Vol. LXXXV No. 29 Omaha, NE
Infamous Story Behind Protocols Revealed at Film Showing and Discussion by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Administrator, The Center for Jewish Education When Dr. Guy Matalon first saw The Protocols of Zion at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005, he and colleague Dr. Bill Blizek immediately decided to bring the movie to Omaha as soon as it was available. In creating “Protocols”, filmmaker Marc Levin, drew his inspiration from an encounter he had in a New York taxi not long after 9-11. His driver, an Egyptian immigrant, made the disturbing claim that the Jews had been warned not to go to work at the World Trade Center on the day of the attack. The cabbie added, “It’s all written in the book,” referring to The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a notorious forgery created 100 years ago this year, purporting to be the Jews’ master plan to rule the world. Long ago discredited as a fake, the book was a crucial influence on Hitler and fueled hatred, violence, and ultimately genocide through the first half of the 20th century. Unfortunately, the book continues its popularity today, sold on Amazon.com and until recently, at Wal-Mart. The Center for Jewish Education will show the powerful and thought-provoking film on Sunday, April 30, 7 p.m., in the Jewish Community Center Theater Following the presentation, panel members Matalon and Blizek will discuss the film. “The issues raised are sobering and there is no doubt that everyone who sees the film will be affected,” says Matalon, Executive Director of the CJE. The event is open to the Omaha community; cost is $5 per person. For information, call 334.6445; for more background on the film, visit www.protocolsofzionmovie.com/.
Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
Operation Promise to Rescue Most Vulnerable Jewish Communities by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Specialist The story of the Jewish people began with a promise to make the world a better place, to be generous and seek justice. Values that survive today. Operation Promise is a nationwide effort to raise $160 million in new funds over three years in order to meet some of the most pressing needs of Jews worldwide. Operation Promise seeks to expand and continue the North American Jewish community’s already extraordinary achievements overseas: in the former Soviet Union, caring for hundreds of thousands of needy elderly, and building and supporting the next generation of Jewish life; and bringing the Ethiopian Jewish community home to Israel and helping them to take their rightful place in Israeli society. The goal for the Omaha Jewish comElderly Jews take part in a Shabbat dinner at a Hesed social services center in munity is to raise $600,000 for Operation Yekaterinburg, Russia, sponsored by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Promise. Bruce and Anne Shackman are Committee, in a file photo. Credit: Lev Krichevsky/JTA chairing the Omaha campaign. How will the money raised by Operation Promise be people didn’t. I feel an obligation to help them. There but for the grace of God go I. There but for the grace used? More than 100,000 of the 350,000 elderly Jews in the of God go all of us.” Another $30 million will help connect young Jews in former Soviet Union (FSU) rely almost entirely on their the FSU to Jewish life. There are some 50,000 young fellow Jews in the Diaspora--both for the welfare delivJews in the FSU between the ages of 17 and 28. Fewer ery network and for the funds to provide food, meds and than 10,000 are affiliated with anything Jewish; 80% will home care services. With current overseas allocations, marry a non-Jewish partner. these basic needs are not being met; $30 million of “Yet, here again, Operation Promise can stem the Operation Promise funds will bridge this gap. tide,” says Shackman. It will increase the number of kids Bruce Shackman feels strongly about this issue. sent to Jewish camps, double the time they can stay, and “We have so many elderly in the FSU, living in dire birthright israel. send more young people on conditions,” Bruce says. “My grandparents were from the FSU. They made it over to this country, but these Continued on page 2
Jewish Community Native Son Brings Commemorates Yom HaShoah Passion and Relationship “From Tragedy to Triumph” Building to National by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Specialist When Omaha’s Jewish community gathers next month to recall the Holocaust and the murder of six million Jews, they’ll hear a story of hope and persistence, not just death and destruction. According to cochairmen Bea Karp and her daughter, Nancy Kutler, that’s an important message. Karp, who was hidden during the war by Catholic nuns and the OSE, a French-Jewish organization that had the unlucky task of separating children from parents in order to rescue them from certain death by the Nazis, has spoken to churches, youth groups, clubs, college and high school students since 1963. “Prejudice is a terrible thing. The story (of the Holocaust) is still very important,” she said, “because even today, people still say it never happened.” Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, will be observed Wednesday, April 26, 7 p.m., at Beth El Synagogue, with a commemoration open to the community. The event will also include a special candlelighting ceremony. Continued on page 2
Inside Opinion Page see page 20
Leadership Role by OZZIE NOGG The headline on a Feb. 23 press release from the United Jewish Communities office in New York read, “Joel Alperson of Omaha Named Chair of UJA Federation Campaign: New Chair Represents a Young Generation of National Leadership; Campaign Meets Compelling Needs of Worldwide Jewish Community.” That degree of journalistic hype could spell ego-tripin-the-making, but Alperson views his new assignment from a healthy perspective. “My goal,” he says, “is to be worthy of this position.” In simple terms, the position makes Alperson the volunteer spokesman for United Jewish Communities fundraising efforts in North America, with responsibilities that include speaking at events around the country and soliciting donor gifts. “But,” he says, “I don’t want to be a Jewish tax collector or have my Jewish taxes collected. I don’t want to be on either side of that equation. Personally, I’d like to emphasize the relationship building aspect of this job. Too often we approach donors with requests and don’t take the time to listen, to get a sense of what matters to them, what motivates them. Our job in the Jewish nonprofit world is to be more than fund raisers. We must sit down with other Jews and explain how much their help is needed, but we must also listen for cases in which we can help the donor.” Continued on page 4
With Kadima’s Slim Victory, Olmert Moves Israel to Center by LESLIE SUSSER JERUSALEM (JTA)--A major shift in Israeli politics was cemented this week, with Ehud Olmert’s centrist Kadima Party poised to form the next government. The party didn’t fare as well as expected in Tuesday’s elections, but Olmert is likely to be able to form a solid majority in the Knesset, allowing him to move ahead with his stated intention of further withdrawal from the West Bank. The elections, the first since Ariel Sharon’s abrupt departure from the Israeli political scene, were seen in large part as a referendum on the withdrawal proposal. As is often the case in Israeli politics, there were surprises. The Interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud biggest were Olmert casts his ballot in Jerusalem, Credit: Brian Hendler/JTA Kadima’s weak- March 28. er-than-expected showing; the emergence of the hardline Yisrael Beiteinu as the third-largest party, ahead of Likud; and the strong showing of a newcomer, the Continued on page 17
This Week: See Front Page Stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Community Concert Joins Vocal Talents Together: Page 3
2 Nisan, 5766 March 31, 2006
Sodexho Brings New Flavor to Blumkin Home: Page 7
Breadbreakers Features Senate Candidate Dave Kramer: Page 8
Next Week: Passover Issue Part II of Cream of the Crop: Shirley Goldstein: Pages 14-16