & William Pfeiffer
Jerome Medol
Doris & William Mendel
Diane Merkadeau
Pamela Merkadeau
Carol Meyers
Rowena & Cyril Milens
Jill Zeldin Miller
Shirley & Stanley Morantz
Morgan Family Foundation
Shanny & Eric Morgenstern
Shelah & Jim Mueth
Alana Muller & Marc Hammer
Marsha Murphy & Robert Morantz
Marlene & Jack Nagel
Leah, Jerry & Jonah Nash
Jennifer Neill & Howard Barewin
Susan & Lewis Nerman
Lori & Javid Noorollah
Linda & Skip Nottberg
Elizabeth & Sam Nussbaum
Ronna & Larry Nussbaum
Donna Oberstein & Ace Allen
Helen & Julius U. Oelsner
Robin Onikul
Brad Ordo
Marvin Orlovick
Maggie Osgood-Nicholls & Jake Nicholls
Susan & Steve Osman
Joyce & Dee Pack
Karen & Steven Pack
Sheila & Lawrence Pakula
Amanda Palan
Barbara & Robert V. Palan
Janice Panknin
Jean & Allen Parelman
Edis & Sid Parkans
Jennifer & Steven Paul
Roslyn Braeman Payne
Brenda & Joel Pelofsky
Dorothy & Julius Peltzman
Millie & Robert Peltzman
Shirley Pener
Debby & Joseph Pfefer
Barbara & Oscar Pinsker
Gloria & Howard Pitler
Rita & Larry Poisner
Sharon Lowenstein Poisner &
Alan Poisner
Elaine & Norman Polsky
Ellen Polsky
Carol & David Porter
Dianna & William Porter
Karen & Ed Porter
Harry Portman Charitable Trust
Ruth Pozez
Betty Price
Janet & Harold Price
Mary Jo & Barry Price
Sara & Ted Prince
Aaron Rabinovitz
David A. Raffel
Betsy & Scott Redler
Jessica & Adam Rich
Nathan Rieger
Ellen & Irv Robinson
Jessica & John Rockhold
Michael E. Rogovein
Mary Beth Rohlf
Ellen & Edward S. Rose
Gerald Rose
Rosanne & Howard Rosen
Fern & John Rosenberg
Gerald Rosenblum
Sylvia Rosenstock
Brenda & Howard Rosenthal
Susan & Ernest Rosenthal
Dorothy Rosenwald
Sally & Miles Ross
Eunice & Ben Ruben
Arlene & John Rubenstein
Anna & Charles Rubins
Julie & David Rudman
Esther & Cy Rudnick
Gerean Rudnick
Bobbie & Paul Russell
Sarah & Joseph H. Rutlader
Rhea Salasche &
Harold Kaseff
Scott A. Samuels
Orven Schanzer
Miriam & Daniel Scharf
Fani & William Schifman
Lisa & Ken Schifman
Gloria Rosenbloom
Schlesinger & Stanley
Schlesinger
Marjorie & William Schlosberg
Vivien & Daniel L. Schlozman
Janice Schonwetter
Cathy & Michael A. Schultz
Sonia & Sam Schultz
Rabbi Neal Schuster
Janet & Andrew Schwartz
Charlotte & Isadore Shafton
John E. Shamberg
Amy & Peter Shapiro
Lillian Shaw
Barbara Shear
Marian & Brad Shear
Ruth & Nathan Shechter
Scott I. Sher
Beth & Mike Sherry
Judy & Steve Sherry
Clara & Ben Shlyen
Stevie & John Shuchart
Marian Shultz
Bonnie & Matthew Siegel
Lynette & Norman Siegel
Myra & Lester Siegel, Jr.
Merna & Sylvan Siegler
Pearl B. Silverman
Aletha & Bob Simon
Connie & Richard Simon
Lisa & David Skolnick
Denise & Scott M. Slabotsky
Rachel & Noah Slabotsky
Patricia & Daniel Slosburg
Elaine & Myron Slotsky
Joanna & David Slusky
Julie & Jim Sluyter
Beth K. Smith
Eva & Jason Sokol
Joseph Solsky
Kelly & Dan Somberg
Sosland Family
Blanche & Neil Sosland
Estelle & Morton Sosland
Jane & L. Joshua Sosland
Rachel Pase Sosland & David Sosland
Vivian & Hymie Sosland
Debbie Sosland-Edelman & Alan S. Edelman
Gwendolyn & Joseph Speyer
Staenberg Family Foundation
Leah Starr
Alice & Harry Statland
Carly & Louis Stein
Esther & Stewart Stein
Sheryl & Josh Stein
Lydia DeWitt Steinberg
Ann & Dan Stern
Clare Stern
Elaine Feld Stern
Ruth Stern
Frank Sterneck
Robin Sterneck
Shirley & Todd Stettner
Reverend Lisa Gay Stevens & James H. Stevens
Phyllis & Bill Stevens
Lorraine Stiffelman
Jennifer & John Stolte
Kay & Ira Stolzer
Anna Strauss
Gerre & Eugene Strauss
Bonnie & Mickey Swade
Evelina & Steve Swartzman
Frances & Louis Swinken
Marvin Szneler
Doris Taube
Ten Ten Foundation
Tension Envelope Foundation
Donna & Harvey Thalblum
Evy & Lowell Tilzer
Ruthie & Harold Tivol
Susan & Thomas S. Tivol
Sally & Don Tranin
Helen & Ben Trillin
Patricia Werthan Uhlmann
Paul Uhlmann, Jr.
