The 10 KC SuperStar finalists gathered on stage during a taping of the event. Due to the pandemic KC SuperStar will be virtual this year and segments were taped in advance. To watch the event on Sunday, Oct. 18, visit kcsuperstar.org.  

The J’s largest fundraiser provides scholarships, vital programs

By Ruth Baum Bigus
Special to The Chronicle

The finals of KC SuperStar, Kansas City’s premiere high school singing competition, is happening but like a lot of events in 2020, it’s now taking place in the virtual world.

Elie Simon

 

By Lacey Storer
Contributing Writer

Earlier this year, as college students and recent grads were absorbing the disappointments of canceled internships and Birthright trips, they began wondering how they’d pass the long summer months. The answer came in the form of a question: Are you ready to be a Changemaker?

Now that the fall festival season has concluded, Congregation B’nai Jehudah’s “Shabbat Stars” returns, continuing over the coming weeks with others who have grown up at B’nai Jehudah and have agreed to return virtually and teach us.

Enjoying the lulav shake are KU freshmen Demi Fine, Ivy Greenberg, Samantha Grofsky and Madeline Abrams. Demonstrating is Yosef Meir Tiechtel (far right) along with his helper Mendel Tiechtel (far left).

This year for the first time in history, the festive holiday of Sukkot was celebrated in the age of the coronavirus. This brought along with it the constrictions and opportunities of these strange times.

Applications available for 2021 Statland Leadership Institute

Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 Dr. Harry & Alice Statland Leadership Institute (SLI). The program is open to young Jewish professionals who are looking to explore their Jewish identity, develop their leadership skills and connect with the Jewish community in a meaningful way.

Ohev Sholom honored Bobbie and Mark Litchman as Kallat Torah and Hatan Bereshit, respectively, this year.

Ohev Sholom rejoiced with the Torah on Sunday, Oct. 11, virtually via Zoom. Everyone enjoyed their own Hakafot dancing. Ohev children received gifts for the High Holidays this year including their own Torah to march with at their homes.

Bari Sigal, KU Hillel development intern, shows off one of this year’s Shabboxes. Each Shabbat box is filled with a Shabbat kit and KU Hillel goodies to bring the celebration to your home.

KU Hillel’s famous Rock Chalk Shabbat will adapt to an online format this year and become Rock Chalk Shabayit.

Because of the pandemic, the format of a huge in-person gathering used for the last 19 years is not possible. By going online, KU Hillel’s Rock Chalk Shabayit (bayit means “home” in Hebrew) will have a broader reach and be able to include friends of KU Hillel, alumni, parents and students from coast to coast. KU Hillel will bring its vibrant community together and celebrate Jewish life at the University of Kansas.