The Jewbie Brothers, a local rock and roll band of all Jewish musicians, will provide musical entertainment during the Jewish Family Services (JFS) 120th anniversary celebration event.
The celebration will take place on Thursday, Aug. 24, at Marriott Overland Park, 10800 Metcalf Ave. The celebration will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the entire community is invited to attend. More details and tickets to attend are available at jfskc.org/120.
The Jewbie Brothers comprise Rabbi Scott White on lead vocals and guitar; Jim Appelbaum on lead vocals and keyboards; Ron Altman on conga and backup vocals; Ron Fredman on percussion; Bruce Wasserstrom on guitar and backup vocals; Larry Myer on saxophone, harmonica and hand percussion; and Eric Morgenstern on bass and backup vocals. Also joining the group for this performance is Lezlie Zucker, who serves as a lead singer and plays guitar.
All the band members now live in Kansas City except for Wasserstrom, who now lives in Wisconsin and is making a special trip to perform with the band.
Some Kansas Citians may remember the group from its earlier roots when the band played together back in high school. The group, then known as Joe Hotrod and the Sparkplugs, performed at BBYO conventions as a "Sha Na Na” parody band complete with its own set of groupies. After high school, the guys went their separate ways and into careers including medicine, the rabbinate, private business and nonprofit work. About ten years ago, the group had a reunion when the members were asked to play for a charity event for a friend.
“The charity raised more than it had ever done before, and we had a great time,” Jewbie Brothers spokesman Eric Morgenstern said. That’s when the group decided to reconvene.
“We only play for free and for nonprofits as a way to support that organization and be an asset for the event,” Morgenstern said. The Jewbie Brothers are donating their performance to support JFS.
The Jewbie Brothers play for area synagogues and for various organizations in the community. Morgenstern said the band committed over a year ago to help JFS celebrate its 120th anniversary.
“We love JFS and are so proud of its evolving mission over the years. When Debbie Bass (JFS chief development officer) asked, it was an immediate yes.” he said. “The Jewbie Brothers are particularly proud to be a part of this wonderful celebration of JFS.”
The band has been practicing for the JFS gig ever since. They have been curating a set of songs for the celebration.
“We realized how much fun it was to play together, but we didn’t want to do ‘50s music anymore. [Instead, we wanted to play] the rock from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s [and] ‘90s," Morgenstern said.
Rabbi White and Jim Appelbaum have written two new songs honoring JFS, including “Burst of Light,” based on verses from the Book of Isaiah.
“We know JFS will continue to provide chesed for the next 120 years and beyond,” Morgenstern said.