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For 15-year-old Samantha Farb, caring for the environment is not just a personal conviction, it’s a public issue.

The Lecompton, Kan., resident sued Gov. Brownback’s administration, alleging that the state violates the public trust doctrine because it does not regulate C02 emissions. These emissions are considered by many scientists to be a chief cause of global warming.

“We are suing Gov. Brownback because we think it is his responsibility to take care of the resources,” Samantha said.

Samantha is a freshman at Freestate High School in Lawrence. She is the daughter of Joe and JoAnn Farb and the granddaughter of Bernie and Judy Fremerman and the late Jack and Shirley Farb.

“I would really like to not only win but to create a huge awareness about our environment,” Samantha said.

She said environmental consciousness has always been a part of her life and a part of her faith.

“My family has always raised me to think about how can we help other people,” Samantha said.

Topeka attorney Robert Eye filed the lawsuit on behalf of Samantha in October in Shawnee County District Court.

The lawsuit is one of several filed throughout the country as part of a grassroots effort led by the non-profit Our Children’s Trust.

Julia Olson, executive director of Our Children’s Trust, said the initiative teaches youth who are passionate about the environment how to become activists for their cause.

“These kids are passionate climate activist. They really care about what is happening in the atmosphere,” Olson said. “We are trying to get their voice heard.”

Olson said there are currently 10 active lawsuits throughout the country filed by Our Children’s Trust participants.

The state’s attorney Steve Fabert filed a motion to dismiss the case.

Eye said he hopes that the judge allows for oral arguments before making a decision on whether the case should be dismissed.

“This really is about doing unto others about what we would have them do to us,” Eye said. “We have an obligation to future generations to leave the Earth certainly as good as we found it.”

Eye said the basis of Samantha’s lawsuit is that the air belongs to the public and based on the public trust doctrine the government has an obligation to protect that public resource.

Courts have used the public trust doctrine to protect water resources, Eye said.

“It has never been applied to protecting atmospheric resources,” Eye said. “If water can be protected by the public trust doctrine it is hard to see that the atmosphere wouldn’t be treated the same.”

If the Shawnee District Court judge rules that the atmosphere is part of the public trust the judge can also require the state to take action to protect the atmosphere.

Samantha said she hopes the judge rules for such action.

In the meantime, Samantha encourages everyone to take steps to reduce their carbon footprints.

“There are lots of things you can do,” Samantha said.

Samantha’s recommendations include eating a plant based diet, using less fossil fuel, and recycling as ways everyone can reduce their carbon footprint.

The B’nai Israel Cemetery in Eudora, Kan., owned and maintained by the Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation learned of the designation last month.

Loraine Lindenbaum, a member of LJCC and its cemetery committee, said the cemetery currently contains 42 graves, all Jewish. However the bylaws indicate that if one spouse is not Jewish he/she is allowed to be buried at B’nai Israel. A halachic area is set aside and there is water available on site for washing.
Lindenbaum notes there are several reasons this historical designation is important for the cemetery.

“It protects the property from encroachment as the surrounding land is developed,” Lindenbaum said. “The designation also signifies to our LJCC membership what a gem we have locally — it essentially puts us on the map as far as being the only Jewish cemetery in Kansas that reflects the participation of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe to the state of Kanas in the early 1860s with this important title.”

Lindenbaum said Ben Terwilliger of the Eudora Area Historical Society first suggested the congregation seek the historic designation for the cemetery. Once the congregation decided to proceed, it took approximately a year-and-a-half for the cemetery to be named to the historic register.

According to the Kansas State Historical Society, the cemetery was established in 1858 and is the only surviving property associated with the Jewish community in Eudora, which flourished briefly from 1857 to 1867 before moving to Lawrence. Jewish settlers were among the first Eudora residents. Of the 29 heads of families who arrived in Eudora in 1857, approximately seven were Jewish.

