GOMEZ IS JEWISH — The musical “The Addams Family” debuts at Starlight July 3 and continues through July 8. It stars Douglas Sills, a Tony Award nominee for his role as Percy in “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” who plays Gomez Addams. Sills is Jewish and grew up in a tight-knit Jewish community in Ann Arbor, Mich. When asked recently about the Jewishness of the play he replied: “He (Gomez) is definitely of Jewish style as I am,” Sills said. “Family is first and foremost to him.” His Broadway resume is long, including “Little Shop of Horrors.” Tickets for “The Addams Family” at Starlight Theatre are on sale now and are available online at www.kcstarlight.com or by calling 816-363-STAR (7827). 
A STITCH IN TIME — The Lebovitz family recently took an excursion to the Kansas City Garment District Museum, located at 801 Broadway. The museum is showcasing Eugene Lebovitz’s designs from when he worked for YouthCraft. The company relocated Lebovitz and his family here from New York City in 1959. A few years after that, Fashionbilt courted Lebovitz to be that company’s head designer. For more than 20 years, his designs were deemed successful. He retired from Fashionbilt in the ’80s after suffering a heart attack and owned Abe’s Taylor Shop, known by many as “the tailor’s tailor!” Over the years Lebovitz also made and showed intricate thread sculptures, tapestries, banners — one of which hung in Jerusalem for the city’s 25th anniversary — and in the late ’70s he made a robe for Jerusalem’s chief rabbi. The Kansas City Garment District Museum is open to the public on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or for private tours by calling 913-205-8520.
TRADITION CONTINUES — Several members of the Jewish community, including Melynn Sight, Jeff Goodman, Fred Goodman and Lynn Intrater, are busily preparing for the 21st annual Star Spangled Spectacular event in Corporate Woods sponsored by the Overland Park Rotary Club. Overland Park’s July 4 fireworks tradition raises funds for local charities Marillac Center, Ozanam and the Rotary Youth Leadership Institute.
The Star Spangled Spectacular is an old fashioned Fourth of July celebration for all ages, and includes free live concerts, food, beverage and fun. The event takes place on the Fourth of July at Corporate Woods in Overland Park and many local businesses and individuals contribute to the event. For more information about the event, to become a sponsor or to volunteer, contact Intrater at or 913-385-9996.
KANSAS SENATOR SUPPORTS ISRAEL — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) welcomed Israeli Ambassador Dr. Michael B. Oren to the U.S. Capitol June 19. During the meeting, Moran and Oren discussed a range of topics, including the recent escalation of rocket attacks from Gaza, improved anti-ballistic missile defense technology, security issues along Israel’s border with Egypt and the P5+1 talks with Iran in Moscow. They also discussed their support for continued cooperation between the United States and Israel on security issues, including cyber threats. “The deep friendship that exists between the United States and Israel is a result of our shared values,” Moran said. “The strength of that special relationship is critical at this time as Israel faces threats in Gaza, Egypt, Syria and Iran. I expressed my support to the Ambassador and pledged to stand with Israel as it confronts the challenges of our time.”