Michael Klein
Founder
Michael Klein can be described as a visionary, a person who has had unusually keen foresight, especially when it comes to the Jewish community. Over the years that foresight has included helping steward the move of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah to its current location in Johnson County. He has also been instrumental in seeing the Jewish community’s home for the aged, now known as Village Shalom, also move to Kansas, located just a hop, skip and a jump from the Reform congregation.
Staff
The Michael Klein Collection serves as a tool for learning about the rich history of Jewish traditions, rituals and cultures. Looking for a little guidance? Our staff members are excited to help get you started with the Klein Collection!
Abby Magariel
Educator/Curator
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 a 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 and beyond. Abby lives in Prairie Village with her husband David and two sons, Ari and Ezra.
Ellie Holsten
Assistant Curator
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 Klein Collection Smartify and social media accounts. Ellie holds a MA in Museum Studies from the University of Kansas.