Many of Eudora’s early Jewish family names, such as Urbansky, Cohn and Katzenstein, grace the headstones of the B’nai Israel Cemetery. In 1868, the Jewish community in Lawrence organized as the Society of Beni Israel under the leadership of seven trustees and assumed responsibility of the cemetery. Burials continued at the cemetery until the late 1920s; the cemetery remained largely idle until it was reactivated in 1978.

Over time, the cemetery came to represent the Jewish community in Lawrence and Douglas County and remains today as a reflection of their collective history and religious and ethnic identity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was nominated for its local significance in the areas of early settlement social history.

Terwilliger notes that cemeteries are rarely added to the National Register of Historic Places. Kansas has nearly 1,300 sites and properties on the register and only eight are cemeteries.

“The fact that the B’nai Israel Cemetery is now on the National Register indicates that it is one of the most remarkable and unique cemeteries in the state of Kansas,” Terwilliger said.

David Katzman, a KU professor who is a member of LJCC and the cemetery committee, said for a long time, as a rural cemetery amidst farms, the cemetery retained a pastoral atmosphere. In research he presented as the designation was being sought, he wrote, “Today it is threatened by development as the surrounding farms give way to suburban development, the Eudora High School, and institutional structures.”

In recent years the LJCC has reacquired property it had originally owned, “thus restoring the cemetery to its original 2 acres, and has begun turning the grounds back to cemetery use,” Katzman added.

The words Beni Israel are written on the plaque affixed to the gate. Lindenbaum said many at the LJCC feel that Beni was either written in error or was the popular spelling of the time. Today the congregation refers to it as B’nai Israel.

Rabbi Yitzchak Feigenbaum’s resume reads like a Who’s Who of Jewish institutions: first mashgiach and educational director of Aish HaTorah, founder of Darchei Noam/Shapell College of Jewish Studies, author of “Understanding the Talmud.” On top of all that, the Israeli Foreign Ministry sent the rabbi and his wife to the former Soviet Union for a very dangerous mission in the 1970s — to organize clandestine classes in Hebrew and Judaism for refuseniks.

It’s no wonder that Kansas Citians Allan and Rini Gonsher were so intrigued. They heard Rabbi Feigenbaum a few years ago when he was visiting his son, Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum, a member of the Community Kollel of Kansas City, and his family.

“When Rabbi Feigenbaum spoke here, he was on fire!” said Allan Gonsher. “He challenged, motivated, and inspired me — and many others who heard him — to go beyond our current Jewish practices and beliefs.”

So the Gonshers are bringing Rabbi Feigenbaum back to K.C., at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Jewish Community Campus’ MAC Room, next to the White Theatre. The event is just $5 for brunch and open to the entire Jewish community.

“We’re fortunate to be hosting such an outstanding Torah scholar and unique personality,” added Rabbi Yehudah Sokoloff, head of the KC Kollel.

The lecture is in memory of Charles and Dorothy Gonsher (parents of Kansas Citians Phillip and Allan Gonsher and Geoffrey Gonsher of Phoenix), and Rini Gonsher’s father, Harvey, and brother William Egherman.

“My father was a lifelong Zionist and supporter of Jewish education, not only for his children and himself, but for the whole community,” Rini said. “He and my mother visited Israel for the first time after all three of his children spent considerable time there, studying, vacationing and becoming immersed in Jewish culture.”

She added, “My brother actively supported the University of Florida Hillel, loved classes and being involved in Jewish life. They would have loved to have heard the rabbi’s lecture, so we opened it up to all Jews, in their memory.”

Rabbi Feigenbaum, who will address “Jews: People of the (Face)Book: Maintaining a unique identity in a shrinking cosmopolitan world,” has been educating adolescents and young adults for more than 30 years. Born in Cleveland, he spent many years studying in Israel, and received his smicha from both HaGaon HaRav Beinush Finkel, z”tl, Rosh Yeshivas Mir, Yerushalayim, and Harav Chaim Yaakov Goldsvicht, z”tl, Rosh Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavne — where students combine Judaic studies and service in the Israel Defense Forces.

