MITZVAH GARDEN ON TV — The Mitzvah Garden was featured on 41 Action News Tuesday, July 10. The crops looked pretty sad, but despite the dry conditions and heat, co-chairs Larry Lehman, Ken Sonnenschein and Andrew Kaplan say they are still harvesting loads of produce. To see the TV news report, visit https://scripps.endplay.com/web/kshb/dpp/news/region_kansas/overland_park/bnai-jehudah-jewish-temple-feeds-the-needy-with-vegetable-garden.
THEATRE IN THE PARK PRESENTS ‘URINETOWN’ — Our own Ruth Baum Bigus will be featured as Josephine Strong/Old Woman in Theatre in the Park’s presentation of “Urinetown.” The musical, which is rated PG, runs July 20-22 and July 26-29. Show time is 8:30 p.m.; gates open at 7:30 p.m. The “Urinetown” company and Bob Hamilton have teamed up to help others beyond the footlights with a toilet paper drive. Theatre patrons are asked to bring a four-pack of toilet paper to the Bob Hamilton table and in return, they will receive a small token of thanks. All of the toilet paper will be donated to the non-profit organization Giving the Basics that will be distributed throughout the metro area to those in need of basic dignity products.
ALL-STAR WRAP-UP — I’m sure many members of the Jewish community were excited by the many Major League Baseball All-Star Game activities held here last week. Ellen Wolf, executive assistant to the head of school at HBHA, was one of the lucky ones to be chosen as an official volunteer and had the chance to actually stand on the field at Kauffman Stadium and help out the television crew during a game-day rehearsal. A St. Louis native and a lifelong Cardinals fan, she served as the stand-in for former manager Tony La Russa. Ellen described it this way: “With the All-Star Game intro music playing and the (pre-recorded) voice of Joe Buck announcing the All-Star lineup, the MLB director tapped my shoulder. I climbed the steps out of the National League dugout, onto the dirt and over the grass toward home plate. I was introduced as the manager of the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. In a few hours, Tony would walk this same path — his last official walk onto the field as a professional manager. I’m telling you, when the FOX Sports music began and the ceremony started, I got goosebumps, and a little teary-eyed.” As part of the rehearsal, her “punim” (face) was shown on the Crown Vision Scoreboard. She is now officially a member of the MLB All-Star Game Week Volunteer Alumni, making her eligible to volunteer at future All-Star games in other cities.
JVS KICKS OFF SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE — Now is your chance to help refugee children have the best start to the upcoming school year. JVS will be collecting school supplies at the JVS office at 1608 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO 64108 and at the Jewish Community Campus from now until Thursday, Aug. 9. Collection barrels will be placed in the lobbies at both locations. Take advantage of Missouri’s tax-free weekend on Aug. 3-5 to buy lots of school supplies and make a difference in the life of a child! The following items are needed: backpacks, pencils, pens, notebooks, pencil sharpeners, glue, markers, scissors, rulers, pencil bags, crayons and erasers. Questions about this school supply drive may be directed to Martin Okpareke at 816-471-2808 ext. 1117 or .