By Barbara Bayer/
Contributing Writer
Like other Jewish organizations, Jewish Student Union (JSU) needed to find a way to connect with its members when COVID-19 made it impossible to program in conventional ways. So its director, Rabbi Nati Stern, created a subscription box service for Jewish students in the Kansas City area.
By Mike Sherry/
Contributing Writer
The Nov. 3 election proved to be a mixed bag for Kansas City-area Jewish candidates seeking state legislative seats in Kansas.
Democrat Ethan Corson won his bid to represent District 7 in the Kansas Senate, but fellow Democrat Joy Koesten lost in her race for the District 11 Senate seat.
Over the last few months, as students went through their fall semester in college, they faced many new learning environments, and with them, many challenges. While they put their best efforts forward to succeed, it definitely was an uphill battle for some. It is with this in mind that the men of Alpha Epsilon Pi, a vibrant and active Jewish fraternity at the University of Kansas, were excited to partner with KU Chabad for a special learning program that provides a much-needed boost and support during these challenging times.
The Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program, based at JFS, provides spiritual care and connectivity during difficult times — illness, aging issues and loss of life.
In just about a month, families will gather together to mark the start of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. This year Hanukkah begins at sundown Thursday, Dec. 10.
Yet there are hundreds in our Jewish community facing difficult times financially who will struggle to make the holiday bright.
Kosher Shabbat and holiday curbside “Meals-to-Go” will be available for purchase on Fridays, Nov. 20, Dec. 18 and Jan. 15. Meals will be prepared on a rotating basis by kosher caterers Kim Matsil — Kim’s Kreations; Cathy Levin of Kosher Connection; and Steve Ellenberg, Ellenberg Experience Catering under supervision of the Vaad HaKashruth of Kansas City.
The following bowlers in Sunday Morning Kansas City B’nai B’rith Bowling League achieved high scores at Ward Parkway Lanes on Nov. 1.
This year the 24th Chanukah Art Contest will go virtual. Contestants will upload a photo or a PDF of their project along with a video (up to one minute in length) describing the submission and its relevance to Chanukah. Instructions about how to submit artwork will be available soon on The J’s website, thejkc.org. Submissions must be uploaded by Monday, Nov. 30.
As the days get shorter and our temperatures grow colder, we journey into winter with its longer periods of darkness and the potential for downward slopes in our emotional and spiritual paths. Hanukkah and the Jewish calendar provide the opportunity to consider our responses to the darkness, including the light we can yet make and find in our world.
In a year as unpredictable as this one, generosity brings people together. Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others.
