KOSHERFEST A SUCCESS — A good time was had by all at KosherFest 2014, Congregation Ohev Sholom’s delectable fundraiser held Sunday, June 1, at the Prairie Village-based congregation. More than 160 volunteers helped out that day. More than 125 art projects were completed based on an interpretation of a Martin Luther King quote. In addition, festival goers enjoyed music, dancing and — of course — kosher food. Volunteers served up 142 plates of blintzes, 241 potato knishes and 214 meat knishes as well as 344 cabbage rolls.
Executive Chef Barry Brooks’ Israeli cooking demonstration proved popular as did the electric cars and solar systems in the green sustainability area. One hundred children received new pedometers to encourage them to exercise. ‘We gave everyone a taste of Jewish food, culture and fun,’ said KosherFest Chair Kelly Jackson.
DREAMER, MOVER AND SHAKER — It was with sadness we learned about the death of George Lieberman Monday (see complete obituary, page 23). George was one of the people who dreamed the idea of having a Jewish Community Campus. In fact he led the charge to raise the $18.5 million needed to build and open the facility, almost 26 years ago, in October 1988. He was a member of the first Campus board of directors and remained an active leader for many years. We honor him, and all the others, who made the dream of the Jewish Community Campus come true.
VILLAGE SHALOM CEO HEADED TO WASHINGTON — Matthew Lewis, president and CEO of Village Shalom, has been invited to address the Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS) Senior Health Care Meeting tomorrow, Friday, June 13, at the White House. Vice President Joseph Biden is also slated to address the gathering of leaders representing Jewish senior living and health care organizations from across the country. Several other administration officials will also be in attendance.
The annual event will be the ninth such meeting held at the White House, according the Don Shulman, president and CEO of AJAS, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C. “As the central address for Jewish eldercare,” he explained, “it is important for us to be center stage on the political front and remind the White House of the innovation and industry leadership the Jewish community represents.”
Lewis has been asked to offer remarks on the resilience of Village Shalom and the Kansas City Jewish community following the tragic events of April 13.
BOOK SIGNING — Tina Hacker has written another book, “Listening to the Night Whistles.” She will celebrate the publication of this new book, a full-length collection of poetry, at a book signing from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at the Leopold Gallery, 324 W. 63rd St. (between Wornall and Brookside). Hacker says, “Sip some wine, sample some sweets and savor the art.” Books will be available for purchase and signing. To learn more, contact Hacker at .
MCHE Speaker Series update
After The Chronicle went to press last week, the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education announced a change in its State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda exhibition Wednesday Speaker Series. The Aug. 20 event will now be “Female in the Fatherland: Imagery of Women and Girls in Nazi Propaganda.” Dr. Ann Millin, a historian at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, will explore how Nazi propagandists used images of women and girls to convey their vision of the national community and rally Germans to support Nazi policies. All events in the speaker series are free, begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at the National World War I Museum. Reservations are requested for all programs and receptions by calling 816-268-8010 or emailing .
