CEAR

CHARLAP

CHARLOFF

CHARLOP

KIEJSMACHER

KUHR

KUR

KUROPATWA

LAPIN

LAPP EN

LEVINE

LEW

LEWIN

MAN KUTA

PAKCIAR(Z)

PARCZEWSKI

PASTERNAK

PODKOWA

SAHR

SCHER

SEAR

SER

SIER

SIR

SMOLARZCYK

TAMA

1

TIIE

HELLO MISHPOCHA!

Welcome to Vol.l,No.1 of the SER-CHARLAP FAMILY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER. Now that's sort of an unwieldy name, so we're soliciting suggestions for a new title to this journal - your family newsletter. Just send in your suggestions and we'll announce the winning choice in a subsequent edition. We hope to make this into a many facetted periodical. There will be reports on major events of interest to the family, listings of new ·milestones reached in our lives, and dissemination of information on planned family happenings. Remember, this is your newsletter. Its pages are open to your opinions and talents; poetry, short fiction, essays, memoirs - all are valid for inclusion herein. With everyone's

· oarticipation, it will be a quarterly eagerly awaited by all.

FAMILY REUNIONS

Anyone who was up at Brown's Hotel for our first family reunion will never forget the remarkable feelings of warmth, discovery, and unity that found expression there. We intend to relive that unique experience and, though hard to believe, enhance it. Two reunions are in the planning stages. The first is expected to be held in the southeast towards the end of 1990 .... Then, .. in .. 1991. we will have our family pilgrimage to Israel. There we will have the opportunity of meeting many of our relatives who have been so instrumental in the building of a modern miracle-the Jewish State. Family Association members will be apprised of details of these trips and will be eligible for the special savings on rates.

VOLUNTEERS FOR ISRAEL

When·most people go on vacation they do not think of staying on an army base, cleaning tanks, eating army food or sleeping in barracks. However this is exactly what over 22,000 Americans have done in the last seven years. Volunteers For Israel was founded during the war in Lebanon to help harvest the fruit that was rotting on the trees in the Golan. Since .then the program has expanded to work on military bases, hospitals, and schools. This past autumn four members of our family took part in a Volunteers mission in honor of Rita Levine of Philadelphia who was killed this past summer in the terrorist attack which caused a bus to topple off a cliff. Those participating in this mitzvah were Marty and

VOLUNTEERS(cont.}

Leah Benson, Sylvia Leimberg, and Florence Besserman. The following account was submitted by Florence.

On October 31, 350 of us landed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. We were greeted warmly by high ranking military officers who explained the importance of our mission and thanked us for volunteering. A spirited military band played a variety of patriotic and traditional songs and high school students performed in a beautifully choreographed dance program. Each of us was given a lovely rose grown in the holy soil of Eretz Yisroael. We were divided into groups and assigned buses which were to take us to our destinations. My group of 21 was sent to the navy base at Eilat. We were Americans from all over the country but we all had ~ne thing on our minds-to help Israel where they needed us most. The next morning we received our uniforms, which were distinguished from the regular serviceman only by the small blue patch on the left epaulet which read "civilian volunteer". My first assignment was painting Israeli naval vessels. Looking across the Gulf of Eilat, I could see Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Our men and women of Israel's navy are busy protecting the shore and shipping lanes day and night. After work and dinner, we all would walk into the town of Eilat, a short distance from the base. It's a beautiful resort but I was very disheartened that there were so few American Jewish tourists.

2

There were many Swedes, Germans, English, South Africans, Australians, Dutch, Canadians, everything but American Jews. It is to our shame and embarrassment that we do not show greater support for our homeland. Israel is the source of our strength as a people; it is a miracle - our miracle and it needs us. Not everyone can experience the glory of being a Volunteer, but we can certainly visit this marvelous nation and have a vacation never to be forgotten. ==============================

