If you don't like the weather in Kansas, wait 5 minutes! This month, Café Chevre welcomes Jay Prater, Managing Meteorologist at KAKE-TV, to discuss all things weather. This interactive program will be on Thursday, May 23 at 11:45 am at the Hebrew Congregation.

We all know Kansas weather can be dramatic throughout the year, throughout the week, and even throughout the day. How do meteorologists make their forecasts when our weather changes so much? What's in store for 2013? And why does our weather change so much in a single day? Jay will answer all your weather-related questions!

Jay, his wife Julie, their daughter, and son live in Wichita and are avid "Kansas Explorers" having visited, so far, over 40 of the 64 counties of the KAKE TV viewing area. Their travels have included the "daunting" climb of Mt. Sunflower, standing on the "3 corners" of Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska, and actually adding twine to the "World's Largest Ball of Twine" in Cawker City. Along the way, they have taken photographs of most of the county courthouses.

Cost for lunch is only $5. Reservations ARE REQUESTED; they help us to prepare the right amount of food. Make yours by Tuesday, May 21, by calling the MKJF office at 686-4741 or email Carolyn Marie at t This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please remember: Everyone is invited to Café Chevre. It's our lunch and learn program with topics of interest to all!

Who is Federation? Where do our dollars go? And how do we make a difference? Jerry Silverman, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, will answer these questions at the MKJF's Annual Meeting. We will come together on Sunday, June 9, in the afternoon at Tallgrass Country Club (exact time to be determined). We will also be electing new officers and board members and honoring those leaving the board. An hors d'oeuvres reception will be included. Watch your mailbox for more information.

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) represents 154 Jewish Federations, including the MKJF, and over 300 Network communities which together raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually for social welfare, social services and educational needs. As President and CEO, Jerry oversees not only annual campaigns but JFNA programs and partnerships throughout North America and in over 70 countries around the world.

Jerry is a highly experienced leader in the North American Jewish community and longtime corporate executive, with over 25 years of experience. Before joining The Jewish Federations, Jerry served as president of the Foundation for Jewish Camp.

For a decade before that, Jerry held a range of executive positions at the Stride Rite Corp. of Boston, including president of its international division; president, Stride Rite Children’s Group, and president, Keds Corp. Between 1979 and 1994 Jerry held several senior executive positions at Levi Strauss & Co. in San Francisco including national sales manager of Levi Dockers.

Over the years, Jerry has been on the boards of a range of Jewish organizations, as well.

Jerry is married to Erica Silverman and is the father of five children ranging in age from 19-27.

This year's Camp Shalom promises to be a summer of fun - Israeli-style! The MKJF’s day camp will include field trips, swimming, sports, arts & crafts, group games, music & dance, nature, mitzvah projects, special guests and more! We would like to welcome our new Director, Jordan Goldschmidt, and Assistant Director, Kelley Neises, to our staff!

Jordan has been a part of the MKJF community all of his life. He not only attended Camp Shalom but became a counselor-in-training and a counselor. Jordan also attended Camp Shwayder as a camper and a staff member. After graduating from Wichita Southeast High School he attended the University of Kansas, graduating in May 2008 with a Bachelor's in Religious Studies. He returned to Wichita and interned with the MKJF. He has worked at the WJCS, tutored Hebrew to Bar and Bat Mitzvah students and was the CE Youth Group Advisor. Jordan is a Birthright Israel and a JFNA TribeFest alum. Currently, he is an Israel Teaching Fellow with Ma'ase Olam in Rehovot, Israel, and an iEngage Fellow with Masa Israel Journey. Jordan will return from Israel early this summer and bring his Israel experience to the campers of Camp Shalom!

Kelley has worked as a teacher and para educator since 2011. She graduated from the University of Kansas in May 2009 and is finishing her Master's at Southwestern College. Kelley went to Israel earlier this year on a Birthright Israel trip. She will be returning to Israel this fall as an Israel Teaching Fellow. She currently serves on the Mitzvah Team at Congregation Emanu-El. Kelly is excited to join Jordan and all the campers at Camp Shalom!

Camp Shalom will be held from July 8 – 19 at the Hebrew Congregation, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. It is open to campers aged 3 through grade 6. A kosher lunch will be provided each day.

Weekly rates for 2013 will be $110 (early bird rate until June 21) or $125 after June 21. Financial assistance will be available through the MKJF. Watch for complete camp details and registration information soon.