TWINKLE TOES — For the second year in a row the Kansas City Jewish community has had a representative invited to perform in KU Student Union Activities’ “Dancing with the Stars.” KU Hillel Executive Director Jay Lewis was paired with Bridget Qandil, the owner of Camelot Ballroom in Overland Park, in the event held earlier this month. Lewis and his partner did a Broadway routine to “Oh What a Night,” a Frankie Valli hit from the musical “Jersey Boys.” Lewis said he had a blast. “I was nominated to participate by a large group of Hillel students so I was happy to represent them and KU Hillel in this event. There were over 500 people in the Kansas Union Ballroom. It was fun to do something completely outside of my comfort zone and I really enjoyed how much the students and my family enjoyed that I was doing it.” Publicity before the event noted that Lewis’ prior dancing experience was limited to watching “So You Think You Can Dance” and dancing in his living room with his wife and two kids, Keaton and Mckenna. On the night of the competition, Lewis had a large group of supporters sitting in the audience. Many of KU Hillel’s student leaders showed up with signs and banners to cheer him on. Lewis danced exceedingly well and received all “8s” from the judges. While Lewis unfortunately lost to KU football player Daymond Patterson, he gave KU Hillel great exposure to the KU community.
ENVOY HAS TIES TO KC — The JTA has reported that Israel has appointed its first Ethiopia-born ambassador to Ethiopia, Belaynesh Zevadia. What it didn’t report is that while working in the Israeli Consul General’s office in Chicago, she got to know several members of the local Jewish community including Jewish Federation Executive Vice President and CEO Todd Stettner and Marvin Szneler, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee. Zevadia was the first Ethiopian Foreign Ministry cadet. She made aliyah at the age of 17 and studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and African studies and a master’s degree in African studies. Here she also worked as a diplomat in Houston.
“This is proof that in Israel, opportunity is available to everyone — native Israelis and new immigrants alike,” Zevadia said.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a statement that Zevadia’s appointment “conveys an important message to Israeli society, which is currently dealing with the issue of racism towards Ethiopians in Israel.”
PUPPY LOVE — Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy third-grader Brianna Katz is concerned about puppy mills. She has learned that Missouri is a national hot spot for puppy mills and got Kansas City Mayor Sly James to sign her petition to stop them when James visited HBHA in February. Brianna’s passionate drive against puppy mills also got her a cute photo and story in the most recent edition of 435 South magazine. She is the daughter of Vicki and Gary Katz and belongs to Congregation Beth Shalom.
COMMUNITY VOICES — Another member of the Jewish community was well featured in the March edition of 435 South. Congregation Beth Torah President Michelle Reznik Cole was described as an energetic mother of two, wife, entrepreneur, lay leader and school volunteer. She shared her secret with readers for balancing her activities with a two-minute rule, in her own words.
OU GUIDE TO PASSOVER — The 2012 OU Guide to Passover is out, providing new and interesting features addressing commonly asked questions fielded through the social media, to the extensive lists of food and other products that are certified kosher for Passover by the OU. The guide, with a press run of more than 60,000 copies, will be directly available through the mail to all OU members and Jewish Action subscribers. Individual copies can be ordered on the OU Passover website, www.ou.org/passover-guide.