SARAH ZELDIN TURNS 100 — The “Summer of Bubie,” marking the 100th birthday of Sarah Zeldin and highlighted by visits from her out-of-town children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, kicked off last month with Shabbat dinner and a birthday brunch for immediate family.
It continues on Sunday, Aug. 12, when friends and relatives of the family matriarch are invited to celebrate with her at an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at Village Shalom, hosted by her children. No invitations have been mailed.
An active resident of Village Shalom, “Bubie” has 22 grandchildren (including spouses, as she always does), 24 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way) and two great-great-grandchildren.
When asked the secret of her longevity, she replied, a “Stay busy, but at some point you need to slow down a little.”
CDC’S EXPANSION COMPLETE — I checked with Jacob Schreiber, the Jewish Community Center’s executive director for a progress report on the CDC’s expansion. You may remember that the CDC took over space that formerly belonged to the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy located right off the main lobby of the Jewish Community Campus. Schreiber said the new Pre-K Suite is complete and is ready to open for the new school year.
“We will be welcoming over 50 new children to our CDC, with four full-time spots remaining,” he said on Monday.
He added that the first phase of the refurbishment of the existing CDC space will be completed in a week. That includes new paint, carpeting and lighting in the shared space, plus a program enrichment room and a 6-foot Western Wall made of Jerusalem stone. He said Phase II enhancements will be made to existing CDC classrooms over the next year, as the JCC continues its campaign to fund the improvements.
“We’ve also added a curriculum specialist to further enhance our five-star rated program,” Schreiber said.
‘IN THE KITCHEN WITH BONNIE’ — Earlier this year we published a story about “In the Kitchen with Bonnie,” hosted and produced by Bonnie Rabicoff. The foodie series is now available to TV audiences 24/7 on Time Warner’s “KC on Demand” (Channel 411).
“In the Kitchen” began June 2010 as a radio and web production, then expanded media offerings to include educational TV and print. “We are pleased to add an “ON DEMAND” TV component for our audiences,” said Rabicoff. “Approximately 10 new shows will be featured each season, making our series accessible to viewers at a time most convenient for them.”
The show, which now includes more than 60 episodes, captures the artistry of Kansas City’s award-winning chefs. Each week, audiences join Rabicoff in the chef’s kitchen to select food products, prepare a signature dish, plate it and pair it. Chefs also talk about their journey to and inspiration “In the Kitchen.”
The program format has expanded to include “In the Cellar” (featuring a global portfolio of organic and sustainably produced wine), “Field-to-Fork” (preparing signature dishes directly from the harvest) and “Cooking with Kids” (creating easy, nutritious, fun & affordable meals to help reduce child obesity).
“In the Kitchen” appears each month in Eating Well in Kansas City, a magazine devoted to local, organic and seasonal eating. To learn more about where you can watch, listen to or read about “In the Kitchen with Bonnie,” visit the website at www.inthekitchenwithbonnie.com.
CELEBRITY CHEF MAKING ALIYAH (JTA) — Celebrity chef Jamie Geller is chronicling her upcoming move to Israel in a series of documentary videos.
Geller, a television producer, author and cooking celebrity, is producing with the Nefesh B’Nefesh aliyah assistance organization a documentary series following her and her family as they prepare to make aliyah and finally land in Israel.
She is leaving from New York on the Aug. 13 Nefesh B’Nefesh charter flight in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Geller founded the Kosher Media Network, which combines traditional media such as magazines, books and broadcast with digital, online and social media. In the spring of 2011, the network unveiled its Joy of Kosher consumer brand, launching JoyofKosher.com and the Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller magazine. Episodes can be watched at: www.nbn.org.il/joyofaliyah.