April 14, 2006

Vol. LXXXV No. 31 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

16 Nisan, 5766 April 14, 2006

First Recipients Announced for Sokolof Merit College and Health Care Scholarships

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator In creating the Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Fund, Phil Sokolof was looking to reward students who excel in scholastic performance, personal achievement, community service, and display overall good character. He specified that these $10,000 scholarships Abby Ginsburg Daniel Susman Janet Baack Brittany Epstein were not to be based on financial need but were solely on merit--two their grade point averages and test scores, to and a runner on the cross-country team.

He was elected a representative to the scholarships for seniors in high school going their involvement in school and community Student Council, treasurer of the National activities, and to the development of their own on to college and two for students in the Honor Society, and to membership in the talents in a wide range of fields --they were an health care field.

National Honor Society.

Spanish group of young people.

The recastonishing A Sokolof Scholarship Committee was Daniel has volunteered as a “buddy” to chilommendations submitted on their behalf formed by the Jewish Federation of Omaha dren with developmental disabilities at the attested to their work ethic and character.

Our Foundation, administrator of the Sokolof Meyer Institute, and during his senior Munroe task of selecting the first Sokolof merit scholEndowment Funds. The committee, chaired he has been employed there as a recreyear, difficult one.” arship winners was a very

by Suzanne Singer, set about creating detailed, technician working with children ational two high school scholarship recipients The challenging applications that would reveal how a variety of activities like art, sports through Daniel Susman from Central High School are well each student met the Sokolof criteria. games, and field trips. and Abby Ginsburg from Burke High School. and According to Singer, the committee memIn his application, he explained, “It was Daniel’s achievements vary from being bers became the ones who were challenged. to reflect on how much these kids astonishing an Advanced Placement Scholar with named “We were absolutely amazed by the applicataught me…they showed me that you must do Honors, participating in the Math Club/Math tions. Not only were there so many more than your best with what you have, never give up on the Science Bowl Team and the Team, we ever expected, but the quality of the and keep a smile on your face.”

Chemistry Field Day Team to being the goalie Omaha Jewish students was outstanding. and captain of Central’s varsity soccer team Continued on page 6 From their academic performance shown by

State Holocaust Observance Features Sam Fried

by PAM GANNON Holocaust Commemoration Publicity Chairman Holocaust Remembrance Day was created by an act of Congress in 1980 to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to remind Americans of what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred, and indifference reign. The Holocaust took the lives of more than 11 million individuals; and though slightly more than half that number were Jewish, we commemorate not the loss of lives of one group of people, but all who perished.

According to Gary Hill, Chairman of this year’s statewide Holocaust observance, it is particularly relevant that government takes a leadership role in remembering the Holocaust because those targeted for death and enslavement consisted of people whom the governSam Fried ment in power found either inferior or in opposition to their philosophy. Though nothing in the last half century has matched the organized and officially sanctioned slaughter, the world has continued to allow genocides, ethnic cleansings and politically motivated incarcerations to continue.

The annual Nebraska State Holocaust Commemoration will be held in the rotunda of the State Capitol on Sunday, April 23, 3-4:30 p.m.

Sam Fried, a Holocaust survivor, will be the main speaker. Senator Ernie Chambers will serve as the Legislative sponsor; Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy and Lincoln Mayor Colleen Seng will be among those recognizing the importance of remembering.

Continued on page 2

Inside Opinion Page see page 12

by SHARON BRODKEY ADL Communications and Community Development Director Faith communities around the country are mobilizing to participate in the April 30 Washington rally to Stop the Genocide in Darfur and the Omaha Jewish community is no exception.

While some members of the community are making arrangements to travel to the nation’s capitol, those remaining in Omaha can take simultaneous action in Memorial Park on Sunday, April 30, noon-2 p.m..

Speakers and logistics are still being finalized, but the Jewish community will come together keeping with Jewish tradition’s mandate that we “shall not stand idly by.”

Continued on page 16

Hadassah to Feature Congregational Rebbetzin in A Conversation with the Rabbis’ Wives

by GLORIA SHUKERT an interesting group of women, with very differJONES Hadassah Publicity ent backgrounds and interests, share their Coordinator thoughts with us. I The rebbetzin of encourage women of all Omaha share not only the ages to come and particidistinction of being marpate in this unique ried to rabbis, but also a roundtable. You won’t be common bond of sisterdisappointed.” hood and community.

Jacobson referred to a With their busy and vartime when she and Patty ied schedules, it’s a rare Nogg were co-chairmen privilege getting them all of the Women’s together, to give their Federation Campaign. views on the things they “The rabbis’ wives cherish and are most were featured at one of meaningful to them.

Members of the organizing committe include: Joanie Jacobson, our ‘90-Minute House The Omaha Chapter of left, Dorothy Spizman, Nancy Wolf and Toba Cohen-Dunning.

Parties.’ They were a Hadassah will present the wives of our congregational spiritual leaders in a panel hit!” she said. “These women are bright, funny, engagdiscussion “Let’s Talk About Love” on Tuesday, May ing, inspirational and strong. As individuals, they gener2, 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. The ously share their own special talents and expertise with community is invited to attend this unique roundtable their respective congregations as well as with the comof distinguished panelists: Elyce Azriel, Betsy Marantz, munity, and collectively, the dynamics and the mix are Susi Frydman Levin, Sara Gross and Shani Katzman, irresistible.”

She added, “I can’t wait to hear their take on love. It’s representing Temple Israel, Beth El, Beth Israel and the probably the most powerful emotion we humans can Chabad House, respectively.

The event is being co-chaired by Toba Cohen- feel-- it’s where we find our greatest joy, comfort, peace Dunning, Joanie Jacobson, Dorothy Spizman and and acceptance. And who better to share thoughts about love than women?”

Nancy Wolf.

Dorothy Spizman agreed. “I think this will be a great The committee has been excited from the beginning, about presenting this program. According to Cohen- evening. I love the idea of the women of the communiDunning: “This event in support of Hadassah is an ty coming together to visit with the rabbis’ wives and to extraordinary opportunity to gain the insight of our give their support to Hadassah.” treasured rabbis’ wives. We are so fortunate to have such Continued on page 2

This Week: See Front Page Stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Paper on AIPAC Ignored by Congress: Page 3

Mobilizing to Stop Genocide in Darfur

Pictures at an Exhibition-85 Years of the Press Opens: Page 10

Teen Age Features the Girls of BBG: Page 11

Next May 5: Mother’s Day Issue Latin Jazz Jewish Musician Performs at Western Heritage: Page 16

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Metro

April 14, 2006

Kevin Adler Wins Friedel Speech Contest

Metro

20% OFF Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

402-934-9300 Independently Owned & Operated

Serving Your Community

Free In-Home Estimates 100% Money Back Guarantee/Satisfaction

Douglas, Sarpy & Saunders County

Coupon expires 05/30/06

D.A. the DJ

Music & Entertainment for All Occasions Weddings | Parties | Benefits Big Band to Top 40 Performed at the July 4th JCC Pool Party for the last two years Reasonably Priced | www.dathedj.com | Ask for Denny

341-1270 “Mom, you say you are fine, but how are you really doing?”

With Right at Home You Can Count on Us for Quality Home Care Are you caring for an aging loved one?

Right at Home can care for a loved one, providing relief, comfort and security.

We work with you to set up personalized care. We handle daily activities such as housework, laundry, meal preparation, local transportation, shopping, errands and medication reminders. Home Health Aides can provide hand on medical care; LPNs and RNs are available for Skilled Nursing visits. Please contact Right at Home for Licensed Medical and Non-Medical Home Care.

by JORDANA L. KURTZMAN zation, delivery and presentation, and overall effectiveAmerican essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote ness.

Taking first place for his speech about foods invented that “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. It is to bring another out of his bad sense in Nebraska, Adler enthusiastically told the audience about victuals from T.V. dinners to Runza sandwiches. into your good sense.”

Employing his own aptitude of the power of speech, Lilly Phillips won second place for her discourse on the multitude of uses for corn, sixth grader Kevin Adler which is used mostly for catwon first place in Friedel’s tle feed, but has many other annual speech contest held purposes, including creating last week, followed by fellow cleaner automotive fuels. sixth-graders, Lilly Phillips Third-place winner, Sophie and Sophie Cemaj.

Cemaj, gave her speech on Since she began teaching three famous Nebraskans: at Friedel Jewish Academy comedian Johnny Carson, 18 years ago, Denise civil rights leader Malcom X, Bennett has organized and and novelist Willa Cather. prepared students for the While Kevin, Lilly, and Modern Woodmen of Sophie received plaques for America School Speech their orations, all contenders Contest, a way of building in the speech contest self-esteem in students. The received certificates of parspeech contest teaches chilticipation, including: Aaron dren how to research their topic, write it in an organ- Kevin Adler, left, won first place in Friedel Jewish Academy’s Kurtzman, Robert Levitan, ized manner, and present it annual speech contest, while Lilly Phillips took second and Tal Margalit, Cleo RogersMarcovitz, Eva Phillips, to an audience. Bennett feels Sophie Cemaj, third. All are students of Denise Bennett. that “this skill is critical as the students continue in their Mikhail Popkov, Nathaniel Teetzel, Elisa Wiener, and academic lives because speaking in public is the number Samantha Wiener.

Each year, nearly 100,000 students take part in the one fear of adults, and this will help the children overcome that obstacle before it becomes concrete in their Modern Woodmen of America School Speech Contest.

As first and second place winners of Friedel’s speech psyches.”

Students in grades three through six prepared and contest, Kevin and Lilly will present their speeches at the gave speeches on the topic, “My State.” Three guest district level of the competition in this month.

For more information about Friedel Jewish Academy, judges, Josephine Zbylut-Birkey, Susan ReimanGarland, and Julie Dunne, weighed the competition. call principal Cookie Katskee or Administrative Assistant The board of judges assessed points for material organi- Mary Jane Tweedy at 334.0517.

Call Right at Home for peace of mind.

402/697-7537 11949 Q St., Ste 100 www.rightathome.net/omahametro

Teen Mitzvah Day Brings Jewish Youth Together

877/697-7537 Omaha, Nebraska 68137

Maintaining Independence. is an Option.

CLIP & SAVE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SATURDAY, APRIL 8 Jewish Film Festival, 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 9 Nashir Choir, 10 a.m. at Beth El Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El C Adult Education, 1 p.m. at Temple Israel L Jewish Press Exhibit Reception, 3 p.m.

I Jewish Film Festival, 7 p.m.

P

& S A V E

MONDAY, APRIL 10 JSS Nurse, 8 a.m.

Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Friedel Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel ARTZA Teen/Parent Meeting, 7 p.m.

A History of Israel Class, 7 p.m.

Derech Torah Class, 7:30 p.m.

C L I P & S A V E

TUESDAY, APRIL 11 Women of Worth Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. at Chabad ADL Educator Training on Issues of Religious Diversity, 9 a.m.

The Guy & Bob Show, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12

C L Erev Passover JCC closed at 6 p.m.

I RBJH Passover Seder, 6 p.m.

P

State Holocaust Remembrance Rabbis’ Wives C L I P

THURSDAY, APRIL 13 & JCC CLOSED FOR PASSOVER

&

Friedel Jewish Academy Pesach Break April 13-21 S Yachad, 6 p.m. at Beth El for Passover Seder A V RBJH Passover Seder, 6 p.m.

E Community Second Seder, 6 p.m. at Beth El

Second Seder, 8 p.m. at Beth 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)

by URI LEVIN while touring the land.

JCC Community Shaliach At the end of the day, teens, advisors and chaperones More than 60 teens and chaperones from all of the all returned to the Jewish Community Center for dinner Jewish youth groups volunteered in six different projects and discussions about our experiences with volunteering. for the Teen Mitzvah Day last month. The participants “One of the goals of the Shiputznick Teen Volunteer helped with a spring cleanup for the Boys and Girls Program is to encourage teens to stop for a second and Clubs of Omaha in three different locations, packed tote think about how not all people are as fortunate as we bags with a variety of items for the Child Savings are,” said Rachel Blum, BBYO Director. “Not only is Institute, reorganized shelves at the Jewish Federation the actual service important, but just as noteworthy is Kripke Library and had fun bowling with the residents the awareness of the needs of others and what we, as of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. individuals, can do to make a difference.”

Vo l u n t e e r s The next came from all Shiputznick the different program during youth groups Yom Ha’Atzand synagogues, maut, a celebraas well as from tion of the those signed up anniversary of for the ARTZA Israel’s indetrip.

Teens pendence on Sunday, May 7. going to Israel Teens can sign this summer on up to volunteer will ARTZA by contacting participate in me at 334.6403 two “Shipulevin@ utznick” pro- A large group of teens from all of Omaha’s Jewish youth groups participated in the or jccomaha.org. grams there, Shiputznick Mitzvah Day last month.

S A V E

Continued from page 1 Survivors from Lincoln and Omaha will light candles in commemoration of those who perished and Joseph Peregrine of Endicott, NE, who helped liberate the Dachau concentration camp will light a candle to honor the liberators.

The Lincoln Boy’s Chorale Choir will perform and students from Lincoln schools will present the winning entries in a Holocaust-related poetry contest. Sue Scott, the executive director of the Lincoln YWCA, will be recognized for her efforts to combat racism and discrimination.

The public is invited to attend this most important and moving event. For information, contact Hill at: 402.420.0602 or via e-mail: Garyhill@cega.com.

Continued from page 1 “I’m looking forward to hearing the inspirational words of the wives of the rabbis, and what a wonderful setting by supporting the great works of Hadassah,” Nancy Wolf commented. “I am always happy to join with the other women in Omaha for a Hadassah event.”

Centerpieces are being donated by the congregational sisterhoods in honor of their respective rebbetzin.

Dessert will be served. There is no charge to attend, but an optional tax-deductible donation in support of Hadassah College Jerusalem and the Hadassah Career Counseling Institute is encouraged. For reservations, contact Wolf at: 330.6736. Walk-ins are welcome and donations will be accepted at the door. Transportation will be provided for those who need it.

COMMERCIAL and

RESIDENTIAL 8037 H Street Omaha, NE 68127

402/593-1242

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE Due to the closing of the Jewish Press office for the first two days of Passover, Thursday-Friday, April 13-14, and last two days of Passover, Wednesday, Thursday, April 19-20, there are early deadlines--at noon--for ads, articles and photos, as follows: Issue Deadline Photos used in the Passover issue may be picked up in the Press April 28 Tuesday, April 18 office during normal business hours. Questions? Call 334.6448.

