March 1, 2013

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA March 1, 2013 19 Adar 5773 Vol. 93 | No. 24

A Mission to the Jews of Cuba

This Week

by RICHARD FELLMAN Our guide took us through Bev and Dick Fellman were an older section of Santiago among the 30 participants on the de Cuba, over streets that Mission to the Jewish community of were not only one way but Cuba sponsored by Temple Concord which had room for our bus of Syracuse where their son, Daniel and one single lane of pedesFellman, is the Senior Rabbi. This is trians, no more. To reach the part one in a series of articles about front of the small synagogue their trip. we were to attend for Kabbalat Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat services, in Santiago de Cuba the driver had to back up Our “Mission to Cuba” began with and in to the narrow street. an early morning flight from Miami Then the real story of to Santiago de Cuba, the nation’s Santiago de Cuba’s Jews second largest city located near the began for us. eastern tip of the island facing the In 1939 the doors to their Caribbean. It is in the midst of the Temple were closed. They mountain range where Fidel Castro were not opened until 1992, began the Revolution and the spot a year after the fall of the where Teddy Roosevelt and his Soviet Union, Fidel’s patron, From, the middle balcony above, Fidel Castro addressed Cuba for the first time.

Rough Riders battled in what when religious policies in Cubans call the Spanish, Cuban, opposite one of its oldest churches. restaurant, and began our real mis- Cuba were changed and opened.

Here Fidel gave his first famous sion... to visit Jews in Cuba, to meet Since no rabbis lived in Cuba, and American War of 1898.

When that war ended, the United speech from the second floor bal- and listen to them, and to bring even now none do, a rabbi visited States controlled Cuba as well as cony to a crowd a fraction of the size them medical supplies which were Santiago de Cuba from Chile lookPuerto Rico and the Philippines. of crowds he would adress in years in severely short supply. ing for the remnants of the city’s Each participant on the mission Jewish community.

Through the years, all but Puerto and speeches yet to come.

We made the usual tourist stops, was directed to bring with them 15 Rico became independent. The What he found, and what remains United States kept a Naval Base on checked into a four star hotel which pounds of medical supplies or over- to this day, is a congregation of less the very eastern tip of Cuba, east of was up to the standards of similarly the-counter or prescription medi- than 50 adults and a few children. rated hotels in any great city of the cines. We had purchased 30 pounds the city of Guantanamo.

We met the congregation’s Santiago de Cuba, which was once world. We had our first meal in of vitamins and planned to divide the Continued on page 2 Cuba’s capitol, boasts the city square, Cuba on a veranda of a charming bottles between our four main stops.

JCC Gallery: Local artists group show Page 4

Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group trip Page 6

Deli Madness

The Four Questions: 2013

by OZZIE NOGG March Madness and April Fools Day-type shenanigans will highlight the next couple months at the Star Deli Friday lunches. Mark these dates on your calendars and be there for the fun.

Why does our community have a Jewish Family Service?

favorite sandwich -- the Italian Beef Sandwich with Hot Italian Giardiniera. “The beef is slowly simmered in Italian seasonings, beef stock, red wine and a touch of red chili flakes,” Aparo explained. “The sandwich is topped with Giardiniera

Incredible experiences in Israel Pages 7 & 12

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

This Month The Passover Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

8 10 11

Mike Aparo with the Goldberg Sandwich, dessert not included.

On Friday, March 8, Deli diners will celebrate the 50th Birthday of Star Deli’s Chef Mike Aparo, Director of Food Services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. The Birthday party Special is Aparo’s

-- a hot and tangy relish of pickled peppers, jalapeno, olives, cauliflower, carrots and celery. You can order the Italian Beef Sandwich with or without the Giardiniera or you can order it as a soaker, where we tack the sub roll and dip it in hot Au Jus before building the sandwich. I just love this sandwich!” Patrons will, too.

Note. There is no Deli on Friday, March 22, to allow culinary staff to prepare the RBJH kitchen for Passover.

Friday, March 29, is time for the Passover Deli, where patrons can enjoy the all-time Star Deli Continued on page 2

by OZZIE NOGG The Four Questions are a familiar part of the Passover narrative.

In this, and upcoming editions of the Jewish Press, we’ll reframe the questions asked at our seder tables to reflect current issues in our community -specifically those relating to Jewish Family Service -- as well as our responses to those questions. During this season that celebrates freedom, we’ll speak of JFS and describe the ways it helps clients break with a negative past and gain the freedom to create a new reality in their lives. We’ll also explore the need to show Compassion, Caring, Connection and Commitment -the four pillars on which Jewish Family Service stands. And just as with the Haggadah, in the telling we will learn.

At the Seder, the wise son asks the first question: “What is the meaning of the testimonies, statutes and laws that God has commanded?” According to commentaries on the Haggadah, the wise son already knows the answer, but wants to learn more in

order to fully understand what is expected of him. He is ready to listen and fully prepared to take appropriate action.

Now, let’s pretend the Wise Son represents all of us. And let’s reframe the question in terms closer to home.

“Why does our community have a Jewish Family Service? What is its purpose, mission and goal?”

Like the Wise Son in the Haggadah, let’s assume that all of us already know the answer. And that we, too, want to learn more in order to better understand our responsibility to this community and the actions we can take, if we choose.

Here’s the broad answer to the First Question: The mission of Jewish Family Service is to strengthen and preserve life in the Omaha Jewish community and the community at large. Guided by traditional Jewish values of communal responsibility and social justice, JFS is committed to enhancing each individual’s ability to thrive, free from negative influences. This goal is accomplished Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | March 1, 2013

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It’s a Family Affair

A Mission to the Jews of Cuba Continued from page 1 president, Emma Fariz-Levy, a member of one of the city’s oldest Jewish families, a family which came to Cuba from Turkey in the early days of World War I when Turkey, then part of the Ottoman Empire, allied itself with Germany.

Many Jews were unhappy and left Turkey, thus establishing the Sephardic synagogues of Cuba.

Today’s Santiago de Cuba congregation, however, is part of the Conservative Movement, begun throughout Latin America by Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer, a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, who founded The Seminario Rabinio Latino Americano and trained rabbis for all of Latin America.

Soon after we arrived the small hall filled with the local men and women of the congregation.

The room’s floor was tile, in a pattern of brown and offwhite. The walls were white stucco, all to keep the room cool in the hot weather of the long summer. The Bimah was two steps above the floor, and behind it was the Ark and the Eternal Light, flanked by a Star of David. The Siddur, in Hebrew and Spanish, stated that Rabbi Meyer was the “supervisor general.”

Mrs. Fariz-Levy, an energetic, small and poised woman, welcomed our group, told the story of her congregation, and explained that the Kabbalat Service would begin, with two Continued on page 3

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Continued from page 1 through programs such as these: • Financial Assistance. JFS understands that those in financial distress are slaves to a cruel taskmaster. And so, the agency provides temporary aid to individuals and families who find themselves unable to meet their financial obligations. Today -with lost jobs, foreclosures, rising insurance and medication costs -- more and more families are struggling to make ends meet. In all cases, Jewish Family Service aims to promote financial self-sufficiency and independence. Our professional staff provides dignified, effective solutions -- all with confidentiality.

• Counseling. Some in our community are enslaved by circumstances that hold them back. At JFS, experienced therapists are available to those who are struggling with life’s challenges -- divorce, drug use, gambling, stressful economic conditions. The people served by the agency are as diverse and varied as is our community. They represent all age groups and all walks of life. The JFS counseling staff offers a continuum of services to help clients work through their problems and enjoy a more fulfilling life.

• Yachad. The Hebrew word, yachad, means togetherness. The Yachad program offers those in our community with developmental disabilities a place to belong, and gives participants the freedom to break through boundaries.

Yachad provides advocacy and referral services plus social, cultural and religious activities to all who choose to participate. Activities include strength training at the JCC, art programs, attendance at sporting events, the celebration of Jewish Holidays at local synagogues and other monthly get-togethers. Through their freedom to choose these enhanced life opportunities, Yachad members maintain or improve their independence and social skills, and become better equipped to reach their full potential.

According to a Midrash, God created just one man, Adam, and one woman, Eve, to remind us that we are all descended from the same ancestors and part of the same human family; so that no person can say to another, “I am

better than you, for my ancestors are better than yours.”

The Yachad program reflects this philosophy.

• Parenting. Raising children today is often more challenging than it was in the less complicated past. Parents and kids can become slaves to over-programmed schedules, peer pressure, aggression, competing to win and show superiority over others, plus the constant barrage of information overload. To strengthen families, Jewish Family Service offers classes and consultation to help moms and dads establish healthy relationships with their kids and have fun parenting while, at the same time, teaching their children to be responsible for their actions.

And therein lies the answer to the question, “Why does our community have a Jewish Family Service?” To provide assistance to our neighbors in need so they will gain financial, emotional and psychological freedom. There’s a temptation to say dayenu -- it would have been sufficient for us -- after each program within JFS is mentioned. But compassionate, caring people know that in the doing of good deeds, there is never enough. We who feel a connection and commitment to this community remember our obligations to others and to Judaism. Among those obligations is a responsibility to learn all we can about our past, and not leave the future work to others.

In his book, The Kingdom of Memory, Elie Wiesel writes, “To be Jewish is to take up the burden of the past and include it in our concerns, our projects, and our obligations in the present. I love Passover because it remains for me a cry against insensitivity. For me, Passover is an ongoing commitment to others and to compassion.”

At our Seder tables, as we tell the story of our liberation from slavery to freedom, let us remember those in our community who remain burdened. As we say, “Let all who are hungry come and eat. Let all who are in need, let them come celebrate Pesach,” let us remember the mission of Jewish Family Service. To learn how you can support the agency’s work by becoming a Friend of JFS, call 402.330.2024.

In the Haggadah, after counting each gift given by God to our ancestors during the Exodus, we say, dayenu -- it would have been sufficient for us. Jewish Family Service recognizes that in the doing of good deeds, there is never enough.

Deli Madness Continued from page 1 Exclusive -- The Latke Rueben Special. “People come out of the woodwork for this unique sandwich,” said Mike Schop, Blumkin Home Assistant Administrator. “In this culinary creation, crispy potato latkes are used instead of bread. We pile corned beef, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and parve (fake) cheese between the latkes, so this combo meets all the requirements of a Passover prize-winner.” The March 29 approved-for-Passover Deli menu includes other traditional Jewish favorites: a brisket platter, matzoh ball soup, matzoh brei, plus fried salami and eggs.

All regular sandwiches -- corned beef, pastrami, turkey, tuna and egg salad -- will come on a matzoh roll, accompanied by potato chips. Dayenu.

Friday, April 12, marks another, much anticipated Goldberg Challenge. “Get your two-person team together and compete to win bragging rights along with a $10 gift Star Deli Gift Certificate,” said Josh Gurock, Blumkin Home Director of Facility Services. “And, of course, winners will get the $49.99 regularly priced Goldberg Sandwich for free.” For those unfamiliar with the event, the gargantuan Goldberg combines a two pound fresh challah split length-wise and stuffed with one pound each of smoked turkey, pastrami and corned beef. The meat is topped with leaf lettuce, two sliced tomatoes, one

whole red onion, one pound of coleslaw and garnished with three pickles and nine olives. The Goldberg is served on a platter along with one pound each of sweet potato fries and french fries for a grand total of over eight pounds of deli cuisine. “I challenge anyone to finish this colossal meal,” Chef Aparo said. “You’ll have one hour to consume the sandwich from start to finish, and Mr. Goldberg himself will be at this event to crown the winners, should there be any.” Those not participating in the Goldberg Challenge can order the special of the day -- BBQ Short Ribs -- or any of the other standard Star Deli sandwiches, salads and sides.

The Star Deli is open every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and continues to be a popular destination for chow hounds who enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and the kibitzing factor.

In addition, the Deli is happy to host special occasions and will reserve private dining spaces in the RBJH for large groups. For more information on how Star Deli Catering can add spice to your meetings, parties and life cycle events, contact Mike Aparo at 402.334.6522 or Regan Tinglehoff at 402.334.6523. If you prefer electronic Star Deli news -including Friday Deli lunch offerings -- please visit their web page at rbjh.com/index.php/star-catering/home. To stay up to date on deli specials and get the online Star Deli scoop, ‘like’ their Facebook page at facebook.com/star.deli.rbjh.

March 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 3

Concertmaster talks about music, family, ‘reclaiming’ her Judaism

by DIANE AXLER BAUM endeavors; he’s wonderful,” she smiled, Susanna Perry Gilmore fully embraced adding with pride that Barry is the principal violin and Judaism relatively late, but in of an independent school, recently earned a both areas she’s made up for lost time.

Ph.D., and is working on his seventh book.

A soloist and chamber Omaha offers Gilmore musician who performs across tremendous professional satthe country, Gilmore was conisfaction. From the time she certmaster with the Memphis visited as guest concertmaster, Symphony Orchestra for 15 she “felt a great positive conyears before assuming the nection between myself and same key position with the this Symphony.”

Omaha Symphony in 2011.

Connectedness matters. As During a recent interview, concertmaster, she’s responsishe spoke with warmth and ble for leading the strings “to intelligence about her life, her play as one voice” and for work, and concerts slated for showing “what the conductor this weekend at the Holland wants” through her playing.

Performing Arts Center and She admires Conductor Susana Perry Gilmore Sunday, April 7 at the JCC. Thomas Wilkins as “a great Gilmore said her mother is Jewish, and leader, on and off the podium,” and is delightthey “always had Seders and usually cele- ed that he calls her his “Field Commander.” brated Hanukkah,” but she “was raised in the Gilmore also receives praise for solo perUnitarian Church.” formance. A Memphis newspaper called her “Religion was not an issue until I became playing “thrilling and sensitive;” the Omaha a parent,” she said. In deciding on religion World-Herald remarked on her “heartbreakfor her daughters, she recognized her deep ingly mellow tone.” feelings about the Holocaust and an obligaOmaha is a good fit beyond the symphotion to keep her mother’s Jewish heritage ny. “I am blown away by everything I’ve alive. Moreover, she admitted to “a gap in found here,” she said, singling out the Old my own life that needed to be filled.”

Market, the Joslyn, and the zoo. She’s She studied for two years with a rabbi impressed by the Rose Blumkin Home; she before gratefully accepting her Irish hus- enjoys activities at the JCC. band’s willingness to impart her heritage to Gilmore is looking forward to two miletheir daughters. Finally, she created and stone programs. This weekend (March 1 and underwent a “Reclamation of Faith” cere- 2), the Omaha Symphony’s all-Mozart conmony, complete with mikveh immersion. certs at the Holland feature the Violin Gilmore enjoys maintaining a Jewish home Concerto #5 in A Major. In Memphis, Gilmore and watching Katy, 11, and Zoe, almost 9, performed as a soloist in this thrilling work, express their Jewish identities. How they and she’s excited about “the first opportunity miss her when she’s working! Fortunately, she to play the concerto with my new colleagues.” and husband Barry Gilmore are “very strong On Sunday evening April 7, at the JCC, co-parents,” and he holds things together.

Gilmore will make her debut with the “He’s always supported my professional Omaha Chamber Music Society.

The concert, titled “3 BY 3,” highlights three great works she loves: Haydn’s Trio in G Major; Rachmaninoff ’s Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano; and Ravel’s Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello. She will share the stage with Paul Ledwon, cello, and Yulia Kalashnikova, piano. Thanks to support from the Sokolof Javitch Music Fund, the concert is free and open to the public.

Gilmore’s academic parents raised her and her brothers as “faculty brats.” Born in Buffalo, N.Y., where she started piano at age five, she soon moved to Bloomington, IN, and then to Nashville, TN. By age 13, she’d pulled away from the piano toward the “social nature of the violin.

With the family’s move to England, Gilmore completed high school in Yorkshire, received a Bachelor’s in Music from Oxford, and spent a year in the Advanced Studies Program at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Only then did she return to the U.S. to attend Boston’s New England Conservatory, for a Master’s in Violin Performance.

Now Gilmore enjoys a multifaceted career filled with performing, teaching, and recording; innovation and leadership; recognition and awards. From her somewhat late commitment to violin performance, she has more than caught up -- and it’s full steam ahead from here.

Mission to Cuba Continued from page 2 young men taking turns in leading the prayers; one was her son, David Farin, and the other was Elias Mizrachi, his friend.

They led the evening service, all in Hebrew and exactly like the Friday evening service at Beth El in Omaha.

Our Mission’s leader, Rabbi Daniel Fellman of Temple Concord, Syracuse, New York, spoke at the end of the service on the weekly Biblical portion, “Va-Era,” where the Israelites, still slaves in Egypt, were being prepared for the Exodus by coming together as families for a meal of the lamb which was to be slaughtered.

“This Shabbat in Santiago de Cuba, Jews of Cuba and Jews of the United States have come together to celebrate the Sabbath in our traditional way,” he said. “This again demonstrates how we are all one family, Am Israel.”

After services, the chairs were removed,

Travelers had to stop at a “cholera checkpoint,” still a common sight in Cuba. tables were put in place, and all sat down for a catered kosher meal we provided.

Each portion was individually wrapped in a small container. The couple sitting opposite me took one meal, opened it, and shared it. The wife placed the second meal in her purse to take home. The meal: a whole but small fish, rice with black beans, and potato kugel.

We drove away in our luxury bus made in China to our four star hotel built for tourists from throughout the world but with few American guests.

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Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.

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4 | The Jewish Press | March 1, 2013

JCC Gallery this March: Local artists group show

College scholarship application deadline approaching

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Associate Executive Director, The Center for Jewish Life Thanks to funding from numerous endowments established through the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, plus funding provided by outside entities, Jewish students who are residents of the Omaha metropolitan area can apply for financial-need based scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, yeshiva and professional studies.

The scholarships are awarded by the Financial Aid Committee of the Center for Jewish Life. For the 2012-2013 academic year, nearly $89,000 was awarded to 37 students attending undergraduate and graduate programs at 14 different schools.

Enhancing the funding previously available, two new scholarships have been added in the past two years. The first was established by Marvin Gilman, a graduate of Central High School and the University of Nebraska Lincoln. The Marvin Gilman Scholarship Fund provides funding for a student attending the University of Nebraska Lincoln. The second fund, available to students attending vocational programs, is the Brandon Thomas Vocational Scholarship Fund. The fund was established by Elly and Bob Gordman in memory of their grandson, Brandon.

