10-13-22 Kansas City Jewish Chronicle Volume 102, Issue 21

Noa Dovrat welcomed to Kansas City as community shalicha

The Jewish community welcomed Noa Dovrat to Kansas City in Septem ber, as she began her time as the new est Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) community shalicha (Israeli emissary).

Dovrat joins the Jewish Experiences team, a collaboration of Jewish Feder ation and The J, and will work closely with Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, KU Hillel and many other Jewish orga nizations and synagogues in the Kan sas City area. She will also help engage the Israeli community locally while cultivating relationships with the en tire community on the topic of Israel.

“We are excited about having Noa in our community to further connect us with the Jewish homeland and its cul ture,” said Derek Gale, Jewish Federa tion vice president and chief operating officer. “While Zoom helped us keep in touch these past couple of years, there is no doubt we’ve missed both an Israel emissary presence and gathering in per son as a community for Jewish and Is rael-related programs, learning and cel ebrations. We are thrilled to invest anew in further building and deepening the connection between Kansas City and Israel, especially for our young adults.”

Even before arriving in Kansas City, Dovrat began making connections with

youth in the community, visiting with KU Hillel students on a trip to Israel this past summer.

“We are thrilled that Noa will be a part of the KU Hillel professional

team,” said Suzy Sostrin, executive di rector of KU Hillel. “She has already made a huge impact on our student community by joining KU Hillel on our Birthright Israel trip this summer and at our Israel Shabbat, which started Hillel’s strong Israel-related program ming this semester.”

Noa will be working with KU Hil lel’s senior Jewish educator, Avi Blitz, to create programs about modern and historic Israel. “We cannot wait to have her join us weekly on and off-campus to meet our students,” Sostrin said.

Ethan Helfand, director of Jewish Experiences, explained a few of the important reasons why the community will benefit from having a shalicha.

“First and foremost, Noa provides an opportunity for our community to see, learn and experience Israel through the eyes of an actual Israeli,” he said. “She also provides an opportunity for conversation — we recognize that Isra el can be a complicated topic, and while our job as a community is not necessar ily to tell people how to feel, it creates opportunities to engage in conversa tion, think about how we program, and talk about Israel’s role in our commu nity and in our own lives.

“Finally, Noa has the opportunity

to educate people who don’t have any previous experience or relationships with Israel. She can build relationships through helping others learn about Israel’s culture, food, music, history, literature, travel — while she is not re sponsible for representing the totality of Israel, she absolutely can help find ways to engage people through her own lived experiences.”

Having recently finished her army service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Dovrat, 22, comes from a mili tary family.

“My dad was a pilot, my mom was an officer in the paratroopers,” she said. “My eldest sister was an officer in the [Israeli] Air Force, and my other sister is a pilot, which is considered to be a very high position for a woman.”

When it came time for her to enlist though, Dovrat wanted to set her own path.

“I didn’t want to go into the Air Force,” she said. “I didn’t want to be someone’s daughter or sister. I wanted to make my own way, so I went into combat engineering.” Her position was as an explosives instructor in charge of educating 200 soldiers. Dovrat signed

Jewish Federation makes an impact in Israel

By Lacey Storer Assistant Editor

Many people know that Jewish Fed eration of Greater Kansas City supports not only our local Jewish community but also communities worldwide, work ing with organizations and agencies in Romania, Bulgaria and, of course, Is rael. What most people might not realize is that Jewish Federation actually has a staff member on the ground in Israel.

Hannah Soltz is Federation’s Israel representative. A native Israeli, she works with all the programs — 21 in total — that Federation funds in Israel. Her role is more than just monitoring and reporting back that the money al located to these programs is being used properly. She provides insight on the changing needs in Ramle, which pro

grams are working, any changes in local municipal priorities, if there are differ ent programs that should be considered for funding, and more.

Soltz recently visited Kansas City for the first time since the pandemic be gan. During her time here, she met with Federation lay leaders, participated in a community study collaboration task force meeting, and was able to work with the members of Federation’s Israel and Overseas subcommittees in person as they reviewed allocations requests and made recommendations for funding.

“After the last couple of years only being able to connect on Zoom, it made a big difference to have her here in per son,” said Andi Milens, Federation’s Se nior Director, Community Building.

Soltz works with Federation’s part

nership community of Ramle, a rela tively small community in central Israel that sits between Tel Aviv and Jerusa lem. Ramle is a “mixed city” — although the majority of its 80,000 residents are Jewish (approximately 75%), there is a strong Israeli Arab presence, including Muslims and a smaller Christian popula tion. Working in a mixed city can present challenges, Soltz said. Ramle is also not a wealthy city, and opportunities for resi dents can be limited.

“Growing up in Ramle, your future is not very bright, unfortunately,” Soltz said. “But the more chances you give [a] child, the better chances he will not be out on the streets. He’ll get a good educa tion, and later on, be a fruitful citizen.”

Many of the programs and organi zations Federation supports — which

Noa Dovrat, community shalicha, during her service in the Israel Defense Forces.

Hannah Soltz, right, Jewish Federation’s Is rael representative, with Andi Milens, Federa tion’s senior director of community building, during Soltz’s recent trip to Kansas City.

Sam Kricsfeld

Lacey Storer

Jonathan Schwartzbard

jons@jewishkc.org

Questions regarding subscriptions may be directed to 913-327-8116 or samk@jewishkc.org

Advertising space reservations are due by noon on theThursday preceding the next week’s publication.

BOOK CORNER

The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle is published by

“An Old Woman Walks into a Bar”

By Deborah Shouse

This book is the first novel by Debo rah Shouse, a columnist, essayist, edi tor and author known for her books about dementia. The book focuses on Grace, a 78-year-old widow and re tired teacher, and her adventures that stemmed from a simple visit to a bar. In the story, Grace must deal with de cisions about falling in love and being true to herself while a wild chain of events lead her into pursuing a thief, riding a motorcycle across town, and being in a viral YouTube video.

“An Old Woman Walks Into a Bar” is available in paperback and e-edition. Shouse’s website is deborahshouse writes.com.

“In Search of 49th Street”

By Marshall A.Widman

Marshall Widman, having dealt with family members who had Alzheimer’s disease, was inspired to write this book about a man diagnosed with Mild Cog nitive Impairment, a condition that could be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.

In this novel, Sonny Alport, only 40 years old, longs to return to his child hood in 1950s Omaha after his diagno sis. This book explores the experiences of growing up, living in Omaha in the 1950s, and the feelings and symptoms of Alport’s diagnosis.

“In Search of 49th Street” is avail able in hardcover, paperback and e-edi tion. Widman’s website is widmanpub lishing.com.

2023 B’nai Brith essay contest announced

W. 115th St., Ste. 201

Park, KS 66211

hours by

913-327-8116

www.kcjc.com

Kansas City Lodge #184, B’nai B’rith has announced the 2023 Margolis Memo rial Essay Contest. The prize is $2,000 in cash. The competition is open to students who are graduating from a Kansas City area high school at the end of the spring semester of 2023 and plan to start college in the fall semester of 2023. This scholar ship is not based on financial need.

stories, photographs, and drawings will not be considered. Judging will focus on the development of a theme related to the topic.

Participants are required to submit their essay together with an applica tion form on or before Thursday, June 1, 2023, to:

Mark D. Wasserstrom, Chair

New ebooks by Marvin Fremerman

Marvin Fremerman is a sport psychology consultant and specializes in work to build self-esteem in athletes and help them reach their full potential by overcoming self-limiting beliefs. He focuses on the relationships between sports and the mind. In August, he released three ebooks on Amazon:

“Mind Over Sports: The Relationship of SelfEsteem to Athletic Performance”

Fremerman includes in this book true anecdotal examples on how “bot tling up your feelings” can have a negative effect on an athlete’s perfor mance and explains why some coaches use “Team Unloading Sessions” for game preparation.

“The PSI Factor: The Dynamics of High Feelings of Self-Worth”

Psycho Self-Imagery, a program of Fremerman’s, is based on the belief that feelings of happiness and harmo ny will result in good things happen ing to you, and that the opposite is true too. This book explains PSI and how it works.

PUBLISHER

The Kansas City Jewish

The $2,000 prize will be awarded to the applicant who, in the sole opinion of the judges, submits the best essay on the subject, “The Importance of Interfaith Dialogue Between Christians and Jews.”

An underlying focus of the essay competition is that peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding of different groups is critical for the survival and flourishing of human beings. The schol arship fund was established to stimulate discussion of this important topic and encourage future leaders of the commu nity to make this topic a priority in their social agenda.

While any form of communication is respected, this contest requires the composition of an essay. Poems, short

Margolis Memorial Essay Contest

Kansas City Lodge #184, B’nai B’rith

6624 Tracy Ave.

Kansas City, MO 64131-1419

If possible, a copy is also requested by e-mail to wass1@sbcglobal.net.

