News

KU grad who studied leadership takes on formal leadership roles in Jewish life

Evan Traylor may be from Oklahoma City, but he’s a point of pride for the Kansas Jewish community. A first-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Traylor graduated from the University of Kansas after studying political science, Jewish studies and leadership studies. Prior to rabbinical school, he worked at the Union for Reform Judaism for four years creating new projects and initiatives in college and young adult engagement, and he currently serves on the leadership teams for Jewish Social Justice Roundtable and Jews United for Justice.

Smaller celebrations will take place at the fall festival this year due to COVID

By Barbara Bayer
Contributing Writer

Sukkot, which begins at sundown tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 2, and concludes at nightfall on Friday, Oct. 9, seems to be the perfect holiday for the pandemic since it takes place outdoors. Still because many sukkahs are small in size it may not be as joyous for those who celebrate as it’s been in the past.

By Ruth Baum Bigus
Special to The Chronicle

We’re living in very divisive times with the negative tone of rhetoric at an all-time high. Conversations centered around the pressing issues of the day are often heated and discerning fact from fiction is more challenging than ever.

By Jane Martin
Special to The Chronicle

Staying safe in your COVID bubble is a wise move, but can leave many of us feeling bored, unstimulated or disconnected from our community. Enter MeltonKC, powered by HBHA, with a wide selection of 2020-21 courses to engage, connect and offer thought-provoking material. All while keeping students safe through virtual class sessions (MeltonKC classes will remain virtual until it is safe to return in person).

As soon as it became apparent that the pandemic would not subside before the High Holidays, B’nai Jehudah staff, led by Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff, began working on ways to make this a special time, where congregants could gather (virtually, or physically distant in person) together as one community.

Barbara Unell, author and social entrepreneur, will receive the Honorary Nursing Alumna award from the KU Nurses Alumni Association on Friday, Oct. 2.

KU Hillel brought together Jewish students in a safe fashion to start 5781 in style (and good health). They held their annual Rosh Hashanah service — the first major in-person holiday service they have hosted during the pandemic. It was so important to KU Hillel to offer High Holidays experiences in a safe manner for students and staff because now more than ever, connecting with each other offline is crucial.

The holiday season is usually marked by families coming together to enjoy special meals, prayer and time-honored traditions. But this year things were different with the global pandemic restricting many in-person events. For Jewish college students who cannot be at home with their families, this holiday season can be even more challenging and lonely. With the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and many other benefactors, Chabad at KU aimed to provide a home-away-from-home holiday experience where Jewish students celebrated these days of awe in a safe but joyful manner.