Honorable 'Menschen'

Anyone deserving of an 'Honorable Menschen,' can contact Howard Berger via his e-mail: Howardberger9798@aol.com or by fax: 822-3670.

STOCKTON HILLEL HAS GREAT DUO OF DIRECTOR KAREN POLLOCK AND STUDENT PREZ CHAD JUROS

Combine the talents of Stockton Hillel Director Karen Pollock (Northfield) and recently elected Hillel Student President Chad Juros (Egg Harbor Township) and the college has a dynamic duo to lead the Jewish campus group to a very successful year. Hillel is nationally known as the foundation of Jewish campus life and thanks to the funding from the area's Jewish Federation and the Stockton Religious Council this chapter has been very successful, said Juros. who has achieved a national reputation as a top magician. In her second year as head of Hillel on the Stockton campus, Karen Pollock, one of the area's leading Jewish educators, said "I find my role exciting and rewarding, watching young adults connecting to their (Jewish) roots and I'm looking forward to working with Chad who brings a lot of excitement and fun to the group." And she adds, "Hillel's goal for this year is to reach out to local college students who live at home off campus and to make them feel part of Jewish life on campus." Yes indeed, Pollock and Juros are a winning combination.

PSYCHOLOGIST RICHARD COHEN, 80, DOESN'T PLAN TO RETIRE SOON

"I have no plans to retire anytime soon," says Margate psychologist Dr. Richard Cohen, Ph.D. who turned 80 last December surrounded by family and friends always honing his skills as a professional mental health specialist. He upgrades these skills attending workshops, finding the time despite being a practicing clinical psychologist in Linwood for over 54 years.He recently attended a one-day conference at Resorts in Atlantic City, "Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Empirically Based Treatment Techniques." His biggest booster is his wife, Anne Kabo Cohen, who said, "Some people choose to retire at an early age and pursue hobbies or secondary careers. but not Richard, who is going strong with his practice and continuing education." As a peer in the same age category, I say to Dr. Cohen, "keep going remembering my favorite slogan, ability is ageless."

DR. IRA STEIN KNOWS THERE'S NO EASY WAY TO FIX MEDICARE

Only the medical profession, which is indispensable for our health and lives, realizes the crisis facing Medicare. And HM's medical consultant, Dr. Ira Stein knows "Ultimately there is no easy way to fix Medicare." All in all there is some light at the end of the tunnel says Stein, medical director of the H. G. Rosen Senior Center in Atlantic City. "There are several important steps the new administration in Washington, in late January 2009, should pursue to keep people healthy longer and which will limit health care costs . . . currently the health care system is a hodge-podge of health care providers, hospitals, labs, imaging facilities, insurance companies, patients and families." Stein pinpoints the major cause of this dilemma: "There is a great deal of redundancy, overlap, inefficiency and duplication of services which drives up costs and leads to worse health outcomes and putting systems in place can correct the system breakdown." He admits there are some relatively simple first steps that need to be taken.

EX-LOCALS DAN AND VIVIAN KRAMER KVELL OVER GRANDDAUGHTER MELISSA'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Jewish Times Israeli correspondent Steve Kramer tells HM about Dan and Vivian Kramer's accomplished granddaughter Melissa, a Magna Cum Laude graduate this spring from Washington University in St. Louis. She begins her adult life with an impressive resume including a Birthright trip to Israel staying with her cousin Steve and his wife, Michal, while visiting friends, Americans and Israelis, made on her epic journey. Melissa's proud mother, Hedy lives in the San Diego area and is active and successful in real estate. Melissa's older sister,

Risa, also did a Birthright trip several years ago. Steve Kramer's column in this week's Jewish Times revolves around Melissa's experience. Meanwhile, Dan and Vivian love their life in a retirement community in Connecticut near their son, Harvey, and his wife, Suzanne. Incidentally, Steve will be here this month and will address the Golda Meir Hadassah September 17.Welcome back Steve.

BETH EL CANTOR GOREN EXPLAINS WHY HIGH HOLIDAY MUSIC IS SO SPECIAL

The current Beth El "Megillah" column by

Cantor Ralph Goren caught our attention since he emphasizes the importance of High Holiday music, which Beth El members and other synagogues enjoy hearing every year. Goren's explanation is so meaningful, HM thought it should be shared with the area's Jewish community. He said, "It is so special and powerful and (I know) most of you would have an answer something like the following and you'd be right since it's to portray the beauty and the splendor of the time of year in such a moving way that it helps us get a full grasp of what the holidays are all about." And he adds, "When the choir and I rehearse, we know there are some pieces we sing where you listen and enjoy. At other times," continues Goren, "we engage you, and you sing along . . . both ways are designed to enhance the words of the Machzor." And concludes Goren, "We hope our services will once again make you feel engaged in the feeling for this time of the year."

Previewing Next Week's HM column: On November 19, the Israel Philharmonic, one of the world's leading symphonies, will perform in a much anticipated concert at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center jointly sponsored by Beth Judah and Beth Israel. Beth Judah Hazzan Alan Smolen will tell us about this great concert next week.