January 6, 2012

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

Haredi violence in Beit Shemesh This catches Israel’s attention Week January 6, 2012 11 Tevet 5772 Vol. 92 | No. 16

B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy donates to Children’s Hospital Page 6

Make a difference and volunteer in the Western Galilee Page 7

by MARCY OSTER JERUSALEM (JTA) -- For several years now, the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Shemesh has been the site of on-again, off-again religious violence.

But it wasn’t until the plight of a fearful 8-year-old girl from a Modern Orthodox immigrant family from America was broadcast on Israel’s Channel 2 over the weekend that the religious tensions in Beit Shemesh captured the nation’s attention, including that of Israel’s prime minister and its president.

In the broadcast, the girl, Na’ama Margolis, told a reporter that she is afraid to walk the 300 yards from The protest rally organized by the Women’s International Zionist Organization on Credit: ISRANET her home to her Modern Orthodox Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv. girls’ school for fear that the haredi the street from their neighborhood. dress immodestly, with sleeves and Orthodox men who protest outside Confrontations between haredi skirts that are not sufficiently long. of the school will hurt her. Video Orthodox activists and Modern After Margolis’ story aired over showed Na’ama’s mother encourag- Orthodox opposite the school have the weekend, the dispute in Beit ing her to walk the short way to waxed and waned since the begin- Shemesh became national news and school punctuated by the girl’s ning of the school year, and often the violence ratcheted up a notch. whimpers and cries of “No, No.” resulted in violence.

On Sunday, haredi rioters surSome haredi residents of Beit Haredi protesters have thrown eggs rounded and threw stones at city Shemesh, a suburb of some 80,000 and bags of excrement at the young workers removing signs calling for people, are upset about the opening girls and called them “sluts” and the separation of the sexes on city in September of a new Modern “shiksas.” Haredi opponents of the streets. When haredi activists put up Orthodox girls’ school, Orot, across school say the girls and their mothers new signs to replace them, the police

who returned to remove them Monday encountered rioting by about 300 haredi men who threw stones at police and burned trash cans, according to Haaretz.

Fisticuffs also broke out when news teams from two Israeli television channels were attacked by haredi extremists when they attempted to film in the city on Sunday and Monday.

On a recent evening, some 2,000 defenders of the girls -- secular and Modern Orthodox -- struck back with a rally at the school against attempts to exclude women from the public sphere in Israel.

“Free Israel from religious coercion” read one sign at the rally.

“Stop Israel from becoming Iran” read another.

“We are struggling over Israel’s character not only in Beit Shemesh and not only over the exclusion of women but against all the extremists who have come out of the woodwork to try and impose their worldview on us,” opposition leader Tzipi Livni, head of the Kadima Party, said at the rally.

Continued on page 3

Beth Israel Scholars A Livingston Hanukkah Club travels to Denver

by ILANA WEISS During the first weekend of December, 14 5th-7th grade members of Beth Israel’s Scholars Club ventured out to Denver, Colorado for a retreat and shabbaton in col-

Israeli art isn’t just for the JCC anymore Page 12

the only new experience for the Omaha 5th-7th graders; they also had the chance to meet and get to know new friends from Denver.

Participants shared experiences of being Jewish and what it is like to

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press On Tuesday, Dec. 20, residents at the Livingston Appartments celebrated Hanukkah in style, with music by Anna Mosenkis and Lev Tshekhtman, and, of course, the appropriate food.

of the appartments, there are multiple avenues for residents to feel connected to the community: “We invite all the residents to community concerts at the JCC,” says Conti. “In addition, many residents enjoy participating in outreach programs that are sponsored

by JSS, such as casino outings and

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

8 10 11

This Month The Women’s Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

Scholars Club participants with Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi and chaperon Robert Mosenkis on the road during their Denver retreat and shabbaton.

Activities Director Maggie Conti shares a dance with Livingston resident Mark Magalnik at the annual Livingston Hanukkah party

laboration with DAT, a Jewish Day School located in Denver. The sight of snow-capped mountains was not

“Shelley Fox and I do this every year,” said Rose Blumkin Home Activity Director Maggie Conti.

“We know we’ll come home smelling like latkes, and we wouldn’t have it any other way, because the residents really look forward to this day.”

The Hanukkah party is hosted by the Livingston Fund, along with Jewish Social Services. Each resident receives a gift card from HyVee. Although it’s the only party that is organized at the actual site

attend each of their schools.

Attending a Jewish day school in cities like Omaha and Denver, where Jewish students primarily attend public school, can be a challenge for kids. While students at both Friedel and DAT noted that they wouldn’t trade their experiences at their respective schools to go somewhere else, it can at times feel isolating to be in schools that are different and smaller than most.

The weekend in Denver provided an opportunity to meet kids who also Continued on page 2

monthly luncheons.”

Other advantages are access to the fitness center and the Rose Blumkin Beauty Shop: “Even on bad weather days,” Conti says, “the residents can cimply walk down the hall and find something to do, all the while keeping their independence.”

For more information about Livingston appartments, please call manager Cheri Johnson at 1.402.330.3995 See more photos on page 7.

2 | The Jewish Press | January 6, 2012

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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN the congregation that if at least $15 million for the conTemple Israel Communications Coordinator struction and endowment of the new synagogue could be For about the past 15 months, Stacey Rockman and raised, they would expand their own gift to $5 million.

Harley and Jeffrey Schrager have chaired the major donors’ Raising funds for the endowment fund “is of critical division of the fund-raising effort to build a new Temple importance,” the Schragers agreed. “If we’re going to build a Israel. Marking its 140th year in 2011, Temple Israel, new Temple, we have to have the money to maintain it and Nebraska’s oldest Jewish congregation, signed an agreement the grounds properly. Because it’s a new building, it’s obviin November to purchase 14 acres in the Sterling Ridge ously going to cost more to operate. Rather than increase development east of 132nd Street, between Pacific Street and dues or further raise funds, the additional funds (for the West Center Road. endowment fund) will help Some $23 million has been pay for the increased mainteraised which is about 90 pernance costs.” cent of the overall goal of $26 “We want to secure the million, which will not only future of the new building,” finance the cost of the new explained Jeffrey Schrager. structure but also establish an “To ensure that we’re going endowment fund to maintain to be around in the future,” we it in the future. did a pro forma budget, figur“It’s going to be an amazing ing out how much it will cost and wonderful thing for to mow the lawn and plow the Temple Israel, the Jewish snow among so many other community, and the city of expenses, Rockman said. “We Omaha” emphasized Jeffrey Jeffrey Schrager, left, Stacey Rockman, and Harley Schrager don’t want any surprises,” she Schrager, the oldest son of the late Phil Schrager. “More per- commented. “We want to insure that we’re going to be sonally for me, it was my Dad’s priority in terms of philan- around in the future and that we are building a place that we thropy. He always dreamed of building a new Temple Israel. can take care of for the next 50 years.”

He thought it was the most important project he could have Although the majority of the funds have been raised, worked on.” Jeffrey wants to carry on for his Dad “and our another goal of the campaign is 100 percent participation on whole family.” the part of the congregation regardless the size of the con“Phil was the reason we got so involved,” added Harley tribution. As of late December, the proportion of the conSchrager, Phil Schrager’s brother. “We got involved for him, gregation that have made donations to the new building was his legacy, and the community.”

60 percent. “It’s important that everybody has a stake in this Rockman got involved in the building process on the orig- project, because they’re going to enjoy it and live with it for inal Steering Committee in 2005. At a later time, she was a long time. It’s not too late to get 100 percent participation,” asked to do fund-raising and became the liaison between the according to Harley Schrager. staff and the general campaign and the staff and the major He reflected on his involvement in the fund-raising expedonor solicitation process. rience as an opportunity “to get to know some people better “A lot of other people have been involved,” pointed out who I didn’t know well before. It’s challenging to ask people Harley Schrager. He mentioned the Gilinsky family; John to open their wallets. It’s also rewarding, because the outLehr, current president of the Temple Israel Board of pouring of generosity has allowed us to build the quality Trustees; and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. building that we envisioned that the whole congregation Rockman praised the efforts of Marty and Joanie Lehr and desires and deserves.” many members of the Board of Trustees. “As people made Jeffrey Schrager described the ability to help our congretheir personal contributions,” she said, “they were good gation provide a gift like this both to ourselves and future about joining me for further solicitations.” generations as “extremely rewarding. We’ve asked people to Some people have donated money and have been active on donate in ways that are uncomfortable for them and have the Building Council overseeing design and construction. been very well received. It’s truly spectacular.”

“Ted Zetzman and John Waldbaum have given money and Rockman noted that fund-raising is “difficult. Phil are on our Building Council,” said Harley Schrager. “They’ve (Schrager) was the one who told me if I expected the same been very involved in the acquisition of the land and will things from others as from myself, I would live in a very lonecontinue to be” as construction gets underway in 2012. ly world. But,” she added, the effort “has also been rewarding.”

