March 17, 2006

Vol. LXXXV No. 27 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

17 Adar, 5766 March 17, 2006

WZO Elections Send a Message on Pluralism...but Who’s Listening?

by CHANAN TIGAY NEW YORK (JTA)--America may be thousands of miles from Israel, but some here hope that the results of recent World Zionist Organization elections send a powerful signal to Israeli leaders about American Jewry’s commitment to religious pluralism in Israel.

Of the 145 delegates up for grabs in balloting for the U.S. slate to the WZO’s 35th Congress of the Jewish People, 89 went to parties representing progressive religious movements--Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist.

“This is a victory for the Reform movement, both in America and abroad,” said Scott Dubin, campaign manager for The Association of Reform Zionists of America, which easily won the elections, taking home just over 38 percent of the 75,686 votes cast. That gives ARZA 55 delegates to the June congress in Israel.

“It’s a victory for those who want to shape Israel’s agenda, to see an Israel where non-Orthodox marriages are recognized, non-Orthodox conversions are legitimate, and non-Orthodox rabbis can perform these ceremonies,” Dubin said.

The second-biggest vote-getter was the Religious Zionist Slate, which won 24 percent of the votes and 35 delegates. It was followed by Mercaz U.S.A., the Zionist organization of the Conservative Movement, which won 22 percent and

Scott Dubin, center, Campaign Manager for the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), assisted delegates to the Union for Reform Judaism’s Biennial with the registration Photo courtesy URJ. process, enabling ARZA to receive the highest number of votes.

32 delegates.

Rounding out the list were: • Zionist Organization of America, 3.4 percent and five delegates; • Hatikva, a liberal coalition of Ameinu and Meretz, 3.3 percent and five delegates; • Likud, 2.2 percent and three delegates; • Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, 1.3 percent and two delegates; • Green Zionist Alliance, 1.3 percent

and two delegates; • Herut USA, 1.3 percent and two delegates; • Dor Zion, 1.2 percent and two delegates; • Russian American Jews for Israel with .85 percent and one delegate; and • American Zionist Coalition, with .7 percent and one delegate.

• This was the third straight election that ARZA won, though its number of delegates has dropped from 70 in 1997

to 61 in 2002 to 55 this year.

In the past ARZA ran on a slate with the Reconstructionist group, which ran on its own for the first time this year.

Even taking this into account, this year’s results represent a net loss of four seats for ARZA. The Religious Zionist Slate, meanwhile, has gained seats in each of the last three elections, going from 16 in 1997 to 29 in 2002 to 35 this time.

Founded at the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, in 1897, the WZO --whose original goal was establishing a Jewish homeland--has convened more than 30 times to debate issues facing the Jewish people.

The WZO provides roughly half of the decision-making power of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Half of the agency’s board of governors are from the WZO, as are many members of its committees.

U.S. Jewry’s desire for religious equality in Israel “will no doubt be a message that will be given,” said W. James Schiller, president of the American Zionist Movement, the U.S. affiliate of the WZO that ran the elections. “How it will be received and how it will be translated, I don’t know--other than that, in past years, there has been movement to benefit both the Reform and Conservative movement in Israel.”

Continued on page 3

IHE Names Governance Council as Lessons Why Are These Knights Different from All Others? of the Holocaust Continue in Metro Schools

The chivalrous Cantor Gaston Bogomolni, left, of Beth El Synagogue, and singer/student Jonathon Rathsam have been practicing their jousting--no, make that singing--in preparation for a community concert on Sunday, April 16, 3 p.m., in the Jewish Community Center theater. Last year, the Center for Jewish Education sponsored a concert by the singing trio--Visions--during Passover. More information about this year’s CJE event will be available at a later date.

Inside Opinion Page see page 12

Memorial Museum was

by BETH SELDIN DOTAN included in the studies Director and grant funds were The Institute for made available.

Holocaust Education has Teachers were required now convened a to compose three lesson Governance Council. The plans that applied the Council will focus on pedagogy learned in class building support for the to post on the grant webInstitute for Holocaust sites as tools for their colEducation and guiding leagues. Eight of the parthe organization in conticipants took a directed tinued programs and readings course with Dr. events which inform the Guy Matalon, instructor community about issues at the University of of the Holocaust.

Nebraska-Omaha, who The IHE was estabprovided an even more lished by Bob Wolfson in intense study of the 2000 as an additional Teachers from Omaha area schools were among a group of proevents of the Holocaust. dimension to the Omaha fessionals to test the new ADL Holocaust curriculum.

Jon Priester, a Social office of the AntiDefamation League/Community Relations Committee. Studies teacher at Westside High School, took the class, Wolfson, Executive Director of the ADL/CRC, is ‘The Holocaust: A Cooperative Approach to Teaching leaving this summer to take a position with ADL’s the Holocaust’ last fall. “It truly opened my eyes to how important the lessons are that we can learn from these national office in New York City.

Members of this new governing council include: tragic events,” Priester said. “I had always known the Gloria Kaslow, who will serve as chairman, Howard Holocaust was important to study and make students Kaslow, Lori Miller, Jim Fried, Janice Woolley, Robert aware of what happened, but something became apparent during the course of this class.”

Cohen, Paul Smith and Ellen Wright.

Priester said that if the world is ever going to become Last fall, the Institute sponsored a successful course for 35 metro area teachers from Omaha Public Schools, more humane and understanding, then more students Westside, Millard, Bellevue and the Omaha Catholic need to see what happened during this tragic period of Schools. Through the OPS and Millard Teaching history.

“I also realized that many have not learned from these American History grants, each teacher received funds to pay for up to three masters credits. A one-day trip to events,” he added.

Washington, D.C. to the United States Holocaust Continued on page 2

This Week: Results of Synagogue Decathalon Games: Page 16 IHE Opens Exhibit of Rare Documents: Page 2

Veteran Ethiopian Community Divided on Falash Mura’s Fate: Page 8

Next Month: Passover Issue on April 7 Gov. Heineman Defends Record at Breadbreakers: Page 11

Beth Israel Congregants Win First-ever Deacathalon: Page 16

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 17, 2006

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Unseen Diary Pages and Rare Monopoly Board Revealed at Holocaust Gallery

SUNDAY, MARCH 19 C Nashir Choir, 10 a.m. at Beth El L Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El I Hebrew Club with Uri Levin, 11 a.m. at Beth Israel P

C L I P

& BESTT Chaverim at Family Fun Center, 1 p.m.

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by BETH SELDIN DOTAN conditions of the ghetto. Poeck was transported from Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education Terezin to Birkenau on Sept. 29, 1944, and immediateA rare Monopoly board created in the Terezin ghetto ly killed in the gas chambers. in Czechoslovakia in 1943 is among the Holocaust artiProperties in the Monopoly game were named after facts on display in the Pennie Z. Davis Gallery for camp landmarks. The center of the board is a blueprint Holocaust Education at the Jewish Community Center, of the area, showing rows of barracks where 50,000 Jews starting March 20. The exhibit--Diaries of Humanity-- were squeezed into living quarters meant to hold only which runs through 7,000. The ghetto curMay 7, contains facrency, the kronen, simile diary pages and bearing a picture of letters from the Moses holding the 10 Ghetto Fighters’ commandments, was Holocaust and Jewish used in the game, since Resistance Heritage it was worthless elseMuseum, and displays where. some archival material After buying propernever revealed to the ties, an “investor” public. could increase their Seven documents value by building a can be viewed in “kumbal” instead of Diaries of Humanity houses and hotels. A including: a birthday kumbal was a covered greeting written in attic available to those German in a small that “made it.” camp in Latvia in Kumbals often served 1943; goodbye wishes as a meeting place for Monopoly game created in the Therezenstadt ghetto in 1943 written in Russian by a lovers. young girl to her famThe Monopoly game ily; a letter in Yiddish is on loan to the written to the comInstitute for Holomand of the Jewish caust Education, the Fighting Organization organization sponsorrequesting fighting ing this new exhibit, by arms; and a newly disBeit Terezin, a memocovered document rial museum and eduwritten by an cational center in Israel unknown young for the martyrs of women who describes Theresienstadt. (For her hiding place in the further information see Warsaw Ghetto. www. bterezin.org.il.)

Micha and Dan Diaries of Humanity Glass arrived at the has been made possible Terezin Ghetto in the through a grant from spring of 1942. When the Herbert Goldsten they left in 1945, they Trust. The Monopoly took with them the board comes to the one thing that linked Pennie Z. Davis A birthday greeting written in German at a camp in Latvia. them to normal chilGallery with support dren growing up in the world beyond the camp walls. from the Morton A. Richards Youth Fund and the This rare Monopoly game--made in and used in the Center for Jewish Education.

The exhibit is free and open to the public and can be camp--was passed on from those who boarded the death trains to those they left behind. viewed: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-7:45 p.m.; Friday, Artist Oswald Poeck, born 1893, who worked in the 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; closed Saturdays. ghetto graphic art workshop, designed the game board. Groups are welcome. Docent led tours can be arranged He modified the original Monopoly board to reflect the by calling me at 334.6575.

S A V E

IHE Names Governance Council

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, MARCH 17 Beth El USY Kadima Kinnus, March 17-19 Visions Luncheon Meeting, 12:30 p.m. at Venice Inn SATURDAY, MARCH 18 Tropical-Salsa Night, 8 p.m. at Beth El

Jewish Federation Newcomers Brunch, 11 a.m.

Visions Lunch & Show, 11:30 a.m. at Mahoney Adult Education, 1 p.m. at Temple Israel

S A MONDAY, MARCH 20 V JSS Senior Luncheon, 10 a.m.

E Hadassah Board Meeting, 1 p.m.

How to Kasher Your Kitchen, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel A History of Israel, 7 p.m.

BEAM Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El Derech Torah Class, 7:30 p.m.

Youth Commission, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El TUESDAY, MARCH 21 Women of Worth Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. at Chabad BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Women of Worth Art Exploration, 7 p.m. at Chabad Board of Trustees, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 C L PATTER, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El I ADL Interfaith Seder, 6 p.m.

P Belly Dancing, 7 p.m. at Beth El

C L I P

NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. & Bad Boys of the Bible, 7 p.m.

&

THURSDAY, MARCH 23 S WRJ-O Donor Tea, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel A Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel V Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

E

S A V E

ADL Teacher Workshop “Diaries of Humanity,” 4 p.m.

WRJ Donor Tea, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437.

FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)

This Space For Rent Call Allan Handleman 334-6451

Continued from page 1 With this goal in mind, Priester took an idea to the administration of Westside High School. This idea was to create a new class that would be offered, called ‘The Dynamics of Global Intolerance.’ This class would focus on cultural awareness and the lessons that can be learned from the Holocaust and other genocides.

The administration immediately welcomed the idea and gave their approval for the class to be offered next year starting in the fall semester.

“Without the Holocaust course that I took this last fall, I never would have taken upon this challenge,” Priester said, “but I am now ready to try and make the world a more understanding place, even if it is only one student at a time.”

The Institute also offers on-going workshops to teachers in the Metro community.

Recently, the National ADL, the Shoah Foundation and Yad Vashem joined together to release a new multimedia curriculum for High School called “Echoes and Reflections.” This new curriculum provides a comprehensive study of the events leading up to the Holocaust, and of the Holocaust itself.

The program provides students with opportunities to realize the relative ease with which fundamental human and civil rights can be denied and to understand the ramifications of stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and scapegoating. Omaha, an original focus group for the curriculum, held the first all-day training for 30 teachers last fall.

Continued workshops on the curriculum will provide guidance to as many teachers as possible in the Omaha metro area. Teaching the Holocaust is a process which requires adequate skills and materials provided in the “Echoes and Reflections” guide and can be supported and monitored by the staff of the IHE. Jennifer Stastny, an English teacher at Central High School, said, “The ‘Echoes and Reflections’ curriculum provides a broad array of engaging activities to help students connect with the themes of the Holocaust.”

