Rev. Balasko to be honored at banquet

Staff report

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The Rev. George Balasko will be honored as the 2012 “Guardian of the Menorah” during a banquet at 6:30 p.m. June 10 at Temple El Emeth, 3970 Logan Way.

The Guardian of the Menorah is presented to outstanding community members who have demonstrated dedication, through service and commitment, to the causes of youth in the Jewish, religious and secular communities.

Father Balasko was born in 1934 in Youngstown and attended Immaculate Conception and East High School then served in the Army. He entered St. Mary Seminary in Kentucky and spent an additional six years at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati. He was ordained in 1967.

For many years, he was host and producer of the Jewish/Christian Dialogue television series on ETC channel of the Diocese of Youngstown, and broadcasts were replayed on Catholic Television Network of America.

Father Balasko has served many parishes and has taught at high schools throughout the Valley.

In 1982, he was appointed adult-education specialist in the diocese and continues in that role.

He has served as chaplain for the Stark County jail and as an advocate on the Marriage Tribunal.

With the late Rabbi Samuel Meyer, spiritual leader of Temple El Emeth, Father Balasko initiated the Jewish/Christian Dialogue Group that has continued for more than 36 years.

The program has been recognized nationally by the Journal of Ecumenical Studies for its joint study programs, days of prayer and annual Seders and pilgrimages to the Holy Land.

Father Balasko and Rabbi Meyer and the interfaith group visited their Jewish roots in Rome, Italy, in 1988.

Father Balsko’s love of music inspired him to write and produce “A Slavic Folk Liturgy,” “The Polka Mass” and “A Mass of Christian Joy!” He celebrated the first “Polka Mass” in Branson, Mo., for the first Polka Festival sponsored by the Welk Resort.

A recording of the Polka Mass was submitted for a Grammy in 2004.

In 2010, Father Balasko was awarded the King David Award for adapting Eastern European folk music into the Mass, with the release of the CD “In Praise of God! — Strike Up the Band.”

He has been honored by numerous local organizations for his interfaith work.

Zionist Organization of America, Youngstown District, presented him with the Louis D. Brandeis Award.

B’nai B’rith, the Knights of Columbus and Free and Accepted Masons jointly honored him with the Warren-Youngstown Area Brotherhood Award.

In January, he retired as pastor of St. Ann Church in East Liverpool but continues work in adult education in the diocese and Villa Maria Education Center.

For reservations, contact Bruce Sherman at 330-783-1442.