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The caring spirit of Dorothy Riekes
April 29, 2011 25 Nisan 5771 Vol. 90 | No. 34
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by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Dorothy Chait Riekes passed away on April 19 at the age of 90. Supporting the Jewish community of Omaha was something that Dorothy considered her obligation. It was one she fulfilled in many different ways. Throughout the years, she supported Hadassah, and was an active member of Beth El synagogue. She was a lifetime member of the National Council of Jewish Women, was involved with B’nai B’rith Women, and was a strong supporter of the Jewish day school that is now Friedel Jewish Academy. In 1975, Dorothy and Henry created the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s first annual campaign endowment fund, which will continue their contribution to the campaign for years to come. Earlier this year, Lion of Judah honored her with the 2010 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award for her many volunteer efforts. In a 1990 Jewish Press article celebrating Dorothy and husband Henry’s Jewish Federation Humanitarian of the Year Award, she said: “We owe to the future what our heritage has given us. If you can leave the world a little bit better for having
been in it then you have accomplished something.” Dorothy’s generosity extended to non-Jewish causes as well: she
Dorothy Chait Riekes helped found the Eastern Nebraska Mental Health Association, and gave nearly 20 years of service as a volunteer in the area of mental health. In addition, she supported the Red Cross, the Heart Fund, United Way, the Joslyn Art Museum; the list goes on and on. However, it is important
Jewish response to U.N.’s recognition of ‘Palestine’ by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) – The path to international recognition of Palestinian statehood by September
supporters who oppose such recognition is how to create a detour. Some say the way to go is through diplomatic suasion. Others say there
Shrager Gallery to hold an open house Page 11
to note that what Dorothy Riekes gave to the community cannot be explained in financial support alone. Jody Malashock, President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, says: “Dorothy was a woman ahead of her time. Her quest for learning, dedication to social issues of the day and her love of Judaism made her a very special person. She had such a strong commitment to her family and to our community, we should all strive to emulate her.” “Through her commitment, Dorothy has always been an exceptional role model for the women in our community,” Jan Goldstein, Chief Development Officer says. “When I began my Federation career in 1990, Dorothy and her dear friend Ruthie Goldstein chaired the Women’s Philanthropy Snowbirds division. They continued to do so until their health no longer permitted. Hosting meetings and events, Dorothy helped others to understand the importance of supporting the Jewish world and working to make it a better place.” It was that ability to inspire others
that was perhaps Dorothy’s greatest gift. “She led by example, teaching younger women how we could improve the lives of our families and others with our involvement. Her legacy will continue on with so many who knew her and were inspired by her,” Goldstein said. “This community is blessed to have the Riekes family in it,” Mike Silverman, Jewish Federation CEO says. “Dorothy has shown so much dedication throughout the years, and we are grateful to her, as well as to the entire Riekes family for their investment in our community.” “I will miss my end of year meeting with Dorothy (with Steve and Carl) reviewing her numerous funds at the Foundation,” says Jewish Federation Foundation Director Marty Ricks. “She was very proud inside, but modest on the outside, of the funds that she and Henry had set up to help the Federation and its agencies. She was especially proud of the Riekes Museum that exhibits the present and former synagogues in Omaha and Council Bluffs. The funds established by Dorothy and Henry will support many Jewish educational and other programs for present and future generations.” Continued on page 19
Teen Leadership honored with awards by SHERRIE SAAG Development Associate, The Jewish Federation of Omaha Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. ~John F. Kennedy
and Yonatan went one step further. Both went above and beyond the norm and succeeded in developing future leadership to secure their youth group’s continued success. The award will be presented dur-
Emily Katz
Yonatan Dotan
Sometimes it is hard to reconcile the words “teen” and “leadership.” After all, how can a person at the tender age of 15, 16 or 17 have absorbed enough life experiences, let alone put them into practice, to become true leaders? This year’s Robert and Ellen Gordman Jewish Teen Leadership Award recipients, Emily Katz and Yonatan Dotan, certainly put this question to rest. These worthy teens fulfilled the award’s criteria in more ways than one. Without question, they demonstrated personal commitment, initiative and leadership ability within their respective youth groups. But Emily
ing a special program with their classmates at the Omaha Jewish Chai School on Wednesday, May 11. Emily’s commitment to Temple Israel’s youth group (OTYG) goes beyond Omaha’s borders. According to her youth group advisor, she has had a significant role in the resurgence of OTYG and the prominence it now has in the Missouri Valley Region of NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth). During Emily’s freshman year, OTYG was without an advisor and had only 7 members. Undeterred, Emily set Continued on page 2
