Stars of David

February 18, 2010 - Michael Elkin, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Winston J. Churchill

With a name like this, you know he's gotta be good: Winston J. Churchill, founder/managing general partner, SCP Partners -- which serves as investor, sponsor and general partner in the Israeli venture-capital firm of Vitalife I -- will add a vibrant buzz to the America-Israel Chamber of Commerce festivities on March 4 when he accepts the AICC's coveted 2010 Yitzhak Rabin Award, at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Co-chairs of the awards night are Wayne B. Weisman, Dr. Abraham Ludomirski and Gen. John Keane (ret.), with Pennsylvania's U.S. senators -- Robert P. Casey Jr. and Arlen Specter -- joined by Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter as honorary co-chairs. Alas, this Churchill is no relation to the other famous one from the history books. And "Stars" doesn't mean Seymour Churchill.

Melissa Stein

Poetic justice: Much published poet and fellowships recipient Melissa Stein -- formerly of Dresher, now of San Francisco -- has rhyme and reason to be thrilled these days. Adjudged by eminent writer Mark Doty, the U. of Penn grad's been selected winner of the prestigious 2010 American Poetry Review/Honickman First Book Prize for her Rough Honey. Sweet indeed.

What's in your wallet? Better yet, what's not? Insight will be provided by a handful of experts, including Bart Blatstein, president of Tower Investments Inc., at a gathering on Feb. 23 sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Sovereign/ Santander, at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, in Center City. Moderating the "2010 Economic Outlook Breakfast": NBC's David Gregory of "Meet the Press."

Dov S. Zakheim

No stranger to foreign policy is erstwhile U. S. defense department undersecretary Dov S. Zakheim, the new vice chairman of the board/the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Not far down the table is Gwen Borowsky, president, National Liberty Museum in Society Hill, named to the institute's board.

A tallit of two cities? "A Tale of Two Cities"! Either way, it's an event of two cantors from Philly and two from New York, New York, adding their voices to an evening of music on Sunday, Feb. 21, at Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park. In this corner: Cantors Amy Levy of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park and A.J.'s own Howard Glantz; repping Nu York: Zachary Mondrow and Ayelet Piatigorsky. Okay, cantors, last one left trilling wins it all!

Gwen Borowsky

Yiddish yoga anyone? Also on Feb. 21, K.I. will position itself as home base for Yiddish Yoga: Ruthie's Adventures in Love, Loss, and the Lotus Position, with author Lisa Grunberger.

Just how did Hungry Hungry Hebrew (aka Adam Taxin) do as a master gorger in a chow-down prior to the Saints a'marching in -- and kicking the Colts all over the field? Chai-lights from Wing Bowl 18: The shomer Shabbat attorney and contestant, who noted two weeks ago that the kosher quandary "will be quietly resolved," did it, like Sinatra, his way: Breaking with official rules, Taxin taxied up to the table with his own wings (all kosher), disqualifying himself. Alas, Taxin fowled out.