Vol. LXXXIII No. 25 Omaha, NE
SPECIAL HOME & GARDEN ISSUE
Beth Israel Makes the Move West
JELS Organizing Jewish Film Festival
by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of The Jewish Press Stepping over piles of snow and leaning into 30 mph winds, a group of about 35 braved the cold last Thursday afternoon to walk Beth Israel’s Torahs from the Jewish Community Center through the Leawood neighborhood into the congregation’s new synagogue on 126th and Pacific. “It’s not every day that a community gets to participate in an occasion like this,” said Dr. Howard Gendelman, who organized the procession. The group of men danced with the Torahs on the bima of the new sanctuary, as the women looked over the layout of the pews on their side of the mechitza. “I think this is where I’ll sit for now,” said Janet Kohll, wife of congregation President David Kohll, choosing a seat on the aisle, about halfway back. “That way I can watch my children when they’re on the bima, too,” she added, eyeing her son Max as he climbed up the Rick Katzman, left, Joe Shyken, Pacific. The Torahs were ceremoniplatform. Though Executive Director Beth Cohen Marvin Kohll, and Jack Kozlen, ously walked from the JCC. More photos on page 12 as well called this winter’s opening of the new were among those who carried the as a related story about the synaTorahs into Beth Israel’s sanctuary building, a “soft opening” with a larger comgogue’s art. at the new building on 126th and munity-wide dedication set for later this spring, the celebration did continue on Saturday with Shabbat “out West” to attend the opening Shabbat, the installation of a new Sisterhood Board of Directors along with several members of other synagogues. Cohen noted that a Shabbat minyan in the 52nd St. and a Shabbat lunch, attended by about 80 people. Several of the Shomer Shabbos families from the the Chapel will continue to be provided on Friday evenings “old neighborhood” of 52nd and Seward Streets, spent Continued on page 12
Trev Alberts to Headline B’nai B’rith Sports Banquet by HOWARD BORDEN and GARY JAVITCH Preview and NFL Preview during the season. for B’nai B’rith Henry Monsky Lodge Outstanding as a student and a player, Alberts capped To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of its charity ban- one of the finest seasons for any defensive player by quet, B’nai B’rith announced that winning Nebraska’s first Butkus ESPN College and Pro Gameday Award, and became one of the most Analyst, Trev Alberts would be their decorated defensive players in the guest speaker. annals of Nebraska gridiron. During “Alberts, a former Cornhusker allhis college career, Alberts helped star, will bring a unique insight to lead the Cornhuskers to three Big our dinner,” says Gil Cohen, Eight titles and three Orange Bowl Banquet Chairman.” berths and was named a First Team The Lodge annually honors the All-American by every major publimost outstanding Metro area high cation. school male and female student-athOff the field, Alberts was also lete of the year and presents them highly recognized, earning the with their prestigious Bert Render NCAA’s highest honor, the Today’s and Earl Siegel Memorial Awards. Top Six Award, in 1993. He was And, new this Golden Anniversary also a three-time Academic All-Big year, the award recipients will each Eight honoree. Alberts turned pro receive a $1500 scholarship providfollowing his 1994 first round seleced by sponsor Waitt Media. tion by the Indianapolis Colts for Another highlight of the May 12 whom he played through the 1996 evening event features the return of season. popular Omaha media personality, “As last year, the Henry Monsky Otis XII, who will reprise his insightLodge of B’nai B’rith will hold the ful and humorous role as Master of event at the Holiday Inn Convention Ceremonies. Center Ballroom,” Cohen added. Trev Alberts Alberts is primarily seen on ESPN’s The cocktail hour begins at 5:45 College and Pro Gameday as a lead analyst, reporting p.m. with the dinner following an hour later, according on all aspects of the game. Before his current assign- to Cohen. Tickets are $100 and are available by calling ment, Alberts served as an analyst for CNN/Sports the B’nai B’rith Office at 334-6443. Special VIP recepIllustrated, appearing on both CNN’s College Football tion/dinner tickets are $150.
Inside
This Week: Home & Garden Section Starts on Page 11 Group Initiates Women’s Seder: Page 3
28 Shevat, 5764 February 20, 2004
John Kerry’s Jewish Brother: Page 5
by GARY KATZ Assistant Librarian, Kripke Jewish Federation Library The highly acclaimed film--Moments, Israel--will open this year’s Jewish Film Festival in Omaha on Sunday, March 14, 7 p.m., in the theater at the Jewish Community Center. Moments is a collection of film shorts by some of Israel’s most gifted directors. They were commissioned to contribute 17 films, three minutes in length each, to premiere at the 2002 Jerusalem Film Festival and for broadcast on Israeli television. Matar-Plus, the producer explained that “we felt we had to do something about the situation. The films in this audio-visual essay are a wide range of genres, techniques and issues; documentaries, satire and personal statements. This variety is a faithful reflection of the almost unbearable complexity of our feelings and interpretations, as Israelis, to the present reality.” The shorts in Moments, Israel attempt to deal with ordinary people, with ordinary lives, attempting to bring order and reason to the chaos and madness of Israel’s daily existence. Immediately following the film, the audience is invited to participate in a panel discussion with Prof. Moshe Gershovich, Ruth Margalit, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Naava Naslavsky. The panelists have a unique perspective because they are either Israeli citizens or have visited the country recently. Guy Matalon, Executive Director of Jewish Educational and Library Services, noted, “This year’s festival is going to be bigger and better than our first one. The committee screened many, many films and chose the best out there. It will be an exciting series and should stimulate the viewers. The films will strengthen and deepen the viewers’ Jewish identity.” Jennifer Glazer, Chairman of the Film Festival Committee added, “We are very excited about the films we selected. The committee worked very hard to find something for everyone in the community to enjoy. We are thrilled to be able to share these films with everyone.” Tickets are $5 each and are available at the door or by calling the Kripke Library at 334.6462. A combopack is also available for $15 for all films. Upcoming films include: The Believer, Thursday, March 18, 7 p.m.; Nowhere in Africa, Saturday, March 20, 8 p.m.; Kids Matinee & Crafts, Sunday, March 21, 2 p.m.; Double Feature: Secret Lives: Hidden Children and In Vienna They Put You In Jail, Thursday March 25, 7 p.m. The 2004 Jewish Omaha Film Festival is presented by Jewish Educational and Library Services and the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. For more information, contact either Iris Ricks at JELS, 334.6445, or me, 334.6462.
Next Month: Salute to Beth Israel’s New Building on March 5 Judaism and the Environment: Page 13
ADL Offers Guide to Viewing The Passion: Page 20