Stars of David

June 11, 2009 - Michael Elkin, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Gentle Jewish bikers, start your engines! Gentle Jewish bikers? Yup, you never heard a Jewish guy named Harley? Or better yet, meet up with Louis Nemtsov, who defies all stereotypes and takes on challenges with a great spirit that comes from being an easy rider (only in the best way possible). It all happens June 14, when "Star to Star Ride and Motorcycle Show" finds some moving vroom right at Shir Ami in Newtown as hundreds of motorcycle mavens from Jewish biking clubs up and down and around the nation will gather to put pedal to their mettle as a benefit for the Bucks County Friends of Magen David Adom. AFMDA and Star of David Bikers -- hey, that phrase sounds eerily familiar -- are co-sponsoring this event of big wheels and deals. Mark Melmed (215-968-0615) and Howard Lander (215-860-1511) are handling the phone lines for info. And as for stereotypes: Jewish bikers? As Henry Winkller might have said as the Fonz: "Ayyyy!"

Ira Brind

When you Wistar upon a "Star": The Brind brand of communal service has always been known as one of excellence, and now Ira Brind, president of his own investment firm, will be honored with the Wistar Award at the institute's gala this fall at the Rittenhouse.

Doctor, Doctor! Dr. D. Walter Cohen, dean emeritus, School of Dental Medicine, U. of P., probably doesn't have a problem filling any cavity in his awards closet -- there have been so many over the years. Add another one: The good doc's just been granted a Doctor of Hebrew Laws, Honoris Causa, "in recognition of his many contributions to medicine, dentistry and the academic community" by Drexel U.'s College of Medicine.

Sherrie Turetsky has been named director of the Temple Beth Torah School of Early Learning at Old York Road Temple-Beth Am in Abington. "Stars" calls dibs on the jumper!

Dr. D. Walter Cohen

Oh, what a night! That was the Tony Awards presentation Sunday from Radio City Music Hall in what had to be the best production in the past decade. That Doogie Howser (some know him as Neil Patrick Harris) sure knows how to operate with a funny line. Helping to rev it up a notch or three (falsetto voice being what it is) was Meadowbrook's Jarrod Spector, who took part in a special number featuring all the Frank Vallis of the national, international and Broadway (Spector) productions. Walk like a man, walk like a "Star"

He's got -- chemistry! Central High cherished teacher Alan Bronstein of Elkins Park has been honored with the National Freida J. Riley Teachers Award from the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, which annually salutes "an educator who has overcome a physical disability, taught in a challenging environment or who has performed a heroic act by making a sacrifice on behalf of students." At the ceremony at West Virginia U., Iva Dean, sister of the award's late namesake, saluted Bronstein, confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed since an auto accident 14 years ago.

Jarrod Spector

Shalom, Shaloman! Artist Al Wiesner sends his comic-book character out with a grand "K" (no, not Kryptonite) as the "Kosher Crusader" concludes his 20-year Jewish heroics in the final issue with an appearance by appearance by

President Derek Montana?

Letters from camp: Rabbi Jeff Eisenstat, founding director, Camp JRF, is being saluted by the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation for "outstanding work and unending efforts to develop strongly identified Reconstructionist Jewish youth." Throw another log on the bonfire: He's been named the new director of special initiatives for the Recon org.

Singing his praises: Cantor Eliot Vogel of Har Zion Temple is the recipient of the Hazzan David J. Putterman Cantorial Leadership Award, to be given by the Jewish Theological Seminary at its annual community-wide awards dinner on June 15 at the Penn Valley synagogue. Also on the honors menu: Thomas E. Biron and Alan S. Nadel, to be handed the Shin Award.

Singing her praises: At its "Evening With the Academy of Vocal Arts Honoring Marcy Bacine," Germantown Jewish Centre featured and feted the longtime active congregant for all the headline work she does. Appropriate to think of her as a "roll model"? Sure. After all, she's also known as the center's "Challah Lady."