Archived News

Congregation Beth Torah announced this week an innovative shift to its members’ financial commitment to the congregation. The board of trustees announced its members will no longer have to pay religious school tuition. Beth Torah is also making another large policy shift by opening up its religious school to everyone in the Jewish community. In doing so, it is increasing its dedication to educating the next generation of Jews in the Kansas City Jewish community. 

In Kansas City, some people view cooking barbecue as a sacred art. The devout pitmasters know the preparation that goes into crafting the sauces, the rubs and the smoke. Many weekends have been spent working over the grill, honing the right flavors by local barbecue aficionados. This is serious work that, while not a religion, is certainly a strong cultural tradition.

At one time in Jewish history, teaching was an indisputably male domain. Today, not only do females flourish in the field of teaching, they are sought-after administrators. Horizon Academy has chosen two highly respected Jewish women in the field of special education — Vicki Asher and Julie Altman — to lead its school. Horizon Academy just might be the only school — public or private — in the Kansas City area to have Jewish women serving in its top two leadership positions.

There will be a familiar face around the halls of Beth Torah this coming year as congregants and children come into the synagogue for lifelong learning opportunities. Bridey Stangler has been hired by Beth Torah as congregational director of education for the upcoming year. 

“Discovery” — the art of finding something new. Those who participate in the annual Day of Discovery on Sunday, Aug. 23, will definitely find something new this year with the addition of several new instructors and classes. The annual day of learning, sponsored by the Rabbinical Association and a variety of other Jewish organizations at the Jewish Community Campus begins with registration at 8:45 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m.

RED THURSDAY TO FEATURE THE SYMPHONY — First it was the World Series and now, the NFL! In case you hadn’t heard already, the Kansas City Chiefs have invited the Kansas City Symphony to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Sept. 17 in conjunction with the 2015 “Red Thursday” home opener versus the Denver Broncos on CBS’ Thursday Night Football. Music Director Michael Stern will not only conduct the Symphony but also lead the Arrowhead Stadium crowd in singing the national anthem.

Every year the camps at the Jewish Community Center welcome shlichim (Israeli emissaries) to be a part of the staff. This year two female emissaries (shlichot) — Dorin Eliyahu and Adi Shetu — are part of the camp staff and their duties include teaching the campers at Barney Goodman Camp more about Israel during their Kol Israel programs. 

The Kansas City Jewish Film Festival kicks off this year on Saturday, Oct. 10, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 18. The festival, now in its 17th year, features perhaps its strongest line-up of films in its history.

STILL COMPETITNG AND MEDALING — Dr. Alan Poisner has had a big year. He turned 80, he married Sharon Lowenstein Shoham, and moved into a new age division in racing competitions. So far this year he has earned gold medals at the USATF National Masters Indoor Championships in North Carolina in March, the National Senior Games Association biannual meet in St. Paul, Minnesota, in July, and the USATF National Master Outdoor Championships in Jacksonville, Florida, just last week. Dr. Poisner broke the 25-year-old record in the 1,500-meter walk in St. Paul and was the second fastest of all time in the 5K for the 80-84 division at the same meet. In Jacksonville, he was the oldest competitor in the 10,000-meter race and “came in ahead of three younger walkers who finished and six elite walkers who were disqualified by rigorous judging. This was a true endurance race that took over 1 hour for most walkers.” This is the 30th year of Dr. Poisner’s race-walking career and his 20th as president of the Heartland Racewalkers.

There’s always something to talk about at the Mitzvah Garden Kansas City.