“A lot of people have given their expertise in their fields of Harley Schrager said, “the outpouring of generosity has work without charging us,” Rockman pointed out. She men- been gratifying and helpful, obviously. As I said on Rosh tioned Zetzman and Waldbaum also. “It’s unbelievable what Hashanah, this Temple is going to be a very beautiful, warm Waldbaum has given” including his time, expertise, and beacon of light on the hillside, and I hope that everyone who devotion to the project. comes to the Temple after it’s completed will feel that it’s a “Dozens of congregants have participated in the process. very worthwhile undertaking for decades.”

They continue to be involved in the details. Tom Fellman Most amazing to the Schragers and Rockman has been did a lot of solicitations,” Jeffrey Schrager remarked. Before witnessing the generosity of the congregation. The extent the Schragers were involved, Fellman was already soliciting that some people have “put themselves out there” has stirred people about ten years ago, according to Harley and Jeffrey. their emotions. They noted that the generosity “says a lot About 14 or 15 months ago, “we began to get real commit- about the congregation and the city of Omaha.” ments. Before that, they were conversations. It wasn’t until “If we want to move forward and be a place for the future,” the old Ironwood (Golf and Country Club) was sold that the maintains Rockman, “this is a way to make it happen. fund raising effort coalesced around that,” Schrager said.

Omaha is unusual, because so many Jews affiliate. But as “It was at that point that my brother (Phil Schrager) made Omaha gets bigger maybe the excitement of this building a commitment of one and a half million dollars,” said Harley will make people want to be part of our community -- not Schrager. The Schrager family later offered a challenge to just live in it.”

Beth Israel Scholars Club travels to Denver

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Continued from page 1 attend a Jewish school in another place, encouraging the students to feel part of a larger, national day school system.

The theme of the weekend was The Avot and Jewish Leadership... What do YOU have to do with it? On Friday, after visiting the US Mint and the Museum at the grave site of Buffalo Bill, Scholars Club participants broke into groups and were treated to a special learning session led by DAT’s high school students. Shabbat evening programs included a dinner for all of the Omaha and Denver students at the home of Rabbi Daniel Alter, DAT Head of School, followed by a learning program and festive “tisch” led by DAT faculty and community members. In addition to synagogue services, Shabbat day activities included learning opportunities as well as time for the Omaha and Denver participants to spend “down-time” with each other both on the DAT campus and at the homes of the Denver hosts. Scholars Club members all raved about the kindness

of their host families. After havdallah, shabbaton participants had a full night of social activities as they headed out for glow-in-the-dark mini golf and a scavenger hunt at the mall. On Sunday morning, the Omahans bid farewell to Denver and their new friends, exchanging phone numbers and “friending” each other through social media outlets.

The Scholar’s Club is led by Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi and meets every Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the JCC to learn Biblical Jewish History in a fun and interactive way. While the club has a nearly 90% participation rate of Friedel students - making it the most popular after-school activity- its weekly meetings are open to any Jewish 4th6th grader in Omaha regardless of school or synagogue affiliation. 7th graders are invited to participate in Scholars Club shabbatons and other social activities. For more information contact Rabbi Mizrahi at rabbimizrahi@orthodox omaha.org or 402.556.6288.

January 6, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 3

Agencies and the Annual Campaign: Like chicken soup and matzoh balls

by SHERRIE SAAG first of a series, we introduce Communications Specialist, Center for Jewish Education Jewish Federation of Omaha (CJE) board president Bonnie Jewish Social Services, The Jewish Press, Bloch who spoke recently the Jewish Community Center, the Center about the Center, its value to the for Jewish Education, and the Anti- community and its connections to the Defamation League/Community Relations Annual Campaign.

Committee are the She is excited to tackle the service agencies that new responsibilities and comprise our challenges the CJE Federation communiassumed under the One ty. Their work is vital Campus, One Community to our mission of susInitiative. We are grateful taining Jewish identity she took the time to tell us and caring for those in about it. need locally, in Israel, What is happening at the and around the world.

Center for Jewish The goal being, we Education? must assume ownerThe Center for Jewish ship of our community Education takes great and the responsibility pride in providing a wide to ensure its continuvariety of educational servity. ices and programming Our agency network available to all ages and Bonnie Bloch is vital to our success. learning abilities. We offer Without their commitment and dedication classes, Jewish Book Month, the Jewish Film to providing necessary programs and servic- Festival, the Omaha Jewish Chai School, and es, our community would look and function the outstanding services of the Kripke very differently.

Jewish Federation Library.

Just as the Federation agencies depend Our newest addition is the Shaliach proupon the generosity of our community gram, returning after a one year absence. through Annual Campaign pledges, so too Our Shaliach, Na’ama Keren, is getting does our community depend upon these involved on campus more than ever before. agencies to provide important services and From BBYO events and CDC and Friedel programming. visits to leading book club discussions and With our Annual Campaign in full force writing editorials in the paper, we are makand Super Sunday coming soon, what a per- ing sure Na’ama brings Israel to every corner fect time to place a spotlight on our of our campus.

Federation agencies and those lay leaders Second, we partnered with Friedel Jewish who make everything happen. In this, the Academy and are now sharing library

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Haredi violence

resources and services with our Friedel students and teachers. In fact, they even have their very own space in the library. We have reorganized Partnership2Gether with two new chairs, Stacie Brodkey and Patty Nogg, and will bring a second performing arts series to Omaha in 2012.

How does the Annual Campaign support the Center for Jewish Education?

The CJE is lay driven, but without funds available through the Annual Campaign, we wouldn’t have the ability to present the programming we do to the community. We rely on Federation leadership to provide valuable input. Community feedback drives our programming decisions. Also, the Federation leadership provided the framework upon which the Omaha Jewish Chai School was conceived and built. Federation brought Jewish educators from across the community together, sitting at a table, sometimes for hours, to create a community high school to serve everyone.

I give to the Annual Campaign because...

Critical and fundamental services for the needy among us are met through dollars raised during the Annual Campaign. In addition, my campaign dollars help the needs in Israel, food banks, the elderly, youth at risk, and healthcare in our Partnership2Gether region at the Western Galilee Hospital. The Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign is the future of our community.

Continued from page 1 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the Israel Police to act aggressively against violence aimed at women. Netanyahu also reportedly spoke with Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to make certain that laws against excluding women from public spaces are enforced.

“The exclusion of women goes against the tradition of the Bible and the principles of Judaism,” Netanyahu told participants at a Bible contest.

Kadima lawmaker Nachman Shai submitted a bill to the Knesset on Tuesday that would make “publicizing, inciting, preaching or encouraging gender segregation in the public sphere” a criminal act punishable by three years in prison.

Israeli President Shimon Peres urged Israelis to attend the rally.

“Today is a test for the nation, not just for the police. All of us, religious, secular, traditional must as one man defend the character of the State of Israel against a minority which breaks our national solidarity,” Peres told reporters Tuesday.

The haredi Orthodox mayor of Beit Shemesh, Moshe Abutbul, decried the violence against young girls and the exclusion of women.

“Beit Shemesh denounces such behavior. Violent men belong behind bars. I urge the Israel Police to act with a firm hand against all the rioters,” he said, adding that reporters should not make assumptions about all haredi Orthodox Israelis.

Following the violence, the Beit Shemesh municipality said it would install hundreds of security cameras in areas where harassment of women was occurring.

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4 | The Jewish Press | January 6, 2012

It’s not too early to think about camp

by DIANE MALASHOCK Center for Jewish Education Ask anyone who has attended a summer Jewish camp and they will tell you what a truly life-changing experience it is.

Studies show a high correlation between kids who attend a Jewish summer residential camp and those who maintain a strong Jewish identity into adulthood. Jewish summer camps provide memories to last a lifetime and friendships made often continue through adulthood. However there is always that dose of “sticker shock” when it comes to the cost of camp! It is for this reason the Jewish Federation of Omaha made a commitment to help area families by offering two grant programs – the Jewish Experience Grant and the One Happy Camper program.

Jewish Experience Grants are available to everyone in the Omaha Jewish community. The grant is a non-need based award totaling $1,000. This can be used in a single year or divided into two $500 grants to be used over two summers.

The camp must be a two-week or longer summer residential Jewish camp recognized by the Center for Jewish Education.

In the past these have included Camp Sabra, OSRUI, Herzl Camp, Moshava, Shwayder, Ramah and Camp Nageela Midwest.

“Program requirements are designed to make it very easy for any Omaha family to take advantage of these grant programs” comments Mary Sue Grossman, Associate Executive

Director of the Center for Jewish Education. “Grants are available to students in grades 3 through 11 who currently attend either an Omaha synagogue religious school or Friedel Jewish Academy and will attend one of these religious schools the year following the camp experience.” In addition, the family must be a contributor to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Applying for a Jewish Experience Grant is simple. The application is available on the Jewish Federation of Omaha website at www.jewishomaha.org and is due no later than March 1, 2012. Select the Center for Jewish Education and then select the Scholarships and Grant page. Simply print a copy, fill it out, have your family’s congregational rabbi and religious school director sign it and submit it to the Center for Jewish Education office. Payment is then made directly to the camp. Applications can also be obtained by emailing grants@jewishomaha.org or calling Diane Malashock at 402.334.6424.

