By Barbara Bayer
Contributing Writer
The pandemic has cancelled a lot of things in 2020, but not the annual Chanukah Art Contest. For the 24th year The Shul-Chabad of Leawood, along with the Jewish Community Center (The J) and The Chronicle will sponsor the contest for students in grades pre-K through eighth grade. The winning entries will be revealed on the first night of Chanukah in the Dec. 10 issue of The Chronicle.
These are tough times. Experts say between the lingering coronavirus pandemic and the toxic political environment, there has been an uptick in both anxiety and depression.
Despite these unusual times, K.I. Synagogue’s 44th Grand Givers, held on Sunday, Oct. 18, was a great success. Co-chairs Drs. Shari and Michael Sokol donned their creative hats and designed a “Grand Givers Like Never Before.” Grand Givers is Kehilath Israel’s largest fun and fund raiser of the year with entertainment, food and prizes.
Faced with an ongoing pandemic, and in possession of hundreds of beautiful Judaica pieces that speak to the history, culture and art that explains and defines Judaism across centuries and around the globe, The Michael Klein Collection at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah is expanding its offering of virtual tours. The tours, which are free of charge, are available both to the public and to private groups and focus on education through the stories that lie behind each piece in the collection.
When a student is far from home and their parents are miles away, who do they turn to when they’re sick? A parent could console them through the phone and tell them things will be alright. Watkins Health Center could help diagnose the issue and get the student some medicine. But only a dedicated Rabbi and Rebbetzin can be there to deliver the best cure: a steaming hot bowl of fresh matzah ball soup.
KU Hillel is excited to bring Rock Chalk Shabayit to living rooms across the country on Friday, Nov. 6. Their famous Rock Chalk Shabbat has adapted to its online format this year, hence the new name, combining Shabbat and “bayit,” which is Hebrew for home. Hundreds of alumni, parents, students and friends of KU Hillel plan on tuning in and opening their Shabboxes together to celebrate Jewish life at the University of Kansas.
WANTED — Great designs by metro area high school artists (grades nine-12) to capture the themes of SevenDays® Make a Ripple, Change the World!
We are living in difficult times filled with divisive conversations through this election season. Many are dealing with isolation, illness and loss of life due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
At Jewish Family Services, volunteers play a key role in helping its clients meet life’s challenges, including older adults. JFS is committed to providing its volunteers with numerous opportunities to help and the best training to do so.
Bold, vibrant and unique artwork, valued at more than $250,000, will grace the walls and hallways of The J’s new expansion and in the existing Fitness + Sports area. More than two-thirds of the pieces came from the personal art collection of philanthropist Michael Staenberg. The J purchased the remainder of the collection, designed specifically for the facility by Sara Jo Fischer, an art curator in Denver, who assists Staenberg. In total, there are more than 75 pieces of art.
