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Bob Woodward, renowned investigative journalist and author, will be the featured speaker at Village Shalom’s Ages of Excellence Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Overland Park Convention Center.

Community leaders Pella Fingersh and James Klein are co-chairing the evening, which includes an elegant buffet dinner beginning at 6 p.m. for event sponsors, and a champagne dessert reception following Woodward’s presentation.

Proceeds from the Ages of Excellence Celebration help to provide financial assistance to senior adults who rely on Village Shalom for vital programs and services.

Woodward has worked as a reporter for The Washington Post since 1971, and is currently an associate editor of the daily newspaper. In 1972, as a young reporter for The Post, Woodward was teamed with Carl Bernstein; the duo was responsible for much of the original news reporting on the Watergate scandal in the 1970s that led to numerous government investigations and the eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon. The Post won the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of Watergate.

In addition, Woodward was the main reporter for The Post’s coverage of the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was awarded the National Affairs Pulitzer Prize in 2002. He has won nearly every American journalism award, including the Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency in 2003.

The Weekly Standard called Woodward “the best pure reporter of his generation, perhaps ever.”

Woodward is a prolific author with 17 non-fiction books in the last 40 years that have been national bestsellers, with 12 rising to No. 1 — more than any other contemporary non-fiction author. Woodward’s latest publication, “The Price of Politics,” published in 2012, examines recent efforts by President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress to restore the American economy.

“This is a unique opportunity to learn about modern American history from a preeminent journalist who not only documented it, but helped to influence its course,” said Pella Fingersh. “It will be an exceptional evening for the entire community.”

At the event, Woodward will participate in a unique “Conversation on the Couch” with esteemed local journalists Micheal Mahoney of KMBC-TV Channel 9 and Steve Kraske, host of KCUR’s “Up to Date” radio program and a columnist for the Kansas City Star. Woodward will also sign books following the presentation.

For more information about the Village Shalom Ages of Excellence Celebration, contact Sally Beyers, director of development, at 913-266-8412 or .

HOBBY LOBBY UPDATE — We reported last week that the Hobby Lobby craft store chain wasn’t carrying Chanukah merchandise in its new New Jersey store located in a heavily populated Jewish area. Comments from a store employee stating that “We don’t cater to you people,” ended up making headlines first on a Facebook blog and eventually in stories published by such mainstream news outlets as CNN, USA Today, Huffington Post and the Washington Post. Here is  the latest update  from our own news partner, JTA:

Hobby Lobby president says chain will carry Chanukah items (JTA) — The president of Hobby Lobby said the Oklahoma-based chain will carry Chanukah items in its stores near areas with large Jewish populations.

Steve Green in an interview with The Associated Press published Saturday, Oct. 5, said the items will be in his crafts stores in New York and New Jersey by November.

On Oct. 4, Green called blogger Ken Berwitz, who started the anti-Hobby Lobby backlash with a post last week. The two spoke for about 15 minutes, according to the AP, and Berwitz said the conversation was “pleasant” and the situation should be “diffused.”

Berwitz said in the post that he would never visit the retailer again after being told “We don’t cater to you people here” during a call to a New Jersey Hobby Lobby store in which he inquired whether it would be carrying Chanukah items.

In a statement published Oct. 3 on the ADL’s website, Green apologized for the alleged remark and indicated that his company has “deep respect for the Jewish faith.” The statement made clear that the owners “do not tolerate discrimination at the company or our stores.”

The ADL also issued a statement saying that the organization “has no reason to believe that Hobby Lobby has refused to stock Chanukah items because of hostility to Jews or anti-Semitism.”

“A store choosing not to carry Chanukah items does not violate anyone’s rights,” the organization added.

ATRIUMS MINYANS — This week, Rabbi Scott White of Congregation Ohev Sholom and Rabbi Doug Alpert of Congregation Kol Ami began offering a morning minyan once a week at the Atriums. It will take place at 7 a.m. every Wednesday. In his weekly message to members, Rabbi White said he and Rabbi Alpert “are delighted to host a traditional prayer service there … The service is open to all comers.” He noted that Ohev’s regular morning minyan will be held per usual on all weekday mornings, including Wednesday.

HBHA BLOOD DRIVE — If you’re in the mood to perform a mitzvah and save a life, stop by the Jewish Community Campus tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and give blood. The Community Blood Center needs to collect 580 units of blood daily to meet the needs of area hospital patients. For more information contact HBHA Health Coordinator Elisa Pener at 913-327-8189.

AUTHOR APPEARANCE — Kansas City native Chip Fleisher owns Steerforth Press, a small publishing company in New Hampshire, and he thinks its newest book will be of interest to members of the Jewish community. He is referring to “The Book of Matt: Hidden Truths About the Murder of Matthew Shepard,” written by Stephen Jimenez. The author will appear in an event hosted by Rainy Day Books at Unity Temple on the Plaza next Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. This month marks the 15th anniversary of the murder and Jimenez, an investigative journalist, unravels a tragic story involving one of the most serious problems that has faced the American heartland. The book relies on hundreds of hours of interviews with more than 100 subjects in 20 states, including the men convicted of killing Shepard — Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Jimenez first reported some of his material as the co-producer of an hour-long story on ABC News “20/20” in 2004. He has spent the last nine years on further investigation, bringing forth new sources and explanations as to why this story has not been told. People Magazine has called it “A gripping read.” The Jewish Daily Forward has already run a review filled with high praise under the headline “What If Matthew Shepard’s Murder Wasn’t an Anti-Gay Hate Crime?” You can read the full review at http://forward.com/articles/183494/what-if-matthew-shepards-murder-wasnt-an-anti-gay/?p=all. To RSVP or for more information, contact Rainy Day Books at 913-384-3126 or visit www.rainydaybooks.com.

