Karen Bloom, co-chair of the newly-forming National Hadassah Educators Council, will be speaking at the Hadassah Greater Kansas City 5th Annual Touch of Red Gala honoring Hadassah-affiliated educators on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the JCC Social Hall.
Bloom, of Oakland, California, currently serves as the Vice President of Membership for the Hadassah Central Pacific Coast Region. She has a passion for supporting Zionism, membership and programming, with an emphasis on being inclusive of everyone who is interested in participating.
Bloom is Rebbetzin of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland and cares about connecting with, getting to know, and welcoming all people to the synagogue. Her passion for Israel is shared by her husband and has been passed down to their two sons.
Bloom received a B.A. in Applied Mathematics from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland, followed by her teacher certification at the University of Cincinnati. Her professional career has included teaching math in Hamilton and Cincinnati, Ohio; Tarrytown, New York; and Barrington, Rhode Island. She currently teaches math at Piedmont Middle School in Piedmont, California.
Her favorite quote, “I don’t teach math, I teach kids,” reflects her mission and leads her to be involved with students not only as their teacher but also as co-advisor of several clubs such as No Place For Hate Club (a project of the ADL), Safe Space Club (supporting LGBTQ+ people), Jewish Club (co-sponsored with the local NCSY leadership), Mathletes, and Safe School Ambassadors (a Project of Community Matters). Bloom also volunteers with community groups related both directly and indirectly to her work.
Hadassah members, associates and others in the community are invited to come and hear Bloom speak. Active and retired Hadassah-affiliated teachers who identify themselves as educators and have taught at any level from preschool to adult in either a Judaic or secular classroom are welcome to attend and be honored.
The Gala also includes a Vaad-approved wine and dessert reception and a musical tribute to the educators. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, including booster, if eligible, is required to attend this event. Attendees are encouraged to wear something red to celebrate.
The event’s cost is $36 per person. Honorees are complimentary.
Registration can be done at hadassahmidwest.org/GKCRedGala until November 10.
For more information, contact Co-Chairs Marian Kaplan at or Rita Shapiro at .