Stars of David

Where there's hope, there's -- HaZamir! The local branch of the international Jewish high school choir -- under the musical guidance of Dr. Marsha Bryan Edelman -- starts its Bat Mitzvah season (you should see that ice sculpture of a B flat) with open rehearsals Sunday afternoon, Sept. 23, at the Jewish Community High School at Gratz College in Melrose Park. The site is not exactly unfamiliar turf for Edelman; she's a music prof at Gratz College.

Shelf life: Carole Le Faivre-Rochester, a former nun who converted to Judaism in 1989, has been named new prexy of the Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center. Hers is a well-documented case of achievement; her extensive credits include serving as an editor at the American Philosophical Society.

Kal Rudman

You may not want to mention the word "coup" in the jittery region of the Mideast, but, in conjunction with "The ZOA Middle East Report," it was exactly that last month -- of the nonmilitary kind, of course. Steve Feldman, exec director of the Greater Philly District of the Zionist Organization of America, reports that "to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the First Zionist Congress, which took place in Basel, Switzerland, on Aug. 29, 1897 and was led by Austrian Theodor Herzl, the show featured live interviews with Zionist leaders from Switzerland, Austria, Russia ... and Venezuela ... to get a taste of Zionism in those nations today." Over and out at 1540 AM WNWR Radio? Over and in!

You don't need a crystal set to hear it loud and clear: When it comes to music appreciation week, no one's stronger than Kal Rudman. The "man with the golden ears" has made a gold mine in the music mag biz and is all about giving so much of it away in philanthropic pursuits, abetted by his wife Lucille. To that end, he received an honorary doctorate at commencement exercises for Drexel University's College of Media Arts and Design, College of Information Science and Technology and the Goodwin College of Professional Studies. Imagine, Dr. Golden Ears -- who knew Rudman would become an otolaryngologist of the airwaves?

Now hear this: Jon Parker of West Trenton, N.J., has been named incoming board prexy of Abrams Hebrew Academy. See you on the R3, Jon!

Joy E. Pollock

Just look at her now: Elizabeth Shammash, hailed as one of "10 Women to Watch in 5762" by Jewish Woman, is watching it all come together beautifully this year as she's been named the new cantor at Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell.

It all adds up for Rachel Schwartz, a junior at the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, just named a winner of the Rensselaer Paul and Kathleen Severino Future Leaders Award for her multiple talents in math and science, as well as her leadership qualities, by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

A future leader now: Attorney Joy E. Pollock of Meadowbrook has been voted in to her second term as national veepee, Hadassah, as well as named chair of its national constitution committee.

Robert and Sherrie Savette Rovner

From Israel with -- business! Palram Americas, a subsidiary of Palram Industries, Inc., of Israel, has announced a $10.6 mil enhancement of its North American branch, set right here in Kutztown. That's a Kutztown fare with its own excitement.

Glass half-full? Over the top for Robert and Sherrie Savette Rovner, named winners of the Emerging Collectors Award to be handed out next month as part of the Glass Now Awards ceremony at the National Liberty Museum, which will also auction off a Chihuly sculpture during the two-day soirée. Hope the winner isn't someone named Butterfingers.