January 7, 2011

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

JFStival! to mark centennial

January 7, 2011 2 Shevat 5771 Vol. 90 | No. 18

This Week

by OZZIE NOGG questions to ensure that the integrity Jewish Family Service will mark its of the agency is always in the fore100th Anniversary with a joyous front of any long-term decisions. The JFStival! on Monday work of Jewish 1911 - 2011 evening, June 6, at Family Service is Beth El Synagogue. guided by compasThe event begins at 6 sion, connection, p.m. with cocktails, commitment and followed by dinner caring. Gloria and surprise-filled Kaslow personifies entertainment. Andi those principles.” Willensky is JFStival! Kaslow’s affiliaChairperson. Todd tion with JFS and Betiana Simon began decades ago and Carol and Steve Bloch are when the agency was located in the Honorary Chairs. During the cele- JCC downtown. “I’m attracted to bration, Gloria Kaslow will be recog- the work of Jewish Family Service nized as the Jewish Family Service because its mission is so comWoman of the Century. pelling,” she said. “Guided strongly When describing Kaslow, JFS by Jewish values, the goal of JFS is Director Karen Gustafson said, to sustain and nurture the eco“From the moment I entered the nomic and emotional well-being of doors of Jewish Family Service over families and individuals in our 10 years ago, I understood how community. We all recognize that instrumental Gloria Kaslow was in life can be challenging, and JFS’s role advocating for the agency. With the traditionally has been to help people support of other JFS Board members, navigate those challenges.” Gloria made sure we continued to “A centennial birthday is an amazoperate through staff and leadership ing achievement for any organizaturnovers. From my direct experi- tion,” Kaslow continued, “but it is all ence, Gloria is the ‘goto person’ in the more so for JFS. This agency, by times of change. She quietly offers definition, does much of its work her support and guidance. She asks outside the public eye in order to

respect the privacy and confidentiality of its clients. Because of its low profile, JFS has faced some serious

A century of caring

Gabe Carimi: Star in shul and on the football field Page 6

Chihuly returns to Israel with retrospective exhibit Page 7

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

challenges over the years in its effort to stay funded and continue its mission of supporting and strengthening individuals and families. I’m happy that this anniversary event brings the work of the agency into public view for all to appreciate. I feel deeply honored to receive an award that celebrates such a momentous milestone

Beth El Cantor’s Concert Hidden archive of the Warsaw promises a dazzling night Ghetto travels to Omaha

JFNA mobilizes quick response to fire Page 12

Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Gloria Kaslow

in the life of Jewish Family Service. It is an honor that truly belongs to a large cadre of devoted volunteers, past and present, and to the dedicated and devoted staff of JFS.” In the late 1980s through the mid90’s, resettlement of Soviet Jews became one of the biggest projects of Jewish Family Service. Kaslow chaired the Education Committee, which provided English language tutors and programs that helped new immigrants use their previous education and training to find jobs. “I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with many wonderful volunteers in the process of resettling Soviet families in Omaha,” Kaslow said. “The real reward of this work is the many friendships we formed with the new immigrants. Twenty years later, I feel that some of those whose planes we met in the middle of the night have become like family. The addition of the former Soviets into our lives and into the life of our Jewish community is a wonderful gift.” As part of the JFS Jewish Family Life Education, Kaslow helped design early programs including the Women’s Symposium and the Men’s Continued on page 2

8 10 11

by JILL BELMONT talents that spread across many Beth El Publicity Coordinator media, music included.” On Saturday, Jan. 29, Beth El will The annual Cantor’s Concert raisbe transformed into a dazzling es funds for Beth El’s Youth venue of art and music during Scholarship Program, which proCreativity and Philanthropy: An Art Extravaganza, the synagogue’s gala Cantor’s Concert. As the theme indicates, this year’s event will be presented with an unusual twist: unlike past concerts, this unique evening will feature oral and silent art auctions, with artwork by artists from around the country. The 7 p.m. event will also be highlighted by a musical performance by the celebrated Salem Baptist Church Gospel Choir. “At Beth El, we have held wonderful fund-raising events that uti- Sandy and Amy Friedman are serving lize the musical talents of much of as honorary chairmen for Beth El's our membership and community,” upcoming community-wide fundraising said Cantor Beth Schlossberg, who event, Creativity and Philanthropy: An is organizing the event, along with Art Extravaganza. local artists Daniel Christensen and Carole Greenberg. “This year vides opportunities for youths to we thought an art auction would be attend Jewish summer camps, visit a wonderful way to showcase that Israel and participate in Jewish our community and the greater youth conventions. community across the country have Honorary chairmen of this year’s gala event are Amy and Sandy Friedman, longtime Beth El members who are committed to assuring a thriving Youth Scholarship Fund for generations to come. “Now that our children are adults, we can look back and see that the Jewish summer camp experience was instrumental in helping them form a strong Jewish identity,” Amy said. “We don’t want any child to be Continued on page 2

by HILLARY FLETCHER Marketing Assistant, Institute for Holocaust Education From Jan. 5 through Feb. 25, the Institute for Holocaust Education will present Scream the Truth at the World: Emanuel Ringelblum and the Hidden Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto in the Jewish Community Center Art Gallery. This is the most recent stop on a national tour, which is curated and circulated by the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, New York, and the Jewish Historical Institute, Warsaw. Recognizing that the events unfolding around him in Europe in the fall of 1939 were unprecedented and required careful documentation and preservation, Warsaw historian Emanuel Ringelblum gathered a few dozen writers, historians, rabbis, teachers, and welfare workers. Together, they formed a group, code-named Oyneg Shabbes [Joy of Sabbath]. The group collected reports on the deportation and murders of Jews, ghetto artifacts, photographs, children’s school essays, and ghetto art. The group’s members originally assumed that they themselves would use the material collected to write this bitter chapter in the history of Polish Jewry. When the annihilation of the Jews became apparent, members of Oyneg Shabbes made efforts to raise the alarm in the free world. As the Nazis began liquidating the

Ghetto, members of Oyneg Shabbes buried the archive in several caches. On Sept. 18, 1946, the first cache was pulled from the Ghetto’s rubble; a second cache

was found in 1950; the last cache has never been discovered. Less than a handful of the group’s members survived; Ringelblum Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | January 7, 2011

JFStival! marks centennial

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Continued from page 1 Forum. During her several terms as Jewish Family Service president, she initiated the Friends of JFS program which helped both to raise funds for the agency and to introduce the agency’s work to members of the community who might otherwise have had no contact with JFS. Most recently, Kaslow helped facilitate the successful transition of JFS from a separate agency of the Federation to its current position as a key component of Jewish Social Services. Jewish education, for youth and adults, is an ongoing priority for Kaslow. She taught in Beth El Synagogue’s Talmud Torah and the United Talmud Torah of Omaha for 25 years, and recently served as the chair of Beth El’s School Board. She currently chairs the Governance Council of the Institute for Holocaust Education and volunteers with OPS as a teacher of English as a Second Language to adult immigrants from all over the world. Kaslow is a past president of the Jewish Federation Library, served on the Federation Board of Directors and the Center for Jewish Education, and is a past member of Beth El’s Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. JFStival! Chairperson Andi Willensky said, “I truly believe that if it weren’t for Gloria Kaslow, there would be no Jewish Family Service of Omaha. Her quiet strength, guidance, and spirit have been invaluable in enabling the agency to continue as a vital link in our community to provide

counseling, programming, and assistance to those in need.” Working with Willensky on JFStival! plans are Joanie Bernstein, Justin Cooper, Sandy Friedman, Danielle Gordman, Joanie Jacobson, Sally Kaplan, Bert Lewis, Jenny Meyerson, Ducky Milder, Stanley Mitchell, Nancy Noddle, Patty and Steve Nogg, Jaime and Brian Nogg, Kelly and Jeff Nogg, Ozzie Nogg, Marcia Pitlor, Iris Ricks, Silvia Roffman, Marti Rosen-Atherton, Harriet Singer, Suzanne Singer, Dorothy Spizman and Debbi Zweiback. Staff liaison are Mike Silverman, Executive Director of Jewish Social Services, Karen Gustafson, JFS Director, and Tammy Johnson, JFS Administrative Secretary. “Every member of our community deserves to live with dignity and hope,” Gustafson said. “Giving to those in need is an act of social justice. A moral obligation. Our community grows stronger when we reach out to others. Jewish Family Service has been working effectively, under the radar, for 100 years. It’s an achievement of which we are very proud. The June 6 JFStival! is our chance to celebrate and thank our supporters for their help.” Jewish Family Service is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha and a beneficiary of the Federation’s Annual Campaign. Future editions of the Jewish Press will carry JFStival! details as well as stories chronicling the history of Jewish Family Service and its acts of loving kindness.

