Phoenix Family facility

Deb went downtown to the Phoenix Family Center, but there was an error in scheduling.  She gave the director tourism brochures on the Galilee region, and toothpick Israeli flags.  There may be a chance to do a proper outreach event in the future.

KCKCC Ethnic Festival

Art brought tourism materials and his experience in Israel to the fall KCKCC event.

Veterans' Day Observance at Liberty Memorial

Ben presented the Israeli flag at Veterans' Day.  He got a cool photo op with some colorful soldiers.

St. Peter's Church Ethnic Fair

Deb and Ben manned the Israel table at St. Peter's Church.  They gave out stuffed dates as a taste of Israel, and provided tourism materials.  The elementary school children had a scavenger hunt - our question was "What are the official languages of Israel?"

American Royal Parade

Deb rode on the Ethnic Enrichment Commission float in the parade again this year.

(Deb is on the other side of the float)

Open Range Fellowship in Lone Jack, MO

Israel Spirit was invited back to the Open Range Fellowship.  We planned ahead and made extra falafel mix for the Ethnic Enrichment Festival and froze a batch for Open Range.  That was SOOOO much easier.  We also saved some leftover hummus from the Festival and froze it, too.  That only left procuring pita bread, making dates stuffed with almonds and honey, and traditional Israeli salad.  Efi took care of passports and Hebrew names, Nissim taught, Deb told a few stories, the kids carefully dug through our archeology box for Israeli trinkets, and Tikvah danced and led dancing.  We had wonderful volunteers from the church that helped.

Officer recognition at Renaissance Festival

Ben and Sam again arranged for a recognition of the international officers from Ft. Leavenworth at the Renaissance Festival.

Ido (the Israeli officer) was the representative, and was escorted to the stage.

Gifts were exchanged between the king and Ido

A joust followed.

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

Israel was featured a few times in this Channel 41 video (including our macarooms).  The attendance is estimated to have been 35,000 (not including volunteers and performers).  We had good sales and good times.

Larry, Deb, Nissim and our neighbors from the Egyptian booth next door

Ben, Nissim and Larry

KosherFest 2014

Israel Spirit was well-represented at Ohev Sholom's KosherFest - including Isreali dancing by the Tikvah Dancers, music by Tizmoret (bottom left) and Kolot HaRikudim (bottom right), and distribution of tourism literature by Art.

Memorial Day at Liberty Memorial

Ben represented Israel along with the Ethnic Enrichment Commission at Liberty Memorial.

Yom HaAtzmaut at JCC

Mary, co-director of Tikvah, led the dancing to the festive music of the Tizmoret Orchestra.  Joining in the dancing were Rachael and Deb of Tikvah with others from the audience and Tuesday Evening Israeli Community Dancing attendees.

KCK Human Reunion

The Tikvah Dancers and Sue Ellen's jewelry represented Israel at Kansas City, Kansas Community College.

Special thank-you to Larry (for his consistent photojournalism) and Dr. Hoffman for manning our table during the dance performance.

Sarah & Nachum

Deb visited with Sarah & Nachum in Ramat Gan (near Tel Aviv) today.  Sarah, Nachum, Beni Rosenblum and Mel Prezant were the original Israel Spirit Committee members.  We shared lots of news about mutual friends, and had a delightful time.  Here is Deb's blog account.

This is a photo from their dating days.

2014 Northland Ethnic Festival

The Israel Spirit group and the Tikvah Dancers helped make this year's Northland Ethnic Festival, at Park Hill South High School, be a success.

Olathe North High School Cultural Fair

The Tikvah Dancers were part of the featured entertainment, and Ben brought Israeli cultural items and spoke with attendees.

2014 Diplomatic Ball

The Diplomatic Ball was held in the Crown Center area, and was hosted by the American Indian Commission of the EEC.  Israel was in good attendance, with the Nachums, the Chambers, Sue Ellen and Henry Temchin.