L'dor V'dor Endowment
L'dor V'dor Endowment Fund

Anita Herzfeld (1932-2021), long-time resident of Lawrence and Professor Emeritus of Linguistics and Latin American Studies at the University of Kansas was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1932. Her parents, Walter Herzfeld and Emmy Fischbein de Herzfeld, immigrated from Germany a decade after World War I. Anita earned a bachelor’s degree in sciences in Buenos Aires and studied both in Wales and England to pass the Cambridge University English Certificate examination. She returned to Buenos Aires to teach English.
In 1961, Anita obtained a Fulbright grant to study American literature at the University of Kansas. She earned a Master’s Degree in English with a strong emphasis in Linguistics. Anita returned to Buenos Aires and became Director of Modern Languages at the University of Buenos Aires. These were turbulent political times in Argentine--military police intervened daily in campus affairs, sometimes using tear gas.
At the suggestion of KU’s Dean of the College, George Waggoner, who had become a close friend, she left Argentina and directed groups of KU Junior Year Abroad students at the University of Costa Rica from 1968-1970. The years when Anita taught Linguistics at the University of Costa Rica (as part of the exchange agreement) were happy ones for Anita and
her parents. The students became members of their “extended family,” and the Herzfelds were graciously welcomed by Costa Rican professors and students.
Dean Waggoner advised Anita to return to KU to pursue a Ph.D. in the newly created Department of Linguistics. Her parents returned to Argentina. While studying, she worked both as advisor in the then-called “Foreign Study Office,” and as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Linguistics. In 1977, she became Director of the Office of Study Abroad and
later (1981-85) became Associate Director of International Programs. Her parents joined Anita and lived with her until their deaths, in 1980 and 1983. She had lost most of her other relatives in the Holocaust.
Because of parental illness and death, Anita took a leave of absence from KU. In 1985, she took a position at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. as Executive Director of Central American Peace Scholarships. For five years, she trained Central American students for middle-level careers at U.S. technical colleges. Hundreds of students were first trained in
English, while they learned about life in the U.S. Later, they received practical training and attended regular courses at 10 community or technical colleges nationwide. When the U.S. training grant came to an end, Anita moved back to KU.
She worked at the Center of Latin American Studies for 20 years as an advisor to majors and minors and as Director of Undergraduates. She also taught Latin American sociolinguistics. Anita was awarded more than 10 teaching and research international grants, including Fulbrights. As Director of Study Abroad, she established more than 40 student KU exchange
programs.
Teaching, music, and travel were her passions. Anita retired in 2012 but continued teaching in the Honors Program. She often came to services as well as to many social events at the LJCC. If we saw a bright red car parked outside, we knew Anita was there. She loved to socialize and travel for pleasure. Anita was much-admired, and she was always impeccably
dressed and coiffed. She is buried in B’nai Israel Cemetery, in Eudora, Kansas, along with her parents.
Mon, September 15 2025
22 Elul 5785
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Friday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2025
Friday, Sep 19th 5:30p to 7:30p
The Dubinsky family welcomes you to their home for a backyard BYO-picnic and candlelighting. Bring a blanket for the grass or extra chairs. We'll have wine, grape juice, and challah on hand. The Dubinsky’s home address will be provided day-of via email. -
Sunday ,
SepSeptember 21 , 2025Guided tour at the Spencer Museum of Art
Sunday, Sep 21st 12:00p to 1:00p
In advance of Reverse Tashlich on Sept 28, we will visit the KU's Spencer Art Museum for a guided tour of its special exhibit "Soundings: Making Culture at Sea". All ages are welcome. -
Monday ,
SepSeptember 22 , 2025Erev Rosh Hashanah Services & Dessert “Potluck” Oneg (Hybrid)
Monday, Sep 22nd 7:00p to 9:00p
Please register at ljcc.shulcloud.com/hh -
Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 23 , 2025Rosh Hashanah Day 1 (Hybrid)
Tuesday, Sep 23rd 9:30a to 1:00p
Please register at ljcc.shulcloud.com/hh -
Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 23 , 2025Tashlich at Burcham Park
Tuesday, Sep 23rd 3:00p to 4:00p
Tashlich at Burcham Park South Powerhouse Rd Lawrence, KS 66044 -
Wednesday ,
SepSeptember 24 , 2025Rosh Hashanah Day 2 (Hybrid)
Wednesday, Sep 24th 9:30a to 1:00p
Please register at ljcc.shulcloud.com/hh -
Wednesday ,
SepSeptember 24 , 2025Rosh Hashanah Open House
Wednesday, Sep 24th 4:00p to 6:00p
Robin Rosenberg & Barry Shalinsky invite you to join them at their home for a Rosh Hashanah happy hour. If you are so inclined, they invite you to bring treats to share as well. Please register at ljcc.shulcloud.com/hh -
Thursday ,
SepSeptember 25 , 2025LJCC at LINK
Thursday, Sep 25th 11:30a to 2:00p
Please sign up to help the LJCC provide lunch at LINK! We need volunteers to provide prepared dishes and to help serve. More info at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4cafa629a46-ljcc#/ -
Sunday ,
SepSeptember 28 , 2025Reverse Tashlich at Burcham Park
Sunday, Sep 28th 10:00a to 12:00p
Reverse Tashlich is an innovative approach to Jewish environmental stewardship. In the ritual of Tashlich on Rosh HaShanah, we go to a body of water and symbolically cast our "sins" into the water to begin the New Year with a clean heart. With Reverse Tashlich, we’re turning symbolism into action by removing human "sin" from the water. Reverse Tashlich provides an opportunity to come together and engage in a hands-on effort to clean up our beaches, rivers, and shorelines, removing the plastic, trash, and other debris that threaten marine ecosystem. -
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 1 , 2025Kol Nidre Services (Hybrid)
Wednesday, Oct 1st 7:00p to 8:30p
Please register at ljcc.shulcloud.com/hh
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