STOP. DROP. SPIN. — On Sunday, in celebration of the Jewish Community Center’s 100th birthday and in anticipation of Hanukkah, The J set out to break the world record for spinning the most dreidels simultaneously. The old record was 749 dreidels set by Binghamton University’s Chabad. In what The J officials chose to call Guinness “Berg” style, they estimate approximately 850 people in various rooms at the Jewish Community Campus as well as nearby Village Shalom decided to stop, drop and spin at 6 p.m. Regardless of whether or not a new world’s record was set, people of all ages took part in carnival games, fitness and sports activities and art projects before the big event. People also enjoy schmoozing with old and new friends. It was easy to see a fun time was had by all!
THE 100 MORE COOKBOOK — Another part of The J’s 100 More celebration is “The 100 MORE COOKBOOK: Our Very Best Recipes from The Heritage Center and The Jewish Community Center of Kansas City.” I purchased one on Sunday and I can’t wait to try out the recipes. I see a lot of cookbooks come across my desk but nothing excites me more than books with recipes I know are people’s favorites! If you haven’t purchased all your Hanukkah gifts yet, this will be a perfect choice for someone who likes to cook. Or if you know anyone getting married soon, it also makes a perfect shower or wedding gift. Many people whose names you will recognize contributed to this book. I’m especially looking forward to trying the Black Bottom Cheesecake Cupcakes recipe contributed by Ayala Zoltan Rockoff and Rabbi Dani Rockoff. It was put together by Heritage Center Executive Chef Janie Weeks. All proceeds benefit Heritage Center programming and books can be purchased at The Heritage Center.
NUTCRACKER 2014 — As this year’s “Nutcracker” is half-way through its run, we are a little behind the times to report that at least three young Jewish dancers are performing again this year. All three — Oscar Miller, Natalie Goldman and Stella Shapiro — are veterans. In fact this is Oscar Miller’s sixth year performing in the traditional ballet. “The Nutcracker” runs through Dec. 24 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. For ticket information call 816-931-2233, or go to kcballet.org
ISRAELI LACROSSE — Sabina Skolnick, a member of Shawnee Mission East High School’s varsity lacrosse team and a member of Congregation Ohev Sholom, has been chosen to play defender on the Israel Lacrosse girls under 17 team. She’ll spend a good part of her winter break touring and training at the Olympic Training Center in Netanya. The trip will end with an international competition in Brussels in Belgium before returning to the United States. Sabina qualifies to represent Israel in international competition because of her Jewish ancestry. We hope to have more on Sabina’s adventures when she returns.
HADASSAH TOP CHARITY — Charity Navigator has named Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, No. 3 on its list of “Ten of the Best Charities Everyone’s Heard Of.”
“Charity Navigator is the nation’s premier independent charity evaluator. Their ratings, based on in-depth analysis of U.S. charities, help donors make intelligent decisions about their philanthropy. Criteria include financial performance, accountability, and transparency. “We have been awarded Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating (the highest) many times, but this is a new and noteworthy validation of all our efforts,” states National President Marcie Natan.