Sue & Joel D. Vile
Sara & Danny Wajcman
Alfred Wallach
Nicole & Myron Wang
Janice & Alan Wasserman
Judith Wasserman
Wallace N. Weber
Dolores & Hanan Wedlan
Gail & Gary Weinberg
Felicia & Seymour Weiner
Irene & Howard Weiner
Larry Weinstein
Civia & Rabbi Scott White
Shirley & Lewis White
Gail & Bill Wien
Leonard Wilk Family
Leonard S. Wilk
Marsha & Mark Williams
Susie & Donald Wilson
B.D. Winyard & Norman B. Kahn, Jr.
Heim Wolberg
Ellen & Jerome T. Wolf
Kelly Duffy Wolf & Gregory Wolf
Marcia & Bob Wolff
Irene Wurzburger
Fanny Yarmo
Susan Zale
Pamela & Michael Zanders
Linda Zappulla
Karen & Rabbi Michael Zedek
Jean & Bob Zeldin
Joyce & Stanford A. Zeldin
Laura Ziegler-Davis & Gard Davis
Lezlie & Dave Zucker
Julie & Joe Zwillenberg
Melissa & Jeremy Zwillenberg
community news
Judge Howard Sachs to retire at age 100
continued from page 1
Sachs would have become a bar mitzvah in the fall of 1938, but he said B’nai Jehudah didn’t offer it at the time.
“We only had confirmation,” Sachs said. “I remember about 10 Hebrew words, (yet) I am very interested in Jewish history.”
Despite this, B’nai Jehudah Rabbi Samuel Mayerberg, who later would preside over the Sachs’ wedding in 1960, asked him in the 1930s if he wanted to be a rabbi.
Sachs served the Kansas City Jewish community as the chairman of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau and as a president and honorary chairman of the local chapter of the American Jewish Congress, as well as through other roles at B’nai Jehudah. He also played a key role in researching and documenting Kansas City’s Jewish history, having worked on the 100-year history of B’nai Jehudah, “Roots In A Moving Stream.”
Sachs said that none of his family has left the Kansas City area, with local roots spanning back to the 1880s. Sachs’ father, Alex, was close friends with President Harry Truman. The elder Sachs was appointed Kansas City’s postmaster by Truman. Many decades later, Sachs himself was honored by
the Truman Foundation.
in The Chronicle announcing President Jimmy Carter’s appointment of Howard Sachs as the judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
“I met Truman in the Christmas break at college [in 1942] and ‘flattered’ him by saying a college professor commended his work,” Sachs said. “I attended a White House press conference in 1947 and had a visit with Truman at the Truman Library with my wife’s parents from Iowa. He took us on a tour.”
Before he was meeting presidents and serving as a judge, Sachs began his academic career at Bryant Elementary School with his best friend, the late Kansas City businessman and philanthropist Morton Sosland. Sachs later graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City and headed east to Williams College in northwestern Massachusetts.
“[Williams] was small and East-
Phyllis Stevens continues serving the community
continued from page 8
Through Bernstein-Rein, Stevens has worked with multiple departments including creative, media and research to meet the needs of our pro-bono clients. She helped around 100 nonprofits to find ways to assist them. Some notable work that she’s done locally includes her assistance with branding the Kauffman Center’s front letterhead and the support of the Nelson Atkins Museum’s mini golf course. While her duties and hours have changed, she’s been doing special projects there since 2014.
“I semi-retired for a couple of years to help take care of my late husband when he had renal disease,” she said. “After he passed away, Bob called and
asked me to come back. He wanted to keep the agency’s promise of reaching out to the community alive.”
Over the years, Stevens has served on several non-profit boards, such as Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City, the Heartland Men’s Chorus, and in the late 1990s, she joined Swope Health’s board of directors. She credits her time at Swope Health for laying the groundwork to allow her to make such an impact to the Kansas City community and other nonprofits.
“Being at Swope Health gave me 13 years of waking up every day, knowing that the work I was doing affected other people’s lives for the better. It was a great stepping stone for my career,” Stevens said.
ern and supposedly not-antisemitic,” Sachs said. “There was no Jewish fraternity, but all Jews were in a non-sectarian Garfield Club.”
In the midst of World War II, Sachs enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was part of radio tech school due to his experience in physics. Sachs was serving on the U.S.S. South Dakota in Tokyo Bay when Imperial Japan surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945 — 11 days short of his 20th birthday.
