Month: February 2020

Congregation Beth El in Voorhees Receives Support from the Investors Foundation Grant Program

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ

–

A $15,000 grant from the Investors Bank’s Foundation is helping Congregation Beth El complete safety and security projects at its Voorhees campus.

Representatives from Investors Bank recently presented a check from the Investors Foundation for $15,000 to Congregation Beth El in Voorhees. Pictured from left, Investors Bank Voorhees branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, Investors Bank assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager Barry Epps, Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster, Investors Bank’s senior vice president business lending Christopher P. Warren, Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick, Associate Rabbi Andy Green, Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro, and Congregation Beth El Board President Karen Schlessel.

Congregation Beth El applied for the grant from the Investors Bank Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank.

Congregation Beth El has a rich history in southern New Jersey, beginning with its organization in the Parkside section of Camden in late 1920. The congregation grew significantly over the next 50 years, requiring a move to a larger facility in the late 1960s, and then onto the current location in Voorhees in 2009.

Congregation Beth El is an egalitarian Conservative Synagogue of more than 800 families and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

It

seeks to create a unique, shared space where everyone can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community.

Investors Bank’s Christopher P. Warren, senior vice president business lending; Barry Epps, assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager; and branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, presented the check to the leadership of Congregation Beth El.

“We are proud to present Congregation Beth El with this grant in support of its efforts to ensure the safety of its members,” said Warren. “Everyone should feel secure in their ability to participate in worship, education, and the other activities available through Congregation Beth El.”

Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster said, “We are grateful to Investors Bank Foundation for providing the necessary funds to increase security at Beth El. With their support, we were able to implement new protocols offering additional protection to our education programs.

”

“I know I speak for the leadership of our congregation when I say that Investors Bank is aptly named,” exclaimed Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick. “They are investing in our shared future by helping to make our children, and their parents, safe and comfortable here at our school. Our children are our future, and we are proud to be investing in them together.”

“Investors Bank believes in supporting organizations and activities that strengthen the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Epps. “Congregation Beth El plays an important role in our community and we believe we have an obligation to support its efforts.”

About the Investors Foundation

Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. The Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. The Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With nearly $27 billion in assets and a network of more than 145 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s banking services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses.

Investors Bank: Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

About Congregation Beth El

Congregation Beth El seeks to create a unique, shared space where members can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community. Grounded in ex

ploration of Jewish tradition, text, and ritual, Beth El aspires to enrich the lives of its members to celebrate Conservative Judaism at its creative best, and to bring Jews closer to God, Torah and Israel. Congregation Beth El is proud to say it is a community of communities. The congregation is diverse and robust, with many people from many different walks of life. Congregation Beth El welcomes all levels of background and knowledge. For more information, please go to

www.bethelsnj.org.

Behind The Diocese Of Harrisburg Bankruptcy

By Bill Donohue | CNBNews Contributor

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on

the decision of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to declare bankruptcy

:

In 2018, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro unethically released a grand jury report on Catholic priests and lay people who were accused of sexually abusing minors decades ago—most were never found guilty and some successfully contested the public release of their name (the Catholic League filed an amicus brief in this victory in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court)—the result of which was to spur a debate over suspending the statute of limitations.

The debate has been just as political as the cherry picking of the Catholic Church in seeking a grand jury probe. Last year a state appeals court allowed a case to go forward against the Altoona-Johnstown diocese despite the fact that it was time barred by the statute of limitations. The case is currently being appealed but in the meantime similar cases are being filed.

Similar cases against which institutions? Pennsylvania Rep. Mark Rozzi, who is leading the charge to suspend the statute of limitations, is quoted in the Washington Post as saying it is not just priests who have victimized minors. He mentions \”Amish and Mennonite abusers, schoolteachers, pediatricians, Boy Scout leaders, Penn State\’s Jerry Sandusky, Bill Cosby.\”

Rozzi\’s list is incomplete. He left out many other secular and religious institutions, and he never mentioned the fact that most sexual abuse occurs in the home. And what exactly has he done about it? For example, why has he not lobbied to remove the obscene protections afforded the public schools in Pennsylvania? They are shielded by the doctrine of sovereign immunity: a student has to make a claim within 90 days of the alleged abuse, otherwise the clock runs out.

