Lauren and Devin Talbott of Washington, D.C., announce the birth Feb. 21 of a daughter, Rosalie Shearer Talbott. They are also the parents of Loretta and Theodore. Grandparents are Sandy and Joel Leibsohn of Shawnee Mission, Kan., Strobe Talbott of Washington, D.C., and the late Brooke Shearer. Great-grandmother is Mimi Maslan and great-grandfather is Bud Talbott of Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Overland Park man wins ‘Pulitzer Prize’ of business media

Stuart Goldman, a journalist from Kansas City, recently won the Jesse H. Neal Award, which has been called “the Pulitzer Prize of the business media.”

Goldman, managing editor of Penton Media’s Club Industry magazine, won the award for his profile of health club owner Curt Beusman, who founded Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco, N.Y. The article, titled “Renaissance Man,” appeared in the September 2010 issue of Club Industry and can be found at http://clubindustry.com/forprofits/fitness_renaissance_man/.

Goldman received the award March 10 at the 57th Annual Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards ceremony held at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City. Co-host Paul Maidment, principal and editor-in-chief of Bystander Media and former editor of Forbes.com and executive editor of the magazine, announced the winner in the category. Goldman shares in the award with senior art director Jennifer Ray, responsible for the layout of the article and for coordinating Beusman’s photo shoot at Saw Mill Club. Along with a plaque presented to Goldman, each received a medallion inscribed with their names.

Goldman won in the Best Profile category, Class A, for magazines with up to $3 million in gross advertising/circulation revenue. The other two finalists in the category were from Texas Lawyer and Residential Architect. The Neal Awards, presented by American Business Media, drew 660 entries in 19 categories, which produced 43 winners.

Goldman lives in Overland Park, Kan., with his wife, Lauren, and their two daughters, Natalie and Gracie.

Dr. Fred and Cindy Bodker announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Elizabeth Rachel Bodker, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at Congregation Beth Shalom. Ellie is the granddaughter of Harvey Bodker and the late Beverly Bodker of Overland Park and Ray Ann Kremer and the late Robbie Kremer of Atlanta. Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush following the service.

Join Congregation Ohev Sholom on Saturday, April 2, to honor Marvin Denton upon the 70th anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah. Services will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Marshall Miller Sanctuary, at 5311 W. 75th Street, Overland Park.

Denton has been a very active, involved member of Congregation Ohev Sholom for approximately 40 years. He has been blessed with many friends at Ohev Sholom and in the community with other activities, including the Jewish War Veterans. He is celebrating these friendships by asking many of his friends to participate in services on April 2. Denton and his family invite friends and family to join him for a special Kiddush in his honor following services.

For more information, call the synagogue office, (913) 642-6460.

Stephanie and Adam Elyachar announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Sarah Elyachar, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at Congregation Beth Torah. Sarah is the granddaughter of Lesly and Issy Ozar, Daniel Elyachar and Patricia Sylvia. Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush luncheon following the service.

Rhonda and Zachary Shafran announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Cole Alexander Shafran, at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Congregation Beth Torah. Cole is the grandson of Cecille and Albert Silverman and Tannye and Malcolm Shafran.

Diane and Mark Davidner of Prairie Village, Kan., announce the engagement of their daughter, Shana Davidner, to Alexander Rasnavad, son of Ann and Mansour Rasnavad of Surfside, Fla.

The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Rose Karbank and the late Barney Karbank and the late Mary and Arnold Davidner. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in merchandising management. She is currently employed as a stylist with Lane Crawford/On Pedder Group in Asia.

The future groom is the grandson of the late Betty and Philip Frazier and the late Afrooz and Sattar Rasnavad. He attended the University of Puget Sound in Seattle, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in international political economy and economics. He is currently a vice president of Skyworks Capital Asia, specializing in aviation finance and advisory services, in Hong Kong.

An April 16 wedding at The Bath Club in Miami Beach is planned.

Gussie Alport is to be honored during Shabbat services on Saturday, April 2, at Kehilath Israel Synagogue. This recognition will showcase her longtime service to Kehilath Israel and its’ Sisterhood in the past. She worked tirelessly for more than 30 years in many roles, from Sisterhood president and various committees to accepting an overwhelming number of responsibilities for the Purim Ball, the KI Ad Book Directory and the annual Grand Givers. Her precise bookkeeping is as detailed as a top CPA.

Gussie and her husband, H. William Alport, of blessed memory, filled their married years with dedication to the synagogue.

The community is invited to celebrate this occasion with Gussie and her children, Barnett Alport and Carol Lissauer, and their families. Lunch will follow the service.

Ali Samazin, a senior at Blue Valley Southwest High School, was awarded Kansas State University’s Leadership Scholarship during ceremonies Feb. 23 at K-State. Dr. Kirk Schulz, president of Kansas State University, presented the award. During K-State’s annual Scholarship Day, students and their parents were guests of the university at a banquet. Throughout the day, they attended meetings with academic deans and student life officials.

Ali is the daughter of Steven and Lori Samazin and a member of Congregation Beth Torah. She is currently the Student Council president at BVSW, a member of the National Honor Society and the BVSW Student Advisory Board. Previously, Ali served as vice-president of BTTY for CBT and was an active NFTY member.

Diane and Steve Azorsky announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Rose Hayley, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at Congregation Beth Shalom. Rose is the granddaughter of Golda Mayer and the late Ernest D. Mayer and Gitta Azorsky and the late Marvin Azorsky. Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush following the service.