Vol. LXXXIV No. 20 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 84 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
11 Shevat, 5765 January 21, 2005
New Leadership Energizes Federation’s Partnership with Israel
Local Child Welfare Experts to Address NCJW Members
by PAM MONSKY most meaningful experiFederation Communications ence is when particiDirector pants interact with peoFederation President ple who benefit from Zoë Riekes has appointPartnership programs. ed Joan Kaiman and Often, it’s the first time Stacey Rockman to lead an Omaha Jewish com“Partnership with munity member is able Israel,” a Federation to make a direct correlasponsored program that tion between making connects Omaha’s their gift to the Annual Jewish community (as Campaign and the how part of a Midwest that gift impacts the Consortium) with comrecipient. munities in Israel’s The Partnership is Western Galilee region. structured around five Partnership with Israel task forces, each with a brings together Israeli unique focus. These Map of Omaha’s Partnership with Israel area: and American Jews include Community the Western Galilee working together to Development, Regional develop mutually beneficial projects and programs. Development, Education, the Arts, Marketing, Medical, Those who have been involved in Partnership With and Planning and Development. Israel projects (which began in 1996 as “Partnership Kaiman and Rockman’s duties with the Partnership 2000”) describe the experience as exceptionally mean- include coordinating and participating in regular conferingful and personally fulfilling. ence calls with our Israeli counterparts in the Western When Israelis from our Partnership visit Omaha, last- Galilee, increasing local participation in Partnership projing bonds are formed between them and the commu- ects, and coordinating the visits of the Israeli participants nity members who volunteer to help by providing of Partnership projects coming to Omaha. transportation and meals, acting as shopping companThe two will also have the opportunity to participate ions or even inviting them to stay in their homes while in bi-annual Consortium meetings with one meeting they’re here. On the other side of the world, Omahans held in the Western Galilee and the other held in one who visit Israel on Federation missions reconnect with of the Midwest Consortium cities. In appointing Kaiman the Israelis they met in Omaha. and Rockman, Riekes noted that both women have Partnership with Israel fosters new understandings of proven leadership skills within the Jewish community our mutuality as Jews and promotes Jewish identity for as well as a deep passion for Israel. participants on both sides of the ocean. But by far the Continued on page 4
by SHARON BRODKEY NCJW-Omaha Section Publicity Co-Vice-president Did you know that: • According to the Kids Count Source Book, 19% of two-year-olds in Nebraska were not immunized in 2002; • 12% of Nebraska children were living in poverty in 2001; • 34% of Nebraska’s fourth graders scored below the basic reading level in 2003; • 2,553 youths aged 15-19 in Nebraska were in foster homes in 2001; and • 18% of Nebraska children were living in homes where no parent had a full-time, year-round job in 2001? The National Council of Jewish Women-Omaha Section is committed to helping children and families in our community with a new community service project. As part of our “Year to Hear,” Omaha Section is presenting an important panel discussion aimed at educating our members about the welfare of children in Nebraska and, specifically, in Omaha. The panel discussion will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m., in the JCC Social Hall. The panel of experts includes: Kathy Moore, Executive Director of Voices for Children in Nebraska; Penny Parker, Executive Director of Camp Fire USA; and Shelley Kiel, Executive Director of Hope Medical Kathy Moore Outreach Coalition. Executive Director of Jewish Family Service, Becki Brenner will moderate the discussion and questions.
Study: Trip to Auschwitz Helps Students March to Jewish Identity by CHANAN TIGAY The new study, LongA group of Omahans will be participating in this spring’s NEW YORK (JTA)--A Range Effects of the March March of the Living for the 60th anniversary of the end of decade after taking part in of the Living on World War II, including: Bob Wolfson, ADL-CRC Executive the March of the Living, Participants, found that 94 Director, and Beth Seldin Dotan, Director of the ADL’s Bradley Laye still credits his percent of those who've Institute for Holocaust Education; Marcel and Ilse Kahn, Bea experience with launching gone on the program Karp and her daughters: Jeanie Soshnik of St. Louis and him along the path to a believe it is important that Nancy Kutler and her son, Danny Krantz; Gloria and Howard career in Jewish communal they marry a Jew. Kaslow, Patty Nogg and her sister: Judy Brantz of Boulder, service. This is significant, the CO; Marti Rosen-Atherton, Paul Smith: a high school teacher “The march was the thing study notes, at a time when from Lincoln Southeast; and Carol Katzman, Editor of the that started it,” said Laye, intermarriage is prevalent. Jewish Press. As of press time, the ADL was awaiting word to now the CEO of Hillel of One-third of all Jews curlearn if a film crew from Nebraska Educational Television Broward and Palm Beach, rently wed are intermarried, would be joining the group as well. Fla. “It was the seed for my according to the 2000-01 Jewish involvement and love of Israel.” National Jewish Population Survey, which also found The program's long-lasting effect on Laye is not that intermarriage is rising at a steady pace and stands unique, according to William Helmreich, the author of at 47 percent. a newly released study on the annual program, which The new march study also found that 94 percent of brings Jewish teenagers from across the globe to respondents plan to provide their children with Jewish Auschwitz and then on to Israel. education; nearly 25 percent said that, like Laye, the Indeed, said Helmreich, a sociology professor at the march had affected their career choice; nearly twoGraduate Center at the City University of New York, thirds said the march had made them more tolerant “people who went to the march long ago report that toward other groups; and 85 percent said the program even 12 years later, the march had a very, very power- made them more likely to donate to Jewish causes-ful impact on them.” with 66 percent saying they had already done so. “The point of the program is to affect people's lives, The March of the Living, which has been running its but many programs succeed and many fail,” he said. trips since 1988, brings Jewish teenagers to Poland on “What’s most impressive is the length of time of the Holocaust Remembrance Day to march from Auschwitz effect.” to nearby Birkenau, where the prisoners were actually Jewish educators concerned with the long-term gassed, followed quickly by a trip to Israel to mark the effects of their programs use tools like the new march Jewish state’s Memorial Day and Independence Day. survey to gauge the effectiveness of their offerings. Continued on page 6
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
Part of Omaha Section’s “Year to Hear”
Shelley Kiel
Penny Parker
Omaha Section President Kate Kirshenbaum said, “Our ‘Year to Hear’ campaign began last summer when we committed to making this a year of education and action on behalf of children in our community who need our help.” The Omaha Section adopted a special project, dubbed “Totes for Tots” for the Child Saving Institute. Led by Shelly Pichik and Tina Meyers, the Section raised funds for the project through a community-wide consignment sale and donations from businesses and individuals. Grants were also received from the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation and the Rose Blumkin Foundation. Tote bags were assembled containing necessities and comforting items that children arriving at CSI could use and keep. The Child Welfare Panel is just one of several activities planned to inform NCJW members about the scope of issues facing local children and how NCJW can best help. Last fall, Wanda Gottschalk, from the Child Saving Institute, was joined by Cynthe Johnson of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council for an informational meeting with NCJW’s board members. Continued on page 2
This Week: Where Are They Now? Features Bryan Greenberg: Page 7 Next Month: Simchas Issue on Feb. 18 Cousin of Omahan Promotes Tour of Jews of the South: Page 2
New JELS Scholarship Honors Memory of Sherman Neff: Page 4
Two Essay Contests on Courage Open to Teens: Page 5
JDC Update on Tsunami Relief: Page 11