Leawood has had a park dedicated to the Gezer Region in Israel since 2009. Now Gezer has returned the favor.

During the last week of October, a delegation headed by Leawood Mayor Peggy Dunn and Leawood Council members Andrew Osman, July Cain and Carrie Rezac visited Israel and attended dedication ceremonies for two sites named in honor of Leawood — Leawood Square and Leawood Trail.

Mayor Dunn said the relationship between the two cities was formalized eight years ago, in 2003, following a couple of years of informal discussions.

Haim Cohen, special foreign relations consultant to Gezer Regional Council Mayor Peter Weiss, noted that “it is important to state that the sisterhood was initiated and based on the earlier warm connections between the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas and Gezer started by Alan Edelman and Todd Stettner.”

Dunn said the relationship is very valuable to Leawood.

“It has been extremely important to our community. There have been a number of exchanges both with youth and adults and with elected and non-elected officials,” she said.

The mayor pointed out that Leawood has “a particularly large population of Jewish residents.” She said that Leawood residents, along with many other people within all parts of the United States, have many connections to people in Israel.

“I do believe these friendships have been enhanced and are more fruitful since the relationship was officially formed,” she said.

Federation Executive Vice President and CEO Todd Stettner was in Israel in late October and attended the dedication ceremonies along with John Isenberg and the Leawood officials. He believes the relationship between the two cities is very important.

“I think it makes a statement in the general community of the relationship of Americans to Israel. I think it goes beyond just the Jewish community now. It’s a statement of America’s friendship with Israel. For me that’s very important. It’s beyond government, it’s really people to people,” he said.

He believes the Jewish population in Leawood is one of the reasons the partnership was originally established.

“There used to be covenants against Jews living in Leawood and (Mayor Dunn) felt this was one to say we’re way beyond that issue now. Not only are there many Jews that live in Leawood but we all also feel a connection to the Jewish state,” Stettner said.

Gezer’s Cohen said the visit from the Leawood delegation was “quite successful.”

“It will strengthen the already excellent ties between Leawood and Gezer, as well as promote the ongoing cooperation of Gezer with the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas,” Cohen said.

The square and trail

Cohen explained the square in Gezer features a sculpture of Shimon Hatarsi, the last son of the Hashmonaim, a pergola and several typical Israeli trees. He described the Leawood trail as a walking trail that will serve the citizens of Gezer who enjoy walking in the neighborhood.

Dunn said the art in the middle of the square is a beautiful piece designed by Enon DeGroot. DeGroot has shown his work here at the Jewish Arts Festival. Ironically, Dunn had a painting commissioned by DeGroot, which was given to the Gezer Regional Council.

“I didn’t know he had also been chosen to do the sculpture in the middle of the square. He’s quite a talented young man,” Dunn said. “The painting that we gifted them was a painting of our Gezer Park. We had taken photographs and sent them electronically for him to utilize. He did a great job.”

Dunn particularly enjoyed signs that are posted along the Leawood Trail in the shape of directional arrows. She explained that one points in the direction of the Gezer municipal offices and says, “Gezer Municipality 220 yards.” “The sign pointing the opposite direction on the same corner says “City of Leawood, Kansas, 6,887 miles. It was really quite creative,” she said.

The mayor went on to describe the trail itself as very beautiful.

“There are lots of plantings and they are planning to do more in the future,” she said.

Comparing the cities

Osman, who was elected to the Leawood City Council in April 2010 and represents the northern portion of the city, likes to point out that Gezer Park in Leawood has really flourished over the past two years and expects Leawood Square and Leawood Trail to do the same in Israel.

Gezer’s Cohen noted that besides the dedication ceremonies, the Leawood delegation got an extensive tour of the region. He said they visited schools (the education system in Israel is governed by the municipalities) as well as the Hills of Judea and the famous archaeological site of Tel Gezer. For Shabbat dinner on Friday night, Leawood officials dined with several local families.

Osman, who is a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah and visited Israel when he was a teen in 1992, enjoyed meeting the family he was paired with.

“They adopted me,” he said. “The entire eight-day experience was eye-opening and I’d love to go back next year on Federation trip.”

The cities are governed differently. Dunn said there are 28 people who serve on the Gezer Regional Council while the Leawood City Council has eight members plus the mayor. But Osman also noted the similarities between the two cities.

“Even though one city is in Israel and one is in the United States, we both have the same problems, such as expansion, housing, generating revenue to build parks and infrastructure,” Osman said.

“We talked at great lengths about how Israel comes up with funds for their city. They can’t use sales tax and they were amazed that 30 to 35 percent of our revenue comes from sales tax,” he continued.

While they were visiting Israel, Osman noted that a protest featuring about 100,000 took place in Tel Aviv.

“People were marching in the streets because there’s no affordable housing over there. That is the Israelis’ big concern,” he said. “Two years ago a house in the Gezer region averaged about $200,000 and now it’s between $500,000 and 600,000. And on the typical wage of the Israeli citizen at $35,000, it makes it extremely difficult to afford these houses.”

While in Israel, Osman came across a high-end shopping center designed by architect Moshe Safdie. He told his tour guides about Safdie’s work here in Kansas City and showed them photos online.