April 14, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Paper on Israel Lobby Raises Hackles, but Fails to Gain Traction in Congress

by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA)--Three weeks after two prominent political science professors published a paper that they promised would expose the pro-Israel lobby in the United States, the collective reaction so far suggests they get a D for impact.

“The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy,” by John Mearsheimer, a professor of political science at the University of Chicago, and Stephen Walt, a professor of international affairs at Harvard’s John.

F. Kennedy School of Government, has been the subject of numerous Op-Eds -which generally have discredited it--but has been all but ignored in the halls of Congress, its purported target.

Among other assertions, the paper suggests that the pro-Israel lobby--and particularly the American Israel Public Affairs Committee--have helped make the United States more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, steered the country into the Iraq war, silenced debate on campuses and in the media, cost the United States friends throughout the world and corrupted U.S. moral standing.

The paper’s “disagreement is not with America’s pro-Israel lobby, but with the American people, who overwhelmingly support our relationship with Israel,” said an official with a pro-Israel lobbying organization in Washington.

The Anti-Defamation League called the paper “an amateurish and biased critique of Israel, American Jews, and American policy.”

Especially outrageous, some said, are the paper’s insinuations that Jewish officials in government are somehow suspect.

“Not only are these charges wildly at variance with what I have personally wit-

nessed in the Oval Office, but they also impugn the unstinting service to America’s national security by public figures like Dennis Ross, Martin Indyk and many others,” David Gergen, Walt’s fellow academic at the Kennedy School and a veteran of four administrations, wrote in an opinion piece in the New York Daily News.

One of the few positive reviews came from white supremacist David Duke, who said the authors reiterate points he has been making for years.

The controversy passed almost unnoticed on Capitol Hill. A statement from Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) was typical of the few who bothered to pay attention to the paper, which Nadler called “little more than a repackaging of old conspiracy theories, historical revisionism, and a distorted understanding of U.S. strategic interest.”

U.S. support of Israel was no mystery, Nadler said: “Israel is our only democratic and reliable ally in an extremely volatile and strategically important region. It is in our nation’s best interests to maintain that alliance.”

The authors anticipated silence, arguing that the Israel lobby is “manipulating the media” because “an open debate might cause Americans to question the level of support that they currently provide.”

The problem with that theory is that some of the harshest criticism of the paper has come from individuals and groups who have long called for changes in how the United States deals with Israel.

“It was a lot of warmed-over arguments that have been tossed about for years, brought together in a rather unscholarly fashion and presented as a Harvard document, clearly not deserving of the title,” said Lewis Roth, assistant executive direc-

tor of Americans for Peace Now, a group security interests.

“But they fail to mention that when the that has argued for increased U.S. pressure U.S. objected, Israel was compelled to back on Israel to achieve a peace agreement.

In fact, Mearsheimer and Walt have qui- down: under Clinton in 2000, and again in etly removed the imprimatur of the 2005, in this case with the Washington neo-con regime going out Harvard and Kennedy of its way to humiliate schools that originally Israel,” Chomsky notes. appeared on the paper.

Walt and Mearsheimer Walt holds the Robert and see as interchangeable the Renee Belfer professorship pro-Israel lobby and the at the Kennedy School, and neo-conservatives who the paper appalled Robert have developed Bush’s Belfer, a major donor to foreign policy.

Jewish causes, according to One of the paper’s more a report in the New York curious conclusions is Sun. The chair is the equivthat “what sets the Israel alent of an academic dean Lobby apart is its extraorat the Kennedy School, one dinary effectiveness. But of the most influential foreign policy centers in the John Mearsheimer, professor of there is nothing improper political science at the University about American Jews and United States.

“It read more like an of Chicago and co-author of a their Christian allies opinion piece than serious paper called, “The Israel Lobby attempting to sway U.S. policy towards Israel.” research, and even as opin- and U.S. Foreign Policy.”

Credit: Office If so, it begs the quesion it was so overreaching of John Mearsheimer tion of why Walt and in some of its claims,” Mearsheimer set out to write the paper.

Roth said. “It didn’t have a lot of utility.”

One of the harshest critics of the paper Mearsheimer did not return a call for was Noam Chomsky, the political theorist comment.

According to the writers, “pressure who routinely excoriates the U.S.-Israel relationship. He ridiculed the paper’s from Israel and the Lobby was not the central “wag the dog” thesis, that the only factor behind the U.S. decision to United States has “been willing to set attack Iraq in March 2003, but it was a aside its own security in order to advance critical element.”

Off the record, Jewish officials here the interests of another state.”

Walt and Mearsheimer “have a highly reverse that equation, saying their supselective use of evidence (and much of port for the Iraq war was necessary in the evidence is assertion),” Chomsky order to curry favor with a White House wrote in an e-mail to followers. One that was hell-bent on war. In fact, the example, he says, is how the paper cites adventure unsettled many Israeli and Israel’s arms sales to China as evidence Jewish officials because of concerns that that the Jewish state detracts from U.S. the principal beneficiary would be Iran.

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY Wednesday, April 26, 2006 7:00 PM Beth El Synagogue 14506 California Street Featured Speaker

Michael’s Buy Trux Truck Sales 63rd & Cornhusker Hwy Lincoln, NE

Michael Knopp 1-402-466-8388

Now Nationwide

Michael Geller 1-701-238-7825

All Kinds

All Sizes 1-800-869-0384 If We Don’t Have It, We Will Find It!

Presented to the community by the Center for Jewish Education For more information, please call 334-6445

Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 14, 2006

Teach your kids it’s easier to never start.

It’s up to you to provide the information they need to say no to drugs.

1-800-648-4444

ASK FOR...

TONI ROSEN MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CAREER SALES

For Experienced Professional Service In The Sale Of Your Home

Res: 334-7257 Bus: 498-8300

After Halimi Murder, Aliyah Group in France Finds Itself Getting Busier

by BRETT KLINE PARIS (JTA)--With French aliyah surging since the intifada began and anti-Semitism spiked in France, a new group is helping smooth the transition to the Jewish state.

Launched in March 2005, AMI has aided 1,000 French Jews who chose to make aliyah, helping them with job networking and apartment financing in Israel and offering scholarships to students. AMI--which stands for Alya et Meilleure Integration, or Aliyah and Better Integration--is a private organization working with the Jewish Agency for Israel, similar to the Nefesh B’Nefesh program in the United States.

Its 2005 operating budget was $2.5 million, financed

by Pierre Besnainou, head of the European Jewish Congress. A one-year anniversary gala for AMI in midMarch, attended by some 250-300 people, brought Jewish Agency head Zeev Bielski on a one-day visit from Jerusalem.

“One man has decided to devote his life to the Jewish

Semitism in France, with hundreds of attacks against people and property, notably in suburbs around Paris, where thousands of Jews live.

Most of AMI’s budget goes to financial aid and university scholarships, but the organization increasingly is focusing on finding work for new arrivals with professional coaching, employment workshops, job listings, training for opening businesses and a lecture series on life in Israel.

“Everyone agrees that the greatest challenge for new immigrants is finding work,” Bielski said. “It’s no longer enough for the Jewish Agency simply to provide a place to live. Professional people with good jobs want to remain professional.”

He added, “AMI is providing a detailed service to olim, where the Jewish Agency has been offering the basic fundamentals.”

Bielski acknowledged that life is not easy for new arrivals, but noted that unemployment in Israel -- about nine percent -- is actually lower than in France, where

New French immigrants arrive at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport, July 25, 2005. For the first time, two planes arrived in Israel in one day--one plane from Paris and one from Marseille-carrying new immigrants from France. The flights, carrying some 300 new olim, were organized by the Jewish Agency

for Israel, the Ministry of Absorption and AMI Association.

Right: A young family of French olim, Aharon and Yafit Hayun with Naor, center, and Ron, arrive in Israel from Paris.

Credit: Assaf Shilo/Israel Sun

The Shops of Legacy 16950 Wright Plaza, Suite 115 | Omaha, NE 68130

402/201-1879 Jeni Turner

Molly Kisielewski

Matrix Specialist/Educator

Redken Specialist

Tony Kimball P REMIER E NTERTAINER

402/339-3535 800/843-3866 7877 “L”St.• Suite 2 www.cmusic.com

Our DJs Make The Difference!

North America’s Most Popular Disc Jockey Service

PLUMB CONSTRUCTION, INC Quality Craftsmanship

Jeff Plumb General Contractor 5728 Colorado Lane Ft. Calhoun, NE 68023

Phone:

572-0115

w wwww.plantationgeraniums.com w. p l a n t a t i o n g e r a n i u m s . c o m Visit images of ofthe the 2004 2006 varieties! varieties!

Visitour our website website for for full-color full-color images

Large Fancy GERANIUMS ONE Plant Fills a 14" Planter We Compromise Compromise Nothing We Nothing --Guaranteed Guaranteedtotobebethe the Best Geraniums Geraniums You Best You Can CanFind!

Find! 35 32 Varieties!

Varieties!(15 (15New) New) Reserve Your Favorite Colors Now & Pick Them Up at Planting Time! (Order Early! Many varieties sell out quickly.)

Jumbo Transplants and Large Hanging Baskets also Available.

FREE 888-310-7187 402-466-3332 • TOLL

PHONE ORDERS WELCOME! 5201 Bluff Rd., Lincoln NE • Mon.-Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-4 From I-80 exit 405; 1 mile north to the yellow flashing light, turn left 1/4 mile on Bluff Road.

A NEW LEADER, A NEW VISION A NEW NEBRASKA www.DAVENABITY.com

Paid for by Nabity for Governor 9140 W. Dodge Rd., Ste. 100, Omaha, NE 68114

NEBRASKA NEEDS NABITY NOW!

Questions about the Medicare prescription drug plan?

Tune in for answers.

On

Medicare

Drug Plan: Nebraska’s

station

netNebraska.org Ad made possible by the NET Foundation for Television

A Nebraska Connects Special

Tuesday, April 18 at 8 p.m. on NET1 repeating April 23 at 7 p.m. on NET1

A production of NET Television

people and to making it’s about 10 percent. aliyah,” Bielski said of Besnainou, 51, a self-made Besnainou. “He is a fantastic who multi-millionaire example and a model for moved to France from other people to follow.”

Tunisia at age 20, said AMI Bielski said French Jews is giving French Jews a are different from other strong role in the aliyah communities because they process. often have close relatives in “A couple of years ago, we Israel. Sephardi Jews from leaders of the French Jewish Tunisia and Morocco, community had developed a Algeria, former French certain complex talking colonies in North Africa, about making aliyah,” he make up some 70 percent of noted. “The Israelis were France’s Jewish population doing everything in the of approximately 600,000. Zeev Bielski, right, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Jewish Agency, and we “More than 200,000 on a one-day visit to Paris from Israel to pay tribute to Pierre decided that we had to do French Jews visited Israel in Besnainou, left, president of the European Jewish Congress our part as French Jews. And 2005 alone,” Bielski said. and the sole financer of AMI, a French aliyah assistance so the AMI program was Credit: Brett Kline/JTA born.’’

“For some people, their vis- agency, last month. its as tourists are a first step to considering making While in Paris, Bielski also paid a visit to Ruth Halimi, aliyah.” whose 23-year-old son, Ilan, was kidnapped and torDavid Roche, JAFI’s director in France, reported that tured to death recently by a criminal gang in a suburban 3,005 people made aliyah from France in 2005, up 25 housing complex. percent from 2004.

Ilan Halimi’s murder was officially declared an anti“Making aliyah is an individual decision but is a col- Semitic act, but most French people continue to believe lective responsibility, “ he said, noting a correlation with that it was simply a criminal attack that had nothing to the level of anti-Semitic activity in France. do with the victim’s religion.

“The French government has taken very strong steps Bielski said Ruth Halimi would be visiting Israel over to reduce anti-Semitic activity, and the number of inci- Passover, but she had said it was too early to make any dents has notably decreased,” he said, “but when people decisions about her future. actually leave, it is the end of a process begun and a deciAccording to reports from the Paris office, Bielski said, sion made a couple of years earlier.” the number of people contacting the Jewish Agency Roche said 2003 and 2004 were bad years for anti- about aliyah had doubled since Halimi’s murder.

Travelin’ Toddlers Take “Ollie” for Museum Visit

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel’s Travelin’ Toddlers, along with their parents and siblings, enjoyed an afternoon of travel and adventure on April 2. The group met at Beth Israel, boarded “Ollie the Trolley” and took a ride to Omaha Children’s Museum. They spent a couple of exciting hours exploring the museum and then rode the trolley back to the shul.

“The kids had an absolutely great time,” said Youth Director Brooke Shrago. “They got such a kick out of riding on Ollie and had so much fun at the museum.”

Travelin’ Toddlers and their families prepare to board “Ollie the Trolley” and travel to the Omaha Children’s Museum.

April 14, 2006

Continue Passover Celebration at Sunday’s Community Concert Rathsam and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, who will come fully armed to entertain.

This event is presented to the community by the Center for Jewish Education.

Showcasing the voices of Rathsam and Bogomolni, the concert will also include musical accompaniment by these talented members of the Omaha Jewish community: Esther Wax and Emily Meyer on piano, Milton Marcus on trumpet, Dik Weiner on drums, Tuffy Epstein on winds, Alex Salkin on electric bass, Jon Bleicher on tuba and bass, Dr. Howard Gendelman on accordion, Bob Adler on guitar, and Ruth Sklarsky on violin.

“I want to encourage everyone in the community to attend,” said Ann Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, left, is knighted by singer/student Goldstein, Board President Jonathan Rathsam, as they get into the spirit of Sunday’s of the CJE. “Our agency is community concert. very excited about this proPassover question: “Why is this night dif- gram and with the musical talents of Gastón and Jonathan it will definitely be ferent from all other nights.”

The Jewish community is invited to an event to remember.”

Goldstein added, “It is our pleasure to continue the Passover celebration at Sunday’s community concert, where present this concert at no charge to the audience members will learn the answer community. It’s a great way to celebrate to a less conventional question: “Why are Passover, so bring your family and friends these knights different from all other and enjoy!”

For more information and to hear some knights.” Join friends for an afternoon of music and fun this Sunday, April 16, 3 of the music in the concert, please visit p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. the Federation website at www.jewThe concert will feature Jonathan ishomaha.org, or call 334.6445.

into a Great Vacation!

Christians will be guests. A traditional Jewish dinner followed the seder.

The model seder also raised awareness in the Christian community about why many in the Jewish community have concerns about Christians holding seders.

“In recent years, some Christians, in an attempt to better understand Jesus as a Jew, have with good intentions held seders, often applying Christian meanings to this sacred Jewish tradition,” explains Wolfson.

