Vol. LXXXVII No. 22 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
2 Adar I, 5768
February 8, 2008
Friedel principal to retire
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Storms, rain, snow and floods were the feature of Israel’s weather as nearly a half a foot of snow fell in Jerusalem last Tuesday as well as in Israel’s north. Schools were either closed or closed early. The Jerusalem municipality kept the main roads open while Magen David Adom ambulances were placed at various strategic spots around the city, including the pedestrian mall on Ben Yehuda Street, above. Mt. Hermon reported nearly a foot of snow over night, while at the upper elevations more than two-and-a-half feet were recorded. The rain in the north is really good news for farmers and the rivers and brooks flowing into the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) are full of fast flowing water. Copyright: ISRANET
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT At the end of this school year, the curtain will fall on an exceptional period in the history of Friedel Jewish Academy. After devoting 43 years to education, five and a half as Principal at Friedel, principal Cookie Katskee has decided it is time to move on and spend more time with her family, and her grandchildren in particular. The decision to leave her role as principal was painful, but she feels it is an important one. In Januar y of 2003, Katskee came out of retirement from her long career with the Omaha Public Schools. “I wanted to finish my career the way I had started it. I wanted to be surrounded by children who were Cookie Katskee enthusiastic, and eager to learn,” she said. “When I walked through the front door at Friedel Jewish Academy, I was met with such passion and dedication; I simply couldn’t say no. This passion wasn’t just evident in the kids; it was very much present in the teachers and parents. Yaffa Podbilewicz-Schuller and Susan FellmanWitkowski serve as co-chairmen of Friedel’s Board of Directors. “The Friedel community has been blessed by Cookie’s years of giving her heart and soul to the school. With her help, we have been able to hold on to the hope of what Friedel could be, and should be. We have grown exponentially under Cookie’s leadership,” noted Fellman-Witkowski. Continued on page 2
Part I
Two men shared path to social justice and interfaith harmony Relationship still shows the way 60 years after their deaths by LEO ADAM BIGA Even as the world grows ever flatter and more interconnected, political, religious, ethnic differences still separate people into divisive factions. One need only consult history or today’s news to see how this distrust of the other is the cause of conflict. Inroads to understanding can be made. The efforts of the NAACP, the Urban League, the National Conference for Community and Justice and many other organizations bring disparate groups together in a spirit of cooperation. Macro alliances can start at the micro level. All it takes is two persons willing to work toward the greater good. Ninety years ago in Omaha two men -a Catholic priest and a Jew -- forged an enduring friendship that made famous a haven for homeless boys, shined a light on at-risk youth and demonstrated the power of unified action. Father Edward Flanagan was an Irish immigrant prelate dedicated to rescuing men from the bowery and children from delinquency. He dreamed of a home for wayward boys but lacked funds. Henry Monsky, a Jew from the Orthodox tradition, was a social activist and attorney with a law degree from Jesuit Creighton University, where he
Inside
graduated top in his class (1912). As legend has it, Monsky is the mensch who loaned Flanagan $90 to start Boys Town in 1917. For the next 30 years he served, without pay, as Flanagan’s confidante and legal counsel. Monsky also drew his law office of Monsky, Grodinsky, Marer & Cohen into tending to the home’s affairs. One partner, William Grodinsky, joined Monsky in serving on the Boys Town board of trustees. Like his fellow mensch, the priest, Monsky was involved in assisting children in the juvenile justice system, a cause he “felt deep in his bones, as Flanagan obviously did, too,” said Omaha historian Oliver Pollak. Recognizing they shared a vision for helping lost boys, they formed an association “of legendary proportions,” Pollak writes in his article, “The Education of Henry Monsky,” published in the journal Western States Jewish History. That association is much documented, even dramatized in the 1938 movie Boys Town. A Jewish merchant-benefactor in the film, Dave Morris, is based on Monsky, whose desire for anonymity led him to secure a promise from producers that neither his real name nor profession be used. Columnist Walter Winchell later revealed
at Boys Town and the Jewish Community Center, traveled widely. Boys Town plans to display the exhibit again next fall for the home’s 90th anniversary celebration. This year is the 60th anniversary of Flanagan’s death; 2007 marked the 60th anniversary of Monsky’s passing. “The close friendship between Father Flanagan and Mr. Monsky was very unique for its time,” said Boys Town Hall of History director Tom Lynch. “... Father Flanagan had developed an ecumenical outlook on life, especially when it Henry Monsky, left, and Father Edward Flangan attend a came to helping children in graduation ceremony at Boys Town in 1942. Legend has it need ... Father forged many that Monsky was the anonymous donor of $90 which helped bonds with like-minded Flanagan establish the famous institution. individuals of different races Monsky as the real Dave. and religions. The first such friendship In 1989, the Boys Town Hall of was with Henry Monsky, who represents History and the Nebraska Jewish the thousands of supporters who have Historical Society co-curated an exhibi- assisted Boys Town ...” tion, “Father Flanagan and Henry The bond of brotherhood these men Monsky: Men of Vision,” telling these exemplified lives on today. men’s story. The exhibit, which showed Continued on page 6
This Week: Simchas and Celebrations begins on Page 12
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 20
Local author pens book recalling Passover seders: page 9
Coming This Month: Women’s Health: Feb. 29 Where Are They Now? features former Omaha cantor: page 15
Israeli dance troupe to perform: page 24