“They were amazed to see the Kauffman Center,” he said.

Jack Katz, Ph.D. entered the field of audiology with a goal to help people. Decades later he remains focused on that goal as a leader in the field.

Katz, 77, will receive the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s highest accolade at the association’s annual convention Nov. 17-19.

As an audiologist, Katz works with patients who have hearing loss and/or auditory processing disorders.

“I was a learning disabled child in school,” Katz said.

He said his experience overcoming disabilities led him to a field where he could help other students with disabilities. When Katz learned about a career in audiology he said it seemed like a perfect fit. And today he remains pleased with his choice.

Fellow audiologist Donna Geffner nominated Katz to receive Honors of the Association.

“He is one of the giants in the field of audiology,” Geffner said. “He’s really revolutionized some of our thinking in the field.”

Katz created the “Handbook of Clinical Audiology” more than 35 years ago. The textbook is now in its sixth edition and has become a staple in the field.

“His handbook has been just that, a handbook of audiology used by everyone in the field,” Geffner said. “There is no question that it is one of the premier textbooks in the field.”

Katz said the idea came to him on a visit to his in-laws during Passover. Katz wanted a comprehensive hand-book for the field. He began to brainstorm ideas for chapters and the experts who would be best to write each chapter.

When Passover ended Katz asked colleagues to collaborate with him on the handbook. Katz edited the book and wrote a few of the chapters.

“It’s the most comprehensive text,” Katz said.

Katz took a practical approach to the handbook. He said he thought of things he wanted to know as a practitioner as well as things audiology students needed to know. Katz said he created the book to be a resource to help audiologists better serve their patients.

Katz has used that patient-centered focus throughout his career. Katz conducted research and taught audiology students at the University of Buffalo.

When Katz retired he and his wife moved to Kansas City to be near their children and grandchildren.

But Katz didn’t stay retired long. He joined the faculty at the University of Kansas and started a private practice at age 70.

“This has been just terrific,” Katz said of his private practice. “I loved teaching, and it is wonderful, but this is extraordinary.”

Katz’s patients range in age from 5 to 80, although most are children. He said he loves to see the progress his patients make from session to session.

“It’s just a marvelous feeling,” Katz said.

Despite Katz’s long list of career accomplishments, he said the honor from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association took him by surprise. He said he was “just dazed” when he was informed of the honor in a phone call from the association’s president.

But the honor did not come as a surprise to those closest to Katz.

“He has an amazing dedication to wanting to help people overcome difficulties in communication and learning,” Katz’s son, Mark Katz said. “He is well known for the research he has done and the tests that he has developed.”

Katz’s daughter, Miriam Kaseff, said the honor came as no shock to her either.

“My dad is known throughout the world for his work,” Kaseff said. “I’m so proud of him and am thrilled that he is being recognized for his accomplishments.”

Katz’s book, the “Clinical Handbook of Audiology,” is used throughout the world and has been printed in several languages, including Italian, Portuguese and Chinese.

Geffner said she considered Katz a shoe-in for the honor when she nominated him.

“He had tremendous name recognition,” Geffner said. “There is nobody who doesn’t know Jack Katz.”

Geffner served as president of the association in 1999 and is familiar with the criteria for the honor.

“You have to distinguish yourself in your profession and show what you have accomplished has really changed the profession in a significant way,” Geffner said. “(Katz) has really made changes in the profession.”

Katz has made a name for himself as an all-star in the profession, but Geffner said one of his greatest qualities is his ability to remain down-to-earth and approachable.

“He’s never too busy for people. It’s amazing,” Geffner said. “He just makes himself so accessible to people.”

Katz entered his career with a focus on helping people, and that remains his focus today.

“One thing I would love to do is help the Kansas City Missouri School District,” Katz said.

Early intervention can make world of difference for students with auditory processing disorders, Katz said.

While many of Katz’ colleagues have fully retired he said he has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

Max Cardozo is a child of the Holocaust and lived in Nazi-occupied Holland. He published a book about his experiences, “A Child Underground” in both English and Dutch, in 2006. Six couples assisted him during that time and have been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem during the last couple of years. Those people will be recognized again in a ceremony in the Netherlands Nov. 15.

The story begins when Cardozo was born in 1937 and lived with his parents, Maurits and Anna (née Gompers), in Amsterdam. With them was Ido Fortuin, born in 1929, who Maurits and Anna raised and Max considers a brother. Maurits was a textile merchant, who traveled around the villages surrounding the city selling his merchandise. One of his clients was Adrianus (Arie) Broers. With the ever increasing anti-Jewish measures, Broers told Maurits that he could count on his help if ever his family would be in danger.

In the summer of 1942, with the start of the deportations of the Dutch Jews to the camps in the East, Maurits indeed turned to Broers who stood by his promise. Arie and Anna Broers took the family under their wings throughout the war. First, Arie managed to get false identity papers for Maurits and Anna Cardozo. From there he started searching for hiding addresses for all the Cardozos.

