Kansas City Jewish Chronicle 2.25.2026

Federation, JFS launch interest-free loan program for those in financial need

By The Chronicle staff

Jewish Federation of Kansas City has partnered with Jewish Family Services to launch a new interest-free loan program designed to help those facing financial challenges in the Jewish community.

Jewish or Hebrew “free loan” programs have existed for many years in various Jewish communities across the country, and in order to learn from other communities, Jewish Federation joined the International Association of Jewish Free Loans (IAJFL) last fall and sent Chief Operating Officer Derek Gale to the association’s conference.

of these programs thanks to some outstanding sessions as well as some incredibly helpful professionals and volunteer leaders at the conference,” Gale said. “My big takeaway was that

ish clients of JFS who are residents of the Kansas City metro area. Qualifying purposes for loans can be paying down high-interest debt; covering unexpected or large medical or dental

“This program reflects one of our most important values — Jews helping other Jews with dignity and compassion — and I’m excited to see how it will help change lives for people in our community.”

will review loan applications with all identifying information removed. Once a loan is recommended, paperwork will be shared with the borrower and signed electronically, and loan repayments will be automatically withdrawn monthly from a borrower bank account.

-Jay Ingber, Federation board member

when done right, 98-99% of Jewish free loans are fully repaid, and that this is the case even loaning to people who most banks or other lenders would turn away.”

“I was able to understand both the impact and the details and finer points

Launching as a pilot program, the free loan initiative is now welcoming applications from existing adult Jew-

expenses; paying for health insurance; covering unexpected or large car repairs or purchases in order to work; moving expenses; property taxes; or funeral expenses for a family member. The maximum loan amount will be $7,500 during the pilot.

A newly-formed loan committee

According to the Greater Kansas City Jewish Community Study (the results of which were shared in 2022), 23% of households in the community could not or were barely making ends meet. This mirrors the roughly 20% nationally in the same situation. Jewish Federations of North America notes that one-fifth of the Jewish community has experienced or See page 15

Jewish actress Sarah Bernhardt subject of exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins

By Sam Kricsfeld Editor

Artwork featuring legendary Jewish actress Sarah Bernhardt will be on display at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in the exhibit “Mucha’s Muses: Sarah Bernhardt and the Spirit of Art Nouveau.” The pieces, all created by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha in the late 19th and early 20th century, often served as posters or advertisements for the French performer’s theatrical career.

Bernhardt, born Henriette-Rosine Bernard in 1844, played dozens of roles in more than 100 productions around the world. Before television and radio, her celebrity — launched and embellished by her acting skills and beauty — was enough to make her a household name in the late 1800s

and early 1900s.

Sharon Marcus, the author of “The Drama of Celebrity,” called Bernhardt the “first modern celebrity” in a Vox article and said “Bernhardt became a superstar by flaunting her agency — her intelligence, her ambition, her artistic vision, her independence — and by using that agency to cow journalists and wow the public.”

Local Jews had opportunities to see Bernhardt perform on five tours that stopped in Kansas City. According to The Kansas City Times, when she performed in “Camille” on Feb. 28, 1906, at the Convention Hall, a world record had been broken when “more than 6,500 persons gathered to witness the ‘Divine Sarah’ and more than $10,000 went into the box office.”

The Times quoted Bernhardt’s

manager as saying, “Kansas City has this night good reason to feel pride… Why, when Bernhardt played in Rio Janeiro to $5,400 I could hardly be-

lieve it, and here we come to what has been held a Western town and get $10,000.”

When Bernhardt and her troupe continued to their next tour stops in Texas, they performed in a massive tent, able to seat 5,000 people, that was made in Kansas City.

The exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins highlights the partnership between Bernhardt and artist Alphonse Mucha. One artwork, “Sarah Bernhardt as ‘La Samaritaine,’” from 1897, features a plethora of Stars of David surrounding Bernhardt, who stands in front of G-d’s name written in Hebrew. The text on the page, though written in French, is stylized to look like it is written with Hebrew letters.

“Sarah Bernhardt wasn’t just Mu-

community news

Purim Extravaganza celebration at The J on March 1

The Kansas City Jewish community is invited to celebrate Purim at The J for the fifth year in a row. Organizers announced the theme for this year’s event as “Purim Extravaganza,” celebrating the “extra” spirit of the holiday with “an emphasis on extra joy, extra fun, extra family and extra community.”

The Purim Extravaganza will be held at The J on Sunday, March 1, from 2 to 5 p.m. Early-bird registration is encouraged and ends Feb. 27. More information on pricing and registration can be found at purimkc.org.

“Last year’s Purim Carnival brought together more than 1,000 members of the Kansas City Jewish community,” said Molly Hess, director of Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J. “Families from across the metro gathered to celebrate Purim with games, costumes and community. This year, the tradition continues with a focus on bringing the community together through joy, laughter and engaging experiences

for all ages.”

The event will feature bounce houses, carnival games and a live show. Organizers are also bringing in a magician to create a playful, over-the-top atmosphere inspired by the characters and themes of Purim. All snacks will be kosher, including popcorn, cotton candy, hamantaschen and a variety of additional treats.

Parking will be available throughout the Jewish Community Campus grounds. Attendees may enter the

Peace of mind is pricele . v

Take a look inside Village Shalom to see our remarkable Long Term Care community. Private suites and the finest in comprehensive skilled nursing services give peace of mind to you and your loved ones. Learn more at VillageShalom.org or call Lori Carter, Admissions Coordinator, at 913-636-8888 to tour our welcoming senior living community. We look forward to showing you what peace of mind looks like. Welcome to The Village.

Purim Extravaganza through the main entrance of the Jewish Community Campus or through the entrance to The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre.

There will be two entry lines for attendees: one for those who pre-registered and paid online and a second line for walk-in registration. Entrance through The J’s fitness center will not be permitted, and attendees entering through that area will be redirected to The White Theatre entrance.

“Purim reminds us that joy itself is a sacred act,” said Rabbi Stephanie Kramer, senior rabbi of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. “In our

community-wide celebration, we embrace age-appropriate silliness not as a distraction from meaning, but as a pathway to it — inviting every generation to find themselves in the story. I am deeply grateful that our Purim celebration brings together the full breadth of our community, affiliated and unaffiliated alike, to laugh, to learn and to rejoice together in Jewish life.”

This year’s event is supported by community parents and grandparents who value creating opportunities for their children and grandchildren to celebrate Purim and Jewish life together. For more information or to help support the Purim carnival, those interested can contact Molly Hess, director of Jewish Experiences, at (913) 327-8035 or mollyh@thejkc.org.

Jewish advocate David Harris to speak to community

By The Chronicle staff

Jewish advocate David Harris will speak to the Kansas City community for the first time since 2024 in a series of events this coming March. The Jewish community will have four opportunities to hear from him between March 4 and 6.

Harris is the current executive vice chair for the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) and former CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which he led from 1990 to 2022. Harris was described by late Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres as “the foreign minister of the Jewish people.” He is the most decorated Jewish organizational leader in U.S. history.

This visit comes on the heels of the publication of his recent book, “Antisemitism: What Everyone Needs to

Know.”

“Tragically, [my book] is needed now more than ever in recent history. The book is both descriptive and prescriptive,” Harris told The Chronicle. “...My many meetings in the Kansas City area will use the book as a starting point for discussion. At the end of the day, though, in every session my goal is the same — to mobilize good people to take a stand, speak up, act. This is sure as heck no time for bystanders, business as usual or complacency.”

Harris last visited Kansas City in November 2024, speaking in front of approximately 300 people at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. For security purposes, The Chronicle is not publishing locations and times; those interested in hearing Harris speak can contact admin@kcrabbi. org for details.

Jewish Experiences offering kosher Passover meals

As Passover approaches, Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J, is offering kosher-for-Passover meal options for community members observing the holiday.

The kosher meals will be catered by Kim’s Kreations (Kim Matsil) under the supervision of Vaad HaKashruth of Kansas City. Orders must be placed by Friday, March 20, at 5 p.m. at thejkc.org/passovermeals.

Meals will be available for pickup Tuesday, March 31, from 2 to 6 p.m. in the social hall at The J, where community members are invited to connect while picking up their meals. Assistance to vehicles will be available upon request.

This year, options include full meals

or individual a la carte selections. Full meal options are available for one or two people and include a choice of roasted chicken quarter, sweet and sour beef meatballs or salmon, along

with carrot and raisin tzimmes, potato kugel and chocolate chip mandelbread.

A la carte items include additional protein options, multiple varieties of kugel, matzo ball soup, mock chopped liver, vegetarian entrees and a selection of Passover desserts. A complete list of available items can be found at thejkc.org/passovermeals.

More information is available by contacting Molly Hess, director of Jewish Experiences, at (913) 3278035.

