TELLING THE STORY: TEACHING THE CORE — Last month, Jean Zeldin, executive director of the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, attended an international conference at Yad Vashem which drew nearly 400 center and museum directors, scholars and educators from more than 50 countries. Sessions were devoted to both scholarship and pedagogy, with discussion focusing on challenges of Holocaust education in the 21st century, transition from personal memory to historical memory, and the centrality of the Holocaust as a touchstone for the study of other genocides. Presenters emphasized the responsibility of Holocaust centers and professionals to provide accurate content and context, especially to educators who must “get it right” and transmit the history in a meaningful way. In keeping with that goal, MCHE recently offered a three-day teacher institute, “1942: The Final Solution,” with in-depth content provided by historian Fran Sternberg, Ph.D., MCHE’s director of university programs and adult education, and pedagogical sessions, including document-based activities, facilitated by Jessica Rockhold, director of school programs and teacher education.

HERITAGE CENTER ACHIEVES NATIONAL ACCREDITATION — The Heritage Center has officially been awarded national accreditation through the National Institute of Senior Centers. It now joins the ranks of just a little more than 200 senior centers in the nation that meet the strict standards and high quality accreditation demand. We extend a hearty mazel tov to our friends who run the Heritage Center. We always knew it was the best in the area!

THE KING AND I — Several members of the Jewish community have roles in the Jewish Community Center’s upcoming production of “The King and I.” It opens July 14 and runs through July 29. You can catch Francine Gollub, Leah Cole, Leah Selmmons, Alexandra Fulford, Carolyn Braverman, Maya Schreiber and Noah Waldman in this Rodgers and Hammerstein family favorite that shares the story of the king of Siam and his relationship with Anna Leonowens, who travels from England to tutor the king’s children. It will be performed in the White Theatre. Ticket information is available online at jcckc.org/boxoffice or by calling 913-327-8054.

2012-2013 CALENDAR ITEMS NEEDED — The Jewish Chronicle is working on the annual Rosh Hashanah publication and we need the help of Jewish organizations, congregations, agencies, foundations and other Jewish groups. Please send us your calendar of special events for the upcoming year (October 2012 through September 2013) so we can add them to our calendar. We don’t mean weekly or monthly events like study groups, but events that may occur once a year or a special event being planned now for the upcoming year.

In order for these events to be considered for placement in the calendar, please send them to us no later than Aug. 1. These can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you have any questions, call Barbara Bayer, editor, at 913-951-8425 or Marcia Montgomery, community editor, at 913- 951-8426.