Beth El Cantor’s Concert promises a dazzling night Continued from page 1 denied this wonderful opportunity, especially when families are struggling in a difficult economy.” The couple was glad to take the chairmanship, Sandy said. “As long-standing members of Beth El Synagogue, we always have been willing to help, and when the cantor asks you, how can you say no?” Encouraging everyone in the community to take part in this exciting evening, he added that “We promise this will be an evening to remember, filled with beautiful art and music. We are excited about showcasing the work of talented local and nationally-known artists. People also can expect a diverse musical program featuring the talents of Cantor Schlossberg and several members of the community. You will see another dimension of Cantor’s talent beyond the traditional.” Over the years, numerous Beth El children and teens have received service grants from the scholarship fund, which are awarded with the stipulation that the youth pay back the synagogue with service hours. According to Judy Rubin, the synagogue’s education director, students may offer service in a number of ways: tutoring at Junior Congregation, assisting at High Holiday Youth programs, helping to set up for holiday programs or special events in the synagogue, helping out in the school, among other things. For those participating in Israel trips, service hours are performed during the year before and the year after the trip. Rubin explained that the fund underwrites Camp Ramah, Camp Herzl and Camp Sabra, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism-sponsored Israel trips, plus trips such as Artza and the upcoming Maccabi Games in Israel. Last year, the scholarship fund awarded about $12,000 towards camp and Israel experiences, she noted. Jake Spivack, 12, is one Beth El student who, for the past three years, has taken advantage of a scholarship to attend Herzl Camp. In return, he has volunteered in the syna-

gogue’s religious school, helping with a variety of programs and organizing textbooks. He also volunteers during the annual BILU USY Purim Carnival. Through his service hours, Jake said he’s learned that giving back is a rewarding feeling. “When giving back, you try to focus on what people have done for you, and then think of a way to repay them.” He added that volunteering at Beth El has been meaningful to him, “because it has been teaching me that all things in life should be earned.” For his mother, Marcie, the Youth Scholarship Fund and the service grants are valuable to Beth El’s youths because “it teaches the children that to get something they have to give something back. The program enables our children to practice mitzvoth and tzedakah. It is a wonderful educational reinforcement program.” Scott Simon also expressed appreciation for the scholarships; his daughter, Amanda, 9, received one to attend Herzl Camp last summer, as well as for the upcoming summer. Of the Youth Scholarship Fund, he remarked that, “I think this gives kids a great opportunity to experience being away at camp for the first time, at a subsidized cost for the family.” The entire community is invited to attend Creativity and Philanthropy; ticket prices and categories follow: Benefactor of the Arts, $5,000 and above; Patron of the Arts, $2,500 – $4,999; Connoisseur of the Arts, $1,000 $2,400; Art Enthusiast, $500 - $999; Art Sponsor, $250 $499; Supporter of the Arts, $100 - $249; Art Investor, $50 - $99; individual ticket, $25; couples, $45; children (23 and younger), $10. Order forms are available at www.bethel-omaha.org, or in the synagogue office; tickets may also be reserved by calling the synagogue at 492.8550, or by e-mailing reception@bethel-omaha.org. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

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Continued from page 1 was not among them. “We look forward to sharing this important exhibition with the Omaha community, says Beth Seldin Dotan, Director of the IHE. “Without Ringelblum’s insight to document the activities within the ghetto walls, we would not have knowledge of the incredible resilience and resistance that took place. The personal accounts are astonishing and the artwork that was recovered touches the heart.” The exhibition of facsimiles includes diary entries, letters, posters and art preserved in the archive. It explores isolation and concentration of the Jews into ghettos, community life, Jewish response, resistance and annihilation. Artifacts of note include a school child’s observations of activity in the Ghetto streets, Janusz Korczak’s application for a job in an orphanage, the dedication page of the manuscript of the weekly teachings of the famous Rabbi Kalman Kalonimus Szapiro, an unknown author’s description of the massacre of the Jews of Slonim, and reports of the destruction of other communities. There are the first reports of the murders of Jews in gas vans at the Chelmno death camp and in Belzec gas chambers, and one of the first reports of

the operation of the death factory of Treblinka, complete with map and legend. Also on display is the call to arms by the Jewish Fighting Organization, of January 18, 1943, the day that the Nazis first faced Jewish armed resistance in the Ghetto. The Museum has included interactive material on its web site (www.mjhnyc.org/ringelblum) to accompany the exhibition, including artifact explorations, teacher’s guides, and a video clip of the archive excavation. This exhibit is made possible through the generous support of the Alan and Marcia Baer Family Charitable Trust, The Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw, home of the Ringelblum Archive, and the American Society for Jewish Heritage in Poland.

To order a gift subscription to the Press... Send a check for $37.50, 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 334.6448.

January 7, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 3

Partnership between shul and mosque a model for community by CARIN M. SMILK PHILADELPHIA (Jewish Exponent) -Rabbi Yossi Kaplan and Mohammad Aziz walk side by side in the direction of the oncoming line of traffic. Several young, professional-looking Muslim men pass them in the opposite direction, pausing to shake the rabbi’s hand and wish him a hearty “Shabbat Shalom.” It’s Friday, right before afternoon prayers, and worshippers are making their way to the mosque on North Valley Forge Road in Devon, Pa. Aziz soon turns to join them, and Kaplan heads for his van and leaves to pick up his children from school. For a moment, the 15-vehicle-capacity lot in front of the Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center of Chester County sits empty -- but not for long. Within 10 minutes, nearly every spot is taken by those headed to the mosque next door. The shul and the mosque share not only parking space, but also a symbiotic relationship. It’s based on their proximity, of course -- they are direct neighbors, land practically spilling upon land -- but it also rests on the fact that the two men have forged an obvious respect for one another, as well as a solid friendship. With mosque projects being confronted with hostility across the United States -- in Temecula, Calif.; in Sheboygan County, Wis.; and the one getting the most heat, the proposed Islamic community center near the site of the former World Trade Center in New York – this Pennsylvania mosque stands in stark contrast to the controversial mosques that have grabbed the national headlines. Kaplan, 38, tells his story like this: In 1998, he was in Brooklyn, looking for a place to start a Chabad House. He had heard that Chester County, Pa. had a burgeoning Jewish population, and other local Chabad

leaders felt this would be a “tangible place.” Kaplan and his wife, Tickey, moved into the area, rented an apartment, and used available rented space for their programs. “It started very slowly,” the rabbi said, but by September 2000, they were able to rent

Rabbi Yossi Kaplan of the Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center, left, and Mohammad Aziz, president of the Islamic Society of Greater Valley Forge, before Friday Muslim prayers. Credit: Jordan Cassway what he described as a huge building for services and events. With rising rents, they needed to find an alternate space. Eventually, they moved to a modest home and adjoining ballet-dance studio in need of major renovations, with an expanse of land in the back. Besides the property’s state of disrepair, there was another reason the owner was willing to sell it cheaply: The property stood next to the Islamic Center of Greater Valley Forge. It was just a year after the terror attacks of 9/11, and sensibilities were raw. Kaplan purchased the property in December 2002. The studio became an attached synagogue -- complete with a finished basement for holiday functions, class-

SEWING CENTERS

– though not from neighbors. “We’ve been here long before there ever was a 9/11 or New York mosque controversy,” Jan said. In fact, said Jan, after 9/11, supporters sent food, flowers, and letters. She remembered one woman offering support if society members ever felt threatened; even if they needed someone to accompany members to the grocery store, locals were willing to be there for them. All three of the mosque’s neighbors – the Chabad center, the Baptist church and Duncan’s Farm – speak favorably of the Muslim organization. And for their part, mosque-goers offer their neighbors assistance as well. Mohammad Jan, 72, the husband of Rehana Jan and an original society member, said that during one of the Jewish holidays - when Shabbat followed on the heels of Sukkot -- Kaplan came to them for help with turning on the synagogue’s lights after sundown. Marcy Barth, 59, of West Chester, who’s been a regular at the Chabad center for 12 years now, has her own anecdotes. Two years ago on Rosh Hashanah, she said, she and her husband, Roger, parked in the Islamic society’s lot, since the shul’s lot was full. But when services were over, they saw that the society’s parking lot was also filled; a large event was taking place there at the same time. Just then, Aziz started waving them over, Barth said, and she expressed concern to her husband that maybe they’d overstepped their boundaries. But when they approached him, she said, he wished them a “Happy New Year” -- and promptly handed them plates of picnic food. “It just goes to show you,” she said, “that the more you get to know each other, the less tension there is going to be.”

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es, Hebrew school and Saturday luncheons. Aziz, 57, an information technology consultant by trade and the president of the Islamic society, recalled the day when the rabbi and his family moved in. “The first time I saw the door open -- the rabbi there, with his lovely wife -- I ran over and said hello,” he said. “We started talking.” Right away, Aziz said, on behalf of the society, he sent them flowers. The Islamic society had had similarly humble beginnings. Established in 1984, the society met for a while in local churches, on college campuses and in hotel spaces before purchasing its own space. The mosque, which does not have a minaret, was completed six months ago and has between 60 and 80 member families. The society is currently seeking an imam for the mosque -- someone who would be present for the five daily prayers recited in Arabic and who would serve as a resource to answer religious questions, according to Aziz. Kaplan, now a neighbor of the Islamic Society for seven years, said he has no concerns about a mosque rising next door. “We’re normal neighbors having nice relationships; we’re two religious centers,” he said. “People like to make a big deal out of things; they’re always looking for the manbites-dog story. But it makes no sense not to get along. We’re both believers.” So, too, are members of the old Baptist Church in the Great Valley, directly across the street. It was erected in 1805; a historical marker cites it as the third oldest Baptist church in the state of Pennsylvania. While the Chester County community appears more accepting of such diversity than other locales nationwide, the Islamic Society did confront some obstacles, according to board member Rehana Jan. There were delayed permits, and some opposition

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4 | The Jewish Press | January 7, 2011

JOLT Spotlights Young Leadership by SHERRIE SAAG Development Associate, Omaha Jewish Federation This is the latest in a series of profiles that introduce members of JOLT, the Jewish Omaha Leadership Training program. As an initiative of the Omaha Jewish Federation, JOLT offers its members an opportunity to learn, connect and build strong leadership skills for the future. What inspires you? I am inspired when I learn from successful people. How they have achieved success and what paths they chose to get there. Brian Nogg What is the proudest moment in your career? The moment when I became a vital part of the 3rd generation of my family’s business, I-Go Van and Storage Co. Who is your Jewish hero and why? My Jewish hero is Cantor Emil Berkovits. He knew the formula, through his style in Hebrew school and the Bar-Bat Mitzvah process, to inspire young Jewish children to have fun Jewishly. For me, Jewish community means... Jewish community is the product of a multitude of passionate Jewish participants across all ages working together.