The One Happy Camper Program, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha and the Foundation for Jewish Camp, provides grants to encourage children to attend overnight Jewish camp for the first time.

It is not a scholarship fund and it is not need-based. The goal is to engage families who are considering sending their children to camp and in effect to give them $1,000 off their camp fee to try a Jewish one.

Seldin Company donates 17,620 pounds to the Foodbank of the Heartland

by DANIELLE HAGEMEIER Seldin Company, along with 59 of its affiliated apartment communities, has donated of 17,620 pounds of food products to Food Bank for the Heartland this holiday season. The 2011 total exceeds last year’s donation by 4,600 pounds.

Seldin Company anticipates another 2,000 pounds of donations from apartment communities outside of the Omaha metropolitan area. The participating apartment communities waived application fees and offered $50 off the first month’s rent to any new resident who donated at least 10 canned or non-perishable food items.

All current residents who donated were entered into a drawing to win one month’s free rent. Seldin Company offered this promotion at all of its Omaha, Bellevue, Grand Island,

Fremont, Sioux City, and Council Bluffs locations from November 1st through Dec. 12. This was the third year that Seldin Company has partnered with Food Bank for the Heartland. Last year, 51 properties participated, receiving approximately 13,160 items or 12,952 pounds. The total donations provided 10,119 meals to people in Nebraska and Western Iowa. Seldin Company is a diversified, full-service real estate firm based in Omaha, Neb. Founded in 1923, Seldin manages approximately 9,400 apartment units and 3 million square feet of retail and office space. The company offers property management, brokerage and development services and operates in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.

The grants are awarded to first time campers who attend a nonprofit Jewish overnight camp for at least 19 consecutive days. Eligible campers must be entering grades 3-11 (after camp) and be attending one of the 150+ non-profit, Jewish, overnight summer camps listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website (www.jewishcamp.org).

Before your child can qualify for a grant s/he must first be enrolled in camp. Once enrolled, visit the One Happy Camper website (www.onehappycamper.org) to begin the application process.

If you have previously received a Jewish Experience Grant from the Jewish Federation of Omaha, your child is currently enrolled in a Jewish day school or yeshiva, or if you have any questions contact Diane Malashock via email dmalashock@jewishomaha.org or by calling 402.334.6424.

In addition, the Financial Aid Committee of the Center for Jewish Education has several funds available from which it awards financial-need based scholarships. Over the past three years, over $100,000 has been awarded to enable families to give their children summer camp experiences. The generosity of many donors and the Omaha Jewish community makes this funding available. The application for Scholarships can be found online at the same location as the grants and submission deadlines. Applications are also available by emailing scholarships@jewishomaha.org or calling Mary Sue Grossman at 402.334.6445.

Engagement TSABARI-MOSS Eadie and Eitan Tsabari announce the engagement of their daughter, Gal Tsabari to Josh Moss, son of Ellie and Joel Moss of Montreal, Canada and Jerusalem.

The bride-to-be is a student at Hebrew University studying Psychobiology.

She is the granddaughter of Mazal Tsabari and the late Nachman Tsabari and the late Helen and Joe Fishel.

Her fiancé is a medical student at Hebrew University.

He is the grandson of Alan and Ruth Sheiner and the late Marcus and Ruby Moss.

A wedding is planned for Aug. 9, 2012, at Beit Shmuel in Jerusalem.

To order a gift subscription to the Press...

Send a check for $40, made out to the Jewish Press, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 402.334.6448.

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January 6, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 5

Explore Einstein and Judaism at Beth El’s Sunday Scholars program

by JILL BELMONT Judaism, “and its influence over his lifetime Beth El Publicity Coordinator drive to find the fundamental design of the Einstein, Judaism and the Design of the universe. We will also examine how this led Universe will take center stage during the him to reject the quantum theory, which he next installment of Beth El’s upcoming invented but debated and rejected throughout his career.”

Sunday Scholars Series proShukert added that, “I gram on Jan. 8. Guest speakhope that people will take er during the 11 a.m. presenaway a sense of the elegance tation will be Marty Shukert, of Einstein’s thought and the principal at RDG Planning influence of Jewish theology and Design.

Shukert shared that he on his scientific search.” selected his topic “because of The synagogue’s monthly my interest in the intersection Sunday Scholars Series is of science and Judaism, my open to everyone in the comadmiration for Einstein, and munity, at no charge. For my fascination with theories more information, contact of the beginning and nature Beth El Program Director Marty Shukert of the universe.

Margie Gutnik in the synaDuring the morning, he plans to explore gogue office, 402.492.8550, or at programAlbert Einstein’s view of God, its basis in ming@bethel-omaha.org.

Israel Advocacy Shabbat at Beth Israel

by BETH COHEN Executive Director, Beth Israel Synagogue Teens 4 Israel is just as you’d expect from the name – a group of teenagers advocating for Israel. A program of Beth Israel Synagogue, Teens 4 Israel is open to high school students from the entire Jewish community. Meeting on a monthly basis, Teens 4 Israel provides a unique opportunity for students to have face-toface interaction with some of the most passionate Israel advocates from both inside and outside of the Omaha community. Teens taking part in this venture will form an elite group of young leaders with the ability to advocate for Israel in formal and informal settings.

Through Rabbi Jonathan Gross of Beth Israel, Teens 4 Israel is developing a unique relationship with AIPAC, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee.

Rabbi Gross has become very involved with AIPAC over the course of the past three years as he has attended their annual Policy Conference. The AIPAC policy conference is the premier event for advocates of the Jewish State anywhere in the world outside of Israel.

At Policy Conference, Jews of all denominations and affiliations join together with nonJewish supporters of Israel and the overwhelming majority of the U.S. Congress to show their support for the only democracy and the strongest U.S. ally in the Middle East.

“It is a gathering of the most impressive speakers and advocates in the Jewish world today,” said Rabbi Gross. “After every session I left thinking, ‘had I just come for this one lecture – dayeinu – that would have been worth it.’” Last year’s highlights included addresses by the Prime Minister of Israel and by the President of the United States.

“I attended the conference with a number of members of our Jewish community,” says Rabbi Gross. “We all agreed that it is some-

thing that everyone in the Omaha Jewish community should have the opportunity to experience.”

The 2012 Policy Conference takes place March 4-6. In order to introduce people to this great opportunity, Beth Israel will be hosting an AIPAC Israel advocacy Shabbaton at Beth Israel over Shabbat Shemot, Jan. 13 and 14, 2012.

Teens 4 Israel will host Callyn Weintraub at Beth Israel. Callyn is the Assistant Area Director for AIPAC’s Colorado, Nebraska and New Mexico office. Based in Denver, she has experience within the realms of politics, fundraising and community outreach. In her position, Callyn assists with overseeing all AIPAC activity in our region, including pro-Israel political activity, synagogue outreach, campaign strategy, event coordination and marketing.

Callyn received a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan in English and Political Science. She was a co-founder of the Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity, served as the Reviews Editor of the Michigan Israel Observer, and was an active member of Michigan’s pro-Israel student organization, American Movement for Israel. Callyn has spent a lot of time in Israel, most notably spending her junior year of college at Tel Aviv University, studying Israeli Politics and Government.

She will be giving the D’var Torah at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, Jan. 13, at 5 p.m. At Shabbat morning services, she will be speaking about what AIPAC does and the agenda this year at Policy Conference.

On Shabbat afternoon, Callyn will meet with the Teens 4 Israel to discuss avenues for advocacy. If you are a teen and are interested in learning how you can become an Israel advocate and want to find out more about Teens 4 Israel, contact Rabbi Gross at RabbiGross@OrthodoxOmaha.org.

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Omaha Public High Schools Creating Opportunities for All Students

2012 Open Houses Central High

Saturday, January 7 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Burke High

Tuesday, January 10 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Northwest High Magnet

Thursday, January 12 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Bryan High School

Tuesday, January 17 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

South High Magnet

Thursday, January 19 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Benson High Magnet

Thursday, January 19 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

North High Magnet

Sunday, January 22 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Career Center

Saturday, January 28 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

All dressed up The Center for Jewish Education collected over 60 costumes during the month of November. The costumes were sent to a “costume bank” in our Par tnership2Gether Community in Israel for Purim. Pictured is Na’ama Keren, our community Shalicha with a few of the costumes.

6 | The Jewish Press | January 6, 2012

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by SHIRI TENE B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Coordinator B’nai Tzedek participants, Julia Edelstein, left, and Eva Phillips, right, help cut up a fleece tie blanket at the B’nai Tzedek Volunteer day event on Dec. 11.

Center, Brooke Shulewitz and Jake Spivack, current 8th grade B’nai Tzedek members, colored place mats with an artistic flair. All the pieces that were created will be donated to Children’s Hospital and Medical Center of Omaha.