Writing in the Torah is considered the 613th mitzvah and final commandment (Deuteronomy 31:19). To commemorate its 25th anniversary, and to give its members the opportunity to fulfill this commandment, Congregation Beth Torah will write its own Torah. The project, “Renewing Our Promise Write Here, Right now — Together!” was launched on the first night of Sukkot. Members of the congregation will gather on Sunday morning, Oct. 6, as the scribe, Rabbi Moshe Druin, dips his quill into the ink and writes the first letter of Beresheet, “In the Beginning.” The Torah will be completed on Sunday, June 8, 2014.

“As each letter is essential to a Torah, anyone who helps write a letter, or contributes to its writing, is considered to have written a Torah,” said Beth Torah President Michelle Cole.

The Torah writing project is being organized by Samantha Hammontree with assistance from committee chairs Teresa Hellman (ceremonies), Frank and Robin Sterneck (fundraising), Miki Herman and Eileen Kershenbaum (education), Sandi Cantor (marketing) and Linda Zappulla and Julie Chesis (Torah writing experience). Hammontree said Beth Torah hired Sofer on Site to actually write the Torah. Rabbi Moshe Gruin, or one of his colleagues, will come to Beth Torah and conduct eight Torah-writing sessions. Because there are 304,805 letters in the Torah, not all of it will be written on site at the Reform congregation.

Rabbi Druin said scribes have been writing Torahs for more than 2,000 years and in many cases, congregations have commissioned Torahs and simply given the honor of writing a few letters to wealthy or important congregants. However, that’s not how Beth Torah is doing it.

“What we’re doing is going back to the tradition that was done over 2,000 years ago. When scribes would write a Torah they would go with the skins of an animal to a town and they would write the Torah with every family. Every person would have a chance to participate in the physical writing of a letter,” the scribe said.

While Rabbi Gruin helps a person write his letter by giving the person the chance to help hold the quill, at the same time he will give families the opportunity to learn and understand what they are writing.

“These letters have woven into them incredible messages of wonder and have inspired us for the past 2,000 years. The idea is to get every family connected not only through the physical writing but ultimately connect spiritually with the letters that they are writing and the meaning of it. At the end it will be a scroll that everyone will be emotionally attached to,” said Rabbi Druin, who has been a scribe for 32 years. He expects to spend about 10 minutes with each family.

“He has this phenomenal ability to connect you to Torah,” said Hammontree, who added that Beth Torah will offer a variety of educational opportunities in connection with this project.

While most people only have one opportunity in their lifetimes to fulfill this 613th commandment, Rabbi Mark Levin actually participated in a Torah writing project at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in the 1980s. He’s very excited about this project because it’s causing people to consider the Torah in ways they haven’t before.

“People are doing a lot of examining of Torah in a way that says what’s important about this to my life, and that’s been very heartening and very exciting,” Rabbi Levin said.

He said he hopes when people come to inscribe their letter in the Torah, they will be thinking about “what mitzvah is particularly important to me, what story or Parasha is particularly important to me.”

“Maybe it was important to a grandparent, maybe it’s something they’ve always kept with them, maybe there’s something in their lives or they say this is always something that I live by. It’s an interesting idea and I’m really looking forward to people thinking oh, you know I don’t necessarily consciously think about this but this has always been important to me,” Rabbi Levin continued.

Beth Torah has four Torahs now, not including the Holocaust Torah on display in the foyer that is on permanent loan from a synagogue in Britain. When the new Torah is complete it will become the congregation’s primary Torah.

Beth Torah’s leadership has made it clear that every single member of the congregation should have a chance to participate in this project, so no monetary value has been placed on the actual writing of a letter. An anonymous family has agreed to underwrite the cost of the project.

“We want everyone to be involved in the Torah writing project no matter what. We want them to have a piece of the Torah because this is a once-in-a-lifetime project,” Cole said.

Even though there is no official donation request, the brochure suggests dedication categories ranging from $36 for Friends of Torah all the way up to $36,000 and more.

“As a fundraiser this is very important. We have not done a major fundraiser in our congregation since the building fund was launched in 1994. In the Reform movement most synagogues do major fundraisers every five years,” Cole said. The amount the congregation hopes to raise has not been announced.

“The idea is that the experience will move you to a place where you want to donate. They don’t have to, but they’ll want to,” Hammontree added.

During Sunday’s opening ceremony, Rabbi Levin and Rabbi Rebecca Reice will scribe the opening letters along with Cole, the current president, and Eileen Garry, who is a past president and represents the founding members. In addition Kelly Kaplan, whose name was drawn on Erev Sukkot, will write a letter as the representative of the current members.

“On the last visit, June 8, all the parchment will have been sewn together and we will write the closing letters of the Torah. We will wrap it up in our wimple and we will dance and celebrate,” Hammontree noted.

