Vol. LXXXV No. 22 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
12 Shevat, 5766 February 10, 2006
Press Launches Website Survey
2006 OLYMPICS
Israeli Team Hopes to Skate into History with Ice-Dancing Routines by PETER EPHROSS NEW YORK (JTA)--Galit Chait left Israel with her family as an infant and grew up in the United States. Sergei Sakhnovski grew up in Russia and immigrated to the Jewish state at the age of 19. In a few weeks, the ice-dancing duo, both Israeli citizens, will be the best hope for Israel’s first-ever medal in the Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in Turin, Italy, starting tonight through Feb. 26. It’s a responsibility they’re reminded of whenever they’re in Israel, where they’ve put ice skating on the map. “We’re not only skating for ourselves,” Chait said last week during an interview at their home rink in northern New Jersey. “We’re skating for a country -- and a country that expects a lot.” According to most observers, Israelis are right to expect a lot from the pair. They won a bronze medal at the 2002 World Championships and are considered serious contenders in Turin. “They need to skate well,” said one of their coaches, two-time Russian Olympic gold medalist Evgeny Platov. Israeli ice dancers Galit Chait, left, and Sergei Sakhnovski. Credit: Mike Braca “And have some luck.” During the interview at the snack bar area at the Floyd If Chait and Sakhnovski do, they would make history for Israel. Israel has won medals in Summer Olympics; Hall Arena in Little Falls, N.J., Chait and Sakhnovski, most recently, Gal Fridman won a gold in windsurfing at both 30, couldn’t seem more different. Continued on page 2 the Athens Games in 2004.
by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Are you web savvy? Do you read news stories on the Internet? Is your list of website bookmarks now longer than your address book? Is your laptop one of your most important possessions? If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you’re probably would vote for the Jewish Press to have a major presence online. While the Press posts three to four stories a week on the website of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Press committee and staff want to know whether or not a major presence could expand our readership and increase our advertising revenue. In order to accomplish this task, the committee will collect data from three sources: an online survey, the insert in this week’s issue, and letters sent to our advertisers. “Last spring, we were asked by the Budget and Allocations Committee to explore the possibility,” explained Joanie Jacobson, Chairman of the Jewish Press Committee. “The Press Committee has discussed the advantages and disadvantages, we’ve met with a member of B&A to discuss possible options, we even drew up a preliminary website proposal. However, it’s clear that before we go any further, we need to assess the level of interest in the community. “It’s important that our readers respond,” Jacobson urged. “Putting the Press online would mean additional staff hours and additional funding, but if public interest isn’t significant, there’s no need to change what we’re doing at this time.” At the suggestion of Press Committee member George Quittner, the Press staff contacted an online company--surveymonkey.com--to gauge the interest of Continued on page 2
Celebrating Simchas Something Old, Something New
Legacy of Giving Finds A Perfect Fit
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Simchas at Temple Israel “are not just about sanctifying and codifying old traditions and rituals but also about creating and filling them with new meaning,” explained Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. Parents wrap their newborns in a talit at naming ceremonies and bring family heirlooms and pictures to the rit- Stephanie and David Eshel circle one another during Sheva ual. Mothers and fathers pre- Brachot (the Seven Blessings) recited during the ceremony. pare their own special words to share with their children on the bimah at cycle more of their personal family narraB’nai Mitzvah ceremonies. He sees more tive. They want to bring in the memories of dear ones who are deceased in creative kippot and tallitot at ceremonies. “We are becoming more learned and and appropriate ways.” Stephanie and David Eshel, who were spiritual,” said Rabbi Azriel. “As we seek Aug. 21, 2005, at Temple Israel, married to understand the depth of the Jewish covered the top of their chuppah with his soul, couples and individuals learn about tallit. It was held grandfather’s maternal rituals and create new ones. They sanctiup by four simple wooden poles put in fy the past while renewing the present. place on the bima during the procession“There is definitely an upgrade offered al. “In addition, to the tallit above our in Jewish education in all the movements,” heads, we were wrapped by our parents he remarked. “As a result of the explosion during a part of the ceremony with the of new materials and publications, individtalit that was given to David by my paruals want to share more rituals themselves and also in their larger communities. ents,” said Stephanie, principal at Temple We’re living in times when couples are Judea in Tarzana, CA. interested in incorporating into the life Continued on page 18
at the Clothesline, a Thrift Store the 86-Year-Old Founded and Still Runs at Boys Town
Inside Opinion Page see page 12
by LEO ADAM BIGA Eighty-nine years ago, Omaha Jewish leader Henry Monsky befriended an Irish Catholic priest with whom he shared a dream of creating a safe haven for troubled youths. The priest found a site, but lacked funds. Monsky, a successful attorney and inveterate do-gooder, lent Rev. Edward Flanagan $90 for the first month’s rent on the original Boys Town building in downtown Omaha. Besides serving, pro bono, as attorney for Louise Abrahamson rules over thrift shop she founded at Boys both the home and the Town: the Clothesline, a store for residents and families. late Fr. Flanagan, Monsky was a member of the Boys Town board of ed. Now it’s become a much replicated directors from its 1917 inception until his national model, and the names Fr. Flanagan and Boys Town are synonydeath in 1947. His support of Fr. Flanagan and the mous with youth care worldwide. The role Monsky played in the thenyouth care program got other civic-business leaders to follow suit. The rest is his- fledging institution’s founding is even tory. As Boys Town’s approach to serving portrayed in the 1938 Oscar-winning at-risk children caught on, donations film Boys Town. poured in and the organization expand- Continued on page 8
This Week: Simchas & Celebrations Starts on Page 13 Church/State Issues Discussed at Shabbaton: Pages 5 and 6
Purim 2006 Crossword Puzzle: Page 10
Next Week: More Olympic Coverage Review of Ushpizin, Showing at Upcoming Jewish Film Festival: Page 16
Rick Recht in Concert at Beth El Next Month: Page 24