Hadassah Greater Kansas City will honor Hadassah affiliated educators at its fifth annual Touch of Red Gala on Saturday evening, Nov. 5.
Co-chairs Marian Kaplan and Rita Shapiro and other members of the local Hadassah team are in the process of deciding whether this year’s gala will be in person, hybrid or virtual.
Kaplan and Shapiro hope that everyone who identifies themselves as an educator will choose to participate. They are compiling a list of Hadassah members and Associates who have taught at any level from preschool to college in either a Judaic or secular classroom. Both active and retired teachers are invited to attend and be honored.
Those wanting their names on the honoree list should email Marian Kaplan at and include in their message the level(s) taught, whether the education was Judaic and/or secular, and indicate whether active or retired.
Educators not yet affiliated with Hadassah can choose to become members or Associates and be honored. Annual membership is $36; life membership is $250, payable either as a lump sum or in five installments of $50. Men can become Hadassah Associates—men who support the mission of Hadassah—at $250 for life.
As former public school teachers themselves, Kaplan and Shapiro view this Gala as coming at an especially appropriate time because of the challenges educators have faced during the past few years — namely COVID-19, virtual teaching, and safety procedures due to gun violence.
Hadassah members, Associates and others in the community are encouraged to attend to show gratitude to local educators for their service. Attendees are requested to wear something red to celebrate the occasion.
More details will be announced soon. Those wanting more information can contact Kaplan at or 913-909-9319, or Shapiro at or 816-941-9592.