“We were thrilled to learn of the new funds available for post high school awards” stated Dorothy Spizman. “The generosity of those who have established endowment funds or provide yearly funding for scholarships is such a tribute to our community and the value that is placed on higher education.” Spizman is the chairman of the Financial Aid

Committee which determines the scholarship awards.

The Committee consists of 14 members representing a cross-section of the Omaha Jewish community. “It is such a pleasure to work with such a dedicated group of people. The passion the Committee has in helping those in our community is so strong.” With the exception of the chairman’s name, all other names are kept confidential. “I highly respect each of the committee members and wish I could recognize them publicly for their work,” said Spizman.

In addition to college awards, the Committee also reviews scholarship requests for a wide variety of other programs which include residential summer camp, JCC camp, Israel programs, the Child Development Center preschool and Friedel.

Spizman added there is also one merit-based scholarship awarded through the Committee. “The David Keiser and Lillian Keiser Stoms Foundation Education Endowment Fund for Academic Excellence Merit Scholarship is a $1,000 merit scholarship for a graduating high school senior. The award determination is primarily based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores and the recipient must also demonstrate a strong and active commitment to the Omaha Jewish community.”

Scholarship applications are available in the Center for Jewish Life section at www.jewishomaha.org. The deadline for submission of the application and all required documentation is Thursday, March 28, 2013. Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision by mid-April. For any questions, please email mgrossman@jewishomaha.org or call 402.334.6445.

Get a Passover holiday makeover during Beth El class

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Everyone can use a holiday makeover every now and then, and with Passover just around the corner, Beth El’s Shira Abraham will lead the way during “Passover Makeover: Home Edition,” a special get-together at her home on Sunday, March 3, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Shira will share tips and tricks regarding ways to stay organized for the holiday; she’ll also Shira Abraham look at new and creative ways to enhance the Passover celebration.

“So much of Passover -- the preparations, the cooking, even the Seder itself -- happens in our homes,” she said.

“We will explore new traditions and ways to add meaning into our home observance of the holiday. Come with ideas to share -- from how to stay organized for the holiday to ways to liven up your Seder!

“I was lucky to grow up in a home that was full of Jewish life,” she continued. “I want to be able to share how we bring Judaism into our lives and encourage people to observe holidays in ways that work for them -- in addition to how it is observed in the synagogue. I do not expect for people to simply copy models of how others observe Jewish life -- but to be able to add just one more thing into their own observance would be amazing!”

There is no charge to attend, but reservations are requested. To RSVP, contact Shira at Shira.Abraham@ gmail.com.

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by LYNN BATTEN JCC Publicity and Gallery Manager

Local photographers Mike Beck and Stefanie Limley, textile artist Juli-Ann Gasper, and multimedia artist Sheila Johns, present a wonderful group exhibit at the JCC Gallery this March. The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Sunday, March 3 from noon-4 p.m.

Tornado memories

by RENEE CORCORAN Execuvitve Director, NJHS The Douglas County Historical Society on Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. will hold a program remembering the 1913 Easter Sunday & Purim tornado. A panel of experts Dennis Mihelich, Harl Dalstrom and Catherine Biba, meteorologist Brian Smith and reporter/producer Mike Tobias of NET will discuss Nebraska’s worst natural disaster. Tobias will preview an excerpt of the coming NET documentary Devil Clouds: Tornados Strike Nebraska. Following a preview of the upcoming NET documentary on the cyclone, panelists will discuss the devastation and deaths caused by the twister as well as the relief effort and rebuilding that occurred in its aftermath. Omaha newsman Mike DiGiacomo will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The devastating tornado of March 23, 1913 ripped across part of our city greatly affecting our Jewish community. The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society joined the Douglas County Historical Society in publishing a booklet commemorating the twister that occurred a century ago.

Members of the NJHS will receive a free copy of the booklet at the event.

The March 10 program will be held on the south end campus of the Metropolitan Community College, Culinary School on 32nd and Sorensen Parkway. Reservations are required: please contact 402.334.6442 or email njhs@jewishomaha.org. Admission is free to members of both Historical Societies.

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March 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 5

Journey into Jewish history with Beth El’s scholar-in-residence

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Beth El will welcome Jewish history scholar Dr. Benjamin Gampel of the Jewish Theological Seminary during a special scholar-in-residence weekend at the synagogue, beginning Friday, March 15. The congregation’s special guest will take attendees on a journey back in time as he addresses Reframing Traditional Judaism: Travels with Maimonides, Nahmanides and Rashi.

Dr. Gampel, an associate professor of Jewish history, holds the Dina and Eli Field Family Chair in Jewish History at the seminary, teaching courses in medieval and early modern Jewish history, with a special focus on the medieval Sephardim. He is the author of The Last Jews on Iberian Soil: Navarrese Benjamin Gampel Jewry 1479-1498, and the editor of Crisis and Creativity in the Sephardic World. Dr. Gampel has also returned to the Spanish archives for a recent project, a book-length treatment of the riots and forced conversions of 1391 on the Iberian Peninsula.

“I am very excited to have Dr. Gampel serve as our Kahn Family Scholar in Residence this year,” said Beth El’s Rabbi Steven Abraham. “He was one of my favorite professors while in rabbinical school. Dr. Gampel is just as committed to his students as he is about his field of study. I loved his

lectures because they were entertaining as well as informative. I am thrilled that the Beth El community will get to spend time with this amazing educator.”

On Friday, March 15, during 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services, Dr. Gampel will offer a brief overview of his weekend presentations; he will also lead the Dinner & Drash session afterward, addressing Between Muslim Power and Jewish Survival: The Brilliant Career of Moshe ben Maimon (Rambam). On Saturday, March 16, during 9:30 a.m.

Shabbat services -- and continuing during Kiddush lunch -the professor will discuss The Pioneering Efforts of Ashkenazi Jewish Culture: Shlomo ben Yitzhak (Rashi) and his Pathbreaking Commentaries; then at 7:30 p.m., between Mincha and Ma’ariv/Havdalah services, he will lead a special study session, exploring “The Muslims Fall and the Christians are Victorious: Moshe ben Nahman (Ramban) and the Challenges of Christian Spain.”

There is no charge for the Saturday lunch; Friday night’s dinner cost is $5 for Beth El members and $12.50 for nonmembers. There is no charge for children six and younger.

Babysitting after dinner is available by reservation only.

Reservations are required for Shabbat dinner by Wednesday, March 13; after that date, a late fee of $10 will be added. Reservations may be made by visiting www.bethel-omaha.org, or by calling the synagogue office.

Checks – made payable to Beth El – should be sent to the synagogue.

Dr. Gampel's visit is being generously sponsored by the Ilse and Marcel Kahn Endowment Fund.

Temple Israel sixth grade to visit cemetery

by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer Temple Israel sixth graders will be getting an up close and personal look at Jewish burial rituals when they visit Temple Israel Cemetery on Sunday, March 3, with teacher Na’ama Artzi and Cantor Wendy Shermet.

The students will bury old Jewish books in the gineza service, students will participate in a service at the Schrager Memorial Chapel. They will also earn some community service hours by cleaning up around the cemetery, picking up sticks and branches and clearing off headstones.

Artzi also wants the students to practice their Hebrew by reading some names off the headstones.

“I want them to see who’s buried there and what their story is,” Artzi said. “I want them to understand the bigger picture, to appreciate Jewish history in Omaha. We’re just a link in the chain.”

Artzi will ask the students to find the oldest tombstone

in the cemetery as a way to connect with Omaha’s Jewish community.

“I think it’s extremely important for all of us to feel more comfortable with what a cemetery is all about, to look at a cemetery as a house of the living instead of a house of the dead,” Rabbi Aryeh Azriel said. “Because there are so many memories, so many stories, so many narratives that can emerge from those stones and tell us a story about our community.”

The cemetery, also known as Pleasant Hill Cemetery, is located at 6412 N. 42nd Street. Parental chaperones will drive the kids from Temple Israel to the cemetery and back, and also participate in the burial service. The class will return to Temple Israel by noon.

“When they see how we treat books and how we bury books, they can understand how important it is to treat each other with respect,” Rabbi Azriel said.

New Donor: Naomi Fox

by BOB GOLDBERG Director of Strategic Initiatives, Jewish Federation of Omaha Why become a donor now?

Now was a perfect time because I have been given so much support over the past few years. I received scholarships that were extremely helpful in pursuing my masters in elementary education. My current teaching position provides me the ability to give back to the Federation.

What’s your hope for the Omaha Jewish community moving forward?

It should continue to be as strong as it is today. I am proud to be a lifelong member of a Naomi Fox community that is supportive of me and many of my friends. I am excited to see progress happening not only at Federation, but also at Temple Israel.

I can’t wait to see what the future brings.

PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE

STUDENTS WITH BETTER GRADES It all starts with Newspapers.

What’s your takeaway? What do you get out of being part of the community?

I teach fifth grade Hebrew at Temple Israel, am a BBYO adviser and work closely with Young Jewish Omaha. I love every aspect of my involvement. It seems like every few weeks I get to meet another new member of the Omaha Jewish community, and I am proud and excited to welcome them!

Arts+Entertainment Avery Mazor, participant in the 2012 Artist in Residency Program through Partnership2Gether (See the Feb. 1 edition of Jewish Press), announces an exhibition of his work at the RNG Gallery/Dixie Quicks at 157 West Broadway in Council Bluffs. The exhibition, “sightlines,” will begin with an opening reception on Saturday, March 9 from 7-10 p.m.

The reception is open to everyone. Mazor’s photography and digital art will be on display until April 7. He has been an Assistant Professor of Art and Design at the University of Nebraska at Omaha since 2008.

Positions Available

The Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center, on the Jewish Federation of Omaha campus, provides an exceptional, highquality learning environment for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. We are looking for experienced, loving professionals to join our team, so if you are looking for a full or part time position, or if you are interested in being a substitute, please call Jeanine Huntoon at 402-334-6415.

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6 | The Jewish Press | March 1, 2013

Basic computer skills made easy!

Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group trip

Whether it’s a one-time lesson or ongoing instruction and support, learn how to use the computer with Dr. David M. Cohen, Ph.D., an educator and innovator who specializes in teaching computer skills to persons with little or no experience.

by MARGIE GUTNIK whimsical sculptures of children and colorful umbrellas Beth El Program Director anchoring Children’s Hospital, the ‘Labor’ sculpture at the Beth El’s Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group will enjoy a field Lewis and Clark Landing, and displays at the Henry Doorly trip on Sunday, March 10, at the Strategic Air & Space Zoo, Joslyn Art Museum, and the Heartland of America Museum to view Searching for Humanity: Veterans, Victims Park, among many others,” Jill Belmont said. “Searching for and Survivors of World War II, Humanity is yet another example of his ability to tell a an exhibit created by local powerful story using his artist Matthew Placzek. Using unique artistic talents, and I photos, memorabilia and testiencourage everyone to join us monies of Nebraska Holocaust on the 10th and share this survivors, soldiers and liberators of prisoners of concentraspecial experience.” tion camps in Nazi-occupied Attendees will meet at the Europe, the poignant museum at 10 a.m., and the Searching for Humanity exhibprogram will begin at 10:15 it asks its audience to reflect a.m. Following the formal on the search for humanity meeting, attendees are welcome to spend time touring during the Holocaust and to the rest of the museum. realize man’s obligation to All women in the Jewish humankind. Placzek will serve community are welcome to as the program’s special guest, attend. Admission is $11*; speaking about his experience reservations and payment conceptualizing and creating Matthew Placzek MUST be received by March the exhibit.

According to Jill Belmont, who is serving as the program’s 6. RSVP to Belmont at BeanK2@ aol.com, or 402.333.9202, host: “Matt is responsible for some of this city’s most stun- and send checks -- made payable to Beth El -- to the synaning and masterful artwork, including the sculptures and 35- gogue. (*No admission fee for museum members, but reserfoot-high clock outside of the CenturyLink Center, the vations are still needed.)

Learn: How computers work • How to use programs like Word, Excel and PowerPoint How to e-mail friends and family • How to play games on the computer Shop, read newspapers & books and watch videos online How to use SKYPE for free video-conferencing with your children and grandchildren Call today to see how we can tailor our services to meet your needs.

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The Bible in the News

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by GLENN J. CORBETT The Biblical Archaeology Society For more than a dozen years, Leonard J. Greenspoon’s The Bible in the News column has been one of the most popular and enjoyed sections of the widely read magazines Bible Review and Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR). For his column, Greenspoon scours the world’s newspapers and popular media looking for interesting, entertaining and often surprising references to the Bible and its timeless collection of sayings, characters and fables. Greenspoon’s perceptive eye and insightful commentary are matched by a charming, tongue-in-cheek humor that always brings a sly smile to the reader’s face.

Developed exclusively for eReaders, the brand-new book The Bible in the News: How the Popular Press Relates, Conflates and Updates Sacred Writ brings together all of Greenspoon’s The Bible in the News articles and columns into a single collection, beginning with his August 2000 feature article Extra! Extra! Philistines in the Newsroom! until his recent column in the November/December 2012 issue of BAR. This entertaining array of columns, whose topics

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Dan Welch continues our “Candidate Speaker Series” and will tell us why he wants to be Mayor of Omaha on Wednesday, March 6, noon, at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3.

For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH The Yiddish language is a wonderful source of rich expressions, especially terms of endearment (and of course, complaints and insults!).

Come join us for fun and laughter. We meet in the boardroom of the Blumkin Home, every Thursday from 1-3 p.m.

For information, please call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

Out

Dining When you patronize these fine establishments, tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press.

range from Adam and Eve in pop culture to North American highways and byways numbered 666 (the number of the beast according to Revelation 13:18), has been conveniently arranged into chapters focusing on Biblical episodes and passages from both the Old and New Testaments. The book’s final chapter explores general biblical themes and topics that often appear in media reports, from exceptional Bible translations to champagne bottles named for lesser known biblical characters like Rehoboam and Melchizedek.

These and many other fascinating stories about the Bible’s vibrant and continued presence in today’s media culture are found in this eBook, The Bible in the News.

Leonard J. Greenspoon is author of BAR’s popular The Bible in the News column, and holds the Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University in Omaha. He is editor-in-chief of the Studies in Jewish Civilization series, which is publishing its 24th volume this fall.

He also co-authored, with the late Harvey Minkoff, BAS’s free guide to modern Bible translations, The Holy Bible: A Buyer’s Guide.

In the news Andie Gordman is pleased to announce the launch of AGHR Solutions, a human resources consulting firm that will provide strategy development and tactical execution to small and mid-size companies. Gordman has over 20 years of diverse human resources experience. She has been very successful at partnering with business leaders and providing human resource strategies that support business goals.

Andie attended Boston University and earned a degree in Organizational Communication from Creighton University.

She holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation from the Human Resources Certification Institute.

For more information, please go to www.aghr solutions.com or contact Andie Gordman at andie@aghrsolutions.com.

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March 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 7

Incredible Experiences in Israel

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Associate Executive Director, Center for Jewish Life Each year, many teens and young adults have the experience of a lifetime, traveling to Israel on a wide variety of programs. The Jewish Federation of Omaha is delighted to support these experiences through the Israel Experience Grant program.

The Israel Experience Grant is a one-time gift from the Federation for students in grades 9-12 or young adults ages 18 to 25 for an approved Israel experience. The grant is available to anyone in the Omaha Jewish community who meets the following requirements: 1. The applicant must be a resident of the Omaha metro-

politan area 2. The applicant, or his/her family, is a donor in good standing to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha 3. The applicant agrees to provide an article and pictures of the experience within one month of return to Omaha for publication in the Jewish Press 4. The applicant will participate in any required preparatory program Applying for an Israel Experience Grant is a simple onepage application. The applications are available on the Scholarships and Grants page of the Center for Jewish Life on the Jewish Federation of Omaha website at www.jew-

ishomaha.org. Applications may also be requested via email at scholarship@jewishomaha.org. Return completed applications to the Center for Jewish Life, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha NE 68154.

Those in need of additional financial assistance can also apply for financial need-based scholarships. Scholarship applications are available as described in the previous paragraph. For additional information on all grant and scholarship programs, please call 402.334.6445 or email mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.

The following articles were written by teens who participated in programs in the summer of 2012 and each was a recipient of an Israel Experience Grant.

and Bedouin teens, I felt like I really began to understand the complexity of the situation. It was eye opening.

Another experience that gave me insight into the Israeli way of life was the home stay portion of the program. I went with an Israeli friend to stay on a moshav, a small farming settlement similar to a kibbutz. Life on the moshav was much different than my life at home.

Soon after, we traveled north to the beautiful Galilee where we hiked through amazing nature reserves and swam in fresh water springs. Being in the north was one of the highlights of my trip, partially due to the shabbat we spent there. Shabbats on Nesiya are unique, as they try to accommodate so many different types of observance. Because of the wide range of beliefs, Nesiya works hard to maintain a pluralistic environment and always has prayer and nonprayer options. These different options were a great opportunity, and I often chose to attend a service or activity that was unlike my typical routine at home. For this Shabbat in Safed, I decided to join the prayer option that was attending a traditional Moroccan Orthodox Synagogue. The songs and atmosphere were so different from what I am used to back home, and it was really special for me to see the different ways Shabbat is practiced around the world.

Not only did Nesiya expose me to different parts of Israel, but it exposed me to different parts of myself and pushed me to grow. This self awareness has given me more confidence and courage. At Nesiya we talked, hour after hour and day after day, about the importance of community -- not only did we talk about it, we lived it, so that now my Nesiya

friends are some of the closest in the world.

About Nesiya: The Nesiya Institute offers a variety of programs.

Their Flagship program is the summer six week Israel Kehillah program for Israeli and North American teens.

In 1987, Nesiya was created with the purpose of “involving Jews with differing religious, social and ideological backgrounds in the development of Jewish culture.” It was recognized and supported as a model program in 1988 by the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Foundation.

Nesiya’s follow-up programs in the U.S. have also received major support from the Nathan Cummings Foundation and Steven Spielberg Righteous Person’s Foundation.

Nesiya’s continued growth and development as a wellmanaged and debt-free non-profit during the past several years has been primarily supported by the leadership and generous support of Susie and Michael Gelman, Jeffrey Schwarz, Ilana and Chuck Ratner, Robert Arnow, Stephen Malkin, and Jonathan Lopatin. For additional information, visit http://www.nesiya.org.

See page 12 for another Israel Experience.

Nesiya means “Journey”

by EVA PHILLIPS Nesiya is the Hebrew word for journey, and that’s exactly what my summer experience in Israel was. Nesiya is an intensive six-week summer program where teenagers from all over North America and Israel travel throughout Israel while learning about its history, politics, religion, and most of all, themselves. Nesiya presents its participants with the real Israel, its conflicts, its beauty, its complexity, and its culture. By exploring Israel’s outdoors; by community service; through thought-provoking discussion, creative study, and expressive art workshops with local artists, the program builds a unique community of Israeli and American participants -- all with different Jewish backgrounds. In my “kehilla”(the Hebrew word for community) we had a wide range of ultra-orthodox, reform, modern orthodox, secular, conservative, and Unitarian Jews from Israel, America, Canada, and Ethiopia.

This diversity created a unique environment where although each person had different opinions, everyone’s voice was heard and respected, allowing us to truly learn from one another and create deep, one of a kind connections.

These connections began during the first week of the program when we spent five days hiking through the Negev.

Although the day-long hikes through the sand and the steep ventures down cliff-like mountains was hot and tiring, the time it allowed for bonding and discussion with my fellow participants made it worth the hard work. Sleeping under the stars to wake up at 3 a.m. and hike up a mountain to watch the sun rise over the sand dunes of the Ramon Crater is not an experience you get to have every day. After leaving the desert, we went on to do many more things which have left a great impact on me.

Midway into the trip we went to Rahat, an Arab city in Israel, to meet with Bedouin teenagers. Doing activities with these teens who were so similar, yet so different from me was an amazing experience. Through emotional discussions about politics, culture, and religion, I was exposed to a whole new perspective of Arab culture and the complex variety of emotions and opinions between Israelis and Arab teens. Having Israelis on the program added a whole other aspect to my experience. As an American Jew, most of what I knew about the Israeli-Arab conflict had come from the news and what I learned from Hebrew school. But being in Rahat and hearing opinions and stories directly from Israeli

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Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

A conspiracy theory is born

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press The story of Ben Zygier is a puzzling one. In short, Australian Jew (born in Melbourne, 1976) visits Israel as a teenager and participates in the Hashomer Hatzair, a Socialist–Zionist secular Jewish youth movement. After completing his law degree, he makes aliyah in 1994, serves in the IDF, marries an Israeli and eventually lands in jail where he commits suicide. For a few years, the story is silenced in the media. Then, for reasons unknown, the story breaks, big time, and nobody really seems to know what happened.

It was in Ayalon maximum security prison in Ramla that Zygier was held. More specifically, in the cell designed for Yigal Amir, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s killer (Amir was moved from there in 2006). Zygier has also been known as Prisoner X or Mr. X. Why he was imprisoned under such secrecy, and what crimes he committed, no one knows.

Between Zygier’s death in 2010 and the Australian Broadcasting Operation’s (ABC) breaking of the story, Israeli media was subject to a blackout.

Trevor Bormann of ABC investigated the story for approximately 10 months before coming out with it. Among his findings: Zygier had dual citizenship and carried an Australian passport in the name of Ben Allen. Bormann also reported Zygier had become a Mossad agent, used the name Ben Alon as well as an additional name: Ben Burrows. Are you still following this? The whole thing sounds like a spy movie. Except, this involves real people, and we cannot treat it like just another juicy news item.

There are two reasons why we shouldn’t. First, suicide always leaves more questions than answers—especially for the family. Speculating about what happened, and what went through Zygier’s mind during those last moments, will only lead to more heartbreak. Even more so when we do it in print.

Second, trying to piece this together without having all the

facts means ultimately we’ll be making stuff up. Case in point: “At what point does loyalty to Israel become loyalty to Australia?” said Joseph Wakim, a founder of the Australian Arabic Council. Wakim pointed to the Birthright Israel program, which provides free trips to Israel for young Diaspora Jews, as one example of “the indoctrination of Australian dual citizens into Israeli identity.” (JTA.com) And a new conspiracy theory is born; many others who were eager to join this latest anti-Semitic chorus repeated Wakim’s words. Birthright trips as indoctrination tool? We send our kids to Israel so they can become disloyal to the country where they were born? We send them there so Mossad can secretly recruit them? Excuse me? Why is it that whenever certain people attempt to explain events in Israel, the stereotype of the “conniving Jew” follows so quickly?

Philip Chester, the president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, called the allegations “totally uninformed and mischievous.”

“Contrary to the assertions of these commentators, these programs are aimed at educating Jewish youth about their heritage and about contemporary Israel, and have nothing to do with recruiting people for intelligence organization,” he added.

Of course, Chester is right. We can’t disagree with him. But the fact that he feels compelled to make the statement in the first place is very disturbing. He shouldn’t have to. Let’s hope this brand new conspiracy theory doesn’t have legs; we have enough of that going around as it is.

However, there is a deeper and older problem here. The fact that we are still faced with many people who are anti-

Semitic, who don’t want the State of Israel to exist, is nothing new in and of itself. But, we are seeing a political (sometimes disastrously uninformed) argument as well as a purely emotional one against the existence of Israel.

Criticize the Israeli government for gagging the media, or criticize it for creating a situation where a young Jewish man felt he had no way out. Criticize the prison guards for not paying attention while a prisoner killed himself. Criticize the government for not coming forward with an adequate explanation. I’m sure there’s more than enough blame to go around without us making stuff up.

The story of Ben Zygier is tragic; we don’t have to find out what really happened to know that much. But using him as an excuse to make up yet more ridiculous untruths about the State of Israel is a sad commentary on how Israel is viewed in other parts of the world.

Lessons today from Sophie Scholl’s anti-Nazi resistance

Behind the headlines JUD NEWBORN NEW YORK (JTA) -- Though Sophie Scholl and the students of the White Rose resistance were executed by the Nazis 70 years ago this month, the example they set of courage in the face of authoritarian repression is as relevant today as it was seven decades ago.

Their crime: Daring to rouse the consciousness of their countrymen in the face of Nazi Germany’s destruction of all civil rights and its mass murder of European Jews.

In 1933, when Sophie was 12 and her brother, Hans, was 15, the Scholl siblings rejected their Lutheran upbringing and their parents’ Christian humanism and instead embraced Hitler’s philosophy of racial superiority, becoming leaders in the Hitler Youth.

But when Hans was arrested and convicted in 1938 for a same-sex relationship he had had three years earlier, when he was 16, the Scholls’ admiration for Hitler quickly ended.

Gradually they became activists against the Nazi cause. By 1942, the siblings were engaging in daring forms of nonviolent resistance.

In May 1942, they dubbed themselves the White Rose and joined with a handful of friends at the University of Munich to produce what became a staccato burst of six impassioned anti-Nazi leaflets. Reproducing thousands in their secret headquarters over a nine-month period -- ages before the push-button efficiency of the Internet -- they made dangerous train trips to distribute the leaflets throughout Germany.

They mailed them to 16 cities -- Stuttgart, Vienna, Frankfurt, Berlin and Hamburg among them -- in a bid to

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mislead the Gestapo into thinking theirs was a broad-based movement and not just a handful of students.

“Since the beginning of the war,” they declared in their second leaflet in June 1942, “300,000 Jews have been murdered in the most bestial manner. This is a crime unparalleled in human history -- a crime against the dignity of Man. But why do we tell you these things when you already know them? Everyone wants to be exonerated, but you cannot be, because everyone is guilty, guilty, guilty.”

In their fourth leaflet, they wrote: “We will not be silent.

We are your bad conscience. The White Rose will not leave you in peace!”

On Feb. 18, 1943, Sophie and Hans climbed a high gallery at the University of Munich’s vast atrium. From there they scattered hundreds of their sixth leaflet down upon the heads of astonished students below in what was called the only public protest by Germans against Nazism ever to be staged.

Spotted almost immediately, they were arrested by the Gestapo and subjected to grueling interrogation. Sophie, Hans and their comrade Christoph Probst were tried in a show trial in Munich by Hitler’s “hanging judge,” Roland Freisler. They were condemned to death. Just four days after their arrest, the three were beheaded by guillotine. Hans was 24, Sophie 21.

But their message lived on. Their last leaflet, smuggled out to the West, was dropped by the tons over Germany. Nobel laureate Thomas Mann broadcast back to Germany from American exile, praising the “splendid young people” who “at the time when Germany and Europe were still enveloped in the dark of night, knew and publicly declared” the ugly truth about Nazism in an attempt to bring about the “dawning” of a “new faith in freedom and honor.”

Today, the White Rose students are icons in Germany. In a

nationwide TV competition to choose the Top 10 most important Germans of all time, German voters chose Sophie and Hans Scholl for fourth place -- beating out Goethe, Gutenberg, Bach, Bismarck, Willy Brandt and Albert Einstein.

A German film, Sophie Scholl: The Final Days, was nominated for an Academy Award in 2006, the same time that Sophie Scholl and the White Rose was published. Its Hebrew edition just appeared in Israel in time for the 70th anniversary of their extraordinary protest and executions.

Despite all this, the story of the White Rose resistance remains barely known by the general public outside Germany.

