100 Years Ago

(From the April 17, 1925 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)

In the territorial oratorical contest held in Ivanhoe Temple last night for the purpose of choosing the representative of the Kansas City Star in the zone oratorical contest, Lewis R. Sutin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Sutin, was awarded the honor. He also won the prize of $500. His subject was “The Constitution.” The zone contest will be held here May 1. (Sutin was Two’s Aleph Godol in 1925).

70 Years Ago

(From the April 15, 1955 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)

The AZA Council is sponsoring an outdoor affair at Barnet Goodman Park Sunday, April 17, in the afternoon. All BBYO groups in Kansas City are invited. The Council is publishing a buzz-book, containing the names, addresses, phone numbers, etc., of all AZAs, BBGs and BBYWs in Kansas City.

60 Years Ago

(From the April 19, 1965 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)

Recent activities have included an all-night stag party, a social at the home of Roger Fallek and installation of new officers, who are as follows: Mike Sender, Aleph Good; Al Reichman, Aleph S’gan; Simon Stras, Aleph Mazkir; Jim Abrams, Aleph Gizbor; Martin Baumgarten and Scott Asner, Shotares; Mike Taylor, Aleph Sopher; and Mike Kelne, Aleph Kohen Godol.

25 Years Ago

(From the April 14, 2000 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)

The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy basketball team recently returned from New York City where they won the Tier III championship at the ninth annual Red Sarachek High School Basketball Tournament.

Tier III consisted of the consolation bracket. The Rams, reduced to just freshman and sophomores because of the March of the Living, finished with a record of 2-2 in the tournament.

Basketball players representing 18 high schools from across the country competed in the tournament.

“It’s the premiere yeshiva high school basketball tournament in the country,” said Ryan Hyman, assistant director of admissions at Yeshiva University. “Over the years, we’ve had the top Jewish high school teams playing.”

Sophomore Jake Schlozman, a 6-foot-10-inch center, led the Academy with a tournament average of 21 points, 11 rebounds and five block shots. He was also named to the tournament’s all-star Team.

Sophomore Danny Magariel averaged 18 points per game in the tournament and won the tournament’s three-point contest.

Although no upperclassmen could make the trip, Rams coach Bob Hennecke said the team stepped up to the challenge.

“It was a good opportunity for them to get into a high level, competitive environment,” Hennecke said. “We were playing against schools who had the whole team playing. We were forced to raise our level to keep up. Jake and Danny are the only ones who had any varsity experience. But everybody contributed and played key roles during the tournament.”

The Rams· lost their first two games, including their opening game against the Hebrew Academy of Greater Miami, who finished third overall. However, the Rams finished strong by winning their last two games. They defeated the Columbus Torah Academy 56-48 in the Tier III finals.

“It was a meaningful experience for the team, but for them, it went beyond basketball,” Hennecke said. ~~

“There was a lot of religious and educational programs for the boys and many of them got a chance to see New York City.”

(Magariel and Schlozman are both members of Two’s AZA).

10 Years Ago

(From the April 16, 2015 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)

Jack Sokolov will celebrate his 100th birthday on April 25. He is a lifelong resident of Congregation Beth Shalom. He graduated from Manual High School, attended Rockhurst University and owned and managed a business in Leavenworth for over 40 years. He attributes his longevity to his marriage of over 72 years to the late Bessie (Medov) Sokolov and his involvement with his three daughters, two son-in-laws, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. He is also excited  about another great-grandchild on the way. He played golf into his 70s, is the family guacamole chef and loves to work on his new computer. A celebration in his honor is being held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Brookdale of Overland Park on 119th and Lamar. (Sokolov was Aleph Mazkir of AZA #2 in the mid-1930s).