Brandeis Magazine

Betsy Diamant-Cohen was named the 2018 recipient of the Alexandre Vattemare Award for Creativity in Libraries. A children’s librarian, Betsy created the nationally recognized “Mother Goose on the Loose” early literacy program, which changed the way U.S. libraries interact with young children. Betsy has published seven books for librarians; two more are due out in 2018. She would welcome hearing from old Brandeis buddies at betsydc@gmail.com. Nate Geller is working to secure grants to support 70 Faces Media, a leading nonprofit Jewish digital-media organization made up of JTA, My Jewish Learning, Kveller, The Nosher, Jewniverse and Alma. Nate’s wife, Lyn Light Geller, works at UJA-Federation of NY. The couple was recently honored at Congregation Beth Sholom in Teaneck, New Jersey, where they have been members since 1986 and where Lyn served as president. Janet Gordon, who lives in Bedford, New York, has launched her new luxury handbag line. See it at janetgordonstyle.com. Steven Hamburg, a chiropractic physician in south Florida, is engaged to Ann Marie Chung. Steven is the proud grandpa of three kids: Rilyn, 10; Cooper, 2; and Piper, 1. “The only bad part is they live in Missouri,” he writes. “Thank goodness for FaceTime.” Robert Mandiberg is a surgical physician in the French Foreign Legion. Mark Matulef earned the Associate Certified Coach credential from the International Coach Federation. He has launched a business to help individuals, families and groups enjoy more fulfilling experiences, lives and endeavors. Dia Michels has written a new bilingual children’s picture book, “Cuddled and Carried / Consentido y cargado,” which celebrates the bond between parent and child in the animal kingdom. It is her 13th book. Dia is the founder and president of two independent publishing houses, Platypus Media and Science, Naturally! She lives in Washington, D.C., and, with her third child off to college, is now an empty nester. Elisa New is the Powell M. Cabot Professor of American Literature at Harvard University, where she teaches courses in poetry and classic American literature, both in classrooms and online. She is also at work on Season 2 of “Poetry in America,” a PBS television series. After 30 years with the City of Philadelphia Law Department, Alan Ostrow retired as a divisional deputy city solicitor in the major trials division of the claims unit. Wife Meryl retired last year from more than 25 years as a city employee, most recently working as a program analyst in the risk management unit of the intellectual disabilities services division. The couple, who live in a new community for residents age 55 and older, welcomed their first grandchild, Levi Maddox, in early spring. The proud parents are older daughter, Lori, and her (newly naturalized citizen) husband, James Drew, an Australian whom Lori met while studying abroad; they live in Alexandria, Virginia. Younger daughter Haley works at Carrier Mental Health in New Jersey as an LSW therapist. Deborah Porter is founder and executive director of the Boston Book Festival, which celebrated its 10th year in October. Naomi Prusky, P’12, announces the engagement of her daughter Alana Abramson ’12 to Matthew Fowler ’11, son of Mark A. Fowler ’71, P’11.

IN THE HEIGHTS: The 15th-century Incan estate Machu Picchu, believed to have served as an emperor’s retreat, in August beckoned a Brandeis Travelers group led by Charles Golden, associate professor of anthropology. The 80,000-acre site, carved out of the Peruvian Andes a mile and a half above sea level, was abandoned by the Inca in the 16th century.