February 1, 2013

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

The results are in

February 1, 2013 21 Shevat 5773 Vol. 93 | No. 20

This Week

Federation Board all in for Campaign Page 3

Couple marks anniversary with gift of art to Beth El Page 9

by BEN SALES slogan “A strong prime minisTEL AVIV (JTA) – His party ter, a strong Israel.” Instead of shrunk, his opponents grew being able to lead a new coaliand his challengers multiplied. tion with a large party behind But with the results in, it him, Netanyahu will have to seems Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate with rivals and forge survived the Knesset elections compromises with opposing on Jan. 22 to serve another camps. term as prime minister.

Judging from the successes Netanyahu faces a bumpy of Yesh Atid, Labor and Jewish road ahead. His Likud party, Home, Israelis cast a resoundtogether with the nationalist ing vote for progressive ecoYisrael Beiteinu, fell to 31 nomic reform and new leadseats in the voting from its ers in their parliament. current representation of 42.

The biggest thorn in the The biggest surprise of the prime minister’s side looks to election was the ascendance be Lapid. Unlike the fiscally of former TV personality Yair conservative Netanyahu, Lapid Lapid’s centrist Yesh Atid won support by calling for party. Founded just a year ago, housing reform, opposing tax Yesh Atid won 19 seats on a increases for the middle class platform of national service and including haredi yeshiva Members of Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party celebrating in Tel Aviv after hearing the results of and pro-middle class ecostudents in Israel’s mandatory exit polls of the Israeli elections, Jan. 22, 2013.

Credit: Yehoshua Yosef/Flash90/JTA military conscription. nomic reform. Likud’s traditional rival, the center-left Labor, issues. His Jewish Home party, a suc- Orthodox United Torah Judaism, But Netanyahu’s biggest concern grew to 15 from eight seats promot- cessor to the National Religious the right-wing Knesset bloc will may be a rival in his own right-wing Party, increased its representation hold 60 of the Knesset’s 120 seats -- camp, Bennett, who appears to have ing progressive economic policy. exactly half.

And another political newcomer, from three to 11 seats. picked up most of the seats lost by Together with the Sephardic That’s anything but a mandate for Likud-Beiteinu.

Naftali Bennett, is likely to push Netanyahu to the right on security Orthodox Shas party and the haredi Netanyahu, who campaigned on the Continued on page 2

“Grounddog” Day at Star Deli

by OZZIE NOGG Attention, all Star Deli devotees.

Here’s some food for thought regarding the featured entrees for February Friday Delis -- along with

Celebrating in Israel

lickin’ your chops for several weeks, that’s for sure. And for the record, the Deli tzedakah box proceeds benefit L.O.V.E. in February. (Think Valentines...)

Italy is still years from opening first Holocaust museum Page 16

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Over break, Religious School Principal Ariella Lowensohn traveled to Israel for the second time, shown here with fiance Joe Rohr, right, and Israeli soldier Noam Shalom.

12 14 15

Next Month The Passover Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

one Tuesday night Deli -- plus some fun-filled Deli activities. You’ll be

Friday, Feb. 1: Groundhog Day featuring Sloppy Joes and Ground Hog Day-movie. Question of the week: Will RBJH staffer Adrienne’s “Ground-dogs” (Punxsutawney Tamale and Punxsutawney Burrito) see their shadows or not? Gotta be there to find out how much longer Omaha’s winter will last.

Friday, Feb. 8: Chinese New Year Celebration with Stellar Stir Fry. Confucius say, He who eats at Star Deli is Deli Star.

Continued on page 2

by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer On Dec. 18, Temple Israel Religious School Principal Ariella Lowensohn, along with her fiance Joe Rohr, embarked on that familiar ritual of Jewish 20-somethings -- a Birthright trip to Israel.

“It was very cool to go as a Jewish professional, to go as a teacher,” she said. “Instead of taking in everything for myself, all the sights and sounds, I was thinking about what I can bring back to my students.”

Ariella hopes to use her trip as an example for the students of what can be gained from visiting Israel as a Jewish American young adult: a greater understanding of the importance of a Jewish homeland.

“Israel is home for the Jewish people,” Ariella said. “No matter where you’re from, there’s a connection to this land and the people

who live there. It seems that being Israeli is not a passive identity; it is a role that many play actively on a daily basis. [Former Omaha Shlicha] Gili [Gutwirth] pointed out to me that the continued existence of Israel is not a given, like many other large, well-established nations. In order for Israel to continue to survive, someone has to live there and fight for it.”

Ariella continued: “One of the things that American kids always seem to have trouble wrapping their minds around is the idea that everyone goes into the military, and spending time with the soldiers who joined our trip and talking to them about what it’s like and hearing the stories at Mt. Herzl makes me better-equipped to answer those questions.”

Ariella most looks forward to Continued on page 6

2 | The Jewish Press | February 1, 2013

11th Annual Tribute to the Rescuers High School Essay Contest

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by HILLARY FLETCHER Communications Coordinator, Institute for Holocaust Education The Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE) is excited to announce the 11th Anniversary Tribute to the Rescuers High School Essay Contest. October of this year also marks the 70th anniversary of the Danish Rescue. All Essay Contest submissions are due by Feb. 26, 2013.

The Essay Contest asks students to use the lens of the Holocaust to examine moral behavior. Each student chooses an individual or group who exhibited moral courage while taking a stand against social injustice. They then study the historical events surrounding their subject and compose an essay exploring their topic and how it relates to the Holocaust. Most importantly, each student considers the essence of moral courage and how the topic impacts them and their behavior.

The Danish rescuers collectively provide an outstanding example of moral courage. During World War II, while many people looked the other way as the Nazis carried out their genocide, Denmark was the only occupied territory

that launched a nationwide effort to protect its Jewish citizens. The Danes’ courageous ferrying of Jews to Sweden in their fishing boats kept almost all of their countrymen from harm.

Since 1966, the Tribute to the Danes and other Rescuers Organization in New York has been educating the public about the noble actions of Danish rescuers in the face of mortal danger during World War II. In 1999, that organization merged with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to capitalize on the efforts of both organizations. The Institute for Holocaust Education manages the contest.

The contest is offered to students in two categories: ninth and 10th grades and 11 and 12th grades with cash prizes ranging from $75 to $750 in each category. Educators are eligible to win prizes as well.

For more information and contest rules please contact IHE Education Coordinator, Donna Walter at dwalter@ ihene.org or 402.334.6453.

For more information on the Danish Rescue, please visit www.ushmm.org.

The results are in Alan Cohen Anne Cohen Marty Cohen Barb Shapiro

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Continued from page 1 While Netanyahu remains ambiguous on the question of a Palestinian state -- he formally endorsed the idea in a 2009 speech at Bar-Ilan University but has hardly mentioned it since or done much to promote it -Bennett passionately opposes the idea. Instead, Bennett, a former high-tech entrepreneur, calls for annexing much of the West Bank.

Even within Netanyahu’s party, nationalists on the Likud list who never before made it into the Knesset will now occupy seats. Among them is Moshe Feiglin, Likud-Beitenu supporters leader of the Jewish cheering after hearing the Leadership faction of Likud, results of exit polls on the who favors West Bank Israeli elections, Jan. 22, annexation and encouraging 2013.

Credit: Miriam Arabs who hold Israeli citiAlster/FLASH90/JTA zenship to leave Israel.

The rise of Yesh Atid and Jewish Home do offer Netanyahu some new opportunities, too. Rather than rely on the haredi Orthodox parties such as Shas and United Torah Judaism for the coalition, Netanyahu could make common cause with Yesh Atid and Jewish Home, both of which want to draft haredi Israelis into the army or some form of national service -- even though they may significantly disagree on security matters. Lapid talked during the campaign of his willingness to join a Netanyahu coalition, influencing the government from within rather than from the opposition.

So even though the haredi parties grew by two seats -Shas stayed at 11 seats and United Torah Judaism went from five to seven, according to exit polls -- Lapid’s willingness to provide Netanyahu with a larger chunk of seats to build his coalition means that the haredi parties may have lost their political leverage to keep yeshiva students

out of Israel’s military draft.

For its part, Labor looks destined to lead the Knesset’s opposition; its chairwoman, Shelly Yachimovich, has vowed not to join a Netanyahu coalition. Tzipi Livni’s new Hatnua party, which won just six seats, is likely to stay in the opposition, too.

The election represented a major defeat for Livni, who in the last election led the Kadima party to 28 seats -more than any other party.

This time, the eviscerated Kadima scraped by with the minimum two seats.

Hatnua’s poor showing ELECTION RESULTS also suggested how little of the election was about negoLikud-Yisrael Beiteinu: 31 tiations with the Yesh Atid: 19 Palestinians. Livni made Labor: 15 much of the issue during the Shas: 11 campaign, but it clearly Jewish Home: 11 failed to resonate with votUnited Torah Judaism: 7 ers. Hatnua’s six seats Meretz: 6 equaled the showing of Hatnua: 6 Meretz, the solidly left-wing Raam-Taal: 5 party. By contrast, Labor, Hadash: 4 traditionally a promoter of Balad: 3 peace talks, barely raised the Kadima: 2 issue in the campaign.

Instead it focused on socio-economic issues and made significant Knesset gains.

With Election Day over, the coalition building begins: To win another term as prime minister, Netanyahu now must cobble together an alliance of at least 61 Knesset members to form Israel’s next government. Who he chooses -- and who agrees to join him -- will determine a great deal about the course charted in the years to come by the Israeli government.

“Grounddog” Day at Star Deli Continued from page 1 Friday, Feb. 22: Dairy Deli in honor of Purim and Queen Esther. Costumes are encouraged, and free desserts will be awarded. Start digging around in your dress-up box and have some fun.

Tuesday, Feb. 26: Purim Deli Brisket Dinner. It’s a Tuesday. It’s a night Deli. It’s your chance to get out of the kitchen and let someone else do the cooking and cleanup. (Plus, there’s simply no disguising how yummy this meal will be. Get it? Get it? Purim.

Get it?)

Looking ahead, we’re told that a very special deli menu is planned for Friday April 5, when Chef Mike Aparo marks his 50th birthday. And the Gargantuan Goldberg Sandwich Challenge is scheduled for Friday, April 12. The event is open to as many teams of two, very hungry people that we

can find. Teams that finish an entire Goldberg Sandwich get the sandwich for free, $10 Deli gift cards and the admiration of their fellow Deli-goers.

And remember. In addition to weekly specials, the Friday Star Deli always offers its traditional menu items -- corned beef, pastrami, smoked turkey, egg or tuna salad sandwiches along with ever-popular salads and sides. The Star Deli on Main Street -- with its garlicky aromas and the raucous atmosphere of a Lower East Side eatery -- is open on Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Deli is happy to host special occasions and will reserve private dining spaces in the RBJH for large groups. For more information on how Star Deli Catering can add spice to your meetings, parties and life cycle events, please contact Mike Aparo, 402.334.6522 or Regan Tinglehoff at 402.334.6523.

See the Jewish Press on the web at jewishomaha.org

February 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 3

NJHS Genealogy Club established

by SUE MILLWARD The first meeting of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Genealogy Club was held Sunday, Jan. 20. The attendees met to share their interest in creating and/or furthering their family history research.

In attendance were: Marilyn Guss, Lorrie Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Sue Millward, Steve Perelman and Denise

Steve Perelman, left, Lorrie Katelman and Janie Kulakofsky in the NJHS office.

Silverman. Each person found a personal family tree connection to at least one other person among the group. For instance, Marilyn Guss found out she was related to Steve Perelman, and Steve and Janie Kulakofsky are also cousins.

Much of the discussion centered on the resources that can be found on Jewish gravestones where Hebrew inscriptions usually identify the name of the deceased and his, or her, father’s name.

