Daniel Drench Architect of Local Jewish Federation, Dies

Jewish philanthropist, B'nai Abraham member was responsible for merger leading to establishment of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ.

Daniel Drench, a member of Temple B'nai Abraham in Livingston, who was a past president of United Jewish Federation of Morris-Sussex and an architect of the merger between the group and the Jewish Community Federation of Metropolitan New Jersey, a pre-cursor to United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, died April 5, a published report said Tuesday. Drench, 91, was a businessman who displayed his love of Israel through his wide array of philanthropic activities including serving as leader of the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest, JCC MetroWest and the Jewish Historical Society of which he was a founding member, according to a NJJewishnews.com report. In addition, he served as chair of Israel Bonds and was a member of the Lester …

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Temple B'nai Abraham Mourns the Loss of Rabbi Barry Friedman

Rabbi Friedman had been a part of the synagogue since 1959.

Rabbi Emeritus Barry Friedman, who served as spiritual leader of Temple B’nai Abraham from 1977-1999 passed away on Monday.  He was 78 years old. Rabbi Friedman had been involved with Temple B'nai Abraham since 1959.  He joined the synogogue as Youth Director and teacher before his travels took him to Fairmount Temple, just outside of Cleveland, where he became an assistant Rabbi to Rabbi Arthur Lelyveld.  Friedman returned to Livingston in 1968 and rejoined the synogogue as an Associate Rabbi to Dr. Joachim Prinz.  Friedman was promoted to Senior Rabbi in 1977 and then Rabbi Emeritus in 1999. A Philadelphia native, Rabbi Friedman received his BA and BHL degrees at Yeshiva University. He studied at Machon L’Madrichai Chutz La’Aretz in …

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Family and Friends Remember Local Hero

Alex Teves' father says guns too easy to obtain, blames media focus on accused shooter James Holmes.

Dark Knight shooting hero Alex Teves, who lived in Verona until his family moved to Phoenix 11 years ago, was cremated Tuesday, his family told several news outlets. Teves, 24, was with his girlfriend Amanda Lindgren at the Aurora, Colo. movie theater last Friday when the shooting began at the premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises” and he pushed her to the ground before throwing himself on top of her when gunman James Holmes opened fire. Twelve people were killed and 59 injured in the incident. A memorial service for Teves will be held in New Jersey, but not right now, Teves’ aunt Barbara Slivinske of East Brunswick told The Star-Ledger. “At this point, it probably won’t be for a few weeks,” she told the newspaper Thursday afternoon. Alex’s …

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Neighbors Remember Local Dark Knight Hero

Alex Teves recalled as a nice boy and good student who loved Star Wars.

Though Alex Teves moved out of Verona eleven years ago when he 13, his neighbors remember the Dark Knight shooting hero as a nice boy and a good student who loved Star Wars. Mitch Martin purchased his home from the Teves family in 2001 and has lived in the house ever since.  “I spoke to them about moving to Phoenix and all the usual anxieties that come with moving across the country,” said Martin. “They were very nice people and seemed like very good parents.” He recalls Alex not being too thrilled to have strangers look through his house and would not let anyone look in his bedroom.  “The kids tried to obstruct us from entering their rooms, but it was in a friendly childish sort of way,” he said.  He recalls during his conversations with …

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Jersey Newspaper Pioneer Dead At 99

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Reita Greenstone, Former Essex County Freeholder

Lived in Livingston, two-time board member who lobbied for women's and senior's rights, mental health issues.

Dick Clark Dead At 82: Ringing In 2013 Won't Be The Same

Clark was often called "the world's oldest teenager" because of his youthful appearance

  Dick Clark, who brought rock and roll to the masses as the longtime host of "American Bandstand," is dead after suffering a heart attack, according to several news reports. The always smiling 82 year-old TV producer and host had been at St. John's Hospital in Los Angeles after undergoing an outpatient procedure on Tuesday, according to TMZ. Clark reportedly suffered the heart attack following the procedure and died on Wednesday after failed attempts to resuscitate him. The Mount Vernon, New York-born Clark endured a long list of health troubles over the years and had a stroke in 2004 that caused him to retire as host of "New Years' Rockin' Eve," the show he created in 1972. Although Ryan Seacrest took over as host, Clark made brief …

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Obituary: Allan "Rich" McAllister

A blogger for Patch and local volunteer passed away on Sunday.

[UPDATED: April 10 at 9:05 a.m. to include viewing, funeral arrangements] Allan "Rich" McAllister, 51, passed away on Sunday, April 8.  Rich wrote an inspirational blog for the Verona/Cedar Grove Patch, in which he described his life and the struggles he has faced. He was a quadriplegic, who lost his legs below his knees, the use of his hands, wrists and lower arms, as well as 60 percent of this throat but persevered. In one post, "Four Years Later, Here I Am", he details "496 straight days in three hospitals, two rehabilitation facilities, 22 operations and approximately $15 million dollars." But being a disabled person was far from all of who he was. McAllister was also a well-known local volunteer, including his work with the Cedar …

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Fran Hopkins

4:58 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012

I am shocked and so sad to hear of Rich's death. His blog on the Verona-Cedar Grove Patch lifted my spirits many times when I felt down. In fact, I was ashamed of myself when I'd get discouraged by relatively trivial things (I'm unemployed and write a blog about it on Patch) because of Rich's courage and determination in the face of far greater difficulties. He generously shared these gifts with …   more ›

Local Officials Remember Congressman Donald Payne

The congressman died this morning at the age of 77.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: Mary Pat and I offer our condolences to the Payne family on the loss of Congressman Payne. He was a leader with great compassion for every person he had the honor of representing. He was a great role model for every person in New Jersey who aspires to public service. He was a true gentlemen and we considered him a friend.   State Assemblywoman Mila Jasey: I am deeply saddened by the loss of Congressman Payne and my sincerest sympathies go out to his entire family. His contributions to others reached every level imaginable.  He was a tried and true son of Essex County, but his public service had a lasting impact on the residents of New Jersey, the citizens of the United States and countless others around…

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Whitney Houston Laid to Rest in Westfield

Procession arrived at noon Sunday for burial ceremony at Fairview Cemetery. Nearly 100 fans shouted 'We love you, Whitney' as hearse turned into the cemetery.

The vigil at Fairview Cemetery began at first light Sunday morning. There were no mourners, just reporters and photographers mingling congenially as they staked out a good spot for their reports back to the network morning shows or a position for the perfect photo of the funeral procession bringing Whitney Houston to the cemetery for her burial. Police officers arrived before daylight, at 6 a.m., to secure every possible corner of the Fairview property, from the Cranford border along Union County College to the south and E. Broad Street to the north. At the western end of the cemetery, Gallows Hill Road was closed to prevent any neighborhood street from messing up any potential route in which the procession of hearses and limos that would …

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shirrone spivey

5:12 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

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