This program is offered by Jewish Experiences and is funded in part by the Flo Harris Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City.

Congregation Beth Torah hosting ‘Welcoming the Stranger’ series

Congregation Beth Torah will host a lineup of speakers as part of its “Welcoming the Stranger – Immigration Justice: Jewish Values in Action” series from February to July. The series is open to all community members. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Due to the prevalence of immigration in national and local discourse, this speaker series was suggested to and approved by Beth Torah’s Social Justice Committee and Education Committee. The intent of the series is to couple Jewish theology and ethical teachings with what is happening currently regarding immigration, not to debate.

In addition to speakers, attendees of the series will have two opportunities

to witness a naturalization ceremony as well as a session of immigration court.

The series will progress as follows:

Feb. 27: Beth Torah Rabbi

Emeritus Mark Levin

Rabbi Levin will draw on Torah and rabbinic tradition, exploring why immigration is not a peripheral political issue but a core Jewish moral concern rooted in the collective story of displacement, vulnerability and responsibility.

Mar. 13: Jewish Vocational Service Executive Director

Hillary Singer

Singer will join Beth Torah during

Shabbat times (Overland Park): Candlelighting: 5:52 p.m. Havdalah: 6:50 p.m.

The following are the deadlines for articles, celebration announcements, Spotlight pictures, advertisements and editorials for upcoming Chronicle print issues. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Kricsfeld at samk@jewishkc.org. March 12 issue.....................................March 5 noon deadline March 26 issue...................................March 19 noon deadline To submit news to The Chronicle, go to kcjc.com/chronicle-submissions!

JCRB|AJC

to host conversation on Jewish resilience and persecution

the HIAS Annual Global Refugee Shabbat to speak about how JVS, one of the primary refugee settlement organizations in Kansas City, faces current challenges. She will speak on what welcome looks like beyond arrival, bearing witness to immigration courts and enforcement practices and how congregations can respond with presence, learning and action.

continued on next page

Sam Kricsfeld Editor and businessmanager

Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee (JCRB|AJC) will host a conversation with Giulietta Boukhobza, a Libyan Jew forced to flee her home country. “Stories That Must Be Told: A Conversation with Giulietta Boukhobza on Jewish Resilience and Escaping Persecution” will be held on Thursday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Location will be provided upon registration at tinyurl.com/5f3h8jsx.

Boukhobza's husband, David Harris, vice chair of global affairs at ISGAP and former CEO of AJC, will also be part of the discussion.

Boukhobza grew up in Libya and was forced to flee for her life. She will share with attendees the lessons she carries forward from her experiences and her message to the Jewish community in the wake of Oct. 7.

More information is available by emailing jcrbajc@jewishkc.org.

Stories That Must Be Told

Thursday, March 5, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Location provided upon registration

chronicle@jewishkc.org | (913)

| @kcjewishchronicle

Beth Torah hosting ‘Welcoming the Stranger’ series

continued from previous page

Mar. 18: Naturalization ceremony with Karen ArnoldBurger

Arnold-Burger will lead attendees to witness a naturalization ceremony at the Johnson County Community College. Federal District Judge Julie Robinson will preside.

Apr. 10: Asylum Seekers

Volunteer Attorney Kevin Hill

Hill will speak on the topic, “You Were Strangers in the Land of Egypt,” exploring the relation of Passover to immigration and asylum seeking. He will discuss the asylum process, legal barriers to freedom, prolonged detention and delayed due process.

Apr. 21: Immigration court

Attendees will be present for a session at an immigration court. Identification is required, and security checks will occur.

May 8: ACLU of Kansas

Executive Director Micah Kubic

Kubic will discuss “Law, Covenant and Human Dignity” ahead of Shavuot. This session will examine civil liberties and immigration enforcement, due process and constitutional protections, warrantless detention and erosion of legal norms.

May 27: Naturalization ceremony with Karen ArnoldBurger

Arnold-Burger will lead attendees to witness a naturalization ceremony at the Johnson County Community College. Federal District Judge Amy Mitchell will preside.

June 12: Suzanne Gladney of the Missouri Migrant Farm Worker Assistant Fund

Gladney will discuss “Rooted in the Land, Sustained by Workers” and the dignity of labor. This session will focus on the realities facing migrant farm workers, including sudden revocation of work authorization without warning, fear of warrantless detention, inability to safely travel or return once leaving and the impacts on food systems, rural communities and families.

June 22: Immigration court

Attendees will be present for a session at an immigration court. Identification is required, and security checks will occur.

community news

HBHA alumna Jill Zeldin Miller to moderate alumni panel at A Night of Mensches & Memories

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) has announced alumna Jill Zeldin Miller, Class of 1997, as the moderator of the alumni panel at the school’s spring celebration, A Night of Mensches & Memories, on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The event will honor the impact of HBHA education across generations.

Zeldin Miller brings nearly two decades of experience building, scaling and advising for nonprofits, startups and philanthropic ventures. Before founding JZM Impact Consulting, she held leadership roles at Jeremiah Program, LEAP | Pecaut Centre for Social Impact, Breakthrough Schools and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

“Zeldin Miller is recognized for translating bold vision into practical systems, aligning stakeholders around shared priorities, and creating clarity and momentum in moments of growth and complexity,” HBHA leadership said.

Zeldin Miller holds an M.B.A. with

honors from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University; a B.S. in engineering and a B.S. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania; and a Master of Education in educational leadership from The Broad Center. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband and three children and is active in her community as board chair of Mind Share Partners, a board member at Herzl Camp and a program committee member for the Ann Bancroft Foundation.

olam. That foundation has influenced my leadership, my career path, my relationship to Jewish life and how I now show up as a parent and community member.”

The panel, moderated by Zeldin Miller, includes Dr. Robyn Jacobs (‘80), Dan Cohen (‘99), Rabbi Sarit Horwitz (‘04) and Jacob Katz (‘16). Panelists will share how their HBHA experiences shaped their paths and continue to influence leadership, careers, Jewish identity and family life.

“My years at HBHA continue to shape who I am,” Zeldin Miller said. “HBHA was a place where I felt deeply known and supported by teachers, friends and a community that encouraged curiosity, growth, taking initiative and tikkun

The evening will offer an opportunity for community members to celebrate HBHA’s legacy and support its future. Those interested in attending can contact Cristina Cowan at ccowan@ hbha.edu to see if seats are still available.

A Night of Mensches & Memories

Sunday, March 1, 5 p.m. Fiorella’s Event Space, 9000 W. 137th St., Overland Park, KS 66221

JCF welcomes new trustees

The Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) recently added two new trustees to its Board of Trustees.

The first is Andrew Kaplan, an active member of the Jewish community who has served on the boards of numerous Jewish and general community nonprofits, chairing many of them. Kaplan is also one of the original founders of the Mitzvah Garden Kansas City and the Jewish Community Digital Archive. Now retired, he worked for Commerce Bank and Commerce Trust Company in various capacities throughout most of his professional career.

“As a long-term, committed user of the services of JCF, my primary goal is

July 17: Grandview Park

Presbyterian Church Pastor Rick Behrens

Pastor Behrens will share stories of inspiration and challenge from 30 years of multicultural/bilingual ministry in the Central Avenue neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas and discuss how people can welcome the stranger into their communal, familial, economic and institutional lives. More information is available by emailing office@beth-torah.org; additional programming details will be shared over the course of the series.

to continue to help provide an effective and efficient vehicle for funders to understand the needs of the community and move charitable funds to those organizations providing much-needed services,” he said.

“What I appreciate most about JCF is educating [my wife] Sheryl and me on the most effective ways to set up and structure our donor advised fund, as well as making sure we are aware of communal opportunities beyond those traditional organizations we currently support,” Kaplan said. “The performance of the funds has been stellar, allowing us to increase our grants as a result of the appreciation of our initial charitable investments.

Also, JCF pioneered partnering with Stan Bushman on legacy giving, which helped our family direct major gifts to those organizations that have the most meaning in our lives.”

The Foundation also welcomed Ora Reynolds to its board. A Chicago

native, Reynolds joined Hunt Midwest, a Kansas City–based privately held real estate development firm, in 1991 and has been the company’s president and CEO since 2010. She is involved with many local nonprofits and has served on the University of Kansas Advancement board and chaired the Starlight Theater board and the board of the Kansas City Area Development Council.

“JCF advocates on behalf of the Jewish community, creates partnerships with other Jewish and non-Jewish organizations and works to engage people in philanthropy regardless of where they are in their giving journey,” Reynolds said. “I want to be a champion for the organization’s mission, raise awareness of the JCF donor advised fund to engage new people in philanthropy and provide strategic advice based on my past professional and personal experiences.”

As part of the JCF Board of Trustees, Kaplan and Reynolds will represent JCF in the community, help guide its policies and decision-making and provide financial and administrative oversight of its assets.

