Vol. LXXXV No. 19 Omaha, NE
Federation Launches Internship Program for College Students by JANIE MUROW Federation Community Development Director The Jewish Federation of Omaha has announced a new program offering summer job opportunities/internships to young adults who have completed at least one year of college. Any college student living in Omaha or Lincoln or any Omaha students attending colleges outside Nebraska are welcome to participate. “Opportunity Omaha, It’s More Than Just a Job” is a pilot program that has been developed to introduce our young people to Omaha’s business, cultural and Jewish communities with the ultimate goal being to get them to stay in or return to Omaha after college graduation. Thanks to the generosity of the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman and Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundations this program will be offered during the summer of 2006. Each student will be matched with a professional internship in a local business or organization. In addition to working in area companies, the participants will be exposed to all that Omaha and the Jewish community have to offer through specially designed Judaic, social, educational and cultural programs. On a weekly basis, interns will be brought together for a variety of activities including: attendance at cultural events, synagogue participation, informal education about the Jewish community and social action projects. Omaha, as a community, is thriving and growing with wonderful business, cultural and recreational opportunities. The Federation is eager to reach out to this age group and help expose them to all that Omaha has to offer to ensure that they return or stay here. The goal is to give our young people the tools necessary to become successful, contributing members of our community. If you are interested in participating in the program as a student or employer, please call me at 334.6566 or jmurow@jewishomaha.org. There are limited student internship spaces available. The deadline for consideration is Feb.15.
Waiting for News
The weather around Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem reflects the gloom of most people over the demise of Ariel Sharon. The media outside the hospital has thinned as everyone realizes there is little improvement in their patient. As far as Hadassah Hospital is concerned, their VIP patient has given the hospital world-wide media exposure that is beyond what any advertising agency or public relations firm could even dream. Nearly every press briefing shows the Hadassah Hospital sign behind the spokespersons. From Vladivostok to Vancouver and from Pyong Yang to Paris everybody now knows the name of Israel’s leading hospital. Above: the entrance to the hospital is now masked by the multitude of media tents. Copyright: ISRANET
Inside Opinion Page see page 12
Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
20 Tevet, 5766 January 20, 2006
Based on Per Capita Dollars,
Omaha’s Federation Foundation Second Largest in U.S. and Canada able agencies, including Jewish Family Service (JFS), Jewish Senior Services (JSS)/Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, the Jewish Community Center (JCC), the Center for Jewish Education, and the ADL/Community Relations Council. Marty Ricks, Foundation Executive Director, is proud of the Foundation’s growth since he arrived in Omaha in 1998, from $28 million to almost $60 million as of June 30, 2005. “I am amazed as I compare my experience in Omaha to the difficulties I encountered in California fundraising as a volunteer,” said Ricks. He went on to say, “It’s great to accumulate the assets, but the important thing is the wisdom of how the money is spent. “Generally our endowments are clear in their descriptions of how the annual income is to be spent. My staff and I are very careful about following the language of the endowment. When someone in our community wants to establish an endowment fund, I meet with the prospective donor and suggest some pressing community needs. For example, we always have need for additional funds to fulfill the mission of Jewish Family Service. In the 2004-2005 fiscal year, thanks to the generosity of donors, our office was able to disperse almost $130,000 for Jewish Family Steve Bloch, President of the Federation Foundation, left, and Marty Ricks, Service, mostly to help Jews in Omaha Executive Director, attribute much of their success in doubling the with temporary financial needs.” Foundation’s endowments to their regular meetings--this one at Bagel Bin. Continued on page 2
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator For 2004, based on 80 reporting U.S. and Canada foundations within the United Jewish Communities (UJC) federation system, Omaha ascended to number two behind only Cleveland, Ohio, in endowment assets per Jewish resident. Omaha’s per capita figure is $8,679 versus Cleveland’s $17,328. According to Steven Bloch, President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, “This standing is a testament to the strong feelings Omaha’s Jewish population has for its 104-year-old Federation and its remark-
Last Surviving AZA Founder Honored on His 100th Birthday by GARY JAVITCH Ben Kaslow and others, launched a movement that over It was just a casual conversation in early December the years would expand regionally, nationally and interbetween B’nai B’rith board member Marty Ricks and his nationally. Moreover, their triumph helped shaped the friend, Dr. Milton Simons. Yet it launched a whirlwind lives of Jewish boys and--a few years later--girls. From “thank you” project. Dr. Simons mentioned that he and the perspective of history, the groups, under the auspices his wife Maxine were going to Los Angeles in January to of B’nai B’rith, influenced hundreds of thousands of teens over the years. celebrate the 100th birth“Bon’s two sons, day of his brother-in-law, Michael and Shel, Bernard “Bon” Theodore. planned the birthday “The idea of us becomgathering on Jan. 8, four ing a part of Bon’s special days after his birthday. day hit me,” Ricks told The family of 25 held the everyone at the birthday festivities in a Laguna party. “I knew that Bon was the last surviving Hills restaurant. We were very thankful that they let member of the group that founded AZA. The us participate in their thought immediately came family get-together,” to me that this was an Ricks explained. I began the brief cereimportant opportunity to Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, left, of Tarzana, CA, 1989-90 Grand Aleph mony. As President of the honor Bon and highlight Godol; and Marty Ricks, head of the Federation Foundation; conB’nai B’rith Omaha the function in a very spegratulate Bon Theodore, an AZA Founder; as do Gary Javitch, Henry Monsky Lodge cial way.” Monsky Lodge President; the current Grand Aleph Godol Brandon and Mid-America Ricks did more than Rattiner; and Gary Doshay of Los Angeles, President of B’nai B’rith Regional president, I that. Spurred on by him, Southern California Region. coordinated the ceremoseveral other organizations quickly got involved. They included the local B’nai ny and explained how four people traveled from other B’rith, and both BBYO and B’nai B’rith on the interna- parts of the country to help commemorate this occasion. I mentioned the significance and ramifications of the tional level. Bon’s birthday provided a perfect occasion to reflect event that took place on May 3, 1924. In addition, it on a simple event that occurred almost 82 years ago; was noted that Bon, who later ran his own graphic arts that was the signing of a charter to start the first AZA in business, designed the original AZA logo. the country. Bon and his friends, including Sam Beber, Continued on page 9
This Week: Community Work Important to Comeback: Pages 8-9 Next Month: Simchas & Celebrations on Feb. 10 URJ Social Action Chairman Talks About Church-State: Page 2
Despite Holocaust Denial, Iran Worked with Nazis: Page 3
People of the Byte Column-Football and the Jews: Page 7
Pros and Cons of Judge Alito: Page 13