February 13, 2009

Vol. LXXXVIII No. 24 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 88 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

19 Shevat, 5769

February 13, 2009

Livni claims victory, but can she form a coalition government?

by JTA Staff JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Four months ago, shortly after appearing to make it to the top of the Israeli political pyramid, Tzipi Livni stumbled.

Ehud Olmert had resigned as prime minister and Livni had won the Kadima primary election, but she was having trouble assembling a coalition government. Unable to get a key Kadima coalition member, the Shas Party, to stay in the government, Livni was forced to call for new general elections.

On Tuesday, Livni celebrated her vindication.

Scoring a come-from-behind victory at the ballot box, Livni edged Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been the front-runner for nearly the entire race, to win an estimated 29 or 30 seats for Kadima, according to Israeli exit polls.

Now with a national mandate, the question Livni faces is whether she can leverage her new political standing to assemble a coalition government quickly.

With Israel’s right wing also having scored significant electoral gains Tuesday,

Monday night Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni visited Tel Aviv’s Haoman 17 night club along with fellow Kadima party members Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, Finance Minister Roni Bar-On and MK Tzachi Hanegbi. The head of the Kadima party’s youth campaign, MK Yohanan Plesner, planned more visits to appeal to the younger voters, which seemed to have paid off as Kadima captured 29 or 30 seats. It seemed that everybody was happy except Livni’s secuCredit: ISRANET rity team who viewed the visit as a security headache.

After ADL-sponsored Israel study tour, educators equipped to teach Holocaust “Being trained in this curriculum at Yad Vashem was

by THERESE VAUGHN-WEINER Anti-Defamation League incredible,” Blumenfeld said. “The site on the Mount of For heartland college professors Janice Dinsmore and Remembrance is laden with literal and metaphoric Warren Blumenfeld, the Jewish tradition of Vehigadeta dimensions.”

Erected as the Jewish people’s memorial to the murLebincha -- “And you shall tell your children” -- takes a dered millions, Yad Vashem holds the largest repository front-seat role in today’s classroom.

The two joined a group of American university educa- of Holocaust educational materials, personal testimony tors at the International School for Holocaust Studies and historical documentation in the world.

Dinsmore, a full-time faculty member in the School of (ISHS) at Yad Vashem in Israel last month where they Education and Counsellearned about the ing at Wayne State Holocaust and its continCollege, agreed with her uing relevance. colleague. “When I visitRepresenting the ADL ed [Yad Vashem] in 1995, Plains States region, they I remember it as a deeply were part of the inaugural emotional experience.

Echoes and Reflections The complex has changed Professors’ Study Tour, a and is even more impresgroundbreaking program sive now.” developed by the AntiBlumenfeld and Defamation League Dinsmore expressed high (ADL), the USC Shoah praise for the state-of-theFoundation for Visual art training they received History and Education as educators. Their group and Yad Vashem, Israel’s met with worldHolocaust museum and renowned historians, education center. Its purHolocaust survivors and pose was to train teachers pedagogical scholars. on the Holocaust and Jan Dinsmore, right, and Sylvia Bulgar visit the Western Wall. help them to educate future teachers and their students. Among them were Robert Wistrich from Hebrew Blumenfeld, Assistant Professor in Curriculum and University of Jerusalem, who addressed the history of Instruction at Iowa State University, called the experi- anti-Semitism in Europe; Simcha Stein of the Ghetto ence transformative. “With the Holocaust as the most Fighters’ House, who evoked the Jewish armed resistdramatic example of genocide in human history, the ance during the Holocaust; David Horovitz, the Editorprogram offers a way to teach universal issues of oppres- in-Chief of the Jerusalem Post, who talked about modern Israel; Professor Rafi Vago, of Tel Aviv University, sion,” he said.

Echoes and Reflections: A Multimedia Curriculum on who spoke to the exceptional nature of the Holocaust; the Holocaust is an internationally recognized program and Ruth Brand, who shared her personal story of surwhich empowers people of all ages across the world to vival in Auschwitz-Birkenau. grasp the incomprehensible.

Continued on page 3

Inside Opinion Page see page 8

the task will not be easy.

Livni’s victory was aided by the splintering of the right-wing vote. Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu drew key votes from Netanyahu on the right even as the right-wing Knesset mandate soared. Likud grew to an estimated 27 or 28 seats from 12, and Yisrael Beiteinu increased its share to 14 or 15 seats from 11. Labor fell to 13 seats from 18.

Meanwhile Kadima, which had 29 seats before the election, held steady.

Kadima’s lead means Livni, currently the foreign minister, will have the first shot at assembling the minimum 61-seat majority needed to govern. If she fails to put together a coalition, Netanyahu would have his chance.

Livni based her campaign on three central elements: establishing her credentials as a national leader; attacking Netanyahu as a prime minister who had failed once and would fail again for the same reasons; and presenting her policies as the best prescription for Israel’s long-term survival.

Continued on page 2

B’nai B’rith Sports Banquet to feature legendary Cornhusker and former NFL player

by HOWARD BORDEN Former Nebraska defensive football player and St. Louis Ram and Seattle Seahawk professional, Grant Wistrom, will headline the 55th Annual B’nai B’rith Charity Sports Banquet at the Qwest Center Omaha.

“As a ‘Blackshirt,’ our guest speaker helped lead Nebraska to three national championships between Grant Wistrom 1994 and 1997, and we are excited to have him at our May 6, 2009 dinner,” said Howard Shandell, Sports Banquet Chairman.

Wistrom will also help the Lodge honor the Metro area’s most outstanding high school senior male and female student-athletes. The honorees will receive the Lodge’s prestigious Bert Render and Earl Siegel Memorial Awards and will split $3000 in scholarships provided by radio sponsor NRG Media (1620 The Zone). The other media sponsor is TV station KPTM Fox 42. Sponsorship information and Ticket questions can be obtained by calling the B’nai B’rith office at 402.334.6443.

“Grant will entertain us with his observations and stories on his experiences at UNL. He’ll also offer insight into today’s college and professional football scene,” added Shandell. “This will be our second year at the Qwest Center, and we are expecting a fabulous crowd of sports fans for the evening.”

Continued on page 2

This Week: Teen Leadership Award renamed: Page 4 Coming This Month: Local Camp and Summer Programs: Feb. 27 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’

Two Israelis visit, bring more than two views: Page 6

ADL survey notes Amercians’ support for Israel: Page 7

Kripke Library to show award-winning film: Page 12

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 13, 2009

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Continued from page 1 For his part, Netanyahu tried to portray Livni as lackShe described the election as being about whether or ing the experience and gravitas necessary to be prime not Israel should go for peace, casting Tuesday’s vote as minister. “Tzipi Livni? It’s too big for her,” Likud’s a choice between hope and fear and emphasizing that campaign poster said. negotiations on a final-status peace deal with the Livni, who normally insists on keeping her public perPalestinians must continue. sona and private life separate, opened up a bit on the “Israel must, as she has in the past, combine military campaign trail, talking about the home in which she might with diplomatic initiative,” Livni said last week at grew up. Both her parents were members of the underthe Herzliya Conference, an annual summit on Israeli ground Irgun, which fought British forces in prestate state and security. He who thinks Israel can have “secu- Palestine. Her father, Eitan, was a commander and later rity without some kind of peace process is fooling him- a Likud Knesset member. Her mother, Sara, also was a self, fooling the public and doesn’t understand the world well-known Irgun fighter who inspired one of the miliwe live in.” tia’s fight songs, “Up to the Barricades.”

