March 9, 2012

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

B’nai B’rith Spring banquet This to feature Mike Leach Week March 9, 2012 15 Adar 5772 Vol. 92 | No. 25

Chalupski hopes to sled for Israel at Olympics Page 6

The Ed Sullivan Show visits the Rose Blumkin Home Page 7

by HOWARD BORDEN and GARY JAVITCH B’nai B’rith correspondents Mike Leach, the new Washington State University Head Football Coach “Arguably, he is one of the most innovative football minds in the country. And frankly, that’s the major reason we chose him to headline our 58th Omaha Sports Banquet,” said Howard Shandell, event chair.

The banquet has a great speaker in Mike Leach,” Howard continued.

“Leach will bring a great deal of excitement to Washington State University, his new home team, and to our dinner program on May 9.

“The new PAC 12 coach will also bring a spectacular offensive game plan to his conference,” Shandell said. “We are thrilled to have him as our speaker and help us honor the most outstanding male and female scholar athletes in the Metro area.”

Leach, one of the better-educated coaches in the NCAA holds both a law degree and a Sports Science Master’s degree.

He is a record-setter, too!

At Texas Tech (2000-9), Leach became their winningest coach ever

Mike Leach (regular and post-season). In leading Tech’s Red Raiders to 84 wins during his tenure, he became the only coach in school history to take his teams to a bowl game every year.

Hebrew 102: More with Mor Israeli redneck gets his Confederate stripes Page 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

by MARK KIRCHHOFF presents the material in the best way Center for Jewish Education possible.” said one student.

There have been prior discussions “Shalom Talmedim.” If you are able to respond with “Shalom about continuing Hebrew instruction with a Hamorah,” then Hebrew 102 class. it’s time for you to A number of past learn more with and current stuMor Scheinbein. dents have been On Tuesday motivated by evenings for the their Hebrew 101 past seven weeks, experiences to Mor has been challenge themteaching Hebrew selves further in 101 to students their efforts to who have had become more some or no previskilled in using ous instruction in the language. the language.

Others who have Thanks to Mor’s energetic, upbeat, a foundation in and systematic Hebrew have teaching style, expressed an Mor Scheinbein students report interest in the that they have achieved a knowledge class to both advance their abilities of Hebrew that has either met or and to “brush up” on what they have exceeded their expectations. “It’s not learned. You may be in one of these easy, but it’s possible! I think Mor categories. If so, take advantage of this class offering. Now, Hebrew 102 is a reality, and you can be a part of the inaugural class. There is some buzz about cap and gowns, but thus far it seems to be only talk.

Classes start on March 20 and will continue on March 27, April 3, 17, 24, and May 1 – 6 classes in all. All classes meet in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library from 6:30-7:45 Continued on page 2

These successes earned him numerous accolades, especially in the passing arena.

Leach helped guide the Red Raiders to four-straight NCAA passing titles from 2001-2004 and again in 2007 & 2008, as well as three-consecutive total offense titles (2001-2003).

Other big changes The CenturyLink Convention Center will host “The 58th Omaha Sports Banquet, Presented by B’nai B’rith Omaha.

“Not only do we have a new title for the annual event,” Shandell noted, “we also have a fasterpaced program that our sports fans will appreciate.

“Each year the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith asks our metro area athletic directors, sports writers and broadcasters to nominate candi-

dates for the Bert Render (male) and Earl Siegel (female) awards. And for the second straight year, the Arthur and Linda Jacobs family will donate $5,000 in scholarship funds to honor their late son Adam, who was a former Lodge president, a great promoter of the banquet and a committee member, too.

“In addition, NRG Media (Radio Station 1620theZone) and HuskerMax.com will be our exclusive media sponsor. Our Gold sponsor this year will be Members MD, the anywhere-anytime health care company.”

“What makes our banquet special,” lodge president Ari Riekes added, “is that we have a great head table. We’ve invited the athletic directors and a number of head coaches from UNL, UNO, and Creighton. Past attendees have included University Athletic Directors Tom Osborne, Bruce Rasmussen, and Trev Alberts. Past head coaches who joined us included Dana Altman, Greg McDermott, Doc Sadler, Pat Behrns, and many Continued on page 2

New Temple Israel enters final design phase

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Since programming sessions and committee meetings began in 2006 to discuss the design of the new Temple Israel, to be built at 13111

struction experience have benefited us, but it is his skill in weaving our congregational planning groups into the professional design that has guaranteed we’ll, hopefully, soon enjoy a beautiful, modern, sustainable building that is thoroughly

This architectural drawing of Temple Israel, to be built in Sterling Ridge, shows the new building from the chapel side.

Sterling Ridge Drive, “I would estimate hundreds have participated in programming sessions,” conjectured John Waldbaum, chair of the Building Coordinating Committee.

“As our Building Coordinating Committee chairperson, and even before that, when he personally visited and reviewed some 20 different building sites, John has been an absolutely invaluable Temple leader,” emphasized John Lehr, president of the Temple Israel Board of Trustees. “Certainly his real estate and building and con-

born of Temple by our members.”

“There are actually three phases of design, beyond the programming step we took to decide how much space we need,” Waldbaum explained. “The schematic phase, the design development phase, and the construction drawing phase began when the architects, Finegold Alexander + Associates of Boston, took the input gained during the programming sessions to develop various ‘schemes’ that will accommodate the requirements Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | March 9, 2012

B’nai B’rith Spring banquet Continued from page 1 more. Generally, the sitting governor and mayor have also participated in our programs.

ers like the top elected leaders in the state, university presidents, authors and more,” Riekes concluded. “You can come and ask questions.”

Mike Leach stats Mike Leach’s offense produced school records in nearly every passing category in 2000, and he surpassed those numbers with each new season. His teams combined for over 151 team and individual records at Tech.

He was a coaching spectacular at other universities, too!

Prior to Texas Tech, Leach, in just one season at Oklahoma, directed a Sooner offense that went from nearly the worst in the Big 12 to nearly the best.

Under Leach, the Oklahoma offense set six Big 12 Conference and 17 OU records. Prior to joining Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma staff, Leach served as offensive coordinator for Hal Mumme at the University of Kentucky and Valdosta (Ga.) State University.

For two years at Kentucky under Mumme, Leach coached the Kentucky “Air Raid” offense that was one of the most explosive in Southeastern Conference history. The duo set six

NCAA records, 41 Southeastern Conference records and 116 school records in 22 games.

Leach and Mumme first teamed up at Iowa Wesleyan College in 1989. From 1989 to 1991, he served as offensive coordinator and line coach. In just three seasons, the team passed for more than 11,000 yards, breaking 26 national records.

Following his still-disputed firing, Mike Leach joined CBS College Sports Network in August 2010 as a football analyst, joining play-by-play announcer Roger Twibell. And Last November, Mike became the Washington State University “Cougars’” new Head Coach.

Leach fans just cannot wait for the 2012 Football season to begin!

The oldest of six siblings, Leach and his wife, Sharon, have four children.

“Also special is our better-than-ever silent auction. Then, too, this is a night for our Jewish community to shine. Funds raised primarily help support our local BBYO and B’nai B’rith International for their activities. Schools of the winning athletes also get a small stipend.

“This is the major fundraiser for the Henry Monsky Lodge, which also holds a weekly Wednesday Breadbreakers Lunch group. Much like a mini press conference, the free program, open to the entire community, features newsmak-

Tickets and sponsorships Individual patron tickets are $110 and VIP tickets are $160. VIP ticket holders get preferred seating, additional bar stations, a parking pass, and hors d’oeuvres. Tables of 10 can also be purchased.

Tickets are available now by accessing our great new website: http://omahasportsbanquet.org/ or by calling Beth, at 402.334.6443 or at bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

Sponsorships and program ads are also available

New Temple Israel

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Continued from page 1 laid out during those early sessions.” In design development, the preferred schemes are developed more fully.

Ted Zetzman, also a member of the Building Coordinating Committee, said, “Early concepts of developing the various designs were interesting. Now, defining and refining the details, balancing quality, cost, and functionality, is an equally interesting piece.” He noted that the architect has “done a good job of coming up with solutions to congregants’ wishes. He’s a good listener.”

Input from the programming sessions and various subcommittees such as formal and informal education space; sacred space; choir/music; administrative space; community space and kitchen; audio-visual, technology and multimedia; “has been carried forward into schemes, designs, and now construction drawings,” said Waldbaum.

Coordinating Committee members facilitated communication between all the programming/design committees and the architect. In addition, the Coordinating Committee is working with Project Advocates, which provides construction management services and offers detailed information and responses to individual committee members relative to questions raised or options requested. Finally, the Coordinating Committee establishes the schedule and provides all of the materials coordination for the Building Council, whose members work directly with the architect to determine the scope, budget, and fund raising capacity of the entire project.

Now 50 percent “through the construction drawings phase,” Waldbaum added that “this is the last phase.” This very detailed level of drawings will help the contractor construct the building. All the structural, mechanical, electrical, finish schedules, and drawings to complete the building are included, he said.

