STILL WAITING ON FIRST JEWISH BABY — As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, The Chronicle had not gotten word of a Jewish baby being born in the metro area.
The baby must be born within the five county area (Johnson and Douglas in Kansas and Jackson, Platt and Clay in Missouri), have at least one Jewish parent and the parents must be planning to raise the baby in the Jewish faith. (Complete official rules were published on page 13 of the 12-29-16 edition.) The baby’s parent/s need to consent to being interviewed and having the baby photographed for publication in the newspaper.
Here’s what you do if you think you have the first Jewish baby of 2017:
Contact Chronicle Editor Barbara Bayer at 913-951-8425 or . A winner may not be declared immediately and could take as long as 24 hours after the initial conversation with The Chronicle. We are looking forward to meeting the first Jewish baby of 2017!
MISSOURI INAUGURATES FIRST JEWISH GOVERNOR — On Monday Eric Greitens became Missouri’s first Jewish governor, saying in his speech: “I come as an outsider to do the people’s work.” As he discussed the “false promise that government can fix any problem and find every answer,” he said, “An administration can commit resources to serve those in need. But bureaucracy is the wrong place to look if you’re seeking compassion. Caring comes from individual people, inspired by the ancient ideal laid down in Isaiah: ‘If you tend to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.’ ”
I learned, with the help of my friend Rabbi Scott White, that this passage is from Isiah 58:7-8 and is read as part of the Yom Kippur morning Haftara.
In addition, Rabbi Jim Bennett of Congregation Shaare Emeth in St. Louis offered the closing benediction at the inauguration.
YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE — Congregation Ohev Sholom is involved in a program at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Jan. 12, called Yearning to Breathe Free, which is billed as “a safe place of solidarity, protection and commitment with and for our immigrant and refugee families in our bi-state area, our states and our nation.
In his weekly message to his congregation, Rabbi White promoted the program.
“Next week’s change of U.S. administrations comes with angst for individuals and families lacking permanent status in our country. They wonder: Is it possible to be pulled, without notice, from jobs or schools or even homes to be put in detention or even deported? This week, you can show your concern.”
It takes place at Overland Park Christian Church, 7600 W. 75th Street, and is sponsored by Metropolitan Organization for Racial and Economic Equity (MORE2), of which Ohev Sholom is a covenanting member.
Rabbi White invites the Jewish community “to join me at this event, which aims to establish channels of solidarity for protecting the human rights of immigrant and refugee families in our area. Local officials from various authorities — including police captains and elected civic and education leaders — will be on hand to show and declare their support.”
YODER SUPPORTS ISRAEL — Last week we told you that Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran was standing up for Israel when Congress reconvened. Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder did so as well, speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives last week, urging members of both parties in Congress to come together and send a strong message to the United Nations that America stands with Israel. Yoder joined a bipartisan majority of the House in voting to rebuke the U.N. over its anti-Israel resolution last month. House Resolution 11 — Objecting to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 as an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace — passed the House by a 342-80 vote. Yoder was an original co-sponsor of the measure.
Included in his remarks, “In 2016, there were more resolutions regarding Israel than there were regarding Syria, North Korea, Iran, South Sudan and Russia combined.
“That’s a simply unacceptable way to treat the only peaceful, democratic state in the region.”
PROJECT HEAT LAUNCHED — A number of individuals and families in the Jewish community are literally living without heat. These people often have low-paying jobs and by the time they are finished paying for rent and food, there is no money left for anything else — including the heating bill.
Yachad Food Pantry, under the directorship of Rabbi Zevi Wineberg, has established Project Heat to offer assistance to these people in need. Those needing assistance, or those who can make donations, should contact Rabbi Zevi at .
“The story is told of a rebbe who wished to solicit a donation for firewood for a widow (which is how people would heat their home), so he came to the house of a wealthy congregant and though it was bitter cold, he asked to speak to the man outside.
“The man, out of respect, obliged and when he heard about the plight he immediately assented; then the rebbe allowed himself to go into the cozy warm home.
“ ‘May I ask why you didn’t come inside and make the request at the start?’ ‘You see,’ replied the rebbe, ‘had I spoken to you inside, you couldn’t have understood.’
“So though it may be hard for most of us, thank G-d, to understand, picture the bitter cold we feel just walking to our cars, and know that many people are feeling that all day,” noted Rabbi Zev regarding the urgency of the situation.
YOU’RE SOMEBODY’S TYPE — Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and the Community Blood Center are coordinating a blood drive from 10 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, in the Social Hall at the Jewish Community Campus.
In addition to providing life-saving blood for local hospitals in the Kansas City Metro area, donors will also set a great example for HBHA students about the gift of giving. Community Blood Center needs 140,000 pints of blood each year (that’s 580 pints daily) to keep local hospitals supplied with blood.
This is the time of year when blood donations are low. Donate blood now. People can’t live without it! Register at esavealifenow.org; use sponsor code: HYMANBRND.
For more information, contact Campus Health Coordinator Elisa Haith at 913-327-8189.
GREAT BRA EXCHANGE IS BACK — For the past 13 years, clair de lune, the lingerie boutique, and Hope House Domestic Violence Shelters of Kansas City have been partnering through the Great Bra Exchange to collect all those gently used bras benefiting area women seeking refuge at the two Hope House locations.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” said Terry Levine, clair de lune owner and founder. “When I think of how many customers have donated thousands of bras that have helped so many women through Hope House, it leaves me almost speechless.”
For all the immeasurable benefits, it’s really a simple proposition: Beginning today and continuing through Sunday, Jan. 29, trade in a gently used bra at clair de lune and receive $15 off the purchase of a new bra. clair de lune then provides the bras to Hope House to make available to their clients.
“Sadly, the story hasn’t changed for the women who come to Hope House for sanctuary,” explained MaryAnne Metheny, Hope House CEO. “She often escapes her situation with her children, but without clothing except for what she’s wearing or other basic needs. We do our best to have clothing for her, including undergarments. That’s why our partnership with clair de lune and their customers is so meaningful and important.”
More than 22,000 gently used bras have been donated via the Great Bra Exchange since 2005.
“I have always appreciated the opportunity clair de lune provides me to help other women through The Great Bra Exchange,” shared Susan Mayer, a longtime customer. I may not think about donating a bra or two on my own, but knowing it’s part of a greater effort, all of a sudden my donation takes on more significance.”
clair de lune is located in Hawthorne Plaza at 119th and Roe in Overland Park. For information visit clairdelunekc.com or call 913-491-3232.
For more information about Hope House and its services to benefit victims of domestic abuse, visit www.hopehouse.net or call 816-461-4188.