Congregation takes pride in its Wyandotte County heritage

Attending Kosher Fest on Sunday was Lois Clayman, right, who was married at the synagogue in Kansas City, Kan., 56 years ago. Phil Braverman, left, is the synagogue historian. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

Recently, congregation Ohev Shalom held its Kosher Fest, celebrating a healthy lifestyle and heritage, and sharing its cultural heritage with the community.

Ohev Shalom is definitely a part of the area’s cultural history. Congregation Ohev Shalom started in downtown Kansas City, Kan.

According to historians, in the early 1900s a synagogue, Golm Hessen, started in the West Bottoms. From there it moved to 925 Stateline, and was there for 10 years. After the flood of 1900, it moved to 700 Central Ave.

In 1922 it merged with a synagogue by the name of Sharis-Israel to form what is now known as Ohev Shalom. Many will remember Griff’s Burger Bar that was located right across the street from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan. This is where the Ohev Shalom synagogue first started.

Back in the 1950s the synagogue decided to move to Prairie Village, Kan., where it is still located, said Phil Braverman, the synagogue’s historian. The synagogue leased the land to Griff’s Burger Bar for 15 years after it moved to Prairie Village, Kan.

To this day, a lot of members still live in Wyandotte County, making its cultural diversity stronger.

Congregation Ohev Shalom celebrated its cultural heritage with Kosher Fest on Sunday at 75th and Nall in Johnson County. (Photo by William Crum)

Faith news

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Grandview Christian Church, 8550 Parallel Parkway, is collecting canned goods for Help 3:17, a local food pantry.

“Scripture Study, Bible Sharing and Reflection, Lectio and Journaling,” a regular weekly series facilitated by pastoral minister, Heather Neds, is offered from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. This weekly Bible study group is based on the upcoming scripture readings from the Common Lectionary. There will be time for reflection, sharing and journaling. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

“Dreams and the Spiritual Journey,” with Jane Maxfield, a four- part series, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursdays, June 5-26, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Maxfield holds a certificate in projective dreamwork from the Marin Institute and has facilitated workshops for Elderhostel, retreat groups, arts, and women’s groups. Religious traditions around the globe and through the ages have recognized attention to dreams as a means of finding our path to wholeness and holiness. The techniques and tools explored in the four-session class include improving dream recall, recording dreams, discovering more of the multiple levels of meaning found in every dream, and experiencing the potential of working with dreams in a circle of support. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Living Water United Methodist Church, 3001 N. 115th St., plans a Band and Barbecue event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 8. There will be a free concert and barbecue at the family event. Disc golf, games and music are planned. All are welcome. Living Water plans a Worship-Arts-Music Camp from 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 16-19 for children in preschool through eighth grade. Activities include drumming, singing, playing instruments, movement and visual arts. Students will explore worship through the arts. The camp will be led by music and art teachers from local school districts. To enroll in the free camp, visit livingwaterumc.net/worship-arts-music-camp/ or call 913-400-7203. Living Water also plans Vacation Bible School from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 13, to Thursday, July 17 for preschool through fifth grade children. The theme is “Weird Animals.” To enroll, visit livingwaterumc.net/vacation-bible-school/ or call 913-400-7203.

New Bethel Church, 745 Walker Ave., is sponsoring a Family 101: 5k run-walk and Kids Miracle Mile Run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 31. The free event starts and ends at New Bethel Church. Celebrities from the metro area are expected to participate, including representatives from the Harlem Globetrotters, television personnel, Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders and others. The walk focuses on the basics of family, unity, health, education and building a stronger community. Persons may register for the 5k run-walk at www.newbethelkc.org or www.nbcdc.org. After the 5k, there will be a community cookout and block party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 745 Walker Ave., Kansas City, Kan. It will include free health screenings by health care professionals, free food, games, races, contests, horseback riding, hamster bowling, face painting, dune buggy rides, bounce house, splash slides, and basketball tournaments.

On June 1, there is going to be KosherFest, which will be held in the parking lot of congregation Ohev Sholom located at 75th and Nall in Overland Park, Kan. The hours are from noon to 5 p.m. KosherFest is the fifth biannual event, a Kansas City tradition join thousands of friends and neighbors from the entire metropolitan area. At this event they will have not only kosher food they will also have electric cars on display plus there will be a lot of information regarding the various community gardens throughout the Greater Kansas City area plus there will be a lot for whole family. This event only happens every two years and it is truly an experience. In fact Congregation Ohev Sholom started off in Kansas City, Kan., and in the early 1960s moved to Overlook Park, Kan. There are a lot of members who live in Kansas City, Kan., who belong to this congregation. For more information call congregation Ohev Sholom at 913-642-6460 or visit the website, www.ohev-sholom.com

Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, will hold a Vacation Bible School, Weird Animals theme, from 6 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. June 8 to June 13. Registration deadline is June 8. For information, visit www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/opendoor/gpgs/home.aspx.

A Summer Festival to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at the convent grounds at 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. Booths will feature dolls from Mexico, povitica, variety booth, games for children; and the refreshments for sale will include Italian sausage, tacos and tamales, beef sandwiches, hot dogs, Spanish desserts, and ice cream. Cookbooks and tote bags will be for sale. For more information, call 913-371-3423.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th, plans Vacation Bible School at 9 a.m. June 9 to 13 at the church’s Cole Activity Center. The theme of VBS is “Weird Animals.” For more information, see http://stonypointchristian.org/.

Church plans 5k Run-Walk, block party Saturday

New Bethel Church, 745 Walker Ave., is sponsoring a Family 101: 5k Run-Walk and Kids Miracle Mile Run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 31.

The free event starts and ends at New Bethel Church. Celebrities from the metro area are expected to participate, including representatives from the Harlem Globetrotters, television personnel, Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders and others.

The walk focuses on the basics of family, unity, health, education and building a stronger community.

Persons may register for the 5k run-walk at www.newbethelkc.org or www.nbcdc.org.

After the 5k, there will be a community cookout and block party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 745 Walker Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

It will include free health screenings by health care professionals, free food, games, races, contests, horseback riding, hamster bowling, face painting, dune buggy rides, bounce house, splash slides, and basketball tournaments.