April 23, 2004

Vol. LXXXIII No. 34 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

2 Iyyar, 5764 April 23, 2004

Philanthropist Phil Sokolof Dead at 82

by JOAN K. MARCUS Phil Sokolof, the Omaha multi-millionaire who tried to change people’s eating habits, died April 15 at the age of 82. His wife, Ruth Rosinsky Sokolof, preceded him in death.

Services were held April 18 at Temple Israel.

In 1965, at the age of 43, Sokolof suffered a near-fatal heart attack that changed his outlook on life. It was after this attack that he testified before Congress to help pass a bill that funded a $150 million dollar government study that lead to his establishment of the National Heart Savers Association in 1985. This organization was aimed at promoting cholesterol awareness among the public and the food industry.

He didn’t solicit contributions, but he spent more than $15 million of his own money on a visible campaign in newspapers, magazines and television appearances. In his full-page advertisements, he accused food processors of “poisoning America!”

Some of these advertisements cost Sokolof more than $550,000 and appeared in The World-Herald, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. He even spent more than $2 million for ads that ran during the Super Bowl.

He chose to spend his money on advertising campaigns--rather than medical research because he felt he could get more for his dollars if people knew him.

“The fact that I am spending my own money is part of my credibility,” Sokolof

insisted.

After the campaign started, numerous companies changed the oils they used, but few of them attributed the change to Sokolof. Heart Savers conducted free cholesterol testing clinics around the country.

According to Sokolof, cholesterol is the one fatty substance that under certain circumstances builds up within blood vessels and reduces blood flow. In later years, Sokolof targeted McDonalds and urged them to change their cooking habits as well.

Sokolof’s war on cholesterol continued when he targeted drug companies for raising prices on cholesterol lowering drugs.

He cited major studies that proved the drugs have reduced heart attack deaths by 42% and strokes by 28%.

“We are elated by these figures, but we are also disgusted by the actions of the drug companies when they raise the prices on these drugs so that they are inaccessible to countless Americans who could live longer and be healthier if they could afford the drugs!” Sokolof said.

Drugs that cost pennies to make were priced from $1.50 to $3.30 a piece, according to Sokolof. In 1990, one of the major drug companies committed to holding price increases within the range of other leading prescription medicines.

During his life, he wanted to contribute in order to save people’s lives. Since he had always worked hard at his company, Phillips Manufacturing Company, he wanted to begin the association without solicit-

Phil Sokolof ing donations.

Phillips Manufacturing Company supplied steel components for construction. Phil sold the company in 1992 and continued to pursue other investments. He said he “would probably not run out of money” and that he “would continue to try influence the American public” as long as he could.

In 1998, Sokolof donated two million dollars to the Jewish Community Center to help finance a new fitness center. The gift was the largest individual contribution ever made to the JCC. The fitness center, renamed the Sokolof Health and Fitness Center, was begun in December of 1998.

Sokolof said he hoped the building would

help continue his effort toward healthier living.

In 1997, Sokolof was chosen to be a member of the Ak-Sar-Ben Court of honor.

The Court was established in 1988 to honor Nebraskans each year who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, achievement and courage.

Another of Sokolof’s significant contributions to Omaha was the annual Ruth Sokolof Christmas Party. Each year, he contributed cash and gift certificates so that blind children could go Christmas shopping at the Westroads Mall. His late wife, Ruth, was a founder of the J.P. Lord Preschool for the Visually Impaired.

Each child receives $100 and is escorted on a shopping spree by a sighted “friend.”

Sokolof added, “It’s good for the volunteers, too, because some of them have never been exposed to children with visual disabilities.”

Sokolof is survived by his daughter, Karen Javitch; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Chrissie Sokolof of Coconut Grove, FL; three grandchildren, Jennifer Javitch of Minneapolis, MN, Mark Javitch of New York City; and Rachel Javitch, a student at the University of Wisconsin, and Phil Sokolof of Florida; sister and brother-in-law, Soralee and Jerry Cohn; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rich and Doris Rosinsky, Jerry and Charney Rosinsky, Phyllis and Harvey Aronson.

Memorials to Nebraska Foundation for the Visually Impaired.

Hadassah Presents “Rappin’with the Rabbis”

Sharon Wins Big with Bush as U.S. Shifts Policy on West Bank

by JOANIE JACOBSON for the Omaha Chapter of Hadassah Omaha’s pulpit rabbis will be featured at a community forum to benefit Hadassah Israel Education Services (H.I.E.S.) on Wednesday, May 12, 10-11:30 a.m., at Beth Israel Synagogue. An optional buffet lunch will follow.

“Rappin’ With The Rabbis” was first presented last year, and because of its unique format and spirited discussion, the organization voted to offer it again this year. The 2004 participants will include: Rabbis Mendel Katzman, Howard Kutner, Mordechai Levin and Craig Marantz. (Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will not be available.)

by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA)-One historic concession deserves another.

Just four months after Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon--the father of the settlement movement-stunned Israelis by pledging to evacuate some settlements, he got his payback from President Bush, who reversed decades of U.S. policy by recognizing Israel’s claim to parts of the West Bank.

It was compensation, with interest: Sharon had scored perhaps the most stunning diplomatic triumph in the Left: President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon shake hands during a news conCredit: Paul Morse/White House.

U.S.-Israeli alliance in a gen- ference at the White House on April 14. eration.

The Palestinians had agreed to Israel's claim to some “In light of new realities on the ground, including settlements in exchange for land swaps in non-binding already existing major Israeli population centers, it is negotiations in 2000-2001 shepherded by thenunrealistic to expect that the outcome of final-status President Clinton. But Bush’s commitment came withnegotiations will be a full and complete return to the out any mention of land from Israel and was widely armistice lines of 1949,” Bush said April 14 at a White seen as a significant shift in U.S. policy in the region.

House appearance with Sharon after the two leaders According to a senior Israeli official, land swaps met. “It is realistic to expect that any final-status agree- weren’t even discussed this time around. ment will only be achieved on the basis of mutually It was a soaring historical moment fraught with grindagreed changes that reflect these realities.” ing political realities.

The statement, reiterated in a letter to Sharon, repreBush needs a Middle East success to bolster a repusents the first time the U.S. government has provided a tation as a bold foreign policy leader that flags with formal commitment to Israel's claim on parts of the each U.S. casualty in Iraq.

West Bank.

Continued on page 6

Rabbi Mendel Katzman Chabad of Nebraska

Rabbi Howard Kutner Beth Israel Synagogue

In a rare, joint public appearance, the rabbis will answer questions from the audience on a variety of topics, of interest to the Jewish community locally, nationally and around the world. Questions will be submitted in writing prior to or during the program and may be directed to one or all of the panelists.

Continued on page 3

Inside

This Week: JNF Kids’ Page for Yom Ha’Atzmaut: Page 4 Mother’s Day Concert at Temple Israel: Page 2

America Decides 2004 Nancy Thompson: Page 5

Coming This Month: Mother’s Day Gift Guide on April 30 Scholar to Speak on Gibson Movie at Clergy Institute: Page 11

Larry Raful Named Dean of Touro Law Center: Page 12

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 23, 2004

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS SATURDAY, APRIL 24 Outreach Event, 3 p.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, APRIL 25 Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Bible Study Group, 11 a.m. at Beth El C Kids Snack and Learn, 11:30 a.m. at Beth El Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration, noon L OTYG Board Meeting, noon at Temple Israel I HAZAK Program, 1:30 p.m. at Beth El P MONDAY, APRIL 26 & YES Program, 10 a.m.

S “Soul of the Text” Class, 11 a.m.

A JELS Teacher Training Program, 7 p.m.

V TUESDAY, APRIL 27 E JELS/ADL Lunch & Learn, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Adult Education, 6 pm at Temple Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Federation Executive Committee Meeting, 6 p.m.

Federation Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

C L I P & S A V E

C L I P & S A V E

to Feature Cantor Wendy Shermet and her Friends

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN major roles in operas and operettas including The Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Tender Land, Gianni Schicchi, and HMS Pinafore. She A Mother’s Day Concert, described by Cantor Wendy also sings with the Omaha Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum Shermet as “a wonderfully diverse concert” will be per- and the Temple Israel Octet. formed on Sunday, May 9, 4 p.m., at Temple Israel.

Riva Capellari is a graduate of the University of Michigan “The concert will be highlighted by fabulous singers School of Music and is currently an adjunct vocal instrucof different backgrounds and faiths who are all per- tor at Johnson County Community College in Overland sonal friends and colleagues Park, Kansas, and the of mine. We are getting Conservatory of Music at the together to sing selections University of Missouri in from opera, oratorio, music Kansas City. She has theater, and art song,” said appeared in leading roles in the cantor.

The Marriage of Figaro, Singing with Cantor Rigoletto, and Lucia di Shermet will be Dr. Tamara Lammermoor. Having perField, a member of Temple formed with orchestras, Israel who occasionally choral groups, and chamber sings with or substitutes for music ensembles in several Cantor Shermet; Jerry states, Capellari is also a Brabec, music minister at St. soloist at Seventh Church Paul United Methodist Christ Scientist in Kansas City.

Church; Riva Capellari from Not a stranger at Temple, Westport Presbyterian Jerry Brabec has been conChurch in Kansas City; and ducting the High Holiday Reverend Mister Michael choir since 1999. Minister of Magiera, a sixth year semimusic at St. Paul United nary student at Our Lady of Methodist Church, Brabec Guadalupe Seminary. received a master of music Thanks to donors, the degree from the University concert’s fund raising efforts of Nebraska at Omaha. He will help support musical sang with Robert Shaw from enrichment at Temple.

