When Jewish Student Union came to the Kansas City metro area, it started with a group for teens in just one school. Now the after-school club that aims to infuse Jewish culture and education to Jewish public high school students meets at six different high schools (West, North, Northwest and Southwest in Blue Valley and East and South in Shawnee Mission) and serves approximately 275 Jewish students.
“There are at least three more schools we’d like to offer JSU at,” said Hillel Goldstein, JSU’s local director.
Aside from the clubs in school — that meet either twice a month or every week — JSU sponsors additional programs such as Shabbat dinners, region-wide JSU-sponsored trips to such places as New York or Chicago, The Jerusalem Journey summer program and the new JSU Scholars program. JSU attracts students from all Jewish denominations and regardless of synagogue affiliation. It is a partnership of CAJE/Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and funded by the Jewish Heritage Foundation and the Funders Council. It is also a community program of NCSY.
Goldstein explained that JSU scholars is a special learning program that meets weekly for dinner and discussion on the Jewish view of a pressing topic such as business ethics or drugs. Upon completion of the program, each scholar is awarded a scholarship to any Jewish experiential program of their choice.
In celebration of its success over the past six years, JSU implemented its first ever fundraiser brunch on Sunday, May 19. It highlighted the various accomplishments of its members and alumni as well as served as a platform for families and friends of the students to meet each other and to meet the JSU staff. Rabbi Donny Schwartz, the director of Midwest JSU, flew in from Chicago for the event and was the guest presenter.
Several students also spoke about their JSU experiences at the event. Shawnee Mission East club President Shaina Stasi explained, “JSU means a lot to me because while there are countless religious clubs, JSU is the only Jewish one. It gives students a chance to express their Jewish identity with others at public school.”
Scott Fromm, Blue Valley North club president, added, “I have had so many amazing experiences, met so many amazing people, eaten so many amazing meals, and, most importantly, learned so many amazing lessons about Judaism.”
The brunch also honored each JSU club president with the Nachshon Leadership award as recognition for all they do for their club and for their dedication to their fellow Jewish students.
“They spend a lot of time recruiting members and planning events to make their school clubs as successful as possible,” Goldstein said.
Each graduating JSU member was given an award at the brunch for their involvement in their JSU club during their high school career. Both the presidents and graduates were given a complete Havdalah set to take with them as they go away to college in the fall. Three of the graduates are choosing to spend a gap year in Israel before attending college.
As JSU alumnus Rachel Bernard put it, “JSU’s goals are to connect public Jewish high school teens to Israel and to strengthen their Jewish identity ... for others, like myself, it can result in spending a year in seminary or yeshiva in Israel.”
While the brunch was earlier this month, donations for JSU are being accepted through May 30. To make a donation, visit www.tinyurl.com/kcjsubrunch. For more information regarding JSU, contact Hillel Goldstein at .