One of the spaces that has been evaluated, planned, and drawn according to the design phases described by Waldbaum is the kitchen of the new synagogue. “We asked a local kitchen consultant and supplier, Hockenbergs, to give us a preliminary plan,” Waldbaum continued. “Then we asked a number of congregants who use the kitchen extensively -- our caterer John Hattam, and finally an outside caterer -- to look at the layout and equipment to give us their input. Our architect was also a cook ‘in a former life’ and has been able to give us some input. Dennis DePorte (Temple Israel executive director), who is involved in all aspects of the kitchen operation, has been helping to coordinate much of this communication.”

AV/Sound consultants have also been interviewed to help design the best system for our new building, added Waldbaum. “The initial design includes input that we have gotten from numerous congregants over the last few years and members of the staff who are charged with operating the system,” he said. “The system will provide benefits to all

our congregants including audio visual components for school children and enhancement systems for those congregants who need a little assistance with their hearing.”

Components of a security system, including access card readers, door video monitors, interior motion detectors, and door strikes, have also been identified in committee discussions. “The goal has always been to have controlled access into the building with supervision from the office. But we also have to have convenience built into this system” allowing “for ease of access, remote control, and data management,” Waldbaum reported.

In addition, he said a system involving fire suppression equipment such as sprinklers and heating/ventilation/air conditioning control as well as an alarm system are being evaluated. “Our mechanical engineer, Alvine & Associates Inc., is designing a complete system to be included in the construction drawings, and we have visited with the fire marshal to begin reviewing plans” to make sure we’ll install the proper equipment and access.

Meeting with the Coordinating Committee, the Building Council, and numerous sub-committees, the architects have been coming to Omaha at least once a month since the contact was signed in February 2011 for them to design the building at Sterling Ridge. They’ve also been here meeting with sub-consultants for mechanical and engineering services.

Zetzman, who combined with Waldbaum, has spent thousands of hours devoted to the new building project, said it’s been “nice to work with congregants” on the various committees. “Those groups have put in a tremendous amount of time. I do a lot of related, similar work in my professional life, and it’s “a rare opportunity” when my occupation crosses over to a project in which I’m personally involved. “This is really a great project. It’s well thought out and well planned. It exceeds my expectations.”

Waldbaum anticipates that when all consultants and a general contractor are on board, plans are nearly complete, and the site is available to work on, a ground breaking ceremony is expected to take place on April 15.

Hebrew 102 Continued from page 1 p.m. Cost is $53 – discounted to $41 for those who are members in good standing with the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

There are a limited number of slots available, so check your schedules and register soon.

This class is sponsored by The Center for Jewish Education. To register, contact Mark Kirchhoff, 402.334.6463 or mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org. Have a Yom Tov!

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The deadline for all articles, photos and ads to be sent to the Jewish Press for the April 13 issue is Tuesday, April 3, 9 a.m.

Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

March 9, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 3

GOP pins Senate hopes on young Jewish Iraq vet

by ZACH SILBERMAN WASHINGTON (JTA) -- As the 2012 campaign heats up in Ohio, Republicans are pinning their hopes on a young Jewish military veteran to unseat Democratic incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Josh Mandel, a 34-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the current state treasurer, has faced a number of challenges but he is doing well in the polls. A recent Rasmussen Reports poll showed Mandel only four points behind Brown -- a favorite of organized labor and liberals -- in a hypothetical match-up.

With Ohio seen as a key presidential swing state and control of the U.S. Senate potentially in play, the race is the focus of national attention from Democrats and Republicans.

“The stakes are really high,” said Joe Hallett, political editor of The Columbus Dispatch. “A lot of what happens in this race will depend on the national climate. The Democrats have twice as many seats to defend in the Senate than the Republicans, and this seat really could determine control of the Senate.”

Mandel, facing five lesser-known candidates in the March 6 Republican primary, is considered the front-runner for the nomination.

After serving three years as a city councilman in the Cleveland suburb of Lyndhurst and two terms as a state representative, Mandel was elected in 2010 as state treasurer. He is seen as a GOP rising star.

“I know Josh was actively recruited by top party leaders and insiders to run for this seat,” said Matthew Brooks, the Republican Jewish Coalition’s executive director. “It was a process that unfolded over several months, with Josh initially not considering the

idea. As the support grew and the calls for With Republicans pushing to limit the him became louder, Josh agreed and then powers of unions, labor issues have been the fully committed himself to the race and subject of acrimonious fights in Ohio and doing what it took to be the next senator other Midwestern states over the past couple from Ohio come November.” years. In Ohio, the issue heated up in 2011 During Mandel’s tenure as a city council- when Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, sought man and state representative, he served in unsuccessfully to pass a law weakening the the Marine Corps Reserve and was called bargaining rights of public employees. into active duty for two tours in the Anbar Province of Iraq.

Mandel told JTA that he was inspired to serve by his grandfathers.

“I’m the grandson of a Holocaust survivor who was liberated by Allied troops, and I’m the grandson of a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, and these hard-working, gutsy men instilled in me a duty to community and a duty to country,” Mandel said.

While he has served in uniform in the Middle East, he is cautious about making preState Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican candidate for dictions about the region. the U.S. Senate in Ohio, is shown during his service as a Asked whether the Iraq war Credit: Citizens for Josh Mandel Marine in Iraq. was a success, he responds, “Time will tell.”

Another labor battleground has been soHe also said the Arab Spring is “negative- called right-to-work laws, which prohibit ly impacting Israel.” requiring workers to join a union as a con“When terrorist groups are running the dition of employment at a unionized workcountries bordering Israel, it’s not a good sit- place. Neighboring Indiana’s Republicanuation,” he said. “Time will tell on whether controlled state legislature recently adopted it’s better that Assad will fall.” such a law, and a recent Quinnipiac Mandel said the United States and its allies University poll found that 54 percent of face “a common enemy in radical Islam, and Ohio voters would support a similar law, it’s an enemy that must be taken seriously.” with 40 percent opposed.

One issue on which Mandel differs with “I believe American citizens should have Brown is labor policy. Considered a union the right to join a union if they’d like to do champion, Brown is outspoken on labor that, but they should not be coerced and issues. forced to join. It should be up to the indi-

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vidual,” Mandel said.

On the economic front, Mandel points to his short tenure in the treasurer’s office.

“I think we’re running the most efficient and effective state treasurer’s office in America,” he said.

Mandel highlighted the AAA rating that Standard and Poor’s awarded the state’s $4 billion local governments investment fund that he runs at a time when S&P downgraded 14 similar funds across the country.

Democrats don’t portray Mandel’s record in as positive a light.

“He’s been silent on issues that are most important to Ohioans, whether it’s the Republican budget that would destroy Medicare or China’s currency manipulation, which cost us jobs in Ohio,” said Justin Barasky, the new communications director for Brown’s Senate campaign.

Democrats also have taken aim at Mandel on his campaign finances and job performance. Two weeks ago, the Ohio Democratic Party filed a formal complaint against Mandel to the Federal Election Commission for using money from his 2010 treasurer campaign to assist in launching his U.S. Senate drive. Ohio law prohibits candidates from using state campaign funds for a federal campaign.

In late January, the Associated Press reported that Mandel did not attend a single Board of Deposit meeting during his first year in office and that he was in Washington for a fundraiser during the January meeting.

Mandel also did not attend the board’s February meeting.

Asked by the Toledo Blade about Mandel’s absence, Seth Unger, press secretary for the Ohio Treasurer’s office, said that “the Treasurer directs and empowers his staff of Continued on page 4

4 | The Jewish Press | March 9, 2012

GOP pins Senate hopes on Jewish vet Continued from page 3 financial professionals who represent him on the Board of Deposit, and has full confidence in his Chief Financial Officer who serves as his designee.”

Last October, Mandel was criticized for receiving a donation of $1,000 from former congressional candidate Rich Iott, who dressed up as an SS officer as part of a group that re-enacted the exploits of a Nazi division during World War II. Iott has insisted that he had no Nazi sympathies.

At the time, the National Jewish Democratic Council demanded that Mandel return Iott’s money. Travis Considine, communications director for the Mandel campaign, responded that “this is a manuJosh Mandel factured non-issue to distract from the fact that Sherrod Brown’s radical policies have caused hundreds of thousands of jobs to leave Ohio.”

While Mandel has never served in federal office, his supporters tout his record on Israel. In 2007, as a state representative, Mandel introduced legislation that would divest Ohio pensions from companies that do business with Iran.

The Ohio House eventually passed a more modest piece of legislation on the issue.

Brown for his part has faced criticism for not signing on to various Senate letters supported by pro-Israel groups. Ben Chouake, president of the New Jersey-based pro-Israel political action committee NORPAC, said that “the proIsrael constituency in his state would like to see Brown more active and more of an advocate for the U.S.-Israel relationship. I hope he grows into that role.”

Chouake said NORPAC was not endorsing a candidate in the race. He said the organization was “not against Sherrod Brown, but his record is substantially mixed, so we classified this as a race where our members could do fundraisers for either candidate. NORPAC is not contributing from its general fund to these races, but we will meet and work with

both candidates depending on the membership’s motivation to do so.”

NORPAC members held a Mandel fundraiser on Sunday, while the political action committee of J Street is raising money online for Brown. Brown is the only incumbent senator that the J Street PAC is raising money for in this election cycle.

Mandel said that Brown is “not a friend” of Israel, pointing to the senator’s voting record and his endorsement by J Street. But Barasky said that Brown has “a very strong record of standing with Israel.”

“Whether it’s working to eliminate the threat from Iran to ensuring foreign aid to fighting to end our dependence on foreign oil, Sherrod is a friend to Israel,” Barasky said.

Brown has been speaking out recently on issues important to the pro-Israel community. Last year he said he disagreed with President Obama’s suggestion that the pre-1967 lines should serve as the basis for negotiations over borders with the Palestinians. In September, Brown denounced Palestinian efforts to unilaterally seek statehood recognition at the United Nations.

Mandel’s supporters think the Iraq vet will pose a formidable challenge to the incumbent senator.

During his election to a second term in the state house, Mandel captured 72 percent of the vote in a district that includes a sizable Jewish population, which at the time had registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin.

“He epitomizes the values of the Jewish community and is someone who has demonstrated an ability to go beyond their base of support in the Republican side and be attractive to Jewish Democrats and Independents,” the RJC’s Brooks said.

The Columbus Dispatch’s Hallett said that Mandel’s fundraising efforts could make this “a close race.”

“You’d have to give the nod going in to the incumbent, but Mandel is not somebody you count out. He is one of the best fundraisers I’ve ever seen,” Hallett said. “He’s relentless on that score and he will have the resources to win this seat, but so will Brown. I think it’s going to be close, and a lot of it will depend on the national outlook.”

This article was produced in cooperation with The Washington Jewish Week and was edited for length.

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker to be announced on Wednesday, March 14, 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 How much Yiddish do you know? Probably more than

you think. Some English words have made their way into Yiddish. Many Yiddish words are commonly used in English. Every 1st Thursday of the month, we will be playing Yiddish Bingo. This will give you a chance to show off the Yiddish you didn’t even know you knew. Everyone is invited! We meet every Thursday from 1-3 p.m., at the Rose Blumkin Home Board Room. For information call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

Engagement Sandy and Rick Canfield annouce the engagement of their daughter, Jill Elyse to Jeremy Bennett Carlson, son of Gail and Steve Carlson of West Hartford, CT. The bride-to-be earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Minnesota.

She is the granddaughter of the late LeRoy and Anne Canfield and the late Irving and Faye Gendler.

Her fiancé earned his Masters of Public Administration degree from University of Nebraska-Omaha.

He is the grandson of Shirley and Jack Gopas of West Hartford, CT and the late Edward and Jeanne Carlson.

Jeremy proposed to Jill in Copenhagen, Denmark while vacationing in Europe and a July 2012 wedding is planned in Connecticut.

Birth Jessica and Cliff Smolinsky of Kirkland, WA announce the Feb. 25 birth of their son, Caden David.

He is named for his great-grandfathers, the late Joseph Belmont and the late Martin Zemble.

Grandparents are Jill and Mark Belmont, and Gail and Ken Smolinsky of Sedona, AZ. Great-grandparents are Barbara and Marshall Kushner, and Roz and Hal Smolinsky of Newtown Square, PA, and the late Florence and Joseph Belmont, and the late Martin and Ann Zemble.

In the news The local Jewish community is filled with many talented visual artists whose mediums range from fiber art, photography, painting, glass art, sculpture, and more. We are currently inviting the community’s Jewish artists to showcase their work for the Omaha Jewish Artists’ Gallery Show. The exhibit will be on display throughout the month of September; and will provide the local Jewish artists with an opportunity to showcase their many talents.

If you would like to participate or have any questions, please contact Beth Gershovich at bbgartistry@gmail.com or 402.660.4084, or Marge Bresel at breselms@cox.net, We will then send out more detailed information, an application and Letter of Intent form to participate. Letters of intent are due by March 30, 2012.

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March 9, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 5

Teens know how to give Tzedakah

by SHIRI TENE The Jewish Omaha Youth Foundation is a Teen Philanthropy Coordinator new up-and-coming leadership program for The past few months have been a very busy young Jewish philanthropists. Selected and exciting time for the B’nai Tzedek Teen through an application process, the JOYF Philanthropy and Jewish Omaha Youth group participates in a program through Foundation programs. The teens have learned what it is to give, not only monetarily but also through the act of volunteering. They discovered that volunteering is just as important as giving money, sometimes even more so.

In February, B’nai Tzedek devoted a weekend to giving back. The teens joined forces and volunteered at Together Inc., a homelessness prevention agency that assists people and families in need through a free food pantry, a clothing and furniture store, and financial assistance programs. They spent time sorting through food donations and organizing boxes of food for families of 3-5 people. These boxes will then be distributed to the families in need.

Sarah Kutler, a 9th grade B’nai Tzedek participant joined the group at Together Inc. “I loved volunteering for the food pantry. It was a lot of fun for me knowing that I was Sarah Kutler, left, Eliana Schuller, Jake helping out many families throughout Spivak, and Brooke Shulewitz sorting food at Omaha. I did not know how terrible things Together, Inc. are for these families; they have such little which they contribute money to a collective food and can barely feed their children.” philanthropic pool through fundraising. The She added: “Helping people who are less pool of funds is then available for the group fortunate is the best thing you can do for to make grant allocations. Proposals have yourself and was a great program for B’nai been solicited from several non-profit organTzedek. I loved this experience.” izations in Omaha and Israel and the memApril brings more events for the B’nai bers are currently in the process of learning Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program. The how to review proposals. The teens will make group will meet on April 15 at the JCC from their final grant award decision in late March.

4:30-6:30 p.m. for the final event of year.

“Having the opportunity to grant money Through a fun, interactive program, the to other non-profit organizations is really teens will continue to learn about Omaha exciting” stated Eva Phillips, JOYF member. and Israel organizations that have been the “We learn a lot about a number of organifocus of their activities. At the end of the zations. Evaluating the grant applications evening each teen will make his or her phil- and making the decision on the grant award anthropic fund allocation. will be a great learning experience.”

The fund for each participant was created at The B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy and the time of his or her Bar/Bat Mitzvah, with a Jewish Omaha Youth Foundation programs donation of $125 from gift money. The Jewish are offered through the Center for Jewish Federation Foundation then added another Education with support from the Jewish $375 so each fund would hold a total of $500. Federation of Omaha Foundation. For Yearly the teens grant a percentage of their information on these programs, please confund to charity, selecting Jewish programs or a tact program coordinator, Shiri Tene, at combination of Jewish and secular programs. stene@jewishomaha.org or 402.590.2149.

Jewish Programming on NET Television

by LARRY L. KUBERT Programs honoring Jewish heritage and traditions will be broadcast on NET Television from late March through the middle of April.

The Thomashefskys: Music and Memories of a Life in the Yiddish Theater, airing as part of the Great Performances series on Friday, March 29, at 7 p.m. on NET1/HD, brings to life the words and music of the American Yiddish theater.

The story’s lead characters -- Bessie and Boris Thomashefsky -- are the grandparents of San Francisco Symphony music director Michael Tilson Thomas. Bessie and Boris immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe in the 1880s, and while still in their teens, they began to play major roles in the development of New York City’s Yiddish theater. For Jewish immigrants who settled on the lower East Side of Manhattan, the Yiddish theater was central to their lives, and provided a stage for the new ideas that were shaping the transition to an American way of life.

In The Thomashefskys, Tilson Thomas serves as guide through the lives and repertoire of his grandparents, sharing the stage with a 30-piece orchestra and ensemble cast to bring the repertoire and words of Bessie and Boris to life.

The entertaining family special A Passover Celebration, airs Monday, April 9, at 9:30 p.m. on NET1/HD. Hosted by Jeffrey Tambor (The Larry Sanders Show and Arrested Development) the hour-long

program illuminates the traditions that set the Jewish holiday of Passover apart from all other nights of the year.

This dynamic program presents a dramatic retelling of the Passover story by Rabbi Irwin Kula, a delicious Passover dessert from Chef Jeff Nathan, a unique Seder creation from home design expert Teresa Strasser and a trip back in time to ancient Egypt with the award-winning children’s series Alef...Bet...Blast Off! A Passover Celebration also explores the musical traditions from around the world, inspired by the story of Exodus, as told in the Haggadah.

Six Jewish women, from different countries and different backgrounds, found themselves deported to the infamous concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau during the Holocaust. Airing Tuesday, April 17, at 10 p.m. on NET1/HD, Swimming in Auschwitz attempts to chronicle that experience through those same female eyes.

While subject to the same physical hardships as men, these women do not dwell on that. Instead, they speak of camp families and faith, uplifting one another while trying to remain human. It was this path of spiritual resistance that, while not responsible for their direct survival, led to their ability to survive with healthy minds and spirits despite the constant barrage of their surroundings.

NET1/HD are part of NET Television.

For a complete program schedule, visit net Nebraska.org/television

SEWING CENTERS 10144 Maple (Maple Village)

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Passover Greetings This year you can send your greetings through these very special ads that will run in our annual Passover issue. Each ad can be personalized with your name, the names of your children or your grandchildren. Just fill out the form below and send or bring it to the Jewish Press office. But hurry these ads will only be accepted through March 14, 2012.

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6 | The Jewish Press | March 9, 2012

Bradley Chalupski hopes to sled for Israel at Olympics

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by URIEL HEILMAN LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (JTA) – Meet Bradley Chalupski, Israel’s best hope for a medal on the bobsled track at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, in 2014.

Chalupski is an unlikely Israeli athlete.

He competes in skeleton, a sport that’s virtually unknown in Israel -- not to mention the rest of the world. Technically he’s not Israeli. His only visit to Israel came last year on a Birthright trip.

But come summer, the law school graduate from Marlboro, N.J., with a Catholic father is planning on making the move to Israel with his girlfriend, Chana Anolick, Bradley Chalupski whose parents already live in Kochav Yaakov, a settlement in the West Bank. And Chalupski, 25, is hoping that he can improve his racing times to qualify for the 2014 Winter Games.

In skeleton, racers slide headfirst down icy bobsled tracks on steel-and-plastic sleds weighing 70 pounds without steering or breaking mechanisms at speeds reaching up to 80 mph. A single run takes about a minute, and races typically are won by several hundredths of a second. Aside from slight shifts in weight to help steer, the key factor in a race is the quality of one’s running start. Chalupski describes it as like riding a “flying cookie sheet.”

Last weekend, Chalupski finished 29th among the 31 racers in the skeleton world championships at Lake Placid, N.Y., the site of one of just two bobsled tracks in the United States (the other is in Park City, Utah). The fact that an athlete representing Israel had qualified at all had organizers scrambling before the competition to find an Israeli flag to post at the track. They eventually borrowed one from a nearby church when the flag they had ordered from a company in Arizona was late in coming.

“We’re legitimately competing; we’re not just showing up,” Chalupski said in an interview the night before the race.

Last year he also qualified for the world championships, which were held near Berchtesgaden, Germany, the site of Hitler’s alpine retreat, Eagle’s Nest. The symbolism of competing in the shadow of Hitler’s mountain estate wasn’t lost on Chalupski’s team.

“That’s when I realized that what we’re doing here is much more than just sliding on a track,” said David Greaves, chairman of the Israeli Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, which is run out of North America and receives no funding from the Israeli government or Olympic Committee. “The Israeli flag was flying on the track with all the other nations’ flags, and seeing Eagle’s Nest looking down on the track was emotional for all of us.”

Greaves, a Canadian whose day job is as director of development and marketing at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, was a brakeman on an Israeli bobsled team that came together in 2002, competed in two world championships and disbanded after failing to qualify for the Torino Olympics in 2006. Another member of that team, Andy Teig, a paramedic who lives in Lake Placid, is Chalupski’s coach.

Chalupski didn’t start out racing for Israel. He began in the U.S. program, cutting classes during law school at Seton Hall University to train at Lake Placid, the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. But after falling just short of making the U.S. national team trials in 2010, Chalupski was set to quit riding skeleton and go work for a law firm in France.

Then he got call from Teig, who had one question: Was Chalupski interested in racing for Israel?

The thought had never occurred to Chalupski, who was raised in a thoroughly secular home, didn’t have a bar mitzvah and had never given Israel -- or his Jewish identity -much thought.

As Chalupski began talking over the decision with family and friends, a journey of Jewish exploration began.

“Responses ranged from people who said, ‘Why haven’t you said yes already?’ to people who said, ‘You’re not Israeli, you’ve never been there, you don’t speak Hebrew, why would you do that?’” Chalupski recalled.

But the responses of his Jewish friends stood out. “They all said, ‘You’re Jewish. Of course you can represent Israel.’ I honestly had never thought about it that way. And I began to start to ask myself what it means to be Jewish.”

The clincher came from his girlfriend, whose father is an Orthodox rabbi. “She expressed the sentiment that I had an obligation to do it because as a Jewish man, somebody was asking me to represent Israel to the world in a way only I currently am capable of doing,” he said.

Chalupski put his law career on hold -- much to his moth-

er’s chagrin -- and moved to Lake Placid to begin training full-time. In the two years since he has enjoyed some triumphs -- Chalupski won a medal in a lower-circuit race -and faced challenges, from getting enough practice time to scraping together the money required to compete around the world.

For help, Chalupski and his support team have been relying on the goodwill of Jewish communities around the world. When Chalupski goes to competitions, he often flies on donated frequent flyer miles and stays at the homes of local Jews. He has received support through a Facebook

Skeleton competitor Bradley Chalupski, representing Israel, starts down the track at the men’s world championships in Credit: Ken Childs Lake Placid, N.Y., Feb. 24, 2012. page and website. His support team -- coach from Lake Placid, fundraiser from Manitoba, marketing director from Manhattan and accountant from Washington -- is made up of volunteers who had never met in person until last weekend’s world championships.

“No matter what country you’re from, when you see that Israeli guy at the start line, you’re cheering for him,” Greaves said. “He’s sliding for a nation of people all over the world: Am Yisrael.”

The team also has gotten help from the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, known as the FIBT; practice time courtesy of the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority, which manages Lake Placid’s facilities; and sponsorship from a Canadian clothing company, Mondetta.

From Israel, the team says it is thankful just for recognition -- recognition premised upon a decade-old letter from the Israeli Olympic Commitee to the FIBT affirming the affiliation of the then-newly created Israeli Bobsled Federation. Today, Greaves is listed as the contact for the Israeli team on the FIBT’s website. However, when contacted by JTA, Israeli Olympic Committee officials said they knew nothing about Chalupski or the Israeli bobsled team.

“We have no connection; if they represent Israel or not I have no idea,” Efraim Zinger, secretary general of the Israeli Olympic Committee, told JTA. But Zinger said the Israeli Olympic Committee does not oversee all athletes who represent Israel, just those in Olympic competition. To represent Israel at the Olympics, athletes must meet several criteria, including competing in a sport that exists in Israel. That would seem to preclude Chalupski - or any athlete from a sport involving a bobsled track.

Indeed, one of the Chalupski support team’s biggest concerns is that he will qualify for the Olympics but Israel will not give him the green light to go. “We’re trying to build the best possible case for the Israeli Olympic Committee to want to send us,” Greaves said.

At the end of last season, Chalupski ranked 68th in the world in men’s skeleton. This year he expects to advance to somewhere around 50th. Chalupski is edging closer to the point where he could qualify under a quota for warmweather countries like Israel.

During the competition at Lake Placid, Chalupski wore a new helmet emblazoned with the Israeli flag. Under it he wore his secret weapon: a kipah with the logo of the University of Maryland, his alma mater, which he got on his Birthright trip.

Ultimately, however, Chalupski will need more than symbols to improve his racing times. His backers’ hope is that they can raise enough money in the offseason to buy Chalupski a new sled, which can cost up to $10,000 but which could make the difference in races measured in split seconds. Once Chalupski moves to Israel -- he’s already done the aliyah paperwork -- he plans to spend winters training in Europe, which has several bobsled tracks.

Teig says he hopes Chapulski won’t be the only Israeli competitor on the track come 2014.

“We are recruiting for bobsled and skeleton athletes,” Teig said. “Give me a call. We’ll run you through the combine.”

March 9, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 7

Ediar BBG brings back the Mr. AZA Pageant

by JODI LEVINE Teen/BBYO Director Come join us as we bring back the Mr. AZA Pageant and Crown Mr. AZA. All of AZA will be competing for the crown and the title of Mr. AZA. Contestants will be participating in three rounds; Talent, Formal Wear, and Interview questions. If you are a Teen AZA and are interesting in signing up to compete in this incredible evening, please sign up with Ediar any Tuesday between now and March 13 or email Kylie Kirshenbaum, Ediar President, at kirsheyk@gmail. com.

The Mr. AZA Pageant will be held on Tuesday, March 20 from 6-8 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium. Please bring a canned food item if you are participating. The entrance fee is $5 or $3 if you bring a canned food item which will be donated to the Omaha Food Bank.

We hope you join us for this fun and exciting evening. We are looking forward to crowning the 2012 Mr. AZA Pageant winner.

BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. For almost 90 years, AZA and BBG chapters in communities around the world have been providing exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences. This has helped shape the confidence and character of 250,000 alumni who are among the most prominent figures in business, politics, academia, the arts and Jewish communal life. Independent of B’nai B’rith since 2002, BBYO’s network of Jewish teens, alumni, parents, volunteers and philanthropists now serve as the Jewish community’s most valuable platform for delivering to the post Bar/Bat Mitzvah teen audience fun, meaningful and affordable experiences. With year-round activities in hundreds of local communities and inspiring world-wide travel experiences, BBYO’s broad program menu enables teens to explore areas of leadership, service, civic engagement, Israel education and Jewish values.

Interested in Joining the largest Jewish Youth Movement in the world? Contact Jodi Levine, Teen/BBYO Director for more information at 402.334.6404 or jlevine@jccomaha.org.

The Ed Sullivan Show visits the Rose Blumkin Home

Remember the Ed Sullivan Show? It was dusted off and brought back to life on Thursday, March 1 by the Rose Blumkin Home’s activity department. For an entire hour, staff dressed up and acted out, to the delight of the residents.

Clockwise, from left: Livingston resident Joe Boin plays the harmonica; Karen Menagh as the Nebraska Sandhills Crane (although she looked surprisingly like a flamingo) next to Dan Stewart, who delighted the audience with a very talented Bob Dylan impersonation; the Rose Blumkin social workers, Shane Kotok, Bert Benson Jennifer Richey and Shelly Fox, singing Bye Bye Birdie, Ed Sullivan’s theme; Mary Heiman, who brought the house down with her Phyllis Diller stand up act; Danny Goodman and Joleen Dohm as Sonny and Cher; Joanie Bernstein as Elizabeth Taylor; and Marco Ramirez as, who else, Diana Ross.

IT IS SHREWD TO BE RUDE! SENIOR CITIZENS ARE EASY TARGETS FOR CON ARTISTS Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) volunteers educate seniors on how to recognize and ward off “con artists”

Take these simple steps to avoid being scammed: * Don’t be pressured into sending money for a “free” prize or signing a contract * Never give out your bank account or credit card numbers * Never allow door-to-door salespeople into your home

to oor Door Doo ur our Your Oppenen YYou Open Ope VNA COMPANION CARE COMPAN COMP AN

Call Nebraska SMP to report scams:

800-942-7830

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Backed by a century of nursing, you can rely on VNA Companion Care for the extra assistance you need to maintain an independent lifestyle — in the comfort of your own home.

For a free in-home consultation, contact VNA at 402-342-5566.

March Is Brain Injury Awareness Month Attend the 6th Annual Brain Injury Conference March 29-30, Kearney, NE For more information:

www.biane.org

402-423-2463 or 800-444-6443 Brain Injury Advisory Council www.braininjury.ne.gov

308-865-5012

www.theVNAcares.org

8 | The Jewish Press | March 9, 2012

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Choice

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Every once in a while, there’s a weird story that makes you raise your eyebrows. We’ve had our share of that over the past few months. Synagogues soliciting the wrong celebrity.

People getting upset because Natalie Portman is (maybe) not married yet. These are not big enough stories, and they don’t warrant that much attention. And so, many of us miss them, and that’s okay. Not everything needs to be cross-examined by the entire cable news viewing public.

Then there are the stories that you can’t help but hear about, even if you’re not trying. (Rush Limbaugh, anyone?)

Of course, there’s also a third category: news that went somewhat unnoticed, but shouldn’t have: NEW YORK (JTA) -- An atheist organization says it will unveil a Hebrew-language billboard calling God a “myth” near a Brooklyn Chasidic enclave.

The group American Atheists says it will unveil a billboard Monday in Chasidic-dominated South Williamsburg. The billboard writes out the name of God in Hebrew, and then features in English and Hebrew translation the phrase “You know it’s a myth... and you have a choice.”

The group is unveiling a similar billboard in Arabic in heavily Muslim Paterson, N.J. “If there are atheists in those communities, we are reaching out to them,” Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, told CNN last week. “We are letting them know that we see them, we acknowledge them and they don't have to live that way if they don’t want to.”

Silverman said the billboards will be up for a month and will cost his group less than $15,000.

“People are going to be upset,” he said. “That is not our concern.”

CNN noted that the use of the name of God in Hebrew,

which Jews traditionally avoid writing out except in sacred texts, may be considered particularly offensive by area Jews.

Oy. Where to start? Let’s begin with the fact that this is equally insulting to Muslims and Jews. It would be insulting to Catholics too, I imagine, but they didn’t get their own billboard. Although Dave Silverman claims upset people are “not our concern,” I think upsetting people is the number one goal here. Let’s face it; this is a PR campaign, and a tacky one at that. It’s an attention grabbing strategy that will put him and his organization in the limelight, at least with the communities where the billboards were placed. He’s not kidding anyone, and if his intention is to ‘reach out,’ like he says, he’s failing.

The deeper issue is the implication that for a Chasid (or devout Muslim) who doubts God’s existence, the only alternative is atheism. It’s an all-or-nothing approach and it puts Silverman’s organization firmly in the “us-andthem” category, a recipe for intolerance. It’s also an extreme suggestion; it’s like saying anyone who thinks a Nebraska blizzard is too cold should immediately relocate to the Serengeti.

Of course, in every religious community there are those members who struggle with certain aspects of their religion. And if, for some, atheism is ultimately where they arrive at, it certainly won’t be because of some billboard. It will be because they’ve agonized more than anyone can probably imagine.

Anyway; that’s enough complaining. Instead, I have some ideas of what constructive things one could do with “less than $15,000” (how much less, I’d love to know).

For roughly $15,000, you can provide 20,000 packets of high energy biscuits specially developed for malnourished children. Or you can buy 15,000 waterproof sleeping mats for children who have lost their homes during an emergency.

Or you could feed an African Aids orphan 15,000 times; the possibilities are endless.

If you truly believe God is a myth, it stands to reason that you also believe the human race is responsible to take care of those who are needy. In that context, there are many useful things you can do that don’t require billboards, or upsetting entire communities.

Do Jews have a Mormon problem?

Focus on issues ELLIOT JAGER (Jewish Ideas Daily) -- The religious values of presidents seldom satisfactorily explain their attitudes toward the Jews.

Harry Truman and Jimmy Carter, both Baptists, went in opposite directions, with Truman quick to grant Israel diplomatic recognition and Carter conspicuous in his anti-Israelism.

Who knows to what extent Barack Obama’s affiliation with the United Church of Christ provides any insight into his administration’s erratic, often disquieting policies toward Jerusalem?

Still, it is hard to disregard completely the religious and moral values of the leading presidential candidates. The narrowing of the Republican nomination field to Mitt Romney and Someone Else has made barely a ripple in Israel to date.

However, should Romney capture the nomination, Israelis, as Americans have done, will probably find themselves getting a crash course on his Mormon faith.

They might begin at the strikingly handsome campus of the Jerusalem Center of Brigham Young University, run by the Mormons (more properly, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and situated on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. On the campus, Sunday evening classical concerts and Thursday night jazz divertimentos take place in a congenial auditorium offering panoramic Jerusalem views. But the well-bred Mormon students and staff do not draw much attention - and that is the way everyone likes it.

Mormonism was last spotlighted in Israel in 1985, when Brigham Young University first sought to establish a presence there. It drew vociferous hostility from the ultra-Orthodox because of the Mormons’ earlier missionary activities in Israel. But after Church authorities pledged in writing not to

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engage in missionary activities in Israel, the campus opened in 1988. There is every reason to believe the Mormons have honored their commitment to “show Israeli Jews what the Church is about by example rather than by proselytizing.”

Mormons see themselves as Christians -- although to the consternation of Christian fundamentalists, some of them identify Jesus with the God of the Hebrew Bible and hold a schismatic view of the Trinity in which God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct deities. Like Christian Zionists, Mormons believe that the Jewish return to the Land of Israel is a precursor to the second coming of the Christian messiah.

Mormon theology is particularly philo-Semitic. They deem themselves spiritual descendants of the Israelite tribe of Ephraim -- which escaped Babylonian captivity by migrating to North America around 586 B.C.E., though their civilization disappeared around 400 C.E. Mormons believe their scripture, revealed to Smith by an angel, contains writings by ancient prophets including Lehi, whom God commanded to lead those Israelites to America.

Many of the Mormons’ spiritual milestones parallel Jewish festivals. There are also dietary laws: Eating meat is restricted. The cross does not commonly adorn Mormon houses of worship.

But in some ways, Mormons are unique. Polygamy has been forbidden since 1890; but unlike either Christians or Jews, Mormons believe that the canon remains open and God still communicates directly with the righteous.

And Mormonism is emphatically a missionary faith.

Romney was almost killed in a traffic accident while a missionary in France. To this day, Mormons take what will strike some Israelis as an unnerving delight in converting American Jews. Moreover, the Church once engaged in vir-

tual baptisms of Jews murdered in the Shoah in order to save their souls. Once Mormons learned of the depth of Jewish objections to this practice, they agreed to stop it (and generally have done so), with some recent controversy.

None of this should present a problem for Jews comfortable with their Judaism. Theologically, Jews tend to be libertarian about other faiths; politically, by September 2011, a third of Jewish voters were disposed to vote for Romney over Obama.

