Archived Celebrations

Debbe Trachtman has chosen to become a Bat Mitzvah at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. Trachtman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and psychology and a Master of Arts degree in ancient history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Having retired from Xerox, Trachtman continues post-graduate work at the University of Kansas in ancient history and the sciences. Trachtman is the daughter of Ida Mour and the late A.J. Mour. Family and friends are invited to celebrate with her.

Jon and Suzi Slatkin of Stanmore, Middlesex, England, announce the birth April 20 of a son, Nathan Stuart. They are also the parents of Oliver Morrison. Grandparents are Robert and Linda Brody of Kenton, England, and Mark and Trudy Slatkin of Overland Park.

This is to announce Joshua Mallin, grandson of Lore Mallin (of blessed memory) and Mel Mallin, son of David and Gail Mallin, graduated with honors on May11 from Colorado State University School of Civil Engineering. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi engineering honors society, Chi Epsilon civil engineering honors, Golden Key International and a member of National Society of Leadership and Success.

Ian Roozrokh, a freshman at Blue Valley Northwest High School and the son of David and Rachel Roozrokh, was honored as one of the top student volunteers, earning him the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Above, Ian accepts his award certificate on May 8 from Dr. Tom Trigg, Superintendent of Blue Valley Schools. Ian completed more than 500 hours of volunteer community service.

The May 26 Shabbat morning worship will include a simcha not often seen in our community — the B’nai Mitzvah of eight adults: Sherry Abramowitz, Adrianne Applebaum, Sue Crane, Barbara Gustin, Ron Jacobson, Audrey Myers, Maureen Salz and David Scott. The adults have been studying together since last fall with teacher Sherrill Parkhurst; they bring a wide spectrum of Jewish backgrounds and Bar/Bat Mitzvah perspectives to the classroom and the bimah.

“The students draw from a lifetime of religious experience ranging from classical Reform to Orthodox to being raised in another faith and choosing Judaism as adults,” said Rabbi Vered Harris, education rabbi at Beth Torah. “Some of the students learned to read Hebrew as children and just needed a refresher; others are learning the skill for the first time this year.”

Choosing to study Hebrew, attend Shabbat worship throughout the year and participate in mitzvah projects with the congregation and as a class is a big commitment. Rabbi Harris said the students have taken that commitment to heart over the past year as they prepared to read Torah, help lead worship and share a bit of their ongoing Jewish journey with the congregation.

“Technically, for Reform Jews, any Jewish person older than 13 plus one day is obligated to the commandments. However, in our day, reading Torah is a meaningful part of the passage into Jewish adulthood,” Rabbi Harris explained. “For those who were not afforded the opportunity at 13, or for those who did not have a positive experience the first time around, an adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah allows us to capture the power of standing at the Torah accepting and relaying our holy text.”

Rabbi Mark Levin said he hopes the commitment and dedication of the students in the adult B’nai Mitzvah class at Beth Torah will encourage others throughout the Jewish community.

“Adult B’nai Mitzvah are affirming their faith at a stage in life when they have reflected and decided: God and Judaism are important in their lives,” he said. “Every adult Jew should consider not ‘whether’ but ‘when’ they are going to read Torah and affirm their place in the chain of Jewish history.”

Shabbat worship, including the adult B’nai Mitzvah, begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 26, at Congregation Beth Torah.

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Principal Gayle Gray has been selected to attend the Harvard School of Education Principals Institute Art of Leadership program June 26 through July 3.

This six-day summer session brings together educators from around the country and even the world to learn from world experts on education and instructional leadership. Gray was selected from more than 100 applicants and only 15 were awarded a full scholarship from the Avi Chai Foundation.

“We are excited for Ms. Gray for her acceptance into this prestigious program,” HBHA Head of School Howard Haas said.
This program is designed to develop leadership skills, and the efficacy and ability to support teacher development and student achievement.

Participants will explore successful models for school improvement, learn how to lead and manage change and understand how to implement curriculum innovation. Through research-based curriculum, they will focus on effective supervision and evaluation, approaches to solving leadership challenges with a focus on U.S. settings and how to best support teaching and learning.

Corey William Waldman has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine, summa cum laude from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.

He is to begin his residency in ophthalmologic surgery at the Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Md., which is an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Corey attended Shawnee Mission East High School and is the son of Kathy and Steve Waldman.

Igor and Anna Sorkin announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Eliora Sorkin, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Congregation Beth Shalom. Eliora is the granddaughter of Svetlana and Roman Sorkin and Irina Bondar and Vladimir Gruzman. Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush luncheon following the service.

David and Erica Bush announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Rebecca Madeline, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. Rebecca is the granddaughter of Kenneth and Victoria Bush, Ann Tannenbaum and the late Leonard Tannenbaum. Great-grandmother is Lily Singer. Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush following the service.

Andrea and Jason Krakow announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Caleb Samuel, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at Congregation Beth Shalom. Caleb is the grandson of Marlene Krakow, Vicki Johnson and the late Vern Johnson, and Larry and Susan Krakow. Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush luncheon following the service.