“Like the KC Kollel rabbis, Rabbi Feigenbaum transcends the ‘denominational divide’ to reach Jews of all different walks of life,” said Rabbi Sokoloff. “He speaks directly to the Jewish soul with a message for every Jew regardless of affiliation or age.”

About the rabbi’s previous visit, Allan added, “He spoke about substantive issues — how to do mitzvahs with greater kavanah (intent), what to learn from the Torah with more passion, and how to live as a Jew in a way that influences the world. It was more than Tikkun Olam, about which we frequently hear. It was exploring one’s Jewish insides to be a Kiddush HaShem (a sanctification of G-d’s name) in the world.”

In 1987, Rabbi Feigenbaum and his family moved to Toronto, where he taught at Yeshivat Or Chaim and Ulpanat Orot High Schools, lectured for Aish HaTorah and Ohr Sameyach, and was a senior lecturer at the prestigious Melton Centre for Jewish Studies. He also served as the scholar-in-residence and educational adviser for NCSY Shabbatonim across North America.

In September 2000, he became principal of Tiferes Bais Yaakov High School for Girls. Over the past two decades, he has lectured extensively in schools, synagogues and universities throughout North America, Israel and the former Soviet Union.

“What a fitting tribute to our parents, who moved to Phoenix with a dream, when there was little Yiddishkeit and a great deal of anti-Semitism,” Allan added, “to raise three boys to be honest, hardworking, Jewish men. My brothers and I all married Jewishly and are actively involved in perpetuating Judaism. This is a testimony to our parents. I would like to provide that same opportunity to inspire other Jews.”

In addition to the Sunday morning brunch, Rabbi Feigenbaum will also speak at Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner during Shabbos. For more information, contact Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum at 913-230-6448 or Rabbi Binyomin Davis at 913-481-5842, visit www.kckollel.org or the Kollel’s Facebook page at KollelKC.

In 2010, Beth Kaplan Liss decided to take her passion for philanthropy to a national level, and was selected to join the ranks of Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet. When Liss joined the group, she joined the ranks of 300 men and women, ages 30 to 45, all with impressive resumes and a strong desire to change the world for the better.

Three years later, Liss continues to pursue her passion to help others, and was recently selected from a number of candidates as the Cabinet’s education and leadership development vice co-chair for 2013-14, along with Daren Sukonick of Toronto.

Liss will lead the Cabinet Retreat, bringing her own experience in the education field to Cabinet members, teaching them about Jewish Federation’s work, and creating leadership development opportunities throughout the year.

“I have had so many incredible chances to learn and grow from my own time on Cabinet … it’s thrilling to be able to reach out to others and give them the tools and information they need to create their own meaningful experiences — in Cabinet, and in their own Jewish communities across the U.S. and Canada,” Liss said.

“National Young Leadership Cabinet is the premier leadership and philanthropic program within the Jewish Federation system. Cabinet members come from all over North America, and all share the same commitment to shaping a bright future for the Jewish people in North America, Israel and around the globe. It’s no surprise that Beth has been chosen as not only a Cabinet member, but also a leader within that group,” said Todd Stettner, executive vice president and CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.

“We’ve been so lucky to have Beth as an active Jewish Federation volunteer, locally as a board member, and nationally as a Cabinet member,” said Miriam Scharf, Jewish Federation president. “Her passion is contagious. We now have two other wonderful Kansas City women — Sarah Beren and Michelle Goldsmith — who are National Cabinet members as well, thanks, in part to Beth sharing her experiences with them.”

According to JFNA, Cabinet members and alumni are among today’s leaders in virtually every Jewish community in North America. What’s more, they are bringing back what they learn to serve as advocates and activists in their own communities.

Kansas City is no different. In addition to Liss’ position as a Jewish Federation board member, she sits on three sub-committees: marketing, engagement and leadership development, and Israel and overseas. She is a member of the Women’s Division Board, and is co-chair of the Women’s Division Lion of Judah division. She is also co-chair of Israel Together, a new Israel mission under development by Liss, co-chair Tracy Shafton, and a committee of six other women — all of whom attended JFNA’s Tribefest Conference together in 2012.

