KU Hillel students Raphi Schuster (from left), Haley Seldin, Sam Benenson, Zahava Davis and Mike Johnson enjoy dinner at the Moishe House in Sofia, Bulgaria, with the Moishe House young adult residents.

Near the end of World War II, the United States bombed Sofia, Bulgaria, in hopes it would break the Bulgarian alliance with the Nazi regime. But when a bomb fell into the third oldest synagogue in Europe, it failed to explode.

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Jews should take more words out of their vocabulary

In accord with Larry Haith’s correct position regarding the use of the term “Old Testament,” by Jews (Letters to the Editor, Feb. 11), there are other words that Jews should not utter.

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Jewish people should know better

I read something in the Jan. 14 edition of The Chronicle (“Poet attaches meaning, significance to events of everyday life”) that drives me crazy. It bothers me when Jewish people use the term “Old Testament” and that term was used in the article.

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Sophomores Ariel Silverman (left) and Mackenzie Haun (right) were two of 36 students who were members of the KU Birthright trip to Israel in January. They are pictured in Tel Aviv-Yafo.

To decide on a single way to describe my Birthright experience would be nearly impossible. Was it exciting? Yes. Eventful? Yes! Impactful and life-changing? Most definitely. Before my trip to Israel with KU Hillel, I had been once before when I was 12 years old. The difference between going on a family trip and going on a college trip is incredible, and I am grateful for the opportunities to have been both times. It’s difficult to say what my most favorite part of Birthright was, but there were a couple of instances that truly stood out.

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Insulting attack

When I created Rabbis for Romney prior to the 2012 election, I was attacked by 1,600 Rabbis for Obama. Liberal rabbis are doing so again following the article “Rabbi for Trump seeks ‘like’-minded Jews” published in this paper on Dec. 31, 2015. Such is the case of the letter written by Rabbi Alan Cohen (Jan. 4, 2016), in which he stated “the content is an embarrassment to the rabbinate.” He is entitled to his opinion, but that comment is personally insulting. This article was picked up by Jewish newspapers around the world, including Israel, because it is newsworthy.

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Shawn Edwards

There are more than 100 Jewish film festivals in the United States. Seen as a way to provide an authentic connection to Jewish heritage, the popularity of Jewish film festivals has grown in recent years. Now in its 17th year, The Kansas City Jewish Film Festival (KCJFF), put on by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, has also grown.

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“Jewish Slow Cooker Recipes” 

by Laura Frankel. 

(Agate Surrey, (c) 2015, 256 pages)

SAN DIEGO — Laura Frankel knows a thing or two about kosher food. As the former chef and founder of kosher fine-dining restaurants in Chicago and New York, and current executive chef at Wolfgang Puck Kosher Catering at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago, Frankel’s professional focus is on creating sophisticated kosher food, on par with anything non-kosher.

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