We asked our community’s agencies and organizations to share with us what they’re looking forward to and will be focusing on in 2021.
This is the first installment in a two-part series. The second installment will run in our January 14 issue.
Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City
Our landmark initiative in 2021 will be the Greater Kansas City Community Study, the first comprehensive study of our Jewish community in 36 years. The study is being conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University, in partnership with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. The goal of this demographic and engagement study is to collect, analyze, and report accurate and actionable data to inform community planning and enhance the vibrancy of Jewish life in Greater Kansas City. Federation board member Amanda Palan is chairing the study advisory committee.
Jewish Federation will continue to focus on working with longtime benefactors to secure planned/legacy gifts — an initiative that’s been underway during the latter half of 2020, led by board members Stewart Koesten and John Isenberg. We’ll aim to secure 25 new planned/legacy giving commitments. As part of this, we’ll continue to build our Polsky Family PJ Library Endowment toward our goal of reaching or exceeding the $1 million level.
Another focus will be on continuing to raise substantial funds for the future of Jewish community security. We’ve made great strides in this area, but will need the help of key benefactors who have contributed previously — as well as new donors — to ensure that we can maintain and build on our strong security foundation as we move forward into the next 10 years.
Finally, we’ll be particularly focused on continuing to develop a strong volunteer leadership pipeline and “bench strength” for Jewish Federation and the wider Jewish community. Federation is intentional about giving members of our community leadership training and opportunities, in order to ensure that we have strong leadership well into the future. – Helene Lotman, President and CEO
Priya
2021 marks the sixth anniversary of the Priya Fund in Kansas City, and we are excited for the opportunities in the upcoming year. We plan to expand our programming by creating inclusive learning opportunities for the community, enhance our support group with Jewish Family Services counseling resources, and continue to work with the community to grow Jewish families.
We plan to provide education for the community on topics covering Jewish genetic testing, in partnership with JScreen, to empowering the conversation around family building and breaking down the stigma of infertility. Our initiative to increase visibility and accessibility include connecting with area rabbis, young professionals groups, and community organizations.
Our goal is to build Jewish families through financial assistance, emotional and spiritual support, and education. We aim to support our clients through life’s challenging moments and celebrate with them as they welcome new members of their families to the Jewish community.
As we increase our outreach, we anticipate a greater use of the Priya Fund for diverse Jewish families in the Kansas City community. In 2020 we welcomed our 17th child to the Jewish community, and hope that in 2021 provides the blessing of family for many more of our community members. The Priya support group will resume in late January 2021. – Molly Hess, program manager
BBYO
BBYO — Kansas City Council is excited to move into 2021 with some wonderful virtual programming. With support from Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Foundation, we were recently able to hire Rebecca Worth to run our middle school program, BBYO Connect. Programming will kick off in January and will continue through May, with a couple programs being hosted each month. Kansas City BBYO’s high school program will begin recruitment season in January, with chapters hosting programs open to all Jewish teens grades 8 to 12.
In February, BBYO will be virtually hosting International Convention, bringing together thousands of teens from all over the world. International Convention takes place over President’s Day weekend, and this year we are taking advantage of virtual hosting by opening up certain moments to 8th grade teens, nonmembers, alumni and adult stakeholders. Programs will also be hosted locally by our chapters, including a community service project.
In the spring, our chapters will host various community service and social justice programs, giving back to the community and taking a deeper dive in learning. We will end the school year with many celebrations, including anniversaries for our B’nai Brith Girls and Aleph Zadic Aleph chapters; BBG will celebrate its 77th birthday and AZA will celebrate its 97th birthday. We will also celebrate our volunteer chapter advisors, host an inductions ceremony for our new members and celebrate our senior members. – Annie Rifkin, Regional Director
Midwest Center for Holocaust Education
The primary focus of MCHE’s work in 2021 will be providing educational support and programming for Union Station’s run of the exhibition Auschwitz: Not Long Ago. Not Far Away. The exhibit traces the complete history of the Holocaust while focusing on the central role of Auschwitz. MCHE will be writing educational materials for students to learn pre- and post-visit, teaching educator professional development courses in conjunction with the exhibit, training docents to enhance visitors’ experiences, and working with Union Station to host a speakers series of renowned historians throughout the run.
In addition to our work with the exhibit, we will be continuing our focus on rural and regional outreach and digital access to our programs. In February we will be launching our new website and throughout 2021 we will be adding content in the form of historical lectures with supplemental teaching materials and connections to our local survivor archive. – Jessica Rockhold, Executive Director
Jewish Community Foundation
As it has for more than 60 years, the Jewish Community Foundation looks forward to another year of serving as the community’s comprehensive philanthropic resource and providing personal service and customized creative strategies to individuals, families, and communal organizations.
The Foundation’s main funding focus in 2020 was COVID relief, and through the generosity of its fundholders and the Community Legacy Fund, JCF distributed approximately $900,000 to help blunt the impact of the pandemic. While the future is unknown, the Foundation remains dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of the community and will continue to work closely with its partners to provide support and guidance during this challenging time.
The Foundation has several virtual programs in the works for the first quarter of 2021. B’nai Tzedek, its youth philanthropy program, will hold its annual shuk online this spring where young fundholders will learn about the needs of community organizations and make their annual grants. J-LEAD, the Foundation’s young adult giving circle, is planning an upcoming educational event online for its members on the topic of wills and estate plans. In February, the Create a Jewish Legacy program will host an installment of its popular Parking Lot Lunch series where professional and lay leaders of communal organizations will be invited to learn helpful tips and the latest trends in planned giving.
Though the Foundation has adapted well to a virtual environment, there is no replacement for the warmth and connection of in-person interactions. The Foundation Board and staff look forward to a day very soon when we can once again be together in person. – Lauren Hoopes, Executive Director
Jewish Student Union (JSU)
In 2021, Kansas City JSU is looking forward to continuing its mission of creating connections, empowering teens and inspiring the Jewish future. JSU teens and families could not be more excited about its latest project, JSU unBoxed. The first-ever themed subscription box for teens has been a huge success. Our JSU presidents look forward to getting together to assemble, package, and distribute 100 boxes each month.
While most of our clubs are continuing to be held virtually, some JSU presidents have started a new program called JSU Breakfast Club. Teens get together outdoors with their friends and meet up for some fresh coffee and an inspirational and motivational message for the day, all before school starts.
Anticipation is also mounting for JSU’s flagship summer Israel trip, TJJ (The Jerusalem Journey). Kansas City teens are eagerly awaiting their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel, explore and experience Israel. – Rabbi Nati Stern, Director
Avodah
Avodah’s third fellowship cohort was in session when the pandemic hit last year and ended virtually. Rather than start a new cohort, we decided to pivot and provide virtual and socially-distanced events for the Jewish community as a whole.
The first virtual event of 2021 will be held on February 4. Avodah, in partnership with Jewish Vocational Service, will present an intimate conversation with Kansas City native, sociologist and psychiatrist, Jonathan Metzl, author of “Dying of Whiteness,” and Dan Margolies, senior reporter and editor at KCUR. Metzl will share details about the dire consequences of some right-wing policies for the populations they claim to help. Together, we will also explore the uneasy place Jews have held in the Midwest, and the price of Jewish whiteness within a nation preoccupied with the racial categories of Black and White.
Avodah’s virtual and socially-distanced events will continue through August 2021 (the end of Avodah’s fiscal year). After that, we will evaluate the current situation and decide whether to gather a new fellowship cohort or possibly do a hybrid of the fellowship and community events. – Amy Ravis-Furey, Director
