Although George Kahn is still working in the mortgage business, he says he’s having more fun with music than ever before. The pianist plays Los Angeles jazz clubs with his instrumental quartet and recently performed at sold-out shows in Sonoma and Berkeley, California, where he was joined by Gary Zellerbach ’74 on guitar. Debra Kay and members of her family traveled to Berlin, where they installed Stolpersteine at three sites for Debra’s maternal relatives. More than 70,000 Stolpersteine have been installed in Europe since 2009 to memorialize the victims of Nazi extermination and persecution; these commemorative brass plaques are placed in front of victims’ last address of choice, reminding passersby to never forget. Rebecca Pepkowitz has moved to Las Vegas after 43 years in Baltimore. Her husband, Rabbi Gerry Gilstrop, works in electronic medical records at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. Rebecca writes, “The desert blooms profusely, and everything grows really, really quickly. The mountains are awe-inspiring. But check back with me after a few months of 100-120 degree temps. Hopefully, I will be able to tell you, with a straight face, ‘But it is DRY heat.’” Her email address is kosherfood4u@yahoo.com. Roger Sohn, a Los Angeles orthopedist and Agreed Medical Examiner, died unexpectedly on Feb. 23 in La Quinta, California, at age 66. Known for his compassion, Roger became an accomplished magician so he could distract pediatric orthopedic patients who were in pain. “He was loved by everybody,” his son Matthew says. Roger, who was generous in his support of Brandeis, enjoyed playing golf in Los Angeles and on Martha’s Vineyard, where he and his wife, Francine Ladd Sohn ’74, owned homes. He is survived by Francine; their three sons, Joshua, Matthew and Jonathan; daughter-in-law Amy Palin; and grandson Benjamin. Patricia Steckler earned a Master of Arts in science writing from Johns Hopkins University this year. The accomplishment comes, she reports, “50 years after graduating from New Rochelle High School, 46 years after graduating from Brandeis and 40 years after my PhD in clinical psychology from Case Western Reserve University. Learning is a forever pleasure — Brandeis taught me so!” Toshizo Watanabe has received the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center’s Chairman’s Award, presented to the Toshizo Watanabe Foundation for its philanthropic, social and cultural activities. In May, the president of Iceland presented him with the Order of the Falcon, the highest honor the Icelandic state can bestow, for his contribution to the strengthening of academic and cultural ties between Iceland and Japan. Veteran director/producer Sam Weisman directed the Gloucester Stage production of “Lifespan of a Fact,” which ran from August to September. Peter Wortsman’s recent and forthcoming publications include “Stimme und Atem/Out of Breath, Out of Mind,” a German-English book of stories; “The Caring Heirs of Doctor Samuel Bard,” profiles of Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons alumni; and the second edition of “A Modern Way to Die,” a book of short fiction. He has also completed translations (from the German) of “Intimate Ties,” by Robert Musil; “Hinkemann,” by Ernst Toller; and “The Sandman,” by E.T.A. Hoffmann.
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