1994 to 1998 and with the Cantor Wendy Shermet of Temple Israel Cantor Shermet said all proRobert Shaw Festival ceeds will go towards music education and program- Singers for their Carnegie Hall concerts in 1998. A ming. Others can also contribute to the Temple Israel member of Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum, Brabec was also Music Fund. “Any amount is deeply appreciated,” she the associate artistic director of the Omaha Clarion acknowledged.

Chorale, artistic director of the Kanesville Chorus and Cantor Shermet, who has been with Temple since the Renaissance Faire of the Midlands and has sung in July 2001, graduated from the School of Sacred Music area theatre, cabaret, and commercial productions. at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Michael Magiera, starting out with Micahel Korn and New York. She also earned a master of music degree The Philadelphia Singers, has been a professional musifrom the New England Conservatory of Music in cian for 28 years. In addition to The Philadelphia Boston. In addition to serving congregations in the Singers, Magiera has been a featured soloist with The Seattle and Los Angeles areas, she has performed Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of extensively as a singer, actress, composer, arranger, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Opera Theater, Baltimore pianist, and music director at venues such as the Symphony, Delaware Symphony, and San Diego Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles Opera. A graduate of Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Opera Company; Opera Metropolitana de Caracas, Arts, Magiera was a finalist in the International Luciano Venezuela; Seattle Choral Company; Sante Fe Desert Pavarotti Competition. He has performed leading roles Chorale; Washington Opera; and Annapolis Opera. from Rigoletto, Madama Butterfly, The Barber of Seville With a doctorate in vocal performance and vocal and many other works throughout Germany and pedagogy from the University of Colorado as well as a Switzerland. He hopes to be ordained a Roman bachelor of science in nursing, Dr. Tamara Field runs a Catholic priest in May 2005. small private voice studio and works as a nurse manTickets to the concert are $10 each. A brief reception ager for Alegent Midlands Hospital in the critical care will follow the concert. and emergency departments. A soloist in the Omaha “It’ll be fun!” declared Cantor Shermet, “and it’s a and surrounding areas, she has performed several great way to spend part of Mother’s Day.”

“Switch Partners” at Blumkin Home

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 “PATTER” Program, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Crash Course in Hebrew Reading, noon WRJ-O Donor Tea, noon at Temple Israel Social Justice Club (Grade 7-12), 5:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Adult Education, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Adult B’nai Mitzvah Classes, 7 p.m. at Beth El Spring Dance Concert, 7:30 p.m.

C L I P & S A V All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated.The Jewish Press is not E THURSDAY, APRIL 29 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m.

Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Jewish Wisdom for the 21st Century with Rabbi Levin, noon at Beth El Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

Israeli Dancing, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El Spring Dance Concert, 7:30 p.m.

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)

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Members of Beth El’s Association for Mitzvot (BEAM) worked in the kitchen, the small dining room and entertained residents on Sunday, April 11, during the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s annual “Switch Day” Among the synagogue’s 25 volunteers who helped staff the Home were, clockwise from top left: Andy Greenberg, Larry Shapiro, Melissa Schop, Joanie Jacobson, and Toby Schonfeld, who chairs the committee.

April 23, 2004

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Budapest 51 Years Later

by RAMI ARAV (Editor’s note: Dr. Arav, a professor of at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Director of the Bethsaida Excavations, was inspired to write his family’s story after reading in the Passover issue of the Press about Ellie Greenspoon, an artist whose Hungarian family survived the Holocaust. Part I appeared last week; this is Part II.) The terrible years of the war in Hungary left many Jews and non-Jews homeless, displaced and seeking refuge all over Europe. One day, my grandmother saw a lady with a young child on the street where she and my mother lived. She was a Christian Romanian who fled to Budapest. Without hesitation, my grandmother offered to let her stay with them.

“I have place only for one of you,” my grandmother said. “You can come with us and the girl can stay with some

friends I know.”

My grandmother--persecuted and with hardly anything to eat, but she could not see the mother and child remain homeless. When my mother came back from work, she realized that she had to share the small apartment with a woman she had never met. It was not unusual during the war.

A few years earlier my mother was forced out of school due to the new laws prohibiting Jews in higher education.

She studied to become a tailor and worked for a garment shop downtown.

Life in the small apartment was difficult. Sometime after she had arrived, the Romanian woman came to my mother with a request. “My daughter will soon have her communion; I do not have any money to buy her clothes. Could you please sew a dress for her?”

My mother agreed. Without even see-

ing the girl or taking measurements, she sewed a dress from surplus at the shop.

Fast forward to 1995.

“Please come in,” repeated the woman at the door. “We never met, but you must be the woman who sewed my communion dress 50 years ago…are you? You never saw me wearing it...”

“I do remember,” my mother said after a while. “Are you the daughter of the Romanian woman who lived with us?”

“Yes, I am… we never met.”

“Yes, and I never saw you wearing the dress.”

Then the woman said, “I still have a picture of the dress. It was a wonderful present. I never had the chance to thank you. Would you like to see the picture?”

My mother entered and we followed.

The apartment consisted of two small rooms and a small kitchen. Few pieces of furniture were in the living room near

an old ceramic fireplace; large windows opened to the narrow street below.

The woman hurried to a cabinet, pulled out a shoe box filled with photographs and came back to us. Her fingers went quickly over the pictures and then she stopped, pulling out an old brown picture. “Here it is” she said smiling.

We looked at the picture. It showed a little girl wearing a pretty white dress kneeling and holding her hands in prayer with her eyes lifted upward. “Was not this dress wonderful?” she said.

“Absolutely,” my mother said. She reached into her bag for a tissue and then the two women sat on the couch, wiping tears from their eyes. “It suited you.”

Then the woman turned to my mother.

“I happen to have another copy of this picture,” she said. “Would you like to have it?”

“Sure,” my mother said, crying.

Will there be enough (Jewish) money to go a r o u n d ? ...How can we pool our resources to improve Jewish education for adults and children? ...Would a Rabbi Mordechai Levin Beth El Synagogue community high school be the best thing for our teenagers?...What does Judaism say about homosexuality?...Can wedding ceremonies be performed outside the synagogue? ...Who speaks for the Jewish com-

munity at large? ...What is the relationship between the synagogues and the Federation?

There are any number of important issues that Rabbi Craig Marantz face us as a Temple Israel community in the coming months and years, and the resolution of these issues will, most definitely, affect the quality of Jewish life in Omaha...or lack of it.

Working together is key. Identifying

mutual needs and setting common goals is essential. Asking the necessary questions and providing some answers in a public setting is one good way to “really get things done.”

A person may attend only the program (no charge) or choose to stay for a buffet lunch ($13.50 per person) following the program. Sitter service is available upon request. Contributions to H.I.E.S. along with reservations for “program only” or “program and lunch,” must be made by May 5. Please mail reservations to Julie Stein, 5264 No. 110 Cir., Omaha, NE 68164. For more information, call Joanie Jacobson, 554.0500. The event committee includes Patty Nogg, Bette Kozlen, Debbie Kronick, Julie Stein, Karin Levine and Esther Wax.

“Rappin’ with the Continued from page 1 When Bette Kozlen, creator and chairman of the first “Rappin’' with the Rabbis,” asked me to chair this year’s event, I immediately said “yes.”

How many opportunities do we have to collectively ask our religious leaders the questions that concern us most? How many times do we see them all at the same table, prepared to state their positions in a public forum?

The late Art Grossman used to say, “The only way to really get things done is ‘eyeball to eyeball, knee cap to knee cap.’” So it is with “Rappin’ with the Rabbis.” This program puts the issues clearly on the table, allows us to speak directly to one another, and clarifies where we are and where we need to go.

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Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 23, 2004

Jacob’s Ladder Art Exhibit Begins Omaha Synagogue Tour

by JORDANA L. KURTZMAN for the Friedel Jewish Academy If you’re of the mind that one needs to step into a museum to see great works of art, you may want to reconsider that notion. Beginning next week, the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center and Friedel Jewish Academy will be touring a beautiful art exhibit, created by the students of the preschool and Jewish day school.

The two schools have joined forces to create this fabulous art display of multi-media collage on canvases, using Jacob’s Ladder as the theme. Carole Greenberg, the CDC’s Art Director, and Julie Phillips, Friedel’s art teacher, headed up the project which involved the CDC’s four-year-old preschoolers and all of Friedel’s students.

Students Tal Margalit, left, Aaron Nissen, Amythest Wertheim, William McGauvran and Benjamin Chamberlin show off their artwork, guided by Friedel art teacher Julie Phillips and CDC Assistant Director Carole Greenberg.

Using a sculpture created by Friedel’s students as a model, Phillips and Greenberg told the children the story of Jacob’s Ladder. The art teachers explained how the twelve stones argued about which one of them would get to be the stone Jacob would lay his head upon while he slept and dreamt in the desert, but when they realized that if they all came together to form one stone, they would all succeed. Phillips said that the children readily understood the correlation of “the idea that as Jews, we are all stronger in our unity.”

The women wanted to highlight the project around a theme that wasn't as familiar to the children as Shabbat or the cyclical Jewish holidays. “The story of Jacob’s ladder teaches us about unity, which fits in with the CDC and Friedel doing this art project together,” said Greenberg. Being teaching artists, both Carole and Julie wanted to use a Jewish story that had concrete symbols in it so that the children would have a better understanding of the story itself. In choosing the account of Jacob’s Ladder, they selected a story that the children could visualize easily through depictions of the ladder and the angels.

