Disagree with the board
This is an open letter to members of The New Reform Temple
As members of the board, we write to you in strong disagreement with the board’s decision not to renew Rabbi Jacques Cukierkorn’s contract. Rabbi Jacques has been an enormous asset to NRT. He is a warm and welcoming rabbi. He is a leader in our community, a published author of two popular books on Judaism and Jewish history, and he’s recognized both locally and internationally for his efforts to promote Jewish learning and practice. Rabbi Cukierkorn has served two terms as president of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City and is currently the vice president of the Society for Classical Reform Judaism.
Rabbi Jacques’ knowledge of Judaica and Judaism is encyclopedic, including a command of multiple languages. He enjoys teaching classes and wants to make Judaism more a part of our lives in whatever ways we see fit.
He is available to all congregants. He takes members on Jewish tours to Jewish places both near and far away. His sermons are filled with Jewish wit and wisdom. His stories speak to ordinary people in ways that make Judaism relevant to them.
Jacques is known for his tremendous openness to and love for the varieties of Judaism. He has created a remarkably welcoming community for all NRT congregants, including interracial families, converts and Jews who find their way back to Judaism. Because of his friendly and happy demeanor, our children love and identify with him. NRT’s membership has risen dramatically because of Rabbi Jacques.
We urge the board to set a congregational meeting for its members to be heard. Any member of the NRT congregation who wishes to voice an opinion about the rabbi’s contract or this letter is cordially invited to contact a member of this committee.
Drew Bergerson
Brandon Turner
Erin Margolin
Linda Walts
Diana Resnick
Unfair attack
The letter published in the Chronicle on Jan. 21, 2011, from Elizabeth Appelbaum seemed to suggest assignment of blame for the Tucson shootings to Tea Party supporters and hinted at likening that group to the rise of the Nazis in Germany. The letter reminded me of the disturbing behavior of the flagellants of the Middle Ages. That sorry group initially tore at themselves for causing the Bubonic Plague by not being adequately pious. In time, their focus turned on the Jews who became the targets of horrific massacres whenever and wherever the Black Plague emerged in 14th century Europe.
The philanthropic activities of David H. Koch have benefitted many Jewish New Yorkers through the years and that gentleman did not deserve to appear to be tied in any way to Loughner’s acts or to anything similar to that atrocity.
Watching for and condemning racism and anti-Semitism are the duty of all who remain eternally vigilant. However, in that process, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” by direct accusation or by circuitous suggestion. I would like to apologize to Mr. Koch and to anyone who may have been unfairly attacked by the aforementioned letter.
Leonard M. Moss, M.D.
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Juicy debates
I have to admit, I am an avid daily follower of all events relating to the State of Israel. My 4G phone buzzes me constantly with news feeds from the political extreme left all the way to the extreme right. If a reputable local group meets to exchange opinions on this subject, you can bet that I’ll try very hard to join it. For this reason, I’m enjoying tremendously Rabbi Scott White’s “Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict”.
In my opinion, this is an opportunity to increase my understanding of the challenges to peace in the Middle East. The original texts (compiled in a nicely bound book by The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School) are reference materials covering the period from the late 19th century through the early 21st century. The other participants, many of whom attended last year’s “Two Jews, Three Opinions,” have experience holding their spot during our heated discussions and juicy debates, and have shown to be worthy opponents or allies in the field of ideas. And Rabbi White, with his ample experience and deep knowledge on the subject, demonstrates an uncanny ability to steer the participants’ interaction through the weekly subject.
If you decide to check this course out, and whether you agree with some of my opinions or nix most of my comments, I can promise you that the debate will be of high caliber and inspiring. We meet every Friday at 10 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center. Please contact Jeff Goldenberg, at the JCC at (913) 327-4647, for more details.
Eduard de Garay
Overland Park
Searching for family
My name is Sheryl Moss Anctil and I'm looking for family in Kansas City. I lived in Wichita many years ago (1986) and contacted some of my father’s cousins in Kansas City. I can only remember one of the cousin’s names and I would like to get in contact with the family.
The cousin was Sonia Brown. Her father, Norman Moskovitch, lived with this family when he was in the military back in the 1940s. At the time I originally contacted these cousins, my name was Sherryl Moss Adler and I was affiliated with the Conservative synagogue in Wichita.
A cousin in Detroit and I are compiling a genealogical record and would love to get in touch with the Kansas City family. Contact me at .
Sherryl Moss Anctil
Baltimore, Md.
