How a poet’s local upbringing inspired her work | Inquirer Cherry Hill
Plus, a Cherry Hill rabbi on how the Michigan synagogue attack hit close to home.
Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋
An East alum is preparing to release her debut book of poetry and credits Cherry Hill with launching her writing career. Also this week, a Temple Beth Sholom rabbi reflects on how the Michigan synagogue attack hit close to home, Cherry Hill Public Schools have seen their state funding slashed, plus a township resident was sentenced to prison for insurance fraud.
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Growing up in Cherry Hill played an important role in shaping poet and former journalist Jia-Rui Cook, whose debut book, Soft Beasts, will be released next year.
Raised by parents who immigrated from China by way of Taiwan and Singapore, Cook spent her formative years in the township, something that figures prominently in her poetry.
Cherry Hill “was kind of an amazing incubator” for young writers like herself, the East alum told The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner.
Now based in Los Angeles, Cook shared what inspires her writing and the nods to Cherry Hill readers will find in her poems.
Last week’s attack on Temple Israel in Michigan hit close to home for Cherry Hill Rabbi Micah Peltz of Temple Beth Sholom.
Peltz is part of a relatively new group chat of rabbis from across the country formed to think about how they can support Israel. Among the participants is Temple Israel’s Rabbi Jen Lader, who sent messages to them shortly after the attack.
“It’s not a large Jewish community really in America and there are a lot of connections from one place to another,” Peltz told The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider. “This hit home for a lot of people.”
Read more about how the attack is reverberating locally.
💡 Community News
After breaking ground on a two-mile stretch of the LINK Trail last week, Camden County officials are working to get $19.5 million in federal funding for the ambitious project. Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation signed a contract for the grant, money that’s essential to the 34-mile paved path, according to County Commissioner Jeff Nash, but the money has not arrived. When complete, the trail is intended to link the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Camden to lower Winslow Township near the Atlantic County border.
Cherry Hill’s Nana Araba Wilmot continues to vie for the title of Top Chef after making it through the second episode of the current season, which aired Monday. While she had one of the judges’ favorite dishes in the quick fire challenge, her undercooked marinated shito red snapper during the main challenge nearly cost Wilmot her spot. Catch the full episode here.
The recent construction of a new bridge connecting the Knollwood neighborhood to Cooper Landing Road was more than just a convenience for residents — it made a key path accessible for many, including youth baseball players and members of Orthodox synagogues. The township recently replaced the deteriorating bridge, a project that cost $175,000. (70 and 73)
Residents were surprised to see a peacock roaming Cherry Hill over the weekend, including in the Fox Hollow neighborhood and near Springdale Road. It’s unclear where the peacock came from or if it has been safely captured. (Fox 29)
A Cherry Hill man was sentenced earlier this month to three years in prison for filing false insurance claims after his house was destroyed in a fire in 2018. Richard Orlandini, 65, pleaded guilty in December to second-degree insurance fraud, including for filing claims to Allstate for items damaged in the blaze that he didn’t actually own and weren’t in the house at the time.
Good news for cherry blossom lovers: The township’s two miles of Kwanzans along Chapel Avenue appear to be on schedule for a late April bloom. Despite a frigid and snowy winter followed by last week’s warm temperatures, the trees have been relatively unfazed and should bloom on schedule, the head gardener for the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia said. Cherry Hill is home to over 1,400 of the bright pink variety.
Camden County is hosting a household hazardous waste event on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Public Works Complex on Perina Boulevard. Township residents can dispose of things like paint products, household cleaners, pesticides, and fuels. Learn more here.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Cherry Hill Public Schools will see its state school aid funding slashed next year, marking the third consecutive year the district has seen cuts. The district has been allocated a little over $27.7 million for the 2027 fiscal year, down 3% from the nearly $28.6 million allocated for the 2026 fiscal year. Last week, the school board approved a resolution to ask the state legislature to increase its funding and will address the gap at a special meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. The board is expected to take action on an initial budget on Tuesday at its regular meeting. For those who can’t attend tomorrow’s meeting in person, you can live stream it here.
Reminder for families: There are no classes Friday, which is an in-service day for Eid al-Fitr. See the district’s full calendar here.
The average Cherry Hill homeowner pays $9,874 in property taxes, with 62.2% of that going to schools, according to 2025 data. While that’s a considerable figure, Cherry Hill sits outside the top 100 municipalities in the state for the highest percentage of taxes going to schools. (NJ.com)
🍽️ On our Plate
Hot Lava Pot, a new Korean barbecue and hot pot eatery, is soft opening today at noon at 2321 Route 70, taking over the former Ten Hot Pot spot. (42 Freeway)
A new pizza joint, Nopoli Pizza, opened yesterday at 1400 N. Kings Highway, taking over the former Raymond’s Pizza spot. (A View From Evesham)
Bahama Breeze at the Cherry Hill Mall has shuttered ahead of its originally anticipated closing date of April 5. The tropical eatery’s parent company, Darden Restaurants, announced last month that it is winding down all the remaining outposts.
🎳 Things to Do
🍌 Savannah Bananas Skate Party: Dress in gear from the beloved baseball team and hunt for bananas around the rink. ⏰ Friday, March 20, 6:30-9:30 p.m. 💵 $14 admission plus $6 skate rental 📍Hot Wheelz
🎶 First Day of Spring: Celebrate the spring equinox with DJs, drinks, and hookah. ⏰ Friday, March 20, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 💵 $19.03 📍Vera
🌸 Cherry Blossom Festival: Celebrate Japanese culture at this spring festival that includes origami, cherry blossom painting, sushi, a tea ceremony, and ikebana, a type of flower arranging. Registration for individual workshops is required. ⏰ Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Cherry Hill Public Library
🏡 On the Market
Located in the Barclay section of Cherry Hill, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom home could accommodate an additional bedroom thanks to its layout. The first floor features living and dining rooms, and a family room with a brick fireplace that opens onto the eat-in kitchen. A first floor office has built-ins and could be converted to a bedroom thanks to its proximity to a full bathroom. There are three bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a dressing room. Other features include a fenced-in backyard with an in-ground pool and a one-car garage.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $595,000 | Size: 2,322 SF | Acreage: 0.24
🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:
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