Jewish community members driving on Interstate 35 will be pleased to see a full-sized billboard from The Culture House arts organization supporting the community.
The billboard reads, “Thank you to the Jewish community who add such beauty to our lives, our families, and our community,” and contains a Star of David within a heart. It is visible to drivers heading northbound on I-35 where it crosses with Shawnee Mission Parkway (near Aristocrat Motors).
“The Culture House leadership took out the billboard in support of the Jewish Community for many, many reasons including that it was the obvious, good and right thing to do,” said Jeremiah Enna, executive director of The Culture House. “The message communicates the truth of the contributions the Jewish community has woven into our city as well as the sincerity of our appreciation. In a world where an aggressive campaign of lies and manipulation is gathering to stereotype the Jewish people and utterly distort reality, we wanted to do our part to remind people of what is indisputable. We are living in a culture that is easily confused and afraid to know anything with confidence. While some things are nuanced, this situation is clear: tragic, but clear.”
The Culture House’s relationship with the Jewish community includes partnering with The Lewis and Shirley White Theatre at The J for a musical last spring, “Vilna: A Resistance Story.” Kevin Cloud, director of the Culture House’s “New Works” program, created the musical with his wife, Allison, playwright Lisa Kenner Grissom, director David Winitsky and consultation from the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education.
“As an arts organization in front of thousands of people a year and who has directly partnered with the Jewish community on inspiring projects,” Enna said, “we have also just benefited so much from the treasured personal relationships the Jewish Community brings to our lives.”
After community members shared photos of the billboard on social media, thousands of people have viewed and liked posts that acknowledge The Culture House’s message.
“We have only received positive feedback,” Enna said. “We hope this will inspire others in our community, leaders in business, religion and community organizations to step up and do something in a like manner… We genuinely want to express our gratitude to the Jewish community, especially while they go through such a traumatic and overwhelming time.”
Jay Lewis, president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, said that “seeing the billboard meant so much to me and so many others in the Kansas City Jewish community. The war in Israel and rising antisemitism at home has made many of us feel alone, but this amazing gesture from The Culture House made us feel seen and much less alone. It was amazing and so appreciated.”
