Vol. LXXXIX No. 20 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
21 Shevat 5770
February 5, 2010
Blumkin Home’s Main Street welcomes NASA honors Ilan, expresses desire for “The Roffman Family Bank” by OZZIE NOGG look of a small-town busiAs far as he knows, ness neighborhood and there were no financiers gathering spot.” among Larry Roffman’s Both Sivi and Larry ancestors, but it makes Roffman have roots sense that a focal point on going back to the 1880’s Main Street at The Rose and early 1900’s in the Blumkin Jewish Home Omaha Jewish communiwill be a location named ty, and their connection The Roffman Family to the Blumkin Home Bank. runs deep. “The bank,” Larry said, “My parents, Debbie “symbolizes the economand Arthur Greene, were ic theory and values lifelong supporters of espoused by my zayde, the Home,” Sivi said. Muni Roffman, and by “Over the years they gave my dad, Sam. Their phia number of gifts, usually Sivi and Larry Roffman losophy was, ‘Save for a new equipment or scholrainy day. Spend less than you make.’ So the gift Sivi and arships for advanced education, things that would make I gave to the Home’s New Beginning -- The Roffman the job of the nursing staff easier or help them perform Family Bank -- is a logical way to honor and pay tribute their jobs better.” to our parents, Ruth Roffman Shapiro, Sam Roffman, Sivi described how her mother helped give manicures and Deborah and Arthur M. Greene, M.D. to residents and volunteered at bingo games. How her “Furthermore, though at one time there were lots of dad and Larry -- both physicians -- served on the Roffmans in Omaha, most in my generation had Medical Admissions Committee in the days when bed daughters. Eventually there may not be any Roffmans capacity at the Home sometimes couldn’t keep up with left, so we wanted to have the family name carried on for admission requests. our children and succeeding generations. The Roffman At times, many of those admissions included Roffman Family Bank will help do that.” and Greene family members. The bank’s facade is reminiscent of small town, sturdy“My maternal zayde, Moishe Wintroub, lived at the looking banks -- dark red brick, an American flag, a Dr. Sher Home for several years,” Larry said. “My bronze nameplate -- and will house Blumkin Home staff mother lived at the Blumkin Home, as have aunts, offices. “The concept of creating a Main Street at the cousins and other relatives.” Sivi’s great- aunt and uncle, Home came from the Home’s Executive Director Mike Elizabeth and Harry Rubenstein, moved into the Home Silverman,” Sivi Roffman explained. “The architects and shortly after it was built. “They were always young at the committee that chose the facades for each office heart,” Sivi said, “and kept up with current events, along the street did a wonderful job of capturing the Continued on page 2
Sokolof scholarships help students realize their dreams by JANET HENTHORN school, besides receiving multiple scholarships based on merit and achieving honors grades, he worked in Dr. Jewish Federation Foundation Endowment Associate Phil Sokolof had a strong feeling that there should be Howard Gendelman’s neuro-AIDS lab, finding a new scholarships based not on financial need but on stu- way to create a mouse model of HIV. He has also been dents’ overall good character, scholastic performance, a teaching assistant for first-year students. Lercher is in the process of personal achievements and applying for residency in community service. To this either pediatrics or plastic end he established the Phil and reconstructive surgery. and Ruth Sokolof Merit Pictured (in photo at left) Scholarships for a student’s volunteering at a pediatric freshman year at college, and medical clinic in Jamaica, he for those enrolled in studies is now taking a break, vacain the field of health care. In tioning in Australia, New addition, he established the Zealand and Fiji. Karen Sokolof Javitch Merit Dani Burr was the winner Scholarships for students in of the first Karen Sokolof musical performance, comJavitch Music Scholarship in position or education. Daniel Lercher Dani Burr 2006. Since then, she has Two past scholarship winners who certainly met those Applications for the 2010 Sokolof and Sokolof Javitch received her Bachelor of Fine criteria are Daniel Lercher scholarships are available at the Jewish Federation of Arts in Musical Theater at and Dani Burr. Omaha web site, www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Center for the Boston Conservatory and Lercher was a 2007 recipi- Jewish Education,” then select “Scholarships and Grants.” moved to New York City. Shortly after arriving in the ent of the Sokolof award for Applications are also available by contacting Janet Henthorn Big Apple, Burr was in a a student in the field of at 334.6551 or jhenthorn@jewishomaha.org. non-union off-off Broadway health care. Following an undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, play called the “Yellow Brick Monologues,” where she he enrolled at the University of Nebraska Medical was cast as Dorothy. Following that, she was in the national touring company of “Seussical the Musical.” Center to pursue his dream of being a physician. Now in his fourth year at UNMC, he is looking for- Being cast in a union play and signing a contract gave ward to graduation this May. During his years at med Continued on page 4
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
This Week: New board members, executive director join HHEF: Page 3 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press’
Two Temple teens begin high school semester in Israel Page 5
greater cooperation with Israel (Jerusalem) -- President Shimon Peres met with a NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) delegation during its recent visit to Israel. The delegation is headed by NASA Administrator and former astronaut Charles F. Bolden Jr., who was invited
NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, President Shimon Peres and Rona Ramon hold a special plaque given by Bolden to the Israeli president as a gift. The plaque features photographs that Bolden took from space while he participated in a space mission to launch the Hubble telCredit: ISRANET escope. as a guest of honor to the International Ilan Ramon Space Conference. The conference is held annually in memory of the late astronaut who was killed in the Colombia space shuttle disaster. Minister of Science and Technology Daniel Hershkowitz, Rona Ramon, the wife of the late Col. Ilan Ramon, and leaders of Continued on page 4
Campaign finance decision may hurt Jewish influence by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- In the rarefied arena of ideas, the American Jewish community has done quite well over the years in making the case for Israel, civil rights and the environment, among other issues. These ideas may now be tested in the blood sport of politics. Last week, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upended a ban of more than a century on direct corporate involvement in elections. Politics watchers are still trying to understand the implications of the 5-4 ruling by the court’s conservative majority in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The decision could have a profound effect on how Jewish groups operate in the public sphere. Most pro-Israel and Jewish civil liberties groups still operate under the tax code as 501(c)3 organizations -religious, educational and charitable groups. This classification allows donors to write off contributions as a tax deduction but bans direct participation in the political process. Groups with this classification are limited to pronouncements on issues and ideas: They may, for instance, speak generally about care for the environment or about energy conservations, but they cannot endorse or oppose specific candidates. Last week’s Supreme Court ruling opens the way for corporations to directly attack candidates. Continued on page 2
Coming Next Week: Simchas and Celebrations
Yeshiva students, Yachad members share Tu B’Shevat fun Page 7
Grosses receive Akko Young Leadership Award Page 12