Celebrations

Shana Mara Weinberg and Douglas Michael Enns were married Saturday, May 21, at an intimate gathering with their immediate family members at their home in Forest Hills, N.Y.

The bride is the daughter of Steve and Judy Weinberg and the granddaughter of the late Morris and Rose Weinberg and Zelda Gallun of Silver Spring, Md., and the late Marvin Gallun. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., and a master’s degree in deaf education from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. She is currently employed as a teacher of the deaf at the Lexington School for the Deaf in Jackson Heights, N.Y.

The groom is the son of Dennis and Helga Enns of Kingsville, Ontario, and the grandson of the late Peter and Susanna Enns of Leamington, Ontario, and Henry and Valerie Penner of Leamington. He earned an honors bachelor’s degree in science from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and a bachelor’s degree in intermediate-senior education from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. He is currently employed as a curriculum coordinator and science teacher at the United Nations International School in New York City.

The wedding ceremony was officiated by Cantor Guy Bonne, New Hyde Park, N.Y.

Everyone attending shared a personal blessing during the ceremony including blessing from:
Steve and Judy Weinberg
Mark Weinberg
Matt, Christine and Noah Weinberg (Cambridge, Mass.)
Lauren Weinberg (Somerville, Mass)
Dennis and Helga Enns (Kingsville, Ontario)
Christine, Ali, Zinnedine and Sophia Moussa (London, Ontario)
Tom and Leanne Enns (London, Ontario)

In July they traveled through Fiji for their honeymoon.

The couple reside in Forest Hills.

Corey Iken and Michelle (Hammer) Iken of St. Louis, Mo., announce the birth July 15 of a son, Seth David Iken. Grandparents are Marcia and Robert Hammer of Overland Park and Barry and Sharon Iken of Chesterfield, Mo. Great-grandparents are Ruth and Dave Goodman of Creve Coeur, Mo.

The family of Lillian S. Greenberg is celebrating her 90th birthday with a reception at Rachel’s Café in Village Shalom on Sunday, Aug. 21. Soft drinks and light refreshments (fruit, cookies, cake) will be served from 2 to 4 p.m., and there will be live music. The entire Greenberg clan, plus many out-of-town nieces and nephews, will be coming in for the simcha. Jackye, Jerry, Dvora (Jody) and Esther Liba (Terry) invite all of Lillian’s friends and family to mark the date and stop by to help celebrate “Nachas at Ninety” for Lillian, whose actual birthday is three days later, on Aug. 24.

The University Academy recognized Marilyn L. Cohen as the 2010-2011 Volunteer of the Year. She has dedicated her time at UA for the past eight years and continues to be dedicated to serving UA staff and students, in spite of dealing with multiple sclerosis in the many forms it can present itself.

University Academy was built on the former site of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. The presentation of this honor was given by Barnett and Bush Helzberg, and Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson.

Cohen can be found assisting at the front desk by greeting parents with a warm smile and a friendly hello, answering the phone, or walking the halls and giving an extra hug to students who are having a down day. She has also home-schooled students who were unable to attend UA due to illness, assisted the nurse and has spearheaded the Journal Project that is completed during Mitzvah Day at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.

One of the greatest contributions that Cohen has made was to put into action the eyeglass program. She founded and continues to finance the Eyeglass Program, which enables students to be given eyeglasses if their families are unable to afford them. The students are taken by Cohen to the ophthalmologist for an eye exam, provided for free by partnering organizations, and then are fitted for frames and lenses at a discounted price. Currently, 61 students have benefited from this unique program.

Cohen is a member of the B’nai Jehudah Sisterhood Board of Directors, serves on the Social Justice Committee and was on the Hunger Banquet Committee this past year. She is also a kindergarten religious school teacher at The Temple and a substitute teacher at schools in the greater Kansas City area. Cohen believes that we all need to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves in any way possible; especially children, as they are her greatest passion.

University Academy officials said Cohen is truly altruistic in nature as she has tirelessly devoted her time and resources to the school and has never expected anything in return. She is greatly valued by students and staff and her spirit is a true blessing as she travels daily throughout the school.

Ryan and Stefanie Williams announce the birth July 23 of Amos Isaiah Williams. They are also the parents of a daughter, Ayla. Grandparents are Jeff and Arlene Misler of Overland Park and Ronnie and Christy Williams of Lee’s Summit.

Dr. and Mrs. Alexander Davis of Overland Park announce the engagement of their daughter, Erin Lisa Davis, to Timothy Wilson Finnigan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Finnigan, Olathe.

The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Bertha Gutovitz and the late Joseph Gutovitz and Phyllis Davis and the late Herbert Davis. She attended the University of Wisconsin and the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. She is currently employed in patient care at Select Healthcare in Overland Park.

The future groom is the grandson of the late Margaret and Orville Finnigan and the late Jo An and James Wilson. He attended the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational behavior. He is currently employed at Farmer’s Insurance in Overland Park.

A Nov. 6 wedding at Intercontinental Hotel on the Plaza in Kansas City, Mo., is planned.

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.