By Sam Kricsfeld
Contributing Writer
The world seems to desperately need repair. As 2020 ends, many are reflecting on its awfulness. Widespread pain and suffering, combined with political upheaval and social justice issues, prompted Michael Crane to recall the term “Tikkun Olam” – Hebrew for “repairing of the world.”
After George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May, Alli Hearne found herself looking for a way to make a difference. Hearne, who grew up in Overland Park, and now lives in Plymouth, Minnesota, just outside of Minneapolis, visited the memorial site where Floyd died, which was “a very moving experience.”
By Mike Sherry
Editor
For those of us who live inside the Interstate 435 loop, the Mission Road/Tomahawk Creek Parkway corridor is a heavily travelled thoroughfare — serving as one route to The J and to synagogues in southern Johnson County.
By Helene Lotman
Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City
Ohr... Light...
During this festival of lights, Hanukkah, I became fascinated with the meaning of candles in Judaism and why light is such an important symbol in our tradition? We light candles for Shabbat, for Havdalah, prior to major Jewish holidays, on the yahrzeit of a close loved one, and of course, on Hanukkah.
Chabad of Greater Kansas City announces that Simcha Gifts for Chanukah 2020 expanded and distributed over 600 “holiday gift” packages this season. As more seniors are home bound due to the pandemic, Simcha Gifts responded and spread its wings across the width and breadth of the Greater Kansas City area.
Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City invites the Jewish community to its 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13.
Community conversion class members recently participated in a virtual class Hanukkah celebration. Those in attendance gathered for dinner and conversation that was followed by Havdalah, a group candle-lighting and a Hanukkah sing-along led by Linda Salvay.
This year will be remembered as one of the most difficult years ever. Between a worldwide coronavirus pandemic temporarily shutting down our community causing increased unemployment and economic uncertainty and racial injustice caused by violence and protest, more people in our community are hurting. There is one thing that is certain — Jewish Family Services has continued helping thousands making their lives a bit better through its many programs and services. JFS assists others regardless of faith, age, culture or lifestyle.
Just one act of kindness can start a ripple to change the world!
Entries are now being taken for the annual SevenDays® Make a Ripple, Change the World Scholarship competition, now under way in Kansas City as part of SevenDays® 2021, set for April 13-25. (Due to COVID-19, all SevenDays® events will be virtual.)
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (“The J”) is excited to offer virtual and in-person art classes, led by professional art instructors. The ceramics classes will be in The J’s new expanded art studio, located at the Jewish Community Campus in Overland Park, beginning in January. The in-person classes will ensure safety precautions, including limited participants and a face mask requirement.
