FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Puglisi

April 19, 2007 973-621-2542

Lauren Shears

973-621-1590

ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO HOSTS

ANNUAL ESSEX COUNTY JEWISH HERITAGE CELEBRATION

Star of Essex Awards are Presented to Freeholder Patricia Sebold and

Marc E. Berson, Chairman of the Fidelco Group

Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. hosted Essex County’s Annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on Thursday, April 19th. The festive event recognized the influence and positive impact that Jewish people have had, and continue to have, on the economy and culture of Essex County.

During the ceremony, DiVincenzo presented Star of Essex Awards to the Honorable Patricia Sebold, an At-Large member of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and Marc E. Berson, Chairman of the Fidelco Group, a private investment firm in Millburn.

“Patricia Sebold and Marc Berson have enjoyed tremendous personal success, but they have always found time to volunteer in the community and help those less fortunate,” DiVincenzo said. “Pat is an experienced member of the Freeholder Board. She has been our ally and partner, and shares our vision to modernize our recreation facilities and revitalize our historic Park System. Marc is on the forefront of several redevelopment projects throughout the City of Newark and his philanthropic endeavors are helping people with brain injuries and the less fortunate,” the Executive noted.

Freeholder Patricia Sebold was first appointed to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1993 and has been re-elected five times, and is now serving in her 14th year on the board. Sebold serves as the Freeholder representative on the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund, which has contributed over $30 million in grants in support of historic preservation, park maintenance and open space acquisition projects. She was elected by her colleagues to serve as Freeholder Vice President for four years. Sebold worked as an English teacher at West Orange High School for 31 years before retiring in 2001. She has served as Chairperson of the Livingston Democratic Municipal Committee since 1976, was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1980, 1992 and 1996, and served on the Credentials Committee in 2000 and the Platform Committee in 2002 for the Democratic National Convention. Sebold serves as an Advisor to the Livingston Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest and the Jewish Community Housing Corporation. She lives in Livingston with her husband, and they have two children, one son-in-law and three grandchildren.

“I am honored to receive the Star of Essex Award from the County Executive. We have worked closely for many years and our common goal always has been to do what is best for our communities, to improve our residents’ quality of life and make people feel proud to say Essex County is their hometown. I am thrilled with all the progress we have achieved during the last four years,” Sebold said.

Marc E. Berson is Chairman of The Fidelco Group, a Millburn-based private investment firm with diverse corporate and real estate interests, and has invested in several projects that have advanced the commercial rebirth of Newark. He co-founded and is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Opportunity Project, Inc., a not-for-profit organization based on the nationally recognized Clubhouse model, which provides vocational, educational and recreational services for people with brain injuries. Berson spearheaded the building of Opportunity Project’s 14,000-square-foot clubhouse in Millburn, which is one of only 15 such facilities in the United States. In addition, he is the Owner of the Newark Bears minor league baseball team, Chairman of the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center’s Board of Trustees, a founding member of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Board of Trustees and a member of the Boards of Trustees of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Saint Barnabas Health Care System and Paper Mill Playhouse. Berson lives in Millburn with his wife and has three children and four grandchildren.

“I am honored to receivea Star of Essex County Award. I am proud that Essex County is home to my business, to the organizations closest to my heart and to my family. County Executive DiVincenzo and his staff should be applauded for their dedication to the community and for their commitment in being a true partner to all of us who believe Essex County is a great place to live and work,” Berson said.

Rabbi Clifford M. Kulwin of Temple B’nai Abraham in Livingston provided an overview of Jewish history. Ilya Maslov, a clarinet and electric piano duo, provided musical entertainment.

The Essex County Jewish Heritage Celebration is part of a yearlong series of programs initiated by County Executive DiVincenzo to recognize and celebrate the diversity of Essex County. Other cultural celebrations celebrate African American Heritage, Irish Heritage, Italian Heritage, Jewish Heritage, Latino Heritage and Portuguese Heritage.

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