The cast of the City Theatre of Independence’s production of Mel Brooks musical ‘Young Frankenstein’ includes two Jewish people. Ruth Bigus plays the role of Frau Blucher and Sam Gershman portrays Victor Frankenstein and ensemble. Larry Bigus is assistant stage manager for the show. It runs March 24-March 26, and March 31-April 3. Cast members in this photo are Ruth Bigus (from left), Christopher Murrell as Dr. Frederick Fronkensteen, Chad Burris as Igor and Landis Merrell (seated) as Inga. More information is available at www.citytheatreofindependence.org.
THINKING OF DAYS GONE BY — Every now and then I hear people tell me they miss the old 25 Years Ago column. As we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (see more page 6), Joan March sent us a copy of the column, published March 22, 1996, about an event originally published in the March 26, 1971, issue.
Esther Laster Bergh (from left) age 14. Next to her is her brother Herbet, her mother Dora Laster and her little sister, Herta. Her grandmother, Oma, who lived with the family is seated. The photo was in Munich prior to the Kindertransport.
Ninety-one-year-old Esther Bergh is a pioneer. She was not only among the first of the Kindertransport children saved from Nazi Germany, she was one of the first to live on a kibbutz in the new state of Israel.
Cancer survivor Linda Weinberg-Hammer will walk the runway at Bra Couture KC’s annual event Friday, April 1.
Breast cancer survivors and patients will model work-of-art bras to be auctioned off on April 1 at the Downtown Airport, providing services to uninsured and underinsured cancer patients (see box for details).
As part of the The J’s Jewish Artist Lab, Greg Azorsky is drawing a Doodle of the Day. By the time you read this he will have done almost 50, and he hopes to keep going until he’s drawn at least 100. The doodles are posted on Facebook as well as the KC Cool Twitter account and Instagram.
ANOTHER SCHWARTZ TO WEAR CHIEFS RED – Last week the Chiefs signed free agent right tackle Mitch Schwartz, who spent the past four years with the Cleveland Browns.
After months of searching, the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City has hired a new president and CEO. Helene Lotman, Ph.D. will begin her new duties on May 2. She will replace Todd Stettner, who announced his retirement in February 2014.
The search for a new rabbi for Temple Sinai was ended when Rabbi Stuart Davis assumed that position on Feb. 9. After two months of diligently searching for a new spiritual leader, the board of directors recommended and the congregation approved the appointment of Rabbi Davis.
President Harry S. Truman and George Goldman at a charity fundraiser.
It’s basketball season in Kansas City. This week, the Big 12 Conference is holding its men’s post-season basketball championship tournament at Sprint Center through Sunday.
The Kinnor Philharmonic, featuring Music Director Chris Kelts, performing at Congregation Beth Torah.
The Kinnor Philharmonic, Kansas City’s Jewish orchestra, announces that the orchestral group will become an “Artist-in-Residence” at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, beginning in 2017. Beginning with a New Year’s concert, Kinnor’s performances will be held at the Lewis and Shirley White Theatre, on the Jewish Community Campus. All tickets will be sold with assigned seats through the Box Office at The Jewish Community Center, “The J.”
Mckenna Lewis, daughter of Kim and Jay Lewis, portrayed Dorothy in the Overland Trail Middle School production of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’
PASSOVER SEDER MEALS — TO-GO — For the first time this year the Rabbinical Association has the genius idea of selling seder meals to go! The kosher-for-Passover “Meal-to-Go” seder food items will be prepared by Kosher Connection under supervision of the Vaad HaKashruth of Kansas City.