But heroism like theirs is being replicated in countries around the world. There is Malala Yousafazai, the now-13year-old Pakistani children’s rights activist who was shot in the head by the Taliban last October and now says she’s ready to fight on. There are the gays who struggle for equal rights in countries where they are despised and even put to death. There are Chinese dissidents like Liu Xiaobo, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2010 but is languishing in a Chinese prison.

Given the oppression, violence and threats such men and women face -- and the costs they often are forced to pay – we who live in democracies owe it to them not to stay silent.

“Somebody had to make a start,” Sophie Scholl told Freisler, looking the judge straight in the eye on that fateful day in February 1943.

Seventy years on, we are still that somebody.

Jud Newborn is co-author of “Sophie Scholl and the White Rose,” just published in Hebrew by Penn Publications. He also served as founding historian at New York’s Museum of Jewish Heritage. His website is judnewborn.posterous.com.

ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

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March 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 9

Purim with Warren Buffett

Behind the headlines

Purim, Pesach, and all Jewish holidays are a great time to think of your local food bank.

My wife Miriam made up two mishloach manot to give to

RABBI JONATHAN GROSS, Beth Israel Synagogue Last year before Pesach we sold Warren Buffett our chametz.

Besides being a great story, it raised awareness for the local food bank -- and we had the most successful pre-Pesach food drive ever.

As the holiday season was approaching, I decided to give him a call and ask the wizard if he would participate again.

And he did.

This year, however, I decided to introduce him to the holiday of Purim.

On the day of Purim every Jew has two obligations. The first is to give gifts of food to friends. This is called mishloach manot. The second obligation is to give gifts to the poor. This is called matanot l’evyonim.

The Rambam writes that it is better to give to the poor than to give to one’s friends because Purim is a day of joy and “there is no greater joy than gladdening the hearts of those in need.”

Rabbi Myer Kripke, left, and Rabbi Jonathan Gross, middle, share the whole Megillah with Warren Buffett.

Warren Buffett. One special for him with Coke and Sees Candy -- two items that we knew he would enjoy.

Lessons from the Brooklyn College BDS debacle

Focus on issues SHMULEY BOTEACH

by ITZIK YARKONI AND ARIEL NISHLI/ (JNS.org) On Feb. 6, New York’s Brooklyn College found itself entangled in a fiery free speech fiasco that not only brought to arms both sides of the fervent debate on IsraeliPalestinian relations, but a public and somewhat personal statement by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The “Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions” (BDS) movement -- which advocates an academic and commercial boycott on Israel as a means to brand it a criminal nation -- was granted approval and funds by Brooklyn College’s political science department to host a panel delegitimizing the Jewish state, thinly veiled as a discussion of their movement’s mission.

Lectures and panels denouncing Israel as an apartheid state have frequently popped up on university speaker schedules across the country for years, so why did this particular event heat up the campus’s political climate and capture the public’s attention in such an unprecedented way?

The meritless BDS movement, which has been debunked as indefensible under international law, is most definitely not reaching a mainstream audience. Rather, a public relations win for BDS is a direct result of generally flawed tactics employed by the other side. In their continued attempt to combat anti-Israel hate speech, the pro-Israel community shouts when it should strategize.

Highlighting the whole affair was Bloomberg, who said he “couldn’t disagree more violently” with the BDS movement.

Even more significantly, the mayor pointed out the ironic publicity BDS enjoyed was the very result of prominent Zionists speaking out.

“What the protesters have done is given lot of attention to the very idea they keep saying they don’t want the people talk about,” Bloomberg said. “They just don’t think before they open their mouths.”

Had Israel supporters taken a more subtle approach, the initially low-profile BDS discussion may have attracted fewer anti-Israel sympathizers.

The first pro-Israel response came from Jewish intellectual Alan Dershowitz, who asserted Brooklyn College’s approval was very much a result of internal bias, and not derived from a love of free speech. Then came members of the New York State Assembly and City Council, including mayoral hopeful Karen Quinn, who threatened to cut Brooklyn College’s funding if the event proceeded.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind warned of a “second Holocaust.”

Within a week of the scheduled event, the media was awash in opinions from both sides, and the modest lecture was transformed into a divisive international issue.

Then came the protestors. While philosopher Judith Butler and Palestinian rights activist Omar Barghouti spoke in the student center, the chanting could still be heard.

Dozens of police officers were stationed outside, checking attendees for weapons and monitoring the overflow.

Though members of the press weren’t allowed inside, they questioned people on what they thought about the BDS movement. Most never heard even of it -- until the vocal attempts to suppress it garnered worldwide attention, that is.

As a former Israel activist at UC Irvine, a campus that suf-

fers from rampant anti-Semitism, I (Itzik Yarkoni) recall a case when pro-Israel leaders effectively responded to a similar event using restraint. “Israeli Apartheid Week” -- the annual week demonizing Israel on campus that comes with heated protests and counter-protests -- provides plenty of fodder for sympathetic media outlets. But one year, we chose to simply ignore it. No counter-protest, no megaphones, no crowds, and most importantly, no press.

Our muted response was in contrast to years past, when combative pro-Israel groups brought massive attention to UC Irvine, which served not only to increase numbers for the anti-Israel audience, but with the help of a biased media presence, warped the pro-Israel message into something altogether unintended.

After the BDS discussion at Brooklyn College, had campus Israel activists waited patiently to appeal to sympathizers leaving the event, they could have shared the truth about BDS’s origins as a hate-fest and ultimate path towards the destruction of the State of Israel. This would possibly change minds, or at least introduce them to a rational opposition.

This strategy -- called “individual appeal” -- can be effectively used with “soft-Zionists,” those who identify as supporters of the Jewish state, but lack proper historical context.

The BDS website speaks for itself. Their mission statement, if carried out, logically leads to the disenfranchisement of the Jewish people without any clear indication of how it would create a lasting peace.

The other major battlefield in this war of words is online, being waged on social media platforms. Israel supporters need to ask: Who is really controlling the dialogue? ProIsrael identifiers may be the Jewish state’s most vocal defenders on the Web, but when the message communicated is Israel’s role in the context of the BDS debacle, what that ultimately amounts to is even more PR for the BDS cause, and the tarnishing of Israel’s brand.

During the week of Feb. 6, there were thousands of Facebook messages and tweets concerning the Brooklyn College event and its associated controversies. That same week, plenty of positive news broke about Israel, hardly any of which was shared across social networks with the same intensity. Just a few examples: New York real estate firm Pinnacle Group sold $400 million NIS in Tel Aviv Bonds, the European Union denounced any calls for boycotts against Israel, and Birthright announced skateboarding and hip hop themed trips to Israel.

Even if they aren’t aware of it, Israel supporters are choosing how their country is being presented to the world: either proactively in the context of positive, productive and truthful news, or via defensive, emotionally triggered reactions to the activities of anti-Israel organizations.

It’s critical to understand that the success enjoyed by antiIsrael movements in demonizing the Jewish state is often a direct result of Zionist groups whose impassioned race to the soapbox can serve to pique the curiosity of latent audiences for hate groups. With the implementation of simple ground-level reforms, we can remind Israel haters that without our help, no one is listening.

Itzik Yarkoni is a former Israeli fellow for UCI Irvine, and now lives in Jerusalem where he serves as advocacy adviser to the Sderot Media Center.

Ariel Nishli is a journalist living in Los Angeles.

The larger one was filled with all of the most needed items found on the Food Bank for the Heartland’s website.

The list included pork and beans. We of course did not give him pork, Instead we gave him a can of Heinz vegeterian beans - which in 1927 became the first product to proudly display the OU kosher symbol on the label. I can’t help wondering whether that had some influence on his recent purchase of Heinz -- which happened the very next day.

Immediately upon receiving the larger basket, Mr. Buffett donated it to Sue Ogborn from the Food Bank for the Heartland, who accompanied us.

The real highlight of the visit was getting to have a chevruta with Rabbi Kripke and Warren Buffett as we learned together the passage in the Megillah that contains the mitzvot of mishloach manot and matanot li’evyonim.

Mr. Buffett was his usual witty self. When we told him that we came to perform the mitzvot of Purim he said, “I hope I don’t qualify for the gifts to the poor!”

We had some fun, he told some stories, and we made this commercial promoting Purim and Sees Candy -- a Berkshire subsidiary.

Many thanks to Warren Buffett for once again helping us with our food drive, and, of course, thanks to the Food Bank for the Heartland for all of the great work that they do.

May we all experience the true joy of Purim -- helping those less fortunate and celebrating with family and friends.

NCJW welcomes President’s priorities for women and families

by BRIANNE NADEAU National Council of Jewish Women Feb. 13, 2013, Washington, DC — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today welcomed President Obama’s resolve, as expressed in his State of the Union speech, to renew efforts to make progress on several issues important to NCJW’s members. NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement: “President Obama’s resolve to renew efforts to make progress on issues that NCJW members have worked hard on for many years is deeply gratifying. We pledge to redouble our own grassroots efforts to bring these to fruition in the coming year. Promised actions such as passing the Paycheck Fairness Act, reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, enacting immigration reform, working to end gun violence, strengthening voting rights, and ensuring civil rights for members of the LGBT community are welcome news. We were pleased to hear the new push for a $9 minimum wage and universal pre-K as well as his renewed support for Israel’s security -- issues NCJW strongly supports.