HEAVENLY JAZZ-HEAVENLY HYMAN

Dick Hyman is a member of the Charlap branch of the family. He is also a musician of many accomplishments and pianist extraordinaire. On October 22 several family members attended a jazz concert featuring Dick and the well known cornetist Ruby Braff. This was a gala event, for two days earlier Dick and his lovely wife Julia had become grandparents for the first time. Dick and Ruby had known each other for years and in 1975, at Carnegie Hall, began performing as a duo. They were so successful that they toured Europe and produced a series of superb recordings featuring the music of Fats Waller and James P. Johnson. Their latest recording is their interpretation of My Fair Lady, which was the focal point of the concert on October 22. At its conclusion we all repaired to a midtown restaurant to celebrate the birth of a new addition to the family tree, to congratulate the new grandparents, and to show our

(continued next page)

admiration for Dick's artistry. ****************************** For those living in the Kansas City area, Dick Hyman will be appearing as solo pianist with the Kansas City Symphony at the Lyric Theatre on March 7th. The program will include a selection of his own compositions. Dick would love to say hello to family members who come to the concert.

On March 14th, Dick will be appearing at the 92nd Street Y in NYC in "And Then I Wrote ... ". He will play and discuss original compositions. ==============================

THE ARTSCROLL LIBRARY

The ArtScroll Library is a collection of magnificent books of Jewish interest published by Mesorah Publications,Ltd. of Brooklyn. The ArtScroll series began thirteen years ago as an innovation of Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz, a member of the Pasternak and Kur branches of the family. The first volume in the series was the very popular Megillas Esther. Since then it has grown to over two hundred titles covering a broad spectrum of Judaica inte~ests. Included are biographies, prayer books, Scripture, translations of classical works, Mishnah, history, and a rapidly growing collection of illustrated children's books. If you would like a catalogue write to:

Mesorah Publications,Ltd. 4401 Second Avenue Brooklyn, N.Y. 11232

or call (718)921-9000,out of state 1-800-MESORAH. Remember, every Jewish home should have a Jewish Library. Here is the opportunity to build yours.

3

MILESTONES

In Genesis we are ordained to "be fruitful and multiply". During 1989 we had 21 reported new babies arrive in the family. May the parents, grandparents, and all the family get much "simcha" and "nachos" from the new arrivals. BIRTHS:

David Sidney Anthony(4011), b.Aug. 15. First for· Tina(1139) and Donald(1145). David is also the first grandchild of Irv(1130) and Lois(1134) Kuhr.

Lauren Elise Benson(2872), b.Jan. 2. First for Murray(1089) and sixth Martin(1053)

and Sheila ( 1111)

Benson.

grandchild of and Leah ( 1064)

Napthali Zvi Charlop(4360) b. Sept. 15. Second for Rabbi David(4350) and Shulamit(4358) of Spring Valley,N.Y. Sixth grandchild of Bernie(4343) and Simone(4346) Charlop.

David Solomon Cohn ( 412 4) , b. Aug. 16. First for Howard(2364) and Lynette (2271). First grandchild for Louise Davis(2255).

Marla Daniels(2627) Second for Robert(1563) and Cindy(l568) and for grandparents Harry(1559) and Anita(l561) Daniels.

Rachel Janis Duchin(4451), b.July 18. First for Neal(3550) and Chaya(3547). Grandma Chana Hurewitz(3531) now has four.

Michal Familja(4118) ,b.April 3. A daughter in Israel;third child of David ( 2 50) and Tova(253) and fifth grandchild

of Joseph(247) and Bella(248) Familja.

Marlee Tamara Freiberg ( 3096) , b .March 11. Alan(1257) and Proud Grandma Chakler(1253).

Second for Lori(1256). is Miriam

Jeremy Alexander Hurewi tz (4452),b.Oct. 29. Another new grandchild for Chana(3531) and second for parents Joshua (3545) and Miriam(3548).

Adam Hyman ( 4366) , b. Oct. First for David(3722) Pilar(3726) and grandparents Dick ( 3716) Julia(3718) Hyman.

20. and

for and

Joseph Bernard Kahn(2809), b.Feb. First for Grace(l938) and Harvey(1927). Third grandchild for Netta Kahn(1881).

Mindy Koren(1154) ,b.Feb. Third for Bruce(537) and Liebe(540). Fifth grandchild for Harriet(520) and Julius(526) Koren.

Isaac Joseph Krantz­Pearlman(4746) ,b.Nov. 27. First for Myron(4336) and Ann(2705). Third grandchild for Harry(2699) and Miriam(2702) Krantz.

