A tumultuous year for world Jewry, 2023 brought the Kansas City Jewish community significant struggles but also examples of unity, support and achievement.
The Oct. 7 massacre and mass kidnapping by Hamas and the subsequent ongoing Israel-Hamas War overshadowed much of the Jewish news cycle for the remainder of the year, as did the resulting rise in antisemitism. Despite this, noticeable positives occurred in the Kansas City Jewish community, including the success of the Jewish Culture Fest and new leadership in some of the community’s prominent organizations.
As The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle prepares for a doubtlessly news-filled 2024, we look back at some of the community’s biggest stories of 2023.
Community unites to support Israel
The suffering from the ongoing Israel-Hamas War has been at the forefront of the hearts and minds of the Kansas City Jewish Community. Ever since the Oct. 7 massacre — the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust — the community has been raising money, holding vigils and doing all in its power to help Israelis.
Only two days after Oct. 7, more than 600 community members gathered in support of Israel and the hostages taken by Hamas. In the hours that followed the attacks, community organizations, congregations and clergy united for a program at which community members could mourn and pray. More than a dozen rabbis and clergy read poetry and led prayers in solidarity with Israelis.
The KU Jewish community and allies came together the following evening to hold a vigil in support of Israel coordinated by organizations including Students Supporting Israel, KU Hillel, KU Chabad, and AEPi and ZBT fraternities.
Some community members, both current and former, were in Israel on Oct. 7 and shared their accounts with The Chronicle. They included Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) graduates Erik Claster and Michael Firestone, who were both called for emergency reserve duty; HBHA graduate Dr. Joel Gutovitz, who has been treating injured patients at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel; and Dan and Melynn Sight of Leawood, Kansas, who were in Israel as tourists as the war unfolded nearby.
Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City quickly established an Israel Emergency Fund. Within weeks, more than $2 million had been raised, and as of publication, more than $3.52 million in contributions from hundreds of community members have been raised (see pages 8 and 9 for a list of donors). The City of Leawood, Kansas, donated $25,000 to the Gezer Region, its sister community in Israel, for a bomb shelter for kindergarteners.
At Federation’s annual meeting, Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), spoke in Kansas City about the help and effect that community donations have on Israelis in need. As of publication, JFNA has raised more than $711 million including Kansas City’s contributions. The money is allocated through core partner organizations like the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and the Israel Trauma Coalition; local municipalities and regional councils; and other Israeli emergency medical organizations and healthcare centers.
Mika Kislanski, the Kansas City Jewish community’s shalicha (Israeli emissary), had only been here for a few weeks before the war broke out. Speaking at the Oct. 9 gathering, she said, “These acts of kindness and outreach have truly strengthened my belief that I’m in the right place during these troubling times. The war ahead of us will not be easy or short, but being here today and seeing the community come together in solidarity only strengthens what I know about the continuity and prosperity of Israel.”
In November, more than 50 community members traveled to Washington, D.C., to join hundreds of thousands of people for the March for Israel at the National Mall. Dozens also gathered to view the livestream at the Jewish Community Campus in Overland Park, Kansas, including HBHA students.
The community has been praying for the safe release of all the hostages still held by Hamas. Posters and images of the hostages are on screens throughout the Jewish Community Campus, and multiple empty Shabbat tables were set up to remind people that innocent Israelis were still being held hostage.
As the war continues, Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund remains open. Donations can still be made at www.jewishkansascity.org/israel.
Rise in antisemitism felt locally
Within days of the Oct. 7 attack, rising antisemitism spread across the world. The drastic uptick has been felt among local students and online.
The Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee Kansas City (JCRB|AJC) is on the forefront of combating antisemitism in the community. It reports a 500% increase in antisemitic incidents in person and online since Oct. 7.
On Oct. 12, JCRB|AJC held a community briefing at Union Station about the misinformation and antisemitism that has surrounded coverage of the Israel-Hamas War. David Harris, former AJC CEO, was the featured speaker. Local politicians, activists and reverends also spoke, all calling for support of the Jewish community and unambiguous condemnation of the Oct. 7 attacks.
“We are heartbroken, we are scared, and we are outraged,” JCRB|AJC Executive Director Gavriela Geller said at the briefing. “Outraged because during a time in which we should be grieving and mourning and supporting our community through this unspeakable tragedy, we’re instead being forced to defend ourselves... The Jewish community will never be the same after this. Israel and Israelis will never be the same. This is the moment when we remember our allies.”
Amid the hatred, many in the greater Kansas City community showed stalwart support. On Oct. 13, a day on which Hamas called for a “Global Day of Jihad” and “Day of Rage,” students at HBHA were anxious about coming to school. Head of School Adam Tilove wrote to his colleagues to ask for support, and they heeded the call. Nearly 40 people, including educators and administrators from nine local schools, clergy members, Jewish professionals and local representatives, congregated in front of HBHA that morning to make students feel safer and supported.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly later spoke to students at HBHA to express support and hear directly from Jewish students.
“This conflict may be happening in a faraway land, [but] I know that it is hitting close to home,” she said to the students. “All the gruesome visuals you’re seeing and the vicious soundbites you are hearing — you [must] feel isolated.”
