C ommunity / mazel tovs
S ENGAGEMENTS
SMOLEN-KRASNA COHEN-KROLL
Dr. Alan and Jill Smolen of New York
City announce the engagement of their
daughter Sophie to Michael Krasna. Sophie
is the granddaughter of the late Diane and
Norman Smolen and the late Sandra and
Arthur Feinberg. Michael is the son of Judi
and Gary Krasna of Boca Raton, Florida.

Sophie graduated from the University of
Maryland and works in NYC for Cushman
& Wakefield as a commercial real estate
broker. Michael also graduated from the
University of Maryland and works for AIPAC as a deputy political director in its
NYC office.

Sophie and Michael live in New York City and are planning a 2022 wedding.

Photo by Alan Smolen
Debbie and Richard Cohen of Lafayette Hill
and Madlyn and Steven Kroll of Pikesville,
Maryland, announce the engagement of their
children, Alison Cohen and Joseph Kroll.

Alison is a graduate of Lehigh University with
a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management
and marketing. She is a merchandise planner
for Ross Stores.

Joseph is a graduate of the University of
Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in supply
chain management and marketing. He is an
e-commerce manager for Unilever.

Sharing in their happiness are siblings Steven
Cohen and Cynthia (Eric) Glickman.

The couple resides in New York City and plans to be married in Philadelphia
in October 2023.
Photo by Kat Stanas Photography
COMMUNITYBRIEFS Grandson of Holocaust Survivor Releases Album Inspired by
Grandfather’s Life Experiences
PHILADELPHIA SONGWRITER Avi Wisnia released an album in November
called “Catching Leaves” that was inspired by his grandfather David Wisnia’s
legacy as a Holocaust survivor.

David Wisnia, who served as a cantor at two area synagogues, died June 15 at
the age of 94.

David Wisnia spent three years in Auschwitz-Birkenau after Germany invaded
Poland in 1939 — a day after he turned 13; three years later, his parents and
“Catching Leaves” album cover
Courtesy of aviwisnia.com
brother were murdered, and another brother was never seen again.

Upon arriving in the United States in 1946, he worked as an encyclopedia
salesman. He and his late wife, Hope, moved to Bucks County and, taking advantage
of his voice, served as cantor of Temple Shalom in Levittown for 28 years, then
cantor at Har Sinai Hebrew Congregation of Pennington, New Jersey for 23 more
years. Later in life, he began telling his story.

David Wisnia returned to Auschwitz several times later in life, singing at the
70th and 75th anniversaries of the camp liberation. Both times, he sang with his
grandson. On a 2020 trip to Auschwitz, David Wisnia abruptly turned to Avi Wisnia and
said, “You’re the proof that Hitler did not win.”
Avi Wisnia performed at City Winery Philadelphia on Nov. 28.

Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey Names Former Police Chief
as its Director of Regional Security
The Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey named William “Bud” Monaghan
as its director of regional security.

Monaghan recently retired as chief of the Cherry Hill Police Department after
26 years and started his new position on Nov. 15.

In his new role, Monaghan will oversee the security and safety of the commu-
nity and staff at the properties and facilities of the Jewish Federation and its family
of agencies, as well as advise and coordinate on security for area synagogues and
Jewish day schools. l
— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
www.jewishexponent.com 30
DECEMBER 2, 2021
JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM