Opinions

“Camp Auschwitz” was among the slogans thugs displayed upon attacking the Capitol January 6. Concentration camps are the logical result of a fascistic insurrection. The slogan reminds me: my father, Reuben Berman, was a physician and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, which ordered him to investigate Dachau in May 1945. The report was classified; he kept a copy and gave it to the Minnesota Historical Society in 1995. I remember that he told me, “The bodies were stacked up like cordwood. Don’t tell me the Holocaust did not happen. I was there; I saw it.”

As The Chronicle was about to arrive in mailboxes last week, supporters of President Trump were storming the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., as Congress was certifying Joe Biden’s win in last year’s presidential election. As the aftereffects of the deadly Jan. 6 riot continued into this week, The Chronicle revisited some of the immediate responses from the local Jewish Community. The statements have been edited for length. 

If you are like millions of other people across the globe, you might’ve made traditional New Year’s resolutions. But most people only stick to their resolutions for a couple of weeks. 

Back when I began my rabbinate, I used a paper calendar. There was something special about opening it up at the beginning of the year. It was blank. Nothing was written. Anything was possible.

Always around this time of year, and on Rosh Hashanah, I contemplate on the past year and think about what I want to achieve in the upcoming one. Last year was different for me. I appreciated and gave thanks for what I have and started my day with Modeh Ani.

This week’s Torah portion is Shemois, which means “names,” as it recalls the names of the Jewish people. Specifically, it refers to the Twelve Jewish Tribes, Rueven till Binyamin, who entered into Israel.

Andrew Schlachter
Guest Columnist

An emotional post after a very important day (and really really r-e-a-l-l-y long year).

Honoring Ida Mour

Thank you for all the love and caring you have shown for my mother, Ida Mour. She taught for 65 years and I have received many calls and letters from students whose hearts she touched.

Rabbinical Association mourns Justice Ginsburg

The Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City mourns the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first Jewish woman to have been appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, over the Rosh Hashanah holiday.