Famous for being heroic, a golem reportedly saved the Jewish community in 16th century Prague. Similarly, Hacker’s golems take on challenges, though some like to have a good time while doing so.
Thirty-three different golems debut in her collection of poems published by Kelsay Books. Sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, Hacker’s golems are humanity’s helpers. Arising from the earth in a variety of guises, they become part of events both large and small. Hacker places a golem at a wedding, on a cruise, at an election and in the middle of a BLM protest. Some golems go back in time, giving Shakespeare tips on writing quotes, lending a strong arm to topple the Berlin Wall, and helping a child escape the Holocaust.
The book is available on Amazon.
VILLAGE SHALOM NEEDS
VOLUNTEERS
Village Shalom is looking for volunteers for its 4:00 pm Friday Shabbat services. Service schedules are flexible allowing volunteers to sign up for a single service or a regularly occurring schedule that is convenient to them. Volunteers are asked to arrive by 3:45 pm and services are generally about 30 minutes in duration.
In the past, volunteers have consisted of tweens working on their bar or bat mitzvah services project who are paired with a parent or older sibling, high school students seeking volunteer hours, and Jewish community adults with a heart for service. Opportunities are available immediately.
For more information, or to sign up, contact Lorena Williams, Village Shalom director of life enrichment, by phone at 913-266-8431, or by email at .
BIG SONIA ON THE BIG SCREEN
“Big Sonia,” the documentary about Kansas City Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski, is getting a special screening on Union Station’s Extreme Screen. This will be followed by a director and cast member Q&A session. The screening will be on July 29, starting at 6:00 pm.
Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased at bit.ly/BigSoniaUSKC. Early purchase is recommended.
MORE MOVIE NEWS
The Kansas City Jewish Film Fest will open on August 1, featuring nine films with a combined 47 national and international awards.
The film festival will be virtual this year, with in-person viewings of select films. Virtual screenings will be available for viewing anytime within a seven-day period.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at The J’s website, thejkc.org. Tickets are $14 per film or $110 for a festival pass.
J CAMP GETS MATCHING GRANT
The J was one of 29 projects chosen to receive the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s 2021 Jewish Day Camp Match to help Jewish camps invest in physical improvements. This matching grant will give $1 for every $2 raised, for a maximum match of up to $20,000, for gifts restricted for physical improvements.
The J plans to build a new rock wall and add a shade structure to its outdoor pool. The features will be used by campers during the 11 weeks of J Camp. Both structures would also be available to the public at the pool in the summer.
The J has raised $16,936 of its $40,000 goal so far.