This joint Friedel Jewish Academy/Child Development Center project was made possible by an Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman grant. The art work will be on display at Temple Israel this week, at Beth Israel the week of the May 3, and at Beth El during the week of the May 10. For further information about the art display, call Julie Phillips at 334.0517 or Carole Greenberg at 334.6414.

MZ Yoshanah Hosts Chocolate Seder

by SHAYNA KURLAND President, MZ Yoshanah BBG What an exciting night in Council Bluffs during Passover! There were smiles all around when the girls of MZ Yoshanah BBG #2053 joined the congregation at B’nai Israel in a joyous service and delicious potluck oneg. The girls helped lead services, complete with a Passover version of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”

A chocolate seder followed the oneg for MZ. Chocolate milk was gulped, chocolate matzo was gobbled, and bittersweet chocolate was… well, tasted.

The committee chairmen, Angela Friedman and Naomi Fox, were rewarded with many laughs and smiles from the girls, which was proof in itself that the program was successful.

The chocolate seder has been a tradition for us, as it provides an excellent opportunity for our entire chapter to celebrate our Jewish heritage and experience Passover in a fun way.

Why was this night different from all other nights?

Guiltless binging on chocolate!

All in all, the congregation of B’nai Israel was very happy to have such a fine group of young women visit the synagogue to join in the Passover festivities!

Let the Games Begin

by LESLIE EADES for NCJW-Omaha Section The National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section invites the community to Installations on Sunday, May 2, 2-5 p.m., at Ironwood Country Club. The Installations, emceed by local humorist Mary Maxwell, will be held from 2-3 p.m. High tea and games will follow: Mah Jongg, Pan, Bridge, Canasta, Shang Hai, Bunko or whatever you play. Please bring your cards and sets along with teammates.

In addition to the installation of the new board, the NCJW Emerging Leader and Distinguished Service Award winner will be honored. An announcement will be made in next week’s Jewish Press.

Beth Friedman, 2003-04 Nominations Committee Chairman announced the slate for the 2004-05 year: President: Kate Kirshenbaum; Executive Vice-president: Deb Marburg; Co-vice presidents of Community Service: Harriet Epstein and Karin Levine; Co-vice presidents of Public Affairs and Education: Kim Schwartz and Keri Workman; Co-vice presidents of Public Relations: Linda

Saltzman and Sharon Brodkey; Co-vice presidents of Membership: Heidi Schneiderman and Jenny Meyerson; and Co-vice presidents of Fundraising: Tina Meyers and Shelly Pichik.

Other officers to be installed include: Corresponding Secretary: Leslie Eades; Financial Secretary: Stacy Brodkey; Recording Secretary: Pam Friedlander; Treasurer: Susan Lehr; Immediate Pastpresident: Kim Noddle; Parliamentarian: Cindy Goldberg; and Directors: Andie Gordman, Roxanne Kahn, Nanci Kavich, Susan Rothholz, Andee Scioli, and Mimi Silverman.

Members of the Nominating Committee included: Harriet Epstein, Judy Josephson, Carol Katzman, Susan Lehr, Diane Malashock, Deb Marburg, Tina Meyers, Susie Norton, Shelly Pichick, Jan Schneiderman, and Rosie Zweiback.

Reservations are mandatory and may be made by sending a check to me at: 2912 So. 159 Ave Cir, Omaha, NE 68130. Cost is $15; there is no charge for NCJW life members. Please specify which game you are interested in playing. Let the games begin!

April 23, 2004

Nancy Thompson Runs for Congress Behind policy sounds good, she thinks this was not a well-written bill.

“This is a bill that is causing havoc in our education system,” she insisted. “It provides another unfunded mandate and an assessment process only. This is a ‘cookie cutter approach’ and it has all of the penalties that the bill leaves behind. One of these includes vouchering kids to private schools or other public schools. There is no evidence that

by JOAN K. MARCUS Nebraska State Senator Nancy Thompson recently shows if you move kids from place to place, their success addressed a large group at the weekly meeting of the improves.”

Thompson thinks we need to get the key issues of eduB’nai B’rith Breadbreakers. Thompson is currently a candidate for the second congressional district seat. As a cation policies that really make a difference for children Democrat, she will be challenging Republican incumbent who aren’t achieving. She does not think the current administration is doing this.

Lee Terry.

She also believes our environment policy sets us back a Sylvia Wagner, former member of the Omaha City Council, introduced Thompson, saying, “Nancy comes long way, adding, “I think everyone has a right to breathe clean air and have clean from a background of good water.” and better government. I’ve The senator is also conwatched her grow and develcerned about our foreign polop and I’ve watched all of the icy and a unilateral approach. issues upon which she has “I think that we’ve set ourshown her determination. We selves back in terms of workcan best define her by saying ing with the rest of the world that she has education, deteron the issues that we care mination and knowledge. about. We can do a better job She can bring people togethin terms of our foreign policy er and that is a very, very and I’m very frightened about special talent.” things that are happening in In the Nebraska unicamerterms of civil liberties.” al, Thompson serves as a Nancy Thompson and Sylia Wagner She thinks The Patriot Act member of the “Old Friends” meet at a Breadbreakers Event needs to be amended to deal Appropriations Committee and the Executive Board. She was appointed to the legis- with the issues of privacy, such as allowing people to be detained without counsel. Also, the issue of access to prilature in 1997 and was elected in 1998 and 2002.

Prior to being appointed to the unicameral, she was the vate records without a warrant or probable cause conexecutive director of the Omaha Community Partnership cerns her.

“I my view, these things are going too far in response and a member of Congressman John Cavanaugh’s district staff. She is a former teacher and served on the Sarpy to terrorism,” she explained. “Clearly, we want to be County Board of Commissioners for eight years before strong and have the good intelligence to get that inforbecoming deputy chief of staff to Governor Ben Nelson. mation. But, we shouldn’t be sacrificing what we’re fightShe recently resigned as Executive Director of the La Vista ing for to do that!”

The candidate also has a general concern for all of the Community Foundation to run for this congressional seat.

Thompson, age 56, received her bachelor and masters people who have been displaced because of changes in degrees from Creighton University. She and her husband, the economy. She defines these problems as coming from Jim, have four grown children and one grandchild. The outsourcing of work or when foreign workers are brought Nebraska Chapter of the American Society of Public in to displace people from their work. “In this changing Administration named her the 2003 Public Official of the economic age, we need to make sure that people get to another well paying job so that they can support their Year.

Thompson says she decided last May to run for con- families.”

In matters relating to Israel, Thompson told the group gress. “I have a real concern about the direction that we’re heading in Washington and there has been nothing in the that the United States needs to work with Israel in order last year that has changed my view about why I should to achieve peace in the Middle East. Steps toward a separate Palestinian state might be the only way to get to a be there to offer a different opinion.”

She went on to say that “the number one issue in this peaceful resolution.

“In ‘The Roadmap to Peace,’ some of the things that are race is providing access to health care for all Americans.

We need to deal with the rising costs that we’re seeing in being negotiated might be the answer,” she noted. health insurance and how these costs are harming small “Unfortunately, terrorism has gotten in the way of those and large businesses. But, most importantly, the average negotiations.

“The primary issue for me will always be that I want to family can’t afford the co-pays and the large deductibles. make sure that people have healthy lives, good education, I can tell you this is on everybody’s mind.”

As a former teacher, Thompson is concerned about safe communities and a safe world to live in.” direction in education policy. Although the No Child Lefit

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

Second Seder Night at Temple Just “Like Home”

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The bride-to-be graduated with honors from Roosevelt University, where she majored in sociology and minored in psychology. She is a member of the National’s Dean’s List and the Franklin Honor Society. She is currently an administrative assistant at the Keshet Day School in Chicago.

She is the granddaughter of Gertrude Amdur of Chicago.

Her fiancé earned a BA in English from the University of Iowa. He is currently a musician in Chicago and an account executive.

His grandparents are Josephine and Hymen Simes, the

Approximately 150 attended the congregational Seder on the second night of Passover at Temple Israel including (left to right in the foreground) Craig and Ellen Saylan, Steve Gottlieb, and Hilde Gottlieb. “It was really fun,” said Gil Cohen. He’s gone to the second Seder at Temple for the past three or four years and enjoys being there “with your friends and no one has to cook! Rabbi Azriel did a great job.” Cohen said he “absolutely” intends to go again next year. Marlen Frost attended the Seder at Temple for the first time. “It felt like home,” she said. “It was very nice. I went by myself and was really made to feel at home. I’m very glad I went.”

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BIRTH Leslie and Brian Eades announce the Sept. 3 birth of their daughter Emma Jordan, named for her paternal great-aunt, Elsie Schwartz, and her maternal great-grandmother, Eva Roth.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 23, 2004

No One’s Too Young (or Too Old) for Tot Shabbat at Temple Israel

Chametz, Anyone?

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Striving to keep the children’s attention, the rabbis Temple Israel Communications Coordinator teach in an age-appropriate way as they introduce Guess who came to Tot Shabbat In February? It was Shabbat values and rituals such as lighting candles, kidCrush, the sea turtle, and Nemo, the little fish from the dush, and challah, tzedakah, and Torah. “We try to fosmovie, Finding Nemo! Rabbi Craig Marantz likened ter strong family values in the service. The parents Nemo to the Midrashic character Nachshon who was recite the blessing over their children, and the kids hug the first to run into the sea before it parted when the their parents during the service. We want them all to be Hebrews hurriedly left Egypt. happy to come to Temple.”