Stastny was a participant in the “Cooperative Approach to Teaching the Holocaust” course and, in the fall, the “Echoes and Reflections” training. She will travel to Israel with me in the summer for a training of the curriculum, sponsored by the ADL national office.

“I believe that whenever we are studying a topic and preparing to teach it to students, it is important to learn from the most authoritative source. I believe, also, that the most profound learning experiences occur when one is in motion, experiencing a lifestyle or seeing firsthand a location or event,” Stastny added.

“Traveling to Israel and studying at Yad Vashem will allow me to learn from the most knowledgeable people in the field of Holocaust studies and to gain knowledge about modern day Israel that I can use to help my students understand the legacy of the Holocaust and the on-going conflicts of the world,” she said.

For more in formation on the IHE or the new governing council, please call me at 334.6575.

March 17, 2006

in America,” said Arye Mekel, Israel’s consul general in New York. “Everybody is always interested in their point of view.

On the other hand, I think the Knesset looks at the way of thought of the people who live in Israel and this is what determines” policy.

Even so, Sachs said, the results can’t hurt. “There’s no question that having larger number of representatives from the denominations as delegates will go further toward ensuring that the allocations to the denominations here in Israel are not reduced,” Sachs said. But he added, “It is, perhaps, a reflection of the apathy of the American Jewish community that so many fewer people voted.”

The AZM election committee will meet in coming weeks to look at how to increase participation in future elections.

“We thought that” interest in Israel’s political situation “would yield a good return,” Karen Rubinstein, the AZM’s executive director, said after voting concluded late last month. “We’re certainly going to be sitting down and looking at it in terms of why the numbers are going down.”

Taken as a whole, the election results highlight the shift the Zionist movement in the United States has made in the past 10 to 15 years, from a movement dominated by ideological parties to one dominated by religious groups, she said.

Several observers said this may have to do, at least in part, with the fact that the religious movements have inherent recruiting grounds to get out the vote: their synagogues.

Rabbi Robert Golub, executive director of Mercaz USA, said the results were particularly noteworthy in a year when religious equality issues aren’t roiling Israel.

by JOANIE JACOBSON Jewish education in Omaha and on the hunThe Jews are known as the people of the dreds of Jewish families that have been part book. Quality secular and Jewish education of one very special family--Friedel.” have always been a much sought after priGreenberg explained that contributors ority in any community in which we live. can chose to place a full- or half-page ad or All of us in Omaha share in that success. purchase one of the four full-color covers Friedel Jewish Academy’s fourth-sixth (front, back and two inside covers). Ads can grade student consistently score in the top 2% in the national California Achievement Test. The school’s mean test scores are higher than the published scores of any of the top ranking Omaha school districts.

On May 31, Phyllis and the late Leonard Friedel, Jerry and Linda Gordman, Dorothy and the late Henry Riekes, and Steve and Margo Riekes will be honored for their vision, energy and commitment to the school.

Although the entire Jewish community cannot be physically present to congratu- Yaffa Podbilewicz-Schuller, Chairman of late the honorees, a “Fabulous Friends of Friedel’s 40th anniversary, shows plans of the Friedel” 40th Anniversary Yearbook will celebration to Andy Greenberg. be published so everyone can extend their best wishes.

Andy Greenberg, yearbook chair, said the book will not only be a commemorative keepsake but an historical one as well.

“We’ll mark the history of Friedel through its people,” he said. “We’re inviting past and present students and their families as well as past and present faculty members to participate. It’s also a chance for “Fabulous Friends of Friedel”-individuals and businesses in the greater community--to offer their congratulations and to acknowledge the four families being honored.”

“We hope everyone will take a moment to recognize these extraordinary people,” said Yaffa Podbilewicz-Schuller, chairman of the 40th anniversary celebration--“to recognize the impact their commitment has had on

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“We’re even offering an ‘Internet Bonus,” he added. “A participating family or business (including name, address, phone and email/website address) will be posted on the Friedel website for six months!

“The book is meant to be more than an ad book,” Schuller noted. “It will connect current students with the many others who went before them, and it will connect the school with the whole community.”

“Even if you or your children were not students at Friedel, you can easily appreciate the vital role this Jewish day school has played in our community,” said Greenberg. “Today, the children are thriving, the teachers are strong, the curriculum is diverse and the standards are high. It’s never been better.”

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Page 3

Fabulous Friends of Friedel: an Open Book

WZO Elections Send Message Continued from page 1 However, some question whether anyone in Israel pays attention to the WZO. Yossi Beilin, leader of Israel’s MeretzYahad Party, has called the body a “pathetic vestige of the organization founded by Theodor Herzl, which was most relevant in the years leading up to the founding of the State of Israel.”

A total of 75,686 votes were cast for 12 slates this year. Although 88 percent of registered voters actually voted, the actual number of votes represents a drop from 2002, when 88,753 people cast ballots, and an even steeper fall from 1997, when 107,832 people voted.

“There is some disappointment here in the Masorti movement,” as the Conservative movement in Israel is known, said Rabbi Andrew Sachs, director of the movement’s Rabbinical Assembly in Israel. “Not only in the lower numbers of people who voted, but also in the apparent disinterest of the American Jewish community to financially support, or to help out on any kind of grand scale, the Reform and Conservative movements here in Israel.”

The liberal movements in Israel have spent decades fighting for parity in a religious milieu dominated by the Orthodox establishment.

Last year, Israel’s High Court granted full recognition to so-called “leaping converts --non-Orthodox converts who study in Reform or Conservative academies in Israel and complete their conversions abroad. Non-Orthodox conversions performed in Israel have not been endorsed. Israel also hasn’t sanctioned marriages by non-Orthodox rabbis.

“Everybody in the Knesset understands the importance of the Jewish community

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 17, 2006

ORGANIZATIONS THE YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Join us on Monday at the JCC with storyteller Rita Paskowitz. Students from the Friedel Jewish Academy will join us at 12:45 p.m. Lunch is served at noon; cost is $6 per person. Try your luck with bingo with Eileen Remer at 10 a.m. Exercise will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the discussion group at 11 a.m.

Call Dee Dee for transportation at 330.4272. Call Maggie Conti at 334.6521 for reservations for the day trip to the Ameristar Casino on March 30.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

VISIONS Reminder: For those members going on the day trip to Mahoney State Park for show and lunch on Sunday,

March 19, please meet at the JCC by 11 a.m. (departing at 11:15 a.m.).

Goin’ to Kansas City with Elite Tours on June 6-7.

Cost is $180 double occupancy/per person or $210 single. Highlights include the show, Proposals, at the New Theatre, starring Marla Gibbs, Country Club Plaza, Oak Park Mall (home of Nordstrom), Hallmark Visitors Bureau, tour of historic St. Joseph and dinner at Ryan’s Steakhouse. Depart from the JCC at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6. Return by approximately 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7. Send reservations with full payment to Anne Skolkin, 1010 Regency Parkway, #302, Omaha, NE 68114 by April 20. Make check payable to Visions.

BREADBREAKERS Republican candidate for Senate, Dave Kramer, will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, March 22, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch,

chairman. Kramer will outline his goals as a U.S. Senator from the State of Nebraska.

All men and women in the community are invited to attend. Cost is $11 for a complete lunch and $3 for beverage service only.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN OMAHA SECTION Sunday, March 26, 1-3 p.m., is Teen Mitzvah Day at the Jewish Community Center. Jewish Family Service Executive Director Becki Brenner and Community Services Vice-president Harriet Epstein have reserved the Community Room at the JCC to assemble more tote bags for the Child Savings Institute.

BBYOers and teens from synagogue youth groups will be there. Adult volunteers also are needed to help with Omaha Section’s Totes for Tots project with CSI. If you’d like to help, call JFS at 330-2024.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

Progress in Community Development Shalom Baby welcomes newborns to our community with a unique collection of Jewish-themed gifts and essential resources for Jewish parents. Sponsored by the Federation, these gifts are from the entire Jewish community, with the synagogues, Chabad, Child

by ZOË RIEKES, Development Center, The Center for Jewish Education, President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Jewish Family Service, the Kripke Library and Friedel Jewish Academy each donating items. Shalom Baby celWhen I first took office, one of my goals was to reach out to the younger generation and ebrates one of life’s most joyful simchas while helping to get them involved in the Omaha Jewish community. We strengthen Jewish families.

Opportunity Omaha is the newest program initiated knew there were a lot of young Jewish people out there, but we didn’t know how to connect with them. To through the Community Development department. In address this vital need, I turned to the Community addition to being matched with a professional internship in Development Department. Added to the Federation a local business or organization, Opportunity Omaha parteam during the previous administration, this depart- ticipants will be exposed to all that Omaha and the Jewish ment has made great strides towards reaching out to the community has to offer--through specially designed Judaic, social, educational and cultural activities. younger generation.

The ultimate goal of Janie Murow, Community Development Director, has Newcomer’s Brunch: Sunday, March 19 Opportunity Omaha is to The Jewish Federation of Omaha welcomes newcomers get our young people to developed initiatives to reach those who are new to Omaha, to the community at a brunch this Sunday, March 19, stay or return to Omaha returning members of our 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. after college graduation. community, and young adults Meet other newcomers, veteran Omahans, Jewish profes- Now in its pilot season, the applicant needing help identifying the sionals and representatives from synagogues and Jewish tremendous numerous opportunities to agencies and organizations. Children are welcome to response we received has connect to Jewish Omaha. attend. For more information, please contact Janie validated our belief that if Moving into a new commu- Murow, Federation Community Development Director, you offer the right opportunities, our young people nity can be overwhelming and 334.6566 or jmurow@jewishomaha.org. will be eager to participate. newcomers to the area are glad I see the success of the Community Development to have one central point of contact within the Federation to call upon for guidance. This includes help department every day. More and more young adults are identifying Jewish neighborhoods, learning about syna- becoming active members. I see them stepping up to the plate, joining committees, chairing events, and actively gogues, and personal and professional networking.

One of our newcomers recently shared her feelings: participating in our community. The younger genera“Janie Murow was a big reason I felt comfortable mak- tion brings a fresh perspective to the table, and it’s so ing the decision to take a job in Omaha, despite not hav- exciting to see them getting involved. I’m thrilled with ing any family or friends in the Midwest. She is a won- the progress of the Community Development derful face for the open and friendly Jewish community Department, and am looking forward to the impact our young people will make in the years to come.

I have met here.�

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Beth Israel’s Visiting Scholar Explains Connection Between Judaism and Zoos

by MARY BORT “We are so grateful to an anonymous donor and the for Beth Israel Synagogue Esther K. Newman Foundation for supporting Beth Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt, a visiting scholar for Beth Israel’s ‘The Jew and the Zoo’ program, enabling us to Israel Synagogue, led fascinating Jewish educational bring Rabbi Rosenblatt to Omaha,� said Executive program tours at Henry Doorly Zoo recently. Director Beth Cohen.

Rosenblatt, who is senior rabbi While both children and at Riverdale Jewish Center in adults had fun touring the zoo New York and the author of a with Rosenblatt, he noted that book about zoos, held two difhe enjoyed the tours too. As a ferent “The Jew and the Zoo� scholar of zoos, Rosenblatt programs. The first was a tour noted that he has visited zoos, geared specifically for toddlers, literally, all around the world. while the second tour was for “There are maybe a handful all age groups. of zoos that I would put on my Attendees gained insight A list,� said Rosenblatt. “While about how to look at zoos I was expecting Omaha’s zoo to through a “Jewish lens.� be a good zoo --and I had conChildren, as well as adults, Rabbi Rosenblatt teaches a lesson at the zoo to chil- ducted extensive research about appreciated listening to dren, including Jack, Max and Leo Kohll. your zoo before arriving here-Rosenblatt’s stories from the Torah and how they relat- I was not expecting it to be so amazing. I would have to ed to specific animals they visited. give your zoo an A+.�

Making Passover More than a Meal

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator If you’re new at hosting a Seder or just looking for some new ideas, Rabbi Craig Marantz and Stephanie Grossman will teach “Beyond Matzoh: A Mini University on Passover,� on Sunday, March 26, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel. More than any other Jewish holiday, getting ready for a Passover seder, requires advance preparation and thoughtful choreography.

