New Brunswick—Joseph Hollander of Holmdel and Mitch Frumkin of Kendall Park, architects of the recently created Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey combining the Federations of Monmouth and Middlesex Counties, will be presented with Visionaries in Partnership Awards by Rutgers University Hillel at the campus organization’s Annual Gala, Monday, June 22.
Rutgers Hillel will also honor Marty and Beth Aron of Springfield with the Rabbi Julius Funk Alumni Award, and Sara Sideman of Cherry Hill with the Young Alumni Award. Four students will be cited as “Student Rising Stars”: Jordan Davis of Freehold, Seth Deneroff of Oakhurst, Mollie Kahn of Kinnelon and Julia Motis of Dresher, PA. More than 300 are expected to attend the event at The Crystal Plaza in Livingston.
“Joe Hollander and Mitch Frumkin epitomize the definition of the Visionary in Partnership Award,” said Andrew Getraer, Rutgers Hillel executive director. “Each, as president of the Monmouth and Middlesex Jewish Federations, respectively, was a strong advocate of the important work of Rutgers Hillel — an advocacy and leadership that continues today in the vision of the newly formed Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey. With this award, we celebrate their vision and look forward to their continued leadership as Rutgers Hillel moves into a new expanded era of service and opportunity for Jewish student life on campus in its new home, the Eva and Arie Halpern Hillel House.”
“The special recognition given to Marty and Beth Aron,” Getraer said, “is particularly fitting in light of their close relationship with the Funk Family and their continued support of Rutgers Hillel. Sara Seidman is a ‘Rutgers Hillel poster child’ for leadership development. She served in many offices while a student, including President of the Student Board, and has gone on to serve in important capacities in the greater Jewish Community.”
Music brought Marty and Beth Aron together 30 years ago and continues to bind their relationship today. Marty, a member of the Rutgers Class of ’79, and former member of the Hillel Choir, Rutgers University Chorus, Rutgers Glee Club and the Kirkpatrick Choir, met his wife-to-be, a member of the famed Zamir Chorale, on the occasion of Zamir’s performance of one of Marty’s compositions at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall.
As a Rutgers Hillel student, Marty witnessed first-hand the tireless work of Rabbi Julius Funk and Mrs. Funk, both of whom provided him with inspiration and guidance.
Following graduation the couple pursued professional careers, he in law, she in accounting, but maintained the musical connection that brought them together. For more than 30 years they have sung with Maestro Matthew Lazar at venues throughout the United States and Israel including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the United States Memorial Holocaust Museum and the White House.
Through community service, Marty and Beth have developed life-long friendships. They serve on the Zamir Choral Foundation’s Board of Directors — Marty as its first President and a current member of its Executive Committee and Beth as the current Treasurer. Marty served as Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Congregation Israel of Springfield, where he is a current Board member; the Board of JKHA/RKYHS and liaison to the Jewish Vocational Service’s MetroWest job bank program. Both volunteer with the Jewish Family Services food bank in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Marty and Beth have three children, Joshua, Daniel and Becky, all of whom share their love of music.