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The gift of Israel

by DIANE MALASHOCK Center for Jewish Education This summer up to 35 teens will travel to Israel for a funfilled four-week adventure with ARTZA ‘12, Omaha’s community teen trip to Israel. Another dozen or so will travel on other youth group trips, the March of the Living, or an educational summer experience.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha is deeply committed to helping teens and young adults visit Israel. It also recognizes the financial challenge for families in providing these experiences. This commitment is clearly shown by “putting their money where their mouth is” in providing funding for two grant programs specifically designed for Israel peer programs.

“The impact a trip to Israel makes on a young person is immeasurable” comments Jody Malashock, President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. “The Federation considers the funding of these grant programs as an incredibly important investment in the future of our youth and in the entire Jewish community.”

Jody’s comments are echoed by Mary Sue Grossman, Associate Executive Director for the Center for Jewish Education which administers the grant programs. “In talking to participants after their return, reading the articles written about their experiences and seeing the number that return to Israel for additional programs clearly shows the positive impact from the programs.”

The Israel Experience Grant is a one-time grant from the Jewish Federation of Omaha for students in grades 9-12 or young adults ages 18 to 26 for an approved Israel experience.

The grant may also be used for domestic airfare for participants in any Birthright Israel trip. The applicant must be a resident of the Omaha metropolitan area and the family, a donor in good standing to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. In addition, the applicant agrees to provide - within one month of return from the program – an article and pictures of the experience for publication in the Jewish Press and will participate in any required preparatory program.

The application deadline is March 1, 2012. Applications are available at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website at www.jewishomaha.org. Select the Center for Jewish Education page and select Scholarships and Grants page.

Applications are also available by emailing grants@jewish omaha.org or by calling Diane Malashock at 402.334.6424.

The Passport to Israel program is an easy and affordable way for families to save for their child’s future Israel experience. Families may make annual deposits into this fund any time from the child’s kindergarten year through the child’s sophomore year in high school. Families must deposit a minimum of $125 per year and up to $250 per year, to a maximum total of $2,000, which will be equally matched by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The family’s affiliated synagogue will also provide matching funds. The funds must be used for an approved program in Israel and can be used any time after a student has reached 10th grade but no later than their final year in college or age 23.

Students whose families are residents of the Omaha metropolitan community, are members in good standing of an area synagogue, are enrolled in a program of Jewish studies approved by the family’s synagogue, and are members in good standing with the Jewish Federation of Omaha, are eligible to participate in the Passport to Israel program. If you decide not to use the funds for whatever reason, the money you have deposited is fully refundable.

“The Passport to Israel program is one that we ask ourselves: Why doesn’t everyone do this? Where else can you be guaranteed to triple your money with no risk whatsoever?” comments Grossman. “When our son, Daniel, went on Artza in 2006, the money in his Passport account not only covered the cost of that trip but we used the remaining money to help fund his participation in March of the Living two years later. Every family should take full advantage of this opportunity!”

For an application or more information about Passport to Israel please contact Diane Malashock dmalashock@jewishomaha.org or call 402.334.6424.

Na’ama Keren visits Skutt High School Na’ama Keren, Community Shlicha, was invited to speak at Skutt High School on Dec. 13. Meeting with the Holocaust Awareness and Remembrance class, Na’ama shared her personal story as the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor and talked about the Holocaust and Israel. The Skutt class explores the world’s multicultural society and examines contemporary issues of tolerance. Issues of hate and corruption are explored through research, multimedia, guest speakers and literature.

For more information on the Community Shlicha program, a part of the Center for Jewish Education, please contact Na’ama at 402.590.2148 or nkeren@jewish omaha.org.

January 6, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 7

Organizations

Make a difference and volunteer in the Western Galilee

by DIANE MALASHOCK Center for Jewish Education Are you between the ages of 19 and 26? Do you have experience working with children? Are you outgoing and responsible? Do you want to volunteer in a summer camp in the Western Galilee? If so we have the perfect four-week opportunity for you! Partnership2Gether offers an exciting program to volunteer and become familiar with Israeli society, Kefiada.

Talia Tene and her campers.

Kefiada is a four week program for young adults to volunteer in the Western Galilee summer camps. Volunteers provide their own round trip ticket to Israel, health insurance, transportation costs for private trips, and some additional meals.

Partnership2Gether provides a stipend, volunteer placement, transportation to placements, housing in an Israeli environment (half board), local trips and the opportunity for making personal connections and enhancing our Partnership2Gether programs.

Talia Tene spent this past summer participating in Kefiada, along with Andrea Holmberg. In an email after her experience Talia writes, “I was privileged to be able to work with Omaha’s Partnership2Gether community in the Western Galilee. I spent a total of three and a half weeks in Nahariya, where I was a camp counselor for kids between the ages of 6 and 10. This experience was incredibly rewarding!” Talia continued: “I helped organize programs and games for the kids to do throughout the 3 weeks I spent with them. My campers were thrilled to have an American as their camp counselor. Not only were they teaching me Hebrew, but I helped them with their English! Seeing their

faces when they learned a new word in English was so moving. The connections that I was able to make over the summer with my campers were extremely strong. Even though we both spoke different languages, and maybe we didn’t understand each other as perfectly as I would have liked, it was a great experience hearing my name being screamed as I walked into the camp and all my campers came running towards me with open arms for a hug!”

Another Kefiada alumnus is Daniel Grossman, who, along with Taylor Workman and Salo Cemaj participated in the summer of 2010. “It really was the best summer of my life” stated Grossman. “Having the chance to actually live in Israel as opposed to being a tourist was incredible. Working with the campers was great but spending time with the families in the area, volunteering at the youth center, hanging out with soldiers home for the weekend gave us a completely different understanding of Israel. I highly recommend the program to everyone.”

If you would like to share your talent and get to know the people of Israel on a deeper and more meaningful level, this program is for you. Participation in this program will include an amazing summer living in Israel as an Israeli, a personal development experience and a fantastic addition to your resume!

To find out more information please contact Diane Malashock, Israel Program Coordinator for the Center for Jewish Education by phone, 402.334.6424 or via email dmalashock@jewishomaha.org.

To find out more information about Partnership2Gether visit: www.westerngalilee.org.il.

A Livingston Hanukkah Among those who enjoyed the annual Hanukkah party were, clockwise from top: Joe Boin; Olga Sitnayovsky and Shelly Fox; Anna Mosenkis and Lev Tshekhtman, who livened up the party with their wonderful music; George Shafer and Maggie Conti; Nellie Spivak and Boris May.

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Mary Lopez, a long-time volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Omaha will share her recent experiences in earthquake - ravaged Haiti on Wednesday, Jan. 11, noon at the Blumkin Home. She has spent many months there working with the organization rebuilding homes. An optional buffet lunch costs $10; beverage service only is $3.

For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH To know Yiddish is to become an artist with words and a master at describing the foibles, the quirks, and the strengths of human character. Yiddish is the best way to understand the soul of the Jewish people. We meet every Thursday, from 1-3 p.m., at the Rose Blumkin Home Board Room. Come join us and enjoy meeting your soul mates.

For information call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

MAINSTREETERS Lunch and Movie on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. at the JCC Auditorium and movie at 1 p.m. at the JCC Theater featuring the film The Help. An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960’s decides to write a book detailing the African-American maid’s point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis. There is no charge for the movie and to order a brown bag lunch through Star Catering send your reservations form along with $10 to Mainstreeters, c/o Maggie Conti, 323 S. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. For questions or transportation call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521. Make check payable to Jewish Social Services. Deadline is Jan. 9.

Toning and Conditioning Classes will be Wednesday, Jan. 11, 18 and 25 in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Chapel from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Designed to help reduce the risk of falls and improve your balance. The class is taught by Sharon Rowe, who hold an MA in Public Health Education.

Rowe is a certified exercise leader and Pilates coach; she has been teaching a variety of exercise, wellness and health classes for 30 years through her business, Body by Rowe.

Send reservations with full payment to Mainstreeters, c/o Maggie Conti, 323 S. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. For questions call Rocky Stern at 402.393.4952. Make check payable to Jewish Social Services. Deadline is Jan. 4.

Poker Refresher Classes on Tuesdays, Jan. 24 and 31 at 10-11 a.m. in the Husker Lounge at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. The Instructor is Shawn Menagh, poker enthusiast and volunteer at the Rose Blumkin Home. Shawn will teach you the poker hand rankings, how and when to bet, when to bluff and help you understand all the lingo of the game. There is no charge for the class. Call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 for reservations. Call Rocky Stern for information at 402.393.4952.

To order a gift subscription to the Press...

Send a check for $40, made out to the Jewish Press, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 402.334.6448.

