Jewish

Milgrim and her partner, Yaron Lischinsky, were shot and killed in Washington last week. Local Jewish leaders remembered her warmth, empathy, and belief in dialogue at Tuesday's funeral service in Overland Park, Kansas.

Federal authorities are also investigating the Washington, D.C. shootings as a hate crime and an act of terrorism. One of the victims, 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim, was a Prairie Village native.

Some opponents worry the bill restricts free speech and could be used to silence criticism of Israel. The bill's sponsor, a St. Louis Republican, says allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza would be considered antisemitic.

As Israel and Hamas enter into a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, members of Kansas City's Jewish and Palestinian communities reflect on what a chance for peace means after more than a year of bloodshed.

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.