Denise Silverman shared that the Jewish Gen website, at www.jewishgen.org, had guides available to assist in translating Jewish headstones. Jewish Gen also has an extensive “Burial Registry.” With a simple search by last name, family burial locations can be viewed around the world by country or state. Everyone agreed it has been a very useful tool in their family searches.

The Genealogy Club will continue to meet on the third Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. in the offices of the NJHS. The next meeting is Feb. 17. Everyone is invited to come and learn from a wealth of information of our shared experiences.

Federation Board all in for Campaign

by SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha There is a group in our Federation who continues the critical work of implementing our One Campus One Community initiative, whose work is responsible for all that we enjoy on our campus and all that we support overseas. Without them, the Federation would not be what it is today. Yet, they receive very little public recognition.

The 2012-2013 Jewish Federation Board of Directors includes: Brett Atlas, Bonnie Bloch, Toba Cohen-Dunning, Bruce Friedlander, Richard Jacobson*, Patrick Jensen, Bob Lepp, Jody Malashock, Jay Noddle, Stacey Rockman, Andy Ruback and Mike Siegel.

This year, in the early stages of the 2013 Annual Campaign, the Board made a commitment to be actively engaged, and it showed.

They assisted with solicitations, helped with publicity, attended events and supported the professional staff every step of the way.

Together, they exceeded the Campaign’s goal of a 5% cardfor-card increase, collectively realizing a 7% increase in their pledges (a $60,000 increase over the previous year).

“The Federation remains the steward of community resources and all of us take our jobs very seriously. It is important to be a governing body that sets an example, because we know how lucky we are to have a community as engaged and generous as ours is,” said Jody Malashock.

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CEO Mike Silverman added, “We want our board members to be passionate about the Federation, generous donors to our Annual Campaign, and informed ambassadors for the JFO. In turn, we want them to have high expectations of us.”

To date, the Campaign has raised $2,470,597 towards a goal of just over $3 million and momentum continues to grow in the community. “I know our donors will continue to respond with compassion and generosity to our Annual Campaign,” said Sharon Kirshenbaum, Campaign Director.

The Campaign continues to maintain a 3% card-forcard increase, and there are 88 new or re-engaged gifts in towards a goal of 200. The mini-telethon held on Jan. 4 was considered a great success, with professional staff making phone calls and securing over $24,000 in donor pledges.

Kirshenbaum made a point of noting that this year’s lay leadership infused great energy and drive into the campaign. “The Board and our volunteers have been outstanding. There was a specific plan in place to speak to people earlier in the year, and we received great feedback on this tactic. All told the 3% average donor increase is really encouraging” she said. (*Authors note: Richard Jacobson replaced Howard Epstein on the Board Jan 1, 2013 when Epstein became Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.)

4 | The Jewish Press | February 1, 2013

Mainstreeters in February

by OZZIE NOGG Riverdance for thirteen years. Many of those years were A movie, concert music, spirited movement and family spent as a lead dancer. It’s his goal to pass on his love of Irish memories are all part of Mainstreeters February program- dance and culture to people of all backgrounds. For your ming. Please come and enjoy. entree, choose either Corned Beef and Cabbage with parsley A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Odd Life potatoes or Baked Salmon, with rice pilaf and mixed vegof Timothy Green, Friday, Feb. 8. 1 p.m. in etables, both served with challah, cookies and beverage. the JCC Theater. Complimentary popcorn Cost: $11.50 per plate. Make checks payable to Jewish -- warm and delicious -- will be Social Services and send full served. No reservations necessary. payment to: Mainstreeters c/o Invite a friend. Walt Disney Studios Maggie Conti, 323 So. 132 brings enchantment home with this Street, Omaha, NE 68154. inspiring, magical story for movieReservations are appreciated by goers of all ages. Jennifer Garner Monday, Feb. 11. For informa(Cindy) and Jim Green are a happily tion call Linda Abrams married couple who can’t wait to start a family but can only Tederman at 402.468.4939. dream about what their child would be like. When young A Search for Heritage: Genealogy Class with Sue Timothy shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Millward. Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Cindy and Jim -- and Rose Blumkin Jewish their small town of Home Board Room.

Stanleyville -- learn No charge. Are you that sometimes the researching your family unexpected can bring tree but don’t know some of life’s greatest where to start? You gifts. If you’d like to start with what you enjoy a Star Deli lunch know and go from at the Blumkin Home there. And that’s what before the show, call we’ll be doing in this Maggie Conti at new Mainstreeters 402.334.6521 to reserve Class. Sue Millward, an a table. Lunch is on amateur genealogist Mainstreeters and the collages they created last month at Kim Noddle’s your own. The Star Deli and President of the ArtRoom in Rockbrook Village. Pictured are Maggie Conti, left, Julie opens for business at Nebraska Jewish Hershovic, Linda Abrams Tederman, Kim Noddle, Rocky Stern, Rocky 11:30 a.m.

Historical Society, will Lewis, and Annie Twedt, ArtRoom Creative Manager. “We really had fun Intergenerational show you how to begin in this class,” said Stern, Mainstreeters Education Chair. “We felt like Orchestra of Omaha researching your family kids, decorating our canvases with paper scraps, buttons and other with Conductor tree. We’ll explore the embellishments. We’d love to do it again.”

Chuck Penington: U.S. Census and Sunday, Feb. 17, 2 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium. No Immigration records of your ancestors and learn how basic Admission Fee. Jewish Senior Services invites you to a 28th information can be gathered from these documents. At a Anniversary Concert Season performance by this non-prof- time when technology is changing the face of genealogy, it group of youth and senior musicians playing popular there are many resource sites to go to. We’ll share the most orchestral music, show tunes and vocals. The Orchestra’s popular ones with you. Please call Maggie Conti at 402-334mission is to combine the talents of two diverse generations 6521 and reserve your spot by Wednesday, Feb. 20. For of musicians for the purpose of creating beautiful music and information, call Rocky Stern 402.393.4952 then sharing that music. Bring a friend -- all are welcome.

Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha Sponsored by The Ruth Riekes Richards Fund of the Jewish area age 60 plus. The group offers a mixed-bag of social Federation of Omaha Foundation. events and learning opportunities that give participants the Traditional Irish Dance Performance Luncheon: chance to meet new people, exercise their brains, take part Monday, Feb. 18. 12:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish in new activities and continue enjoying life to the fullest.

Home Auditorium. Share in the culture and fun of Irish Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Dancing with students from the Irish Dance Academy and Programs at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, said. its owner, Marty Dowds. Marty was a successful Irish step “Mainstreeters continues to offer diverse programs every dancer, winning Worlds, All Ireland, Ulster and British month, and we invite community members to join the Nationals competitions before heading off to dance with February excitement.”

Upgrading Jewish knowledge

by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer Temple Israel is offering a unique opportunity to adult members of its congregation: the chance to be a part of the first adult b’nai mitzvah class at the new Sterling Ridge building later this year.

“We want to encourage people to upgrade their Jewish knowledge,” Rabbi Aryeh Azriel said. “Adult b’nai mitzvah is for people who maybe never had a bar or bat mitzvah. Women of course were not always given the opportunity to have a bat mitzvah, and so we want to invite women, whom we treat in this congregation as equals, as well as those who may have converted to Judaism or simply those who, for whatever reason, never had a b’nai mitzvah when they were younger. This is an opportunity to acquire knowledge and opinions about things that maybe they stopped learning at age 13. This is a chance to be Jewishly adult.”

Class participants will learn to read Hebrew and master common vocabulary, recite and understand the worship service, chant several lines of Torah and become familiar with and be able to utilize trope. In addition, each class member will be able to discuss the Torah, the prophets and Nevi’im, and gain a deeper understanding of the liturgy including the history and meaning of the prayers. The class will experience Shabbat morning worship in the Reform as well as in the Conservative and Orthodox traditions at Beth El and Beth Israel Synagogues, though the tenets of Reform Judaism will be emphasized.

Each participant will write a d’var Torah about the parsha and his or her personal Jewish journey.

Additionally, during the year of study, students will participate in at least one social action project sponsored by Temple Israel and contribute to the class tzedakah project.

“We want adults in our congregation to see this as an opportunity to study with the clergy and to be in relationship with other members of the congregation,” Rabbi Azriel said. “We want them to one day step on the bimah and celebrate this achievement with each other and their families.”

Instructors for the adult b’nai mitzvah class are Na’ama Artzi, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Josh Brown and Cantor Wendy Shermet.

Enrollment fee for an individual is $250 and $450 for a couple. Confidential scholarships are available by contacting Executive Director Dennis DePorte at 402.556.6536.

To register, contact Program Director Wendy Goldberg at 402.556.6536 or at wgoldberg@templeisraelomaha. com.

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February 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 5

Leonard Cohen -- bard, balladeer and bad boy

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by OLIVER B. POLLAK Leonard Cohen was born in Montreal in 1934 into an Orthodox home. His father’s family arrived in Canada in 1860, his mother in the early 1920s. Leonard’s father died when he was nine years old. Leonard’s writing and music career affirms his Jewish heritage. Years of meditation with Zen and Advaita masters did not diminish his existence as a Jew. His first poetry book, Let Us Compare Mythologies, appeared in 1956. Spice Box of Earth followed in 1961. Judy Collins introduced him to the musical stage in 1967. It was a rocky start before a New York audience of 3,000 with elements of stage fright. Pete Seeger and Tom Paxton were also on the program.

Music, despite its anxieties, certainly paid better than writing poetry.

In 2013, at the age of 79, he will tour North America and Europe, including London, Paris, Hamburg, Berlin, Rome and Denmark.

In 1996, my law partner, David Hicks, gave me a holiday present, Various Positions, A Life of Leonard Cohen (1996) by Ira B. Nadel. I was 53 years old and Cohen had not entered my consciousness. It changed my musical life. My 1997 notes declare, “Drugs, depression, women, women, women, mark Cohen’s life from a young student at McGill to elder statesman.”

For the past 17 years I have listened to, read about, watched him age youthfully, and in 2008 attended a Cohen concert in Toronto. As a music missionary, not a groupie, I have converted some friends to Cohen’s music. I have wanted to prepare a High Holy Day presentation for Council Bluff ’s B’nai Israel on his musical spirituality for at least half a dozen years, but I always backed off. It’s complicated. How do you bring recording equipment into schul? Intellectually I could not get my arms around it. Sometimes projects are too big. The enormity of the subject was brought home during 2012 when three books about Cohen, totaling over 900 pages, hit the market. It’s not just about the music.

Alan Light’s exploration of Hallelujah, in The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the unlikely ascent of Hallelujah consumes 254 interesting pages. Cohen’s composition took about five years, some argue it’s still evolving.

When first sung by Cohen in 1984, it received little acclaim.

In 1994, Jeff Buckley’s charged version made it an emerging standard.

By the end of 2012, it had been covered by dozens if not hundreds of artists including k. d. lang, Bob Dylan, Justin Timberlake, Susan Boyle, and the father of Cohen’s granddaughter, Rufus Wainwright. Fortunately, despite being infamously ripped off by his manager, Cohen gets royalties.

Hallelujah has been heard on the soundtrack of Shrek, House, West Wing, and American Idol.

Hallelujah has been incorporated into weddings, Bat Mitzvahs and some Kol Nidre services. If it be Your Will and other lyrics have clear Hebrew Bible roots, While Dance me to the End of Love has Holocaust overtones.

Maurice Ratliff ’s Leonard Cohen: The Music and the Mystique provides a 96-page discography of studio, live, and compilation albums.

Sylvie Simmons, I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen (2012) provides a 540 page revealing and sympathetic biography. Poets, novelists, songwriters, and musicians are dif-

ferent from ordinary people. Their minds, energy, needs, creativity and lifestyle frequently deviate from the norm.

Celebrity, depression and mood swings feed the public persona, but make for disorderly lives. Recreational drugs, self medication, cigarettes, alcohol, Buddhist and Hindu meditation, produces a rollercoaster of highs and lows from which emerge words, lyrics, and harmony that captures a personal and world geist. Cohen’s life reveals connections between genius, creativity and depression.

He has performed around the world, including Israel and Australia, and three centers of residential gravity recur: Montreal, the Greek island Hydra, and Los Angeles. Forty years ago, during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, he entertained the troops in Israel.

Not a beat nor a hippie, he maintains the outsider’s stance. He made the transition from poet and songwriter to performer and had several intimate relationships.

Titles are suggestive including I’m Your Man and Death of a Ladies’ Man. He had liaisons with Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Rebecca De Mornay and performed songs of longing with frank and erotic lyrics recalling Suzanne, Marianne, Heather, and Alexandra.

A lifelong search for self-realization and countering a veil of depression, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs led him to flirt with Scientology. He spent much of the 1990s at the Mount Baldy Zen Center with master Roshi Kyozan Joshu Sasaki who is now 105 years old. Cohen spent several months in Mumbai, India, with Ramesh S. Balsekar, a guru of Advaita wisdom, who died in 2009 at the age of 92.

Readers wishing to pursue Leonard Cohen should check out YouTube and leonardcohenfiles.com. I look forward to the biography by Liel Leibovitz, a senior Tablet Magazine writer. Bob Goldberg is offering a four-session class on Cohen’s poetry starting March 1. The following day, I will attend a Leonard Cohen concert at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre. The more adventurous can hear Cohen in Berlin in July where his “First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin” will bring down the walls; and then visit the new Berlin Jewish Museum designed by Daniel Libeskind.

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In honor of Tu B’Shevat, Kitah Aleph of the Lincoln Jewish Community School made edible trees. It might be cold outside, but the frosting trees are blooming at LJCS!

Photograph your simchas Photographer, Cynthia Kohll, a native Omahan is back in town after living abroad and in New York City for the last 13 years.

Kohll's portfolio includes: Associated Press, Reuters, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Jerusalem Post, Children’s Acting Head Shots, Celebrity Events, Birthday Parties, Bar/Bat-Mitzvah's, Weddings, Family Portraits (artistic & traditional) and Corporate Communications.

Her work has been shown in both solo and group exhibitions and museums in Omaha, New York City and other cities across the country including a permanent collection at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. While in Latin America - Kohll photographed politics and strife and witnessed the arrival of former Dictator, Augusto Pinochet in Santiago, Chile who was released from Britain.

She then made her way across the globe to Jerusalem. It was there where she came to face to face with war during the Arab uprising in 2000. Once being held at gunpoint by

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Palestinian Leader, Yasser Arafat's Presidential Guards in Ramallah, West Bank and another dodging bullets and stones at the gates of Jerusalem's Old City.

Kohll left Jerusalem in 2001 and headed back to New York City in time to document the fall of the Twin Towers on 9/11 and it's aftermath. Her career soon changed as her life did after getting married and raising 2 children, she began specializing in Family Portraits and Children's Acting Head Shots.

This past July, Kohll brought her husband, Joshua, a native New Yorker and 2 children, Isabella and Isaac to Omaha to live. She has been booking several Bar/BatMitzvah’s, Family Portraits, Events and Head Shots in the community. She is also available to develop photo montages in video format for festive occasions.

Kohll is always happy to discuss client’s creative needs and then capture those special moments in life that are cherished forever.

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Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.

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Celebrating in Israel Continued from page 1 What made visiting Israel with her fiancé sharing with Temple Israel’s Religious School even more special was purchasing their students, the people she met while in Israel. wedding bands in a shop in Jerusalem.

“One of the greatest things I am bringing back for our kids is that I just have more resources to go to now for them,” she said.

“If they want to talk a bit with a current Israeli soldier, I have a bunch of new friends I can just call up and have them Skype with our students. I couldn’t really do that before.”

For ten days Ariella and Joe trekked about the country with their Birthright group, hiking up and down mountains If not for Birthright, Ariella probably wouldn’t have seen this and visiting ancient synaArab village at the foot of Mt. Arbel. gogues. They visited the Western Wall in the pouring rain, and “When I was younger, my father had told Ariella and another girl in her group went me that, traditionally, Jewish wedding rings through the prayer service together. are supposed to be a simple, unbroken band “There was a small group of girls who were of gold,” Ariella said. “And Joey and I both praying, but they didn’t really know what liked the idea of getting simple gold bands.” they were doing,” Ariella said. “They just Because the rings weren’t going to be seemed lost and confused, and with the rain, fancy, Ariella and Joey decided they would I had really given up on having any sort of get the rings in a special place instead. positive experience. I was having the oppo“We wanted there to be something special site of a meaningful experience. But then I in their essence and one of the ideas we had, noticed this other girl trying to read from the even before we decided to go on Birthright, prayer book, and I started helping her read was to get the rings in Jerusalem,” she said. some of the passages, and we went through Ariella and Joey visited a small shop outthe whole service by ourselves. It was freez- side of Jerusalem’s touristy shopping district ing and cold, but it turned from a really run by a family named Melzer. upsetting experience to a really moving one.”

“We went into the shop and asked for Mr. Joe also found praying at the Western Wall Melzer and the older guy, he pointed to himto be “an absolutely incredible experience.” self and then each of the other employees. ‘I’m “One of the hazzans would start singing, a Melzer,’ he said, ‘and he’s a Melzer, and he’s a everyone would join in, and we’d get in a cir- Melzer.’ There was definitely a different feel in cle and dance all around. It took a long time, their shop, very warm and cozy,” Ariella said. but it was a very, very moving experience.”

Ariella and Joe’s wedding is in May in They also visited the City of David, which California. has an underground river running through When the ten days of Birthright were over, it, because King David had diverted the Ariella and Joe stayed in Israel an extra week water from going to Jerusalem. The group to see parts of the country they were unable walked through a tunnel in which the water to visit as part of the Birthright group, and came halfway up Ariella’s legs before exiting to try to experience Israel more as Israelis at a different part of the Western Wall. do instead of as tourists. They stayed with The Birthright tour also took Ariella and Gili, who showed them around Herzliya, a Joe to Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery, which northern suburb of Tel Aviv. was especially moving because the soldiers “After the organized Birthright trip, we got who were accompanying their group would to do stuff on our own, like renting a car and stop at seemingly random headstones. going to the supermarket,” Ariella said. “I “It’s a small country with a lot of personal was able to make it more my own on this trip. connections,” Ariella said. “It seems like I now have enough Jewish background that I everyone in Israel knows someone who is could decide what was important to me.” buried there.”

Some of the highlights for Ariella and Joe “It was striking to come to understand bet- were walking the Stations of the Cross and ter how Israelis see their fallen versus how visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, America sees its fallen,” Joe said. “In Israel, places they wouldn’t have seen on the everyone fights. Everyone has family mem- Birthright tour. bers who are currently in the military, who “Birthright does a great job of hitting the just left the military or who are about to go in.” highlights, the mandatory Israel sites,” Ariella This was Ariella’s second visit to Israel. She said. “There were a lot of things I wouldn’t first went with her family when she was 14, have done if not for Birthright, like riding a but she wanted to go again for a few reasons. camel or hiking down a mountain, so I would “I wanted to go with Joey,” Ariella said. definitely recommend it, but it’s not enough.

“And going as an adult is different. I’m a dif- Birthright cannot be your only trip to Israel, ferent person than I was at 14.” or your only experience in Israel.”

Get your Skates on with CONNECT!

by LEORA AZRIEL Teen/BBYO Director Is there really a better way to spend a cold wintery day than at an ice rink? On Monday, Jan. 21, 26 teens braved the weather and piled on the coats and gloves for an afternoon of games, pizza, and ice skating. The 2013 BBYO Connect Committee, made up of BBYO High School members, was excited to share its love of BBYO by facilitating icebreakers and cheering on the skaters.

Sophomore Megan Kahn commented “It was a great informal way to get to know 7th and 8th graders who might be interested in joining BBYO when they enter high school.”

7th and 8th grade members of CONNECT huddle together to stay warm. Did you miss it? Call Leora Azriel at 402.334.6404 or email her at lazriel@jccomaha.org.

February 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 7

Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation Contest

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Administrative Assistant, Center for Jewish Life The Center for Jewish Life enthusiastically announces that the 22nd year of the Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation Contest is now underway. The contest is made possible by the Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation Fund created by the Whitman family. Mrs. Whitman devoted a lifetime of service to the youth of the Omaha community. For many years she was a member of the Kripke Library Board and on the faculty of the religious schools at both Beth El Synagogue and Temple Israel. This contest furthers Mrs. Whitman’s goal of promoting Jewish literature for children.

Mrs. Whitman fully understood the importance of reading and writing in everyone’s life. She believed that when young people received encouragement to participate in these activities they would develop a love for books, reading, and writing that could last a lifetime. The book appreciation contest provides such encouragement with the added incentive of competition to win a prize, all within the context of developing an appreciation for Jewish life. All of the books the children select for the contest must have Jewish content in order to qualify.

This year’s contest introduces a new category of contestants – children, four years of age, now have the opportunity to participate. With the help of an adult, they will select a book and have that person read it to them. They will then create a picture of what they liked best about the book, and tell one word that best describes the book to them.

Children in kindergarten through second grade will use their imaginations to design and create an original book jacket that could be used with a book they have selected.

This provides the opportunity for them to think about the content of the book and express that content in a creative manner. Crayons, markers, paint, and gluing items to a page are all valid means of expression in this category.

Children in grades three through six are challenged with a more structured approach to demonstrate reading and writing skills. Their competition includes writing a summary of the book, with identifying information – author, title, number of pages – then writing a one or two paragraph synopsis.

They will also select between producing a 1 page newspaper about the book; writing a letter to the author; making a

poster for the book; making a shoebox diorama of an important aspect of the book, or choosing a character that the child would (or would not) like to have as a friend and describing why.

All grade levels are being challenged at their ability levels, and the contest is designed to be fun and educational. All entries will be judged, and the top three winners in each category will receive books as prizes. The names of all contest winners and all participants will be listed in the Jewish Press.

All entrants will receive a certificate of participation. This is a great opportunity for parents to reinforce reading with their children by participating with them. Visit the Kripke

Jewish Federation Library to select a book! Library hours are 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays. Applications with instructions may be received through teachers or through the library. For questions about the contest, contact Mary Sue Grossman at 402.334-6445 or mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.

Applications must be returned to the student’s teacher or to the Kripke Jewish Federation Library by March 1.

The Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation Contest is presented by the Center for Jewish Life and promoted by Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel and Friedel Jewish Academy.

Beth El Men’s Club sponsors special ‘wrap’ session

by JILL BELMONT around the world.”

Beth El Publicity Coordinator He invited all men, women and teenagers in the Jewish Beth El’s Men’s Club will join with Jews from across the community to participate in this event, saying, “it helps others to feel a strong sense world on Sunday, Feb. 3, to of Jewish identity, and it take part in the annual reminds us that we’re part Worldwide Wrap, sponof a group, a family -- we’re sored by the Federation of part of something bigger Jewish Men’s Clubs. This than ourselves.” event, chaired locally by Minyan will begin at 9 Beth El congregant Glen a.m.; then at 10 a.m., Fineman, celebrates the ritHazzan Michael Krausman ual of wrapping tefillin; it will present a wrapping offers an opportunity to demonstration and will also learn how to wrap, and open the tefillin box to symbolizes the significance reveal the contents. Adults of this mitzvah. will learn to wrap using Fineman, who introduced tefillin, and BESTT stuthe Wrap to Omaha over a dents will have a treat by decade ago, said he feels wrapping Fruit by the Foot. strongly about encouraging Following a brief service Jews to wrap tefillin, a rituBESTT students, assisted by Rabbi Abraham, had fun last at 10:20 a.m., all particial that he said, “makes me spring learning to wrap tefillin by practicing with Fruit-bypants will enjoy breakfast feel a real connection with the-Foot. together. For more informaGod. It means so much to me that on the Sunday of the Worldwide Wrap, I’m doing tion about the service, contact the synagogue office, at the exact same thing as Jews around the country and 402.492.8550.

Passover Greetings This year you can send your greetings through these very special ads that will run in our annual Passover issue.

Each ad can be personalized with your name, the names of your children or your grandchildren. Just fill out the form below and send or bring it to the Jewish Press office. But hurry; these ads will only be accepted through February 20, 2013.

A $52

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Passover Greetings Ads Name ______________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip ________________ Check the size of ad you would like:

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____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Please send a check for the amount listed along side the different sized ads with this form at the Jewish Press office in the JCC or mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 South 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154

8 | The Jewish Press | February 1, 2013

Long distance wedding guests

by RONNIE AND ART We were able to see a very JACOBSON warm wedding with many We were unable to attend Israelis plus 25 Minnesotans the wedding of our grandson, including Rabbi Kravitz from David Glotter, on a Kibbutz in the Adath Jershuran in Israel. Our family arranged Minneapolis. What a joy for us to not have been forgotten. for us to be a part of the Dec. David is the son of Debbie 6, 2012 event in Jerusalem live (Jacobson) and Mark Glotter streamed on our television. of Minneapolis. Debbie is a David married an Israeli, native Omahan and 1971 gradShiran Barzilai. They met in Minneapolis when they were uate of Central High School. both JCC camp counselors.

The wedding was sent via On Sept. 5, 2006 after graducomputer and, with the help ating from the University of of a local TV technician, it Wisconsin, David made was transferred to our televiClockwise from bottom left: Art Jacobson, Michael Glotter, sion screen to view on a larger aliyah to Israel. He served in Rachel Glotter, David Glotter, and Ronnie Jacobson. the IDF for 2 years and screen for three hours. Family reunited with Shiran. members and friends watched on computers in many cities.

Kosher Food Co-op in Omaha

by ILANA WEISS With Passover just around the corner (yikes!), you may be thinking about whom you will invite to your seder and what kinds of matzah-based cooking experiments you might consider trying out this year. You also might be wondering how to find those special Passover ingredients and how to get them at affordable prices. KC Kosher Co-Op, a company based in Kansas City specializing in providing kosher food at low costs, is branching into Omaha after successfully offering co-op opportunities in cities throughout the United States.

How does the Co-Op work? Any community member can go onto the Co-op website at www.kckoshercoop.com to sign up for an account and easily browse, order, and pay for products online. All items are sold in bulk which keeps prices low, but if you don’t think you need an entire case of schmaltz (or anything else for that matter) registrants can also choose cases to split with other members. The Coop carries hundreds of fresh meat/poultry, dairy, dry goods, fish, candy, etc. When you sign up for an Omaha based

account, everything that shows up on the website for purchase will be kosher for Passover. Once the orders are made, the staff at KC Kosher Co-op processes the order and arranges a delivery to the city. When the order arrives, an unloading crew takes all of the boxes off the truck and makes sure everyone gets what they ordered. Co-Op members have a one-hour window to pick up their order specially packaged and marked for them.

The upcoming Passover order deadline is Sunday, Feb. 3 with a delivery at approximately 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12 at a centrally located location in the Jewish community. (The usual turn-around time just requires about 2weeks, but the distributors need a greater lead time to provide goods for Passover.) As a bonus, all Passover orders will receive a free shank bone for the seder. Visit www.kckoshercoop.com to sign up and receive reminders for order deadlines and pickup times. Please contact KC Kosher CoOp at admin@kckoshercoop.com with any questions. Or locally, contact Ilana Weiss at weiss.ilana@yahoo.com.

Javitch-Vinci ‘It’s the Beat’ Radio Show Launches 2013 Season “It seems there is no end to the number of talented guests we meet and interview,” remarked Karen Sokolof Javitch, when asked what 2013 holds for her radio show It’s the Beat! heard every Saturday at noon on the Mighty 1290 KOIL. “Already in January, my co-host Jody Vinci and I have enjoyed time with authors/speakers Bill Ramsey, Mark Wehner, Sandra Wendel, Barbara Mohrman; musicians/ entertainers/singers Sebastian Anzaldo, Carmelita De La Guardia, Logan Penington; humorist Mary Maxwell; game creators Susan Kruse & Mike Carta; film director and author Dan Mirvish and co-founder of Ted E Bear Hollow and the Centering Group, Janet Sieff.

In January, thus far, Karen has shared many of her songs from her two cd’s that are on sale at the Nebraska Furniture Mart. She records her music at Ware House Recording

Studio with the Chuck Penington Band.

Tune in Saturday, February 2, as Carol Nigrelli tells us how her career in journalism has led her to interview several US Presidents. Learn how Rita Rocker authored her first book and also represented the state as Mrs. Nebraska. Peggy Jones, Assistant Professor in UNO’s Department of Black Studies, speaks of her life as an artist and playwright. And laugh along with Karen and Jody!

If you missed any of the shows, you can listen on www.Itsthebeat.net. Once again, we thank Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater for being the sponsor of It’s the Beat!

Want to be a guest? Know someone locally or nationally in arts & entertainment you’d like to hear? Call Norma at 402.393.3893 or email us at Norma@Itsthebeat.net. Join us every Saturday at noon on the Mighty 1290 KOIL.

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UNL students get a taste of Judaism

by MELISSA ALLEN It was a step off campus and into the Temple for three busloads of University of Nebraska-Lincoln students Tuesday night.

At A Taste of Judaism, UNL residence hall students received a tour of the B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple, located at 2061 S. 20th St. The event included free food and a look at primary Jewish holidays celebrated throughout the year.

After students rotated around tables that represented each holiday and its traditional foods, they were invited into the congregation, in which Rabbi Craig Lewis spoke of the architecture of the Temple and answered questions that the students had about Jewish customs and traditions.

“We want to give students an opportunity to get to know and understand Judaism and Jewish culture,” he said. “Students will have a multi-sensory experience.”

Students learned about the traditions and history of the holidays. Some foods included matzah ball soup, challah, traditional honey cakes and hamantaschen. Students were also given the opportunity to learn how to play the dreidel, a spinning top played during the Hanukkah season.

“We want the students to have appreciation for something different, for something they may not know much about,” Lewis said. “It’s important to understand someone’s background that may be different from your own.”

Lewis worked alongside Melissa Peters, assistant director of the Residence Life in Development and Diversity Initiatives, in setting up the event. Peters plans outreach events such as A Taste of Judaism to help students gain a greater knowledge of the cultures around them.

“We’re trying to get students out in the community of Lincoln,” Peters said. “We want to let them see what the city has to offer.”

Tuesday’s event was the first of Peters’ outreach events to be held off campus, she said.

A Taste of Judaism was advertised to students living in residence halls on both City and East campuses, with buses stationed at each residence hall to transport them to and from the Temple.

“We wanted the South Street Temple to have a chance to interact with our students,” Peters said. “We have special students with great qualities who will take a lot from this experience.”

The South Street Temple has been part of Lincoln’s history for almost 120 years and is also on the historical registry. “Hopefully a lot of people will get to know us on a personal level,” Lewis said. “We’re a part of the history of Lincoln and of Nebraska. We want the students to know that the Temple is here as a resource. We like to have a presence within the community.”

This story was previously published in the Daily Nebraskan.

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February 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 9

Couple marks milestone anniversary with gift of art to Beth El

by JILL BELMONT huge piece of wood, upholster it, and then incorporate the Beth El Publicity Coordinator canvases into one piece of art. The finished piece is striking, Several years ago, Beth El’s president sent a letter to the eye-catching. congregation, in which she solicited suggestions to beautify The Greenbergs, lifelong members of Beth El who celethe synagogue. That letter served as an ‘aha moment’ for brated their marriage at the synagogue, decided to donate longtime needle pointer Caryl Greenberg, inspiring her to create “The Creation,” an elaborate needlepoint wall hanging that has found a home in the synagogue’s social hall.

Donated to mark the simcha of Caryl and Barton “Bucky” Greenberg’s 60th wedding anniversary, the six canvases of “The Creation” depict each stage of the world’s creation with intricate designs, stunning colors and brilliant definition. The panels each carry themes: “Light,” “The Firmament,” “Land and Sea,” “Sun, Moon, Stars,” “Fish and Fowl,” and “Beasts.”

It took a year and a half for Caryl Greenberg to complete “The Creation,” a multi-canvas After seeing a magazine ad needlepoint wall hanging that she and her husband Bucky donated to Beth El, in honor of their for the needlepoint project, 60th wedding anniversary. The artwork has found a home in the synagogue's social hall.

Caryl recalled thinking, “Wow -- not only is this great, but it ties in with the creation the wall hanging in honor of their milestone 60th anniverstory that’s on the curtains in Beth El’s sanctuary.” sary, celebrated in 2011.

Upon purchasing the canvases from Ehrman Tapestry, she “It was so appropriate,” Caryl said. “We really hadn’t considered getting some help with the needlepointing, but thought too much about doing anything for our anniversary, then reasoned that, “I needlepoint really fast, I’m always but when I saw this [the canvas], it seemed so appropriate, looking for something to do, so I decided I’d do all of them.” so I thought, ‘Why not?’”

Even with her quick fingers, the entire piece took a year and And, wanting the gift to be a labor of love from both a half to complete.

Greenbergs, they decided that Bucky (who served as Beth El When all six components were completed, Caryl turned to Tom White, of Personal Touch Upholstery, to figure out how to mount them all into one art piece. Although he had never worked on a project like this before, the two brainstormed ideas and “we figured it out, inch by inch,” White said.

In the end, figuring it out meant that White would find a

president from 1976 – ‘77) should also have a hand in the needlepointing.

“Bucky did a few stitches on each panel,” Caryl said. “We sat down and I said, ‘You put the needle through this way, then you put the needle through that way.’ I wanted him -and he wanted, also -- to be a physical part of it.”

Lloyd Roitstein, president of the synagogue’s board of trustees, expressed appreciation to the Greenbergs for their gift.

“For years, our social hall has been adorned with four beautiful and colorful quilts, and this piece of art puts a magnificent finishing touch on the room’s walls,” Roitstein said. “This artwork is so impressive -- not just because of its obvious beauty, but also because it was made with so much love and care by Caryl and Bucky. We’re grateful that they’ve chosen to share this with our congregation.”

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Rich Juro has traveled to over 100 countries around the world. He is one of the few Americans to have visited North Korea. He’ll tell us all about that, including how he was able to get there “legally” on Wednesday, Feb. 6, noon, at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH The Yiddish language is a wonderful source of rich expressions, especially terms of endearment (and of course, complaints and insults!).

Come join us for fun and laughter. We meet in the boardroom of the Blumkin Home, every Thursday from 1-3 p.m.

For information, please call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

Slow food at Temple Israel

by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer The slow food movement comes to Temple Israel on Feb. 7 as WRJ hosts a class about the art and culture of slow food with noted chef and Omaha native Clayton Chapman, owner of The Grey Plume.

The slow food movement began in Europe in the 1980s as a backlash against the fast-paced fast food society the Western world had become. The central tenets of slow food include using organic, locally grown produce and educating people about the unhealthy fast food many of us are used to eating.

We’re the generation that grew up on Chef Boyardee, McDonald’s, Twinkies, all this processed food that we’re finding is going to kill us,” said WRJ member Mimi Silverman, who organized the event. “Now our whole generation is going backwards and looking at organic food and things that are grown locally.”

Chef Clayton Chapman worked at M’s Pub in Omaha before attending culinary school at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago. Upon graduating, Chapman traveled to Europe to “experience traditional French cuisine” before returning to Omaha and working as Executive Chef at V. Mertz at age 21. He opened The Grey Plume in December 2010 as a seasonally-driven, ecologicallyfriendly, locally-sourced restaurant that has garnered great acclaim from foodies and environmentalists alike.

“We’re really excited about having Clayton come,” Silverman said. “He’s young, he’s exciting, he’s one of the top premiere chefs in town. We felt like slow cooking was very comforting food and that was sort of our idea, and now slow food is sort of a new movement and food is, of course, important to our people.”

The class on Feb. 7, scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., is also a potluck luncheon. Attendees are asked to bring their own slow food dish to share (and 10 copies of the recipe) or a $10 donation to WRJ. Salad, bread and dessert will be provided. Those interested in attending should RSVP by emailing RSVP@templeisraelomaha.com.

“I’m hoping that they leave with a new outlook on food, that they’ll purchase things locally and think about what they’re putting in their bodies,” Silverman said. “And maybe they’ll come to my garden and eat some of my tomatoes.”

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10 | The Jewish Press | February 1, 2013

Western Galilee Artist in Residency Program

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by MARK KIRCHHOFF A unique and possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is being offered by Partnership2Gether (P2G) through its Artist in Residency Program (AIR) to artists from all disciplines and media. Artists are being invited to collaborate with residents in the Western Galilee (Akko and Matte Asher Region) of Israel to create artwork and/or develop workshops. Residencies are available to visual artists, writers, composers, and interdisciplinary artists such as those working in video performance and music. Artists are encouraged to apply to participate in the program through a competitive selection process.

The AIR program aims to support and encourage contemporary artistic creation and creativity, utilizing both as a platform to promote the connection between the people of the U.S. Central Area Consortium, of which Omaha is a member, and the people of the Western Galilee. The Western Galilee is a region filled with art and creativity. The program hopes to generate new artistic discourse between the participants and residents. It is designed to encourage the exchange of ideas inspiring individuals and of defining groups.

Kim Goldberg is a former participant in AIR and has been active with its development since the program’s inception in 2007. She is currently co-chair of the Consortium’s Arts and Community Task Force. “Art is one of the few languages that transcends all boundaries,” commented Goldberg. “It offers a way to understand not only ourselves and one another, but also a venue for greatness, which must be supported for the continued growth of our respective cultures.” AIR has had artists from Austin, San Antonio, Indianapolis, Youngstown, Akron, Toledo, Louisville, and Omaha participate in the program. Goldberg is enthusiastic about a new element to this year’s program. With the assistance of the Federation staff, artists will be required to develop a post-trip project plan and share their AIR program experiences and art with their local communities. “This sharing with the local communities in the U.S. will help to bring the connection full circle,” said Goldberg.

Avery Mazor, Assistant Professor of Art and Design at the University of Nebraska at Omaha since 2008, participated in AIR last year. Mazor was born in New York City, raised in

Engagement COOPER/BROOK Rose and Harvey Cooper announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Lauren, to Erik Michael Brook, son of Rita and Robert Brook of Chattanooga, TN. The bride-to-be earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications, with minors in Business and Spanish, from Indiana University.

She is currently a manager of Global Licensing, Consumer Products with 20th Century Fox Film Corporation in Los Angeles, CA. She is the granddaughter of the late Mania and Zalman Friedman of Omaha, and the late Bertha and Albert Cooper of Philadelphia.

Her fiancé graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Informatics. He received a Masters of Science degree in Information Systems from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is now a senior consultant at Hitachi Consulting, specializing in business intelligence and analytics.

He is the grandson of Ruth and Julius Brook of New York, and Josephine and Harold Shavin of Chattanooga, TN. A wedding is planned for May 26, 2013, in Omaha.

To submit announcements: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

Readers can also submit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, 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.

Santa Monica, California, and received a BAIA in multimedia from San Francisco State University and an M.F.A. degree from Mills College in Oakland, California. When commenting on the residency program, Avery said, “While I was there I created an installation in The Fence Festival exhibition, and I also completed a collaborative mural project with a local Israeli artist and another artist from Toledo, Ohio.” Mazor sees art as a place of exploration, investigation, and discovery. He doesn’t limit himself to a specific media.

That sense of investigation and discovery fit well with the program. “AIR was an amazing experience that I highly recommend to everyone. It’s much more than a Birthright trip or a tour.

You really get to know local Israeli artists and arts organizations. The whole community there was really welcoming, and I’ve made lasting connections in Israel and in our other consortium cities. The Western Galilee is really beautiful and the local arts community there is really diverse and active,” said Mazor.

In reflecting on her experience, former participant Wendy Corn, Photographer and Educator from Austin, Texas said, “I feel Israel in my DNA as a place to return to and share with people. Our group was so special, and I’m grateful to have met everyone and to have been a part of it all.”

The Artist in Residency Program by P2G subsidizes some of the costs for participants by providing lodging, transportation to project sites, breakfast, lunch, and home hospitality dinners and scheduled local touring trips in the Western Galilee. Artists who are interested in obtaining additional information and applying for the program may contact Mary Sue Grossman at mgrossman@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6445. Applications are due March 1, 2013 and accepted applicants will be notified by March 15, 2013.

Partnership2Gether is a program of the Center for Jewish Life promoting people-to-people relationships between Israel and communities throughout the world. Omaha is one of 12 cities in the U.S. partnering with the city of Akko and the Matte Asher region in northern Israel, sharing cultural, social, medical, educational and economic programs.

For more information on Partnership, please call the Center for Jewish Life at 402.334.6445

Young members must set the future

by BOB GOLDBERG Director of Strategic Initiatives, Jewish Federation of Omaha Why become a donor in 2012? Why now?

There was no motivation in becoming a Pomegranate ($1800-$3599). I choose to give because I believe in our community and know that supporting our Federation ensures that the services and programming so many of us rely on depend on gifts. My parents are, and always have been, supporters of our community. I was raised in a household that gives back in many ways.

Even my cousins have set great examples for me as to how I can be active and Dana Kaufman support our Federation.

Tzedakah is as much a tradition for our family as anything. So, becoming a Pomegranate was not a choice for me. It was simply the next logical step in my own journey as a member of our Jewish community.

What’s your hope for the Omaha Jewish community moving forward?

My hope is that more young members become active in setting the future of the Omaha Jewish Community. We have a responsibility to ensure our Federation is able to support all members of the community -- from the very youngest to the very oldest.

What’s your takeaway?

If we don’t support the Federation, we could lose access to vital programs our community relies on. It is our responsibility to provide every member of our community with access to important resources made available by the Federation and its agencies.

February 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 11

Throwback BBYO Sweetheart Dance

by LEORA AZRIEL Teen/BBYO Director Groovy teens got together on Saturday, Jan. 12, for a Retro themed Sweetheart Dance. The 2013 Dance Committee, Jake Baron, Ethan Potash, Jack Weiss, Mathew Wiesman, Gabe Levin, and Sam Lieb, created a night full of dancing, great music, and good times.

Mathew Wiesman said, “This is a dance to remember!”

Before the evening was over, teens took part in a proces-

From left to right: Alyssa Cohen, Megan Kahn, Kylie Kirhenbaum, Mel Epstein, and Rachel Sullivan. sional to welcome the new 2013 Sweetheart Nominees and Honoraries. AZA #1 announced that their new Sweetheart is sophomore Megan Kahn, who said, “I appreciate all the support and love from Mother Chapter.

I can’t wait for an awesome year!” Junior Cheyenne Janicek, Chaim Weizmann’s new Sweetheart said, “I am so happy to have been chosen, and I look forward to participating in upcoming meetings and programs.” This year there were 58 teens who attended the Sweetheart Dance, which raised over $2,000! Sophomore Max Polack said: “The music was great, and it was an opportunity to meet new people.” Congratulations to all the Sweetheart Nominees, Honoraries, and Candidates as well as the 2013 Dance Committee for a job well done.

In the news Sandy Gordon received her 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo with the American Taekwondo Association.

Sandy started as a white belt at the age of 53 and worked her way through all 9 colored belts to achieve her 1st degree at the age of 55. Then, after more training, teaching, and certifying as an instructor, Sandy passed her most recent test.

FIRST CLASS

A wedding menu that transcends borders

by JOINTMEDIA NEWS SERVICE When marrying someone from a different background, what is the best way to provide a menu everyone will love?

As borders become more faint, and online dating services more prevalent, many of us are pushed out of our respective ethnic bubbles and into the arms of a special someone from a different background.

While Jews share many customs and traditions, we also have our share of diversity -including the kosher and not, and Ashkenazim and Sephardim, to name a few. Attempt to fuse these different customs into one wedding and you’ll undoubtedly run into conflict. Particularly in an area that all Jews, regardless of background, feel quite passionate about: food.

Andrew Wiener, founder and owner of Catering by Andrew, a 2010 and 2011 “the knot, best of weddings” pick, discusses what families and caterers can do to create a menu that will leave all guests satisfied.

Wiener confirms that the food preferences across cultures differ greatly. However, this can stem from something as minor as the bride and groom being from different cities. In New York, you’ll see, “miles of chaffing dishes, sometimes after the party is over you can serve two more parties,” while in Boston, people tend to prefer room for the main course, Wiener says.

Sephardic and Ashkenazi differences are also challenging.

“First of all, Persians (and other Sephardim) can’t even tell you how many people are coming. In Sephardic culture, especially Persian culture, they don’t RSVP, and if a party starts at 6, they won’t come until 8, but they stay all night long,” Wiener describes, “Then they dance like crazy and eat like crazy.” This eradicates the possibility of a sit down dinner, and many Sephardim adapt by serving buffet-style meals.

No doubt, this is in contrast with the Ashkenazi trend of arriving on time and eating a meal in separate courses.

The differences extend beyond food; style is also important, Wiener says. “For Russians,” he describes, “the less you can see the table the more respectful it is.” Wiener shares the story of a Russian client of his, aptly named Boris, who requested that more food be put on the table. To Wiener’s objection of physically, there being no space left for the food, Boris responded, “just pile it on top of each other.”

One of Wiener’s greater challenges is creating a menu for

two families -- one kosher and one not. “Some families have no concept, it’s not within their reality of what kosher food is [or isn’t].”

This is difficult, Wiener says, because creativity won’t suffice -- some food options are limited.

So, marrying the person you love, but concerned that half your guests will leave with a frustrated palette?

Wiener suggests the following approach: First, keep an eye on the big picture. Wedding planning can be hard and stressful, or it can be a lot of fun, and there’s really no reason why it has to be the former, he says. “My advice to people is to bring the families together at the table, to come up with a common ground. Find the items that families feel are necessary to serve.

It’s a matter of making sure it’s a fun relationship, not an adversarial relationship.

Keep the focus on the bride and groom, and what they want.”

Second, if one of the families is kosher, and the other is not, you’re going to have to find a great caterer. “We do well with this because we make good food, but when you have a family that doesn’t keep kosher, they are usually foodies, and certain things are just limited. We get very good [product], but a lot of people are used to eating at boutiquey restaurants. So, what we had to do was upgrade our culinary team to keep up. You have to be really up to speed.”

Third, if either the bride or groom comes from a family with specific culinary tastes, consider bringing in a specialized chef. “We have actually brought in chefs at times, we’ll bring in a Persian chef at times to give that flavor.”

Finally, the golden rule, Wiener says, is to keep the main course constant, but throw in a buffet style, or incorporate the different backgrounds into the cocktail hour. For example, if it is a partially Russian wedding, Wiener will include some trays of “zakuski,” or appetizers. Instead of serving a plated dessert, he’ll create a generous dessert buffet.

“For Persians it’s the same thing, we take what they normally serve at the buffets for dinner, and serve it as an hors d’oeuvre. We’ll make sure there’s a lot of extra food, a lot of choices, and then serve a sit down dinner.”

So, rejoice in having found the person you love, agree with your family on the big-ticket food items, and relax and enjoy your day. Who knows -- watching your relatives light up at the foreign-yet-delicious tastes might provide some added amusement.

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12 | The Jewish Press | February 1, 2013

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Meet Jacob Joseph Lew

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Jack Lew, recently nominated by President Obama for Treasury Secretary, is no stranger to politics. He worked as an aide to rep. Joe Moakley from Massachusetts and was a senior policy advisor to Democratic speaker Tip O’Neill. He became a special advisor to president Bill Clinton, and was responsible for policy development and the drafting of Americorps as well as health care reform legislation. He was the director of the Office of management and Budget under both Clinton and Obama, and in January of 2012, he became Obama’s Chief of Staff. He also served as CEO of Citigroup Alternative Investments. He’s done a few other things, but we don’t have all day.

An impressive resume, and no real skeletons in the closet, or we would have heard about them by now. His signature is extremely odd, but even the most vicious blogger can’t do much with that. As past CEO of Citigroup, he belongs with the 1%; that means he is popular on Wall Street, and not so much on Main Street. However, that particular narrative hasn’t really taken hold either. All in all, Lew’s nomination has been a quiet affair. Neither he nor the journalists reporting on him have shown any evidence of foot-in-mouth disease; it’s almost a little boring.

Of course, that leaves only one thing: we have to discuss what Jack Lew does on Saturday. First a Chief of Staff, now a Treasury Secretary who is shomer Shabbos: that is exciting.

It is exciting when a senior White House official doesn’t answer the President’s calls on Saturday. It is exciting when that President asks him late Friday afternoon: “Why are you still here?” It is exciting when others are exposed to what it

means when one does not live in a 24/7 world.

It’s not my intention to sound like I have all the answers.

With my iMac, my iPad, and my iPhone, I am one of the

worst offenders. There’s always another email to read, another text to answer; the thought that I might miss some-

thing is forever on my mind. Work, work, work: so much to do. I love it. And yet, the act of shutting off that phone on Friday night is more relief than punishment. It is also a good reminder that I am not that important after all. None of us are.

I have no doubt that Jack Lew will work harder than ever in his new position (I also have no doubt he will be appointed without much further ado). He is a numbers-guy, and he has the necessary experience. He gets along with politicians on both sides of the aisle. Even Eric Cantor has said nice things about him.

However, to have someone in a high position who is aware, who is reminded every week, that the world doesn’t begin and end with him, is the true blessing. In 2013, we are always on. We live in possibly the most hectic and demanding time this planet has ever seen. The 24-hour news cycle is no longer something we can opt out of. The world does not take a break, and many of us feel we must follow suit.

I’m not advocating all of you become shomer Shabbos. I can’t say I follow the rules that perfectly myself; the level at which you keep the Shabbat is a personal decision. Or, between you, your family and your rabbi, and none of my business. But I heartily recommend the thought behind it, the sense that the world can turn without us for a while, and that we are not so important as to be absolutely necessary.

Be like Jack and step outside of yourself for a bit. Trade your Venti Latte for a Kiddush cup, light some candles and bless your children. Remember what it is like to feel small and insignificant, in a good way. Ask yourself: what’s the worst that can happen? And: what’s the best?

More two-state advocates of a two-state solution,” Carney said. “That has not changed and it will not change. We will continue to make clear that only through direct negotiations between the parties can the RON KAMPEAS Palestinians and Israelis address all the permanent status WASHINGTON (JTA) -- With the Israeli election results issues that need to be addressed and achieve the peace that split evenly between the right-wing bloc and everyone else, they both deserve: two states for two peoples with a soverno one in Washington is ready to stake their reputation on eign, viable and independent Palestine living side by side what the outcome means for the U.S.-Israel relationship and with a Jewish and democratic Israel.”

The language was boilerplate, but the context was not: Just the Middle East.

Except for this: The next Israeli government likely will a week ago, the narrative was that President Obama had all include more than two lawmakers committed to a two-state but given up on advancing peace while Netanyahu was prime minister. solution with the Palestinians.

David Makovsky, an analyst with the Washington Institute In mid-December, resigned to what then seemed to be Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s certain reelection at for Near East Policy, a think tank with close ties to the major the helm of a hard-right government, staff at the U.S. Israeli parties and the White House, said the Obama adminEmbassy in Tel Aviv drew up what they believed would be istration was likely to proceed with cautious optimism.

“We’re entering into a period of uncertainty where Israeli the most likely new governing coalition. Then they researched each member and counted the lawmakers who politics will look like a Rubik’s cube,” Makovsky said. “But had expressly committed themselves to a two-state solution. from Washington’s perspective, there might be more cards They came up with a grand total of two: Netanyahu and than a couple of weeks ago.”

The Obama-Netanyahu drama of recent years, arising Carmel Shama HaCohen, a real estate agent from Ramat from tensions over Israel’s settlement building and how Gan and a political up-and-comer.

HaCohen is unlikely to claim a seat in the next Knesset. aggresively to confront Iran, may not soon disappear. In his He’s No. 32 on the Likud Beitenu list, which is projected to post-election speech, Netanyahu said preventing Iran from take 31 seats. But the prospect of more than two two-staters acquiring a nuclear weapon remains his No. 1 priority.

Obama also wants to keep Iran from having a nuclear on the governing side has risen dramatically with the split Knesset, while apprehension within the Obama administra- bomb, which the Islamic Republic has denied it is seeking. tion about a Netanyahu driven into recalcitrance by hard- But the two leaders have disagreed on the efficacy of sanctions and the timing of a possible military option. line partners has likely diminished.

Additionally, there is a sense among Israeli rightists that White House spokesman Jay Carney eagerly took a question on Jan. 22 on what the elections meant for peace Obama’s remark was leaked to Goldberg in a bid to bring prospects, even before official results were in and when exit down Netanyahu’s poll numbers, although no evidence has polls projected Netanyahu’s right-religious bloc emerging emerged to support the claim.

The upside for Obama, however, is that Netanyahu will with a razor-thin majority.

“The United States remains committed, as it has been for likely first court the centrist parties in coalition talks. a long time, to working with the parties to press for the goal According to news reports, he called Yair Lapid, the leader of

Behind the headlines

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the centrist Yesh Atid party, shortly after the polls closed on Jan. 22 and told him they had great things to do together.

Lapid, the telegenic former journalist whose new party snagged an unexpected 19 seats, was the surprise winner in the balloting. He backs negotiations with the Palestinians and withdrawal from much of the West Bank, although he also aggressively courted some settlers. More piquantly, his chief adviser is Mark Mellman, a pollster ensconced in Washington’s Democratic establishment who has close White House ties.

Netanyahu’s pivot to the center is to be expected, said Josh Block, who directs The Israel Project, a group that disseminates pro-Israel materials to journalists and opinion makers.

“Predictions of Israeli voter apathy and of a rightward shift in the Israeli electorate, both of which reached the status of conventional wisdom on the eve of the election, seem to have been incorrect,” Block said in an email. “The voting, which was marked by near-historic turnout, appears to show an Israeli electorate reflecting a practical centrism: a desire for strong security and peace with Palestinians, a focus on economic issues and needs of the middle class, and a commitment to free markets and religious secularism.”

Much of the election was fought on the widening income gaps in Israel, as well as on the role of the haredi Orthodox in Israeli affairs. Those issues likely will predominate in coalition negotiations, said Peter Medding, a political science professor at Hebrew University whose specialties include U.S.-Israel relations.

Medding said the negotiations could take weeks, particularly because of Lapid’s emphasis on drafting haredi Orthodox students and removing Orthodox influence from the public sphere.

“The kind of policies Lapid has been putting forward does not sit well with some of the right’s natural coalition partners, particularly Shas,” the Sephardic Orthodox party that won 11 seats. and space restrictions, but it should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view.

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February 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 13

Advice to a bar or bat mitzvah in 2013

Focus on issues RABBI BRADLEY SOLMSEN (JNS.org) Mazel Tov on your upcoming simcha! It’s never too early to start thinking about your bar or bat mitzvah, and I advise you to approach this important rite of passage not as a sort of graduation ceremony, but as a meaningful transition towards Jewish adulthood.

Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah is an exciting opportunity.

I use the word “becoming” here intentionally. In our tradition, bar and bat mitzvah is not something that just happens TO us, but an event that requires the bar or bat mitzvah to take an active role. The more you make the process your own, the more momentous it will be.

I have several questions that I hope will help you think about ways to make your bar or bat mitzvah as meaningful to you and your family as possible.

What do you love to do? What’s important to you? Are you a musician or artist? Do you have a favorite hobby? I urge you to think about ways to incorporate your passions into your bar or bat mitzvah experience. Talk to your rabbi, cantor or an educator at your synagogue about how to do this. You might be surprised at the many ways you could make your bar or bat mitzvah a more personalized experience. I have worked with teens who have integrated live music into their ceremonies and others who have brought a love of cooking into their learning process. One teen, in addition to studying about different ways of celebrating Passover, studied recipes from all over the world and cooked some of them for her family’s Passover seder.

One of the most important aspects of becoming bat or bar mitzvah is taking on greater responsibility in your community. Ask yourself how you can make a difference. The answer to this question might be based on one of the inter-

ests you thought about in the previous question, or it could be based on something you might think is missing or should be improved in your community. I know teens who have started non-profit organizations or lobbied their elected representatives to make real change. It is important to be connected to your synagogue, but that isn’t the only place where you can make a difference. And don’t let your age stop you. It can be challenging to find the right opportunities when you are young, but there is so much you have to offer and so much your community needs.

Teaching is another way of adding your voice to the Jewish people in an essential way. When you teach something, it forces you to become a specialist in that area. The Jewish people need to hear from you and learn with you and from you. You are essential to writing the next chapter in the history of the Jewish people.

I worked with one bat mitzvah student whose Torah portion included the passage that discusses the obligation to remember and keep Shabbat. She studied the Torah text and its commentaries and found related contemporary texts and works of poetry, art and music that exemplified what keeping Shabbat meant to her. After her bat mitzvah, she turned this into a four-session adult study seminar!

All of these suggestions will be easier to do in partnership with an adult in your congregation. But, don’t wait to be asked -- make an appointment with your rabbi, cantor, teachers or other community leaders to discuss ways to make your bat or bar mitzvah one of the most meaningful milestones in your life.

Rabbi Bradley Solmsen is the Director of Youth Engagement at the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Solmsen recently launched, in partnership with Dr. Isa Aron at HUC, the B’nai Mitzvah Revolution -- a project to help synagogues radically reframe their approaches to bat and bar mitzvah.

Letter TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: The nomination of former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense has received much attention. I’d like to add my personal experiences with Hagel when I was Jewish Press editor, ’96-‘09 The attitude of Hagel and his staff was dismissive at best and arrogant at worst. Whether we asked for a quote or solicited an ad, we rarely heard back; when we did, it was usually a rejection. While other members of Congress were polite and interested in what concerned us, Hagel and his staff gave the impression they didn’t care.

During my first three years as editor, I also served on the National Council of Jewish Women’s national board. During that time, we lobbied Hagel on Iran sanctions, Israel, and reproductive rights. He appeared indifferent on all these issues as well.

His 180° flip-flop on choice should alarm pro-choice advocates. Hagel had a perfect record voting against abortion rights (a 100% rating from the Family Research Council).

It’s frightening that Hagel sits on the board of the George Soros-funded Ploughshares Fund. WorldNetDaily’s Aaron Klein wrote that Ploughshares “has a long history of anti-war advocacy and is a partner of the Marxist-oriented Institute for Policy Studies, which has urged the defunding of the Pentagon and massive decreases in U.S. defense capabilities, including slashing the American nuclear arsenal to 292....” That Hagel is associated with Ploughshares should be cause for alarm.