Hammontree is amazed with the amount of excitement this project has generated as well as the number of people who have volunteered to help. She said it’s also bringing people together at a time when the congregation is in transition. Late last year Rabbi Levin announced that he will reduce his role at Congregation Beth Torah in the summer of 2014. An interim rabbi will begin serving the congregation at that time and a permanent rabbi will be hired, probably coming on board the summer of 2015.

“Beth Torah means house of Torah and this project forces us to come together and build community at a time when we need it most, which is figuring out who are we, what do we want to be and how are we going to get there,” Hammontree said. “If we reconnect with the roots of why Beth Torah was built, which is what this project essentially does, it reconnects each member, each family back to Beth Torah,” Hammontree said.

Cole agrees.

“Just like the name of this campaign, Renewing Our Promise, this project helps us plan for the future. By participating in this project, this makes all of our current members part of the future because this Torah will always be with us and this project will never happen again,” Cole said.

Most people look at Hebrew letters and just see an alphabet. Artist Mordechai Rosenstein sees shapes. In fact, he begins most of his paintings with Hebrew letters — working upside down.

“I turn the paper, I start lettering backwards or upside down because the letters become abstract shapes,” Rosenstein says. “I have a lot more freedom to make them flow. But when it gets too far along, I have to turn the paper around.”

His paintings, tapestries, murals and silk screen prints come to vivid life through his vibrant use of color, using gouache, an opaque watercolor. He creates prints using ink jet printing, or giclée.

Rosenstein will be artist-in-residence at Congregation Beth Shalom from Oct. 9 through 13 and at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah Oct. 15 through 20. In addition, he will display about 40 of his works at the Jewish Arts Festival on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Artist in residence

Rosenstein will address the congregations on a Friday night, talking about how he became an artist and has made a living at it for 35 years.

“It’s kind of a miracle or a phenomenon,” he says. “The art world is 3 feet wide and the Jewish art world is 1 inch wide.”

On Saturday, Oct. 11, he will give the d’var Torah at Beth Shalom and show certain pieces of his influenced by the Torah, like Jacob wrestling with the angel.

“The Torah paints the picture; all you have to do is put it down on paper. The Torah sometimes gives you the whole story, it’s all painted for you,” says the Philadelphia artist. “Usually on Saturday night, we have a wine and cheese and I do a slide presentation.”

He will also talk about some of his one-of-a-kind pieces.

Rosenstein will conduct activities with preschool and religious school students at both synagogues, working with calligraphy.

“I let them do their name, if they can, in Hebrew characters made out of objects,” he says. “Like inside the letter Mem, the first letter of my name, I have a big round matzah or a pizza, and the last letter is a Yud and I use a football. I say, ‘Can you read this?’ They read it, but then they see that each letter is made up of familiar objects.

“We’re not trying to make calligraphers in 45 minutes and I usually dissect one piece. We go over it and they see the letters, they see the colors and it’s a good session. Sometimes we invite the parents and have some projects for them.”

Rosenstein says he never has a schedule ahead of time as artist in residence, but over the years he and his partner, Barry Magen, have made it into a whole program, so he doesn’t get nervous about it.

For Beth Shalom’s Peltzman class and B’nai Jehudah’s Sisterhood, Rosenstein says he will probably do a slide show or let them do some “coloring in.” They’re given a black outline of Hebrew words or some dancing figures and then color them.

“It looks like a stained glass window when it’s done.” Rosenstein says. “Or they may want to write their name and get creative. But I can speak about some original pieces; they’re interested in that also. We’ve done it before many times. Whatever group it is, whatever they present, we’ll have different projects and we’ll make them fit.”

During the day, throughout the week, Rosenstein says he usually creates an original piece of art, which is added to his inventory of works. He goes in with a blank piece of paper, the rabbi gives him a saying and he goes to work. Children and their parents coming and going are able to watch the painting grow, and even give their input.

“They get interested in it and I always ask them do you have any ideas or what do you think I should do, and sometimes they get into it,” he says.

The art of Hebrew letters

From the time he was a child, Rosenstein says he was fascinated with Hebrew letters and still uses them as the basis of most of his designs.

“My generation went to Hebrew school at age 6. After school you had to put up your books and get your writing book and go sit for an hour in the synagogue basement. So I was intrigued with the letters,” he says. “And we used to get a Hebrew newspaper; my father read it every day. Someone else could look at it and it just didn’t affect them, but for some reason I really enjoyed the letters. They became forms.”

So when he demonstrates to children how he begins his paintings, he says all of a sudden they pick up that he’s writing upside down and backwards.

“I can visualize the letters, so I don’t know what that’s all about. I think a lot of artists are dyslexic,” he says. “Sixty-five years ago I had trouble reading and they didn’t know why.”

The teachers would put six or seven children in a room once a week and make them read because they didn’t think the children read enough. “But I can write upside down in English, Hebrew, it doesn’t matter. I could always do it,” Rosenstein explained.

Although he has been compared to Marc Chagall, Rosenstein says he always wanted to be like Henri Matisse and Alexander Calder, “the primaries.” He says he was influenced by the abstract expressionist school.

“My teacher was Franz Kline; I studied with him at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art (now the University of the Arts) in 1952.”

With the Bible as his inspiration, Rosenstein says he hasn’t yet scratched the surface.

“When I want to do a piece I study it, I research it,” he says. “Plus in synagogue we review it every week. My favorite joke is ‘didn’t we read this last year?’ You read it every year and believe it or not you find new things.