“We wanted participants to understand that the Passover seder is a Jewish ritual used to connect each generation Christian participants in ADL’s model seder dip their fingers of Jews to our religion’s cenin wine as the plagues are recited. tral narrative: the Exodus 70 adults from the Archdiocese’s from Egyptian slavery into freedom.”

The ADL encourages Christians who Catholic Biblical School (an adult education program) and Catholic school edu- wish to experience a Passover seder to be cators one evening last month at the guests at a seder led by someone of the Jewish faith. If this cannot happen, the Jewish Community Center.

The event was designed to educate ADL recommends that Christians conChristian participants about Passover and tact organizations like the ADL or a synthe traditions and rituals surrounding it. agogue to learn more about Passover, its Bob Wolfson, ADL Plains States Regional rituals and its significance for the Jewish Director, led the seder using a haggadah community. For more information, conwritten especially for seders where tact the ADL at 330.1303.

Visions Learns More About Rescuer

Nebrasksa’s #1 Volume Cruise Agency!

DISCOUNTS UPTO 50%

Omaha’s Oldest, MOSTEXPERIENCED, Representing CRUISE LINES...WORLDWIDE! OPEN WEEKDAYS 9:00-6:00, SAT. By Appointment Only Nationally Recognized Award Winning Agency

339-6800 OR 1-800-289-5505

NATIONALTOP NATIONALAGENCY NATIONALTOP PRODUCER AWARD OF THE YEAR PRODUCER AWARD

Legislature District 4 Trusted, Experienced Leadership - Making Nebraska more tax friendly - Assuring more of our education dollars go directly to teachers and classroom instruction - Improving Nebraska's business climate

www.KerryWinterer.com

On May 9th…Vote for Winterer Paid for by the Committee to Elect Kerry Winterer; 12388 Rose Lane; Omaha NE 68154

O M A H A

P E R F O R M I N G

DEBBIE REYNOLDS

Debbie Reynolds A special evening of music, stories and laughter with “America’s Sweetheart” Saturday, April 29, 2006 8:00 p.m.

Peter Kiewit Concert Hall Holland Performing Arts Center Part of the

by MAGGIE CONTI focus of this forthcoming book.

JSS Senior Adult Director A large group gathered last month to hear guest speakers Bill Ramsey and Betty Shrier, who spoke about their upcoming book on David Kaufman: Holocaust Rescuer.

Kaufman rose to eminence as a Grand Island entrepreneur in the first half of the 20th century. The late philanthropist did many good works, but it’s what he did during the Holocaust to Rabbi Myer Kripke, left, meets authors Betty Shrier and save lives that makes him the Bill Ramsey at a recent Visions luncheon.

Carnival

PRINCESS

10760 “Q” St., Omaha, NE 68127

A R T S

P R E S E N T S

ITZHAK PERLMAN

PHOTO: AKIRA KINOSHITA

by BETH KATZ Interfaith Affairs and Community Education Director for the ADL The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) hosted a model Passover seder for over

Page 5

Cruise Away...

by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Specialist A few days ago, Jews sat down at seders throughout Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs and answered the traditional

ADL Hosts Model Seder for Non-Jews

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Itzhak Perlman, violin Rohan De Silva, piano “Itzhak Perlman confirms top spot in the violin world.”

– Chicago Tribune

Popular Entertainers Series

Media partners: KETV, Q98 Five, Metro Monthly, and City Weekly

Sunday, May 7, 2006 7:00 p.m.

Peter Kiewit Concert Hall Holland Performing Arts Center Part of the

Classical Series

Sponsored by Sharee and Murray Newman Media partners: KETV, KVNO, Lite 101.9, Metro Monthly, and The Reader

Tickets: (402) 345-0606 or www.ticketomaha.org For Group Tickets Call (402) 661-8516 The Holland Center and Orpheum Theater welcome patrons with disabilities.

Page 6

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 14, 2006

Sokoloff Recipients

Jewelry • Handbags • Clothes • Gifts • Lunch

4655 Leavenworth St. • 991-4958

New Orlean’s Tea Room Now Open For Fun! Lunch Served Tues-Fri 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Southern High Tea by Reservation Tuesdays-Fridays after 1 p.m.

Saturdays 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.

Onyx | Vanity Tops | Shower Panels | Cabinets | Faucets

PALACE B AT H & S H OW E R

402-331-7505

8934 “L” Street | Omaha, NE 68127 1-800-428-3053

Lynne M. Popp Educational Therapy, Inc. Board Certified Educational Therapist, B.C.E.T. 10152 • Educational Assessments • Workshop Presenter • Dyslexia • Teacher Trainer • Educational Therapy

4405 North 156th Ave. Circle Phone: 402/498-8708 FAX: 445-0433

MEMBER

E-mail: slpopp1@cox.net

There is Still Time!

Call today for an individual approach to your personal needs and questions concerning:

Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D Prescription Plans

Lorrie Katelman

334-4770

Continued from page 1 In the fall of his senior year, Dan became a mentor to an elementary school student through the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of the Midlands. Dan meets with his student weekly to help with homework, play games, or just “hang out.” In addition, he is an enthusiastic volunteer whether it is helping children paint pumpkins at the Botanical Gardens, supervising and entertaining children at the Hope Center, or being a timer at school swim meets.

Dan plans to attend Dartmouth College in New Hampshire this fall. His parents are Katharine Susman of Omaha and Jeff Susman of Cincinnati, OH. Abby Ginsburg, who is graduating from Burke High School this spring, intends to use her Sokolof merit scholarship towards tuition at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. “I was so honored to be selected,” she said. “ I know there were lots of others who were well qualified.”

A member of Academic Decathlon, National Honor Society which she served as secretary, Academic Honor Roll, student government, Principal’s Advisory Board, Senior Senate, the newspaper staff on which she was editor-in-chief, the cheerleading squad, and several sports at her school, Abby was also selected Sophomore of the Year and the Girls’ State representative.

She considers her term as N’siah (president) of Omaha Cornbelt Council B’nai B’rith Girls to be “the most beneficial experience of my high school career. Being N’siah enabled me to participate in BBYO on an international and regional level. I learned about numerous programs and initiatives and how to utilize them in Omaha.”

Dedicated to the Jewish community, school, and community-at-large, Abby has been “a regular at Kabbalat Shabbat services” at Beth El Synagogue and has learned numerous Torah portions for Saturday morning services.

As a volunteer counselor at Camp Munroe, Abby worked with people who have mental and physical disabilities. She also volunteered at Nebraska Methodist Hospital and was active with the United Way’s Youth Leadership Corporation and the Anti-Defamation League Leadership Forum.

She is the daughter of Beth and Bill Ginsburg.

Brittany Epstein is already enrolled in the physician assistant program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She earned her undergraduate degree at Indiana University where she was a teaching intern in biological mechanisms in 2004 and in molecular biology for two semesters in 2002 and 2003.

As a volunteer, Brittany was a companion to terminally ill patients and a caregiver for family members at Alegent Health Hospice in Omaha. She was a member of Alpha Phi Omega performing community service projects in Bloomington, Indiana; supervised children

and helped them learn about science at Wonderlab, a children’s science museum in Bloomington where she also volunteered at Shalom Community Center, a homeless day shelter.

Graduating magna cum laude, Brittany was awarded membership in Phi Beta Kappa at Indiana University and recognized by the Golden Key National Honors Society for academic excellence.

She has worked at Creighton Healthcare South and at Nebraska Methodist Hospital.

“I have always been interested in how our body works and why various diseases occur,” Brittany explained. She chose to be a physician’s assistant so she would have the opportunity to establish good relationships with patients. From her experiences in the Omaha community and “my Jewish upbringing, I have learned to have compassion and respect for others no matter the differences in religion or ethnicity.”

Her parents are Harriet and Ron Epstein.

Janet Baack, the fourth Sokolof scholarship recipient said she is “ecstatic” to have won and will be using the money to help pay her tuition for medical school. She currently attends the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Medicine where she is following her long held goal to become an oncologist. In this pursuit, “I cannot only honor my grandmother, who died of cancer, but at the same time, my community,” Janet stated.

She will earn a combined degree in medicine and liberal arts in a six-year program.

Janet’s academic activities include the American Medical Student Association, the Global Medical Society, and the American Women’s Medical Association. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi’s Philanthropy Committee, participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life as a team captain, and was a counselor at Camp Quality, a camp for children with cancer.

Among Janet’s honors are her membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, an academic honor society.

“I have wanted to be a doctor ever since I was little,” acknowledged Janet who added that a doctor should “perform acts of kindness for patients” and their families. Pursuing excellence in medicine “is essential to proving that you are a life long learner…exemplified by taking advantage of opportunities to learn (and) expressing ideas to improve patient care.”

Janet is the daughter of Debbie Schwartz.

Mark Javitch, grandson of the Sokolofs, remarked, “My grandparents’ legacy will be contributing to the educational aspirations of students in the community for years to come. I’m proud that they were able to accomplish this.”

On Thursday, May 11, 7:15 p.m., the community is invited to a “Live from the 92nd Street ‘Y’” broadcast featuring Rabbi Joseph Telushkin and a reception honoring the Sokolof scholarship recipients.

info@ltcbenefitsgroup.net

BARRY S. GROSSMAN JEROME P. GROSSMAN Attorneys-at-Law

Wills & Guardianships • Personal Injury Debt Relief Assistance • Family Law A shared office.

206 Keeline Bldg. • 319 S. 17th St. • Omaha, NE 68102

402/345-5922

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Everyone loves a good story, especially when it’s told by an artful storyteller. “Passover,” from One People, Many Stories, a Jewish folktale series, fills the bill. Tune in to NET Radio on Sunday, April 16, 3-4 p.m., when “Passover” airs. You can also listen to “Passover” or any NET Radio program live on the web. Just go to netNebraska.org and click on Radio.

Chinese poet Luye and visiting political scientist DaeSook Suh will help the Creighton community experience Asian cultures during Creighton University’s second annual Non-Western Cultural Event through April 24.

Two weeks of photography exhibitions, lectures, poetry readings, translation activities, and film nights will explore the theme of “Seeking Peace: Poetic and Political Visions of the Asian World.”

Dr. Dae-Sook Suh’s research in comparative politics of Asia includes a focus on issues of reunification, particularly in Korea. Luye has been working with poet Susan Aizenberg, Associate Professor of English at Creighton, to translate one another’s poems into English and Chinese respectively. Aizenberg will join Luye in a bilingual poetry reading on April 24, 7:30 p.m., in Skutt 209.

On April 20, poet Luye and Professor Dae-Sook Suh will join each other in a “talk-show-style” dialogue to explore the relationship between poetic and political visions of peace in China, in Korea, and here in the U.S. “Seeking Peace: Poetic and Political Visions of the Asian World” also brings a series of brown bag lunchtime lectures to campus. Fr. Dennis Hamm, Graff Chair of Catholic Theology, will talk about “The Catholic Vision of Peace” on April 18, 12:30 p.m., in the UP Room. At the Skutt Student Center, Professor Gene Selk’s photograph exhibit of photographs on

Creighton in China will be displayed with translations of Chinese, Korean and Japanese poems on peace.

The 2006-07 season for Opera Omaha, running from September through April, will include popular favorites and a much-anticipated world premiere event. The company’s 49th consecutive season opens with Puccini’s Tosca, closes with Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and has, as its centerpiece, the world premiere of Anthony Davis and Yusef Komunyakaa’s Wakonda’s Dream, a new opera inspired by the trial of Chief Standing Bear.

Tosca will be performed Sept. 27, 29 and Oct. 1 (Please note early curtain due to start of Yom Kippur that evening); Wakonda’s Dream will premiere March 7, 9 and 11, 2007; and The Barber of Seville will be staged April 25, 27 and 29, 2007. All performances are at the Orpheum Theater, Slosburg Hall.

Two- and three-opera subscription packages are currently on sale. Prices range from $19 to $221 if purchased by June 30. Visit www.operaomaha .org; call 34-OPERA; or visit the Opera Omaha Box Office at 17th and Farnam Streets.

Opening at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center tonight, Friday, April 14-27, Why We Fight, a provocative and timely film that explores the military/industrial complex and the motivating forces that lead us to war. Why We Fight “stands as a class-act stylistic rebuttal to Fahrenheit 9/11--it asks questions rather than bludgeons us with ridicule, and it has the grace to hint that we can think for ourselves,” writes Ty Burr, film critic for the Boston Globe. Show times are available at www.TheRoss.org or by calling the MRRMAC film information line at 402.472.5353.

April 14, 2006

IN THE NEWS The Plains States Region of the AntiDefamation League received a $3000 grant for its program, “Acting Out Against Bigotry,” from the Omaha Community Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy program.

Youth in Philanthropy is led by high school juniors and seniors to encourage philanthropy and community stewardship. “I was very impressed with the seriousness with which the students took their grant decision-making,” said Patrick McNamara, OCF Director of Philanthropic Servies.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha has announced plans for our next Community Israel Mission. This mission will take place Oct. 22-30, with an optional post-Israel trip to Prague from Oct. 31-Nov. 3. Please join us to learn more about this mission on Wednesday, May 3, 7 p.m., in the Kripke Library at the Jewish Community Center.

Space is limited; don’t miss this chance to get the details about the Federation’s exciting trip to the Promised Land. For more information, please contact Kathy McGauvran at 334.6427 or kmcgauvran@jewishomaha.org.

The Mount Sinai Cemetery Association announced that additional plots are now available at the 78th and Crown Point location. The cemetery has expanded to include eight new sections, which will add 160 new plots, making family plots and side-by-side plots more readily available.

An independent Jewish cemetery which dates back to the 1930s, Mount Sinai Cemetery was founded by members of the Adas Yeshurun Synagogue. When Omaha’s Orthodox synagogues merged in the 1940s, the Adas Yeshurun Board of Directors kept the cemetery as a separate entity, forming the Mount Sinai Cemetery Association. The association built a caretaker’s home and chapel, hired a caretaker, sold plots, and conducted funerals. In later years, new members have joined, continuing the same tradition of management. Today the Association consists of four officers and an at-large committee of nine. A resident caretaker lives on the property and maintains the grounds and chapel.

For information on purchasing plots, call Harry Alloy at 697.8709 or Lou Fedman at 556.4712.

Former Omahan Randall Scott Ruback arranged music for and performed with the King David Ensemble of Israel last month at Helen Bader Concert Hall on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

He has performed as principal trombone player with a number of prestigious orchestras, including the Italian Radio and Television Orchestra of Rome, the Opera House in Trieste and the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Hungarian Opera, the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Milwaukee Ballet.