Micah Lefton(2756). Third for Shana(2318) and Robert(2324). Third grandchild of Phillip Mayerson(2304).

Bertram Charles Levine(2752) and Cheryl Levine(2753)~ twins born on April 15 to Join brother Jason(434);Neil(427) and Bobbi(432) now have three. Al(413) and Sylvia(415) Levine have four grandchildren.

4

Shmuel Baruch Levine { 2793) , b.March 5. First for Alan(774) and Michelle(585) and also for grandparents Rabbi Bertram ( 584) and Gloria(578) Leff.

Baby Liberman(2588) ,b. March 16. Aaron{541) and Sheryl(538) haven't told us their daughter's given name. She is their second and second grandchild of the year for Harriet{520) and Julius{526) Koren, who now have five.

Matthew Rubinfeld(4123) .b.Aug. 24. Second for Jay(llOl) and Jessie(1116).

Elliot Jason Ser(4322) ,b.Oct. 15. First for Richard(1619) and Wendy{1632) and second grandchild for David(l604) and Sylvia(1612) Ser.

Rachel Beth Sier ( 2807) , b. May 2. Second for Herbert{521) and Susan{527) and third grandchild for· Morris{474) and Dorothy{511) Sier.

Brady Melinda Walchansky ( 4133) , daughter of Greg { 4131) and Mindy ( 4132) , grandparents are Sol { 2360) and Sharon Beth { 2286) Walchansky. First great­grandchild of Judi th Atlas Feldman(2254).

Casandra Ariela Young(2885), b.March 5. First for Joshua(890) and Lynn{356) and for grandparents Harvey{350) and Marion{344) Moyses.

MAZEL TOV TO ALL

PLEASE READ THE INSERT ABOUT ALLISON ATLAS, A BEAUTIFUL AND COURAGEOUS YOUNG LADY. CAN YOU HELP?

OBITUARIES

In 1989 we lost several beloved relatives. We JOln with the immediate family in mourning their passing.

Eric Bryant Brown(4596),d.Dec. 26. A wonderful young man of 14 who, in the tradition of his family, had deep attachments to Eretz Yisroael. Survived by parents Peter(4583) and Nancy(4589), sister Melissa(4597).

David Brown(692).Born in England, lived in Yonkers with his wife Martha Kuhr Brown (687) who survives him. David also leaves two married sons, Gerry(702) and Alan(703) ,their respective wives Ruth(713) and Barbara(714) and four grandchildren.

Ann Mankuta Duboff(l985), ct.June. Born in Czyzewo,Pol. Came to USA, married Ira Duboff(l989). Mother of two daughters,grandmother of six.

HarryFamily(l99) ,Feb. 18,1903-Jan. 26,1989. Born in Warsaw, lived in Schenectady where he operated The Family Garden produce stores with his brothers. Survived by wife Betty(205) ,son Marshall(214) and his wife Pamela(219), daughter Elaine(213) ·and her husband Michael ( 218) and four grandchildren.

Blanche Lew Greenberg(4558). Born in Poland, 1 i ved in Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Married David Greenberg ( 4562) and is survived by two children who may have families of their own.

5

Esther Charloff Jablowsky ( 4392) Dec. 23,1910-Aug. 18,1989. Born in Tykocin, Pol. , came to USA and married Louis Jablowsky (4398). Esther was an accomplished musician, writer, and poet. She wrote a regular column for the NY yiddish paper Der Tog and Morning Journal. Survived by daughter Judith { 4407) and her husband Larry Rothberg{4416), son Albert (4408), his wife Diane(4417) and four grandchildren.

Gertrude Yellin Kahan(2135), July 10, 1900-March 7, 1989. Born in Bialystock, emig. to US and lived in the Rochester/Buffalo area of New York .. Survived by daughter Toni{2139) and her husband Joe Sterman(2142) and four grandchildren.

Yaacov Kiffel{753) ,d.June. Was educated as a Rabbi and engineer. Civil Engineer for the NYC Transit Authority. Wife Shirley Zlotowi tz ( 7 54) survives along with his five children: Eliezer(756), Charles(757) and his wife Bayla{763), Shlomo (758), Yitzhak(755) and his wife Faygie(762), Chana{759). Also six grandchildren.