The Omaha Jewish community does a great job in continuously innovating and moving forward community programs and initiatives while also being uniquely hospitable (our brightest spot) to newcomers. If you could change one thing about our Omaha Jewish community, what would it be? I would like to make Omaha even more desirable as a permanent destination for young Jewish people who have grown up here, yet now live elsewhere. We need to continue relationships with the college-age group to emphasize the fun and opportunity in Omaha. Summer programming and continual one-on-one discussions would make this a possibility. No one knows that I‌. am a fanatical reader and listener of business and motivational books. How would you like to be remembered? As someone who went out of my way to help other people and who uniquely contributed to the community.

The Kuzari – In defense of Judaism with Dr. Guy Matalon by ANDREW MALASHOCK Administrative Assistant, Center for Jewish Education Of all the different literary works on the validity of religion, Judaism, and specific major events in the Torah, The Kuzari has to be one of the most interesting. As a collection of five essays, The Kuzari involves dialogue between the king of the Khazars and a Jew who was brought to teach him the tenets of Judaism. Throughout this conversation, the king is astonished by the approach of the Jew by saying that the goal of religion is ethical training – not to create a man with good morals, but a man who performs good deeds. As he goes on, he explains the good deeds that G-d has done for the Israelites, rather than try to prove to the king that He exists from large, speculative demonstrations. Have I caught your interest? Dr. Guy Matalon, Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Education, will be teaching a class that will delve further into the Kuzari and its contents, and how it relates to present day Judaism and religious speculation. “In the last two years we have seen several books on the life and writings of Yehuda Hallevi. Hallevi lived most of

his life in Spain moving from north to south and back north. He was one of the greatest Hebrew poets of all time. He is also famous for a book he authored called Kuzari. The book’s original title tells much about what Hallevi wished to accomplish: In defense of the despised faith. At a time of hostility against Judaism and Jews, Hallevi wanted to present a sophisticated and systematic presentation of Judaism. Being creative, he wrote his book in the form of a dialogue between the king of the Khazars and a rabbi,� comments Matalon. “The class will follow the book and try to present Judaism in a systematic way, thereby making it easier to see Judaism not from the inside but from the outside. The book is challenging and will touch upon many important issues with which all religious people grapple.� The Kuzari – In Defense of Judaism will be held on Fridays, Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from noon-1 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Tuition is $35, discounted to $27 for donors to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. To register, please call 334.6445 or email mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.

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by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press For more than 40 years, the Master Singers (formerly the “Voices of Mel Olsen�) have entertained Omaha’s choral music lovers. On March 27, at 6 p.m., they will perform A Simple Song, a one-time selection of Leonard Bernstein music at the Jewish Community Center. “We are extremely excited about this performance,� choir member Donald Gerber says. Gerber loves singing, and has done it for many years. “We’ll be singing selections from West Side Story, Peter Pan, and Chichester Psalms, to name but a few. Leonard Bernstein In addition, we think it Credit: chron.com would be wonderful if we could find some high school or college age singers, who are interested in joining us�. The choir is looking for Jewish youth who are currently singing in their school - or college choir, and who have some experience. “It’s a great opportunity for someone who is a little younger, and who wants to know what it’s like to sing Leonard Bernstein songs on the stage, especially at a venue such as the JCC Theater. We have some guest spots available and are very interested in hearing new and fresh voice talent. Anyone who is interested should contact us as soon as possible!� Master Singers is conducted by Dr. Laureen Pickle; it has approximately 30 members and has appeared in several Nebraska and Iowa venues. This latest performance is made possible with support from the Sokolof Javitch Music Fund. Admission is free; the show is open to the entire community, and, according to Gerber, “it will lift your heart.� There will be an open audition on Jan. 10; rehearsals start Jan. 17. For more information, email mastersingersomaha@gmail. com, or visit www.mastersingersomaha.com.

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January 7, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 5

Fun and surprises in store during Beth El’s upcoming PJ Havdalah by JILL BELMONT “We consider ourselves lucky to be part of a congregation Beth El Publicity Coordinator that has so many programs for young families,” she added. “It Families with young children are invited to put on their really helps our children to feel comfortable at Beth El and pajamas and slippers, bring along a favorite stuffed animal gives them lots of fun ways to learn and explore Judaism.” Saying that “PJ Havdalah was great last year,” Holly Weill or blanket, and come to Beth El on Saturday, Jan. 15, for a fun-filled PJ Havdalah program. Geared to little ones from added that, “My daughter loved being allowed to wear her jammies outside of the house. babyhood through fourth grade – The activities were engaging, yet along with their parents, grandlaid-back enough to allow time to parents or other special adults -socialize with friends. We will be this special program offers youngback again this year!” sters a meaningful connection to Judaism, using games, music, creSonia Tipp also sang the praises ative movement and story-telling, of last year’s program, saying, The fun will begin at 5:45 p.m. “My kids had a blast at last year's with an age-appropriate, brief PJ Havdalah. They loved coming Havdalah service, followed by a to synagogue all cozy and warm kid-friendly dinner. Afterward, and doing fun crafts and activities with family and friends. They families are sure to be delighted by really enjoy learning about how an exciting surprise, courtesy of During last year's PJ Havdalah families enjoyed special the Havdalah service is the Omaha Children’s Museum; working together on edible art projects. and the true meaning behind the and the evening will wrap up with blessings.” that all-time favorite bedtime snack -- milk and cookies. The upcoming Havdalah program is open to all families in Heather Kelln, who attended last year’s PJ Havdalah with her husband, Mark, and sons Peyton and Colin, said her the Jewish community, at no charge; however, for planning family will be there again this year. Last January’s program, purposes reservations are required, and may be made by she said, “was a blast. What kid – or parent – doesn’t love contacting Program Director Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha.org. wearing their jammies to synagogue?

Shabbat Shira at Temple Israel to feature singing, soup bar, and clergy sharing views by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Shabbat Shira is one of the few Shabbats throughout the year that is given a special name. Falling on Friday, Jan. 14, this year, we read the weekly Torah portion, B’shalach from the book of Exodus. The portion commemorates the glorious and awe-inspiring event when, after the miraculous deliverance from the Egyptians at the Sea of Reeds, the Children of Israel simultaneously burst forth into a song of praise to God. At Temple Israel, the choir, Kol Rina will sing “upbeat, happy music to help us relieve the gloom of winter,” said Cantor Wendy Shermet. Jeff Schweid, who has been a member of the choir since the mid-1990s, said some new as well as some old favorites in both Hebrew and English will be featured. Fellow choir member, Tom Friedman, who’s been with Kol Rina since about 1997, added that the 6 p.m. worship service will be “a celebration of music. When Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea, Miriam broke out in song.” In addition to singing, Friedman will be accompanying the choir on his guitar on many of the songs. “One of the great things about Shabbat Shira is it’s a service in song,” pointed out Jill Idelman. “It’s a mitzvah to present a service in song. It’s a great way to celebrate the great Jewish music that our heritage has to offer.” She noted that the singing “is not our typical music. There’s a lot of variety. We’re doing some old traditional music as well as some that is possibly more familiar.

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Dr. Lina Lander, a research epidemiologist at UNMC’s College of Public Health, will address The Perils in the Meatpacking Industry, on Wednesday, Jan. 12, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $10; beverage service is $3. For more information or to be placed on the e-mail list call 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

Everyone is involved. Everyone will be singing a solo or a duet. It’s a great way to worship through the wonderful traditions of Jewish music.” Nancy Hornstein, who attended the Shabbat Shira service last year, “thoroughly enjoyed” it. “Cantor Shermet and the choir were so inspiring and the choice of music so very inspirational.” The Martin Luther King, Jr. march to freedom will also be celebrated at Temple at the Jan. 14 Shabbat worship service. The date closely coincides with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday on Jan. 15. A chicken soup bar will follow offering a selection of broth, chicken, noodles, matza balls, kreplach, vegetables, and more. Vegetable soup will also be available. Additionally, romaine with craisins, red and green peppers, green onions, pecans with homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, fruit salad, and challah rolls will be on hand to accompany the soup. After dinner, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Eric Linder, and Cantor Wendy Shermet will entertain questions from the crowd. Questions can range from the practical, to the personal, to the philosophical. It’s an opportunity to ask the clergy what they are thinking on any topic. Cost for the dinner is $8 for adults, $5 for children, and no charge for children five and younger. Please contact the Temple Israel office at 556.6536 or mkube@temple israelomaha.com to make a reservation.

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Watch for information about the upcoming Jewish Federation community mission to Israel, with optional 4day extension to Budapest. Read all about it in next week’s travel edition of the Jewish Press.

