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The Makhelat Hamercaz Jewish Choir of Central New Jersey is kicking off its 2007-2008 season with a membership drive. The choir, launching into its fifth year, will start the year celebrating Israel's 60th birthday and with a performance series that includes appearances in the Zimmerli Art Museum and the State Theatre in New Brunswick. Rehearsals are held Sundays from September to June from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at several area synagogues and cultural centesr. Although no formal audition or the ability to read Hebrew is required, prior choral experience is a plus. The choir invites interesting singers to attend their first two rehearsals on Sundays September 9th and 16th at the Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19 South 2nd Ave. Interested singers can contact Cantor Anna West-Ott at (732) 406-1371 or Cantor Sheldon Levin at (732) 548-2238, ext 14. For more information, as well as MP3s of recent choir concerts, visit the choir's website at www.mercazchoir.org.

B'nai B'rith and the YM-YWHA of Union are pleased to announce that plans for the 2007 Jewish Fair & Expo, to be held on Sunday, November 18th, are well under way. The is the sixth year for one of the most successful joint programs in the history of both agencies. Each year, several hundred people attend this fair to buy from a gamut of American and Israeli vendors, enjoy entertainment from the Hester Street Klezmer Troupe, and partake in a variety of kosher foods. This expo is a celebration of Jewish culture, heritage, and tradition. This year's theme is "L'Chaim" with a Health and Sports focus. Admission is free. For more information on becoming a vendor or a sponsor, please contact Jani Jonas at (908) 289-8112.

Israeli Superstar Chava Alberstein will be performing at Congregation Sons of Israel in Manalapan on November 29th to celebrate the congregation's 90th anniversary. The concert is the first of a series to special commemorative events planned to mark the anniversary, which will include movie nights, discussion groups featured noted area historians, and family and children's programs. For more information, you can call the synagogue at (732) 446-3000 or e-mail the 90th Anniversary chair Jack Linder at AvronJL@aol.com.

Bea and Sol Walter of Springfield have again become the top fundraisers for the Springfield lodge of B'nai B'rith, the largest B'nai B'rith unit in New Jersey. Here they are with Joseph Tennenbaum, president of the lodge, which has some 500 members from Union, Middlesex, and Essex counties.

“For more than a decade, the Walters have each year exceeded the previous year in raising thousands of dollars for B'nai B'rith's charitable causes,” said Tenenbaum. “Their dedication is an inspiration to all B'nai B'rith members nationally. We are indeed fortunate to have this wonderful and dedicated couple as members of our B'nai B'rith lodge.”