Thanks for a job well done

This is to thank Betty Kalikow for all of her dedication and hard work that she gave to our Jewish community for so many years.

Betty catered many of our Jewish celebrations, weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Brises and even more fabulous meals. (Not only for the Jewish community, her calendar was always filled with caterings and she even authored a cookbook). Betty was one of the foremost caterers in Kansas City.

She did such a wonderful job at each and every one of these occasions, no matter how many people she had to cater for, nor how hard the event was, not even if she had multiple caterings on the same day. Betty raised three children at the same time she worked tirelessly all of those early years, and did many of her caterings with her loving husband Al by her side. (I don’t think he helped cook, but he did endless duties at the actual event!)

And, Betty got along with everyone, never letting someone else’s ill temper get the best of her. Betty always has a kind word to say, and the most wonderful attitude of anyone I’ve ever known.

Barbara Frager persuaded Betty to start a “real” lunch program for the Heritage Center around 15 to 20 years ago. The Heritage Center’s senior program could boast that they had a wonderful caterer to plan and implement their lunches Monday through Friday, and also the large luncheons that they put on for Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah parties, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day ( to name a few). These luncheons always drew in a big crowd of at least 150 people, and everyone had such a good time at these festive luncheons. Between Barbara Frager making all of the senior crowd feel so needed and wanted and comfortable at these luncheons in the social hall by her calming demeanor and her special way of relating to all, and Betty’s wonderful chicken luncheons, the senior community felt very special due to Barbara and Betty.

Betty recruited me to work with her at the Heritage Center, and I learned so much from her about how to deal with catering issues, and many other “people” related things. I felt very fortunate to be able to work alongside Betty for five years. Nothing could get Betty to lose her temper, she always had a kind word and smile for her friends and even for those she didn’t know well.

I know that the Heritage Center has lost a wonderful caterer, and the Jewish Community Center owes Betty its very best wishes and a million thank yous for doing such a wonderful job for the Jewish community for more than 50 years.

Have a good retirement, you deserve it, and all who know Betty know she has so much energy she’ll probably fill her time with her good friends playing cards and traveling to see her out of town children.

Thank you from our entire community ... we are so lucky to know you!

Liz and Rick Kaplan

Leawood, Kan.