Having completed her year of service as Israel Emissary in Kansas City, Ophir Hacohen asked to share some parting thoughts with the community she has come to love. As you’ll read in her message, Ophir is heading back to Israel in a few weeks to continue her academic studies and pursue her career. Please join us to say farewell to Ophir in person at our going away party for Ophir this Sunday afternoon. Shalom Ophir, and thanks for the many wonderful ideas you have brought to Kansas City!

-- Todd Stettner

I invite you to vicariously experience some of the overseas programs and services Jewish Federation supports through NextGen leaders Michelle Goldsmith and Beth Liss’s look back on their recent trip. Michelle and Beth – members of the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership (NYL) Cabinet – recently returned from a NYL Cabinet study mission to St. Petersburg, Russia, Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden.

I hope you enjoy reading about their incredible journey through these cities’ Jewish communities as much as I have!

-- Todd Stettner

“To everything there is a season,” and this is the season when volunteers at the Jewish Federation sit in meeting rooms for hours at a time to decide how to best distribute the funds you, our supporters, have given. It is not an easy task.

From the moment the “Western” or “Wailing Wall” was liberated in 1967, Jews of all persuasions came to pray at this site and there were no barriers, nor major separations of denominations. As time evolved, the situation changed and is much different.

The last few weeks I have shared with you some perspectives about the  "next generation" of leadership. Today, I would like to present to you one of these leaders, Sarah Beren. Sarah, who has held a number of leadership positions within Jewish Federation, including former President of our Women's Philanthropy, will share a recent leadership experience she had with several other Kansas Citians.

Kol HaKavod to Sarah, and the rest of the group, for giving their time and resources to help our community work toward the future.

I hope you enjoy Sarah’s comments!
-- Todd Stettner