More information about JCF and how it serves the community is available by contacting Josh Stein at (913) 327-8121 or jstein@jcfkc.org.

Mitzvah Garden KC kicks off 26th season of growth

By Alexis Greenberg Special to The Chronicle

Mitzvah Garden KC (MGKC) will be kicking off its 26th season with its opening day planting on Sunday, March 8.

The entire community is invited to volunteer throughout the season, March to November, on Sunday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. In the month of March, garden volunteers will be helping plant potatoes, broccoli, horseradish, dill, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, swiss chard, kale, collards and onions.

MGKC is a volunteer-supported nonprofit garden founded in 2000, with the goal of “growing community one plant at a time.” Located on land behind The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, MGKC has satellite locations at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Congregation Beth Shalom and Barstow Academy.

MGKC was founded with a mission to provide fresh and healthy food to those in need around Kansas City. One-hundred percent of food harvested is donated to local food pantries including Jewish Family Services, Renewed Hope Food Pantry and Blue Valley Schools Food Pantry.

Garden growth in the 2026 season

In 2025, the Mitzvah Garden grew and donated more than 11,500 pounds of produce, yielding nearly 68,000 servings of fruits and vegetables. Garden Coordinator Nick Smith has a plan to quadruple this output for the 26th season.

In order to achieve the goal, MGKC’s representatives said, they are going to need more volunteers than ever to aid in planting and harvesting. Their peak harvest season (June-October) requires at least 25-30 volunteers a week and four-to-six vehicles

for transportation.

“With four times the produce comes four times the work, four times the car loads to the food pantry,” Smith said. “That’s not even counting our orchard fruit production that we will harvest and distribute on top of our 40,000-lb. garden goal. Come do a real mitzvah.”

MGKC staff said that Sunday mornings at the garden are “a working social club.” Alongside volunteer work, the garden is intended to spark community building, conversation and relationships. Smith said the collaborative culture is exactly what makes the garden sustainable.

“Come to the Mitzvah Garden, hang out with good people, make friends and harvest enough food during peak season to serve 1,500 food-insecure

families each week. It’s such a simple, easy thing to do,” Smith said.

MGKC welcomes volunteers of all ages, faiths, cultures and backgrounds, from individuals to families, Girl Scouts and high school clubs.

“I love that this place means so much to so many different people and that it inspires so much joy while doing so much good,” Smith said. “A family celebrating a bat mitzvah could help us plant 1,200 individual fall crops, and one religious school visit could seed enough crops to provide a whopping 10 tons of cucumbers, melons and squashes.”

Those interested in more information about MGKC or joining its email list can email Ken Sonnenschein at kensonnenscheinmd@gmail.com.

Pre-Passover Service of Spiritual Renewal set for March 8

Jewish Family Services is offering its annual community-wide Pre-Passover Service of Spiritual Renewal on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m. at the social hall of Village Shalom (5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, KS 66209).

The JFS Jewish Chaplaincy program facilitates the Service of Spiritual Renewal.

Leading this year’s service will be Jewish Community Chaplain Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick; Lezlie Zucker, Director of Music and Worship Leader for Congregation Beth Torah; and Cantor Aaron Hayoun of Kehilath Israel Synagogue. Cantor Hayoun’s son Arthur Hayoun will also participate as a special guest. This service will include

readings, prayers and music focusing on reflection and renewal.

Those who would like to attend the service should RSVP by emailing their name and the number of people planning to attend with them to chaplaincy@jfskc.org.

The Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program at JFS works to connect

spiritually with Kansas City’s Jewish community. Spiritual services include pastoral care, education and training of volunteers as well as community collaboration in the realm of spiritual care.

More information is available by contacting chaplaincy@jfskc.org or (913) 327-8250.

B’nai B’rith Bowling Scores

The following bowlers achieved high scores in the Sunday Kansas City B’nai B’rith

500 Series:

Mark Newton 632 (205 215 212)

Adam Russo 620 (213 226 181)

Zachariah Archie 619 (225 208 186)

Hunter Thomas 594 (208 175 211)

Stuart Pollack 590 (194 212 184)

Nick Meyers 558 (220 182 156)

Amy Gilmore 556 (206 160 190)

Steve Baraban 547 (187 188 172)

Ryan Thomas 545 (198 167 180)

Steve Thomas 532 (179 182 171)

Morty Rock 525 (192 152 181)

Chris Eldredge 521 (151 181 189) Steve

This week in history

40 years ago

Find more community history at kcjc.com/archive.

Using The Chronicle’s archives and community submissions, here are some recipes for you to try out. Email samk@jewishkc.org with a recipe, and it might be published here!

“Ugly Cake”

Mrs. Blosson Zinn, 1974

Cake ingredients

• 2 ½ can fruit cocktail

• 1 ½ cups sugar

• 2 eggs

• 2 cups flour

• 2 tsp. baking soda

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• ½ cup nuts

Topping ingredients

• ¾ cup sugar

• 1 stick butter

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• ⅓ cup canned milk

Instructions

1. Set oven to 350 degrees

2. Drain 1 cup juice from fruit cocktail and remove all grapes, use for something else

3. Mix remaining cake ingredients

4. Pour into ungreased 9x13 pan

5. Sprinkle nuts and brown sugar

6. Bake for 30 minutes

7. Five minutes before the cake is done, cook together the topping ingredients and boil for 2-3 minutes

8. Pour topping over hot cake

Get yourself, your family and your friends subscriptions to The Chronicle!

Scan the QR code below or go to kcjc.com/subscribe for more information.

• Andrew Kaplan (pg. 4)

• David Harris (pg. 2)

• JCF fundholders (pg. 10)

• JFS counseling (pg. 9)

FREELOANPROGRAM SARAHBERNHARDT PURIMEXTRAVAGANZA DAVIDHARRIS GIULIETTABOUKHOBZA PASSOVERMEALS WELCOMINGTHESTRANGER JILLZELDINMILLER ANDREWKAPLAN ORAREYNOLDS MITZVAHGARDENKC SPIRITUALRENEWAL WELLFED FRIENDSOFSHEFFIELD GIVINGCIRCLE JFSCOUNSELING JCFFUNDHOLDERS TAMIRBEHAHARON

• Sarah Bernhardt (pg. 1)

• Spiritual renewal (pg. 5)

• Free loan program (pg. 1)

• Friends of Sheffield (pg. 9)

• Giulietta Boukhobza (pg. 3)

• Giving circle (pg. 9)

• Jill Zeldin Miller (pg. 4)

• Mitzvah Garden KC (pg. 5)

• Ora Reynolds (pg. 4)

• Passover meals (pg. 3)

• Purim Extravaganza (pg. 2)

• Tamir Ben-Aharon (pg. 8)

• “Welcoming the Stranger” (pg. 3)

• Well Fed (pg. 8)

AJewishCryptogram

Golden Trowel Awards

The 2026 Mitzvah Garden KC Golden Trowel Awardees were presented at the 26th annual Mitzvah Garden KC Tu B’Shvat Seder. Pictured (from left) are Cora and Anthony Allard, Lynn Schweig, Amanda Palan, Rishab Jampana, Ken Sonnenschein, Maria Landoni, Angela Welton, David Wexler, Stephanie Urbanchok and Nick and Trent Smith.

The J recently received the Hall of Honor Award from the Overland Park Chamber Economic Development Council. The award recognizes businesses that have made significant contributions to economic development and quality of life in Overland Park. Pictured (from left) are Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog, The J Board Chair Kurt Kavanaugh and Overland Park Senior Vice President of Economic Development Libbey Tucker.

Song Leaders

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy staff members and a student recently participated in Song Leader Boot Camp, an immersive, three-day conference held in St. Louis for Jewish educators, clergy and song

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy received its first-ever school-owned Torah on Feb. 18 with an afternoon of celebration. The Torah was donated by the Wasserman family. Pictured are HBHA student David Wasserman and teacher Rabbi Berel Sosover, who is also a scribe and completed the final words of the Torah during the celebration.

Above: Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy junior Eli Solomon recently addressed the Overland Park City Council as part of his AP U.S. Government civic engagement project. Eli advocated for protections aimed at reducing e-bike-related risks for children. He was accompanied by his teachers Dr. Eran Reem and R. Gina Renee.

Left: Jewish Federation’s Jewish Business Professionals (JBIZ) group recently hosted a networking breakfast at Security Bank. Pictured are (top left) Jason Kotlyarov and Seth Katz; and (left) Remi Weinberg, Barb Bloch and Robin Levine.

of Jewish Federation’s staff traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, for Jewish Federations of North America’s annual FedPro conference.

Federation’s Young Adults Division draws crowds at monthly dinner series

By Alexis Greenberg Special to The Chronicle

Jewish Federation’s Young Adults Division (YAD) recently launched Well Fed, a dinner series that aims to connect Jewish Kansas Citians ages 21-45. Attendees meet at different locations across the metro area each month to share a meal and make new friends.

Every event since the program’s launch last November has been filled to capacity. The largest Well Fed was in January, where 50 young adults gathered at Westport Flea Market.

Julia Osburn, Federation’s YAD engagement associate, hosts the events alongside YAD Community Connector Rabbi Rachel Rothstein.

“I think it’s popular because it really is for everyone within our demographics,” Osburn said. “It can serve everyone in different life stages. It’s great for people who are new to the community or people who are trying to get reconnected.”

One of the defining features of the dinner series is that it is free of charge. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, the program is fully funded for at least 12 months.

“To have this opportunity to provide consistent programming at no charge to our community is incredible,”

Osburn said. “We’ve removed a barrier of cost and [it has] allowed for people to get to know Jewish Kansas City and get to know each other in a public space, on common ground.”

Osburn said Well Fed has brought in fresh faces to YAD. People who have never attended a YAD event are attending Well Fed get-togethers because they’re looking for connection.

Osburn assigns seats at Well Fed based on common interests, age or what area of the city attendees are from. She’s seen firsthand how friendships have been formed through Well Fed.

“At the second Well Fed in December, I sat two girls together

that hadn’t met, and they really hit it off,” she said. “They have been hanging out almost weekly, going to museums and little outings and getting coffee together.”

Osburn said the people attending Well Fed have varied connections to the community. Attendees run the gamut from those who moved from another state and are new to the community to those who have lived in Kansas City their whole lives but are just beginning to get involved in

Jewish life.

“YAD for me is a community and friends,” she said. “What I love about it is that it can be for everyone, no matter if you are super outgoing or a little bit more of a wallflower. I’ve watched beautiful friendships and relationships flourish from just making the step to come to one event.”

YAD’s next Well Fed dinner is on March 8. More information and registration is available at jewishkansascity. org/events.

HBHA fifth grader organizes card game fundraiser

This winter break, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) fifth grader Tamir BenAharon organized a unique way of giving back at Victory Road card shop.

Ben-Aharon, 11, organized and led a card game camp for his friends and classmates, designing and building custom card decks for each participant. Participants were invited to contribute an optional $15 fee, and every camper chose to do so. In total, Ben-Aharon raised $100 to donate to Meals on Wheels. His parents, Roy and Ariella Ben-Aharon, matched the donation, bringing the total contribution to $200.

Tamir Ben-Aharon with a trading card at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.

their cards together and were encouraged to keep them for future gatherings.

Nearly every aspect of the event was planned and executed by Ben-Aharon himself. He created flyers, invited participants and structured the day’s activities. Adult involvement was limited to securing the venue at Victory Road, where campers were also able to observe larger tournaments taking place after their session concluded.

What began as a charity fundraiser quickly became an opportunity for community-building, centered around a shared passion for strategy games and friendly competition. Campers used Ben-Aharon’s decks to compete in matches, with finalists playing for a special “booster-pack” prize. At the end of the camp, participants opened

“Tamir’s creativity and leadership demonstrate that meaningful acts of chesed (kindness) can happen at any age,” said Rachel Kricsfeld, HBHA community engagement specialist and classroom aide. “By combining his personal interests with a commitment to giving back, he created an experience that brought peers together while supporting an organization that serves the local community. His initiative reflects a remarkable sense of responsibility, generosity and Jewish values in action.”

Friends of Sheffield Cemetery buy new gate, honor founder

Friends of Sheffield Cemetery purchased a new wrought-iron gate with decorative finials for the west side of Sheffield Cemetery. The project was organized by Judy Lanes, chair.

To honor Rickie Haith, the founder and first chair of Friends of Sheffield Cemetery from 2006 to 2023, two flower gardens were planted on each side of the front gate by the renovated Sheffield Chapel.

Spencer Schere, chair of Friends of Sheffield Cemetery, along with the executive committee and board of directors, expressed their gratitude for Haith’s dedication, leadership and commitment to raise the funds to restore the grounds and renovate the historic chapel.

Recently, two granite benches were gifted to beautify the cemetery’s brick patio for visiting or meditation. Barb Stras was the organizer for the patio. For information or to make a contribution to Friends of Sheffield to keep the cemetery in pristine condition, those interested can notify Schere at (913) 461-1610.

Seder plate

By Ellie Holsten

A whimsical take on a graphic portion of the Passover story is depicted in Sculpey clay on this Seder plate. Each of the Ten Plagues of Egypt is represented with a cartoonish clay sculpture, from blood and frogs to darkness and death of the firstborn. Small dishes hold each of the seder components.

This piece was a

Young philanthropists amplify impact through J-LEAD Giving Circle

This year, the Jewish Community Foundation’s J-LEAD program is celebrating its 20th year of impacting the Jewish community through collective grantmaking and volunteering. New members are invited to join J-LEAD (Jewish Leadership, Education, Action and Development), a giving circle for adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s. By pooling together resources and collectively making grant decisions, J-LEAD members are able to achieve a greater good than any one member could alone. Members may join for a $500 charitable contribution, and for a limited time, new members may join for only $250. Since the program began in 2005, J-LEAD has granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Jewish community.

by Becky Barnett and Abby Lane.

In addition to increasing the impact of their philanthropy, J-LEAD allows members to forge connections within the Jewish community. Through collective decision-making and volunteer and social activities, J-LEAD members engage with peers who share their passion for making a difference. The program also offers educational resources and opportunities for members to deepen their understanding of philanthropy,

finalist for the 1996 Phillip and Sylvia Spertus Judaica Prize, an American award for contemporary works of Jewish art. Its creator, Susan Fisher Weis, teaches art in a Jewish day school and describes her work as an attempt to incorporate Jewish history, Jewish customs, and artistic creativity.

More information about the Michael Klein Collection at the Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah can be found at kleincollection.org or by calling (913) 663-4050 to schedule a tour.

Jewish values and community needs. By educating and empowering members, J-LEAD works to equip them to make informed decisions about their charitable giving and become more effective philanthropists. J-LEAD also offers opportunities for leadership development and is a platform for networking and mentorship.

“Learning about the incredible agencies serving our Jewish community was one of the most meaningful parts of J-LEAD,” member Alissa Eisemann said. “It gave me a clear sense of where my time and support can make a difference beyond the program. And doing that alongside other young Jewish adults who care deeply about making an impact showed me how powerful we can be when we act together.”

The J-LEAD program is co-chaired

“Giving back has been a core value in my life since childhood — something my family instilled in me early on,” Barnett said. “As a social worker and former Jewish communal professional, I’m honored to co-chair J-LEAD in its 20th granting year and build upon its legacy of collective impact. I love that J-LEAD not only brings young adults together to meet real needs in our Jewish community, but also helps us teach our children the power of working together to make a difference."

“I’m honored and excited to cochair J-LEAD this year,” Lane said. “For me, J-LEAD has served as a pathway to a deeper investment and connection in the Jewish community. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about giving — both financially and with my time — alongside my peers, friends and family. As J-LEAD celebrates 20 years of collective giving, I’m excited to help build and sustain this legacy of investing in the incredible organizations in our community serving the Kansas City area.”

More information about J-LEAD is available at jcfkc.org/jlead or by contacting Suzanne Galblum Dicken at (913) 327-8286 or sdicken@jcfkc.org.

Openings available for JFS counseling, mental health support

The Jewish Family Services (JFS) Counseling Team currently has openings for new therapy clients.

Licensed clinicians are trained in trauma-informed care and take a whole-person approach that prioritizes safety, trust and understanding. Counseling services are available for individuals ages 5 and older, and everyone in the community is welcome regardless of faith, age, culture or identity.

JFS offers both in-person and virtual appointments to fit clients’ schedules and comfort. In-person sessions are available at JFS’s Brookside and The J office locations.

Counseling is provided on a feefor-service basis. JFS offers a sliding scale and confidential financial assistance to ensure support remains accessible to everyone.

For Jewish students attending the University of Kansas, there is mental health support from JFS in Lawrence. More information is available at (913) 327-8250 or info@jfskc.org.

community news

JCF fundholders visit performing arts institutions

The Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) hosted a day of site visits to three landmark local performing arts institutions on Feb. 13, together with JCF fundholder and Theater League founder Mark Edelman. The site visits were part of the Foundation’s Connecting Our Giving Community series, which brings together JCF fundholders for a variety of philanthropic education and engagement opportunities. During the site visits, participants have the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of organizations’ operations and see their missions in action.

The day began at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The group toured the building and learned about the vision and philanthropic leadership that brought the Center to life. The tour included backstage access where JCF fundholders got a look at the coordination of stage design, lighting and acoustics that go into each performance.

