RECOVERY GOING WELL — David Seldner received his donor kidney on Aug. 14. He is recuperating well according to the CaringBridge blog written by Seldner and his wife Jeanne. He said he is feeling stronger but continues to sleep a lot as his body and new kidney learn from each other that they are a single system and work together. In the photo he is shown holding a “souvenir” pillow from his Feb. 4 quintuple bypass surgery and a new “souvenir” kidney pillow from the Aug. 14 live kidney transplant from his honorary sibling and donor Ellen.
SUNDAY AT THE SYMPHONY — Kudos to the folks at the Kansas City Symphony who checked the calendar and decided not to schedule a Friday Pops concert on Kol Nidre. Mindful that many of its Friday Pops patrons would not be able to attend the show that evening, the Symphony scheduled the ’80s show with Sam Harris and Sheena Easton for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15, instead. Subscribers who normally receive Friday evening tickets were given Sunday night tickets for that concert. Tickets for Sunday are still available and information may be found at https://www.kcsymphony.org/StaticCtl/PopsAnnounAct.
MORE HYMAN BRAND — I heard from a few readers following last week’s column prominently showing the photo of Liam Harris standing under his great-grandfather Hyman Brand’s portrait in the office of the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. It turns out that the portrait’s artist, Marilyn Hoffman, still lives in the area. She explained that many years ago Carl Puritz asked her to do an oil painting of Hyman Brand to hang in the school’s office, as a surprise to Brand. She used a photo of Brand as a model.
Some people wanted more information about the young kindergarten student’s relationship to his great-grandfather. Liam Harris is the son of Jessica Harris. Jessica’s father is Joel Levitch, who is the son of Francis Levitch, the daughter of Hyman Brand. As Paul Harvey would say, now you have the rest of the story!
JAF NEEDS MORE VOLUNTEERS! — It’s hard to believe the Jewish Arts Festival, chaired once again by Carol Jerwick and Greg Azorsky, is just one month away. It takes place on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. The festival typically draws more than 7,000 people and it takes nearly 600 volunteers to make the event happen. JAF is still in the process of recruiting volunteers. For their time and effort volunteers get a cool T-shirt! To learn more about volunteering, visit jcckc.org/jaf or call the JCC front desk at 913-327-8000. Applications are also available at the JCC’s reception desk. Advance tickets go on sale Monday, Sept. 9.
SHORT TERM 12 OPENING AT TIVOLI — “Short Term 12,” the winner of the South by Southwest film Festival (SXSW) opens at the Tivoli Cinema in Westport on Sept. 13. It is produced by David Kaplan, the grandson of Sunie and Lee Levin who got his start working as an intern for Ron Howard. The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who expanded his 2008 short of the same name into a feature film. “Short Term 12” is set in a group home for damaged adolescents where staff members face many of the same challenges as their young charges. The Washington Post gave it a glowing review, saying “Short Term 12” is that rare movie gutsy enough to tell the truth about love: that it’s not a poetic longing or a magical-thinking happy ending, but a skill. And, the film suggests, we all have the capacity to learn it.” Movieline reviewer Pete Hammond calls it a masterpiece. Grandmother Levin said it’s being listed as one of five best movies in 2013. For showtimes and more information, call the Tivoli information line at 913-383-7756 or visit www.tivolikc.com
OBAMA TALKS TO RABBIS — (JTA) At least three local rabbis — Arthur Nemitoff, Alexandria Shuval-Weiner and Moti Rieber — were on the conference call last week when President Obama offered New Year’s greetings with nearly 1,000 rabbis.
During the call Aug. 30, President Obama extended the greetings on behalf of himself and the first lady for a sweet, happy and healthy New Year. He noted that the Jewish High Holidays provide an opportunity for Jews to reflect on the past year and recommit themselves to core values.
With the United States marking the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, Obama noted the important role played by American Jews in the civil rights movement.
The president also discussed the upcoming enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act and the renewed Israel-Palestinian peace talks.
Four major rabbinical organizations hosted the call: the Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform); the Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative); the Rabbinical Council of America (Orthodox); and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.