Morris Levine{Lew) (4559) ,1904-Feb. 1989. Born in Ciechanowiec and lived in Kansas City,Mo. Wife Melba(4563) survives with two sons Stephen ( 4568) and Harold ( 4567) , Harold's wife Ann (4575) ,grandsonJonathan(4578).

Sidney Levine ( 290) , July 17, 1912-Dec. 1988. Lived in Schenectady, Sid served in Italy during WW II where he met his wife Adele(294) who passed away about one year earlier. Survived by daughters Marilyn (346) and Audrey(347), their

husbands Ronald Pollack(352} and Steven Etkin(353} and three grandchildren.

Ben Tzion Pasternak(800}. Born in Czyzewo, made aliyah with wife Batja ( 804}. Their three children are Hanoch(588}, Eliezer ( 806} , and Sarah ( 807} , all married and well. Eight grandchildren also survive and at least one is married. The entire family is in Israel.

Treina Mankuta Rydz(1861}. March 6, 1908-March 14, 1989. Born in or near Ciechanowiec, married Felix Rydz(1869} of Nur and came to US via Cuba. Lived~ in south Florida. Survived by sons Avraharn ( 2397} , his wife Margaret(2405}, Manuel(2398}, his wife Raquel(2406}, Jacobo (2399}, his wife Sonia(2407} and seven grandchildren, one of whom is married.

Isidore Sahr(77}, Aug. 19,1913 -April 25,1989. Born in Schenectady, one of four sons of Mottel Sahr(74). His older brother Jack(78} predeceased him in the autumn of 1988. Survived by his wife Marge ( 94} , two children Norrnan(97), Karen (98), her husband Marco Corvino (99) and two grandchildren.

Gerald Shifrin ( 712) , d. Feb. 8. Lived in Florham Park, N. J. with his wife, the former Gail Kuhr (700} who survives him. He also leaves thre~ sons; Brad(719), Steven(720) ,Jamie(721) ,Brad's wife Lisa(735) and a grandchild Jillian Lee(733).

Ruth Ser Slater ( 1608) , Oct. 12, 1916-April 5,1989. Ruth lived in Greenwich Village with her writer husband Jack ( 1616) who died in 1983. Survived by

6

daughter Marsha ( 1659} and her husband Ronald Wardell(1661).

Esther Smolarzcyk Spivak(2731}, d.June. Born in Ciechanowiec, emigrated to Cuba with her "lantzman" husband Ben(2738). Later settled in Philadelphia. Survived by three children, two of whom are Robert ( 4668) and Leonard(4669).

Toba Sil verburg Stalkowski ( 277) Yorn Kippur 1913-Jan. 1989. Born in Zareby Koscielne (Zaremba) , she and her husband Moshe(280) survived the war by escaping behind Russian lines. Active in rescuing Jewish children, they made aliyah to Israel. Lived in Petah Tikvah where Moshe, their son Itzhak ( 305} , daughter-in-1 aw Malka(306} and grandchildren Itay ( 307} and Moriah(308) still reside.

Maurice "Musty" Weinstein ( 4 522) Died in 1989,his eightieth year. Husband of Molly Brown(4513}. Raised three sons Phillip(4579}, Lee(4580), and Richard(4581}. The latter two are married to Judy Brown ( 4 58 5} and Rita Davis ( 4587} . "Musty" is also survived by five grandchildren.

Louis Weitschner(476), 1914 -Dec. 26,1989. Survived by devoted wife, the former Anna Sier(472}, three children: Rabbi Isaac(477} and his wife Miriarn(524} ,Sarnuel(519} and his wife Tova ( 525} , Harriet ( 520} and her husband Julius Koren ( 526} . Louis also leaves six wonderful grandchildren.

Harriet Serr Zlotogura(1640) ,d. Jan. Educated at Julliard in NYC she moved to Venezuela where she received acclaim. She

raised two sons and a daughter, two of whom are dentists. They are believed to be living in Venezuela.

