Archived News

Rabbi Daniel Rockoff, who has been the spiritual leader for Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner (BIAV) since 2008, has accepted a position as Judaic studies principal/school rabbi at the Denver Academy of Torah (DAT). He will complete his official capacity with the congregation on June 30 and relocate with his family to Colorado in mid-August.

In an interview last week, Rabbi Rockoff said he had informed BIAV’s leadership in December 2018 that he planned to make a career shift. At that time the congregation decided to begin searching for a rabbi to take over for Rabbi Rockoff in the summer of 2020. It was further agreed that if Rabbi Rockoff found a very desirable new position sooner, he would pursue that opportunity.

On Monday, BIAV President Eva Lipner Sokol told The Chronicle the congregation had a meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening, after the paper goes to press, to vote on the new slate of officers and discuss the next phase for BIAV. Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg, director of Jewish career guidance and placement at Yeshiva University, was expected to help facilitate the discussion. He will be BIAV’s point person throughout the search process and is, Lipner said, “a true expert in the field.” Members were expected to discuss the nuts-and-bolts of the search process and begin to establish the community’s needs and the characteristics of a rabbi that will help lead the congregation forward.

Jonathan Bush is one of 12 University of Kansas students being honored for their community engagement, leadership and academics. The University Awards, among the most prestigious awards presented at KU, were established to recognize students who embody service excellence, dedication or whose academic achievements are stellar. The winners will be honored at an awards reception May 18.

Bush is one of two students being honored with the Class of 1913 Awards. These annual awards go to two graduating students who show evidence of intelligence, devotion to studies, personal character and promise of usefulness to society. The other award winner is Emily Boyd.

A KU senior from Leawood majoring in math, physics and astronomy, Bush’s experience at KU has been shaped by his leadership and involvement in KU Hillel and Delta Upsilon fraternity, by service as a teaching assistant in the Department of Math and by research experience with Professor Bozenna Pasik-Duncan in the mathematics subfield of stochastic control. This fall, Bush will begin working toward a doctorate in physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study extrasolar planets.

“KU has provided me a platform to explore the fundamental nature of our universe and has prepared me to take 

the next step toward becoming the scientist and teacher I dream of becoming,” Bush said. “Most importantly, I have garnered the tools to pass on a love for learning and the importance of the pursuit of knowledge to future generations. I am honored and humbled to represent my family, friends, teachers and advisers in accepting the Class of 1913 University Award.”

He is the son of Erica and David Bush and the grandson of Ann Tannenbaum, the late Lenny Tannenbaum, Kenneth Bush and the late Victoria Bush. Bush is a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.

Even before the Royals took the field for Scout Day at The K on April 28, Scout all-stars took center stage. Mike Rainen was one of four adult Eagle Scouts presented with the Ewing M. Kauffman Distinguished Eagle Scout Awards. The other business leaders honored with Rainen included Bob Bloss of Hallmark, Marc Elkins of Cerner and Hugh Libby of Libby Corporation.

Michael Rainen is a real estate developer with more than 20 years’ experience in multi-family apartments, condominium conversion and industrial properties in the Kansas City area. He founded Rainen Companies in 1992 and has overseen the development of many award-winning properties. Rainen earned his Eagle Scout Award in 1965 as a member of Troop 61.

The Heart of America Council established the Ewing M. Kauffman Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in cooperation with the Kauffman Foundation in 2010. The award recognizes adult Eagle Scouts who have excelled in their careers and have provided exemplary service to their community within the Heart of America Council territory. Ewing M. Kauffman earned his Eagle badge in 1932 as a member of Boy Scout Troop and Ship 100 at Faxon School in Kansas City, Missouri. Kauffman was active in Scouting throughout his life.

OHEV SHOLOM TO HONOR RABBI WHITE  — Rabbi Scott White will be retiring from his pulpit duties at Congregation Ohev Sholom at the end of July. The Conservative congregation is hosting a brunch on June 30 in honor of his retirement. He has served as the congregation’s spiritual leader for the past 14 years.

Both Rabbi White and his wife, Civia, have played an active role in the life of the congregation, and Ohev Sholom looks forward to their continued involvement with the congregation well into the future. Stay tuned for more information in a future issue of The Chronicle.

GOING THE DISTANCE FOR BRAIN INJURY RUN SET FOR MEMORIAL DAY  —  More than 21,000 individuals throughout Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area, including some in the Jewish community, are affected by a brain injury every year. On this Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, the annual Going the Distance for Brain Injury Run will call attention to those who live with brain injury.

Formerly the Amy Thompson Run, Going the Distance supports the Brain Injury Association of Kansas & Greater KC (BIAKS), the only nonprofit in the area serving individuals with brain injury. BIAKS provides prevention programming, referral and resource information, support group coordination and ongoing education for professionals working with people who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. 

On Memorial Day, the race will feature a 10K, a 5K, 1.5-mile Walk for Thought and Fun4Kids event. The 10K and 5K courses are chip timed with the 10K certified. Going the Distance for Brain Injury is part of the I Run KC Challenge, which offers 50K, 100K and 200K options. BIAKS encourages runners, walkers, wheelchair participants and families to join in the events including music, refreshments and vendor displays. 

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to raise awareness for the 2.8 million children and adults who sustain a traumatic brain injury each year,” said Robin Abramowitz, BIAKS executive director. “People with brain injuries want the same things we all want: to have a job, to have someone to love, to have a nice home, to have independence and to have fun in their lives. With this run, we are reminding people with brain injuries and their families that they are not alone, and they have a voice.” 

All events will start and finish at the Loose Park Pavilion at 51st Street and Wornall Road, rain or shine.

The 10K starts at 8 a.m. followed by the 5K and Walk for Thought. 

To register or volunteer, visit biarun.org.

Lauren Mattleman Hoopes, executive director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, gazed out over the sea of faces, smiled, and then waved.

“For those of you who have never heard of us before today … Hello!” she exclaimed to ripples of laughter. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

More than a thousand people had gathered to salute “The Power of One” at Nonprofit Connect’s 35th annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Hoopes accepted the Excellence in Impact Award on behalf of her agency, the first community foundation ever to earn it.

“Since 1959, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City has partnered with hundreds of dedicated individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations to make our Kansas City community a better place,” said Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, the event’s co-chair, before introducing Hoopes — who then introduced the crowd to the Foundation’s mission and impact.

Scott Shuchart, a native of the Kansas City Jewish community, was honored April 15 along with two others as co-recipients of the 2019 Prize for Truth-Telling.

In addition awards are also given in the categories of courage, book and documentary film and recognize those “who persevere in acts of truth-telling that protect the public interest, promote social justice, or illuminate a more just vision of society.”

According to the Ridenhour Foundation, “this year’s awards come at a time when truth-telling and fact-based journalism are under siege. The Ridenhour Prizes memorialize the spirit of fearless truth-telling that whistleblower and investigative journalist Ron Ridenhour reflected throughout his extraordinary life and career. Fifty years ago, Ridenhour exposed the horrific My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War to Congress and to the public. Today, the Ridenhour Prizes continue to honor his important legacy of speaking truth to power, to protect the public interest, promote social justice, and illuminate a more just vision of society.”

Ahoovim, a program for adults with special needs, was founded in 2009 by Nan Kanter and the Community Kollel of Kansas City. Big plans are in the offing now for Ahoovim: expanding to include more participants, becoming affiliated with Yachad of NCSY and conducting a large capital campaign.

While Ahoovim has provided monthly programs such as sukkah hops, bowling, miniature golf, Hanukkah games, Purim parties, a planetarium visit, barbecues, etc., for adults, volunteer Allan Gonsher said they want to expand the current population and possibly include a younger population.

He said there are special needs people of all ages in the community that are not getting involved and Ahoovim would like to provide Jewish content programming for them as well.

Gayle Levin has become a fashionable fixture at The Jewish Community Center. Whether leading strategy meetings with staff or getting her hands dirty setting up a cultural event, Levin has been involved with The J since 1988. Currently the chief operating officer, Levin will step away from all things “J” in Kansas City when she retires this fall and moves with her husband Ron to Scottsdale, Arizona.

Gayle began her adult connection with The J in 1988 when she and Ron were asked to co-chair the membership and marketing committee.

“That call set so many things in motion that I would never have anticipated,” Levin said. “That call led us to co-chairing the committee, followed by Ron going on the board and both of us co-chairing the first Jewish Arts Festival with two other couples.”

Levin joined The J’s board of directors in the 1990s and spent nine years on the board serving as various committee chairs and as an officer.

“That all laid the foundation of how I got to where I am today,” she said.

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah will toast Jeanne Adler, executive director, on the occasion of her retirement on Saturday, June 29. The evening will begin with a Havdalah service at 7:30 p.m., followed by a wine and dessert reception in the Social Hall at the Jewish Community Center, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park. Community friends and colleagues of Adler are invited to attend the celebration.

“During Jeanne’s tenure as our executive director, she has expertly and quietly navigated the administrative workings of our congregation masterfully,” said Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff. “In partnership, she has taught Torah in word and in deed to staff and volunteer leaders. She has treated each member of our community with compassion; and her sense of prayer has contributed to the spiritual growth of the congregation. We have been deeply blessed to have Jeanne as a part of B’nai Jehudah. As executive director, Jeanne has provided an invaluable service to our congregation.”

Adler has served as executive director of B’nai Jehudah for 13 years. Prior to joining the congregation, she served in the same capacity at Congregation Beth Torah. In addition, Adler has been actively involved in the National Association of Temple Administrators (NATA), serving on its board and chairing the organization’s Strategic Planning Task Force. She also co-chaired the Joint NATA-NAASE (National Association of American Synagogue Executives) Conference in 2007 and served as education co-chair of the organization’s National Conference in 2007.

During retirement, Adler said, “I plan to cook more and take classes to improve my cooking skills. I will spend more time traveling with (my husband) Dan, especially to Portland, Oregon, and Chicago to spend time with grandkids. Dan and I also plan to take road trips and see areas of the country where we haven’t been to before. We love good food; so, we will explore great food everywhere we travel.”

With suicide among young people rising at alarming rates here and around the country, Joy and Stewart Koesten of Leawood have launched a campaign to fund an Endowed Professorship in Developmental and Behavioral Health at Children’s Mercy Hospital supporting research into adolescent depression and suicide prevention.

“We are extremely grateful for the Koestens’ financial gift and their recognition of our mission to care and advocate for children,” said Jenea Oliver, the hospital’s vice president of philanthropy and chief development officer. “This endowed fund will help us fulfill that mission as it relates to teen depression and suicide.”