The Bushman Community Endowment program, begun in 2007 by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, is celebrating its successes. Read More »
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Kansas City Jewish Chronicle 
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Clergy changes continue at Beth Shalom
Since the fall of 2010, Congregation Beth Shalom, the city’s largest Conservative congregation with approximately 763 family units, has been making changes to strengthen its financial health. The latest change continues the restructuring of its clergy staff. Read More »
Jewish Community Center investing in families
“We are about building strong families.” That’s the motto Jacob Schreiber lives with as executive director of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City. Schreiber came to Kansas City in August 2009 when the JCC, and other Jewish agencies, were facing very difficult economic times. Read More »
B’nai Jehudah takes team approach to prayer, future
As Bob Dylan said, and Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff reminded the congregants of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah on Rosh Hashanah, “the times, they are a’changin.” “As a society there is no looking back, we are always looking forward,” Rabbi Nemitoff explained. Read More »
Jewish musician, composer filling integral role at B’nai Jehudah
As the son of a Reform cantor, Noah Aronson grew up around the synagogue and listening to his father sing. He loved music, but he never thought he would make Jewish music a career. That happened quite by accident. Read More »
Consignment shop specializes in high-end fashion
When it’s fashion week in New York, it’s also fashion week at Her Majesty’s Closet, a couture consignment shop for women owned and operated by Barb Bloch. Fashion Week kicks off Feb. 9 in both places. Her Majesty’s Closet will celebrate that night with a fashion show beginning at 6 p.m. featuring spring clothing and accessories. Read More »
Israeli emissary returns home
The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s Israel shlichah (emissary) has returned to Israel. Lilach Nissim, who arrived here in October of 2010, is experiencing health problems that prompted her decision to return to Israel. There she will continue to seek further medical treatment while having the support of her family nearby. Read More »
Purim Gala features Boston’s innovative federation exec
More than 20 years ago, Barry Shrage, president of Boston’s CJP (Combined Jewish Philanthropies — its Jewish federation) was one of the first to recognize the benefits of sending high school graduates and young adults to Israel. Read More »
Sunflower Fellow advocates for patients with MS
After spending the past 17 years of her career as an advocate for people living with serious health issues, Amy Goldstein recently was selected as a Sunflower Foundation Advocacy Fellow. She is one of 15 health care professionals chosen from across the state of Kansas to participate in the 2012 Fellowship program. Read More »
Stettner’s devotion to Jewish community recognized
Google Todd Stettner and you won’t find much. Yes, you can find statements attributed to him as executive vice president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. But you won’t find stories written about him. That’s because he does his job well, leading the way for others to take credit for his successes. Read More »
Israeli family travels the world to share their story
A pioneer is a person who is among the first to settle a region. The members of Zemach family are pioneers who live in Moshav Kadesh Barnea, a small village in Israel’s Negev Desert. They moved there 10 years ago from Rehovot. Read More »
Teen’s enthusiasm for USY ‘unrivaled’
For Emily Adler, the essential part of her involvement with United Synagogue Youth is giving others a place to belong. “I try my best to reach out at conventions and talk to as many kids as I can,” she said. Read More »
‘Heart and soul’ of KCJMCA retires without fanfare
When most people hit “retirement age,” they retire. Eileen Garry didn’t take that route. Instead she began working for what was then known as the Museum Without Walls. Almost exactly 20 years later, Garry quietly retired as executive director of The Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art late last year. Read More »
New marketing strategy clarifies Jewish Federation’s mission
Over the past couple of years, Jewish Federation officials discovered a troubling statistic: 50 percent of Jewish Federation donors don’t know what the organization does. If they did understand its mission, they often could not explain it succinctly. Read More »
Men return from Israel mission with new perspective on Israel, Jewish community
One way to describe the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s Shorashim I mission to Israel last October is by what it was not. It was not like any mission previously sponsored by the Jewish Federation. It did not include couples or families. Its brief, seven-day itinerary was not pre-determined before participants got involved. Read More »
Local travel writer brings her experiences to your doorstep
