Honorable 'Menschen'

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

A GAZA STRIP NEWS TRIP BY THIS REPORTER PROVED TO BE A DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE

I visited Gaza Strip once on a news trip in March 1976 and once was enough - I was never so glad to leave there post haste unscathed after interviewing some Palestinians in a crowd growing angrier by the moment over the occupation by an unwelcome Israeli IDF. An IDF intelligence officer had taken me and a former Nuremberg War Trials U.S. prosecutor to this turbulent place, which was under the strong influence of the late Yasser Arafat. My interview almost got out of control when the IDF officer said "let's get out of here quickly" because the crowd's anti-Israeli anger was growing and there was an Arafat loyalist riling them up. The two women I was interviewing spoke loudly in half Arabic and half English, complaining that Israel didn't provide enough food for the Gazans but that Egypt did. Then the IDF officer said he heard enough and we should leave quickly - which we did. That night in Jerusalem I was told not to use my tape and I complied. I'll never know if the crowd would turn on us. It was scary and too close to becoming tragic.

AMONG U.S. STUDENTS VOLUNTEERING NEAR GAZA IS DAUGHTER OF FORMER MARGATERS

Rebecca Gildiner of Cherry Hill has sand in her shoes because of her many visits to Margate and its beaches since her parents, Dr. Len Gildiner (obgyn physician) and Lynn Green, were raised in the Downbeach community. Two of Rebecca's grandparents, Sid and Cookie Gildiner, retired to Florida while her other grandfather, Morris Green, formerly of Margate, now lives in Cherry Hill. His wife, Minnie, is deceased. In the past week Rebecca has replaced her Margate sand with Negev sand in the Negev town of Yeroham, 80 km from Gaza. Rebecca and other regional American college students were in Israel taking part in the Jewish National Fund's weeklong Alternative Winter Break "to volunteer in the Negev despite the proximity to the war in Gaza," reported the Jerusalem Post. Rebecca, 21, is a student at Colgate University (NY). She spent one day last week painting a mural outside a bomb shelter in Yeroham. "It's pretty sad to think that a bomb shelter needs to exist, but that's so normal here," she told the Post, adding, "people walk by bomb shelters every day and now it's beautiful and makes for a nicer environment."

ANTI-ISRAEL AND ANTI-JEWISH DEMONSTRATIONS IN BROWARD COUNTY HORRIFY TERRY STEEN

Ventnor resident and Beth Judah member Terry Steen sent HM a stunning almost unbelievable email: "I am getting many shocked and horrified emails concerning the vicious anti-Semitic and anti- Israel demonstration that took place in Fort Lauderdale December 30, in the heart of Jewish Broward County (Fla.)" Steen was further shocked by other e-mails which stated, "Nuke Israel and the anti-American signs and the chants of go to hell aimed at the small group of Jewish counterdemonstrators waving Israeli flags was certainly not surprising to anyone aware of the Jihadist elements that have infiltrated America and are now growing like a malignant tumor in all her towns, cities and colleges." Steen urges that, "American Jews will wake up from their numbed sleep and take back their country and pride." Good advice from a dedicated member of our Jewish community.

"MEN R COOKING" PROJECT OF AC BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WELCOMES DANIEL GLASS

Daniel Glass, an ACHS freshman, is demonstrating his youthful dedication to a key fund raising event by participating for the second year in the Atlantic City Boys and Girls Club's "Men R Cooking" fund raiser, February 26 at the club. Daniel, son of Dr. Andrew (physician) and Carla Glass (Beth Judah librarian) is the event's youngest chef and he is hopeful of raising $1,000 for his personal event fee. Proceeds go toward helping programming at the club. Daniel recently appeared on Ed Hitzel's weekly cooking show on WOND Radio "to talk about his love of cooking" and to promote the event and to raise awareness of his favorite charity.If you want to help Daniel raise his committed $1,000 he can be contacted at Diverdan417@Comcast.net. Daniel, I have an idea for you: offer some of your favorite recipes in exchange for a contribution.

DR. JOSHUA KULP'S BOOK ON THE SEDER IS INFORMATIVE AND FASCINATING

As the son of two leading area Judaic experts, Congregation Beth Judah's Cantor Emeritus Ed Kulp and Board of Jewish Education Director Linda Kulp, Dr. Joshua Kulp (PhD) inherited much of his Hebraic knowledge from his parents. Living in Israel for several years with his wife,

Julie, and three children, and expecting a fourth, Joshua achieved his doctorate in Talmudic studies from Bar-Ilan University and is a co-founder of the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. His academic experience and his membership on the faculty of the Schecter Institute of Jewish Studies was the impetus for authoring "The Schecter Haggadah: Art, History and Commentary," which delivers a fascinating discussion and analysis of the Seder. This is a book that will prepare its readers of each aspect of the Seder. The book's illuminations were edited by Professor David Golinkin, Schecter's president and publisher of 40 books and almost 200 articles on various aspects of Jewish studies. "This is a musthave volume," said Golinkin. It has drawn rave reviews from many Israeli and U.S. Talmudic scholars. To order a copy and have it in time for Passover connect with the Schecter e-mail: books@schecter.ac.il. Your inside knowledge will make you sparkle at the Seders.