There are discussions now to include the public schools, but why didn\’t Rozzi demand they be included years ago? Just as important, where are the claims being made against the public schools now that an appeals court is saying that students who were victimized decades ago can proceed in court?

Shapiro is quoted in the Washington Post as saying the Catholic Church \”has refused to reform.\” That is a bald face lie: no institution has undertaken more reforms, with more positive results, than the Church.

When Shapiro released his grand jury report, we found that in the Diocese of Harrisburg, 71 persons were named: 42 were dead and four were missing. Most of those who were still alive were no longer in ministry. In August, the diocese paid 106 people $12 million in compensation; five more settlements have since been reached.

There is a reason the Diocese of Harrisburg filed for bankruptcy the day after the Boy Scouts of America did: both have been targeted by lawyers who have a profound hatred of institutions that promote traditional moral values. It is incontestable that no religious organization is known for doing this more than the Catholic Church, and no secular organization can rival the Boy Scouts on this score.

Beginning in the mid-1960s, both the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts dropped their guard and succumbed to a more secular vision of sexuality; it lasted roughly until the early-1980s. They both paid a big price for it. But other religious entities were just as guilty, to say nothing of the public schools. Why are they not filing for bankruptcy? This has nothing to do with kids not being raped by teachers: it has to do with politics. There is no comparable animus against these organizations.

The hypocrisy is serious but not as serious as the injustice: to single out the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts is moral profiling. This is no less invidious than racial profiling.

Coast Guard Commandant highlights achievements and new initiatives in 2020 address

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz meritoriously advances Petty Officers 2nd Class Nathan Newberg and Emily Ford to first class petty officers during the 2020 State of the Coast Guard Address in Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 20, 2020. The Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP) is an existing program that allows senior leaders to recognize and advance exceptional active duty and reserve enlisted members. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lisa Ferdinando)

RELATED:

FACE OF DEFENSE

AMERICAN HERO

WASHINGTON – The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard outlined the vision for the service and highlighted the accomplishments of its people during the 2020 State of the Coast Guard Address in Charleston, S.C.

During his annual address, Adm. Karl Schultz reflected on the organization’s successes over the past year and the Fiscal Year 2021 President’s Budget Request. He also outlined plans to expand the Coast Guard’s footprint in the Charleston area by homeporting five National Security Cutters and potentially becoming a future home of the service’s Offshore Patrol Cutter, currently under construction.

“Charleston is a first stop to nationwide investment in our service, our facilities, and our people,” Adm. Schultz told attendees Thursday. “To serve the communities in which we live, we need early adopters like you here today.”

The service chief provided updates on the acquisition timeline for the Polar Security Cutter and Offshore Patrol Cutter. Along with these acquisition updates, the Coast Guard will restore hurricane-damaged facilities in South Carolina and seek to expand its operations based in the “Lowcountry.” The Coast Guard is currently carrying a nearly $2 billion shore infrastructure backlog, and in one example, he explained how flooding affected operations at Coast Guard Station Niagara, New York, which was pumping more than 200,000 gallons of water from its facility daily last spring.

“Every mission begins and ends at a Coast Guard facility,” said Adm. Schultz. “Unfortunately, due to years of flat-line budgets forcing tradeoffs, the facilities that our men and women deploy from and return to are crumbling around them.”

Adm. Schultz shared his vision for talent management in the Service. Specifically, he outlined several personnel initiatives to recruit and retain a highly-skilled workforce. This includes a Coast Guard underrepresented minority study to better understand recruiting and retention dynamics and a Coast Guard Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to foster a more inclusive culture. He announced a workforce readiness website, called “My Coast Guard,” delegated meritorious advancement authority to field commanders, and expanded the enlisted Marine Inspector Training Program.

“Talent management is both our most pressing challenge and our greatest opportunity,” said Schultz flanked by Coast Guard servicemembers. “That is why I believe wholesale investment will enable our talented people to carry out their missions across the maritime domain today and tomorrow.”

