ROCKHOLD NAMED TO STATE COMMISSION
Jessica Rockhold, executive director of the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, has been appointed to the Kansas Holocaust Commission by Governor Laura Kelly and serves as a co-chair of the commission.
Dr. Allen Gutovitz of Mission Hills has also been appointed to the commission. Rabbi Herbert Mandl and Mary Greenberg of Leawood have been reappointed.
The Kansas Holocaust Commission serves to assist in the organization of commemorations in memory of the victims of the Holocaust; to help Kansas strive to overcome prejudice and humanity through education about the Holocaust and vigilance and resistance against bigotry and tyranny and to encourage Kansans to rededicate themselves to the principle of equal justice for all people.
TRANSLATION
Local Rabbi Zevi Wineberg has come out with an English translation of a book called “Baal Shem Tov On The Torah.” As Wineberg described it, the book includes the “inspirational wisdom” of a great master, which “illuminated Jewry since his birth 300 years ago.” The original collection was published in the years just before World War II, Wineberg said.
The book is available on Amazon and free on his website www.KabbalahWisdom.org
BIG SONIA HOLOGRAM IN THE WORKS
The push to create an interactive hologram of Sonia Warshawski, star of the documentary “Big Sonia,” is “moving full speed ahead,” according to a post on the Big Sonia Movie Instagram account (@bigsoniamovie).
At 95, Warshawski is one of the last remaining Holocaust survivors in Kansas City. An interactive hologram would help preserve her story and experiences and allow people to have “conversations” with her.
Half of the $300,000 needed for the project has been raised. “Now we need to close the gap so we can finish while Sonia is healthy,” the post read.
Anyone who is interested in making a donation, or who knows of any grants or foundations that would be willing to fund the rest of the money needed for a Big Sonia hologram, is asked to email .
JEWISH EMMY NOMINEE HAS KC CONNECTION
The recently announced 2021 Emmy nominations include a bevy of Jewish actors, including Brett Goldstein, who was nominated in the best supporting actor in a comedy series category for his role as soccer star Roy Kent on the Apple TV+ comedy “Ted Lasso.”
“Ted Lasso” stars Overland Park native and Shawnee Mission West graduate Jason Sudeikis, who also received an Emmy nomination for best actor in a comedy series. Sudeikis portrays Ted Lasso, the unlikely new coach of an English soccer club.
Overall, the show garnered a record-setting 20 Emmy nominations.