Jewish American Heritage Month
Jayhawk Coffee Break
Date: Tuesday, May 5th, 2026
Time: 8:30-9:30 A.M.
Location: Murphy Hall Lobby
Join us for coffee or tea to connect with members of the KU Medical Center community and learn more about the upcoming Jewish American Heritage Month Panel Discussion. Meshuggah bagels, schmear, and lox will be provided. This event is open to all KU and KU Medical Center students, learners, staff, faculty, and affiliates; no registration is required.
“Ethics of Organ Transplantation: Jewish Perspectives” Panel Discussion
Date: Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
Time: 11:45 A.M. – 1:15 P.M.
Location: Hybrid; Beller Conference Center, Hemenway Life Sciences Innovation Center & Zoom
Join us for a hybrid panel discussion, “Ethics of Organ Transplantation: Jewish Perspectives,” in observance of Jewish American Heritage Month. Designed to support learning, discovery, and healing across our community, this program will bring together clinical expertise and faith-based insight to examine how ethical traditions and medical innovation intersect in complex healthcare decisions.
The discussion will feature Dr. Joel Cooper, Emeritus Professor of Surgery and retired Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery from the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Dr. Cooper’spioneering work in thoracic surgery led to the first successful lung transplant and the first double-lung transplant. He will be joined by Dr. Jeffrey Klein, Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Director for the Living Kidney Donation at KU Medical Center, who will share perspectives from the clinical front lines of living donation, transplant care, and patient decision-making. Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, Jewish Family Services Community Chaplain, and Rabbi Moshe Grussgott, Senior Rabbi of Kehilath Israel Synagogue, will offer insight from the spiritual and pastoral dimensions of care, grounded in Jewish ethical teachings and traditions.
Through respectful dialogue and shared reflection, participants will gain insight into how faith traditions may shape medical decision-making and how healthcare professionals can support patients and families with understanding and care. Lunch will be provided.
Open to all KU, KU Medical Center students, learners, staff, faculty, and affiliates including University of Kansas Health System employees, and invited guests. Please register for the panel below based on your affiliation.
This event is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Kansas City and KU Hillel.
ndividuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in these events, please contact the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX at least one week prior to each event at belonging-kumc@kumc.edu.