The suggested length for the essays is four or five typewritten pages with dou ble spacing. While attribution of direct quotes is expected, formalities of cita tion of publisher, publication date, etc. are not required. Submissions will not be returned, and only the winner will be notified. Those wanting further infor mation can contact Mark Wasserstrom at 816-523-4243 or by e-mail at wass1@ sbcglobal.net.

“Peak Performance Soccer: Building Your Sense of Inner Self”

This book, written specifically for athletes, coaches and parents, is for evaluating the reader’s behavior and interpersonal interactions. Each of its three sections has a “Self-Esteem SelfEvaluation Test.”

Are you a local Jewish author with a new book out? Email Sam Kricsfeld, samk@jewishkc. org, and we’ll consider it for our next book corner!

KU Hillel celebrates High Holidays with students

KU Hillel celebrated the beginning of the year 5783 during its Rosh Ha shanah services and dinner, Kol Nidre pre-fast dinner and services, and other High Holiday programming and events.

“At KU Hillel, it is critical that we provide space for all of our students to explore what their Jewish identity will become during college,” said Suzy Sostrin, executive director of KU Hillel. “Our students represent a wide swath of Jewish practice, and we meet them where they are at through innovative, creative Jewish experiences that speak to different types of Jayhawks.”

Services were led by student song leaders Jake Niefeld and Kate Jacobs, both seniors at KU.

“High Holidays always have a spe cial place in my heart,” Jake Niefeld said. “The tunes and chords, that’s what made me fall in love with music when I was younger.”

“Some students prefer to pray on their own, and that is completely okay,” Niefeld continued, “while others loudly join in from their seats.”

“The holidays allow me to have the opportunity to come together with

my closest friends and celebrate the holiest days of the year,” Kate Jacobs said. “With our holiday programs and events, we are able to bring everyone together for an inspiring experience with services and dinner.”

Following services, Rosh Hashanah dinner brought students together for conversation and a holiday meal. KU Hillel created an apple-and-honey bar, where everyone could customize an ap ple with sweet treats and eat their own creation. This was to give students the opportunity to mingle and make new friends while being creative.

During the Days of Awe, program ming continued leading up to Yom Kip pur. For tashlich, KU Hillel held Splash Into the New Year, where students used biodegradable and dissolvable papers to reflect on last year’s choices. After tashlich, students jumped into the pool at HERE apartments, symbolically en tering the new year.

“After taking some time to reflect by the pool, I’m feeling refreshed and ready to start the new year,” sopho more Hannah Smuckler said. “I’m tak ing the time between Rosh Hashanah

and Yom Kippur to think about the past year and work on setting intentions for the upcoming year of 5783.”

Yom Kippur with KU Hillel began Tuesday evening with Kol Nidre din ner and services. Instead of services first, the pre-fast dinner was held at the beginning. The dinner included a

kosher, chicken-based meal to prepare students for the upcoming fast.

After the meal, services were led again by student songleaders Jake Niefeld and Kate Jacobs. KU alumnus Noah Kahn joined to lead the Kol Nidre prayer.

“Kol Nidre is arguably the most im portant service to me,” Niefeld said. “Growing up, I put a lot of meaning into Yom Kippur, and Kol Nidre helped solidify that for me.”

After Yom Kippur, KU Hillel held a break-the-fast dinner with breakfast food. Whether students chose to fast for Yom Kippur or not, all were welcomed to break-the-fast. The dinner was open house style, so students who fasted for different lengths of time could join when they were ready to break.

“I always look forward to breaking my fast among my Hillel friends,” Demi Fine, junior, said. “I’m grateful KU Hil lel creates ways for me to celebrate my Judaism while at school.”

KU Hillel staff look forward to build ing its Sukkah outside Hillel, having a week full of programming and cel ebrating its campus holiday traditions.

JFS High Holiday food drive continues, will have contactless drop-off donations

JFS is partnering with the Rabbini cal Association of Greater Kansas City for the High Holiday food drive cur rently taking place. While this drive is during the Jewish holidays, JFS staff urge everyone in the community to donate during this time. JFS provides its services to everyone regardless of faith, age, culture or lifestyle.

For the drive, JFS requests a grocery bag with the pantry’s most-needed items

for October: canned chicken, canned chili, tomato products, deodorant and paper towels. Any food, personal care or household goods are also welcome.

Members of local Jewish congre gations can return their donations to their place of worship; drop-off dead lines may vary.

This month, JFS will hold its con tactless community food drive on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon

in the front circle drive of the Jewish Community Campus. Any items can be dropped off at the community drive.

Other drop off options include:

Weekdays at the JFS donation barrel inside the lobby of the Jewish Commu nity Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., in Over land Park, during business hours.

Every Tuesday, noon to 2 p.m., in designated barrels in front circle drive of the Jewish Community Campus, and JFS at 425 E. 63rd St. in Brookside

Those wishing to donate at JFS’ Brookside location can do so by ap pointment by calling (816) 333-1172.

Purchases can also be made through the “JFS Pantry” Wish List through Amazon. A link to the Amazon Shop ping List can be found on the homepage of the JFS website, www.jfskc.org.

Each month, more than 800 families receive food support, personal hygiene and perishable items from the two loca tions of the JFS Food Pantry. JFS relies

Leo Fromm helped unload food from a donor’s trunk during a recent Jewish Family Services community food drive.

on public donations for half its pantry inventory.

More information about the High Holiday food drive can be answered at (913) 327-8257 or fooddrive@jfskc.org.

YOU

KU Hillel sophomores Hannah Siegler and Ella Atlas at Rosh Hashanah dinner and services.

JCF celebrates Jewish food and future

By Victor Wishna Special to The Chronicle

More than 100 people filled the White Theater on Sept. 14 to mark the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City’s first Founda tion for Our Future event in four years. They gathered to renew their commit ment to community-wide planned giv ing, to honor the newest donors to be inscribed in the Endowment Book of Life, and to celebrate the millions of dollars of bequests that will sustain lo cal institutions for future generations.

Food — eating and enduring — was the explicit theme. The reception blended Jewish culinary traditions, from flown-fresh-from-New-York H&H bagels with lox and cream cheese, to za’atar roasted vegetable skewers and Persian jeweled rice, to a signature cocktail: the “Mani Eddy” (essentially a Moscow Mule with a splash of rose mary simple syrup and a spritz of con cord-grape Manischewitz).

The evening culminated with a pre sentation by Dr. Jordan Rosenblum, a Jewish studies professor at the Univer sity of Wisconsin-Madison, who offered up “The Dish on Jewish Food & Cul ture,” with insights into his research on food customs and Jewish identity.

“Our food traditions are often one of the most meaningful ways we share our history with future generations and create lasting family memories,” said Frank Lipsman, president of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, as he welcomed the crowd to an event twice postponed by the pandemic. “The fact that we are finally together makes this evening that much more special.”

Lipsman emphasized that the Foun

Birth

dation’s mission, since its establish ment in 1959, has always been to en courage gifts and investment to ensure the viability of the Jewish community and its institutions, regardless of the economic climate or changing needs.

In recent years, this has included a focus on planned giving — the process through which donors commit a portion of their estates to philanthropy — from the Bushman Community Endowment Program to its current successor, the Create a Jewish Legacy program, which provides planned giving training and consulting services, along with finan cial incentives for donors and agencies.

Through such efforts, the Founda tion has secured nearly $100 million in future planned gift commitments from more than 900 donors. Another $74 mil lion has already been realized, helping to support 18 congregations and orga nizations in Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka.

Those who commit $10,000 or more to the permanent endowment of a Jew ish agency or synagogue are invited to add their names, photos, and memories to the Endowment Book of Life.

“It is full of meaningful stories and remembrances of love, connection, and personal inspiration,” said Executive Director Lauren Hoopes. “Presented in its pages is an ever-growing collective portrait of our Jewish community and a testament of commitment to ensur ing its future.”

Hoopes introduced a video in which Martha Gershun spoke of her late mother Gloria’s decision to endow gifts to organizations such as CASA, Jew ish Federation of Greater Kansas City, and Congregation Beth Torah. Since

Bar Mitzvah

its introduction in 2003, more than 280 people have signed the Book. That eve ning, 14 more individuals, couples, and families added their own pages.

Hoopes and Josh Stein, JCF Director of Philanthropy, invited each signee on stage and shared excerpts from their entries.

“It is our hope that our gifts will en sure that our community will continue to thrive and grow Jewishly,” Karen and Jeffry Gerson wrote.

Michael Staenberg reflected on his first childhood memory of charitable giving, after he had performed chores to earn $10 for a coat he wanted to buy.

“I finished the work and my dad pulled out ten $1 bills and put them on the table and said, ‘Well the first thing we’re going to do is take out a dollar for the syna gogue.’ Tzedakah is first,” he said.

The ceremony concluded with a brief moment of silence for the 17 Book of Life members lost since the last sign ing in 2018.

