‘SUBURB’ THE MUSICAL — Benjamin Baellow has the male lead in the upcoming production of “Suburb,” a musical written by David Javerbaum and Bob Cohen. It will be presented at the City Theatre of Independence beginning today, Nov. 3. It will run this weekend (Nov. 4, 5 and 6) and next weekend (Thursday, Nov.10, through Sunday Nov. 13). The musical is described as one that “takes an insightful, witty and nuanced view of the world of the lawnmower, the barbecue and the mall, exploring the suburb’s rites and rituals. The stories of four people — interwoven with the chorus’s frequent musical reveries on subjects like mowing the lawn, shopping at the mall and the perfection of perfectly grilled meat — form the road map of ‘Suburb.’ ” It’s gotten good reviews, including this one by the Houston Press: “(A) musical love note to the land of wide green lawns, shopping malls and do-it-yourselfers.”
Baellow (yes, that is my maiden name) has starred in other shows including “Cabaret,” “And Then There were None” and “Man O’er the Moon.” He is the son of Shari Baellow and David Baellow and the grandson of Eugene and Kate Lebovitz. City Theatre of Independence is located at 201 North Dodgion, (inside the Roger T. Sermon Center which is located at the corners of Truman and Noland Roads) in Independence, Mo. Call the Box Office to make reservations (816) 325-7367 or visit the website at citytheatreofindependence.org.

IN THE NEWS — Two loyal readers sent me a link to an article in the Chicago Tribune featuring Rabbi Michael Zedek, who was the rabbi at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah for many years. He now serves as the rabbi of Emanuel Congregation, located on Chicago’s lakefront. He went on an expedition to eat bagels with reporter Kevin Fang. In the article, Fang describes the popular rabbi as “65, looks 45, going on 15. He comes straight from Woody Allen central casting. Zedek is that good sort of cliché, the funny rabbi whose volume and pitch modulate with extraordinary range. He leans in to underscore a punch line.” You can read the entire article on the congregation’s website, or http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/ct-dining-1020-bagel-search-20111020,0,7129547.story.

Special Interfaith Event — Rabbi Alan Cohen wants everyone to know the community is invited to a very interesting community interfaith event titled “Jesus as Jew and Christ” taking place at 7 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Jewish Community Campus Social Hall. There is no charge to attend.
Dr. Philip Cunningham, Professor of Theology at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia will speak, leading a conversation about the theological complexities of Jesus being part of the Jewish world of the 1st Century and also becoming the Christ or savior to the emerging Church community. Could Jesus have been Jewish if he thought he was Christ?
The evening is sponsored by JCRB|AJC, Avila University, Conception Abbey, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Rockhurst University, Central Baptist Theological Seminary and Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

EMERGENCY FUND ESTABLISHED — Following the most recent rocket attacks launched against southern Israel from Gaza, the Jewish Agency has activated its Emergency Fund to provide immediate aid to the family of Ashkelon resident Moshe Ami, who was killed in Sunday’s rocket attacks, as well as to other families affected by the barrage of Grad rockets. Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky said that the fund is intended to help victims immediately following an attack by responding to primary and urgent needs.
The Fund works in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the National Insurance Institute and local authorities. Since its launch, the fund has helped about 750 families affected by the firing of Kassam rockets, distributing more than 2 million shekels. The Jewish Agency’s Emergency Fund operates through donations of the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, and other donors.

Correction

A portrait of yoga instructor Shanna Haun published in the Fall 2011 edition of Jewish Life Magazine was incorrectly credited. It was taken by Sara Farrar.