Max Cardozo told The Chronicle in 2006 that when the family was forced into hiding originally, the family of four stayed together. Soon, however, the family had to split up. By the time the Germans withdrew from Holland on May 9, 1945, Max Cardozo had changed hiding places six times, having been helped by five families (one twice). Max’s brother, Ido, who is eight years older than Max, moved more than 20 times during that three-year period. All four Cordozos survived and were reunited at the end of the war.

Max Cardozo is thrilled that those who helped him are getting the recognition they deserve.

“This is a great prestige in today’s Europe where there is big trouble,” he said.

He is even more thrilled that 22 primary schools in the Netherlands are now using his book as part of its curriculum to teach the Holocaust to their students.

Cardozo, a retired businessman who ran several businesses in the Kansas City area including Papa Chen’s Express and the five-store chain of flower shops called Roses Only, is ready to publish a second book this spring about his life tentatively titled either “Do Not Repeat Catastrophe” or “My Glass is Full.” He originally moved to the United States in 1955, living in the United States and other places around the world for the next 50 years. He came back to Kansas City full-time in 2005 to be near his family.

Part of his experience was recently reported in an article, originally published in a newspaper in Medemblik, Netherlands, and translated by Cardozo, about how children are learning about the Holocaust in preparation for the Dutch recognition ceremony next week.

The Dutch article points out that at least one of Cardozo’s rescuers did not discuss the Nazi resistance much and for years said almost nothing about his family’s role in hiding Cardozo.

“My grandfather (Reijer Keijzer) told my father, Dirk Keijzer, never much about the war in hiding and help his parents, sister Grietje and he gave to a Jewish boy,” Ingrid Keijzer was quoted as saying in the newspaper. Cardozo’s story is part of what she discusses when she gives classroom presentations to school children.

In the Netherlands, school children are told that rescuers came from all walks of life: farmers, growers, artisans, shopkeepers, workers, teachers and doctors. And all risked their lives and their families. The children also learned about the Germans compelling all people of Jewish descent to wear the yellow star in 1942.

Cardozo would like more schools and universities to use his book so that young people can understand what happened. He is worried that a Holocaust can happen again.

“I’m deathly afraid that in 2030 this will be repeated,” he said in a 2006 interview.

Evan Luskin sits at his desk at the Kansas City Lyric Opera, chatting on the phone about the budget. After hanging up, he says it’s “for the last time.” After 26 years, Luskin will leave the opera in June.

As general director since 1998, his steady financial hand has kept the opera in the black, despite the wavering economy.

“He knows the repertory and the artistic side, but his businesslike approach to running an arts organization has really been extremely helpful to us,” said Richard Bruening, president of the opera’s board. “There may have been operas we wanted to do and singers we wanted to have, but if it didn’t make fiscal sense, we didn’t do it.”

Luskin’s tenure has seen the opera develop its own endowment and a cash reserve.

“A problem that a lot of arts organizations face is that you start performing in the fall, but it takes a while into the year until all your fundraising dollars start coming in, but you’ve got to pay for two fall productions, and it can be a real cash flow challenge,” Luskin said. “We have some reserves in the bank, so that it gets us through the fall without our having to borrow money and pay interest. That provides incredible stability for the company.”

People ask him why he’s leaving now, when the opera has just moved into the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Luskin says he wants the opera to have a general director who can “come to Kansas City now, with all of these resources, and carry the company into the future,” he said.

At 65, he also wants to do other things, such as traveling and visiting his grandchildren, but will miss working with the people at the opera.

However, “I certainly did not want to miss one season in the Kauffman Center. It’s great fun being in there … I can think back to when I was a wee young intern at the New York City Opera. The one thing I did have was I could run around the theater, and it was just kind of fun to do that, to see what it was like sitting upstairs or downstairs. So, maybe I’m reliving my childhood — I get to do that again,” he said.

Luskin calls the move to the new stage a “catalyst” for the opera building its own new rehearsal space and scenery storage facility.

The opera’s latest production, Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte, is a “very intimate opera” that would have worked on the smaller Lyric Theatre stage.

“We’re still going to be able to do that kind of opera without it being swallowed up (by the larger facility) … it gives us that flexibility. Doing a big grand opera at the Lyric, we couldn’t truly do it justice with that stage, and now we can. It’s expanded the range and type of opera we can do,” Luskin said.

Before coming to Kansas City, he had studied a variety of subjects before earning an MBA in arts management. Luskin gained experience in Chattanooga, Tenn., Tulsa, Okla., and Detroit before settling into his role here.

His favorite part of the job is watching how the audience reacts to the performances.

“When you think about it, you spend months and years working towards opening night. It is so incredibly exciting, and you want to see how the audience reacts. It’s almost like you’re sitting there saying, ‘Come on, guys. Look at what we did. Isn’t this great?’ And you hear people applauding,” he said.

Other points of pride for Luskin are the continued improvement in the opera’s artistic standards as well as expanded educational programming for children, which includes a summer opera camp. Many companies use a group of sopranos when the score calls for a children’s chorus in operas such as Carmen, he said. However, because of their educational outreach, the Kansas City Opera has a good talent pool of children.

“I wish there was a lot more arts education in the schools, but at least we are providing some of it,” he said.

Bruening says he will miss working with Luskin.

“Evan is a joy to work with,” Bruening said. “He’s a very calm and thoughtful influence in the management of the opera.”

