The community is invited to the 17th annual Purim Gala on Sunday, March 8, at Oakwood Country Club, as BIAV recognizes two local organizations devoted to “growing the good in Kansas City” — Mitzvah Garden KC and Friends of Sheffield Cemetery.
This year’s event marks the first time Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner will highlight the mitzvahs of Jewish organizations — feeding the hungry and honoring the dead. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}“We look forward to a joyous celebration as we celebrate deserving ‘home grown’ organizations for their good work,” said co-chair Lisa Bernard.
According to Kohelet – Ecclesiastes, “there is a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot that which is planted. By recognizing these outstanding groups and their devoted volunteers, we also acknowledge the circle of life to which we are all a part,” said Bernard.
The Mitzvah Garden was founded 15 years ago at Village Shalom. Dr. Ken Sonnenschein, Larry Lehman and Andrew Kaplan expanded Mitzvah Garden KC in 2010 to include a much larger site at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. With the efforts of its scores of devoted volunteers who keep it going, Mitzvah Garden KC has been able to donate about 10,000 pounds of produce a year to various food pantries and kitchens.
Friends of Sheffield Cemetery was founded in 2003 by a group of dedicated community leaders. Led by community leader Rickie Haith, the organization’s goal is to “continue restoring honor to the final resting-places of our forbearers, whose hardship, sacrifice and love provided the foundation for a strong Jewish community in a thriving Kansas City.” Steve Rothstein is cemetery chair at BIAV, which owns Sheffield Cemetery.
Representatives of the two groups will join a distinguished group of community leaders who have been recognized with the Mordechai Award. Past recipients include: Rabbi Morey Schwartz, 1998; A. Robert Gast, 1999; Neil and Blanche Sosland, 2000; Merilyn Berenbom, 2001; Jerry and Lisa Bernard, 2002; Bernard H. Brown, 2003; Florence Melton, z”l, 2004; Cy and Esther Rudnick, 2006; G. Richard Hastings, 2007; Jim Badzin, 2008; The Helzberg Leadership Program, 2009; the Honorable Sam Brownback, 2010; Esther Levens and Vrem Levens, z”l, 2011; Todd Stettner, 2012; BIAV’s Young Adults, 2013; and in 2014, Bonnie and Matt Siegel.
Invitations to Purim Gala, sponsored by Congregation BIAV, will be mailed shortly. Opportunities for table sponsorships and ads in the Tribute Journal are available. For more information, to volunteer or to RSVP, contact Joel Krichiver in the office at 913-341-2444 or email .{/mprestriction}