“We haven’t even done the Prophets yet. But the imagery that the Prophets give, their beautiful, magnificent visions … like Ezekial, which is real mysterious — a wheel within a wheel. Anyway, we’ll never run out. I will run out before the Bible runs out.”

FRIEDA’S HEAVENLY CHALLAHS — One of the things you’ll find at the Jewish Arts Festival this Sunday, Oct. 6, is Frieda’s Heavenly Challahs. Ray Davidson, who makes the challahs to benefit different synagogues and organizations, has added an assistant — Bill Shapiro.

Shapiro retired in December 2010 and was looking for something to keep him busy. Last year, Shapiro took a three-hour class at Village Shalom University, where he learned to make challahs from scratch.

“It tasted OK, but not great,” Shapiro said.

Then last October, his cousin, Patsy Shanberg, suggested he help Davidson bake challahs every Wednesday. He contacted Davidson and soon  “I started my education on ‘How to make really good challah.’ ”

“I became interested in the attention to detail that Ray was teaching me,” Shapiro continued. “This October I will start my second year and if Ray lets me hang around, I might learn how to make a really ‘great’ challah.”

Sales from the challah they are selling at the Jewish Arts Fesitval will benefit SAFEHOME’s Jewish Outreach Program, the only program in the city for Jewish victims of domestic violence.

HALLOWEEN FOOD DRIVE — A few months ago we featured Lissa Leibson after she earned a congressional medal. She is now leading the charge for a big fundraising effort to benefit Operation Breakthrough, a not-for-profit corporation that provides quality child care and programs for children in the innercity, and Harvesters. A senior at Pembroke Hill, she is leading a student-led Halloween food drive at Pembroke that also includes students from the following schools: Barstow, Blue Valley Northwest, Blue Valley Southwest, Rockhurst and St. Thomas Aquinas — Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat! The food drive will be held Saturday morning, Oct. 12, at Hen House locations in Leawood, Overland Park, Prairie Village and Olathe. Miriam Swartz is also helping to organize this effort.

“GOD LOVES UGANDA” — There’s a lot happening on Sunday, Oct. 6, including the Kansas International Film Festival at the Glenwood Arts Theatre. “God Loves Uganda” will be shown at 2:30 p.m. Lynne Melcher served as a production assistant for the film by Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams. The movie was filmed extensively in our own backyard, at Kansas City’s International House of Prayer, also known as IHOP, and documents the evangelical campaign to infuse African culture with the values of America’s Christian Right. The campaign’s focus is specific to the criminalization of homosexuality. What emerges is a self-appointed American and Ugandan union, fighting their notion of immorality and sending missionaries to convince Ugandans to follow biblical law. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at www.kansasfilm.com. Some emails have circulated calling this film controversial. You be the judge.

HOBBY LOBBY CONTROVERSY — The  hot topic among Jewish Facebook followers the past few days has been a blog about craft store Hobby Lobby. The store, known for being closed on Sunday so its employees can attend church, has fought the Affordable Care Act in court and its ownership is not quiet about its Christian beliefs. Most recently an employee at a new store in New Jersey, which is located in a highly populated Jewish area, told an inquiring customer that it doesn’t carry Chanukah decorations because, “We don’t cater to you people.” It’s causing quite a stir. Read the entire blog at http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/30/1242615/-No-menorahs-at-Hobby-Lobby?detail=facebook.

It’s been three years since the last Jewish Arts Festival was held, but the wait for the 2013 version is almost over. Established in October of 1994, the ninth Jewish Arts Festival, on Sunday, Oct. 6, presented by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and Saint Luke’s South Hospital, will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds of the Jewish Community Campus. As with the previous festivals — they typically attract more than 7,000 people — this year’s will feature the very best of Jewish culture and expression. But it also boasts an impressive array of new and exciting undertakings.

“We see the festival as bringing the entire community together. As we saw three years ago, the festival attracts people from all cultures, faiths, ages and backgrounds,” said Jacob Schreiber, JCC president and CEO. “This year’s festival will prove to be bigger and better for everyone.”

The staple of the Jewish Arts Festival is the wide variety of artwork representative of more than 70 artists. The event’s focus is on affordable pieces from a mostly local group of creators. New this year is an interactive experience where participants can aid in the creation of a community sukkah with the help of artist-in-residence Carla Malone Steck.

“I think those who come to the festival will be amazed by the quality of art shown,” said festival co-chair Carol Jerwick. “We’ll have everything from stained glass, photography, painting and a lot more.”

New in the food court this year is the beer tent where He’Brew beer from Schmaltz Brewing will be sold. Once again all food at the festival will be prepared and served under the supervision of the Vaad HaKashruth of Greater Kansas City. Kosher delicacies include latkes served hot and fresh by Boy Scout Troop 61; matzah ball soup; challah; bagels; corned beef, BBQ beef sandwiches, BBQ ribs and BBQ chicken legs; chicken schnitzel; corn dogs; chicken wings; pizza and falafel. Sweet treats include donuts; root beer floats; Tippins pie; cupcakes; coconut macaroons and cotton candy. Iced coffee and soft drinks will also be sold.

Attendees will also be able to enjoy a range of entertainment opportunities available in the Performing Arts and Culinary Arts tents.