The son of Faye and Howard Ruback, he earned three degrees: a graduate certification and a Masters in Music in Trombone Performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelors in Music from the Mannes College of Music. A published writer, he lives in Milwaukee where he teaches, performs and composes.

The new edition of the most comprehensive reference guide to the ArabIsraeli conflict is now available from the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE). Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict by Dr. Mitchell G.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

ORGANIZATIONS Bard, one of the leading authorities on U.S. Middle East policy, is an essential tool for anyone interested in a documented history of Israel’s relations with its neighbors.

The new edition of Myths and Facts is also available online in the Jewish Virtual Library (www.JewishVirtualLibrary .org) where it is regularly updated and hyperlinked to the AICE’s comprehensive online encyclopedia of Jewish history and culture. Individual copies are available through Amazon.com and other booksellers.

Dr. Bard is the Executive Director of the nonprofit American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE) and a foreign policy analyst who lectures frequently on U.S.-Middle East policy. His work has appeared in academic journals, magazines and major newspapers. He is the author of 17 books.

BREADBREAKERS There will be no Breadbreakers meeting on Wednesday, April 19, due to the Passover holiday.

Skolkin, 1010 Regency Parkway #302, Omaha, NE 68114. Deadline for payment is April 20. Make checks payable to Visions.

VISIONS Join us for a fun afternoon on Wednesday, April 26, 11:15 a.m., for a special lunch at Rick’s Boatyard Café.

Then we will continue on to the Hot Shops Art Center for a guided tour at 1 p.m. Cost is $15 includes lunch, beverage, tax, tip and admittance to Hot Shops. Send reservations by April 17 to: Rosalie Meiches, 5036 Parker, Omaha, NE 68104.

Kansas City Tour is June 6 & 7. Send reservations with full payment to Anne

YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Join us on Monday at the JCC for a Passover luncheon with entertainment by the the Columbian Elementary Concert Band. Enjoy music from the blues to patriotic pieces. Lunch is at noon for $6 per person. Try your luck with bingo 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 Bluffs Run Horseshoe Casino on Thursday, April 27.

BIRTHS Stacy and Curtis Marti of Tulsa, OK, announce the March 2 birth of their daughter Adia.

She has a two-year-old brother, Max. Grandparents are Don and Karolyn Kagan Marti of Arnolds Park, IA and Lincoln, and Cristy and M.R. Hershey of Coffeyville, KS. Great-grandparents are Lois Hershey of Coffeyville, KS, the late Ralph Hershey, and the late Moses and Gertrude Kagan.

Leaders of the National Council of Jewish Women-Omaha Section attended the national NCJW Leaders Conference in Chicago last month. Tina Meyers, left, Shelly Pichik, Beth Friedman, Deb Marburg, Nikki Kirshenbaum and Leslie Eades participated. Section member Wendy Goldberg (not pictured) and her daughter, Molly, took part in a one-day leadership symposium on the issue of separation of religion and state.

Dr. Magda Peck, a member of Temple Israel, will be honored at The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) of the Midlands’ 2006 Humanitarian Dinner on Tuesday, May 30, 6:45 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Central, 72nd and Grover. She will receive the Otto Swanson Spirit of Service Award. A reception is planned for 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the program. Tickets are $150 each; tables are also available. Call NCCJ at 391.4460 to make a reservation.

Evie Zysman, a member of Temple Israel’s congregation, was honored on April 5 by the PWSA (Program for Women and Successful Aging), an outreach program based at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Zysman was awarded the Shirley Waskel Award for the Advancement of Women which honors a prominent senior woman.

For the sixth year in a row Nebraska AIDS Project is teaming up with local restaurants in the fight to eliminate HIV and AIDS. This year’s Dining Out for Life event will be held Tuesday, April 18.

Nebraska AIDS Project was founded in 1984 and serves all of Nebraska, eastern Wyoming and southwest Iowa. With over 20 years experience in HIV prevention, Nebraska AIDS Project is recognized as a leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the Midwest.

A complete list of participating restaurants can be viewed by visiting the Nebraska AIDS Project website at www.nap.org.

Andrea and Scott Saylan of Naperville, IL, announce the March 24 birth of their son, Benjamin Scott.

He has a brother, Andrew, 31/2.

Grandparents are Jacki and Steve Saylan, and Jean and Gerry Skelcy of Tryon, NC.

are Edythe Great-grandparents Friedman of St. Louis, MO and the late Arthur Friedman, and Rosalie and Milton Saylan.

Jessica and Jeremy Rosenblum of the Bronx, NY, announce the March 30 birth of their son, Nathaniel Joseph.

He was named for his great-grandfather, Joseph Leiderman.

Grandparents are Maureen and Michael Kaplan of Lexington, MA, and Miriam and Howard Rosenblum of East Brunswick, NJ. Great-grandparents are Stanley Kaplan of Lexington, MA, Sylvia Rosenblum of Brooklyn, NY, Helen Leiderman of New York, NY, and Barbara Smith of West Roxbury, MA.

Page 8

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 14, 2006

MARRIAGE

ENGAGEMENTS

SHTROMBERG/POLLAK Aaron Sean Pollak and Marianna University of Wisconsin with a BS in biolShtromberg of San Francisco, CA, were ogy and a certificate in enviromental married on March 19 at the Crowne studies. He works in the marketing department at PDL Plaza Hotel in Union Square BioPHARMA. in San Francisco, CA. Rabbi He is the grandson of David Levinsky performed the Ruth Pollak of Laguna ceremony.

Woods, CA, and the late The bride, daughter of Maya William Pollak, and the and Alexander Shtromberg of late Reva and Joseph San Francisco, is a graduate of Goldstein.

University of San Francisco, The bride’s best friend, where she was a communicaZoya Bellman, was her tions major. She is a preschool attendant. The groom’s teacher at the JCC in San brother, Noah Pollak, and best friend, Francisco.

Her grandfather is Mikhal Shtromberg Dr. Cory Tichauer, were his attendants.

Following a wedding trip to Maui, of San Francisco.

The groom, son of Karen and Dr. Hawaii, the couple will return to their Oliver Pollak, graduated from the home in San Francisco, CA.

Young Jewish Adults Invited to Beth El’s Evening of “Sushi and Schmoozing”

by JILL BELMONT fare will include vegetarian and kosher Beth El Publicity Coordinator fish entrees.

If you’re in your 20s or 30s and are This event is open to all young adults, craving some delicious sushi as well as a single and married, in the Omaha Jewish great evening socializcommunity and will ing with friends, join offer a wonderful co-hosts Laurie and opportunity to meet Jason Epstein, Andee up with old friends and Anthony Scioli make new and and Melissa and Matt acquaintances.

Shapiro for “Sushi Cost to attend is and Schmoozing,”on $10 per person; to Thursday, April 27, Melissa Shapiro, left, Laurie Epstein and make a reservation, 7 p.m. Sponsored by Andee Scioli co-hosts of Beth El’s upcom- please send a check, Beth El Synagogue, ing “Sushi and Schmoozing” get-together. made payable to the the casual get-together is planned at Hiro synagogue, to: Beth El, 14506 California Sushi, 3655 No. 129 St.; the evening’s St., Omaha NE 68154.

IS IT THE GUY & BOB SHOW? OR THE GUY & MOSHE SHOW? OR JUST THE DR. GUY SHOW?

POLLAK/ALPERSON Dr. Daphna Vivian Pollak, of Toronto, Her fiance graduated from the Canada, and Joel Harris Alperson have University of Texas at Austin, and is presannounced their engagement. ident of Omaha Fixture International.

The bride-to-be graduated, with hon- He is the son of Margie Alperson and the ors, from the University of Toronto, with late Peicy Alperson. a doctorate in dental surgery. She is the The wedding will take place in Toronto daughter of Sara Pollak, of Toronto and on May 29.

Tel Aviv, Israel, and the late Israel Pollak.

MILLER/ZALKIN Former Omahans, Mark and Susan and Adele Miller of Las Vegas, NV, and Zalkin of Denver, CO, announce the Selma Engorn of West Palm Beach, FL, engagement of their son, David Marshall and the late Samuel Engorn.

Her fiance received his BA in Biology Zalkin, to Jessica Erin Miller of Houston, and Spanish, magna cum TX. laude and Phi Beta Kappa, The bride-to-be received a from Brandeis University.

BA degree in Government David is currently a first year and Middle Eastern Studies medical student at Baylor at the University of Texas at College of Medicine in Austin. She is also a graduate Houston. of the University of Houston He is the grandson of Law Center and is currently Evelyn Flaxer, Denver, the practicing in the civil defense late Dr. Carl Flaxer, and the litigation firm of Thompson late Allen and Monie Zalkin. and Reilley, in Houston.

A July, 2006 wedding at the United She is the daughter of Nancy Miller of Round Rock, TX and Harold Miller of Orthodox Synagogue Congregation in Houston. She is the granddaughter of Jay Houston is planned.

Chabad Ensures a Happy and Kosher Pesach in Israel members of the At-risk Jerusalem community receive food parcels at a Chabad center in Jerusalem for Passover. Many of the very elderly Holocaust survivors in Israel find it very difficult to make ends meet, particularly at this time of the year. Much of the food is donated by food companies, or purchased with donated funds.

Credit: ISRANET • LEADERSHIP • VISION • COMMITMENT • • COMMUNICATION • TEAM WORK • RESPECT •

UNION PACIFIC • Train Service Personnel

Union Pacific offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.

We have numerous opportunities: • • • •

Information Technology Special Agents/Police Track Maintenance Train Service

To start or grow your career, apply online at: www.up.com Select “Jobs at UP” then “View Positions”

Steve Snail 558-8617

You are the most powerful influence in your child’s daily life.

• Work Equipment Mechanic

• Operations Management Training Program • Train Dispatching • Diesel Mechanic & Electricians • Truck Drivers/Hostlers

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Over 25 Years Experience

North America's largest railroad is a high tech, Fortune 200 company in a growth mode. This makes us an excellent place to start and grow your career.

• Assistant Signal Person

With ADL Director,Bob Wolfson,soon leaving for New York, the complexion of the Guy & Bob Show will soon change.

But as they say in the biz,the show must go on!

So mark your calendars for the following dates to hear Dr.Guy Matalon and guests talk about the latest happenings in Israel.

BLUE RIBBON

Kids who learn from their parents or care-givers about the risks of drugs are: • 36% less likely to smoke • marijuana than kids who don’t • 50% less likely to use inhalants • 56% less likely to use cocaine • 65% less likely to use LSD

For more information call:

Tuesdays, 12 Noon - 1 p.m.

Kripke Jewish Federation Library

1-800-648-4444 An Equal Opportunity Employer

http://www.prevlink.org

April 4 - Post Election Review April 11, 18, 25 May 2 & 9 Presented by

Please call 334-6445 with any questions.

Please visit www.nap.org for a list of participating restaurants.

Out

Dining

April 14, 2006

Journey Group at Temple to Confront Medical, Legal, and Jewish Perspectives on Life and Death “A person should be working with their own attorney

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator discussing and having personal estate planning docuWhat kind of message do you want to leave for your ments prepared,” added Freeman. “This list of docufamily and your community after you die? Having a will ments includes a will, a living will, a power of attorney, is just part of the answer, “just one piece,” said Dr. and a health care power of attorney.” There are other considerations that he will bring up at the Journey Speedy Zweiback, a retired vascular surgeon.

Dr. Zweiback will join Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Bob Group discussion.

Freeman explained, “The cost of getting this work Freeman, an attorney with Fraser Stryker, on Thursdays, April 20 and 27, 7- 8:30 p.m., for a done can be as low as a few hundred dollars or up to sevJewish Journey Group at Temple Israel. “End of the eral thousand dollars. Often these documents are good Line: Medical, Legal, and Jewish Perspectives on Life for ten to 15 years, so there’s good value in getting them and Death” will illuminate the variety of issues people done initially and then updating them when needed.

Some people think it’s ‘expensive’ to get this work should consider long before they actually have to do so.

Sharing stories from their professional and personal lives done, Freeman said, “but I think just the opposite is and searching the rabbinic responsa, the three facilitators true. Tens - even hundreds - of thousands of dollars” can will engage in a discussion about end-of-life issues and be saved if an unexpected tragedy occurs. Becoming permanently disabled or to dilemmas. die without this planning In spite of its inevitabilusually costs far more-ity, many people do not many thousands of dollars appreciate the degree to more--in legal expenses. which death is a part of Evading these issues and life. “Nobody wants to decisions, leaves “others that they’re admit to either guess what you immortal,” said would have wanted, or Zweiback. “In middle worse, to seek personal age, you should assess gain from your own indewhere you are, where cision.” you’ve been, where “As a rabbi, I have seen you’re going, and what the spiritual turmoil that you want to leave behind exists in a family when a to enrich the lives of your loved ones. You can’t wait Rabbi Azriel, left, “Speedy” Zweiback and Bob Freeman meet to death occurs,” added until you’re on your discuss the upcoming Journey Group on medical, legal and Jewish Rabbi Azriel. “There is a need to create the right deathbed. The earlier you issues. stages before and after death in order to maintain the start, the better off you’ll be. You can always reassess.”

He emphasized imparting “the values, a legacy, a strength and vitality of a family. This Jewish Journey plan” that you want to live on after you die. “It’s more Group will help the participants understand and, hopecomplicated than leaving your eyes to the eye bank. You fully, practice the right steps in strengthening individuals and the family unit.” need to ask yourself: ‘What’s the meaning of my life?’”

To register for this Jewish Journey Group, sponsored “It’s extremely rare,” Zweiback admitted, that the necessary documents are in place when someone goes to by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish the hospital for life threatening treatment. “Lots of peo- Learning, contact Temple Israel Program Director Rosie ple think they have the documents, but they don’t real- Zweiback at rzweiback@ templeisraelomaha.com or ly know. Hospitals don’t want to get sued” so they con- call her at 556.6536. tinue treatment to patients who are in vegetative states.

The entire Jewish community is welcome to attend.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

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

bob monkey’s Noodle Zoo Extra-ordinary Sandwiches, Salads & Pasta

Zoo Something Different Greek Chicken Foccacia Herb Crusted Chicken Noodle Bowl New Orleans Muffaletta Fajita Chicken Salad Kids under 12 eat free every Wednesday!

When ordering from the Kids Menu and with the purchase of 2 Adult Entrees.

