Bernie Platt
Director, NJ Lic No 3480
Bernie Platt was born in West Chester, PA and is a graduate of Temple University and Eckeles College of Mortuary Science. Bernie and his wife of 59 years, Judy, moved to Cherry Hill in 1966. In 1977, they founded and established Platt Memorial Chapels, Inc. a family owned, full service funeral home located in Cherry Hill.
Bernie has extensively served the Jewish Community in Southern New Jersey. He is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, past president and board member of the Jewish Geriatric Home (Jewish Senior Housing), co-chairman of the Lions Gate CCRC Planning and Development Committee, as well as president of the Southern New Jersey B’nai B’rith Housing Corporation. He is a past president of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, 1982-1984, past president of the former Congregation Beth Jacob-Beth Israel, 1979-1983, chairman of the Congregation Beth Jacob-Beth Israel Building Committee, Executive Board member of Israel Bond Organization, and a member of the Board of Jewish Education, Aleph Home Services and the State Board of Jewish Federations.
Bernie and Judy are founders of the first chapter of the Jewish National Fund in South Jersey, and Bernie served as past president of the Southern New Jersey Council of Jewish National Fund. Bernie and his son, Harry, were the first father and son to co-chair Super Sunday. Bernie is a member of Col. David Marcus Lodge of B’nai Brith, Cherry Hill Lodge #966 of B’rith Shalom and Rising Sun Lodge #15 F.& A.M. Bernie and Judy are members of Temple Beth Sholom, Congregation Sons of Israel and Chabad.
Bernie has been active in his civic community for over 40 years. He served as Mayor of Cherry Hill Township from 1979 to 1980, and again from 2002-2012, Deputy Mayor from 1976 to 1979, and Councilman from 1977 to 1985. He served as a member of the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, from 1996 to 1998. Bernie is a past president and chairman of the former West Jersey Arts Center. As a funeral director, Bernie’s professional affiliations include memberships in the West New Jersey Funeral Directors Association and New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association.