“Don’t Hug the Tour Guide!” by Natalie Jane Toubes; Xlibris Corp., 2011 Ever wonder what it would be like to visit Europe, China, England, Quebec, Israel, South America, South Africa? Natalie Jane Toubes can tell you because she’s been to all these places and more. Read More »
First Jewish baby runs in the family
The headlines are very similar, but appear 31 years apart. Gabriel Yehudah Goodbinder, born Jan. 2, became the first Jewish baby of 2012. He is the son of Jay and Darcy Goodbinder. Darcy was the first Jewish baby on Jan. 6, 1980, and was featured on the front page of the Jan. 11, 1980, edition of The Jewish Chronicle. Gabriel was born at 9: 45 p.m. Read More »
Mother of injured soldier faces economic troubles
Yevgeniy Shenker was 3 years old when he came to Kansas City with his parents from Russia in December 1990. Twenty years later, as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, he was severely injured serving his country in Afghanistan. On Jan. 24, 2011, Shenker lost his left leg in an accident involving an IED. Read More »
Expert panel helps parents overcome kindergarten qualms
Starting kindergarten is certainly one of the milestones in any child’s young life. It’s a milestone for parents as well, and one that often scares them. In an effort to make this transition a smooth one for both parents and children, a panel discussion will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. Read More »
Jewish entertainer Mandy Patinkin brings his talent back to KC
One thing is certain about Mandy Patinkin — his Jewishness is part of every role he portrays. “It’s who I am,” said Patinkin in a telephone interview from New York, where he is currently performing on Broadway with longtime friend Patti LuPone. Read More »
Couponing can be charitable, help own bottom line
Lisa Payne doesn’t see herself as an extreme couponer. But she does believe she knows quite a bit about being thrifty, and she’s sharing her expertise with anyone who wants to listen one Sunday morning a month at Congregation Beth Torah. On top of that, she will present “How to Stretch a Dollar,” at 11 a.m. two consecutive Sundays, Jan. 22 and Jan. Read More »
Local PJ Library seen as national model
When Jewish professionals gather in discussion of The PJ Library, a program that provides free, high-quality Jewish children’s literature and music to families across the continent on a monthly basis, the Kansas City version of The PJ Library is almost always mentioned as a model. Read More »
Jewish-American composers’ exhibit to be displayed at Beth Torah
For the first time ever, Congregation Beth Torah will play host to an American Library Association touring exhibit. “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs,” will be on display for six weeks from Wednesday, Jan. 11, through Thursday, Feb. 23, in the congregation’s foyer. Read More »
Theater League makes return engagement to KC
Notice anything different about Kansas City’s theater scene lately? Theater League is once again producing shows here.Blue Man Group headlined Theater League’s return to the area in mid-December. Its next big show is “An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin,” at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Jan 17-22. Read More »
Diet coach’s book provides healthy eating tips
When some people hear the word diet they think of pre-packaged meals and an absence of their favorite food. But that doesn’t have to be the case according to diet expert and Kansas City native Judy Belzer-Weitzman. Read More »
JCC’s old Resident Theatre’s history profiled in new book
The early 1930s marked a tremendous output for the growth of the arts and culture in Kansas City. In October 1933 the University of Kansas City opened. One month late, Karl Krueger and the Kansas City Philharmonic performed their first concert. Read More »
Overcoming challenges: Program helps blind, hearing impaired student gain independence
It’s becoming more and more popular for high school graduates to take a “gap” year before heading out to college. Most use it as a way to explore another part of the world or to spend time doing something they deem meaningful. Tyler Kavanaugh is taking a gap year, too. Read More »
JHF extends commitment to seniors another five years
The Jewish Heritage Foundation of Greater Kansas City has decided to continue its commitment to older adults, known as its Older Adult Grantmaking Program, for at least another five years, through 2017. The foundation plans to review this decision in three years. Read More »
Author compares Japanese, Jews during America’s growth
As a black Jew-by-choice, Jesse Newman knows all about different and diverse cultures. He has also always loved history. All the above led Newman to write “The Hated Outsiders: How Manifest Destiny Affected the Japanese and the Jews,” a book self-published this past summer through AuthorHouse. Read More »
Ceramic chanukiah wins art contest
The artistic skills and creativity of the children in the Jewish community continue to amaze the judges of the annual Chanukah Art Contest sponsored by The Chabad House Center and The Jewish Chronicle. This year more than 20 children submitted entries. The grand-prize winner of the contest, now in its 15th year, is Nina Kulikov. Read More »
Happy 90th birthday Rabbi Margolies!
