MAZEL TOV — Three dedicated staff members at Jewish Family Services are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year and the three together combine for 50 years of service to the social service agency.
This work by Yuval Yairi, ‘Topographic Study,’ 2015, archival pigment print, is courtesy of the artist and the Epsten Gallery at Village Shalom. It is among the images that will be on display as part of the Israeli artist’s exhibition at the Epsten Gallery beginning in November.
The Epsten Gallery will present “Yuval Yairi: Surveyor,” a solo exhibition featuring 16 photographs by this noted Israeli artist Nov. 13 through Jan. 22, 2017. Yairi’s works come from his current “Surveyor” series and selections from “Land,” the precursor to “Surveyor.”
Dr. Barry Rose offers ways to heal a disjointed health care system in his new book, “The Cutting Edge of Compassion: How Physicians, Health Professionals, and Patients Can Build Healing Relationships Based on Trust.”
Marvin Szneler, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee, is one of several Kansas Citians who over the years had the opportunity to meet with the late Shimon Peres. Szneler said, ‘Listening to his wonderful words over the years and watching his devotion to all humankind, made the time sitting with him forever inspiring.’
REMEMBERING SHIMON PERES — Following the death of former Israeli prime minister, president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres, people all over the world began sharing their fond memories of the man. Locally, John Shuchart is proud that Peres actually provided the forward to his book, “Israeli Kids’ Letters to Terrorists.”
For 26 years Rabbi Michael Zedek served as the senior rabbi of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, choosing in 2000 to leave the congregation and accept the title of rabbi emeritus. Next month, he will return to the pulpit for one night as the Reform congregation’s featured speaker at Shabbat Shuvah on Friday, Oct. 7. Erev Shabbat Services begin at 6 p.m., preceded by Bisseleh Nosh at 5:30 p.m.
Rabbi David Glickman, senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom and president of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City, presents a rare book to Beth M. Whittaker, assistant dean of distinctive collections and director of Spencer Research Library, and John Younger, professor of classics and academic director of Jewish studies at the University of Kansas.
The Rabbinical Association recently came into possession of a very rare book, “Die alten jüdischen Heiligthümer,” (“Jewish Ceremonial Law and Custom”), by Johann Lund (1638-1686), printed and bound in Hamburg, Germany, in 1701.The Rabbinical Associated decided to give it to the University of Kansas department of Jewish studies and it will be housed in the Spencer Research Library. The presentation was made earlier this month.
The Jewish community came together to spiritually prepare for the coming Days of Awe at a special program and service on Saturday night. Following presentations by participating rabbis about how they spiritually prepare for the holidays, a beautiful and inspiring Selichot service was led by area clergy and a community chorus. The ritual of changing the Torah covers to one specifically designed for the High Holy Days was led by each congregation’s designated leader. Pictured here are Rabbis Alan Londy (from left), David Glickman, Javier Cattapan, Daniel Kirzane, Cantor Sharon Kohn, Rabbi Art Nemitoff, Hazzan Tahl Ben-Yehuda, Rabbis Jonathan Rudnick, Beryl Padorr, Scott White and Linda Steigman.
YUMMY BLINTZ BRUNCH — For 51 years Temple Beth Shalom has sponsored a Blintze Brunch. This week The Topeka Capital Journal’s editors, in its Best of Topeka magazine, chose the event as the best Ethnic Event in Northeast Kansas. The annual event is held in April at the Reform congregation. In addition to a brunch buffet, it features a bake sale, gift shop and a silent auction. Here’s what the editors had to say about what must be a delicious way to spend a Sunday in Topeka:
