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The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 3 contents
About The Chronicle ...... 6
Phone Directory ...... 8 CHAIRMAN Stephen F. Rose
Calendar of Major Jewish Holidays ...... 10 PRESIDENT David Small Sites of Jewish Kansas City ...... 12 EDITOR Message from the Editor ...... 14 Barbara Bayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Amy Cohn
The Next Generation: COMMUNITY EDITOR People 40 and under making Marcia Montgomery a difference in our community ADVERTISING SALES Jonas Barrish ...... 16 Barbara Lewis-Godfrey • Judy Lanes • Mary Beth Stauch Lucia Harding ...... 18 DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION / GRAPHIC DESIGN Mike Bennett Bush Helzberg ...... 20 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Josef Loeffl er ...... 22 Jennifer Box • Angie Davis Reneé Polsky Silver ...... 24 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ruth Baum Bigus • Dana Rosenthal Campbell Monica Humbard • Ellen R. Portnoy Lifecycle Events ...... 28 PHOTOGRAPHY Cemetery Map ...... 30 Isaac Alongi • Ben McCall • Heather Morrow • Edmée Rodriguez PUBLISHED BY Congregations ...... 34 MetroMedia 4210 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Suite 314A Agencies and Foundations ...... 46 Fairway, Kansas 66204 Phone: (913) 951-8425 E-mail: [email protected] Education ...... 60 ©2011 MetroMedia • All rights reserved
Activities ...... 72 PUBLISHER NOTICE The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle (ISSN 0022-8524) (USPS 290140) is published weekly throughout the year, plus one special edition in May and another in Local Organizations ...... 92 September, by MetroMedia, 4210 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 314A, Fairway, Kansas 66205-2532. Subscription $54.95 per year in area (includes sales tax), $64.95 per year outside the area. Periodicals Postage paid at Shawnee Mission, Kansas Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, Index ...... 100 4210 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 314A, Fairway, Kansas 66205-2532.
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The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 5 introduction
About the Chronicle
Since 1920, the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle has provided its readers with Jewish news and opinion from a variety of perspectives — local, regional, national and international. The paper is mailed to subscribers each week and also is available for purchase at The Chronicle’s offi ce. Steve Rose and David Small purchased The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle in November 2010 from News Press and Gazette Company Contact us of St. Joseph, Mo., the parent company of Sun Publications. Rose serves as chairman of the 91-year-old paper; Small is the company’s The Chronicle’s offi ces are located at 4210 president. Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 314 A, Fairway, Rose and Small are the eighth set of the paper’s owners and this Kan. 66205. Our telephone number is (913) is the second time the Rose family has owned all or part of The 951-9425. Our e-mail address is: chronicle@ Chronicle. The family fi rst became associated with the paper in metromediapublishers.com. Our website is www. May 1964. At that time Stan Rose, Steve Rose’s father and Small’s kcjc.com. grandfather, became partners with Milton Firestone. In 1998 Steve The Chronicle accepts press releases, Rose, who by then was sole owner, sold The Chronicle, and its obituaries, announcements for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, parent company, Sun Publications. weddings and engagements, cards of thanks and Information published in The Chronicle — an independent public notices for monument unveilings and Jewish newspaper — comes from a number of sources, including tablet dedications from people and organizations stories written by its own editorial staff. Many local rabbis and within the Jewish community. professionals from our local Jewish agencies also write columns on To learn more about submitting information topics of local interest. The paper also publishes reports of national to The Chronicle, contact Editor Barbara Bayer and overseas events from JTA News & Features. at (913) 951-8425 or Community Editor Marcia The year 1988 marked the debut of Kansas City Jewish Life, Montgomery at (913) 951-8426. For information a slick-paper, full-color, quarterly city magazine mailed to all about advertising, contact Advertising Manager subscribers of the newspaper. Amy Cohn at (913) 951-8428. In 1998, The Chronicle established its website,
which can be found by visiting www.kcjc.com. The $1.00 Volume 91, Number 20 www.kcjc.com The KANSAS CITY website is updated each Friday. Most, but not all, of May 20, 2011 the content of the print version of the newspaper is jewish posted on the website. The paper “goes to press” every Wednesday in Cantor Silbersher chronicle order to get copies to the post offi ce on Thursday to retire from Kol Ami By Barbara Bayer and, hopefully, into subscribers’ mailboxes on Editor
Cantor Paul Silbersher can give you “He has such a magnificent voice,” Friday. The deadline for submissions of community several definitions of the word retire. she said. “His singing and cantorial Then he’ll tell you even though he’s of- skills are things we’ve grown to love ficially retiring from Congregation Kol and expect, and we will miss it sorely.” news is 5 p.m. Friday, one week before the desired Ami as its spiritual leader, he probably Bernstein said the congregation is won’t really retire at all. He’ll just take currently negotiating with a person on another project. to take over the spiritual leader duties publication date. The Chronicle encourages its at Kol Ami. She hopes the congrega- You see the 81-year-old Silbersher has already officially retired once, in tion will be able to make an official an- readers to submit information of community 2000, as the cantor of The Temple, Con- nouncement in the near future. gregation B’nai Jehudah. As cantor emeritus, he continued to work there Becoming a Jewish clergy interest. Send e-mail to the editorial department part-time for the next three years. Then in 2003 when Kol Ami was in Cantor Silbersher’s career took a at: [email protected]. its formative stages, he was asked to be- few twists and turns before he became at: [email protected]. come the Reform congregation’s spiri- a rabbi, or even a Jewish professional for that matter. At first he wanted to tual leader and has served in that ca-- pacity for the past eight years. While he serve as a naval aviation cadet during - the Korean War. He was accepted into uses the professional title of cantor, he - is also a trained rabbi. He will be recog- the program, but the swearing-in cer nized as such following his retirement, emony was halted — because the pro- gram was suddenly full — just before said Kol Ami President Constance Ber - - nstein, when he will begin using the he was about to be sworn. Instead he- spent eight years in the Naval Reserve. title rabbi emeritus. - The KANSAS CITY Bernstein said many congregants Next, in the late 1940s and early ‘50s, will miss Cantor Silbersher tremen- he worked as a page for the NBC tele- dously. vision network. At that time network chroniclepages were often trained as young ex-- $1.00 - Volume 91, Number 19 - www.kcjc.com jewish see cantor, page 8
May 13, 2011
Tzaitkhem L’Shalom —Go in Peace!gants, staff and volunteers as we plan and begin this next chapter in Beth - Shalom’s history.” By Barbara Bayer Rabbi Tobin wishes the congrega- Editor tion well as it prepares to close the Wor An era is coming to an end. nall Campus. Over the years Cantor Paul Silbersher has tutored more than 1,00 Beth Shalom celebrates its history and tradition“It is sad to see the stately sanctuary students. The last of his students, Asher Jacob Weinbaum, becambecame After 40 years of worshiping at 9400 at Wornall close, and to know that Beth gation Kol Ami on April 30. Wornall Road in Kansas City, Mo., Con- Shalom faces such challenges. I pray Photo by Jeff RobeR gregation Beth Shalom is completing With your help, the Jewish Federation helps the Jewish0 Bar and Bat Mitzvah that the transition will be to a stronger ts preparations to shut down the build- e a Bar Mitzvah at Congre- future for the community,” Rabbi To- a Bar Mitzvah at Congre ing. The Conservative congregation Community Center's Heritage Center provide affordable, bin said. will celebrate its last Bar Mitzvah, and kosher hot lunches for 600 senior adults each month. Shabbat service, on July 2. Members Worship plans will take time to commemorate and pay tribute to the congregation’s history Beth Shalom has determined that and show their appreciation for Rabbi www.jewishkansascity.org the last weekday minyan service will Robert Tobin and Rabbi Adam Stein, 913-327-8100 be held on Friday morning, July 1. who will soon be leaving the congre- Plans call for minyamim to begin tak- gation, on Saturday morning, May 21. ing place in the Appleman Synagogue (For more information, see page 8.) For a variety of reasons, including fi- at Village Shalom Sunday evening, July 3. Morning minyan will begin at 7 a.m., nancial ones, the congregation voted in Monday through Friday and evening November to close the facility — which minyan will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday sits on approximately 45 acres at the through Thursday. Sunday morning corner of Wornall and Bannister roads. minyan will continue to be held at the The school wing opened in 1962 and the Lamar building. sanctuary wing, which included the Goldsmith Hall at the Lamar cam- chapel, social hall, administrative of- - pus is being reconfigured to provide a fices and library, was dedicated in 1971. - ritual space in the building. Except on While the building has been for sale in special occasions, regular Shabbat ser the past, Congregation President Kurt - vices will be held there. Kavanaugh said it has been off the mar The Lamar space can hold a maxi- ket for the past couple of years. 6 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City JewishNow Chronicle the congregation is transfer mum of 325 chairs, so it is not large enough for the 800-member congrega- ring all operations and activities, in- tion to hold High Holiday services. This cluding regular religious services, to year arrangements have been made to the Lamar facility, which opened in hold the High Holiday services at the December 2005. The plan is to use the Jewish Community Campus. Lamar facility in its current condition “The Campus has been very gra- and configuration, utilizing other com- cious in providing space so we can hold munity facilities when deemed appro- Photo by ben Mccall two services simultaneously for our priate. Since that painful decision was om President Kurt members,” Kavanaugh said. made, several committees have worked t in storage. diligently toward the goals of closing The physical move Wornall and transforming the space Some of the stained glass windows, like these shown with Beth Shal in the Lamar building to make it more Some items will be moved from the appropriate for religious services. A Kavanaugh, will be moved from Wornall to Lamar. Others will be pu Wornall to the Lamar building. A few long-range planning committee is also things, such as the menorah on the out- studying the congregation’s future fa- side of the building cannot be easily cility needs. Beth shalom, page 8 Kavanaugh said as the closing of see the Wornall campus draws closer, he is both sad and excited because he has “seen the enthusiasm of our congre- Midori at the Folly Theater Parsons Dance at Muriel Kauffman Theatre Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at Helzberg Hall
A GRAND2011–2012 NEW SEASON THREE GRAND VENUES william jewell EVENTS PRESENTED AT EVENTS PRESENTED AT THE FOLLY THEATER THE KAUFFMAN CENTER Caroline Goulding, 44111bg53 Jazz at Lincoln Center violinist in free recital Orchestra led by Sat Sep 24 2011 Wynton Marsalis Marc-André Hamelin, full Sat Oct 1 2011 pianist in recital Folly Theater Muriel Kauffman Theatre Helzberg Hall Vienna Symphony Sat Oct 15 2011 Orchestra with Eroica Trio Midori, violinist in recital The Harriman-Jewell Series, Kansas City’s venerable performing arts pre- Wed Nov 9 2011 Thu Oct 27 2011 DePue Brothers Band senter, will open its 47th season this fall. Of the season’s 18 events, nine will Sir James Galway, Holiday Concert flutist in recital be held at Kansas City’s new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Mon Dec 19 2011 Thu Nov 3 2011 Hamburg Symphony (1601 Broadway St.). The Series has the distinction of holding performances Alek Shrader, Orchestra with tenor in free recital in both of the Center’s new halls: seven events in Helzberg Hall and two violinist Guy Braunstein Sat Nov 19 2011 Wed Jan 25 2012 events in Muriel Kauffman Theatre. In addition to nine events in the city’s Freddy Kempf, Parsons Dance pianist in free recital newest performance halls, the Harriman-Jewell Series will also present Sat Jan 28 2012 Fri Jan 20 2012 Ray Chen, nine events in the city’s oldest concert hall, the beautifully restored Folly Vivica Genaux, mezzo- violinist in free recital Sun Mar 11 2012 soprano, and Europa Theater (300 W. 12th St.). The new season is on sale now in the form of Galante, chamber Red Star Red Army Chorus orchestra Great Music and Dance (a six-event package), Great Masters: The Ingram and Dance Ensemble Fri Feb 3 2012 Fri Mar 16 2012 Events (a seven-event package), or a Complete Series option that includes Murray Perahia, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet pianist in recital the 13 subscription events and advance tickets to the four Discovery Concerts. Sat Mar 31 2012 Wed Mar 14 2012 Juan Diego Flórez, Giuseppe Filianoti, tenor Subscribe now for the best seat locations and the best prices. tenor in recital in American recital debut Order online at HJSERIES.ORG or call 816-415-5025. Sat Apr 7 2012 Sat Apr 21 2012
The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 7 introduction Important Phone Numbers ADATH JOSEPH (TEMPLE), St. Joseph, Mo...... (816) 270-3179 JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE BETH ISRAEL ABRAHAM & VOLINER Kansas offi ce ...... (913) 327-8130 (CONGREGATION) ...... (913) 341-2444 Missouri offi ce ...... (816) 471-2808 BETH SHALOM (CONGREGATION) ...... (913) 647-7279 KANSAS CITY JEWISH CHRONICLE ...... (913) 648-4620 BETH TORAH (CONGREGATION) ...... ( 913) 498-2212 Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art/ B’NAI B’RITH YOUTH ORGANIZATION ...... (913) 327-8070 Epsten Gallery/Museum Without Walls ...... (913) 266-8413 B’NAI JEHUDAH (CONGREGATION) ...... (913) 663-4050 KANSAS CITY USY ...... (913) 647-7292 CAJE, PROVIDING JEWISH ED. SERVICES ...... (913) 327-8100 KEHILATH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ...... (913) 642-1880 CHABAD HOUSE CENTER...... (913) 649-4852 KOL AMI (CONGREGATION) ...... (913) 642-9000 CHABAD ON THE PLAZA ...... (816) 399-4821 KOLLEL (COMMUNITY) ...... (913) 327-4619 ERUV HOTLINE ...... (913) 791-8080 KU HILLEL ...... (785) 749-5397 HELP @ HOME ...... (913) 981-8880 KU CHABAD ...... (785) 832-8672 HERITAGE CENTER ...... (913) 327-8044 LAWRENCE JCC ...... (785) 841-7636 HYMAN BRAND HEBREW ACADEMY ...... (913) 327-8150 LOUIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL ...... (816) 361-5211 JEWISH COMMUNITY ARCHIVES ...... (816) 235-1543 MELTON ADULT MINI-SCHOOL ...... (913) 327-4647 JEWISH COMMUNITY CHAPLAIN ...... (913) 915-7730 MENORAH LEGACY FOUNDATION ...... (816) 753-0606 JEWISH COMMUNITY CAMPUS ...... (913) 327-8200 MENORAH WOMEN’S FOUNDATION ...... (913) 327-8245 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER ...... (913) 327-8000 MIDWEST CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ...... (913) 327-8245 EDUCATION ...... (913) 327-8190 JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS BUREAU| NEW REFORM TEMPLE ...... (816) 523-7809 AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE...... (913) 327-8126 OHEV SHOLOM (CONGREGATION) ...... (913) 642-6460 JEWISH ELDER TRANSPORT ...... (913) 327-8250 SASONE, educational help for children JEWISH EMPLOYMENT NETWORK ...... (913) 663-5579 with special needs ...... (913) 469-9792 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES TEMPLE ISRAEL ...... (913) 940-1011 Kansas offi ce ...... (913) 327-8250 TOPEKA BETH SHOLOM ...... (785) 272-6040 Missouri offi ce ...... (816) 333-1172 TORAH LEARNING CENTER ...... (913) 385-5770 JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER KC ...... (913) 327-8100 VAAD HaKASHRUT ...... (913) 327-4623 JEWISH HERITAGE FOUNDATION ...... (816) 561-0563 VILLAGE SHALOM ...... (913) 317-2600 JEWISH SENIOR NETWORK ...... (913) 327-4677 WHITE THEATER BOX OFFICE ...... (913) 327-8054 YACHAD: THE KOSHER FOOD PANTRY ...... (913) 226-4670
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The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 9 introduction
Calendar of major Jewish holidays Holidays begin the evening before the day noted. Holidays marked with an asterisk are observed for one day only by Reform and Reconstructionist Jews.
SUMMER 2011 Shavuot* ...... Wed. & Thu., June 8-9, 2011 Tisha b’Av ...... Tue., Aug. 9, 2011
SCHOOL YEAR 2011-2012 Rosh Hashanah* ...... Thu. & Fri., Sept. 29-30, 2011 Yom Kippur ...... Sat., Oct. 8, 2011 Sukkot* ...... Thu. & Fri., Oct. 13-14, 2011 Shemini Atzeret ...... Thu., Oct. 20, 2011 Simchat Torah ...... Fri., Oct. 21, 2011 Chanukah ...... Wed., Dec. 21, 2011 (First candle is lit Tue., Dec. 20) Purim ...... Thu., March 8, 2012 Passover* (start) ...... Sat. & Sun., April 7-8, 2012 (First seder is Fri., April 6, 2012) Passover* (end) ...... Fri. & Sat., April 13-14, 2012 Yom HaShoah ...... Thu., April 19, 2012 Yom HaAtzmaut ...... Fri., April 27, 2012 Lag b’Omer ...... Thu., May 10, 2012 Shavuot* ...... Sun. & Mon., May 27-8, 2012 Tisha b’Av ...... Sat., July 28, 2012
SCHOOL YEAR 2012-2013 Rosh Hashanah* ...... Mon. & Tue., Sept. 17-18, 2012 Yom Kippur ...... Wed., Sept. 26, 2012 Sukkot* ...... Mon. & Tue., Oct. 1-2, 2012 Shemini Atzeret ...... Mon., Oct. 8, 2012 Simchat Torah ...... Tue., Oct. 9, 2012 Chanukah ...... Sun., Dec. 9, 2012 (First candle is lit Sat., Dec. 8, 2012) Purim ...... Sun., Feb. 24, 2013 SCHOOL YEAR 2014-2015 Passover* (start) ...... Tue. & Wed., March 26-27, 2013 Rosh Hashanah* ...... Thu. & Fri., Sept. 25-26, 2014 (First seder is Mon., March 25, 2013) Yom Kippur ...... Sat., Oct. 4, 2014 Passover* (end) ...... Mon. & Tue., April 1-2, 2013 Sukkot* ...... Thu. & Fri., Oct. 9-10, 2014 Yom HaShoah ...... Sun., April 7, 2013 Shemini Atzeret ...... Thu., Oct. 16, 2014 Yom HaAtzmaut ...... Mon., April 15, 2013 Simchat Torah ...... Fri., Oct. 17, 2014 Lag b’Omer ...... Sun., April 28, 2013 Chanukah ...... Wed., Dec. 17, 2014 Shavuot* ...... Wed. & Thu., May 15-6, 2013 (First candle is Tue., Dec. 16, 2014) Tisha b’Av ...... Tue., July 16, 2013 Purim ...... Thu., March 5, 2015 Passover (start)* ...... Sat. & Sun., April 4-5, 2015 SCHOOL YEAR 2013-2014 (First seder is April 3, 2015) Rosh Hashanah* ...... Thu. & Fri., Sept. 5-6, 2013 Passover (end)* ...... Fri. & Sat., April 10-11, 2015 Yom Kippur ...... Sat., Sept. 14, 2013 Yom HaShoah ...... Thu., April 16, 2015 Sukkot* ...... Thu. & Fri., Sept. 19-20, 2013 Yom HaAtzmaut ...... Fri. April 24, 2015 Shemini Atzeret ...... Thu., Sept. 26, 2013 Lag b’Omer ...... Thu., May 7, 2015 Simchat Torah ...... Fri., Sept. 27, 2013 Shavuot* ...... Sun. & Mon., May 24-25, 2015 Chanukah ...... Thu., Nov 28, 2013 Tisha b’Av ...... Sat., July 25, 2015 (First candle is Wed., Nov. 27, 2013) Purim ...... Sun., March 16, 2014 Yom HaShoah is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Passover (start)* ...... Tue. & Wed., April 15-16, 2014 Yom HaAtzmaut is Israel Independence Day. (First seder is Mon., April 14, 2014) Date of observance of these may vary from the Passover (end)* ...... Mon. & Tue., April 21-22, 2014 calendar date. Yom HaShoah ...... Sun., April 27, 2014 Yom HaAtzmaut ...... Mon., May 5, 2014 This calendar was prepared by Rabbi Paul Drazen, chief Lag b’Omer ...... Sun., May 18, 2014 program development officer for the United Synagogue Shavuot* ...... Wed. & Thu., June 4-5, 2014 of Conservative Judaism and it appears on its website Tisha b’Av ...... Tue., Aug. 5, 2014 www.uscj.org.
10 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City Jewish Chronicle Magen David Adom: Behind Every Headline! Whatever the incident, wherever it occurs in Israel, Magen David Adom is there!
Magen David Adom is the common thread that touches the lives of every Israeli – often at a moment of tremendous stress – responding to accidents, illnesses, armdipregnancies, heart attacks, strokes and 3411jl10war and terror incidents with a unique full blend of speed, skill and compassion. Without fanfare, MDA’s fleet of Celebrate 71 years of Saving Lives in Israel with American 800 emergency vehicles travels Friends of Magen David Adom, nearly 10 million miles a year to providing unwavering support for Magen David Adom and Israel’s care for 600,000 patients, people since 1940 as MDA’s serving all of Israel’s people. primary and strongest supporter in the world.
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The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 11 introduction
Sites of Jewish Kansas City
12 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City Jewish Chronicle superior volvo 42611MS34x full
The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 13 introduction
Guide to Jewish Life: Everything you need to know about our community
Putting together this annual is once again under Jewish ownership Guide to Jewish Life is a labor of for the fi rst time in more than 10 love for us every year. It is certainly years. We have re-introduced a local labor intensive because we have fl avor to the weekly newspaper and to to contact all the congregations, our slick publications such as this one. agencies and organizations to This guide is just one example of how confirm that all the information we we hope to showcase all the news, include is indeed correct. But it’s events and organizations in the Kansas also fun because we have formed City Jewish community. e-mail and phone relationships with This guide gives you all the these people who, in some cases, we information you need to know only speak to when we’re working about the Jewish community at on this project every year. your fingertips. We hope you keep We also enjoy introducing you to it all year and refer to it when you people in our community who devote their time to helping want to know everything from where a Jewish tot others. This year we chose to focus on the next generation can attend preschool to what programs are offered of volunteers — people who are 40 and younger. They are for our community’s seniors and to anything and involved in a variety of non-profi t organizations throughout everything in between. the greater Kansas City area, some groups with a Jewish fl avor and others with a more general emphasis. We hope Enjoy! you enjoy meeting them — Jonas Barrish, Bush Helzberg, Lucia Harding, Josef Loeffl er and Renée Polsky Silver — as much as we enjoyed writing about them. Barbara Bayer As you probably already know by now, The Chronicle Editor
…to stop by appeals to reason and conscience, and if necessary, better by appealsadl to law, the defamation of the Jewish people…to secure cheddar just33111jl27 and fair treatment to all… — ADL Charter 1913 41411jl5 quarter Anti-Defamation League quarter Eastern Kansas/Missouri/Southern Illinois 34 North Brentwood Boulevard, Suite 2 St. Louis, MO 63105 T: (314) 721-1270 or (816) 471-3038 (from Kansas City) E: [email protected]
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14 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City Jewish Chronicle 7BB/93A5@3/B;7<2AB=4756B ;C:B7>:3A1:3@=A7A/<2>/@97 teva neuroscience 3911bg17 full ES¸`SBSdO ES¸`SS[^]eS`W\UU`SOb[W\Rab]RWaQ]dS`\SeS` O\RPSbbS`eOgab]¿UVb[cZbW^ZSaQZS`]aWa;A O\R>O`YW\a]\¸aRWaSOaSbV`]cUVbVS_cOZWbg]T ]c`^S]^ZSbVS_cOZWbg]T]c`^`]RcQbaO\R]c` T]Qca]\bVS^ObWS\b &&&%& & " $ &%%" '"#! eeeaVO`SRa]ZcbW]\aQ][ eeebSdO\Sc`]aQWS\QSQ][ eee^O`YW\a]\aVSOZbVQ][ Empowering great minds The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 15 neXt generation Making a difference in our community Jonas BarrisH: Passion for people drives real estate broker’s community involvement By Monica Humbard Photography by Heather Morrow Jonas BarrisH, a 35-year-old Kansas City real estate this year’s American Cancer Society’s Annual Cattle Baron’s Ball. broker, has always thrived in environments where he could The proceeds from the gala go to education, research, advocacy meet new people. His love for the arts and his father’s battle and patient services, including the Hope Center, which is the with cancer sculpted this passion into a way for him to make a facility where families can stay while a loved one is receiving difference in his hometown. treatment in Kansas City. Barrish serves on the underwriting When Barrish fi rst became active in Encore, a group of committee for the June 11 Ball. He has welcomed the challenge young professionals committed to supporting and promoting of trying to get as much of the event underwritten as possible by the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, he wanted approaching companies, individuals and foundations. Although to help make a difference in Kansas City’s arts community. a new experience for him, Barrish has drawn on what he learned Scheduled for its grand opening Sept. 16, the Kauffman Center about raising money while he was the real estate director for will be home to the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, the Kansas The Private Equity Group. City Symphony and other programming. Barrish is involved in It is always challenging to ask people for money, especially in the social outreach arm of Encore, which strives to get diverse this economy, but he is enjoying it. Jgroups of people together to support the arts and increase “People are very giving and very supportive,” he said. awareness about the Center. His focus is on drawing in more “Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer.” young Jewish professionals. Barrish said his volunteer work with the American Cancer “I don’t think, until it opens, people will really grasp how big Society is more about affecting other people’s lives, rather than it is,” he said. “It is cool to be involved with something that is his own. His father passed away three years ago after being changing the Kansas City skyline and receiving attention from diagnosed with an advanced stage of pancreatic cancer. He all over the world because of its architecture.” explained that, since pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed in Architecture and design are Barrish’s hobbies. He has advanced stages, there are not a lot of treatments for it. a natural talent for interior design, although he has never “I learned when my dad had cancer that a lot of pancreatic practiced it professionally. He did come very close once. While cancer treatments are clinical trials, so our whole family dropped living in Los Angeles in his early 20s, his interest in interior what they were doing and started looking around the country design grew and he enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Design to fi nd the best treatment,” Barrish recalled. “It really helped & Merchandising to study interior design. After developing to have connections for his treatment, which is pretty sad. We pancreatitis and spending two weeks in the hospital followed by called on a cousin who helped expedite getting him into Johns months of recovery, his plan was put on hold. He never made Hopkins.” Barrish now recognizes the importance of helping it back. raise money for people who may not have those connections. Barrish stayed in LA for eight years before moving back to “My dad was always very giving and encouraged us to do Kansas City. Although he had sworn he would never return, mitzvahs,” Barrish recalled. “He said that to us many times he just got “sick of the grind of Los Angeles — the traffi c, the when we were kids.” Barrish’s father wrote a book for his pace.” He said it just wasn’t where he wanted to be for the rest children called “Guide to Life.” “It covers everything,” he said. of his life. “… things he learned from his parents and family.” Barrish said After his return to KC, Barrish wasn’t sure what he wanted his father actually lived what he taught his children and had a to do but knew it needed to involve contact with people. At strong connection to Judaism. He almost became a rabbi before the time, new home construction was booming. Barrish loves he decided to be a psychologist. the “art of negotiation” involved with real estate, so a friend As a psychologist, he helped people professionally, but helped him get into the business. “Selling real estate to me Barrish said he truly enjoyed it and even saw clients for free is more about hanging out with people I like and looking at when they couldn’t pay. When he was dying, letters from his architecture,” he said. “It is more of a people business then a clients came pouring in. “I never really realized how much he home business.” helped people in his work until then,” he said. Fortunately, Barrish returned to Kansas City before his father, “Being Jewish to me is my identity,” Barrish said. “It’s about the late Dr. Jay Barrish, became ill. What he experienced during our people’s struggle, what we’ve overcome, what a small his father’s battle with cancer inspired him to accept a challenge minority we are in the world. And it is about living a Jewish life from his good friends Pat and Becky Dunn to get involved with and doing mitzvah.” 16 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City Jewish Chronicle kc jewish museum 3411jl9 full The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 17 neXt generation Making a difference in our community Lucia Harding: Empowering children to succeed By Dana Rosenthal Campbell It was 2001, and Lucia Harding was looking for a new “Amy and Hal Pollack went to an out-of-state Bar Mitzvah opportunity to use her undergraduate degree in social work. and heard a young man speak about how meaningful his When high school classmate and Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Brother had been in his life. Inspired, they returned to (BBBS) of Greater Kansas City employee Annebelle Buckner Kansas City and worked to launch the program here,” Harding said, “Hey, come check this place out. You will love it,” Lucia explained. “I am grateful they invited me to be an initial part took her up on the offer. She hasn’t regretted it for a moment. of the program.” As a senior case manager for BBBS, Harding has matched Harding’s passion for helping children is rooted in her own more than 400 adults that have volunteered to make a difference childhood experiences, and she credits her parents with her in the lives of boys and girls in the Kansas City community. foray into the social service fi eld. “We only ask for two to four hours at a time for at least “My dad was born in Germany after both his parents Ia year but, in reality, people give way more and hold their survived the Holocaust. He worked hard as an attorney in commitments to the kids for an average of three years.” the community and Beth Shalom. My mom was involved in Harding’s enthusiasm for the program is evident as she our school activities and was always a constant support and relays statistics that prove the success of the program. sounding board for us children. They encouraged us to give “Researchers have found that after 18 months of spending back and get involved in the community we live in.” time with their “Bigs,” the Little Brothers and Little Sisters — Growing up, she felt her house was a safe place for many compared to those children not in our program — were less friends who sometimes needed adult friendships outside of likely to begin using illegal drugs or alcohol, less likely to skip their own homes and schools. It was her parents’ willingness to school and less likely to hit someone. In short, the program welcome others and be part of the local community in any way makes a positive impact on children and empowers them to possible which inspired her to contribute in some way as well. succeed. It is so amazing to watch kids develop through the In her role in the community, Harding has witnessed years as well as see our amazing volunteers give their free time fi rsthand how children can benefi t from having a caring adult to a child in the community.” outside of the family. One of her proudest accomplishments is Her work at BBBS led to her involvement with the Jewish the three-year relationship she has developed with her minority version of BBBS, Jewish Big Brothers and Big Sisters. The “Little,” Aria. program supports Jewish children and their families by offering “It is very enlightening to see a child develop though the positive Jewish role models to children who are in need of years. It is rewarding to see a child who was shy or reserved mentorship. The goal is to empower a child through a fun, grow out of her shell or learn to do something new, as well as unconditional relationship. For many, the relationship has just being more accepting of other by being involved in BBBS.” been life-altering and has led to a life-long friendship. Children A past Village Shalom Associate Board member, Harding matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister have higher self-esteem added yet another activity to her busy personal and professional and are more likely to succeed in school, social situations and schedule when she worked at night to earn her master’s degree family relationships. in management in 2005. 18 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City Jewish Chronicle benny harding 42911jl16 full The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 19 neXt generation Making a difference in our community BusH HeLZBerg: A chip off the old block but with his own style By Ruth Baum Bigus Photography by Isaac Alongi “I believe everyone should have access to a good education. A parent himself, Helzberg credits his parents for setting a You can do anything you want with a good education.” good example of social justice involvement. Those words, uttered by 40-year-old BusH HeLZBerg, “Even if they hadn’t gotten involved in it, I would have should come as no surprise to anyone who knows him. Helzberg gotten involved in it,” he said. has lived by those words, and today he serves as chairman of Helzberg went to the University of Michigan where he the board of directors for University Academy, a kindergarten cultivated his passion for helping others. He taught creative through grade 12 charter school in Kansas City, Mo., that writing to inmates in a maximum security prison, publishing their opened in 2000. The school’s mission is to provide college- writings in a book called “Captive Thoughts.” He volunteered preparatory education to children living within the Kansas City, in a juvenile detention center and a home for runaway girls. Mo., school district’s boundaries. In 2005, the school opened Before graduate school, Helzberg spent time in Kenya and later Iin a new building constructed on the former site of The Temple, as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa. Each experience Congregation B’nai Jehudah (the Helzbergs’ congregation cultivated his passion for helping others. along with The New Reform Temple); today it serves more Helzberg then went on to earn a law degree at Stanford than 1,100 students. Of those students, 96 percent are African University and an MBA at Columbia University before entering American and 80 percent receive either free or reduced lunches. the corporate world. “You have to really look at people’s circumstances to In 2010, Helzberg became president of Friends of the understand how they got to where they are,” he said. University Academy, an effort he started as a conduit for external The school is the result of a Helzberg family discussion on support of the school. how to improve educational opportunities in the local school “It provides us more accountability of how things are being district. After much talk and planning, the University Academy spent and more fl exibility in how we spend the money,” he said. was launched thanks to founders Barnett and Shirley Helzberg The Friends group also focuses on alumni of the school and (Helzberg’s parents), Tom Bloch and Lynne Brown. assisting them with resources, internships and even job searches. Through the University Academy, Helzberg wants to make “When you leave University Academy, we never say the link between education and success. goodbye,” Helzberg added. “We want to level the playing fi eld,” he said. Outside of University Academy, Helzberg has his own Helzberg comes by his desire to help others naturally; his investment management fi rm — Expedition Capital. He also parents provide a stellar example with their involvement in is a board member of the Jewish Community Foundation of Kansas City. Helzberg began his real hands-on involvement Greater Kansas City and St. Luke’s Hospital. And then there in the school after returning to the area from New York City is family time with wife Jamie and the kids — twins Oliver and in 2004. Helzberg had volunteered within the charter school Benton (age 6), Leo (4), Amelia (2) and baby Arthur. Dinner system in the city, so he jumped right in here upon his return. time is sacred. Helzberg has learned to say no to outside requests Helzberg joined the University Academy board in 2004 and for his time because it would take away from his young family. became chairman in the 2007-08 school year. “It’s the best,” said Helzberg of being a dad. “It’s amazing “I was a thorn in the side of the board pushing for certain and overwhelming at times. Our house is never boring. We are things,” he said with a laugh. very blessed,” he said. 20 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City Jewish Chronicle alhapointe 4411jl41 full The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 21 neXt generation Making a difference in our community Josef LoeffLer: Passionately entices young Jewish adults to KC By Ellen R. Portnoy Photography by Edmée Rodriguez Josef LoeffLer is a Kansas City area native who loves his to make it work.” community. His way of showing his concern is to help bring “We need a separate tract for Hebrew and Talmud study, but young Jewish