6 | The Jewish Press | January 7, 2011

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Storyteller Rita Paskowitz to present her own Midrash at Temple Israel Shabbat by CLAUDIA SHERMAN transform into a pillar of salt. I titled it Lot’s Wife: In His Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Own Words. When I read it to Rabbi Azriel, he decided to In the belief that everyone -- young and old -- is a story find one Shabbat service a month during which there was no waiting to be told, Rita Paskowitz combines her skills as a sto- scheduled speaker and have me write and present a midrash on the appropriate Torah portion of the ryteller, actress, writer, comedienne, and week. My piece would take the place of a improvisationalist into presentations and sermon and serve as a talking point with the interactive workshops that span the storycongregation.” telling process, according to her biographical Thus far, she’s presented a story at two sketch on the Nebraska Arts Council website. Shabbat worship services and will reveal her A short list of Paskowitz’s recent storynext midrash this Shabbat, Friday, Jan. 7 at telling venues includes Joslyn Art Museum; the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s 6 p.m. She’s also scheduled for the Shabbat Certified Public Managers Institute; the worship service, Friday, Feb. 18. Centering Corporation, a grief resource cen“Taking an old story and giving it modern Master Storyteller Rita ter; the Omaha Community Playhouse; the legs to walk into the hearts of today’s listenPaskowitz will give her version University of Nebraska Medical Center’s ers is both a huge challenge and wonderful of the Torah portion at the Jan. Great Plains Public Health Leadership fun,” Paskowitz emphasized. For example, 7 worship service at Temple one of her Shabbat stories at Temple Israel Institute; Ted E. Bear Hollow; and several eleIsrael. “took the form of a WikiLeak about God mentary schools. Paskowitz has also taught a being behind Joseph’s escapades in Egypt. I find myself graduate level course on storytelling at UNO since 2004. “I’m a storyteller who loves to write but has no discipline,” learning from the reading, the writing, and the discussions I she remarked, “so I’m writing in two writing groups. have with the rabbi. The experience has re-energized my Consequently, I’ve had all sorts of prompts thrown my way. connection to the Torah and to Temple Israel.” Rabbi Azriel suggested that Paskowitz’s midrashim and One of these morphed into a coming-from-way-out-in-leftfield piece about a man getting progressively drunk and the questions they provoke just might make a wonderful talking about how he stepped on his wife’s shoe as she book. “From his lips to God’s publisher, right?” she mused. walked in front of him causing her to trip, turn around, and

Gabe Carimi: Star in shul and on the football field by DEBORAH HIRSCH added, after nine hours a day at Camp Randall Stadium durPHILADELPHIA (JTA) -- Gabe Carimi already knows ing football season, there wasn’t time to get involved with that Yom Kippur won’t fall on a Sunday for at least the next the campus Hillel. 20 years. To Kohn, the fact that Carimi continues to prioritize The star left tackle at the University of Wisconsin looked Shabbat and take on a leadership role at his synagogue, on up the dates in anticipation of being a potential first-round top of commitments to football and academics, speaks volpick in this spring’s NFL umes about his “spiritual draft. But first, Carimi will strength and devotion.” end his college career by lead“A lot of kids, when they hit ing the Badgers against the college, sort of take a break Texas Christian University’s and return after they have Horned Frogs in the 97th kids,” Kohn said. “He’s a Rose Bowl. model of a long-term comCarimi, co-captain of the mitment to a task and to a Big Ten championship team, value.” was recently named the conCarimi has also made a point ference Lineman of the Year of maintaining some obserand awarded the Outland vance of the High Holidays, Trophy, a national honor even when football interferes. given to the best interior lineWhen Yom Kippur fell on a man. The civil and environSaturday during his freshman mental engineering major has year, he fasted until an hour also been named Academic before the night game. All-Big Ten four years in a Gabe Carimi is a star football player for the University of This past September, the Wisconsin football team, as well as an active member at his holiday coincided with an row. Credit: Sanford Carimi afternoon face-off against For Carimi, at 6 feet, 7 local Reform temple in Madison. inches and 327 pounds, playing football and practicing Arizona State University. Carimi wrestled with whether he Judaism both come naturally. should play at all, even going to his rabbi for advice. “It’s always just who I’ve been,” he told JTA. “I’ve always fasted, even when I was young,” he explained. Speaking by phone before an intensive series of Rose Bowl “It’s a moment of clarity to kind of take the focus off the practices, Carimi recalled how his childhood baseball coach whole world and everything you have to do -- just focus on had sized him up and suggested giving football a try. trying to make yourself a better person.” Of course, Carimi said, his mom always worried about Ultimately, he came up with his own compromise: Instead him, but there wasn’t much danger of serious injury in pee- of fasting from sundown to sundown, he started the fast wee football. And even though sports practices dominated early enough to give himself a few hours to recover before his schedule, he always reserved time to attend Temple Beth the game. El, a Reform synagogue in Madison. “Religion is a part of me and I don’t want to just say I’m “He grew up at temple,” said Larry Kohn, the congrega- Jewish,” Carimi said. “I actually do make sacrifices that I tion’s education director. know are hard choices.” As long as coaches respect those Kohn chuckled at the memory of blessing Carimi during decisions, Carimi said, he has no problem respecting the his bar mitzvah service, which he led in the rabbi’s absence. team’s long standing religious traditions. The Badgers, for The teenager was already so tall, Kohn said, that he had to example, have a Catholic priest lead prayers before every put his hands on Carimi’s shoulders instead of his head – game. So as not to seem “socially different,” Carimi said, he even with the future football star bending down. opts to sit together with the group and listen quietly. After becoming a bar mitzvah, Carimi continued his reliOutside of football and Judaism, Carimi has developed a gious studies, celebrating his Confirmation and working as passion for construction through his engineering studies, an assistant to a fifth-grade Sunday school teacher. For his woodworking hobby and two internships. This spring, Chanukah one year, he asked his parents for a shofar and he’ll work with an adviser to complete a final capstone joined the men who share the honor of blowing the ram’s design project. horn on the High Holidays. As much as he likes engineering, Carimi said, he’s happy While football has become more time consuming lately, to put it aside for a pro football career. After the Rose Bowl, Carimi still joins his parents and older sister for Friday night he’ll get two weeks off before returning to the field to train services whenever he can. for the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine. “Our lives have been busy and Friday evening was the More important than any football achievement, Sanford time to stop, take a deep breath, inhale, exhale, just kind of Carimi said, his son has proven to be a smart thinker with get back in touch with what’s important,” his dad, Sanford strong character and self-esteem. Even when he thinks Carimi, said. about a huge honor like the Outland Trophy, he said, “that “It always felt like home there,” Gabe Carimi said. Plus, he would mean nothing to me if he wasn’t a good kid.”

January 7, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 7

BBYO Winter Convention: A success by JODI LEVINE active program was the highlight of WRC 2010, and brought Teen/BBYO Director the teens together as one region. As color wars came to an Omaha BBYO hosted Kansas City, St. Louis and Omaha end, Coco Key Water Resort opened its doors to BBYO and teens for the 2010 Winter Regional Convention on Dec. 26- participants enjoyed a refreshing evening program and a 29. It was an unforgettable week; Mid America teens had a great end to a productive day. phenomenal experience. BBYO teens participated in community service programs Brad Kutler, Cameron Stern and their planning commit- with Children’s Hospital, The Anti-Defamation League and The Rose Blumkin Home. tee took the reigns and They helped make an brought the convention impact in not only the theme One Region, One Omaha community but Dream to life. St. Louis and Kansas City teens joined the St. Louis and Kansas Omaha on Sunday during City communities as well. the opening ceremonies. Teens created colorful The 13 chapters in the placemats to donate to region were introduced, Children’s Hospital, parand various programs ticipated in The Rose united the councils. Blumkin weekly sing- aBusiness was brought to long and discussed how order when the Regional stereotypes and AntiCoordinating Committee Semitism affect the Jewish led structured business community with the ADL. meetings on Monday Winter Convention was morning. Business orders BBYO teens competing in Color Wars at the recent Winter Regional a success: teens not only were finalized, and new Convention. learned team building and motions to the region were introduced. Omaha BBYO’s leadership skills, but also made an impact on the Omaha Council Presidents Megan Bucher and Ryan Kirshenbaum community, and forged new friendships. Omaha BBYO did an outstanding job leading these meetings. They made was pleased to host this convention; we are looking forward sure teens were engaged in important topics for their chap- to more outstanding programming in the future. ters and council as a whole. Morning meetings then turned For more information about BBYO, please contact Jodi to competition as teens competed in multiple team building Levine at 334-6404 or jlevine@jccomaha.org. activities, relays and Jewish trivia for WRC Color Wars. This

Dr. Dana Blander to speak on expectations of American Jews by ANDREW MALASHOCK Administrative Assistant, Center for Jewish Education Now, more than ever, it is important to stand behind Israel. As public support seems to be dropping, we need to be doing more here in the United States to defend the State of Israel. But what exactly do Israelis expect from American Jews? What do they not expect? Are we going about everything the way we should when we are so far away? All of these questions and more will be answered by Dr. Dana Blander, an Academic Coordinator and Researcher at The Israeli Democracy Institute in Jerusalem. Dr. Blander’s lecture entitled, The Ambivalent Relations Between Israel and American Jews: The Expectations Israelis Have From American Jews and What They Do Not Expect, will cover topics from what can be done domestically as well as internationally and what many Israelis would expect from the U.S. The lecture will be Thursday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center Social Hall. This event is being presented by the Center for Jewish Education and sponsored by the Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. “The Schwalb Center is very pleased to bring Dr. Blander to Omaha and give the community the opportunity to hear this unique perspective” comments Nate Schwalb. “Hearing the Israeli view on American/Israeli relations will be of great interest for many, many people.”

Dr. Dana Blander received her Ph.D. in social sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her doctoral thesis won the Hebrew University Berger Award for Academic Excellence. She is currently co-authoring a book on Israeli politics and continues to write numerous articles about all different aspects of the Israeli political system, some of which were used in Supreme Court rulings. Dr. Blander also works with the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE) which is the nation’s leading education content provider of a vast amount of Israeli knowledge to student organizations who are interested in learning more about Jewish culture and history. They are the leading force behind the Israel Education Initiative, which gives students resources and information on popular “tough conversations” they may encounter on campus, including the Palestinian “right of return,” The Bush Plan, and the status of Jerusalem. “This lecture will be just the beginning of many partnerships between the Schwalb Center and the Center for Jewish Education” said Dr. Guy Matalon, Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Education and Director of the Schwalb Center. “Providing the Omaha community with high quality educational opportunities is a top priority for both organizations.” The event is open to the community and is free of charge. For more information, please call 334.6445.

Chihuly returns to Israel by EDGAR ASHER A retrospective exhibition in Tel Aviv’s Litvak Gallery of the artistic works of the world-renowned glass sculpture artist Dale Chihuly opened on Dec. 27.