In an effort to transcend the mere mechanics of the seder and to achieve a deeper spiritual connection to the Jewish people’s greatest story, Grossman will talk about how “to make Pesach a family thing and how to make it different than any other night.� She suggested creating a family haggadah or picking out symbols with the children to represent the plagues. “The special food that we only have during Pesach separates it and makes it special. The physical act of rearranging the dinning room (to accommodate a large group) and emptying the cupboards makes it so different than any other time of the year. It’s a mindset.

Nothing should be mundane which helps make it special,� Grossman added. “My part will be a text study in which we focus on ‘The Open Door: A Passover Haggadah’, our new hag-

gadah,� explained Rabbi Marantz. “As we learn and teach more about Passover traditions,� he said, “we are preparing not only our homes but our hearts as well.

Pesach is so central to Jewish life. It brings family and friends together to tell the most important story in our history, the story of our exodus from slavery. There are new insights we can learn from year to year. Each layer of meaning we add, year to year, adds great richness to our celebration.�

In addition, Cantor Wendy Shermet will share some Passover music and provide each participant with a CD of favorite tunes to take home. Everyone will be entered in a free raffle for a WRJ-O Passover cookbook.

Grossman will bring her “famous� homemade matzoh ball soup to sample as well as several versions of charoset.

The gift shop will display a variety of seder plates, matzoh covers, and other popular items. The new Passover haggadah will be available for purchase as will copies of the WRJ-O Passover cookbook.

To register for “Beyond Matzoh,� which is open to the community and sponsored by Temple’s Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning, contact Program Director Rosie Zweiback by e-mail at rzweiback@templeisraelomaha.com or call her at 556.6536.

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Temple Scholar to Discuss Jewish Law in Terms of Free Will, Medical Ethics, Other Contemporary Challenges

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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator An authority and instructor in halakhah, Dr. Mark Washofsky will present “Talmud, the Halakhah, and Reform Judaism: Old Sources and Contemporary Decisions,” the weekend of March 31-April 2, as Temple Israel’s scholar-in-residence.

“Jewish law (halakhah)” explained Dr. Washofsky, “is the predominant element of what we call ‘Jewish tradition.’ To understand the latter, you have to study the former.”

Professor of rabbinics at Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), Dr. Washofsky is an ordained rabbi. His publications concern the nature of rabbinical decision making and issues of medical ethics in Jewish law.

On Friday night, March 31, 7:30 p.m., Dr. Washofsky will give the D’var Torah at the Shabbat worship service on “Commandments and Choices: Do We Ever Have Free Will?” On Saturday, 9 a.m., he will speak about “Jewish Law and the Terry Schiavo Case: A Liberal Perspective.” Wrapping up his residency on Sunday morning, 10 a.m., Dr. Washofsky will conclude with “Reform Responsa: How Jewish Tradition Responds to Today’s Problems.”

“Legal theory explores what law is, how it is made, and especially interesting to me, how judges go about making their decisions,” said Dr. Washofsky. “Much of what legal theory has to say about these things can teach us a great deal about how rabbis make their halakhic rulings.

Traditionally, Judaism speaks to all questions, or ‘problems,’ of action by means of the halakhah. That is, ‘what am I, as a faithful Jew, supposed to do in response to God’s demand upon me’ is always found in the halakhic literature.

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“One obvious example would be in the field of medical ethics,” he pointed out. “Jewish tradition commands us to heal the sick, but how does that commandment apply to the situation of a terminal patient kept alive by a respirator or by a feeding tube? What is our moral duty to the individual in a persistent vegetative state? These are questions that are not addressed explicitly by the old sources, but Jewish practice is to interpret those sources - the Bible, Talmud, halakhah --so as to derive answers to the new problems much the way that lawyers and judges interpret the Constitution to answer questions like wiretapping and internet privacy that were surely not imagined in 1787. That’s the sort of thing that I do and that I think Reform Judaism should take more seriously in its own religious practice.

“We cannot claim that Jewish tradition categorically prohibits the removal of food and water from dying patients. But we consider food and water, no matter how they are delivered, the staff of life. So what we ultimately do is express deep reservations about their withdrawal, but in the end, we say, nonetheless that because we cannot declare that the cessation of artificial nutrition and hydration is categorically forbidden by Jewish moral thought, the patient and the family must ultimately let their consciences guide them,” said Dr. Washofsky in a report by JTA. “Reform Jews are paying more attention to traditional texts and sources in making their religious decisions,” he continued. “This is not uniform among all Reform Jews and congregations, but the trend is certainly there.”

Sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning, Dr. Washofsky’s residency is also supported by John A. Gentleman Mortuaries and Tom Belford. The community is welcome to attend throughout the weekend.

It doesn’t seem to matter which way we get the news--whether we’re a tv addict or if we depend on the newspaper, or even that rare bird who listens to the radio. We’re bombarded with everything happening in every corner of the world, as well as places most of us will never visit.

In a way, that’s good. A well-informed person is in a position to make better judgments about such important issues as presidential candidates for example, or which is the best way to help people in the Mideast to live hamoniously. On a lighter note, all those self-proclaimed experts want us to know how to avoid being over weight or how to stay healthy. And each of them considers him or herself to be a maven on the topic.

Whenever a new controversy arises about eating this or that, you can count on lots of suggestions from the media. Whether or not to eat salmon is a recent subject.

Well, let’s face it. What better way to learn about something then to read or listen to reports about the latest information on safe fish?

And look what a field day they were all having with the “mad cow” disease thing. I can understand people in the meat business being nervous about it, but for heaven’s sake, it’s more harmful to animals than people. But it’s newsworthy, so we read all about it. We hear newspeople from Europe as well as here discussing all the worries and fears, from the poor cattle farmer who stands to lose his livelihood to the grocery chain people who don’t want to be stuck with tons of meat people are afraid to buy.

We also are treated to news about the latest Hollywood romance between two people who might not be old enough to vote or smart enough to know for whom to vote! Now that’s news I really can do without. Still, there

it is, in my newspaper. My only question? Who cares? I guess the answer is the editor of that paper or the producer of the news broadcast. They believe in the importance of variety!

The sports world is also an important area of news. I mean really, doesn’t everyone feel a need to know who ranks where and which team is bowl-worthy and which coach is suspected of gambling? Do I sound like a real sorehead? A poor sport or somebody who thinks we see and hear so much junk we don’t need to know about? I guess maybe that’s how I feel, at least some of the time.

Maybe that’s why I like listening to the radio; when I’m just listening, I’m more likely to tune out somebody or something I don’t care about. Seems if I’m watching, I let them finish something I’m not interested in and see what the next story is. Why do I do that?

I certainly can answer when somebody asks what I think of all the commercials I see on the tube. Talk about an assault on the senses. See, there’s my argument again about seeing and hearing and just reading. When I’m reading the newspaper, I can sweep right past those pages of ads which don’t interest me. It’s so easy to ignore them, unlike watching somebody telling me what’s going on with Mars and having to wait for all that annoying interruption to be finished.

You have to chose the best way for you....if you have vision problems, the TV is a blessing. If your hearing isn’t sharp, then maybe the newspaper is more satisfying.

Choices. Thank goodness for choices. And for my right to boorche all I want about such unimportant things.

The fact is, with all the complaining, the commercials, the thieves preying on the innocent, the goofy folks in the movie business, the taxes, the high priced medicines, with all of that I’m so glad nobody can tell me what I can or cannot read (like cartoons, for example!).

So it doesn’t really matter at all how you get your “news.” Just choose the way you like best. For example, if you have a real interst in the mishagos in Hollywood, try a magazine. The stuff I see on display at the checkout counter looks like it leaves nothing out!

Spice and Spirit Cooking Club to Focus on Pesach Favorites

by CAROL HUTCHISON Savor some of the most tantalizing Pesach favorites at the Chabad House. The Chabad Women of Worth Cooking Club, a group of gals devoted to delicious cooking and inspirational learning will examine the techniques necessary to create the world’s greatest potato kugel on on Wednesday, March 22, 9:30 a.m.

“Potato kugel is truly a staple on Pesach. It can be tricky though,” said Shani Katzman, the group’s facilitator, “to keep the potatoes from turning brown and to be

able to slice the kugel and serve elegantly.”

The women will also have a chance to explore the art of baking shmurah matza. Along with a multi-media presentation, and “hands-in-dough,” participants will learn the significance and process of matza baking. The Spice and Spirit Cooking Club is open to all women in the community. Cost per session is $10 and includes a hefty breakfast.

To learn more about this group or to reserve, visit www.nebraskajudaism.com or call 330.1800.

March 17, 2006

Celebrate Passover with Family and Friends at the Blumkin Home

by SHOSHANNA SCHECHTER-SHAFFIN Jewish Senior Services Are you looking for an extra special Passover experience this year? Why not consider reserving a spot for you and your family at one of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s exciting participatory community Passover seders on the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday, April 12 and 13, 6 p.m.

This year, for the first time, the Blumkin Home will be offering two very different kinds of seders. While both will include many of the traditional elements, each seder will have its own special flavor and interpretation of the Passover story.

The first night, a classic traditional seder will be led by Andy Greenberg, assisted by his wife, Carole.

Greenberg is a veteran volunteer of the Blumkin Home, having not only led seders for many years, but also serving as the chazzan (cantor) for high holidays and Shabbat morning services.

Greenberg’s seder will include many traditional melodies and participatory opportunities with the goal of leaving participants with a “connection in words, emotion, and spirit to the Passover story.” For his “traditional condensed” seder, Greenberg also always tries to leave participants with a feeling of “remembrance of the traditional seders of their youth.”

The second night, for the first time, an intergenerational family seder will be led by famed master storyteller Rita Paskowitz. Paskowitz, a native of Omaha, brings to her seder many years of experience not only as a storyteller, but also as an actress, comedienne, and writer.

For Paskowitz, Passover has always been an especially important holiday. “It’s all about freedom, I can’t think of a better reason to celebrate,” she said. In addition to covering the “greatest hits” of the Passover seder, Paskowitz hopes through storytelling, participation, and ritual to instill in her seder participants a sense that “the story of Exodus is still alive and applicable today, the struggle goes on and on.”

Both seders will be exceptional experiences.

Reservation forms are currently being mailed. If you do not receive one, please contact Dee Dee at the Blumkin Home at 334.6510 and a form will be sent to you.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Spend Pesach at Chabad House

by JOAN K. MARCUS for Chabad of Nebraska Most Jewish women think that the word “Pesach” or “Passover” means more slavery. It is less than a month away and most of us have begun the tasks of cleaning, planning menus, schlepping tables and chairs and then: the dreaded clean up looms on the horizon.

We all know that Pesach is a time of family gatherings and good food. However, now we need to redirect our thinking to the real meaning of the holiday. During a visit with Shani Katzman of Chabad House, ideas have begun to change.

According to Katzman, “The whole idea of the seder is family coming together and reenacting or reliving the Exodus from Egypt. If we were to celebrate Pesach only because it happened thousands of years ago to our ancestors that came out of Egypt, it really wouldn’t be relevant to us.

In this modem day and age, our lives are different. Many say, “So what? Big deal!” and people would wonder why we should continue having seders for 3,318 years. “Why do we keep doing it?” she asked.

Katzman tells that we keep celebrating because everything that happened is re-experienced and the inspiration from G-d is re-enacted. So, when Jews were leaving Egypt more than 3,000 years ago and received the gift of freedom, they celebrated subsequently each year.

In a sense, Jews receive that freedom gift over and over again each year.

“Every Jew experiences the Exodus from their personal enslavement. We are all enslaved to different things,” she said. “It may be societal pressures, personality traits, anger, frustration or illness. There are many, many things to which we are slaves. Pesach and the seder give us the ability, strength and energy to take the leap and get out of bondage.”

According to the Chabad rebbetzin, Each year when we move away from things that keep us in bondage, we develop new enslavements for the next year. Judaism is a path of growth and refinement. So, the more we refine ourselves, the greater the nuances and subtleties that we have to refine.

“Even veteran seder goers have something to add and another way to move out of the slavery. This concept is based upon Kabbalah--that the Jewish calendar is cycli-

cal and not vertical,” Katzman explained. “In other words, the calendar goes in cycles, where on Pesach we experience our freedom and on Shavout, we receive the Torah again anew. So, we need to leave Egypt in order to receive the Torah again,” she added.

Every time we leave Egypt--each year at the seder--we move a greater distance from our bondage and imperfections.

Each of these steps is another in the journey of the perfection of the Jewish self. For instance, we clean the mud off of our boots first. Then, we wash the boots.

Later, we polish the boots to our satisfaction.

When families, groups, friends gather together for Pesach, it isn’t only the crunching of the matza and the singing of songs. It is setting of the stage for our living once again. We re-experience freedom.

“What happens is that Pesach comes during the month of Nisan, the first month of the year. This is the birth of the Jew,” she said, “when they left Egypt and they relinquished their ties, relinquished their ties to slavery, and were free to be G-d’s people. Each year, we shed a layer of that exile mentality and bondage addiction. We each grow to greater freedom and it’s all orchestrated through the order of the Pesach feast.”

In order to experience the gathering together, everyone is invited to attend the first Pesach Seder at Chabad House on Wednesday, April 12, 7:15 p.m. Rabbi Mendel Katzman, Emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, will conduct the seder.

Participants will partake of shmura matza, a handbaked matzah that is round in shape. They will drink the four cups of wine because G-d promised, in Exodus, four different times of salvation. In eating the bitter herbs, we all relate to bitter passages in our lives.

Shani Katzman describes the seder as “a ladder that we’re climbing and an experience that we’re living through. At this seder, we’re a family coming together to remember the past and bring us together again for freedom in the future.”

There is no charge for the Chabad House home seder.

Guests can make reservations by calling 330.1800.

Those who wish to participate in the Seder should ask for reading parts when making their reservations. No previous experience in leading or facilitating is necessary and Hebrew reading is not a prerequisite.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 17, 2006

THE FALASH MURA’S FATE Veteran Ethiopian Israeli Community Divided on Falash Mura’s Immigration

by DINA KRAFT troversy had mainly to do with confirmMembers of the Falash Mura commuJERUSALEM (JTA) -- Overlooking ing which of the new immigrants truly nity in Israel say they are committed to the panorama of Jerusalem’s Old City at had Jewish roots. returning to Judaism. Their ancestors twilight a group of Ethiopians teenagers “They want Jews to come, not non- converted in the late 19th and early 20th argue whether or not the Falash Mura Jews,” Hadane said. centuries to Christianity. community should be brought to Israel He also said there were stark divisions At Mahane Yehuda, Jerusalem’s openen masse. between the communities when it came to air market, several stalls have recently “If they are Jewish, why opened selling Ethiopian products such not?” says Sharon Balata, a as coffee and lentils imported from 16-year-old from Ashdod.

Africa. Aviva, a 24-year-old Ethiopian no, they are “But woman who would only give her first Christian,” protests her name, said she remembers a more intenfriend Yardena Yamrashet, sive and welcoming reception when she 18, from Rehovot. and her family made aliyah 12 years ago.

Balata pauses then shoots Often, she says, members of the Falash back, “The more Ethiopians Mura community will come to the stall there are in Israel the better, where she works for help with writing letright?” ters in Hebrew to government offices and Yamrashet remains unconfor general advice. vinced. The Falash Mura, “If they are not taken care of, why were who are now returning to they brought here?” she asks. their Jewish roots after their An Ethiopian Israeli border policeman, second from left, At an Ethiopian restaurant and bar a converted to stands with his officer as they guard the entrance to the few blocks away, veteran Ethiopians gathfamilies Christianity about 100 years Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem. er at the end of the day. Among them is a Credit: Brian Hendler/JTA 23-year-old who calls himself Jimmy. He ago, are considered an entirely different community by most of religious practice. The veterans, for exam- is bitter about his life, and says he does the veteran Jewish Ethiopians. ple, prefer to pray in the traditional not understand why the country is con“We don’t feel a connection with them, Ethiopian language of prayer called Ge’ez templating bringing more Ethiopians we just don’t know them,” said the while the Falash Mura pray in Hebrew. The here. trendy Yamrashet, her hair dyed blond Falash Mura will also often only eat food and teased into an Afro. deemed kosher by the Chief Rabbinate veteran community of while the veteran Ethiopians follow Israel’s Ethiopian Jews, the bulk of whom came kashrut standards set by their elders. to Israel in the airlifts of 1984-85 and The two communities, Hadane said, 1991, are still struggling to find their way live fairly separate lives in Israel. in Israeli society. Battling poverty, crime One young Ethiopian Israeli activist among the younger generation and who declined to be quoted by name said unemployment, some are wary of scarce he is concerned that there is no way to resources going to the Falash Mura com- determine how many Falash Mura will munity instead of their own continuing immigrate ultimately. He blamed absorption. Others welcome the Falash American Jewish groups for pressing the Mura as extended members of their own issue. “It is a matter of money. I think it’s families and see political and social the American Jewish organizations who strength in the growing numbers of have an interest in this,” he said.

Ethiopians in Israel.

A 21-year-old soldier who would only Young Ethiopian Israeli friends shop in downCurrently some 100,000 Ethiopians identify himself as Moshiko said he did town Jerusalem. recently.

Credit: Brian Hendler/JTA live in Israel. The government’s plan is to not see the Falash Mura as part of his expedite the immigration of 13,000 to community. He did not think their com“We don’t feel like we are part of this 20,000 Falash Mura over the next two mitment to being in Israel was the same. society,” he said. “If the first and second years. Some of the leaders of the veteran “I’m here because my great-grandfather immigration waves did not work, why community had been outspoken against wanted to come here. My family came by should the third and fourth ones work?” bringing additional Falash Mura to Israel foot and my great-grandfather died on He works as a security guard, he says, but once the plan was approved by the the way,” he said. “like every other Ethiopian you have ever government, the criticism on a public Adding to the sense of alienation are met.” He then repeats a bit of immigrant level has been largely muted. rumors circulating in the veteran humor, “They brought the Russians to Several prominent Ethiopian Jewish Ethiopian community that some Falash clean the streets and the Ethiopians to veterans refused to go on record with Mura return to Christianity once they are guard the malls.” their views about the Falash Mura, citing in Israel, even attending church services.

Jimmy said he hopes to fly to Ethiopia the controversial nature of the issue with- Suspicions have been heightened by in the next few months on a “trial visit” in their community. rumors that Christian missionaries who with a few other Ethiopian Israeli friends Rabbi Yosef Hadane, the chief rabbi for falsely converted to Judaism are among to see if, perhaps, their futures are there, the Ethiopian Jews in Israel, said the con- those immigrating. instead of in the Jewish state.

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New Venue for Beth Israel’s Monthly “Lunch and Learn”

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel’s monthly “Business Ethics Lunch and Learn” with Rabbi Gross, is moving to a new location. Beginning with the next “Lunch and Learn” scheduled from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, participants will meet at the synagogue to enjoy a noon meal and discuss how Jewish law informs us about business ethics.

For many years, “Lunch and Learn” was held at the office of Joe Kirshenbaum, near One Pacific Place.

“We are so grateful to Joe and Noddle Development for hosting our monthly lunches,” said Executive Director, Beth Cohen. “When we were in our old building, it was terrific of Joe to offer his more centrally-located office for the monthly meetings.

“Now that we’re in our new building, located just down the street from his office, it made sense for us to simply move the ‘Lunch and Learns’ back to Beth Israel. And having the lunches at the synagogue will also give us more flexibility with menu options.”

A dairy lunch of soup and sandwiches will be served at the March 23 “Lunch and Learn,” at a cost of $5 per person.

Please contact the synagogue office at 556.6288 or BethIsrael@Orthodox Omaha, to make your reservation.

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The annual Passover issue will be published on Friday, April 7; there is no regular news in that issue, but there is still time to get your cameraready ad in the Jewish Press. Call Allan Handleman at 334.6451 or Terri Greenwood at 334.6559.

Because the Press office will be closed for the first two and last two days of Passover on Thursday and Friday, April 13-14, and Wednesday and Thursday, April 19-20, there will be early deadlines, at noon, as follows: Issue Deadline April 5 April 14 April 21 April 11 April 28 April 18 Synagogue schedules for the Passover issue are due no later than Monday, March 20.

Questions? Call 334.6448.

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March 17, 2006

IN THE NEWS

Todd Simon has been recognized for his corporate and personal contributions in combating domestic violence with the 2005 Corporate Service Award by the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council of Greater Omaha. Simon serves as President of the Executive Board of RESPECT, a theater organization presenting hundreds of performances annually on bullying and relationship violence. He was nominated for his efforts furthering RESPECT by the organization’s Board of Directors.

Lt. Benjamin J. (B.J.) Cipperley is now stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, commanding an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. He is assigned for two years and then he will be on the move again. Since graduating from the Naval Academy in 1999 in Annapolis, MD, he has lived in Newport, RI, Panama City and Destin, FL, Corpus

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to Omaha’s Orpheum Theater this month.

Performances begin on March 28 and run through April 2 at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Omaha.

Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.

Songs including “Dancing Queen”, “The Winner Takes It All”, “Money, Money, Money” and “Take A Chance on Me” are all featured in this feel-good night of fun and laughter.

For tickets, call Ticket Omaha at the Holland Center, 402.345.0606 or Ticketmaster, 402.422.1212, or online at: www.ticketmaster.com.

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Nancy Rips, Omaha bookseller and book reviewer, will be speaking at the National BookExpo Convention this spring in Washington, D.C. She will be part of a panel on Tourism: The “Bookstore Independent Bookstore as Group Travel Destination.”

This interactive session will explain how the grassroots “bookstore tourism” benefits indie bookstores, readers, and communities, and will cover the goals of the newly created Natl. Council on Bookstore Tourism.

Rips is a bookseller at The Bookworm, Countryside Village, and a book reviewer on radio and TV. She will be leading her next bookstore tour to New York in the fall for the annual “New York is Book Country Weekend”.

Former Omahan, Tiffani Sherman of Dunedin FL, daughter of former Omahans Mike and Ellie Sherman, recently won three international awards for broadcasts she produced.

She won an Aurora Gold Award for a broadcast about prescription drug abuse. She won a Communicator Award of Excellence and a Bronze Telly Award for a broadcast about marijuana.

Sherman formerly produced newscasts for TV stations in Raleigh, Cincinnati, and Tampa. She now produces training broadcasts and satellite uplink programming for the Multi-jurisdictional Counter-drug Task Force Training Program in St. Petersburg, FL. She is also a freelance reporter for the St. Petersburg Times newspaper.

Dr. David Chait will be one of the honorees at the 2006 Champions of Hope Award Dinner on March 30.

He is receiving the Medical Provider Award from Hope Medical Outreach Coalition.

Page 9

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ANNIVERSARY Jerome “Jerry” and Frances “Fran” (Osoff) Milder will celebrate their 60th anniversary on March 24. They were married at Beth El Synagogue in Omaha on March 24, 1946, with Rabbi David A. Goldstein and Rabbi Israel Mowshowitz officiating.