“We introduced the children to Song of the Sea and Linda and Kevin Saltzman try to attend all the time.

MiChamocha. I thought it would be fun to link them to “We love it,” Linda said. They bring their son Ari, two, Finding Nemo.” Using and three-month-old puppets, Crush had a Dina. dialogue with Nemo who “Ari loves it! And we impersonated Nachshon. enjoy watching him Usually planned for the enjoy it.” Linda went on first Friday of every to say that Ari loves the month at 6 p.m. in the singing, the other kids, Livingston Chapel, Tot and going to Temple. He Shabbat is for families knows the prayers for with children about five blessing the candles and years old and younger. the challah. We sing the “Everybody’s welcome,” Shema in the car.” She insisted Rabbi Marantz, believes it’s important to including children, paringrain these rituals in ents, and grandparents. her children at an early Jenn and Matt age.

Kirshenbaum try to go to “Growing closer to Tot Shabbat every month Jill Idelman and her son Brandon share dinner together after Tot the deeper meanings of with their daughters, Shabbat at Temple. prayer and Jewish conKatie, four, and Laura, 17 cepts, we respect the months. “The girls love it,” Jenn said. “Katie knows the kids’ abilities to process what they see and hear,” Rabbi blessings, what tzedakah and challah are. I like Tot Marantz explained. “It’s part of a lifelong process.”

Shabbat, because I learn something new each time we Jennifer Cohn acknowledged that Tot Shabbat is go. We see people we know, and it’s nice to visit with “good for parents too. They get to know each other,” them at the dinner.” and there is an opportunity to “develop lifelong friendA fast-paced, energetic service that is no more than ships.” She and her husband Travis go to Tot Shabbat 30 minutes long, it’s followed by a catered dinner or a every month with their children Gabriel, four months, kid-friendly meal organized and prepared by Betsy and Jacob, two. “It brings the children a sense of Jewish Marantz, Wendy Vann, and Jennifer Cohn. “A key value community,” said Jennifer. “They love it, they sing, they of Tot Shabbat is the prayer experience,” Rabbi Marantz clap. They learn about Judaism in their own element. said. “But it’s also about building community, and it’s I’m very glad to see it.” easier to get to know people at a dinner.”

A group of parents have agreed to help Rabbi Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Rabbi Marantz take turns Marantz write some additional skits and dialogue using leading the services which have been attended by as fictional characters from books and television. Who many as 80 people at one time. Newcomers are always knows who might show up at the next Tot Shabbat welcome. scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, May 7? It could be Rabbi Marantz explained that Tot Shabbat incorpo- Dora the Explorer, someone from Beauty and the rates the basic components of an abridged Shabbat Beast, or Bob the Builder. worship service. “It’s very music centered,” he noted.

“I love it,” said Rabbi Marantz. “I think it’s great!”

U.S. Shifts Policy on West Bank Continued from page 1 “Iraq points to the need of the administration for some achievement,” said David Makovsky, an analyst with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “The administration will want to showcase the Gaza pullout as an example of its success in the region.”

For his part, Sharon needs to show Israelis that his leadership through some of the nation’s most traumatic years is resulting in a diplomatic breakthrough.

In addition, he faces a May 2 Likud Party referendum on his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and other Likud figures have vowed to challenge any uprooting of settlements.

It was Sharon, however, who clearly had the upper hand. When talks on the dimensions of a withdrawal began in February, the Americans rejected out of hand any recognition of Israeli claims in the West Bank.

Subsequently, U.S. officials said they would consider

such a recognition depending on the breadth of the withdrawal.

According to a senior Israeli official, the disengagement plan Sharon presented to Bush calls for an Israeli withdrawal from all of the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the West Bank.

The settlements, encompassing 500 settlers, include Ganim, Homesh, Kadim and Sanur, all in the northern West Bank. The withdrawal from these settlements would provide contiguity for the Palestinians between Jenin and Nablus, a major Palestinian concern.

The official said any future withdrawal would depend on how the Palestinians respond to this proposal and whether they live up to their commitments. The official also indicated that Sharon had been prepared to offer a larger West Bank withdrawal, but didn’t have to present that option because the U.S. administration accepted the more limited offering.

BERT’S EYE VIEW

by BERT LEWIS

By the time you read this, Passover 2004 will have come and gone, and if you’re a good member of the tribe, you’re now busy counting the Omer. Having said that, let me dwell a little bit on the recent yomtov.

First, is it ok to register a complaint, or is that politically incorrect? Well, I’ll take my chances anyway, and ask if anybody else has noticed the diminished size of egg matza this past season? Actually, it could hardly be missed, especially if a display of it was right next to a regular matza box. Even the box is smaller, never mind the matza itself. I’ll admit, it was shock that made me compare the current size to a postage stamp, but it’s smaller, trust me.

And while we’re on the subject, I need to speak to a maven someplace (and fully intend to do just that) and learn how come a recipe on a matza cake meal box for Passover 2004 calls for “baking powder”. Who changed the centuries old rules? How come nobody told me?

While it’s true our present day appliances use power to beat air into those sponge cakes, my Bobie used her arm and a funny looking whisk because baking powder is/was chametz, no? So what’s going on here.....and what’s next, bread for Pesach?

Okay, all of the above notwithstanding, I have to say that just sitting down with family members and having our version of the seder was the usual pleasure.

Yes, there are (and were) concerns about various blips in the radar of our clan, but we sat down and told the story. The youngest at the table, even though she’s old enough to drive, asked the feer kashas, (Four Questions) and her Hebrew teachers would have been pleased. The door was opened at the proper time to let Elijah in, and even the dog was polite enough to not bark. And only a few times did I hear “Okay, isn’t it time to serve dinner now?”

To steal a line from General Motors, this wasn’t your grandfather’s seder, but you know what--we sat down together and we told the story of Passover, and that’s what we were supposed to do, right? And we were thankful to all be there and hopeful that next year, even if we aren’t in Jerusalem, we could meet again for seder. Amen.

Aside from all of the above, as I write this my roommate and I are still in the southwest, but really ready to come home. We have a few things to tend to before we’re free to do that, but somehow the winter is now in the past and we’re looking forward to springtime “at home”. That’s the definitive phrase...at home, because no matter where we go or how long we stay away, home is still Omaha. Is it because it’s where we were both born and raised, or because it’s where we still have dear friends of long years standing, or because everything is so familiar?

Too many reasons to try to list....but it doesn’t much matter. That trite old cliche says “home is where the heart is.” And while we have very dear friends and family here in Arizona, it’s not home.

So, it’s with the hope of running into you soon, at the ‘J’ or in the grocery store or a waiting room someplace, that I say “I’ll be seeing you.” In the meantime, I’ll be busy trying to find out about that baking powder business. If you happen to have an answer, let me know, okay?

Bert Lewis can be reached at: Bertlewis39@aol.com.

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ORGANIZATIONS AIPAC Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., is the featured speaker at the 2004 AIPAC Dessert Reception this Wednesday, April 28, 7:30 p.m., at the home of Harlan and Nancy Noddle.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling Melanie Pearlman, 303.864.9464 or e-mailing her at mpearlman@aipac.org.

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Hal Daub will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, April 28, noon, at the Park Inn Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, Chairman. Daub, former Congressman and Mayor, will talk about his observations on the city, being mayor and beyond.

Cost is $9 for lunch and $2 for beverage service only.

Breadbreakers is open to the community.

OMAHA CENTER FOR TORAH LEARNING Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman will teach the following classes, starting May 3: on Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Jewish Philosophy, an ongoing discussions on Jewish philosophy and self-growth.

Wednesdays, noon, Hebrew Comprehension, at the JCC; at 7 p.m., Advanced Hebrew Reading Comprehension, at the OCTL Beis Midrash, 1313 No. 58 St. Thursdays, noon, Beginner’s Hebrew Crash Course, at the JCC; at 7:30 p.m., Weekly Torah Portion, learn insights to the weekly Torah portion at the JCC. New home-study groups and classes and individual study sessions are available. Please call Rabbi Hoffman at 981.0569 for more information.

Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday at the JCC. Play bingo at 10 a.m. with Eileen Remer or exercise with Stacey Paskert at 10:30 a.m. Bring articles to share for “YES Talk” at 11 a.m. Following lunch at noon, Irv Chudacoff will perform a comedy routine. Irv will turn 90 on June 18. He has performed comedy for the Intergenerational Orchestra since last fall. For transportation, call Dee Dee at 330.4272.

WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going to the Bluffs Run Casino on Thursday, please meet at the JCC main entrance at 8:45 a.m.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Want to have a “Freylichen Tog”? Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m.

Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638 for information.

VISIONS Diamond Tours presents a Chicago Trip Oct. 11-15.

The cost is $400 per person and includes guided tour of Chicago, two shows, concert at the historic Rialto Square Theater, cruise on Lake Michigan, Art Institute of Chicago, motorcoach transportation, four nights accommodations, eight meals and more. Travelers insurance is $35 per person. Deadline is June 4. Send two checks, deposit of $75 made out to Visions, and insurance for $35 to Travel Insured Int’l, to: Anne Skolkin, 1010 Regency Parkway, #302, Omaha, NE 68114.