Antisemitism quickly manifested at the University of Kansas when the Israeli flag at the Alpha Epsilon Pi Jewish fraternity at the University of Kansas was cut down and torn to shreds by vandals. Anti-Israel student walkouts began to be organized by KU’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) to demand that the school’s chancellor make a statement in solidarity with Palestinian students; the protests have included banners saying “Glory to the Martyred” and chants of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
Jewish campus organizations KU Chabad and KU Hillel are on the forefront of supporting Jewish students at KU, and both organizations make clear their solidarity with them.
“Sadly, we are seeing a significant uptick in anti-Israel and antisemitic activity across our country, and nowhere is this felt more than on college campuses,” said Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, director of KU Chabad. “The message that we are giving our students is the importance of fighting darkness with light, fighting hate with love.”
“We are working to ensure that Jewish students continue to feel safe and supported not just this week, but in the weeks to come as we continue to follow the news in Israel and observe incidents on campus,” said Bailey Nakelsky, interim executive director at KU Hillel.
Incidents also occurred at the University of Missouri, where someone destroyed an empty table that brought attention to the hostages held by Hamas.
Community organizations welcome new leadership
Several agencies underwent big changes in leadership this year: Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and Jewish Family Services (JFS) both welcomed new CEOs, and Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) announced its incoming CEO for 2024.
Jewish Federation named Jay Lewis as its new president and CEO, succeeding past president and CEO Helene Lotman.
“After being part of this community for almost my entire life, I am incredibly honored and excited to be named the next president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City,” Lewis told The Chronicle. “I am so optimistic about the future of this organization and this community, and I can’t wait to wake up every day and help Kansas City continue to be the best Jewish community in the country to live in and raise a family.”
Before joining Federation, Lewis worked for six years with Hillel International as its vice president and lead campus support director for North America, and is also a member of the Hillel International Senior Leadership Team. He oversaw Hillel’s Israel Action and Antisemitism support team and its safety and security programs. Insights and experience gained through these roles are highly relevant to Federation’s work locally and abroad.
Lewis, the son of Stuart Lewis and the late Hilary Lewis, is a Kansas City native and grew up in the Jewish community. He and his wife, Kimberly, have two children, McKenna and Keaton.
Following the retirement of Don Goldman from JFS, Kelly Davydov assumed the role of CEO and executive director. JFS Board President Lara Krigel Pabst made the announcement in September.
“This is an incredible time to join an organization like Jewish Family Services,” Dayvdov said. “With a long, rich history of serving our community, JFS is uniquely positioned to address the ever-changing needs of families. I look forward to building upon the organization’s commitment to providing innovative, high-quality programs and services.”
Before joining JFS, Davydov was the executive director of Child Care Aware Kansas, a resource and referral network addressing access to high-quality childcare for young children and their families. She and her husband, Dmitry, are the proud parents of two sons, Ethan and Henry. The family moved to the Kansas City area in 2020.
After nearly 20 years with JCF, Lauren Hoopes announced her retirement in February of this year; in July it was announced that Josh Stein, JCF’s current director of philanthropy, would take over as the new executive director in January of 2024.
During his tenure with the Foundation, Stein has overseen its fund development efforts, which included the establishment of 329 new funds totaling nearly $45 million. Stein has also worked to cultivate the next generation of community philanthropists and leaders through his work with J-LEAD, JCF’s successful young adult giving circle.
“It is a true honor to be amongst the illustrious company of those, such as Lauren, who have served in this role and have grown the Foundation to its current position of strength,” Stein said. “I truly believe that not only JCF’s future but the community’s will rely upon our continued success in inspiring the imagination of our generous community and giving people the tools and resources to fulfill their charitable goals.”
Stein is a Kansas City native and the son of Esther and Stewart Stein. He and his wife, Sheryl, have two children, Jonah and Leora.
Jewish Culture Fest returns
After a six-year hiatus, Jewish Culture Fest (previously known as the Jewish Arts Festival) returned, taking place on Oct. 15 at the Jewish Community Campus. Co-chairing the event were Rhonda Fromm and Sharon Loftspring; Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City was the presenting sponsor.
Attendees had a variety of entertainment opportunities, including performances from national artists The Maccabeats and children’s musician ShirLaLa; jewelry, art and more for sale from more than 60 vendors; family activities; kosher food; a kosher wine tasting experience; and more.
The event was designed to be family-friendly — The J’s Family Pavilion space had room for children to play, with a green area with lawn games. Other family-friendly activities throughout the day included face painting, bag decorating, a photo booth, magnetic construction toys and kindness rock painting.
Approximately 30 community organizations participated in the event, up from the 19 that took part in the previous Culture Fest.
After the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, there was some question among the community as to whether the festival would still happen. Culture Fest moved forward, with additional security measures in place.
“Now, more than ever, we feel it is important for our community to gather together and show support for Israel,” said Diane Azorsky, board chair of The J, to The Chronicle.
To conclude Culture Fest, a “Stand Together With Israel” community gathering was held, with Rabbi David Glickman, community Shalicha Mika Kislanski, musician Joe Buchanan and Federation President and CEO Jay Lewis speaking.