The couple’s children are: Cheryl and Ron Cooper, Gayle and Jim Spooner all of Omaha, and Harlan Milder of Lincoln. Their grandchildren are: Joshua and Emily Cooper of Seattle, WA, Alex and Valerie Cooper of Rochester, MN, Sarah Spooner and Zach Spooner of Omaha.

Jerry and Fran have one Ben great-grandchild, Cooper of Seattle, WA. Jerry owned Milder Manor Nursing Home in Lincoln. Fran was the bridal buyer for Younkers for 20 years. The couple are both retired, but have been active in the community in numerous ways over the years.

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Dr. Ben Nachman will be giving a Holocaust Presentation on Friday, March 31, 1 p.m., at the Bellevue Library. He will tailor his talk to the audience and will speak on his extensive Holocaust research the past 40 years.

He has spent the past 20 years doing research on a full-time basis, as 23 immediate family members were murdered by the Nazis. This activity has taken him to Europe for research on numerous occasions. In the early 1990s, he was asked by the Steven Spielberg Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation to conduct filmed interviews of survivors in a five state area.

During the past 20 years, Dr. Nachman has done research for Reverend Theo Tschuy on a book titled Dangerous Diplomacy. He worked with the Methodist Church in bringing Reverend Tschuy to Nebraska where he lectured at UNL, Creighton, Nebraska Wesleyan, and several churches in Nebraska. Dr. Nachman is a graduate of Creighton University School of Dentistry. Later the pair became involved in hidden children in Belgium, and were working on a book about the 100 children of Chateau La Hille in France.

He also is working with Bill Ramsey and Betty Shrier on a book about David Kaufman. Kaufmann was a merchant in Grand Island who helpd more than 80 families from Germany immigrate to Nebraska in the 1930s.

This book will be published in 2006.

Dr. Nachman is working with a writer for the Wall Street Journal on a book about Alvin Johnson. Johnson was a Nebraskan, founded the New School, where former Sen. Bob Kerry is now the president. Johnson also founded the University in Exile and brought over more than 160 Jewish professors from Germany as staff during the 1930s. This book will be published in 2007.

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March 17, 2006

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WRJ to Feature Stories of Five Local Jewish Women at Donor Event

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “Women Who Inspire Us” will be the theme of this year’s Donor event hosted by Women of Reform Judaism-Omaha on Thursday, March 23, 7 p.m., at Temple Israel. Five Jewish women who work in fields as diverse as the cantorate to law enforcement will share their stories of balancing commitment to their families, careers, and communities.

Chaired by Patty Gilinsky, the Donor is open to women throughout the Jewish community. Susan Norton, a licensed attorney who is not practicing at this time in order to raise four young sons, will be the moderator.

Among the women who will talk about their unique stories are Jan Goldstein, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha; Susan Lehr, a federal prosecutor;

Shayna Ray, a 12-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department who is sergeant of special operations; Cantor Wendy Shermet of Temple Israel; and Amee Zetzman, executive vice president/chief financial officer of All Makes Office Equipment Company in Omaha and president/CEO of the Lincoln and Des Moines branches.

Refreshments and dessert will be served at the Donor which is WRJ-O’s major annual fund raising event. The proceeds benefit programs and projects of WRJ which this year donated $3,000 to Temple Israel’s camp scholarship fund as well as money to the religious school. WRJ also contributed to sending two religious school teachers to Israel last summer and sponsored Oneg Shabbats, holiday dinners, Tot Shabbat, Cradle Roll, and gifts to college students twice a year.

To make a reservation, call the Temple office, 556.6536. Donations begin at $18.

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Students to Celebrate Shabbat at Chabad

Recht Raises the Roof at Beth El Cantor’s Concert

by ESTIE KATZMAN for Chabad House “Thank G-d it’s Shabbat.” Students at local universities will join together for user-friendly services, followed by a delicious kiddush and dinner next Friday, March 24, 6:15 p.m.--starting with candlelighting. This is the fourth in a monthly series of Shabbat meals for local Jewish college students and those home on break.

It’s the best way to turn an ordinary Friday night into….a most exciting Shabbat. College freshmen to grad students--all are invited for a five-course, homecooked Shabbat meal, prepared by the Chabad Ladies Auxiliary and co-sponsored by the OJCSU--the Omaha Jewish College Students Union.

Encounter an intimate and elegant setting in which to eat, meet new friends from every niche of Jewish life in Omaha, and celebrate Shabbat in a warm and enjoyable manner. Join in the lively singing, exciting conversation, hear inspiring stories and stump Rabbi Mendel Katzman with provocative questions. You don’t have to dress up for the occasion, and nobody will ask you to recite your Bar Mitzvah speech.

Services begin at 6:30 p.m. and dinner follows at 7 p.m. Reserve to Robert Mosenkis at 968.7013 or Chabad House, at 330.1800 or chabadoffice@cox.net.

Bring your friends to taste one of the greatest treasures known to the Jewish people--Shabbat.

Jewish rocker Rick Recht wowed the crowd of 400 at Beth El during the synagogue’s spirited March 2 Cantor’s Concert. Recht was surrounded by children and teenagers who were invited to sing and play their musical instruments during several numbers. All proceeds from the annual Cantor’s Concert benefit the synagogue’s Youth Scholarship Program, which provides opportunities for young people to attend Jewish summer camps, visit Israel or attend Jewish youth conventions.

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Rollerskating and Rock Climbing on Agenda for NCSY

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue March is a full month of activities for Beth Israel Synagogue’s National Conference of Synagogue Youth.

Both Jr. NCSY and Sr. NCSY are planning programs, ranging from discussions of timely topics to fun adventures.

Join Junior NCSYers for an afternoon of laser tag, roller-skating and video games when they meet at Skateland/Playdaze on Sunday, March 19, 3-5 p.m.

“We’ll meet just outside the front door,” stated Beth Israel’s NCSY Director, Brooke Shrago. “Since the shul is covering a portion of the cost, kids will only have to chip in $5 each for the entire afternoon of fun.”

Skateland/Playdaze is located at 3616 So. 132 St., at 132nd and “B” Streets.

Senior NCSYers have a couple of events planned for March. First, they will meet at Scooters at 120th and Blondo, on Thursday, March 23, 7 p.m., for their monthly “Latte & Learning.” The topic of discussion will be “Zodiac and the Jewish Calendar.”

“What’s great is that we have a private room at Scooter’s, and Beth Israel provides the beverages,” said Shrago. “We cover intriguing topics during ‘Latte and Learning’ and enjoy talking about things in a comfortable, casual atmosphere.”

The Senior NCSY’ers will also get together after Shabbat on the evening of Saturday, March 25 to take a trip to InPlay. “InPlay has a rock-climbing wall, air hockey, a boxing simulation game and lots more,” explained Shrago. “We’re going to meet at Beth Israel at 8 p.m. and then drive together downtown.”

For more details and to RSVP for upcoming NCSY events, please contact Shrago at 556.6288 or NCSY@ OrthodoxOmaha.org.

Temple Women Host Friendship Coffee for Members of Other Faiths

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Women of the Christian and Islamic faiths attended Temple Israel’s annual Sidney H. and Jane Brooks Interfaith Friendship Coffee, sponsored by Women of Reform Judaism, on March 5. Chaired by Ruth Sklarsky and Hillary Fletcher, the Friendship Coffee is an opportunity to explore Jewish holidays, culture, and way of life.

Sklarsky and Fletcher turned the former Friendship Tea into a casual coffeehouse in the Friedman Social Hall at Temple.

“I really thought it was a wonderful way to educate people about the Jewish tradition,” said Tehmina Zeb of the Islamic Speakers Bureau. Attending her first Friendship Coffee, she said, “This is such a goodwill thing as we try to understand each other.”

Melba Westerfield, from Benson Baptist Church, added, “I really enjoyed it and learned quite a bit.”

Tawnee Rangel, also a first timer, agreed. “I really enjoyed it. I’m personally trying to understand more about other faiths and this really helped!” She is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

March 17, 2006

Sitting Governor Outlines Future Plans, Defends Record

AMERICA DECIDES 2006

by JOAN K. MARCUS

make our tax climate more favorable to business in this state--and, to make it favorable to Nebraskans and their families.”

In the first 30 days after the bill went into effect, 18 companies from all across the state applied for benefits that would create 3500 new jobs in Nebraska. This would translate into an investment of

Dave Heineman, Nebraska’s 39th governor, recently addressed the B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers. Unlike his last speech to the group, this was more of a typical campaign speech. As Lt. Governor, Heineman became governor by default when Gov. Mike Johanns was called to Washington, D.C. to take the position of Secretary of Agriculture.

The West Point graduate will vie for the Republican nomination in the May gubernatorial race. His Republican opponents include Congressman Tom Osborne and Omaha finanAbove: Sylvia Wagner chalcial planner Dave Nabity. lenges Gov. Heineman on an The winner of the primary issue during his talk last face the lone will week at Breadbreakers.

Democratic candidate, Dave Right: The governor Hahn, a Lincoln businessresponds to a question from man.

Murray Newman.

The governor spoke of the great diversity of the eight Nebraskans $283 million.

Heineman who won the lottery. “When the two refugees were asked if they would go cited PayPal, back to their home country, they replied an Internet ‘No, because America is all about free- payment servdom and opportunity.’” Heineman also ice that just noted the example of Nebraska work expanded in ethic in the 57-year-old winner who said the Omaha area. The business, a subthat he had to go back to work or he sidiary of eBay, employs 1500 people-would leave his co-workers short-handed. many under the age of 35. According to During his past year as governor, the governor, “Most of the people they Heineman said there has been no greater employ have degrees in finance and job for him. He was previously Director MBAs. They are going to expand by of Homeland Security, Chairman of the another 600 jobs and I’m willing to bet, Security Policy Group and the presiding they will double the size of their operation here in Nebraska in another two or officer of the Nebraska Legislature.

As a state treasurer, he focused on three years,” he added.

Education is another key issue that changing the office into a 21st century financial money management operation. concerns Heineman. “We do an incrediHe took advantage of technology to ble job in our state of educating our chilemphasize the electronic movement of dren--both in public and private schools.

The key for the future is to continue to money.

“We all know that Nebraska is a great provide this quality of education and place to live and raise a family,” he said. keep these children in our state. This “However, we have to make it even bet- needs to be a 21st century education that ter. We want to keep our kids here. When recognizes that our kids and grandkids I travel this great state, people keep are going to live in a global economy.”

Heineman added two more points. telling me they need jobs in order to “Secondly, this generation is going to live grow our economy.”

That has been his immediate focus, in a technological society. The third point noting that the legislature passed the is that we need to make sure that we most comprehensive jobs creation-eco- increase the academic rigor of our nomic incentive package since the 1980s. schools. If we’re going to compete in the “That’s really crucial in the first step of future, we’re going to have to raise the what I call a decade-long approach to bar. Right now, we’ve got India and

China producing more scientists and engineers than we are by far,” he said.

It is also his belief that government has to be willing to take risks. Last summer, for example, he went to Cuba. A few years ago, the trade embargo rules changed so that the United States could export food products and medical supplies to the former Soviet protectorate.

“Were we going to allow Kansas to export their farm products without doing anything about it?” he asked his team.

“We secured the largest trade agreement that any American state has ever achieved with Cuba.”

Heineman named two additional critical issues that concern him. The first is the fact that Nebraska is a high tax state.

He believes we need a tax relief proposal for income, sales and property tax. “We need to eliminate the estate tax and continue to lower income tax rates,” he said.

Spending restraint is the other side of this coin. “We need to decide what’s important and make the most important investments.

There are things that we don’t really need to do,” he said, “and we have to learn how to say ‘no!’”

Medicaid costs and higher education are on his agenda, as is the issue of sexual offenders. “Having one child sexually assaulted is one too many.

We are working to pass a very tough sexual offender bill this year” in the Unicameral.

When asked about his stance on stem cell research and a woman’s right to choose, Heineman answered, “I am prolife and agree with President Bush’s opinion about stem cell research.”

Under the current policy, it is not possible to use federal funding to generate or study stem cells derived from embryos with genetic defects or diseased genes.

President Bush has stated publically that the destruction of embryos can never be morally justified.

In closing, Governor Heineman said, “The best kept secret in America is that Nebraska is the best place to live, to work and raise a family. If we are to grow, we can no longer keep this a secret. So, every one of us has got to be willing to be involved with our friends, our neighbors, our relatives and our business associates.

We need to expand our economy with current businesses and the recruitment of new ones.”

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

LINCOLN CENTER National Leader Updates Lincoln Donors

by MARCIA KUSHNER Past-president of the Lincoln Jewish Federation Members of the Jewish Federation of Lincoln welcomed Samuel Horowitz, newly appointed Central Region Director of United Jewish Communities Network.

A reception for all donors followed the Federation Board Meeting on March 5 at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Horowitz spoke about the work of the UJC network and showed a food package such as is distributed to elderly shut-in Jews in the Former Soviet Union.

The Jewish Federation of Lincoln celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and will use its 101st year to kick off a Second Century of Giving.

Above: Sam Horowitz is the Central Region Director of United Jewish Communities Network. Below: Horowitz shows a bottle of oil from one of the food packages for elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union to Lincoln Jewish community members Gail Wishnow and Max Neiden.

Eleven Lincoln Jewish children received incentive grants to attend Jewish summer camps. Funding is still available for additional Jewish campers. For more information about camperships or Missions to Israel, contact me at 402.423.5959. The Federation can help interested parties explore their options.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 17, 2006

The People of the Book As the staff of the Jewish Press begins to put the Passover issue to bed, we’ve already started the process on our New Year’s edition.

As readers will recall, the theme of the Passover issue is “The B’nai Mitzvah Class of 2001 Graduates High School.” We have essays, creative writing, photos, original artwork and poetry from 32 teens for our April 7 Passover issue.

In addition, we are including a special section on the exhibit co-sponsored by this newspaper and the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, “Front Page: 85 Years of Jewish Press History.” This unique exhibit--the first collaboration ever of the Press and the NJHS--opens with a reception for the community in the Gallery of the Jewish Community Center on Sunday, April 9, 3-5 p.m.

Our Sept. 22, 2006, Jewish New Year’s issue will feature Jewish educators. Entitled “People of the Book: Challenges In and Out of the Classroom,” our largest issue of the year will profile Jewish educators in public and private schools, universities, religious schools, preschools and the Friedel Academy. While freelance writers have already begun to contact local educators for interviews, we would welcome the addition of more names, as we hope to engage the services of a college student this summer to be our first-ever Editorial Intern.

Educators should have our support--as parents, students, taxpayers, synagogue members, and Americans. An educated citizenry is an informed one. And teachers don’t always have the easiest job; they face unruly students with disciplinary problems and emotional issues,

parents who are apathetic or absent, and supervisors or boards of directors who are harried themselves and defensive about their own positions.

The Jewish community has, in fact, shown its support in a number of ways--from MiniGrants for Teachers, a community service project run annually by the National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section, to the Schrager special needs programs, to the new Sokolof scholarship, honoring an outstanding Jewish teacher with a $10,000 award.

By presenting the challenges teachers face today, the Jewish Press hopes the New Year’s issue will help our community find some solutions to long-standing problems--whether it’s funding, continuing professional education, training, classroom discipline, or parent-teacher relationships.

If you know of a Jewish teacher who has not been featured in the Press in the last few years, please contact us at 402.334.6448 or at jpress@jewishomaha.org. While we may not have the time or space to include every Jewish educator (and some may decline the offer), we’d at least like everyone of them to know how much we appreciate their hard work and their creativity in the classroom.

Another new series in this paper began last week, with the introduction of “The Next Generation in Business.” Here, too, our freelancers have begun interviewing 20-somethings who just graduated college and returned to Omaha to work in their families’ businesses as well as those in their 40s who have taken over the helm of a business started by their parents or grandparents. As this series will run on a space-available basis, we will continue to look for more subjects to profile. If you’d like to be included--or know of someone who would--please contact us.

By the way--every front cover from our special Passover and New Year’s issues since 1968 will be on display at the upcoming Press exhibit. Please join us on April 9 for its opening.

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content.

The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.

Groups Back Immigration Reform, but Aren’t Happy with the Options

FOCUS ON ISSUES

by MATTHEW E. BERGER WASHINGTON (JTA)--Despite widespread support in the Jewish community for comprehensive immigration reform, concern is mounting over legislation that doesn’t provide illegal immigrants with avenues to citizenship.

Numerous Jewish groups say current reform efforts in Congress focus too much on punitive measures for illegal immigrants rather than helping them find a way forward.

The renewed push comes as one of the community’s premier agencies on immigration issues, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, gets new leadership. Gideon Aronoff, who has been HIAS’ government relations director, was named last week as the group’s new president and CEO. Referring to legislation currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate, Aronoff said, “There is clearly an enforcement-only, limited approach that is unrealistic in its ability to address the issue of the undocumenteds that are already here and the need for legal paths for immigrant workers to gain citizenship.”

Given Jews’ minority status around the world as well as their history in this country, Jewish groups often have supported immigrant rights in the United States. In recent years, however, that interest has clashed with concern that open immigration policies could allow terrorists to enter the country.

Immigration advocates in the Jewish community say the goal should be to push for reform that marshals resources in the right direction.

“We have to say that smart immigration can improve our security, and foolish immigration can hurt our security,” Aronoff said.

Immigration advocates are concerned about a bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year, championed by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI). The bill focused

almost exclusively on immigration enforcement, rather than reducing backlogs and producing paths to citizenship, key goals in the Jewish community.

Also of concern is a provision in the bill that would make it criminal to aid undocumented immigrants. That could have a profound impact on Jewish social-service programs and other initiatives that provide food and other services to many illegal immigrants.

The programs often don’t inquire about the legal status of the people they’re assisting, said Richard Foltin, legislative director for the American Jewish Committee.

“This could make that illegal or put them in a great deal of uncertainty,” he said.

“Immigration and refugee protection are issues that have profound resonance throughout the Jewish community.”

Several bills currently are being considered in the Senate Judiciary Committee--all of which have aspects that are better than Sensenbrenner’s package, Jewish leaders said-but only one will move through the Senate and be reconciled with the House version in a conference committee.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), the Judiciary Committee chairman, is touting legislation that would allow more temporary workers to stay in the United States but would not give them a path to citizenship.

“It has the effect of creating a permanent subclass of non-citizens,” Foltin said.

A measure by Sens. John Kyl (R-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-X) would create “delayed mandatory departure,” essentially requiring undocumented aliens to report to federal authorities to be deported.

It’s unclear whether any bill that moves

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

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through the Senate will be to Jewish groups’ liking. Indeed, many officials hope no legislation receives final approval this year so as not to risk forwarding a bad bill.

A broad coalition of Jewish groups sent a letter to lawmakers late last month seeking comprehensive immigration reform. The request seeks border-protection policies that are consistent with humanitarian values, paths toward legal permanent residency and citizenship for hardworking immigrants and ways to ease the hardship of separated families.

The letter was signed by leaders of all streams of Judaism, as well as HIAS, the American Jewish Committee, the AntiDefamation League, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the National Council of Jewish Women, the United Jewish Communities and the Workmen’s Circle. Numerous local Jewish organizations also signed on.

“I think that if you look at the array of Jewish communities that are involved in immigration issues, you see a very solid mix of social action, Tikkun Olam reasons and the practical, security-building coalition reasons,” Aronoff said.

At HIAS, Aronoff will replace Neil Greenbaum, who has run the agency on an interim basis since Leonard Glickman resigned last year. Aronoff is well-known in immigration reform circles, having served with HIAS in Washington since 2000.

“Immigration and refugee protection are issues that have profound resonance throughout the Jewish community,” he said. “Our religious and ethnic tradition is so clear that we welcome and not oppress the stranger that this community has it in our blood.”

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Aronoff said many Americans have turned away from welcoming immigrants, in the name of national security. Still, he said, distinctions must be made.

“We benefit from an immigration system that has our immigration-enforcement agents focusing on terrorists and criminals and smugglers, and not busboys and nannies,” he said.

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March 17, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 13

UNMASKING UNRWA

Its Role More Vital Than Ever, Can UNRWA Stay out of Politics? sides in a highly politicized conflict, and by allowing its camps to become bastions of militarism.

Nothing illustrates how UNRWA’s approach impacts

by MICHAEL J. JORDAN both Israel and the agency’s own clientele better than the events in the Jenin refugee camp during spring NEW YORK (JTA)--As Washington and the West 2002, a particularly bloody period of the intifada.

Some Palestinians had nicknamed the place “the suiweigh a cutoff of aid to a Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency could cide bomber’s capital,” and Palestinians and Israelis alike become a crucial lifeline to millions of Palestinian knew the Jenin camp as a major hub for terrorists to recruit, plan and launch attacks against Israel. refugees who depend on it for vital services.

Everyone knew except for UNRWA--or at least, the But the recent Palestinian parliamentary elections have revived a long-standing Israeli concern: that some of agency said little publicly about the terrorist activity in UNRWA’s staff are members of Hamas, or at least sym- its midst. On March 27, a Palestinian suicide bomber detonated himself in the dining room of Netanya’s Park pathize with the terrorist group’s anti-Israel cause.

Israeli concerns were not eased by the fact that nine Hotel killing 29 Israelis at a Passover seder. That attack, UNRWA staffers resigned to run for office in the late- which capped a month of mounting casualties, came to January elections that Hamas swept. Furthermore, they be known as the “Passover Massacre.”

Israel responded with one of its largest anti-terror had to be firmly reminded, in a letter from the agency’s commissioner-general, that participating in Palestinian pol- operations of the intifada, including a two-week assault on the Jenin refugee camp that leveled the camp’s cenitics is incompatible with UNRWA’s ideal of neutrality.

To many supporters of Israel, however, UNRWA’s ter. Twenty-three Israeli soldiers were killed in the fierce, close-range battle, Israel’s largest military death toll durefforts in the region have rarely been impartial.

During the Palestinian intifada, the agency routinely ing more than four years of the intifada.

The Palestinians, their supporters and much of the blamed Israel for bloodshed, omitting the Palestinian conworld media branded the tribution to the “cycle of viobattle a “massacre,” claiming lence.” Its one-sided criticism that some 500 Palestinians played a significant role in had been killed. shaping international opinion Peter Hansen, UNRWA’s against the Jewish state-head at the time, helped helping to prolong the war, stoke the flames. critics charge, by emboldenFirst he urged Israel to ing Palestinians to attack. “end this pitiless assault on UNRWA camps, including civilian refugee camps.” the infamous West Bank Then, after the smoke had refugee camp that is part of cleared, Hansen proclaimed, Jenin, became engines of the in an UNRWA news release intifada, with terrorists using widely quoted by the media, them as bases from which to plan and carry out attacks-- Children stroll in UNRWA’s Acqba Jaber camp in the West Bank, “I had hoped the horror stosheltering themselves, all the just outside of Jericho, 2003. Credit: Stephenie Hollyman/UN ries of Jenin were exaggerated and influenced by the emotions engaged, but I am while, under the U.N.’s vaunted neutrality.

Tensions between UNRWA and Israel have lessened in afraid these were not exaggerated and that Jenin camp the past year as the number of terrorist attacks, and con- residents lived through a human catastrophe that has few parallels in recent history.” comitant Israeli reprisals, dropped significantly.

Hansen never recanted, yet his comments were quickBut with many observers warning of an imminent resumption of the intifada, this time centered on the West ly exposed as a wild distortion: A U.N. probe itself later Bank, whether UNRWA camps are again allowed to determined that 52 Palestinians were killed--corroboratbecome incubators of terrorism may go a long way toward ing Israel’s estimate--and noted that “up to half may determining if peace will come to the Middle East. It have been civilians.”

That wording downplayed the flipside: The other half could also help determine if UNRWA’s Palestinian charges can become citizens of their own independent were armed combatants whose presence represented a state, ending their decades-long status as refugees. breach of U.N. resolutions and international law.

At this critical juncture in the region, JTA takes a close Indeed, the media widely ignored the U.N. report's fine look at the U.N. agency that for 56 years has helped ensure print: “According to both Israeli and Palestinian sources, Palestinian refugees' basic survival--yet also, some say, has there were 200 armed men in the camp at the time.”

The battle of Jenin was illuminating on many levels-helped make the Palestinian refugee issue one of the most showing not only how UNRWA helps heap international intractable and incendiary political problems on Earth.

Following Hamas’ electoral victory and the West’s calumny on Israel, but also how the agency’s laxity toward threat to choke off financial assistance, UNRWA is the militancy in its camps helps bring catastrophe upon poised to play an even more critical role. The majority of the very population UNRWA is duty-bound to assist.

“UNRWA has not been ambivalent about the manner in Palestinians living in Gaza, and a sizeable portion in the West Bank, are registered refugees and recipients of which the refugee camps, and the civilian population withsome form of UNRWA services. Officials in Washington, in them, have been cynically and callously used in the Brussels and Jerusalem all say they don’t want to harm intifada,” said Harry Reicher, an international law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and the former U.N. humanitarian aid.

Indeed, in response to a bleak forecast about Gaza and representative for Agudath Israel World Organization. the West Bank, the European Union on Feb. 27 offered “UNRWA has actively become complicit,” Reicher said, by $144 million in aid to the Palestinians, $76 million of it allowing “conversion of civilians into human shields, proearmarked for UNRWA. It lists 4.3 million Palestinian tecting terrorists and arms. They’re protected by UNRWA, refugees scattered across the Middle East, including 1.6 knowing full well that no condemnation will come from million in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where it oper- them, and that if Israel takes strong steps, it is Israel that ates 27 refugee camps. Not all of the refugees live in the will be condemned, by UNRWA as well as others.”

In defending itself, UNRWA tends to take responsibilcamps, which long ago evolved from tent cities into ity only for what occurs within its facilities. That allows dilapidated, densely packed urban neighborhoods.

For more than half a century, UNRWA has provided it to wash its hands, for example, of Hamas’ new Al-Aksa the refugees with food, jobs, shelter, medicine, health- TV station--located in a mosque in UNRWA’s Jabalya care and education. The agency runs schools, health refugee camp, a site that offers a double layer of politiclinics and housing, operating as a virtual statelet within cal protection from Israeli attack.

“The agency has never been given any mandate to the Palestinian Authority.

UNRWA was the main source of sustenance during administer, supervise or police the refugee camps or to the intifada in Gaza, where three-quarters of the coastal have any jurisdiction or legislative power over the strip’s 1.3 million residents are registered as refugees and refugees or the areas where they lived,” the agency’s a half-million live in eight cramped, sprawling UNRWA website (www.unrwa.org) says. “The agency has no police force. This responsibility has always remained camps. Others live in the immediate environs.

In contrast to the U.N. High Commission for with the host countries and Israel, who maintained law Refugees, or UNHCR, the agency responsible for the and order, including within refugee camps.”

The U.N. General Assembly--dominated by Arab and world’s 19.2 million other refugees, UNRWA is not tasked with helping to resettle Palestinian refugees, but Muslim states, and long hostile to Israel--has never done merely with providing services. Critics, however, say anything to sharpen UNRWA’s role. Both the UNRWA has served to exacerbate the problem by taking Palestinian Observer Mission to the United Nations and

NEWS ANALYSIS

the U.N. mission for the 22-member League of Arab States declined to comment for this series.

Yet regardless of its stated mandate, UNRWA has moral authority and international legitimacy--assets it doesn’t hesitate to use to condemn Israeli military actions, and which it could use to condemn terrorism in its midst as well.

UNRWA says it criticizes Israel often because of concerns about refugee welfare. But critics wonder why that same logic doesn’t compel UNRWA to speak up when, for example, rockets fired from refugee camps bring Israeli reprisals that end up hurting UNRWA’s charges.

“Among our staff, they certainly understand that as long as Kassams are going out, there’s going to be something coming in,” said Karen Koning AbuZayd, UNRWA’s current commissioner-general. But, she said, “there’s always an excuse given for it. Whenever they do it they say it’s because of this or that. There’s always this tit-for-tat, and it’s not always clear who started it.”

“So infiltrated does the U.N. agency in Gaza appear to be with Hamas operatives that it would probably be dangerous for any UNRWA official to speak out against terrorist attacks planned or launched from UNRWA facilities,” said Harris Schoenberg, a U.N. reform advocate and author of Combatting Terrorism: The Role of the U.N. However, he added, “When UNRWA doesn’t speak out against extremism, as a U.N. agency should, through its silence it condones and thus encourages terrorism.”

Israeli officials take the threat of violence seriously, and some suggest that UNRWA camps could again serve as bases to plan and launch terrorist attacks if the intifada is renewed under a Hamas-led government.

AbuZayd defends her agency’s record.

“UNRWA has publicly condemned violence on both sides on many occasions,” she told JTA. She declined to give examples, but a review of UNRWA public comments in recent years yields only rare references to Palestinian violence, typically only a single line.

Critics suggest several factors behind UNRWA’s unwillingness to regularly denounce this violence: builtin bias at the United Nations; a de facto “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy about UNRWA staff members’ and clients activities; and intimidation by various Palestinian groups.

Virtually all of the agency’s 25,000-plus staff members are Palestinian, with most of them refugees themselves.

Staff members must sign a pledge of neutrality, but critics say that hardly inures them to their society’s pervasive anti-Israel animus. One staffer, for example--Sayed Seyam--became a spokesman for Hamas after he left the agency in November 2003.

The blurred line between serving the refugees and advocating for them was illustrated by the recent P.A. elections. Nine UNRWA staffers were forced to resign their jobs in order to run for Parliament, including one who won office on the Hamas ticket, the agency said. Six have since applied for reinstatement, and their actions and statements during the campaign are being reviewed.

UNRWA declined JTA requests for more information on the subject, citing the agency’s privacy policy. I remained unclear how many more staffers might have been interested in running for office but were unwilling to relinquish jobs considered lucrative and desirable.

It reached the point that AbuZayd felt compelled to remind staff that they were not supposed to be active partisans. “I can well understand the questions raised by those who wonder why it is not possible to combine employment with UNRWA and active participation in local politics,” AbuZayd wrote in the Feb. 9 letter, which was posted atop the agency’s website for two weeks.

In Washington, the issue of staffers-turned-political candidates drew the ire of Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.

A JTA inquiry led Kirk’s office to pursue the matter.

UNRWA refused him details as well, citing its privacy policy, said Kirk, who sits on the Appropriations Committee’s Foreign Operations Subcommittee.

“For representatives of the people like me who actually sit on the committee that approves funding for UNRWA, to hear we can’t be told who’s leaving to run for what office indicates we need a much higher level of transparency to reassure taxpayers,” Kirk told JTA. “If UNRWA were a private company, I could understand wanting to keep records confidential. But UNRWA is a public body funded by U.S. taxpayers.”

The Heritage Foundation--an influential conservative think-tank--recently called for a halt to U.S. funding until Washington investigates its spending practices, due to “a major risk that a Hamas-led P.A. will exploit UNRWA to further its anti-Israel agenda.”

Continued on page 13

Page 14

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 17, 2006

Candlelighting Friday, March 17, 6:15 p.m.

Synagogue Listings

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

B’nai Israel Synagogue

FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

Office Hours: Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free Babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Beth Israel in honor of its Jewish Omaha Decathlon team captains, participants and “cheerleaders”; Mincha, 6 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:16 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Sisterhood’s “Make-It-And-TakeIt” class, 10 a.m.; Contact the office for Mincha/Ma’ariv time.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m; Contact the office for Mincha/Ma’ariv time.

THURSDAY: Rabbi’s monthly Lunch and Learn, noon at Beth Israel. A soup and sandwich lunch will be provided for $5. Please make your lunch reservation with the office; Senior NCSY “Latte & Learning,” 7 p.m. at Scooter’s, 120th & Blondo; Advanced Parsha class, 9 p.m.

618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

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

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

Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org

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

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

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

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

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

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

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

If you’re looking at this space, so are others!

YOUR AD CAN GO HERE...

to reserve space, call

Allan Handleman, 334.6451, or Terri Greenwood, 334.6559.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m., in the chapel.

SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Alternative Service, 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; K’tantan (K-2), 10:45 a.m.; Evening Service, 6:25 p.m.

Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Weekdays, 6:55 a.m./5:30 p.m.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, 10 a.m.: Bible Discussion Group, Living Hebrew, Adult B’nai Mitzvah class, and The Blessing of Good Parenting, (babysitting is available); Nashir Choir, 10-11 a.m.; Jewish Pot Pourri Class and From Your Heart to God’s Ears, 11 a.m.

THURSDAYS, noon: Rabbi Levin leads Discovering the Talmud: Lessons for Everyday Living.

PATTER: Wednesdays, 10:30 -11:45 a.m., for parents and toddlers, 18 months to age three.

BAD BOYS OF THE BIBLE Wednesdays, March 22, 29, 78 p.m. Cost is $18; RSVP to Margie Gutnik in the office.

TROPICAL SALSA NIGHT: Saturday, March 18, 8 p.m.-11 p.m.; cost is $10 per person.

RSVP to Margie Gutnik.

TOT SHABBAT: Friday, March 24, 6 p.m. service, followed by dinner.

MEN’S CLUB SHABBAT: Saturday, March 25, 9:30 a.m..

BESTT THIRD GRADE CONSECRATION: Sunday March 26, 11:15 a.m.

BESTT WORKSHOP: Session addresses bullying and other types of child victimization, on March 26, 12:15 p.m. To contact Education register, Director Judy Rubin.

HAZAK DELI NIGHT: Sunday, March 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Gloria Goodman at 333.3351.

BETH EL VIEWS AND NEWS: If you’d like to subscribe to Beth El’s weekly e-mail newsletter, e-mail Margie Gutnik: programming@bethel-omaha.org.

CONGREGATION Monday- B’NAI JESHURUN

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m.; Ima & Me, 10–11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service.

SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.; Torah Studies, 10-11:30 a.m. The Exodus Series; Chabad Cheder and Aleph Champ, 10 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: HALACHA, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY: Women of Worth Prayer Circle, 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Spice & Spirit Cooking Club, 9:30 a.m.; Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; Torah Tots (ages 35), 4:15 p.m.

For information or to register for classes, call the office or visit: www.nebraska-judaism.com.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9 a.m., led by Andy Greenberg.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m.; Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: No Religious School.

SITTER SERVICE: Available at each Friday evening service, Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah, and Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Advance reservations and a $5 donation are appreciated.

Sorry, there are no facilities for infants.

TUESDAY, March 21: Family School and Dinner, 5:30 p.m.; Temple Israel Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, March 22: Religious School (3-6), 4 p.m.; Middle/High School Teacher Meeting, 6 p.m.; Informal Dinner, 6 p.m.; Middle/High School (7-11), 6:30 p.m.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, March 19: Film Series with Moshe Gershovich in

Services conducted by Rabbi Royi Shaffin. Minyan, MONDAY & THURSDAY, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Parashat Hashavu’a class, 8:30 a.m.; Morning service, 9:30 a.m., followed by Shabbat lunch and Talmud class.