180th & Pacific • 330-4846 Two Great Cuisines Under One Roof

Japanese Sushi

Chinese

Mon-Sat: 11:30-2, 5-10 | Sun: 12-9 Every Fri & Sat Late Night Happy Hour 10-12am South of 129th & Maple (Eagle Run Plaza) | 884-3909

Remodeled Children’s Library Opens

by DOROTHY KAPLAN Assistant Librarian Come in and see the exciting changes in the children’s section of the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Work has began on renovating the area to make it kid friendly. Wonderful murals of whimsical animals and new children’s furniture will create an atmosphere bound to please any young reader.

Carole Greenberg, Assistant Director/Art Teacher at the JCC’s Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center, designed and painted two murals with the assistance of Kurt Swanson (an art teacher in the Papillion/Ralston school), Hayley Cleaveland: (Two’s teacher and

art/gym teacher at the CDC), and volunteer artists: Liatte Dotan, Emily Giller, Arielle Levine, Shirley and Salo Cemaj.

Even though the children’s section is currently being redesigned, please come in and read, check-out books, and visualize what a wonderful new space this will become.

Also check out the CDC art programs Carole Greenberg will be offering this spring and summer.

• Hand Stretched • NY Style • Pizza • Freshest Pizza • Best Taste Dine-In To-Go Downtown Delivery

Catch The Best Pizza

Left: Liatte Dotan puts the finishing touches on a mural in the kids’ section of the Kripke Library. Right: The murals on the opposite wall were designed by Carole Greenberg.

Beth Israel Sisterhood’s Meets to Plan Programs

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Don’t miss out on the delicious dairy dessert. That’s what attendees will enjoy when they gather for Beth Israel Sisterhood’s Board Meeting and Lunch on Wednesday, April 26, 11:30 a.m. A bagels-and-lox dairy lunch will be served for a cost of $5 per person.

Sisterhood Co-President Janet Kohll emphasized that the meeting is not only for board members. “Every

Sisterhood member is welcome to come,” she said.

“After a respite during the winter months, we’re ready to develop some programming goals for summer and fall,” stated Sisterhood Co-President Toba CohenDunning. “This is a perfect time of year to share ideas and plan future Sisterhood events. We hope anyone interested in sharing some programming ideas will attend the meeting.”

Please call 556.6288, to make your lunch reservations.

• 7834 W. Dodge Road • 13463 W. Center Road • 1213 Howard St. (Old Market)

344-2222

Dine-In, Carry-Out, 1/2 Baked Pies Available A F A M I LY F E S T I V A L O F F U N & L E A R N I N G

Over 60 Exhibits Just For Kids!

Advance Tickets $5

or $4 with $1 OFF Coupon at: Kearney • Holdrege Grand Island • Hastings

Tickets $6 at the door.

Kids age 2 & under free.

2006

APRIL 22 & 23 SATURDAY 10-5 • SUNDAY 12-5

KEARNEY EVENT CENTER • KEARNEY

Page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 14, 2006

Community Revels in “Front Page” Exhibit

The Time Of the Uprooted More than 125 people attended the opening of the Jewish Press/Nebraska Jewish Historical Society exhibit Sunday at the JCC. Photos left: Press Vice-chairman Howard Marcus welcomes Jane Brooks, in town for the annual Brooks lecture and for Passover; NJHS President Helen Epstein, right, greets Sandra Belgrade, one of the exhibit’s fun-

ders; Press committee member Nancy Skid, left, congratulates Midge Bowers, co-chairman of the exhibit (along with Silvia Roffman and their husbands, Bill Bowers and Larry Roffman); former Press committee member Penny Endleman shows the exhibit to her granddaughter, Ainsley Meyerson. The exhibit will be open through mid-May.

Out

Dining

Basha’s l E Mediterranean Grill & Wraps Falafel • Gyros • Shawarma • Hummus • Salads Dine In • Carry Out • Catering

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

8029 West Dodge Road (West of Lewis Art Gallery)

402/934-6266 Mon-Thur 11 a.m.-8 p.m. • Fri & Sat 11a.m.-9 p.m.

MENTION THIS AD FOR A FREE APPETIZER WITH THE PURCHASE OF AN ENTREE.*

1207 HARNEY ST. • OMAHA, NE

342-4010 FREE PARKING RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. *ONE PER TABLE.

VOTED OMAHA’S #1 ORIENTAL RESTAURANT Omaha Magazine--2002

PICKED ONE OF OMAHA’S 10 BEST RESTAURANTS 132nd

Jim Delmont, Omaha World-Herald--1994

NOW AT TWO GREAT LOCATIONS Dodge Street

291-8855

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • Dine In/Carry Out • Daily Specials • Full-Service Bar and Lounge

ALL ROADS LEAD TO CHINA ROAD

4006 Twin Creek Dr. Located in the Twin Creek Plz. 42nd

631 N. 132ND ST. in Westridge Plaza next to Earl May

BELLEVUE

Kennedy Expressway

431-0066 OMAHA

Hwy 370

Full-time Summer Editorial Internship Available at the Jewish Press If you’re a college student who is not afraid to meet new people and who loves to write-and write well--send your resume and writing samples to ckatzman@jewishomaha.org or call Editor Carol Katzman at 402.334.6450 to learn more about this 10-week internship this summer!

by Elie Wiesel (Alfred A. Knopf, 300 Pages, $25)

BOOK REVIEW

by PROF. ARNOLD AGES Elie Wiesel has now reached the age it takes Hailey’s comet to complete the trajectory it follows in its regular cosmological tour of the universe. Like the comet which picks up the secrets of outer space in its voyage, Wiesel has acquired in his own odyssey, intellectual and literary insights piled up in a lifetime of reading, study and contemplation.

He has taken this raw material and with the sober maturity of age, has molded it into a powerful narrative which, while rehearsing many of the preoccupations of his earlier works, takes on a new and more powerful voice.

This novel unfolds like the petals of a flower, revealing rich and colorful textures at each level of the opening exercise. It offers multiple intertwined plots, numerous characters, diverse geographies, powerful religious and philosophical meditations, historical reconstruction, Biblical exegesis, matrimonial friction and, as in many of Wiesel’s essays and stories, anguished existentialist speculation about the fate of the Jewish people in the Holocaust.

The skeletal structure of the novel pivots on the flight of the Friedman family from Czechoslovakia to Hungary in 1939 where they seek refuge from the gathering clouds of Nazism. Until 1944, the Jews in Budapest enjoy a near miraculous tranquillity - until German troops occupy the country and begin, in collaboration with homegrown fascists, the Niylas, to implement their “final solution.”

Gamaliel Friedman, like many of the hidden children in that dark epoch, is placed by his mother in the care of Ilonka, a cabaret singer who instructs her young ward in the art of dissimulation and deception, in other words, how to pass as a Hungarian Christian. Wiesel is very skillful in describing the confusion, hesitancy and vulnerability of a young boy as he shucks off his Jewish persona in order to acquire a surrogate, life-saving identity.

In one of the most heart wrenching scenes in the book young Péter is brought to Ilonka’s café, there to sit quietly while his “foster mother” entertains the rowdy spectators with her songs. At this juncture a group of Hungarian Fascist police interrupt the festivities and ask if there are any “dirty Jews” among the guests. Absolute silence. Péter is approached by a fascist bully who asks him if he is a Jew. Péter nearly fails the test but the vulgar response of the questioner gets him off the hook.

Later in the story ironically, Péter affirmation and proof of his Jewishness --knowledge of the Shema--earns both Ilonka and he special treatment and comforts when he is questioned by a Russian-Jewish officer after Soviet forces conquer Budapest.

Wiesel takes the young Gamaliel-Péter, through the eye of the Holocaust storm as it sweeps through Budapest (Jewish victims of the fascist frenzy thrown into the Danube) and follows him after the

Nazi defeat, the rise of Communism, displacement in Vienna, Paris and Brooklyn.

In each of these jurisdictions Gamaliel mixes with madmen, saintly rabbis, fellow Holocaust survivors, an ex-Mossad agent, a string of lovers, marriage, divorce and suicide. Along the way Gamaliel is obsessed with finding Ilonka, the woman who snatched him from the jaws of the Nazi beast.

Gamaliel is the central spoke in a dramatic wheel which radiates out to its periphery and involves the protagonist in the lives of an aged Hungarian-speaking woman hospital patient (is it his wartime savior, Ilonka?), a deeply scarred survivor of the Warsaw ghetto who cannot rid himself of the guilt he feels about the way in which his parents died and the denizen of the ghetto who fingered his family to the SS guards.

The spokes in question also attach themselves to Gamaliel’s numerous trysts and vexatious marriages on two continents and his inability to form lasting relationships. The travail of Holocaust survivors occasions great pain in marriage and Wiesel depicts the vicissitudes of those unions in agonizing detail.

The various plots and sub-plots which form the narrative in Wiesel’s story are mediated by two major literary modes, the importation of the views of authority figures and the wisdom of the Bible and Jewish tradition. The first consists of dialogues, quotations and maxims distilled by the author from literary and philosophical thinkers. The number of authors cited is remarkable. Giordano Bruno, Gogol, Calderon, Henri Bergson, Nietsche, Schopenhauer, Descartes, Calderon, Maimonides, Spinoza, Erasmus, Goethe, Leibnitz, Plato, Confucius, Stendhal, Hugo, Gide, G. K. Chesterton and Galileo are presented by Wiesel as a kind asmachta--an imprimatur--to corroborate the rectitude of a given dictum or truth.

The other modular technique in Wiesel’s novel is the grafting on of editorial materials culled from Biblical, Talmudic and Midrashic sources. Wiesel is one of the few authors who can introduce this kind of commodity into a seamless fictional narrative.

In a novel as ambitious as this one there are bound to be some stress fractures.

Thus is it difficult in the sprawling canvass that Wiesel presents to keep track of the numerous story strands that are woven into the sinuous texture of his book. The inclusion of the mysterious segment about a Hungarian bishop and his dreams and the summoning of a learned rabbi to explain them is a case in point. The section has a incandescent quality to it but it hangs out, largely unincorporated into the main rhythm of the story line. This is a minor failing in a major novel which avoids a Hollywood ending.

Wiesel has presented this enigmatic thesis with all the skills at his disposal-and he has triumphed. It’s available at the Kripke Library.

April 14, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

underwritten by A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features the BBG teens of the BBYO youth group. Special thanks goes to Rachel Blum for collecting the material.

B’nai B’rith Girls: So Much To Offer!

by ABBY GINSBURG 2005-2006 BBG Council N’siah The B’nai B’rith Girls have been busy bees over the past few months. The calendar has been jam-packed with Judaic programming, fundraising, socializing, and learning.

In February, many BBGs participated in a Kallah Weekend. This was two days of Judaic programming themed around Israel. The program included: Israeli cooking, watching and analyzing an Israeli movie, Shabbat services, and an Israeli themed game of Shoots and Ladders. The International N’siah (president) of the B’nai B’rith Girls, Shauna Ruda, attended Kallah. She was a great resource.

“I thought it was good for the council to have Shauna there, have her participate with us, and show her what we are all about,” Lindsay Belmont said.

The annual Powderpuff Basketball game was held in early February. As tradition goes, the crazy Monkeys of MZ Yoshanah played the Green M&Ms of EDIAR. MZ Yoshanah took the victory, but it was an entertaining game for all. The crowd was very spirited and supportive.

A innovative sisterhood overnight was enjoyed by about thirty enthusiastic BBGs. This program consisted of upperclassman from Ediar and MZ Yoshanah kidnapping their freshman and bringing them back to the JCC. The night included Havdallah, dinner, a self-defense class, a sisterhood bonding activity, guided meditation, and lots of food of course. The overnight was a great bonding

experience for all.

“The programming at the sisterhood overnight was good and everything we did made the girls closer,” Effie Tsabari said. “After we were done I got to know a lot of the girls better.”

Another older tradition was revived this year. The B’nai B’rith Girls held a Mr. AZA Pageant. There were five contestants. Each contestant had to participate in a Formal wear, talent, and BBYO Trivia event. While all contestants showed valiant effort, in the end Sean Bernstein was crowned Mr. AZA. Also, during the competition the ladies of Ediar put on a bake sale as a chapter fundraiser.

“I am glad that I attended Mr. AZA, and I hope they keep the tradition alive,” Aly Friedman said.

In March, Many BBGs attended Shabbat Across America, a nationwide event. This year Shabbat Across America was held at Beth Israel Synagogue. The teens attended services at Beth Israel, ate Shabbos dinner together and participated in a few activities.

The event was definitely a success.

While this has been an excellent programming year for the B’nai B’rith Girls in Omaha, it is not over just yet. We just attended a Regional Convention with Kansas City and St. Louis BBYO at Camp Sabra from April 6-9. The theme of the convention was “The Real MAR”, a play on the reality show “The Real World”. BBYOers were treated to a program about Jewish values, a Holocaust Revisionist program, and a Hip Hop Shabbat. Conventions are always filled with huge amounts of spirit and fun, and this weekend was no exception.

If you want more information about becoming a member of BBYO, contact Rachel Blum at 334-6404 or rblum@jccomaha.org.

Abby Ginsburg is a senior at Burke High School.

The Bad Guy Wins

by SAMANTHA LONG The mindset of a human being can be so shallow at times that it’s shameful.

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been asked the mindless question of how a victim could be so stupid as to not report something as horrific as rape?

But in all reality, it is the person who’s asking this naive question who is the one that should be deemed stupid.

It should come as no surprise that the percentage of reporting rape is a mere 39 percent.

When a rape is reported the initial reaction of the majority is horrifying. Society searches for a reasonable answer as to why this atrocity has occurred. Sadly, they begin searching in the wrong place. The victim is interrogated. They are asked why this has happened to them, as if they could’ve prevented it.

The simple answer of “the man or woman who committed this act was a monster” is no longer a satisfactory response. Thanks to the assumption of innocence that we are required to have for the accused, the shadow of doubt is cast upon the victim.

News shows such as 20/20 and Dateline tend to focus on the person who has committed the crime rather than the victim.

With the attacker, America gets half an hour to sympathize with his or her life story and how they have been victimized by society.

Towards the end of the show, America gets five minutes to sympathize with the victim. By then the attacker is transformed from a monster, to someone who was simply misunderstood.

We are led to believe that the guilty party is in fact more of a victim. The attackers’ crimes are mitigated by the fact that their parents were abusive, or that they were severely teased as a child.

In all honesty, who cares? There are millions of people around the world with the same or worse circumstances, but they did not go out and rape an innocent person.

Granted, this standard of innocent until proven guilty is valuable, but it has been taken to an extreme level.

If every rape that ever occurred was reported to the police, only six percent of the accused would spend time in jail. Six percent.

What is wrong with the victims of today? They are terrified.

