News

By Lauren Mattleman Hoopes
Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City

This has been a year like no other. For many, if not most of us, we are experiencing a once in a lifetime crisis. The coronavirus has disrupted everything about our lives, causing illness and economic hardship, and has physically separated us from our loved ones and our professional colleagues. It would be easy to become overwhelmed by the sense of loss. And yet … 

The holidays looked quite different this year – thanks to COVID-19, but that didn’t stop the Women of KI (WoKIs) from celebrating the Hanukkah season with Eight Crazy Nights of COVID-friendly fun!  Instead of their traditional Hanukkah dinner get together, the WoKIs ZOOMed their annual celebration. A holiday gift bag holding all the supplies needed to celebrate was assembled and delivered by Chanukah Harriet before the candle was lit.

Strangers No More, a group of Christian and Jewish women whose goals are to construct paths to understanding and build bridges through developing relationships, announces a discussion series based on a new book by Professor Amy-Jill Levine, “Sermon on the Mount, A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven.” SNM members are familiar with Levine, whose book, “The Misunderstood Jew-The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus,” was studied during SNM’s first series.

It was a fast-paced 36 hours as the KU Chabad Center raised more than $260,000 through the #JewhawkMatch campaign. Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, who co-directs Chabad at KU along with his wife Nechama, said he hopes these additional funds help “support the students during these vulnerable times, with mental health programming, Shabbat dinners, outreach and a welcoming community”.

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. 

Jewish Family Services recently welcomed Bruce Broce and Karen Massman VanAsdale to its management team. Broce is now chief advancement officer and VanAsdale has joined JFS as director of marketing and communications for the 119-year-old social service agency.

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.