Listening Post

THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY GIFT — For his 75th birthday, Ed Porter received what he called “the perfect gift” from his wife, Karen and his children and their spouses: Deb and Mike Gill, Barbara and Ron Hill and Ed and Carol Porter. The family established the Ed Porter Adult Jewish Education Fund at the Jewish Community Center. “I was surprised and really touched,” said Ed. “To have my children carrying on the values I’ve tried to model is the best present a father could ask for.”

 

 

 

 

 

JEWS IN THE TV NEWS
BUSINESS — I don’t know why, but Jewish people always want to know if someone else, especially celebrities, are Jewish. We have discovered that NBC Action News (channel 41) may have the largest percentage of Jewish people on staff than any other newsroom in town. We’ve done stories about Najahe Sherman, Gary Lezak and Justin Unell. We know Jeff Penner and Sloane Heller are Jewish as well as photographer Eric Schutlz. Most recently The Chronicle’s former editor Rick Hellman joined the staff as news desk assignment editor. We recognized one of his assignments recently when Congregation Beth Torah and Pleasant Green Baptist Church, who have worked together for years feeding the needy during the winter holidays, were featured in a story. Rick tells us Rob Low at Fox 4 is also Jewish. We wish Rick lots of luck in his new job!

MED STUDENT SEEKS
PEOPLE TO INTERVIEW — Rachel Myers, a member of Congregation Beth Shalom and a first year medical student at the University of Kansas, is seeking a grant related to testing for Jewish genetic diseases. The proposed project is called “Jewish Genetic Screening: Evaluation of the barriers and strategies to increase education and awareness for young Jewish adults.” If she is awarded the grant, she hopes to determine several things including when genetic testing for Jewish genetic diseases is most appropriate, how much information individuals have and want prior to screening and how the level of awareness and screening rates can be improved amongst the varying Jewish denominations to increase prevention. To accomplish this task, she plans to interview patients participating in screening, physicians, genetic counselors, religious figures and other community members that have a connection to or interest in Jewish genetic diseases. As part of the grant-seeking process, she needs to show she has established contacts worth interviewing. If you have undergone screening, have a Jewish genetic disorder, are a carrier of a particular gene, or know of anyone else that may be affected, Myers would really appreciate conducting a brief interview. She is the daughter of Allison and Alan Myers.  Contact me at or 913-951-8425 if you would like to get in touch with Myers.

PETITION FIGHTS FOR GROSS — A petition to secure the release of Alan Gross from his Cuban prison cell has appeared on the White House website, http://wh.gov/DJO. Gross has been in a Cuban prison cell since Dec. 3, 2009. This appears on the website, “It is time that he is brought home. This administration has spoken out on Alan’s behalf, but it is time to do more. It is time to do whatever it takes to get Alan released and returned to his loved ones. His wife had to sell their family home. One of his daughters and his 89-year-old mother have cancer. His wife has had surgery. Alan has lost over 100 pounds during his imprisonment and has developed some serious health problems. He is 62 years old and his family fears that if Alan has to serve out his 15-year sentence imposed by the Cuban court system, they may never see him again. Alan’s family needs him home with them as soon as possible.” The petition needs 25,000 signatures by Jan. 24 so that it will be reviewed by White House officials and receive a response. Messages in support of Gross may also be sent through a link that will go directly to the appropriate staff at the White House so they can learn how many people are concerned about Gross’ plight. That link is: http://www.whitehouse.gov/webform/contact-american-jewish-issues-outreach-team.