Terrified of the precedent that America holds of innocent until proven guilty.

Terrified of the fact that if they turn their attacker in, that they too may be sitting in their own living room one day listening to Barbara Walters sympathize with the monster who ruined their life.

Terrified that after the torture and the hurdles they will have to overcome to live through this nightmare of what we deem as simply “reporting the bad guy”, that the bad guy will win.

Ninety-four percent of the time, the bad guy does win. *Statistics retrieved from Rape Abuse and Incest National Network Website.

Samantha Long is a senior at Millard North.

MZ Yoshanah BBG #2053

by ARIELLE LEVINE President of MZ Yoshanah In high school everyone has things that they devote their time and effort to. For some people it’s sports or clubs, but for me it’s MZ. Since I joined BBYO last year the funky monkeys have been my sisters and best friends. Tuesday is my favorite day of the week, and by the next day I am already looking forward to the next time I can be with the amazing girls that are MZ, whether it is that weekend, or not until the next Tuesday. My life would be incomplete without these people.

It has been talked about that there is a member shortage in BBYO across the country, but I don’t see that here. We have 6 amazing freshmen who rocked out the penny drive at last convention, where we should have gotten the Spirit Award. For any of you nonBBYOers the Spirit Award is the largest award at the Winter Regional Convention (WRC). We deck out in crazy costumes that we design and create ourselves. Also, two of our freshmen are already on board. Amanda Bucher is Mit Mom, the person in charge of plan- The fingers read, left to ning rush (program for potential right:: Yehudi, which means members) and of training the new Hebrew, ahava, which members, and Jessie Morris who is means love, and shalom, which means peace. The our Secretary and Treasurer.

Starting my term as N’siah eye in the center has the (President) has been wonderful. We chai, which means life. have had wonderful attendance at meetings, programs, and just all around great sisterhood. I wouldn’t want to spend a huge majority of my time with anyone else except my amazing sisters. I love you all!!

Arielle Levine is a sophomore at Millard North.

What Makes Ediar BBG Great?

by EMILY GILLER President of Ediar The lovely ladies of Ediar BBG #710 have worked hard to accomplish so much. This past term we had a joint program with AZA #1 which turned out amazing. We all went to Julio’s for dinner and then went bowling at Cougar Lanes. The other big program we had was our council sleepover with our fellow BBGers, MZ Yoshanah. The whole night was focused on bonding with the other girls’ chapter.

That night we went to kidnap our freshmen and then brought them back to the JCC where we showed them how fun it is to be a BBG. Ediar, like the other chapters, has meetings every Tuesday. On average we get about eight to ten dedicated ladies to these meetings.

During these meetings we talk about upcoming programs, fundraisers, conventions and dances. We are always busy with some kind of program and upcoming event that there is never a boring moment!

I am proud of the dedication these girls show every week. Even our freshmen are excited to go to conventions and programs. I am proud to say that I am a part of a great chapter that will live on forever.

Emily Giller is a sophomore at Millard North.

Identity, Identity...BBG

by LESLIE GRAUL Every time I hear the word BBG, my heart skips a beat. This word is so much more than just three letters. It is love, trust, friendship, and Judaism. To be a B’nai B’rith Girls means you are now and forever a part of a long lasting tradition, a tradition of excellence, love, and sisterhood.

It is a tradition that has been going on since 1927, and continues today all around the world.There are BBGs in Bulgaria, Australia and Great Britain. These three little letters unite girls of all ages and races to be one identity.

There is a BBG cheer that says, “Identity, Identity. Who am I? A

BBG. I am one, the only one -there is so much I can do.”

I have yet in all my time in high school seen an organization that does so much for so many girls. It gives us confidence and leadership skills.

But that is not what is most important. BBG gives you friends who never turn from you. Most people do not realize how hard good friends are to find, but believe me, in the jungle that is called high school, they are. That is why I am a BBG! Leslie Graul is a junior at Westside High School.

Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 14, 2006

Imagine Open Borders 70 Years Ago In recent days, hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants and supporters of amnesty have marched in peaceful rallies cross the United States. Even in Omaha, more than 15,000 rallied at Heartland of America Park to protest this country’s immigration policies.

To be sure, the vast majority of illegal immigrants are hardworking people. They want what any parent wants--a better life for their family, political stability, and the opportunity for economic security and educational growth.

There’s nothing wrong with those goals, however, there is something wrong about how those goals are achieved.

John F. Kennedy said 60 years ago “we are a nation of immigrants.” Jews are intimately familiar with this concept, whether it’s five generations back or, as last year’s Passover issue depicted, “Jewish Omaha: a Global Village.”

One need only think back a mere 17 years when the Berlin Wall came down and the gates of the former Soviet Union were thrown open.

Jews who languished in prison for years (if not decades) were allowed to leave. Other Jews who had lost their jobs, their livelihood, their educational opportunities also lined up for visas into the United States.

They waited for months, sometimes years to gain legal entry into this country. Refuseniks who were allowed to leave prior to 1989--even under the refugee status provisions of U.S. immigration policy then--still had to have charitable organizations, family members or other individuals vouch for them, and promise to support them so they would not become a burden on the social service agencies of this country.

The Jewish community of Omaha did its share. As readers learned in the dramatic twopart story about Shirley Goldstein and her efforts to get Soviet Jews to safety in the U.S. and Israel, more than 300 Jews from the FSU made their way here.

They arrived after months of delay, in way

stations in Italy and Vienna. They completed mountains of paperwork. And they were greeted by a well-organized group of volunteers and staff from Jewish Family Service, who furnished apartments for them, drove them to doctors and social service agencies, taught them English, and more. They introduced them to their heritage, to the Jewish rituals and customs they had been unable to practice for centuries in their oppressive homeland.

Many of them have since become citizens; they own homes and have productive jobs.

Their children--as is often the case of immigrants--are high achievers, winning local awards, attending prestigious universities, even purchasing real estate as investments.

All this was accomplished under a quota--yes a quota--that were allowed to enter each year.

Now, just imagine if our organized Jewish community had snuck in this highly productive, well-educated group from the FSU. Or go back even further, 68 years ago, to 1938 when the Nuremberg Laws were enacted.

Some fled early. Lucky ones, like the 70+ brought here--legally--by Grand Island businessman David Kaufmann escaped the wrath of the Nazis. Jews aboard the SS St. Louis could see the twinkling lights of Miami but were not allowed to come ashore.

They were sent back to Europe and death.

Six million fellow Jews were not so lucky and perished.

Those refugees--who are fleeing oppression, from places like Sudan, for example, on whose side are Jewish activists who will march on

Washington on April 30--can still enter this country legally and hundreds do every year.

Unfortunately thousands more enter illegally and the U.S. Congress looks like it may extend amnesty again as it did in 1986. But 20 years ago, only two million illegal immigrants were allowed to continuing living here; this time it may be 11 million. What will it be 20 years from now: 60 million?

While U.S. immigration policy does need to be overhauled, it shouldn’t be eliminated.

Our borders need to be secure and Americans must be protected against terrorists who sneak in under the cover of darkness.

Illegal immigrants may be paying taxes but they should not receive in-state tuition or the right to vote as some are asking. Illegal immigrants can get in line--behind those who followed the rules. We welcome immigrants-legally--after background and medical checks and proof of support.

Then they too, like our great-grandparents who came to Ellis Island, our grandparents who fled Nazi oppression, and our refusenik friends, can become Americans.

Nazis on the Triborough Bridge?

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

by EDWARD I. KOCH AND RAFAEL MEDOFF Controversy recently erupted in New York City last month over the awarding of a huge construction contract to a British architect who had associated with an anti-Israel group.

Jewish leaders and political figures at first called for cancellation of the contract, but later backed down after the architect, Richard Rogers, announced he is severing his ties with ‘Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine.’

One may legitimately wonder at the sincerity of such a foxhole conversion. The dramatic termination of Rogers’s anti-Israel affiliation would certainly have been more believable if a $1.7-billion construction contract was not at stake. Be that as it may, the dispute raised important questions about the propriety of mixing business with politics.

If Rogers is a talented architect and his bid was competitive, does it really matter what he thinks of Israel?

Perhaps a lesson can be learned from a comparable quandary that faced New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia back in 1935.

That year, the city’s Bridge Authority purchased five hundreds tons of sheet steel to build the Triborough Bridge. The steel came from Germany. Nazi Germany.

The steel was evidently of good quality, and the price was cheaper than American steel.

Why not go with the better deal? It wasn’t as if Nazis were going to be marching across the bridge.

La Guardia didn’t see it that way.

Since Adolf Hitler’s rise to power two and a half years earlier, La Guardia had been one of his most persistent and vociferous critics.

Much to the consternation of the State Department, which was interested in maintaining good relations with Berlin, La Guardia denounced Hitler’s persecution of German Jews as the work of “a perverted maniac,” took part in a mock trial of Hitler at Madison Square Garden, and urged New Yorkers to refrain from purchasing German goods.

In a telegram to Bridge Authority chairman Nathan Burkan, the mayor announced that he did not want that “damned steel” in his city. “The only commodity we can import from Hitlerland now is hatred,” La Guardia declared...

In July 1935, mobs of German pogromists, led by Nazi stormtroopers, had rampaged through the Jewish community of Berlin, shouting “The best Jew is a dead Jew” as they viciously beat Jewish passersby and smashed the windows of Jewish-owned shops. More than three months had passed since those events, but La Guardia had not forgotten.

Although bedridden at Mount Sinai Hospital after a painful attack of sciatica, the feisty mayor swung into action when he heard about the steel contract.

In a telegram to Bridge Authority chairman Nathan Burkan, the mayor announced that he did not want that “damned steel” in his city.

“The only commodity we can import from

Hitlerland now is hatred,” La Guardia declared, “and we don’t want any on our country.”

Technically, the Bridge Authority was an independent agency that did not require the mayor’s approval for its construction purchases, but the mayor found grounds to block the deal: he bore responsibility for New Yorkers’ safety, and could not vouch for the reliability of Hitler’s steel. As he wrote to Burkan: “I cannot be certain of its safety unless I first have every bit and piece of German made material tested before used. Verstehen Sie [Do youunderstand] ?”

La Guardia took his share of heat for his one-man campaign against Hitler Germany.

Six thousand German-Americans held a rally in New York City and pledged to vote him out of office. Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels threatened to bomb New York City.

Secretary of State Cordell Hull complained that La Guardia’s actions were harming German-American relations.

The Little Flower was not fazed. “I run the subways and he runs the State Department-except when I abrogate a treaty or something,” he declared in classic La Guardia style.

Richard Rogers is not a Nazi, and the Jews of Israel are not the Jews of Hitler Germany.

But the principle that Fiorello La Guardia defended in 1935 is just as valid today: as much as we would prefer to separate politics from business, sometimes world events force them together.

Edward I. Koch served as mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989. Rafael Medoff is director of The David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies. They are authors of the forthcoming book, Confronting Antisemitism and the Holocaust.

(Founded in 1920) Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Terri Greenwood Advertising Executive Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; David Herzog; Jamie Meyerson; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joe Shyken; Michael Siegal; Nancy Skid; Dorothy Spizman; and Melany Weinstine.

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.

The Jewish Press is a constitutional committee of the Jewish Federation.

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.

Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.

Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org..

Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written.

Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.”

The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing.

All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request.

No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450.

Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $31 per calendar year U.S.; $36 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422.

Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE or e-mail to: 68154-2198 jpress@jewishomaha. org.

Nebraska Press Association

National Newspaper Association

April 14, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 13

Reaching Out to Interfaith Children

BEHIND THE H EADLINES

by RABBI JEROME EPSTEIN One of the most well-known sections of the Passover Haggadah tells the story of the four children. One is wise, we are told, one is wicked, one is simple, and one is so ignorant he does not even know what to ask. This fourth child is not described as dull or unwilling to learn.

He is not intellectually challenged. He is simply uneducated--generally, we assume, either because he is he is too young or because he has rejected a Jewish education--or perhaps because his parents have rejected it for him.

Studies show that large numbers of parents in intermarried households do not provide Jewish education for their children. Some do not want it; some actively choose to bring up their children in other religions or with no religion. Some reject it because they do not value it. Some reject it because they fear that such an education could cause conflict within the family, and they fear that teachers will not be sensitive to their life choices or the realities of their family life.

Others may not enroll their children in Jewish studies out of ambivalence or even because no one has asked them to do so urgently enough.

And some children with one Jewish parent are denied a Jewish education because they are not Jewish according to halacha, or Jewish law.

Halacha mandates that a person must

either be born to a Jewish mother or convert to be considered a Jew. Therefore the Conservative and movements Orthodox understand that a child whose father is Jewish but whose mother is not must be converted to be recognized as Jewish by the entire Jewish community.

In some ways this is a bitter paradox.

The more people know about Jewish life, learning, values and history, the more likely they are to choose to convert. The greater their exposure, the more powerfully they will feel pulled toward living a Jewish life. Yet the children of Jewish fathers who live in Jewish households are frequently denied the opportunity to learn more about Judaism because most day schools and congregational schools associated with the Conservative and Orthodox movements will not accept them. Those institutions are open only to students who already are Jewish according to Jewish law.

Recently the Conservative movement inaugurated Edud, an initiative to reach out to intermarried families. An important part of this initiative is a passionate engagement between those of us already living committed Jewish lives and the children of the intermarried.

That, we hope, will increase the chance that those children eventually will choose

to identify as Jews.

The Edud document, Al Ha-Derekh, calls for bold campaigns to motivate intermarried adults to provide both formal and informal Jewish education for their children. Parents of preteens should be encouraged to send their children to synagogue youth programs. Children born to non-Jewish mothers must be converted before they reach the age of bar or bat mitzvah. In order to welcome these children, we call upon congregational and day schools to develop policies that prothe mote Jewish education of the children of intermarried couples.

Special approaches and focused energy often will be required if a Jewish educational experience is to be meaningful.

The Jewish education that we offer must extend beyond the classroom. It must include informal experiences and personal influences that may compensate for the reality that one loved and admired parent is not Jewish. Because one of a child’s parents and many close relatives are not Jewish, that child may be exposed to mixed messages and conflicting influences.

We should not ignore or dismiss that truth. Instead we must provide those children with the best teachers, the most passionate models and the most inspira-

And if we are sensitive, as well as honest and straightforward as we tell the parents of children who are not halachically Jewish that eventually their children must be converted, we will spare both parents and children much anguish and hostility later.

tional experiences that our institutions have available.

If this new strategy is to be effective, synagogue and school leaders must devote special energy to parents. Creative approaches are required to help transform parents into partners in their children’s education. Special attention to these parents’ unique need and concerns will be required. Enrichment programs in a non-threatening environment can enhance the educational process.

