Native Sons and Daughters of KC Gala

Deb and Ben attended the NSDKC gala at Bartle Hall where the Ethnic Enrichment Commission was honored with a historical marker that was installed near the EEF festival site in Swope Park. 

The stage before the event started.

Deb at the silent auction

EEC and Carl DiCapo with plaque (two sided)

Ben, Oay (Thailand) and Milan (Norway)

St. Peter's School ethnic fair

Deb and Ben brought a craft table to St. Peter's School in KC again, and brought stuffed dates as a taste of Israel.  The Tikvah Dancers performed, although the floor was troublesome.

2015 American Royal Parade

Erin and TJ represented Israel on the Ethnic Enrichment Commission's float in the American Royal Parade, which was held in conjunction with the American Royal BBQ festival on the grounds of the Kaufmann sports complex.

Officer recognition at Renaissance Festival

The international officer recognition, from Ft. Leavenworth, coordinated by Sam Nachum, occurred at the Jerusalem Stone booth at the Renaissance Festival.  We had a good turnout from other members of the Ethnic Enrichment Commission.

Amee Her (Laos) and Ben (Israel)

Greetings brought by the Mayor and his wife to the visiting officers

The group includes EEC members from American Indian, Scotland, Germany, Israel, Laos, France.

Jewish Film Festival

The film is postponed (along with several other films) until Jan/Feb 2016.  Stay tuned.
The Israel Spirit Committee is helping to sponsor "Above and Beyond" at the Jewish Film Festival.  The film will be shown on Sunday, 18 October 2015 at 7:00 pm at the JCC's White Theatre.  Please plan on attending.  Tickets at $10 for a single film, or you can purchase a festival pass.

Independence Heritage Festival

We participated in the second Independence Heritage Festival that was coordinated by the EEC Commissioner for Samoa - Lupe Moe.

Sheila and Deb manned a craft/information table.

The organizers posted the EEC flags along 23rd Street.

We spoke to an interesting woman who was researching 10 Jewish merchants who lived in Independence during 1840.  We look forward to the outcome of her research.

Ethnic Enrichment Festival 2015

The festival absolutely shattered earlier attendance records - there were 42,000 people there!  That meant that we stayed busy almost the whole weekend.  It was exhausting, but fun.  We introduced a small taste of hummus plate for $1.00 and many people took advantage of that.  Our macaroons lasted into Saturday afternoon, and we hope to have a few more next year.

A typical view of the line for our food.

TJ and Greg busily making falafel

Orit was kind enough to bring the Jewish Federation's new shlicha, Shiran to see our effort on Israel's behalf, to the festival.

Deb & Shiran (holding a frozen coffee) with empty macaroon racks in the background.

Yom HaAtzmaut at KI

Israel Spirit was asked by the Jewish Federation's shalicha, Yachav, to provide the Israeli food for the Kansas City area Yom HaAtzmaut celebration held at Kehilath Israel Synagogue.  We were thrilled to serve in this capacity.  Our menu (all supervised by Vaad HaKashruth):

• Falafel, pita, harissa, tahina sauce, Israeli salad, Cabbage/parsley salad, and chips
• Fish sticks, Israeli salad and chips

We received rave reviews on the food, and we didn't even run out of anything!  Yahav helped find us volunteers.  The Tikvah Dancers led dancing for the attendees.

Deb & Seymour

Ben at our craft table

Cashier's table

KCKCC Ethnic Festival

We again brought an outreach table, and the Tikvah Dancers performed at this annual event in Kansas City, KS.

Northland Ethnic Festival

Israel Spirit turned out in great form at the Northland Festival, that's organized by the Missouri Extension office.  We made food for the first time at this event: Israeli-style lentil soup (since it's usually cold at this time of year) with Israeli soup almonds.  It was a hit and we ran out in two hours.  We'll make more next year.  The Tikvah Dancers performed, Erin presented the flag, and there was a good attendance by the public.  We even had our shlicha, Yahav, help out.

Rosemary (German EEC commissioner) and Yahav

The soup staff:  Deb & Sheila

Lee's Summit Equestrian Center

Sheila brought outreach materials to an event in Lee's Summit.  That's her ibex (yael), Yoel, from Israel.

Olathe North High School Cultural Fair

We were invited again, this time as part of the Ethnic Enrichment Commission, to participate in this high school event which is always managed by their honor society.  The Tikvah Dancers performed, Sheila brought halvah as the taste of Israel, and we got to have our table next to a charming student who had to present about Israel for her poster and food (hummus and pita chips).

2015 Outreach Award

Deb and Ben attended the Ethnic Enrichment Commission Winter Social and received the 5th place award for Israel's outreach activity in 2014.

Ben joined in the open dance with Commissioner Hema Sharma from India (in pink)