After lunch at Crown Center, the group visited The Coterie Theatre, a cornerstone of youth-focused performing arts in Kansas City. The Coterie’s leadership shared about the orga-

nization’s mission, which centers on engaging young audiences with high-quality productions that entertain, while also addressing meaningful themes relevant to children and teens.

The afternoon concluded at the Unicorn Theatre, a performance space known for producing bold, contemporary plays that challenge audiences and spark conversation. The group learned about Unicorn Theatre’s commitment to presenting new works and thought-provoking stories that explore complex social issues.

Mark Edelman for making these site visits possible. It reaffirmed how vital these entities are to our community.”

“As someone who has long loved and supported theater, the in-depth visits to the Kauffman Center, The Coterie and Unicorn Theatre gave me a deeper appreciation for the remarkable work happening in our city,” participant Alice Jacks Achtenberg said. “Seeing the care, creativity and commitment behind each production only strengthened my admiration for these organizations. I’m grateful to JCF and

“Getting a behind the scenes look at the Kauffman Center, The Coterie, and Unicorn Theatre moved me,” participant Ilana Silverstein said. “As a performing artist, I loved seeing the Jewish community rally around organizations inspiring creativity for all ages in Kansas City. I’m so grateful to JCF for making this special day possible. Experiences like this strengthen our connection to these institutions and remind us how the arts teach us about ourselves and the world around us.”

Attending site visits is one of many benefits of having a donor advised fund at JCF. Donor advised funds (DAFs) are personal charitable giving accounts that enable donors to support the Jewish and secular charities of their choice on their own timetable. DAFs may be established with $5,000 or more ($2,500 for those age 35 and younger) and are flexible, efficient and offer tax advantages, especially if donors contribute long-term appreciated stock.

Future site visits this year are planned for The J, Truman Library’s White House Decision Center, SAVE, Inc., JFS Brookside East, Kansas City Hospice House and Village Shalom. For more information about site visits or how the Jewish Community Foundation can help one achieve their philanthropic goals, those interested can contact Suzanne Galblum Dicken, director of philanthropy, at sdicken@ jcfkc.org or (913) 327-8286.

JCRB|AJC advocates for Jewish community at Missouri capitol

Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee (JCRB|AJC) recently joined Jewish leaders and advocates from across Missouri at the State Capitol for Missouri Jewish Advocacy Day, a coordinated effort to elevate the needs and concerns of Missouri’s Jewish community directly with lawmakers.

The event was co-sponsored by a broad coalition of Jewish organizations, including JCRB|AJC, ADL Heartland, AJC St. Louis, JCRC of St. Louis, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, NCJW St. Louis and the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. Together with these partnering agencies, a delegation of community members traveled from across the state to Jefferson City to participate in meetings with legislators and their key staff.

The central focus of the day was advocating for full funding of the Missouri Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Participants shared firsthand perspectives on the growing need for security resources

to protect houses of worship, day schools, community centers and other nonprofit institutions. These conversations were timely given the continued rise in hate-motivated threats and incidents targeting religious and minority communities.

Advocates emphasized that nonprofit security is not an abstract concern, but a pressing reality for communities across Missouri. By speaking directly with elected officials, attendees helped ensure that Jewish voices were heard clearly and collectively in the policymaking process.

JCRB|AJC Kansas City is planning a Kansas Advocacy Day in Topeka for early March and encourages community members to email jcrbajc@kansascity. org for more information.

commentary

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle staff, Jewish Federation of Kansas City, or the Kansas City Jewish community as a whole.

HBHA preparing for Jewish Heritage Trip

By Norah Pabst Chronicle intern

As the school year goes on and Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) quickly approaches March, the entire Upper School prepares for what will be one of the busiest and most exciting times of their high school careers: Upper School Trips.

A biennial tradition at HBHA, the Trip Year is one of the most work-heavy yet rewarding experiences for an Upper School student at the Academy. The anticipation of the trips at the start of the year is quickly subdued by the months of learning and preparation, and then quickly revived as March comes around the corner.

As the 9th and 10th graders prepare to embark on a week-long Civil Rights Trip in the South, the 11th and 12th graders get ready for their three-week journey across Europe and Israel — the Jewish Heritage Trip.

The Jewish Heritage Trip is one of the most renowned and celebrated experiences that a student at HBHA has the privilege of experiencing. The school made the decision when the trip first began years ago to share it with the entire community, opening the trip to any Jewish juniors or seniors in the Kansas City community that wish to go.

Though the trip is a welcome and open community endeavor, most of the real work of the trip happens privately in HBHA classrooms during mentoring sessions, classes and meetings throughout the year.

Preparing for the Jewish Heritage Trip is no small feat. It is very common for upperclassmen to feel like the learning is almost never-ending. However, the excitement ahead of the trip is enough to motivate us through the heavy workload. Talks of Jeep rides and Dead Sea swims in Israel, meaningful experiences across Bulgaria, Poland, and Germany, and the itinerary of the trip overall is enough to keep the excitement at a high.

The schedule of the trip is extensive and confusing even for those of us going on it, who have heard it several times. The trip begins on March 5, and we make our first stop in Sofia, Bulgaria, a stop completely sponsored by Jewish Federation of Kansas City. Our time there will be filled

with presentations, teaching and community service at Sofia’s Jewish community dayschool.

After Sofia, the education portion of the trip truly begins. We stop in Berlin first, and after a few days of museum/ landmark touring there, we head to Poland to visit several concentration camps.

On our itinerary for the trip, the concentration and death camps included are Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka and Majdanek. This bulk of our trip is emotionally heavy, and though it will be difficult for both students and teachers, it is arguably the most essential aspect of our time in Europe.

Once we complete this portion of our travels, we head to Israel. Undoubtedly, this is the most looked-forward-to part of the trip. The 10 days in Israel at the end of the trip are highly anticipated by both students and chaperones.

From the Dead Sea to Kineret boat rides, to shopping in the Machne Yehuda street market, the list of things all of us are looking forward to in Israel is endless. The experience of being in the Jewish homeland and learning not only about the Israel we know today, but also learning more about the rich and complicated history of Israel in years before, will be a major highlight of the trip.

As those of us upperclassmen look ahead to the trip, we expect weeks filled with education, rich Jewish experiences, bonding and fun among our classmates. The Jewish Heritage Trip is not something we take for granted, and everyone in both the 11-12th grades and the HBHA community are extremely grateful for the opportunity.

The big yellow button that transformed my family

By Bridey Stangler PJ Library

“I’mma take off my shirt!”

“Great!”

“My pants, too!”

“No, leave those on…”

It’s 6:40 a.m. and we’re rocking out to Fatboy Slim circa 1998. Our twoyear-old is running in circles in his pajamas (now sans-shirt) shouting “funk soul, bruva!” and our 11-yearold is groggily rubbing his eyes trying to make sense of the scene in the living room. The baby, who’s been up for two hours now, is flapping her arms like she’s going to fly away.

This is what we have become.

For Hanukkah 2025, my husband, face split in a grin, gave us a family gift.

“It’s super fun!” he said. “It’ll break the tension!” he said.

“It” is a giant yellow button emblazoned with the words “THIRTY SECOND DANCE PARTY,” and “the tension” is the clipped exhaustion that is the natural consequence of having three children.

I admit that I was not enthused. The 30-Second Dance Parties appear on lists titled “10 Ways to Become a Fun Mom,” along with themed movie nights and breakfast scavenger hunts. The 30-Second Dance Party renders images of a trim mother with fabulous hair singing into a wooden spoon while making fresh tomato sauce. Her children drop their pencils midmath-problem to do the Macarena.

30-Second Dance Parties seem too perfect and Instagrammable. I also think that if you need a dance party to “break the tension,” then nobody is in the mood for a dance party.

How. Wrong. I. Was.

The first thing you need to know is that the Macarena is not on the playlist. When someone hits the big yellow button, it dispatches a German-accented voice that sounds almost world-weary announcing — you guessed it — “THIRTY SECOND DANCE PARTY.” That’s when the club beats start.

You immediately feel there should be a strobe light and adults wearing shirts made of mesh and pants made of leather. Instead, you’re in your kitchen with a halfdressed toddler, a gurgling baby and

a tween side-stepping his chores.

The second thing you need to know is that 30 seconds is way longer than you think. It’s too long to laugh it off, hoping the music ends before you’re done laughing. Really, there’s nothing for it… but to dance.

There are only two rules. First: pants stay on. Second: everyone dances. No exceptions to either rule are permitted. I am a convert. There is no faster way to turn a house around than to have a ridiculous, allout, 30-second dance party.

It’s not hard to see how we went from hitting a button to hitting play on the mixes that bring my husband and I right back to college house parties and the gritty Lawrence, Kansas, clubs of yore. That’s how it is that our toddler now requests, as stated above, “funk soul, bruva.”