“Many current Jewish Federation leaders in Kansas City got their start as National Young Leadership Cabinet members. I encourage others in our community to learn more about it,” said Scharf.

“National Young Leadership Cabinet has had a profound impact on my life. In addition to helping me develop my own leadership path, it’s been a journey that builds deep and lifelong friendships. I now have friends all over North America who share my passion for Jewish life…they’re my chevre,” said Liss.

For more information about joining National Young Leadership Cabinet, please contact Vicky Kulikov, development associate, , 913-327-8112.

MORE2 RALLY AGAINST VIOLENCE — Two of our local rabbis, Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz of K.I. and Rabbi Doug Alpert of Kol Ami, took part in Monday’s rally against violence sponsored by MORE2 at Ilus Davis Park downtown. The organization planned it because “violence is killing our community.” Rav Shmuly explained that they “gathered together with the mayor as clergy of all faiths to unite against gun violence. It is crucial that Jewish leadership is at the forefront of speaking out against injustice and oppression. The Jewish tradition is unequivocal about the need to create safe societies that honor the human dignity of all people.”

MORE2 (pronounced more-squared) is committed to achieving racial and economic equity through grassroots organizing efforts that engage congregations in forging regional solutions to the most pressing problems of the metro Kansas City area. Ohev Sholom’s Susan Choucroun is the only person of the Jewish faith on the organization’s board of directors. Monday afternoon she said she was very gratified to see rabbis in attendance and taking action.

THE RABBI AND THE VATICAN — Rabbi Herbert Mandl had to postpone his trip to Rome to conduct research at the Vatican. The first part of the Mandls trip was to Israel to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of their oldest grandson. The day after the Bar Mitzvah, Barbara Mandl was injured in a fall and they returned to Kansas City for medical treatment. She is expected to make a full recovery and the rabbi hopes to reschedule the Vatican trip for early June. By then there will be a new pope and Rabbi Mandl is hoping to get an audience with him. “I now understand why I was told the outgoing pope was too ill to do audiences,” he said.

“HELLO MUDDAH, HELLO FADDUH” — I learned this week, courtesy of Jewniverse, that this summer marks the 50th anniversary of Allan Sherman’s greatest hit, “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh,” a song in the form of a letter from a kid at sleep-away camp to his doting parents. The catchy ditty climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard charts, and Sherman’s album, “My Son, The Folk Singer,” sold 1 million copies. If you like tidbits like this visit Jewniverse.com, which features extraordinary, inspirational, forgotten and just-plain-strange dispatches from Jewish culture, tradition and history. The daily newsletter is a project of MyJewishLearning.com.

Dr. Gershon Baskin, founder and board member of the Israel Palestine Center for Research and Information, will speak at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Whitfield Center at Avila University, 11901 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Mo. His topic will be “Peace in the Midst of Conflict.”

Baskin is widely credited as the person responsible for initiating the secret back channel between Israel and Hamas that successfully negotiated the 2011 release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, held by Hamas in Gaza from 2006 to 2011, and the prisoner exchange of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. He is expected to discuss the details of that prisoner exchange, as well as the importance of peace in the Middle East to the United States and the world; essentials of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement; and the impact of the Arab Spring in Egypt and Syria on prospects for Middle East peace.

The 56-year-old Baskin lives in Jerusalem and was born in Long Island, N.Y. He moved to Israel from the United States in the late 1970s and speaks Hebrew, English and Arabic. He worked with Jews and Arabs within Israel until the first intifada, when he began promoting dialogue and opportunities for cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. He is the founder of IPCRI, a jointly-run Israeli and Palestinian think tank that works with hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians in government and the private sector. IPCRI was first based in Jerusalem and in the late 1990s moved its offices to Bethlehem. Because of current travel restrictions, IPCRI has relocated to Tantur, near Jerusalem and next to the main Bethlehem checkpoint, in an effort to find an accessible and comfortable meeting place for Israelis and Palestinians.

