Anyone deserving of an ‘Honorable Menschen,’ can contact Howard Berger via his e-mail: Howardberger9798@aol.com.

EX-VENTNOR RESIDENT ALAN SEGAL DESPERATELY NEEDS KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SAYS FRIEND

Needed organ transplant patients have become a serious health issue locally, state-wide and around the world. There are more people in need of a transplant than there are available organs. Perhaps not enough people are aware of the problem in spite of expanded media coverage focusing on the problem. So what is needed are personal appeals from family members and friends of those in desperate health whose lives are at risk unless they obtain a life-saving body part. Such an appeal comes from Sherry Hoffman on behalf of a long-time ex-Ventnor native and friend, Alan Segal, 59, now living in North Jersey with his wife and two sons. Segal previously had a double kidney transplant but he has gone into kidney failure, says Hoffman. Segal’s parents were Maurice and Sayde Segal, members of Beth Judah (Ventnor) and Beth Israel (Northfield). If you can help or know someone with O-Positive blood type with no history of diabetes and in general good health, says Hoffman, contact Segal at 201-412-0900 or ajs4350@aol.com .

TWIN GRANDSONS OF CAROL AND ABE BRAHA CELEBRATE BAR MITZVAHS AT WESTERN WALL

Jerusalem’s Western Wall is one of Judaism’s holiest places, and for Jews to pray there and insert a message is one of lifetime’s great accomplishments and thrills for our faith. If you haven’t been there you’re missing something extraordinare. Celebrating a bar mitzvah at the Wall is a goal of many young Jewish boys, and recently that was the experience of Abraham Isaac and Saul Albert, twin grandsons of Carol and Abe Braha of Margate and Lisa Kairey; and sons of Ira and Trena Braha, residents of Brooklyn, N.Y. The boys also had the honor of reading Torah at Brooklyn’s B’Nei Binyah Shul.

Abie and Saulie are the brothers of Carol Rachel and are honor students at Yeshizat Aterat Torah in Brooklyn. They enjoy playing basketball and bike riding with their friends. “We are so pleased and honored that the boys had a lifetime dream in Jerusalem,” boasted the entire Braha family.

GET HEALTHY IN PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM URGES THERAPIST JODI HANDLER AND HER PARTNERS

There is a get-in-shape movement sweeping the nation like never before and the physical fitness business is surging in full force as many people, young and old, work profusely to shed pounds and improve their body tones. It takes a lot of sweat and muscle to get in shape, and the gymnasiums and fitness centers are generally filled to capacity with those aspiring to get in shape. One of the area’s busiest centers is Therapy and Living Consultants of Northfield, co-owned by Jodi Handler and Patti Brick, both certified and highly experienced physical therapists, aided by PT assistant and owner of Miracles Fitness in Northfield, Jeanette Thonsen. Together they have announced the start of a unique program known as Silver-Sneakers exercise classes. For full details on this and other fitness programs call 677-1022, and also ask about information on free fitness center memberships stated Handler. “Now is the right time and Miracles Fitness is the right place,” declared Handler.

NJ ARTS COUNCIL’S ALISA COOPER SAYS UNFROZEN FUNDS WILL AID STOCKTON PAC AND NOYES

Good news for performing and visual arts patrons in this area and statewide – the New Jersey Council on the Arts has reversed its decision to freeze arts funds, of course with state government approval. HM received the good news from Alisa Cooper (Linwood) member of the council who tells us, “It was certainly good news to hear that the payments would be forthcoming, since several weeks earlier there was information that the money [which had been] frozen would be ‘unfrozen.’ It would have been devastating to so many organizations in the state (and locally) that have already been negatively affected by the dismal economy.” And, added Cooper, “Many museums, theatres and other organizations, such as our local Noyes Museum and Stockton College Performing Arts Center, had been awarded grants back in July 2009 and were counting on receiving the money; the financial picture was already challenging . . . arts grants, which are funded by a tax on motel and hotel occupancy were down 25 percent from the previous year.” It should be pointed out that the arts generates several billion dollars for businesses located around arts venues, stated Cooper. Being released is $12 million. Thank you Alisa, an Atlantic County Freeholder and music teacher in the Egg Harbor Township schools. Thank you for the good news amounting to a great New Years gift.

ISRAEL WONDERS WHY U.S./WORLD AIRPORTS DON’T ADOPT SECURITY PLAN AT BEN GURION

It’s almost incomprehensible why U.S. and world airports don’t duplicate the security system employed by Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport and on El Al planes, where security has proven overwhelmingly successful with no breaching in many years. Their checking of incoming and departing passengers, including government officials, is excellent including body imaging and thorough luggage inspections.And aboard each aircraft there are several marshals on each flight, each looking like a passenger so that they blend in with everyone aboard. Overall, Israel’s security sytem gives those traveling on El Al feel a great measure of safety.