Visitors to the Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) can now find an exhibit of world-class Judaica lining a major hallway in the main campus building.
Through a partnership with the KCKCC Art Gallery, “Judaism in the 20th Century: Treasured Objects from the Michael Klein Collection” is on display from now until Aug. 27, 2023. This display showcases Jewish life around the world by exhibiting art and ritual objects from the daily lives of Jews in the 20th century.
Each segment of the display looks at the Jewish community of a specific region around the world: the United States, North Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Objects in each case relate to the daily lives of Jewish people who lived in these regions. Pieces include objects for Shabbat (mainly kiddush cups and spice boxes), yarmulkes, tzedakah boxes, and handwashing vessels. Each case also includes an educational panel with information about each region and its Jewish community, accompanied by historical photos.
“Commonly-used objects are fascinating to look at because they reveal so much about the people who made and used them,” said exhibit designer and Klein Collection Assistant Curator Ellie Holder. “You can get a sense of design conventions, available materials, and even local customs, all from items that people were using on a regular basis.”
“The Michael Klein Collection is an incredible resource to teach and learn about Judaism through the history of Jewish communities worldwide,” said Klein Collection Educator/Curator Abby Magariel. “Bringing this exhibit to KCKCC is a wonderful opportunity to share the richness and beauty of Jewish culture outside the boundaries of [The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah].”
The collection is the life’s work of B’nai Jehudah member Michael Klein. It spans centuries and continents and is among the largest and most diverse collections of its kind in the United States.
“It is our mission to acquire and display art that educates, inspires and promotes cultural and ethnic diversity and adds visual aesthetic value to the college community and its stakeholders,” said Deven Knapp of the KCKCC Art Gallery. “This embraces student learning and development by exposing them to art and history from cultures other than their own. We strive to create a diverse environment through our programming for students. This collaborative display with the Klein Collection enables us to share culture through these historic objects.”
The KCKCC Art Gallery is located on the main campus in Lower Jewell, 7250 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS, room 2346. Its office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and tours are available by appointment. The Klein Collection temporary exhibit is located in the display cases in Lower Jewell across from the Students Basic Needs office.
Upon the conclusion of the exhibit at KCKCC, the traveling exhibit will be available for loan to other institutions. Abby Magariel can be contacted at (913) 663-4050 at the Klein Collection for details.
The larger Klein Collection display is available for viewing at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, 12320 Nall Avenue, Overland Park, KS. Guided tours are available by appointment and self-guided tours are available for the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.