Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Spring Holocaust Film Series
February 10, 2012 17 Shevat 5772 Vol. 92 | No. 21
This Week
by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -Israel, the United States and Iran have all gone deep into mixedsignals territory. Conversations with Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Ehud Barak, left one prominent journalist convinced that Israel will strike Iran by year’s end. Yet two weeks ago, Barak had said that any possible Israeli attack on Iran is “far off.”
“Beth El’s Got Talent” for the Annual Cantor’s Youth Scholarship Concert Page 4
Controversy grows in Israel over extension of Tal Law Page 8
Credit: Wikimedia commons
Auschwitz swimming pool. by HILLARY FLETCHER Marketing Assistant, Institute for Holocaust Education The Institute for Holocaust Education will present a Holocaust Film Series beginning with Swimming in Auschwitz on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. Swimming in Auschwitz chronicles the stories of six Jewish women from different countries and different backgrounds who found themselves deported during the Holocaust to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. According to the International Movie Database, “While subject to the same physical hardships as men, these women do
not dwell on that. Instead, they speak of camp families and faith, uplifting one another while trying to remain human. It was this path of spiritual resistance that, while not responsible for their direct survival, led to their ability to survive with healthy minds and spirits despite the constant barrage of their surroundings. Swimming in Auschwitz gives us a perspective of the camp, its surroundings and the Holocaust that we need to understand and remember, so that we never forget.” One of the six women who provide testimony in the film is Renee Firestone. Firestone, a founding lecturer for the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Education Outreach
Program in Los Angeles and the subject of Steven Spielberg’s film The Last Days, was the featured speaker of A Week of Understanding 2011, a week of testimony arranged by the IHE. Following one of her speaking engagements last year at UNO, Firestone said, “I have traveled all over for 30 years and this has been one of the most meaningful visits.” The IHE is honored to be sharing her story in this film series. In addition to Swimming in Auschwitz, the IHE will present A Film Unfinished which includes recently discovered footage of the Warsaw ghetto. Released in 2010 by Yael Hersonski, this documentary Continued on page 2
Few complaints from these Temple Israel members as life came along Holocaust Day in Southern Italy Page 16
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
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Iranian nuclear issues
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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Combining a sense of humor with a dash of stubbornness and “getting up everyday to start going through my routine,” are the way to face aging, according to Ann Fleishman who celebrated her 90th birthday Jan. 26. When asked how old she is, Fleishman kids, “I’m 39 and holding.” Her spunky attitude makes a difference. She “entertained three of my dearest friends to celebrate my birthday by taking them to lunch at Village Inn Pancake House.” When they protested that they didn’t want her to foot the bill, she insisted that she wouldn’t go unless she could pay. Married in 1957 to Alan J. Fleishman, who died in 1985, Ann speaks of him in adoring terms. She
Chickie Gilinsky is still enjoying life at 95. also continues to idolize her grandfather as she has “all through my life.” She credits him for helping her develop and maintain her positive attitude. On her birthday, “I was just pouring my first cup of coffee,” when Rabbi Aryeh Azriel called to wish her well. “You’ve made my day,” Ann told the rabbi who makes it a point to call members of Temple Israel when they celebrate the anniversary of a simcha in the instance of a birthday or anniversary such as a
25th, 30th, or higher. “I’m in reasonably good health” except for my eyesight, hearing, and my memory, “otherwise I’m great!” said Helen Soiref, who will turn 90 in March. Soiref is trying to decide how to celebrate her 90th. She’s considering dinner out or having a meal catered at Remington Heights where she lives. She and her husband Morton Soiref were married in 1941. “The war came along, children came along,” she reminisced. Life came along. She used to sing in the choir at Temple Israel and was active in Sisterhood. She enthusiastically sings the praises of Rabbi Azriel. “He’s charming, knowledgeable, and caring.” Morton died in 2003. “Giving up my independence is hard,” she admitted. “Growing old is not for sissies!” Chickie Gilinsky received her birthday call from Rabbi Azriel on Jan. 18, her 95th birthday. She’s been a member of Temple Israel for more than 70 years. She was married and confirmed there and fondly remembers Rabbi Frederick Cohn (at Temple from 1904-1940) and Rabbi David Wice (at Temple from 19331941) “back at the Park Avenue Temple.” Continued on page 2
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, seen here addressing a regional economic summit in Tehran in May 2011. Credit: Parmida Rahimi via Creative Commons Leon Panetta, the U.S. defense secretary, said in December that any military strike would only set Iran’s nuclear program back a couple years -- a remark that some Israelis read as conveying a sense of resignation to the idea that if Iran really wants a nuclear weapon, eventually it will be able to get one. But in a television interview broadcast Sunday, he vowed that the U.S. would take “whatever steps are necessary” to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Iran is responding to international sanctions with a mix of threats to shut down the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to placate Western concerns about its nuclear program by allowing in inspectors and calling for new talks. Two questions remain the focus of considerable speculation: Will Israel strike Iran? And will the sanctions cause Iran to bend? The first question was the subject of a much-discussed Sunday New York Times Magazine cover story by Ronen Bergman, one of Israel’s best-connected security journalists. It featured rare and extensive on-the-record interviews with top Israeli officials, most prominently Barak. Recent moves by the Iranians have underscored the significance of the second question. Last week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran was ready to sit down for talks to discuss its nuclear program. On Sunday, a team of Continued on page 2