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8 | The Jewish Press | January 6, 2012

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Power to the people

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Minister Binyamin Netanyahu denounced the extremism: Israeli women. Unlike most of its neighboring countries, Editor of the Jewish Press “Anyone who harasses women or anyone else must be Israel knows no state-sanctioned gender discrimination. To It’s the first week of January; a good time to reminisce, but stopped, he said, explaining that as a Western, liberal be a woman in Israel is an entirely different thing than, for mostly a time to look forward and imagine what the New democracy, Israel’s public space is open to all.” (JPost.com) instance, in Syria or Iran. And Israeli women aren’t about to Year will bring. If anything, 2011 was a year of protest. From Netanyahu also included the following warning: “The vast stand for any threat to that equality. And so they take to the the demonstrations in Egypt and Libya to the tent cities in majority of the Haredi public combines an adherence to streets and wave their protest signs when it appears that a Israel, from Wall Street to Main Street to Moscow’s Red Jewish tradition and a complete respect for the law,” certain segment of society is prepared to push them back Square, people took to the streets in unpreceinto a submissive role. Can anyone blame them? dented numbers. It was as if the masses suddenI certainly don’t; equality for women is hard ly remembered that it does no good to sit at fought, and none of us are willing to go back in home and yell at your Television. If you want to time. effect real change, for better or worse, you need The real problem here is one of P.R. The haredi other people. We’ve all spent so many hours P.R., to be precise. First of all, this segment of lamenting de-socialization due to the Internet; society is extremely diverse. There are numerous nobody really saw this coming. Connecting with factions and groups and neighborhoods, and other warm bodies for a common goal? How many different rabbis, but many non-haredi can’t retro. really tell them apart. Second, the only time any Will 2012 bring us more of the same? It’s hard of them make the news is when conflict happens. to tell. However, if the recent weeks are any indiThe sad truth is that an angry man with a beard cation, Israel is one country where we can expect and a black hat makes the news much quicker more protesters on the street. But this time, the than a thousand of his brothers who live a peaceanger and frustration is not directed at the govful life. And since that peaceful life takes place ernment; it is, instead, reserved for neighbors. away from the public eye, few of us have a conTension between haredim and other Israeli text in which to place haredi violence when it Jews has existed for decades. Several weeks ago, does occur. So we generalize, and that is a shame. that tension took a turn for the worse. The spark As with all public protests, the outcry from that ignited the latest round of animosity: a hareJewish women is only effective if we follow it up di man in Beit Shemesh spitting on a modern Young haredi men clash with police in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, Dec. 26, 2011. with dialogue. However, for this type of dialogue, Credit: Kobi Gideon/Flash90/JTA we need all sides to get involved. orthodox eight-year-old girl while she was on her way to school. He claimed the girl, Na’ama Margolis, had (JTA.com) and called for unity: “We must not generalize,” In other words, the haredim need to take a seat at the table. been dressed immodestly.

Netanyahu said according to the Jerusalem Post. “To include They need to create some positive P.R., and strongly conThe outcry among Israeli and American Jews was imme- [all haredim] in the violence of a marginal, law-breaking demn the recent violence. We also need to remember that we diate. JPost reported that Interior Minister Eli Yishai called group would be irresponsible.” are all Jews, and that maybe it is possible we have more in the action “nauseating and disgusting.” Culture and Sport Netanyahu has a point. He knows, as is so often the case, common than we think.

Minister Limor Livnat spoke out against segregated bus the actions of a few taint the whole. In a community as diverse And men who spit on school girls or try to send women to lines, discrimination in cemeteries, in which women are for- and as inscrutable as the haredim, it is very easy to denounce the back of the bus need to be held accountable, not because bidden from eulogizing loved ones, excluding women from that whole. We always fear what we don’t understand. they are haredim, but because their actions are wrong, public ceremonies, and segregated sidewalks. Israeli Prime Right now, the biggest outcry against haredim comes from regardless of their religious background.

A letter of concern for American democracy

Focus on issues JASON EDELSTEIN JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed some concerns about Israeli democracy in a closed-door session at the Saban Forum, reportedly criticizing proposed Knesset legislation aimed at curbing foreign funding of Israeli NGOs and gender-segregated bus lines serving haredi Orthodox areas.

A couple of weeks later, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman penned an Op-Ed saying that he is "deeply worried about where Israel is going today."

Maybe Clinton and Friedman first should take a hard look at the state of democracy at home.

In the spirit of Friedman’s letter-style columns, I offer my own only half-facetious letter on American democracy: Dear Tom Friedman and Hillary Clinton, As I write from Jerusalem and look at what is happening in America, I am very worried. Let me be clear: As someone who used to live in America, I love the United States. I also love liberal values. It is with both of these loves in mind that, as 2011 concludes, I must express my concern that the very core of America’s democratic underpinnings is disappearing.

Numerous events this year suggest a dangerous trend -not merely isolated incidents -- that strikes at the heart of American democracy and ultimately could lead to the country’s downfall.

In November, I watched with horror as protestors at the

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Occupy demonstrations at the University of California, Davis were viciously mistreated by police. Simply for sitting and showing opposition to America’s unfair economic structure, these students were violently and repeatedly peppersprayed. This form of police brutality can cause blindness and even death in some occurrences. The police reaction stands in stark contrast to the principle of freedom of assembly on which America was founded.

Frankly, the Occupy movements throughout the country were met with the type of violence that we normally see in totalitarian regimes here in the Middle East.

My deep love for America also drew my attention to New York, where local papers reported on gender-segregated bus lines in Brooklyn. Gender segregation is deplorable and -particularly when it occurs on buses -- a stark reminder of a time when American bus companies enforced racial segregation. A democratic country that fails to stop gender segregation will soon cease to be democratic.

I have been horrified as well as I learn of the views of Michele Bachmann, a mainstream Republican presidential candidate who has such a popular following that she was atop the polls at one point. Yet, her views on homosexuality have no place in a democratic society that claims to treat all citizens equally. In a 2004 conference, Bachmann said that “gays are part of Satan.” And her husband’s counseling center espouses the view that Christianity can “cure” homosexuality.

These views are destructive and hateful and have no place among the leaders of a democratic society.

The same goes for Arizona’s visciously anti-immigrant law, which was signed by Arizona’s governor in April 2010

but is now being challenged at the Supreme Court. This law makes the failure to carry immigration documents a crime, effectively encouraging racial profiling by police officers and discriminating against Hispanics. America was founded by immigrants. Why turn against them? Treating immigrants as second-class citizens and assuming guilt is the antithesis of democracy. It is a sign of impending doom.

Finally, as 2011 ends, the Racial Justice Act soon may be repealed in North Carolina. What greater sign is there of the erosion of democracy than eliminating something called the Racial Justice Act -- which has allowed death-row inmates to argue that racial bias played a role in their cases?

If the legislative pursuits of the Tea Party in North Carolina are a bellwether for American democracy -- and I believe they are -- then other states certainly will follow with racist legislation. What’s next -- churches banning interracial marriage?

Again, my concerns come from a place of love. I worry that America is on a self-destructive path and that the death of American democracy is near. This should serve as a wake-up call for deep, personal reflection about the choices Americans have made.

America can still regain its democratic footing, but it requires more action at home, not more handwringing about the internal politics of countries overseas.

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January 6, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 9

Former aide says Ron Paul is anti-Israel

Focus on issues DANIEL TREIMAN Ron Paul has been treated like a political leper by Jewish Republicans, no doubt in large part because of his views toward Israel (though the president of the National Jewish Democratic Council argues that pro-Israel Republicans haven’t been tough enough toward Paul, noting the possibility he may win the GOP Iowa caucuses).

Paul, for his part, has tried to rebut charges that he is hostile to Israel. He has argued that his support for ending American aid to Israel -- rooted in his broader opposition to all foreign aid -would actually be a good thing for the Jewish state, as it would guarantee its independence and freedom of action. He has even said that the U.S. should treat Israel “as our best friend.”

But is Paul’s PR push an exercise in political cynicism?

Paul’s posturing as a friend of Israel doesn’t exactly accord with an account recently offered by a former congressional and campaign aide. Eric Dondero, who is Jewish, insists that his former boss is not a racist or an anti-Semite but does say that he is “most certainly Anti-Israel, and AntiIsraeli in general.”

Dondero writes: “He wishes the Israeli state did not exist at all. He expressed this to me numerous times in our private conversations. His view is that Israel is more trouble than it is worth, specifically to the American taxpayer. He sides with the Palestinians, and supports their calls for the abolishment of the Jewish state, and the return of Israel, all of it, to the Arabs.”

Incidentally, Dondero also says that Paul “strenuously does not believe the United States had any business getting involved in fighting Hitler in WWII.” (This, of course, is reminiscent of another none-too-Israelfriendly isolationist and onetime Republican presidential primary force-tobe-reckoned-with, Pat Buchanan.)

The notion that Paul’s stances are rooted in a principled opposition to America getting involved in other countries’ affairs or taking sides abroad coexists uneasily with the type of language that he has used to criticize Israeli actions. For instance, during Israeli’s Operation Cast Lead, Paul told

Iran’s Press TV that Gaza is “like a concentration camp” and complained that Palestinians “making homemade bombs” are being treated “like they’re the aggressors.”