adults to Kansas City, whether they are returning the students learn together for secular studies,” he clear. as he did after college, or are new to Kansas City. The new Matmadim program has started with kindergarten “I feel a high sense of loyalty to Kansas City because I came and fi rst grade students who learn in classes taught by the wives from here,” he said. “I am grateful for everything I have: great of Kollel members. “This way,” Loeffl er said, “they share the friends and great family.” expenses as a collaboration between the community day school Loeffl er is the volunteer leader of the Community Growth and the Orthodox community.” Initiative (CGI), which is charged with bringing young Jewish Loeffl er says he feels a moral obligation to help. “We want singles and couples to settle here. CGI is part of the Imagine to get these kids back,” he said, when talking about Kansas City Jewish KC program, a joint initiative of Jewish Vocational natives who moved away. “But we also want to get older people JService and the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. In his as well.” work with CGI, Loeffl er works with Beth Jacobson. Besides his work with CGI, Loeffl er is a 2011 Helzberg He believes the Orthodox, Reform and Conservative Fellow. He just returned from the group’s trip to Israel. “It movements must work together to keep the Kansas City Jewish was fantastic,” he said. “I fell in love with the Negev! I want to community vital. His outreach is to the Orthodox community. fi gure out a way to farm in the Negev.” As a 2004 graduate of the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Figuring things out is something Loeffl er does well. He is and a member of the board of directors of BIAV, Loeffl er said, the president of Blue Star Benefi ts. This health insurance agency “I can create a pitch to potential Orthodox members by telling has 400 brokers and 10 administrative staffers. But with the them what our community has to offer.” changes in politics and how health care is funded, Loeffl er, the In March there was a conference in New York for the son of Frank Loeffl er and Phyllis Carozza, is fi nding the best Orthodox Union to help young families. “In New York,” way to keep the continuity of his family’s business. Loeffl er said, “prices for housing are so high and travel costs are “Right now I am looking for opportunities outside health high. But Kansas City is much cheaper. There are jobs here and insurance,” he said. “I am looking at wellness, human resources a very sustainable Jewish community if they come.” and business services.” He plans to add to the variety of services Some are coming to see and perhaps stay. The CGI has he can provide his clients, while remaining in the health brought Yeshiva University students here to visit and work. insurance business. Several students were offered jobs, according to Loeffl er, but His plans include taking his company’s business to the had to return to New York to fi nish their educations. For these application market, beyond the barriers of traditional websites students, jobs are essential. “In the tri-state region around New and applications. York City there are a lot of Jewish people,” Loeffl er added, “but Loeffl er is busy, but never too busy for Shabbat, and the one not enough jobs. We have jobs here.” thing he does that he is most proud. “I am really known for He believes education is the major reason the Kansas my Urban Yid Shabbos,” Loeffl er said. About once a month City Jewish community is losing families. “Education is the Loeffl er hosts a Shabbat dinner for young adults in their 20s and crucial component,” he said. “It is more important than a 30s at his home in the Plaza area. He sends out an e-mail and kosher restaurant.” between 10 and 50 people show up each time. With this in mind, CGI is working with the Hyman Brand “I don’t make anything special,” he said. “It’s easy, I like to Hebrew Academy to develop an educational tract at the see everyone!” school which will appeal to Orthodox families. Called the But what he would really like is to see many more young ‘blue tract,’ Loeffl er said it takes concessions from both sides Jewish adults back in the Kansas City metropolitan area. 22 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City Jewish Chronicle the cordish group 4411jl41 full The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 23 neXt generation Making a difference in our community renÉe PoLsKY siLver: Carrying on family tradition of helping others By Dana Rosenthal Campbell Photography by Ben McCall The scars on renÉe PoLsKY siLver’s leg are a daily Obviously, volunteerism is simply a way of life for Silver. As a reminder of the importance of life and helping others. The fourth-generation member of Congregation Beth Shalom, her product of a loving family of volunteers who care deeply about volunteer activities began early. She was in second grade when the Jewish community and Kansas City community, she draws her grandmother, Elaine, became the fi rst woman president on the Jewish values of tikkun olam to help others in need. of Beth Shalom. In high school, Silver served on the board of As a burn survivor, Silver is extremely passionate about Kansas City United Synagogue Youth. volunteering at the Missouri Children’s Burn Camp. After nine years away, Silver returned to Kansas City almost “I have worked as a camp counselor, leader of counselors two years ago with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and in training and social worker,” she said. “MCBC is a camp for Judaic Studies, two graduate degrees, and valuable internship children ages 6 to 20 who have been hospitalized for severe experience. She was soon recruited by her long-time friend, Tburn injuries.” Jamie Katz, to help start Gesher, a group for young Jewish “It is a time for them to meet others with similar experiences adults in their 20s and 30s. They welcome singles, couples, from their burn traumas. It is a time for them to feel normal interfaith couples and those who are unaffi liated. because being a burn survivor is the norm at camp. It is a “We want others to also have the opportunity for lifelong time where children ARE able to do everything because we experiences and friendships through the congregation and encourage them to try new things and empower them to do greater Jewish community. It is important for the congregation more and see themselves as the incredible children they are, not to attract new members and maintain multigenerational just as burn survivors.” members. So often, young adults are unaffi liated with any As a licensed social worker in both Kansas and Missouri, Silver congregation. We want people to feel welcome and to have a works as a school therapist for Crittenton Children’s Center’s way to meet other young adults.” “Head Start Trauma Smart” program. She provides individual Silver’s inspiration stems from her entire family. Her therapy to 3 to 5 year olds and support to the children, teachers grandparents, Norman and Elaine Polsky and Sidney and and staff in the Head Start classrooms. She educates parents Rosalind Ginsburg, and her parents, Ellen