****************************** Seymour Menton(55) is a world renowned scholar of Hispanic culture. He was trying to locate Harriet Serr(1640) when he received word of her death. Seymour provided the following tribute written by Jose Balza, a Venezuelan novelist.

Harriet Serr died in Caracas in early 1989. It is with heavy heart that I must give this final review. My personal lamentation for this grand lady is deep. During my adolescence in the late 1950's I first became familiar with her work and started attending her concerts. This continued through the years. In 1987 I heard her for the last time in a wonderful interpretation of Gershwin. She was an admired and respected celebrity in Venezuela. She trained many of our top pianists and composers. Several of her students achieved acclaim abroad and she, herslf, received many international honors. Harriet Serr is a monumental figure in Venezuelan musical history. I once heard an American composer lament the fact that she had left New York, because she was the most complete teacher of her time. ******************************* If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Harriet Serr's children, please pass it along so the family can learn of the activities of our Venezuelan relatives. ****************************** ******************************

MARRIAGES IN 1989

Yair Charlap(4147) to Hron(4149), Oct.

7

Billa

Stewart Cohen ( 1223) to Vicki Vilches(4125), May 28.

Cheryl Dubrov(653) to John Mason(2522), March 18.

David Fingerhut ( 370) to Terry Flis(4145), July 2.

Sandy Gelb(72) to Stacy Fox(4458), June 25.

Amy Gikner(1935) to Joel Hershfield(2810), June 11.

Wendy Halpern(991) to (2888),

Michael Krauss(1719) to Marie Peragrine{2873), June 17.

Allison Kur{2711) to Michael Ochins{2712), Oct. 28.

Harold Levine { 4567) to Ann Mastergate(4575), Nov. 11.

Sandra Lopkin(2063) to Brian Solornon(2748}, Sept. 10.

Alan Rosen{2330) to (4698)

Robert Schwaber ( 320) to Laureen Weber(2723), June 4.

Allan Shalloway{1705) to Leigh Morrow{2545), March 18.

Gayle Shavin{1334) to Tom Johnson{2521), Jan. 7.

Gedaliah Daniella Jan.25.

Zlotowi tz { 894) to Ribowsky(1926),

We welcome our new family members and wish the newlyweds much love and happiness.

A ZEYDA TO REMEMBER

Upon applying to the University of Pennsylvania, Cheryl Family (227) was asked to write an essay in response to: If you were given the opportunity to spend an evening with one person, living, deceased, or fictional, whom would you chose and why? Harry Family(l99) was very proud of the response from his grandaughter. Two months before he died he gave a copy of the essay to the family archives.

People, famous ones included, are not always as they appear. As a youngster, I thought Thomas Jefferson was the greatest. Yet when I grew older and researched a paper on immigrants, I found that this man who proclaimed it self evident that all men are created equal, actually believed that some men, namely white ones, were created more equal than others. And Edgar Allen Poe, whose "Murder On the Rue Morgue" enthralled me in the 7th grade, was, I was to learn, a drug addict. Not one for bigots nor substance abusers, I'm afraid my evening with either of these gentlemen would have been a flop. In a similar fashion,.the la test silver-screen heart­throb, who's so handsome and clever in his roles, could in real life be as shallow as a reservoir during an Arizona drought. Using this criteria, I would choose someone I know for my evening. This person would be my grandfather. My grandfather will be 84 years old on his next birthday. The

image this conjures an old man whi 1 ing hours watching reruns of Fortune", but this grandfather.

8

is one of away the of "Wheel is not my

My grandfather came to America from Poland as a teenager and taught himself the English language. He not only learned the language, he mastered it. It amuses me to see him equally comfortable speaking with college professors as well as blue collar workers. Conquering the art of conversation is a gift few have, and my grandfather has it. With his keen sense of humor and his unique ability to truly listen, he's a wonderful person with whom to speak. As an added bonus, my grandfather has many stories at his disposal. Whether it's about his hardships in Poland, his experiences on the lower East Side, the many sweatshop jobs he held, or the employee of the month award he just received, one can sit and listen for hours. Finally, it delights me to view a man who is so very content with what he has. He's happy with his family, friends, and health. In terms of wealth, he is by no means rich. yet, in terms of good human qualities, such as kindness and thoughtfulness, he is exceedingly opulent. My grandfather is a talented, respected man who can give the world a first-hand account of the last 84 years. To sit and talk with him for an evening is enlightening and entertaining for anyone. It is especially for me because he is my grandfather. ****************************** ******************************

