In the wake of the terror attacks and war with Hamas, current and former Israeli community emissaries to Kansas City explained and expressed their feelings on the crisis.
Hannah Soltz, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s Israel representative, was already in the United States when she received the news of the attacks.
“[It’s] devastating,” she said. “...Obviously, it feels awful to be away, sitting here and worrying about what’s happening there. [My family] is safe, but very anxious and very angry. Many people in Israel are furious.”
Soltz works with Federation’s Israeli partner city, Ramle. She conveyed the Kansas City Jewish community’s support to the mayor of Ramle, and said, “it’s really heartwarming that we are not alone, and the whole Jewish community around the world is supporting us.”
“We’re strong,” she continued, “We’ll make it. The price will be very high. We’ve been through hardships in the past. We all worry about the aftermath… almost every family will be hit somehow. We’ll need your support… just knowing that you are with us and support us and understand us.”
Mika Kislanski, Kansas City’s new shalicha (Israeli emissary), arrived in Kansas City just weeks ago. She said that despite being accustomed to receiving notifications of rocket fire in Israel, the news of the infiltration from the Gaza Strip was unexpected.
“One of the things that I think has been shocking to most Israelis and everyone everywhere is the amount of civilians being killed or captured, or homes being broken into,” Kislanski said. “...I understand why a lot of people are comparing it to the Yom Kippur War, but it is not the same. We are not fighting against other armies. We are fighting against a terror organization that does not adhere to a moral code.”
When asked what would happen if the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reached out to Kislanski to fight, she said, “If I’m needed, that’s where I’ll be.”
Noa Dovrat, Tal Shabo and Daniel Rivin, all former shlichim (Israeli emissaries) to Kansas City, have reached out from Israel to comment on the situation. Each has been called to the IDF reserves.
Noa Dovrat, the Kansas City Jewish community’s shalicha from 2022 to 2023, said that while fighting with Hamas is not new, this war “couldn’t have been more different,” referring to the terrorists who killed, tortured and captured innocent Israelis.
“Hamas does not care for peace and does not care who they harm,” Dovrat said. “Now is the time to stand together and condemn violence… I, like many Israelis, know someone [who has] fallen, know someone from the missing people list.”
Dovrat also thanked the community “for being outspoken with your support to Israel during these hard times.”
Tal Shabo, shaliach from 2019 to 2020, said, “We are strong, and we will win this together.” Daniel Rivin, shaliach from 2018 to 2019, said he wishes for peace.