If it’s Chanukah, it’s time for Rabbi Margolies to celebrate a birthday. He was born 90 years ago on Dec. 25, 1921, which was also the first day of Chanukah, in Jerusalem. So he celebrates his birthday on the Hebrew date, Kislev 25. Read More »
Jewish-themed orchestra debuts Jan. 1
Strike up the music — there’s a new performing arts group in town. The Kinnor Philharmonic, a new Jewish-themed symphony orchestra, will make its debut New Year’s Day with a 3 p.m. concert at Congregation Beth Torah. Read More »
Mother-daughter team fry latkes on TV show
In Jewish households, cooking often brings mothers and daughters together. That especially occurs at holiday time. So Bonnie Rabicoff, the host of “In the Kitchen with Bonnie,” decided to have her mother, Ida Mour, in the kitchen with her for her holiday show this year. “I learned to cook from my mother and she hers. Read More »
KC newcomer featured on kosher cooking blog
Yosef Silver enjoys food — eating it, preparing it and sharing it with others. He enjoys it so much that he recently started writing about it on his own blog. (A blog is defined as a website containing a writer’s experiences, observations, opinions, etc.) The blog’s focus is on kosher, local and affordable home-cooked meals. Read More »
Event on Christmas Eve popular among young Jewish adults
Bagel Bash, the party for young adults in their 20s to 40s held annually on Christmas Eve, has been around for nearly two decades. Once the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City took over planning the event several years ago, it became a springboard for more popular programming for young adults. “We want as many people as we can draw. Read More »
Local woman’s first novel debuts next week
Molly Shapiro’s first novel, “Point, Click, Love,” is being published Dec. 20. The novel is already available for pre-order on both Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble. She’s also been chosen as an emerging author by Target. Needless to say, she’s excited. “Target is going to carry the book in all of its stores. Read More »
HBHA senior wants to keep Jewish spirit alive
Young and old, the members of the Kansas City Jewish community are important to Shoshana Margolies. The 17-year-old senior at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy regularly tutors younger students at the school and helps leads kabbalat Shabbat services at Village Shalom. “I really like working with younger kids,” she said. Read More »
Chabad on Campus expands to MU
Rabbi Avremi Lapine may have grown up in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y., but he always had a soft spot in his heart for the Midwest. After all, his father, Dennis LaPine, grew up in Overland Park and his grandparents, Erwin and Janice LaPine, still live in the area. Read More »
Another KC rabbi has Chabad connections
Rabbi Yudell Reiz, the associate rabbi at Chabad of University City in San Diego for the past two years, also has ties to the Kansas City area. The 27-year-old rabbi grew up in Overland Park and attended the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy through sixth grade. “After that, I went away to yeshiva schools in Pittsburgh and graduated high school there. Read More »
Beth Shalom plans community activities for Christmas
It’s become a tradition for Jews to perform a mitzvah on Christmas Day as a way to help others observe the holiday with family and friends. For many years Congregation Beth Shalom arranged for a variety of places for its members to participate in tikkun olam that day. Read More »
Emigré gives back to Jewish Family Services
When Anna Feldman joined the staff of Jewish Family Services as an older adult case manager a year ago, it was like reconnecting with family. It was JFS that helped to resettle Feldman’s own family in 1992 when they arrived from Odessa, Ukraine. Now, Feldman is “paying it forward” by helping people within the Jewish community. Read More »
Jerry’s Café offers heaping helping of comfort food
Nestled back in a strip mall at the corner of State Line and 103rd Street sits an unassuming little place. Neighbor to Jaspers Italian Restaurant, this restaurant with mustard-yellow colored walls could be missed on a quick glance. Read More »
Maccabee Town Chanukah celebration promises to be bigger, better
More than 200 people filled the lobby and social hall of the Jewish Community Campus last year for the community’s Chanukah celebration. This year organizers hope at least 300 people will attend Return to Maccabee Town: A Community Chanukah Celebration! Sunday, Dec. 11. Read More »
Anti-terrorism expert to speak at Kansas City Israel Action Forum
Col. Richard Kemp, a retired British Army Officer and counter-terrorism specialist, has seen his share of combat. On Sunday, Dec. 4, he will share his unique perspective on the Israel Defense Forces’ ethical conduct on the battlefield as the keynote speaker at the fourth annual Kansas City Israel Action Forum. Read More »
Giving circle enables women to become involved in philanthropic decisions
More and more, women are taking an active role in deciding how their philanthropic dollars are spent. One way local Jewish women can do that is by joining the Circle of Chai. The Circle of Chai is a women’s giving circle established last year under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s Women’s Division. Read More »