Baskin initiated the founding of IPCRI in 1988 following 10 years of work in the field of Jewish-Arab relations within Israel working for Interns for Peace, the Ministry of Education and as executive director of the Institute for Education for Jewish-Arab Coexistence (established by the Israeli Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office).

Following last month’s election is Israel, Baskin proposes re-starting peace talks with the Palestinians in his blog published Jan. 28 on jpost.com.

“The people of Israel voted for a moderate government, not for a government that will refuse to negotiate with the Palestinians for another four years. The most extreme right-wing party did not cross the threshold and Netanyahu’s Likud party lost seats apparently because of its extreme right-wing representatives,” he wrote.

“The Israeli public is not as right-wing as many thought before the elections,” he continued.

During the premiership of the late Yitzhak Rabin, Baskin served as an adviser on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process to a secret team of intelligence officers established by Rabin. Baskin was a member of the Jerusalem Experts Committee established by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office during the Final Status Negotiations in 2000-2001.

Baskin holds a doctorate in International Affairs from the University of Greenwich. His dissertation was on “Sovereignty and Territory in the Future of Jerusalem,” parts of which were published as a book, “Jerusalem of Peace.” He is a member of the steering committee of the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum, a member of the Board of ALLMEP — the Alliance for Middle East Peace and a member of the editorial board of the Palestinian Israeli Journal. Baskin is also a member of the Israeli Council for Peace and Security.

The event is free; however donations of $10 to $20 are welcome. For more information or to pose a question to Baskin, contact Jim Fleming at 816-213-1885 or .

If you want to come as close as is feasibly possible to learning the truth about Thomas Jefferson and his relationship with the slave Sally Hemings, read Kansas City area author N.M. Ledgin’s book, “Sally of Monticello: Founding Mother.”

It has been a known fact for a while that Jefferson and Hemings had an ongoing relationship. The controversy among historians is whether Jefferson took advantage of this Monticello slave or if it was a mutual, loving relationship.

Ledgin makes the case in his historical novel, written from the point of view of Hemings herself, that it was a real love affair. Ledgin, who is 83 years old, has been interested in Jefferson since he was in high school. He has done extensive research, basing his premise on books; all of Jefferson’s diaries; Jefferson’s precise recordkeeping; and his collection of letters. Everyone named in Ledgin’s book was a real person.

He said he asked himself one question when reconstructing Sally Hemings: “What kind of woman would Thomas Jefferson have given 38 years of love and loyalty to?”

“The answer is full of negatives and positives. She couldn’t have been an ignorant slave. She was a slave technically, but she had to be somebody who was challenging enough for him to carry on a relationship that resulted in eight children and loyalty on his part, because I’ve checked his daily records through his entire life and have never found any reason to suspect him of cheating on her,” Ledgin said. “And as far as the emotion of love is concerned, that comes through very strongly on both sides — especially on hers.”

Ledgin said he sifted through every fact he could find about Hemings and put them in the context of Jefferson’s personality, his habits and his quirks, and was able to then construct what he considers not only to be a believable relationship, but a real love affair.

Paris

At the age of 14, Hemings accompanied Jefferson’s younger daughter to France, where Jefferson was Minister to France. Hemings was a free woman there because France did not recognize slavery, and she was well aware of that fact. When they were ready to return to Monticello two years later, Hemings was pregnant.

Ledgin says she made a deal with Jefferson that she would return to Monticello as a slave if he would free all of their children at the age of majority. He agreed and carried out his promise.

“I’m impressed with the fact that she would re-enter bondage voluntarily, although she could have walked away in Paris,” Ledgin said. “You know there has to be a strong emotion involved for a free woman to agree to go back into slavery.”

Ledgin said he was disappointed in some of the material he has read about Hemings, making her appear to be more of a victim than the assertive woman he thought she might be.