“I broke a cup 80 years ago to celebrate the expected surrender and went ashore at a Japanese naval base in September for Rosh Hashanah [five days after the Japanese surrender] and to collect souvenirs,” Sachs said.
Sachs returned to Williams after the war, graduated as the college’s valedictorian and remained in Massachusetts to attend Harvard Law School.
“I was interested in law, beginning with the Supreme Court controversies with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the court packing plan,” Sachs said. “Perhaps I wouldn’t have gone to law school, except for the G.I. Bill [being signed by Roosevelt].”
At Harvard, he learned from Civil Rights leader Zechariah Chafee. His law school classmates included Richard Kleindienst, who would go on to serve as attorney general under President Richard Nixon, and longtime U.S. Senator John Chafee of Rhode Island.
After Harvard, Sachs returned to Kansas City to work as an attorney for Spencer, Fane, Britt and Browne from 1951 to 1979. Sachs met his wife through their time with the Jackson County Young Democrats supporting Civil Rights Movement advocates Missouri Congressman Richard Bolling
and former Illinois governor and 1952 and 1956 presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson II. His civil rights work included advocating for the separation of church and state in terms of mandated prayer in public schools and tackling antisemitism and discrimination in the social clubs of Kansas City. That work resulted in the Kansas City Club accepting Jewish members. Sachs served as the chairman of the legal committee of the Kansas City Commission on Human Relations and helped draft the first civil rights ordinance in the state of Missouri.
Sachs’ legacy is further cemented by his work for desegregation. He was crucial in helping legally desegregate Kansas City schools, theaters, bars and businesses.
In 1951, Sachs was completing a clerkship for Judge Albert A. Ridge when a case arose where three Black individuals were denied the opportunity to attend the Swope Park pool. Thurgood Marshall, then the chief attorney for the NAACP, worked on the case — Sachs knew there was something special about the future Supreme Court Justice.
“[Marshall was] a person with a great deal of presence,” Sachs told the Federal Bar Association. “He was not a major figure at the time, but he was on the verge of it.”
But meeting Marshall wasn’t the most impactful part of Sachs’ involvement. He assisted Judge Ridge’s decision, which determined that the Swope Park pool must be integrated.
Three years later and just 64 miles away, the Swope Park ruling that Sachs helped with was integral to the result in Brown v. Board of Education, one of the biggest victories of the Civil Rights Movement.
Despite his countless recognitions, legal precedents and righteous judgments, Sachs’ reason to stay on the bench until his centenary was simply “to be of service and relieve the other judges of part of their docket.”
As for what the esteemed judge will do after retiring, Sachs said he simply plans to keep reading and continue his tradition of attending weekly luncheons with his friends followed by visits to the library.
Above: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas (left) with Judge Howard Sachs at the dedication of Hon. Howard F. Sachs Road.
Left: The May 25, 1979, article
community news
Corporate pantry partners help support JFS
Jewish Family Services Food Pantry’s corporate partners help to keep its shelves stocked at the two locations, at the Jewish Community Campus in Kansas and Brookside in Missouri. Every month, the two locations of Jewish Family Services Food Pantry provide more than 500 families with food, non-perishable household goods, personal hygiene items and pet food for those who need it.
These partners provide household items as diverse as paper towels and toilet paper to pet food. These corporate partners also offer JFS the ability to purchase items at significantly reduced rates. Many of the items they provide are not covered by governmental supplement funds.
Among JFS current corporate partners are Whole Foods, various locations of Price Chopper grocery stores, Cargo Largo, Q4 Industries, Sloop Dental, VCA Animal Hospitals and Nall Hills Animal Hospital.
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On expecting our third child
By Bridey Stangler PJ Library
My husband and I are blessed to be expecting a child this fall.
Yet, when I look at the two children we have, I am filled with fear for our anticipated third. It’s irrational but soul-deep, and the only comfort I have as we wait and prepare is a thing that feels so fragile I am almost breathless.
am. Even with the undeniable challenges unique to toddlerhood, childcare and too-few bedrooms, I think, “My G-d, how lucky we are. We fooled the universe a second time and slipped through more blessed.”
“Without the support of our corporate partners, JFS could not continue to support community members in the way we do,” said Jo Hickey, JFS director of volunteers and pantry partnerships. "We can rely on their relationship throughout the year.”
"In an effort to keep beloved pets in loving homes, Nall Hills Animal Hospital is honored to be able to distribute pet food donations to families facing financial hardship,” said Dr. Melissa Minor of the animal hospital. “This initiative ensures that no one has to choose between feeding themselves or their furry companions. Thanks to the generosity of our clients and this wonderful community, we’re helping to make it easier for families in need to care for their pets during tough times.”
JFS is always on the lookout for new corporate partners to help stock the pantry. Interested businesses can contact Jo Hickey at jhickey@jfskc.org or call (913) 327-8257.
