New St. Joseph congregation Beit Echad looks forward, respects the past
St. Joseph's new synagogue, Beit Echad, marks a new chapter for the city's Jewish community and history.
Oct. 7 survivor shares her story with community
On Dec. 1, community members gathered in the social hall at The J to hear from Irene Shavit, an Oct. 7 terror attack survivor from the kibbutz Kfar Aza.
St. Joseph congregations form city’s first new synagogue in more than a century
St. Joseph, Missouri, has a Jewish history stretching back more than 150 years, and two main synagogues, Temple Adath Joseph and Temple B’nai Sholem. Now, the two congregations have worked together to form Beit Echad, the first new synagogue in the city in more than a century.
Jewish Federation to honor community members at annual meeting
Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City will honor community members at its 2024 annual meeting, which will also feature speakers including the University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod; Kansas City, Missouri, City Manager Brian Platt; and Overland Park, Kansas, Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Simon Happer.
Kansas City named host site of 2026 JCC Maccabi Games
Nearly 30 years after Kansas City first hosted the JCC Maccabi Games, organizers have announced that the largest organized Jewish sports event in North America will return to Kansas City in 2026.
Renowned Jewish advocate David Harris to speak to community
Jewish advocate David Harris will be participating in a discussion at a community program titled, “An Urgent Call to Action: In Conversation with David Harris.”
Hollywood movie executive Josh Greenstein traces values back to KC Jewish community
A Jewish Kansas City native is among the biggest movers and shakers in Hollywood, working on the “Iron Man,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Mission: Impossible” franchises while getting to know film icons like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese.
Barry Birkmeyer announced as The J’s new camp, school-age services director
Barry Birkmeyer, longtime manager of The J’s camp and school-age services department, has been promoted to the program’s new director.
Student duo run Mitzvah Memories media company for Jewish community
Friends Ethan Hobbs and David Wasserman have turned their shared passion for video production and photography into Mitzvah Memories, a media company serving the Kansas City Jewish community.
New emissaries help revamp KC Kollel
Over the past few years, a combination of the pandemic and changing needs in the local Jewish community inspired the Kansas City Community Kollel’s board to develop a new vision and strategy.
Jewish community marks one year since Oct. 7
Jews across the world marked the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attacks, and Kansas City’s Jewish community organized a commemoration and a temporary art installation for the victims.
Shira Brudoley leads students as KC’s new NCSY and JSU director
Shira Brudoley, Kansas City’s new NCSY and Jewish Student Union (JSU) director, already feels like she is at home after just two months on the job. Her passion to help middle and high school students “experience, explore and be empowered by their Judaism” is a driving force behind her work, and she expressed sincere gratitude to the many students, parents and donors who have already shown an incredible amount of support to her and the local organization.
Coming full circle: HBHA alumni return as educators
For many, school is a stepping stone. For some, it’s a place to return home. At Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA), four alumni have found their way back — this time as teachers and mentors. Three new teachers join the faculty, and one longtime teacher is celebrating 12 years in the classroom, marking 24 years at HBHA as both a student and educator.
Israeli Kansas Citians reflect on trauma, resilience ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary
For weeks after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, Neta Meltzer of Overland Park, Kansas, struggled to sleep, eat and cope with the images flashing across her TV: Footage of young Jews massacred at a music festival, bloodied rape victims being carried off by Hamas terrorists, and photos of once-joyful families who’d been murdered in their homes.
Community to commemorate one-year anniversary of Oct. 7
Members of the Jewish community are invited to a service commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel.