Vol. LXXXIX No. 16 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
22 Tevet 5770
January 8, 2010
Jews of Selma struggle to save historic temple by BEN HARRIS SELMA, Ala. (JTA) -- From the street, the red-brick facade of Temple Mishkan Israel retains all the grandeur of when it was first built in 1899. But step inside, and the degradation of a once proud synagogue is apparent everywhere, from the well-scuffed wood of its pews and holy ark to the cracks lining the soaring supports for its vaulted ceiling, a result of chronic water damage from a leaky roof. Only a series of magnificent stained glass windows appear to have withstood the corrosion of time. Selma’s Jewish community, which once numbered well over 100 families, is down to its final dozen or so members, and the synagogue hasn’t been in frequent use for years. With the community having accepted the fact of its eventual disappearance, the remaining members have invested their hopes in a plan to transform the historic synagogue into a museum dedicated to the history of a community that was once an important civic presence here. “We think that Selma has an incredible opportunity,” said Macy Hart, the founding director of the Institute for Southern Jewish Life in Jackson, Miss., which would oversee the operation of the museum if the community can come up with the renovation money. “It’s a great opportunity for Selma to concentrate on tourism.” The story of Selma’s Jewish community is a common one in the South: a once
The city’s remaining Jews in Selma, Alabama, are hoping to raise money to turn Temple Mishkan Israel into a museum. Credit: Ben Harris thriving community, with a dominant retail presence downtown, now reduced to a handful of aging members. The decline is inextricably bound to the sagging fortunes of Selma overall, an economically depressed city that, like the remaining Jews, has invested much hope in attracting tourists drawn by its role in American history. Selma was the launching point for the
famous marches to Montgomery and witnessed a crucial battle during the American Civil War. A recently opened welcome center downtown directs visitors to the various museums and sites of historic significance around town. “The big picture is tourism, in terms of its meaning, its value, its history, in terms of people coming,” said Mayor George Evans. “I think there’s still a lot we could
do if we all come together and recognize that history was made here in Selma like no other place in the world, from the standpoint of civil rights.” Jewish history in Selma transcends the civil rights era, and indeed those who lived through the period admit they generally sought to remain neutral, concerned about the impact expressions of solidarity with the black community might have on Jewish standing. The community nevertheless hopes to benefit from any potential tourist traffic connected to that era, though there’s considerable skepticism among the locals that enough money can be raised for the renovation. Despite acknowledging that he had never been inside, Evans said that in principle he supports the synagogue project. But, the mayor added, the city is unable to contribute to what would be a substantial investment to transform the building. Renovations would require upwards of $2 million, and Hart’s group is seeking an endowment of at least another $1 million to support ongoing maintenance and staffing. The community has raised only about $500,000 so far. “I’m not sure that we’re going to get there,” said Rusty Palmer, a Selma native who is spearheading the fundraising effort. “We’re going to need some luck.” Elsewhere in the South, declining Jewish communities have sold their synagogue buildings or, as in Helena, Ark., Continued on page 2
Partnership with Israel Arts Task Force shares love of creativity with audiences in Omaha, Indianapolis by KIM GOLDBERG Co-Chair, Arts Task Force Partnership with Israel (Editor’s note: Kim Goldberg, 2009 Young Leadership Award winner, recaps last month’s visit by artists and teachers from the Western Galilee, Omaha’s Partnership with Israel region.) The Partnership with Israel Arts Task Force delegation accomplished a great deal last month, from conducting art workshops for 300 children, recruiting numerous artists to join Partnership programs, giving presentations to several groups, rubbing elbows with artist Jun Kaneko, and touring some of the first-class cultural institutions in Omaha and Indianapolis. Omaha and Indianapolis are two of the 16 Central Area Consortium cities that partner with the Western Galilee region of Israel, and we are thankful to both for hosting this special week! The big snow storm of 2009 had not yet hit, but even with airport delays, the Arts delegation was not deterred. Albert Ben Shloosh (co-chair, Arts Task Force), Edna Taf (cultural coordinator, Matte Asher), Orly Shai (director, Akko art kindergarten), and Aliza Perinsky (principal, Akko art elementary school) could have made it through the biggest storm with their energy and excitement! At the end of their trip, calling from their hotel room in New Jersey, they chanted on the phone, “We love Omaha!”
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
Art Workshops Hanukkah songs and informative presentations kicked off the start of each of the seven workshops conducted by the delegation. Omaha’s Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center four-year-olds and the Friedel Jewish Academy children enjoyed learning about Hanukkah symbols and etching techniques while creating beautiful hanukkiyot. Temple Israel Sunday school children enjoyed creating fun and festive Hanukkah mobiles. In Indianapolis, at the Hasten Hebrew Academy and the Bureau of Jewish Education Early Childhood Program, children also learned etching techniques and created colorful Chagall-inspired stained glass windows. Jewish Institutions A special part of the delegation’s time in Omaha was spent attending Hanukkah celebrations at Temple Israel and Beth Israel, and special Shabbat services at Beth El to honor its 80th anniversary. Each visit gave the Israelis a chance to partake in our Jewish culture and meet members of the community. Tours of the day schools and preschools in both communities gave us the opportunity to meet with staff and children and see world-class facilities. Continued on page 7
Photo at right: Edna Taf, Art Delegation participant from the Western Galilee in Israel, works with the kindergartners from Friedel Jewish Academy to create hanukkiyot.
This Week: Film wrap-up for 2009: Page 4 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
John Lehr follows family tradition as Temple president: Page 2
Coming Next Week: Women’s Health Issue Newman Supporting Foundation awards grants: Page 3
Implementing the settlement freeze: Page 12
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 8, 2010
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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, both his parents, and 10 former presidents with whom he’s served, John Lehr became president of the Temple Israel Board of Trustees last month. Jan Schneiderman, who was elected president of the Temple Board this past spring, resigned at the urging of her physicians and family, due to health issues. Lehr thanked and recognized Schneiderman “for her leadership, energy, and skill as Temple’s 61st president. John Lehr She accomplished much in a broad career.” He added that, “we will look forward to her speedy and complete recovery.” Immediate Past President Jon Meyers expressed his gratitude to Schneiderman as well. “I would like to thank her for her dedication and preparation during the past few years leading up to her assuming the duties of the president. Jan is not a quitter, and it’s unfortunate that she is not able to complete her term. Our thoughts are with her and her family.” Lehr is a lifelong member of Temple Israel. As newlyweds in the late 1980s, Lehr and his wife Sandy were members of a couples committee. He was asked to join the Board of Trustees in 1995. “Given my parents and grandfather were former presidents,” John was “interested in seeing first hand what synagogue leadership, governance, and volunteerism were all about. Once hooked, I enjoyed participating in each of these endeavors. I’ve been a Board member-atlarge, membership chair, assistant treasurer, treasurer -which is a big job encompassing chairmanship of the
Rabbi Azriel to lead discussion on Jewish law’s view of racism By CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Enjoy a cup of coffee and absorbing conversation with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel on Thursdays, Jan. 14, and 21, 7 p.m., at Barnes & Noble at Oak View, 144th and West Center Road. The topic of discussion, “A Jewish Critique of Racism,” will focus on Jewish law regarding racism. “On the one hand,” explained Rabbi Azriel, “Judaism is a universal religion and a source of moral and spiritual inspiration for all of humanity. From this perspective, we are called upon to give a clear answer about the basic attitude of Judaism to a regime based upon racial discrimination and its related deprivations and exploitation. Judaism, however, is not only a universal religion. It is at the same time a religion borne by the Jewish people. We, as Jews, are called upon to formulate a national stance concerning our actual relations with racist nations.” Silvia Roffman, who has attended Rabbi Azriel’s coffee klatches at Barnes & Noble in the past, commented that, “It’s a lot of fun to meet in a different setting. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere and leads to wonderful conversations.” Open to the community, “A Jewish Critique of Racism” is sponsored by Temple Israel’s Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning. To register, contact Program Director Wendy Goldberg at wgoldberg@templeisraelomaha.com or at 556.6536.
To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: editor@jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.
budget committee, audit committee, and finance council -- vice president, and president-elect.” Al Mayer, Lehr’s grandfather, was president of Temple from 1952-’54. “In his second year, services were held at the old JCC while our current building was being constructed,” John recalled. From 1977-79, John’s mother, Joanie Lehr, was the first woman president of a Nebraska synagogue, which coincided with the first woman clergy member, Cantor Gail Karp, being hired by a Nebraska synagogue. Marty Lehr, John’s father, was president of Temple from 1985-87. His family’s history at Temple, John noted, instilled “a strong sense of pride in and belonging to the Temple which have been matched by a strong sense of responsibility to do what I could as so many have before me, to continue Temple’s mission, and to benefit the congregation and the community just as I have benefited.” His overriding goal, explained Lehr, is to “continue the dedicated work of the many before me and hope, plan, and pray to be part of the initiative which results in an exciting conclusion to the last seven years of our infrastructure efforts, successfully balancing our needs with our dreams and with our resources.” He added, “Among our many strengths is the passion our members bring to their issues and our wide spectrum of opinions and demographics. We have so many engaged board members and other Temple leaders who work closely with Temple staff and congregants to do so much to improve our lives. I look forward to being a part of this great tradition.” John and Sandy Lehr are the parents of Avery, a freshman at the University of Miami, and Jacob, a sophomore at Westside High School. Following his grandfather and father as president of Grace/Mayer Insurance, John is now feeling “thankful to have the chance to forge another link” in Temple’s leadership chain to “hopefully strengthen it for those who follow. I look forward to being a part of this great tradition.”
Jews of Selma struggle to save temple Continued from page 1 gifted it to a public agency. But the Jews of Selma are trying to avoid such fates, believing that the museum option is the best way to ensure the memory of Jewish life in their city is not forgotten. “It’s not so much that we’re looking for recognition that all of this existed,” Palmer said. “It’s a fascinating part of history to all of us, and it’s one that we think bears interest and understanding by others. And it’s disppaearing fast.”
The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where armed officers beat civil rights activists in March 1965, is located just blocks from the city’s only synagogue. Selma’s Jews hope history tourism will generate interest in helping to preserve their historic synagogue. Credit: Ben Harris The last point is undeniable. From its peak, Selma is down to its last 11 Jews, most of them in their 80s or 90s. At one time, Broad Street, the town’s main drag, was dominated by Jewish retail establishments, and several Jews served as Selma’s mayor. The Harmony Club, a social club for Jewish men established in 1909 and listed in the national register of historic places, now sits vacant, an Israeli flag is draped from its facade a reminder of its earlier tenants. Much of that history is now forgotten, the mayor said, though he could easily rattle off the names of Jewish shopkeepers he patronized as a child. He even recalled buying a shotgun at Bendersky’s. “I still have it today,” Evans said, “a 20-gauge.” “We love this place,”said Ronnie Leet, at 52, the youngest Jew in Selma. “We think it deserves to be renovated and be here for history
January 8, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Newman Supporting Foundation announces grant awards
by MARY BORT Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation The Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha has announced that nine local programs will receive grants from the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation. “There were 19 grant applications this year, from a variety of worthwhile organizations,” noted Janet Henthorn, Foundation endowment associate. “The Newman Supporting Foundation carefully deliberated to select the programs they felt would make the most significant impact in our community at this time.” The Anti-Defamation League/Community Relations Committee received a grant for its 24th annual Prejudice Elimination Workshop, a one-day program to be held next November. Over 300 high school juniors from 45 schools from the Omaha area will attend. In addition, school counselors, teachers and staff will participate in educator training, and professionals from education, business and nonprofit organizations will be trained by ADL staff to serve as volunteer workshop facilitators. PEW challenges stereotypes and biases; during the day, participants will learn to take responsibility for fighting discrimination and prejudice. The program’s goal is for students to become change agents in their schools and communities. The B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, a Jewish Community Center organization, was awarded a grant to support Teen Mitzvah Day, or “Shiputznick,” a day of service and mitzvot. The BBYO grant proposal indicated that the program will be held next May on Lag B’Omer, which promotes treating others with respect and love. Teens will get together to make a
connection between the holiday and the ting to confront bigotry and discriminaday of service, and then will participate in tion through activities such as workshops various service projects throughout and panel discussions. Participants in Omaha, such as making meals or picking IncluCity I will gain awareness, learn new up litter in city parks. After their projects skills and develop an action plan to make are complete, they’ll come back together positive changes at school, in the workplace and in the community. for a meal and to reflect on the day. The Jewish Community Center received a grant for the 2010 JCC Maccabi Games. The JCC grant application states that 1,000 Jewish teen athletes, as well as parents, adult coaches and staff members from all over the country and Israel, will come to Omaha during the first week of August. Along with over 120 Omaha teens expected to participate, they will experience competition, Jewish socialization, and cultural and community service programming. The Maccabi Games will bring together the entire Omaha Jewish community, as hundreds of volunteers participate and provide home hospitality. In preparation for the Maccabi Games, The Jewish Press received The JCC and the Jewish Press have garnered grants for a grant to hire a college editorial the JCC Maccabi Games; the Press will be able to hire a intern to assist in covering the college editorial intern to supervise the Maccabi “star week-long event. The intern will reporters.” work from May through the games, and The National Council of Jewish will also oversee a group of 13- to 16- Women-Omaha Section, also received a year- old “star reporters” who will help Newman Foundation grant for its annuchronicle the games. al “Dictionary Day” program, which disThe Conference for Inclusive Com- tributes full-color, hard-bound dictionarmunities was awarded a grant for their ies to more than 1,500 low-income summer “IncluCity I” program, formerly fourth graders in the Omaha Public known as “Anytown.” During this pro- Schools. Teachers will incorporate the use gram, a diverse group of 60 high school of the dictionaries in their lesson plans, students, along with 30 volunteer staff, and students will take the reference books will meet in a week-long residential set- home at the end of the school year.
The Center for Jewish Education received a grant for a teacher training program for the 2010-11 academic year. Synagogue religious school teachers and teachers from Friedel Academy and the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center will have the opportunity to attend a professional seminar to enhance their continuing education. Funding was also allocated to the Heartland Holocaust Educational Fund, to provide Holocaust and genocide education courses at universities and colleges across the Midwest. Through these courses, students will gain an understanding about the impact of the Holocaust, learning about the past in order to change the future. Courses are currently taught at the University of Nebraska’s Omaha, Lincoln and Kearney campuses, plus Creighton University and Wayne State College. The Newman Foundation also awarded a grant to Jewish Family Service for its Tzedakah Project. The project encompasses three objectives: feeding the hungry; offering celebratory food for Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah and Passover; and reaching out to Jewish community members in need. The Newman Supporting Foundation has provided grants to the Omaha community since 1987. Current Board of Trustees members include Susie Noddle, president; Sharee C. Newman, vice president; Lisa C. Lewis, secretary-treasurer; Jamie Zacharia Friedland, Jeff Kirshenbaum, Jay R. Lerner, and Murray H. Newman. For more information about establishing a supporting foundation, please contact Marty Ricks at the Foundation office, 334.6440.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 8, 2010
The movies had a Jewish punim in 2009 FILM REVIEWS by MICHAEL FOX
The face of Jewish movies in 2009 was a matronly Bronx housewife dispensing wisdom in 1950s black-andwhite, and a flummoxed Midwest physics professor seeking late-‘60s guidance from one rabbi after another. For far more moviegoers, however, a band of Nazislaughtering GIs and a gorgeous theater owner in Occupied Paris epitomized Jewish identity (while stretching credibility past the breaking point). And in a Woody Allen film that also seemed to emanate from a prior era, an irritable New York pseudo-intellectual shacked up with an unsophisticated and much younger shiksa. There were plenty of pictures that invoked the contemporary Jewish experience, notably Judd Apatow’s Funny People, the Adam Sandler-Seth Rogen comedy about a seriously ill movie star and his nudnik underling. But none earned the affection or the wrath of the hit historical documentary Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg and the period pieces A Serious Man, Inglourious Basterds and Whatever Works. The year got off to a solid start with the high-profile release of Defiance, easily overshadowing the appropriation of the dybbuk legend for a widely panned horror flick, The Unborn. But a few weeks later, Milk lost the Best Picture Oscar (to Slumdog Millionaire) while the stunning Israeli animated film Waltz With Bashir was snubbed in the Foreign Language category. Lower-profile American independent films shifted the momentum, led by James Gray’s moody and haunting Two Lovers (starring Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow). Max Mayer’s Adam and Ang Lee’s Taking Woodstock also constructed their narratives around Jewish protagonists, while an episode in the omnibus film New York, I Love You showcased Natalie Portman as an unorthodox Orthodox bride. As always, vaguely Jewish echoes could be discerned in myriad Hollywood films, from Sandra Bullock’s halfJewish heroine in All About Steve to the grumbling neurotic beasts in Where the Wild Things Are. In case it had somehow escaped your attention, the movie business is very well represented with Jewish writers and directors from assimilated suburban backgrounds. Looking abroad, Jewish themes were at the heart of several terrific foreign dramas that deserve to be discovered on DVD after hit-and-run theatrical releases. Two outstanding French films that view the Holocaust—and French complicity—through a contemporary lens, Un Secret and One Day You’ll Understand, were especially noteworthy. The British attitude toward its Jews isn’t exactly a
source of pride, either. At least that’s one way to interpret the offhand Jewish identification of Peter Sarsgaard’s seductive outsider in “An Education.” Israeli cinema didn’t match its international successes of the banner year of 2008, although the acclaimed Waltz With Bashir found plenty of American admirers during its winter run. Eran Riklis’s excellent Lemon Tree, a contemporary feminist parable of Israeli-Palestinian relations, eluded most moviegoers and is well worth checking out. Shiva (Seven Days), The Beetle and The Debt (Miramax’s remake with Helen Mirren arrives in 2010) made numerous stops on the Jewish film festival circuit. On the horizon, a trio of gritty, powerful Israeli dramas opens in the next few months. But don’t expect the award-winning Lebanon, Ajami and Zion and His Brother to be cuddly crowd-pleasers. Typically, the most visible—and colorful—Jewish characters on American screens, big and small, are to be found in documentaries. Aviva Kempner’s Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg led the field with outstanding ticket sales for a historical doc targeted to a niche audience. Anvil! The Story of Anvil won fervent fans with its heart-on-thesleeve portrait of two middle-aged Canadian rockers, while William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe introduced the late, uncompromising defense lawyer to a new generation. The impressive list of worthwhile documentaries with a Jewish angle also included Blessed Is the Match: Hannah Senesh, At Home In Utopia, Schmatta, Herb & Dorothy, Defamation and Four Seasons Lodge, plus the PBS docudrama The People v. Leo Frank. 2009 was a year of loss, with the passing of several talented and important film artists. Budd Schulberg, the revered screenwriter (Nuremberg, On the Waterfront) and author (What Makes Sammy Run?), died at 95. Another great writer, Larry Gelbart (Tootsie, the TV series “M*A*S*H”), was 81. Ron Silver won a Tony in David Mamet’s Speed-the Plow on Broadway in 1988, and gave a marvelously sensitive performance the next year in Paul Mazursky’s firstrate Isaac Bashevis Singer adaptation Enemies, A Love Story. The splendid actor’s numerous Jewish roles included Prof. Alan Dershowitz in Reversal of Fortune and Henry Kissinger in the TV movie Kissinger and Nixon. The beloved character actor Lou Jacobi, who died at 95, made his Broadway debut in The Diary of Anne Frank and reprised the role of Van Daan a few years later in the film version. Late in his career, Jacobi memorably played one of Armin Mueller-Stahl’s brothers in Barry Levinson’s Avalon. Howard Zieff, a successful director of humorous commercials who went on to forge a middling career in Hollywood helming comedies such as Private Benjamin
and Hearts of the West, was 81. The French macher Claude Berri (born Claude Berel Langmann) was best known in this country for directing Jean de Florette and Manon of the Spring. His touching 1967 debut, The Two of Us, was based on his childhood experience of living with an elderly anti-Semite in the countryside during the Occupation. It’s a bit early to predict the key Jewish figures in film in 2010, but keep an eye out for the “star” of The Most Dangerous Man In America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, a documentary that could well be in the running for an Academy Award as it rolls into theaters in February. Another candidate is the late poet Allen Ginsberg, whose censorship battle in the ’50s propels the factbased drama, Howl. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s independent film premieres next month at the Sundance Film Festival, alongside documentaries about Jack Abramoff and Joan Rivers. If Jack and Joan turn out to be the defining faces of Jewish film in 2010, we may well find ourselves waxing nostalgic for the bloodthirsty Jewish soldiers of Inglourious Basterds. Michael Fox, a film critic, journalist, instructor CinemaLit curator and host, of Mechanics’Institute, is based in San Francisco, CA. He can be reached at: foxonfilm@yahoo.com.
IN THE NEWS
At the International Biennial Convention of the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, held last month in New Jersey, Beth El Synagogue received several honors for its innovative programming. The synagogue received a Gold Award in the category of Celebrations and Dedications for “Praise the Land and Pass the Falafel,” a program that celebrated Israel’s 60th; the congregation also received an honorable mention in the category of Worship and Ritual for “BBQ & Barchu,” a special Shabbat celebration held at Zorinsky Lake. Ray Goldstein, past international president of USCJ, presented the plaques of recognition during Beth El’s 80th anniversary celebration on Dec. 12.
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January 8, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Standard theology questioned
by SHERRIE SAAG Center for Jewish Education Dr. Guy Matalon, executive director of the Center for Jewish Education, tackles alternative views to standard biblical theology in the latest class offering by the Center for Jewish Education: “Biblical Wisdom Literature: Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.” According to Matalon, the standard theology of the Bible is simple. “If one follows the commandments of God, one is rewarded. If one disobeys the commandments of God, he is punished. It’s a choice between mitzvah or sin; reward or punishment.” However, he adds, “towards the end of the Hebrew Bible we find a radical alternative to this classical way of thinking in the books of Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. These texts challenge our ways of thinking by questioning the standard theology. For example, Job is punished even though he is blameless and righteous. Eccelsiastes tells us that everything is meaningless -- even performing mitzvot.” It is these obvious disparities that will be explored as the class analyzes different passages from these texts. “The differ-
ences presented in these three books allow us to understand God’s relationship to the world differently than the picture one gets from Deuteronomy, for example,” says Matalon. “I am pleased we are offering a course of study on Proverbs. This is so well suited to the Center’s mission of providing unique educational opportunities to the community,” said Patrick Jensen, Adult Education Committee chairman. The class is divided into two, four-week sessions. Each session is designed to be independent of each other, allowing students to register for a single session, if that is preferred. The first four-week session will run Tuesdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, noon-1 p.m. at Temple Israel. The second session will take place at Beth El on Thursdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 78 p.m. “Biblical Wisdom Literature” is presented by the Center for Jewish Education, Temple Israel and Beth El. Tuition is $36 per session, discounted to $27 for donors to the Federation Campaign. Pre-registration is required by calling 334.6445 or via email at mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.
Temple Israel to celebrate Family School and Scout Shabbat
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Students and parents who participate in Temple’s Family School will lead Shabbat services at this year’s Family School and Scout Shabbat, Friday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m. Favorite readings from the families will be interspersed throughout the service. Larry Gendler, a Family School dad, will give the d’var Torah. Steve Eisenberg, also a Family School member, will be involved in the worship service, playing his guitar. In addition, two men from the Omaha Jewish community will be recognized by the National Jewish Committee on Scouting for “outstanding service in the promotion of scouting among Jewish youth.” Gary Nachman, who has been active at the troop level, and Steve Pitlor, who has been a member of the MidAmerica Council Board of Trustees since 1993, will be presented with the Shofar Award which recognizes “outstanding service by adults in the promotion of scouting among Jewish youth.” Additionally, all Jewish Eagle Scouts and boys who have earned a Jewish religious award during the past year will be honored on Scout Shabbat. Nachman has served as an adult leader
for numerous High Adventure Camping experiences, including trips to the Boundry Waters in Minnesota, Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado, as well as on many local and regional camping trips. A member of Troop 552 Adult Troop Committee and the Mid-America Council Jewish Committee on Scouting, he is also the father of three Eagle Scouts. Pitlor has been on the Board of the Mid-America Council since 1993. Since 1994, when the Durham Scout Center opened at 124th and West Maple Road, his firm, Pitlor and Son, Inc., “has been very supportive of scouting, financially as well as with air conditioning and heating needs of the center,” said Lloyd Roitstein, executive/president with the MidAmerica Council. Scout Shabbat provides an opportunity to demonstrate that the practice of religion is an important part of scouting activities. The National Jewish Committee of Scouting promotes Boy Scouting among Jewish youth, assists local institutions to provide scouting opportunities for Jewish youth, and supports Jewish values in scouting.
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LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m., at the JCC. For information call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
please make check payable to JFS. Please bring them to the luncheon or deliver to the Blumkin Home in care of Maggie Conti. Call Florence Hauss, Mitzvah Chairman, at 571.4583.
VISIONS Luncheon meeting is Friday, Jan. 15, 12:30 p.m., at the Venice Inn. The cost is only $5 per person; Visions is subsidizing the remaining balance. Join the fun with musical entertainment by Tom Lucas. Send reservations to Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard St., Omaha, NE 68114. For information, call Harry Alloy at 697-8709. For our final Mitzvah Project, bring donated items to restock Jewish Family Service’s pantry. Paper products are needed, such as paper towels, paper napkins, toilet tissue, paper plates and paper cups. Or if you would like to give a donation
VISIONS, B’NAI B’RITH, HAZAK and 39 FOREVER Health Care Reform: an Update is on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2 p.m., at the JCC. Learn what is/is not in the legislation; Medicare/Medicaid changes; cost savings and more. Guest speakers are Mark Intermill, AARP Associate Director (in Charge of Advocacy) and Harris Frankel, M.D., President of Omaha Medical Society and President of Nebraska Health Information Initiative Board. The community is welcome and there is no admission fee. For information, call Dr. Jim Wax at 393.4442.
Simchas+ CELEBRATIONS COMING 02.12.10 SPACE RESERVATION 02.01.10 CAMERA READY DEADLINE 02.03.10 Contact your advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition. ALLAN Handleman Call Allan Handleman at 402.334.6451 or email: ahandleman@jewishomaha.org
Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 8, 2010
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Temple families, OTYG celebrate Hanukkah with Remington residents by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Each night of Hanukkah, Temple Israel members, families and clergy lit candles on the menorah with the Jewish residents of Remington Heights retirement home. After the candle blessings, they sang songs including “Rock of Ages,” “I Have a Little Dreidel,” and “Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah.” Among those who celebrated were Natasha Kraft and her seven-year-old son Alex; David Goldberg and his daughter Sophie, 14; Jill Idelman; and Bart and Brenda Arnold and their sons, Jacob, 13, Spencer, 10, and Zach, eight. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Eric Linder and Cantor Wendy Shermet led prayers and sang with the residents. On the third night of Hanukkah, Dec. 13, 17 Omaha
ing a good time, and I know the OTYGers were!” Abe Schloff, who lives at Remington, agreed that “it was very nice and nice that they came” to Remington. He described reading the prayers and singing as “joyous.” After the party, the teens headed downtown to go ice
Above: After lighting candles with the residents at Remington, OTYG members (back row, from left), Rachel Scheet, Grace Hack, Haley Halsted, Sophie Goldberg; (front row), Hannah Grossman, Sam Burrell, Morissa Miller, Sophia Miller, Ariel Kohll, Cleo Rogers and Julie Sadofsky (kneeling), went ice skating. Not pictured: Haley Burns, Emily Katz, Zane Fletcher, and Joe Hack. Temple Youth Group (OTYG) members celebrated with residents at Remington by lighting candles, singing Hanukkah songs and taking photographs of the residents. The teens recorded a favorite memory of each resident; they will attach them, along with the photos, and return them to the residents. Jelly-filled sufganiot and juice brought by the youth group members added to the sweetness of the Festival of Lights. Ariel Kohll, a high school freshman who was among the youth group members, said, “It was really cool interacting with the older people. It’s like a new experience for most of us. The residents seemed like they were hav-
Top photo: Celebrating Hanukkah with Beverly Freiden at Remington Heights, the Arnold family, including (from left), Jacob, Freiden, Brenda, Spencer, Bart, who is Freiden’s grandson, and Zach, led the candle-lighting ceremony. Bottom photo: From left, Morissa Miller, Julie Sadofsky, Zane Fletcher, Haley Burns and Emily Katz went shopping at Target for families in need. Not pictured: Grace Hack, Molly Goldberg, Sophie Goldberg, Jordan Jensen and Haley Halsted. skating at the ConAgra rink, followed by dinner at Zio’s in the Old Market. Kohll said she enjoys the camaraderie of OTYG. “Members are really tight,” and are welcoming to the freshmen. Prior to Hanukkah, OTYG members went shopping at Target to purchase gifts such as clothes, toys, books, and household items for children on the wish lists of Jewish Family Service and Together, Inc., and for a family in need.
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Beth El’s PJ Havdalah offers evening of warm fuzzies
Katana Summit, LLC, a leading supplier of wind towers in North America, is seeking key individuals. Journeyma n Ma intenance Electrician 2nd shift. Experience in both high and low voltage AC & DC- wiring. NE Journeyman license required. Weld Supervisor Establish welding processes related to operation needs. Responsible for administration and monitoring of the AWS D1.1 Welder Performance Qualification system. Welding Technology Associates Degree preferred. Knowledge of welding, specifically submerged arc (SAW) required. Industrial Paint, Weld and other positions for 2nd shift. We are contacting former Katana Summit employees for various positions. Must re-apply to be considered. Check us out at www.katanaͲsummit.com Send resumes to HR at 1600 E. 29th Ave. Columbus, NE 68601 or apply at Workforce Development office. EOE ***OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED BEGINNING 12/23 AT NOON AND WILL REOPEN ON MONDAY 1/4/2010.***
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Milk and cookies, pj’s and slippers, games and art projects were on the agenda during Beth El’s recent PJ Havdalah program. Geared to youngsters and their parents and grandparents, around 70 participants enjoyed a fun-filled event, highlighted by activities such as Shabbat Twister, a scavenger hunt, storytelling and an age-appropriate Havdalah service. Heather Kelln, who attended with her husband, Mark, and son, Peyton, said the event “was a blast. What kid – or parent – doesn’t love wearing their jammies to synagogue?” While noting that some of Peyton’s favorites were playing Gaga and making spice flowers and edible art, “the show-stopper had to be Nancy the Story Lady, who was energetic and entertaining.” Kelln added that, “We consider ourselves lucky to be part of a congregation that has so many programs for young families. It really helps our children to feel comfortable at Beth El and gives them lots of fun ways to learn and explore Judaism.”
Photos: above, Susi Frydman-Levin helps Eleanor Dunning finish her personalized challah cover; Nancy Rips (below, left), assisted by Sherry Fletcher, captivates the children during a lively story time; at right, participants gather in the West Court to create colorful art projects.
January 8, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
Partnership Arts Task Force makes connection through creativity
Continued from page 1 Presentations and Meetings Many discussions and presentations took place during this time, including a special women’s luncheon hosted by Jan Goldstein, Federation Executive Director and Lisa Epstein, Omaha Chair of the Partnership Education Task Force, and a presentation to a group of Indianapolis artists and Jewish community leaders. Important exchanges and sharing happened at these meetings and new relationships began to form. Artist Visits and New Recruitment One goal of the delegation was to recruit new partici-
Collection, the Rose Theater, The Durham Museum, and Kaneko, while in Omaha. In Indianapolis we were privileged to see the Indianapolis Art Center, The Children’s Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum, and the Eskenazi Herron School of Art. These tours allowed us to realize new possibilities and generate ideas for strong collaborations in the future.
Temple Israel’s Sunday school classes enjoyed creating festive Hanukkah mobiles during a workshop with the arts task force.
While in Omaha, the task force visited several artists’ studios, art collections and museums. Above, Julie Phillips hosts a get-together at her studio. Building Bridges, pants for our programs. A special focus on engaging Creating Connections local artists and potential committee members allowed Partnership with Israel is us to visit with many creative people. In Omaha we were inspired by visits to the studios of Julie Phillips and Ellie about connecting and makGreenspoon, who both shared their work. These conver- ing a difference. Because of sations with Jewish artists led to energetic discussions, our unique structure -16 American Jewish communi- Artist Jun Kaneko (second from left), welcomes task force members Edna Taf, Albert Ben new ideas, and inspired people to get involved. ties partnering together to Shloosh, Aliza Perinsky, Kim Goldberg and Orly Shai, to his studio. build a ‘bridge’ to the communities of the Western interests, including cultural, social, medical, educational Exposure to the Arts It is important to understand the cultural activities of Galilee, we have a great opportunity to create stronger and economic programs – with the objective that more our Partnership communities. We had the pleasure of relationships and be agents of change and growth. and more people become connected. visiting the Phillip Schrager Contemporary Art Partnership with Israel does this by covering numerous
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Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 8, 2010
Doing good -- or doing evil?
GUEST EDITORIAL by ALAN POTASH It is an honor to be among the first to write a guest editorial for the Jewish Press since Carol’s retirement. She set a standard and perspective that will be difficult to match. There is an old Hasidic teaching that says each day you should put a note in your right pocket that says “Do Good” and one in your left pocket that says “Do Evil” and when you encounter a difficult situation or decision, you should reach into your pocket to remind you which direction you should take. Learning that the historic sign at the entrance to Auschwitz was stolen recently, I was shocked and dismayed anyone could even think of doing something like this. I was mistaken and was reminded of the Hasidic teaching and the outcome of these hooligans’ decision making. The choice the thieves made clearly was one of evil. There was nothing good that could ever have come from that action -- so why do it? I can’t speak to the actions of these individuals and I wouldn’t want to go down that path, but it does touch on an issue I have been investigating for sometime: civility. Looking back at this past year and wondering what was going on in our world, I can come up with a few reasons why these evil things have taken place, and the one that jumps out at me is a lack of civility. I am not naïve to think that the world is or could ever be free of evil. Granted, since the world was created there have been significant incidents where civility has lost out to evil. Today, as a society I think we have turned directions and it isn’t clear to me what we can change unless we make a serious effort to learn how to have constructive discussions. America was founded on a democratic phi-
losophy requiring the populace to engage in a discourse of differing opinions in a respectful manner. If we are not able to engage in constructive discourse, democracy cannot work. Whether at school, in the workplace or across the community, few people have the ability to have a challenging conversation, let alone an argument where each party hears what the other one is saying without over-reacting in an uncivil way. It is easy to witness the ranting of radio and television talk show pundits and some of us have gotten used to the predictable antics and know these individuals are trapped into performing this way for the ratings and publicity. A society that is exposed to constant ravings of media opinionaters has to work doubly hard at deciphering the words, reasons and emotions that flow freely from these talking heads (I preferred the band). Unfortunately we have seen this spill out not just from traditional media but from the Internet as well. Through email, social media, texting, videos and blogs, people are expressing their opinions with words and emotions most newspapers would never print. The opinions are so extreme there is little opportunity to engage in civil discourse. If you need a little refresher, just look back to the recent health care reform “debate.” In a recent conversation with educators, I discussed the challenges of cyberbullying. They all acknowledge this is as a growing problem and most admit they have little experience on how to address it. When I asked a young teenager why
they texted someone an offensive comment, the reply was “It was just a joke. We all do it.” Why should we be surprised when kids say and do things that are disrespectful and offensive, when they are being bombarded with daily examples of disrespect, incivility, offensive language and ethnic slurs by adults? Finding tools and methods to use and to teach kids and adults to decipher the volumes of opinions disguised as news and information is critical to the success of our society. Here are a few tools: first, not everything you read on the Internet is true and has been fact checked. Not every talking head or blogger has checked his or her facts. Second, when composing or forwarding an email, posting to a social media site or texting someone, know that this communication is out there in the ether for anyone to see forever. Thirdly, try to engage in conversation to learn what the other person is trying to say, and remember there are multiple opinions to most issues and most likely multiple solutions. Last, use the teaching I started with -- is what I am ready to write or say doing good or doing evil?
FOCUS ON IbySSUES EDGAR M. BRONFMAN and RANDALL KAPLAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- When the Jewish people seeks an exemplar for openness and hospitality, we often turn to our patriarch Abraham. In one fascinating chapter in Genesis we learn that just three days after his circumcision, an ailing Abraham rushes from his tent in the heat of the day to welcome three passing visitors who turn out to be divine messengers. Our tradition amplifies Abraham’s righteousness by teaching that his tent was open on all sides so that he would not miss a single passer-by. Following in Abraham’s sandal steps, the rabbinic sage Hillel was famous for his patience and openness. When a potential convert asked him to describe the essence of the Torah, Hillel did not rebuff him but responded, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow; this is the whole law. All the rest is a commentary.” These stories resonate with anyone who is fortunate enough to be involved with the sage’s namesake, Hillel, and to work with college students. Who knows what divine spark may lie within the scruffy kid in the baggy sweatpants? Who knows which words of wisdom will change a life? That’s why Hillel’s tents are always open. Today’s Jewish college students are more diverse than ever. They come from a variety of ethnic, educational, political and ideological backgrounds. The children of two Jewish par-
Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Michael Sigmond, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Daphne Pollak Alperson, Marc Brodkey; Eric Dunning; Jason Epstein; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Jamie Meyerson; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman. 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 stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: editor@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.
Hillel’s open tent helping to open minds ents will study with the children of the intermarried. They have to be equally accepted and at ease in their Hillel activities. Hillel has spent the last decade-and-a-half grappling with various approaches to welcoming uninvolved Jewish students and to providing resources to Jewish activists. Both Hillel’s Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service Corps program and our current Campus Entrepreneurs Initiative emphasize peer engagement. When paired with deeper Jewish exploration through a more senior Jewish educator -- helping to find Jewish answers to life’s big questions -this method provides a meaningful approach to Jewish identity-building. Immersive experiences such as TaglitBirthright Israel and service learning trips build social networks, expose young people to senior educators and teach, concretely, the importance of Israel and tikkun olam. Hillel has enjoyed success with these approaches but, more important, it is constantly evaluating their effectiveness while seeking to improve or replace them. Techniques that work in North America are equally applicable abroad. Young people share fashion, food and Facebook. Hillel students and professionals from North America, Latin America, Israel and the former Soviet Union are traveling between countries learning from and teaching one another. Their close personal bonds are creating a true sense of “klal yisrael,” global Jewish peoplehood.
(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Jill Belmont Interim Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
Throwing open our communities to Jews of all nationalities and backgrounds is more easily said than done. Embracing Jews of divergent and sometimes conflicting ideologies challenges us to create environments in which differences are respected and civil discourse is promoted. Hillel’s Open Tent shouldn’t just be a metaphor but a living, breathing forum in which big ideas are discussed. Nowhere is this more challenging, or more necessary, than when it comes to Israel. Israel inspires passion among Jews across the ideological spectrum. Today’s Jewish students are learning to express their differences about Israel openly and with respect, and to come together in her defense whenever necessary. This is a generation that has had the opportunity to experience the soft side of Israel through Taglit-Birthright Israel, and to advocate for her loudly in the face of anti-Israel groups and the threat from Iran. At such farflung places as Binghamton University, Rio de Janeiro, Columbia University and York University in Toronto, Jewish students have stood up loudly and proudly, learning the time-honored Jewish skills of political advocacy and defense. They also are learning that Jewish institutions do not subsist on ideas alone. The hundreds of Jewish students who recently attended the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America learned fundraising and organizational skills that will serve them well whether they become Jewish communal professionals or lay leaders. We look forward to expanding the number of participants exponentially in the coming years. Continued on Page 9
Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: editor@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but it should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, call the Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $35 per calendar year U.S.; $72 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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January 8, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
BBC documentary muddles, marginalizes Jewish history
FOCUS ON ISSUES by RABBI AVI SHAFRAN
One hardly expects the British Broadcasting Corporation to present an objective or comprehensive picture when it addresses the Middle East. But a recent BBC radio documentary may set some sort of record for myopia. The second installment of a series entitled “The Crescent and the Cross” aiming to examine “turning points in the relationship between Christianity and Islam” focuses on the Third Crusade. Not long after the death of Islam’s founder, in the early 7th century, Muslims captured parts of the holy land, including Jerusalem. But Jerusalem, the documentary text explains, “had great religious significance not only for Muslims but for Christians too.” And thus were born the marches of death and destruction known as the Crusades. In 1099, Christian soldiers took the city. At the end of the 12th century, after nearly a century of Christian rule, Jerusalem was re-conquered by Saladin, Sultan of Egypt. Pope Gregory VIII called for a Crusade -- the third -- to retake the city, and Richard I of England (“the Lionheart”) captured much of the Holy Land but stopped short of asserting Christian rule over Jerusalem, negotiating a treaty with Saladin that allowed Christian pilgrims to enter the city. All of this is dutifully reviewed by the program. The Crusades, of course, had great impact on Jewish communities as well. Thousands of Jews in communities along the Rhine and the Danube were massacred by participants in the first Crusade; and Jews fought and fell alongside Muslim defenders of Jerusalem when the
Hillel’s open tent
Continued from Page 8 On campus, Jewish students are taking responsibility for running their Hillel boards, their fraternities and sororities, and other student groups. It is no accident that many of the young people who are leading the revolution of Jewish social entrepreneurship got their start as Hillel activists. These young people will strengthen our community in years to come with their commitment to excellence, pluralism and engagement. We don’t know what the future will bring but as the heirs of a 2,000-year-old tradition, we have a rich resource with which to prepare our young people for whatever challenges lie ahead, particularly in today’s globalized world. After all, we have always been a global people, possessing unique skills that have enabled us to transcend borders and cultures. By immersing our next generation in the beauty of their heritage, they will not only be enriched, they will enrich the Jewish people and the world. Edgar M. Bronfman is the founding chairman of the Hillel International Board of Governors. Randall Kaplan serves as the board’s current chair.
LETTER TO THE
EDITOR
To the Editor: Kudos to the staff at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home who either stayed overnight at the Home on Christmas Eve or managed to get there on Christmas Day during the blizzard! The residents and their loved ones couldn't be more appreciative! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Barb Widman
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Christians invaded. Unknown numbers of Jews were slaughtered in subsequent Crusades as well. But the documentary’s concern, as per its title, is the Christian/ Muslim nexus. Jewish victims of the era’s wars, no matter their numbers or the hatred directed toward them, are regarded by the program as peripheral casualties. What is remarkable, though, is that while the documentary amply describes the conflicting claims of Muslims and Christians to Jerusalem it somehow neglects to note that the original revered edifice that stood in Jerusalem -- what initiated its veneration as a holy city -- was the Jewish Temple. The BBC treats the Temple’s site as if it came into being ex nihilo in the Byzantine Period.
What our novice historian won’t have been taught is that the Jewish people, too, have an ancient connection to the Holy Land and the Holy City -- in fact, an older and stronger one than anyone. The myopia morphs into truly monumental chutzpah with the documentary’s droll observation that today “the Crusades are seen by many Muslims as evidence of unceasing Western aggression against their faith,” and that since “it is the Jews who control most of Jerusalem... many Muslims see that as a continuation of the crusaderism.” The microphone is then offered to Dr. Mohsen Youssef of Birzeit University, who endorses that view and adds a prediction: “It took the Muslims 200 years to get rid of the crusaders; many Muslim people believe that they will defeat Israel in much less time than 200 years.” And so, an ignorant but attentive student of the BBC will conclude from the network’s history lesson that Jerusalem is sacred to Christians and Muslims, and that adherents of the two faiths have fought over it for cen-
turies. He will further be given to understand that the city has been usurped in our own day by Jewish newcomers who, understandably, are regarded by the Muslims who held it before 1967 as new crusaders. What our novice historian won’t have been taught is that the Jewish people, too, have an ancient connection to the Holy Land and the Holy City -- in fact, an older and stronger one than anyone. Neither Christianity nor Islam, after all, even existed when the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem functioned for centuries as the focal point of the Jewish people. And over the centuries since, no Christian or Muslim ever prayed even once, much less thrice daily, that G-d “gather us to our land” and “return in mercy to Jerusalem Your city,” or that “our eyes see Your return to Zion.” No, only Jews have ever done that; only Jews, in fact, have been doing that without interruption for thousands of years. The ugly icing on the rancid cake whipped up by the BBC consists of the sentiment conveyed by the sole Jewish speaker featured in the installment, a professor at Hebrew University. Asked about the fact that Arabs identify contemporary Jews with the crusaders of the Middle Ages, his response provides the installment’s final comment. “It is nonsense,” he responds. “What is the relevance of what happened 800 years ago to the present?” The professor thus dismisses history as bearing no pertinence to the present. He is, of course, astoundingly wrong, and is given the last word by the documentary not to promote his point of view but rather to expose his utter cluelessness. The BBC knows well that the import of the past on the present is both real and critical. What it somehow misses, or chooses to ignore, is that history extends farther back than 800 years. Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America. This comes courtesy of Am Echad Resources.
Abbas called “catastrophic failure” for Palestinians
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by MITCHELL G. BARD Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to give up his leadership post if Israel does not satisfy his demands for a complete settlement freeze. Rather than beg him to stay and pressure Israel to cave in to this demands, Abbas should be told not to let the door hit him on the way out because he has been a catastrophic failure for the Palestinians and an obstacle to peace. Abbas has been the world’s preferred Palestinian because, compared to everyone else, he is a “moderate.” Over the last six years, however, he has proven that while he does not use the genocidal rhetoric of the extremists, he is not willing or able to negotiate a deal for a Palestinian state beside the Jewish state. As with his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, his champions like to ignore his intemperate statements, but they do not understand the depth of his commitment to certain core principles, such as the “right of return” of Palestinian refugees, which he knows is a nonstarter for even liberal Israelis. Abbas has rejected repeated Israeli peace offers. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said, “At Camp David they offered 90% [actually 97%] and [recently] they offered 100%. So why should we hurry, after all the injustice we have suffered?” Echoing the three noes of 1967, Palestinians declared at the Fatah conference in Bethlehem in August 2009: no negotiations with Israel, no recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and no end to the armed struggle against Israel. He missed a golden opportunity to build the infrastructure of a state in the Gaza Strip after Israel withdrew. Instead, he actually opposed the withdrawal, preferring “occupation” to recognizing Israel and beginning to govern. His failure to capitalize on Israel’s evac-
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uation was a major factor in the Hamas takeover that has left him president of only a fraction of the PA. His loss of Gaza revealed another reason why Abbas is an impediment to peace, namely his political impotence. He has never been popular with the Palestinian people and does not enjoy the loyalty of the armed factions in the PA. This was obvious when his forces gave up without a serious fight when Hamas staged its coup. The United States and Israel have tried to strengthen Abbas so he does not lose his tenuous hold on power in the West Bank, but to what end? If he decided tomorrow to become a Zionist, he does not have the authority among Palestinians to carry out any agreement he might sign and whatever deal he made would not apply to Gaza. This is why Israelis long ago gave up on Abbas. The settlement issue is a red herring. The Palestinians have negotiated for years without a settlement freeze. Moreover, the best thing the Palestinians can do to ensure settlement growth is to continue their refusal to negotiate an agreement. When they turned down Menachem Begin’s autonomy proposal, there were about 12,000 Jews in the territories. Today, there are nearly 300,000. If they hold out hoping President Obama or someone else will force Israel out of the territories, the number will only continue to grow. Abbas has refused to make a deal with three different Israeli prime ministers and there is no reason to expect a change in Israeli leadership would make him any less intransigent. Rather than continuing to try to pressure Israel to make concessions that will make no difference, it is time to look to the future and a time when a Palestinian leader will emerge who respects the will of the people who say they prefer to live in peace to pursuing a futile and endless strategy of “resistance.” Mitchell Bard is the author of over 20 books including “Will Israel Survive?” (Palgrave) and “48 Hours of Kristallnacht: Night of Destruction/Dawn of the Holocaust” (Lyons Press).
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Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 8, 2010
Candlelighting Friday, January 8, 4:55 p.m.
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Prayer Group 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Rachel Jacobson, Executive Director of Field Streams on Film Streams Ruth Sokolof Theater Omaha’s Nonprofit Cinema. The community is invited.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. . SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponored by Beth El; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. HAZAK SHABBAT: Saturday, 9:30 a.m. Members of Hazak will help lead services; the group will sponsor Kiddush afterward. SUNDAY: Beginning Hebrew, with Eadie Tsabari, and Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Jewish Images on the Big Screen, 11 a.m. with Frydman-Levin. All Classes open to all adults in the Jewish community. To register, call the synagogue office. PARENTING MINI COURSE: Sundays in January, 10 a.m., Karen Gustafson, executive director of Jewish Family Service, will lead a “Love & Logic” course. Cost: $18 for Beth El members, $25 for non-members. For more information or to register, contact the synagogue office. HAMANTASCHEN BAKING: Sunday, 9 a.m. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Understanding and Living Jewish Values, noon. WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB: Thursday, Jan. 14, 1:15 p.m. will discuss, Fabulous Small Jews, by Joseph Epstein. NITZANIM: Program geared to three and four year olds and their parents, on Sunday, Jan. 17, 10:30 a.m. Theme: Tu B’Shevat. No charge to attend; open to all families in the Jewish community. To register, contact 498.0904, or eddir@bethelomaha.org. WOMEN’S ROSH HODESH GROUP: Monday, Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m. for a dinner and movie night hosted by Susi FrydmanLevin, Sandee Friedman, Lea Grunkin and Wendy Berenson. We’ll watch movie clips of inspiring women, and discuss their
impact on our lives. RSVPs needed by Jan. 15; contact FrydmanLevin at 932.6488 or susifrydman-levin@cox.net, or Friedman, at 359.8660, or javanut53@ aol.com. TOT SHABBAT/SAY SHALOM! TO SHABBAT: Fun-filled, monthly service on Friday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m. services and 6:30 p.m. dinner. Open to all families in the Jewish community. For reservations received by Jan. 13, dinner cost is $5 for Beth El members and $7.50 for nonmembers; after that, $10 for members; $15 for non-members. No charge for children six and younger. To RSVP, call the synagogue office, or email programming@bethel-omaha.org.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:55 p.m.; Hebrew Name Shabbat Dinner, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Understanding the Prayer Book, 9 a.m.; free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush sponsored by Oxman family; “Guard Your Tongue”, “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up) one hour prior to Mincha every Shabbat; Mincha, 4:30 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 6 p.m.; Senior NCSY Twilight Ice Skating, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels & Beit Midrash begins with breakfast, 9:40 a.m.; Sacred Text Messages (for teens) with Rabbi Gross, 10 a.m.; Junior NCSY Bowling, 3 p.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 5:15 p.m. MONDAY: Mincha & Mishna, 5:15 p.m., Mishna study with the rabbis along with Mincha/ Ma’ariv services. TUESDAY: Scholar’s Club for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Board of Commissioners Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; A hot Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings Remix, 10:15 a.m.; Parsha Club, 2:30 p.m. at the Blumkin Home. Please contact Shevi@ochabad. com with questions and for more information. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.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. FRIDAY, Jan. 15: Service, 7 a.m.; Rugelach Baking, 1 p.m. at the Blumkin Home. All events and programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 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; Gam 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; Jewish Federation of Lincoln Annual Meeting and Chai Tea, 46 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Please RSVP to Jaine Merliss at 327.2321 if you plan to attend. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel. TUESDAY, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m. Jewish Ethics: Genetic Technology/Clon-ing, led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren at Tiferth Israel.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
BAR MITZVAH Zane Dylan Zimmerman, son of Linda and Todd Zimmerman, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 9, at T e m p l e Israel. Zane is a seventh-grade Principal’s Honor Roll student at Beveridge
Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m
Magnet School. His interests include football, basketball, baseball, golf, skiing and playing video games. For his mitzvah project, Zane volunteered at the Omaha Food Bank. He has a sister, Rylee. Grandparents are Judy and Buddy Roffman, Mike Shrier and Teri Greene.
SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Steve Riekes.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service and Being Jewish on Campus, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Eric Linder, and Cantor Wendy Shermet. Charles Parsow and Amanda Bucher will be among college students describing campus experiences from a Jewish
point-of-view. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet will host a dinner for college students at Dario’s Brasserie, 4920 Under-wood Ave., after services. RSVP to the office. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Zane Zimmerman, son of Linda and Todd Zimmerman, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Teacher Meeting, 9 a.m.; Religious School (PreK-6), 10 a.m.; OTYG Coffee Stand, 10 a.m.; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m.; It’s Not Easy Being Green, 10:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Azriel promoting environmental awareness; Men’s Club Meeting & Breakfast, 11:15 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; OTYG Lounge Night, 5 p.m.; OTYG So, Just what is conclave?, 5 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6-8 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6:30 p.m.; Tri-Faith 101: G-d Talk, 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy,” 10-11:30 a.m.; Jewish Law and Racism, 7 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel at Barnes and Noble at Oak View. Family School and Scout Shabbat, Friday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m.
NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:55 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Friday, 8-11 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch sponsored by Sofia and Vitaly Zlotnik in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of their immigrating to America via HIAS from Russia, along with son, Anatoly, and mother, Roza, and Talmud study; Lunch and Learn Kiddush following services with Leo Hill. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gam 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; Jewish Federation of Lincoln Annual Meeting and Chai Tea, 46 p.m. Please RSVP to Jaine Merliss at 327.2321 if you plan to attend. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m. Jewish Ethics: Genetic Technology/Cloning, led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren at Tiferth Israel.
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January 8, 2010
Names are important: Yes, yes, oh yes!
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Shemot Our Sidra gives us the names of the Israelites who went down to Egypt at Joseph’s invitation. If you look over the names, it is apparent that we don’t use any of them in our day. Except one. And we don’t use it for fame. It is the name “Shelu-miel, which means something like “my peace is with God,” or perhaps “depends on God.” But now we pronounce it slightly differently and no one is pleased. But he is called by this name: Shlemiel! Someone once asked what was the difference between a shlemiel and a shlemazal. The answer, as tradition has it, is that the shlemiel is the one who spills the coffee. And the shlemazal is the unfortunate one on whom the coffee is spilled! Coming back to the serious, we are supposed to understand that from these few (and there are no female names) there arose 600,000 Israelites who later left Egypt after being enslaved by the wily Egyptians. This is the great Exodus, fateful and marvelous: these are our ancestors from whom the Israelite people descended, and from whom the land known as Canaan became the Land of Israel. In some ways, this Book of Shemot (like the other four Books of Torah) is the most important. All of us who have reached adulthood have read these few verses many, many times. But don’t be satisfied with a cursory reading; read them again.
Yachad celebrates Hanukkah
Yachad’s Hanukkah party was held on Dec. 13 at Sarah Care. A fun time was had by all! Above: Yachad members presented Karen Lepp with a gift of appreciation for all her service, from left, Michael and Josh Parsow, Karen Lepp and Tyree, the Salomon girls’ caretaker. Right: Jeff Steinberg reads a Hanukkah story.
To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.
DEATHS ALAN (AL) KATSKEE Alan (Al) Katskee, 79, passed away on Dec. 24, 2009. Memorial services were held in Jonesboro, AR on Dec. 29. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1948. He was a member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at UNL. After his sophomore year, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Army’s Counterintelligence Corps in Newport News, VA. After two years of service, he returned to UNL and graduated with a business degree. He began his career in Lincoln at Gooch Foods selling pasta products and equipment. He also worked in Detroit, Chicago, and California. For several years he and his companion, Carol Schlitt, owned a travel agency in Los Angeles. They later retired to Jonesboro, AR. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Bernice Diamond Katskee and Edwin Katskee. He is survived by loving companion, Carole Schlitt of Jonesboro, AR; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Dan Potter of Chicago; son and daughter-in-law Tom and Alice Katskee of Chicago; sister, Gail Wishnow of Lincoln; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild. DIANE HELENE “DEDE” MINOWITZ Former Omahan Diane Helene “DeDe” Minowitz died Dec. 21, 2009, at home in Scottsdale, AZ, at the age of 66, after waging a courageous battle with cancer. Graveside services were held in Phoenix. She lived in Sioux City, Iowa for 22 years and then Scottsdale, for the last 23 years. She worked in Real Estate in Sioux City and then was an Office Manager for Medical facilities for the last 20 years in Scottsdale. She is survived by husband, Richard Minowitz; son, Michael Hurwitz, sons and daughters-in-law, Brad and Tiffany Hurwitz, Jason and Dana Hurwitz; daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Mitchell Gold; grandsons, Aidan, Noah, Simon and Owen; and her brother, Larry Fogel. Donations may be made to the Lungevity Foundation at www.Lungevity.org or Hospice of the Valley at www.HOV.org. NORMA SPECTOR Funeral services were held Dec. 27 in Delray Beach, FL, for Norma Spector of Boca Raton, who passed away Dec. 24. An active member of the Jewish community, her involvement included serving several terms as president of the National Council of Jewish Women-South Point chapter, and president of the Boca Raton chapter of Brandeis University Women. While living in Hagerstown, MD, she was president of her Temple Sisterhood, as well as local chapters of Hadassah and Brandeis Women. In addition, she served as principal of her temple’s Sunday school. She was honored as a recipient of NCJW’s national Hannah G. Solomon Award. Preceded in death by husband, Isadore Spector, she is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Bobbi and Mike Leibowitz, Omaha; son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Roz Spector, Potomac, MD; grandchildren, David Leibowitz and Marc Leibowitz, Omaha, Lauren Rosbach, Roslyn, NY, Aimee Grunley and Adam Spector, Bethesda, MD; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to the National Council of Jewish Women.
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Page 11
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Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 8, 2010
How Israel is implementing the settlement freeze government is willing to go on enforcement. by MARCY OSTER Two weeks ago, Israeli newspapers printed the conJERUSALEM (JTA) -- While an Israeli magician sat in an ice cube in Tel Aviv for 64 hours in a bid to shatter a tents of a leaked Israeli army memo showing detailed world record, settler leaders in Jerusalem prepared to plans to demolish illegal buildings under construction in smash an ice cube of a very different sort this week the West Bank, and Israeli Border Police and soldiers opposite the prime minister’s residence. reportedly are poised to carry out the demolition orders. The frozen block that was shattered Monday by leadThe freeze is being enforced “meticulously” and in an ers of West Bank commu“extreme way,” criticized Dani nities was meant to symDayan, head of the Council of bolize the 10-month conJewish Settlements of Judea struction freeze Prime and Samaria, the main settler Minister Benjamin umbrella group. Netanyahu is imposing on Dayan said Israeli government Jewish communities in inspectors have visited every the West Bank. Settler community in the West Bank leaders are holding a and “looked with a magnifying weeklong demonstration glass” to see whether buildings outside the prime minisunder construction match aerial ter’s residence to protest photographs taken the day after the freeze, and the leader the freeze was announced. of the main settler But an official at Peace Now, umbrella group is encour- Jewish settlers protesting the government’s decision to which advocates for a full halt aging people to keep freeze settlement building in the West Bank by breaking a to Israeli settlement construcbuilding in violation of house they built from ice near Prime Minister Benjamin tion and monitors Jewish Netanyahu’s house, Jan. 4, 2010. the freeze. growth in the West Bank, said Credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90/JTA it’s too early to determine In the meantime, however, construction in many Jewish West Bank towns has whether or not Netanyahu’s freeze order is being ground to a halt. enforced. Some 230 stop-work orders were issued on projects in Hagit Ofran, director of Peace Now’s Settlement approximately 150 Jewish West Bank towns visited by Watch project, said the proof will be in how the governgovernment inspectors. In addition, 36 pieces of build- ment deals with freeze violations – including those she ing equipment used in illegal construction were and Peace Now volunteers say they have seen firsthand impounded, according to a spokesman for the Defense in recent visits to Jewish towns in the West Bank. Ministry’s Civil Administration, which is responsible for “There are places where construction was halted and law enforcement in the West Bank. places where they did not,” Ofran said. Netanyahu ordered the freeze in late November in a While she praised the freeze as the most dramatic ever bid to draw the Palestinian Authority back to the nego- by an Israeli government, and noted that it does not distiating table and satisfy the Obama administration’s tinguish between far-flung settlement outposts and the demand for a halt to settlement building. While the large settlement blocs near the pre-1967 boundary Palestinians have rejected the temporary freeze as an between Israel and the West Bank, Ofran said inadequate measure, Israeli authorities have been labor- Netanyahu’s freeze still doesn’t go far enough. It should ing to enforce it just the same. have covered construction of any kind and been long The question for many Israelis is how far, exactly, the term, she said, otherwise construction will resume with
lightning speed as soon as the 10 months are up. But settlers are complaining that the freeze goes too far, Dayan said, adding that prohibiting the work on homes is a violation of settlers’ “civil rights.” Aside from encouraging people to continue building, Dayan said he’s encouraging communities to continue with planning, approval processes and land development, so construction can begin immediately when the freeze is lifted in September.
Beth El Rabbi attends fete in NYC
Rabbi Mordechai Levin, right, traveled to New York City last month to help pay tribute to Rabbi Jules Harlow and his wife, Navah, who were honored by the World Council of Conservative Synagogues/Masorti Olami during a special tribute dinner. The Harlows received the Rabbi Mordecai Waxman Rabbinic and Community Leadership Award for their lifetime contribution to both Judaism and Jewish communities around the world. Jules Harlow, a Sioux City native, is the Founding Editor of the Rabbinical Assembly; for years he has been a fixture at Beth El during the High Holidays, leading alternative services, presenting D’vrei Torah and leading discussion groups.
32 Visiting Delegations = 1000 Athletes 201
We’re off to a great start with 145 host families, and we still need 200 more Jewish homes!
A U G U S T 1ST – 6 TH
Look Who’s invited to Omaha for the JCC Maccabi Games! 1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
23. Northern Virginia, Virginia
2. Atlanta, Georgia
24. Palo Alto, California
3. Austin, Texas
25. Phoenix, Arizona
4. Bensonhurst, New York
26. San Diego, California
5. Bridgewater, New Jersey
27. San Francisco, California
6. Broward, Florida
28. St. Louis, Missouri
7. Chicago, Illinois
29. St. Paul, Minnesota
8. Contra Costa, California
30. Toledo, Ohio
9. Dallas, Texas
31. Tucson, Arizona
10. East Hills/ Sid Jacobson, New York
*As of 12-24-09.
32. Windsor ONTARIO, CANADA
<RXU 1DPH +HUH
JCC Maccabi Games Housing Committee: (Left to right) Corey Kirshenbaum, Housing Staff, Rosie Zweiback and Sally Zipursky, Housing Co-Chairs, Jessica Reed, Administrative Coordinator
11. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 12. Houston, Texas 13. Indianapolis, Indiana 14. ISRAEL 15. Kansas City, Kansas 16. Las Vegas, Nevada 17. Los Angeles-Westside, California 18. Louisville, Kentucky 19. MEXICO 20. Miami, Florida 21. Miami Beach, Florida 22. North Miami Beach, Florida
Host Families are the “key” to our success – Please – sign up today to be a Host Family!
Please complete & return this form to: JCC Maccabi Games Housing, Attn: Corey Kirshenbaum 333 South 132nd Street Omaha, NE 68154 Contact Corey at 334-6415 or register online at www.jccomaha.org.
Get in the
Game!