As the saying goes, “Life is a journey with birth being the beginning and death being the end.” I’ve reached that point after 95 years of a happy, eventful, and meaningful life.
I was born April 23, 1927, in Jackson Heights, New York, to Frederica and Louis Gelb. I graduated from Stuyvesant High School and New York University, earning a degree in Education. During World War II, I served in the Navy as a corpsman.
My professional career started as a physical education teacher in New York, followed by a job halfway across the country at the Jewish Community Center in Kansas City as Assistant Director of Physical Education. After three years, I established Lettercraft Printing and Advertising, which I sold after forty years to retire and start a career of volunteerism and leadership in Jewish organizations.
After learning the basics as Chair of several committees, I became President of Congregation B’nai Jehudah (1984-1987). Prior to my presidency of the congregation, I served as Brotherhood President.
My second tenure as a congregation president occurred when my family left B’nai Jehudah to establish Congregation Kol Ami. After serving as Treasurer (2003-2005), I became President (2005-2007). My career there culminated by serving as Membership Chair (2007-2010).
Continuing my congregational career, I became the first president of Temple Sinai (2012-2014), after helping to establish the congregation. I filled a vacancy in the Presidency (2015-2016). I was elected to the presidency again (2018), and eventually became President/Treasurer until 2022.
This concluded my congregational career, after being president of three synagogues, helping establish two, and being chair of numerous committees. My thanks go to Rabbis Solomon, Zedek, Levin, Taub, Davis, and Silbersher, for their patience and guidance.
During that portion of my life, I served as the first President of the Midwest region of the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods. My passion and belief in the ideals of Brotherhood was further exemplified by service as various chairs or members of committees and being reelected for three more years as regional President. Somewhere along the way, I worked as chair of the Brotherhood’s Jewish Chautauqua Society.
Looking for volunteer service that could be done with family, I volunteered at Menorah Medical Center, Nelson Atkins Museum’s Roselle Court, and the Meals on Wheels program.
I was honored to be the recipient of the Selma Feld Heart of CASA Award, the Jewish Community Center David Belzer Distinguished Service Award, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization Devotional Service Award, B’nai B’rith Service to Women Award, B’nai Jehudah Brotherhood Hall of Fame Award, and the Kansas City Volunteer of the Month Award.
On January 28, 2016, I was awarded a Presidential Citation by President Barack Obama for a “Lifetime Achievement Award,” having volunteered over 10,000 hours to organizations in the Kansas City area.
My first wife, Charlene Horowitz Gelb, preceded me in death after forty years of marriage and presented me with four daughters: Robin Bateman (Jim), Janis Robbins, Marcia Bernstein (Larry, of blessed memory), and Barbara Novorr (Jeff); six grandchildren (David Bernstein, Matthew Robbins, Curtis Robbins, Ben Novorr, Celia Bateman, Jon Novorr); and two great-grandchildren (Eli and Jack Bernstein). The meals we had together, the conversations at the Sunday breakfast table, and the vacations, as few as they might have been, are what memories are made of. The girls brought me numerous hours of care and love in times of sickness and hospitalization. May God bless them all.
My second wife, Evelyn Crocket Gelb, also preceded me in death after twenty years of marriage. Evelyn had three children, Debbie Kilgore (Greg), Nancy Rezabek, and David Peters (deceased), and two grandchildren. The trips Ev and I took to Estes Park, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon made a marriage for two elderly people special.
I’m also preceded in death by my brother Mike, and survived by my sister-in-law, Ruth Gelb, and many loving nieces and nephews.
My funeral service was held at the K.I. Blue Ridge chapel on Friday, June 10, at 11:30 a.m., with burial at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery.
Contributions in remembrance may be made to Restart Inc. or a charity of one’s choice.
Yes, as the saying goes, “Life is a journey…” and I’ve had a memorable journey. Good friends, meaningful spiritual guidance, and extra love and caring from my family throughout the bitter times in my life. I believe you all made my life a sweet one. Thank you!
With much love for all of you who played a part in my journey,
Larry
