Anyone deserving of an 'Honorable Menschen,' can contact Howard Berger via

his e-mail: Howardberger9798@aol.com or by fax: 822-3670. DURING HER LONG LIFE MARIAN REICH DISPLAYED DIGNITY AND GRACE

"During her long meaningful life, in which she touched everyone, Marian Reich (Ventnor native) functioned with much dignity and grace and in her final days she expressed the same dignity and grace," said her niece, Arlene Gordon, during final rites last week in Cherry Hill where Marian Reich lived with her beloved husband, Mayer, for many years. Our thoughts about her are many and deep after the passing last week of my younger sister Marian Reich. In our writings, we have reported the passing of members of our Jewish community and we shared their families' losses. Now they have responded sympathizing with our loss. During final rites for each of our loved ones, our rabbis always proclaimed, "We are not here to mourn but to celebrate the wonderful memories we recall about their lives." After the passing of our father (Ralph) and later our mother (Bella), Marian became the matriarch of our large family; everything centered around her. She was kind and compassionate. She, along with our older sister, Beatrice Benson (Cherry Hill) Ventnor natives, graduated local schools and left here like many of their friends for greener pastures. Marian leaves behind her husband, Mayer, and three sons - dentist Larry Reich (Ilene) of Margate, Danny (Janice) of Boca Raton, Fla., and Simcha (Jennifer) of Cherry Hill, and their children and grandchildren. We appreciate the expressions of sympathy from our many relatives and friends. In the days ahead we will recall and celebrate all the wonderful things about Marian, which is the proper way to remember her - mother, grandmother, sister, former JT and Cherry Hill's Jewish Community Voice book reviewer and journalist, great cook and just a wonderful caring person to know, respect and love.

AWARD WINNING MARGATE ARTIST, MARILYN CHACKMAN, TAKES HOME ANOTHER TOP PRIZE

Being a senior citizen has its advantages, providing opportunities to fulfill that were never available during those working years.

Marilyn R. Chackman of Margate has been an award-winning artist for many years and as she matured her artistry matured with her. Her most recent accomplishment was to gain first prize in the "Print Division" of the 42nd annual New Jersey senior citizens art contest. Her winning color woodcraft was of an African-American musician playing a guitar with the word "Equality" etched across the top. She received her prize at the Hunterdon County Division of Senior Services in Flemington, Sept. 26. That's not all. Marilyn submitted two color woodcuts - "The Maven" and "After Apple-Picking" were accepted by the jury for the show. She says her works can be seen at the Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown until Nov. 16. "I'm honored to win another major award," she said.

STEVEN BATZER AND SHARON SCHULMAN NAMED TO HUGHES POLICY STEERING COMMITTEE

Two prominent members of our Jewish community have been named to the William J. Hughes Policy Center Steering Committee (at Stockton College) - Steven Batzer of Linwood, managing director of Strategic Planning for a leading architectural development firm and Sharon Schulman, director of the Hughes Center, a resident of Erial, N.J. "The committee's mission is to help the Center carry out its goal and guide it in deciding which public policy issue and opportunities are most relevant to the area," declared Schulman. She said further in its mission statement that "the Center serves as a catalyst for research on public policy issues relevant to this area." Other prominent members of the Steering Committee are former Ambassador and former 2nd District Congressman William J. Hughes and George Lynn, president emeritus of AtlantiCare.

ARC OF ATLANTIC COUNTY VOLUNTEERS 'MAKE A DIFFERENCE'

"This past Tuesday was the day we celebrated 'Make A Difference Day' in Atlantic County and around the country," said Deborah Davies, Ph.D., CEO of Arc of Atlantic County. "Our agency, located in Egg Harbor Township, deployed many of our 140 employees to 16 sites around the county to perform extensive community services," said Davies. They were assigned to the Forsythe Wildlife Preserve for a park cleanup, Pleasantville's North Main Street Elementary School to read to children, and Sister Jean's Kitchen to serve food, and a few other sites. "This event enabled our employees to make new contributions to the communities where we work and live," stated Davies.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Circle Thursday Dec. 4 on your calendar, which is an early reminder that the "American Conference on Diversity" will hold its Atlantic County Chapter's annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the Atlantic City Country Club. Temple Emeth Shalom's

Rabbi Gordon Geller, a chapter top official, will provide details in a future HM column. The Conference is the successor to the National Conference of Christians and Jews.