HBHA’s Civic Service Award to honor Tiberius Klausner
Tiberius Klausner (Photo by David Sosland)Tiberius (Tibor) Klausner’s story of Holocaust survival, followed by his incredible journey across the ocean to study music at Julliard may sound like fiction, but the story is real. His perseverance, commitment to Judaism, and devotion to music are just a few of the reasons Klausner, of blessed memory, became Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s choice as this year’s Civic Service Award honoree. The posthumous award will be accepted by Klausner’s family: his wife, Carla, and three daughters, Danielle, Mirra and Serena. “Tibor’s life embodied all that HBHA strives to instill in its students: Jewish values, resiliency, courage and kindness. We are all richer for having known him,” said Civic Service Award Celebration Co-chair Pella Fingersh. The celebration takes place Thursday, May 14, at the Sheraton Overland Park. Co-chaired by Fingersh and Neil Sosland, guests can look forward to an elegant evening of music and dinner befitting the beloved violinist, concertmaster and professor of music. “We plan to honor the strong ties Tibor and Carla have forged in Kansas City. He was beloved in so many different ways in Kansas City, including HBHA, where all three Klausner daughters attended. Today, his grandchildren are also at the school, showcasing Tibor’s legacy of religion and cultural values,” Sosland said. “Tibor was one of HBHA’s original board members. When our girls reached school age, there was no question of where they would attend school. He enjoyed visiting HBHA and playing his violin for the students,” Carla said. “It was important, and he was proud of it. It was part of his identity.”“As a couple, we participated in everything happening at HBHA: the plays, programs, and every event we could for our children, and then our grandchildren.”Faith, Family and MusicKlausner had the unique ability to project his passion for family, music and faith and to weave them together to create something truly beautiful, both for his family and for his community. While music was the driving force behind Klausner’s coming to the United States, and his career — which includes becoming the youngest concertmaster in the United States (for the Kansas City Philharmonic) and 32 years as a respected professor of music and artist-in-residence at UMKC’s Conservatory of Music and Dance — it was his circle of family, students, friends and fellow congregants at Congregation Beth Shalom that truly enriched his life. According to his daughters, Tibor loved spending time with family and was very hands-on as a father and a grandfather. They have fond memories of their father’s favorite and most frequent saying: “It’s so good to be together.” Even though they lived overseas, he kept in constant contact with his parents and brothers through regular letters and visits over the years. Closer to home, Tibor expanded his “family” to include colleagues and students, who stayed in touch and visited him regularly.“A student from 35 years ago came to visit this Thanksgiving,” Carla said. “It was these connections that made Tiberius Klausner such a remarkable and beloved figure in our city. His music touched our souls, but it was his vibrant personality, his warm sense of humor, and his deep love of life that touched our hearts,” said Carl Puritz, past HBHA board president and lifetime trustee, and one of the driving forces behind HBHA’s Civic Service Award celebrations. “Please join HBHA to celebrate Tiberius Klausner’s life and to honor his legacy at this year’s Civic Service Award Celebration.” The Celebration Steering Committee is currently seeking sponsorships at the $5,000-plus level. Tickets will be available in the coming months. Contact Kerry Cosner, 913-327-8156, , for more information or to inquire about sponsorship levels.