“We have great local bands scheduled to appear playing a wide variety of music from Israeli sounds to contemporary, rock cover bands,” said festival co-chair Greg Azorsky. “And you’ll probably salivate from the aroma of the food. We’ll have traditional Jewish food along with American favorites.”

Families are encouraged to bring their children, who will have the opportunity to travel through Israel in the Family Pavilion. They can create a stained glass challah plate in Safed, leave notes in the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem, go on an archaeology dig in the Negev and much more.

This year’s festival will also kick off 100 More, the JCC’s year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary. At 11:30 a.m. the morning of the festival, 100 runners will enter the festival grounds to light the 100 More flame, culminating in the early morning Torch Relay run that begins at the River Market site where the JCC was founded in 1914. A special ceremony will be held honoring 10 families who played a significant role in enhancing the JCC’s ability to serve more than 100,000 people in the past century.

The Jewish Arts Festival’s hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Campus. Tickets are on sale at select Hen House and Hy-Vee stores, Learning Tree stores and the Jewish Community Center. Prior to the event, tickets are $6 for adults, $2 for children ages 4-12 and free for children under the age of 4. On the day of the festival, adult tickets are $8 and $5 for children. For more information about the Jewish Arts Festival, visit www.jcckc.org/jaf.

As a mitzvah and in support of the Jewish Family Services Food Pantry, festivalgoers may donate non-perishable food items at the gate. In return festivalgoers will receive one shekel (worth 50 cents at food booths only) for a one-item donation and two shekels for donations of two or more items.

Volunteers are also still being recruited for the event. A volunteer orientation session will take place on Monday, Sept. 30. Volunteers get free admittance to the festival and a T-shirt. To learn more about volunteering, visit jcckc.org/jaf and click on the volunteer link. Or, call Sandra Greason at 913-327-8042.

Israel’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Zion Evrony, is coming to Rockhurst University on Tuesday, Oct. 8. It is the first time someone in that position has ever traveled to Kansas City or the Catholic university. All this can be credited to the behind-the-scenes work that the Consul General’s Office to the Midwest, based in Chicago, does to promote the State of Israel. The local Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee can also take some credit for this historic visit.

Evrony’s speech is titled “Conversations between Jerusalem and Rome.” Sponsored by Rockhurst in cooperation with the JCRB|AJC, it is part of the university’s visiting scholar lecture series and will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Mason-Halpin Convocation Center. The ambassador will discuss the history of Israeli relations with the Vatican, when and how the embassy was established, and the current issues being addressed between Israel and the Holy See. A question-and-answer session will follow his prepared remarks.

“I will attempt to explain and highlight the issues of greatest concern to the relationship between Israel and the Holy See, including both progress and challenges ahead. I will attempt to explain the Holy See’s evolving stance towards Israel from rejection and denial to acceptance and recognition,” wrote Evrony in an email to The Chronicle.

(Editor’s note: The term Holy See is often used as a synonym for the Vatican or the Roman Catholic Church. The Holy See, though not an actual city, is the entity that maintains official diplomatic relations with governments. The Vatican is actually the palace in Vatican City that is used as the official residence of the pope and the administrative center of the papacy.)

Marvin Szneler, executive director of the JCRB|AJC, noted, “This program is emblematic of the meaningful relationship between Rockhurst University and JCRB|AJC, and indeed the work that has been done locally between the Catholic and Jewish communities.”

“Ambassador Evrony is a very respected diplomat, and his two experiences alone as ambassador to the Holy See and ambassador to Ireland provide fascinating information that most of us will not hear elsewhere,” Szneler continued.

The idea that an Israeli ambassador to the Holy See would visit Kansas City and Rockhurst came about during a mission trip to Israel in 2011, which was led by the office of the Consul General of the Midwest.

“They invited a group of leaders from higher ed in the Midwest to come and experience Israel and have a series of meetings with folks in higher ed and government and industry and the press, really exposing us to the story of Israel from Israel’s perspective,” said Rockhurst President The Rev. Thomas B. Curran. Two other leaders from area universities took park in that mission — Avila University’s President Ron Slepitza and University of Missouri-Kansas City Chancellor Leo Morton. Szneler accompanied the group.

While at a session at the Foreign Ministry, Father Curran struck up a conversation with Evrony, who had recently completed his service as Israel’s Ambassador to Ireland and was awaiting confirmation of his next assignment. At the time Evrony thought he would be sent to represent Israel at the Holy See.

“So I asked him if he would consider coming to the United States, more specifically Rockhurst.”

Father Curran kept in touch with Evrony in the hopes that the appointment would be made public, which it was in the spring of 2012. The ambassador agreed to come visit Rockhurst, but first he wanted to get some experience in his new position before traveling to the United States, finally settling on a date this fall.

The Catholic priest praised the JCRB|AJC for its help in arranging this event.

“We’ve had a lot of assistance from our friends at the JCRB|AJC promoting it and helping with the logistics and engaging the office of the ambassador and we are very grateful to them for helping with the whole process,” Father Curran said.

Szneler said it is a great honor to work with Father Curran.

“He cares deeply about the entire community. We at JCRB|AJC are fortunate to work with him as he is a leader in making this a more just community. Building understanding and mutual respect is key to those efforts,” Szneler said.

Father Curran said Rockhurst is interested in having the Israeli visit the university because, “As a Jesuit institution we believe you must be open to all experiences to fully engage the world and one of the ways to fully engage the world is through conversation.”