The theme of food and legacy contin ued throughout the evening. Lipsman

Wedding

related how a Jewish cookbook kept his extended family connected during CO VID, as every week siblings and cous ins would share photos of the challahs, babka, rugelach, bagels, or haman taschen they had just baked. Hoopes recalled her mother as “a militant noncook” who used an oven for storage — yet indirectly inspired Hoopes to stock her own kitchen with “every spice, but ter, oil, and gadget imaginable,” and to use them all.

Professor Rosenblum described “the long and venerable history of Jews using food as a means to express both longing and belonging... Like food, these stories are sometimes sweet, and sometimes bitter; sometimes savory, and sometimes sour; and sometimes si multaneously sweet and sour.”

On the way out, guests were given apple-and-honey cupcakes for a sweet new year to mark a moment that con nected the past to the future.

Contact Josh Stein for more infor mation about planned giving at (913) 327-8121 or jstein@jcfkc.org.

Wilkenfeld of Houston, Texas, and Caroline Kaye and the late Stanley Kaye of Frisco, Texas.

The groom is the son of Dr. Kevin and Linda Beitchman of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, and the grandson of David and Harriet Wolf of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, and Alvin and Barba ra Beitchman of Scottsdale, Arizona (formerly of Kansas).

The bride is a senior academic ad visor at the Southern Methodist Uni versity Lyle School of Engineering in Dallas, Texas, and the groom is in his second year of residency in child neu rology at University of Texas South western Medical Center in Dallas.

Emory Mae Elyachar

Emory Mae Elyachar, daughter of Whitney and Aaron Elyachar of Shaw nee, Kansas, was born on Aug. 15, 2022.

Emory is the granddaughter of Wendy and Richard Dunn of Jeffer son City, Missouri, and Gloria and Matthew Elyachar of Overland Park, Kansas. She is the great-granddaugh ter of Earl and Rose Marie Dunn of Kingsport, Tennessee.

Dylan Ari Freiden

Dylan Ari Freiden, son of Robyn and Seth Freiden, will become a bar mitzvah on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, at Congrega tion Beth Shalom.

Dylan is the grandson of Anne Ja cobs and Bari and Floyd Freiden. He has a younger sister, Kara.

For his mitzvah project, Dylan raised money and volunteered for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

Dorie Kaye and Joshua Beitchman

Ms. Dorie Kaye and Dr. Joshua Be itchman were married on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2022, at The Worthington Re naissance Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.

Rabbi Andrew Bloom and Cantor Hallie Weiner officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Stephen and Valerie Kaye of Fort Worth and the granddaughter of Dr. Jerry and Sylvia

The couple honeymooned in New port, Rhode Island, and will reside in Dallas.

Share your simchas with The Chronicle! Submit the infor mation through the forms at kcjc.com, or email Sam Kric sfeld, samk@jewishkc.org, with the good news.

Members of the community gathered for Foundation for Our Future, the Jewish Community Foundation’s celebration of planned giving.

HBHA to honor Alan Edelman with Civic Service Award

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy an nounced it will return in-person for its 48th Civic Service Award Celebration, honoring Alan Edelman. The fundrais ing gala, which will include cocktails, dinner and video entertainment, is set for Sunday, January 22, 2023, at the Westin Crown Center.

“We are so excited… first, to be gath ering in person with our HBHA family and our community for this auspicious occasion, and second, to be honoring such a renowned civic leader who has done so much to further Jewish tradi tion and engagement, unity, and diver sity. These are all things that HBHA strives to cultivate with our students,” said Head of School Adam Tilove.

Edelman has been involved in com munity service as a program developer, leader and active participant through out the Greater Kansas City area his entire adult life. His time and involve ment with HBHA dates back 33 years.

“My wife was in the first graduation class at HBHA in 1976. I taught at the school, and all three of our children at tended K-12. Engaging children in qual ity Jewish educational activities and travel seminars, as well as developing independent and ethical thinkers, as HBHA does, is one of the most impor tant things for strengthening the Jew

ish future,” Edelman said.

A native of Kansas City, Edelman grew up in the mid-1960s during a time of activism. From the civil rights move ment to the war in Vietnam, there were many causes to get involved in during his adolescence, guiding him toward a life of community service.

When he was in middle school, the Six Day War occurred in Israel. Edel man described the event as a wake up call. He contemplated his relationship to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

It was at this time Edelman decided to focus on educating and engaging young Jews. He received his bachelor’s degree in child development and edu cation from the University of Kansas, spending his junior year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He attended the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York City, where he received his mas ter’s degree in Jewish education. He also holds a master’s degree in educa tion policy and leadership from KU.

Edelman always pursued leadership positions that gave him the opportuni ty to understand why people were dis connecting from Judaism. He thought about how to reframe Judaism to better engage students.

“I prefer the term Jewish engage

ment to Jewish education. You don’t just study it — you practice it, you ex perience it,” Edelman said.

His ultimate goal was to make sure children were engaged from the start, partially by educating parents. Edel man’s research focused on restructur ing a congregational religious school by integrating informal and family ac tivities into the educational program.

From 1977-1980, Edelman served as educational director for Congregation Beth Shalom. Edelman then spent two years as regional director of the Cen tral States/Provinces Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Ju daism, consulting with congregations and coordinating youth activities. In July of 1982, he began as executive di rector of the Central Agency for Jew ish Education of Greater Kansas City (CAJE), a committee of Jewish Federa tion of Greater Kansas City.

In 1990, the first national Jewish pop ulation study was released. The study showed an increase in the number of unaffiliated and under-engaged Jews, and as part of our Jewish community’s strategic plan, Edelman helped plan and found several new programs. He worked to help bring programs such as PJ Library, the First Time Campers Incentive grant program and Avodah to our community.

He also helped the local Jewish com munity by overseeing educational pro grams such as Sasone, The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learn ing, outreach to interfaith couples, in formal education initiatives, and Israel

and Overseas study seminars and lead ership initiatives, including the Helz berg Leadership Fellows program.

“It was an honor to be part of the Jewish Federation’s dynamic strategic plan, which focused on meeting unmet needs in our community,” Edelman said. “Bob Gast and Merilyn Berenbom were instrumental in creating the plan and served as mentors, along with nu merous hardworking volunteers and funding partners.”

In October of 1994, Edelman’s re sponsibilities at Jewish Federation were expanded to include community planning, human resource develop ment, identity and engagement, and Israel and Overseas, as he assumed the role of associate executive director un til his retirement in June 2017.

Throughout his career, Edelman has served on a number of local, regional and continental advisory committees. He served as guest theologian in many churches, universities and seminaries, and he remains active in the pursuit of peace between Israelis and Palestin ians. He served on the board of direc tors of Notre Dame de Sion School of Kansas City, Avodah and EmberHope.

He now serves as the Jewish director and chair-elect of the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, and as a member of the board of directors of the Center for Practical Bioethics, Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, JCRB|AJC, Heart to Heart International, The Schechter In stitute and The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning.

Edelman and his wife, Debbie So sland-Edelman (class of 1976), have three HBHA alumni children, Alex (2003), Katja (2007) and Jonathan (2011).

“We are proud of the people our chil dren have become and are grateful to HBHA for the excellent education they received,” Edelman said.

A save-the-date for the 48th Civic Ser vice Award Celebration will be emailed, followed by mailed invitations. Kerry Cosner, director of development, can be contacted for additional information on sponsorships, tickets and donations at kcosner@hbha.edu or 913-327-8156.

Alan Edelman

important dates

Friday, October 14 (Sukkot Day 5)

The Ray Davidson (Z”L) Yiddish Group at Beth Torah

Join the Yiddish Group for schmoozing (in both English and Yiddish) and noshing - it’s B.Y.O. (Bring Your Own) lunch. We look forward to conversing and learning with individuals of all Yiddish levels, including beginners. 12:30 p.m.

Light Shabbat candles at 6:23 p.m.

Goldenberg Duo concert at St. James Church

The Goldenberg Duo will perform various clas sical works in a free concert at St. James Church, 3909 Harrison, Kansas City, MO 64110. 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 15

(Sukkot Day 6)

Goldenberg Duo concert at Southminster Presbyterian Church

The Goldenberg Duo will perform various clas sical works in a free concert at Southminster Pres byterian Church, 6306 Roe Ave., Prairie Village, KS 66208. 7 p.m.

Shabbat ends at 7:19 p.m.

Sunday, October 16 (Hoshana Rabbah)

JFS at The J Community Food Drive

Stop by The J to donate food for Jewish Family Services’ Food Pantry. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Shemini Atzeret begins at 6:38 p.m.

Monday, October 17 (Shemini Atzeret)

Simchat Torah begins at 6:37 p.m.

Tuesday, October 18 (Simchat Torah)

Simchat Torah ends at 6:35 p.m.

