Stars of David

January 17, 2008 - Michael Elkin, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Richard Kind

Caucus this! Iowa is the site of the new Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts, where the Fairfax center, near Cedar Rapids, is faring well these days featuring the talent of Philly area native Richard Kind. Not a false note in his portrayal of Pseudolus in the center's premiere season production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," featuring Hilary's favorite the night-before-caucus number, "Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight." A Kind and gentler native son has been starring in all kinds of sitcoms over the years, including "Spin City." As for his local roots? Let's just say, "What Trenton Makes, the World Takes."

Attuned to Jewish educational needs is radio industrialist Bruce H. Holberg, just named chairman of the board of Gratz College, in Melrose Park.

Ten and out: Much-respected legal eagle Sheldon Bonovitz is soaring away from his posts at Duane Morris LLP, where he's served 10 years as its CEO/chairman. He'll still be affiliated with the firm, which has grown in billings and staffers like a class-action suit over his terrific tenure.

May you go in good health: Albert Einstein Healthcare Network is in the process of separating from the Jefferson Health System. Hope it wasn't something "Stars" said.

Jonathan Saidel, who used to pinch pennies -- but not in a harassing way -- as the city's former city controller, is on to the advisory board at BlueStone Real estate Capital.

Framed? In the best way: Judge Abraham J. Gafni has had his portrait unveiled at City Hall in a special presentation sponsored by the Louis D. Brandeis Law Society.

"Entourage" fans, take a good look at the cantor in the Season 3 DVD, in which Vince and Ari pay a visit to High Holiday services -- to score a movie deal, of course. At the bimah, in great voice: Michael Li-Paz, who used to commute to New York from Philly to perform with the New York City Opera, before making a name -- and quite a voice -- for himself nationally as a cantor. He also played -- what else? -- a cantor on "Saving Grace."

Devyn Rush

To be 17 and sensational. Ah, that's the "plight" of Devyn Rush, a senior at New Hope-Solebury High School on her way to the prestigious American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York. Singing the teen singer's praises recently was the crowd at the Stockton Inn in Jersey, where she recently encored.

Younger than springtime, II: Nine Abrams Hebrew Academy seventh-graders have gotten nominated to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth: Toss some candy (gently, of course) at Andrew Agress, Kaila Blumenthal, Elizabeth Carlson, Benjamin Dayanim, Alex Gershen, Eliyahu Korn, Noam Kornsgold, Daniella Levitan and Zachary Spero.

Is that really the Israeli band Coolooloosh coming to the Sedgwick Theater on Feb. 2? Cool!

It's not all business for Paul Brazina. Well, maybe it is, now that the Merion guy's been named dean of the La Salle U. Biz School.

Paul Brazina

Bubby (and Zayda) -- it's you! Dr. Gerald and Linda Brenner, and Alan and Dr. Ruth Horwitz are "Grandparents of the Year," says the Politz Hebrew Academy, which will honor them with a pinch of the cheek and a dinner Saturday night, Jan. 26. As for their grandkids, students at Politz, remember to tell your grandparents not to stay out too late celebrating.

Wrap music? In this case, homey is Ernie Elgart, to be honored at the 2008 World Wide Wrap, at Temple Beth Hillel/Beth El in Merion. Elgart will receive the Silver Circle Award, memorializing Allan Fink, at the Jan. 27 event.

Paging Alan H. Luxenberg! Paging Alan H. Luxenberg! Sure, why not? After all, he's just authored The Palestine Mandate and the Creation of Israel, 1920-1949. Dunno, sounds like it has musical written all over it.

What an unusual restaurant. Surely, cutting-edge, thought "Stars," upon hearing that La Crêperie Café Bris has opened in Phoenixville. But, alas, "Stars" didn't have his reading glasses on, and it's spelled Café Bis. For a moment -- and a shudder of a moment it was -- he thought incorrectly that Sweeney Todd had gone upscale Jewish.