and Larry Polsky, all and teachers on trauma and the impact it can have on a child have held leadership roles in many organizations in and out of as well as provides therapeutic interventions in and out of the the Jewish community. classroom and home environments. “Grandpa Norman encouraged the words ‘Power of Another activity close to Silver’s heart is her role on the Kindness’ through his fl ashlights and buttons,” she explained. “I Village Shalom Associate Board, which organizes the annual am so lucky to have grown up with such incredible role models Father’s Day Run. She and her sister, Jennifer Polsky, are in who always let me know how fortunate I am and enabled me to charge of organizing and facilitating the children’s activities this see the world around me.” year. She has seen fi rst-hand the excellent care her grandmothers, Along with her husband, Larry Silver, she looks forward to Rosalind Ginbsurg (who died in 2009) and Elaine Polsky, a building on this foundation for her own family — one of being current resident, have received. close to family and friends at Congregation Beth Shalom and Silver recently became the secretary of The Polsky Family being very involved in the community. Supporting Foundation. She also works as a paraprofessional at “Giving back to others is just as rewarding to me as it is to the Polsky Religious School at Congregation Beth Shalom on those I help.” Wednesdays and Sundays. 24 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City Jewish Chronicle laura’s couture 33111bg6 full The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 25 kansas city repertory 33111bg3 full 26 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle johnson county community college 4511jl31 full The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE 27 LifecYcLes Where to turn for assistance with lifecycle events In times of sorrow or joy, a rabbi is often one of the fi rst persons who is called. Every congregation’s rabbi is listed in the congregation section. But for those who are unaffi liated or who simply want to be armed with the proper information at the proper time, below is a listing of who to contact for a variety of lifecycle events including Brit Milah, conversion, keeping kosher, mikvaot and divorce. COMMUNITY CHAPLAIN events throughout the year including several communitywide The Jewish Chaplaincy Program at healing services and programs for those suffering through grief Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas and loss. A cadre of spiritual care volunteers assists the chaplain, City serves Jewish people and their Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, with visits to people in area hospitals, families in the greater metropolitan area healthcare facilities and senior living environments. by addressing the spiritual needs of those The chaplain’s offi ce is located at Village Shalom. You can facing health and healing challenges. reach Rabbi Rudnick, phone (913) 915-7730, or via e-mail at Established in 2006, the program [email protected]. Visit the Jewish Family Services website at www. provides direct pastoral services (spiritual jfskc.org for more information, or call (913) 327-8250. care and counseling), is a central resource for volunteer training, and enables the MOHELIM/CIRCUMCISIONS local Jewish community to respond more There are three mohelim in the Kansas City area. effectively to the challenges of health Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick Rabbi Jeffrey Shron of Kehilath Israel Synagogue is recognized and healing, with a focus on the spiritual as a ritually trained mohel. He received his traditional certifi cation resources of community and tradition. The Jewish Community in Brit Milah from Rabbi David Surasky and had extensive Chaplain is the Jewish community’s connection to the healthcare additional medical training with local pediatrician Dr. Alan Organ. community and can help individuals and their families navigate Rabbi Shron can be reached at (913) 642-1880 ext.211, (913) the spiritual care services of the healthcare community. 649-6296 or [email protected]. More information can be The Jewish Chaplaincy, in partnership with JFS, offers various found at his website, http://rabbijs.com jewish garden vocational terrace Although yesterday may not be remembered, services 31111today canbg33 still be meaningful. Come see our memory care facility & 4811jl45 speak withthird our professionals. sq. All stages of memory care Dementia-trained staff sixth v 8 secure units 20 licensed therapists on staff Specialized therapeutic programs Family education programs 913.631.2273 | www.LCCA.com | 7541 Switzer Road | Overland Park, KS 66214 28 THE GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE • 2011-2012 | 5771-5772 • Th e Kansas City Jewish Chronicle LifecYcLes communities. The Vaad ensures kosher products and services are accessible to Kansas City along with providing outreach and education to the community about the laws of kashrut. The Vaad is available to provide kosher certifi cation, supervision and inspection, for Rabbi Jeffrey Shron Dr. Michael Blum Rabi Elchanan Schulgasser congregations, agencies, caterers, hotels, wholesale and retail food Dr. Michael Blum, a board certifi ed pediatrician, is also a vendors and food production certifi ed mohel, receiving his certifi cation from the Berit Mila companies. This important service ensures that kosher food Program of Reform Judaism. He is currently chairman of the is available in our community. The Vaad’s website, vaadkc.org, National Organization of American Mohalim. He can be reached provides updated information valuable to our consumers in the at (913) 888-4567 or at [email protected]. Kansas City area. Rabbi Elchanan Schulgasser, a member of the Kanas City Financial support for the Vaad comes from the production Community Kollel, is the newest mohel in Kanas City. He companies and vendors where Vaad supervision is provided along completed his training in the summer of 2010. He studied with communal charitable grants and individual contributions extensively under Rabbi Michael Rovinsky of St. Louis, one of through membership in the Vaad. only a handful of Orthodox mohelim who takes on students for The Vaad incorporated in the 1990s as a 501(c)3, non-profi t, this specialized training. Rabbi Schulgasser can be reached at tax-exempt organization. Rabbi Daniel Rockoff of Congregation (913) 735-6728 or via e-mail at [email protected]. BIAV serves as Rav Hamachshir and Rabbi Herbert Mandl of Kehilath Israel Synagogue serves as chairman. Karen Pack is KEEPING KOSHER president of the board of directors. Maintaining quality kashrut supervision is critical to Jewish For those needing information as to where to purchase kosher life in our community. The primary goal of the Vaad HaKashrut food, the Vaad keeps a listing on its website, www.vaadkc.org of Kansas City is to preserve a community standard of Kosher of kosher dining opportunities in the area as well as a list of supervision, both in Kansas City and for those who visit from other recommended caterers. 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