GRAND GIVERS DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF SAM GOULD —Many people in the Jewish community loved Sam Gould, and he was well known for his love of baseball, sports, the Jewish community in general and Kehilath Israel Synagogue in particular. I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Gould, who insisted I call him Sam, until a few years ago when K.I. celebrated its 100th anniversary. To honor Sam, K.I. announced last week that its Grand Givers event, the congregation’s major fundraiser of the year set for Nov. 14, will be dedicated in his memory. I am told that Sam always supported Grand Givers and bringing in well-known talent to K.I. He also led K.I. in many capacities, including as K.I. president in 1973 and 1979 and as an active K.I. board member for most of his life. The Lucy and Sam Gould Charitable Fund for Kehilath Israel is covering the cost of The Second City, which has produced premier comic talent for over 55 years. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes entertainment, prizes, appetizers, desserts, drinks, and more! For more information, see the story on Page 3 or contact Elizabeth Peden, K.I. executive director, at 913-624-1880, ext. 203.
SHABBAT CANDLELIGHTING FOR ISRAEL, OCT. 30 — I received this invitation Monday night, it’s being circulated by someone on the East Coast and shared with me by a member of our local Orthodox community. Here’s the post:
“We are all despairing about the situation in Israel. How great would it be if we could feel some hope and unity as we light Shabbat candles this evening? Even if you do not usually light them, won’t you please consider doing so this week in support of our brothers and sisters in Israel?”
According to chabadkc.org, candle lighting time here Friday, Oct, 30, is 6:02 p.m.
“Please start your candle lighting a few minutes earlier so you have time to add a prayer for Israel and for the healing of the following individuals who have been injured in terror attacks there in recent weeks: Odel bat Miriam, Natan ben Odel, Moshe ben Orli, Meir Yitzchak ben Sarah, Aharon Moshe Chaim ben Chaya Chana, Dvir ben Shoshana, Avraham ben Rut, Niv ben Yardena
Moshe ben Daisy, Meor Efraim ben Fortuna Daniela, Moshe ben Edgach, Liat bat Yael, Or-El bat Limor, Yosef Chaim ben Zahava, Neor Shilav ben Rut Elisheva, Yom Tov LIpa ben Roiza, Yair ben Roizina, Samuel Ono ben Antoni, Shoshana bat Lulu, Moshe ben Bracha, Maia bat Ilana, Ron ben Chana, Adiv ben Fortuna Mazel, Daniel Chaim ben Revital, Rafael ben Etel, David ben Shoshana, Alon Chaim ben Rita HaCohen, Yohnatan Amiram ben Miriam, Pesach ben Rachel Miriam Hadasah, Yarden ben Orli, Meital Dikala bat Ninette, Tahel bat Sigal, Noar Shalev Ben Rut.”
“Please also keep Marike Veldman in mind, she was stabbed and seriously wounded on the bus in Armon HaNetziv. She is an elderly Christian lady.”
MORE MITZVOT FOR ISRAEL — Chabad House of Kansas City urges all Jewish men, women and children to add a mitzvah for Israel. At times of darkness, our response must be to add light, said Blumah Wineberg. Only light has the power to dispel darkness. Right now we need a lot of light and since a mitzvah is spiritual light, its effect is not limited to physical space.
Some examples of a mitzvah to do are: women and girls light the Shabbat candles 18 (chai) minutes before sundown and place a coin in a charity box before lighting.
For men and boys Bar Mitzvah age and up, don the tefillin, phylacteries which our sages say have the power to hold off the enemy.
For additional protection at home and away, have your home mezuzot checked by a reliable scribe to make sure they are proper and kosher.
For children under Bar and Bat Mitzvah age, unite with Jewish children worldwide by getting a letter in a special Torah scroll being written in Jerusalem at kidstorah.org.
For assistance in any of the above or any other mitzvah, contact your local Chabad House. In Kansas City call 913 649 4852 or email .
ROYALS FEVER CONTINUES — After the Royals seized the American League pennant last week, their quest to take the crown continues this week when they face the New York Mets in the World Series. If you enjoy songs about our beloved Royals, you should check out this one, written and performed by Adam Karol of Adam Karol & The Hotness. Karol, the son of Rabbi Larry and Rhonda Karol currently of Las Cruces, New Mexico, grew up in Topeka and is a lifelong Royals fan like his father. He posted on his Facebook page that following the final victory against the Toronto Blue Jays his “joy could once again only be expressed through the wonder of song. That I’m parodying a track from Toronto native The Weeknd is fortuitous coincidence.” Find it by searching Adam Karol and the Hotness on Facebook. By the way, another twist … Karol currently lives in New York!
MICHAEL STERN ROOTS FOR THE ROYALS —Our friends at the Kansas City Symphony and Music Director Michael Stern have issued a challenge in support of our Royals. If we lose, Stern will end a classical concert with “New York, New York” and wear a Mets jersey. The Symphony also will cater a K.C. barbeque lunch to the New York Phil musicians. If Kansas City wins, the Symphony proposes the New York Phil perform “Everything’s Up To Date in Kansas City” with Music Director Alan Gilbert wearing a Royals jersey. Michael Stern requested a catered lunch for our musicians featuring authentic New York bagels, lox and cream cheese. Go Royals!
BARN PLAYERS PRESENT ‘THE PRODUCERS’ — Mel Brooks’ “hilarious stage musical comedy” opens Friday evening, Nov. 6, at The Barn Players. It features Jewish cast member Ray Zarr.
Mel Brooks penned the music and lyrics in “The Producers,” an absolutely hilarious stage play within a play; all about a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his nerdy young accountant who join together to devise a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in Broadway stage history; one that will close after the first performance and bilk their investors out of millions of dollars. What could go wrong?
“The Producers” won a record breaking 12 Tony Awards including “Best Musical” in the 2000-2001 Broadway theatre season with glorious dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy and great music. It’s an insanely funny musical adventure in true Mel Brooks style.
“The Producers” is the final production of the 2015 60th Anniversary season at the Barn Players, 6219 Martway in Mission Kansas; on stage Friday evenings Nov. 6, 13 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday evenings Nov. 7, 14 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees Nov. 8, 15 and 22 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are sold on the theatre website www.the barnplayers.org or at the theater box office the date of the performance – discounts for seniors and students; credit and debit cards accepted.