To dance at a wedding is easy. People are happy, the lights are low and everyone has a little liquid courage to hand. Like Miriam on the shores of the sea, we dance to cut loose from the bonds that held us, to proclaim our joy and gratitude, and because our bodies won’t let us do anything else.

It’s a very different thing to dance when you feel heavy, when the weight of the world – from geopolitics right down to the daily commute – seems an endless and thankless struggle. Dancing is not so easy when it feels like the world has actually and literally lost its mind. Maybe no one is sleeping well, work is piling up and you can’t remember the last time you had a chance just to work out. Dancing is a whole lot harder then. And probably a whole lot more important.

It was Rebbe Nachman who said that it is through dancing and clapping that harsh judgements are sweetened. That which seems impossible to bear can be made light through movement. Move the body and the mind and soul will follow.

A 30-Second Dance Party breaks tension, just like my husband promised. To raise the spirits and charge the soul, we keep the party going.

“Right about now… funk soul, bruva. Check it out now…”

We just keep dancing until the chemicals in our body and the joy in our souls can’t be contained, and everything — from geopolitics down to the daily commute — seems sweet.

Obsessed with obits

I’m flattered when Chronicle subscribers tell me that this column is the first thing they read when they receive a new issue. I love hearing this, but if they are honest, I’ll bet many of them are stretching the truth. If they are anything like me, the initial page they flip to in this publication is the obituaries. Indeed, death notices are the most read section of most newspapers. It’s probably partially a function of our age. When I was a teenager, I would turn first to the bar/bat mitzvah announcements. As I got older, I would check out the birth announcements. Now that I’m at the other end of the lifecycle, checking out the obits comes first.

Why, I wonder, are so many of us drawn to details about the dead? I put the question to Google and was instantly provided with a list of obituaries from Reading, Pennsylvania. Never mind. I guess I’ll need to figure this out myself.

For those of us of a certain age, I believe consulting obituaries can provide a moment of comfort about our own longevity. Roz Chast’s classic New Yorker cartoon captures this perfectly. A man is shown reading the newspaper obituaries, but the names of the deceased have been replaced with headlines such as, “Your Age on the Dot,” “Two Years Younger Than You” and “Exactly Your Age.” That is what we want to know. How many years do we have left?

As writer Karen Galantz notes in the Jewish News of Northern California, “People back in Biblical times had it easy. They didn’t have to start worrying about death till they hit 900.” Genesis claims Methuselah lived to 969 and Jared hit 962. Poor Noah “only” made it to 950, but fathered three children by the time he was 500! Most Biblical lifespans are subsequently shortened to 120 years, still a reassuring number to find in an obituary.

Along with finding out the age, many of us consult the listings for the cause of death. If not stated outright, this infor-

mation can often be discerned from the “in lieu of flowers” designation. How comforting to read, “He died from a parasitic disease contracted on a recent trip to West Africa.” But passing “after a long battle with breast cancer,” or requesting donations to the American Heart Association is not what we want to see.

For Kansas City natives, the obituaries can also initiate an enjoyable game of Jewish geography. Wait. Wasn’t she friends with my sister? Isn’t that the mother of that cute guy I had a crush on in BBYO? I wonder if he’s even still alive. Yep. There’s his name under “survived by.” I wonder if he’s on Facebook. Oh, he’s married and lives in Chicago. Never mind. And then there’s the philosophical musing that death announcements can elicit.

Though some people find it morbid, obituaries are actually all about life, not death. Explaining the reason she is drawn to the obituaries, artist and illustrator Maira Kalman said, “Reading them first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee is a way of trying to figure out before the day begins what is important.”

Similarly, Mary McGreevy, originator of the obituary-related podcast, “Tips from Dead People,” claims that seeing these life summaries, “can provide guidance in how I approach my own life.” Connection, reflection and inspiration to make the rest of our lives meaningful can be benefits derived from death notices.

Reading obituaries naturally leads us to wonder what ours will say. I know I am hoping mine begins, “She died unexpectedly days after dancing all night at her great-grandchild’s wedding.” Unfortunately, she was only 120 years old.

NancyKalikowMaxwellisa Kansas City native and awardwinning author. Her book, “Typically Jewish,” is available throughtheJewishPublication SocietyorAmazon.Herwebsite is kaliwellinc.com and email is nancykalikowmaxwell@gmail. com.

commentary

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle staff, Jewish Federation of Kansas City, or the Kansas City Jewish community as a whole.

Building belonging from the ground up

By Lisa Porter Reeves, Ed.S.

Director of Rose Family Early Childhood Education Center at Congregation Beth Shalom

Jewish Disability and Inclusion Awareness Month is a meaningful time to reflect on what it truly means to create sacred spaces that welcome every member of our community. While inclusivity may not always be required by law, it is unquestionably mandated by our Jewish values.

Judaism teaches that every person is created b’tzelem Elohim — in the image of God. That belief shapes how we build community. Inclusion is not an extra — it is essential to who we are as Jews.

In our preschool, we are fortunate every day to witness the joy of children learning,

playing and growing together. At the same time, we recognize that our 20-year-old playground no longer reflects the inclusive community we strive to be. That reality calls us to action.

On March 7, we are launching a major fundraising campaign to redesign and rebuild our playground so that it welcomes children of all abilities. We envision an updated, thoughtfully designed space where every child can climb, explore, imagine and belong.

To kick off this important initiative, we invite you to “Recess Revival,” a trivia night and auction on March 7 at 7:30 pm at Congregation Beth Shalom. It promises to be a fun and meaningful evening, bringing together generations in support of our youngest learners.

Tickets can be purchased at bethshalomkc.org/events/ recess-revival.

If you would like to donate an auction item, become a sponsor or learn more about our playground vision, I would be honored to speak with you directly. Every donation, large or small, helps move us closer to our goal.

For many of us, the synagogue has always been more than a building. It is where our children and grandchildren take their first steps into Jewish life. Ensuring that every child can take those steps together is not just a construction project; it is a reflection of our deepest Jewish commitments.

I hope you will join us in building a playground — and a community — where everyone belongs.

Top 5 decor trends for bar and bat mitzvahs in 2026

By Julie Krashin Owner of Party Krashin

Bar and bat mitzvah celebrations are as unique as the young adults they honor — full of joy, personality and meaningful moments. In 2026, décor trends are leaning into personalization, immersive experiences and interactive design, all while honoring Jewish heritage, tradition and community. As the owner of Party Krashin, I have the privilege of helping Kansas City families bring these visions to life. Here are my top five décor trends shaping bar and bat mitzvah celebrations this year.

Personalized entryways and welcome experiences

First impressions matter more than ever. Families are moving beyond simple signage and embracing immersive entry moments that reflect the honoree’s personality, interests and

story. From custom balloon arches framing a name or monogram to layered signage featuring meaningful symbols or Hebrew names, entryways are becoming a true “wow” moment.

Backlit signage, themed color palettes and intentional lighting create an emotional transition — guests immedi ately know they’re stepping into a celebration designed just for this child. Marquee letters also really are “in” right now and are a great way to keep focus on your

with bold intention.

Mixed-media backdrops for photos and key moments

Statement balloon installations with a twist

Balloons continue to dominate décor — but in 2026, they’re elevated into true sculptural art. Oversized organic balloon installations serve as focal points, often incorporating unexpected textures like acrylic accents, dried florals, metallic finishes or LED lighting.

Rather than filling space, balloon décor now defines it — framing stages, dance floors, dessert tables and DJ booths

Photo backdrops have evolved into layered design moments that add depth, texture and polish. Families are choosing combinations of balloons, wood panels, acrylic signage and lighting to create backdrops that feel dimensional and intentional — not flat or temporary.

These installations often double as décor for candle lighting ceremonies, cake displays or step-and-repeat photo moments.

continued on next page

Harriet Ruth Bigus

Harriet Ruth Bigus died at the age of 97 on Feb. 5 at The Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey.

Born in Kansas City on Nov. 21,1928, the daughter of Isadore and Donna (Koppel) Bigus, Harriet showed an early interest in all things theatrical. This must have been apparent to those around her, as she spoke often in later years of her dramatic childhood antics around the house, the treasured copy of Shakespeare’s Complete Works given to her at age 12 by her grandfather, and the strong encouragement she got from her Paseo High School drama teacher.

Feeling the pull of the theatre as a young woman, and armed with only an associate’s degree and an abiding passion for acting, Harriet moved to New York City in the early 1950s to pursue a career on the stage. While auditioning for top directors like Elia Kazan and Nina Vance, and continuing her studies with the legendary acting teachers Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen, she worked many survival jobs, including hat check girl at the Russian Tea Room and personal assistant to both Paul Newman and Geraldine Page during their Broadway run in Tennessee Wil-

liams’ “Sweet Bird of Youth.”