La Cage Aux Folles at the Chanticleer Community Theater in Council Bluffs is May 23, 2 p.m. Cost is $33 per person and includes motorcoach, tickets, dinner, tax and tip. Deadline for reservations is May 11; send to: Jean Elkon, 1005 No. 63 St., Omaha, NE 68132. For information, call Ethel Goldston, 393.7358.

Luncheon Meeting is May 21, 12:30 p.m., at Caniglia’s Venice Inn. Cost is $9 per person. Our guest is Mayor Mike Fahey. Send reservations to: Mickey and Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard, Omaha, NE 68114. For information, call Harry Alloy at 697.8709. Make checks payable to Visions. Deadline is May 14.

Newcomer to Omaha Entertains Visions

John Rathsam, a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a newcomer to the Jewish community, entertained members of Visions at the Venice Inn last month. Esther Wax accompanied him on the piano. Pictured above are Rathsam, left, Harry Alloy, Esther and Jim Wax.

Elijah’s Story

by ANNE JOSEPH RBJH Activities Staff It is tradition at a Passover Seder to leave a space at the Seder table for Elijah. In Judaism, the mitzvah of this holiday welcomes strangers to feel like family and the mission of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home makes our residents and their families feel like our family to provide the support and care they deserve.

Two hours before our first seder, the Blumkin Home’s front door opened (like Elijah was there) and three boys and a Family Teacher from Boys Town entered. One of the boys was a 16-year-old from Florida named Marc Wertheim. Marc has been in Omaha since April 2003 and this was his first seder without his family.

He was wondering if we had a Haggadah and shankbone so he could have his own seder by himself. We took it a step further and invited him to be a part of our family for one night.

He was our “Welcome Guest”, thus fulfilling our Home’s mission as well as our call as the Jewish People. Additionally, Marc recited the four questions during our Seder, reminding us of why “This night was different from all other nights.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Omaha Public Library will celebrate National Poetry Month with two events. On Sunday, April 25, 1:30 p.m., the sixth annual “Cash-for-Your-Words Poetry Bash” will be held at Books ‘N’ Beans at the downtown W. Dale Clark Library, 15th and Farnam.

Teens can register for the Written Poetry Contest online at www.omaha.lib.ne.us/teen or via mail or in person to Librarian Paul Christopherson, Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Ln., Omaha, NE 68144. Registrations must be received by April 25, 5 p.m.

The Omaha Symphony has launched an innovative major fundraiser, a raffle, which includes a Harley Davidson “Fat Boy” motorcycle. In addition to the motorcycle, other prizes include a week-long vacation at a luxury condo, two round-trip tickets on Midwest Express and two Omaha Symphony season tickets for MasterWorks or SuperPops for the 2004-05 season.

Raffle tickets are available for purchase at concerts, by calling Diane Moore at 342.3836, ext. 123, or online at www.omahasymphony.org.

“Titanic, the Artifact Exhibit,” will open at the Omaha Children’s Museum on May 15. This exhibit has been shown in only 20 museums worldwide and will be at the OCM through Sept. 6. Discovery Ports will examine the scientific, cultural and artistic aspects of the Titanic--or plan your own special event around the exhibit by calling Hillary Nather, Director of Development, 324.6164, ext. 428 or e-mail her at hnather @ocm.org.

IN THE NEWS Taylor Sanford will compete in gymnastics in the 2004 Junior Olympic National Championships in Orlando, FL, on May 1.

To qualify, she competed at the state and regional meets. At state, Taylor was the All-Around Champion, as well as champion in uneven bars and floor exercise. At the seven-state regional meet, she finished first on the balance beam and floor exercise and third overall, which qualified her for the national event.

Taylor, the daughter of Vicki and Mark Sanford, competes as a level 10 gymnast, the highest possible level of national competition.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 23, 2004

Opinion While Celebrating Israel’s Independence, Don’t Forget Her Fallen As we celebrate Yom Ha’Aztmaut this Sunday, 12:30-3 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center, let’s also pause to remember those members of the Israel Defense Force who’ve died in war and those civilians who’ve died in terrorist attacks.

Unfortunately, Israeli Independence Day is being celebrated this year on Yom HaZikaron. It’s the day when Israelis visit Mount Herzl military cemetery and honor the lives of their loved ones who’ve died protecting Israel. While it seems there aren’t enough Sundays to host events in the small, but active Jewish community, we should try to either separate these two, or begin our Independence Day celebrations by pausing to reflect on how we got to this day.

While we recognize the importance of having our Jewish high school students at Yom HaShoah--Holocaust Remembrance Day--by scheduling it on a Wednesday night, it also puts it within five days of Yom Ha’Atzmaut-and it leaves Yom HaZikaron out entirely. So we offer these suggestions to next year’s planners: • Schedule Yom HaShoah on Yom Hashoah. If it turns out to be a Sunday or Monday, Jewish high school students can still be encouraged to go and even required to attend as part of their grade.

• Avoid scheduling Yom Ha’Aztmaut on Yom HaZikaron. And, for once, plan a community commemoration of Israeli’s war dead.

We have enough ex-IDF living in Omaha who

probably would be thrilled to be asked to speak or participate in a memorial ceremony for their fellow IDF members. There’s no reason this, too, shouldn’t be made mandatory for our Jewish high school youth--there’s more than just educational value here; there’s an opportunity to understand what’s required of 18-year-olds in Israel, while our teens are packing for college.

• Reschedule Yom Ha’Atzmaut so it’s not immediately following Yom HaShoah. After two memorial commemorations, Israeli Independence Day should be a celebration, a way of looking at the Middle East with optimism, instead of only remembering that the Holocaust helped to found it and that close to 50,000 Israelis have given their lives for it.

• It’s time to do something big to celebrate Israel again. Yes, we hosted Shop Shalom in 2003. Yes, it’s been a tight economy. Yes, it costs money to bring in an Israeli band or singing group. But we need it.

• We need some workshops for adults that coincide with children’s activities on Yom Ha’Atzmaut.

Thoguh the sessions on Israeli cooking, dancing, singing and jewelry making are great ideas, we would welcome a workshop for high school seniors and their parents on combatting Anti-Semitism

The End of the Beginning?

Lby ETTER FROM ISRAEL HARRY ALLEN Winston Churchill once commented on a major development of World War II by saying it is not the beginning of the end, but it may be the end of the beginning. So it is with the Sharon disengagement plan.

When David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, accepted the United Nations partition plan, he knew that the truncated borders were not the end of the story, but he also knew full well that he had to act. Similarly the Gaza disengagement plan is not the end of the story--but Prime Minister Ariel Sharon knew that we could no longer tolerate the status quo.

There is no possibility of negotiating a settlement with the current Palestinian leadership. If there were, leaving Gaza would be the first issue to be settled. By taking the initiative and doing what Israel would eventually do anyway, Sharon achieved a major diplomatic and strategic coup.

For the first time, the United States government, in writing, made explicit what heretofore had been camouflaged with vague formulation--this time Bush unambiguously enunciated an American doctrine that major settlement blocs in the West Bank would eventually be a part of Israel.

In addition, Bush stated clearly that the refugee problem would have to be solved within the context of resettlement within a Palestinian state, not within Israel. There was no fudging of the issue

by using formulae such as “family reunification”--and on the settlements, nothing of the Beilin land trades under which we would keep some settlements and, in return, we would cede some parcels of land adjacent to Gaza to permit its enlargement.

The deal, of course, is not yet done.

Sharon has called for a referendum of Likud members to endorse the plan--and if it is approved by the party, he will the submit it to the cabinet and the Knesset for approval. He may also ask for a federal referendum before implementation begins.

In the meantime, he is working to bring Labor into the government to fill the gaps which will be left by the resignation of the extreme right wing parties in the coalition, as well as the possible defection of some Likud ministers. Sharon is playing an aggressive game of political hardball--all the while lurking in the background is a possible indictment on bribery charges, which would force his resignation.

Welcome to the arcane world of Israeli politics!

Politics aside, Sharon has changed the calculus of the current battle. He has elicited from an American president the strongest endorsement ever of very basic Israeli positions in return for which he gave up virtually nothing that would not have been given up in any future peace agreement with the Palestinians.

By taking the initiative and doing what Israel would eventually do anyway, Sharon achieved a major diplomatic and strategic coup.

Former Lincolnite Harry Allen lives in Jerusalem. He can be reached by fax at 011.9722.563.0188.

and Anti-Zionism in college; a briefing from the Israeli consulate on current issues. These aren’t new--we’ve done them all before--and now it’s time to do them again!

Happy Birthday Israel; see you Sunday! We look forward to celebrating again next year, and the next, and the next...

LETTER

TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor: Itzhak Perlman once said, “Now and then I listen to a piece of music and it kills me, the emotion and beauty of it all”. Those were my exact thoughts when I walked out of services recently.

I’ve always loved Cantors and admired them. In fact when I was a child at Beth El, I wanted to be one, but “girls weren’t allowed to do that sort of thing.” I loved watching Cantor Aaron Edgar sing and direct in his inimitable way. I continued this passion, right through to Cantor Leo Fettman and my longtime favorite Cantor and friend, Cantor Emil Berkovits.

But every great while, maybe once in a lifetime if you’re incredibly fortunate, a voice comes along that is so extraordinary, so out of the realm of normal chazzunut, that you need to shout it from the rooftops so you’re sure no one is missing the adventure.