Luskin will remain an opera buff, even after he leaves.

“I guess I’ll still be able to go to the opera and enjoy it and watch it, but it will be different,” Luskin said.

The Lyric Opera

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City continues its 54th season with W. A. Mozart’s Così fan tutte performed at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts through Nov. 13.
Così fan tutte will be sung in Italian with English titles visible on personal monitors mounted on each audience member’s seatback in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Ticket availability varies by performance. To purchase tickets, call Patron Services 816 471-7344 or 1-800-OPERAKC (673-7252). Patrons can select their own seat and print their tickets at home by visiting www.kcopera.org.

‘NUREMBERG’ DOCUMENTARY — Tonight, Thursday, Nov. 10, the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education and the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum are presenting “Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today” at the Glenwood Arts Theatre, 9575 Metcalf Ave. The movie is scheduled to run at the Glenwood Arts through Nov. 17. Filmmaker Sandra Schulberg, who restored the original film (which was never seen in the United States) along with Josh Waletzky, will be on hand to answer questions after each showing on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and Nov. 12. Show times are 12:35 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:25 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. each day. Call the box office at 913-642-4404 for more information.

HOLLANDER CONCERT — Concert pianist and Kansas City native David Hollander will perform a free concert at 11:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, in the lobby at the Jewish Community Campus.
The concert is in memory of his parents — Norman and Helen Hollander — who both were members of the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra. Sybil Kahn reports that Norman played first chair of the cello section and Helen was in the first violin section. The Hollanders were also involved in activities sponsored by the Jewish Community Center and were instrumental in the founding of Kansas City Young Audiences (as was the late Norman Kahn). David Hollander will be in Kansas City in recognition of KCYA’s 50th anniversary, which will be celebrated at a sold-out concert featuring Idina Menzel Saturday, Nov. 12.
Students, their families and staff of the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy have been invited to the concert as well as friends of the Hollanders. The concert is open to the community at no charge.

FIRE ALARM FINALE — MCHE executive director Jean Zeldin tells me that the “creative ending” to the Marvin Hamlisch concert on Nov. 3 was the result of steam from the Kauffman Center’s new heating system triggering the smoke alarm. Fortunately, Maestro Hamlisch was only four bars from finishing his performance and guests returned to the dessert reception in good spirits after a 5-minute evacuation. “Nothing could spoil what was an incredibly special evening,” said Zeldin. “Our main regret was that Hamlisch wasn’t able to revel in the enthusiastic standing ovation he certainly would have received. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding.”

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE — Suicide Awareness Survivors Support will host a Remembrance Service for those who have lost a loved one to suicide from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at D. W. Newcomer’s Sons Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, Kansas City, Mo. The Remembrance Service will coincide with National Survivors of Suicide Day, which is a day of healing for those who have lost someone to suicide. The local organization was formed by Mickey and Bonnie Swade after they lost their 31-year-old son Brett to suicide in December 2003. For more information, visit www.Sass-MoKan.com or email .

What a difference a couple of years can make. A little more than two years ago, the Vaad HaKashruth of Kansas City was a very small, staff-driven organization. Today, it is led by a board of directors — with support from every religious movement represented in the community — and is striving to become an integral part of the community.

The Vaad’s mission is the maintenance of kosher supervision here. Since July 5 Rabbi Mendel Segal has served as its full-time executive director.

The winds of change started blowing back in 2006, when Karen Pack was president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. In her role as president it was common for people in the Jewish community to discuss a variety of issues with her. During that time she learned some people in the community were not happy with the structure of the local Vaad.

Pack, who now serves as president of the Vaad’s board of trustees, explained that five years ago the Vaad was comprised of a mashgiach (on-site kosher supervisor) and was overseen by the rabbi of BIAV, who is the rav hamachshir (the certifying rabbi, now Rabbi Daniel Rockoff), and Rabbi Herbert Mandl, the chairman. Both rabbis still serve in these capacities in addition to their full-time congregation jobs.

So a dialogue ensued to find ways to integrate the Vaad more into the community, find more efficient ways to run it and expand it.

“Everybody basically realized that a very important part of the community had been ignored,” Pack said. “It’s come together very well, but it has taken five years for us to get to this point. We’re thrilled with the progress we’ve made.”

To get the ball rolling Pack said Steve Israelite volunteered his time to begin the research, which took about a year. Rabbi Amy Katz, before she left town, was involved in that process as well. That research led to two of the original recommendations — to form a community-based board of trustees and hire a full-time executive director.

A board of 17 people was put together, comprised of representatives from nearly all area congregations as well as several at-large members. Once the board was formed, plans began taking shape. Annette Fish, the administrator/program director of the Rabbinical Association, was also hired as the part-time interim director.

“Even though she was officially part-time, she put in a full-time effort. Without her diligence, hard work and dedication we would not be where we are today, or at a point where we were able to hire a full-time executive director,” Pack said.

Today’s Vaad

Pack is proud that the Vaad is now a full partnership of its lay leaders and its director, Rabbi Segal.

“The new Vaad is definitely a community effort, and this is a very positive change,” Pack said.

“We’ve had this continued support from the synagogues and members of the community and I think that reinforces the message that this is a community project and a community effort,” she continued.