Wednesday, October 19

BIAV Parasha Shiur

A weekly Parasha class with Rabbi Mark Glass at Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner. Virtual — contact the BIAV office at 913-3412444 or assist@biav.org for more information or

the Zoom link. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

JFS Grief and Loss Support

The ongoing support group is for individuals grieving from the death of a loved one. The group provides an opportunity to address issues of loss and grief within a Jewish spiritual context. The pro gram is co-facilitated by Lauren Glass, LCSW and Rabbi Mark Levin. Register by contacting Molly Mc Gurk, LCSW - JFS Director of Mental Health Services at 913-327-8298 or mmcgurk@jfskc.org. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Friday, October 21

Light Shabbat candles at 6:13 p.m.

Saturday, October 22 (Parashat Bereishit)

Shabbat ends at 7:10 p.m.

Tuesday, October 25

(Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan Day 1)

JCRB | AJC and KC Chamber Diversity and In clusion Author Series presents Dara Horn

Dara Horn, author of “People Love Dead Jews,” will be speaking as part of KC Chamber’s author series. The event is at Commerce Bank; Trust Build ing, 15th Floor Auditorium; 922 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO. 3 to 4:45 p.m.

The J — Jewish Astrology

The Hebrew calendar is based on a unique com bination of the lunar and solar cycles. These month ly astrology meetings (online and in person at The J) will facilitate study about the Hebrew month and its meaning, the astrological sign (according to the Hebrew Zodiac) that is associated with the month, and the potential positive and negative aspects of the month along with the spiritual energy associ ated with it. 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Hadas Memorial Lecture with Dara Horn

Dara Horn, author of “People Love Dead Jews” will discuss her latest work at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Dr., Kansas City, MO. 7 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday, October 26 (Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan Day 2)

Beth Shalom Sisterhood PrayerWorks

Join a group for collective prayer for those in need of physical, emotional or spiritual healing. Rickie Haith facilitates the group over Zoom every month under the auspices of Beth Shalom Sister

hood. Call Haith at 913-341-8707 for the Zoom link, information or to leave a name for healing. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

BIAV Parasha Shiur

A weekly Parasha class with Rabbi Mark Glass at Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner. Vir tual — contact the BIAV office at 913-341-2444 or assist@biav.org for more information or the Zoom link. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thursday, October 27

The J — Acclaimed Author Series featuring Deborah Cohen

Deborah Cohen will discuss her book “Last Call at Hotel Imperial” in this online session of The J’s Acclaimed Author Series. Visit The J’s website for more information. 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, October 28

Diversity of Thought and the Midterm Elections

Join Federation at Village SHalom, 5500 W 123rd St, Overland Park, KS, for a look at the diversity of thought in the Jewish community and the midterm elections. Contact Andi Milens, andim@jewishkc. org, for more information. 8 to 10 a.m.

Light Shabbat candles at 6:04 p.m.

Saturday, October 29 (Parashat Noach)

Shabbat ends at 7:02 p.m.

Sunday, October 30

JCRB|AJC 2022 Human Relations Event

JCRB|AJC will honor lifelong civil rights activ ist and civic leader Alvin Brooks with the Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award. Cocktails and din ner will be available. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Kehilath Israel Synagogue’s Une Soiree Parisienne

Join K.I. for a four-course kosher French meal, wine, music and dancing. Go to kisyn.org/events/ grand-givers-october-30th for more information. 7 p.m.

Wednesday, November 2

BIAV Parasha Shiur

A weekly Parasha class with Rabbi Mark Glass at Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner. Virtual — contact the BIAV office at 913-3412444 or assist@biav.org for more information or

the Zoom link. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

JFS Grief and Loss Support

The ongoing support group is for individuals griev ing from the death of a loved one. The group pro vides an opportunity to address issues of loss and grief within a Jewish spiritual context. The program is co-facilitated by Lauren Glass, LCSW and Rabbi Mark Levin. Register by contacting Molly McGurk, LCSW - JFS Director of Mental Health Services at 913-3278298 or mmcgurk@jfskc.org. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, November 3

The J — Acclaimed Author Series featuring Gabrielle Glaser

Gabrielle Glaser will discuss her book “American Baby” in this online session of The J’s Acclaimed Author Series. Visit The J’s website for more infor mation. 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, November 4

Light Shabbat candles at 5:56 p.m.

Saturday, November 5 (Parashat Lech-Lecha)

Shabbat ends at 6:54 p.m.

Sunday, November 6

Mt. Carmel Volunteer Day

Join Congregation Beth Shalom to paint, clean, weed, rake and more at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, 5529 Ditzler Road. The day will be spent beautifying the cemetery. This can be an opportunity for groups or individuals to earn community service credits. It will be announced if masks will be required at site during the pandemic. For more information or to sign up, contact Bruce Luchen at 913-220-7518 or bluchen0731@gmail.com. 12 to 2 p.m.

Tuesday, November 8 (General Election Day)

Make sure to vote; check your state’s website for information on polling times and locations.

Wednesday, November 9

BIAV Parasha Shiur

A weekly Parasha class with Rabbi Mark Glass at Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner. Vir tual — contact the BIAV office at 913-341-2444 or assist@biav.org for more information or the Zoom link. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

LAWRENCE

JEWISH

mhkjc.org

High Holidays at CBT

Walk

RIGHT: Jewish Family Ser vices was represented at the recent Golden Circle Senior Expo. Laura Gilman (center), JFS Director of Older Adult Programs; Brandi Archie (left) of AccessAble Living who works with JFS’ Help@Home program; and Ron Braun with Care Patrol were on hand to chat with attendees. The Senior Expo featured informa tion and resources for older adults.

JFS at Senior Expo

Learning

ABOVE: Congregation Beth Torah started 5783 with a wonderful Rosh Hashanah. Following services, members and friends tasted the sweetness of Rosh Hashanah and learned about The Good Faith Network during their Rosh Hashanah luncheon. Pictured (left to right) are Danielle and Clif Rope and Jeff and Marion Altman, and CBT’s Youth Group Schmooze.

ABOVE: Members of Atonement Lutheran Church recently dropped off 920 pounds of food and hygiene products for the two locations of Jewish Family Services Food Pantry. Donations like these help keep pantry shelves fully stocked.

LEFT: The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah hosted its second annual Shofar in the Park at Ironwoods Park Lodge during Rosh Hashanah. More than 450 people of all ages came out to celebrate the new year with games, activities, dessert trucks, a self-guided Tashlich with Mitzvah Garden KC, and a family Rosh Hashanah shofar service with Mesner Puppet Theater.

ABOVE: The Suicide Awareness Survivor Support’s (SASS-MoKan) 19th anniversary remembrance walk was held on Sept. 11. SASS-MoKan was founded by Bonnie and Mickey Swade to honor their son, Brett, after he lost his life to suicide. Pictured are walkers and the event’s releasing of doves. A flag corps was there to honor those lost on 9/11.

ABOVE: Congregation Beth Torah celebrated Shabbat Shuvah (the Shabbat in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) with Rabbi Mark Levin, who presented ‘Religion and Politics: the Role of Judaism.’

New community shalicha acclimating to Kansas City

on for an extra one-and-a-half years to become an officer in the IDF operation al headquarters.

“I had a very big job considering my age and experience, and it was the best time of my life,” she said. “I loved every minute of it.”

A military conflict with Gaza dur ing her service was a turning point in her consideration for applying for the JAFI program, whose mission is, in part, to secure a vibrant Jewish future for generations to come. During the conflict, she recalled seeing others try to explain the conflict but watching as social media was inundated with mis information.

“I remember thinking, ‘why do I work so hard to make things right, and this is what we get?’” Dovrat said. “That was when I decided I had to do something about it. I remembered read ing about this program and thinking, ‘I can’t fix the news, but I know what I can do, and that is share my experi ence and personal story with the Jew ish community in the United States, a community that has suffered a lot of antisemitism in the last year. I could explain the narrative and give them a reason to support Israel. Not necessar ily love it, or agree with it, but to have the knowledge to know that sometimes the news is misguided.”

The rigorous, year-long application,

training and interview process helped prepare Dovrat for her arrival in the United States.

“When I started doing the training program, it became a much bigger deal to me to connect [with the community I moved to],” Dovrat said, “and not just explain and be political, but to re ally make a connection with the Jewish community in America — and Kansas City, specifically — to Israel and to me and my personal story.”

Community professionals and lead ers came together to think about what they were looking for when bringing someone back into the community through the program.

“The Kansas City Jewish commu

nity hasn’t had a shalicha since May of 2020, and when we discussed what was important to us, we built a profile based on what we felt the community could most benefit from,” Helfand said.

When the time came to look at com munities to work in, Dovrat immedi ately connected with Kansas City on a personal level, and she was drawn to the needs the community identified in having a presence of a shalicha.

“I read the profile, and I remember connecting to (Kansas City) the most,” she said. “First of all because of the variety of the programs available. In this community, there are a huge variety of places [and] ages, and I re member wanting that exactly because

I think every group wants, needs and deserves a different thing. I love the fo cus they have on impacting the young adult community, which is the one I feel suffers the most from antisemi tism and has the most questions. And on top of all that, I am a Chiefs fan and have been for a long time — pre-Super Bowl.”

