January 21, 2011

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

Beth El’s art gala chairmen share love of art, kids and Judaism

January 21, 2011 16 Shevat 5771 Vol. 90 | No. 20

This Week

Mosaic art event this Sunday with artist Calli Cohn Page 4

USHMM Fellow Dr. Joyce Witt to lead educator’s workshop Page 7

Halil Bagalil/Flutes in the Galilee return to Omaha Page 12

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

This Month Women’s Health Coming January 28 See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

8 10 11

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator They share a love for the arts; they share a love of children and of Judaism; and now, as Carole Greenberg and Daniel Christensen serve as chairmen for Beth El’s gala Cantor’s Concert fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 29, their dedication to these these three things will come together in one unique event. The 7 p.m. event, titled Creativity and Philanthropy: An Art Extravaganza, will take place at the synagogue and will benefit Beth El’s Youth Scholarship Fund, which provides opportunities for youths to attend Jewish summer camps, visit Israel and participate in Jewish youth conventions. An event such as this seems to be a perfect fit for Greenberg and Christensen: both are talented artists in their own right, and both have spent years teaching art to children, at the Jewish Community Center’s Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center and Beth El Synagogue, respectively. Assuring the health of the Youth

Scholarship Fund is important to both artists. “These kids are part of my life, they’re part of the synagogue

“Creativity and Philanthropy” co-chairs Daniel Christensen and Carole Greenberg begin preparations for Beth El’s upcoming art extravaganza and auction, planned for Jan. 29 at the synagogue. life and they’re part of the future of Judaism,” Christensen said. “Anything we can do to foster Jewish education for them, to keep them connected when they’re no longer

Local author knows where the bodies are buried by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press There are many reasons people lose themselves in crime novels, Television shows, or movies. As long as, of course, the good guys win in the end. It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure: you get to experience a very small part of the horror of crime from the safety of your couch, and you can be there while the crime is solved. What better way to indulge than by reading a crime novel that was written by a local author, about local events? Brian Bogdanoff retired from the Omaha Police Force after 22 years of service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Before his service as a homicide detective, he was an undercover narcotics detective for the city of Omaha. If his name

‘our kids,’ is important. And especially now, with the financial situations for so many families being so

sounds familiar: he is the grandson of Isadore Bogdanoff, the unofficial “mayor” of the JCC, whose photo adorns the hallway between the Cafeteria and the Federation offices. What sets Brian Bogdanoff ’s Three Bodies Burning apart from all the other crime stories out there is that it is based on real events happening right here, told by an actual Omaha detective. When three bodies are found, murdered, the details slowly unfold and we are treated to a complicated story of criminals, drug smuggling, murder and mayhem. The evidence leads the detectives from Omaha across the country, chasing witnesses, and testimonies. “The goal was to give an in-depth look at how comprehensive these investigations are,” Bogdanoff says. “People don’t always have a good handle on how much is involved. We ended up with 30,000 pieces of paper, and served more than 100 subpoenas. We also executed 24 different search warrants on various properties, and so forth and so on.” Bogdanoff intersperses his tale with interesting stories about police life, and about how the various detectives interact with each other. Most of all, he shows how solving a complicated case such as this is Continued on page 2

tight, scholarships allow kids to have these opportunities at a time when they might not otherwise be able to take advantage of them.” Wanting youths to “experience the

ruach and the spirit of Judaism,” Greenberg added that, “Camp provides long lasting impressions on children. Jewish memories are created, friendships are formed and the desire to return year after year instills qualities and values. By supporting this fund, we help families to provide that continuity from generation to generation.” The evening will be exciting, with both oral and silent auctions taking place. Over 50 pieces of artwork will be auctioned off, created by Jewish and non-Jewish artists from Omaha and elsewhere in the country; there will also be pieces created by local Jewish youths. The artwork will represent a variety of media, according to the chairmen: among them, acrylic, oil, watercolor, pencil, sculptures, jewelry, and much more. “From the abstract to the fantasy, there is something for everyone’s taste and budget,” Greenberg said. The upcoming fundraiser will be an exciting evening of color, textures and music. “It will be unique,” Christensen said. “It’s something Continued on page 3

JFStival! fundraising chairs named A family effort for Jewish Family Service by OZZIE NOGG Steve and Patty Nogg will head the fund raising drive leading to the Jewish Family Service 100th

the generosity for which our community is known will be shown during the JFStival! drive.” Andi Willensky, JFStival!

1911 - 2011

JFS Celebrating a century of service

Anniversary JFStival! planned for June 6, 2011. Their sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Jaime Nogg and Jeff and Kelly Nogg, are also part of the Standing: Jeff, left, Avery, Kelly, Brian, Jaime and fundraising team. Cory Nogg. Seated: Steve and Patty Nogg holding In keeping with Jordan and Riley Nogg. the 100 year milestone, a campaign goal of $100,000 Chairperson said, “Each year, JFS has been set. holds a Friends Campaign that “Patty and I, together with our brings in critical dollars to help kids, are honored to chair the provide essential services from fundraising for the 100th anniver- which so many families benefit. sary of Jewish Family Service,” This year, in recognition of our Steve Nogg said. “Our respect for 100th Anniversary, we’ve comhonoree Gloria Kaslow, JFS bined the Friends Campaign and Woman of the Century, and our JFStival! into one package. The appreciation of the agency’s pro- Nogg family has always been grams and services made us want among our Circle of Friends. By to be part of JFStival! Having JFS assuming the leadership role in as a support system is vital to the our centennial fundraising efforts health of the Omaha Jewish com- - to which they have already conmunity. So many people benefit tributed the lead gift -- Steve, Patty from their work. We’re sure that Continued on page 2


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