But if Paul is being disingenuous in trying to put a positive spin on his views toward Israel, it would not be his first foray into the realm of political cynicism.

In a column for CNN, former Bush speechwriter David Frum takes aim at Paul’s image as “an anti-politician, the lone voice of integrity in a sullied world.”

Frum argues that the often overtly racist and conspiratorial rhetoric in the newsletters that went out under Paul’s name for many years -- and which Paul denies having written -- was a ploy aimed at getting donations and building a political base.

On this point, Frum cites The Atlantic’s Michael Brendan Dougherty, who wrote: “As crazy as it sounds, Ron Paul’s newsletter writers may not have been sincerely racist at all. They actually thought appearing to be racist was a good political strategy in the 1990s. After that strategy yielded almost nothing -- it was abandoned by Paul’s admirers.”

Dondero offers one more point of evidence that would seem to bolster the case that Paul’s vaunted sincerity has its limits.

Dondero writes that Paul did an aboutface on the 2001 congressional resolution authorizing military action against those responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks, first telling his staffers that he would vote against it and then ending up voting in favor.

“He never explained why, but I strongly suspected that he realized it would have been political suicide” to vote against it, Dondero writes.

Dondero’s essay is chock full of other interesting anecdotes on Paul’s views about foreign policy (Dondero calls them “sheer lunacy”), his behavior toward gay supporters, his treatment of his aides and more. It’s worth reading in full.

UPDATE: A spokesman for Paul, Jesse Benton, issued a statement to the CBS News blog Political Hotsheet in which he said: “Eric Dondero is a disgruntled former staffer who was fired for performance issues. He has zero credibility and should not be taken seriously.”

Letters TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, I just wanted to tell the community about a person who provides wonderful physical therapy at the JCC. I had knee replacement surgery one month ago, and the JCC is where I work and play. Needless to say, it’s where I wanted to go for my physical therapy.

I contacted Member Services, and was told Kurt Harte was on site. Kurt is extremely knowledgeable, and a wonderful asset to the JCC. How nice that we can come to a familiar spot that is close to home, and recover and return to work. I am very grateful that these services are available in our community.

Lynne Saltzman Dear Editor, I was disappointed in the cautious tone of your headline article on Dec. 16 on Temple Israel’s Tri Faith Initiative. The tone was almost apologetic, as if to say, “Don’t be afraid; this really isn’t going to be too bad.” In fact, the Tri Faith Initiative is the most progressive, exciting, courageous, and downright wonderful project to emerge from the

Omaha Jewish community in as many years as I can remember. Omaha is perhaps not known as a center of innovation, but the TriFaith Initiative should put our community on the map for a creative step toward genuine understanding and friendship with members of our cousin-faiths. Although I no longer live in Omaha and thus am no longer a member of Temple Israel, I have never been prouder of my city, my former congregation, its clergy, and the members of the Tri-Faith Initiative. They deserve more than a cautious acknowledgment, but a resounding Hooray from the Jewish Press and the entire Jewish community.

Dr. Bette Novit Evans Santa Fe, New Mexico, former Temple Israel Member

Bibi adviser Ron Dermer to NYT: No Op-Ed for you! of the broad support for Israel among the American people.

Yet instead of trying to balance these views with a different opinion, it would seem as if the surest way to get an op-ed published in the New York Times these days, no matter how obscure the writer or the viewpoint, is to attack Israel. Even so, the recent piece on Pinkwashing, in which Israel is vilified for having the temerity to champion its record on gay-rights, set a new bar that will be hard for you to lower in the future.

Not to be accused of cherry-picking to prove a point, I discovered that during the last three months (September through November) you published 20 op-eds about Israel in the New York Times and International Herald Tribune. After dividing the op-eds into two categories, “positive” and “negative,” with “negative” meaning an attack against the State of Israel or the policies of its democratically elected government, I found that 19 out of 20 columns were “negative.”

The only “positive” piece was penned by Richard Goldstone (of the infamous Goldstone Report), in which he defended Israel against the slanderous charge of Apartheid.

Yet your decision to publish that op-ed came a few months after your paper reportedly rejected Goldstone’s previous submission. In that earlier piece, which was ultimately published in the Washington Post, the man who was quoted the world over for alleging that Israel had committed war crimes in Gaza, fundamentally changed his position.

According to the New York Times op-ed page, that was apparently news unfit to print.

Your refusal to publish “positive” pieces about Israel apparently does not stem from a shortage of supply. It was brought to my attention that the Majority Leader and Minority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives jointly submitted an op-ed to your paper in September opposing the Palestinian action at the United Nations and supporting the call of both Israel and the Obama administration for direct negotiations without preconditions. In an age of intense partisanship, one would have thought that strong bipartisan support for Israel on such a timely issue would have made your cut.

So with all due respect to your prestigious paper, you will forgive us for declining your offer. We wouldn’t want to be seen as “Bibiwashing” the op-ed page of the New York Times.

Behind the headlines URIEL HEILMAN Why did Ron Dermer, a senior adviser to the Israeli prime minister, decline a chance to have an Op-Ed by Benjamin Netanyahu appear in The New York Times? Because he feels the paper isn’t giving Israel a fair shake, with 19 of the last 20 Israel-related Op-Eds taking a negative view of Israel. Dermer explains in his letter to the Times declining the Op-Ed offer: Dear Sasha: I received your email requesting that Prime Minister Netanyahu submit an op-ed to the New York Times. Unfortunately, we must respectfully decline.

On matters relating to Israel, the op-ed page of the “paper of record” has failed to heed the late Senator Moynihan’s admonition that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but that no one is entitled to their own facts.

A case in point was your decision last May to publish the following bit of historical revision by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: “It is important to note that the last time the question of Palestinian statehood took center stage at the General Assembly, the question posed to the international community was whether our homeland should be partitioned into two states. In November 1947, the General Assembly made its recommendation and answered in the affirmative. Shortly thereafter, Zionist forces expelled Palestinian Arabs to ensure a decisive Jewish majority in the future state of Israel, and Arab armies intervened. War and further expulsions ensued.”

This paragraph effectively turns on its head an event within living memory in which the Palestinians rejected the UN partition plan accepted by the Jews and then joined five Arab states in launching a war to annihilate the embryonic Jewish state. It should not have made it past the most rudimentary fact-checking.

The opinions of some of your regular columnists regarding Israel are well known.

They consistently distort the positions of our government and ignore the steps it has taken to advance peace. They cavalierly defame our country by suggesting that marginal phenomena condemned by Prime Minister Netanyahu and virtually every Israeli official somehow reflects government policy or Israeli society as a whole. Worse, one columnist even stooped to suggesting that the strong expressions of support for Prime Minister Netanyahu during his speech this year to Congress was “bought and paid for by the Israel lobby” rather than a reflection

Sincerely, Ron Dermer Senior advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu

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To Submit obituaries to the Jewish Press: Email to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on Jewish Press and go to Submit Announcements.

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10 | The Jewish Press | January 6, 2012

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Rabbi Steven Abraham and Cantor Beth Schlossberg.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat/Say Shalom to Shabbat, 6 p.m. Dinner follows both programs at 6:30 p.m. Cost: Beth El members, $5; nonmembers, $7.50. No charge for children ages six and younger. RSVP to Margie Gutnik in the office, or at programming@bethel-omaha.org.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (2-7), 10 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:55 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: BESTT classes resume; Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Diversity in Movies: Embracing the World with open Jewish eyes, 10 a.m. with Susi Frydman-Levin; Sunday Scholars Series, 11 a.m. with guest speaker, Marty Shukert will discuss “Einstein, Judaism, and the Design of the Universe.” No charge to attend; Kadima Youth group will enjoy some Nerf gun fun and games competition, 4–5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Jan. 12, Women’s Book Club, 1 p.m. will discuss The Bronfmans: The Rise and Fall of the House of Seagram, by Nicholas Faith.

SYNAGOGUES’ DECATHLON: Jan. 3-16, at the JCC. Sunday, Jan. 8, 2 p.m., volleyball; Monday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m., Game Night (Poker, Scrabble, Mahj Jongg); Thursday, Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m., Wii Rock Band; Sunday, Jan. 15, 2 p.m., basketball. For more information, contact Margie in the synagogue office.

LET’S DO LUNCH: Enjoy lunch with Rabbi Levin at Blumkin Home’s Star Deli on Friday, Jan. 13, noon. RSVP to the rabbi at rabbilevin@bethel-omaha.org.

SIMCHAT SHABBAT/CAFÉ SCHMOOZE: Saturday, Jan. 14, 10:30 a.m.

BESTT: No classes or activities from Jan. 14-16.

USY: Lock-in and overnight from Saturday, Jan. 14, 5:30 p.m. to Sunday, Jan. 15, 9 a.m. Evening of fun and games will be highlighted by bowling and laser tag at Sempeck’s.

Cost to attend, $13. To RSVP, contact Shiri in the synagogue office, or at youthdir@bethel-omaha.org.

