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

Arthur Peskoe has every right and deserves the credit for starting back in 1957 what today is the high school of Jewish studies directed by

Linda Kulp. Back then the present day Federation was known as the Federation of Jewish Charities - Peskoe was president - and he launched a vigorous campaign on behalf of the Fed's Jewish Education Committee "in hopes that others (organizations) may consider a project to encourage Hebrew studies and Jewish education. And it worked," Peskoe told HM, "I'm proud of what I did on behalf of Jewish studies." It all began with a letter to Cissy Landsman (Max), then the head of the AC Link Order of the Golden Chain, seeking her organization's support, which Peskoe received. The letter was also sent to the area's Jewish organizations such as B'Nai Brith, Brith Shalom, Farband, National Council of Jewish Women, JWV Greenstein Post, five Hadassah chapters (now down to two) and the ZOA. Earlier the Avoda Club okayed the idea. "We did it and today it has benefited immensely the Jewish Community's youth," declared Peskoe who resides in Ventnor with his wife, Elaine. Both are active members of Congregation Beth Judah and he is a past president of the Ventnor shul.

TIME MAGAZINE GIVES 'THUMBS UP' ON SCOTT NEUSTADTER'S FILM '500 DAYS OF SUMMER'

Scott Neustadter's Hollywood screenwriting career is off to a rousing start after a 'thumbs up' review by movie critic Richard Corliss in a recent edition of Time magazine. His movie, "500 Days of Summer," had its dramatic debut at Robert Redford's Sundance 'Film Festival' in Utah followed by a successful showing and reception in Philadelphia, Cherry Hill and a private showing and reception locally at Frank's Towne Theaters, and set for its general public opening soon. Critic Corliss said in his review, "500 Days of Summer" (it) sweats like a dockworker to win your favor" and later in his critique, director Marc Webb declared, (it) "gives every scene a bang for comic or emotional effect." The screen play was cowritten by Michael Webber. The review did a great job of describing the movie's love plot. Neustadter, at the film's local debut and private reception drew a moving response and marked his first return to his Margate home and proud parents, Michael and Anne Neustadter and family. As the AC Press headline proclaimed, "area native returns to movie-loving roots," Neustadter's friends told the Press reporter

Vincent Jackson that he spent a lot of his time going to the movies and imagined directing those films. No doubt movies was in his blood.

JEFF LIGHT ENDS TERM AS HEAD OF AREA BAR ASSN. WITH GENEROUS GIFT TO LOCAL CHARITIES

Serving as president of the Atlantic County Bar Association is an honor and recognition that heading this group of lawyers indicates the office holder is a person of high integrity and ability. That person is Jeff Light who recently ended his term in that office with a flourish as the ACBA under his tenure raised $20,000 for area charities. $11,000 went to one of the area's most needy charities - Sister Jean's Kitchen and Food Bank. The money was raised from a concert at the House of Blues by The Works, a band comprised of local attorneys fronted by Jeff Waldman. They were really good, HM has learned. On the religious side of Light's life he is past president of Congregation Beth Israel. Light specializes in commercial law with the law firm of Goldenberg, Mackler, Sayegh, Mintz, Pfeffer, Bonchi and Gill. Light lives in Ventnor with his wife, Adria, director of the Healing Center of Jewish Family Service in Margate and is on the board of trustees of Beth Israel. Mazel Tov to Jeff and his wife for their outstanding community service.

CUTBACKS IN FUNDS TO REGIONAL ARTS GROUPS SADDENS NJ ARTS COUNCIL'S ALISA COOPER

"It has been an honor to be part of the NJ Arts Council board for the past year," said Alisa Cooper, and now I see, first hand, the importance of all aspects of the ARTS in our lives. And since we are living in very challenging times and the budget (for 2010) was tough, but the Council's highest priority is to help New Jersey's arts community in every way possible," said Cooper, an Atlantic County Freeholder who is saddened by the cutbacks to all state arts venues and organizations including several popular ones in this region of South Jersey. "The cuts were to many worthwhile venues, performing and visual arts facilities," and she added, "we will continue to work diligently to spread the message of how important the arts are to education, tourism and local economies." Among those receiving fund reductions are Stockton's PAC, the BayAtlantic Symphony, Ocean City Pops, Noyes Museum, South Jersey Cultural Alliance, Atlantic County Office of Cultural Affairs and many others in this region. Cooper, who lives in Linwood with her husband, Doug, and son, told HM, "I would be honored (someday) to be selected as Chair and follow in the footsteps of the late Lillian Levy (Ventnor) who was such a strong advocate for the Arts and helped put South Jersey on the state's cultural map."

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

RNS's keynote summer fund raiser, the Show House at the Shore featuring Paul "Skinny" D'Amato's landmark home on Suffolk Avenue in Ventnor begins its final week and HM has been told, the project has been a huge success.