For several decades, she performed in professional theaters in and out of New York City, including the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Connecticut, the groundbreaking Alley Theatre in Houston and Off Broadway’s Riverside Shakespeare Company. While occasional work in television came her way, she was most at home on the stage. As she continued to pursue acting work into her middle years, she also became passionate about teaching actors, both privately and at schools like the iconic American Academy of Dramatic Art, with a focus on voice and speech training using mostly Shakespeare’s works as her texts.

Inspired by the language of the Bard and other great writers, she took up the pen herself, writing and performing in a one-woman show about one of her heroes, Abigail Adams. Many completed drafts of a full-length epistolary play about John and Abigail Adams followed, based on their correspondence to each other. In the last 20 years of her life, as performing on stage became untenable, she added poetry writing to the list of her unceasing creative activities, and she regularly wrote poems as gifts for individual members of the staff of The Actors Fund Home, where she spent her last several years. While she never married, she carried a seemingly bottomless well of passion for all things

continued from previous page

Interactive scenes are décor that engages guests

Interactive scenes décor is one of the fastest-growing trends this year. Families want guests to participate, not just observe. From candy shop storefronts to wish walls to custom display boards where guests leave messages or advice, décor is becoming an interactive experience.

These interactive elements often become keepsakes — turning décor into something meaningful long after the event ends.

creative and for the people she met in life and the things that made them tick.

She was predeceased by her brother, Kenneth Bigus of Kansas City, and his wife, Elma. Survivors include her two nephews and their spouses, Larry and Ruth Bigus and Edward and Ellyn Bigus; their children, Alex, Liz (Brett) and Aaron Bigus and Jacob (Amanda), Samuel (Esra) and Julia Max Bigus; grandniece, Adelyn; grandnephew, Izidore; and her longtime close friends, Michael Mastro and Richard Hester of New York City and Donna and Frank Fleming of Woodbury, Connecticut.

A graveside service was held at Rose Hill Cemetery on Feb. 11. Donations

Elevated lounge spaces that invite connection

Lounge areas are no longer an afterthought — they’re a design feature. In 2026, celebrations include thoughtfully styled seating zones with cohesive colors, soft textures and ambient lighting. These spaces offer guests a place to relax, talk and recharge while still feeling part of the event.

Comfort meets style, creating a more inclusive experience for guests of all ages.

Julie Krashin is the owner of Party Krashin. More information is available at partykrashin.com or on Facebook andInstagram.

can be made in her name to the Entertainment Community Fund online at entertainmentcommunity.org.

Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel. com.

Marvin A. Birnbaum

Marvin A. Birnbaum, 89, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died on Feb. 11. Graveside funeral services were held on Feb. 20 at Sheffield Cemetery.

Marvin was born on Sept. 5, 1936,

continued on next page

UPCOMING EVENTS

Celebrate Purim this year with an extravaganza of bounce houses, carnival games, cotton candy, popcorn, and more!

PJ Library invites grandparents to learn about Intergenerational and Sensory-Friendly Passover Seders with Lindsey Lipsky.

Join fellow PJ Library moms with children under 3 for a relaxing and social Sunday morning brunch and DIY patch projects!

Join Jewish Federation and Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy for a special Israel & Middle East Dynamics

Briefing with Avi Melamed

Author Dan Grunfeld will be speaking about his book “By the Grace of the Game.”

continued from previous page

to the late Louis and Celia Birnbaum in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from UMKC and later in life, in 1988, obtained his CPA license. He also served time in the U.S. Navy Reserves from 1955 to 1956.

Marvin worked various roles in the accounting field and had his own CPA firm from 1988 until he retired in 2001 in Overland Park, Kansas. He and his wife, Sandra, moved in 2001 to the Las Vegas area and entered the real estate market for about 10 years while continuing his CPA practice part-time. After his wife, Sandra, passed away in 2006, he met his current wife, Phyllis Levine. They married on April 5, 2009, and lived in Henderson, Nevada, enjoying retirement together.

Marvin was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Greene; his second wife, Sandra Dubin; his grandparents; parents, Celia and Louis Birnbaum; brother, Arnold Birnbaum; sister, Marcia Peskin; and son, Don Birbaum.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Levine; two daughters, Lisa Birnbaum and Sherri Hook; son-in-law, Lloyd Hook; his grandchildren, Brandon (Jessica) Hook, Amber Hook, Kara (Ben DeVore) Birnbaum, Sidelle Birnbaum and Michael Birnbaum, and six great-grandchildren.

Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel. com.

Igor Anatolyevich Levin

Igor Anatolyevich Levin, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away on Feb. 11, 2026.

Born on June 25, 1939, in Moscow, Russia, Igor was the cherished son of Anatoly Yakovlevich Levin and Lidiya Nikolaevna Levina. He was also the descendant of a long line of rabbis, a testament to his family’s deep-rooted faith and commitment.

Igor will be fondly remembered as an outstanding scientist, professor and inventor. He was the founder of a breakthrough discovery that saw widespread industrial applications. His brilliance and dedication to his craft resulted in 190 international patents in 32 countries worldwide, earning him a nomination for the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize.

obituaries

Since 1941, Anatoly, his father, was the chief designer of the IL-2 aircraft. During that time, more than 36,000 Russian attack aircrafts were produced using his design while fighting World War II against Nazi Germany.

Igor continued this dynasty in aircraft engineering by designing the weather flight safety for all passenger aircrafts produced in Russia for over 50 years. These designs invented by Igor are still used in today’s aircrafts.

As a survivor of the Holocaust, Igor’s life was a testament to resilience, fortitude and the indomitable spirit of human survival.

In 1998, Igor and his beloved wife, Lubov, relocated to the United States, making their home in Lenexa, Kansas. Their marriage of 40 years was a beautiful partnership marked by mutual respect, shared dreams and enduring love. Igor is survived by his wife, Lubov, and their son, Pavel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anatoly and Lidiya Levin.

A graveside service was held on Feb. 19 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jewish Family Services. Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel. com.

Michael Edwin Rogovein

president of the men’s club and received a Kovod Award for his contributions to the congregation. He was a member of the building committee when the congregation moved from their longtime home on Wornall to the current location on Lamar. He was also active with many other originations in the community, including serving as board president for the Jewish Family and Children’s Services.

Michael was an accomplished photographer, an avid golfer, and most of all loved being with his friends and family. He led by example and taught everyone who knew him how to live a meaningful life.

In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Laurel, and grandson Ethan Burke.

He is survived by his brother, Larry Rogovein (Melanie); his sister, Marsha Krinsky; his three children, Sara Burke (Christopher), Matthew Rogovein and Daniel Rogovein (Molly); grandchildren Jake Burke (Kate), Emily Burke (Kyle) and Grace Burke (Daniel); six great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel. com.

Marcia J. Rubin

of his mentorship.

Despite her long residence in New York, she remained close to her family. She is survived by her brother, Robert D. Rubin of Leawood, Kansas; her nephew, Gary Rubin (Julie Noren) and their family in London; and her niece, Debra Sadowsky (Marc Hurst) and their family in New York; Santa Cruz, California; and Denver, Colorado. Between her nephew and niece, Marcia was a proud aunt to four great-nieces and nephews and ten great-great-nieces and nephews.

Family, friends and well-wishers are encouraged to share condolences and memories on her tribute page at louismemorialchapel.com.

In honor of Marcia’s lifelong commitment to nurturing the next generation and her compassionate heart, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to No Kid Hungry. Marcia believed deeply in the potential of every child to create a beautiful life.

Morton S. Zevitz

Morton S. Zevitz, 89, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Feb. 14, surrounded by his loving family.

Michael Edwin Rogovein, 88, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Feb. 12. Funeral services were held on Feb. 16 at Louis Memorial Chapel, followed by burial at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Village Shalom or The Lesky Fund at Congregation Beth Shalom.

Michael was born on June 8, 1937, to Thomas and Bert (Schwartz) Rogovein.

He was a graduate of Southwest High School, Purdue University and the University of Denver. He spent his 50-year career with Tension Envelope Corporation, where he was chief engineer and the director of sustainability.

He met his wife, Laurel, in Sunday school, and together they built a life and a family. The family were members of Beth Shalom, and Mike and Laurel were both active members of the Jewish community. He served as

Marcia J. Rubin passed away peacefully in New York City on Feb. 15 at the age of 97. A graveside funeral service was held on Feb. 19 at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Marcia was born on March 13, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the Late Harry and Lavetta Rubin. In her 20s, driven by a desire to immerse herself in the epicenter of the art world, she made the bold move to New York City. She was a woman of profound artistic vision, intellectual depth and unwavering spirit. A lifelong student of the human experience, Marcia left behind a legacy etched in canvas, classrooms and the hearts of her devoted family.

In her midlife years, Marcia enrolled at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College, where she earned a master’s degree. Her critiques and essays on notable artists were respected for their nuance, reflecting a woman who did not just look at art, but lived within it.

