Temple Sholom and friends dance the night away
On Dec. 6, Temple Sholom, Scotch Plains/Fanwood, hosted an evening of live music and dancing at the first ever Sholom Rocks! fundraising event, held at the Fanwood Presbyterian Church.
Outside it was cold and snowy, but inside the party was heating up with music from popular Scotch Plains cover band Rewind, which plays a variety of classic rock, pop and soul music from the 60s through the 90s. Attendees danced, sang along to music from the movie "Grease," enjoyed delicious desserts, and spent time getting to know each other.
"Everyone had a wonderful time at the fundraiser. We danced, we sang, we met new people and we listened to some fantastic rock and roll," says Marjorie Wachtel, who organized the event with Nan Fechtner. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund day-to-day temple operations, future social, cultural and religious events, and the many community service programs the temple sponsors or supports.
Local intellectual property attorney protects his own work
Attorneys who specialize in intellectual property know first-hand the importance of protecting original works. Arthur M. Peslak, Freehold, a partner in the law firm of Mandel and Peslak, Freehold, has created and produced an original 2009 calendar, combining his expertise as intellectual property attorney with his experience as nature photographer.
The calendar features birds Peslak photographed throughout the United States. Peslak also photographs other nature subjects, such as flowers, animals, butterflies, and natural settings.
Peslak's interest in photography began in the 1980s when he was looking for a hobby. "Technically, photography was more difficult then. Now that digital photography and auto focus cameras are popular, taking pictures is infinitely easier. I have instant photographic feedback."
Peslak took a first place in the Star Ledger's photo contest (nature category) in 2006, earned an honorable mention in 2005 in a National Wildlife Federation photography contest and has had images featured in the North American Nature Photography Association's annual showcase of images in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Twenty years ago, Peslak used a 35mm manual focus. Now, Peslak uses a Nikon Digital SLR with a variety of Nikon lenses from a 16-35mm wide angle zoom up to a 600mm lens for bird photography. (View the photographs at www.natureimagesbyart.com.)
In 1998, Peslak joined with Lawrence Mandel, Lakewood, to form Mandel and Peslak, a Freehold law firm that specializes in intellectual property matters, such as the licensing, protection, and litigation of copyrights, patents, and trademarks. "With the popularity of the Internet, protecting one's intellectual property and assets on the Web is of utmost importance," Peslak said. "And all photography needs to be protected." As a photographer, himself, Peslak offers advice to other independent and freelancer photographers, counseling them about what to do when someone infringes on their rights.
Peslak is a member of N.J. Audubon Society. He holds a certificate in professional photography from the New York Institute of Photography; and is a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, the North America Nature Photography Association (NANPA), and Naturescapes.net. His photos have appeared in Nature Photographer Magazine, Birders World.com, and Naturescapes.net.
Peslak is also a member of SCORE Chapter 36 of Monmouth County, a non-profit organization that offers help to business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Peslak was admitted to N.J. State Bar in 1989. He has been a member of New York and U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, District of New Jersey; U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal, Second and Third Circuits since 1990. Peslak has been a member of N.Y. Intellectual Property Law Association since 1989; and in 1993, he became a Registered Patent Attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He has also been a member of the N.J. Intellectual Property Law Association and the American Property Law Association since 1993. He is an alumnus of both Rutgers University and Rutgers University School of Law.
Anyone who would like a complimentary copy of this year's calendar (plus the cost of postage) can contact Arthur Peslak at (732) 761-1610.
Convocation honors cantor for dedicated service
Hazzan Murray E. Simon, cantor at the Jewish Center of Princeton, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music degree at the Jewish Theological Seminary's Convocation honoring members of the Cantors Assembly (CA) on Dec. 9 in New York City.
A total of 31 cantors who have served the Jewish community in Canada, Israel, and the U.S. with distinction received honorary doctorates at the gala event.
The CA is the largest organization of hazzanim worldwide. The official placement agency for hazzanim in the Conservative movement, the CA sets and maintains the highest standards of professional competence and ethics.
Professor Arnold Eisen, Chancellor of JTS, and Dr. Alan Cooper, provost, conferred the honorary degrees and delivered the convocation address. Hazzan Henry Rosenblum, Dean of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music, served as sponsor of the honorary degree candidates. Hazzan Joseph Gole, cantor of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, president of the Cantors Assembly, and a member of the JTS Board of Trustees, delivered remarks on behalf of the honorees.
Open House at the JCC in Bridgewater on Jan. 11
The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center (JCC) located at 775 Talamini Road in Bridgewater, will be holding a membership, preschool and camp Open House on Sunday, Jan. 11, 1-4 p.m. Staff will be available, tours of the JCC will be given, and guests are invited to swim in the indoor pool, shoot hoops in the gymnasium, and participate in class demos.
Any new member who joins the JCC at the Jan. 11 Open House will have the joiner fee waived, saving up to $200. Any new camp registration will save up to $100. Some restrictions apply. Additional details on memberships are posted at www.ssbjcc.org or call (908) 725-6994 ext. 201.
Comedian Yisrael Campbell comes to Highland Park
Yisrael Campbell and his hilarious one-man show will be making a special appearance in our area Wednesday night Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. "An Evening with Yisrael Campbell" starring the comedian once known as Christopher Campbell tells his amazing story of how he evolved from his Italian-Irish upbringing to life as an Orthodox Jew. Now, after three conversions, Yisrael Campbell is living in Israel, and in this show, he talks about his step-by-step journey starting with his younger wild theatrical days through his encounters with each facet of Judaism as he progressed from being the nephew of a nun to Orthodox Judaism. Join us at HPCT-CAE at 201 South Third Avenue in Highland Park for this special one night appearance. Tickets are $38 paid in advance, or $45 at the door. Proceeds will go to the temple's Livnot fund, which raises money to rebuild our synagogue, which was badly damaged by fire two years ago. For more information please call the temple at (732) 545-6482, or email at NateK917@msn.com.