Community News

Safety remains top priority for The J

As Kansas entered phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccination roll-out plan, Machaela Whelan, director of The J’s Child Development Center (CDC), worked with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment to register qualifying employees for COVID-19 vaccinations. As of mid-March, the majority of the CDC’s and The J’s after-school program’s approximately 75 teachers and staff had received vaccinations.

March is Social Work Month celebrating all individuals who provide social work for the wellbeing of our community. Social workers are the heart and soul of Jewish Family Services, whether helping people in times of crisis such as the pandemic or in helping them meet the challenges of everyday life. The JFS team collaborates effectively to support and strengthen lives.

Simcha Gifts packed and distributed over 600 Passover packages to area nursing homes, retirement centers and seniors living in their own homes.

After a Havdalah service led by Rabbi Zev Wineberg on March 13 at the Chabad House Center, volunteers began packing the Simcha Gifts until late that night.

Tikkun olam (repairing the world) is a major tenet in Judaism. KU Hillel senior Sarah Glaser takes tikkun olam to heart and has begun organizing weekly community service events for organizations in need in our community as part of the Serve the Moment initiative.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly declared March 24 as Education and Sharing Day in honor of the 119th anniversary of the birth of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, who dedicated his life to the cause of education.

Passover begins with the first Seder on Saturday. A pre-recorded virtual seder created by the Rabbinical Association is being offered this year to assist families as they host their own home seder.

Living in suburban Washington, D.C, the mother of two children, and the wife of a physician, Allison Green still has close ties to Prairie Village, not the least of which are her parents, Barbara and Bob Frager, who still live in her childhood home.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a reality check for Steve and Denise Ellenberg, whose catering company is a staple of local Jewish celebrations.

Over 100 participants of all ages attended the recent virtual community Purim day celebration. Participants enjoyed an engaging program that included songs and a creative reading of the Megillah led by Rabbis David Glickman, Jonathan Rudnick, Scott White and Hazzan Tahl Ben Yehuda.

KC SuperStar — Kansas City’s premiere high school singing competition — is taking place despite the pandemic. Imagine winning $10,000 for singing your favorite song.