“I would love to hear his perspective and that perspective is enhanced now … that we have a Jesuit as a pope (Pope Francis) and he’s coming to a Jesuit university,” Father Curran said.

Jesuits today are known for embracing a wide variety of ministries and civil occupations. They are probably most well known for their educational work and since the inception of the order Jesuits have been teachers. Today, there are Jesuit-run universities such as Rockhurst, colleges, high schools and middle or elementary schools in dozens of countries. Jesuits also serve on the faculties of both Catholic and secular schools.

“As the students would say, we’re pretty jazzed about the ambassador’s visit,” the university’s president said.

Evrony wrote from Rome that relations today between Israel and the Holy See are good and based on mutual trust.

“They are unique because they include theological and political issues. Next year we will mark 20 years since the signing of the fundamental agreement, which established official diplomatic relations between Israel and the Holy See. The upcoming year will be an opportunity to celebrate but also to think about ways to strengthen and expand the relations,” he wrote.

“Also, recently, there has been a significant progress in the negotiations on the economic/financial agreement between Israel and the Holy See regarding the church property in Israel and taxation. We hope that this agreement will be signed in the near future and will pave the way to further improve the relations,” he continued.

The Tuesday evening event is the only one open to the public, however the ambassador will participate in a variety of activities while spending the day at Rockhurst. Evrony will speak to a group of students, a group of clergy of various faiths and he will place a wreath at the Monument to the Jesuits who perished in the Shoah. A plaque commemorating the 152 Jesuit priests who gave of their lives during the Holocaust was installed at Rockhurst in April 2007.

“It’s the only plaque of its kind in the world,” Father Curran said.

Father Curran is hoping Evrony’s visit will result in a lively conversation.

“Ultimately I hope it will be a springboard for more conversations and what we can do to better our community and better relations and dialogue between our Jewish brothers and sisters and the Catholic community.”

Mason-Halpin Convocation Center is located at 52nd Street and Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Mo. Enter the campus at 54th Street and Troost Avenue. Public parking is available starting at 6:30 p.m. at the North Parking Garage, corner of Troost Avenue and 52nd Street, and in the main Rockhurst parking area, accessed at 54th Street and Troost Avenue. Reservations are not necessary, but appreciated. Call 913-327-8129 or email for information or reservations.

More about Ambassador Zion Evrony

Israel’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Zion Evrony, was born in 1949 and grew up in Israel. He arrived at his new post in Rome on Aug. 1, 2012, and presented his credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on Sept. 5, 2012.

A veteran diplomat, Ambassador Evrony joined the foreign service in 1973 after three years of military service and briefly working as a journalist. He has held several positions overseas, including Ambassador to Ireland (2006-2010); Consul General in Houston (1995-2002) and Consul in New York (1987-1991).

Evrony said being the ambassador of Israel to the Holy See is a “job unlike any other diplomatic mission I have ever had.”

“Relations between Israel and the Holy See are unique in the sense that theological and political issues are sometime linked and influence each other. I see myself as Israel’s ambassador to the Catholic world because the Holy See has great influence and moral authority over 1.2 billion Catholics around the world,” he explained.

The ambassador has also held several positions in the foreign ministry headquarters in Jerusalem including special adviser for academic affairs to the director general (2011-2012); head of the policy planning bureau (2003-2006); director of the international department and the Iranian desk at the Policy Research Center (1991-1994); and director of the diplomatic cadet course (1976-1977).

In 2000, he received the Israel’s Foreign Service Award and the Civil Service Award for Excellence in recognition of his work as Consul General in Houston.

Ambassador Evrony received a doctorate in international relations, a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and political science, all from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He has published many articles in the international press on Israel and the peace process and his career has also included several university teaching positions as a guest lecturer on human rights in international relations at the Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University and the Open University in Israel.

He is married to Rita, a social worker, and they have three children.

JEWISH LIFE TELEVISION — Google Fiber is ringing in the Jewish New Year by welcoming America’s Chosen Network, Jewish Life Television, to its channel line-up. Beginning Sept. 1, Google Fiber subscribers in the Kansas City area have been able to watch JLTV on Channel 458. JLTV is also available through DIRECTV, Time Warner Cable, Comcast and independent broadcast systems.

For those unfamiliar with JLTV, including us, it was launched in 2007 and delivers 24-hour Jewish-themed programming. According to Wikipedia, its spotlight on Israel and Jewish life is facilitated by broadcast studios in Los Angeles, New York City and Toronto, as well as bureaus in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Washington, D.C., Miami, London and Moscow. Members of its website, www.jltv, can access live and on-demand programming; watch unique local, national and international news stories; and take part in one of the fastest growing online social networks.

“The Kansas City area is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the United States, dating back to 1839, 60 years before the settlement of Wyandotte changed its name to Kansas City,” said Brad Pomerance, JLTV’s senior vice president of news and programming.

“Given this rich history, America’s Chosen Network welcomes with open arms all Google Fiber subscribers interested in the culture, history, tradition and values of the Jewish people across America and around the world,” said Adam Blazer, chief operating officer for JLTV.