What might this mean for the pragmatic Romney? Utah State University historian Philip Barlow argues that Romney’s faith might inform but would not determine his Mideast policies: “His character was in part shaped by Mormonism, but one only needs to compare Romney, Jon Huntsman, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to note that Mormons are not made from cookie cutters.” Regarding Romney’s profession of friendship to Israel, Barlow points out that “Mormons’ history, popular culture, and theology really do give them a sense of regard for Israel’s role in history and world affairs, and a sense” -- from the Mormons’ perspective -- “of shared identity.”

As a former governor, Romney has no real foreign policy track record. How does he understand the Islamist threat to Western values? What are his thoughts on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to a two-state solution?

Other presidents have entered the White House with an innate sympathy for Israel only to see their policies towed in the opposite direction. But in the course of the unfolding presidential campaign, Americans -- and, from afar, Israelis -- will learn something of the Mormon Romney’s politics, values, and understanding of the world.

Elliot Jager, based in Jerusalem, is a contributing editor to Jewish Ideas Daily.This article was first published by Jewish Ideas Daily (www.jewishideasdaily.com) and is reprinted with permission.

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March 9, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 9

JNF should plant trees, not uproot families

Focus on issues JILL JACOBS NEW YORK (JTA) -- As a child, I proudly brought my spare change to Hebrew school to drop in the little blue boxes. With this money, my teachers told me, the Jewish National Fund would plant trees in Israel. I never imagined that these nickels and dimes would also help to evict Palestinians from their homes.

Last week, Rabbis for Human Rights-North America called on the Jewish National Fund and its partner organizations to issue a public statement that they will no longer evict Palestinians from their homes in eastern Jerusalem.

In November, RHR-NA mobilized American Jews to write nearly 1,500 letters to Russell Robinson, CEO of the Jewish National Fund of America, asking him to stop a JNF subsidiary from evicting the Sumarin family from their home in Silwan, a neighborhood of eastern Jerusalem. The eviction would have allowed the home to be transferred to Elad, a settler organization that aims to Judaize eastern Jerusalem.

The Absentee Property Law, which was the legal basis for this eviction, allows the State of Israel to take possession of eastern Jerusalem properties whose owners were not physically present when Israel first took control of the area in 1967. In the case of the Sumarin family, the children of the original owner were declared absentees even though other members of the family were living in the home at the time.

Though JNF responded to the uproar among American Jews and halted the eviction of the Sumarins, the organization and its subsidiaries are currently pursuing other evictions.

It’s time for JNF once and for all to end its policy of evicting families.

This is not ultimately a story about whether a few families can stay in their homes. What happens in Silwan may determine whether a peaceful solution remains possible. What happens in Silwan speaks to the the moral and democratic soul of Israel. And the crisis in Silwan opens our eyes to the role that American money plays in perpetuating the conflict.

By moving into Silwan and other eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods, ideological settlers are putting facts on the ground that make peace more difficult. Visiting Silwan last November, I saw the homes of recent Jewish settlers standing next to the homes of longtime Palestinian residents.

These Jewish homes sported Israeli flags, guard booths, barbed wire and sky-high fences. The settlers walk through the streets carrying rifles. The juxtaposition between these fortified houses and the more modest ones of their neighbors serves as an answer to those who ask why Jews can’t live anywhere in Jerusalem. This is not an attempt at peaceful coexistence; it is an armed takeover that threatens the very possibility of peace.

I’m deeply concerned as well about the moral and democratic soul of Israel. I believe strongly that Israel has the potential to live up to the very best of Jewish values, and to be the “light unto the nations” to which its founders aspired.

Jewish history teaches us the pain of being expelled from one’s home. And Jewish law sets up strong protections against seizing property without cause and without incontrovertible evidence. I am proud that Israel’s Declaration of Independence commits to “ensur[ing] complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.” I pray that we will realize this vision soon.

Settler organizations argue that the Absentee Property Law simply allows for the return to Jewish hands of property owned by Jews before 1948, but the argument fails the test

of fairness and democracy. First, the properties are not being returned to the families who left after the partition of Jerusalem but rather into the hands of settlers with an ideological desire to Judaize the area and transfer Palestinians out. Second, there is, of course, no parallel law allowing Palestinians to reclaim ownership of homes that their families owned before 1948. Such a law would mean the end of many western Jerusalem neighborhoods that are now Jewish, and even of Israel as we know it.

Finally, the situation in Silwan has opened many of our eyes to the role of American Jewish money. It makes the news when mega-donors like Sheldon Adelson, Irving Moskowitz or Ira Rennert invest millions of dollars into building new settlements or financing Jewish enclaves in Palestinian neighborhoods. But those of us who give money to “neutral” organizations, such as JNF, may believe that we are only helping to plant trees, contribute to economic development or even support Jewish-Arab cooperation projects. Our donations to JNF do support such praiseworthy activities. At the same time, these contributions support the uprooting of Palestinian families, the development of settlements, the forced displacement of Bedouin Israeli citizens and other activities that violate human rights.

In the world of Israel politics, very little is neutral. Adelson and other right-wing billionaires invest in projects that reflect their vision of Israel. Those of us who believe in building a country that reflects the best of Jewish and democratic values must similarly invest in work that reflects our vision of what Israel should be.

I hope that JNF will retain the trust of American Jews who support peace and justice. I therefore call on JNF to end policies that set up roadblocks to peace.

Rabbi Jill Jacobs is the executive director of Rabbis for Human Rights-North America.

The campaign against JNF is misplaced

Focus on issues RUSSELL F. ROBINSON NEW YORK (JTA) -- The Jewish National Fund plants trees, builds a nation and unifies a people.

As a child growing up in a small town in Texas, I dropped my coins in the Blue Box in Hebrew school. My parents and grandparents raised me on the importance and the power of the Blue Box. My grandfather would say to me, “If only we had been stronger and more unified, we could have bought more land and had a place for 6 million Jews to go home to.”

Never did I think that rabbis and organizations would use this iconic symbol of our unity and success for the promotion of propaganda using politically motivated, destructive language.

JNF began doing lifesaving work 110 years ago by buying land for our people to have a place to call home. Those who use the term “judaizing” insult the men and women who perished fighting for our democratic Jewish State of Israel.

There is nowhere else on earth that Jews have been able to call home.

The British voted in 1939 to limit Jewish migration to Palestine under pressure from Arabs, even though they knew many of these Jews would go to their deaths. The United States sent back the USS St. Louis to the ovens of the Holocaust because it could not absorb one ship of Jews.

These acts show that the safety of the Jewish people lies in

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our land of Israel and depends on our unity. Destructive language and personal attacks hurt all of the Jewish people.

Rabbi Jill Jacobs and her flock at Rabbis for Human Rights-North America sadly do not know the facts or respect the rule of law.

This week, after 16 years on Israel’s Supreme Court -- the last six as president -- Dorit Beinisch is stepping down. Her main contributions to the court have been strong protection of human rights and promotion of Israel’s values as a liberal society. This is the same court whose rulings Rabbi Jacobs dismisses -- unless, of course, she agrees with them. They are only wrong if she doesn’t like the outcome.

More than 10,000 court cases have ruled in favor of Palestinians for property ownership -- are those good rulings? The ones that Rabbi Jacobs disagrees with are the bad ones? I don’t hear Rabbis for Human Rights protesting evictions of Jews carried out by rule of law in the Migron outpost or eastern Jerusalem.

JNF respects the legal processes of the democratic State of Israel. Asking us to make a declaration against any evictions -- of Arabs or Jews -- is beyond our mission. The money we raise is used only for the purpose of making Israel a better place. Everything about us is “neutral,” as Rabbi Jacobs states. Like helping children reach their potential at a therapeutic riding center, or supporting a Bedouin in starting a new tourist business at Project Wadi Attir, or allowing a Reform movement kibbutz to grow and prosper, or turning historical sites into world-class destinations.

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Rabbi Jacobs loosely uses terms like “moral and ethical soul of the Jewish people.” Is that the same ethical soul that publicized a picture of a JNF tractor and said it was knocking down homes when in fact the picture was of a tractor miles away doing no such thing? When Rabbis for Human Rights flaunts its version of the “facts,” unchecked and unfounded, it is only adding to the disunity of the Jewish people.

We at JNF care about all of the people of Israel, and I will match the moral and ethical standard of our 600,000 contributors against anyone. They are directly donating their dollars to enhance the quality of life of all of Israel’s residents, to improve the environment for the next generation of pioneers and, yes, to plant millions of trees a year. We are proud that Israel makes the world a better place and that JNF makes Israel a little better every day.

There are great opportunities for the 1,500 email protesters to be part of building and creating. That's the humans rights cause in which JNF is involved.

Russell F. Robinson is the chief executive officer of the Jewish National Fund of America.

To order a gift subscription to the Press...

Send a check for $40, made out to the Jewish Press, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 334.6448.