Helfand recalled Dovrat’s interview experience and how unique it was com pared to others he had been part of in the past.

“Noa asked questions about what it means to live here, to be a member of this community — and she reconfirmed her Chiefs fandom,” Helfand said. “I’ve never had someone articulate to me that they ‘truly want to be in this spe cific community.’

“Not only did Kansas City choose her, she chose Kansas City. Right off the bat, that was a starting point that makes the integration into any commu nity so much easier.”

As Dovrat continues to integrate into Kansas City, community members are encouraged to say hello. Outside of work, Noa is an avid dancer, reader and former competitive swimmer. She also says she has “three obsessions in life — Marvel, Harry Potter and Disney.”

The one thing she misses most be yond her family is her dog.

“I have a puppy at home who I miss dearly,” she said. “I am a dog person. I’ve wanted to be a vet for years, and I am still debating that.”

Federation contributions support Israeli schools, city

from page 1

range from Etgarim, which offers activi ties for children with special needs, to Congregation Birkat Shalom, a Reform congregation led by Kansas City native Rabbi Steve Burnstein — focus on bring ing the diverse community of Ramle together and giving the city’s youth the tools they need to have brighter futures.

One of the flagship programs is the Is raeli Center for Educational Innovation (ICEI), which is overhauling the edu cational system one school at a time. It began as an effort to help Ethiopian chil dren whose families have made aliyah to Israel. Many of these children don’t have an education, and/or don’t have support at home because their parents don’t have an education either.

Rather than separate these children from their classmates and put them into special classes, ICEI helps restructure schools to improve the education of all students. That means having special training for teachers on new methods of teaching reading and writing, updat ing classrooms, and even improving the physical elements of the school, like pro viding new desks and chairs and stock ing the library with more books. Because

ICEI has changed the way schools teach, its impact has grown beyond its original target population.

ICEI is working with three schools in Ramle and is hoping to add a fourth school in the future (ICEI also works with other schools throughout Israel). Soltz said that the level of reading and writing in first grade is the highest in the country in these schools, and by second grade, 100% of them can read and write.

“It’s made a huge difference in the lives of these kids,” Soltz said. “These kids come from illiterate families, some of them cannot read and write, and the par ents cannot even help them with home work or anything. So that’s quite an op portunity for these kids to progress.”

Another program making a direct impact is Appleseeds Academy, which provides Jews and Arabs with education and training so they can find jobs in the digital and technology fields. While in Kansas City, Soltz presented at Federa tion’s Women’s Philanthropy giving cir cle event about a new digital marketing course Appleseeds is offering.

“For very little money, [the students’] lives will change. Thirty people will get a profession. They will be able to make a living,” Soltz said. “These are people with no qualifications or high-tech experience,

and they will get a certificate for digital marketing and will be able to open their own business from home on a laptop.”

Women participating in the giving cir cle voted to give the allotted $3,300 to fund tuition for students. Federation’s Israel and Overseas committee is also consid ering making a recommendation to the board to provide funding for the program.

“Some of the feedback we got from the giving circle participants indicated the importance of seeing that their dol lars could make a big difference,” Milens said. “They could see that $3,300 was go ing to make an impact.”

Another example of making a direct

impact was the repair of a soccer field in a mixed neighborhood in Ramle. The field, a popular place for all members of the com munity, was damaged last year during a period of civil unrest. Jewish Federation contributed money (working through the JDC) for the field to be repaired, but the idea wasn’t just to fix the field. Jewish and Arab members of the community came together to repair the field themselves, and now take shifts watching over the field at night to make sure it doesn’t get damaged or vandalized again.

While Jewish Federation isn’t the only funder of programs and projects like this in Ramle (support also comes from the Israeli government, the munici pality, other non-profits and some pri vate donors), Soltz said it’s heartening for residents of Ramle to see that people outside of their community care.

“For Israeli citizens, it’s very exciting and it’s very emotional for them to think that people they don’t know give money for their benefit. And it’s not the govern ment, it’s not another municipality, it’s just someone who, out of generosity, cares about them,” she said. “And I think it’s important for the people here in Kan sas City to know that they do make a dif ference. They’re helping change Ramle for the better.”

Community Shalicha Noa Dovrat (standing in white dress) with her family in Israel.

The mayor of Ramle dedicates the repaired community soccer field, a project that was funded in part by Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.

Susan Warshawsky Terman named JFS Volunteer of the Month

Jewish Family Services has named Susan Warshawsky Terman its Vol unteer of the Month, recognizing her work on the agency’s behalf.

For more than three decades, Terman had a successful career working with companies in human pharmaceuticals as well as animal pharma and telecom munications. However, in 2021, Terman was one of 350 coworkers who lost their jobs to corporate expense reductions. Terman took it in stride and reached out to JFS to give back to the community.

“After working for 37 years full-time, I felt it was time to target my time and ef forts toward helping others in our com munity,” Terman said. “Since I espe cially enjoy assisting and chatting with seniors in our community, volunteering for JET Express was a perfect fit.”

“Since her first ride in December of 2021, Susan has provided dozens of rides for 17 different clients,” said Ra chel Ohlhausen, JFS Director of Pro gram Operations. “During a time where our volunteer driver pool was low, Su san’s individual impact has been great ly felt by our riders and staff.”

Terman’s career brought her to Kan sas City from Cincinnati, Ohio, following

the merger of the pharmaceutical com pany she worked for at the time. Now an Overland Park resident, Terman raised her family here and calls Kansas City and its Jewish community “home.” Now Terman is giving back by driving an av erage of three days a week for the JET Express program.

“In the last 11 months, I have driven nearly 2,500 miles and recently hit 100 trips,” Terman said. “I assist my rid ers with their seat belts when needed since, as I tell them, ‘I’m driving pre cious cargo, so buckle up.”

“Beyond just driving my riders to and from their destinations, I have stopped at pharmacies, grocery stores, mailboxes, dry cleaners, etc. either while I am wait ing for them or after I pick them up from their appointments,” she said.

Terman further helps her JET Ex press riders, occasionally bringing in their trash cans and recycling bins from the curb.

“I feel that it is a privilege to be en trusted to drive those who are no longer able to drive themselves to doctor ap pointments, salons, treatments, com munity activities, and to the J to spend time at the Heritage Center or exercise,”

she said. “It’s my goal for my riders to be happier when their ride is over than when I pick them up… I enjoy bringing a smile to my rider’s face and, better yet, getting them to laugh all while learn ing more about them — especially their backgrounds, needs and concerns.”

Terman has been a JET Express vol unteer driver for less than two years, but she already has many stories involving her riders, including a kiss on the hand from one of her favorite riders.

“Almost every ride is my favorite,” she said. “I have driven several Holo caust survivors and even enjoyed tea af terwards with one survivor, Gilta, learn ing more about her life experiences.”

Terman said several regular riders have become friends. Terman knows that the conversations she has with her riders are important.

“I hope my listening brings my rid ers comfort, as they have provided me with such incredible words of wisdom and friendship… I feel that I get as much, if not more, out of volunteering than they get in securing needed trans portation,” she said.

Terman encourages others to consid er volunteering for JET Express or any

other program with JFS.

“Even if you only have a few hours to vol unteer once or twice a month, once a quarter or once a year, volunteer for JFS,” she said.

“Even assisting in a small way, you are able to very positively impact so many in need within our communi ty. Remember, it takes a village.”

Susan Warshawsky Terman

The JFS staff is grateful for Ter man’s help.

“The Susans of the world are the neighbors we want to have and the vol unteers we are so grateful and thankful for,” Ohlhausen said.

JFS has a variety of volunteer oppor tunities available. Those interested in joining JFS as a volunteer can email vol unteer@jfskc.org or visit www.jfskc.org/ volunteer for the latest opportunities.

vibrant people

faiths

of new, first-class dining

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KU Hillel’s Rock Chalk Shabbat announced for November

This expanding Jewish university is doing some unusual things

By Stewart Ain JTA

This story was sponsored by the Tou ro College and University System, which supports Jewish continuity and commu nity while serving a diverse population of over 19,000 students across 30 schools. This article was produced by JTA’s na tive content team.

Nevada before New York’s Board of Re gents granted it university status, Touro offers everything from about half a doz en medical schools to a Jewish theologi cal seminary and yeshiva constructed out of Jerusalem limestone.

Touro is preparing to open a new medical school in Montana

KU Hillel has announced its annual Rock Chalk Shabbat will be held Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at the Kansas Union on the University of Kansas’s campus.

Rock Chalk Shabbat, KU Hillel’s larg est Shabbat experience of the year, in vites Hillel parents, alumni and friends to be with the Jewish student commu nity at KU. It also helps support KU Hil lel programs and Jewish education for thousands of students each year.