“I felt that historians had shortchanged her and that she needed to be represented in a way that was believable in the context of Jefferson’s stature, intelligence, bequests, etc.,” he said “I’m finding that historians often overlook simple human logic. They don’t reason out human behavior as well as they might and this is what I’ve tried to do in my book.”

Brother- and sister-in-law

Ledgin said there is another fact that many historians overlook. Hemings was Jefferson’s wife’s half-sister, both having been fathered by the same man, John Wayles. So she was Jefferson’s sister-in-law.

“This is what people have overlooked and the logical playing out of the relationship is what the historians have neglected to do. I felt there’s a gap to fill and I wanted to bring her to life,” Ledgin explained.

“When [Sally] got to Paris, I think she felt an obligation to take care of her brother-in-law, who desperately needed taking care of because here’s a man who was a widower. Bingo, along comes this amazing young lady, only 14 and he’s 30 years her senior, but in those days, so what,” Ledgin said.

He pointed out that it was common for women to get married at the age of 13 in Virginia.

“I’m quite sure that by the time she was 14, having known her special status at the house in Monticello, her mother ran the place, and being sent on this very special assignment to Paris, I’m sure she declared to herself, ‘Well, I’m family. I’m going to take care of this man.’ And she did.”

Asperger’s Syndrome

Ledgin is also the author of the 2000 book “Diagnosing Jefferson,” which poses the theory that Jefferson had Asperger’s Syndrome, a neurological condition on the high end of the autism continuum.

“The fact that he was a man who needed to be taken care of also fits the Asperger’s diagnosis,” Ledgin said. “Asperger’s people feel very comfortable with familiar settings and with family and [Sally] was family. …

“So Sally was in awe and I think she felt she had a role to play in this man’s life. It was partly because of his condition that I felt the relationship was quite a logical choice for both of them.”

Ledgin brings to vivid life the characters and a credible assumption that Jefferson and Hemings were indeed very much in love with each other.

“Anybody who vets this book to check any of Jefferson’s records to see could this really have happened will have to say, ‘Yeah, he reconstructed the dialogue between the two of them, but yes, this is what happened on that day or that week.’ And that to me was an important point to make.”

“Sally of Monticello” is available through amazon.com as a paperback and for Kindle e-readers.

Ledgin often speaks to various organizations, retirement homes, even in people’s homes, with tales about Jefferson and Sally Hemings. Anyone who would like to invite Ledgin to speak can reach him at or 913-897-3220.

“I’m looking forward to an energetic conversation about a very dynamic moment in the nation’s history. Just when gridlock seems worst, that is the moment when breakthroughs might come,” said Time Magazine’s David Von Drehle, referring to his Feb. 13 appearance at the Jewish Community Campus.

Von Drehle, an editor-at-large at Time, will discuss, “After the Inauguration: The Future of the United States.” His presentation will cover a variety of topics including the president’s re-election, a new Congress and “what should we look for in the years to come?” The event is presented by Avila University, Rockhurst University, University of Missouri-Kansas City and Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee. It is set for 7 p.m. at the Campus; there is no charge for the event, which is open to the public.

The journalist, who lives in Kansas City, Mo., covers national stories and politics, authors frequent cover stories, and has hit the campaign trail covering presidential candidates. He is the author of various books, including “Triangle: The Fire That Changed America” and the recently released “Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America’s Most Perilous Year.” His work has also appeared in “Deadlock: The Inside Story of America’s Closest Election.”

“I first became familiar with David’s work about nine years ago when the ‘Triangle’ book came out, which is a fantastic lesson in American and American Jewish history in the United States. I then followed him in the Washington Post, where his very eloquent and powerful writing, including obituaries, were magnificent and educational” said Marvin Szneler, JCRB|AJC Executive Director.

Von Drehle also wrote the cover story when President Obama was the TIME Person of the Year in 2008.

“I believe David’s presentation will be both very educational and enjoyable,” Szneler said.

