January 26, 2007

Page 1

Vol. LXXXVI No. 20 Omaha, NE

Camp is great, but how to pay for it? by CHERYL LERNER Administrative Assistant, Center for Jewish Education You have heard it and read it, and statistics continue to prove it. Jewish youth who attend Jewish summer camps and participate regularly in Jewish activities have a much higher chance of being active in the Jewish community and retaining a strong Jewish identity in adult life. Jewish summer camps provide memories to last a lifetime and the friendships made often continue through adulthood. That said, there is a dose of “sticker shock” when is comes to the cost of camp. Thanks to the generosity of the Omaha community however, there are a number of options to help make these experiences a reality. And with recent changes made by the Jewish Federation, funding is now available for a greater age range. Omaha’s Federation awards Jewish Experience Grants which are specifically designed to assist with funding of camp experiences. Previously only available for the summer prior to and two summers following a child’s B’nai Mitzvah, Jewish Experience Grants are now available for children in grades three through 12. The total grant amount is $1,000 which can be used in one summer or divided into two $500 grants to be used over two summers. Requirements include: the child’s attendance at religious school the year prior to and the year following camp; the family must be a contributor in good standing to the Federation’s Annual Campaign; the program must be a summer residential Jewish camp recognized by the Center for Jewish Education; and the camp session must be a minimum of two weeks. In addition, the CJE’s Financial Aid Committee has several funds from which it awards financial-need based scholarships. During the past three years, more than $100,000 has been awarded to enable families to give their children summer camp experiences. The deadline for both grants and financial-need based scholarships is March 30. Applications are available at www.jewishomaha.org. Select the CJE page and then ‘Scholarships and Grants.’ Applications are also available by calling 334.6445 or e-mailing mgrossman@ jewishomaha.org.

Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

7 Shevat, 5767 January 26, 2007

Arab’s delayed Cabinet appointment stirs accusations of racism, politicking by DAN BARON JERUSALEM (JTA) -The naming of the first Arab minister to the Israeli Cabinet was billed as an event underscoring hope of securing racial harmony in the Jewish state, though it may long remain mired in regional conflict. But the nomination of Raleb Majadele instead has merely Raleb Majadele, the first served to uncover Israel’s Israeli Arab to be named as often messy personality polia Cabinet minister. tics and the latent racism of Credit: Knesset some of its citizens. Majadele, a veteran Laborite, was chosen by the party’s leader, Defense Minister Amir Peretz, for the science, culture and sport portfolio. He is to replace Ophir Pines-Paz, who bolted in November to protes Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s inclusion of the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party alongside Labor in the governing coalition.

Peretz was quoted as telling Majadele that in government, he would “help improve relations between the various sectors of Israeli society” -- a reference to Jewish-Arab ties strained by the Palestinian intifada and allegations of institutional discrimination. Seemingly the nomination was a brazen bit of inverse race-baiting by the dovish Peretz: Pines-Paz left because of what he perceived as Yisrael Beiteinu’s anti-Arab platform, only to have his place taken by an Arab. Asked how he would deal with sitting in government with Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman, who has proposed ceding Israeli Arab areas to a future Palestinian state and ousting Arab lawmakers from the Knesset, Majadele said, “It won’t be simple.” But he added, “I think that my appointment strengthens the Israeli government and constitutes a step in the right direction toward the Arab public.” Prime Minister Ehud Olmert praised Majadele’s nomination. The prime minister told his Kadima faction that the appointment of an Arab minister “is a significant act whose time has come.” Continued on page 2

Teaching the Holocaust is important, but it won’t stop anti-Semitism today by KENNETH STERN NEW YORK (JTA) -- Holocaust Remembrance Day will be observed in many parts of the world on Jan. 27 thanks to a landmark 2005 U.N. General Assembly resolution designating that day. One might say, “It’s about time,” as it took 60 years for the United Nations to memorialize the Holocaust, or “perfect timing,” given Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s ongoing public denial of the Holocaust, which is not unrelated to his desires to obtain nuclear arms and wipe Israel off the map. Remembrance of the Holocaust is important for many reasons, from recalling the enormity of the tragedy that befell European Jewry to reminding us all how easily the human capacity for hatred can be harnessed into genocide. Continued on page 2

A Palestinian baby dressed up by his family as a suicide bomber, in a file photo. Credit: IDF/BP Images/JTA

Beth El to co-sponsor community-wide Tu B’Shevat celebration at Lauritzen Gardens by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator For the second year, Beth El Synagogue and Lauritzen Gardens will co-sponsor a special community-wide Tu B’Shevat family celebration, free of charge, on Sunday, Feb. 4, 1:30-3 p.m., at the Gardens’ visitor and education center, located at 100 Bancroft St. Tu B’Shevat marks the beginning of spring in Israel, and is also known as the New Year for Trees. This holiday, which celebrates the gifts of nature, is the perfect time to remember the importance of preserving nature, and to discuss questions of ecology and the spirit of living in cooperation with the world. During the afternoon, attendees will be treated to tours of the indoor gardens, singing, craft activities, and enjoying fruits and nuts of the season. In addition, the event will be highlighted by Cantor Gastón Bogomolni and Annelise Ocanto, who will entertain during a special Sephardic music concert, accompanied by guitar and hand drums. “This will be such a nice way to cele-

Inside Opinion Page see page 12

During last year’s Tu B’Shevat celebration at Lauritzen Gardens, Nancy Rips and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, center, led garden tours and explained the holiday’s traditions and symbolism to attendees; the event will be reprised this year on Feb. 4. The community is invited to attend, free of charge.

This Week: Special Issue on Camping See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’

Scholar to engage Jews and Christians in dialog: Page 3

brate the holiday which reminds us of our connection to earth,” said Beth El’s Rabbi Mordechai Levin. “In this era of global environmental threats, Tu B’Shevat reminds us how fragile and complex our ecosystem really is. Judaism sees nature as a product of the Divine. We are the custodians of the earth, and we are commanded to respect and care for our world.” Bringing the celebration of Tu B’Shevat to the general community carries a great message, said Cantor Bogomolni, who led a similar event years ago in Valencia, Spain. “I believe that Tu B’Shevat carries a universal message about ecology,” he said. “The fact that we celebrate the birthday of the trees and honor the plants is definitely a global message that affects everyone, and there should not be discrepancies of faith when it comes to taking care of our green world.” Admission during this special community-wide event is free, generously underwritten by a donor; all activities and crafts have been underwritten by Beth El Synagogue.

Coming Next Month: Simchas & Celebrations on Feb. 9 Over night camp: ready or not?: Page 5

Monthly calendar for February: Pages 8-9


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