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Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Gerry Appel, Journalism Teacher/Advisor, Journalism Today: The Benefits and Evolution of Scholastic Journalism. The community is invited.

For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, please call 712.323.8885.

on how to call-in to the conference call.

TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m.; A Guided Tour of the Guide of the Perplexed, with Dr. Guy Matalon, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:30 p.m. with Rabbi Mizrahi; Board of Commissioners Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

CHABAD HOUSE

Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Rabbi Steven Abraham and Cantor Beth Schlossberg.

FRIDAY: Join Rabbi Levin at the Blumkin Home’s Star Deli, noon. RSVP to the rabbi at rabbilevin@bethel-omaha.org; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush given

by Beth El; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:15 p.m.

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

SUNDAY: Torah Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; No BESTT Classes; Purim Carnival, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

MONDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham.

TUESDAY: YAC Playgroup, Tots and their parents will enjoy getting creative with fun art projects at 10:30 a.m. To RSVP or for more information, contact Caryn Scheer at carynscheer@yahoo.com.

Family Shabbat Service, Saturday, March 17, 10:30 a.m., this special intergenerational Shabbat celebration will be followed by a Kiddush luncheon.

Secnond-Fifth grade Mini-Shabbaton, Saturday, March 17.

Shabbaton will begin with the Family Shabbat Service, and the afternoon will be spent playing games with special guest Na’ama Keren. Parents may pick children up at 3 p.m. To RSVP, contact Shiri by March 12, at youthdir@bethelomaha.org, or Judy Rubin, at eddir@bethel-omaha.org.

How to enrich your seder Passover class led by Rabbi Levin, on Sunday, March 25, 11 a.m. During this class, learn more about leading or attending a Seder; attendees are encouraged to bring questions for discussion. No charge to attend; open to all adults in the Jewish community. To RSVP, contact the synagogue office.

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

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: Services, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon will follow. Join Rabbi Katzman, noon-1 p.m.; New feature: Parsha Patrol.

SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m. followed by breakfast at 9:30 a.m.; Camp Gan Israel Open House, 3:30-5:30 pm. (see full story on page 11.)

WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.

All programs are open to the entire community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:07 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bar Mitzvah of David Atri, son of Adina Schuller and Eduardo Atri; Free babysitting service begins at 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Adina Schuller and Eduardo Atri in honor of David’s Bar Mitzvah; The Laws of Shabbat, 4 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 and up), 5 p.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Twitter Topic Class, 5 p.m.; Mincha, 6 p.m., followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 7:07 p.m.

SUNDAY: Gemara class, 8 a.m., learning tractate Kiddushin; Shacharit, 9 a.m. followed by breakfast.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Weekly Teleconference Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross. Contact the office for information

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

Bat Mitzvah Josie Platt, daughter of Ellen and Jeff Platt, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, March 10, at Temple Israel.

Josie is a seventh-grade student at Beveridge Magnet School.

Her interests include swimming and singing.

For her mitzvah project, Josie volunteers at HETRA by helping handicapped children ride and learn about horses.

She has a sister, Ruby.

Grandparents are Barb and Mike Platt, and Lorraine and Bill Pritchard.

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: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Rich Lombardi.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Ki Tisa.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; Board of Trustees, 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: No LJCS Classes.

ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 6:30 p.m. Intro to Judaism, Session #10 led by Rabbi Lewis. The cost is $50 to cover course materials.

Register by calling the Temple office at 402.435.8004 or email stemple@neb.rr.com.

THURSDAYS, Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m. and Intermediate Hebrew, 7 p.m. The cost is $50 to cover course materials. For more information call the Temple office at 402.435.8004 or email stemple@neb.rr.com.

Note: Please contact Rabbi Lewis if the cost for a class creates a financial hardship.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP 1317 North 57 Street | Omaha, NE 68132 | 402.551.6609 FRIDAY: Minyan, 6:07 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m.

Candlelighting Friday, March 9, 6:07 p.m.

led by Hadassah Members.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by David Herzog.

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: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. led by Cantor Shermet; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet; Tot Shabbat: Pajama Jammin Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel and followed by dinner. Cost for the dinner is $5 for Adults and no charge for children. Contact the Temple Israel office, 402.556.6536, to make a dinner reservation.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Josie Platt, daughter of Ellen and Jeff Platt, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah.

SUNDAY: Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.-noon; WRJ Book Sorting, 10 a.m.; WRJ Meeting, 10 a.m.; Prayer Assembly, 11:30 a.m.; Purim Carnival, noon. Pizza, hot dogs and hamentaschen will be available for lunch. To enjoy the carnival games, the cost is $10 per family.

WEDNESDAY: No Religious School; No Family School; No Grades 7-8.

THURSDAY: Jewish Responsa, 10-11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel. He will use ancient Jewish text to provide answers to questions about modern Jewish living.

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, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. when we welcome Rabbi Steven Abraham and his family. Rabbi Abraham will be reading the D’Var Torah, The Lesson of the Golden Calf followed by a special Israeli inspired kiddish luncheon sponsored by the Tifereth Israel Board of Directors.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes.

WEDNESDAY: No LJCS Classes.

THURSDSAY: Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

To Submit Announcements: 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’ and go to Submit Announcements.

Submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Federation website: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press,’ scroll down to ‘Submit Announcements, complete form and click on “submit” twice.

Daniel Pearl posthumously baptized in Mormon rite

by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Daniel Pearl was baptized in a Mormon proxy ritual in another case of a prominent deceased Jew discovered to have been baptized posthumously in recent weeks.

Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter kidnapped and executed by terrorists in Pakistan in February 2002, was baptized by proxy on June 1, 2011 at a Mormon temple in Twin Falls, Idaho, the Boston Globe reported Wednesday.

Daniel Pearl The rite was discovered by Helen Radkey, a former member of the Mormon church who has become a whistleblower on such activity.

Only Mormons have access to the church’s genealogy database, which also can be used to submit a deceased person’s name for proxy baptism.

The discovery comes in the same month that it was dis-

covered that the parents of Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal were posthumously baptized last month, and Anne Frank was posthumously baptized earlier this month.

Also earlier this month, the names of the father and grandfather of Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel were found to have been submitted for proxy baptism.

Pearl’s parents, Judea and Ruth, told the Boston Globe that learning of the proxy baptism was “disturbing news.”

“To them we say, we appreciate your good intentions but rest assured that Danny’s soul was redeemed through the life that he lived and the values that he upheld,” the Pearls told the newspaper in an email. “He lived as a proud Jew, died as a proud Jew and is currently facing his creator as a Jew, blessed, accepted and redeemed. For the record, let it be clear: Danny did not choose to be baptized, nor did his family consent to this uncalled-for ritual.”

Pearl’s widow, Mariane, who is a Buddhist, called the posthumous baptism “a lack of respect for Danny and a lack of respect for his parents,” and echoed Wiesel in calling for Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, a Mormon, to apologize on behalf of the church.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

March 9, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 11

Census and Superstition Get to know Gan Israel

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Ki’Tisa The Torah yields here to an ancient superstition, a superstition that lasts all the way to our time!

If you have ever heard someone making a count of a group of people, saying: not one, not two, not three, etc, you’ll be hearing the form of that ancient superstition.

The superstition is that if you make a count of a number of people, shortly thereafter it will be wrong, because at least one will have vanished!

In the Sacred Text, we are nearing the end of the construction of the Sanctuary.

It seemed necessary to see how many people there were, and a census was ordered. The people were not counted: instead, they were ordered, each one, rich and poor, to shell out half a shekel.

To get the number of people, it is not the people that are counted, but the half shekels.

With this census accomplished, we are now ready to complete the construction of the Sanctuary and bring it to its holy use.

Obama on Iran: ‘I don’t bluff’

by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) -- President Obama rejected the notion of simply containing a nuclear Iran, saying in an interview that such a prospect was intolerable.

“I think that the Israeli government recognizes that, as president of the United States, I don’t bluff,” Obama said in an Oval Office interview with The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg. “I also don’t go around advertising exactly what our intentions are. But I think both the Iranian and the Israeli governments recognize that when the United States says it is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, we mean what we say.”

Goldberg pressed Obama on whether he thought Iran could be “contained,” a strategy the Israeli government opposes and that activists at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference will lobby Congress to reject.

Obama insisted that containment was not on option.

“It will not be tolerable to a number of states in that region for Iran to have a nuclear weapon and them not to have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “Iran is known to sponsor terrorist organizations, so the threat of proliferation becomes that much more severe.”

He said that “it is important for us to see if we can solve this thing permanently, as opposed to temporarily. And the only way, historically, that a country has ultimately decided not to get nuclear weapons without constant military intervention has been when they themselves take [nuclear weapons] off the table.”

Obama said that reports of differences between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were blown out of proportion.

“In terms of Israeli politics, there’s been a view that regardless of whether it’s a Democratic or Republican administration, the working assumption is: we’ve got Israel’s back,” he said. “And that’s something that I constantly try to reinforce and remind people of.”

