Stars of David

December 20, 2007 - Michael Elkin, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Judge Sandra Mazer Moss

Just five more shopping days to ... Tuesday. Here's an honor for her honor that comes packaged in ribbons and rewards: Judge Sandra Mazer Moss took home the Philadelphia Bar Association's 2007 Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Distinguished Jurist Award for a career of carpe diem. ("Stars" figured he'd throw some Latin in to make the lawyers feel at home.) Among the Court of Common Pleas judge's many accomplishments, she was founder/initial supervising judge of the Complex Litigation Center and founding member/former chair of the State Judges Mass Tort Litigation Committee. That and others certainly make a case for her accolade.

JCHAI set sail with a terrific gala, honoring attorney Albert Ominsky at its "Navigating Independence," held at the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing. Ominsky is as shipshape a choice as can be found, truly dedicated to the gala's theme: His donation for the group's third home was an important one, but then, it's also named in memory of an important person in his life, his late wife: The Elaine Ominsky, Ph.D., House is now up and running.

Albert Ominsky

What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve? No question Dr. Todd Goldberg knows; he'll be getting his little black bag ready for the next day, when he assumes the position of director of geriatrics at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center and Charleston Area Medical Center, in Charleston, W.Va. After a decade as geriatric physician, geriatric fellowship director and medical director at a number of nursing homes while serving Albert Einstein Medical Center -- and nearly 20 years with Einstein and PGC -- the much-respected M.D. is prepping for some Southern fried brisket. Red Buttons always talked about big deals who never got a dinner; well, this big deal got not one, but three lunches in his honor: One from Einstein, another from Pauls Run Retirement, where he was med director, and ... the third? Maybe most meaningful -- from his Mom.

Isn't it -- Richman? Certainly, is: Estelle Richman, state secretary of welfare, was granted the Tikvah/AJMI Righteous Person Award at Temple Beth Hillel/Beth El in Wynnewood. It was all part of a Sweet 16 food fest at which Justice Sandra Schultz Newman served as chair of the luncheon honorary committee.

Lawyers, we got lawyers: What better New Year's resolution than trying to make the world a better place, legally speaking? Which is one reason Stephanie Resnick, co-chair of Fox Rothschild LLP's litigation department, is looking forward to Jan. 1. Another? Her position as chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association's board of governors begins that day.

Is that Lisa Appel on the current cover of Philly Fit Magazine? Yup, and it all fits in with her business combining gymnastics and a commitment to Yiddish education.

G men and women: That was some shindig the Govberg people threw last week for the opening of G, their Center City night spot. Guess everyone got home on time since Govberg has built a stellar national rep as design watchpiece pros.

For more than art's sake: Linda Dubin Garfield just returned from Israel on an AMIT leadership mission, where the former prexy of AMIT Philadelphia Council had her art shown and sold to benefit the org. "Works on Paper" worked for all at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem.

Main Line's Carl Moritz may very well be following in the fine footsteps of one of his fave actors, John Stamos. Why not -- he's got a full house of activity planned to show for it. Both started out as drummers, and now Lower Merion High's hunk has nabbed a leading part in the school's ambitious production of "Dancing at Lughnasa."

When Frances Ellis, now of Ewing, N.J., was a bookkeeper, wonder if she ever made book she'd be celebrating her 100th birthday today? The much adored Kiev native -- and one-time hospitality chairwoman of Temple Israel of Wynnefield -- is being feted on the big day by a family, including daughters Edith Robb and Anita Mossman, that may number in the hundreds itself. If the cake is as big as the number of accomplishments the centenarian has had through the decades, how will they ever fit it through the door?