The center piece exhibit embodies many aspects of Chihuly’s work and his reference to Venetian art. Credit: Edgar Asher/ISRANET Chihuly’s connection with Israel goes back to 1962 when the then 21 year-old artist was staying at the Negev kibbutz of Lahav. He regarded his stay in Lahav as one of the most important periods in his life. In July 2000 Chihuly prepared a huge artistic glass presentation at the Tower of David in Jerusalem. It consisted of over 10,000 hand-blown pieces specially blown in his glassmaking studio in the U.S. This exhibition, which was seen by more than one million visitors, was also regarded by Chihuly as one of the most significant landmarks in his 45-year career. It was in 1965 that Dale Chihuly blew his first artistic glass piece. Now Chihuly’s unique artistry is being presented in a 25-year retrospective exhibition. The exhibition includes several important works specially created for this exhibition.

Arts+Entertainment Auditions for The Rose Theater’s summer musical The Sound of Music will be held at 6 pm on Sunday, Feb. 20 and Monday, Feb. 21. Adults and children ages 8 and older are welcome to audition. Please plan to attend one of the scheduled audition dates; not both. Please come prepared with 16-20 bars of memorized music. An accompanist will be provided, but sheet music needs to be prepared. A cold reading and demonstration of dance ability will also be required. The Rose Theater is located at 2001 Farnam Street. Public performances of The Sound of Music will be presented June 3rd through 19th. For more information, please contact Production Manager Jennifer Collins Hard at 913.485.1887 or jenniferh@rosetheater.org.

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8 | The Jewish Press | January 7, 2011

Point of view

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What comes next

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press It’s that time of year, when good intentions morph into missed opportunities. “This year,” we tell each other, “I’m going to be nicer to my family, eat healthy, and I’ll take out the trash every single week without being asked.” Or something like that. We all know what happens next: we forget all about it, because, honestly, who has the time? The more things change, the more they stay the same. Case in point: those WikiLeaks (told you there was more to come). “WikiLeaks' release of thousands of classified diplomatic cables has caused a backlash of anti-Israel conspiracy theories, according to the Anti-Defamation League,” the Jewish telegraphic Agency reported on December 29. Apparently, there haven’t been any documents that prove what a big bully Israel really is. For those who maintain every evil in the world is the fault of Zionism, that smells of a conspiracy. No bad news about Israel? Well, in that case, the Israeli lobby must have had a hand in those WikiLeaks in the first place. Oh wait; you know what’s even better? Assange is an Israeli spy! It would be laughable, if it weren’t so sad. “The WikiLeaks affair has given new life to the old conspiracy theories of underhanded Jewish and Israeli involvement in an event with significant repercussions for the U.S. and many nations around the world,” according to the ADL’s Abraham Foxman. “The news is being exploited by conspiracy theorists, some world leaders, and various websites across the ideological spectrum to spread false and malicious conspiracy theories against Israel.” (JTA.com)

It is obvious to those of us who can still think for ourselves: when it comes to anti-Semitism, the enemy never sleeps, and never changes his mind. It is, after all, extremely convenient to have a go-to scapegoat, someone who you can pile the blame on time after time. And if you have to get a little creative with the truth, so be it. Having said all that, there’s plenty to be optimistic about in 2011, especially here in Omaha (allow me to switch gears for a moment). For starters, Jewish Family Services celebrates its 100th anniversary. I wonder how many people received help during those 100 years; the numbers must be staggering. Most of the work is done quietly, without much fanfare, and so it is only fair that this centennial draws a lot of attention. In addition, the JCC Theater is starting a new endeavor this month with its production of Willy Wonka, which promises to be very entertaining, and the Historical Society is hard at work on its grocery store project. There’s another Federation Mission trip coming later this year (read all about it in next week’s issue) and the Press is optimistic about that website we’ve all been waiting for. The Sokolof gym has an aerobic studio that was completely redone (what are you waiting for?) and the Institute for Holocaust Education is offering its Warsaw Ghetto exhibit at the JCC gallery. The Blumkin Home is anticipating a concert by the Heartland Philharmonic on Feb. 27; the entire community is welcome to attend. The ADL is gearing up for the

Educator’s cyber bullying breakfast on Jan. 21, the CJE has Hebrew classes, and Eye on Israel, the Kripke library is offering the Blander lecture on Jan. 21, and the list goes on. When you think about it, it is actually sort of nice that some things don’t change. The Jewish Federation of Omaha and its agencies, as well as synagogues and other local Jewish organizations, continue to offer us opportunities. We can volunteer, contribute, get involved, and, by doing all that, continue to build and strengthen this community. In doing so, we make the best case against that anti-Semitic drivel that continues to pop up all over the planet. Now that is a worthy New Year’s resolution.

Kissinger apology for gas chambers remarks not enough

Focus on issues MENACHEM Z. ROSENSAFT NEW YORK (JTA) -- ‘Twas the day before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except, of course, Henry Kissinger’s publicists and strategists who decided that the slowest news day of the year was the perfect time for him to apologize, sort of, for telling Richard Nixon in 1973 that “if they put Jews into gas chambers in the Soviet Union, it is not an American concern. Maybe a humanitarian concern.” They may finally have realized – an apt epiphany given the season – that by not issuing such an admission of regret earlier, Kissinger had violated his own maxim that “whatever must happen ultimately, should happen immediately.” They probably also hoped that no one would pay attention over a holiday weekend and that what has become the most embarrassing contretemps (that’s French for public relations train wreck) in the former Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s illustrious career would fade into oblivion. Not so fast. For almost two weeks since the now infamous Oval Office remarks first appeared in The New York Times, Kissinger had refused to acknowledge that he had said anything inappropriate. He at first tried to get out from under his predicament with a disingenuous statement that “The quotations ascribed to me in the transcript of the conversation with President Nixon must be viewed in the context of the time.” Without expressing any contrition whatsoever for what even some of his Jewish defenders deemed to be a “disturbing and even callous insensitivity toward the fate of Soviet Jews,” Kissinger’s statement contended that he and Nixon had, in fact, raised Jewish emigration from the former Soviet Union “from 700 per year to close to 40,000 in 1972.” He and the president feared, the statement continued, that efforts to make “Jewish emigration a foreign policy issue” through Congressional legislation – to wit, what became the 1974

(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Howard Goldstein Advertising Representative Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Eric Dunning, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Past President; Daphne Pollak Alperson; Marc Brodkey; Phyllis Brown; Jason Epstein; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Jamie Meyerson; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman; Nancy Wolf. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page sto-

Jackson-Vanik Amendment – “would reduce emigration, which is exactly what happened. Jewish emigration never reached the level of 40,000 again until the Soviet Union collapsed.” Unfortunately for Kissinger, he seems to have gotten his facts wrong. As Richard Schifter, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the Reagan administration, pointed out in the Forward, “Kissinger’s analysis is not reflected in the actual emigration data. He was close on the 1970 emigration figure, which was 1,027. His quiet diplomacy during detente did increase that number to an annual average of 20,516 from 1971 to 1974. But after Jackson-Vanik’s passage in 1974, the average for 1975 to 1978 dropped only slightly to 18,271 annually. Then, in 1979, the number of emigrants jumped to 51,320, much more than anything achieved under the Nixon-Kissinger policy.” According to Schifter, it was only after the December 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the ensuing “serious deterioration of U.S.-Soviet relations” that Soviet Jewish emigration figures “dropped sharply, reaching a low of 876 in 1984.” When the furor over the “gas chambers” remarks not only failed to subside but also produced a Clyde Haberman column in The New York Times that considerably raised the temperature, three prominent American Jews wrote a letter to that newspaper chastising Kissinger’s critics. “Never,” they insisted, “have we heard him speak in a disparaging way about the Jewish community.” The bleeding didn’t stop. During a protest demonstration outside Kissinger’s Manhattan office, New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio denounced Kissinger’s remarks as “monstrous,” and the next wave of Anglo-Jewish weeklies across the country brought new excoriations. Jonathan Rosenblum observed in j., the Jewish news weekly of Northern California, that “in the cold contemplation of Jews going to the gas chambers, we hear clearly both the desire to curry favor with superiors, even anti-Semitic ones, and the overcompensation to hide an emotional identification.” More

acerbically, Michael Berenbaum concluded in The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles that Kissinger “was crawling on his hands and knees, betraying his family, his people. He lacked elemental dignity and decency. Those who have called him a ‘court Jew’ are giving court Jews a bad name.” It was then and only then that Kissinger bit the bullet and did what he should have done in the first place. In a Washington Post Op-Ed posted online last Friday, Dec. 24, and published on Sunday, Dec. 26, Kissinger wrote, “References to gas chambers have no place in political discourse and I am sorry I made that remark 37 years ago.” His comments, he went on, were “in a kind of shorthand that, when read 37 years later, is undoubtedly offensive.” What are we to make of this reluctant quasi-apology? To be sure, the requisite expression of remorse, albeit palpably grudging, is there, almost like the allocution a defendant has to make in open court before the judge accepts a guilty plea. And yet, terminal damage to Kissinger’s reputation has, I think, been done. Why not just move on? Because the one thing Kissinger never did was to tell his boss that he, Kissinger, found Nixon’s bigotry against African-Americans, Irish, Italians and, yes, Jews offensive. Because we don’t know what other nuggets may emerge from the remaining, still unreleased Nixon White House tapes. Because we need to make clear to our leaders and ourselves that pragmatism or opportunism at the expense of conscience and integrity must never be tolerated. Still, he did say the magic words: “I am sorry.” Kissinger, after all, never publicly expressed any qualms for his acquiescence in the massacres in East Timor, or his covert role in the violent overthrow of the Allende government in Chile. Perhaps we can all be at least a little grateful for small favors. Menachem Z. Rosensaft is an adjunct professor of law at the Cornell University Law School, a distinguished visiting lecturer at the Syracuse University College of Law, and a vice president of the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants.

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January 7, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 9

Countering the next anti-Israel resolution promise agreement on that basis. All of which leaves the Obama administration with three options to prevent such a setback. The best would be to persuade the Arab League ABRAHAM H. FOXMAN, National Director of the ADL not to go forward with such The Arab League, that body that has stood an idea. The administration has widely in the way of peace with Israel for more than argued that peace can only be attained 60 years, has reportedly now added one through direct negotiations. It can and more initiative to its list of efforts to con- should make the case to the Arab League demn and isolate the Jewish state. It has that negotiations would be far more difficult announced its intention to bring to the to achieve and sustain with such a resolution. United Nations Security Council a resolu- In this regard, Washington can enlist its tion which, among other things, would European allies to influence the Arab League oblige Israel to stop building settlements. to back off. Among the many anti-Israel initiatives of If this fails, the US has the option to use its the Arab League, this is one of the more veto. As noted, there is a history of such cunning and devious because of the wide- examples. It's something American officials spread sentiment against Israeli settlement don't look forward to doing but when insidpolicy. At the UN, even at the Security ious ideas reach the inner sancta of the Council, there is a significant number of Council, it becomes necessary. countries who will always vote against A third way is for American officials to Israel; there are those, like the Europeans, insist on obligations for all sides. This may who sometimes back Israel, but who often be an opportunity to address the delegitvote against or abstain depending on the imization against Israel campaign. The US nature of the resolution being presented; could put forward a provision saying that and there is the United States, which mostly boycott efforts against Israel by member stands with Israel or, at least at the Security states of the UN go against the charter and Council, prevents egregiously anti-Israel should be deemed by the Council as out of resolutions from passing, by using its veto. bounds. Since every American administration I have no illusion that the Arab League, over the past 30 years has had a disagree- guilty of a variety of boycotts against Israel, ment of one kind or another with Israel on would even consider such a clause. But it its settlement policy, the Arab League might get them to rethink the wisdom of an undoubtedly thinks this is its opportunity to anti-settlement resolution. And it could make a significant breakthrough at the begin a long overdue discussion about the Security Council. free pass so many get while trying to deleTo clarify the history, and in response to gitimize the Jewish state. periodic remarks by Israel's critics that It is becoming increasingly difficult for Israel is constantly violating UN decisions, it two tracks to exist at the same time. One is only Security Council resolutions that can track is the effort, led by the US, to bring be binding. And in this regard, because of Israelis and Palestinians to serious, good consistent US activity either vetoing one- faith negotiations. The other track is the sided resolutions or making sure that they expanding delegitimizing activities against are balanced by calling on Palestinians and Israel. The Palestinians themselves say in one Arabs to act as well, the Jewish state has breath they want to live in peace and securinever been in violation. Added to that is the ty with Israel and in the next are encouraging failure of Palestinians to fulfill Security and participating in campaigns to boycott Council mandates, which meant that Israel's and sanction the Jewish state. The tension obligations have been nullified. between these two paths is great and an This brings us to the Arab League effort to explosion is almost inevitable if it continues. get the Security Council to state that Israeli A UN Security Council resolution on setsettlements are illegal and must be stopped. tlements could bring everything to that We believe the passage of such a one-sided breaking point. resolution would make it impossible to Abraham H. Foxman is the National achieve any progress toward peace. It would Director of the Anti-Defamation League. cause Israel to distrust any process that had His books include “Jews and Money: The an international imprimatur. And it would Story of a Stereotype” (Palgrave Macmillan, lead Palestinians to believe they have no Nov. 2010) and “The Deadliest Lies: The need to do what has been the major imper- Israel Lobby and the Myth of Jewish ative to reach peace, accept the legitimacy of Control.” This article originally appeared in Israel as a Jewish state and negotiate a com- The Jerusalem Post on Dec. 19, 2010.

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Risky business don’t measure up. Large networks of singles make singlehood normative. An artist in her late 30s criticized, “Everything in America is about choice. That’s what Americans are used to, whether it’s food or shul or online dating.” In contrast, the artist said, “Israelis tend to gravitate towards forming families. It’s very important.” Indeed, sociologist Sergio Della Pergola showed that secular Israelis say ideal family size is three to four children per family, and Israelis have one more child on average (2.7) than American families (1.7). Statistics show Jewish women with advanced degrees expect two or more children, but have fewer. Despite reproductive medicine and more single mothers by choice, later marriage or non-marriage is often correlated with unwanted infertility. Mahon Hadar co-founder Rabbi Ethan Tucker provided perspective. In Israel studying for rabbinical ordination, he and his wife had their second child at age 31 and felt like “laggards” because others their age had three or four. Back in New York, they found that “None of our friends had kids, and many were not married.” “If you wait until you have found yourself before you take on responsibilities,” he said, “you find a different self than if you have responsibilities.” The lived Jewishness of young American Jews has been transformed by postponement of marriage and childbearing, which often delay Jewish connections. These issues are sensitive, but avoiding them helps no one. The willingness to open a conversation is yet another risk worth taking. Sylvia Barack Fishman is chair of the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Department at Brandeis University. She is the author of seven books. Editor’s note: the above op-ed piece was edited for length.

Behind the headlines SYLVIA BARACK FISHMAN WALTHAM, MA. (JTA) -- “Why are so many people in their 20s taking so long to grow up?” Robin Marantz Henig recently asked in The New York Times Magazine. What provoked this personal question and the subtext of alarm? Successive studies show more Americans aged 25 to 34 are unmarried than married, Justin Wolfers reported in a New York Times Op-Ed. Such postponements may reflect delays in assuming adulthood itself. In 1960, when parents of today’s young adults were young, 77 percent of American women and 65 percent of men younger than 30 accomplished five sociological milestones of adulthood -”completing school, leaving home, becoming financially independent, marrying and having a child” -- Henig writes. Today, fewer than half of women and one-third of men match that adult profile. Instead, they go back to school, compete for unpaid internships, or serve in the Peace Corps. Delayed family formation resonates with American Jews and the communities in which they live. A third of American Jewish women and more than half of men aged 25 to 34 are unmarried. Marriage and children are “simply not talked about,” said a recently married social entrepreneur, who noted that “I will turn 33 this summer and I have many friends who aren’t even dating, let alone getting married. We’re very afraid to talk about these issues with each other” because “people worry about seeming judgmental.” My respondents were uneasy about giving up opportunities before defining one’s own path. A female rabbi in her 30s said people like her should “Pace yourself and get married when you’re ready,” cultivating “a great network of friends and to date and meet people, and to go hiking and backpacking and cook, and all these things that I enjoy.” Many said adults should “find themselves” before committing to sustained relationships. A young male rabbi said there is little or no “peer pressure to get married” in college, and we feel we have “permission to take some time to find out who we are before we lock ourselves into a life partner.” Many note the influence of education, occupational achievement, contraception, cohabitation and economic conditions. But fear of risking romantic mistakes also plays an important role. Gottlieb critiqued evaluating dates as commodities, demanding perfection, rather than giving people and relationships a chance. In my interviews, single women in their 30s explained “deal breakers,” including prior marriage or young children. Singles revised lists of desirable qualities, so they wouldn’t “waste time” on individuals who

Letter TO THE EDITOR Letter to the editor: In a recent story published about my life in the Jewish Press, there was an omission made which I feel obligated to clarify. I am and have remained throughout my living in Omaha, a member of Beth El Synagogue as well as Temple Israel. I want to set the record straight by also sharing with readers of The Jewish Press that Beth El Synagogue has been very supportive, caring, and responsive to my needs especially during these past several years. I am very grateful to both congregations for their love, support, and understanding. Beth Gaynes Ginsberg

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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. FRIDAY, Jan. 14: Potluck Dinner, 7:30 p.m., with discussion led by Phil Wolf. Call Nancy Wolf, 330.6736 to let her know what you would like to bring. The community is invited.

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 and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat and Say Shalom to Shabbat, 6 p.m. followed by dinner. For reservations made by Wednesday, Jan. 5, dinner cost is $10 for Beth El members, $15 for nonmembers. No charge for children six and younger. To RSVP, contact the synagogue office; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Shabbat School, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., for all BESTT students in preK-7; Discussion Session with Rabbi Levin, 10-10:30 a.m. for parents; Kiddush co-sponsored by Beth El and Men’s Club; 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: No BESTT Classes; The Mystique of Judaism, with Andy Greenberg, and Torah Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Jewish Images on the Big Screen, 10:30 a.m. with Susi Frydman-Levin. MONDAY: Let’s Wine About It, 6:30 p.m. meet Cantor Schlossberg at Del Mare Italian and Seafood Restaurant, 169th and Pacific for a get-together filled with conversation about anything and everything Jewish. All adults in the Jewish community are welcome. TUESDAY: Parsha & Pizza, 6:15 p.m. monthly mini course, led by Cantor Schlossberg. Cost is $3 per session for members, $4 for non-members. To register, call the office. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Life Lessons from the Hebrew Bible, noon. Cost is $36 for members and $45 for non-members. Open to all adults in the Jewish community. To register, contact the office. USY SHABBAT DINNER: Friday, Jan. 14, at Aaron and Naomi Zipursky’s house. For more information, contact Youth Director Shiri Tene in the office, or at youthdir@ bethel-omaha.org. SISTERHOOD SHABBAT: Saturday, Jan. 15, 9:30 a.m. SCHOLARS SERIES: On Jan. 16, 11 a.m., guest speakers Prof. Joanie Latchaw and Prof. David Peterson of UNO will explore the meaning and symbolism behind Mel Brooks’ film To Be or Not To Be. No charge to attend; RSVP to the office. All Beth El 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, 4:54 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.;

Kiddush is sponsored by Rivka Kanner in honor of Nikki Strayer and Jon Tindall's engagement; Tamar Schiller and Ian Yellin's engagement; and Joey Shyken, Shoshi Shrago, Nikki Strayer, Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Tamar Schiller's birthdays; The Laws of Shabbat, 2:45 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, 5:59 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Jr. NCSY plays Glo-Golf at Family Fun Center. Meet at Beth Israel at 2:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Weekly Teleconference Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. Contact the office to get the dial-in number and access code. TUESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Advanced Halchic Kollel, 9 p.m.; Follow the Kollel at www.omahakol lel.blogspot.com. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m.