“When it comes to Israel’s security, Israel has the right, the sovereign right to make its own decisions,” Netanyahu told Obama in a photo op in the White House office on Monday before they began a meeting.

Much of the discussion, both leaders said, would focus on Iran and its suspected nuclear weapons program. Israeli leaders have suggested that Israel may strike before year’s end to disrupt the program.

Obama, who spoke at the AIPAC conference on March 4, stressed that he still favored heading off the nuclear program through diplomatic means, including sanctions.

“I know both the prime minister and I prefer to resolve this diplomatically,” the U.S. leader said. “We understand the cost of any military options,” Obama said on Monday.

Netanyahu appeared to be reassured by Obama’s tough posture toward Iran, most recently in a speech Sunday to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee annual poilcy forum in which Obama said that military action remained an option and that he would not settle for containing a nuclear Iran.”

“If there’s one thing that stands out clearly in the Middle East today, it is that Israel and America stand together,” Netanyahu said.

by SHANI KATZMAN for Chabad Center Gan Israel Day Camp will be in session during June 415 this summer.

Children ages 3-10 and their moms are invited to an informational and fun afternoon to learn how amazing this program is! Sonia Tipp will host an Open House at her home on March 11 at 11918 North 176th Circle in Bennington from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tippi Denenberg and Lise Sasson will co-host this event. For information or to reserve email camp@ochabad.com or call Rochi at 402.417.2752.

Prepare to laugh and have an awesome experience.

Refreshments will be served.

The Altar Boyz will alter your mind

Theater review JESSIE WEES, Advertising Executive, The Jewish Press Altar Boyz, which will be shown at the Omaha Community Playhouse March 2 through 25, leaves a great first impression. The musical is the modern version of a tent revival. It is the story of five altar boys trying to save the world one soul at a time. They are a modern boy band, and they pull you into this musical with their hilarious but catchy songs, and the story of their lives.

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Each altar boy will make you enjoy yourself; you’ll feel like you are a part of the performance. Standout Joseph T. O’Connor II steals the show as altar boy Mark, from his singing to comedic performance. The scene of how the boys formed their group will make you laugh out loud during and after the show. The show never goes to over the top and will leave you with a great feeling after watching this performance.

My first experience at the Playhouse made me want to come back often. If you are looking for entertainment and to have a good time I would recommend the Altar Boyz (especially if you like sheep puppets!). For more information about showtimes and to order tickets, please call 402.553.0800 or visit www.OmahaPlayhouse.org

PA disappointed with Obama’s AIPAC speech

by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Palestinian Authority chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Palestinians were disappointed with President Obama’s speech to the AIPAC conference.

“This speech is part of Obama’s election campaign,” Erekat told the Palestinian Ma’an news agency, speaking of the U.S. leader’s address Sunday to the pro-Israel lobby.

Erekat expressed disappointment that the speech did not call on Israel to accept a two-state solution and stop building in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

He said the speech showed “unprecedented support” for Israel. Erekat called on Arab countries to do the same for Arab interests in the region, Ma’an reported.

During the speech, which focused on the response to the Iranian nuclear weapons threat by Israel, the United States and the international community, Obama called on the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and to stop its quest to be recognized at the United Nations in place of peace negotiations.

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TOY AUCTION, Sunday, April 15, 10 a.m. Rollin Dike Estate’s huge 50 year collection. Tractors, Trains, Cars, Tonka, Budweiser, Hershey, Banks. DeWitt, Nebraska, 402-946-6731, www.rutauction.com.

FOR SALE: Small town convenience/gas store with beer sales. Located on Hwy. 183, enroute to Calamus. Full-service station possibility. Contact madtimclayton@hotmail.com.

VINTAGE VILLAGE Antique Mall, 2425 O Street, Lincoln. 402-742-0063. Open daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 60+ Dealers. Antiques, Collectables, Jewelry, Books, Records, Coins, Old Furniture, Signs, Toys.

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12 | The Jewish Press | March 9, 2012

Israeli redneck Arieh O’Sullivan gets his Confederate stripes

by URIEL HEILMAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- The first time I met Arieh O’Sullivan was in the predawn darkness of a winter morning in Jerusalem in 1997, when he came to pick me up in a jeep emblazoned with the Confederate flag on its spare tire.

I was just starting out as a journalist and working as a cub reporter at The Jerusalem Post, and O’Sullivan, a veteran of The Associated Press, was the Post’s seasoned military correspondent. I thought O’Sullivan had one of the coolest jobs in the world, and it turned out that this diminutive Jew with an Irish name and a Southern accent was a pretty cool guy, too.

O’Sullivan drove us through the darkness to a military base near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, where we hitched a ride aboard a C-130 Hercules aircraft bound for the Ovda air base in the Negev Desert. On the ground we were met by two minders from the military spokesman’s office and packed into a jeep for a bone-shattering, off-road tear through the desert to the site of an Israel Defense Forces combat exercise.

O’Sullivan was writing a story on the IDF Engineering Corps; I was tagging along to write a sidebar about the women who teach military combat.

We watched as hundreds of soldiers laid down bridges, jumped out of armored personnel carriers and did whatever else engineering corps soldiers are supposed to do.

Afterwards, we were taken to a nearby base for a chat with a high-ranking general. That day remains one of my favorites as a reporter.

O’Sullivan, 50, has moved on in his career. He is now the Mideast bureau chief for The Media Line, a nonprofit that supplies news outlets with stories about the Middle East. But a few things have stuck with him: his sharp eye, a commitment to journalism and that jeep with the Confederate flag. It also has a statue of General Robert E. Lee glued to the dashboard.

“I’ve always been proud of the fact that I come from the South,” said O’Sullivan, who was born and raised in New Orleans and moved to Mississippi before making aliyah in 1981.

On Feb. 21, O’Sullivan took his Southern credentials up a notch: He was sworn in as a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, an organization “open to all male descendants of any veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces.” O’Sullivan’s great-great-granddad-

Arieh O'Sullivan takes the pledge to join the Sons of Confederate Veterans at a ceremony in Biloxi, Miss., Feb. Credit: Arieh O'Sullivan 22, 2012. dy, George Johnson, served for a year as a lieutenant in the Alabama Rangers, a cavalry division of the Confederate Army.

“It was a real unique ceremony,” O’Sullivan said Wednesday in a phone interview from Biloxi, Miss., where the induction took place. “It was like redneck meets Jew.” O’Sullivan says he was told he is the first Israeli to become a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Some critics have accused the Sons of Confederate Veterans of tolerating white supremacists in its ranks, but Jim Woodrick, director of historic preservation at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, says it’s not a racist group.

“There’s no question that individual members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans have very political views, but it is not in any way a white supremacist organization,” he said.

Sharp notes that the Sons has members who are black, Native American and Hispanic -- not to mention Jewish.

“People think the Sons of Confederate Veterans is just a bunch of Ku Klux Klan types and rednecks,” O’Sullivan told me in an interview a few weeks before his induction. “I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I’m going to show that it’s not an extremist organization but just one to remember veterans

who served in the South.”

“Yankees were educated that the Civil War was about freeing the slaves, and I was taught that the war was about protecting your homeland,” O’Sullivan told JTA. “I can recognize that my ancestors took a stand, didn’t just sit by and let history pass them up. They believed in something. They had this vicious war on their own turf and they should be remembered for that.”

In a way, O’Sullivan followed in Johnson’s footsteps. He, too, went to fight for something he believed in, immigrating to Israel on the eve of the Lebanon War. When O’Sullivan’s paratrooper unit swept into Beirut in 1982, O’Sullivan carried a Confederate flag in one of his pouches -- he brought the flag with him to this week’s ceremony. And like Johnson, who was a farm boy from Alabama, O’Sullivan tends an olive field near his home in a moshav near Beit Shemesh, about 30 minutes from Jerusalem.

“I realized at 20 years old that there were things more important than family, more important than home, more important than country,” O’Sullivan said. “I joined this Zionist endeavor, came to Israel, almost immediately was in the army and almost immediately was in the war.

O’Sullivan remains fiercely proud of his Southern heritage. That same devotion to heritage spurred O’Sullivan to take his son to Dublin, Ireland, last summer to see where his father’s grandfather came from. His father was the one who chose Judaism, converting from Catholicism as a young man.

At the ceremony, O’Sullivan received a certificate from a man in a Confederate uniform and took an oath that included a pledge of allegiance to the United States and to support activities that “cultivate, perpetuate and sanctify the memory of the Confederacy.”

For O’Sullivan, a big part of that is his 23-year-old jeep, which he calls General Lee. When Palestinians stole it in 2004, O’Sullivan worked his connections to locate the thieves and then drove deep into the West Bank to buy it back. The only damage was to his flag and dashboard statue.

These days, O’Sullivan says the only trouble he gets with his jeep are uninformed questions from Yankees living in Israel.

“They say, What do you got that flag for?’ “O’Sullivan said.

“I explain that it’s where I come from and I say it’s a flag of pride.”