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

The Ser-Charlap Family Association is growing rapidly. Our convention plans and trip to Israel have been mentioned. In addition, many regional groups are planning meetings. Members receive newsletters, a copy of the nearly 400 page family tree, and other regular mailings. Because of our numbers we will obtain special hotel rates for conventions. Furthermore, membership dues support the costly research such as obtaining archival records, reproduction of photos and documents, tracing relatives, etc. If you want to continue receiving mailings and be part of this exciting venture, please send your $36.00 dues to: Ser-Charlap Family Association P.O. Box 108 Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. 11724

Include: Name ......................... . Address ...................... . City/State ................... . zip ......... . Telephone ....•................

This will maintain your membership through the end of 1990. Those who have already joined needn't respond to this announcement.

TRANSLATIONS

Beverly Atlas(2265) is helping us translate the 1000 page Ciechanowiec Yiskor Book from Yiddish and Hebrew into English. This work was spurred by Sid Goldstein of Bnei Moshe Anshei Nuestadt Chechenowtze, one of the Ciechanoffzer landsmanshaf ten in the United States. Sid also attended the

9

family convention in September. We are seeking volunteers to translate documents, old letters, and articles. If you would like to help and have fluency in Hebrew, Yiddish, Polish, or Russian please let us know. ******************************

Harry Family(199) at about age 16 in Warsaw, Poland.

******************************

A meeting of Bnei Moshe Anshei Nuestadt 8hechenowtze. Tifke Sier(470 •1 is second from left. Ben Lev(Lew), 2nd from left, and Frank Wrobel, at extrr~mr~ right, are most 1-Lkely members of our family. ca 1960.

-'"

0

' '

Mr. Arthur Menton P. 0. Box 108 Coles Spring Harbour New York 11724

Dear Mr. Menton:

83 1 4 Meadow 1 ark Lane Bethesda, Maryland 20817

December 5, 1 989

Louise Davis (Atlas) me called in a response to media coverage ot a search our famlly is doing for a bone marrow match for my f1rst cousin, Allison Atlas, who is dying of lukemia. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has advised us that our best chance for a match lies in finding an unrelated donor of Eastern European Jewish heritage.

We are frantically searching and testing people as we have little time·;according to NIH. Obviously someone of related heritage stands tone our b'~st hope. I understand from Mrs. Davis that you pub I ish a news letter to the"Atlas" clan. While I have not been able to establish a link with Mrs. Davis~. we our hopeful that perhaps some other Atlas may possibly hold the genetic key to Al lison·s survival. Our grandfather came from Lithuania to the us in 1884, Jiving in NYC until December, 1890 when he moved to D.C. His name was Simon Atlas and he married Ida Saul (Sholsky from 1881 to 1892; and Sul sky before coming to the US in 1881 ). He came from Kovna or possibly Kaunas and my grandmother came from ... Jonava.

Allison's other great-grandparents came from Poland but I am not sure just where. We would be very appreciative if you could circulate the copies of the enclosed material to the Atlas's on your mailing list in hopes that those between the ages of 18-53 would consider being tested. All the Information needed is on the flyers. I would be interested in knowing more about the Atlas clan in your files when you have time.

24 Washington Jewish Week, November 9, 1989

People.·

Bethesda student needs bone marrow donor By Judith Sloan Deutsch

WJW Features Editor

I n re<:ent weeks, the plight of Allison Atlas, 20, of Bethesda, whose life is

threatened by a form of leu­kemia, drew more than 200 potential bone marrow donors to her family home to have their blood tested by nurses from the Red Cross.

Alvin and Arlene Atlas continue to seek a suitable donor for their daughter, whose disease is treatable only by a bone marrow transplant.

Allison, a graduate of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, who at­tends New York University, is the youngest of four chil­dren. Tests show her tissue is incompatible with her sib­lings, usually the source of successful matches. Her sis­ter, Robin, 25, and brother, Larry, 32, match each other but not Allison. Another brother, Craig, died four years ago "under tragic cir­cumstances," a=rcling to a family member.

