Day of Discovery

Presented by: Rabbi Michael Zedek, Rabbi-in-residence, St Paul School of Theology

Session Description: What may we learn about growing ourselves from redwoods, porcupines, dogs, fish and more? Come hear, and you may never forget. People Are Like…is the title of Rabbi Zedek’s new book, meant both for young readers and readers who wish to stay “young.” The content conveys unforgettable stories of how to become and grow as a mensch.

Bio: Rabbi Michael Zedek is Rabbi Emeritus of two congregations, The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Kansas City, and Emanuel Congregation in Chicago.

Presented by: Jay Lewis, President and CEO, Jewish Federation of Kansas City

Session Description: This interactive session will utilize the latest national and local data and trends to explore the best strategies for meeting the current needs of the Kansas City Jewish community as well as what the KC Jewish community will look like over the next 20 years.

Bio: Jay Lewis is the President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Kansas City. A long-time Kansas Citian, Jay was the Executive Director of KU Hillel for 15 years and then spent 6 years as the Vice President for Campus Support for Hillel International.

Presented by: Lindsey Lipsky MEd, CNP, Sasone Director

Session Description: How can we ensure that every member of our Jewish community—regardless of disability or difference—feels a true sense of belonging in our synagogues, schools, and community events? In this interactive session, we’ll explore the Jewish values that underpin inclusion (like B’tzelem Elohim, Hachnasat Orchim, and Lo Ta’amod Al Dam Re’echa), alongside real-world strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals and those with physical, sensory, and developmental disabilities. We’ll talk about what it really looks like to build an inclusive Jewish community, using real stories from Kansas City families and educators. and consider practical approaches to making communal spaces and spiritual experiences more accessible to all ages—through visuals, sensory tools, communication strategies, and community attitudes. Participants will leave with resources, inspiration, and a renewed understanding of how honoring the whole person—mind, body, and soul—is core to building Jewish community.

Bio: Lindsey Lipsky is the Director of Sasone. Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Management from North Park University in Chicago and a Master’s in Special Education and Leadership from Arizona State University. She has over 15 years of experience in teaching, consulting, and nonprofit program development, and currently collaborates with national and local partners to expand inclusive practice across Jewish Kansas City.

Presented by: Ethan Helfand, KU Hillel Executive Director and Neta Meltzer, Executive Director, Jewish Community Relations Bureau | AJC

Session Description: In a world where everything feels “unprecedented,” it can be hard to keep our heads above water. And yet, even as the world seems constantly on the brink, we find ways to stay afloat—or at the very least, to laugh. Join two of KC's newest Jewish community executives as they share their insights on the intersection of leadership, wellness, and hope. How do they make sense of an information landscape that’s overflowing with content? What does it look like to recharge and disconnect from work that, as our sages teach, we are “not at liberty to neglect”? How do they zoom out to find perspective and possibility in the face of ongoing struggle? How are they shaping bold visions for their organizations while still responding to ever-present crises? And—perhaps most importantly—what memes are they texting each other?

Bios: Ethan Helfand serves as the Executive Director of KU Hillel, and formerly was the Director of Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J. Helfand, who holds degrees in Jewish Studies from Brandeis University and The George Washington University, has focused his efforts in Jewish community programming, and organizational and leadership development.

Neta Meltzer is the executive director of JCRB|AJC. Prior to joining the team as the director of community and government relations in 2023, Neta held roles in community engagement, marketing and communications, education, volunteer management, and resource development. She was born in Israel and is a native Hebrew speaker.  

Presented by: Dr. Shelly Cline, Midwest Center for Holocaust Education

Session Description: Once in power, the Nazi government not only transformed the German state from a democracy to a dictatorship, but they also took control of cultural institutions and began to dictate art and artistic expression. This control took the form of promoting Nazi sanctioned German art as well as condemning, seizing, and in some cases destroying existing art they considered to be un-German. This presentation will look at the art they attacked, the methods they used, and the lessons we can learn from this authoritarian destruction of culture.

Bio: Dr. Shelly Cline is the Historian and Director of Education at the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education in Overland Park, KS. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. Cline is an instructor in the Jewish Studies Program at the University of Kansas and has also served on the faculties of the Kansas City Art Institute and the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Presented by: Rabbi David M. Glickman, Congregation Beth Shalom

Session Description: We are living through times of great internal and external turmoil.  Both the war (or wars) with Israel in 2023, as well as social divisions inside America -- it sometimes feels like many things we took for granted are uncertain.  This session will explore wisdom from the Jewish tradition on ways to live through times of fear, uncertainty and Anxiety.

Bio:Rabbi David Glickman has been the senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom since 2012.  Rabbi Glickman is a sought-after teacher in the KC Jewish community.  A passion for the potential of the People Israel drives his rabbinate.  Rabbi Glickman is married to Annie Glickman.  He is also somewhat of a coffee maven.

Presented by: Jordan Kadosh, ADL Heartland Regional Director

Session Description: With antisemitism on the rise, the ADL Center for Antisemitism Research has undertaken extensive research projects aimed at identifying and developing communication strategies that combat antisemitism. Join ADL Heartland Regional Director Jordan Kadosh, to learn the most persuasive and effective way to disrupt antisemitism in your everyday life.

