Names in the News


Congregation Kehilat Shalom in Belle Mead announces the appointment of Rabbi Susan L. Falk. A native of Bergen County, Rabbi Falk received her BA in English literature from Barnard College, Columbia University, and her Rabbinic degree from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Prior to her appointment, Rabbi Falk served as the Hospice Director for the Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia. As a rabbinical student, she worked as Chaplain, taught Hebrew school, and for three years, served as the student rabbi for Congregation Beth Ahavath in Philadelphia. Before attending rabbinical school, Rabbi Falk directed a women's HIV/AIDS and health education program in New York City. In addition, Rabbi Falk gives talks and conducts workshops on how the Jewish tradition views environmentalism, illness, death, sex, and gender, classes on science versus religion, and a variety of other topics.

The American Jewish League for Israel is holding its 50th Anniversary celebration luncheon on Sunday, July 22 at Mendy's Restaurant at 61 East 34th St., New York City. The keynote speaker will be Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. Hoenlein has been an advisor to many political leaders, and has spoken internationally on Israel, Middle East affairs, Soviet Jewry, terrorism, inter-group relations, and anti-Semitism. AJLI will also salute the family members of the founders of the group, Louis Lipsky, Ezra Shapiro, and Judge Louis Levinthal.

The Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Mercer County held its annual meeting on June 5, 2007, during which several awards for distinguished community service were given. Florence Lipstein and Janice Gross were presented with the Tzedakah Award for their work with senior citizens in the Golden Age Club and the Kosher Cafe. Estelle Meltzer and Sue Rodney were given the Gemilut Chasadim Award for their work with the kosher food pantry and the Kosher Meals on Wheels program, respectively. Womanspace of Trenton was given the Kehillah Award.

For the twenty-first consecutive year, the Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel has selected a group of 26 high school students to be Bronfman Fellows. The Bronfman Fellows participate in an intensive five-week program of study and travel in Israel designed to develop future community leaders committed to Jewish unity. This year's Bronfman Fellows were selected from 12 U.S. states and Canada. Four of the 26 high school students are from New Jersey.

Ari Atkins from Montclair is a junior at Montclair High School, where he lettered in wrestling, played the viola in the school orchestra, and earned honors in various math, science, and language contests. He has participated in community service projects in Bolivia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. Atkins is a member of Congregation Shomrei Emunal in Montclair. He was recently admitted to Stanford University, where he plans to study environmental engineering, beginning in the fall of 2008. He plans to defer his studies so that he can travel and work in South America over the next year, following the Bronfman Fellowship.

Samy Belfer of Manalapan is a junior at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST), where he is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Skills USA, and Key Club, as well as a participant on his school's Ocean Bowl, Mock Trial, and Math teams. Belfer serves as vice president of the MAST Technology Student Association and has achieved first place in the state of New Jersey in the category of prepared presentation at the club's annual competition for the past three years. Belfer has maintained his Jewish connection through observance and his active involvement in the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY). He will serve as NCSY's Regional President in the upcoming year. Through these endeavors, Belfer has shown leadership and determination in planning and executing events.

Roberta Goldman of Woodcliff Lake is a junior at the Abraham Joshua Heschel High School in New York City, where she is an honors student, an elected officer of the Fairness Committee, a member of the Mock Trial and Debate teams, and an Ambassador on the Student admissions representatives. Goldman also sings with the Heschel a cappella group, the Heschel Harmonizers. She is a volunteer at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, where she works in the emergency room to comfort patients and families and assist medical staff. For the past six summers, Roberta attended Camp Modin, a Jewish sleep-away summer camp in Maine. This past summer, she served as a counselor in training for a bunk of ten-year-olds. Goldman and her family are members of Temple Emanuel.

Cody Yudkoff of Englewood is a junior at the Dwight Englewood School, which she has attended since seventh grade. Prior to that, she attended the Elisabeth Morrow School. She also attends Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies, a supplementary Hebrew school, on Sundays. She is a member of Temple Sinai of Bergen County, where she had her bat mitzvah and confirmation. She has attended their religious school since second grade. She is also an assistant teacher in their fourth grade class, and a student in their post confirmation program. Last summer, Yudkoff worked in their religious school office.