“I believe that standing on the sidelines and not doing Livni herself once opposed any notion of trading land anything is not an option, it's a bad option,” she said. for peace. But not unlike other prominent sons and “And if we don't put a plan in Hebrew on the table, we daughters of the founding Likud elite, including Olmert, will be forced to accept a plan in Arabic, French or Livni gradually changed her position to support the idea English. And all these plans of territorial compromise. never will reflect Israel’s A former lawyer, Livni started her interests as Israel underprofessional career as a Mossad stands them.” agent. Since her election to the Livni started her campaign Knesset on the Likud list in 1999, many months ago as Mrs. Livni, under the tutelage of mentor Clean, when government Ariel Sharon, enjoyed what often is corruption was high on the referred to in Israel as a “meteoric” national agenda and while rise. She has held various political Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offices, serving as the minister of and other leading politicians regional cooperation, immigrant were embroiled in scandal. absorption, justice, housing and Livni promised politics withinfrastructure, and most recently, out corruption or coalition foreign minister. wheeling and dealing, and Billboard shows Israel’s three candidates for prime Livni has managed to capture with a new, more functional minister in the Feb. 10 elections: from left, Tzipi Livni, something of the popular imagiEhud Barak and Benjamin Netanyahu. A fourth candi- nation in an Israel weary of corsystem of government.

But the 22-day military date, Avigdor Lieberman of the Yisrael Beitenu party, ruption and grandstanding among operation in Gaza and the rallied in recent days to get 14 seats, which left Barak its politicians. But it appeared to be urgency of Israel’s relation- and the Labor Party in fourth place.

Israelis’ weariness with the politiCredit Brian Hendler cians of the past -- specifically with ship with the Palestinians made the issue of political corruption virtually irrelevant the ex-prime minister Netanyahu -- that drew crucial supin the abbreviated campaign, which went into full gear port away from Netanyahu in the final days of the race, givonly once the fighting in Gaza ended in mid-January. ing Lieberman’s party a boost and handing the victory to Livni shifted her focus to the need to press ahead on Livni.

Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking and cast her main rival, JTA managing editor Uriel Heilman, senior politiNetanyahu, as on a likely collision course with the cal analyst Leslie Susser and Israel correspondent Dina Kraft contributed to this story.

Obama administration in Washington.

Banquet to feature legendary Cornhusker Continued from page 1 Shandell announced another highlight for the event: the popular Omaha media personality, Otis XII, will again delight the crowd with his humorous role as Master of Ceremonies.

“We will again host a silent auction,” Shandell added.

“We brought in incredible sports memorabilia last year and that program was so popular, we will repeat it this year.”

The evening begins with the cocktail hour at 5:45 p.m. with the dinner following an hour later. The patron ticket price is $110 or $1100 for a full table of 10.

Special VIP reception/dinner tickets are $160 each and include a “free-parking” pass. (A VIP table is $1600.)

Henry Monsky Lodge is part of B’nai B’rith International, a world-wide Jewish service organization that promotes brotherhood, fights discrimination and works for community improvement.

The primary recipients of the fundraising banquet proceeds are community service projects and the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization.

Previous banquet speakers include: Howard Cosell, Lou Holtz, John Madden, Joe Paterno, David Stern, Mike Ditka, Bob Devaney, Keith Jackson, Bobby Knight, Bobby Bowden, Joe Theismann, Lee Corso, Terry Bradshaw, Dr. Tom Osborne, Steve Spurrier, Greg Gumbel, Dan Patrick, Trev Alberts, Ron Jaworski, Barry Alvarez, Colin Cowherd and last year Bill Self.

Wistrom began his football career in Missouri where he played for the Webb City High School football team, the Cardinals, as a defensive end and tight end. While at Webb City, he was chosen as a first-team All-America selection by Super Prep, Blue chip and USA Today. He also earned Top 100 Honors from Scholastic Coach Magazine. His statistics on the field include: a defensive end: 122 tackles, eight sacks, six fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and blocked punt; as a tight end: caught 30 passes for 527 yards and five touchdowns; led the team to two class 4A championships. He also played basketball and competed in track.

Wistrom was recruited by UNL, where he helped anchor the Husker defensive line. During his career, the Huskers compiled a 49-2 record from 1994-97, winning three national titles in that span. A two-time first-team

All-American, Wistrom became Nebraska’s fourth Lombardi Award winner as the nation’s top lineman following the 1997 season.

As a senior captain in 1997, the 6’-5,” 255-pound Wistrom finished with 51 tackles, leading the Blackshirts in both categories on his way to earning Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Year honors. A finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Defensive-Player-of-the-Year award, Wistrom helped the Huskers rank fifth nationally in total defense and second nationally. He led Nebraska to a perfect 13-0 record and a share of the national title with Michigan.

Wistrom holds the school record for tackles for loss with 58.5 for 260 yards and ranks second with 26.5 sacks. He had his No. 98 retired during the 1998 season. His career totals include 206 total tackles, 26.5 sacks for 178 yards, one interception, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Wistrom was a two-time first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American and became the 13th Husker to win the NCAA’s highest honor, the NCAA Top Eight Award, in 1997. He also earned the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Postgraduate Scholarship following his senior campaign and was the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year for the 1997-98 season.

In the 1998 NFL Draft, Wistrom was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round as the sixth overall pick.

Grant made an impact with his trademark high-energy style of play for the Rams. Because of his durability and versatility, Wistrom was effective against the run and the pass. After six seasons, including two Super Bowl appearances, with the St. Louis Rams, he became a free agent and subsequently signed a six-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

In addition to his football career, Wistrom is active in charity work off the field. The Grant Wistrom Foundation strives to allow pediatric cancer patients opportunities to just be children. The Foundation consists of four programs which include A Circle of Friends, Local Outreach, Section 98 and Charities for Children.

In addition to the work of his own Foundation, Grant continues to support the work of the Seattle Seahawks Community Projects. In 2007, he became an assistant football coach at Parkview High in Springfield, MO. He and his wife Melissa have two children.

February 13, 2009

WRJ guest speakers to raise awareness of local women in need

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Due to recent economic woes, women in their prime earning years are retreating from the workforce, either permanently or for long stretches, according to a congressional study released in July. The changes erase years of gains for women.

Women in Omaha are struggling too. Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) has invited Sandy Nogg, assistance coordinator at Jewish Family Service (JFS), and Laura Bergevin, education coordinator for the YWCA, to speak at a luncheon program on Women in Need on Tuesday, Feb. 24, noon at Temple Israel.

At the YWCA, “we have a career services program that can assist women with finding a job, gives them access to career clothing, a computer lab, and offers classes on building skills to get a job including resume building and networking,” said Bergevin. In addition, “If there are women who are fleeing domestic violence or currently in an abusive relationship or have been sexually assaulted, we have advocates available who assist with finding safe shelter, safety planning, protection orders.” YWCA advocates “go out to the hospital if there has been an assault and accompany survivors to court.”

Bergevin’s interest in domestic violence/sexual assault issues developed after she became a shelter advocate at a local domestic violence shelter in Iowa. She completed an internship at Project Harmony, an agency with a multidisciplinary approach to child sexual abuse. Since October 2006, she has overseen implementation and development of domestic violence and sexual assault education and prevention programs throughout the Omaha area as the education coordinator at the YWCA in Omaha.

Nogg has been the assistance coordinator at JFS since December 2007. She is responsible for direct assistance to members of the Jewish community who are facing financial crises. “We have seen an increase in young highly educated people with families and homes who have lost their jobs due to the economic downturn,” she said.

Nogg, an RN, has worked in nursing in oncology, with patients suffering from dementia, in skilled care and assisted living. She has seen many women in need during her 35 years of active community volunteerism.

Donations of career-appropriate shoes, new or gently used, will be accepted at the luncheon for the YWCA’s Career Closet. Laundry detergent can also be brought to the event to donate to the JFS pantry.

Cost for lunch is $10. Please make a reservation by Wednesday, Feb. 18, by calling the Temple office at 556.6536 or at mkube@templeisraelomaha.com.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Educators equipped to teach Holocaust Continued from page 1 “The presenters were outstanding. I was enthralled by the pattern of thought and the high integrity of discourse,” Dinsmore said. “I was also struck by their dedication and deep respect for the survivors.”

Participants had an opportunity to tour Jerusalem, including the Western Wall Tunnels, the Israel Museum, the Great Synagogue, Massada and the Dead Sea. “It was one overwhelming experience after another,” Dinsmore said.

Now that they’ve returned to their respective campuses, Blumenfeld and Dinsmore are eager to implement the Echoes and Reflections curriculum in their teaching.

Both anticipate using the study of the Holocaust as a map to provide their students with a wider worldview.

Blumenfeld sees the targets of bigotry as ever shifting.

“There are always new scapegoats,” he said. “And, yet, anti-Semitism continues to resurface. You can see it today with the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. The media seems to portray Israel as perpetrator and colonizer. Even at our local grocery store, I heard some troubling remarks.”

Dinsmore has also noted a surge in recent antiSemitism, especially on the Internet. “A lot of ignorance and hatred is spread through the Web these days; it’s insidious,” she said.

That is why the ADL brings to task a full range of innovative new technologies to counteract bigotry, in both the virtual and real world. Recognizing that 21st century students have grown up steeped in high-tech

The Echoes and Reflections Professors’ study tour participants included Jan Dinsmore and Warren Blumenfield from the greater Omaha area.

“The students I see – pre-service and in-service teachers – largely come from the Midwest and have limited exposure to other cultures,” Dinsmore said. “As educators themselves, they will need to be aware of the marginalized kids and the subtle divisions in their classrooms.”

“The Holocaust is still with us. It is who we are as a world and as a humanity,” she continued.

Blumenfeld, whose own grandfather was murdered in the Holocaust, understands the significance of using the watershed event as prologue to a global, humanitiesgrounded education.

“Today’s college students have a superficial awareness of the Holocaust. They’ll tell me that they’ve seen Schlindler’s List or read Diary of Anne Frank, but they haven’t forged the connection between the Holocaust and their own lives and education,” he said. “This curriculum will help students not only understand the roots and repercussions of prejudice, but wider issues of humanity. I’m optimistic that we may see a return to a time when the study of history, literature, geography and linguistics is again relevant.”

With a specialization in Multicultural and International Curriculum Studies, as well as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies,

Warren Blumenfeld visits the Valley of the Communities at Yad Vashem, where he stands next to the name of the town in Poland where his grandmother’s family had been killed. media, the Echoes and Reflections curriculum uses a wide spectrum of interactive tools to speak in the e-language of young people. Each of the ten interdisciplinary lessons is accompanied by audiovisual testimony, primary source documents, poetry and literature excerpts, maps, photographs, timelines, a glossary and student handouts.

Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE) Beth Seldin Dotan describes the multimedia curriculum as a bridge to link the generations. “It’s truly a conduit for connecting educators and in turn, their students to the history of the Holocaust.”

Since the Echoes and Reflections program was launched in 2005, Dotan has helped train more than 550 teachers throughout the region. “We’re thrilled to have Jan (Dinsmore) and Warren (Blumenfeld) represent our Plains States office and look forward to helping them educate the next generation of teachers.”

The Study Tour was funded by Dana and Yossie Hollander with additional support by the Holocaust Studies Program for Training U.S. Educators in Memory of Nathan Katz, Holocaust Survivor from Lithuania.

“We are grateful to the IHE, the ADL and their donors,” Dinsmore remarked. “The experience will have a rippling impact through the education world.”

The Obstacles in the Road One day a wagon driver picked up a stranger who needed to go to the next village.

The road was narrow and filled with rocks.

At one point in the journey, the driver jumped down from the wagon and tried to clear the path.

But the rocks were large and heavy, and though he tried very hard, he could not lift them.

Seeing the driver’s difficulty, the stranger in the wagon asked, “Are you using all your strength?”

“Yes, I am,” said the wagon driver.

“Are you sure?” asked the stranger in the wagon.

The driver was a proud man, embarrassed by the thought that he might appear weak.

And so he repeated, “Yes. Yes, I am using all my strength.”

“No, you are not,” said the stranger. “I am right here waiting, and you haven’t asked me to help.”

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Page 3

When you face obstacles in the road -- financially, emotionally or psychologically -- Jewish Family Service can help.

Our agency was established to serve every member of the Omaha Jewish community -- regardless of age, gender or circumstance -- and families or individuals who contact us are treated with the strictest confidentiality and respect.

If you are in need or know someone who is, please don’t hesitate contact us.

Call JFS at 402/330-2024.

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Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 13, 2009

Teen Leadership Award re-named

by BOB GOLDBERG Federation Communications and Young Leadership Director When Andie Gordman won the Teen Leadership Award in 1984, she had no idea that her parents were the award’s sponsor and creator. Twenty-five years later, Andie has finally convinced her mom and dad to put their names on the award. The annual Teen Leadership Award that began in 1983 will soon bear the names of Elly and Bob Gordman.

Elly and Bob’s two children, Andie and Jay, both say the time has come to recognize their parents for their celebration of teenagers. “They love teenagers,” says Andie. “They are great parents and our house was always the open house when we were growing up. They supported everything Jay and I did and they supported our friends as well.”

As former BBYO advisors, they know that teenagers usually gain recognition for their bad behavior and not enough for the good things they do. That is why, in 1983, they stepped up and created the Teen Leadership Award to bring attention to the great things teens do in Omaha.

Anne Muskin, BBYO/Teen Director adds, “It’s a wonderful gift to bestow on Omaha’s teens, one they truly appreciate and aim for. So many teens work really hard to bring their passion and advocacy to our community. It’s such a powerful age, where the boundaries seem endless, and everything is possible. The Gordman’s have made honoring teens a priority.”

“It is very important that we celebrate the excellence and success of the teens in our community,” Jay says, “Developing leaders is very important to the future.”

The Gordmans know the importance of giving back.

Jay says that the family has “always found areas in the community that need support and this is another example of that.”

“Look at how our community turns out good leaders.

It starts with developing young people and acknowledging them when they step up,” says Andie.

Marty Ricks, executive director of the Federation Foundation adds, “I have had several meetings with Bob and Elly in my ten years at the Federation Foundation and I know Jay very well as an astute member of the Federation. This family does not just contribute to worthy causes; they immerse themselves in philanthropy. I am personally happy to see the Gordman name added to the Teen Leadership Award because others in the Omaha Jewish community will follow their wonderful example.”

Jay and Andie will be presenting the awards at the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration, May 3, at the JCC. Two winners receive a $1,000 stipend to participate in his/her choice of a convention, conclave or summer camp under Jewish auspices or a recognized Israel experience.

All Federation agencies, Jewish organizations and synagogues are invited to nominate candidates who have exhibited outstanding leadership skills in BBYO or a synagogue youth group.

DEADLINE NOTICE Please send all articles, photos and ads to the Press by Thursdays, 9 a.m., for all regular issues. Early deadlines will be announced in advance. Questions? Call 334.6448.

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Fellman/Kooper scholarship applications now available

by JAN ROOS The Bruce M. Fellman Charitable Foundation Trust and Robert H. & Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust have announced the availability of scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year.

The scholarships will be based on financial needs of students pursuing their post-secondary education. This is limited to undergraduate studies only and does not include any graduate programs.

Bruce, son of Tom and Darlynn Fellman, was a 1982 graduate of Westside High School. He was active in BBYO and served as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer of Chaim Weizmann AZA. He attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and was participating in the University of Pittsburgh’s Semester at Sea at the time of his death in 1984.

Trustees for the Foundation are Darlynn Fellman, Terri Schrager, and Howard Kooper.

Robert Kooper had a long history of service to the Jewish community. He was elected B’nai B’rith president in 1929; headed Beth El in 1941; was president of Highland Country Club in 1951; and was President of the Jewish Federation from 1958-60. He died in 1961.

Mrs. Kooper was a strong supporter and worked with the Jewish Federation and Beth El Sisterhood. She died in May, 1995.

“Awarding a scholarship to a young Jewish person is a very appropriate way of honoring my parents,” Howard Kooper noted. He and his wife, Sharon, fund the Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust. Tom Fellman also serves as trustee for the Foundation.

Applications are available by contacting Kooper’s office in writing at 809 No. 96 St, Omaha, NE 68114.

The application packet will be mailed out and must be received back in his office no later than April 1, 2009.

Federation accepts tzedakah from its youngest donor

Eleanor Hadassah, daughter of Toba Cohen-Dunning and Eric Dunning, who turned seven last month, once again donated the contents of her tzedakah box to the Federation’s Annual Campaign, making her the youngest donor to the Campaign for the fourth year in a row. Jan Goldstein, JFO executive director, accepted her gift.

ORGANIZATIONS

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Gale Faltin, executive director of “Take Flight Farms,” will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Feb. 18, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Marty Ricks, chairman. She will talk about her work using horses to help heal troubled children. All men and women in the community are invited. The program is free. An optional buffet lunch is $13; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to get on the email list, contact Lois at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Join us Monday for a special program of music and dance with Bob and Jeri Berg. Lunch will begin at noon and the program will begin at 12:30 p.m. Come play bingo with Miles beginning at 10 a.m. The cost for lunch is $7 per person. Call Theresa for transportation at 330.4272. For Information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m. at the JCC. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

Out

Dining

February 13, 2009

Temple Men’s Club antes ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT up for Poker Tournament “Rhapsody Into Spring,” is the theme of the 2009

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Temple Israel Men’s Club will host its fourth annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament on Thursday, Feb. 26. “The event will be similar to the previous years’ events,” said Men’s Club President Adam Kirshenbaum.

“It’s a great way to have fun playing poker and raise money for a good cause at the same time. It’s a guaranteed win no matter where you finish,” said Harry Gates who has played in three previous Poker Nights. “Anyone can get lucky and win.”

Jimmy Farber described it as “a fine event, well run,” and added, “I’d encourage everyone to play. It’s for a good cause.” Proceeds benefit Temple Israel.

Competitors from throughout the community have played in the past and are expected again this year not only for the fun but also for the “guy” food and the $1,000 gift card which can be used anywhere by the top winner. Everyone at the final table will win prizes.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for registration. Table assignments will be announced at 6:30 p.m., and the first hand will be dealt at 7:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $50 in advance by calling Men’s Club President Adam Kirshenbaum at 651.9756 or by sending him an email at adam.kirshenbaum@huschblackwell.com.

Omaha Symphony Guild Table Art event. Featured speaker this year will be Lord Piers Wedgwood, international ambassador for Wedgwood China and Waterford Crystal.

The two day event starts with an evening cocktail reception, on March 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Borsheims. The book, Wedgwood Style, 3 Centuries of Distinction, by Hamilton Darby Perry, will be available for a donation. Lord Wedgwood wrote the introduction and has agreed to sign the book.

On Friday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be designer viewing and a luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel in Regency. Lord Wedgwood will be the featured speaker. Once again the book will be available for signing from 1:30 to 2 p.m.

Following the luncheon, Table Art demonstration sessions will be conducted from 1:30 to 3 p.m. A Boutique and raffle will coincide with the luncheon.

Funds raised from the event will go to support the many nationally recognized educational programs of the Omaha Symphony. Event co-chairmen are Anne Bogard and Jean Cramer. Guild president is Connie Kinnear.

For more information or to purchase tickets go to the www.omahasymphonyguild.org or call 402.342.3836 ext. 171.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

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by SHEVI KATZMAN Present your child a second Jewish family. The two weeks they’ll spend this summer at Camp Gan Israel from June 29-July 10 will give them a sense of belonging and comfort with their fellow campers and counselors whose primary goal is the love and care for their campers. Past counselor, Ella Rapaport of New York, still keeps in touch with her campers.

Shani Katzman, Chabad’s Youth Director who oversees the camp operations, explains that “the uniqueness and preciousness of every child is noticed and appreciated. In our interactions with youngsters, they are valued, loved, and understood. Our staff is trained and imbued with this.”

The parents of veteran campers -- Kim Goldberg, Shani Katzman, Kelly Kirk, Pam Kutler, and Ruti Margalit invite the community to join them at a Chabad camp Open House on Sunday, Feb. 22, 1-2 p.m., at Chabad House, where the camp is based in the summer.

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Pam Kutler knows that the fun at camp bring her daughter back again and again. She notes, “This will be my daughter’s third year at camp. She always has so much fun… I think Camp Gan Izzy is the highlight of her summer!”

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 13, 2009

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by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Their roles are completely different.

One -- Gershon Kedar, the Deputy Consul General based in the Israel Consulate in Chicago, was in Nebraska last week to meet with various groups about the latest conflicts and political issues.

The other -- Uri Steinberg -- serves as the Israel Tourism Consul of the Midwest and is also based in At a breakfast last week with rabbis and other community leaders, Deputy Consul General Gershon Kedar speaks with Chicago.

While Kedar had to fend Katherine Finnegan about Israel’s elections.

Israelis in the center.” off anti-Israel protesters at As to the numbers of Creighton University and Gazans killed, Kedar had this the University of Nebraskato say, “When the Lebanese Lincoln about Israel’s recent military went into the Nahr defensive incursion into al Bared refugee camp, Gaza, Steinberg was busy killing more than 200, the helping local Christian ratio of civilian to terrorist churches plan trips to the deaths was said to be 10 to Holy Land. one. Where as in Gaza, the “Sometimes I wish I had estimates are 40 to one -Uri’s job,” Kedar said with a but in reverse: 40 terrorist smile when he left the Jewish Press office on his way to Uri Steinberg visited Omaha killed for every civilian.” meet with the editorial last month; he’s the Israel Why so little coverage of board of the Omaha World- Tourism Consul for the what happened in Lebanon?

Midwest.

Perhaps, Kedar noted, it’s Herald.

Steinberg’s job is not without problems, however. While the Israel Defense Force was battling Hamas terrorists in Gaza who had launched more than 8000 missiles at Israel in the last five years, Steinberg was attempting to show another side of the tiny Jewish state.

“I don’t have to choose between talking about the politics and what Israel has to offer visitors,” Steinberg said during his January visit. Instead, he’s free to talk about Israel “as a fun destination.”

Describing the latest in “wine tours,” for example, Steinberg noted that Wine Gershon Kader addresses students at Spectator magazine ran a 10-page spread Creighton University, above, and UNL. on Israel’s many vineyards and wineries.

“We see a lot of Jewish families who because it’s “Muslim on Muslim violence thought originally about going to Tuscany and many people don’t want to be inconvenienced by the facts.” or Provence coming instead to Israel.”

As to the elections and a probable Steinberg conducts pre-mission educational seminars for Jewish federations, change in administration, Kedar doesn’t synagogues and other groups around the have to worry; he’s a career diplomat in Midwest, as well as for Christian church- Israel’s foreign service.

And while Likud is leading in the polls es, whose tourism numbers are bigger and, in fact, were the sole group whose as of press time, Kedar notes that if numbers did not decline even during the Benjamin Netanyahu wins, he’ll still have to form a coalition government. It could violence of the Second Intifada.

That side of the coin, in other words, be with all right-of-center groups: Likud, whatever conflict is raging in Israel at any Shas, Israel Beiteinu (Avigdor Liberman’s given moment, is what consumes Kedar’s party), Torah Judaism and the National time on most of his visits in the Midwest. Union, which would allow Netanyahu to Regarding the recent incursion into govern without Labor. Or, Kedar adds, Gaza, Kedar noted that there was “forget the polls. After they count all the “tremendous public support in Israel.” votes, the leader will still have a lot of What began 60 years ago as a quasi- work to do in building a coalition. And it Socialist state with emphasis on the doesn’t necessarily have anything to do Kibbutz movement has moved more with facts on the ground in Gaza, but toward a modern, capitalistic state. more of an attitude of ‘how much do you “Some of the collective responsibility” need me?’ from various parties.”

Regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, had been lost,” Kedar said.

But in 2006, when the North was Kedar will continue to press Israel’s case under attack by the Lebanon-based with supporters, like the community rabHezbollah and now with the South con- bis and leaders he met at breakfast last stantly being shelled by rockets from week in Omaha, as well as those that chalGaza, Israelis began to realize, “it could lenge Israel’s standing among the nations of the world. be any of us,” Kedar continued.

Most of Steinberg’s time in Omaha, “There’s a saying that the central part of the country is Gadera to Hadera. It’s however, was spent avoiding politics and not totally accurate, but it’s poetic. And helping representatives from the so when the Hamas rockets hit Gadera, Assemblies of God Church plan its presthere arose a feeling of solidarity among bytery meeting in Israel later this year.

Israelis,” he added. “The simple truth is Noting that “Tel Aviv is the number three that before the last cease fire, a quarter of consumer of sushi after Tokyo and New a million Israelis were in the line of fire. York,” Steinberg hopes Israel will attract After the conflict, it became clear that even more visitors as the city celebrates its Hamas rockets could hit nearly 900,000 100th anniversary this year.

February 13, 2009

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

ADL survey notes support JEA Conference offers Beth El education director

by ADL Staff American Jews overwhelmingly supported Israel in its opportunity to connect, share with colleagues

spared the effects of the country’s financial woes.

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator “I think that the future of Jewish education faces many Saying “It was a marvelous feeling to learn, discuss and challenges, especially in light of the current financial cripray with a group of people who are my peers,” Beth El sis in this country,” she said. “CAJE, the Coalition for Education Director Judy Bisman Rubin recently the Advancement of Jewish Education, was forced to returned from the Jewish Educators Assembly’s 57th cancel its annual summer conference this year and must annual conference, held this year in Scottsdale, Arizona. reshape its organization and purpose. I think that all The JEA is the professional organization of educators in educational institutions will continue to offer the best the Conservative movement, and is comprised of school programs possible but most likely with some modificaprincipals, early-childhood tions. We are very fortunate in directors, heads of Solomon Omaha to have so many Schechter Day Schools and opportunities for financial other educators from enrichment through the throughout North America Jewish Federation of Omaha and Israel.

Foundation.”

“Once a year I have been Overall, Rubin found the fortunate to attend the JEA JEA convention to be benefiand be part of a unique comcial for “the opportunity to munity which shares my share – from a grassroots perexperiences and values as a spective -- what is happening Conservative Jewish educain the field of Jewish educator,” Rubin said. “Networktion. I look forward to particing with other education ipating in future gatherings.” directors about issues that we The conference also providBeth El Education Director Judy Rubin face in the movement as well ed a special personal perk to as our own congregations is invaluable.” the Beth El religious school principal: she was pleased to The theme of the four-day conference was “Exploring be on hand as her cousin, Rabbi Mark Bisman, spiritual Eco-Judaism and Searching for Spirituality in the Desert leader of Har Zion Congregation in Scottsdale, was honEnvironment”; participants were given the opportunity ored for his contribution to the Scottsdale (AZ) Jewish to explore environmental issues and ways to teach about community. (Rabbi Bisman led the congregation of preservation of the planet, based on Jewish texts and Tifereth Israel in Lincoln from 1973 to 1983.) sources. Among the featured speakers were Rabbi Brad Artson, Vice President of the American Jewish University; Rabbi Jerome Epstein, Executive Vice To order a gift subscription to the Press...

President, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; Send a check for $35, made out to the Jewish Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, Press, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

California; and Dr. Barry Holtz, Dean of the Davidson School of Education at JTS. Several sessions also For more information on how to connect your addressed the current economic climate, Rubin said, out-of-town relatives and friends, call 334.6448. noting that the Jewish education field has not been

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actions against Hamas in Gaza, according to a national survey conducted for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The findings strongly contradict the notion that surfaced during the war in Gaza that American Jews were divided in their attitudes, with suggestions that many were critical of Israel.

The telephone survey of 400 American Jewish adults was conducted between Jan. 13-19, (with a hiatus for the Sabbath) by The Marttila Communications Group, and has a margin of error of +/-4.9%.

Survey highlights include: • 94% expressed sympathy for Israel over Hamas; only 1% for Hamas. And 81% expressed the belief that Hamas was responsible for the escalation of the violence; only 14% held Israel responsible.

• Asked whether Israel’s response to Hamas rockets was appropriate or excessive, probably the major theme that has appeared in international critiques of Israel, 79% said it was appropriate, 17% excessive.

• When asked about Israel’s right to self-defense versus the need to win the “hearts and minds” of the Arab world, 79% said that Israel’s responsibility to protect its citizens takes precedence.

“The results of the ADL survey attest to the fact that the American Jewish community understands and supports Israel’s fundamental right to safeguard its citizens,” ADL Plains States Regional Director Alan Potash said. “We see unity on this issue throughout our region and across the country.”

ADL also explored American Jewish views of some of the key political issues facing Israel.

• Two-thirds of those interviewed indicated that they supported Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 and the same number continues to support that position. Another 63% support the creation of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza while 32% oppose.

“While a great majority of American Jews back Israel’s claims to security, we also maintain support for an ongoing peace process,” Potash said. The full poll is at www.adl.org/Israel/ us_attitudes_2009/default.asp.

Page 8

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 13, 2009

A wake-up call in Gaza No, we’re not talking about Israelis. Finally some Palestinians living in Gaza are beginning to realize that they are being used and oppressed, not by the Israelis, but by the leaders they elected: Hamas.

The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC) reported by IMRA (Independent Media Review Analysis) that local Gaza residents are beginning to open up to members of the foreign press.

Several articles have appeared, including one in Sydney, Australia's Morning Herald about a Gazan ambulance driver forced to ferry Hamas terrorists in and out of battle zones.

Another reporter at the New York Times wrote in a Jan. 18 story that Hamas operatives “fought differently” after being trained by Syria and Iran. “They fired rockets in between the houses and covered the alleys with sheets so they could set the rockets up in five minutes without the planes seeing them. The moment they fired, they escaped,” one Gazan said.

And in Italy’s Corriere della Sera, a reporter wrote: “A Gazan woman ... said that practically all of the tallest buildings in Gaza had been struck by Israeli bombs, and that they had rocket launchers on the roof or else were being used by Hamas as observation points ... they even set some up close to the large UN depot that later went up in flames ... when the Gazans barricaded themselves inside their houses to keep Hamas operatives out, the operatives would use force to beat down the doors and windows.”

By now, most readers have heard that officials from the United Nations have admitted that the charges made against the Israel Defense Force for bombing a UN school were false. The IDF did fire back when rockets were

launched next to a school, but apparently Hamas operatives told children and adults hiding in the school for safety to leave the building and go out in the street!

About 40 of them died, proving once more that Hamas terrorists are happy when Israelis die, but happier still when Palestinians die -increasing the death toll and their status as “victims” in the eyes of the world press.

The UN also admitted that Hamas has been stealing humanitarian aid from UN trucks, belying the original claim that Israel wasn’t allowing aid to cross the border into Gaza.

Other reports have emerged about rocket launchers and ammunition being stored under the Al-Quds hospital. It also was a hiding place for terrorists, who brazenly looked for wounded members of the opposing Fatah Party so they could kill them. In fact, nearly 80 Fatah Party members were bound, blindfolded, and held captive; some of them were shot in the feet so they couldn’t escape!

Other stories of Hamas terrorists holding families captive are coming out as well. It’s dangerous to protest in Gaza (as well as in other iron-fisted Arab lands) and certainly isn’t good news for those who have suffered, but the fact that “regular” Palestinians are beginning to speak out against Hamas’ dictatorial rule -- even in small ways -- is a welcome change.

In Israel (and in the United States) as some Palestinians are learning, citizens can say whatever they want about their government, including cursing politicians and challenging the authority of any political party. And it

can be done without any punishment at all (one only needs to read the blogosphere on the right and left to see how intense the feelings are about politicians these days!).

These little cracks in the Hamas public relations farce seem to be spreading. As Gershon Kader, Israel’s Deputy Consul General based in Chicago, said last week in Omaha: “It’s not Israel’s job to overthrow the rulers in Gaza.”

But it certainly is our hope that the ordinary people living in Gaza, recognizing that their government cares far less about them than about killing Israelis, will rise up (soon) and throw the bums out.

FOCUS ON ISSUES

by DANIEL S. MARIASCHIN WASHINGTON (JTA) -- It is increasingly unsafe to be a Jew in Venezuela.

The latest example of the growing hostility toward Jews came on Jan. 30, when a Caracas synagogue was vandalized by armed perpetrators who threw Torah scrolls and prayer books on the floor, and wrote on the walls “We don’t want Jews here” and “Jews get out.”

This latest anti-Semitic act demonstrates once again the vulnerability of Jews in Venezuela. Over the last few years, Venezuelan Jews have been increasingly the target of ever bolder anti-Semitic attacks.

Anti-Israel news is in abundance on Venezuelan state-controlled television and radio stations, which have been featuring excerpts from “The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion,” the anti-Semitic tract -proven to be a forgery -- that claims a Jewish plot to rule the world. During the Gaza conflict, large swastikas connected to Stars of David by an equals sign were painted on synagogues and other buildings associated with the Jewish community.

These alarming trends, including the attack on the synagogue, are a direct result of the atmosphere that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is cultivating and reflect the degree to which he has made a mockery of his commitment last year with the presidents of Brazil and Argentina to combat anti-Semitism.

Chavez is inciting hatred by singling out Jews in Venezuela from their countrymen.

The Venezuelan leader publicly urged Jews to stand up against Israel and compared the Israeli incursion in Gaza to the Holocaust.

People may wonder why the president of Venezuela -- a country that is so far from the Middle East, and where Jewish and Arab minorities have traditionally had a peaceful coexistence -- even has a position on the conflict in Gaza ...

Shamelessly manipulating history, Chavez dares to say that Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 in order to be able to attack the area and get rid of all the Palestinians. He calls Israel “the murderous arm of the United States” and claims that the CIA and Israel’s intelligence unit, Mossad, assassinated PLO leader Yasser Arafat in order to divide the Palestinian people.

Chavez also asserts that the United States would like to have “other Israels” in Latin America to attack the Latin American people, and that it should not be allowed to do so.

People may wonder why the president of Venezuela -- a country that is so far from the Middle East, and where Jewish and Arab

Jewish Press Board Michael Sigmond, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Marc Brodkey; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; Andy Ruback; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman.

The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press .

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World must speak out against Chavez These disingenuous and irresponsible remarks have placed the Jewish people in Venezuela in a situation of tremendous vulnerability.

In December, Chavez and his foreign minister, Nicolas Maduro, made incendiary statements about the situation in the Gaza Strip that culminated in the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Caracas -- more evidence of Chavez’s extreme ideology.

Without making any serious analysis of the context of the Gaza conflict or even mentioning Hamas’ years of terrorist attacks against Israel, the Chavez regime called Israel a “genocidal” state that is willingly attacking the “peaceful, unarmed and defenseless Palestinians.”

(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

minorities have traditionally had a peaceful coexistence -- even has a position on the conflict in Gaza, one that is more anti-Israel than the positions of the president of the Palestinian Authority and other Arab leaders.

But Chavez’s recent anti-Israel statements, and the weekend synagogue attack, are not entirely surprising. Chavez has always been able to capitalize on the anti-American sentiment prevailing in the region, and attacking Israel -- a staunch U.S. ally -- provides the perfect opportunity.

His manipulation of the facts of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict also unmasks his long alliance with Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, as well as his profound sympathy for the Iranian regime’s extreme anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic agenda. Chavez and his ally, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, share a frightening worldview.

Chavez’s recent remarks on the Gaza situation drew protests from 75 scholars from all over the world who signed a petition decrying his comparison of Israeli actions to the Holocaust.

In their protest letter to Chavez, the Holocaust scholars cite a 2008 U.S. State Department report that lists “drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” as an example of anti-Semitism.

The Holocaust scholars asked Chavez to “retract your comparisons of Israel to the Nazis and refrain from making any such comparisons in the future.”

It would seem naive to expect Chavez to renounce his views. But his insidious remarks must be publicly denounced lest anyone, world leader or world citizens, think his remarks are acceptable. To remain silent is to be complicit.

Daniel S. Mariaschin is executive vice-president of B’nai B’rith International.

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February 13, 2009

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

The Muslim world can’t get no respect?

BEHIND THE H EADLINES

by JAMIE WEINSTEIN

Deliberately taking his first interview as president with the Arab TV news station Al-Arabiya, Barack Obama sought to deliver a message of respect to the Muslim world.

“We are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest,” he said, echoing a line from his inauguration speech.

“Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world, that the language we use has to be a language of respect,” he commented.

“I think that what you’ll see is somebody who is listening, who is respectful,” he respectfully noted.

“We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful,” Obama orated.

Get it? Respect, respect, respect. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Obama says the United States will be respectful to the Muslim world. If you are scratching your head (and you should be), it is because the United States has been respectful to the Muslim world.

It may be worthwhile to ask, has the Muslim world been respectful to us?

Burning American flags? Not respectful. Chanting “Death to America”? Not very respectful. Hanging George W. Bush in effigy? Not much respect in that.

Knocking down the Twin Towers? Well, you get the point.

The respect argument has been a canard for some time. The Iranians have used the respect card, or the lack of respect card, at least as far back as the Clinton Administration. They like to use this as a reason for their failure to cooperate with the United States. “We don’t believe that the behavior of the United States shows yet that it is ready for a dialogue based on mutual respect,” an Iranian official told the New York Times in 1998.

It almost makes you feel that Iran is the Rodney Dangerfield of countries. Oooh, the Mullahs just can’t get no respect.

Muslim governments (and non-Muslim governments for that matter) clamoring for respect should remember that respect is not a right. It has to be earned.

Pop quiz time: Does the Iranian regime not want to give up its nuclear weapons program because a) it doesn’t feel that the United States has given them sufficient respect or b) they want to develop nuclear weapons?

Time’s up. The answer is B. If you said A, you are probably a prime candidate to become Secretary General of the United Nations some day.

Instead of being disrespectful to the Muslim world, the U.S. has been sacrificial.

In 1991, America led a coalition to push Saddam Hussein out of Muslim Kuwait. In 1993, American troops lost their lives trying to provide humanitarian assistance to Somali Muslims. In 1999, the U.S., along with NATO, ended ethnic cleaning being perpetrated against Kosovar Muslims. In this century, fighting back

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor: We write to tell you that Temple Israel is responding to the impact of the economic downturn on our congregants and our larger community.

If you know of someone in our congregation whose personal circumstances have been made more difficult by the economic crisis and is in need of help, please let them know that we are prepared to be of help. We urge you to contact a member of our clergy or Dennis DePorte, in absolute privacy, about how we can help deal with your specific concerns and needs.

We also appreciate that other congregants who are not affected by the economic downturn may be wondering how they can be of assistance. We are sending a letter to every household with further information about our response and ideas for how you may be able to help.

Parenting isn’t easy.

Don’t give up. Call toll-free 2-1-1* or go to www.ne211.org.

Reach out. Get Answers.

Also watch for ideas and requests in the Temple Tidings and on our website.

Working together once again, as compassionate Jews in difficult times, we can truly be a sacred and holy community.

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel Dennis DePorte, Executive Director Jon Meyers, President Editor’s note: We’re thrilled that the community is responding to our editorial of Dec. 26: “It’s hard to ask for help,” where we listed agencies that already are helping individuals and families. The Jewish Press wants to help too, and we’re offering “Job Wanted” ads at half price. Just call Advertising Manager Allan Handleman at 402.334.6451 for more information.

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after the ruthless Sept. 11 attacks, the United States liberated tens of millions of Muslims from cruel and sadistic rule in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Is the United States perfect? No. But I think we deserve some credit for putting American troops in harm’s way time and time again to protect innocent Muslims, sometimes when there was really no American interest at stake.

So it is somewhat baffling why President Obama feels it is necessary to emphasize that he plans on treating the Muslim world with respect. That has been standard American policy.

I can’t say that Obama’s interview with Al-Arabiya was all bad. It wasn’t. His goal of getting America’s message across to the Arab and Muslim world is a good and noble one. George W. Bush shared the goal, but wasn’t particularly effective in changing many hearts and minds in the Middle East. Obama possesses some unique attributes that make him a better spokesperson for the American cause in that part of the world.

Still, Obama should veer away from his apologizing for America. There is no reason for us to apologize. The totalitarian governments that populate the Middle East, on the other hand, have much for which to apologize – to us and to their own people.

During the Al-Arabiya interview, Obama was right when he said “I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians, and we will hunt them down.”

In a similar vein, is it not hard to respect governments who brutalize their populations and sponsor those very terrorist organizations of which Obama speaks? So, yes, the Muslim world has generally been respected by the United States, but a better question to ask is -- do many of the governments in the Muslim world merit respect?

Muslim governments (and non-Muslim governments for that matter) clamoring for respect should remember that respect is not a right. It has to be earned. To say that many of the fear societies that populate the Middle East have not earned it is to state the bloody obvious.

Jamie Weinstein graduated from Cornell University in 2006. During his senior year, he was named one of the “25 Most Influential Cornell Undergrads” by The Cornell Daily Sun for his provocative writing and campus activism. After graduating, Weinstein worked as a Collegiate Network Journalism Fellow at Roll Call Newspaper in Washington, D.C. While at Roll Call, he wrote for the paper and worked as the assistant to its executive editor—and Fox News “All-Star”—Mort Kondracke. His work has appeared in The Weekly Standard, The American Spectator Online, FrontPage Magazine, the New Hampshire Union Leader, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, among other publications.

He blogs at www.JamieWeinstein.com.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 13, 2009

Candlelighting Friday, February 13, 5:38 p.m

Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org

Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org

Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org

The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609

Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org

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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Carole Lainof, RN, MSN on Here’s to Your Health. The community is invited.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg.

FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Minha/Ma’ariv, 5:45 p.m.

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

Bible Study SUNDAY: Discussion Group; Navigating our Services with Joy led by Susi Frydman-Levin, 10 a.m.; The Mitzvah Club also led by Frydman-Levin; and Synagogue skills class led by Cantor Schlossberg, 11 a.m.

THE CHOREOGRAPHY OF SHABBAT SERVICES: led

by Cantor Schlossberg, Sundays, Feb. 15, 22, March 1 & 8, noon. Cost: $18; open to adults in the Jewish community; knowledge of Hebrew not required. To register, call the office.

THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Jewish Ideals and Ethics for Everyday Living, noon.

SISTERHOOD BAKING: Hamantaschen bakers needed on Sunday, Feb. 15, Tuesday, Feb. 17 and Sunday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m.

For information, call the office.

HAMANTASCHEN SALE: Now through Feb. 19. Available in poppy seed, apricot, prune, raspberry and cherry, for $6.25 a dozen. All proceeds benefit Sisterhood. To order, send a check – made payable to Beth El Sisterhood -- to the synagogue.

PROPHETS, PROPHECY & POLITICS: led by Dr. Guy Matalon, Thursdays, Feb. 19, 26, 7:30 p.m.

MORNING SHABBAT LIVE: Saturday, Feb. 21, 10:30 to noon. Program for Pre-K to 2nd grade children and their parents. All families in the Jewish community are welcome; no charge.

USY/KADIMA SHABBAT: Saturday, Feb. 21, 9:30 a.m.

USY/KADIMA ICE SKATING PARTY: Sunday, Feb. 22, 3 p.m. at Tranquility Iceplex,

123rd & W. Maple. Cost is $5; RSVP to Robert Mosenkis in the office or at youthdir@bethelomaha.org.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 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 and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi.

FRIDAY: Lunch & Learn, noon with members of Garin Ometz; Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:38 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; As part of the Anniversary Celebration, members of Garin Ometz from Akko and our High Holiday Chazzan, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer are participating; Kiddush sponsored by the synagogue; “Guard Your Tongue” and “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 & up)” one hour prior to Mincha, 5:15 p.m., followed by Seudah Shlishit; Havdalah and Dessert Reception, 6:45 p.m. featuring Akko musicians.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Teen Class is off for President’s Day Weekend.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Mishnah Club for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m.

THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m.

SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; You be the Judge II-exploring Jewish Civil Law, 7 p.m. Space is limited.

Enroll now at www.myjli.com.

More information call 330.1800 or email JLI@chabad.com.

TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Achieving Integrity, Torah Studies for the Workplace, 7 p.m. For information call 330.1800 or e-mail TorahStudies@ochabad.com.

THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II for ages 7-9, 3:45 p.m.

Please contact shevi@ochabad. com for a pass.

All events and programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following hosted by Stacy and Kevin Balter.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan - Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel; Winter Lecture Series, 7 p.m. at Unitarian Church: Cuban health care, medical training, and AIDS policies with Byron Barksdale, a physician in North Platte who leads the Cuba AIDS project.

MONDAY: Temple office closed for President’s day.

TUESDAY: Women’s Lunch Group will meet at The Cup, 643 S. 25th St, Ste. 7, noon.

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

THURSDAY: Jewish Ethics, 12:30 p.m.

Lunch and Discussion. Please RSVP to the Temple office at 435.8004 or stemple@neb.rr.com to be included in the lunch count.

ADULT EDUCATION FEB. TUESDAYS, 7:30 p.m.

Yoga for Every “Body”, led by Barbara Barron.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by David Herzog and Jim Polack.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

BAT MITZVAH Leah Margaret Brookstein, daughter of Debbie and Spencer Brookstein, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Temple Israel.

Leah is a seventh-grade honor roll student at Millard North Middle School. She is a second degree tae kwondo black belt.

Her interests include tae kwondo, reading, volleyball, and swimming.

For her mitzvah project, Leah cut her hair for Locks of Love, volunteers at the Blumkin Home and for Bikes.

She has a sister, Marci.

Grandparents are the late Leah Brookstein, and Lynn and Marvin Brookstein of Fountain Hills, AZ, and Rita and George Meister.

FRIDAY: Family Shabbat to Honor Scouts and Military Troops, 5:45 p.m. Hosts are Danielle and Jeff Gordman and Susie and Mike Norton. Boy Scout ceremony, Temple’s Children Choir and deployment stories by Air Force Captain Jonathan Beha; military members of our community will also be honored. After services, WRJ invites everyone to help pack boxes. To sponsor a filled box, the cost is $36 per box and WRJ will do the shopping for you.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat

Service, 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: No Religious School.

TUESDAY: Executive Meeting, 6 p.m.; Board of Trustees, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 712, 6 p.m.; Learn about our Tapestry Project, 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Program Director Wendy Goldberg at wgoldberg@templeisraelomaha.com, or Marge Bressel, 553.2667 or breselms@ cox.net. A suggested minimum donation of $18 is appreciated; God's To Do List: Keep Teens Healthier Education Research Group on Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Teens, 7 p.m. For more information contact Gary Kaplan, garyk@ cox.net.

THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Cantor Shermet, 10 a.m.; The Faith Club authors, 10 a.m. Three women came together to write a picture book for their children to highlight the connection between the three faiths, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The event is open to the public, admission is free, reservations are recommended.

Friday, Feb. 20: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. led by Cantor Wendy Shermet; Tot Shabbat & Dinner, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Eric Linder. Cost is $5 for adults and no charge for children. Please RSVP to the Temple office, or email mkube@templeisraelomaha.com; Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 22: Book Club, 10 a.m. The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time by Jeffrey D. Sachs facilitated by Creighton Professor Tracy Leavelle.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 5:38 p.m.

SATURDAY: Srvices, 9 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m., Lunch & Learn, and Talmud study. Kiddush luncheon sponsored in of Louise Springer’s birthday.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan - Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel.

TUESDAY: Women’s Lunch, noon at The Cup. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

February 13, 2009

The “Ten Utterances”

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Yitro It seems odd that there is a parasha called “Yitro”, named for a pagan, but none that bears that name of his son-in-law, Moses. The Midrash, of course, is bold enough to say that because of his contact with Moses, Yitro became unhappy with his own background, and converted himself to Judaism -- that is to say, the religion of the Israelites that in time became Judaism.

It is noteworthy that the Israelites, so soon after they escaped the slavery of Pharaoh, set out to get as far away as possible. The Good Lord led them to Sinai, and amid the sound of lightening and the flash of thunder, they received nothing less than the Ten Mitzvot. According to the ancient Greek translation, they’ve been known not as the “Ten Utterances” but as the Ten Commandments.

If you look at them analytically for a moment, you see that the first five seem to be, as it were, theological, but the last five deal with the social life of humankind. How shall men live together? There are these things that must be observed: do not murder! Do not -- and there are four more prohibitions -- against lying, committing adultery, stealing and coveting.

If you look at the whole list, you can see that everything that is required in human life is covered in one

fashion or another. The law codes from Hammurabi down, including all those of the United States of America, its states and cities, are included in these Ten Statements.

Both theology and morality are covered here. The only direct positive commandment has to do with the Sabbath. It is not for nothing that the first two chapters of the Bible are directed to Shabbat. The Sabbath, as a great philosopher once pointed out, preserved Judaism to the extent that Jews observed the Sabbath.

Thus observant Jews live from Shabbat to Shabbat.

The halo of the Sabbath lasts surely until Tuesday, and the rest of the days of the week are spent in preparation, economically, but more importantly, mentally for the next Shabbat.

So far as I know, only in Judaism are there names for the weeks of the year, and those carry the names of the weekly parshiyot. Thus an educated Jew might write a letter dating it not necessarily by the date of the month, but by the day of the week of a particular Shabbat. In fact, if you are married and look at your ketuba (marriage contract), you will see it likely begins to identify the date of your marriage with the day of the week, relative to Shabbat, it took place. If the ceremony occurred on a Sunday, for example, the ketuba will start on on Yom Rishon, the first day (following Shabbat).

I once remarked to a congregation I was addressing after the premier of the film, The Ten Commandments, “You’ve seen the movie; now read the Book.” That goes for us as well. No matter how well we know the Sacred Text, we ought to read the Ten Words again -- and again -- and again.

Tunes, tours and treats mark Beth El’s Tu B’Shevat celebration at Lauritzen Gardens

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by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El’s fourth annual Tu B’Shevat celebration at Lauritzen Gardens drew record numbers to the beautiful botanical center. Hundreds of attendees enjoyed an afternoon learning about the Jewish New Year of Trees, tasting

Parsha Club members get awards

fruits and nuts of Israel, and becoming informed about recycling and environmentally-friendly choices in everyday life. Left: Children crowded into the center’s classrooms to plant seeds, create craft projects and decorate cookies; and right: everyone was treated to a musical performance featuring Cantor Beth Schlossberg, left, and Dacia Jabenis.

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DEATH LOUIS AZRIEL Louis Azriel died at the age of 46 in Vernon Hills, IL. Services were held Feb. 8 at Temple Chai, followed by interment at Shalom Memorial Park.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Laurie Azriel; children, Annie, Ben and Jacob; parents Bea and Marvin Azriel; sister and brother-in-law, Elyce and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel; brother and sister-in-law, Phillip and Karen Azriel; and father-in-law Edward Frank.

Memorials to Olin Sang Ruby, 555 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062 or Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Rd., Long Grove, IL 60047.

by SHEVI KATZMAN for Chabad of Nebraska Last month’s Global Unity Lecture united of more than 350 communities across the globe, from Omaha, NE, and Santa Cruz, CA, to Helsinki, Finland. Daphna Pollack, who introduced the program to the Omahans gathered in the Jewish Community Center auditorium, said it’s a “first-time event” and that Nebraska was pleased to participate through Chabad House. After the presentation by prominent scholar and author, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz Even-Yisrael, members of Chabad’s Parsha Club received diplomas, including six-year-old Yael Schuller, above left, and five-year-old Isabella Persky, awarded to the “graduating” members by Rabbi Mendel Katzman, director of Chabad of Nebraska.

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Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.

Readers can also submit other announcements -- births 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. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

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Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 13, 2009

Dinner and a movie: What could be better?

by GARY KATZ Library Administrator Hungry for a good movie? Need a deli fix? You can satisfy both urges with the popular “Dinner and a Movie,” featuring the international box office hit, The Year My Parents Went on Vacation. This awardwinning film will be screened at the Theater of the Jewish Community Center on Sunday, March 8, 7 p.m.

Paulo during the World Cup Soccer Games. The parents tell their son they are going on ‘vacation,’ but in reality they are escaping the dictatorial ‘disappearances’ that challenged the Brazil of the time.

They drop him off so he can meet up with his grandfather. But to the unknowing parents, the grandfather has just died.

The film was Brazil’s official entry to the 2007 Academy Awards for Best

Left photo: Germano Haiut as Shlomo and Michel Joelsas as Mauro; and right photo: direcPhoto credit: Beatriz Lefräve tor Cao Hamburger with the children of the film.

Before the film, a kosher deli dinner will be served in the JCC Social Hall beginning at 6 p.m. The film will follow. The price for both dinner and the movie is $16. Tickets for the film alone are $6 and can be paid at the door.

Variety Magazine calls the film (which is 105 minutes long with subtitles), “a silky-smooth dramedy about a boy thrust into the alien environment of a Jewish community when his politicized parents are forced to flee the country.”

The year is 1970. The place is São

Foreign Language Film. It was also shown at renowned worldwide film festivals in Berlin, at Tribeca (NYC), and in Toronto.

Dinner reservations are required by March 2 by calling the Kripke Jewish Federation Library at 334.6462. There is limited seating for the deli dinner so please make your reservations now.

“Dinner and a Movie” is presented by the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith and sponsored in part by The Center for Jewish Education.

As job outlook dims, recent college grads have Israel alternative in English-language MBA program

by SYBIL KAPLAN Do you know someone who has graduated a university within the past three years?

Has he or she been to Israel and wanted to come back? Is he or she thinking of continuing in school but isn’t sure where or what?

Here is a solution to their dilemma.

The Tel Aviv University Recanati School of Business is launching a unique program beginning October 2009 -- the Sofaer International MBA Program.

According to Professor Simon Benninga, Academic Director of the Sofaer MBA, “this is a wonderful opportunity for young people to spend 11 months in Israel in a special program, taught in English, and receive an internationally recognized MBA at a fraction of what it would cost in the U.S. More significantly,” adds Professor Benninga, “students will live in Tel Aviv, the cultural, financial and business capital of Israel and learn about the areas for which Israel is best known -- high-tech management, bio-tech and venture capital.”

The idea for the program is the brainchild of the professor. “We have the best MBA program in Israel, a program of international standards with fabulous students. But it’s all in Hebrew. We feel it is time that we had a similar quality program in English, so that we can share our strengths and knowledge with outstanding international students,” he says.

The program, which begins in October 2009, has thus far attracted considerable interest, not only from non-Israelis, but also from both Jewish and Arab-Israeli students and a significant number of

Palestinians.

Approximately half of the Sofaer program’s curriculum consists of core courses in accounting, finance, statistics, marketing, management, strategy and ethics.

The program electives will include courses in venture capital, entrepreneurship, human resource management, financial modeling and more.

Students will have the option of doing their third semester as an exchange student at one of Tel Aviv’s 70 partner universities worldwide.

Professor Benninga explains that “it’s going to be high quality with excellent students and professors.” Most of the faculty will be from Tel Aviv University.

However, organizers of the program have contracted with a number of non-Israeli faculty, including “top faculty from Brown University and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.”

Applications are available now through the website: Http://www.imba-tau. org. The application deadline is March 25, and interviews are being conducted as applicants apply. Interested students may also email Professor Benninga at benninga@post.tau.ac.il.

Freelance writer Sybil Kaplan recently made aliyah from Overland Park, KS. She can be reached at syb1023@aol.com.

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Questions? Call 334.6448.