According to data from Feeding America, the number of food insecure people in the Kansas City region has risen by nearly 80,000 individuals since the start of the pandemic.

Sharon Friedman

In these unprecedented times of COVID-19, stress, isolation, and pressure, Kehilath Israel Synagogue is excited to announce the resumption of our PrayerWorks program. Rather than meeting in person, as it has in the past, we gather virtually. K.I. member Sharon Friedman facilitates each session. 

Enjoy a delicious catered curbside shabbat dinner on Friday Jan. 15 prepared by Steve Ellenberg, Ellenberg Experience Catering.

Meals are prepared on monthly rotating basis by kosher caterers Kim Matsil – Kim’s Kreations, Cathy Levin of Kosher Connection and Ellenberg Experience Catering under supervision of the Vaad HaKashruth of Kansas City. 

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy is pleased to announce virtual options for its upcoming annual admissions events. This year’s admissions events will include two Taste of Kindergarten events for parents/guardians and children, as well as two parent/guardian-only Coffee and Conversation events. 

Cantor Daniel Gildar

By Rabbi Moshe Grussgott
Kehilath Israel Synagogue

This week marks the shloshim - completion of 30 days of mourning - for Cantor Daniel Gildar, of blessed memory, a man who had great influence on my Jewish development as a child.

Crane Brewery in Raytown, Missouri, is hoping its Tikkun Olam beer can provide healing from a crummy year. (Courtesy: Crane Brewing Co.)

By Sam Kricsfeld
Contributing Writer

The world seems to desperately need repair. As 2020 ends, many are reflecting on its awfulness. Widespread pain and suffering, combined with political upheaval and social justice issues, prompted Michael Crane to recall the term “Tikkun Olam” – Hebrew for “repairing of the world.”

By Lacey Storer
Assitant Editor

After George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May, Alli Hearne found herself looking for a way to make a difference. Hearne, who grew up in Overland Park, and now lives in Plymouth, Minnesota, just outside of Minneapolis, visited the memorial site where Floyd died, which was “a very moving experience.”

Inspiration by Rita Blitt now adorns the southeast corner of Tomahawk Creek Parkway and College Boulevard in Leawood. (Submitted)

By Mike Sherry
Editor

For those of us who live inside the Interstate 435 loop, the Mission Road/Tomahawk Creek Parkway corridor is a heavily travelled thoroughfare — serving as one route to The J and to synagogues in southern Johnson County.

By Helene Lotman
Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City

Ohr... Light...

During this festival of lights, Hanukkah, I became fascinated with the meaning of candles in Judaism and why light is such an important symbol in our tradition? We light candles for Shabbat, for Havdalah, prior to major Jewish holidays, on the yahrzeit of a close loved one, and of course, on Hanukkah.