During the address, he meritoriously advanced Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Newberg of Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Georgia, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Emily Ford of Coast Guard Operation Bahamas, Turks, and Caicos in Nassau, Bahamas. Adm. Schultz also recognized numerous Coast Guard members for their stellar performance “

Stories Behind the State of the Coast Guard

.”

The Coast Guard’s enduring and specialized role in the Indo-Pacific was also highlighted. The service will expand its permanent presence in the region through expeditionary capability, work with its partner nations to address the security challenges in the region, and build capacity and capability.

The Commandant rolled out the service’s “Tech Revolution” road map, a detailed plan to update the Coast Guard’s 1990s-era hardware, software, and analytics. He also described the need to strengthen service innovation initiatives and accelerate implementation of the best ideas servicewide to field commanders. These include the marine inspector mobility application

INSPECT

, partnering with Global Fish Watch to combat illegal fishing, linking to the DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit in Silicon Valley, and the establishment of the Blue Technology Center of Expertise at the University of California San Diego.

Other initiatives discussed were the Coast Guard’s Cyber Strategy, improving cutter connectivity, and modernizing the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s information technology capabilities.

To read the entire speech go to

www.uscg.mil/AlwaysReady

.

RELATED:

FACE OF DEFENSE

AMERICAN HERO

Prayers Coming Your Way! Lower Township Police Officer Kenny Walker diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Lower Township–Police Officer Kenny Walker was diagnosed Tuesday, February 11, 2020 with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). That same day he was transferred from Cape Regional Medical Center to UPenn Hospital in Pennsylvania and immediately began chemotherapy treatment.

The word \”acute\” denotes the disease\’s rapid progression. It\’s called myelogenous leukemia because it affects a group of white blood cells also called the myeloid cells, which normally develop into various typ

es of mature blood cells, such as red and white blood cells, as well as platelets.

AML can sometimes spread to other parts of the body including lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Please keep Kenny and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Donations can be made at

GOFUNDME:

Address/Location

Lower Township Police Department

405 Breakwater Rd

Cape May, NJ 08204

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 609-886-1619

NJ Residents Playing for Kutztown University 2020 Baseball Team

KUTZTOWN, PA (02/20/2020)– Kutztown University will have 26 student-athletes representing its baseball program for the 2020 season.

The Golden Bears opened their season last weekend, Feb. 15-16, with a four-game split against Chowan University (NC). The wins gave first-year head coach Eric Folmar his first win as a head man in his collegiate debut as a head coach.

Kutztown will next compete Saturday, Feb. 29, at Ohio Dominican for two games beginning at 1 p.m., followed by a game Sunday, March 1, at noon.

Baseball website

Collin Bishop of Clementon (08021)

Connor Teschko of Lumberton (08048)

About Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia.

As the region\’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU\’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery. KU students select from more than 100 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU\’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 21 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status.

For more information, please visit us at

www.kutztown.edu

.

Fairy Godmother\’s Boutique Fashion Show

DETAILS:

DATE: Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 4 PM – 8 PM

LOCATION:  Elizabeth\’s Ballroom, 419 Highland Blvd.

Gloucester City

, 08030

Tickets are limited, and will not be sold at the door.

Ticket donation is 40.00. Tickets include a buffet dinner, a fashion show and a basket auction.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS

TICKET RESERVATION

Pemberton Township Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Causing Friend\’s Death

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ (February 21, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 22-year-old Pemberton Township man was sentenced today to four years in New Jersey state prison for driving impaired and causing a 2018 crash in Woodland Township that killed a friend who was traveling in his vehicle.

Donald Shinn, who pled guilty in December 2019 to Vehicular Homicide (Second Degree), must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. His driver’s license will be suspended for five years following his release from prison.

The investigation began on December 22, 2018 just after 3 a.m., when New Jersey State Police Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash on County Road 563.

The investigation revealed that Shinn’s Toyota Tundra left the roadway and struck several trees after attempting to illegally pass another vehicle. Cody Watson, 20, of Pemberton Township, was seated in the front passenger’s seat and was pronounced dead at the scene. Shinn was treated for moderate injuries at a local hospital. A third passenger seated in the rear of the vehicle declined to accept medical treatment.

