Celebrations

LAWRENCE, KS — For the first time, an undergraduate in the University of Kansas School of Music has taken all three of the music theory and music composition division awards.

Jason Charney, a junior from Overland Park, received the Anthony B. Cius Award for most outstanding composer at KU. This marks the first year the award has been presented to an undergraduate since 2006. He also received the Edward Mattila Award for most outstanding electro-acoustical composer at KU and was one of two students awarded the Eugene and Mary Mingle Scholarship.

The Eugene and Mary Mingle Scholarship is awarded to the most outstanding theory and/or composition student who will return to KU for his or her final year of undergraduate study.
Jason, who studies with Professor Forrest Pierce, is the son of Gil and Marcia Charney, who are members of Congregation Beth Torah. He graduated from Blue Valley North High School.

All music theory and music composition students are considered for the awards. Nominations for the awards are made by and voted on by division faculty.

Rachel Salle, West Bloomfield, Mich., daughter of Alan and Janet Salle and granddaughter of Joan March and the late Walter March of Kansas City, Mo., and Jerry and LeeAnn Salle of Longboat Key, Fla., graduated with honors from Andover High School: summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, National Honor Society, OAA scholar-athlete, BBG Gold Star of Deborah, Michigan Region BBG, VP community service, Ruach BBG chapter president, French club president, yearbook section editor, varsity cross country captain and junior varsity soccer. She will be attending the University of Michigan.

Jack and Irma Katz will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary on June 24. The family held a brunch for the couple and showed a video that documents the 55 years of their marriage.

After living in the Kansas City area for 11 years, they moved to Buffalo, N.Y., in 1975. Jack and Irma returned to the Kansas City area in 2002 to be with their children and grandchildren, Mark, Jill, Erin and Hanna Katz, Kansas City, Mo., and Miriam, Eric, Rachel and Lainie Kaseff, Leawood.

Geoffrey and Sharon Friedman of Leawood announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Beth Friedman, to Justin Belozer, son of James and Julie Belozer of Overland Park.

The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Morris Friedman of Overland Park and Rosalie Rosenbloom and the late Max Rosenbloom of Dallas. She attended Johnson County Community College for a certificate in fashion and marketing merchandise, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business marketing from the University of Kansas.

The future groom is the grandson of Janet Searle and Joseph Searle of Kansas City, Mo., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Steve Belozer of West Linn, Ore. He attended the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master of Arts degree in finance.

A March 3 wedding at Crowne Plaza downtown is planned.

Geoffrey and Sharon Friedman of Leawood announce the engagement of their daughter, Leah Janeice Friedman, to Joshua Samuel Langert, son of Dr. Rick and Peggy Langert of Tucson.

The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Morris Friedman of Overland Park and Rosalie Rosenbloom and the late Max Rosenbloom of Dallas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., and her master’s degree in elementary education from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She is currently employed as a family nanny in Arlington, Va.

The future groom is the grandson of the late Myer and Genvieve Langert and Sally Julian and Cantor Charles Julian of Phoenix. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Washington University in St. Louis and his medical degree from the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He is currently a third-year general surgery resident at The George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

A Sept. 4 wedding at Oakwood Country Club is planned.

Dan and Jaclyn Krashin of Chicago announce the birth April 7 of a daughter, Madilyn Paige Krashin. Grandparents are Netta and Joe Krashin of Overland Park and Debbie and Marty Schwartz of Wilmette, Ill. Great-grandparents are Fannie and Jack Krashin of Overland Park and Edyth Schwartz of Overland Park, formerly of Evanston, Ill.

Marianne and Jeff Price of Calabasas, Calif., announce the birth May 8 of a daughter, Hailey Sutton Price. Grandparents are Jackie and Sheldon Fleschman, formerly of Overland Park, and Jan and Stan Price of Tarzana, Calif. Great-grandmother is Sadie Price.

Ann Karty and Billy Silverman announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Hannah Leah Silverman, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at Congregation Beth Shalom. Hannah is the granddaughter of Larry and Cheryl Silverman, Overland Park, and Karen Karty, St. Louis. Great-grandparents are Marge Brodkin, Leawood, and Daniel Karty, St. Louis. Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush following the service.

Dr. Yaron and Tzippora Lebovitz of Bet Shemesh, Israel, announce the birth May 30 of a son, Netanel. Dr. Lebovitz is a Kansas City native and a former student at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. Grandparents are Dr. George and Aviva Lebovitz of Jerusalem (formerly of Kansas City) and Rabbi Leonard and Marsha Barishansky of Teaneck, N.J. Great-grandparents are Eugene and Kate Lebovitz of Prairie Village.

Matt and Marci Cain announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Alora Mari Cain, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 18, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. Alora is the granddaughter of Barry and Harriet Slotnick of Grandview, Mo. Great-grandfather is Ben Slotnick. Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to share in snacks and blessings.