Editor's Note: Community Life of Immigrants in Kansas City

The first immigrants from the former Soviet Union came to Kansas City in 1974. In the former Soviet Union Jewish people, like all other people, practically did not have any community life. There were not any synagogue congregations or clubs like the Jewish Community Center. Their life was limited to a circle of family members and friends.

Jewish people in Kansas City have only two places where they can fulfill their needs in community life: the synagogue of their choice and the Jewish Community Center (JCC). Attendance tells how satisfied American Jews are. In the last two years JCC has not had any programs for "Russians" (immigrants from the former Soviet Union). The reason is that the Jewish Federation does not provide any money for those programs. Because of language and cultural difference, programs designed for American Jews do not attract immigrants. The same story applies to synagogues: only a few "Russian" families come to services on a regular bases.

Synagogues are private congregations that are headed by the rabbies and Board of Directors. How they treat immigrants is their own decision. If they really want to help immigrants to integrate with American life - it is excellent. If they do not want to do this - we cannot push them to do anything. "You cannot go to someone's monastery with your rules." says a Russian proverb.

In 1979 immigrants tried to found a "Russian Club", but this attempt failed. As I can recall, nothing was don in the last 20 years.

The article "The Jewish Community of Omaha, NE" published in this issue briefly describes what was done in the last 2 years in Omaha for immigrants by immigrants with help from the Jewish Federation of Omaha. We hope that the same can be done in Kansas City, if our Federation will want to help.

In the meanwhile, since September 1998, any help to immigrants was discontinued and two Russian-speaking employees of the JF&CS were fired "because of absence of funds." Hundreds of elderly immigrants from ages 65 to the late 80's were left without any help, especially in preparation for the citizenship exam. Even their bus to school was cancelled. The reason was "absence of money." However, the Federation found money for a newspaper in Russian that will be published by the Federation.

"Community life" of immigrants was limited to a circle of family members and friends and out of the Jewish community. This does not mean that immigrants do not need a real community life. This just means that they have not learned to unite and organize their own organizations.

Our newspaper was founded as a responce to the need of immigrants for a community life. More than 20 immigrants are involved in its publishing.

However, real integration is impossible without help from American Jews.

If you feel that each Jew is responsible for the other Jews, as Jewish leaders like to say, send your donations to support our newspaper and send letters with your opinions, which are even more important. But the most important help is your active involvement in our community activities. We have 12 editors of the Russian version of our newspaper. We need 12 editors of the English version. We have only three.

Compare what was done in Omaha and what was done in Kansas City!