Listening Post

Rabbi Rockoff and two of his children, Ora (left) and David, took park in Yom HaAtzmaut activities at the celebration hosted by Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s Israel emissary held at Kehilath Israel Synagogue.

BECOME A CERTIFIED KOSHER BARBECUE JUDGE

In preparation for the 5th Annual KC Kosher BBQ Championship, the Vaad HaKashruth of Greater Kansas City, in partnership with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), has arranged the first ever kosher certified barbecue judging class.

KCBS is the leading sanctioning body of barbecue contests internationally. Thousands of judges have completed KCBS’ judge’s certification program, otherwise known as CBJ program. Rabbi Mendel Segal, executive director of the Vaad and the KC Kosher BBQ Championship, said that while the CBJ program is very technical, it’s more than just learning about how to judge a KCBS sanctioned barbecue contest. “It’s also about joining a fraternity celebrating barbecue. “

Because the traditional class teaches participants how to grade world-class chicken, pulled pork, ribs and brisket — and taste them during the process — Rabbi Segal said “kosher-keeping folks could not be one of the certified BBQ judges even at kosher contests.”

Now, for the very first time, a kosher certified barbecue certification class will to take place from 6 to 10 p.m., Tuesday June 7, at Kehilath Israel Synagogue. Registration information can be found online at www.kckosherbbq.com or by contacting Rabbi Segal at or 913-235-6077, or Adam Rich at .

“The Kosher-Q Tour is gaining speed and growing at a record-breaking pace,” Rabbi Segal said. “If you want to join the fun and be part of the groundbreaking effort, sign up for this class now.”

PARK UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR MUSIC’S GALA CONCERT RESCHEDULED

The Park University International Center for Music’s Gala Concert, which was originally scheduled to be held on May 4 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 7. It was postponed due to injuries to pianist Behzod Abduraimov. Violinist David Radzynski, a former ICM student and current concertmaster of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, has been added to the program, accompanied by Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich, ICM collaborative pianist. Ticket information and a new program will be announced at a later date.

113-YEAR-OLD JEWISH WOMAN NOW OLDEST PERSON IN THE U.S.

(JTA) — The oldest American is now a 113-year-old Jewish woman named Goldie.

After the death of 116-year-old Susannah Mushatt-Jones May 13, the New York Daily News reported that Goldie Michelson of Worcester, Massachusetts, became the oldest living American.

Since the death of another Goldie, 114-year-old Goldie Steinberg last year, Michelson has likely been the oldest Jew in the world, too.

Michelson (neé Corash) was born in Russia in 1902 and immigrated with her family to Worcester at 2. Her father, Max, was a medical student in Russia who opened a dry goods store in Worcester.

She attended the Women’s College of Brown University, which later became Pembroke University, and received a master’s degree in sociology from Clark University in Worcester. Her thesis at Clark was titled “A Citizenship Survey of Worcester Jewry” and examined why many of the city’s older Jewish-immigrant residents did not pursue American citizenship or learn English.

She told the Worcester Telegram in 2012 that her thesis was inspired by her time working with Jewish women’s organizations such as Hadassah and the National Council of Jewish Women. Michelson was also active in other community groups, including one that supported the founding of Brandeis University in Waltham.

Michelson has remained in Worcester ever since. She credits her longevity to walking.

The oldest person in the world is now 116-year-old Italian Emma Morano-Martinuzzi, according to the Daily News.

“It never occurred to me that I would live this long,” Michelson told Clark’s magazine in 2012. “I just went on and on, and I’ve loved it.”