Jewish Federation Next-Gen leader profile
Amy Shapiro’s answer to the question why she is so committed to the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City reveals a lot about what makes the Federation uniquely important, as well as what makes it hard to communicate its often behind-the-scenes role in making our Jewish community a great place to work and live. Read More »
Doog-Maot helps high school girls engage Jewishly
Cyndi Lauper sings a song about girls just wanting to have fun. That may be true for many, but not the girls who enroll in Doog-Maot, a program sponsored by CAJE’s Learning for Life initiative that just finished its inaugural session. These girls have fun, while at the same time confirming their Judaism and helping others. Read More »
Academy senior has lots of Jewish soul
Jacob Mehari is not the typical California-born American teen. This month’s Salute to Youth honoree may have been born in Sacramento, Calif., but his roots go all the way to Ethiopia. Although he spent his early years in the USA, he lived in Israel from the ages of 6 to 10. Read More »
Rumors about business, owner untrue
To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of Bagel Works’ demise are greatly exaggerated. In fact, they are completely false.Steve Ellenberg, owner of Bagel Works Bread Company, has been fighting rumors about his personal health and the state of his business for several months. Read More »
Philanthropist committed to justice and community service
The Sosland name is well-known throughout philanthropic circles in the area. So you would think that over the years Morton Sosland would have stood at a variety of podiums accepting awards on behalf of his or his family’s generosity. But, until now, he has graciously refused those requests. Sosland will be honored on Sunday, Nov. Read More »
Jewish author inspired by Abe Lincoln
In 1820, when young Sam Harding met a tall boy named Abe, a strong friendship grew from their shared love of learning and the outdoors. At the time, Harding didn’t expect that his friend would one day grow into the man that would be considered the greatest president of all time. Read More »
Local Vaad HaKashruth growing stronger
What a difference a couple of years can make. A little more than two years ago, the Vaad HaKashruth of Kansas City was a very small, staff-driven organization. Today, it is led by a board of directors — with support from every religious movement represented in the community — and is striving to become an integral part of the community. Read More »
‘Wicked’ and ‘Glee’ star flies into Kansas City for benefit
These days, Idina Menzel is “defying gravity,” bringing her powerful voice to Helzberg Hall of the Kaufmann Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday evening Nov. 12. Read More »
JES job coach helps woman land job
Nicole Abrahamson is happy to tell you all the reasons why you should become a member of the Jewish Community Center. As a member of the JCC’s membership team, it’s her job to sell the services of the agency — and she truly believes in what she is doing.“To work at the JCC was a longtime goal of mine,” said the single mother of two. Read More »
BIAV to host 25 Orthodox rabbis
What is a rabbi? Among other things, he/she is often a trusted leader and adviser. Congregants go to their rabbi in times of joy, troubles and sorrow. But where do rabbis go for advice? Luckily young Orthodox rabbis can turn to other members of an informal group affectionately known as the West Coast Rav. Read More »
There’s no place like home: Jewish business expert to speak at KU
KC native, KU graduate and Harvard professor Robert S. Kaplan can add his name to a prestigious list of political and business leaders — former Presidents George H.W. Read More »
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey host celebratory gala
Dancing, dining and celebrating the works of one of the most important figures in American dance will be on tap for the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey’s Gala 2011. KCFAA presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts from Wednesday, Nov. 16, through Saturday, Nov. 19. Read More »
MCHE’s chai anniversary: Agency continues to honor the past, protect the future
“To life! To life! L’chai-im!” On its chai anniversary, it seems appropriate that the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education will celebrate the life of an organization that was born because of the horrors of the Holocaust. MCHE was founded 18 years ago in 1993 by Holocaust survivors Isak Federman and Jack Mandelbaum. Read More »
‘We can all play together’ Three congregations rotate Tot Shabbat services
It’s music to a mother’s ear, especially if she’s a rabbi, too, when she hears her young child sing “Shema Yisrael …” That’s why Rabbi Vered Harris is happy about the resurgence of Tot Shabbat in the community. Read More »
Charity bike ride in Israel attracts friends from KC
Jimmy Rosenbloom has been to Israel at least a dozen times. The last two times he participated in The Arava Institute and Hazon Israel Ride. Eddie Meltzer enjoyed hearing about those bicycle rides so much that this year he asked Rosenbloom, his life-long friend, to join him on the ride that takes place from Nov. 8 to 15. Read More »
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