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: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Mini Mensch title will be awarded. Kiddush luncheon follows. Join Rabbi Katzman, noon-1 p.m.; W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets and Prayer, 12:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: After school teen program, 2:40-4 p.m. THURSDAY: The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II intermediates and experts, ages 7-9, 3:50 p.m. Please contact Shevi@ochabad.com with any questions or to recive a guest pass. All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN 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 Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Kiddush, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 7:30 p.m. Martyrdom and Choosing Life led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren.

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

Reb Zalman archives given to Colorado U. by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- The personal papers and other materials of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, a founder of the Jewish Renewal movement, have been given to the University of Colorado. The material, including audio-visual material, have become part of the Colorado University-Boulder Library Archives, according to the Boulder Jewish News, after being in the care of Naropa University, which was working with the Reb Zalman Legacy Rabbi Schachter-Shalomi Project of the Yesod Foundation to preserve, develop and circulate the rabbi's writings and teachings. The Jewish Renewal movement has infused modern Judaism with mystical teachings and contemplative prac-

tices influenced by Hasidism. The movement is run by ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal in Philadelphia. Zalman was born in Poland and grew up in Vienna. The family settled in Brooklyn after fleeing the Nazis; Zalman was ordained by Lubavitch in 1947, received a Master of Arts degree in the Psychology of Religion in 1956 from Boston University and a Doctor of Hebrew Letters degree from Hebrew Union College in 1968. “The acquisition of such an important archive makes the University of Colorado a world hub for the study of Jewish Renewal, specifically, and Jewish mysticism more generally. We are excited to be building the university’s resources with the archive of this important religious leader and thinker,” David Shneer, associate professor of history and director of CUs Program in Jewish Studies, told the Boulder Jewish News. Zalman is currently professor emeritus at both Naropa and Temple University. He retired from the World Wisdom Chair at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, in 2004.

Candlelighting Friday, January 7, 4:54 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP 1317 North 57 Street | Omaha, NE 68132 | 402.551.6609 FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:54 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 Andy Greenberg. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend Services.

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 Cantor Shermet; Midrash Keit: Master Storyteller, Rita Paskowitz. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer. SUNDAY: Teachers Meeting, 8:45 a.m.; Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m.; Revitalizing the Festivals: Shabbat, 10:30 a.m. with Cantor Shermet; OTYG Board Meeting, noon; Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, noon. TUESDAY: Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-8, 6 p.m. THURSDAY: Adult Study with the Clergy, 10-11:30 a.m.; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. Shabbat Shira Service and Dinner followed by Just Ask the Clergy on Friday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m. (see full story on page 5.)

TIFERETH ISRAEL 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 service, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Learners minyan, 9:30 a.m.; Morning Service, 10 a.m. followed by a Lunch and Learn with Bob Hutkins and Kiddush luncheon. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; The Jewish Federation of Lincoln Annual Meeting, 3 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 7:30 p.m. Martyrdom and Choosing Life led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren. Shabbat Shira Musical Celebration, featuring the Knect family on Sunday, Jan. 16, 3-5 p.m. Wine, cheese and nonalcoholic beverages will be served.

N.Y. synagogue gets bomb threat; hate crimes against Jews rise

by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- A letter threatening to blow up a New York City synagogue was discovered the same day as the release of a state report showing that hate crimes against Jews had risen significantly. A letter discovered on the evening of Dec. 30 at the Congregation Ohab Zedek on the upper West Side of Manhattan threatened to blow up the synagogue on New Year’s Eve, the New York Post reported. The newspaper quoted synagogue rabbi Allen Schwartz as saying that up to a dozen other synagogues received similar letters. The report on hate crimes in New York State for 2009 was also released late last week by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. According to the report, 37 percent of hate crimes for 2009 were against Jews and Jewish institutions, a 15 percent rise over the previous year, according to reports. There were 251 hate crimes against Jews and Jewish property in 2009, up from 219 the previous year. The total number of hate crimes in New York State rose by 14 percent, from 599 to 683. Anti-black hate crimes accounted for 21 percent of the total, anti-male homosexual hate crimes for 12 percent, and anti-Hispanic hate crimes for 6 percent.

Pulverent e

January 7, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 11

A stubborn King

In memoriam ANN ROITSTEIN

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Bo As we get a bit more into the Book of Exodus, we find that the KBH (Kadosh Bruch Hu) commands Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand that the children of Israel be released from their bondage, and be permitted to leave the country. Notice that the Sidrah is entitled “Bo” (=come) and not “Go.” This implies of course that Moses was already in the imperial palace, and reminds us of the miraculous saving of Moses’ life by the daughter of Pharaoh himself. Pharaoh, who hears request after request, and demand after demand that the children of Israel be released. Those who are familiar with the story from having read it year after year know very well how it ends with the release of the people. But we read it every year with no boredom, and with real interest and attention, because of the skill of the writer in creating an atmosphere of tension and conflict. I continue to be amazed and impressed with the literary excellence of the Torah. Tradition has it that it was written by the KBH or dictated by Him to Moses. I don’t think that we will ever know, not even our great-grandchildren, what the source of this writing is. But the imperative “Bo” annually raises our interest and demands our attention.

Female Israeli Reform rabbis speak out in favor of contact with Arabs by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Female Israeli Reform rabbis issued a letter slamming some elements of a call earlier this week for Jewish women to shun contact with Arab men. “We, rabbis of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, oppose interfaith marriages, but we consider professional and social contacts between us and all of Israel’s citizens and residents to be positive -- regardless of race, religion or sex,” the new letter, dated Wednesday, read. The letter is signed by the 40 female Reform rabbis who are part of the rabbinical council of the Israel Movement for Progressive and Reform Judaism. The letter came in response to a statement distributed earlier this week by Lehava, an organization dedicated to preventing intermarriage between Jews and Arabs, and signed by 27 Israeli rabbis’ wives that urged Jewish women not to date or work with Arab men. Several weeks ago, several dozen Israeli municipal rabbis signed a letter calling on Jews not to sell or rent properties to non-Jews. That letter met with strong condemnation, particularly from American rabbis. This week’s Reform letter said, “Jews who are confidant in their Jewish identity do not have to fear contact with people from other nations.” It went on, “Dialogue and social contact between Jews and non-Jews are the foundations of a healthy society. The way to strengthen the Jewish identity of our sons and daughters is through education, not incitement and fear. “ The 50 male Reform rabbis who are members of the council also support the statement, Rabbi Gilad Kariv, executive director of the movement, told JTA.

Ann Roitstein passed away on Dec. 23, 2010, at the age of 95. Services were held Dec. 26 at Beth El Cemetery, 84th and L Streets. She was preceded in death by husband, Dr. Morris Roitstein. She is survived by children, daughter, Lorraine Levy, sons and daugthers-in-law, Larry and Betty Roitstein, and Lloyd and Debbie Roitstein; six grandchildren; three great-grand children; and sisters-in-law, Sonia Forbes and Lotte Isaacs. Memorial contributions may be made to Beth El Synagogue, Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts, or the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

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New N.Y. Gov. Cuomo urged to restore kosher division by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Lawmakers, Jewish leaders and kosher businesses are lobbying New York’s new governor Andrew Cuomo to restore the state’s kosher law-enforcement division. Budget cuts and retirements over the last year have left the division with one employee, the division’s director, according to The Wall Street Journal. The cuts in the department, which once employed 11 kosher inspectors, will save up to $1 million a year in salary, benefits and services, according to the newspaper, citing a state Department of Agriculture and Markets spokesperson. The department said last November that the jobs have become obsolete since a 2004 change in the state’s kosher law prevented state inspectors from enforcing Orthodox standards of kashrut. According to the new law, kosher establishments must disclose the standards they use and under whose authority they operate, but are not required to adhere to Orthodox regulations. State kosher inspectors may only ensure the establishments are doing what they purport to do. Jewish groups such as the Rabbinical Alliance of America and the National Council of Young Israel have come out against the proposed cuts.

WikiLeaks: Iran can reach Israel in 12 minutes by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Iran has missiles that can reach Israel in 12 minutes, according to cables released by WikiLeaks. Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told a U.S. Congressional delegation in November 2009 that the Islamic Republic has over 300 missiles that can reach the Jewish state in up to 12 minutes, according to the cables released on Sunday. He also reportedly told the lawmakers, led by Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), that he was preparing Israel's military for a major war against Hamas, saying that "I'm preparing the Israeli army for a major war, since it is easier to scale down to a smaller operation than to do the opposite." Ashkenazi told the delegation that the threat from Hamas and Hezbollah is more acute than the Iranian threat, due to their proximity to Israel. Iran funds both Hamas and Hezbollah. He predicted that the next big war for Israel would be either in Gaza or Lebanon. He also said that Hezbollah has over 40,000 rockets capable of reaching all of Israel, and that Hamas could hit Tel Aviv.

Jewish filmmakers do well in Golden Globe nominations by JTA NEWS STAFF LOS ANGELES (JTA) – Jewish actors, directors and screenwriters have garnered prominent nominations for the 2011 Golden Globe Awards — a promising augury for the upcoming Oscar picks. Two top favorites for best motion picture honors, The King’s Speech and The Social Network, announced in early December, led the field with seven and six Golden Globe nods, respectively. Named in the best actor/actress categories were Jesse Eisenberg, who portrays Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, and Israeli native Natalie Portman as a ballet dancer in Black Swan. Also picked were two actors with Jewish mothers, James Franco as a trapped hiker in 127 Hours, and Jake Gyllenhaal in Love & Other Drugs. Tapped for best supporting actors were Andrew Garfield as Facebook co-founder in The Social Network and Mila

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Kunis in Black Swan. Jewish writers took three of five nominations for best screenplay: David Seidler for The King’s Speech, Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network and Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg for The Kids Are All Right. Seidler, 73, like England’s George VI in The King’s Speech, grew up as a severe stutterer. His paternal grandparents perished in the Holocaust, and he lived through the London Blitz as a baby. He started researching the British monarch’s life as far back as the 1970s. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which sponsors the Golden Globe Awards, two years ago picked Israel’s Waltz with Bashir as the top foreign-language movie, but this time Israel drew a blank. Winners of the Golden Globe Awards will be named on Jan. 16. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will name its nominees on Jan. 25 and hand out Oscars to the winners on Feb. 27.