JFS also receives donations from the general public for its Food Pantry. Currently, the most needed items are personal care items (not covered by government assistance) including shampoo, conditioner, body wash and deodorant. Food items include tuna, canned chicken and other protein products. Physical donations can be dropped off during business hours in designated barrels at the Jewish Community Center and JFS Brookside location. More information is available at jfskc.org.
I look at the lengthening limbs of our oldest, and I marvel that that forearm once fit in the palm of my hand. I see how he leans into his pencil as he draws, moving images from his mind’s eye to the white paper through careful strokes. I watch when he thinks I’m not, when he puts aside all reticence to act out the silly and absurd for his younger brother’s entertainment.
And as for our second son, a full nine years younger than the first, I marvel at the dimples on the backs of his knees. I lock safe the memory of how he used to pronounce his Rs as Vs, including when he would say his own name.
I am not a particularly sentimental woman. But looking at our two sons, our beautiful and imperfect sons, I am filled with such love that I can only wonder at the impossibility of doing it again. How could we ever hope to pull it off one more time?
We went many years between our first and second partly because of this very fear. We were so grateful just to have the one, and the three of us were such a happy family –why mess with perfection?
Then the second arrived, transforming all of us individually and as a household into something new (and louder). And I can’t imagine being any happier than I
And now we await our third. I had jokingly said that we decided to have our second child in a sort of going-out-of-business sale. Joke’s on me, I suppose. We are thrilled beyond measure — and more afraid than I think we’ve ever been before. Because how can we possibly expect to bring such a creation into this world a third time?
I repeat: I have no real gift for mawkishness. But consider the graceful lines of your child’s femur. Or how his eyelashes rest on his cheek. Or how it feels when he says something to indicate he actually listens to you. Our children are nothing short of miracles, and it takes chutzpah to think we might be so blessed as to make even one.
I feel like the English word “faith” is not a word you hear often among Jews. I can think of nothing better, though, to describe what we as parents must have deep within us. Certainly, intentionally having children reflects profound and deep-seated optimism in the future. But we must also have faith that our bodies — these God-given instruments — are up to the task of creating hearts with four valves, the ridge of the nose and the dimples on the backs of the knees.
And it takes faith to believe we have the capacity to grow our love again and again, to include more and more people, more and more uniqueness. I am overwhelmed by the obligation of my soul to continue to stretch.
And yet it has so far. And I have faith that it will again — just one more time.
Nall Hills Animal Hospital staff Ashley Elder and Kim Merino hold donations bound for the JFS Food Pantry for clients with pets.
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.
Not MOTS (Members of the Tribe) Simcha Gifts turns 18
This column was going to be about my ambivalent feelings about Joseph Pilates, the inventor of the fitness craze that bears his name. Each time I pant through my Pilates one-hundreds or get stuck attempting to roll like a ball, I curse the man who created this workout. At the same time, I’m proud that my torturer had been Jewish, though this affiliation is not evident through his surname. If he had been otherwise named, we would be saying, “I’m off to my Levine class.” Or, “I’ll call you back. I’m doing my Schwartzes.”
To flesh-out (so to speak) this essay, I began researching Pilates’ biography. And guess what I found? He’s not Jewish! He was German. He immigrated here in 1926, so many people like me had assumed he had been. But this second son from a family of 10 was raised Roman Catholic.
So there went that idea for this column. Rather, that led me in a different direction. What other famous people, I wondered, do I assume to be Jewish, but aren’t? The opposite of Adam Sandler’s “Chanukah Song” lyrics, “People who are Jewish just like you and me,” I would find celebrities who we think are “just like me,” but aren’t.
My investigation began with the most incredible, I-can’t-believe-he’snot-Jewish find: filmmaker Norman Jewison. What? How can someone with a moniker like that not be a member of the tribe? But he’s not. Indeed, when asked to direct that quintessentially-Jewish film, “Fiddler on the Roof,” he responded, “What if I told you I’m a goy?” Turns out he was — born in Toronto and raised by Methodist parents.
Another Jewish-named non-Jew is Seth Meyers. This well-known comedian has a whole schtick about being mistaken as a Jew. As he explained in a Netflix special, the parents of his Jewish wife were thrilled when they learned their daughter had met a nice Jewish boy. When the truth came out, he quipped, “To be named Seth Meyers and not be Jewish is false advertising.”
Broadway star Ethel Merman is another famous person often
misidentified as Jewish. Known for her powerful voice and bold, brashy stage presence, she was assumed to be one of us. But her given name was Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, spelled with two Ns, which frequently connotes a German, not Jewish, name.
Speaking of names, Whoopi Goldberg is another not-Jew-with-a-Jewish-sounding name. But hers was a deliberate choice. According to the Times of Israel, she changed her name from Caryn Elaine Johnson to a Jewish-sounding one in part because she personally identified with Judaism.
