Vol. LXXXVII No. 29 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
Israeli television puts spotlight on transplants and Friedel by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Dr. Margalit comes from Sasa, a kibbutz in Israel When the families of two little boys, Michael and where her parents and a sister still live. Coincidentally, Ba’sem, traveled from Israel to Omaha for an extended Ra’ek Sulliman, Bas’em’s father, had built the shelter stay, they needed help. Both Michael and Bas’em need- rooms there that were added to each apartment to proed transplants, but tect families from rocktheir families needed et attacks coming from much more than medHezbollah in Lebanon, ical care. only half a mile away. Michael’s older sis“Being aware of the ter, Ortal Cohen, financial difficulties of needed schooling -the family -- moving out of their environand friends. ment in Israel and halfShe found that at way across the world -Friedel Jewish Acadand the tremendous emy, where she expenses involved with received education, the transplant, I was and a warm welcome from the community trying to think of ways of students and teachto help them,” Dr. ers. Margalit said. Tal, daughter of So she turned to her Ruti and Eyal sister-in-law, Amit Margalit, was instru- Cameraman Joseph Tinnin, left, and Channel One correspondent Nathan Goldenberg-Margalit, mental in absorbing Guttman, right, came to Omaha to interview Ortal Cohen and her family. an editor for Channel Ortal into the school last year and easing her way into One, the Israeli Public Television channel. the English-speaking environment in Omaha. “We thought a broadcast story would help these famRuti, whose daughter Doron now attends kindergarten ilies with fundraising, so I asked how we could spread at Friedel, has been involved with both families as well, the word. She suggested contacting Channel One’s corand has lately been coordinating the help needed from respondent in Washington, D.C., Nathan Guttman. It the community. She also happens to be a family physi- took a few weeks, many phone calls and late night ecian and medical educator at the University of Nebraska mails,” she added. Continued on page 2 Medical Center, where the transplants occurred.
21 Adar II, 5768
March 28, 2008
Bikers ride to remember by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press The Jewish Motorcycle Alliance (JMA) has announced its “Ride to Remember” this spring in Omaha will benefit the National Holocaust Education Fund (NHEF), established in 2002 by Sam and Frances Fried. Hundreds of motorcycle riders are expected to converge on Omaha on Thursday, May 22. “Each year we choose a not-for-profit organization to support education about the Holocaust and genocide,” said former Omahan Dr. Neil Cooper, an Atlanta member of JMA and coordinator of the ride. “All our riders are looking forward to this; it is more than just a ride. We will be an active part of outreach to local colleges as part of a weekend awareness program.” The NHEF supports the teaching of the history and lessons of the Holocaust -- especially at the college level. To that end, the Heartland Holocaust Education Fund was established last year in partnership with the Omaha Community Foundation to provide funding for courses Continued on page 2
Dr. Neil Cooper and his wife Shelley of Atlanta are organizing a motorcycle ride as a benefit for Holocaust education.
Obama: Pastor’s views on Israel ‘distorted’ by RON KAMPEAS and JACOB BERKMAN WASHINGTON (JTA) -- In a bid to quell growing unease about his relationship with a black preacher known for strident rhetoric, Barack Obama described the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s views on America -- including its relationship with Israel -- as fundamentally “distorted.” Obama addressed the issue during a hastily scheduled speech in Philadelphia, days after the media began airing video clips of Wright's harsh condemnations of American policy, including an assertion that the United States brought the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks upon itself. Wright is Obama’s longtime pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ, an Afrocentric church on Chicago's South Side. In a sermon shortly after the attacks, Wright said, “We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards.” On March 18, Obama dedicated most of his speech to addressing Wright’s general criticisms of the United States and the wider topic of race in America, but also spent a few moments addressing the claim about Israel. “The remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren’t simply controversial,” Obama said. “They weren’t simply a religious leader’s effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead they
Inside
expressed a “From our perspective the profoundly specific reference and to distorted condemn radical Islam is a view of this sensitivity to our communicountry -- a ty,” Foxman told JTA just view that sees after Obama completed his white racism speech. as endemic In a post to its Washington and that eleblog, the Orthodox Union vates what is directed readers to Obama’s wrong with rebuttal of Wright on the A m e r i c a Israel point, while adding above all that that the speech was “much we know is broader” than just a rejecright with tion of the pastor’s remarks America. A and “worth reading in full.” view that sees Among those criticizing the conflicts Obama was former Bush in the Middle press secretary Ari Fleischer, East as rooted who addressed the topic primarily in during a convention March the actions of Though Barack Obama, seen here in a televised address on race in America, called out his 16 organized by the United stalwart allies former pastor on some of his views, the candidate said such opinions must be heard if the Jewish Communities. Credit: Obama for America “The statements that your like Israel country is to make progress. instead of emanating from the perverse Obama from Jewish Republicans and clergy make when you join give a little bit conservatives eager to tie the Democratic of an indication of your own sense of and hateful ideologies of radical Islam.” Obama’s speech comes after weeks of candidate to his pastor. right and wrong, and you cannot just Wright has praised Louis Farrakhan and divorce from that,” Fleischer said, speakescalating tensions in the Democratic race, as well as mounting concerns once traveled with the Nation of Islam ing to more than 1,000 donors younger among some party leaders and activists leader to meet with Moammar Gadhafi in than 45 who are active in the Jewish fedthat the contest between Obama and Libya. eration system. But some Jewish organizations praised U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) was “If my rabbi had made those statebecoming increasingly polarized along Obama’s speech. ments, I would have left the synagogue Abraham Foxman, the national director immediately,” said Fleischer, an active racial lines. At the same time, the continuing reve- of the Anti-Defamation League, said the board member of the Republican Jewish lations about Wright’s comments have specific reference to Wright’s anti-Israel Coalition.” triggered a new wave of criticism of views was reassuring. Continued on page 2
This Week: Monthly Calendar for April: Pages 12-13
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 20
McCain faces firestorm over Hagee endorsment: Page 4
Coming Next Month: Israel@60 on April 18 Outstanding Teacher Award goes to Friedel teacher: Page 6
Jewish People of the Byte: Kosher wines: that was then: Page 17