Nebraska STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS ADOPTION: LOVING, warm, educated family will give your baby security & lots of love. Expenses paid. 1-866-298-8070. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! For $210/25 word classified you can advertise in over 170 Nebraska newspapers. For more information contact the Jewish Press at 402-3346448 or call 1-800-369-2850. BANKRUPTCY: FREE initial consultation. Fast relief from creditors. Low rates. Statewide filing. No office appointment necessary. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-8728327. www.steffenslaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code. DO YOU live in rural Nebraska and need a small business loan under $35,000? REAP can help! Call 402-656-3091 or visit www.cfra.org/reap. SALES OPPORTUNITY! Driven independent, a goal setter? Offering: Intensive training, 4-day work week, top incentives/bonuses, $3,000 monthly training incentive available, $65K+ first year earning potential. Overnight instate travel required (MondayThursday). Mark Headrick, 1-866-326-4316. SELL YOUR classic car, truck or motorcycle online. Call this newspaper or call 800-3692850 to place your ad on the national www.midwestclassiccars.com web site for only $25.00. Your ad runs until your vehicle is sold! POLICE OFFICER position, City of Ogallala. Accepting applications through 01/13/11 4:00 p.m. (MT). Certification preferred. Request application packet, call 308-284-2024, ogallalapolice@kc911.net. WEED SUPERINTENDENT. Buffalo County, Nebraska, is accepting applications for the position of Weed Superintendent. Buffalo County EOE/AA. Please find additional information at www.buffalogov.org. CASEIH SERVICE Tech openings. Tractor & Combine service specialist. Field & shop experience required. CaseIH dealership in Central Nebraska. Excellent benefits. Contact: Kent at Grosshans Inc., Box 117, Central City, NE 68826, 308-946-3075. HELP WANTED: Automobile Technician wanted. Contact Friesen Chevrolet, Sutton, NE, 402-773-5538. WANTED: PARTS and delivery driver. Contact Friesen Chevrolet, Sutton, NE, 402-7735538. LAB TECH: MT or MLT (ASCP), progressive southeast Nebraska hospital. Phlebotomy skills preferred. Competitive pay scale, excellent benefits. Send resume to: Sandy Bauer, Jefferson Community Health Center, PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE 68352. RADIOLOGY TECHNOLOGIST (ARRT), full-time position, Chase County Community Hospital, www.chasecountyhospital.com. Competitive pay/benefits with friendly and professional work environment. Mammography/CT licensure preferred. Current State License required. E-mail resume/application to jsharp@chasecountyhospital.com. DRIVERS AND Teams: Late model equipment. No East Coast. Health, Dental, Life Insurance offered. Sign-on bonus for qualified applicants. Call Chuck, 800-645-3748. DRIVERS: FLATBED. Earn $1.85/mile or more! Owner Operators, up to $1,000 signon bonus. No age restriction on tractors/trailers. CRST Malone, 877-277-8756, www.JoinMalone.com. YOU GOT the drive, we have the direction. OTR Drivers, APU equipped pre-pass EZpass, pets/passenger policy. Newer equipment. 100% No Touch. 1-800-528-7825. LOOKING FOR the classic car, truck or motorcycle of your dreams? Go to www.midwestclassiccars.com. It’s your Midwest connection to classic vehicles for sale. Need to sell a classic vehicle? For only $25, your ad with photos will run until sold! Call this newspaper today for more information or call 800-369-2850. CHEEX. ESTABLISHED Turnkey Upscale Bar/Grill, 9,000 sq. ft., tin ceiling, chef style kitchen. Pool tables, dance floor, includes 40’s-70’s memorabilia. Heartland Partners, 308-962-7745. IN-ROW STARTER & Foliar Fertilizers. Highest quality. 100% orthophosphate. Last year’s prices through 12/31. Delivered direct to your farm. Call or text to: 1-402-4307727. ARNOLD, NE, is accepting applications for a Village Superintendent. Position is responsible for overseeing and helping in all operations of the municipality. Applicant must have knowledge of Electric Distribution System. Contact Village of Arnold, PO Box 70, Arnold, NE 69120, 308-848-2228, arnoldvillage@gpcom.net. EOE FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC (Rapid City, SD). The Rapid City Fire Department is seeking applicants for the position of Firefighter-Paramedic. Please visit www.rcgov.org for information.

12 | The Jewish Press | January 7, 2011

JFNA mobilizes quick response to fire by SHERRIE SAAG Development Associate, Omaha Jewish Federation The forest fire that raged through northern Israel this month is now being called the worst in the country’s history. The fire, centered in the Carmel Mountain Range outside Haifa, killed over 40 people, forced the evacuation of 17,000 residents from dozens of towns, and destroyed or severely damaged 250 homes. The fire’s close proximity to our Partnership area, Akko and Matte Asher in the Western Galilee, makes this horrible tragedy very personal for so many in our community involved with the Partnership with Israel program, the Central Area Consortium (15 U.S. cities, of which Omaha is included), and the Western Galilee. “Because Partnership is dedicated to connecting people overseas and making a difAbove: An aerial view of the ference for Jews in Israel and fire in northern Israel. Right: America, a local response is The smoke plume as seen in appropriate and necessary to a NASA image. help our community connection in Israel,” said Jan Goldstein, Omaha Jewish Federation Executive Director. The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is leading a Jewish Federation mobilization response to support victims of the fire and to plan for longer-term recovery efforts. The Jewish National Fund (JNF) launched emergency fundraising to answer the immediate needs of firefighters battling the blaze. But it is now apparent that more needs to be done. JNF began Operation Carmel Renewal to help replenish depleted firefighting supplies and secure firefighting equipment for the long term. The Consortium supported the recent renovation of the Akko Fire Station. In fact, the Akko fire chief with whom we

have worked, was the head of Command Control dealing with the Carmel forest fire, said Goldstein. “We support the efforts of the JFNA to help the victims of this disaster, in collaboration with the Government of Israel and our overseas partners,” she added.

As soon as the fires ignited, JFNA’s top professionals and volunteers convened to gather emerging details on the crisis and assess immediate needs. A fact-finding mission was dispatched to review relief needs on the ground.

Currently JFNA and Federations are leading a range of fundraising activities including opening emergency mailboxes. JFNA and its partners are planning for how to deploy these resources with our partner agencies most effectively. The wildfire burned more than five million trees across 12,500 acres of natural woodlands and planted forests, an area comparable to over 7,000 football fields or 40% of the city of Jerusalem, according to the Jewish National Fund (JNF). JNF estimates the total damage at about $75 million. The long road to recovery of Israel’s Carmel forest has begun but because of the scope of ecological damage, the renewal of the Carmel Forest will take decades to complete. A large part of the forest was hand planted by Israel’s early pioneers through donations collected during its worldwide JNF Blue Boxes program. “Anyone over 40 years old can remember bringing home a JNF Blue Box from religious school. The pennies and spare change that went into those boxes helped plant the Carmel Forest,” said Bob Goldberg, Communications Director, Jewish Federation of Omaha. The JNF Blue Box, a popular symbol of Israel’s growth in the mid-20th Century, is a signature program of the Jewish National Fund. Every coin deposited in the JNF Blue Box made the giver a partner with Israel by planting trees in the young country. Today, the Blue Box program is still seen as a symbol of the link between the Jewish people and the land. Founded in 1901, JNF serves as a caretaker of the land of Israel, on behalf of its owners—Jewish people everywhere. Over the past century, JNF has planted over 240 million trees, built over 165 reservoirs and dams, developed over 250,000 acres of land, created more than 450 parks and educated students around the world about Israel and the environment. Now Jewish National Fund’s Operation Carmel Renewal: From Black to Green campaign is raising emergency funds to repair the vast ecological damage caused by the fires, replace depleted firefighting supplies, and provide firefighters with much-needed modern equipment for the future. To take part in this most important campaign, visit jnf.org/carmelrenewal or call 1-800-542-TREE. To donate via the Jewish Federation of Omaha, or read the latest info, visit http://www.jewishomaha.org/page.aspx?id=234948

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Opportunity for Environmental Engineer

BD Medical Surgical in Columbus, NE has an opening for an Environmental Engineer.This position leads and directs the Environmental programs throughout the Columbus West facility, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, local and company policies. This position will implement programs to achieve environmental goals in the areas of waste reduction and green initiatives. Requirements: Five years of related environmental field experience in a regulatory agency or manufacturing setting. Must have experience with environmental regulations, program management and reporting, including working knowledge of RCRA -LQG, CAA - Title V Permitting, SARA III - Tier II & Form R and CWA - NPDES, Storm Water, and SPCC regulations. Must possess strong oral, writing skills, be computer literate, and be familiar with PC based software such as Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Able to interact persuasively with all levels of the organization and outside agencies. Must have a bachelors of Science in Environmental Engineering or related technical field. Preferred certification as CHMM, CEA, ISO 14001. Full Benefit Package: Includes medical, dental, disability & life insurance, vacation, pension plan, matching 401K, annual performance incentives. To Apply :Apply on-line at: www.bd.com/us/careers/nebraska/ Requisition number OTH100JB Please contact Monica Watts with questions at 308-872-3635

BD is An Equal Opportunity Employer