“Overall, President Obama’s focus on policies and programs that will lower the persistently high unemployment rate and promote badly needed economic growth are key to our success in many other areas. NCJW remains committed to a strong social safety net that protects the most vulnerable among us. The details of some of the President’s proposals, particularly Medicare reform, have yet to be spelled out. When they are, NCJW will make its views known in an effort to achieve the greatest progress possible in the current political climate.

“We were inspired by the conviction with which the President laid out his agenda and look forward to partnering on these important issues.”

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

Letter TO THE EDITOR I want to thank you for publishing the article in the Point of View section of the Feb. 22 edition of the Jewish Press. It was refreshing to read about a group of courageous women whose only goal was to worship our G-d dressed in prayer shawls and reading from the Torah at the Kotel. However, I was disturbed by and ashamed of the the violent behavior of fellow Jews praying at the Wall directed towards these women.

Honestly, there is no Torah passage that will justify these actions! The women simply wanted to worship on their terms, which is no cause for harming them.

Beth Brown-Gershovich

10 | The Jewish Press | March 1, 2013

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, call 712.323.8885.

FRIDAY, March 8: Services, 7:30 p.m. followed by an oneg with guest speaker, Nancy Wolf, Community volunteer on Ikebana-Friendship through Flowers. The community is invited.

Cantor Beth Schlossberg will officiate at all of the Speaker Series Services.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat/Oh Say Shalom to Shabbat, 6 p.m. Dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. Cost: Beth El members, $5; non-members, $7.50.

No charge for children six and younger. RSVP online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or contact programming@beth el-omaha.org.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m. Scout Shabbat; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El honoring Jewish scouts, scout leaders and adult volunteers; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Evening Service, 6 p.m.

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

SUNDAY: Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m., with Hazzan Krausman; Third/ Fourth Grade Wedding, 11:30 a.m., BESTT students will participate in a fun-filled mock wedding and share with guests what they’ve learned about Jewish wedding rituals.

Reception follows. All are welcome to attend; Passover Makeover, Home Edition, 2 p.m., join Shira Abraham at her home (see full story on page 4.)

MONDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Tai Chi Class class 6:30 p.m., taught by certified Tai Chi instructor Beth Staenberg. This is a four week session. Cost is $12 for Beth El members, $18 for nonmembers. RSVP to programming@bethel-omaha.org, and send your check to the synagogue.

TUESDAY: Study Session at Remington Heights, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham and Hazzan Krausman. All are welcome to attend.

Men’s Club Shabbat, Saturday, March 9, 9:30 a.m.

Shabbat’s Cool, Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m., for Third through Seventh graders. Lunch will be served.

Our Shabbat Tables, Saturday, March 9, (Shabbat ends at 7:05 p.m.). Synagogue families will share a special Havdalah in their homes. For more information, contact Margie in the synagogue office.

Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group will meet on Sunday, March 10, 10:15 a.m., at the Strategic Air & Space Museum. (see full story on page 6.)

YAC Playgroup, Wednesday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact Caryn Scheer at carynscheer@ yahoo.com.

All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Please contact the synagogue for office hours. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:58 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting service begins at 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; The Laws of Shabbat, 3:45 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Boys (ages 10 and up), 4:45 p.m.; Mincha, 5:45 p.m., followed by Seuda

Shlishit; Havdalah, 6:58 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m.

TUESDAY: Women’s Study Group, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m; Med Center Chabura, 1 p.m. at UNMC; Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:30 p.m. with Rabbi Gross.

CHABAD CENTER An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush lunch will follow and is sponsored in honor of the wedding anniversary of Rabbi and Shani Katzman. G-d provides the cure before the illness.

SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.; Breakfast Bonanza, 9:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. Please reserve by calling 402.330.1800.

WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. Call 402.330.1800 to reserve.

THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. Contact Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@ unmc.edu to receive updates.

All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis.

FRIDAY: Family Dinner and Early Family Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Classical Reform Service, 7:45 p.m., with oneg following hosted by Nancy and Mark Intermill.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Ki Tisa; LJCS Havdalah Service, 6:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel followed by snacks and hosted by the Seventh grade class.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Board, 10:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; Confirmation class, noon; SST Scrapbooking Club, 1-4 p.m.

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

THURSDAY: Interfaith Amigos Dinner and Lecture, 6 p.m. at College View Church. The theme is Family Values in Abrahamic Traditions. The Interfaith Amigos: Rabbi Ted Falcon and Imam Jamal Rahman will speak, and at this event they will be joined by a Christian minister from the Lincoln-Omaha area. Cost is $15 per person; advance tickets are required. Their is a free lecture at 7:30 p.m. following the dinner. The lecture is open to the public; however registration is required to ensure adequate seating. To purchase tickets for dinner or register for the lecture, visit www.niagarafoundation.org/nebraska; Star City Kochavim Rehearsal, 7 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg.

Candlelighting Friday, March 1, 5:58 p.m.

Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: First Friday Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel and Cantor Shermet along with the second graders. The service will be followed by a Congregational Dinner at no charge, but reservations are required for dinner contact Lachisha, 402.556.6536 or lsherrod@templeisraelomaha. com; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. followed by a Congregational Dinner at no charge, but reservations are required for dinner contact Lachisha, 402.556.6536 or lsherrod@templeisrael omaha.com.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Teachers Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Grade 6 Field Trip, 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-8, 6 p.m.; Temple Teen Night, 6 p.m.; Dilemmas of Faith: God and Spirituality in the Modern World, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Azriel.

THURSDAY: Articulate Architecture, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Brown.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch; LJCS Havdalah Service, 6:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel followed by snacks and hosted by the Seventh grade class.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Board, 10:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; Concert of Traditional Music featuring Marina Fabricant, 3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. No charge and babysitter available.

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

B’nai Israel Speaker Series B’nai Israel Synagogue hosted a presentation

by Bill Dreyfus, Disaster Action Team Metro West Lead, on Feb. 8.

He discussed continuous, unselfish work that volunteers do to help during tragedies affecting people locally and across the country.

Usually assisting during fires, he and others also assist those adversely affected by floods, tornados, hurricanes, and other hardships.

The service was conducted by Cantor Beth Schlossberg. During the service, Cantor Beth teaches new prayer tunes and information about the prayers. The Cantor’s leadership will be provided at each Speaker Series Shabbat service.

The next Speaker Series Service will be on March 8.

Nancy Wolf, Community Volunteer, will present information on Ikebana-Friendship through Flowers. Services begin at 7:30 p.m. and are followed by an Oneg.

Beth El Men’s Club Shabbat promises a ruach-filled morning

To Submit B’nai Mitzvah Announcements

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity A morning filled with ruach (spirit) is planned for Saturday, March 9, 9:30 a.m., as the men of Beth El come together to lead its annual Men’s Club Shabbat. Participants will chant Torah and Haftarah, and recite other Shabbat morning readings; in addition, Men’s Club president David Finkelstein will present the morning’s D’var Torah, The celebration will be capped off with a special congregational

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewish omaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, by e-mailing the editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org or online at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press.’

Kiddush, sponsored by the organization.

“Men’s Club Shabbat is a way for us to honor members of the club, as well as the congregation, with the responsibility of leading the services as a team,” said Jason Blair, the morning’s chairman. “By having volunteer members lead the services, not only will the Shabbat morning experience be lively, but dare I say, unpredictable!”

The entire Jewish community is welcome to take part in this special Shabbat.

Pulverent e

March 1, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 11

What is a prophet?

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Ki Tissa It is no accident that at the Seder table each year, the child sees a special cup for Elijah, who, it is said, visits every Seder table. It is no accident that Legend has Elijah always on hands, generation after generation, as the friend and helper of the poor. It is no accident, for already in the Bible itself Elijah is a legend. He is assigned special tasks, for he is a special prophet. That is to say, a special messenger of his God. We meet Elijah in our Haftarah, supporting the lesson of our Sidrah. In this Sidrah, following the instructions for the final appurtenances of the portable Sanctuary of the Wilderness, there is the violent interruption of the story of the golden calf. What prompted this apostasy? What could have got into a people still hearing the echoes of the Ten Commandments? But Commandments or no, there stands

the golden calf, shocking, vivid testimony to the difficulty of remaining faithful to an unseen god, of remaining loyal to principle when innumerable allurements are at hand.

Many centuries later Elijah appears., suddenly, unheralded, in the Kingdom of Israel. It is the time of the reign of a strong, aggressive King, Ahab. But there was apostasy in the land. There was a pleasing flirtation with the alluring nature gods of the Canaanites. Was it not they who were responsible for the gifts of farm and field, orchard and herd and flock? The people were seduced by Ahab’s Canaanite wife, the infamous Jezebel, and her large staff of priest-prophets.

It is against all of these that Elijah appears in our Haftarah, against King and Queen, against the Baal priests, against the backsliding people. And in the dramatic confrontation in our Haftarah, Elijah conquered. The people end the encounter throroughly convinced, chanting: “The Lord, He is God.” Elijah is a paradigm of the Biblical prophets. He is in no one’s employ, save the Lord alone. He has no official position, and does not serve at the pleasure of the king, nor eat at his table. He delivers God’s message. It costs him comfort and honor and peace of mind. It may even cost him his life.

But if a lion roars, as Amos put it, shall one not stand in awe?

If the Lord bids him, shall the prophet not rise to his duty?

In memoriam STUART EDWARD SIMON Stuart Edward Simon passed away at the age of 90 in Omaha. Private graveside services were held Feb. 24.