FEED THE HUNGRY — Sukkot inspired me, along with one of our congregation’s e-newletters, to remind people how important it is to contribute to one of the many food drives taking place right now. When I was a child we used to always bring cans to our temple during Sukkot. Then I taught my children to give to the hungry during the High Holy Days. If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to go shopping, unfortunately these food pantries need donations all through the year. If you are unsure what to purchase, here are some suggestions: tuna, beans, pasta, peanut butter, cereal, juice. There are barrels located outside of Jewish Family Services office at the Jewish Community Campus. Most congregations have barrels somewhere on their premises as well. Or you can deliver kosher food to Yachad-The Kosher Food Pantry, located at Chabad, 6201 Indian Creek Parkway in Overland Park.

NICHOLAS SPARKS’ FIRST JEWISH LOVE STORY — I was a little surprised when I was offered a review copy for “The Longest Ride,” the new novel from the hyper-prolific author Nicholas Sparks. After all only Jewish-themed books generally come across my desk. Then I found out it definitely has a Jewish theme!

Sparks will be in Kansas City Thursday, Oct. 10, for an event sponsored by Rainy Day Books. It takes place at 7 p.m. at Unity Temple on the Plaza. He will discuss his life and this newest book. A Meet & Greet with readers and fans will follow the discussion. To learn how to purchase tickets, which come with a copy of the book, call 913-384-3126.

In an interview earlier this month with The Forward, Sparks said one of the main characters, Ira Levinson, a 91-year-old Southern Jew, is based on the Jewish man that Sparks’ grandmother dated after her divorce.

“They went to Israel together, they had lunch together,” Sparks recalls. “We didn’t have a lot of money, so we’d vacation in San Diego and stay at Grandma’s house. I became very close to him. He was almost like a grandfather to me.”

I haven’t read it yet, I’ll let you know later what I think about it.

Three expressions come to mind about Jews who set out to do good things in the world — tzedakah (charity), gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Sometimes these acts are done separately and other times they are combined. Several members of the Jewish community find that they can do a little of all three by devoting their time, efforts and funds to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City.

Three Jewish men — Dr. Brad Warady, Scott Zigler and Mark Searles — are involved in the capital campaign to build a third Ronald McDonald house in Kansas City. RMHC-KC expects to open a 20-bedroom house in the fall of 2014 to keep its families closer to their sick children.

The Ronald McDonald House provides a “home away from home” for families who don’t live close to the hospital. Searles said because of Ronald McDonald House, people don’t have to worry about their next meals or even if they have a place to sleep other than their child’s hospital room.

“Here they are in a comfortable environment with other people and that helps the child and the family. If they want somebody they can just talk to, that is here for them. It’s really helping to reduce the burden for somebody that may be here for a week or may be here for a month or three months,” Searles continued.

On any given night, RMHC-KC serves 67 families. Annually, it provides lodging to nearly 5,000 families and supports more than 46,000 visits from inpatients and their families at its Family Room space within Children’s Mercy Hospital.

In Zigler’s experience as a volunteer, he has found that the house provides a nice outlet for parents.

“When they are at the hospital they are only talking about medical issues,” said Zigler. With the volunteers, the residents can have conversations “completely unrelated to all their troubles,” which is nice for them.

Dr. Warady points out that the need for these homes continues to rise because medical advancements have made it possible to save children who couldn’t be saved years ago and now have significant medical issues.

“We have the smallest neonates that can be here for months. We have the kids that are getting dual organ transplants. … A lot of times they are in the hospital for days, weeks and months,” Dr. Warady said.

“It’s hard for the families to survive, the emotional strain is so great. So being here and having that outlet and some degree of normalcy makes a difference for the families. And if the families are emotionally strong that helps the kids get through the illness that they are dealing with,” said Dr. Warady, a nephrologist who is a member of Congregation Beth Torah.

Dr. Warady said the need for Ronald McDonald House continues to increase.

“The patient numbers and family numbers are increasing on a record basis at Children’s Mercy, so the Ronald McDonald House is required to try to keep up with the need and that requires more money to expand the facility,” said the doctor about the campaign, which has raised $3.6 million of the total $4.5 million needed for the new house.

Holly Buckendahl, CEO of RMHC-KC, notes that the new house will be located near 25th and Cherry streets within the same neighborhood as the two current Ronald McDonald Houses, which combined served more than 2,100 families in 2012. In the 32 years the charity has been in Kansas City, it has provided assistance to more than 225,000 families of sick children.

“Because of the growth and expansion of area hospitals, we’ve been at capacity at both houses with several pages of names on the waiting list. We get 93 percent of our referrals from Children’s Mercy and when they grow, we need to grow too, ” Buckendahl said.

Searles started volunteering for RMHC-KC years ago as a way to continue the good deeds of his late father, Milton Searles. The organization is so important to the Searles family that all three of his children — none of whom currently live in the Kansas City area — volunteer for Ronald McDonald houses across the country. The Tomorrow’s Hope Legacy Society planned giving wall located in the house at 2502 Cherry is dedicated in memory of Milton Searles.

“One of the reasons I’m involved with the Ronald McDonald House is the appreciation people have here for what you do for them. It’s never taken for granted,” said Searles, who serves on the organization’s board of directors, works on various fundraisers and has cooked and served meals to families staying at Ronald McDonald House. He is a member of Congregation Beth Shalom.

Milton Searles’ association with the RMHC-KC began simply by purchasing items on the wish list. He eventually took it upon himself to purchase the laundry detergent for the house, a tradition the Searles’ family continues today.

