NAME THAT TUNE — Keith Klein loves music and has always been able to play the piano by ear. He says, ‘If I can hum a song, I usually can play it.’ So about 15 years ago he began sharing his love of music with senior citizens when his grandmother was living at Brookdale Grand Court. Over the years he has played the piano, always as a volunteer, at The Atriums, Brookdale Leawood, Lamar Court and now Village Shalom. He enjoys interacting with senior citizens and his goal each and every time he visits a senior center is to see each person in the audience smile and sometimes even sing along. He now regularly plays the piano at Village Shalom. It’s his favorite place to play, ‘because I know nearly all of my audience.’ I took in a show this week, it was fabulous. Thanks Keith!
FEDERATION CHOOSES NEXT EMISSARY — The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City has hired Shiran Cohen to be its next Israeli emissary. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}The 26-year-old who grew up in Kiryat Yam served three years in the IDF and was a lieutenant in the Moran special artillery unit.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Oranim Academic College and has been serving as coordinator of Perach, a project that pairs needy children from underprivileged backgrounds with university students who act as their tutors, giving the child personal attention and serving as a role model.
She plans to move here and begin working in September. Stay tuned for more information about Cohen after she arrives.
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME BARBECUE? — Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the fourth annual Kosher BBQ Festival, sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society, set to take place on Sunday, Aug. 16, at the Ritz Charles in Overland Park. One of the new things on tap this year is a Kids-Q Competition allowing children in two ages categories — 6 to 9 and 10 to 12 — the opportunity to compete. The Vaad will provide chicken wings, grill and utensils. Kiddos get to make the secret sauce, rub and operate the grill. Adults will only be able help with cutting and a Vaad representative will light the grills. For more information on this, or to volunteer, visit vaadkc.org. They still need volunteers as well, so don’t forget to register for your shift today!
L’HITRAOT SCHULGASSERS — For the past eight years Rabbi Elchanan Schulgasser has served the community as a member of the Community Kollel of Kansas City. He has announced that he has accepted the position of development director at the Torah Day School of Atlanta.
“Over the last eight years, the Overland Park community has shown me and my family tremendous warmth, support, and eager commitment to Torah study and living. We've found mentors and students, chavrusas and, above all, friends. We've grown a lot with you and we will always be grateful for our time in Kansas,” he said. “It is my hope that the KC Kollel will continue to be a strong part of the Jewish community of Kansas City.”{/mprestriction}