Celebrations

On Jan. 10, Ernie and Adi Simon of Boynton Beach, Fla., formerly of Overland Park, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.

Ernie and Adi are the proud parents and grandparents of: Bob and Debby (Solomon) Simon, Overland Park, and their children, Benjamin Simon (Overland Park) Alex and Rachel (Shanberg) Simon (Chicago) and Jorie Simon (Galesburg, Ill.); Herb Simon, Littleton, Colo., and his sons, Adam Simon (Littleton) and A.J. Simon (Grand Junction, Colo,); Judy Simon, Prairie Village; and Linda Simon and her daughter Hope Simon of Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Ozer and Dr. Adina Alport of Brooklyn, N.Y., announce the birth Nov. 29 of a daughter, Devora Leah. They are also the parents of Chaim Pinchas, Moshe Aharon and Yosef Meir.

Grandparents are Beverly and Barnett Alport and Dr. and Mrs. Richard Goldfarb, New York City. Great-grandmother is Gussie Alport.

Matt and Shanna Haun announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Aaron Konnor, on Saturday, Jan. 4, at Congregation Beth Torah.

Aaron is the grandson of Sylvie Radvinsky and the late Israel Radvinsky, of blessed memory and Kay and Norman Cates.

Aleta and Rich Rosenthal of Tucson, Ariz. (formerly of Overland Park and St. Louis) announce the engagement of their son, Jeffrey Paul Rosenthal, to Melissa Kate Borders of Olathe, daughter of Tom and Sue Goodwin of Pineville, Mo., formerly of Kansas City, Kan.

The future groom is the grandson of the late Fischel and Bess Rosenthal of St. Louis, and the late Henry and Selma Wellen of St. Louis. He graduated from Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park and Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., with a degree in accounting and economics. He currently works for Boyer Corporon Wealth Management in Overland Park.

The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Jasper and Elverda Songer of Alexandria, Ind. She graduated from Turner High School in Kansas City, Kan., and B Street Design with a license in esthetics and currently runs her own business, MK Esthetics.

A July wedding is planned.

Carolyn and Morris Merker celebrated their 65th anniversary on Dec. 25. They were married in 1948 at Congregation Beth Shalom by Rabbi Gershon Hadas.

The Merkers have two sons, Randy and his wife Gail and Richard and his wife Jennie. Grandchildren are Brian (Carrie), Adam (Sara), Oliver (Wendy) and Sarah (Mike). Great-grandchildren are Ayla, Autumn, Ben, Henry, Eva, Aedan, Mariah and Ellie.

They said they have been truly blessed.

Melisa and Joseph Van Buskirk of Prairie Village announce the birth Oct. 1 of a daughter, Simone Rayna. They are also the parents of Garett Samuel.

Grandparents are Barbara Glasberg of Overland Park and the late Barry Glasberg, Nina Alvan-Martinez of El Paso, Texas, and Thomas Van Buskirk of Charlottesville, Va.

David and Arlene Kaseff announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Jordan Gabrielle, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Congregation B’nai Jehudah.

Jordan is the granddaughter of Harold and Rhea Kaseff, Eddy Lynn Bortz, Murielle Steinman and the late Marshall Steinman.

Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush following the service.

Harry and Kate Sokoloff announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Samuel Sokoloff, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Congregation Beth Torah.

Samuel is the grandson of Lillian Sokoloff and the late Allen Sokoloff and Robert and Marjorie Barding.

Jessica Lynn Bernier and Keith Aaron Jacob were married May 18 at Waterview, Monroe, Conn.

The bride is the daughter of Wayne and Audrey Bernier and the granddaughter of Joseph and Norma Bernier, JoAnne Abel, and Robert and Donna Abel.

The groom is the son of Jill Jacob and Steve and Susan Jacob and the grandson of the late Jane L. Weinberg, the late Charles M. Levy Jr. and the late Dr. and Mrs. Walter P. Jacob.

The maid of honor was Erin Deegan and bridal attendants were Laura Downes, Nicole Ashton and Hadley Jellinghaus, all of Westport, Conn.

The best man was Michael Brune of Overland Park and the groom’s attendant was Andrew L. Jacob of Leawood.

After a honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico, the couple reside in Fairfield, Conn.