Listening Post

WHO IS LEON WIESELTIER? — Leon Wieseltier will speak at the White Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Congregation Beth Shalom’s inaugural Rabbi Morris Margolies Award for Excellence in Jewish Education event honoring Ed Rose. Beth Shalom’s Rabbi David Glickman says Wieseltier could be the most important Jewish thinker you may never have heard of. Wieseltier is the longtime literary editor of The New Republic, the author of “Kaddish” (winner of the National Jewish Book Award), and is the 2013 recipient of the Dan David Prize from Tel Aviv University. This prestigious award is similar to the MacArthur Genius grants here in America. Rabbi Glickman heard Wieseltier speak in person at the AIPAC Rabbinic Forum last year and “loved it.” He suggests learning more about Wieseltier by searching for his name on You Tube. Call the synagogue at 913-647-7249 for more information about the event or to purchase tickets.

PICTURES OF HOPE — In August, photojournalist Linda Solomon was in K.C. launching Pictures of Hope at Sheffield Place. Through Pictures of Hope, 14 children at Sheffield Place had the opportunity to express their dreams through the medium of photography. Each child and a mentor took photos that express the child’s dreams for the future. These photographs have been made into beautiful greeting cards that Sheffield Place is selling to raise funds for the agency. With sponsorship funds from Chevrolet and Cable Dahmer Chevrolet, 100 percent of proceeds from the card sales benefit the agency. The cards are blank inside and make perfect holiday or greeting cards throughout the year. Cards may be ordered by visiting http://sheffieldplace.org/give-online/14643474.