And then there are those like the late U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who realize their Jewish origins late in life. One of the most famous “Oh-my-I’m-Jewish” revelations was experienced by the “King of Rock and Roll” himself, Elvis Presley. Exactly when he learned that his mother was Jewish is not clear, but according to Jewish tradition, that would make him Jewish, too. Maybe that’s why he was “all shook up.” In any event, at one point he began wearing a chai necklace and insisted a Star of David be added to his mother’s headstone.
Finally, on a personal note, there’s Charlotte Steiner, the prolific children’s author and illustrator whose beloved “Kiki” books partially inspired me to become a writer and librarian. Like my encounter with Joseph Pilates, I was initially proud that she was Jewish, only to learn later that she wasn’t. She was Protestant. But now, thanks to research I conducted for this piece, I discovered that she was Jewish. It was her husband who was Protestant. So, I’ve just gained one Jewish author which makes me very happy. Throw in Elvis and — as Adam Sandler would put it — “that’s not too shabby.”
Nancy Kalikow Maxwell is a Kansas City native and award-winning author. Her latest book, “Typically Jewish,” is available through the Jewish Publication Society or Amazon. Her website is www.kaliwellinc.com andemailisnancykalikowmaxwell@ gmail.com.
By Blumah Wineberg Simcha Gifts Coordinator
How does something so unpretentious as a Simcha Gift bag make such a huge impact?
For our recipients, Simcha Gifts is an entryway into the local Jewish community. For those who live in a senior facility without access to regular Jewish programming, it enables them to celebrate the holidays. For unaffiliated Jews who have never attended a Seder or heard the shofar, it provides an opportunity to reconnect with their Jewish roots.
Simcha Gifts is a lifeline to those who feel isolated from the Jewish community. When they get a holiday care package from us, they know that they are not alone and are not forgotten.
Of course, Simcha Gifts is not just about our carefully curated holiday packages that bring tremendous joy to their recipients. Simcha Gifts is about personal connections that lead to profound encounters with Jewish traditions and spirituality. Simcha Gifts are about those chance (providential!) encounters at the store that lead to a Shabbat invitation or a kosher home cooked meal.
Simcha Gifts are not just a fourtimes-a-year gift-giving opportunity.
Rather, it is an everyday occurrence, whether it be a personal visit to a grieving family or a welcoming phone call to a recently arrived family member to the KC community. Simcha Gifts is about those small moments of kindness that can uplift a heavily burdened soul or a lonely senior.
In times of grief or illness, these acts of kindness can be a profound source of comfort, embodying the Jewish ethic of “kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh” — all of Israel is responsible for one another.
Jewish tradition underscores the value of chesed (kindness) and bikur cholim (visiting the sick), which are not just acts of charity but are seen as fundamental responsibilities to strengthen communal bonds that are so central to Jewish life. By offering companionship, a listening ear or practical help, like delivering meals or providing transportation, we affirm the individual's place within the community, providing emotional and spiritual sustenance when it's most needed.
The humble Simcha Gift bag is just the beginning. And we have so much more work to do. New projects are underway to celebrate entering our chai 18th year dedicated to the community.
Article biased against OBBBA
By Sam Devinki
I recently read an article in the Aug. 14 Chronicle titled "One Big Beautiful Bill Act will impact Jewish community safety net, philanthropy." I was very disturbed by the extremely biased approach the article took to the Bill. The Chronicle should represent the entire Jewish community, not just one side or the other. The title states the Bill will impact the Jewish community. However, the article uses the terms "may this" or "may that" six times. No one knows at this time what the actual impact may be, if any.
The article does not state how the Bill will help families. It does not discuss how the Bill will reduce taxes for senior citizens and middle income families, in some cases, as much as $6,000. It does not state how the changes in the food programs are designed
to eliminate the use of these programs to purchase candy and other unhealthy food items. The Jewish agency representative talks about the impact some families may face, and then goes on to state that the Jewish agency does not provide services to any of these families.
Then there is a discussion on charitable giving. Although some people are concerned about the tax benefit of charitable giving, most people want to know that donations are actually being used to help people in need and not able-bodied people who would rather sit at home than get a real job. The Bill is designed to eliminate fraud and waste, which will reduce the tax burden on all Americans. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act does good things for many people, but you would never know that from reading the article in The Chronicle.
commentary
KU Jewish Studies Program welcomes its next director
By Mechele Leon Outgoing KU Jewish Studies Program Interim Director
If you follow news from the KU Jewish Studies Program, you may have noticed that we have had several changes in directorships in the past few years. This is normal. Unlike professional organizations with full-time executives, academic departments such as the Program in Jewish Studies rely on faculty members for leadership. Shorter periods of administrative service (one, two or three years) are the best way to allow faculty to serve the program before returning to full-time teaching and research responsibilities. We think of this as building a “deep bench” of capable leaders that will ensure the success of the program into the future. While rotating leadership presents challeng-
es, particularly in terms of continuity in community relations, it also signifies strength. It demonstrates that we have a team of Jewish Studies faculty members who are prepared and willing to lead the program. Additionally, it allows faculty to continue their professional growth as researchers and teachers.
