Archived Celebrations

When Harry Friedman went to Las Vegas in June for the 38th annual Daytime Emmy Awards, he thought nothing could possibly be more rewarding than having one of his two nominated TV shows take home the coveted statue for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation program. But he was wrong.

Friedman, son of the late Rose and David Friedman of Prairie Village, is executive producer of the two most successful syndicated TV shows of all time, “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” In an unprecedented turn of events, there was a tie in the category and both shows won Emmy Awards, making Friedman the first producer ever to win two Emmys in the same category in a tie with himself. The rare double win brought Friedman his ninth and 10th Emmys following 32 nominations.

Since leaving the Kansas City area in 1971, Friedman has enjoyed a successful career as a television writer and producer in Los Angeles but still maintains close local ties, especially with first cousins Felicia Weiner, Marlene Krakow, Mort Zevitz and Gary Friedman.

The Department of Religion at William Jewell College has announced that Taylor Poslosky, a junior religion major from Overland Park, has been named the first student of the Jewish faith to participate in the College’s Hester Scholars program.

Named in memory of H.I. Hester, longtime head (1926-1961) of the Department of Religion at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., the Hester Scholars program was established more than 25 years ago for students demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence in the study of religion who are also pursuing a career in religious service as a primary vocation.

“We are very pleased to have Taylor as a Hester Scholar,” said Dr. Milton Horne, acting chair of the Department of Religion. “I have had the opportunity to observe her rigorous level of scholarship and to share her fellowship in class. We are very excited about her commitment to study for the rabbinate and about her plans to begin that study with us. She represents a new day for our department’s conception of the breadth of the Hester Scholars program and reinforces the broader scope of the College’s understanding of the liberal arts and its extension into our community.”

Poslosky said that her studies at William Jewell represent the continuation of a lifelong commitment to her faith. “All my life, Judaism has been my center,” Poslosky observed.

“From lighting Shabbat candles to watching my campers lead Saturday morning worship, I have enjoyed every aspect. I feel a sense of purpose knowing that it will one day be my responsibility to lead a community. As I study religion at William Jewell, I realize that the reality of my dream to become a rabbi is beginning.”

To qualify as a Hester Scholar, students must be in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class; demonstrate leadership and involvement in school, community and church; major in the study of religion; and state their commitment to service through ministry, teaching or missions.

William Jewell College is committed to bringing together talented students and gifted faculty mentors within a vibrant community sparked by a rigorous and intentional liberal arts curriculum. A full range of personal and professional development experiences are presented by the selective national liberal arts college’s location within the Kansas City metroplex of more than two million.

Roman and Jodi Steinberg announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Mitchell Brooks Steinberg, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. Mitch is the grandson of Allan and Brenda Schifman and the late Orest and Ludmila Steinberg. Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Oneg Shabbat following the service.

Margaret and Jerome Nerman were married on Aug. 8, 1941, at Beth Shalom Synagogue by Rabbi Gershon Hadas in his study. Jerry enlisted in the Army in 1942 after Pearl Harbor and served in Europe for three years and was discharged in 1946 as a staff sergeant. They have one son, Lewis Nerman, and a grandson, Greg Nerman.

In 1950, Jerry and Melvin Spitcaufsky went into business selling trucks and started Arrow Truck Sales. Arrow was sold 50 years later as the largest independent pre-owned truck business in North America with 20 locations. Jerry’s son, Lewis, served as president of Arrow Truck sales.

Jerry and Margaret have been avid art collectors and supporters of the arts in Kansas City. Art and Antiques Magazine named them as one of the top 100 collectors in America. Margaret served as a trustee at the Kansas City Art Institute and Jerry served on the collection committee at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. They have supported the Truman Library, Science City, Kansas City Art Institute and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

In 2007, they opened the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art on the campus of Johnson County Community College. Jerry has been chairman of Central Bank for more than 25 years. He is still working with his son and grandson in the pre-owned truck business.

Zolie and Doris Gilgus will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 6. They were married at the Gatesworth Hotel in St. Louis, Mo., with Rabbi Jacobs officiating. They have four children, Stephanie and Richard Gatewood, Susan and Tim Peavler, Steve and Jill Gilgus and Sherry and David Worth, and nine grandchildren.

Steve and Debbie Graham, Leawood, announce the engagement of their son, Jonathan David Graham, to Jori Dara Fox, daughter of John and Lisa Fox, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late William and Ilsa West and the late Frank and Marjorie Kiefer Fox. She attended the University of Illinois, earning a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is currently employed as a middle school teacher in Skokie, Ill.

The future groom is the grandson of the late Martie and Helen Graham and Elizabeth Glick Sugar and the late Joshua Glick. He attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. He is currently employed in commercial real estate in Chicago.

A Nov. 19 wedding at the Hyatt Regency in Cincinnati is planned.

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Gershon of Overland Park announce the engagement of their son, Joseph Bradley Gershon, to Allison Gould Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown of Mission Hills.

The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bloch and Mrs. Milton Brown of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and the late Mr. Brown. She attended the University of Kansas and was a Jewel Ball debutante in 2003.

The future groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gershon and Harriet Siess and the late Mr. Alvin Siess. He attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is currently employed at Arrow Fabricare Services, Kansas City, Mo.

An Oct. 1 wedding on Aspen Mountain is planned.

Russ and Sarah Mondry of Leawood announce the birth July 20 of a son, Louis Mark Mondry. They are also the parents of Max, Jacob, Ben, Sally and Mia. Grandparents are Don and Harriet Boresow of Overland Park, Florence Mondry of New York and Sam Mondry of Costa Rica. Great-grandmother is Lola Mondry of Miami Beach, Fla.

Robert Reicher Rosenthal, St. Joseph, Mo., was born on July 25, 1936, and will soon celebrate his 75th birthday with a family dinner in Kansas City. His family includes his wife, Cathie Rosenthal; daughters, Maggie Ross and Dana (Brian) Campbell; and grandchildren, Brad Staples, Zachary Ross, Joshua Campbell and Samantha Campbell. His daughter Dana says her father’s 75 years have been filled with “close family, good friends, cars, hats, traditions, cars, grandchildren, cats and cars.”

Jeremy Borowick is the recipient of one of 52 $10,000 merit-based scholarships sponsored by the Public Accounting Oversight Board. The PCAOB was established by Congress primarily to oversee the audits of public companies to ensure accurate, independent audit reports. The scholarship fund encourages outstanding students to pursue a career in auditing.

Additionally, this year Borowick was awarded the Financial Executive International Academic Award by the Kansas City Chapter for Scholastic Attainments, interest in activities and promise of future success in the field of accounting/finance, and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants LEAP Scholarship for outstanding achievement in academics and leadership.

Borowick is a graduate student at the University of Missouri and will be graduating in May 2012 with his master’s degree in accountancy. He is an accounting teaching assistant for the academic school year 2011-2012 and is the son of Jerry and Karen Borowick.