And if we are sensitive, as well as honest and straightforward as we tell the parents of children who are not halachically Jewish that eventually their children must be converted, we will spare both parents and children much anguish and hostility later.

The second child in the Haggadah is considered the rasha, the wicked one, because he has excluded himself from the Jewish community. If we are not careful, we might find that many of the children born to today’s Jews define themselves as that wicked child--but we know that they are more like the one who did not even know what to ask. Those children will exclude themselves from our community if we do not teach them enough so that they can begin to ask their own questions.

We must not let that happen. Instead let us reach out, and through our Edud initiative let us inspire those who without our help would remain uneducated and outside the community of Jews.

Rabbi Jerome Epstein is Executive Director of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

United States LETTER TO THE EDITOR Israel as a Security Asset for the common equipment; 11. The ability to support American operations and to FOCUS ON ISSUES To the Editor: provide emergency air cover; and, Several years ago, a young man, I believe it was Yale Halperin, came to our home to solicit a pledge for the new Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. He didn’t have to work very hard. First, my mother, Ida, and Rose Blumkin, were neighbors and friends. Secondly, we wanted to honor our children and grandchildren with a donation.

Over the years, we visited the Home to see some of our old friends, and later, to visit my wife’s sister, Mollie.

After seeing all the wheelchairs, canes, etc., my thought was that this was a warehouse for old people. But not long ago, my wife, Jeanne, who was with me for almost 68 years, was diagnosed with a form of dementia.

Against all advice, including our doctor and family, I, Mr. Macho, became the primary caregiver, until stress put me in the hospital. While there, Shane Kotok and Shelly Fox came to visit and suggested a few days re-hab at the Home. Jeanne and I finally gave up our apartment of 29 years and moved to the Home.

In spite of all my fears, it was a wonderful surprise.

Our pictures, some of our furniture and precious memorabilia were brought in and the Home became our home. Unfortunately, after a short time, my wife fell.

After her surgery, she came back to the Home, to the care of the nurses and staff.

That same TLC given to my wife before she died has now been passed on to me. I have changed my mind 100%; the Home is not a warehouse, but a haven for seniors who no longer can care for themselves.

So, please, if you are contacted for a pledge to the new Blumkin Home, don’t hesitate. G-d works in mysterious ways; one never knows--one day you and I may be neighbors!

Dave Dvorkin

APRIL IS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH

Learn how to

Become A Donor

ORGANANDTISSUE DONATION: It’s all about Life.

(800) 718-LIFE

www.nedonation.org

by THOMAS NEUMANN In 1979, JINSA published a “quick reference guide” to the capabilities Israel brings to U.S.-Israel security cooperation. We review it periodically, revise it slightly and republish it when some people--including professors at Harvard and the University of Chicago--seem unsure why the U.S. regards Israel as a partner in a difficult region rather than the beneficiary of “The Lobby.” (See JTA’s article on page 3.)

Twenty-seven years after its debut, the list remains largely intact. Israel has: 1. A secure location in a crucial part of the world; 2. A well-developed military infrastructure; 3. The ability to maintain, service and repair U.S.-origin equipment; 4. An excellent deep-water port in Haifa; 5. Modern air facilities; 6. A position close to sea-lanes and an ability to project power over long distances; 7. A domestic air force larger than many in Western Europe and possessing more up-to-date hardware; 8. Multilingual capabilities, including facility in English, Arabic and the languages of the (former) Soviet Union; 9. Combat familiarity with Soviet/Russian-style tactics and equipment; 10. The ability to assist U.S. naval fleets, including

Israel and the United States are drawn together by common values and common threats to our wellbeing.

Is your community open for business?

TM

Find. Buy. Sell. Start!

www.bizfind.org Ph: 308-865-8429

12. A democratic political system with a strong orientation to support the United States and the NATO system.

In 1996, we noted that Israel’s military R&D capabilities complement those of the U.S.; its intelligence services cooperate closely with ours - to our benefit; and large numbers of American troops train in Israel.

In 2006, we would add that, in large measure through JINSA’s Law Enforcement Exchange Program, American police and law enforcement officials have reaped the benefit of close cooperation with Israeli law enforcement in the areas of first response and counter-terrorism practices.

Israel and the United States are drawn together by common values and common threats to our well-being.

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction across the Middle East and Asia, and the ballistic missile technology to deliver systems across wide areas require cooperation in intelligence, technology and security policy.

Terrorism and the origins and dissemination of violent Islamic radicalism also need to be addressed multi-laterally when possible.

In a volatile region so vital to the U.S., where other states cannot be relied upon, it would be foolish to disengage--or denigrate--an ally such as Israel. The war against terrorists and the states that harbor and support them will be long and hard, and success will depend in no small measure on the allies who stand with us and with whom we stand.

Tom Neumann is the Executive Director of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs. Read more JINSA articles at its website: www.jinsa.org/JINSAReports.

Page 14

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 14, 2006

Candlelighting Friday, April 14, 7:45 p.m.

Tuesday, April 18, 7:49 p.m.

Wednesday, April 19, no earlier than 8:51 p.m.

Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 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.

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY, 7:30 p.m.: Services followed by Oneg with guest speaker, Barry Rubin, who will discuss “Democrat Politics: Jewish Perspective.” A Passover Potluck will follow. Call 323.8885 to let us know what you will bring.

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

SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; K’tantan (K-2), 10:45 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 11:15 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; Evening Service, 7:55 p.m.

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, and Nashir Choir; Jewish Pot Pourri Class, Adult Torah Trope Class and From Your Heart to God’s Ears, 11 a.m.

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

THURSDAYS, noon: Rabbi Levin leads Discovering the Talmud: Lessons for Everyday Living--no class until April 27.

PASSOVER SCHEDULE Friday, April 14, Second day: Shaharit, 9:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Shabbat Hol Hamo’ed: Shaharit, 9:30 a.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv, 7:55 p.m.

Sunday (Hol HaMoed): Shaharit, 9 a.m.; Minha-Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m.

Monday and Tuesday (Hol HaMoed): Shaharit, 6:45 a.m.; Minha-Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday (Seventh day): Shaharit, 9:30 a.m.; MinhaMa’ariv, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, (Eighth day): Shaharit (Yizkor is said), 9:30 a.m.; Minha-Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.; Passover ends no earlier than 8:30 p.m.

SUSHI & SCHMOOZING Thursday, April 27, 7 p.m., for all young Jewish adults in their 20’s and 30’s. Cost is $10 per person. (See full article on page 8.)

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office

Hours:

Monday-

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

FRIDAY, Second Day of Pesach: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Jake and Susie Besser in honor of the birth of their granddaughter, the daughter of Michael and Anna Besser; Mincha, 7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Howard Gendelman and Bonnie Bloch in honor of Sierra Gendelman’s birthday; Mincha, 7:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:48 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Contact the office for Mincha/ Ma’ariv time.

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

TUESDAY-Erev Yom Tov: Mincha, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, Seventh Day of Pesach: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood; Mincha, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, Last Day of Pesach: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Yizkor, 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored

by Sisterhood; Mincha, 8 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:54 p.m.; Chametz should not be used before 10 p.m.

The synagogue office will close at noon on Tuesday, and will be closed all day on Wednesday and Thursday, April 19-20.

BEYT SHALOM

midnight.

WEDNESDAY, Pesach Seventh Day: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Priestly Blessing, 11:30 a.m.; Kiddush to follow davening Thursday, Pesach Eighth Day: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Yizkor, 11 a.m.; Priestly Blessings, 11:30 a.m.; Kiddush to follow davening; Moshiach feast, 5:30 p.m.; Yom Tov ends, 8:53 p.m.

FRIDAY, April 21: Minyan, 7 a.m.

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

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

FRIDAY: Passover Shabbat in Song, 7:45 p.m., led by Amy Zlotsky, with oneg provided by Amy Zlotsky, Kyle Hoagland and family, and Judy and Norman Zlotsky.

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

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; Passover stories on NET Radio, 3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: No LJCS Hebrew classes; ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel.

WEDNESDAY, 7 p.m. Jewish Music, led by Mark Miller, Holly Hefflebower, and Elaine Monnier

FRIDAY: Learners’ Minyan, 7:30 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

CHABAD HOUSE

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

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

FRIDAY, Peasch Day Two: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Priestly Blessing, 11:30 a.m.; Kiddush to follow davening SATURDAY, Chol HaMoed: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush to follow davening SUNDAY, Chol HaMoed: Shacharit, 8:30 a.m.

MONDAY, Chol HaMoed: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY, Chol HaMoed: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; All night study for Sheve’e Shel Pesach begins at

FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led

by Rabbi Maximo Shechet.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg.

WEDNESDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Rabbi Maximo Shechet.

THURSDAY: Services with Yizkor, 9 a.m. led by Rabbi Maximo Shechet.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will officiate.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath

the Surface, 9:15-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; Torah Corps Reader, Deb Marburg; Junior Youth Group Chocolate Seder, 7 p.m. at Temple.

SUNDAY: No Religious School.

TUESDAY, April 18: Family School and Dinner, 5:30 p.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, April 19: Conclusion of Passover Service and Yizkor, 10:30 a.m.; No Religious School; No Middle/High School.

ADULT EDUCATION THURSDAY, April 20: Adult Study with the Clergy with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, 10-11:30 a.m.

THURSDAY, April 20 & 27: Jewish Journey Group, End of the Line: Medical, Legal and Jewish Perspectives on Life and Death with Rabbi Azriel, Dr. Eugene Zweiback, and Robert Freeman, 7-8:30 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

Neighborhood Minyan will be closed on April 21-22.

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

FRIDAY, Second Day of Pesach: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Services, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, Chol HaMoed: Shabbat Morning Services, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; Passover stories on NET Radio, 3 p.m.

MONDAY, Chol HaMoed: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

TUESDAY: Plag Mincha, 6:30 p.m. earliest candle lighting; Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, Seventh Day: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Plag Mincha, 6:42 p.m. earliest candle lighting; Ma’ariv, 7:37 p.m.; No LJCS Hebrew classes THURSDAY, Eighth Day: Shacharit and Yizkor, 9:30 a.m.; End of Pesach, 9 p.m.

PERSONAL We deeply appreciate and wish to thank you for the kind thoughts and expressions of sympathy extended during our recent sorrow.

Liberty and the Faier Family

B’NAI MITZVAH Benjamin Adam Holmberg, son of Helene Cohn and Mark Holmberg will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, April 22, at Temple Israel.

Benjamin is a seventh grade student at Millard North Middle School.

His interests include select baseball, and football.

For his mitzvah project,

Benjamin helped with bowling and basketball for Special Olympics, and volunteered at the Salvation Army.

Benjamin has a sister, Andrea and a brother, Ethan.

Grandparents are Judy and Herb Kaiman, and Bonnie Gardner, and Harry Holmberg.

Laura Diane Klein, daughter of Dr. Harry and Janet Klein will

become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, April 22, at Beth El Synagogue.

Laura is a seventh grade Honor Roll student at Beveridge Middle School. She was selected to participate in the Duke Talent Identification Program.

Her interests include playing the guitar, basketball, tennis and she enjoys listening to music and hanging out with friends.

For her mitzvah project, Laura will make a donation to the Nebraska Humane Society.

Laura has two sisters, Sara and Emma, and three brothers, Daniel, Andrew, and Jacob.

Grandparents are Phyllis Schwartz, the late Dr. Maurice Schwartz, Alice Klein of New York and the late Bernard Klein .

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

April 14, 2006

The Way and the Ways

DEATHS

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Hol HaMoed Pesah The assigned reading for the Sabbath within Pesah includes the dramatic presentation of the 13 attributes of God’s nature, which figure so prominently in the S'lihot of the High Holy Day services. There is also brief mention of the three “pilgrimage” festivals of the year: Pesah, Shavuot and Sukkot--albeit not necessarily by those names.

But at the very beginning, there is a special plea of Moses, which goes all but unanswered.

Moses has been shaken by the sin of the Golden Calf.

Instinctively he pleads that the sin of the people be forgiven and that they be permitted to trek on toward the Promised Land. He refused an offer to be the progenitor of a new people to replace this one. And he prevails; the people are allowed to go on.

But Moses is unnerved by what has happened. And now he pleads to know the nature of his God: “Pray let me know Your ways.”

But the Lord does not explain Himself to Moses in any clean and simple manner. He announces to Moses only that He may be described by these 13 attributes.

The list is revealing and descriptive, but not sufficiently so and not definitively. And we are left--as Moses is-groping to know more.

A sharp eyed 19th century religious leader and Bible commentator put the problem clearly, by pointing out a grammatical oddity. When Moses asks to know God’s ways, the Hebrew word “ways” (drakhekha) is pointed by the Masoretes to read “ways”, but it is actually spelled in such a fashion that without the vowels, we would read it darkekha, “pray let me know Your way,” in the singular.

And our commentator suggested that in the two different readings, the word implies a special pleading: Moses is asking to know the way within the ways. Is there, Lord, some single principle that unites and identifies all the ways we think are Yours? Is there some criterion we may hold before us to know what is godly?

Alas, Moses is not given to know that one criterion and neither are we. The only answer he is given is that he must hold fast to his integrity and cease his questioning of God and his demanding of answers. The wise men find that the answers elude them.

ELLEN SUE KAUFMAN Ellen Sue Kaufman died March 13 at the age of 54.

Services were held at Golden Hill Cemetery.

She worked in the accounts payable department for First Data Corporation for 25 years.

She is survived by her mother, Rose Rosenberg, and step-father, Jacob Rosenberg; and her brother, Larry Kaufman.

Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or Jewish Women International.

DR. ABRAHAM FAIER Abraham “Abe,” Faier, DDS, died at the age of 93. A graveside service was held March 31 at Temple Israel Cemetery.

A 1936 graduate of Creighton Dental School, he served in WWII in the Dental Corps. He was in private practice for 35 years, and served on the faculty at Creighton University School of Dentistry for 33 years.

He was a life member of B’nai Brith, Tangier Shrine Temple, and the American Dental Association.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Liberty; sons and daughters-in-law, Matthew and Kristin Faier of Cookeville, TN, Jerry and Susan Faier of Glendale, AZ; grandchildren, Adam and Sharon Faier, Ashley, Heather and Jarrod, and Keith; and one great-grandchild.

Memorials to the Jewish Community Center.