This is where I came in last January when I was appointed as interim director to allow the former director, Dr. Rami Zeedan, to take a sabbatical. He launched research this year on a ground-breaking study of minority identity in Israel. Now, as I take leave to finish a book about Jewish heritage tourism in Spain, Dr. Ari Linden steps this month in to continue as interim director for the 2025-2026 academic year.
You could say our leadership is shared, just like our commitment to the program. As a team, the faculty and staff of the Jewish Studies program had significant achievements in the 2024-
2025 school year. We welcomed a record number of students to the program as majors and minors. We established the “Jewish Studies Learning Community,” a select cohort of students dedicated to their pursuit of Jewish Studies.
We celebrated Shelley Rissien’s illustrious career at the University of Kansas and extended our best wishes for her well-deserved retirement. Noa Savir, known to many here from her former role at KU Hillel, is joining the program as our newest full-time faculty member. Under Savir’s guidance, we expect the Hebrew program to continue to grow and connect students to their passion for the Hebrew language.
We also welcome Dr. Samantha Cooper, the Robert M. Beren Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies, whose expertise in Jewish culture will enrich our program immensely. New courses planned for our curriculum include courses on Jewish American literature and culture, the
Jewish American experience, and United States–Israel relations.
With support from our donors, we continue to offer student awards and a regular schedule of academic, social and career-enhancing events.
While academic programs in Jewish Studies and its students and faculty face challenges both locally and nationally, our program’s success is a testament to our robust leadership and the support of students. Challenging and relevant courses, comprehensive Hebrew language instruction and enriching learning and career events form the foundation of our program and the community we have cultivated. I am honored to have served the University of Kansas Program in Jewish Studies this year and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to continue my contributions in the future.
Mechele Leon is a professor ofTheatreattheUniversityofKansas.
Parents who teach more than Torah
By Alexis Greenberg
We’re all familiar with the idea of parents’ responsibility to teach their children. When I hear this, I think about mitzvot, the parsha or Jewish morals and ethics, but modern parenting includes so much more.
The Talmud explains that you must teach your child Torah, a trade and to swim. While I was taught these, my parents instilled in me values and knowledge that go further. From basic money principles such as tzedakah, spending and saving as a kid receiving allowance to time management in high school, my parents truly embodied the responsibility of teaching your children and equipping them for life.
When I was little, my mom started a monthly play group at Village Shalom, “Moms & Munchkins Mitzvah Moments,” to bring connections, smiles and play to the residents. She taught me that you can do mitzvot in ways that feel comfortable, natural and personally impactful to you. Rather than just donating money or time to any opportunity that presented itself, she sought out something I enjoyed as a child.
I loved going to Village Shalom so
much, in fact, that for my fifth birthday, I had my party there and invited residents! In an interview with The Chronicle, fiveyear-old me is quoted saying, “I decided I want to help people… I was helping make the people who live [at Village Shalom] feel better. It makes the older people happy when the kids come.”
One of the most infuriating lessons my mom taught me was empathy. Most elementary-aged students run into mean classmates or friends that insult you on occasion, but how my parents handled it shaped my perception of them — not a bully, but rather a person making bad choices. One child in my class started insulting me, and becoming more rude and irritable than ever. I went to mom and told her what was going on. Rather than tell me to ignore him or tell my teachers, my mom told me that sometimes, the people who act out are facing hidden challenges you don’t know about. Lo and behold, a week later, I found him crying in the hallway and listened as he told me his dad often worked late and he missed being picked up by his parents. I was
always jealous of seeing his grandma’s novelty license plate with his name on it everyday at pickup, but my mom was right. He was just a kid facing unfair circumstances, and that translated to mean words.
When I was 15, I took driver’s education. The in-class portion of the program lasted about two days, so I went in assuming that was the extent of it. However, I came to find out that there were testouts every other week on different courses such as roundabouts, highways, etc. I informed the instructor that I would be leaving for summer camp in a week and would be gone for two months. Hesitantly, he suggested signing up for a test-out every day of that week and completing the final one after I got back from camp, if needed. Every day that week, my dad spent several hours practicing the routes with me, took me to the test-out midday and then spent several more hours practicing the next day’s routes. He sacrificed the entire work week to show me it was possible to pursue all of the things I wanted that summer —
the ability to drive and the experience of Jewish sleepaway camp. Along with the knowledge of how to drive, I acquired countless new memories and inside jokes.
This summer, I finished my last semester of graduate school and earned my Master of Science in project management. My final class was a finance class. Math has never been my strong suit, and this class was much more challenging than I expected.
My dad, a financial advisor, sat with me for three hours a day, two-to-three days a week, teaching me Excel shortcuts and giving me real-world examples of the concepts in my textbook. Not only did this teach me the finance principles from my class, but it also taught me how to ask for help when you need it and how to persevere through challenges you feel ill-equipped for.
