Listening post - Kansas City Jewish Chronicle

More than 400 people of all ages came together to reunite and rekindle old friendships at the Kansas City BBYO Reunion on Saturday, June 18, at Pinstripes. Thanks to the Kansas City BBYO Advisory Board and their committee for planning a fabulous event: Stacey Belzer, Cindy Bodker, Ron Davidow, Rhonda Fromm, Susie Goldsmith, Peter Loftspring and Annie Rifkin. BBYO always needs additional support to help the organization continue to flourish in the area. Visit bbyo.org/donate and click on Mid America-Kansas City to make a generous donation. Those enjoying the event including a group of AZA Two’s alumni who had a chance to mug for the camera and chat with some current Two’s members

ROTARY STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR — If you are looking for something to do on the 4th of July, several members of the Jewish community are heavily involved in Overland Park Rotary’s 25th annual Star Spangled Spectacular event in Corporate Woods — the largest fireworks display in the area. Those include event chair Chuck Gasser, outgoing Rotary president Craig Novorr and committee members Melynn Sight and Fred Goodman to name a few.

The Star Spangled Spectacular is a FREE old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration for all ages, and includes live concerts, food, beverages and fun for kids of all ages. The event takes place on Monday, July 4 in Corporate Woods (behind Bldg. 40) in Founder’s Park. The address is 9711 W. 109th Street, Overland Park, KS 66210.

The event begins at 4 p.m. with kids’ activities, food and beverages for sale. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:40 p.m. Rain date is Tuesday, July 5, at 9:40 pm. For more details, go to www.starspangledspectacular.org.

A crowd of about 150 people came Sunday afternoon to support the ninth annual Bowling with Barb and hear Rabbi Scott and his Musical Friends perform mellow music of the ’60s and ’70s. The band drew rave reviews and the event raised more than $12,000 to help find a cure for mitochondrial disease. Shown here with Barb Mendelsohn (front and center) is Rabbi Scott White (from left), Ron Altman, Bob Hurst, Gordon Fick, Ron Fredman, Jim Appelbaum and Eric Morgenstern. Larry Myer is also a member of the band who could not perform due to a family emergency.

NETANYAHU AND KERRY MEET IN ROME, DISCUSS PEACE PROCESS AND BREXIT (JNS.org) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held meetings with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Rome on Sunday and Monday.

A member of Netanyahu’s delegation in Rome said the talks with Kerry focused on defense issues and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, including efforts to hold a regional conference on the matter. The leaders also discussed the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union in the Brexit referendum.

Additionally, Netanyahu met with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Monday to discuss diplomatic and security issues as well as the implications of the Brexit vote.