Toxicology tests performed on blood drawn from Shinn following the crash indicated his blood alcohol concentration at the time was .12%.

Assistant Prosecutor Josh Dennis, supervisor of the BCPO Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit, said the fatal accident had a devastating effect on multiple people.

“The loss to the Watson family is unimaginable,” AP Dennis told the court before sentencing. “So very tragic, and permanent. One simple decision was made by the defendant, and that changed everything for the Watson family, and for everyone who knew and loved Cody, including the defendant himself, who was his very close friend.”

Oaklyn Bank Robbed Today; Can You ID This Man?

Camden City, N.J. (February 22, 2020)–– A search is underway for a man who robbed the TD Bank on the 1100 block of White Horse Pike shortly before noon Feb. 22, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Oaklyn Police Chief Mark Moore.

Surveillance footage shows the man enter the parking lot in a white SUV before backing into a parking spot. Detectives said he entered the bank and waited in line before passing a note to the teller demanding money.

According to police, the man left in the same white SUV with an undisclosed amount of money.

He’s described as a black male last seen wearing acid-washed blue jeans, a black hoodie, dark brown jacket, red winter hat, white sneakers and black glasses carrying a black bag.

Anyone with information on his identity is asked to contact Oaklyn Police Detective Paul Mason at 856-739-6083 or Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Mike Batista at 856-676-8175.

Tips may also be emailed to

ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org

.

CNB HUNTING/FISHING DELAWARE: Register for mandatory wild turkey hunting courses

DOVER (Feb., 2020) – With Delaware’s annual spring wild turkey hunting season approaching, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education

Program reminds both resident and non-resident hunters

age 13 and older that they must pass a Division-Approved turkey hunting course before they can legally hunt turkeys in the First State. Also, hunters age 13 and older born after Jan. 1, 1967, must have completed an approved basic hunter education safety course and have a course card/number. These hunter education requirements have collectively helped Delaware turkey hunters achieve an excellent hunting safety record.

Registration is now open for one-day turkey hunting courses offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by the Division of Fish & Wildlife at the following locations in Kent, New Castle, and Sussex counties:

·         Kent County – Saturday, March 7, Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center, 3018 Bayside Drive, Dover, DE 19901

·         New Castle County – Saturday, March 14, Ommelanden Hunter/Trapper Education Training Center and Range, 1205 River Road, New Castle, DE 19720

·         Sussex County – Sunday, March 29, Lewes Fire Department, Station #2 at Nassau, 32198 Janice Road, Lewes, DE 19958

Delaware’s turkey hunter education course teaches turkey hunting safety, as well as the state’s current wild turkey hunting laws and regulations. Students also learn about Delaware’s wild turkey history, as well wild turkey biology and behavior, and turkey calling that can help improve turkey hunting success. While required for all hunters age 13 and older, youth 10 through 12 years of age can also take the course.

Successful completion of the course enables students to obtain their Delaware Turkey Hunter Safety Card or have the turkey course certification added to their Delaware Hunter Education Card. Proof of both basic hunter education and turkey hunting safety certification must be carried while in the field turkey hunting.

Students planning to attend one of the turkey courses must register in advance. To register for a course, click

Hunter Education Online Access

. After logging in, click “Sign me up” and select “Mandatory Turkey Ed.” Students may also contact the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1, to register or for additional information.

Delaware’s 2020 wild turkey season will run from Saturday, April 11 through Saturday, May 9, excluding Sundays, with a youth/non-ambulatory disabled turkey hunt on Saturday, April 4. For more information on wild turkey hunting in Delaware, click on

2019-2020 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide

. The guide is also available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and from

license agents

throughout the state.

You\’re Invited: Rally for Progress 2020

BLACKWOOD, NJ–Congressman Donald Norcross is holding a rally to kick-off his 2020

campaign on February 29 at the Camden County College, Blackwood campus. The event is being held in the Papiano Gymnasium. Doors open at 1PM, event begins at 1:30PM. S

Special guests include NJ Governor Phil Murphy and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

\”Donald Trump says South Jersey is \”Trump Country\” – Let\’s prove him wrong\”, said Norcross.

Admission is free but RSVP is required – Click here!