So next time you’re down on yourself because you didn’t find time in your family’s busy schedule this week for Torah study or swim lessons, appreciate all the other small lessons you taught through your attitudes and actions. Find the things your child is passionate about and help them use that interest or those skills to help others. And if you’re ever looking for a multigenerational birthday party venue — look no further than Village Shalom.
Alexis Greenberg with her parents, Debbie and Greg, at her 5th birthday party at Village Shalom in 2010.
CONGRATS RAYNA KEY!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
EVENT SPONSOR
The Kansas City Royals Foundation
Michael Klein
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Reat Griffin Underwood Rising Stars Fund**
DOUBLE
Debbie & Jeff Buchbinder
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C You In The Major Leagues
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Edward S. Rose Family Fund
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Larry Fry
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Karen & Michael Gortenburg*
Marlys & Michael Haverty
AdventHealth
Danielle & Jeremy AntesPrism Real Estate LLC*
Arosa
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Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City
Creative Planning
Euronet Worldwide
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Sam Price Family Foundation
Seal-O-Matic Paving Co., Michael H. Jaben & Family
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DIAMOND RECORD PATRON
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Laura J. McMurray & Stephen Weiss
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PLATINUM RECORD PATRON
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Hankins Foundation
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Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation
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Price Brothers**
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Truman Library Institute
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UMKC Department of Athletics
The Victory Project
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September 03 03
Jewish Heritage Night
Head to the ballpark to catch Angels vs Royals! Join us for a pre-game kosher community tailgate inside the stadium
September 10 10
An Evening with Dr. Sharon Slater
Join United Hatzalah, Jewish Federation, and Jewish Family Services to hear from one of Israel’s leading trauma psychologists
September 11 11
September 14 14
September 19 19
YAD Impact with Mitzvah Garden KC
Young Jewish adults (21-45), learn more about Mitzvah Garden KC and its impact on our community
Raising Charitable Children
Parents and grandparents, join us for a special event about raising caring and engaged children.
Bubbe & Zeydie’s Bubble Shabbat
Grandparents and grandchildren, join PJ Library for Shabbat blessings and bubble fun!
Martin Irving Bass
Martin Irving Bass, 94, of Over land Park, Kansas, passed away peace fully on Aug. 24. A dedicated father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Martin, or “Marty,” will always be remembered for his personality and passion for making others laugh.
Born on Jan. 23, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, Marty grew up the only son of Charles and Ida Bass and brother to two sisters, Maxine Grossman and Sandra Newberg. When he wasn’t making people smile and laugh, Marty was swimming, playing tennis, riding his bike or cheering on his Kansas City Chiefs. Marty was loved by his lifelong friends and never missed a ROMEO outing. He was a board member at Congregation Beth Shalom, an active member of the National Paper Association and a volunteer at St. Luke’s Stroke Center.
A successful businessman, Marty devoted more than 30 years of his life to Wayne Paper Company and retired as senior vice president. Marty was successful in business and life because he never met a stranger, and anyone he encountered was immediately “his friend.” Marty had a wonderful sense of humor, and everyone flocked to “funny Uncle Marty” at family gatherings.
Marty is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ida Bass, and his sister, Sandra Newberg. Marty is survived by his sister, Maxine Grossman; his son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Zina Bass; his daughter and son-in-law, Marvin and Sherri Krost; his beloved grandchildren, Danny Bass, Michael Krost, Marj Bass and Kelley Krost; and his cherished great-grandchild, Lane Krost.
A funeral service was held on Aug. 26 at the Yukon Chapel in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saint Luke’s Foundation.
Condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
Dr. Robert Alan Cohen
Dr. Robert Alan Cohen passed away peacefully at his home on Aug. 22. He lived a full and active life and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
“Dr. Bob” was a scholar and an athlete. He attended Oberlin College and the University of Missouri for his undergraduate education. As an extremely focused and ambitious student, he was offered early admission to the University of Missouri School of Medicine after three years of undergraduate study.
Dr. Bob completed his pediatric residency at Baylor University prior to moving to Kansas City with his wife, Lynne, to begin his pediatric practice. That practice would span over 40 years. He was a compassionate, caring and dependable person, always available for his patients, regardless of the time of day. He volunteered his services wherever needed and could often be found at his favorite Royals baseball games in the medical office, helping treat injured/ill fans. As a loving and supporting father, he encouraged his children to live life with honesty and integrity as he exhibited a strong work ethic. He was highly principled and led by example. When not at work, he was often training for the challenge of running marathons, which he completed in every state in America.
Upon retirement, he and his wife, Lynne, volunteered their time to benefit the Health Partnership Clinic of Johnson County.
Surviving family members include his wife of 64 years, Lynne; son, Sandy, and wife, Stacy Cohen; daughter Laura and husband, Jonathan Baron; daughter Heather and husband, Jay Padratzik; and grandchildren, Taylor and Jamie (his wife Rachel) Cohen, Sarah and Sam Baron, and Max and Owen Padratzik.
