Stars of David

November 12, 2009 - Michael Elkin, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Reach out -- they'll be there. You don't have to be a Four Tops fan -- or remember the Latin Casino, for that matter -- to know that Gladwyne's Debra J. Poul and Leonard P. Goldberger are obvious choices as "champions of Jewish outreach" and among just a quintet of couples to be honored Nov. 16 when the Jewish Outreach Institute holds its tribute gala at the Museum of Jewish Heritage -- a Living Memorial to the Holocaust, in New York.

Mural, mural on the wall/that's really some mitzvah project after all: Perri Specter has created "Community of Hope," a massive art piece, in collaboration with Delia Kin and the homeless women and children of Drueding Center/Project Rainbow, of Holy Redeemer Health System, as part of her Bat Mitzvah project of community good work.

This adds up: David P. Smeltzer of Aqua America Corp. was announced as winner/ large company category in the Philadelphia Business Journal's 2009 "CFO of the Year Awards." Talk about your glass half-full. ... CPA Gary S. Weisband is now a board member of the Ardmore Business Association.

Dr. Richard Goldberg

20/20 talent: Retired ophthalmologist Dr. Richard Goldberg of Huntingdon Valley turns his eye to art these days (in a much acclaimed way), and his latest exhibit begins this weekend in the unusually titled -- did I see this correctly? -- "Tire to the Road, Sun to the Glass, Paint to the Canvas." It all reflects his show, accompanied by the fused glass art of Jerilee A. Nichols and the stained glass of Morgan Bockius Studios, in Perkasie. And the "Tire to the Road"? Vroom for one more: Ragtops and Roadsters, next door to the studios, will be offering tours of their vintage Brit autos in conjunction with the exhibit. Oh, how far-sighted you are, Richard!

Medicine man: Dr. Frederick S. Kaplan, the Isaac & Rose Nassau Professor of Orthopaedic Molecular Medicine, as well as chief of the Division of Molecular Orthopaedic Medicine at the U. of P.'s med school, has been named a member of the renowned Institute of Medicine. Two stethoscopes up for the good doc!

Sarah A. Tishkoff

Maybe it's in the gene pool at the school: Penn geneticist Sarah A. Tishkoff has been honored with a Pioneer Award from the National Institutes of Health.

They put Jason Goodman under a microscope and found a major player: The microbiology major has been named the 2009 Co-op Student of the Year, an honor under the aegis of the Penn State University Eberly College of Science.

In the swim -- that's Dr. Michael Matz of Elkins Park who recently showed his mastery in the age 45-49 bracket at the U.S. National Masters Swimming Championships in Indianapolis, part of two relays that netted medals. Next year in Jerusalem? Well, no. Next year he's headed to the nationals in San Juan.

Leave all the driving to Alan Glickman? The New Hope resident is now in the driver's seat: CEO of Starr Transit Co. Inc., he's been named chair of the American Bus Association strategic safety committee. Very nice, Alan, now keep your eyes on the road (not that they'd be anywhere else!)

Here's a recent college grad able to pay the "Rent." Wynnewood's Michael Bihovsky, son of Anita and Ron Bihovsky, got a degree from New York University and has landed a job as one of the New York "bohemians" in an early 2010 Hackensack Theatre Company production of the award-winning musical. (Hey, unlike the characters on stage, he's actually got a job!)