The odds of finding a match outside the family are 22,000-to-one. A perfect match will offer Allison a 50 percent chance of survivial.

To help the Atlas family in their search for a donor, per­sonnel from the National In­stitutes of Health will con­duct a community-wide screening of adults age 18 to 53 on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, in Rockville. A second screening will be

held on Tuesday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Adas Is­rnel Congregation, 2850 Quebec St. NW. (Connecticut and Porter Sts. NW)

Fem Ingber, coordinator of the family's effort to locate a ti 3Sue match for Allison, said, "The community response, donating blood, handing out flyers, making phone calls, has extended beyond family and friends to those who have little or no connection with Allison and her family. Jewish communities in cities such as Miami, Phoenix, New York and St. Louis also have nsponded without hesitation to help establish test centers. Student v.olunteers are work­ing to set up test centers at the University of Maryland, American University, and George Washington Univer-sity." .

Ingber first got to know Allison five years ago, when Ingber was youth director at Adas Israel Congregntion in Washington where Allison belonged to USY. "Allison is a lovely young woman whose plight touched me deeply," Ingber said.

Rabbi Jeffrey Wohlberg, of Adas Israel, said, "The Atlas family have been members of our congregation for many . years. Allison, her sister and hrnthers grew up here."

The first signs of Allison's illness showed up last sum­mer when she fainted at a neighbor's swimming pool.

. She fell and cut her foot. A routine blood test showed there was a problem. "Within 24 hours I found out my . daughter had leukemia," said Alvin Atlas. "Right now her body doesn't produce any red blood cells and doctors give

Alllaon Atlaa, who IUtfera from • fonn of leukemia, nMdl • Uleaavlng bone marrow tranaplant.

her transfusions to keep her • going. Doctors aren't sure, but they estimate a match must be found within two to six months."

Allison suffers from my­elodysplastic syndrome, a blood disease that usually at­tacks those age 65 and older. There is no treatment, only the possibility of a cure through a bone marrow transplant.

"The most likely match for Alli.son will be found among Jews of Eastern European de~nt, making the focus of the family recruitment effort on the Jewish population," said Bernice Loiacono, coor­dinator of the Marrow Donor Program at NIH, who found no avail.able match for Allison in the national registry of 56,000 registered bone mer-

row donors. "But it is possi­ble that a non.Jewish person could be a match."

The test ti> identify donors begins with a simple test on blood drawn from the arm that is sent to a special lab to determine the donor's tissue type. If a match is found, another blood test offers more detaik,d typing infor­mation.

If a match is made, the donation procedure is similar to drawing blood out of a vein. Marrow from the donor is drawn through a needle and syringe from the iliac crest of the pelvic bone. The donor receives some form of anesthesia. To insure the donor's safety and comfort, doctors recommend a one­night stay in the hospital al­though mosl donors are up

walking around the evening of the donation. Donors re­port discomfort as a stiffnesss in the lower back area simliar to falling on the ice.

"Donors ere at minimal risk, incurring no more than the loBB of a pint of blood, usually taken from the donor before hand and given hack to the donor during the pro­cedure," said Dr. Thomas Spitzer, acting chief of the bone marrow transplant pro­gram at Georgetown Univer­sity Hospital where 58 bone marrow transplants have been performed over the past two years. "Donors return to normal activity within a few days."

Loiacono, whose NIH pro­gram has been a national donor center for the past three years, said, "Many pa· tients die without ever having a chance to identify a donor. It's also possible that among the people we're testing now, there will be a match for one of the 1,000 patients na­tionwide who are waiting for donors or a person who will need a donor in the future. Although those tested will remain on our marrow donor file, they ere not at any time obligated to donate bone marrow."

"We hope to find a donor for Allison," said Alvin Atlas, "But even if we don't, per­haps we'll find donors for all the other Allisons out there who desperately need this procedure."

For more information about the Marrow Donor Program at NIH, call Bernice Loiacono at 496-0572. To volunteer to work with friends of Allison Atlas, call Fern Ingber at 229-5037. • .. .. .fi

flil'<O C.:.i)C (3c1)

••• o11· ..