Celebrations

Aleta and Rich Rosenthal of Tucson, Ariz. (formerly of Overland Park and St. Louis) announce the engagement of their son, Jeffrey Paul Rosenthal, to Melissa Kate Borders of Olathe, daughter of Tom and Sue Goodwin of Pineville, Mo., formerly of Kansas City, Kan.

The future groom is the grandson of the late Fischel and Bess Rosenthal of St. Louis, and the late Henry and Selma Wellen of St. Louis. He graduated from Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park and Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., with a degree in accounting and economics. He currently works for Boyer Corporon Wealth Management in Overland Park.

The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Jasper and Elverda Songer of Alexandria, Ind. She graduated from Turner High School in Kansas City, Kan., and B Street Design with a license in esthetics and currently runs her own business, MK Esthetics.

A July wedding is planned.

Carolyn and Morris Merker celebrated their 65th anniversary on Dec. 25. They were married in 1948 at Congregation Beth Shalom by Rabbi Gershon Hadas.

The Merkers have two sons, Randy and his wife Gail and Richard and his wife Jennie. Grandchildren are Brian (Carrie), Adam (Sara), Oliver (Wendy) and Sarah (Mike). Great-grandchildren are Ayla, Autumn, Ben, Henry, Eva, Aedan, Mariah and Ellie.

They said they have been truly blessed.

Melisa and Joseph Van Buskirk of Prairie Village announce the birth Oct. 1 of a daughter, Simone Rayna. They are also the parents of Garett Samuel.

Grandparents are Barbara Glasberg of Overland Park and the late Barry Glasberg, Nina Alvan-Martinez of El Paso, Texas, and Thomas Van Buskirk of Charlottesville, Va.

David and Arlene Kaseff announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Jordan Gabrielle, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Congregation B’nai Jehudah.

Jordan is the granddaughter of Harold and Rhea Kaseff, Eddy Lynn Bortz, Murielle Steinman and the late Marshall Steinman.

Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush following the service.

Harry and Kate Sokoloff announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Samuel Sokoloff, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Congregation Beth Torah.

Samuel is the grandson of Lillian Sokoloff and the late Allen Sokoloff and Robert and Marjorie Barding.

Jessica Lynn Bernier and Keith Aaron Jacob were married May 18 at Waterview, Monroe, Conn.

The bride is the daughter of Wayne and Audrey Bernier and the granddaughter of Joseph and Norma Bernier, JoAnne Abel, and Robert and Donna Abel.

The groom is the son of Jill Jacob and Steve and Susan Jacob and the grandson of the late Jane L. Weinberg, the late Charles M. Levy Jr. and the late Dr. and Mrs. Walter P. Jacob.

The maid of honor was Erin Deegan and bridal attendants were Laura Downes, Nicole Ashton and Hadley Jellinghaus, all of Westport, Conn.

The best man was Michael Brune of Overland Park and the groom’s attendant was Andrew L. Jacob of Leawood.

After a honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico, the couple reside in Fairfield, Conn.

Brian and Kim Cooper announce the birth Oct. 27 of their son, Raphael Jacob. They are also the parents of Micah Hayden.

Grandparents are David and Linda Cooper of Plano, Texas, and Stuart and Sheila Zaikov of Roanoke, Va.

In honor of their 40th wedding anniversary, Alan and Janice Wasserman will be celebrating with a Kiddush luncheon following services at Congregation Ohev Sholom on Saturday Dec. 21.

The Wassermans have two children: Shira, of Austin, Texas, and Matthew, of Leawood.

The Wassermans invite friends and family to join them in celebrating this simcha.

Marc and Luba Levine of Glenview, Ill., announce the birth Sept. 14 of a daughter, Leah Malka.

Grandparents are Joel and Beverly Levine of Overland Park and Gennady and Vera Aginsky of Des Moines, Iowa. Great-grandparents are Shirley Levine and Rose Gross, both of Overland Park.