Graduations:
BALLEN. Samuel Ballen of Cranford graduated Magna Cum Laude with a
BA in geography from the State University of New York at Binghamton. He graduated with highest honors from
the geography department. Samuel is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Gamma Theta Upsilon, and the National
Scholars Honor Society. He was the recipient of the Paul F.Gorman Memorial Scholarship in 2006. Samuel will be
attending Tulane University Law School on the Dean's scholarship in the fall. He is the son of Janet and
Elliot Ballen and the grandson of Gladys Blum. 
PARETZKY. Adina Paretzky of Edison graduated from Rae Kushner
Yeshiva High School, Livingston, on June 19, 2007. She received an award for excellent character. Along with her
group, Adina won the poster category at the Dominican College Psychology Research Symposium. She will study at
Midreshet Yeud in Israel next year and will attend Brandeis University in fall 2008. Parents are Leah
and Harvey Paretzky of Edison. Adina is the sister of Mordechai and Shoshana. Grandparents are Cicely Paretzky and
the late Rabbi Martin Partezky of Queens, N.Y., and the late Bernice and Stan Gibbs of Union.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah:
KOTZKER. Jennifer and Dr. Wayne Kotzker announce the bar mitzvah
of their son, Joseph, at Congregation Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, on July 28.
KROOPNICK. Rabbi Milton and Annette Kroopnick announce the bar mitzvah of their grandsom, Yochanan Margolin, in Susya, Israel.
RIVENSON. Fred and Janet Rivenson announce the bar mitzvah of
their son, Avi, on July 23 at Congregation Ohav Emeth, Highland Park.
Engagements:
EDELBLUM-ERDFARB. Marianne Erdfarb announces the engagement of her
grandson, Dov, to Rachel Edelblum.
Births:
GREENSPAN. Reena and Eliezer Greenspan of Congregation Ohr Torah,
Edison, announce the birth of a son to their children, Uri and Sorah Leah Greenspan.
SMITH. Simcha and Tamima Klerer, of Congregation Ohr Torah,
Edison, announce the birth of a daughter to their children, Stuart and Toby Smith.
Birthdays:
SEID. Min Seid, celebrating her 90th birthday.