With Cantor Gastón Bogolmoni, I think we are listening to a once in a lifetime experience, a major international voice in the making. Gastón represents his congregation as a true sheliach tzibur, a messenger of the people, with astounding spirit and joyfulness. It comes from deep within his body and soars to reach heights I’ve never before heard.

Whether it’s traditional or contemporary liturgy, he makes me think about the words of the prayer and enter a religious realm I’ve never before entered. And while I might tend towards the drama, I don’t tend towards serious compliments like that lightly.

The President of The Jewish Theological Seminary, Dr. Ismar Schorsch, once wrote, “In the synagogue, we should be touched by the music of Mount Sinai as well as the message.”

With Gaston we are truly touched by the music as well as the message.

Fellow Omahans, please stop saying we’ll be lucky to have Cantor Bogolmoni for a year or two before he’s “snatched up.”

Omaha is a wonderful community to live and raise a family, and Gastón, his wife Lena, and son Samuel can thrive and shine for a lifetime here.

I certainly hope they do.

Nancy Rips

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Broad Range of Jewish Groups JTA NEWS BRIEFS Drawn to March for Women’s Rights • The European Union's foreign poli-

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

by MATTHEW E. BERGER WASHINGTON (JTA)--This weekend’s march on Washington for reproductive rights, an election-year exercise in mass message-sending, has a substantial Jewish component.

Two major national Jewish women’s organizations and three religious denominations are organizing busloads of participants for Sunday’s March for Women’s Lives on the National Mall in Washington.

Many more Jews are expected to participate with other national organizations, such as Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women.

Several associated events are geared toward the Jewish community.

The goal is to highlight the religious community's advocacy for abortion rights and send a strong political message in an election year.

“Decisions that are made about who constitutes our federal judiciary will affect our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren to come,” said Marsha Atkind, National President of the National Council of Jewish Women. A number of Supreme Court vacancies are expected in the coming years.

“Whoever is elected should know that there are millions upon millions of people in this country that are pro-choice,” Atkind said.

Atkind will join celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Bacon, Camryn Manheim and members of the Indigo Girls music band as speakers at Sunday's rally.

Omahans Deb Marburg, Membership VIce-president of NCJW-Omaha Section, and Wendy Goldberg, Co-chairman of the Benchmark Campaign for NCJW, will be there, too, along with Sharee Newman, representing Planned Parenthood.

Atkind said she believes the Jewish community has a distinctive role to play in this debate.

“As Jewish women, it’s particularly important because we know what it is like to lose rights,” Atkind said. “These are rights that are in danger of being lost.”

Many segments of the Jewish community are concerned about what they see as increasing limitations on a woman’s right to choose. They rallied against last year’s passage of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, which outlawed a specific abortion procedure technically known as intact dilation and evacuation, generally carried out late in a pregnancy.

Some Jewish groups also criticized President Bush’s signing of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act earlier this month, which made attacks against pregnant women that harm embryos a separate crime. They said granting a fetus legal status contradicted the landmark Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding legal abortions.

Orthodox Jews generally differ from other streams when it comes to abortion, and Orthodox Jewish representatives in Washington have expressed support for both acts.

Backers of this weekend’s march,

including officials from the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements, said they had the Jewish majority behind them.

Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action for Reform Judaism, said polls consistently show that the Jewish community is more supportive of reproductive rights and Roe v. Wade than any other religious or ethnic community in the United States.

“Jews have always been involved in struggles for justice in America,” said Saperstein, who expects about 2,500 members of the Reform Jewish community to attend the rally.

“These issues will weigh very heavily in the hearts and minds of the Jewish community.”

Rabbi Sally Priesand, the first woman ordained as a rabbi in the United States, said she is traveling to the rally because she wants to preserve women’s rights and the rights of Jews to practice their religion.

“Judaism says very specifically that a fetus is not a person until birth and until it survives 30 days,” said Priesand, who is traveling with a contingent from her synagogue, Monmouth Reform Temple, in Tinton Falls, N.J. “Any legislation that says otherwise restricts my rights and the rights of any Jewish woman to follow their religion.”

Jewish leaders, including Priesand, are expected to participate in an interfaith service during Sunday’s events, in conjunction with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Official events also include a day of lobbying on Capitol Hill Friday and a 24-hour prayer vigil Saturday.

The Women of Reform Judaism will hold a Havdalah service Saturday evening at the Jefferson Memorial, followed by a reception Saturday evening.

Both WRJ and NCJW are holding events Sunday morning to bring together their participants.

The Reconstructionist movement is also holding a weekend of events, including Shabbat and Havdalah services at a synagogue in a Maryland suburb.

They expect several hundred participants.

Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, anticipates 1,500 participants in matching red and white shirts.

“I think it's important because we are part of the American community and part of the American world,” said June Walker, Hadassah’s National President.

“We have an obligation to express our opinions to our legislators.”

About 120 students are expected to participate in the rally through Hillel, as part of Jewish female empowerment weekend at Hillel at the University of Maryland.

Liz Rutzick, coordinator for “Strong Voices, Strong Choices: A Weekend for the Next Generation of Jewish Women,” said she thought it was important for college students to understand that the Jewish community can relate to issues young Jewish women now face.

“We want the Jewish college-age woman, who is coming into own, to feel there is room for them to make choices within the Jewish community,” said Rutzick, the senior Jewish campus service corps fellow at the Hillel.

“Decisions that are made about who constitutes our federal judiciary will affect our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren to come.”

cy chief said his organization would like to aid Israel’s withdrawal from settlements in Gaza. Javier Solana, who met Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, said the European Union is willing to cooperate, but that the withdrawal should not prejudge a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.

• Jews who fled Iraq in the 1950s reportedly will receive payments on their insurance policies. AXA, a French insurance firm that had a Baghdad subsidiary, will pay $130,000 in compensation to three refugees now living in

NCJW 2004-2005 Installation Sunday, May 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Israel for their old policies on assets abandoned in Iraq. If paid, the compensation would be the first for Jews who left Arab lands.

• Thousands of Jewish students from dozens of countries, including Gal Tsabari and Betsy Goodman of Omaha, took part in the “March of the Living” in Poland.

Participants included Poles, Americans, Canadians, Israelis and others who walked about two miles to Auschwitz and Birkenau. The march, which has taken place annually since 1988, seeks to educate a new generation of Jews about the Jewish history of Europe and affirm the survival of the Jewish people.

Officers and Board Members Presented by Humorist Mary Maxwell Sunday, May 2, 2-5pm Ironwood Country Club A fun filled Afternoon of Pan, Canasta, Maj, Bridge, Bunko and “High Tea” $15.00 Per person Life members are invited as our guests To RSVP, send a check, made out to NCJW, to Leslie Eades 2912 S 159 Ave Cir Omaha, NE 68130

High School Class of 2004 Seniors...!

We need your graduation photo and the following information for our annual Graduation Teen Age to be published on June 4, 2004: Name: ___________________________________________________________ Parent(s)’ Name(s) _________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Current High School ________________________________________________ Plans after graduation ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Send by May 1 to: The Jewish Press | 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154

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Space Reservation: May 10, 2004

Camera Ready Deadline: May 20, 2004

Call Allan Handleman, 402/334-6451, or Ray Pred, 402/334-6559, to be included in this special edition.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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 the Worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch Movement 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.com email: chabad@aol.com

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

April 23, 2004

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. with Oneg to follow. For more information please call 323.8885.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9:30 a.m., Kiddush sponsored by Phyllis Schwartz and Alice Klein in honor of their grandson, Daniel Klein, becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Junior Congregation for grades three to seven, 10 a.m.; K’tantan, 10:45 a.m.; Evening Services, 8:05 p.m.

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

SITTER SERVICE During Friday night and Saturday mornings services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, 10 a.m. Hebrew Crash Course, taught by Susi Frydman Levin, in the library; 11 a.m. Adult Bible Study Group, with Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, continues with The Book of Samuel, in the library.

WEDNESDAY, 7 p.m.: Adult B’nai Mitzvah class with Cantor Bogomolni.

THURSDAYS, noon: “Jewish Wisdom for the 21st Century” with Rabbi Levin. For more information, call the synagogue.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS PATTER (Toddlers & Parents Torah, Exercise, Recreation) session with Helen Epstein, Wednesdays, 10:45 a.m.

COME & DANCE! Israeli Dance Lessons (no experience required) Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. For information, contact Cheryl Lerner, 334.8430 or cldancer@ aol.com.

“Artists of Beth El” on Monday, April 26, 6:15p.m., there will be a meeting for anyone interested in submitting their original art work for an upcoming show.

Please attend if you wish to participate. For more information, contact Harriet Einziger at

492.8550.

To receive Rabbi Levin’s weekly “Thought for Shabbat” message, please send your email address to exec@bethelomaha.org.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: MondayThursday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m-noon. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 7 p.m. For those who accept Shabbos early by davening, candles should be lit by 7:25 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; Mincha, 7:50 p.m. and Havdalah, 8:58 p.m.

SUNDAY: Morning Service, 9 a.m.; Evening Service, 6:30 p.m.

Weekday Morning Service, 7 a.m.; Weekday Evening Service, 6:30 p.m.

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Family Shabbat, 7 p.m.

SUNDAY: Yom Ha’Atzmaut at the JCC, 12:30 p.m.; Religious School, 3-5 p.m.; Mohm’s Place Tikkun Olam project, meet 4 p.m. at the JCC.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

Monday-Friday, Morning services, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Mamarim class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.

Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m.

