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

HM OFFERS ANOTHER VIEW ON JUDAIC PRAYERS AND MUSIC FROM AN ATLANTIC CITY RESIDENT

Other views when it comes to how a reader reacts to any story HM runs are welcome. One received recently from Atlantic City resident Ada Hyams responding to a story on Cantor Deborah Stern’s belief on new Judaic music and prayers is appreciated. While Stern, with a formidable background in cantorial music and Shabbat prayers offers a refreshing perspective, Ms. Hyams said in her letter to HM: “I am looking forward to a follow-up article on Cantor Stern’s Judaic music for the forthcoming High Holidays” in early September. However, Hyams said, “It is interesting to be a part of a congregation (Ventnor’s Beth Judah) that has different melodies at different times (of the year) to our many musical prayers . . . one can be so used to our particular chant and then feel annoyed by a changed melody and timing at the whim of the musical leaders.” And she continued, “I guess I am ‘old fashioned’ and like to stick to tradition.” It is a comfortable feeling to be part of a familiar environment and HM thanks Ms. Hyams for her views and encourages other readers to make comments.

JT’S KRAMER BACK HOME AFTER BUSY TIME HERE SPEAKING ON BOB ROVNER RADIO SHOW

During his three-week visit here (his former home) Jewish Times Israel correspondent Stephen Kramer delivered several topical speeches with his take on the critical Middle East crisis. His synagogue audiences got a riveting first hand glimpse of the difficulty in achieving peace between Israel and an Arab world that steadfastly refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist, which is the key to any peaceful solution. Kramer’s climax to his visit was to be interviewed by Bob Rovner on his weekly Israeli-related show on WWDB 860-AM (Phila.) radio show. Kramer told HM before heading back to Israel that the first half of the hour-long show featured Yehuda Avner talking about his fascinating and excellent book, “Israeli Leadership Then and Now.” Incidentally, Kramer is the author of another exciting book, “Encountering Israel – Geography, History, Culture.” His informative, widely-read column in the Jewish Times provides our readers with many insights on the Middle East conflict.

HM NEAR 700TH COLUMN, MANY YEARS OF CHRONICLING POSITIVE SIDE OF JEWISH LIVES

I started writing Honorable Menschen14 Years ago when Shy Kramer and a group of investors started the Jewish Times of South Jersey. I decided with permission of Mr. Kramer and its first editor, Rob Huberman, to take a different approach on writing the articles with a human interest slant in chronicling the positive side of the lives of people in the Jewish community. HM has covered a range of subjects and those whose lives we wrote about, including every opportunity to show the positive side of Israel’s struggle to exist, surrounded by a hostile Arab world. I’ve also written about dramatic experiences I had on several trips to Israel, including a recent story on a visit to the Gaza Strip, Terry Steen’s and Doug Stanger’s bike ride from Jerusalem to Eilat through the steaming hot Negev to raise funds for an Israeli environmental group and coverage of the Holocaust Resource Center at Stockon College. Our current editor Gerald Etter and Mr. Kramer have been supportive of HM’s approach and we praise advertising director, Bonnie La Roche and other staffers for doing a great job. HM encourages readers to keep sending us any experiences they have had that adds to Jewish life.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Longport’s top notch NationalGeographic award-winning correspondent Chad Cohen has won another Emmy for his informative piece on “Human Migration” produced last year for NG. His parents, Michael and Ellen Cohen, naturally are excited over their talented son’s latest accomplishment and HM extends our congratulations to Chad.