JEWISH VALUES IN TODAY’S WORLD: Sunday, Jan. 15, 11 a.m., led by Rabbi Levin.

All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:53 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting service begins at 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Rachel Shyken

Bar Mitzvah Jonah Bradley Payne, son of Jodie Stein and Jeffrey Payne, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Lincoln.

Jonah is a seventh-grade Honor Roll student at Scott Middle School.

He is a member of PANgea, a steel drum band whose members include a select group of Lincoln Public School students.

His interests include playing piano, performing in piano festivals, playing percussion in the school band, break-dancing, playing Fantasy football and hanging out with his friends.

For his mitzvah project, Jonah is making fleece blankets for the cats and dogs at the Capital Humane Society.

He has a sister, Samantha, and a brother, Jeremy.

Grandparents are Miriam Stein and the late Herbert Stein of Rochester, NY and the late Sydney and Adele Payne of Merrick, NY.

in honor of Joey’s Birthday; The Laws of Shabbat, 2:45 p.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Twitter Topic Class, 3:45 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 and up), 3:45 p.m.; Mincha, 4:45 p.m., followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:58 p.m.

SUNDAY: Gemara class, 8 a.m., learning tractate Kiddushin; Shacharit, 9 a.m. followed by breakfast; Sunday Night Dinner, 6 p.m., featuring an Israeli menu.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Weekly Teleconference Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross. Contact the office for information on how to call-in to the conference call.

TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:30 p.m. with Rabbi Mizrahi; Board of Commissioners’ Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross.

CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Mini Mensch title will be awarded. Kiddush luncheon will follow. Join Rabbi Katzman, noon-1 p.m.

SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m. followed by breakfast at 9:30 a.m. New feature: Living Torah viewing.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.

All programs are open to the entire community.

Candlelighting Friday, January 6, 4:53 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP 1317 North 57 Street | Omaha, NE 68132 | 402.551.6609 FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:53 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by David Herzog.

Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel and Tami Field.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; Haftorah Reader: Miles Remer.

SUNDAY: No Religious School WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-8, 6-8 p.m.; Survey of World Religions, 6:30 p.m. with UNO professor Gary Groff.

THURSDAY: Jewish Responsa, 10-11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel. He will use ancient Jewish text to provide answers to questions about modern Jewish living.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN

TIFERETH ISRAEL

South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis.

FRIDAY: Kiddush, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with participation by the B’nai Mitzvah class; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Veyechi.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Purim play rehearsal, 1-3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Temple Annual Meeting, Sunday, Jan. 15, 1-3 p.m.

Joint Purim Celebration on March 7 at 6:30 p.m. Be part of the Musical Mellerdrama, The Megillah Goes Country! We Need Players of All Ages. For more information, contact Maria Cadwallader at 402.784.0321 or MariaCadwalla der@DirecTV.net.

Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. including a interactive learning session followed by a Kiddush luncheon.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Purim play rehearsal, 1-3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Joint Purim Celebration on March 7 at 6:30 p.m. Be part of the Musical Mellerdrama, The Megillah Goes Country! We Need Players of All Ages. For more information, contact Maria Cadwallader at 402.784.0321 or MariaCadwalla der@DirecTV.net.

Haredi under fire for use of Holocaust imagery JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israeli leaders criticized a haredi Orthodox demonstration in which protesters wore yellow stars to indicate that they are being oppressed like the Jews in Nazi Germany.

More than 1,000 haredi Orthodox protesters gathered in Jerusalem on Saturday night to protest what they described as persecution against their way of life, including separation of the sexes.

Many of the protesters wore yellow stars with the word “Jude” written on them, using Holocaust imagery to hammer home their point. Young haredi Orthodox children were brought to a makeshift stage wearing striped prison garb along with their yellow stars. One child held up his hands in an imitation of a famous image from the Warsaw Ghetto.

“Zionists are not Jews, they are racists,” read one sign in English. Protesters also shouted “Nazis” at police securing the demonstration.

“Prisoner uniforms and yellow patches with the word ‘Jew’ written on them in German are shocking and appalling,” said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in a statement. “The use of yellow patches and small children raising their hands in surrender crosses a red line which the ultra-Orthodox leadership, who are largely responsible people, must not accept.”

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni said that “With all due respect to the right of groups in the haredi community to protest, and that is their elementary right, to put a yellow

star on their children does serious injury to the memory of those killed in the Holocaust.”

Eli Yishai of the haredi Orthodox Shas Party condemned the use of Holocaust symbolism. He added that while only a small minority of haredi Orthodox are involved in the controversial actions, there has been “incitement” against the entire haredi Orthodox community.

Condemnations also came from Holocaust survivor organizations.

“Holocaust survivors express their utter contempt at this disgraceful exploitation of these dramatic and tragic symbols of the brutal effort to destroy the Jewish people,” Elan Steinberg, vice president of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors and their Descendants, said in a statement. “The Nazis made no distinction in their murderous treatment of our people -- whether one was ultraOrthodox, traditional or non-believer, you were marked for cruelty and death.

“We who survived and witnessed these Nazi crimes are particularly offended that demonstrators so blithely used children in this public outrage. They have insulted the memory of all the Jewish victims, including those who were ultra-Orthodox.”

Avner Shalev, director of Yad Vashem, told Israel Radio on Sunday that he condemns “in the strongest possible manner the phenomenon of using symbols of the Holocaust. It is unacceptable. This comes from an extremist attitude and a clear desire to provoke.”

Pulverent e

January 6, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 11

Immortality Doctrine

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Vayehi Speaking about the Bible, particularely to Christians, one finds oneself regularly pointing out that in Judaism the doctrine of eernal life is not Biblical, but rabbinic.

Christians especially, but Jews too, are at first taen aback by this. For most Cristians the doctrine is axiomatic and is central to their faith. They see it as the very motivation for a decent life: How else do you get to Heaven?

Do you mean to say that immortality is not found in the Bible? But Jews take it for granted. Is not the insistence that God keeps faith with those who sleep in the dust” a regular affirmation in the Siddur? Of course it is. But unless a Jew is kowledgeable, he has not distinguished between Biblical and rabbinic belief and doctrine.

This discussion arises from the Midrashic treatment of the account of the death of Jacob. The Midrash permits itself animadversions on death, quoting from Psalms,

Ecclesiasties, and I Kings.

Their remarks are neither profound not morbid not ‘triumphant.’ They remark simply that we cannot hope to avoid death. Nor can we have contol over it; death is the lot of mankind.

Noting that both Jacob and Joseph had asked to be buried in Israel, the rabbis suggest there is an advantage to be buried in the Holy Land: when the Messiah arrives, they said, the dead in Israel will rise immediately, but the dead buried elsewhere will have to roll all the way to Israel from whatever lands they lie in!

The rabbis found it possible to find references to immortality in a number of Biblical passages. But it is clear that that the idea of another-life-after-death is consciously denied Biblically.

Both Job and Ecclesiastes deny it. And a number of Psalms, where we might expect the doctrine to surface, also deny it.

“Wait, wait,” people say, “How about the 23rd Psalm with its wonderful ‘Surely goodness and steadfast love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever’?”

It is painful and pain-inflicting: but the truth must be said.

What this verse means is that the worshiper hopes that he may live long, and be permitted consistently, continuously to worship in the Temple.

The above article is a reprint from Rabbi Kripke’s book, Insight and Interpretation. It was slightly edited for length.

In memoriam LAWRENCE ROBERT BRODKEY Lawrence Robert Brodkey passed away on Dec. 24 at the age of 88. No formal services are planned.

He was preceded in death by parents Harry and Fannie Brodkey, brothers Edward and Donald, and beloved pets Bongo, Chip and Molly.

He is survived by wife Gloria; sons and daughters-in-law Andrew and Leslie Brodkey of Tuscon, AZ and Daniel and Jill Brodkey of Grand Rapids, MI; daughter Sherry Brodkey; and grandsons Spencer, Alex and Zachary.

Larry served in the Army in World War II aboard the USS Wakefield. He was a graduate of Benson High School, the University of Omaha and Law School at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was engaged in the private practice of law in Omaha for over 50 years and retired as the City Attorney for Fort Calhoun after many years of service. He was also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Bellevue University teaching medical ethics, and former State and Local Chairman of the American Cancer Society. Larry was a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and American Legion Post 266.

Memorials may be sent to the Nebraska Humane Society or Nebraska Medical Center.

GLORIA GOODMAN Gloria Goodman passed away on Dec. 23 at age 78.

Services were held on Dec. 25 at Beth El Cemetery.

She is survived by husband, Alan Goodman; son and daugther-in-law, Joseph and Judy Goodman; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Michael Abkowitz; four grandchildren, Joshua and Nathan Goodman, and Rebecca and Paul Abkowitz.

Memorials may be made to Beth El Synagogue.