Bio: Jordan Kadosh is the Regional Director of ADL Heartland leading all ADL initiatives to fight hate in Missouri, Southern Illinois and Eastern Kansas. Jordan joined ADL in 2022 after a decade in the textile recycling industry, most recently as Vice President of Business Development at Whitehouse and Shapiro. His private sector career was focused on creating additional revenue streams for small nonprofits and diverting textile waste from landfills. Prior to his work in the recycling sector Jordan was a campaign manager, organizer, and consultant working on races and issues throughout the state of Missouri.

Presented by: Andi Edwardson, USCJ, Director of Marketing & Communications

Session Description: Jewish tradition is filled with more than laws and liturgy—it also brims with mystery, magic, and the mystical. We’ll journey through Jewish texts, folklore, and mystical writings to meet some of the supernatural figures who haunt, protect, and challenge the human world. From the mischievous dybbuk to the fearsome golem, from guardian angels to demons of ancient lore, this session uncovers the rich tapestry of beings that dwell in Jewish imagination. Join us for a fascinating dive into the fantastical side of Judaism, where scrolls hold spirits, and the boundaries between heaven and earth are thinner than they seem. 

Bio: Andi Edwardson (she/her) is the Director of Marketing & Communications for USCJ. Andi has a degree in journalism from Park University and recently completed a communications fellowship with Pardes Institute. She is a proud Jew by Choice.

Presented by: Dr. Samuel Hayim Brody, Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Kansas

Session Description: Discussions of Jewish politics today typically revolve around two issues: the State of Israel and antisemitism. But don't we have a 3000-year-old tradition, and isn't Judaism rich with resources for talking about the major issues of politics as political scientists understand it, namely the question of how human beings should live together and organize power in their societies? This session goes back to basics by asking the question of how politics looks when considered from "the other mountain": Sinai. What is a human life in community supposed to look like? What is the relationship between loyalty and obedience to God, on the one hand, and human power and authority, on the other? What is "civilization," and is Judaism supposed to be a "civilization" in the first place? The session will discuss these issues through engagement with Dr. Brody's brief pamphlet-commentary on the Psalm of the Day, entitled "Fragments of Sinaiism."

Bio: Samuel Hayim Brody is Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas. He is the author of "Martin Buber's Theopolitics" (2018), which won the Jordan Schnitzer Book Award from the Association of Jewish Studies, and was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. He is also the co-editor, with Julie E. Cooper, of "The King is in the Field: Essays in Modern Jewish Politics."

Presented by: Bill Greenberg, Retired US Army Officer

Session Description: I will discuss in seminar format the war between Israel and Iran and its proxies. I will give background, then go into the wars with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the fight with the Houthis, and finally the 12-day war with Iran. I will conclude with what possibly could occur in the near future.

Bio: Born in Pittsburgh, PA. Commissioned in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer. Served over 28 years of operational and tactical experience in all dimensions of military operations throughout the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. Upon retirement form the Army taught for more than 15 years at the University of Foreign Military and Cultural Studies, educating leaders in history, applied critical thinking, group think mitigation, and cultural empathy

Presented by: Rabbi Mark H. Levin, Congregation Beth Torah: Founding Rabbi

Session Description: Using Rabbi Levin's Book: Praying the Bible, we will discuss the great complexity of Jewish prayer and the Jewish prayer book: The Siddur. Most Jews, sadly, have little idea of the complexity of the prayer book, or the gateways to personal meaning embedded in the daily or weekly prayer service. We will look at how The Rabbis created a complex spiritual treasure in the traditional prayers, no matter how many times you repeat the same words.

Bio: Rabbi Mark H. Levin is the Founding Rabbi of Congregation Beth Torah. He was ordained at HUC-JIR in 1976 and received his doctorate in 2001. He is the author of Praying the Bible: Finding Personal Meaning in the Siddur & Making Each Prayer Experience Unique. Rabbi Levin will provide a signed copy of his book to the first 20 people who sign up for the course.

Presented by: Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, JFS; Jewish Community Chaplain

Session Description: From the experience of Jacob’s all night wrestling match at the riverside, we will consider our personal life issues - each one of us has 2-4 such lifelong issues with which we grapple - and what healing means in the context of becoming more able.

Bio: Jonathan Rudnick's background in Jewish communal work as well as his activity in the professional realm of pastoral care (chaplaincy), have prepared him well for serving as Jewish community chaplain in Kansas City. Jonathan has the privilege of serving as Jewish community chaplain, based at Jewish Family Services, where he is passionate about spiritual care. He was ordained by The Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem He is the blessed father of Sagi, Shir-el, and Shefer.

