ATLANTICARE FAMILY DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF MICHAEL NEUSTADTER

The passing of Michael Neustadter has left a huge void in Southern New Jersey’s health care industry. A statement from AtlantiCare’s President and CEO David Tilton described the deep sadness felt by the AtlantiCare family. “ Michael consistently demonstrated strength, integrity, professionalism and a relentless commitment to ARMC and AtlantiCare – and those we serve, since he first joined AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s ( ARMC) Board of Governors in 1995.” Michael served as both chairman of the hospital board, which he led from mid- 1999 through 2003, and as chairman of the AtlantiCare Board of Trustees from 2007. “ Michael actively helped AtlantiCare achieve its vision of building healthy communities, creating trusting relationships, advancing the quality of our services and role modeling the organizational values of integrity, respect and service.” HM has nothing but the highest praise for Michael, and on many occasions this column found his comments to be golden quotes worth passing on to our community. He is already sorely missed.

SOUTH JERSEY– DELAWARE VALLEY PRETZEL KING GERRY SHREIBER STRESSES JEWISH HISTORY

Gerry Shreiber is a perfect fit for membership on Shy Kramer’ s Jewish Times of South Jersey Editorial Board because of his commitment to Jewish life. He tells HM – “ I believe it is important to maintain our Jewish history and heritage in the community and the Jewish Times serves that purpose well.” Gerry’ s phenomenal success as this region’ s “ pretzel king” is well deserved as the head of J& J Snack Foods, located in Pennsauken, N. J., Gerry had a humble beginning as a machine shop trainee in 1960 holding positions in production and sales management before starting his own business manufacturing specialty machine parts in 1968. He sold the company in 1970. “ In September 1971 I formed J& J Snack Foods after purchasing a bankrupt soft pretzel company.” He was the single driving force in taking the local company with eight employees and sales of under $400,000 and developing it into an international company with over 3,000 employees and $ 750 million annually. The company went public in 1986 ( NASDAQ- JJ SF) and today the company is recognized as a consummate niche player in the multi- billionaire snack food and beverage industry with such leading brands as SUPERPRETZEL, ICEE LUIGI’S and partnership with Minute Maid. In October 2007. J& J Snack Foods for the 7th time and 5th consecutive year was ranked on the FORBES list of “ Best Small Companies” and is a two-time winner of the “ Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.” Shreiber has held numerous leadership positions in support of philanthropic ( including Jewish) causes and is active on behalf of animal welfare and animal rights organizations. HM, Shy Kramer and the Jewish Times are proud to have him on our Editorial Board.

FIVE YEARS OF TEACHING ARTS AND CRAFTS BY JACKIE CAPLAN GETS ENTHUSIASTIC REACTIONS

With a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts, Northfield resident Jackie Caplan, former Jewish Times graphic artist, is enthusiastically received by participants at the AC Free Public Library, and the BERON-JOAS Rosin Senior Center. Jackie says the average turnout is around 15 seniors. She told HM, ” At both places I try to do projects that can be taken home and that will come out looking good whatever the talent level of the participant. And people are enthusiastic and creative with each project.” And she adds, “I strive to provide an enjoyable therapeutic eyehand coordination and muscle use ( along with a) comfortable experience. I love the diversity, the interactions and the wisdom of this (senior) population.” Jackie likes to boast about the creative juices of her son, Joel Caplan, who authored “ Strangers Can Hurt,” focused on how to interact with strangers. He and his wife, Oranit Dror Caplan, couldn’t find one written for children – they have two daughters, Orielah, 3 and Shailee, 1– so Joel published one. Said Jackie, “ You can listen to Joel and Orielah read it on www.joelcaplan.com/ strangerbook, and said Jackie, ” There is a link there to buy it from Amazon.” Jackie also keeps busy as a freelance graphic artist is on the board of BERON-JOAS and CONTACT Cape Atlantic. She is a very busy professional and HM cites her for her professionalism and creative talents.