Zigler said because he is so fortunate to have two healthy daughters, he thought volunteering at Ronald McDonald House would be a good place to volunteer. A member of the board of the Red Shoe Society and someone who recruits corporate sponsors for the house, he thinks it’s a great place to show his children “how lucky we are.”

“We prepared dinner with some friends last month. My 5-year-old daughter and I work at the general store, which is a room where families can come and pick up an item — a toy, a game, some clothes — while they are staying here. My youngest daughter (18 months old) comes to events also,” said Zigler, who is a member of Beth Shalom.

Dr. Warady’s association with RMHC-KC began more than 25 years ago when he saw the need for the families to be taken care of. Over the years he has served in a variety of volunteer capacities including board president twice.

When Dr. Warady first became involved, he stayed overnight “taking care of families and talking to them as people, not as doctors.” Fifteen years ago he helped establish the hospital’s family room, sponsored by RMHC-KC, which provides a place for families to go when their kids are acutely ill in the hospital.

“We were the very first family room in the world at KU Med Center and the second one in the world was at Children’s Mercy and now there are about 150 worldwide,” explained Dr. Warady, who also noted Ronald McDonald House no longer has a presence at KU Med.

Through RMHC-KC, Dr. Warady also runs Camp Chimer, a summer camp for children on dialysis or who have had kidney transplants.

“We just started the relationship with Ronald McDonald House, which is very important to the stability and ongoing presence of the camp,” said Dr. Warady, whose daughter, Melanie Warady, serves as the development manager at RMHC-KC.

All three men hope members of the community will contribute to the fundraising campaign. In addition they point out that groups associated with various congregations and organizations also volunteer at Ronald McDonald Houses — including a group from The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah who will staff both houses during the Christmas holiday for the 26th time this year. They hope other groups or even a group of friends, will choose to volunteer at the houses.

“As Scott pointed out, volunteering at Ronald McDonald House is a great place for kids to see how lucky they are to be healthy and also in a good (financial) position where they don’t have to worry like some other kids do,” Searles said.

To learn more about volunteering or donating to the capital campaign, call 816-842-8321or visit www.rmhckc.org.

HIGH HOLIDAYS VIA SKYPE — When Rabbi Paul Silbersher, spiritual leader of Temple Sinai, needed to take an unscheduled trip to the emergency room on Rosh Hashanah morning, the congregation’s lay leaders had to lead the High Holy Day services. So Sam Matier suggested, “If you can’t bring the rabbi to the service, why not take the service to the rabbi.” He did just that, setting up a Skype hookup so the rabbi was able to see and interact with those who were attending the services, all while recuperating in the comfort of his own home. As Temple Sinai members say, hooray for technology!

I VOLUNTEERED, DID YOU? — The Jewish Arts Festival is a little more than two weeks away and the festival is in need of volunteers that will make this year’s event the best ever. I love this event and mentioned the need for volunteers in this column already, but VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED! There are several shifts to choose from that will fit into your schedule. Sandra Greason, volunteer chair for the festival says, “The Jewish Arts Festival has been extremely successful through the years due to the efforts of our great volunteers. We need ticket takers, help with set up and tear down and other jobs within the festival.” So, if you would like to help, get a chance to experience the festival and most of all, receive this year’s free T-shirt, please go online to jcckc.org/jaf and click on the volunteer link to sign up. Or, call Sandra Greason at 913-327-8042.

WARM UP AMERICA! — Congregation Beth Shalom Sisterhood’s Warm Up America! Project has donated more than 50 afghans in the last few years to JFS, SafeHome, Ronald McDonald Family Room and American Veterans. If you would like to be a part of this project, but you don’t know how to knit or crochet any of the 36 rectangles that are required for a completed afghan, you can underwrite this project by contributing $5 to cover the cost of yarn needed to make two rectangles. Send a check payable to Beth Shalom Sisterhood for the amount of rectangles you would like to sponsor. On the memo line of the check, note ‘for WUA Project.’ Mail to Carol Yarmo, 6212 W. 147th Street, Overland Park, KS 66223.

DIABETES DASH FOR LIFE 5K — Several of our Jewish friends at Panera Bread are working hard preparing for the very first Diabetes Dash for Life 5K, which is billed as encouraging everyone to lead a healthy lifestyle through healthy eating choices and regular exercise. All proceeds from the event, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 22, will be donated to JDRF to help improve lives and find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. The race takes place at the Panera Bread located at Town Center at 119th and Nall. It begins at 8:30 a.m.; registration opens at 7 a.m. with same-day registrations available. For more info visit diabetesdashforlife.com or call Brian Cole at 913-549-2962.

JOIN THE TORCH RELAY — Be a part of history by being a part of the upcoming Torch Relay! In just a few weeks, the JCC begins its 100-year anniversary celebration and it’s recruiting 100 runners for a once-in-a-lifetime-event!

The JCC is hosting a Torch Relay Run on Sunday, Oct. 6. There will be an 18-mile run, beginning at the River Market area where the JCC concept was born. The route will wind its way to the current JCC Campus.

Runners are still needed to complete the 10 teams that will run the relay. Each participant will run a “leg” of the course, not the entire 18 miles. The relay will culminate with a special torch-lighting ceremony at the Jewish Arts Festival at 11:30 a.m.

Even if you are not a runner, you can still be a part of this memorable event as a volunteer. If you are interested in participating or volunteering, contact Erika Aanestad, associate director of Fitness & Sports, at 913-327-4693 or .