JEWISH ARTS FESTIVAL MORPHS INTO THE JEWISH CULTURE FEST — Remember where you were on a particular October Sunday in 1994? That was the year for the inaugural Jewish Arts Festival. Nine festivals later, on Sept. 10, 2017, the name will be changed to the Jewish Culture Fest.
The new event will keep all of your favorites about the previous Jewish Arts Festival, but will become even more “Jewish.” One of Kansas City’s most unique festivals, there will be more exciting experiences whether you are young or old, Jewish or not.
The Jewish Culture Fest planning committee is currently planning for the event, but want you to make sure to “save the date,” for Sept. 10, 2017, for the new Jewish Culture Fest.
The Jewish Culture Fest is brought to the community by The Jewish Community Center — The J.
CONDEMING INTOLERANCE AND HATE SPEECH — In a powerful statement issued by an array of Holocaust institutions, scholars and educators from around the world — and supported by the board of directors of the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education — an alarm is being sounded on the rise of groups that promote intolerance and hate speech. Over 90 institutions plus more than 70 individuals call on lawmakers to condemn white nationalist groups and ask citizens to be vigilant. Among those who personally signed the statement are MCHE Board President Joyce Hess and MCHE Executive Director Jean Zeldin.
The statement is as follows:
Recent months have seen a surge in unabashed racism and hate speech — including blatant anti-Semitism and attacks on Hispanics, Muslims, African-Americans, women, the LGBTQ community, as well as other targeted groups. Journalists have been threatened. Places of worship, schools and playgrounds have been defaced with Nazi symbols intended to intimidate and arouse fear. White supremacist groups have become self-congratulatory and emboldened.
As Holocaust scholars, educators and institutions, we are alarmed by these trends. History teaches us that intolerance, unchecked, leads to persecution and violence. We denounce racism and the politics of fear that fuels it. We stand in solidarity with all vulnerable groups. We take Elie Wiesel’s words to heart: “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation.”
Therefore, we call upon all elected officials as well as all civic and religious leaders to forcefully and explicitly condemn the rise in hate speech and any attacks on our democratic principles. We call upon all media and social media platforms to refuse to provide a stage for hate groups and thus normalize their agenda. And we call upon all people of good conscience to be vigilant, to not be afraid, and to speak out.
This statement is co-authored by members of the Association of Holocaust Organizations, a network dedicated to the advancement of Holocaust education, remembrance and research.
IS BLACK FRIDAY JEWISH? — Rabbi Craig Lewis of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Kansas City, and his wife Jennifer currently have custody of three non-Jewish foster children, and they have gradually introduced them to the differences in customs and holidays between their two faiths. However, last month one of the children asked a question that threw them for a loop: “Do Jews celebrate Black Friday?”
SHARING THE LIGHT — Chabad House Center is initiating a program for Hanukkah to ensure that Hanukkah lights are lit in every Jewish home. Locally they hope to distribute 1,000 menorah kits to unaffiliated Jewish households. This year Hanukkah begins immediately following Shabbat on Saturday night, Dec. 24. The menorah is lit following Havdallah, after 5:46 p.m.
Blumah Wineberg explains the Hanukkah lights represent the struggle of the few against the many, the success of good over evil and the knowledge that G-d performs miracles for our people in those times and now. She said adding a candle every night represents that we are increasing in goodness and kindness. She reminds us that Hanukkah candles are lit before Shabbos candles.
Wineberg said the goal of the Hanukkah Lights program is to increase the lights of the Hanukkah menorah, “which is known to bring positive energy and peace and blessings to all.”
“The campaign to light the Hanukkah menorah is more pressing this year as Hanukkah occurs during vacation season. As such these kits are easy to take along so that wherever one travels he/she can ‘light up.’ ”
The kits are offered free of charge and include a menorah, box of candles and a dreidel. Donations are accepted if someone chooses to do so. If you or someone you know needs a menorah kit, call Chabad House Center at 913-649-4852 or Blumah Wineberg at 913-940-1113.
Of course, the Neshei Chabad gift shop, as well as gift shops at the other congregations around town, have candles and other Hanukkah items for sale.
UGLY OR HORRIBLE? — If you don’t regularly check out Kveller.com, you should consider it. Kveller is a website for those who want to add a Jewish twist to their parenting and is affiliated with the same company that owns JTA. On Monday, this email appeared in my mailbox: “This ‘Gelt Digger’ Hanukkah Sweater is Horribly Offensive to Jewish Women.” Naturally I wanted to see what was offensive to Jewish women, so I clicked on the link. Indeed, I was offended and I posted it on my personal Facebook page where the comments mirrored my thoughts. This one, from the only man that commented, says it all: “Trashy! Big red flag for sure!” Want to see for yourself? Visit Kveller.com to read more.
RADIO HANUKKAH KICKS OFF DEC. 23 — SiriusXM will once again play Hanukkah music for the Festival of Lights. Unlike past years when it was on satellite radio, this year it will only be available on the internet. You can find what Sirius describes as an “extensive collection of Hanukkah-themed music, including contemporary, traditional and children’s selections as well as daily reflections and prayers related to the holiday,” beginning Friday, Dec. 23, at 4 p.m. local time. Radio Hanukkah will play until 2 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2. It’s available to subscribers only at http://www.siriusxm.com/radiohanukkahonline.
FREE GENETIC TESTING WEBINAR — Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of women and families facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer, will host a free national webinar, “BRCA Genetic Testing: Understanding the Physical, Emotional, and Financial Challenges,” from 7 to 8 p.m. CST Tuesday, Dec. 20.
The webinar features a presentation from Sharsheret’s Genetics Program Coordinator Peggy Cottrell, MS, CGC, and Director of Navigation and Support Services Shera Dubitsky, MEd, MA, about the impact of BRCA genetic testing. Cottrell and Dubitsky will explore the physical, emotional and financial considerations of expanded genetic testing including prophylactic surgery, reconstruction, fertility, emotional and insurance concerns. A live question and answer session will follow the presentations.
“New studies and emerging research recommend population wide BRCA genetic screening for Jews of Ashkenazi descent,” said Director of Support Programs Adina Fleischmann. “BRCA genetic testing has direct effects on the women and families of Sharsheret, who face critical choices in regard to the physical, emotional and financial challenges that go hand in hand with expanded genetic screening, and our experts are ready to address these concerns and offer guidance on the upcoming webinar.”
To register for the upcoming webinar and for log-on instructions, visit www.sharsheret.org or call toll-free 866-474-2774.
Sharsheret, Hebrew for “chain,” is a national not-for-profit organization supporting young women and their families, of all Jewish backgrounds, facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. It offers a community of support to women diagnosed with breast cancer or at increased genetic risk by fostering culturally-relevant individualized connections with networks of peers, health professionals and related resources.