Executive Director
Amanda Morgan
Email
913-663-2641
Amanda Morgan is a life-long Kansas Citian and member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. She currently serves as Executive Director, having served as President of the Board for the past two years. With her husband Chad King and their daughter Susanna King, Amanda has participated in the religious education programs from Tot Shabbat, through Religious School, Machane Jehudah, Bat Mitzvah, Kesher, and Confirmation. She serves outside the Temple community in various roles within the greater Kansas City area, including as the COO of the Morgan Family Legacy Foundation, a charitable giving trust. These roles give her a unique understanding of Kansas City philanthropy. An avid reader, Amanda enjoys travelling, spending time with family, and the Kansas City Royals.
Music Director
Laura Payne
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Laura Payne graduated from the University of Kansas with a fine arts degree in Opera and Musical Theatre, and has been singing professionally for more than 25 years. She has had the incredible opportunity to regularly sing and pray with every age group and enjoys creating meaningful and connected experiences for all. Laura began teaching early childhood music at B’nai Jehudah 10 years ago, which expanded to leading early childhood music for much of the Kansas City Jewish community.
During the last 10 years, Laura has also spent many years as the music specialist for B’nai Jehudah’s Religious School and Machane Jehudah summer camp. She enjoys singing for Shabbat services, High Holy Day services, and other holiday and life cycle events. Laura is excited to help grow the musical experience at B’nai Jehudah and support our amazing Jewish community. She lives in Prairie Village with her husband Elliot, and daughters Lily and Stella.
Director of Education
Dayna Gershon
Email
(913) 663-3047
Dayna originally joined our staff as the Director of Machane Jehudah. She has a wealth of experience, especially in informal Jewish youth education. Her work with Y’alla! has been remarkable, bringing the program from the idea-stage to fruition. Her creativity, sensitivity, and understanding of Jewish informal learning has made her a valuable part of our congregational community. Dayna is married to Danny Gershon and has two children Max and Drew.
Director of Communications
Jane Blumenthal Martin
Email
913-663-2085
Jane Blumenthal Martin is an experienced marketing director who has worked in Kansas City’s Jewish non-profit community for more than 15 years. Her strengths are strategic communications, digital marketing, writing, and planning. She is excited to be able to strengthen B’nai Jehudah through enhanced communications that keep members informed and engaged in congregational life, and through philanthropic development that will support a vibrant and thriving B’nai Jehudah community. An active member of Kansas City’s Jewish community, Jane is a lifelong member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.
Membership and Development Coordinator
Kelley Cowman
Email
(913) 378-1204
As our Membership and Development Coordinator, Kelley oversees prospective and new members and is excited to welcome and guide them through the membership process. She uses her exceptional organizational skills to help with congregation-wide events and the many logistics involved with Yalla! Be sure to say “hello” to Kelley when you see her around the building on Sunday mornings!
Kelley has been a part of Kansas City’s Jewish community since 1991. She was extremely active in Jewish youth organizations and Jewish leadership initiatives during her youth and is excited to be a part of those types of initiatives for the congregation. Kelley graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Communication Studies and an emphasis in Organizational Leadership. Her passion for Judaism and the impact programming can make on young Jewish lives is her drive for success. Kelley resides in Overland Park with her two children, Gracie and Jack.
Accountant Donor Services
Nancy Higgs
Email
(913) 663-2085
Nancy comes to us with twenty-three years’ experience from specialized customer service, account resolutions to total cash processing and reconciliation management. She truly enjoys StrengthsFinders and Continuous Improvement. She enjoys self- improvement books, podcasts, etc. She is excited to be a part of B’nai Jehudah as the Donor Relations Accountant and is also handling all the cemetery demands, at this time. Home to Nancy is Colorado where she lived for over 30 years. She spends her free time with her five grandchildren doing various DIY projects, and crafts. Nancy loves most sports, specifically swimming, especially swimming with her grandbabies. She loves all kinds of weather but deeply loves snow. She can’t wait to take her grandchildren to Colorado to camp and to watch them learn to ski.
