Community News

Mazel tov to Peter Spears, a co-producer of “Nomadland,” which stars Francis McDormand and won best picture at the Academy Awards held April 25 in Los Angeles.

Macie Clawson, a KU grad, KU Hillel alum and former participant in Jewish Federation’s Leadership Tomorrow internship program, recently had her first essay published on HeyAlma.com. Hey Alma is a popular online publication that publishes pieces on Jewish identity and culture.

A post on the Big Sonia Movie Instagram account (@bigsoniamovie) recently announced that, thanks to a generous donation, they are now a third of the way to raising the funds needed to make an interactive hologram of the film’s star, Sonia Warshawski.

Last week, after a stampede at a Lag B’Omer festival in Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City released the following statement via email:

Aviva Okeson-Haberman, the KCUR reporter who was killed last month by a stray bullet, was a Jewish woman from Springfield, Missouri.

The White Theatre at The J will celebrate its 15th anniversary season with Best of Broadway, a virtual benefit concert, at 7 p.m. on May 15. The concert will feature performances from some of the finest local stars and best Broadway shows held on The White Theatre stage over its 15 seasons. The concert is free, however, donations to benefit The J’s Arts + Culture programs are welcome.

The trauma caused by COVID-19 is bringing increased awareness to the importance of mental health care. In the past pandemic year, Jewish Family Services (JFS) has seen a 50% increase in the number of counseling sessions. JFS has responded by providing more resources and information with a focus on preventive initiatives.

(JTA) — The white supremacist who murdered three people outside Jewish institutions in Overland Park, Kansas, in 2014, died on the same day that the daughter and mother of two of his victims published a book memorializing their lives.

The Jewish Community Relations Bureau|AJC seeks a talented and dynamic professional to serve as its development director, to help manage all aspects of JCRB|AJC’s development plan, including fundraising, special events, relevant fundraising communications, and donor development.

The community is invited to attend the installation of the officers and board of directors of the Beth Shalom Sisterhood. The theme is “still going strong.” The ceremony is May 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.