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

During our High Holidays starting with yesterday’s and today’s observance of Rosh Hashanah and next Saturday’s holiest day of the Jewish year – Yom Kippur – the clergy and many congregants will wear white. Rabbis, hazzanim and cantors will wear white robes known as kittels. Rabbi Aaron Krauss says the white is a sign of the purity of Judaism and goes back for many centuries from the beginning of Jewish ritualistic history. Krauss said further “It reminds me of the tenuousness of life ... and the robes are also worn on vital and significant Jewish events.” Krauss said “We pound our hearts,” seeking forgiveness from any transgressions direct from the heart.

WEST COAST READER TELLS HM MENSCHEN IS WRONG AND SHOULD BE SPELLED MENTSHN

It’s known that the Jewish Times and Honorable Menschen are read all over the country and a reader in Los Angeles who identifies himself only as

Hershl, the Vortsman of Yiddishkayt, LA’s monthly net newsletter. He says the spelling Menschen is wrong.

He says, “I’ve conducted a bit of a campaign against Germanic spellings of Yiddish words, since there is a standard for English transliteration of Yiddish, developed by the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.” And he adds, “Menschen is German, plain and simple; Mentshn is Yiddish, plain and simple and still your choice of spelling is not as bad as that of the LA Times Journal - mensches. Gevald I say!” He attached a simple guide based on YIVO standards, which is too lengthy for HM to publish. He said our readers might enjoy Vortsman’s monthly columns, which can be obtained by clicking on Newsletter at http://www.yiddishkaytla.org. He concludes in Yiddish – “mit fill derekh-erets, (with much respect).” Until the Jewish Times management tells me to change Menschen to Mentshn, we will continue to use Menschen in the columns’ title. But thank you Hershl for your suggestion.

AREA NATIVE DAVID SCHWARTZ RELATES AC REUNION OF CIVIL WAR VETS IN 1910

For Civil War buffs, and there are many collectors in our area and throughout the state and country, whose fascination with that conflict is unparalled among those with a deep historic interest. An article in the Casino Connection magazine by collector of local historic events,

David G. Schwartz, details an historic gathering, the 44th of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in Atlantic City, of those who fought for the Union. Schwartz, an Atlantic City native and son of the late and legendary Press reporter and columnist, Sonny Schwartz, is director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Las Vegas and author of several gaming books, wrote a dramatic story of that gathering, which local Civil War buffs will find fascinating and informative. It can be found in the current issue of Casino Connection. HM commends David for his journalistic effort.

INTERFAITH UNIVERSITY IS AN IDEA TO TRAIN CLERGY OF THREE FAITHS UNDER ONE ROOF EXPLORED

An article in the Sept. 6 issue of Time Magazine has caught the attention of HM. Its focus is on a West Coast theological college under one roof to train pastors, rabbis and immans, which has aroused much interest, but is still an idea that hasn’t taken off, and is a long way from acceptance. The proposal is linked to California’s Claremont School of Theology, a United Methodist Seminary, which is in need of staying open, so they created the idea of a theological university to train under one roof clergy of the above three faiths. However, despite support for the facility there is equally strong opposition. Also, what about including Buddist and Hindu partners? Says Time Magazine, “the outlook for this interfaith model appears positive if uncertain.” Not in full agreement was one faculty member of California’s Academy of Jewish Religion who resigned from the school in protest. HM urges readers to read the full story in Time magazine’s current issue for the full details on this intriguing religious story. HM would like to hear the thoughts from local Jewish clergy.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Here are some thoughts on the High Holidays from Rabbi Gordon Geller of Margate’s Temple Emeth Shalom: “It is high time for all conscientious Americans and the people of Israel to absorb the vital lessons of the High Holidays. Now is a sacred opportunity for honest “heshbon hanefest” (inner soul searching) in order to face up to self-defeating fears and anxieties, and by so doing, we can begin once more to find ways to live more secure lives enriched by renewed meaning and hope.” Geller ’s thoughts appeared in this month’s “Shalom Again.” . . . Rabbi Aaron Gaber and Hazzan Jeffrey Myers will be on Barbara Altman's Front Porch radio program 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17. They will present a special Yom Kippur program, starting with Kol Nidre, and following many of the specific prayers, for those who cannot attend services as well as those who may want to have greater insight into the Yom Kippur observance. The program will run for the full two hours. Altman says she appreciates the efforts of Rabbi Gaber and Hazzan Myers who will be in the studio to do the program live. “I am most grateful,” she said. . . . In last week’ column HM had Atlantic City High School Class of 1950 having its Sunday, Sept. 12, noon reunion at the incorrect country club. It will be held at the Atlantic City Country Club.