Cutting waste is admirable; slashing the DoD by stripping it of the capability to defend America is deplorable. Yes, it would affect our ally Israel, but worse, it threatens the safety of American citizens abroad and here at home.

Carol Katzman Overland Park, KS

Morsi’s anti-Semitism reveals more about us than him

Behind the headlines BEN COHEN (JNS.org) It’s a story that began with an eagle-eyed Jewish blogger who writes under the pseudonym “Challah Hu Akbar” and progressed all the way to the White House. In the process, it has reignited the debate as to whether Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood President, Mohamed Morsi, is really the pragmatic moderate that many believe him to be.

On Jan. 3, Challah Hu Akbar tweeted an item from the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) in which Morsi, in a 2010 speech, uttered what is a standard Islamist anti-Semitic slander, namely that Zionists are descended from “apes and pigs.” A little more than a week later, noticing that Morsi’s statement had barely registered with the wider media, The Atlantic columnist Jeffrey Goldberg wrote a blog post with the entirely apt headline, Egyptian President Calls Jews ‘Sons of Apes and Pigs;’ World Yawns. At Forbes magazine, Richard Behar made an identical point, adding that in the same set of remarks, Morsi had called for a boycott of the United States -- whose taxpayers have provided Egypt with billions of dollars in aid -- because of its support for Israel.

Eventually, the Morsi story found its way into the New York Times, which felt duty-bound to point out that “Mr. Morsi and other political and Brotherhood leaders typically restrict their inflammatory comments to the more ambiguous category of ‘Zionists.’” Actually, it’s not ambiguous at all.

Especially since the Second World War, the word “Zionist” has always been code for “Jew” in the capitals of the Muslim world, as well as in the capitals of the late, unlamented communist bloc of states. And in case there was any lingering doubt, a subsequent Morsi item posted by MEMRI, also from 2010, showed the Muslim Brotherhood leader helpfully urging his people to “not forget to nurse our children and grandchildren on hatred towards those Zionists and Jews.”

Unusually, given the prevailing view that accusations of anti-Semitism are a smear cooked up by an unscrupulous Jewish -- sorry, I mean Israel -- Lobby, condemnation of

CAMMACK FARMS

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Morsi did follow. The New York Times published an editorial urging President Obama to directly convey to Morsi that such offensive comments ran counter to the goal of peace.

White House spokesman Jay Carney also issued a statement, declaring, “President Morsi should make clear that he respects people of all faiths, and that this type of rhetoric is not acceptable or productive in a democratic Egypt.”

Of course, no apology from the Egyptians was forthcoming. Instead, Yasser Ali, Morsi’s spokesman, claimed that his boss’s comments had been taken “out of context,” and were really directed at Israeli “aggression” in Gaza. In fact, Ali’s statement is far less stupid than initially appears; antiSemites in the Arab world know that there is a strong current of opinion in the west that regards their fulminations against Jews as justified, if unfortunately-worded, anger towards Israel. Ali was playing to that particular gallery.

And that leads to a broader, far more important observation. In its editorial, the New York Times asked, “Does Mr. Morsi really believe what he said in 2010? Has becoming president made him think differently about the need to respect and work with all people?” Disgracefully, the Times also argued, “Israelis are not immune to responding in kind either” (a sentence that appeared to have been overlooked by establishment Jewish groups like the American Jewish Committee, which rushed to welcome the editorial). As for the White House’s Carney, his statement categorized Morsi’s remarks as “religious hatred,” a term that barely scratches the surface of what is really at issue here.

For the Morsi affair tells us much more about how antiSemitism is understood in the West than it does about the nature of Islamist anti-Semitism. If the Times is to be believed, then the episode is merely a depressing example of how both sides dehumanize each other with nasty rhetoric.

Similarly, the White House wants us to think that Morsi’s offense was religious intolerance.

As I’ve long argued, anti-Semitism isn’t just another form of bigotry. It is a method of explaining why the world is as it is; incendiary rhetoric against Jews, therefore, isn’t just an afterthought, but the natural consequence of the genuinely held belief that our planet is in the grips of a Jewish conspir-

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acy. One has to assume the Times would not have questioned whether the anti-Semitic outlooks of Hitler and Stalin were genuinely held, so why do so with Morsi?

There are two reasons. Firstly, the misguided view that anti-Semitism is essentially a European phenomenon, and thus an alien import into the Muslim world that will disappear once the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved. That reflects, secondly, an enormous ignorance about the origins of anti-Semitism in the Muslim world and its centrality to the Muslim Brotherhood’s worldview.

In his masterpiece Terror and Liberalism, the scholar Paul Berman quotes Sayid Qutb, the leading theoretician of the Muslim Brotherhood, which was formed in 1928, as writing that “most evil theories which try to destroy all values and all that is sacred to mankind are advocated by Jews.”

Elsewhere in the book, Berman painstakingly documents Qutb’s frankly Hitlerian view of the Jewish role in world history, including his repeated assertions that Jews had conspired against Muslims from the dawn of Islam.

These were the ideological foundations of the Muslim Brotherhood then, and they remain firmly in place now.

Any compromise with the Jews, such as a peace treaty with Israel, would therefore be another twist in the same conspiracy. According to Qutb and his followers, the only honorable path is to vanquish the Jews entirely.

These are the same beliefs of Mohamed Morsi. They may be insidious, but they are authentically held. Asking him to recant them, as the White House did, is like asking Hitler to apologize for Mein Kampf.

A far more productive approach would be to integrate the persistence of Islamist anti-Semitism into policy analysis of our relationship with Egypt. Critically, we need to ask whether someone who really believes that there is a hidden Jewish conspiracy at work -- and that, consequently, political relationships are camouflage for that -- can be a partner in any sense of that term.

Going by their reactions to Morsi’s remarks, neither this White House nor its supporters in the commentariat are up to that task.

14 | The Jewish Press | February 1, 2013

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, call 712.323.8885.

FRIDAY, Feb. 8: Services, 7:30 p.m. followed by an oneg with guest speaker, Bill Dreyfus, Disaster Action Team, Metro West Lead on Serving Others. The community is invited.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat/ Oh Say Shalom to Shabbat, 6 p.m., followed by 6:30 p.m. dinner. Dinner cost: Beth El members, $5; non-members, $7.50. No charge for children six and younger. RSVP online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or contact the synagogue office at 402.492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha.org.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush given

by Beth El; Evening Service, 5:20 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Men’s Club sponsored Worldwide Wrap. (see full story on page 7.)

MONDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Tai Chi Class class, 6:30 p.m., led by certifed instructor Beth Staenberg.

TUESDAY: Back 2 Basics Adult Ed Class, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Abraham. This month’s theme: “Kashrut.” No charge to attend.

Shabbat’s Cool, Saturday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m., for BESTT students in grades 3-7.

PJ Havdalah, Saturday, Feb. 9, 5:45 p.m. Fun for children of all ages; dinner provided. No charge to attend, but reservations are required. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.bethel-omaha.org, or contact Eadie at 402.498.0904, or at etsabari@bethel-omaha.org.

The Highly-Controversial Laws of the Torah, Sunday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m., adult-ed class led by Andy Greenberg.

Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, Monday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.

Hosts Gloria Kaslow and Marti Rosen-Atherton will discuss “What Do I Know about Myself, Anyway?”

YAC Playgroup, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 10:30 a.m., playtime in the JCC gym. For more information, contact Caryn Scheer at carynscheer@yahoo.com.

All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross.

FRIDAY: Kids Rule the Shul Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:23 p.m.

Shabbat Dinner, following evening services.

SATURDAY: Kids Rule the Shul Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting service begins at 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush Seder is sponsored by Sisterhood; Annual Bracha Bee during Kiddush; The Laws of Shabbat, 3:30 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Boys (ages 10 and up), 4:30 p.m.; Mincha, 5:30 p.m., followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 6:26 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; LEAP Limmud for Teens, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Gross; Sunday Night Dinner, Super Bowl Party. Snacks served at Kick-off and dinner at 6 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m.

TUESDAY: Women’s Study Group, 6:30 p.m.

Candlelighting Friday, February 1, 5:23 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m; Med Center Chabura, 1 p.m. at UNMC; Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:30 p.m. with Rabbi Gross.

CHABAD CENTER An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.; Special Kiddush will be held in honor of the anniversary of the passing of Rebbitzin Chaya Mushka, the wife of the Rebbe.

Receiving the Torah in our every day life.

SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.; Breakfast Bonanza, 9:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: Their will not be Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman this week.

WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. Call 402.417.2752 to reserve.

THURSDAY: Call for women at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. Contact Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@ unmc.edu to receive updates.

All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis.

FRIDAY: Family Dinner and Early Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Classical Reform Shabbat Service, 7:45 p.m., with oneg following hosted by Jen and Craig Lewis.

SATURDAY: Tu B’Shevat Shabbat Shira Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Yitro.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Confirmation class, noon; Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 1-3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation of Lincoln, 3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

MONDAY: E.N. Thompson Forum, Protecting the Human Rights of Religious Minorities Worldwide: International Religioius Freedom in U.S. Policy, 7 p.m. with Felice Gaer.

WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 6:30 p.m. Intro to Judaism, Session #8 led by Rabbi Lewis.

THURSDAYS, Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m.

Jewish Movie Night, Friday, Feb. 9, 6-8 p.m. Havdalah service, dinner and the movie, An American Tail. For all ages.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz.

Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: First Friday Shabbat/Public Teacher Shabbat, 6

B’nai Mitzvah Cooper and Jackson Clark, sons of Kimara and Kevin Clark, will become a B’nai Mitzvah on Saturday, Feb. 9, at Temple Israel.

Cooper and Jackson are seventhgrade students at Kiewit Middle School. They are in the HAL (higher ability learner) program.

Their interests include playing football, basketball and baseball, and playing basketball in the Maccabi

games in California this summer.

For their mitzvah project, Cooper and Jackson volunteered at the Food Bank and delivered holiday meals for the Salvation Army.

They have a sister, Kennedy, age 8.

Grandparents are Fran and Rich Juro, Mary Clair and Lyle Clark.

Great-grandparents are the late Merriam and Harold Cooperman.

Cooper Clark

Jackson Clark

p.m. followed by a congregational dinner at no charge.

Please RSVP for dinner to Lachisha, 402.556.6536 or lsherrod@templeisraelomaha.com.; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. followed by a congregational dinner at no charge. Please RSVP for dinner to Lachisha, lsherrod@templeisraelomaha. com, or 402.556.6536.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Aleia Budwig, daughter of Larry Budwig and the late Kirsten Budwig, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah.

SUNDAY: Teacher Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Congregational Conversation, 10 a.m. Please RSVP by contacting Wendy Goldberg, 402.556.6536 or wgoldberg@ templeisraelomaha.com; Club 56, noon; Purim Rehearsal, noon.

TUESDAY: Naomi’s Table, 6:45 p.m at Brazen Head Pub, 319 N. 78th St. We invite all interfaith couples, Jews by Choice and anyone who considers their family to be an intersection of cultures and traditions to join us. Appetizers will be provided and dinner can be purchased. Please RSVP to Wendy Goldberg, wgoldberg@templeisraelomaha.com.

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-8, 6 p.m.; Temple Teen Night, 6 p.m.; Shared Experiences of Jews and Native Americans on the Great Plains, 1863-1920, 6:30 p.m. with UNL Graduate Research Assistant, Mikal Brotnov.

THURSDAY: Articulate Architecture, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Brown; WRJ Slow Food Cooking with Clayton Chapman from the Grey Plume, noon (see full story on page 9.)

Hamentaschen Baking, Sunday, Feb. 10, 9 a.m. - noon OTYG Spaghetti Dinner - Reelin’ in the Years, Sunday, Feb. 10, 5 p.m. Join OTYG for a very special spaghetti dinner, the last at the current Temple Israel building. There will be a slideshow of previous dinners to mark this bittersweet occasion, and an auction of items from the building that won’t be making the move to Sterling Ridge. The dinner is $10 per person, with the proceeds going to support OTYG and Camp Rainbow, a free camp for children with cancer and blood-related diseases. Volunteers welcome. Contact Youth Group Advisor Amy Katz for more information.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 1-3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Jewish Federation of Lincoln Annual Meeting, 3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel with guest speaker, Liz Fine.

WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Kids Rules the Shul Services, Saturdays, Feb. 9 and 16, 10:30-11:15 a.m. led by the Hamicksburg trio.

Women’s Rosh Hodesh Torah Yoga with Barbara Barron, Sunday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m.

ADL: keep Nazi analogies out of gun debate

by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The Anti-Defamation League called on conservatives to keep Nazi analogies out of the gun control debate.

“The idea that supporters of gun control are doing something akin to what Hitler’s Germany did to strip citizens of guns in the run-up to the Second World War is historically inaccurate and offensive, especially to Holocaust survivors and their families,” Abraham Foxman, ADL’s national director, said Jan. 24 in a statement.

The statement cited the proliferation of such arguments among gun control opponents in the wake of calls for greater gun controls after last month’s massacre of first graders in Connecticut by a lone gunman.

The Drudge Report headlined the White House’s announcement of such proposals with mug shots of Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin and an array of conservative pundits have claimed that the Holocaust would not have been inevitable had Jews been able to bear arms.

“Gun control did not cause the Holocaust,” the ADL said. “Nazism and anti-Semitism did.”

Pulverent e

February 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 15

The oneness of God

In memoriam DONALD AUGUST LINDOW

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Yitro Before we come to the Ten Commandments, we are told that Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, joins the Israelites in the wilderness. He has heard of Israel’s miraculous escape from Egypt, and now Moses fills in the story for him. Moses tells him not only details of the escape, but also details of the plagues visited upon the Egyptians.

And Jethro exclaims: “Now I know that the Lord is the greatest of all Gods!”

One of our medieval commentators points out that what excited the imagination of Jethro was that not only did the Lord do all these good things for the Hebrews, but He also was responsible for punishing the Egyptians.

To us, this seems natural enough. But to ancient pagans (and Jethro was not a Hebrew), the good was usually attributed to one god, and evils and punishments to another.

In philosophy, Plato’s doctrine of idea vs. matter is the beginning of philosophical dualism, which continues in some forms to this day.

And Christianity’s pitting the spiritual against the physical is a derivative of this kind of thinking. It led, among other things, to classic and medieval Christianity’s view of marriage as essentially a concession to appetite, a way to regulate the evil of the physical.

Personally, I have never been convinced that the stress on the Satan, the anti-Christ, the Devil, both in formal and folkloristic Christianity, is anything other than the continuation of the idea of an extra, a second, an antagonistic god.

Jews have flirted with these ideas also, but they never entered mainstream Judaism.

The Shema insists on the oneness of God. And the prayerblessing immediately after the Call to Worship, the Barekhu, praises God who creates light and darkness, establishes peace and creates all things.

Is this hard theological doctrine? Undoubtedly it is. But monotheism is impossible without it. Any attempt to dodge the idea that God alone is the only Power also dodges monotheism.

Israel’s Shema affirms the oneness, the uniqueness of God. The thought dawned even on Jethro. And it has been aptly pointed out that the affirmation of the Shema denies not only Trinitarianism, but denies Persian dualism as well, together with all its derivatives.

The idea of monotheism, of one God who is the only power, and thus also “creates woe,” as Isaiah puts it, requires a strong theological stomach. But any attempt to cure the distress over this theological stomach is worse than the distress itself. The cure has side effects, which destroy the luminous idea of the oneness of God, Israel’s watchword, and its greatest contribution to the spiritual life of mankind.

Andy Greenberg’s first book signing

by TRACY BAKER Andy Greenberg’s book Your High has been released, and the very first book signing will be hosted by Hy-Vee at 132nd and W. Dodge Rd on Saturday, Feb. 9.

The book is a collection of his best motivational vignettes that are broadcast on hundreds of radio stations across the country each week. He also appears daily on The Good Morning Show with Gary Sadlemyer on 1110 KFAB. Andy Greenberg transitioned to a speaker-trainer and author after completing 35 years in corporate America as a sales and marketing professional. For more information visit yourhighwithandygreenberg.tateauthor.com/, www.andygreenberg.wordpress.com, or contact Andy Greenberg at speakingofandygreenberg@cox.net, or 402.250.3895.

To Submit obituaries to the Jewish Press: Email to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on Jewish Press and go to Submit Announcements.

Donald August Lindow passed away on Dec 18, 2012, at age 96 in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. He was preceded in death by wife, Helen.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Don and Erica Lindow; daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and Denis Stevens; daughter, Judy Adams; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Philip Wolf of Omaha; grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

During WWII, he spent four years as a navy supply officer assigned to a base in California as well as the Pacific Theater, where he attained the rank of lieutenant. After returning to Michigan in 1946, he rose through the underwriting and special risk departments at Michigan Mutual, which became Amerisure, and eventually was named chairman and CEO. Memorials may be made to the Detroit Historical Society, 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI, 48202 or Belle Isle Conservancy, 8109 East Jefferson, Detroit MI, 48214.

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Dutch queen will abdicate

by JTA NEWS STAFF THE HAGUE (JTA) -- Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, who 18 years ago recognized the Holocaust-era complicity of some Dutchmen, has abdicated the throne after 33 years.

Beatrix, who will celebrate her 75th birthday on Jan. 31, announced the abdication on Monday in favor of her eldest son, Prince Willem-Alexander.

In 1995, Beatrix made the first official recognition by a Dutch head of state of Holocaust-era complicity by Dutchmen when she said during a speech at the Israeli Knesset that her countrymen who saved Jews during the Holocaust were “exceptions.” Later that year she said in Holland that thinking about the Holocaust should “fill us [with] a deep feeling of shame.” The next official statement by a Dutch leader on complicity by Dutchmen in the killing of 75 percent of Holland’s Jewry under Nazi occupation came a full decade later in a speech by then-Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. He described the deportation of most of Dutch Jewry as a “pitch-black” chapter in Dutch history.

Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand, Beatrix’s oldest son and intended king, dedicated Amsterdam’s Jewish Cultural Quarter during an October ceremony at the city’s Portuguese Synagogue. He shall be known as Willem the Fourth after he is made king this year.

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16 | The Jewish Press | February 1, 2013

Italy is still years from opening first Holocaust museum

by RUTH ELLEN GRUBER ROME (JTA) -- If all goes according to plan, a starkly modern, $30 million Holocaust museum will soon rise on the site of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini’s Rome residence.

The site, also the location of ancient Jewish catacombs and now a city park, will be home to a museum first proposed in 2005 but held up repeatedly by financial and bureaucratic problems.

“I hope construction begins this summer,” Leone Paserman, the president of the Museum of the Shoah Foundation, told JTA. “Of course in Italy, it is always hard to say.”

The facility will be the first Holocaust museum in Italy, which despite its wartime alliance with Nazi Germany has a somewhat mixed Holocaust record. The country adopted fiercely anti-Semitic legislation in 1938, barring Jews from schools, dismissing them from public positions and outlawing intermarriage, among other restrictions.

At the same time, the Italian military generally declined to take part in the murder or deportation of the country’s Jews, and territories occupied by Italian forces were considered relatively safe. The first deportations to death camps came only after Nazi Germany occupied parts of Italy in 1943 following the surrender of the fascist government to allied forces.

“There are delicate situations in Rome, including the role of Pope Pius XII and also prewar anti-Semitism,” Paserman said. “But we have to remember that thousands of Jews in Italy were saved in convents” and other Catholic institutions.

Rome’s City Council approved final plans for the museum a year ago, but city funding was later blocked by government-imposed financial restrictions on municipal spend-

ing. The funds were freed up in December.

Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno said that the final bureaucratic approval from local authorities was expected by the end of January. The city is expected to issue an

resided on top of a catacomb complex constructed by those whose descendants -being the main victims of his racial policies -- were the ones he forcefully tried to eliminate from the very fabric of Italian society,”

The design of Italy’s Holocaust museum in Rome will feature a huge flattened black cube bearing the names of Italian victims.

Credit: Rome City government international tender to construction firms and award a contract in the spring.

“It will be very important to inaugurate this museum while there are still some survivors alive,” Alemanno said.

The new museum will be built on the grounds of Villa Torlonia, an elegant 19th century mansion that Mussolini used as his residence from 1925 to 1943. Jewish catacombs dating back to ancient times were discovered by chance beneath the surface of its extensive gardens in 1919.

“It is surely one of the ironies of history that for nearly two decades Mussolini

Leonard Rutgers, a Dutch expert on the catacombs, told JTA. The museum, which will cover 25,000 square feet, was designed by the architects Luca Zevi and Giorgio Tamburini. Zevi, whose mother, Tullia, served for years as head of the Italian Jewish community, has described the design as a “black box” -- a huge flattened cube that will bear the names of Italian Holocaust victims. Inside will be a permanent exhibit as well as an archive, library, conference hall and facilities for research and education.

Plans for the museum’s exhibition and

research facilities are being overseen by a committee headed by Marcello Pezzetti, one of Italy’s leading Holocaust scholars and educators, who will also serve as the museum director. Pezzetti has said he wants the museum to “insert the Holocaust in the Italian context into the Holocaust in the European context: By the time that the first Italian Jews were deported from Rome in October 1943, three-quarters of East European Jews had already been killed.”

Among the main focus areas, Paserman has said, will be a confrontation with Italy’s “uneasy” history as a fascist ally of Nazi Germany at the onset of World War II, as well as the ambiguous role of the Catholic Church before and during the Shoah.

“Almost 70 years have passed since the Shoah, and the survivors -- the witnesses -are passing away,” Paserman said. “After 70 years, we are passing from memory to history, and this museum will be a place to learn history, to train teachers, to educate new generations.”

Holocaust education is already a fixture of the Italian school system, with classes and courses as well as special events marking International Holocaust Memorial Day, Jan. 27. Each year, hundreds of Italian students are taken to Auschwitz on educational trips.

Even with no further delays, Paserman told JTA, the new museum will still not open until 2016 or 2017. Construction alone, he said, would take more than two years.

Further complicating matters is the fact that while the city is footing the $30 million bill for the museum’s construction, funds still must be found for the exhibition.

“We are all hit by the financial crisis,” Paserman said. “But there is great will to get the museum built on the part of the authorities.”

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FEBRUARY 12 / Tuesday, 7:00 pm !"#$%&"''"#()%*"+,%-.$#+,#$%/")0, Followed by a reception sponsored by Jewish Social Services.

FEBRUARY 24 / Sunday at 7:15 pm 1$)"23%1)!#3'4)%5#+".$#'%6307!"+8%*"+,% 9,70:%;!3"'"0,%<%=37>3$%?32#+@%

MARCH 12 / Tuesday at 7:30 pm -.8% 3,#!%*"+,%-728%A.'2 With pre-broadcast reception sponsored by Temple Israel’s Women of Reform Judaism, starting at 7:00 p.m.

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Spring Schedule

With post-broadcast reception & awards ceremony sponsored by the The Phil and Ruth Sokolof Merit Scholarship Fund.

Further details to be announced soon.

Special thanks to the Ruth and Frisch & Oscar S. Belzer Endowment Fund and the Ann Woskoff Schulman Memorial Fund for their continued financial support towards the 92Y Street Y Live Broadcasts.