FIGHTING CANCER ONE BEARD AT A TIME — HBHA senior Joel Gutovitz has launched a novel way to collect money to fund research for several different kinds of cancers. He feels “personally obligated to eliminate” cancer for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that both of his grandfathers died from cancer. His zayde, Abe Gutovitz, fought lung cancer, while just last year his maternal grandpa, Sylvester Sher, battled colon cancer.
Local author, former teacher and businessman John Shuchart has found success in many areas of his life, but amid the high points has been a deep, underlying sadness. Shuchart has suffered from depression for most of his lifetime but has found a way to cope by focusing on the lighter side of everything that weighs him down. Humor and laughter have become his rescuers.
There are about 450 colonels in the Israel Defense Forces, only 15 or so who are women. Do the math and you will discover that’s roughly only 3 percent of those who reach that high rank. One of the IDF’s cream of the crop, Col. Miri Eisin (res.) will be in Overland Park Monday, Dec. 15, as the featured speaker for a program co-sponsored by Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation, Hadassah and National Council of Jewish Women. The free event focusing on Women Warriors takes place in the Social Hall at the Jewish Community Campus and begins at 7 p.m.
What does an organization do to mark the finish of its 100-year celebration? Break the record of spinning the most dreidels simultaneously of course! The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City is planning the record breaking event on Sunday, Dec. 14.
SHAKE IT WITH FEDERATION — If you are a regular reader of this column, you know I like Matt Rissien’s videos. While I expect he will release his Hanukkah video soon (hint, hint Matt!), he’s got one out right now that is just fabulous! The Jewish Federation teamed up with him for a fantastic parody of Taylor Swift’s latest hit, “Shake It Off” as a way to put some energy into the remaining days of its annual campaign. Rissien wrote lyrics and sang them, while members of the community, Jewish Federation staffers and leaders you will recognize grooved to the beat. I love it and I can’t get the song out of my head!
The discovery of a new class of lipid molecules that enhance insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control offers a promising new avenue for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. A team of scientists from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and the Salk Institute discovered this new class of molecules.
Jewish people — as evidenced by many, many events this year, even in our area — are no strangers to hate. Muslims face a lot of hate as well. Some Jewish and Muslim women are coming together as part of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, to move toward peace and away from hate by learning and understanding more about each other. Recently a local chapter of Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom formed and had its first meeting.
“Home is a place that I leave, and the place to which I return. The invitation to leave is as strong as the call to return, and in that movement, I consider home to be the journey itself.”
Nick Carswell, musician, film maker, webmaster.
Nick Carswell is one of seven artists selected in the summer to participate in the Jewish Community Center’s second annual Community Art Fellowship Project, presented in partnership with the InterUrban ArtHouse. Their visual art and performances will be presented to the community at the Jewish Community Center (The J) on Sunday, Dec. 7.
At its annual National Philanthropy Day celebration, held Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Mid-America Chapter honored Dr. Mary Davidson with its Philanthropist of the Year Award.
In the wake of the terrorist attack in the Har Nof synagogue in Jerusalem, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy wants to honor the memory of alumnus Rabbi Kalman Levine, a member of the first graduating class of HBHA, and Rabbi Mosheh Twersky the uncle of HBHA teacher Meshulam Twersky.