Events and Kitchen Coordinator
Ryan Klein
Email
(913) 378-1266
Ryan was born and raised in Overland Park. After high school he went on to attend PSU and KU. Ryan brings over 30 years of restaurant and event experience to B’nai Jehudah. He is a proud father of a young artist who will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design as a freshman in the fall. Outside of work Ryan enjoys playing guitar, spending time with family and friends.
Executive Administrative Assistant to Senior Rabbi
James Stauffer
Email
(913) 378-1261
Michael Klein Collection Educator/Curator
Abby Magariel
Email
Abby Magariel is a Kansas City area native and has worked in informal, hands-on education since 2007. She graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA before completing an MA in Museum Studies at the University of Kansas. Abby spent over ten years immersed in all things Kansas, first at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, then leading the education team at the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence. She joined The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in July 2019 as the first Educator/Curator of the Michael Klein Collection, where she weaves objects from the collection of Judaica into life and learning at the synagogue. Abby lives in Prairie Village with her husband David and two sons, Ari and Ezra.
Bet Mitzvah Coordinator
Michelle Adler-Wexler
Email
As a third-generation congregant who grew up at B’nai Jehudah, Michelle Adler-Wexler is excited to be our Bet Mitzvah Coordinator. Michelle’s grandfather was the Executive Director of B’nai Jehudah for many years and wrote a history book about the Temple. Her step-mother, Jeannie Adler, also served as Executive Director until her retirement in 2019. Michelle enjoys working with all of our families in the process of becoming a B’nai Mitzvah. Having been through the Bet Mitzvah process a few years ago with her own child, her goal is to be there for families to assist them during this special time.
Receptionist
Amy Potts
Email
(913) 663-4050
Amy is often the first person you encounter at B’nai Jehudah, either in person or on the phone! Amy provides a great deal of administrative support to the entire staff. Most mailings you receive were very likely handled with care by Amy. Be sure to introduce yourself at the reception desk when you stop by the building!
Site Director of B’nai Jehudah CDC
Shikisha Smith
Email
(913) 663-3495
Shikisha Smith is the Site Director for the CDC at B’nai Jehudah after almost seven years as a Pre-K teacher at The J CDC and over 12 years in Child Development. Shikisha earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development from Alcorn State in 2011. While at Alcorn, Shikisha was the President of the Child Development Club and an active member in the Human Sciences Club. Upon graduating from Alcorn, Shikisha worked as a Pre-K teacher for Head Start. Shikisha earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Saint Mary in 2020 writing her thesis on Play-Based Learning. Smith is currently working on her doctorate in Education from Baker University. While Shikisha is a southerner from Mississippi, her husband, Je’Kel and their children Logan, Kerrington and Aniya have settled in nicely making Kansas City their hom
Michael Klein Collection Assistant Curator
Ellie Holsten
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Ellie works with all aspects of the Michael Klein Collection, from caring for the collection objects in storage to coming up with new temporary exhibits. She also manages new additions to the collection database and creates entertaining and informative content for the collection’s Smartify and social media accounts. Ellie is a recent graduate of the Museum Studies masters program at KU.
Education Assistant
Julie B. Schlachter
Email
(913) 663-4050
Julie has lived in and been a part of the Jewish Community in Kansas City her whole life. A member of B’nai Jehudah since age four, she’s excited to be back and to be a part of this amazing team. After graduating from Indiana University, Julie moved back home and lives in Prairie Village with her dog Emma, her cat Cranberry, and her two foster fail kitties, Grizz and Schmoople. She is excited to be more involved at B’nai Jehudah again, after being away for a few years, and says it’s like coming home.
Facilities Coordinator
Robert Sautter
Prior to joining B’nai Jehudah, Robert was a Facilities Supervisor for both a large building of a worldwide corporation and a community recreation center. He previously owned and operated a very successful home inspection and handyman business. He enjoys helping others and keeping busy. Robert’s passion is to troubleshoot all issues related to the building’s functionality and appearance, while doing so in the most cost-effective way. His goal is to have “The Temple” remain the beautiful building of which we are all proud.
Cemetery Caretaker
Veotis Freeman
Facilities Coordinator
Scott Frazee
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