Rabbi Rockoff is also happy the community has taken an interest in the Vaad.

“A successful Vaad is one of the hallmarks of a vibrant Jewish community. It serves as the kosher resource for residents of Kansas City as well as visitors who pass through while traveling. We are fortunate that our community has devoted itself to ensuring the success and continued growth of our Vaad for many years to come,” he said.

Besides increasing the involvement from the community at large, which Pack believes has succeeded, the board also wanted financial support from the Jewish community’s major funders. That’s been realized as well.

“They understand the value of having an organization that certified kosher food in the community. They respect it and they value it,” she said.

The kosher industry itself is booming. It is believed there are more than 12 million kosher consumers in the United States. There are more than 10,000 companies producing kosher certified products and more than 125,000 kosher certified products.

Locally, the Vaad oversees and certifies close to 40 different types of food service suppliers, manufacturers and providers.

Those vendors are being supervised by a director, Pack said, who is both well qualified and well liked. The fact that he is also a business person has been a plus for the Vaad.

“Mendel knows how to work with clients, how to work with new accounts while at the same time strengthening the relationships with previous customers and bringing in new customers,” said Pack of Rabbi Segal, who has been on the job about four months.

Since Rabbi Segal joined the Vaad, two new producers have come on board — Bernice’s Bakery and Strawberry Hill Povitica Company.

“We have others in the pipeline,” Rabbi Segal said.

Rabbi Segal said he has been working hard to strengthen the Vaad’s relationship with its current vendors.

“I’ve met with most of the vendors now re-establishing our relationship and making sure we’re happy with each other,” he said.

Recently consumers have been able to find more kosher goods at retailers such as Costco and at Trader Joe’s. Rabbi Segal said the Vaad hasn’t really been a part of getting more goods at these retailers, but said he would like to get more involved in that “and be able to help them and guide them.”

“I have suggested to Trader Joe’s that they get certain products in that I know they have in other cities,” he said.

Already Rabbi Segal has begun conducting training sessions with the Vaad’s mashgichim (currently there are three) and has increased the Vaad’s presence in social media, such as its website (vaadkc.org) as well as twitter (@vaadkc.) and facebook (Vaad HaKashruth Overland Park, Kansas).

“We’ve put on our website the types of kosher symbols that are reliable in general. More specifically, Trader Joe’s has a lot of products from all over the world and we’ve compiled a list of certification symbols for products Trader Joe’s carries that are reliable,” he said.

One of his goals is to make the website as contact rich and easy to use as possible.

“For example for a mother at HBHA who is not familiar with kosher but has to have a kosher birthday party, she can look at the site to find out where she can get everything she needs for that kosher birthday party. The website is tailored to our community,” he said.

Pack said going forward the Vaad wants to continue to increase its presence in the Jewish community and in the commercial food community. As it builds on its lists of commercial accounts, board members hope that increases its coffers so that the costs to agencies and individuals wanting to use the Vaad for kosher supervision will decrease.

In addition, Pack and Rabbi Segal said they hope the Vaad’s staff will grow so it can reach out farther into Missouri and Kansas, not only through its services but through educational programming.

Besides providing kosher food options at retailers, one of Pack’s dreams is to eventually get a kosher restaurant here that will appeal to both the Jewish and general community.

By strengthening the Vaad, Pack and other community leaders hope that more young Jews will be attracted to this area.

“Kansas City is being showcased as a community that provides a positive Jewish experience for families and is also affordable,” she said.

“As our kosher services expand it makes it that much more possible that these individuals will look to Kansas City as a place they want to move and raise a family,” she said.

Pack has already seen how the Vaad has been able to reach out to the community over the past few months, overseeing two events at Oakwood Country Club, where kosher events hadn’t been held in quite a while.

“Oakwood hosted a lovely kosher wedding and also served kosher desserts for the Federation’s annual meeting. It shows that whether it’s the private sector or the agency sector, the Vaad is becoming very involved in the community.”

These days, Idina Menzel is “defying gravity,” bringing her powerful voice to Helzberg Hall of the Kaufmann Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday evening Nov. 12. Perhaps best known for playing the role of the green witch Elphaba in the long-running hit Broadway musical “Wicked” (written by Jewish composer Stephen Schwartz), Menzel will appear with members of the Kansas City Symphony for a 90-minute, no intermission performance.

Menzel’s concert is a benefit for Kansas City Young Audiences celebrating its 50th Anniversary bringing professional performing and visual artists into area schools. KCYA also manages the Arts Partners program and the Community School of the Arts and is the largest provider of arts programs in the Kansas City area.

KCYA Executive Director Martin English said his organization is “thrilled” to have Menzel here to celebrate his organization’s half century in Kansas City.

“She’s a wonderful arts education advocate herself and she’s on a show (“Glee”) that’s all about arts education,” English said.

Menzel loves performing live, something she’s been doing since her teens when she sang with different bands at Bar Mitzvahs and weddings. It was a natural for Menzel, who grew up on Long Island, the daughter of Stuart and Helene Mentzel (she changed the spelling).