The Art Students League of New York served as her creative sanctuary. She was a fixture in its studios, finding kinship among fellow dreamers. To Marcia, the League was more than a school; it was a sacred space where the traditions of the masters met the innovations of the modern age. Her eulogy to honor and memorialize Knox Martin described both his profound skill and her adoration for the many years

Mort was born on Aug. 13, 1936, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Louis and Goldie Zevitz. He was a long-time resident of Overland Park, having lived at Village Shalom for the past four years, where he made many new friends and acquaintances.

He retired in 1993, having dedicated most of his adult life to operating some of the finest delicatessens in Kansas City alongside his wife, Sue Zevitz, of blessed memory. Mort was a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, participated in its Brotherhood and volunteered for many charitable causes. As a result of his generous spirit and caring personality, he was loved by many, and his influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew him.

Without a shadow of a doubt, it was his five grandchildren, Rachel (Cameron) Doctor, Jake Zevitz, Danielle (Harrison) Li, Dan Butler and Matt Butler, who gave him the most pride and joy. His zest for life and compassion for others will live on through them. They will forever have fond memories of their “Pops” in their hearts and minds.

His wife of 58 years, Sue Zevitz, predeceased him in 2021. He is survived by his children, Michael Zevitz (Lisa) of Overland Park, Colonel Daniel Zevitz (Judy) of Stafford, Virginia, and Steve Butler of Denver, Colorado; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held in early spring.

Federation, JFS launch interest-free loan program for those in financial need

continued from page 1

will experience financial vulnerability at some point in their lives.

The push to do more to address financial vulnerability in the Jewish community gained momentum last spring, both nationally and locally.

In April 2025, more than 50 Jewish Federation and human service agency volunteers and professionals from across the nation gathered on Capitol Hill. They educated members of Congress and their staffs about financial vulnerability in the Jewish community and advocated for continued essential federal aid for human services.

“Financial insecurity affects every aspect of Jewish life, from access to critical health and human services, participation in synagogue life and community activities, and access to nutritious kosher food,” said Jason Wuliger, chair of Jewish Federations of North America’s Public Affairs

Committee.

At the same time, Jewish Federation board member Jay Ingber was asking the Federation staff why the Kansas City Jewish community was not offering an interest-free loan program. A former low-interest loan program in partnership with Security Bank had made its final loan about five years prior, with most of the loaned funds having been repaid. With Ingber’s urging, Federation staff began exploring how a new free loan program could work, which led to learning from other communities and joining the IAJFL.

“Helping bring [Jewish] Free Loan to Kansas City has been deeply meaningful for me, especially after learning how impactful it’s been in other communities around the country,” Ingber said. “This program reflects one of our most important values — Jews helping other Jews with dignity and compassion — and I’m excited to see how it will help change lives for people in our community.”

Ingber gives credit to Mike Elyachar, another community member and leader who got him interested in pursuing his own learning about such programs.

“Mike saw firsthand the impact

this program could have in someone’s life,” Ingber said, noting that Elyachar was impressed with the administration of the program in Dallas, Texas. He connected Ingber with the executive director of the Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association (which also is a member of the IAJFL). This was the beginning of Ingber’s learning and efforts to launch the program in Kansas City.

For those in the Jewish community who are not currently clients of JFS but face challenging financial circumstances, Gale recommends they visit jfskc.org to see what services may be able to be offered, as there are other Jewish community programs — from the JFS Food Pantry to the Myra Rosenberg Litman Chesed Fund — designed to assist in various ways.

Jewish actress Sarah Bernhardt subject of exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins

continued from page 1

cha’s muse — she was his first patron, a powerful cultural figure and a Jewish woman whose identity shaped how audiences saw her. This focused exhibition lets us see how that story is embedded directly in the art,” Aimee Marcereau DeGalan, senior curator of European Arts at the Nelson-Atkins, told The Chronicle.

Bernhardt’s relationship with Judaism was complex –she was born to a Dutch Jewish mother and was baptized as a Catholic, but nonetheless experienced public antisemitism directed at her. When accused by the French press of being German and Jewish, Bernhardt supposedly wrote a letter which stated, “If I have a foreign accent — which I much regret — it is cosmopolitan, but not Teutonic. I am a daughter of the great Jewish race, and my somewhat uncultivated language is the outcome of our enforced wanderings.”

When Bernhardt died in 1923, The Chronicle ran an editorial mourning her death.

“The genius of Sarah Bernhardt made her the acknowledged greatest actress of her generation,” it read. “...The golden quality of Sarah Bernhardt’s voice and the perfect art with which every gesture was given made her the admiration of her audiences and stirred them to enthusiastic appreciation of her performances… Sarah Bernhardt never stepped out of her roles to live an individual life partaking of the common experience of ordinary mortals.”

“Mucha’s Muses: Sarah Bernhardt and the Spirit of Art Nouveau” opened on Jan. 31 this year and will be on display until Jan. 17, 2027. Admission is included with general admission at the Nelson-Atkins. More information is available at nelson-atkins.org/art/exhibitions.

ages of excellence

PRESENTING

Sandy Baer and Charley Helzberg

Harry and Ruth Baker

Village Shalom Financial Assistance Fund

Ann BaumG.Kennth Baum and Ann Baum

Philathropic Fund

Carol and Lewis Berey

Emily D. Berkley

Louise Hipsh and Neil Breslow

Ann Darke and David Goldberg

Robert N. Epsten

Lisa and Buzzah Feingold

Brenda Althouse and Paul Fingersh

Marlene and Michael Fishman

Anonymous (2)

Barbara and Richard Atlas

Merilyn and Loren Berenbom

Andy Berkley

Sherry and Mike Blumenthal

Lori and Rick Bohm

Charlotte and Richard Brockman

William and Robin Carr

Sherry and Scott Carter

Pati Chasnoff

Ellen and Jonathan Chilton

Ed R. Christophersen

Gloria and Stephen Cohen

Beth and Steven Cole

Marjorie and Steven Cooper

Louis and Dorothy Cumonow

Foundation

Donna and Ward Katz

Abe and Anna Bograd

Memorial Trust

Shirley and Barnett Helzberg, Jr.

Gail and Harry Himmelstein

Rosalyn and Howard Jacobson

Vivian and Hymie J. Sosland

Charitable Trust

Sandi and Ed Fried

Sondra and Frank Friedman

Sandra and Steven Geduldig

Girson Family Foundation

Judy and Mitchell Glassman

Goldberg Family Foundation

Ann Slegman Isenberg and Tom Isenberg

Beth and Jeffrey Dorfman

Rebecca Eiman

Elinor Eisemann

Ginny and Brad Epsten

Robert S. Gershon

Susan and Paul Himmelstein

Kathy and Elliott Hollub

Judy Jacobs

Marge Kaplan

Linda and Barry Katz

Amanda and Brad Koffman

Susan and Scott Krigel

Barbara and Allen Lefko

Janet Mark and Frank Lipsman

Beth and Michael Liss

Lowenstein Family Supporting Foundation

Board Chair

Heisler, Chair, Associate Board

Anonymous Dr. Irene E. Bettinger

Carol and Jim Burrows

Helen and Robert Bushman

Donna Gould Cohen

Denise and Ronald Coppaken

Anita and Robert Feldt

Lisa and James Klein

Michael Klein

Rachel Krantz and Edward Goldstein

Cathy Tivol and Mark Maslan

Alan Poisner and Sharon Lowenstein Poisner

Benjamin F. Rogers, III

Evan Luskin

Linda and Michael Lyon

Aaron G. March

Catherine Mendelson

Deborah Smith and Mark Myron

Robert Palmer

Debra and Allen Parmet

Jennifer and Steven Paul

Esther and Lee Pearlmutter

Carol and David Porter

Sheryl and Michael Porter

Edna Robinson

Michael Rogovein*

Marilyn B. Salomon and David W. Renner

Marcia Schoenfeld and Fred Greenstein

Lance Goldberg

Susan and Rocky Horowitz

Nexdine Hospitality

Steven Sweet

Carol and Clifford Trenton

Nicki and Myron Wang

Rosanne and Howard Rosen

Dorothee and Helmut* Schulz

Denise and Sheldon Schwartz

Aletha and Bob Simon

Esther and Stewart Stein

Dr. Evelina and Steven Swartzman

Carol M. Woods

Margo Soule and Thomas Schult

Dana and Neal Schwartz

Janet and Alan Sear

Elaine Feld Stern Charitable Trust

Summit Care, Inc.

Debbie and Steve Trenton

Suzanne Troen

Sue Vile

Betsey and Tom Ward

Weiner FoundationLarry* and Joan Weiner

Pamela and Michael Zanders

Joyce and Stan Zeldin

Jerry Zobel