SARA COOPER MEIROVITZ Former Omahan Sara Cooper Meirovitz passed away on Dec. 20 at the age of 88 in Minneapolis. Services were held Dec. 22 at Adath Yeshurun Cemetery Chapel in Edina, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband Al; parents Abe and Esther Cooper; sister and brother-in-law Bess and Murray Borden; brother and sister-in-law Nate and Celia Cooper; and brother Stanley Cooper.

She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Michael and Toby (Saide) Meirovitz, Marc and Caron (Rubin) Meirovitz, and Tony and Kim Meirovitz; sister-in-law Pat Cooper; grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Memorial may be made to donor’s favorite charity.

Acknowledgements may be sent to Marc Meirovitz, 70 Maryland Avenue South, Golden Valley, MN 55426.

Edith Ross passed away on Dec. 21 at the age of 97.

Services were held Dec 27 at BHH/Fisher Farms Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by husband, Howard Ross.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Ellen and Allen Lavine and Karen and Neil Wahlberg; grandchildren Seth and Rebecca Wahlberg, Jacquelyn Wahlberg and Jeffrey Lavine; great-grandchild, Nathaniel Wahlberg.

Her quiet, loving demeanor will be missed by all. A special thank you to Janet Priebe and Hearts to Home.

Memorials may be made to Congregation Shalom or Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun (both in Wisconsin), American Diabetes Association and Macular Degeneration.

MARJORIE M. WEISS Marjorie M. Weiss passed away on Dec. 30 at the age of 90.

Services were Jan. 1 at Beth El Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by parents Frank and Ella Katz and husband Bernard L. Weiss.

She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl Kriksfeld and Richard Diamond, Pam and Bruce Friedlander; son and daughter-in-law Marlon and Cindi Weiss; sister Lillian Feldman; brother Jack Katz; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of choice.

WILLIAM H. “BILL” WOLFSON William H. Wolfson passed away on Dec. 24 at the age of 89. Services were Dec. 26 at Beth El Cemetery.

He is survived by wife of 70 years, Ann; daughters, Laverne Feingold of Denver and Donna Kort of Indianapolis; son, Louis; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother Harold Wolfson of St. Petersburg, FL; sisters Bette Schroeder of St. Petersburg, FL, and Lorraine Denenberg of Mountainview, CA. Born and raised in Omaha to Abe and Jewel Wolfson, Bill attended Tech High School and served in WWII, dropping paratroopers from his C47 plane. He was a grocer for 40 years, and was an avid bowler and a great fisherman.

Memorial donations may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, the Kidney Foundation or to your charity of choice.

“The Obama Administration worked closely with Congress to shape the Iran provisions so that this new tool would increase the likelihood that other countries would stop doing business with CBI and Iran’s oil sector,” the White House said in a statement.

“This is important because the most effective approach is one that involves multilateral participation and is timed and phased to avoid negative repercussions to international oil markets and instead focus pressure on Iran,” it said. “The provisions signed into law today have that needed flexibility, and we are now working with partners to be in a position to most effectively implement it.”

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Obama says he will be flexible with Iran sanctions WASHINGTON (JTA) -- On the day President Obama signed legislation that ratchets up Iran’s sanctions, the White House said he would be flexible in its application.

The Defense Authorization Act, signed Saturday by Obama, includes an amendment that targets for sanctions third parties that deal with the Central Bank of Iran as well as with Iran’s energy sector.

The legislation allows the president to give other countries and companies time to pull out of Iran, instead of subjecting them immediately to sanctions.

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12 | The Jewish Press | January 6, 2012

In U.S., Israeli art isn’t just for the JCC anymore Hebrew 101 – Your cultural heritage

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Education For the fifth year, The Center for Jewish Education is providing the opportunity for you to learn beginning Hebrew. Mor Sheinbein, an Israeli native, is the returning instructor. The course curriculum begins with learning the Hebrew alef-bet and quickly progresses to the beginnings of conversational Hebrew. No previous experience with Hebrew is required.

The eight-week series of Hebrew 101 classes will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 17 and continue every Tuesday through April 3, 2012. Class times are 6:30-7:45 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. The fee for the classes is $70, discounted to $54 for those who have contributed to the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign.

Participants are encouraged to register with a friend or relative so you may help and challenge each other throughout the classes.

Mor is excited about teaching the class again. “This class goes beyond the classic Hebrew School. We are quite upbeat, we have a good time, and everyone progresses in their understanding of the Hebrew language.”

Mor says that she is able to structure the class in such a way that those who have had some previous instruction and those who have not can work and learn together. “I am amazed at how quickly everyone learns,” Mor related.

“Learning Hebrew helps you see things in ways you may not have seen before.”

A class participant from last year, Matt Blogett, shared that “Mor is a true professional. She is patient and takes the time to help each student.” For those concerned about being overwhelmed, Matt can assure them. “I learned a lot and the information was presented at a very reasonable pace. I never felt overwhelmed.” The class also offers social benefits. “Along with the learning, I enjoyed meeting the people in the class who shared a common interest.”

Learning a language is more than learning a new way of reading, writing, and speaking. Language is a window to the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of a people, a culture. What you see, how you interact with others, how you view the world is reflected in how you express yourself. Language conveys the richness and depth of a culture. Keeping a language alive helps keep a culture alive.

Challenge yourself and keep in touch with your heritage.

You can do this!

To take advantage of this eight-week language-learning opportunity, call 402.334.6463 or send an email to mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org. Limited slots are available, so sign up right away. The Hebrew 101 Class is presented through the Center for Jewish Education.

by DAN KLEIN you have to work at it. Some of these performers might NEW YORK (JTA) -- Cleveland has gained an unlikely come to Cleveland anyway, some might not, but some need new patron of the arts: the local Jewish federation. more help.”

As part of a new project to help showcase Israeli artists, The help includes funding of $50,000 in corporate and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland is helping to facilitate private donations, as well as manpower help from the federIsraeli performances at some of the city’s major museums, ation. Among the components of the program is a part-time concert halls and theaters. The program launched earlier Israeli scout for talent who comes to Cleveland every couple this fall aims not just to of months to suggest colboost Israel but the Israeli laborations with particular arts with the message that artists or groups.

Israeli culture isn’t just for Meanwhile, non-Jewish the JCC anymore. venues in Cleveland are “The mission is to projturning to the committee ect Israel as a source of for help. world-class art and culPam Young, the executive ture,” said Erica Hartmandirector of DANCE Horovitz, an art appraiser Cleveland, said she had who co-chairs the prowanted to bring the Israeli gram, the Cleveland Israel Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Arts Connection. “When Pollak Dance Company to most people think of Israel the city a few years ago to they’re thinking of the perform its new work at conflict, maybe the incredthe time, Oyster, but to do ible efforts that Israel goes so would have been cost through to survive. We prohibitive. want to illustrate the Israel When Young heard recentarts and culture world as ly that the dance company something that is more would be reprising Oyster than that for those who during a U.S. tour, she The Israeli Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Dance Company, shown permight not be interested in turned to the federation forming Oyster, will begin its next U.S. tour in Cleveland with help Israel for other reasons.” and the shidduch was from the local Jewish federation.

Made up of volunteers made. In late January, the Credit: Jewish Federation of Cleveland from the Cleveland arts, Israeli company will perperformance, music and literary communities, the pro- form for two days at PlayhouseSquare, the country’s secondgram’s committee has helped bring Ladino singer Yasmin largest performing arts center after New York’s Lincoln Center.

Levy to the Cleveland Museum of Art; brought the Alon “Federation leadership was essential,” Young told JTA. “It Yavnai jazz quintet to Severance Hall, the home of the gave us confidence to move forward with the project.”

Cleveland Orchestra; supported a sold-out performance of She said performances like these are a great way for nonMy Name is Asher Lev at the Cleveland Play House; and Jews to learn about Israel. sponsored talks from Israeli novelist Amos Oz at Oberlin “The arts transcend a lot of things: They transcend age, College and Case Western Reserve University. race, they transcend stereotypes,” Young said. “Israeli artists In March, the Cleveland International Film Festival will aren’t always making art about Israeli experiences or Jewish feature films from Israel. experiences, but they’re making very interesting work.”

The program to boost Israel is unusual both for its partAttempts to bring Israeli culture to secular venues haven’t nerships with non-Jewish institutions and its ambition to always gone smoothly. In 2009, the Toronto International bring Israeli culture to a city with a relatively modest Jewish Film Festival came under fire for including Israeli movies. population of about 80,000 and few Israelis.

But in Cleveland, organizers say they haven’t encountered “You don’t need to do this in New York because New York such opposition.

-- and probably L.A., Washington and Miami -- has regular Young said bringing Israeli artists to town may be heartpresentations, and because you have a large Jewish and warming for Jews, but it also gives non-Jews an opportunity Israeli population and these things can play there success- to enjoy great art -- it just happens to be from Israel. fully even competing against other cultural options,” said “There are going to be non-Jews in the audience,” she said Stephen Hoffman, CEO of the Cleveland Jewish federation. of the upcoming dance performance. “They’ll be the first “But once you leave the largest Jewish population centers, ones on their feet.”

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