SUNDAY: No Classes Lincoln Jewish Community Schools.

TUESDAY: The Ladies’ Lunch Bunch will meet at Manhattan Deli, on 8th and Q, noon. If you need a ride, call Marcia Kushner at 423.5959.

WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, at 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066.

WEDNESDAY: No Hebrew classes this week.

ADULT EDUCATION Monday and Thursday evenings, 7-9 p.m, and Thursdays, noon-2 p.m Friday, March 31: The last Friday of the month we will have services at 6:30 p.m., with a Shabbat dinner following.

Jewish Heritage for the Blind Offers Free Hagaddah This year, the Passover Seders will be celebrated on April 12 and 13. If you are expecting guests who are seniors or visually impaired, you many obtain a Braille or large print Haggadah free of charge by contacting the Jewish Heritage for the Blind at 800.995.1888; or fax 718.388.0653; or e-mail to jhb.ny@verizon.net.

To Submit B’nai Mitzvah Announcements

BAR MITZVAH William Alan Ostrow, son of former Omahans Marcie and Gary Ostrow will become Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 25, at Temple Israel in Sharon, MA. Will is a seventhgrade student at Sharon Middle School.

His interests include travel basketball, travel lacrosse, and baseball.

He is also an avid fisherman and he is very active in his Boy Scout

Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m., led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg provided by Penny Berger.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Game Night/Potluck, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY: No Classes Lincoln Jewish Community Schools.

WEDNESDAY: No Hebrew class.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel.

The topic is Passover and the Omer.

THURSDAY, 7 p.m. Kabblah and Jewish Mysticism, led by Rabbi Emanuel (second and fourth Thursdays of the month).

the Chapel: Memory, Image and Meanings: The Holocaust in Films, 1-4 p.m.

THURSDAY, March 23: Adult Study with the Clergy with Cantor Shermet, 10-11:30 a.m.

WRJ-O DONOR TEA: “Women Who Inspire Us” Thursday, March 23, 7-9 p.m. in the Milder Center. Enjoy an evening moderated by Susan Norton with panellists: Jan Goldstein, Susan Lehr, Shayna Ray, Cantor Wendy Shermet, and Amee Zetman, who will share their unique stories of balancing commitment to their families, careers, and community. E-mail Maureen at mkube@templeisraelomaha.com to make reservations.

Troop, where he is currently a First Class Scout and Troop Historian.

Will has a younger brother, Matthew.

Grandparents are Fred Ostrow and the late Sondra Ostrow, Hershie and Fran Meyer of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Millie Meyer of Long Grove, IL.

Announcements of children becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah will be printed on the synagogue page of The Jewish Press one week prior to the event if submitted eight days prior to publication. The following information may be included: name, name of parents, grandparents and/or great-grandparents and step-parents and stepgrandparents (including late parent[s] and/or late grandparent[s]), names of siblings, date and location of event.

In addition, the school which the child attends, honors and hobbies may be included, if space permits, as well as the name of the child’s Mitzvah Project and a short description. A clearly identified photo is welcome if it is easily reproduced.

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.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, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. You can also submit announcements online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

March 17, 2006

Anticipating Passover

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Vayakeyl-Pekudei These two Sidrot at the end of the Book of Exodus describe in great detail the construction of the Tabernacle of the wilderness. It is a remarkable description indeed. If the ancients had the ability to describe the parts of the tabernacle, its altars, posts, sockets, pegs and other paraphernalia on graph paper with modern diagrams, we would have detailed pictures that might be better than the ones currently available by those who have tried to reproduce the ancient Tabernacle.

The second of the two Sidrot records the amounts of materials used, including a lavish use of gold. The people had been asked to bring contributions for the construction of the Tabernacle, and Moses had to restrain them, since they were bringing too much, including too much gold.

And there is a usual answer to the question, “Where did they get all this stuff in the wilderness?� The answer is: they brought it out of Egypt. This would have required a wagon train of no small dimension.

The Text gives us no such answer. It was there, in the wilderness, all of the lumber, and all of the metal, and all of the fabrics and furs that were required for the tabernacle. All of this requires stretching credulity to the limit. But the Text simply omits any answers to any questions the reader might have.

Even the question of skillful artists and artificers is not handled by the Text, just that they were there. And skillful workmen were able to carve letters into stone. The people who had been slaves for 400 years had no trouble producing these skilled and practiced workmen.

It is not hard for us to reach the conclusion that our ancient ancestor who left us all these descriptions was reading back into the history of the Tabernacle of the wilderness all that he knew of the magnificent Temple of Solomon in his day. Where did King Solomon learn all of this? He learned it, of course, from the ancient Tabernacle of the wilderness.

(In fact, of course, Solomon learned all of this from Hiram of Tyre and Solomon imported Tyrian--pagan-workmen to build the Temple.)

So the fact confronts us that the first Holy Temple that our ancestors had was a copy of some ancient pagan temple, somewhere.

All of this will teach us that the background around us is not determinative: what matters is our own intention.

Do not all of us, for example, know of synagogues which exist in buildings that previously had been Christian churches? At least the ancient sanctuary, despite all its pagan elements, was the first use of this building, considered magnificent in its time.

We have entered here into the four special Sabbaths preceding Passover. More of this next week.

DEATH PHILIP ROTHHOLZ Philip Rothholz died March 8. A memorial service will be held March 30, 3 p.m., at Temple Israel.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Rothholz; two sisters and four nieces.

Memorials to VNA Teen Hospice Volunteers, 1941 So. 42 St., #225, Omaha, NE 68105, or the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home To Submit an Obituary Notice: Send full name, age, date of death, location of service and burial site, as well as other pertinent information to the Jewish Press via e-mail: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; fax, 402.334.5422; or mail, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68114. Obituaries--as well as engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies, and births--also can be submitted at the Federation’s website. Just go to: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press and click on “Submit Announcements.�

Can UNRWA Stay out of Politics?

Continued from page 13 Sitting on a panel March 5 entitled, “Has UNRWA outlived its mandate?� at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, Kirk announced that he would author a bill requiring regular audits of UNRWA. “What we hope to do is increase the level of transparency at UNRWA, so we can reassure U.S. taxpayers that money is being spent wisely and not being spent to support Hamas terrorism or their political agenda,� he said.

Kirk isn’t the only one who wants to hold UNRWA’s feet to the fire. Calls for reforms ratcheted up last fall after Israel’s Gaza withdrawal ushered in cautious optimism about the future. Some lobbied for the agency’s activities to be scaled down. “The terrorism-breeding culture of poverty and dependency in the refugee camps must be brought to an end. Palestinian refugees should be encouraged to leave the camps and trained to assume normal, productive lives,� Tom Lantos, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives’ International Relations Committee, told JTA. “If the oil-rich Arab states were willing to part with just a tiny sliver of their windfall profits, they could vastly improve the lives of these refugees.�

Indeed, while the United States, Canada and Europe together provide the lion’s share of UNRWA’s annual budget--now approaching $500 million--Arab governments combined contribute only 2 percent. Other groups, such as the “Syrian Arab Popular Committee for the Support of the Intifada and Resistance to the Zionist Enterprise�--innocuously referred to in UNRWA materials as the “Syrian Arab Popular Committee�--have given the agency hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, mainly to rebuild suspected terrorists’ homes that Israel has destroyed.

Others call for UNRWA to be folded into UNHCR. AbuZayd, however, defends the existence of two separate U.N. refugee agencies.

The General Assembly “has decided that Palestine refugees’ unique political context requires a unique agency,� she told JTA. In fact, UNRWA’s supporters say the reform calls are a smokescreen designed to distract attention from what they contend is Israel’s real agenda. “Israel has accused UNRWA of a lot of issues, like involvement in terrorism, helping terrorism and such, but it’s been proven false,� says Raji Sourani, director of the Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. “Israel and the U.S. basically want UNRWA to be abolished because they believe abolishing such a body will ultimately abolish the refugee issue itself, or at least make it only a theoretical issue.�

That’s unlikely. Even Israel and some of the agency’s harshest critics understand that if UNRWA were dismantled, the responsibility for refugee welfare would fall to the “occupying power�--which in the West Bank, at least, still means Israel. That leaves Israel and its supporters urging UNRWA to steer clear of politics and just stick to its humanitarian role.

Despite the calls for reform, however, observers don’t expect any of the proposals to go anywhere.

First, UNRWA remains low on the U.S. agenda for overall U.N. reform. Second, with the Palestinian Authority’s ineptitude on display in the months since the Gaza withdrawal and now with Hamas' ascension, some critics in Israel and Washington view UNRWA as a rare point of stability in a lawless region.

Finally, the U.N. General Assembly remains the greatest obstacle to any meaningful change. Altering UNRWA’s mandate would require two-thirds approval of the 191-member body, but the Arab-Muslim bloc’s automatic majority makes that almost impossible. “I don’t think dramatic reform is realistic because for years it’s been a bargaining chip for the Arabs,� said one former Israeli diplomat, who requested anonymity since he still does Mideast-related work. “UNRWA is not the problem; it’s the manifestation of the problem. The problem is the Palestinian and Arab leadership that has maintained the position of using the refugee issue as a political tool against Israel.�

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Page 16

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 17, 2006

In Close, Fun Competition, Beth Israel Wins First Jewish Omaha Decathlon

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN It all came down to the word, guillotine, which left Alan Shulewitz of Beth El Synagogue, the last person standing at the spelling bee, the final event of the Omaha Jewish community’s first (and hopefully) annual Decathlon.

Edging out Temple Israel and Beth El, Beth Israel Synagogue, with 375 points, won the Decathlon which featured events in backgammon, bowling, dodge ball, Mah Jongg, pictionary, ping pong, poker, billiards, a spelling bee, and a walk-athon.

Temple Israel amassed 365 points with Beth El a close third at 360 points.

Scott Simon, coordinator of the Beth El team, said, the Decathlon “got a lot of people together who didn’t know each other. It was a great success.”

Jim Wax, a member of Beth El, agreed.

“It was interesting and fun and apropos for an Olympic year. I hope they do it again.”

Temple Israel’s Bruce Goldberg, who competed in the spelling bee with his son, Adam, 15, said, “I’m just glad I beat my son!”

Mike Silverman, leader of the Temple Israel team, estimated that “more than a few hundred” people participated in the Decathlon. He described it as “a very big success especially for the first time. And it started to do what we wanted it to do-make connections between members of the different synagogues.” For example, he continued, “No one knew there were so many ping pong enthusiasts. As a result, we might have a Jewish Omaha Ping Pong Club!”

“Wahoo!” shouted Brooke Shrago, from Beth Israel, as the winning team posed for a group photo. She played

Members of Beth Israel’s victorious team celebrated during the March 6 closing ceremonies, after being named the overall Decathlon champion. The trophy (carried by Zoe Berman), an ornate hanukkiyah sporting the name of the Decathlon winner, was presented to Beth Israel, and will be passed on to future champions. backgammon and pictionary. “I thought the Decathlon was a great way to have some fun when the year gets kind of boring, and I really hope we do it again!”

“While it is certainly fun to have won,” added Beth Israel’s Executive Director Beth Cohen, “it is so great to see that the Decathlon accomplished our goal of getting the community together and building camaraderie within our congregations. So many people from each congregation participated, many of whom are not ‘the regulars.’ I was so pleased to be a part of an event that really reached out to so many different people from the 48 mah jongg players to the 20 bowlers, the 27 backgammon players to the many

people who didn’t compete in any event but attended as ‘cheerleaders.’”

Silverman anticipates “that we’ll do something again in the warmer months, and we do expect to do something again next winter.”

Enthusiastic participants enjoyed friendly competition in recent events including, from top, bowling, mah jongg, backgammon, and billiards, left.

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