EDITH JACOBSON COHEN Edith Jacobson Cohen died April 9. Services were held April 11 at Beth El Synagogue.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Walter Jacobson and Herman Cohen.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Joanie Jacobson; granddaughters, Carri Jacobson of Boston, MA, and Maggie Jacobson of Los Angeles, CA; and sister, June Goodbinder.

Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

ELLEN C. JOSEPH Ellen C. Joseph died April 8 at the age of 61.

She was preceded in death by her father, R. Max Canar.

She is survived by her mother, Ester Canar; brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Linda Canar; niece, Rachel Canar.

Memorial service will be held April 21 at 2 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Home Chapel.

located in JFS. The colorful room contains toys and materials selected to encourage expressive play through activities such as artwork, playing with dolls, puppets and role-playing. Play can be used as a window to observe and assess the child and as a door to open and enter for intervention.

According to Drelicharz, anytime a child has been exposed to a traumatic event, loved ones may want to consider seeking a professional’s advice to determine if the child is in need of counseling.

JFS therapists counseled more than 1,000 new clients in 2005 and 40% of these clients were children, according to Becki Brenner, executive director for JFS. When Drelicharz decided to become a therapist, she was inspired to help children dealing with social and emotional difficulties. Drelicharz has committed herself to the education, knowledge and experience of children’s issues. She has spent countless hours during her 12 years counseling children and their families.

“My role as a therapist is to put the many pieces of a very complicated puzzle together with clients that may not be able to verbalize their experiences. Play therapy gives me the tools to help make a difference in those children’s lives.”

For more information on play therapy, contact JFS at 330.2024.

Urgent news for people who took

SER O Q U E L GOLDBERG & OSBORNE 1-800-THE-EAGLE (1-800-843-3245)

www.1800theeagle.com

1439 So. 13th 341-2452

Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE

STUDENTS WITH BETTER GRADES It all starts with Newspapers PRINTING, COPYING and DIGITAL NETWORK

3706 South 132nd Street • 402/330-5050

Letterhead • Brochures • Newsletters Business Cards • Mailers • Postcards

EXECUTIVE OPPORTUNITIES Franchise opportunities available for senior and middle level executives who require bigger opportunities.

Call for free consultation.

402-330-7306

Statewide Classified CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING works! Place your 25 word ad into thousands of Nebraska homes for $195. Contact the Jewish Press at 334-6448 or call 1-800-3692850.

BANKRUPTCY: FAST relief from creditors. Statewide filing. Affordable rates. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-872-8327. www.steffenslaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code.

ENRICH YOUR life! Place and supervise high school exchange students. Training, support, extra income, and bonuses. Travel incentives. Host families also needed. Call Jodi 1-800-309-5506.

HOMEOWNERS - CONSOLIDATE now. Credit card or other debt getting out of hand.

Lower monthly payments. No equity required. Nationwide Mortgage. Direct lender. Call 1-800-665-1320.

ALL CASH candy route. Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route.

Includes 30 machines and candy all for $9,995. 1-888-755-1356. $$CASH$$ IMMEDIATE cash for structured settlements, annuities, law suit inheritances, mortgage notes & cash flows. J.G. Wentworth - #1 1-800-794-7310.

SELL YOUR business. Buy a business. Expand your business. Search for communities.

Search for available space. Find an opportunity. Get a loan. www.BIZFIND.org or phone: 308-865-8429.

HOT TUB buyers, buy direct from manufacturer, save $1,000 to $1,500. 20 models, $2,495 to $4,995. We deliver. For prices and specs call 1-800-869-0406. goodlifespa.com.

FULLER BRUSH Co. Distributors needed. Looking for serious people who could use extra money working from home servicing your area. No investment. 1-877-897-8042 before 10 p.m. CST. baumberg@gwtc.net.

MANAGER, WESTERN Kansas. Manage CHS operations: Wallace County Cooperative and Farmco, Inc. (12 locations including agronomy, energy, grain, feed).

Combined sales exceed $41 million. Need successful management/ag business background or degree, strong communication/PR/Agris skills. Steve Eck, c/o Jeri Derrig, Member Services, 2872 8th Ave. S., Fort Dodge, IA 50501. jderrig@mbrservices.com.

NOW HIRING for 2006 postal jobs $18/hour starting. Avg. pay $57K/year. Federal benefits, paid training and vacations. No experience needed! 1-800-584-1775 Ref #P1011.

SERVICE MANAGER opening at truck dealership in Lexington. Responsibilities would include: Shop operation, warranty administration, shop invoices and employee relations.

Call T.J. at 800-869-0353.

TRAVEL THE USA for pay! Deliver “new” RVs, buses and trucks to all 48 states and Canada. Get paid to see the country. www.horizontransport.com.

CHASE COUNTY Community Hospital seeks a full-time Ultrasound Technologist.

Mobile service for three rural communities. Must be ARDMS certified. 308-882-7111; http://www.chasecountyhospital.com/.

DRIVERS: LOCAL, dedicated, regional & OTR drivers needed - pay up to 43 cpm, average $50K/year + benefits. Only 90 days CDL experience required. Buy your own 2004 or 2005 Freightliner conventional - $0 down, no credit check, low payments. 1-877-4525627.

®

Seroquel®, an antipsychotic drug, has been linked to diabetes, pancreatitis, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and even death. If you or a loved one have experienced any of these health problems, call us now toll free at 1-800-THE-EAGLE for a free consultation.

We practice law only in Arizona, but associate with lawyers throughout the U.S.

Offices in Phoenix and Tucson ®

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

Page 15

WARRANTY YOUR ride - We have warranties for cars, trucks, RV’s, motorcycles and ATV’s. Call today for a free quote! 1-800-406-3050.

Jewish Family Service Offers Play Therapy for Its Youngest Clients

by SHARON BARGAS JFS Project Coordinator Jewish Family Service is introducing play therapy to its list of services, which will be available to the community in the Spring of 2006. Teresa Drelicharz, licensed therapist and member of the National Association for Play Therapy, is certified to utilize play therapy techniques in her work with children. Play therapy is the use of play situations in a therapeutic setting. Whereas most adults may find relief in talking over problems, children often have difficulty in expressing thoughts and feelings through words, and play can serve as a medium for them to express themselves.

“I’ve always felt a close connection with children,” says Drelicharz. “I believe it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with a child as part of the play therapy process.”

Although play therapy has been in existence for some time, it is unique to the Omaha community. There are a limited number of therapists that have experience specifically working with children. Play is important for children’s physical, social and emotional learning and development. According to Drelicharz, play therapy is most effective for children ages three to eight-years-old, but can be used for older children as well.

Children will be seen in a newly created playroom

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

ys da 7 ek en we Op a

VAN OPERATION looking for OTR driver. Home weekends, 800-284-5874.

CALL 1-800-7-PARENT

DRIVERS: REEFER. Recent average $1.29/mile. No experience? On the road training available. Late model assigned equipment. Great benefits. 800-771-6381, www.primeinc.com.

FLATBED DRIVERS: $.38 per mile to start, $.40 within 90 days. $0 down. O/O also available. Hinz Trucking, Inc. 800-523-4631 ext. 310.

OWNER/OPERATORS: I.T.L. Tanklines will train owner operators to pull tank trailers.

Higher revenue per mile. Call Brian M-F, 8-5, at 800-728-2675.

Page 16

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 14, 2006

Mobilizing Continued from page 1 Members of the Sudanese community will be joined by others from Nebraska-based community groups and faith communities to raise awareness and join in the “Million Voices for Darfur� effort, a campaign to flood the White House with millions of postcards urging President Bush to use the power of his office to support a stronger multinational force to protect the people of Darfur.

The Anti-Defamation League’s Plains States Region office is coordinating the “Million Voices� postcard effort with Omaha’s Jewish youth organizations and members of the Sudanese youth community. ADL’s Manhigim and Youth Leadership Mission alumni will be helping to facilitate the postcard distribution and collection.

ADL Associate National Director Bob Wolfson noted that, “The American Jewish community has been at the front of the coalition to bring the Darfur crisis to the attention of world. As Jews, we know all too well that we cannot remain silent when others are being slaughtered or even threatened.�

Wolfson added, “Nebraska currently has a huge concentration of Sudanese refugees, so this issue is not just about current horrors in Sudan but the effects of such horrible events around the world.�

For more information about the April 30 rally, please contact the ADL/CRC office or log on to www.adlplains.org or www.jewishomaha.org.

“...to remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all...�

--Elie Wiesel

Jewish Press Looking for Yiddish Theater Veterans, Jewish Educators, Next Generation in Business

by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Freelance writer Leo Adam Biga has interviewed former Omahans in the arts and Holocaust survivors, among his many articles that have appeared in the Press.

Now he’s looking for anyone who performed in Yiddish theater or who had a connection to it.

In addition, the Press is seeking names of Jewish educators--from preschool through university--for its Sept.

22 New Year’s issue: “People of the Book: Challenges In and Out of the Classron� aw well as for its continuing series, “Next Generation in Business.�

To submit names, call 402.334.6450 or e-mail ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.

Latin/Jazz Artist Says Jewish Music Is Just “Another Piece of the Puzzle�

After graduation from Oberlin, he dedicated himself to mastering the tres and another traditional Latin stringed instrument, the Puerto Rican cuatro. He also plays all types of guitars. While performing at Western Heritage, Lapidus accompanied himself as he sang pleasant songs in Spanish.

by JOAN K. MARCUS Critics have written about Lapidus’ talents, noting, “In his latest recording, ‘Vive Jazz,’ Ben blends jazz Dr. Ben Lapidus, 33, a Jewish lecturer and clinician, with Latino music in ways that go way beyond clever. brought his wisdom and talent to the Durham Western Latin jazz is really just salsa with a bit of jazz Most Heritage Museum earlier this month. Attendees were improvisation sprinkled on top. Lapidus combines Latin treated to an evening of music and history followed by a music with modem jazz so effectively question and answer session. that it’s difficult to tell where one genre He is the leader of a Latin jazz ends and the other begins.� group called Solido Isleno and Some of his previous albums include has performed with many stars arrangements of familiar Jewish Latin of both jazz and Latin music. such as “Hine Ma Tov� and songs The connection to Latin music “Oseh Shalom.�

Others are less obvious. stems back to members of his such as “Heebara�, a melody that that father’s family that settled in employs a vaguely Semitic scale.

Latin America before and after an interview with In Forward, The World War II. Lapidus said, “I’m a musician whose Lapidus claims to be the first is academia.�

He earns his living hobby Jewish baby to be born in by playing the music that he loves.

Hershey, PA, in 1972. His famHowever, he holds adjunct teaching ily was from Brooklyn, but they positions at various universities around moved many times before New York and publishes scholarly artigoing back to New York.

Lapidus performs at the Durham Ben cles.

He has been a scholar in residence Lapidus made his first trip to Heritage Museum.

Western at the Jewish Museum of New York since Cuba to study music in 1998 Credit: Jeff Barnes 2003.

It has included taking North and has returned several times American Jews to Havana and other parts of Cuba in to conduct and participate in humanitarian missions to meet with Jewish communities. order with the Jewish Museum for the Jews of Havana. He is “I actually have relatives with my same last name who currently working on a project that will focus on tradilive in Havana,� he added. Lapidus always includes still tional Jewish songs instead of the original compositions at least one Jewish theme on his albums. “Jewish music that dominate his albums so far. is just another piece of the puzzle,� he said. Future After many moves, the Lapidus family settled in a New albums will feature Jewish liturgical music in a York neighborhood comprised mostly of people of Caribbean setting.

There have been Jewish musicians Dominican, Puerto Rican and Cuban descent. “My involved in Latin music for a very long time, he noted. father, a physician, was also a professional musician who “I was asked to perform at a festival in Colombia, played piano and accordion in the Catskills, so I was South America, and the concert date fell on Rosh exposed to excellent music at an early age,� said Lapidus.

Hashanah.

I just didn’t feel comfortable working on that “They imbued a sense of seriousness about music.� day so I told the festival director and they actually He earned two degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of changed the date,� he said. “The more that I travel, I Music in Ohio, in music and comparative literature. Later, discover how accommodating people can be.� he received masters and PhD. degrees in music from City Lapidus lives in Brooklyn in what he calls “a very University of New York. His doctorate is in ethnomusidynamic community about 15 blocks away from where cology, but his music sounds anything but academic. my grandparents first came to this country. It’s a great Lapidus played jazz type Latin music on a tres, a three, jumping off point for me with Spanish-Caribbean music double-stringed instrument at the concert at the and Latin jazz.�

Western Heritage Museum. The tres was really the preFor more information about upcoming events at the cursor to the piano in Latin music. He has spent many Western Heritage Museum, call Jeff Barnes at of the past 10 years investigating the instrument’s role in 444.5071, ext. 571; or visit: www.dwhm.org.

Cuban music.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

GOLFING GREEN CARD

Order your 2006 Green Card now and you could win:

A Nike CPR Hybrid Utility Wood only $ A pair of FootJoy golf shoes plus tax Two boxes of Titleist Pro V-1 golf balls!

65

PLAY OVER 180 COURSES FREE OR AT HUGE DISCOUNTS! THE BEST DEAL ON GOLF EVER!

CALL TODAY: 1-800-401-PUTT (7888)

41"3& 5*.& Lexus Of Of Omaha Omaha Would Would Like Like To To Say Say “Thank “Thank You�

You� To To Our Our Clients Clients Who Lexus Who Have Have Helped Helped Us Us In In Winning Winning The The “Elite “Elite Of Of Lexus� Award Award For For Customer Customer Satisfaction Satisfaction 15 Lexus�

14 Years Years In In A A Row. Row. Lexus Lexus Of Of Omaha Omaha Is Is 11 Of Of 43 Dealerships Dealerships In In The The Country, Out Out Of Of 213 213 That That Have Have Won Won This This Prestigious Prestigious Award Award Every Country, Every Year Year It It Has Has Been Been Available.

Available.

You In The “Best Of Of Omaha�

Omaha� Poll.

Poll.

You Have Have Also Also Voted Voted Us Us Best Best New New Auto Auto And And Best Best Used Used Car Car Dealer Dealer In The “Best

Once Again, Thank You You! Omaha!

Once Again, Thank

MEN N TO YEARS OF AGE N SMOKERS AND NONSMOKERS N AVAILABILITY VARIETY OF SCHEDULES N

$"-- 50%":

14-Time “Elite of Lexusâ€? Winner For Customer Satisfaction 13025 W. Dodge Road • 333-6400 • 1-800-632-5398 VISIT US AT OUR WEB SITE: www.lexusofomaha.com

&"3/ 61 50 "44*45 .&%*$"- 3&4&"3$)

2004

2OSE 3TREET ,INCOLN WWW MDSPS COM