“I am looking forward to bringing the Jayhawk ruach (spirit) together again,” said Suzy Sostrin, executive director of KU Hillel. “Connecting and recon necting with so many generations of Jayhawks makes this such an exciting event.”

Rock Chalk Shabbat will include a kosher Shabbat dinner followed by stu dent-led services and a dessert reception for mingling. Throughout the evening, attendees will learn more about KU Hil lel, its students and the community.

Kate Jacobs, this year’s KU Hillel de velopment coordinator and KU senior,

B’nai

enjoys helping with Rock Chalk Shabbat from start to teardown.

“Seeing a community of people brought together for such a special event makes me feel proud to be a part of KU Hillel,” Jacobs said.

Rock Chalk Shabbat is a yearly tradi tion for the KU Hillel community. Over more than two decades, the event has grown to have more than 300 supporters, and many more have joined in virtually from their own Shabbat tables.

Sostrin said that continuing to build a “strong, tight-knit community of stu dents, alumni, parents and friends creates the thriving Jewish community at KU.”

“Each year Rock Chalk Shabbat con tinues to help this community,” she said. “It is incredibly moving to pause and see all we have accomplished together.”

Those interested in sponsoring a table or attending Rock Chalk Shabbat can visit kuhillel.org/rcs or contact Sa vannah Kannberg, donor relations and communications director, at savannah@ kuhillel.org.

When New York granted university status last February to what had been known until this year as Touro College, it signaled a milestone for what has be come America’s largest Jewish-spon sored educational institution.

Touro University, now celebrating its 50th year, has grown far beyond its roots as a small college established by Dr. Bernard Lander in 1971 to give reli gious Jews a place to obtain a college de gree without compromising their Jewish principles while more broadly serving humanity, with a special focus on those who have been historically underserved.

Today, Touro boasts 19,000 students across 36 schools spanning five U.S. states and four countries. Previously rec ognized as a university in California and

Montanans long have lamented the lack of any medical schools in their state, which has the nation’s third-highest sui cide rate, ninth-oldest population, and ranks in the bottom 10 when it comes to healthcare quality, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control, US Census Bureau and healthcare rankings sources. Eleven of the state’s 56 coun ties don’t have doctors, and nearly every county has a shortage of healthcare pro fessionals, according to the Montana De partment of Labor and Industry.

Touro has plans to step into this vacuum with the establishment of a College of Osteopathic Medicine in Great Falls, a city of some 60,000 people.

KU Hillel students gather at the last in-person Rock Chalk Shabbat in Lawrence in February 2020.

L ’Shanah Tovah!

Did you enter a Jewish building, event or program this year? You probably unknowingly benefited from JFNA.

By Larry Luxner JTA

This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with the Jew ish Federations of North America, which represents over 300 Jewish com munities and distributes over $2 billion annually to build flourishing Jewish communities around the globe. This story was produced by JTA’s native con tent team.

When Jewish summer camps unex pectedly had to cancel their summer programs two years ago after the COV ID-19 pandemic hit and before vaccines became available, they faced sudden fi nancial ruin.

Jewish camps are widely recog nized as uniquely effective tools for cultivating Jewish identity and lead ership, and the prospect of dozens of them across the continent permanent ly shutting down was seen as a prob lem not just for camps and their camp ers, but disastrous for the American Jewish community.

Deeply alarmed, the Jewish Federa tions of North America swiftly stepped up to lead an emergency funding cam paign, allocating $15 million to camps that summer. The group also helped create the Jewish Communal Response and Impact Fund, or JCRIF, a pandemic emergency fund that distributed an other $22 million in grants and loans to Jewish camps. In total in 2020, JCRIF gave out more than $91 million in grants and interest-free loans to help main tain “the infrastructure” of Jewish life across the United States.

“This was a great example of how the Jewish Federation system rallied its communities to raise the funds neces sary to help camps weather the storm,” Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of the Founda tion for Jewish Camp, said of the emer gency funding. “This is one area vir tually every single Jewish Federation supports at the local level, because they know the importance of sending more kids to camp each year.”

It’s among the many ways Jewish federations help fund, support and fa cilitate Jewish communal life across North America.

Whether or not they realize it, most people who have participated in com munal Jewish life in North America have benefited from federation support at some point or another. Federation funding goes to everything from Jewish institutions such as schools, JCCs, and shuls to senior-care facilities, Israel-en gagement programming and social wel fare services. Hundreds of millions of dollars also go to Jewish needs overseas, from Ethiopia and Ukraine to Israel.

Overall, federations distribute more than $2 billion per year through a net work that includes 146 local federations and 300 affiliated communities in the United States and Canada.

“In pretty much every community, the cornerstones of Jewish life are sup ported by the federation,” said Sarah Eisenman, chief community and Jewish life officer at the Jewish Federations of North America, the federation umbrella organization.

While federations often serve as the leading Jewish organization within a given community, their role as funders and conveners frequently put their cru cial support for communities behind the scenes, while their beneficiaries take center stage.

Shortly after Birthright Israel launched in the late 1990s as an experi mental way of instilling love for Israel and a connection to Jewish identity among American Jews, Jewish Federa tions became a major funding partner. That money — allocated directly and via the Jewish Agency — has helped fuel a program that to date has brought over 800,000 young Jews, mostly Americans, on free trips to Israel.

“JFNA plays an important role in empowering communal Jewish life,” said Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark.

David Cygielman, CEO of Moishe House, the organization that seeds and supports Jewish co-living spaces around the country that serve as local hubs of Jewish 20-somethings, says he relies on federations not just for finan cial backing but for knowledge base.

“Jewish federations have a lot of lo cal expertise, so they can work with us on population trends to know what neighborhoods we should be serving,” Cygielman said.

Federations provide about $1.5 mil lion of Moishe House’s $17 million annu al budget and have facilitated sister-city relationships including the pairings of federations in Chicago with Kyiv, Bos ton with Haifa, New York with France, and Baltimore with Odessa. Moishe House now has over 150 locations in 27 countries, reaching more than 70,000 young adults worldwide annually.

As the central charities of American Jewish life, Jewish federations not only collect and distribute billions of dollars — making them, collectively, among the

10 largest philanthropic bodies in the United States — but act in concert on a national level to identify and address communal needs, frequently with do mestic agency partners such as Jewish child and family services groups and Jewish community relations councils.

And because they are reserves of communal funds, Jewish federations can take collective action in a way that’s not restricted by the predilec tions or an individual foundation or do nor or charity.

“Federations act as a convener of Jewish life as well as a thought leader, looking forward to see where there are gaps, and fill them,” Eisenman said. “It obviously starts from having a deep local expertise and understanding of specific Jewish communities — their issues, challenges, opportunities and needs.”

When teen mental health needs soared during the pandemic, Jewish Federations teamed up with their part ners at the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies to launch a $2.75 mil lion project called BeWell to equip the Jewish community with tools, resourc es and training to support the mental health and overall well-being of teens and young adults.

When it comes to support for Jews overseas, federations send tens of mil lions per year through their main agen cy partners: The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC, which runs Jewish aid and welfare programs around the world and has been central in the response to the Ukraine emer gency; the Jewish Agency for Israel, which is responsible for immigration to Israel and operates Jewish educational and engagement programming in Isra el and globally; and World ORT, which supports Jewish education around the world.

In Jewish communities spanning a 3,000-mile-wide continent, every kind of Jewish religious denomination and none at all, and priorities that differ

from place to place, federations seek to be places where Jews of every stripe can come together to work on challenges and build thriving communities.

“Jewish Federations are the engines that build and sustain flourishing Jew ish communities,” Eric Fingerhut, the CEO of Jewish Federations, told Con gress in testimony in February, “by helping them remain healthy, safe, car ing, welcoming and inclusive, educated and engaged, involved in their broader communities, and connected to Israel and the global Jewish people.”

Fingerhut, a former congressman from Ohio, was speaking to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcom mittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery in favor of a Nonprofit Security Grant Program that helps protect houses of worship. As do mestic antisemitic incidents have risen, Jewish Federations stepped up its lob bying efforts for government funding and created its own funds, including a new $130 million security initiative called Live Secure, that synagogues and Jewish institutions can tap to up grade their security infrastructure and training.

After Russia invaded Ukraine seven months ago, Jewish Federations went into high gear and raised over $73 mil lion to distribute to humanitarian or ganizations helping feed and clothe dis placed people in Ukraine, find refugees jobs in places like Poland, and resettle eligible Ukrainians in Israel.

“The federations’ work is critical at this moment,” Eisenman said. “It takes a backbone organization to spearhead that work and make it happen.”

Eisenman says federations have not seen any drop-off in donors’ commit ments. Federations’ place in Jewish communal life is more vital than ever, she added.

“Jewish life is not immune from these polarizing tensions,” she said, “but we must not allow it to erode the fabric of our communal life.”

HAVE A STORY IDEA FOR US?

