MAX ODLEN Max Odlen, president of the Jewish Federation of Southern NJ from 1960-62, and president of Cong. Beth El from 1957-1959, died Nov. 3 at Doctors Hospital in Sarasota, Fla. Formerly of Cherry Hill, he and his wife, Marianna Och Odlen, moved to Longport Key, Fla., in 1989, but spent late summer— early fall in Cherry Hill for more than 10 years afterward.

“My heart will always be with the Southern New Jersey Jewish community,” he said in frequent phone calls to the Voice office during the last two years. The many honors accorded him by that community attest to his commitment.

He received the Jewish Federation Community Service Award together with his father, Herman, in 1968, and the Jewish Community Center Volunteer of the Year award together with his brother Joseph, and Irving Natkow, in 1976. His father served as Federation president from 1927-37.

“Herman and Max were the only father and son to serve as Federation presidents,” said Joel Kaber, Federation CEO. “Max was a very dynamic and hard working man. He loved the community and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was an excellent volunteer.”

Odlen was a JCC Board member for six years, and sat on the Boards of the Jewish Geriatric Home in Cherry Hill, and Jewish Federation Housing. He also chaired the Building Committee of the JCC of Camden County, spearheading the move from Camden to Route 70 in Cherry Hill, which earned him a Citation of Merit. He was named 1966 Man of the Year by the Camden Lodge of Brith Sholom; his role as co-chair of the Building Committee responsible for the construction of Cong. Beth El’s Chapel Ave. synagogue, brought him special honors at the May dedication. Odlen’s many contributions to Cong. Beth El include the founding of The Odlen Library.

Born in Camden in 1911, Odlen graduated from Haddonfield High School in 1931. He worked for New York Ship Building Co. from 1940 through the end of WWII, and went on to establish Max Odlen Construction in Cherry Hill, and become a wellknown developer of residential communities in South Jersey.

As president of the South Jersey Builders League in the 1950s, he gave advice on landscaping to homeowners. He cited playing varsity football, his religion, and three visits to Israel as some of his life’s highlights.

In addition to Marianna, his wife of 37 years, Odlen is survived by a daughter, Nina; a stepson, Walter Pudelko; stepdaughters Diana Rodier, Heidi Demuese, and Renate Gabel; a sister; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Another daughter, Marcia Veit, died in 1958, and his former wife, Emily Rosenberg Odlen, died in 1992.

Interment was Nov. 6 in Crescent Burial Park, Pennsauken. Memorial donations may be made to the Odlen Library in care of Cong. Beth El. .