A NOTE ABOUT KOSHER SPIRITS, PASSOVER AND TOM’S TOWN — A few weeks ago we told you that several spirits produced by the local Tom’s Town Distilling Co. have been certified kosher by the Vaad HaKashruth of Kansas City. We are also thrilled Tom’s Town decided to advertise those products in The Chronicle. But we need to point out that grain alcohol is NOT deemed kosher during Passover. So if you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy a kosher spirit from Tom’s Town just yet, you’ll have to wait to sample the kosher vodka, gin and bourbon after Passover.
GUILTY — On Monday a Jackson County jury found Brandon Howell guilty of a 2014 quintuple killing spree in a south Kansas City neighborhood. One of the victims was Susan Choucroun, an active member of the Jewish community.
The violent events took place early in the afternoon of Sept. 2, 2014. Choucroun, a member of three local congregations as well as several Jewish and interfaith organizations, was found shot to death in the driveway of her home. Two others, Lorene Hurst and Darrel Hurst, were also found dead at the scene. George and Ann Taylor were found severely beaten in their basement and later died in the hospital. In all Howell was convicted of all charges, which included burglary, illegal possession of a firearm, motor vehicle theft and four counts of armed criminal action.
Following the trial, Choucroun’s brother Ron Sandhaus was quoted in the Kansas City Star.
“We are certainly glad to have this over,” he said. “It has been a long four and a half years, but the jury got it right and hopefully (Howell) is staring at five life sentences without parole.”
Congregation Ohev Sholom Rabbi Scott White attended parts of the trial.
“I ran into Susan’s brother Ron and sister-in-law Becky, and I expressed my disappointment that it’s taken so long to come to trial, a sentiment they said they share,” Rabbi White said. “As if losing Susan wasn’t enough — the long wait on top of it just adds insult to injury.”
Howell’s sentencing has not yet been set.
FIRE RAVAGES NOTRE DAM CATHEDRAL IN PARIS (JNS) — Members of the Jewish community reacted with sadness to the massive fire that burst through the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday and toppled its spire.
“Terrible images of the Cathedral of Paris in flames. Solidarity and fraternal thoughts to the Catholics of France. Immense sadness in the face of this tragedy that is burying our country,” tweeted Francis Kalifat, president of the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions juives de France, the umbrella organization for Jewish organizations in France.
The roof was undergoing construction. As of Tuesday, the fire was being called an accident, though an investigation is underway.
The American Jewish Committee said it is “heartbroken.”
“This is a tragedy for Catholics, the people of France, and all who revere that majestic edifice. We are hopeful that it will be swiftly restored to its prior splendor,” tweeted AJC.
“Notre Dame Cathedral is an icon of the Parisian skyline and a testament to human ingenuity. Let us all hope for a speedy resolution to this tragedy before more priceless history is lost,” tweeted the World Jewish Congress.
A memorial to those deported from Vichy France to Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust, Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation, is located underground behind the cathedral.