He is survived by daughters, Sally (Tom) Stich, Denver, CO. and Joan (Natan) Kotlyar, Israel, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and brother, Justin Simon of Berkley, CA. Stuart lived in Council Bluffs until the age of 16 when his family moved back to Omaha. He graduated from Central High School and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

During World War II he was a second lieutenant in the

United States Army serving in Europe. On Aug. 6, 1944 he married Esther Fox who preceded him in death 2 days following their 68th wedding anniversary.

Stuart opened Simon Meats in 1952 with his cousin, Irv Simon and they operated the business until 1990. He was a life-long sailor and raced snipes for more than 40 years.

Stuart was one of the founding members of the Lake Manawa Sailing Association serving as Commodore for several years.

Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and Beth El Synagogue.

Weekend Food Program

by ADRIELLE GRIFFIN Communications Manager, Completely KIDS The Weekend Food Program at Completely KIDS was created to combat childhood hunger in our community and is driven by dedicated volunteers.

Completely KIDS provides food to elementary children who receive little or no food on the weekends. Volunteers fill bags each week with food that is both nutritious and child-friendly.

The backpacks are handed out on Fridays to sustain the children through the weekend.

Staff and teachers at four Completely KIDS locations have identified 385 children as being in need of food for the weekend.

These children are eligible to receive weekend food because of their involvement with our Out-of-School Time programs; however, there is a waiting list of children who need the program.

The majority of the children to which we provide weekend food come from families whose incomes are 200 percent below the poverty level. Many of our parents are overemployed (fami-

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Nebraska STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS

lies who work multiple jobs but still do not break the poverty line), which creates circumstances that produce hunger and child care issues because children may be self-supervised.

Childhood hunger affects many children in our community and because they are hungry when they come to school, these children have a difficult time concentrating on their work and, consequently, cannot perform well.

In order to continue the Weekend Food Program, Completely KIDS needs your help! A contribution of $7 funds one child’s backpack for one weekend. A donation of $364 sponsors one child for an entire year.

Food drives through businesses, churches, and schools provide the program with the opportunity to bring that cost down.

Completely KIDS will work with you toward a successful drive, whatever your goal!

For more information about the Weekend Food Program at Completely KIDS, please contact Ann Lawless at 402.397.5809, ext. 207, or alawless@completelykids.org.

Talent abounds in Omaha

by NORMA JOHNSON “There is no way you can be bored in Omaha!” says radio talk show host, Karen Sokolof Javitch. Every week, Karen and cohost Jody Vinci, interview (lightheartedly and with a lot of laughter) people in the arts, mostly in the midlands area. It’s the Beat! on the Mighty 1290 KOIL is on each Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. After listening, you may read new books, listen to new music and attend more events in Omaha.

Recent guests were: journalist Carol Nigrelli; authors Rita Rocker, Andy Greenberg, and Marilyn Coffey; and artist, Sherie Garner. Playwright Peggy Jones visited and Janet Macoska, guest speaker at Durham, shared how she photographs iconic figures in the rock ‘n roll world, including Bruce Springstein, Paul McCartney and Aretha Franklin.

Nick Hudson has transformed Omaha with his opening of Nomad lounge and the forming of the bi-annual Omaha Fashion Week. It’s the Beat! listeners enjoyed the music of flautist, guitarist Michael Murphy; singer Camille Metoyer Moten, and songwriter, David Murphy. Each week, Karen continues to share songs she has written.

“We are fortunate to spend time with such a variety of talented individuals. There are magical moments during each show,” Jody comments. If you missed a broadcast, listen at www.its thebeat.net.

This Saturday, It’s the Beat! will feature Ruth Meints and the Omaha Conservatory of Music’s program at the KROC Center.

Director Kevin Lawler visits to tell about Blue Barn’s production of A Behanding in Spokane. And we will learn about a

Montessori center that has a Bright Day Café to assure the healthiest of food for little ones.

The March schedule is filling up fast! Want to be a guest or know someone we should interview? Call Norma at 402.393.389 or e-mail Norma@itsthebeat.net.

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12 | The Jewish Press | March 1, 2013

Reflections on Israel

by TYLER SIEGEL When you talk about going to Israel, you always hear about the Western Wall or the Dead Sea. You hear people talk about their climb up Masada. While these are “must see and must dos,” Israel offers much more than an ancient wall, a salty sea, and a historic mountain. While I carry great memories from visiting the well-known places, my Israel experience was even more wonderful because of the little things -- the things you rarely hear about.

Following are 3 of my favorite things most people don’t talk about in Israel: Wilderness Hiking Israel is well known for being a desert, but a part of Israel that is often not talked about is its wilderness hiking. While there, I was able to do some wilderness hiking. A couple of the hikes I went on were a water hike down Nahal Jilaboun Canyon and a hike to Montfort Castle in Nahal Kziv Park. The nice thing about these hikes was that you could make them as challenging as you wanted them to be. If you aren’t into sweating through your shirt while hiking down a mountain, then you can take it easy and opt out of the “scenic route.” But if you are interested in seeing the true beauty of Israel, you can get a much better hike by taking a couple of detours and seeing the hilltops. Not only is the view nice, but you also get to do more climbing when you take the scenic route. Sometimes you have to do some miniature rock climbing to get to the next part of the hill, which I liked since it was a change of pace from the downhill climb.

A warning to those who do end up going on the wonderful hikes: what goes up must come down. Or in this case, what goes down must come up. Through most of the hikes, you will be going downhill. Unfortunately, this means you will have to make a sojourn

back up the canyon.

Yes, your calves will hurt, and yes, it is tiring for everyone (pro tip: walk forward for 30 seconds then walk backwards for 30 seconds). The good news is there will always be an Israeli ice cream cart at the top of the canyon waiting for your shekels.

Hezekiah’s ancient water tunnel Walking through Hezekiah’s water tunnel was one of the first activities I did in Israel. It was a great way to begin the trip. You start off with a descent through an archeological excavation site. Archeologists are actually digging around you. It is inspiring to see people uncovering history that you’ve only read in a textbook. It puts things into perspective.

At the beginning of the tunnel, you make your way into waist-deep water. At first it is a little cold, but it becomes a refreshing cool down from the hot Israel sun. You then start a barely noticeable ascent up the water tunnel. The water becomes knee-deep.

Unfortunately, if you are tall, the first portion of this hike will be done in a hunched position. Don’t worry -- the rest of the hike allows you to stand straight.

This hike takes about 30 minutes if you go at a decent pace. It does get dark at times so bring a flashlight along with your water shoes. To pass the time, people in our group sang songs. The popular songs that the girls

sang in our hike were Call Me Maybe, anything with Ke$ha, and Some Nights.

Mt. Herzl National Cemetery The closest thing I can compare Mt. Herzl to is Arlington National Cemetery in the USA. The Israeli army embraces uniformity and it is shown in their graves. Unlike Arlington, Israeli graves look like there was more thought put into them. Each grave has its own bed of rosemary along with a gravestone stating that person’s life details.

The most logical time to go to Mt. Herzl National Cemetery is right after you visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Mt. Herzl is often overlooked as it can be overshadowed by Yad Vashem. However, it is just as emotional and historical as Yad Vashem.

Mt. Herzl was more emotional for me than Yad Vashem because I wasn’t prepared for what I’d feel. It really hit home to me that

the ages on so many of the tombstones were 16, 17, 18, and 19 years old. These were soldiers, all close to my age, who died fighting for their country.

The other thing that was both somber and surprising to me was that a lot of the cemetery was empty. It seemed like there were areas that were just waiting for another conflict -- waiting for another war to break out and more soldiers to die.

This was a stark reminder to me of the conflicts that Israel still faces. Despite these observations, the scenery as you look down the hill from Herzl’s grave is stunning.

Mt. Herzl struck a unique balance of honoring war heroes without romanticizing war.

You hear about famous war heroes and see their graves. Then you look around at all of the other graves that look just like the heroes’.

It doesn’t take long to realize that all of these soldiers are heroes who sacrificed their lives to fight for freedom for their country, Israel.

It was an unforgettable journey.

These three activities made my trip more than just a vacation -- they made it an experience. I was expecting the Western Wall, the Dead Sea and Masada to be the highlights of my trip. Instead, the lesser known activities I just discussed are the first memories I talk about when reflecting on my trip to Israel. It was an unforgettable journey.

Thank you to our community partners for contributing to the Weekend Food Program!

Find out how you can help feed hungry children at completelykids.org or call (402) 397-5809.

Omaha’s Team 2566 ST. MARY’S AVENUE 0.")" /& t

Class of 2013 High School Seniors

Basketball Mar. 2: UNO vs.

North Dakota State Ralston Arena 4 p.m.

Hockey

High School Seniors and Parents

Mar. 1: UNO vs.

Wisconsin CenturyLink Center 6:37 p.m.

High School Senior Information

Mar. 2: UNO vs.

Wisconsin CenturyLink Center 7:07 p.m.

We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 24, 2013. To be included, we need your graduation photo and the information to the right. You can also email the information and photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

Name _______________________________________________________________________________ Parent(s)’ Name(s) _______________________________________________________________________________ Current High School _______________________________________________________________________________ College you plan to attend _______________________________________________________________________________ Send by May 1 to: The Jewish Press | 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154

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