MONDAY Halacha Intermediate level, 7 p.m.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, all day. You may reach her 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 416.2321 (local for Lincoln), or at rabstiel@aol.com.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 7:45

p.m. led by Rabbi Stiel, with oneg to follow.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. lay-led.

SUNDAY: Religious School, 9 a.m.-noon; Student/Parent pickup to Omaha JCC for Israeli Independence Day, 11:45 a.m.

ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAYS: Adult Hebrew, 5:45-6:45 p.m. continues until April 27.

TUESDAY, April 27: “Death and Mourning Rituals in Judaism”, 7-8:30 p.m.

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; led by Andrew Greenberg.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Craig Marantz and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate along with Grade three students; Early Worship Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Jeff Taxman will officiate using the Union Prayer Book.

SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

Charles Parsow, son of Margo Parsow and the late Dr. Jay Parsow, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at Shabbat Services.

SITTER SERVICE Available at each Friday evening service, Saturday mornings when there is a bar/bat mitzvah, as well as Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Please make a reservation through the office so we may plan accordingly. Cost is $2 per family. Sorry, no facilities for infants.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY: The 4 B’s: Behaving, Belonging, Believing and Bagels Connecting with Israel: How and Why? Join Rabbi Marantz for an important session on how we can develop a greater love for Israel and why it is so vital that we do.

We will explore elements of

Candlelighting Friday, April 23, 7:55 p.m.

Israeli society and culture in an effort to draw Israel closer to our hearts, 10:30 a.m.-noon.

THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Azriel, 1011:30 a.m.

SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE RABBI LEE T. BYCEL “Living as a Jew in the Modern World: Challenges and Opportunities”.

FRIDAY, April 30, 7:30 p.m.: Shabbat Evening Worship Service “Living Out the American Dream: Why Remain Jewish? with Oneg Shabbat following.

SATURDAY, May 1, 4:30 p.m.: “Finding Meaning in Life: Insights from our Tradition”, with Havadalah, cheese and fruit reception.

SUNDAY, May 2, 10 a.m.: “Transforming the Ordinary into the Sacred: Creating a Life of Meaning--The Insights of Abraham Joshua Heschel” with bagel brunch.

Rabbi Bycel’s residency is sponsored by the Ida and Samuel Kaiman Memorial Fund.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, Monday & Thursday, 7:15 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Mt Carmel Cemetery Association Annual Meeting, 10:30 a.m.; Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. Lincoln Jewish Federation is sponsoring a trip to the Omaha JCC for food and fun. Pick up time at Temple B’nai Jeshurun is, 11:45 a.m. and noon at the synagogue. For reservations email Lori Merliss at lorimerliss@msn.com or call 328.0414.

WEDNESDAY: The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m.

“Women in the Bible”, a sixweek course for women-only is conducted by Nancy Coren on Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.; this week’s session is on Ruth.

Sunday, May 1, 1-3 p.m. at the Legacy: celebrate Leelo Sommerhauser’s 90th birthday.

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

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B’NAI MITZVAH Clarissa Siegel-Causey, daughter of Ellin Siegel and stepdaughter of John Mosow will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 1 at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Lincoln.

Clarissa is a seventh-grade honor roll student at Lux Middle School. She is active in her Temple youth group and activities including acting and singing in Purim Megillah, blowing the Shofar at the High Holy days, and pitching in to

help when she is needed.

She also loves to sing, and is a member of two youth choirs, plays piano, and takes dance lessons.

For her Mitzvah project, she volunteers at the Lincoln Childrens Museum.

Her grandparents are Ralph Siegel of Union City, CA, and the late Claire Siegel and Bernie and Jack Mosow, formerly of Lincoln, and now residing in St. Louis Park, MN.

UNVEILING A stone setting for the late Milton Parker will be held Sunday, April 25, 2 p.m. at Temple Israel Cemetery.

Amy Levinger, daughter of Bonnie and Steve Levinger will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 1 at Temple Israel.

Amy is a seventhgrade Superior honor roll student at Kiewit Middle School. She was selected for the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

She enjoys dancing, playing soccer and playing the flute.

For her Mitzvah project she brought her dog to visit and

entertain residents at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Amy has an older sister, Allison and a younger sister, Jessica.

Her grandparents are Leta and Chuck Levinger of Yankton, SD, and Sue and Bert Kwasman of Scottsdale, AZ. Her great-grandparents are Mary Shane of Scottsdale, AZ and the late Rose and Iz Weiner.

PERSONAL Thank you to all my family and friends for their loving support, calls and donations during my recent hospitalization and recovery. Special thanks to Rabbi Levin.

Mania Friedman

April 23, 2004

Are We Only What We Are?

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by SHANI KATZMAN Parashiyot Tazria/Metzora The Sidra continues the discussion of the laws of Tumah v'Taharah, ritual impurity and purity.

Tazria begins by commanding that a woman giving birth should undergo a process of purification. This includes immersing in a mikvah and bringing offerings to the Holy Temple. We also learn that all male infants are to be circumcised on the eighth day of life.

If there is any area in which a creature emulates its Creator--if there is any act by which we express the spark of Divinity at our core--it is the miracle of birth.

Yet it is in this, the most G-dly of our achievements, that we also most reveal the limitations of our individuality.

Feeding, sleeping, thinking, producing a work of art or building a house--virtually everything we do, we can do on our own. But giving birth to a child is something we can only do together with another person. To give birth, we must cease to be an entity unto ourselves and become a part, a component, of a community of two.

Because if we are only what we are, we

are most decidedly not Divine. As beings unto ourselves, we are finite and selfabsorbed things, manufacturers rather than creators.

To create, we must rise above our individuality; to actualize our Divine essence, we must transcend the bounds of self.

It is us women who most surrender our selfhood to create life. We are the passive and receptive elements in the procreation process. For nine months, our very bodies cease to be ours alone as they bear and nurture another life. So it is us women to whom motherhood is a state of being, rather than an “achievement” or “experience.”

Yet everyone can become a “mother”.

What comes naturally to the female half of creation can be learned and assimilated by all, and not only in giving birth to children but in every one of life’s endeavors. We all have the power to recognize that there is more to our existence than the narrow confines of individual identity.

We all have the power to become more than we are and to do more than we can--by becoming receptive to the Divine essence that underlies the self and pervades the whole of existence.

Shani Katzman is an educator at Chabad of Nebraska; she is married to Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

DEATHS ENID LEVEY POLLACK Enid Pollack died March 25 at the age of 69. A memorial service was held April 1 at Temple Israel She is survived by her children, Daniel Pollack, Kathy Pollack, and Sally Pollack; sister and brother-in-law, Joanne and Jerry Freeman; two granddaughters Lara and Beth Pollack.

Memorials to favorite charity.

ally known research psychologist, died April 14 at the age of 52. A memorial service will be held April 24, 10 a.m., at the Georgetown Club, 2440 So. 141st Cir. He is survived by his wife, Martha; a son, David; brothers Thomas of West Pawlet, VT, and Raymond, Fort Lee, NJ. Memorials to CMTA (Charcot-MarieTooth Association), 2700 Chestnut St., Chester, PA 19013.

FREDA FEINBERG Freda Feinberg died in Scottsdale, AZ. on April 17 at the age of 101. Funeral services were held in Omaha at Beth El Synagogue on April 19.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Stanley and Claire Feinberg of Santa Monica, CA; daughter and son-in-law, Mona and Sol Crandell of Scottsdale; six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Contributions to Beth El Synagogue.

LEONA KASIN Leona R. Kasin died at the age of 92.

Services were held April 16 at Mount Sinai Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold.

Survived by son and daughter-in-law, Sandy and Frankie Kasin; daughter and son-in-law, Dale and Charles Sofnas; grandchildren, Maureen and Jeff Skall, Seattle, WA; Daniel Kasin, San Francisco, CA; Robyn and Bruce Zieper, Newport Coast, CA; Jay and Allison Sofnas, San Francisco, CA; and four great-grandchildren.

Memorials to Alzheimers Association of Nebraska or American Cancer Society.

DR. STEPHEN PAIGE Stephen R. Paige, Ph.D., an internation-

Please give us the following information:

Name _____________________________________________

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN indelibly altered Christian-Jewish relaTemple Israel Communications Coordinator tions,” remarked Dr. Cook.

Dr. Michael J. Cook, the Sol and Arlene On Friday, April 30, 10 a.m., Dr. Bronstein Professor of Judaeo-Christian Cook will be the guest lecturer at the Studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish 64th annual Rabbi Sidney H. Brooks Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Institute on Judaism for Clergy at Temple Cincinnati, Ohio, will be the speaker at Israel on the topic, “Jesus’ Passion: this year’s Sidney H. Brooks Memorial Charting Our Ways Through the Mel Lecture which is open to the public. His Gibson Maze.” He will discuss “Help or talk begins on Thursday, April 29, 7:30 Hindrance? Talmudic Perspectives on p.m., at the Strauss Passion Themes--Last Supper Performing Arts Recital Hall and Passover; Sanhedrin and at the University of Capital Punishment; Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

Blasphemy and Barabbas.”

Dr. Cook will also be the Following a 12:15 p.m. lunchguest lecturer at Temple eon, the clergy are invited to a Israel the following day. lecture at 1:30 p.m. on “Why Professor of Intertestathe Mel Gibson Melee Spun So mental and Early Christian Out of Control: Avoiding the Literatures at HUC-JIR, Dr. One Scholarly Approach That Cook was one of seven Might Have Worked.”

