Listening Post

TOP RABBI TO VISIT B’NAI JEHUDAH — We had hoped to have a full-blown feature story in this edition regarding Rabbi Jill Jacobs and her visit to The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah the weekend of Jan. 24. However, the rabbi is in Israel and the timing couldn’t be worked out. We still want to let you know that the rabbi, who has been listed as one of the country’s most influential rabbis by Newsweek, one of the most influential Jews by the Forward and one of the Jerusalem Post’s Women to Watch will be speaking at several different events that are open to the public, including Shabbat services on Friday night, Jan. 24, where she will speak about “The Mysterious History of Tikkun Olam.” On Saturday, Jan. 25, Rabbi Jacobs will teach the week’s parasha. All local high school and college students are invited to attend a lunch with Rabbi Jacobs at noon on Jan. 25 where she will teach “Obligations or Rights-Human Rights & Jewish Response”. The final event of the weekend takes place at 7 p.m. that night where she will speak about “Taking Judaism Public-What Jewish Wisdom Can Teach America.” The event features a dessert reception and a book signing. All events are free and open to the public. However, reservations are requested for some events. For more information contact the synagogue at 913-663-4050.

SUPERMAN (BABY) IS COMING TO KANSAS CITY! — SNOWFLAKE 15: The Cabin Fever Fan Party will celebrate the 75TH anniversary of “The Man of Steel” at a one-day convention on Sunday, Feb. 2,  at the Four Points Sheraton Truman Sports Complex, 4011 Blue Ridge Cutoff in Kansas City, Mo. SNOWFLAKE 15 is a benefit for the American Stroke Foundation (www.americanstroke.org), which was founded by Shirley Rose and Robbie Small, and will feature several events in memory of former StarBase Kansas City member Bill Ostrander, who succumbed to a stroke on May 30, 2013.

Events for the day include: A Superman memorabilia auction benefitting the A.S.F., open table top gaming, a Klingon costume and make-up demonstration, the Bill Ostrander Memorial Dinner, the First Annual Bill Ostrander “Bad Monster Movie” Film Fest featuring “Superman and the Mole People (1951)” and a Skype session with the editor of “The Big Blue Report” a Superman online newsletter. For more information or to register for SNOWFLAKE, visit www.kcsnowflake.com.

MORE IDEAS FOR JFS FOOD PANTRY — One of our readers who wishes to remain anonymous contacted me last week with another great idea for the JFS Food Pantry. She thinks yahrzeit candles is another thing that Jewish people in need may not have the money to purchase when they need them and might really appreciate having them available at the pantry. In fact her family donated several around the High Holidays. Thanks for the tip!