Jewish

Today marks one year since the Hamas terrorist attack that killed over 1,200 people in Israel, and sparked a war that's killed 42,000 people in Gaza and more in Lebanon. Jews in Kansas City shared with KCUR's Up To Date how the past year of conflict has reshaped their community.

Kansas City's Jewish community will observe the first night of Hanukkah on Thursday. But that community is feeling the dark cloud of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, along with an increase in incidents of antisemitic acts and rhetoric.

Ariel Rak and Iris Mehler of Midland both grew up in Israel and have been together since they were 13 years old and both served in the Israeli Defense Force.

Gavriela Geller of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau told KCUR's Up To Date in September talk about a recent rise in antisemitic acts in Kansas City and the country. Since the war between Hamas and Israel began this month, Geller believes antisemitism is "absolutely" spiking even more.

Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City is hosting a support group Wednesday evening for the local Jewish community. And the Jewish Culture Fest planned for Sunday at the Jewish Community Center will go ahead as planned.

Gavriela Geller, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau and the American Jewish Committee, says that more education is needed to combat antisemitism in Kansas City communities.

Olathe-based Pepper Cave, owned by Justin Bale, was suspended indefinitely in apparent response to complaints about Bale’s social media activity, which in recent days has been filled with blatant antisemitic invective. Bale responded to the suspension by praising Hitler.

The city celebrated the first night of Hanukkah with the lighting of a 12-foot-tall menorah outside City Hall and a lighting ceremony inside the chambers. Jewish leaders say this display of unity is just the first step in combatting increasing antisemitism.

The Anti-Defamation League has been keeping track of antisemitic incidents since 1979, and they’ve never been higher than last year. Around Kansas City, a new generation of Jewish people is coming to terms with what that means for their future.

There has been no systematic review of the actions of the nearly one million ethnically diverse members of the military who served in World War I.

With Kansas City hospitals caring for a record number of COVID patients, it's hard right now to address everyone's medical needs, let alone spiritual ones. Chaplains navigate health protocols and technological limitations, while still finding holiness "in places and circumstances most folks don't."

Hate crimes reported in Kansas and Missouri during 2020 increased significantly, but unreliable data collection and severe underreporting mean the real figures are likely even higher.