Community News

The J recently launched a new program for adults with young families designed to enhance leadership skills and encourage future volunteer leadership within The J community.

In observance of Tisha B’Av, a community-wide observance and service will take place on Wednesday, July 26, outdoors at Congregation Beth Shalom.

As part of Jewish Family Services’ 120th anniversary celebration, the agency is highlighting families that have had tremendous impact on its ongoing success.

Evolve Hadassah: The Next Generation is a group of women who are dedicated to shepherding Hadassah’s core mission into the future and ensuring that it remains a vibrant and thriving organization.

Everyone who has visited Jewish Family Services (JFS) Food Pantry KesherKC Mobile effort has encountered and been greeted by Susan Lebovitz. 

A community-wide course for those considering conversion to Judaism will begin with an orientation session from 7 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 10. “Judaism for Conversion Candidates” classes will take place virtually via Zoom on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., and some additional learning opportunities will be held in person and may rotate among the synagogues and Jewish Community Campus.

First Call, a nonprofit geared towards helping those impacted by addiction, has named Jewish community members Karen and Jeffry Gerson as its event chairs for its annual celebration, now called the First Call Soirée. 

In observance of Tisha B’Av, a community-wide observance and service will take place on Wednesday, July 26, outdoors at Congregation Beth Shalom. If there is inclement weather, the evening will be held indoors at the synagogue. Outdoor seating will be available, and those who wish may bring blankets to sit on. 

Eitan Gerson, a local 13 year old who recently celebrated his bar mitzvah, has been collecting funds to support Camp Ramah Yachad, a children’s summer camp in Ukraine. 

Last month, 10 students and two staff from KU Hillel traveled to both Poland and Israel for a leadership trip.