Email Sam Kricsfeld at samk@jewishkc.org

Support for Jewish seniors and other vulner able populations is a key pillar of the work of the Jewish Federations of North America. (Stephen Shames)

Touro University to open Times Square campus

Touro also runs several nursing and physician assistant programs around the country.

The school plans to accept 125 students to start and grow quickly to 500 students, with preference given for in-state residents.

With studies showing that 39 per cent of physicians practice in the state where they completed medical school, the new school is expected to help ad dress Montana’s physician shortage. It would also further Touro’s commitment to educating a diverse student popula tion: Montana has a high proportion of native American residents, and medical personnel at Tribal health facilities are in dire scarcity.

Touro already runs colleges of osteo pathic medicine in the Las Vegas area, the Harlem neighborhood of Manhat tan, the city of Middletown in upstate New York, and Vallejo, California, not far from San Francisco. Touro’s MD program is at New York Medical Col lege, the leafy Westchester County cam pus school that Touro acquired from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in 2011. Today that campus includes programs in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, speech pathology, public health, nurs ing, biostatistics, medical ethics and graduate-level biomedical sciences.

Most of Touro’s students are not Jewish, but its programs reflect the university’s rich Jewish character

In New York, Touro has long been known as a place where Orthodox stu dents could obtain a college degree without compromising their religious observance. But nationwide Touro actu ally has more non-Jewish students than Jews. It’s a sign of Touro’s dual mission of serving not just the Jewish commu nity, but the wider world.

Nevertheless, Touro’s program and curricula reflect the university’s Jewish character. Every Touro campus offers kosher food, classes are suspended for the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, and professional training often includes Jew ish elements.

For example, at New York Medical College, religion is part and parcel of the study of medical ethics. Students learn about the role religion plays in medical decision-making, and classes recently took a field trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Manhattan where they dis cussed, among other things, the ethics of having an anesthesiologist participate in Israel’s capture of Nazi mastermind Ad

olf Eichmann in Argentina in 1960.

The medical school is perhaps the only one in country in which students are required to take a course in the his tory of medicine that includes a segment on bioethics after the Holocaust. The school also has an endowed chair in that area of study.

Touro is relocating its central cam pus to Times Square in Manhattan

For many years, Touro’s headquar ters were on 23rd Street in Manhattan, with larger campuses in Queens and Brooklyn. Soon, the school will have its central campus located in the heart of New York: Times Square.

Consolidated on eight floors of one of New York’s iconic skyscrapers at 3 Times Square, the 300,000 square feet of space, to be renamed the Cross River campus, will house Touro’s College of Pharmacy, the New York School of Ca reer and Applied Studies, and graduate schools in business, education, Jewish studies, social work and technology. The space will be configured to accom modate not only classrooms but stateof-the-art science and technology labs, event spaces, offices, a library, student lounges and cafes.

The building, which was originally designed as the North American head

quarters for Reuters Group, will have a separate entrance and lobby for the university. More than 2,000 staff and students are expected to work and at tend class there daily. The university expects to move into the new space next January.

Touro’s other locations outside of New York State include campuses in Ne vada, Illinois, New Mexico and Califor nia, and overseas in Jerusalem, Berlin and Moscow.

Touro has a special focus on the underserved

Touro’s dual mission to strengthen Jewish heritage while serving human ity generally, with a special focus on the historically underserved, is the idea be hind not just the opening of the medical school in Montana, but also campuses in New York that serve largely Hispanic and African-American populations.

In the areas around its osteopathic medical schools near Las Vegas and San Francisco, Touro sends mobile medical units to provide free health screenings to the elderly, homeless and other under served populations.

This sponsored article was edited for length. To read the full article, visit kcjc.com.

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obituaries and global news

Phyllis Lea Denton

Care Home, Kansas City Hospice, and the Atriums for providing tender loving care to Phyllis, Marvin and the family over these past many months.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Denton Prayer Book Fund at Con gregation Beth Shalom or the charitable organization of your choice.

Graveside services were held on Sept. 29, 2022, at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery, 1901 Blue Ridge Blvd, Inde pendence, MO 64052.

Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.

Shirley Mae Sander

on a cruise with other members of their weekly card group.

The family wishes to thank the won derful staffs of Anthology of Overland Park and Good Shepherd Hospice for providing tender, loving care to Shirley over these recent months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribu tions may be made to the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education or the charita ble organization of your choice.

Graveside services were held Oct. 1, 2022, at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cem etery, 1901 Blue Ridge Blvd, Indepen dence, MO 64052.

Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.

Gloria Sherman

Shira. Beloved great-grandmother to 11 great-grandchildren.

Thank you to the Agape Care team including Carolyn, Christine, Dianne, Lisa, Shirley and all those who were so devoted to her well being and care in her final days.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. A graveside service was held Sept. 25, 2022, at Shef field Cemetery.

Erland Arvid Suni

Erland Arvid Suni, 75, died at home on Sept. 28, 2022. He was raised in Har lem and The Bronx in New York City, places he carried in his heart even after leaving New York and eventually moving to Kansas City in 1980.

Phyllis Lea Denton passed away on Sept. 25, 2022, in Overland Park, Kan sas, the day after family gathered to cel ebrate her 93rd birthday. She was born Sept. 24, 1929, to Louis and Ann (Smith) Katz in Kansas City, Missouri.

She married Marvin Lee Denton on Aug. 5, 1956, in Kansas City. She is survived by husband Marvin; twin daughters Sharon Denton (Bill Myers) of Lyons, Colorado, and Sheila Denton of Overland Park; sister Lois Baraban; nephews Bill, Bruce, Jeff, Marc, Paul and Steve Baraban; and many beloved grand-nieces and nephews, spouses and cousins. Blessed with a long life, Phyl lis survived many loved ones and dear friends.

Phyllis attended Kansas City public schools and graduated from Northeast High School, then attended business school in Kansas City. She worked as a bookkeeper for several local businesses during her career.

As a member of Congregation Ohev Sholom for more than 50 years, she vol unteered regularly and was honored for providing loving service to that commu nity. Widely appreciated for her cooking and baking skills, she enjoyed feeding generations of community members, family and friends.

Phyllis is remembered by her family as a kind, gentle soul — one who loved music, especially classical, and enjoyed season tickets for the Kansas City Sym phony with daughter Sheila for many years.

A natural gardener who enjoyed rid ing her tractor lawn mower as much as tending flowers and vegetables, she was also an active member of the Bon sai Society of Kansas City. She was an armchair traveler and adventurer who loved reading about mountain-climbing and faraway places and cultures. Her daughters gratefully refer to her as their “soul-sister.”

Phyllis loved nature, the outdoors and annual trips to Colorado with Mar vin to enjoy the Rocky Mountains and stay with daughter Sharon in Lyons, where morning coffee on the deck pro vided a daily ritual to take in the peace ful scenery, blue sky, golden aspens and Colorado air. At home, she loved the many birds she watched and tended in the backyard through every season.

The family wishes to thank the won derful staffs of Vineyard House Senior

Shirley Mae Sander passed away on Sept. 29, 2022, in Overland Park. She was born April 2, 1933, to Louis and Alice (Bellos) Lieberman in Kansas City, Mis souri.

She married Sam Sander on June 27, 1954, in Kansas City. They enjoyed 44 wonderful years together before Sam’s untimely death in 1998. Shirley was pre ceded in death by her parents as well as her son Warren Sander, son-in-law Rob ert E. Forman Jr., sister Esther Kaufman and brother-in-law David Burnstein. She is survived by daughter Mindy Forman and son Jeff (Linda) Sander; grandchil dren Jennifer (Michael) Kirschenbaum and Grant Sander; great-granddaugh ters Naomi and Sadie Kirschenbaum; sister Rosalyn Burnstein; and many be loved nieces and nephews.

Shirley attended Kansas City Pub lic Schools and graduated from Central High School. She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for several local busi nesses during her career. In retirement she did volunteer work, relishing the time she spent at the pharmacy and Breast Center at St. Luke’s South.

As a life member of Kehilath Israel Synagogue, she volunteered regularly and served as Rabbi Mandl’s secretary for many years. Later in life, she also became a member of Congregation Beth Shalom.

Shirley is remembered by her family as a kind, quiet soul. She was lovingly called “Mama” by her grandchildren, a name also adopted by many friends of her children and grandchildren. She rarely missed her grandchildren’s activities, whether it be team sports, school concerts or religious school fam ily programs. She and Sam loved travel ing together. They could often be found

Gloria Sherman (Z”L) passed away on Saturday, Sept. 24, in Town Village in Leawood. Beloved wife of the late Ber nard Sherman (Z”L), devoted daughter of Harry and Millie Reisbord (Z”L).

Loving mother and mother-in-law of Janice and Steve Katz, Steve and Sarah Ann Sherman, Adinah (Ellen) and Ri phael Rosen. Dear sister of Shirley Unell and the late Paul Reisbord (Z”L). Loved by the late Dick Rhine.