Catholic and Jewish scholars At Haverford College where selected to assess an advanced Dr. Cook did his undergraduDr. Michael J. Cook script of Mel Gibson’s film, The ate work, he specialized in Passion of the Christ, released in February. It classical history and early church literawas the report of these scholars that ignited ture. After studying at Hebrew University much of the ensuing heated controversy in Jerusalem, he earned a master’s making the news. degree in Hebrew literature. He was “I was almost personally sued by ordained at HUC-JIR in 1970 in New Gibson--unlike most others,” said Dr. York. His doctoral work focused on the Cook. “I know the story inside out. Second Temple period with a concentraMoreover, I believe it is a watershed tion on the New Testament. event--changing the landscape of Dr. Cook’s membership in scholarly Jewish-Christian relations for decades to organizations has included the Society of come. It’s not the anti-Semitism that con- Biblical Literature, the Association for cerns me so much as the blow the film’s Jewish Studies, the Catholic Biblical dealt to trust among religionists, to what Association, and Fellows of the Jesus it’s revealed about the inadequacies of Seminar. He serves on the advisory boards our religious education in all denomina- of the Institute for Jewish-Christian tions (including Jewish), and also what it Understanding (Muhlenberg College), the signals about the current political direc- Institute for Christian-Jewish Studies tion hanging the landscape of Jewish- (Baltimore), and the Joint Commission on Christian relations for decades to come. Interreligious Affairs (Central Conference It’s not the anti-Semitism that concerns of American Rabbis, Union for Reform me so much as the blow the film’s dealt Judaism, and HUC-JIR). to trust among religionists, to what it’s Recipient of an Excellence in Teaching revealed about the inadequacies of our Award sponsored by the Greater religious education in all denominations Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and (including Jewish), and also what it sig- Universities, Dr. Cook travels widely nals about the current political direction addressing Jewish and Christian audiof Christianity (particularly at the end of ences. His publications treat evolving a Pope’s life--always a dangerous time Jewish views of Jesus and Paul, studies for progressive forces).” on the various Gospels and on a wide Speaking on “Jesus and ‘the Jews’ in spectrum of specialized subjects includHollywood and DVD--Lessons We Must ing the trial of Jesus, images of Judaism Learn from the Mel Gibson Ordeal,” Dr. in Christian art, the history of antiCook will make his presentation in the Semitism, the role of Passover in modern recital hall of the Strauss Performing Arts Christianity, and how Jews may attempt Center on the UNO campus. “Long after to neutralize missionary encroachment.

Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Dr. Cook is currently writing a book Last Temptation of Christ…production of on Modern Jews and the New Testament: Mel Gibson’s film, Jesus’ Passion, has Removing the Veil.

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Dr. Michael Cook to Speak at UNO and Temple’s Clergy Institute on Mel Gibson Movie

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 23, 2004

Creighton University’s Lawrence Raful Named New Dean of Touro Law Center

Temple Israel Scholar to Discuss Challenges and Opportunities of Life as a Jew

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Dream: Why Remain Jewish?” at the Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Shabbat Worship Service. On Saturday, “My wife and I visited the former May 1, 4:30 p.m., Rabbi Bycel will disSoviet Union in 1977,” related Rabbi Lee cuss “Finding Meaning in Life: Insights Bycel, who will be the scholar-in-resi- from our Tradition,” at a cheese and fruit dence April 30 through May 2 at Temple reception. Havdalah will follow the disIsrael. “We went to visit with refuseniks cussion. and also to bring in learning materials “Judaism roots us in a particular idenabout Jewish life and the Hebrew lan- tity yet with a universal message,” Rabbi guage.

Bycel explained. “We do have the ability “We visited with refuseniks in Kiev, to shape our lives and we can make life Moscow, and Rostov as a journey marked with well as a few people in meaning, joy, and goodYalta,” he continued. ness.”

“Their commitment to “Transforming the Judaism was deeply movOrdinary into the Sacred: ing. We sat in small apartCreating a Life of ments with a group of Meaning…The Insights people and talked about of Abraham Joshua Jewish life in the States.

Heschel” will be Rabbi We met with Vladimer Bycel’s topic at a bagel Kislik, a prominent brunch on Sunday, May refusenik who, after 2, 10:30 a.m. many years, finally made Heschel wrote, it to Israel. He had been “Mankind will not die for a prominent scientist lack of information; it and, in the process of trymay perish for lack of ing to leave, he lost his appreciation.”

Rabbi Lee Bycel job, his income, and his “These words are as relstatus. His sacrifice for his principles was evant, if not more relevant, 32 years after extraordinary.

Heschel’s death,” said Rabbi Bycel. “In a “We realized often throughout the visit world filled with instant information and there that so many people in the States communication, where does one learn take our freedom to practice Judaism for how to appreciate and value the sacred granted--that has not been the case for gift of life?” he asked hypothetically. us since our visit,” he pointed out.

This will be Rabbi Bycel’s first trip to Rabbi Bycel, currently on sabbatical, Omaha and the entire community is was president of The Brandeis-Bardin invited to hear him throughout the Institute, a national conference and weekend at no charge. retreat center for Jewish learning and Temple Israel’s Caring Committee has culture. As the Samuel and Ida Kaiman arranged for seniors to be picked up at Memorial Fund Scholar at Temple this their homes, apartments, or retirement year, he will discuss “Living as a Jew in centers for Shabbat services on Friday the Modern World: Challenges and night, April 30. The shuttle will return Opportunities.” the seniors home after services. There is On Friday night, April 30, 7:30 no cost to ride the Shul Shuttle, but p.m., Rabbi Bycel will give the D’var reservations must be called in to the Torah on “Living Out the American Temple office by Thursday, April 29.

by DARREN JOHNSON dignity,” Raful explained. “I Director of Communications, try hard to bring that mesTouro Law Center sage to the classroom, as Huntington, N.Y.--After well as to working with all conducting a nationwide constituencies of a law search, Touro Law Center school. I am thrilled and has named its new dean, honored to be asked to Lawrence Raful, a professerve at Touro.” sor of law who specialRaful had successfully izes in legal ethics and served as dean before, at former dean at Creighton Creighton University School University School of Law of Law from 1988-99, where in Omaha. He becomes top administrators are termonly the second top limited. There, he helped Larry Raful administrator at Touro in develop a new curriculum the past 18 and a half years and will while increasing faculty and student replace Dean Howard Glickstein, whose scholarship, diversity and participation vision helped shape the Huntington in local, national and international activcampus and establish its national reputa- ities. He also helped fund-raise millions tion. Raful begins July 1. of dollars for legal clinics and the law It is an important time in the history of library. For the past two years, Raful the burgeoning law school, as it under- served as chair of the Nebraska State Bar takes a bold, multi-million-dollar strate- Committee to write a new set of legal gic plan that includes a move to a new ethics rules for Nebraska lawyers. home in Central Islip next year.

Raful graduated from the University of “Larry Raful has the vision and experi- California at San Diego and earned a ence to lead Touro Law Center to new Juris Doctor from the University of heights of excellence,” Dean Glickstein Denver College of Law. He served as the said. “The Law Center is fortunate to Director of the Paralegal Program and have someone with his administrative Assistant Director of the Continuing experience and deep involvement in all Legal Education Program at Denver and aspects of legal education as its new Associate Dean and adjunct Professor of dean.”

Law at the USC Law Center in Los Touro College President Dr. Bernard Angeles, where he taught Legal Ethics.

Lander said: “Larry Raful has exceptional In 1999, his sense of ethics and humanicredentials and leadership ability. He tarianism won him the St. Ignatius Award will use his skills to continue Touro Law from the Jesuits at Creighton’s Degleman Center’s innovative academic and physi- Center. cal transformation as the campus moves He is married to Dinah Raful, former to Central Islip. He is the right person to Director of the JCC’s Child Development be our new Dean at this critical time in Center and currently a teacher of English our history.” Raful becomes the fourth as a Second Language. The couple has dean in Touro Law Center’s history. three daughters: Sarah, who is working Raful traces his work over the past 20 toward’s a double master’s in Public years in legal ethics, and much of his Administration at University of Southern administrative style, to the fact that his California and Jewish Communal Work mother is a concentration camp survivor at Hebrew Union College; Anna, an of the Holocaust. “I learned at an early actress in New York City; and Leah, a age about the value of each human sophomore at Kansas University in being and the need to treat people with Lawrence, KS.

Congratulate Your Graduate!

The annual Graduation/Father’s Day Issue publishes June 4. Senior photos will run in that issue and we know you’ll want to highlight the achievements of your high school graduate! Congratulatory ads are available in two sizes.

Mazal Tov, Jennifer!

We are so proud of your achievements– membership in NHS, varsity letter in tennis and a Merit Award from B.E.S.T.T.

A 2x3 $65

Limit of 25 words.

Add a photo for just $5 extra! (baby photo, awards night, prom or family photo)

2 column by 3 inches ere Photo h

B 3x4 $100

Mazal Tov, Ben!

3 column by 4 inches

Love, Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters and grandparents

ere Photo h

Great idea! _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

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Name __________________________________________ Phone ______________________ Address ____________________________________ City, State and Zip _________________ Ad A ❏ Ad B ❏ Photo enclosed ❏ Check enclosed for $ _________ Send check and photo to The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 by May 18.

We are so proud of your achievements– membership in NHS, varsity letter in tennis and a Merit Award from B.E.S.T.T. Love, Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters and grandparents