Rabbi ‘profoundly embarrassed’ by book

Barbara Bayer recently wrote about a newly released book called “Am I a Jew?” by Theodore Ross. (Oct. 4)

In it, she properly criticized both Ross and me. In response, I wanted Chronicle readers to have an explanation from me about this matter.

Several years ago Ross contacted me to learn more about Classical Reform Judaism for a book he was writing. I was glad to help educate him. He came to Kansas City twice for interviews, once even staying at my home by my invitation.

At the time, I was in a frustrating relationship with the board of my former congregation, The New Reform Temple. I made the mistake of trusting Ross to be judicious when I expressed some of my frustrations about my situation in front of him. The account of my distress with NRT in his book has embarrassed me as well as the Kansas City Jewish community. I profoundly regret venting my frustrations to Ross and I regret his account of our conversations, which — as Barbara Bayer correctly noted — had almost nothing to do with Classical Reform Judaism. In fact, when I read the book, I was baffled by why Ross thought my relations with NRT had anything to do with the purpose of his book.

Ross made a number of factual errors and misquotes in his writing about me, but that’s really beside the point. I made the larger error of trusting him and expressing some personal feelings in front of him. I won’t make that mistake again.

My plan is to continue to work to build a wonderful congregation at Temple Israel of Greater Kansas City, which now has a chastened and somewhat wiser rabbi.

Rabbi Jacques Cukierkorn
www.templeisraelkc.org

Proud to serve Israel

First, please allow me the opportunity to tell you what a fine paper you run. The Jewish Chronicle has been keeping Kansas City’s Jewish community informed and current on local Jewish happenings and issues for almost a century.
I am writing you in response to the article, “Dynamic speakers, new leadership headline AIPAC Israel Action Forum,” from the Sept. 27 issue. I would like to correct some misinformation.

The article reads, “Former Kansas Citian Jason Barnett is an officer in the Israel Defense Force.” I am, in fact, a non-commissioned officer in the IDF. Another line began, “Master Sergeant Jason Barnett…”  In reality, I have attained the rank of first sergeant to this date. At the time the article was published I had still only made sergeant. I apologize if I seem a bit overly dedicated to correcting the details, however I was quite discouraged to see my ranking misprinted, as I have worked extremely hard to achieve all of my rankings from my first day as an enlisted man.

I encourage any writer on your staff to please consult me directly for a number of reasons, first and foremost security, before printing any information about myself or other Kansas Citians currently serving in the IDF.  I would also like to humbly offer my services to The Chronicle if you should have any questions concerning Israel or the IDF in the future. Let me work with you in providing useful and correct information about the IDF to Kansas City’s Jewish community.

As Kansas Citians serving in the IDF, we want nothing more than to make our families and community proud of the work we are doing. We appreciate to no end the sacrifices made by our families and friends as we pursue the enemies of Israel and the Jewish people overseas. Thank you for your continued support.

First Sergeant Jason Barnett
101st Airborne
Israel Defense Force