Proud and loving grandmother of Heather, Emily, Hodaya, Or Eden, Yis rael Labe, Dov Baer, Levi, Elisheva and

Erl was down-to-earth, known for his sense of humor, and had an abiding dis like for bureaucracy. He was caring and personable with a knack for helping peo ple solve problems. He put these traits to good use over three decades at Univer sity of Missouri-Kansas City, mostly as a financial aid advisor, where he helped thousands of students on their path to a college degree.

Self-labeled as “Mr. Music,” Erl had a deep knowledge of and appreciation for genres like classic rock, blues, jazz, and doo-wop, and he loved to share sto ries from his days organizing concerts at the City College of New York. He was a longtime fan of the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs, both of which he loyally watched on TV once his mobility was limited by disability.

Erl was predeceased by his parents, Sigrid and Arvid. He is survived by and was extremely proud of his family, in cluding his wife of 48 years, Ellen, and his children, Karin and Eric.

He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his family and those who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Jazz Museum and/or the Negro Leagues Baseball Mu seum.

Brazilian Jews and Arabs hold hummus championship to celebrate coexistence

By Marcus M. Gilban JTA

Brazilian Jews, Christians and Mus lims celebrated their peaceful coexis tence in Latin America’s largest nation with a competition centered on one of the Middle East’s signature foods.

The Hebraica Jewish club in Sao Pau lo organized and hosted an inaugural Abrahamic Hummus Championship last Wednesday, timed to the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. Around 150 people attended the event, and yarmul kes shared the room with keffiyehs and other types of Arab scarves.

Ariel Krok, one of the event’s orga nizers, compared the contest to a “soccer friendly match.” Brazil is home to near ly 10 million people of Arab descent, the

largest such population in the Americas, while over 100,000 Jews call Brazil home, including around 60,000 in Sao Paulo.

Team Sahtein, composed of three Christian Arab women, was declared winners by the technical jury. A popu lar jury of participants gave the title to a group of Christian Arab men. Both teams represented the Mount Lebanon club of Sao Paulo.

“It is an incredible chance to exchange ideas, experiences, and contacts. To gether, making hummus, making peace, making a better future,” added Krok, an inter-religious activist who is a member of the JDCorps delegation, the diplomat ic arm of the World Jewish Congress.

A similar event was held in Buenos Aires in 2017.

Eugene Howard

Stanley Neil Brand

2022, at the Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO. Interment was at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel.com.

Ralph Berets

by his parents, Hilde and Otto Berets. He is survived by his sister, Marion Kamp; his three children, Eric (Ginger), Keith (Lenora), and Jessica (Davinder); seven grandchildren, Tyler, Morgan, Harrison, Lillian, Samuel, Jeremy, and Ajay; and two great-granddaughters, Makenna and Raegan.

A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held at Village Shalom in Overland Park on Oct. 16, 2022, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flow ers, the family requests that donations be made to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Fund or Jewish Family Services.

Heather Sandra Berger

Eugene Howard Naron, 90, passed away peacefully at his home in Overland Park, Kansas, on Oct. 1, 2022, after a long and full life.

Gene (or as his sons called him, “Geno”) was born in 1932 to Jerome and Gertrude Naron in Tulsa, Oklahoma. From a young age, he was a gifted vocal ist and traveled the country as a member of the Apollo Boys Choir.

After graduating from Tulsa Central High School in the “Nifty Class of ’50,” he attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio. He joined the Marine Corps and was a featured singer with the Marine Corps Band, including on national radio broadcasts.

He moved to Kansas City and married Marsha Zeff in 1964. They had two chil dren, Gregory and Stephen.

He worked at Sealy Mattress Com pany of Kansas City as a vice president and plant manager, and later in life, he worked at La-Z-Boy Furniture, Swanson Midgley law firm, and Shawnee Mission Medical Center. What he enjoyed most about those jobs was talking with people, and he took something positive away from each experience.

Gene continued to sing throughout his life, to the enjoyment of many. He was a part-time cantor at Temple BethEl, and then Congregation Ohev Sholom. He was honored to have been chosen to chant the High Holiday services on sev eral occasions. He was a member of Con gregation Ohev Sholom for 43 years, and was also a member of B’nai B’rith and Jewish War Veterans.

In addition to singing, Gene enjoyed photography, bird watching, building model airplanes, eating cake, and travel ing the world with Marsha. He instilled in his sons a love of art and music and a fear of doing basic home repairs. He was a terrible driver.

Gene is survived by his wife Mar sha; children Gregory (Marilyn) and Stephen (Moa); granddaughters Josie, Alma and Ida; and sister Toby. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family is grateful to Gene’s caregivers, Denise, Shirley, and Caroline, for the wonderful care that they provided to Gene in his last months.

A graveside service was held on Oct. 4, 2022, at Mount Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jewish War Veterans, www.jwv.org/give/donate/.

Stanley Neil Brand, 77, died peaceful ly on Oct. 3, 2022, surrounded by his lov ing family recounting personal stories and their feelings towards their beloved “Papa,” the patriarch of the family.

Stanley, born in Brooklyn in New York City to Bess and Ben Brand, was an adored only child. An outstanding stu dent, he graduated high school at 16 and attended Union College in Schenectady, New York. In his sophomore year, he met his beloved wife Margie, who attended college nearby.

After graduation, he attended Jeffer son Medical School in Philadelphia. By the time he graduated in 1969 with his medical degree, he was married and the father of Julie. In the next eight years, Stanley and Margie added two sons, Andy and Elliot. He moved six times while finishing medical training and military duty.

In 1976, they moved to Kansas City, and Stanley began working at Statland Clinic in GI and internal medicine. They loved the area, sports teams, golfing, theater, op era, symphony, and arts scene. But noth ing was higher on his schedule than his family. He loved cheering at soccer, vol leyball, basketball, cross country, dance, and even endless swim meets. He was so looking forward to his granddaughter Lauren’s swim meet next week and her swimming in the Maccabiah games.

His love of travel was boundless. He visited over 70 countries and loved to plan new exotic trips. Spending winters in Mexico was a recent joy of his retirement.

He predicated his life on Jewish val ues and felt it was important to make the world better than when you found it. That is why he chose medicine as a ca reer. Beyond that, he served on numer ous boards and as president of several religious institutions. He was especially proud of being Grants Chairman of the Reach Foundation.

Those who survive him are his wife, Margie; children, Julie, Andy, Elliot, and Nilo; his loving exchange student from Paraguay; his son-in-law, Max; his daughter-in-law, Lilly; his ten grandchil dren, Rina, Addie, Sandy, Abby, Audrey, Evie, Taylor, Eden, Lauren and 4-monthold Chloe; his dearest friend, Jerry Til zer, who has always been there for him and the family; and his life-long loyal and incomparable nurse Debbie Holden, who served with him over 30 years.

Funeral services were held on Oct. 7,

Ralph Berets died peacefully, sur rounded by his children, at his apart ment in Overland Park on Sept. 21, 2022.

Ralph Berets was born in Amersfoort, Netherlands, on Dec. 5, 1939. He was in hiding during the Holocaust and came to the U.S. with his parents and sister when he was 12.

Ralph attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he got his bachelor’s degree in English and his master’s and Ph.D. in English and com parative literature. He married his wife of 57 years, Iris, on Dec. 29, 1963. He be gan his academic career as a lecturer at the University of Michigan before mov ing to Kansas City in 1970. There he spent his entire career as a professor of Eng lish and film at University of MissouriKansas City. He also was the chair of the English department for many years.

After retiring, Ralph lived in Mill Valley, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Overland Park. Throughout that time, he taught courses as an adjunct at various universities, was on the selec tion committee for the Mill Valley and Kansas City Jewish Film Festivals, was part of Steven Spielberg’s Holocaust project (USC Shoah Foundation), and volunteered at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.

Ralph will be remembered and missed by his family and many friends (which he made wherever he went) for his kindness and warmth, intelligence and intellectu al pursuits, vigor for life, wit and sense of humor, and care and love for his family.

Ralph is predeceased by his wife and

Heather Sandra Berger was born Jan. 5, 1936, in Toronto, Canada, and passed away peacefully at her residence in Bend, Oregon, on Sept. 25, 2022. She was 86 years old.

Heather moved to Kansas City in the 1950s, where she worked as a flight at tendant for TWA. Shortly thereafter, she met and married Jerome (Jerry) Berger.

Heather was a connoisseur of both ancient Chinese and contemporary art. Her passion for art drove her to earn a master’s degree in Chinese art history and to dedicate 30 years of her life to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art as a docent. Heather’s great beauty, intelli gence, wit and charm earned her many wonderful friends with whom she would travel, play bridge, read books and just enjoy life to the fullest.

Heather was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Jerry, and her son, David. She is survived by her daughter, Laurie Berger-Milne, and her husband, Ross of Bend; her granddaughter, Bay Berger of Houston, Texas; and her very dear friend, Joe Karbank of Overland Park, Kansas.

Her service was held Oct. 7 at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to help with Alzheimer’s research.

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