News

Hilary Cohen Singer joined Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) in 2010 and has been executive director since 2014. She has over 20 years’ experience in nonprofit leadership, program development and strategic planning. Prior to joining JVS, Singer was a planning executive at UJA-Federation of New York, working to support community-building efforts in the Russian Jewish Community. She was also assistant director of the New York Chapter of American Jewish Committee, developing programs on shared public policy concerns between the Jewish community and other ethnic and religious groups.

The White House’s announcement last week that Chanan Weissman, a career government staffer and former Jewish liaison under President Barack Obama, was chosen to become the White House liaison to the Jewish community was welcomed by members of the Jewish community who recalled working with him in the previous Democratic administration.

Sasone, a community-wide program that provides support for Jewish children with special needs, has named a new director. Lindsey Lipsky has taken over the role from Perry Hilvitz, who served in the position for 13 years.

Keeping kosher can be especially challenging for homebound elderly and disabled people. Since its founding in 2013, KC Kosher Meals on Wheels has been trying to make keeping kosher easier for these populations: The program delivers free kosher meals in the Kansas City area on both sides of the state line; most of its clients live at or below poverty level.

Living with new roommates, stressing over finals and deadlines, and feeling homesick have always been sources of stress for college students adjusting to life away from home.

One of the best experiences I had during our months of social isolation was enjoying the music of our Kansas City Symphony, which we have a close connection to here at Kol Ami. Alex Shapiro, the symphony’s vice president of development, with his husband, Ray Berger (Kol Ami board vice president), are members of our kehilah.  

Elul - the month leading up to the High Holy Days - is a time of self-reflection, forgiveness, and exploration. To make the most of this special time of year, The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah’s new senior rabbi, Rabbi Stephanie Kramer, is teaming up with the entire B’nai Jehudah staff for a month of learning, hands-on experiences and spiritual offerings.

Michael A. Taylor’s walk-off home run in extra innings wasn’t the only thing to celebrate at Kauffman Stadium the evening of July 28, 2021. The announced 13,626 fans in attendance were also treated to a celebration of Jewish Heritage, courtesy of Mensch on a Bench bobbleheads and participation from The J - Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City.

What says “holiday” better than a sweet challah? There are many in our community who face food insecurity and cannot afford challah, let alone the other traditional foods of the High Holidays.

A small ceremony was recently held at The J - Jewish Community Center to honor and thank the Polsky Family Supporting Foundation, the major donor toward the new splash pad project at The J’s outdoor pool.