“I come from a Jewish family (although) we weren’t very religious,” she said during a recent telephone interview from Los Angeles, where’s she taping the popular television series “Glee.” Menzel said her grandparents came from Russia and Eastern Europe.

“I feel very connected to the culture and history of the Jewish people,” said Menzel, “but I’ve struggled and waivered with my connection to organized religion. Now that I’m a mom, we’re struggling with how Jewish we are going to be.”

Menzel is referring to Walker Nathaniel Diggs, her 2-year-old son with fellow actor and husband Taye Diggs. The couple, who first met when Menzel starred as Maureen in the musical “Rent,” have been married since 2003. Menzel said being a mom has been a powerful and rewarding experience.

“I’m a more well-rounded person,” Menzel said. “He’s changed my entire perspective. It’s put me more at ease. All these things that were so important aren’t as important, (and) it’s made me a better artist. I’m able to explore.”

Her son has become a great inspiration to Menzel in her own song writing. She sings with her son all the time and is now writing some children’s songs.

“I’ll ask him, ‘what should Mommy write about,’ and he’ll say an egg, so we sing about eggs,” said Menzel with a giggle.

But being a mom has also brought new worries for Menzel.

“I didn’t know how much your heart would feel — this aching heart of worrying,” she said. “There is so much love — and sometimes it’s heavy with love.”

Menzel’s been working on her dream of performing for a while. She’s a drama graduate of the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. She was working on her career as a singer/song writer when Menzel was cast in “Rent,” which became a Broadway hit. She also received her first Best Actress in a Musical nomination. In addition to “Wicked,” the prequel musical to the “Wizard of Oz” story, Menzel has tread the boards on Broadway in such shows as “See What I Wanna See,” “The Wild Party” and as the character Amneris in “AIDA.” However, it was her performance in “Wicked” that shot Menzel into super stardom and garnered her a Best Actress Tony Award. Menzel has also dabbled in film, including “Enchanted,” as well as television — beyond “Glee” — having just completed an arc in “Private Practice.”

Menzel’s Kansas City show will be a mix of musical theater selections, some standards and a mix of her own music, some of which is on her “I Stand” album. However, the Kansas City concert almost didn’t happen, said KCYA’s English. When Menzel was called to make a longer filming commitment for “Glee,” in which she plays the recurring role of vocal coach Shelby Corcoran, the actress cancelled most of her concert engagements. But English said Menzel is so committed to arts education, she kept the Kansas City date — with one caveat.

“She told us she needed to do her symphony show instead of a new show she had put together, and she needed a symphony to do it,” English said. Quick conversations were held with the Kansas City Symphony and ta da, there’s a show.

“Kudos to the symphony for making this work,” English said.

So what does the future hold for Menzel?

“I’m developing a new musical, although I can’t say much about it right now,” she said. Menzel continues to write her own music and would love to do a project with her husband, who’s written his own children’s book “Chocolate Me!” that’s illustrated by Kansas City artist and longtime friend Shane Evans. And, she hopes, Broadway is calling her name.

“I’m dying to get back to the theater and do an original role,” Menzel said. “My love is to sit at the piano with a composer and hear how a song goes in Act One, Scene seven....”

Nicole Abrahamson is happy to tell you all the reasons why you should become a member of the Jewish Community Center. As a member of the JCC’s membership team, it’s her job to sell the services of the agency — and she truly believes in what she is doing.
“To work at the JCC was a longtime goal of mine,” said the single mother of two. “It’s been my home away from home for nearly a decade. When I go to the JCC, it’s not like going to work — it’s such a wonderful community service.”

Abrahamson landed at the JCC about eight months ago thanks, in part, to guidance she received through Jewish Employment Services, a joint program of Jewish Family Services and Jewish Vocational Service. “JES helps equip job seekers with the skills needed to successfully compete in today’s tight job market,” said Gayl Reinsch, director of JES. JES also connects members of the Jewish community with employers and jobs.

JES is funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, the Jewish Heritage Foundation, the Lowenstein Brothers Foundation, the Morgan Family Foundation and the Sosland Foundation. The JES team includes two career coaches — Joyce Hill and Cheryl Intrater. Reinsch helps participants make connections in the job market and search for existing positions as well as meet with potential employers and mentors. The career coaches spend a lot of time working one-on-one with job seekers helping them with resumé preparation, interviewing practice and networking skills. JES also offers a Job Club on second and fourth Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. It presents topics and speakers on various job-search related subjects.

Abrahamson first discovered JES while receiving assistance from JFS for other matters.

“As a job seeker, you can never have too many resources to rely upon,” she said.

Reinsch referred Abrahamson to Joyce Hill for career coaching help. With a background in sales in the advertising, pharmaceutical and real estate industries, Abrahamson knew her strengths, but she needed a boost in self-confidence. Meeting with Hill helped with that task.

“When you have a career coach you have an advocate for you,” Abrahamson said. “Joyce made me feel good about myself. I think everyone should have a job coach as a support and resource — their advice is key.”

Hill worked with Abrahamson to update her resumé and informed her of all the resources available through JES. Abrahamson found the personal attention she received through JES to be “very valuable.” When a part-time position opened at the sports desk to do some administrative work, she went for it, seeing it as a great stepping stone toward a full-time position she ultimately wanted.