H&R Block recently unveiled a living, interactive archive to celebrate almost 60 years of tax preparation and becoming the world’s largest tax preparation company. The company also cut the ribbon at the state-of-the-art office at its world headquarters in the heart of Kansas City’s Power & Light District.

“Almost 60 years ago, Henry and Richard Bloch did more than merely open a two-man operation to help people with their taxes. They launched an industry,” said Bill Cobb, CEO and president of H&R Block. “This wall symbolizes the hard work and dedication of the Bloch brothers, as well as thousands of associates to build this company into the world’s largest, most respected tax preparer.”

The wall showcases videos and pictures dating back to when Henry and Richard Bloch opened the first H&R Block office at 39th and Main streets. At the exhibit, the public can see artifacts and a 1972 commercial with Henry Winkler before he was on “Happy Days.” It is located in the lobby of H&R Block’s headquarters at 13th and Main streets, and viewing hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on regular business days.

In addition to the archive unveiling, H&R Block opened a state-of-the-art tax preparation office at its headquarters. This office boasts many high-tech features, including:

• iPad check-in for new and current clients

• Money Express, an easy-to-access 24-hour kiosk where card-carrying members can perform functions, such as paying bills, uploading cell phone minutes, and making check-to-card deposits

• An ultra-modern training facility, which can accommodate up to 40 people, that can serve as a virtual classroom where expert instructors deliver training electronically to tax professionals based anywhere throughout the country

• Block Live, which is an electronic station where tax professionals can service their clients anywhere in the world virtually

• Testing facility to pilot H&R Block innovations, delivery methods and new products.

“We are especially excited about the opening of this office because it continues to embrace the trailblazing spirit of H&R Block by launching the latest in tax preparation and financial services technology,” said Amy McAnarney, president of H&R Block retail client services.

COMMERCIAL FAVE — As the debate continued Monday about the best commercials in this year’s Super Bowl, my favorite was the one about the upcoming NFL draft. Deion Sanders is supposed to be the star, but many of us were watching to see if Corey Rittmaster would make the final cut and get air time. The K.C. native, real-life Chiefs’ fan and former member of Congregation Beth Torah, is the fan in the bar wearing Chiefs garb and was shown not once, not twice, but three times. If you missed the commercial the first time or want to see it again, check it out at http://youtu.be/_iw3hxTuK-c.

LITERARY TEENS — At least two teens from the Jewish community will be part of the Johnson County Library’s 10th  anniversary celebration of elementia, the Johnson County teen art and literature magazine. The celebration takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the Central Resource Library and will feature an introduction from young adult author Walter Dean Myers who wrote “Street Love.” Jewish teens featured in the 10th edition of elementia include Congregation Beth Torah member Anna Wolock and Rachel Franklin, a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.

A SUPER SUNDAY — The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s Super Sunday, under the direction of Neal Schwartz and Tracy Shafton and carried out by dozens of volunteers, was a super success. The Sunday calling session collected just shy of $120,000 in pledges. Another calling session Monday night brought the total to $135,818.

VILLAGE SHALOM FEATURED IN WEBINAR — Village Shalom has lots of great ideas. One of them — Village Shalom University — was featured in the recent “Great Ideas” webinar hosted by the Association of Jewish Aging Services for its member organizations across North America. AJAS serves nearly 100 Jewish-sponsored nursing homes, senior housing communities, service organizations and outreach programs, all of which had the opportunity to view the online seminar.

Village Shalom was one of eight senior-care organizations selected to offer a seven-minute-or-less glimpse at an innovative program they have successfully implemented. Akin to “speed dating,” the webinar gave viewers an opportunity to learn about new concepts that might be pertinent to their own elder-care environments.

Village Shalom’s “VSU” program is a weeklong, university-style educational opportunity taught by and for Village Shalom residents, staff, family members and other members of the community. First implemented in 2011, the novel approach to lifelong learning received the 2012 Excellence in Innovation Award from another senior-care association, LeadingAge Kansas.