A CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON FOR FUNDRAISING — The Royals are the world champions for only the second time in franchise history. The Chiefs won their first playoff game in 22 years. Jewish Federation also had a milestone championship season in 2015, raising more than $5 million for the first time since economic hard times hit in 2007. In fact, this is the second year in a row that the community campaign has grown by more than $500,000.
Thanks to the generosity of Wolfe Automotive Group and 911 Custom, the Jewish Community Campus now has an immediately visible security vehicle patrolling its grounds.
Poet Alan Toltzis, Rabbi Herbert Mandl’s brother-in-law, will be speaking at several venues in the Kansas City area Jan. 21-23.
A VIP fundraiser for “BIG SONIA,” a feature documentary profiling Sonia Warshawski, is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 31, as a special event through the Kansas City Jewish Film Festival. Filmmakers and co-directors Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday will screen 30 minutes of new footage they are editing for the film.
Marjorie Robinow, chairman of the 18th annual Purim Gala, announced that the theme of Purim Gala 2016 will be what K.C. loves most — Baseball & BBQ. The gala is the annual fundraiser for Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner.
The highly anticipated Kansas Focus Gallery at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art will open with its inaugural reception at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4. The event is free and open to the public.
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS TO PLAY HERE — I’ve always loved the Harlem Globetrotters and last week I found out that the founder of the Globetrotters was a Jewish man, Abe Saperstein. In celebration of the team’s 90th season, the Globetrotters will play two dates here at two event centers later this month. Sprint Center will host the team on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and another game will be played Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Independence Events Center.
On the court, the Globetrotters’ 90-year celebration will showcase incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction. After the game, Globetrotter stars will sign autographs and take photos with fans.
Visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com/kc to learn more about the team and purchasing tickets.
The Kansas City area’s Jewish community has its first baby of 2016.
Thanks to the generosity of more than 1,800 members of the community, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City allocated nearly $2 million to 42 local programs and nearly $1.5 million to more than 30 overseas programs serving those in need in 2015. These funds were made possible by a strong increase in the amount raised via the Jewish Federation’s 2014 community campaign.
HEN HOUSE KOSHER UPDATE — The Vaad HaKashruth sent out an email to its subscribers last week announcing that fresh kosher foods are now in stock at the Hen House Market Deer Creek location at 135th and Metcalf. This follows the temporary closing of the Hen House at 117th and Roe. Kosher offerings will return to the Roe location following the completion of a major remodeling project.