Armed with her new resume and interviewing skills, Abrahamson interviewed and got the position. Some months later when the JCC was expanding its membership sales team, Abrahamson went for the full-time position and landed the job. Hill has continued to be an on-going adviser for Abrahamson.

“A big part of Nicole’s success in landing the job she now has was her positive attitude and willingness to take a gamble on a part-time position,” Reinsch said. “That got her foot in the door and a chance to prove herself for when a full-time position came along.”

Job seekers wishing to connect directly with JES should email Reinsch at , attaching a resumé, if they have one. Reinsch may also be reached at 913-327-8278.

‘SUBURB’ THE MUSICAL — Benjamin Baellow has the male lead in the upcoming production of “Suburb,” a musical written by David Javerbaum and Bob Cohen. It will be presented at the City Theatre of Independence beginning today, Nov. 3. It will run this weekend (Nov. 4, 5 and 6) and next weekend (Thursday, Nov.10, through Sunday Nov. 13). The musical is described as one that “takes an insightful, witty and nuanced view of the world of the lawnmower, the barbecue and the mall, exploring the suburb’s rites and rituals. The stories of four people — interwoven with the chorus’s frequent musical reveries on subjects like mowing the lawn, shopping at the mall and the perfection of perfectly grilled meat — form the road map of ‘Suburb.’ ” It’s gotten good reviews, including this one by the Houston Press: “(A) musical love note to the land of wide green lawns, shopping malls and do-it-yourselfers.”
Baellow (yes, that is my maiden name) has starred in other shows including “Cabaret,” “And Then There were None” and “Man O’er the Moon.” He is the son of Shari Baellow and David Baellow and the grandson of Eugene and Kate Lebovitz. City Theatre of Independence is located at 201 North Dodgion, (inside the Roger T. Sermon Center which is located at the corners of Truman and Noland Roads) in Independence, Mo. Call the Box Office to make reservations (816) 325-7367 or visit the website at citytheatreofindependence.org.

IN THE NEWS — Two loyal readers sent me a link to an article in the Chicago Tribune featuring Rabbi Michael Zedek, who was the rabbi at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah for many years. He now serves as the rabbi of Emanuel Congregation, located on Chicago’s lakefront. He went on an expedition to eat bagels with reporter Kevin Fang. In the article, Fang describes the popular rabbi as “65, looks 45, going on 15. He comes straight from Woody Allen central casting. Zedek is that good sort of cliché, the funny rabbi whose volume and pitch modulate with extraordinary range. He leans in to underscore a punch line.” You can read the entire article on the congregation’s website, or http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/ct-dining-1020-bagel-search-20111020,0,7129547.story.

Special Interfaith Event — Rabbi Alan Cohen wants everyone to know the community is invited to a very interesting community interfaith event titled “Jesus as Jew and Christ” taking place at 7 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Jewish Community Campus Social Hall. There is no charge to attend.
Dr. Philip Cunningham, Professor of Theology at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia will speak, leading a conversation about the theological complexities of Jesus being part of the Jewish world of the 1st Century and also becoming the Christ or savior to the emerging Church community. Could Jesus have been Jewish if he thought he was Christ?
The evening is sponsored by JCRB|AJC, Avila University, Conception Abbey, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Rockhurst University, Central Baptist Theological Seminary and Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

EMERGENCY FUND ESTABLISHED — Following the most recent rocket attacks launched against southern Israel from Gaza, the Jewish Agency has activated its Emergency Fund to provide immediate aid to the family of Ashkelon resident Moshe Ami, who was killed in Sunday’s rocket attacks, as well as to other families affected by the barrage of Grad rockets. Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky said that the fund is intended to help victims immediately following an attack by responding to primary and urgent needs.
The Fund works in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the National Insurance Institute and local authorities. Since its launch, the fund has helped about 750 families affected by the firing of Kassam rockets, distributing more than 2 million shekels. The Jewish Agency’s Emergency Fund operates through donations of the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, and other donors.

Correction

A portrait of yoga instructor Shanna Haun published in the Fall 2011 edition of Jewish Life Magazine was incorrectly credited. It was taken by Sara Farrar.

What is a rabbi? Among other things, he/she is often a trusted leader and adviser. Congregants go to their rabbi in times of joy, troubles and sorrow.

But where do rabbis go for advice? Luckily young Orthodox rabbis can turn to other members of an informal group affectionately known as the West Coast Rav. Congregation BIAV’s Rabbi Daniel Rockoff is hosting this year’s West Coast Rav here Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 7-9. Twenty-five rabbis are expected to attend from across the country.

In some ways, West Coast Rav can be termed a support group.

“It’s a great group of guys,” said Rabbi Jonathan Gross of Beth Israel Synagogue in Omaha, Neb. He attended the first one in 2003 and every one since.

The meeting is always held this time of year as a way for the rabbis to wind down and rejuvenate from the High Holidays.

“The High Holidays are our busy season. For us, it can be compared to a whole bunch of accountants getting together on April 16th. It’s very informal. We unwind,” Rabbi Gross said.

