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Last week was not easy for Lama Abuarqoub, a Palestinian from the West Bank who has worked for years to build understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.

A teacher and mother of five, Abuarqoub speaks regularly with Jews through Encounter, a group that brings Jewish Americans on tours of the West Bank to meet Palestinians. She also been active in efforts to bring Jewish and Palestinian women together to push for peaceful coexistence.

Climate change is a hot topic for Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s juniors and seniors, and they’re getting hands-on at the local level. The project is part of an annual social justice initiative the school has done in the past alongside University Academy.

Meet America’s Jews: They’re older, more educated, richer and less religious, on average, than the rest of the country.

A childhood career dream is coming true for Taylor Poslosky. She’ll receive her rabbinical ordination Saturday at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati and then take her new position as assistant rabbi at Congregation Shalom in Milwaukee.

Local Jewish organizations, agencies reopening a bit as vaccinations increase

As COVID-19 vaccinations become more widespread, and with the relaxation of some governmental restrictions, The Chronicle asked local Jewish community organizations and agencies about their reopening plans. Their responses are summarized below. An update on congregational plans for in-person gatherings will be published in a future edition.

Rabbi Nati Stern, of NCSY and JSU, will take a similar post in Houston

After three years in Kansas City, Rabbi Nati Stern will say goodbye to the area in June. He’ll sign on as the city director of NCSY and JSU in Houston this July.

As the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle went to press last week, a jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three charges stemming from the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, last year.

Leading a Jewish agency comes with unique challenges, and a new program from the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City aims to foster cooperation among those at the top.

Early one morning in 2012, Ron Goldsmith and I met for coffee. Ron was about to complete his three-year term as president of the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) and asked to meet for a briefing to help me prepare to succeed him in the role.

When members of the New Reform Temple decided it was time to renovate their building, the main thrust behind the project came from one goal: Making it accessible.