Presented by: Dr. Benjamin M. Schneider, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College – Department of Military History – Assistant Professor of Military History

Session Description: Adolf Hitler's seizure of power in 1933 is one of the best known and most widely referenced events in world history, but most know only the story of rise of the Nazis after 1919. This talk seeks to offer a deeper discussion of the origins of Nazism and the currents of German history it was responding to going back to the Napoleonic Wars, to offer a fuller picture of how Germany fell to this totalitarian ideology. It will examine the rise of European Nationalism, scientific racism and its anti-Semitic offshoot, and German militarism as factors that allowed Hitler and his party to seize power, with particular emphasis on the period from 1866-1929. It seeks to offer its audience not just an understanding of what the Nazis did to take power, but an answer to why German society seemed so willing to allow them to have it.

Bio: Benjamin M. Schneider is an Assistant Professor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He received his doctorate from George Mason University and held Fellowships with the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation and the Naval War College. He is currently finishing a book on war crimes and military justice.

Presented by: Rabbi Mark Glass, Congregation BIAV

Session Description: On July 27, 1656, Baruch Spinoza was excommunicated by his community for his "evil opinions and acts." But how much of what he said cut against Jewish belief? And how much of his excommunication was ultimately politics?

Bio: Rabbi Mark Glass, a native of Manchester, England, has been the Rabbi of Congregation BIAV since August 2020. He received his BA in Philosophy, MA in Jewish Philosophy, and Semicha at Yeshiva University and spent over two years learning in Yeshivat Hakotel in Jerusalem. He was the rabbi of the Adams Street Shul in Newton, MA, from 2017–2020, as well as a Judaic Studies teacher at Maimonides in both the Middle School and High School.

Presented by: Alan Edelman, Community Volunteer

Session Description: From our children/grandchildren to our neighbors and co-workers, Israel is receiving so much criticism! And consider the additional challenge of social media. But with the right talking points, each of us can respond to the criticism. Bring your questions, concerns and an open mind to address a major issue facing members of our community.

Bio: Alan Edelman has been a Jewish educator in our community for nearly fifty years, beginning his career as Educational Director of Beth Shalom and retiring in 2017 as the Director of Engagement and Leadership Development for the Jewish Federation. He currently serves on the board of directors of several local, national and international organizations. Alan has also been engaged in interfaith work, having recently concluded a term as Chair of the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council.

Presented by: Sara Glass, Director, The Weiner Religious School, Congregation Beth Torah

Session Description: In this engaging workshop, learn how to integrate AI tools—especially ChatGPT—into your life with both creativity and integrity. Participants will learn practical ways to use AI for content generation, all while aligning with Jewish values. The session will include real-world examples, interactive demonstrations, and hands-on activities to spark ideas and build confidence in using AI responsibly. This workshop will equip you with actionable strategies to enhance your impact and save time without compromising your voice or mission.

Bio: Sara Nicole Glass, a Kansas native, brings over 15 years of experience in Jewish education, communication, and community building. From Beth Torah to San Francisco and back, she has led programs, events, and educational initiatives with passion and purpose. In 2025, she returned as Director of the Weiner Religious School.

Presented by: Sam Kricsfeld, The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, Editor and Business Manager and Lacey Storer, The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, Assistant Editor

Session Description: Through impassioned editorials received over the course of its 105 years, The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle has records of public discourse and opinion on hot-button topics affecting the local Jewish community and beyond. Join Editor Sam Kricsfeld and Assistant Editor Lacey Storer in exploring the changing mindsets of Jewish Kansas Citians from years past.

Bios: Sam Kricsfeld: As a young professional and editor and business manager of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, Sam Kricsfeld has the rare perspective of seeing the benefits of Jewish journalism in traditional media and the necessary adaptations needed for its future. Kricsfeld is a graduate of KU and gained experience at The Jewish Press in Omaha, Nebraska, before moving to Kansas City to take the helm of The Chronicle. Lacey Storer: As a Jewish community professional, Lacey Storer serves dual roles as The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle's assistant editor and marketing manager for Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. Lacey graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has written for The Louisburg Herald and The St. Joseph News-Press.

Presented by: Rabbi Moshe Grussgott, Kehilath Israel Synagogue, Senior Rabbi

Session Description: The problem of theodicy - explaining why bad things happen to good people - is not unique to the events of October 7th. It is a problem that was discussed by theologians throughout the ages, and most recently of course, in the wake of the Holocaust. However, in each generation, new philosophical theories arise and are refined. We will study some of the specific reactions of Israeli Religious Zionist thinkers to the events of October 7th and the war that ensued from it.

Bio: Moshe Grussgott is senior rabbi of Kehilath Israel Synagogue in Overland Park

Presented by: Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy – Dean of Jewish Life and Community Engagement

Session Description: Many Jews who are turned off from Judaism experience it as boring, repressive, and irrelevant. This is exacerbated by societal tensions that make it a heavy time to carry one's Jewish identity, let alone to celebrate it. Yet Jewish tradition is infused with joy--even insisting on it at times. In this session, we will explore texts of joy, hope, and inspiration that offer reasons to delight in Jewish identity and ways of holding onto goodness, even amidst a bleak backdrop.

Bio: Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen is Dean of Jewish Life & Community Engagement at HBHA. She is a Wexner Fellow and holds degrees from Yale, Hebrew College, and William Jewell College. A passionate educator and community builder, she brings a deep commitment to inclusive Judaism, shaped in part by her own conversion journey.