The West Coast Rav was the brainchild of Rabbi Jonathan I. Rosenblatt, the senior rabbi of the Riverdale Jewish Center, a diverse and dynamic Zionist Orthodox synagogue community of some 700 families located in the Bronx, N.Y. Rabbi Rosenblatt will arrive in Kansas City several days before the meeting to serve as BIAV’s scholar in residence Nov. 4 and 5 and be the featured presenter at Schmooze with the Jews at the Zoo: A family happening! (For more information on these events, see below.)

Rabbi Rockoff explains that Rabbi Rosenblatt has a special interest in the training and mentoring of young rabbis. The New York rabbi is an instructor in the RIETS Rabbinic training program as well as in programs in Israel that train rabbis for the Diaspora. Under his leadership the Riverdale Jewish Center, through its internship program, has become a major “finishing school” for talented young rabbis.

Rabbi Rosenblatt explained the group arose from an idea he had prior to a visit he made to Los Angeles to speak at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, Calif., where Rabbi Steven Weil, now the executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, was the rabbi.
Rabbi Rosenblatt thought that while he was there, the two experienced rabbis should find a way to help the many young rabbis working up and down the West Coast who didn’t have budgets to bring people in from all over the country to help mentor them and their congregations.

Following Rabbi Rosenblatt’s suggestion, Rabbi Weil invited young rabbis from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, down to San Diego to visit Los Angeles for a few days.

“We sat for two days talking about the rabbinate and the experience of the rabbi as a person from the inside out,” Rabbi Rosenblatt said.

Those involved in West Coast Rav say this is unlike other rabbinic conferences.

“This is much more from the inside and some of us have become a real support network for one another with a very special emphasis on smaller communities where there may not be five Orthodox synagogues,” where the rabbis can get advice from each other, Rabbi Rosenblatt noted.

Rabbi Gross and Rabbi Rockoff, who also happen to be cousins, agree.

“This group has attracted a lot of new, younger members. We have great mentorship from Rabbi Rosenblatt and Rabbi Weil. It’s a great opportunity to get together with our friends,” said Rabbi Gross, who just finished his seventh year in Omaha and has been a rabbi for about 10 years.

The meeting goes to a different community every year so the rabbis can see what works in other areas. Since the inaugural meeting in Beverly Hills it has been held in Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto in Canada, Oakland, Calif., Omaha, Neb., Charleston, S.C., Teaneck, N.J., and Skokie, Ill.

The group is now national and members come from all over North America and Canada. Rabbi Rosenblatt noted “there’s even one young rabbi who’s joined the club who comes in all the way from Sydney, Australia,” although he can’t make the trip every year.

The rabbis stay in touch year round through a listserve, a small program that automatically sends messages to multiple email addresses on a mailing list that is coordinated by Rabbi Gross.

“The listserve is a great way for us to ask each other questions. We know we are not going to be judged and we’re just going to get good, sound advice from colleagues and friends,” Rabbi Gross said.

Rabbi Rockoff agrees.

“The guys are very willing to participate and it’s a nice, safe haven for the rabbis to communicate. We all learn from each other and are inspired by each other’s experiences. We’re all on the younger end of our rabbinic careers so we’re all seeking to learn from the experience of others,” Rabbi Rockoff said. He received his rabbinic ordination in 2003 and has been in Kansas City since 2008. He has worked with Rabbi Weil in LA, with Rabbi Rosenblatt in New York, for the OU and also served as an assistant rabbi in West Orange, N.J., before coming here.

Rabbis Gross and Rockoff are excited to get together with their mentors. The excitement goes the other way, as well.

“We have this little game,” said Rabbi Rosenblatt, who has served in Riverdale for 27 years and been a rabbi for almost 30.

“They pretend that I’m the guy, the answer man, and I’m coming to teach them. The truth of the matter is every year I come back thinking Rosenblatt, you’re getting stale. There are much better rabbis out there now. You try to be as good as they are. That hasn’t worked out yet but I’m still trying.”

The meeting is sponsored in part by the OU and local sponsors recruited by Rabbi Rockoff. The rabbis will eat all their meals together, but will stay with BIAV families. They will attend meetings at BIAV, the Jewish Community Campus and at the Latrhop & Gage law firm, which Rabbi Rockoff said has a “great view of the city.”

Along with the formal meeting opportunities, Rabbi Rockoff has arranged for relaxing activities as well. For instance the rabbis will get to visit downtown Kansas City and attend the Downtown Minyan’s annual barbecue.

Rabbi Rockoff is thrilled to be able to show his fellow rabbis around his community.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but I have some good volunteers helping me. After all these years of attending these meetings and being a part of this very fine group, it’s gratifying to be able to host it,” he said.

Scholar in Residence weekend

Rabbi Jonathan I. Rosenblatt will serve as scholar in residence at Congregation BIAV Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4 and 5.
An Oneg Shabbat will be held at 8:45 p.m. Friday night, Nov. 4, at a private home.

Rabbi Rosenblatt will give the sermon at 10:45 a.m. on Shabbat morning Nov. 5 at BIAV. He will also speak at a se’udah shlisheet at 5:30 p.m. that evening at BIAV. Saturday’s event are open to the entire Jewish community. Contact the BIAV office for more information at 913-341-2444