Donations in memory of Dr. Bob can be made to Children’s Mercy Hospital or a charity of your choice.
Any memories/stories about Dr. Bob would be appreciated and are being collected by the family. Please email Laura@cybersecurityLLC.com
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel. com.
Reta Clementine Byers Hans
Reta Clementine Byers Hans, a woman of style, grace and elegance, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 19. She was 93 years old.
Born on Jan. 6, 1932, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Harry and Esther (Rubin) Byers, Reta lived a rich and full life marked by her sophistication and grace.
She enjoyed an idyllic childhood on Morningside Drive with her siblings, Connie Reitzes, Paul Byers and Robert Byers, each of whom predeceased Reta. As the third of four children, she grew up in a loving and lively household that shaped her appreciation for family and tradition. She remained close with each of her siblings throughout their entire lives.
She attended Border Star Elementary, Southwest High School and the University of Illinois.
At Oakwood Country Club, Reta met the love of her life, Richard Franklin Hans. Together they built a marriage full of shared adventure, happy times and a devotion to family. Their four sons — Michael (Wendy), Steven, John and Bill (Jennifer Greenstreet) — were the center of her world and her proudest accomplishment. Reta poured her heart into raising her boys, guiding them with care, high expectations and
encouragement. She delighted in their achievements and cherished the men they became.
She was also a loving grandmother to Whitney Wendel, Collin Wendel and Tiernan Hans, who brought her great joy in her later years.
Reta was also very close with many of her nieces and nephews.
Reta was deeply engaged in her community and gave her time generously. She served as president of the Menorah Hospital Auxiliary Board and the Briarwood Elementary and Meadowbrook Junior High PTAs. She was also a lifelong member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, to which she generously volunteered her time over many years. She later shared her creativity through a custom stationery business with her dear friend Cecille Silverman. In every role, she brought her signature energy and style.
Reta and Richard were members of Oakwood Country Club in Kansas City, Missouri, and The Boulders Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Reta enjoyed playing tennis and mahjongg throughout her life.
Those who knew Reta will remember her presence, impeccable sense of style and ability to elevate every occasion. She carried herself with elegance, confidence and charm, leaving a lasting impression wherever she went. Her legacy lives on in the family she raised, the community she enriched and the example she set of a life lived with beauty, grace and purpose.
A private funeral service for family members celebrating Reta’s life was held at Louis Memorial Chapel. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to one of Reta’s favorite charities, Just Like You Films (justlikeyoufilms.org).
Reta will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel. com.
Marilyn Blond Melcher
Marilyn Blond Melcher passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Aug. 16 at home surrounded by her loving family and caregivers.
Marilyn had recently celebrated her 100th birthday, a century marked by curiosity, intellect, entertaining, travel and devotion to her family and community. She was the beloved wife of the late Harold Melcher, with whom she shared 70 years of love and laughter until his passing in 2020.
Marilyn was born on June 17, 1925, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Louis Blond and Helen Eisen Blond. She graduated from Sunset Hill School (Pembroke Hill) and earned an economics degree from Smith College. She maintained her interest in financial topics as a member of an investment club until recently. Her love of travel and entertaining led to her becoming a travel agent and partner in the retail store connoisseur. She was a world travel-
er and gracious host. She was a news junkie, too, always watching CNN. For more than 40 years, she was proud to continue her mother’s legacy at the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies, which supports scholarships for nurses. Marilyn and Harold were among the founders of the New Reform Temple.
Marilyn provided her children and grandchildren with gifts they will always remember - support for their education and the opportunity to see the world on family trips. Her home was a place for family meals, where conversation and questions were as overflowing as the food. Her home also was a welcome hangout for her children’s friends, remembered for the bowls of peanut M&Ms.
Marilyn is survived by her children, Richard (Barbara) Melcher of Chicago, Laurie (David) Benjamin of Carmel Valley, California, and Lynne (Barry Kaseff) Melcher of Kansas City; grandchildren, Lucy (John) Coady of Austin, Texas, Charlotte (Michael) Berlin of Chicago, Henry (Claire Rothrock) Melcher of Brooklyn, New York, Elizabeth (Marc) Levit of San Francisco, and David T. Benjamin of Brooklyn; and her great-grandchildren, Sophie and Emma Berlin, Archie and Hugo Rothrock Melcher and Penelope (Nell) and Theo (deceased) Levit.
Marilyn and her family are forever grateful to her dear friends, Randy Clark and Dr. Tom Maddox of San Diego, and her loving and dedicated caregivers, Bernise Coleman, Vera Coleman, Nikki Coleman, Terell Coleman, Tanika Harris-Butler, Shawn Gay and Nylo Clarke.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Helen Blond Scholarship Fund for Nursing at the UMKC Foundation; Operation Breakthrough; or Wayside Waifs.
A private family graveside service was held on Monday, Aug. 18. Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel. com.