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
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Senior Living
Israel and its supporters are trying to fend off plans this September for U.N. recognition of Palestine by the General Assembly, seen here during a moment of silence for the victims of the Japanese tsunami, March 15, 2011. Credit: UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz
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-- when the Palestinians plan to bring the matter before the U.N. General Assembly -- seems clear. The question before Israel and its
needs to be a push forward with peace initiatives. Still others believe that threatening counteractions is the best way to derail the Palestinian plan. Israeli officials have warned that unilateral recognition of Palestine could be countered by unilateral Israeli steps, like West Bank annexation. The only certainty is that Israel expects the fallout from such recognition of Palestine to be disastrous. Several weeks ago, Ehud Barak, the Israeli defense minister, called it a “diplomatic tsunami.” Continued on page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | April 29, 2011
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Continued from page 1 At the moment, the Palestinian plan is to get a sympathetic nation on the 15-member U.N. Security Council, where decisions carry the weight of international law, to propose recognition, and at the same time to get two-thirds of the General Assembly to recognize the state of Palestine, in itself a propaganda victory. Should the United States, as expected, veto a Security Council resolution recognizing Palestine, the Palestinians would try to invoke the rarely used General Assembly Resolution 377, also known as the “Uniting for Peace” resolution, which allows the General Assembly to override the Security Council. The latter scenario is what Israel and its friends want to avoid; its use in 1981 set the legal framework for a decade of boycotts of South Africa that ultimately helped topple that country’s apartheid regime. Israel and its allies are in agreement on the technical approach to running the Palestinian Authority approach off the road. Step one is to avoid the necessity of a U.S. veto in the Security Council by thwarting the nine votes that any initiative needs to pass the 15-member Security Council, absent a veto. Failure to get such a majority on the Security Council likely would inhibit Palestinian efforts to bring the matter to the General Assembly, which meets in September. Alan Elsner, senior communications director for The Israel Project, has been meeting in New York with U.N. diplomats this week. He counted off what he believed would be five sure votes against the proposal on the current council: Permanent members France, Britain and the United States, and rotating members Germany and Colombia. “If they can’t get it through the Security Council, they would lose a lot of momentum,” he said of the Palestinian statehood push. The focus then would be to draw in at least one more Western or Western-leaning country from among the rotating ten members. The parallel strategy, Elsner said, is to lay the groundwork now by explaining to diplomats from 120 nations who routinely favor Palestinians that even a symbolic recognition of Palestine is no ordinary rebuke of Israel. “The trick is to make countries aware that this is not a routine vote,” Elsner said, noting that such an effort already was underway in Congress. Key congressmen from both parties are reaching out to ambassadors to explain that such
a vote would have repercussions in terms of relations with the United States. David Harris, the executive director of the American Jewish Committee, which focuses on U.S. Jewish outreach internationally, said European opposition to Palestinian statehood was not a sure thing. “How the European Union will behave matters greatly,” Harris said. “Whether the E.U. will take a single unified position or will break down into national positions remains to be seen.” Those advocating the peace tracks say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to counter the Palestinian statehood push with a peace initiative serious enough to prompt allies of the Palestinians to nudge them back to direct talks with Israel. “How Israel engages in its public diplomacy with regard to the resumption of the peace talks will have real impact in shaping how other countries react,” Harris said. “Israel must convince the world it is serious about moving the peace process forward.” On Thursday, Netanyahu joined Rep. John Boehner (ROhio), the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, in announcing plans for an Israeli prime ministerial address to both chambers of Congress in the first week of May. That’s a signal of Netanyahu’s intention to present a new peace initiative. Separately, U.S. officials have indicated that the Obama administration also is ready to re-enter the process after months of inactivity since the Palestinian walkout from direct peace talks with Israel in September, when Netanyahu refused to extend a self-imposed partial settlement freeze. There are rumors circulating in Washington that President Obama plans to lay out his own vision even before Netanyahu’s arrival, in order to make sure the Israelis understand the American bottom line of a solution based on the 1967 borders, with adjustments. The AJC’s Harris said Israel and the United States need to launch a “full-court press” by summer to head off recognition in the fall. “The consequential countries are looking for signs and signals from Israel and the United States -- what will the prime minister say to Congress next month, will President Obama come to Israel in the summer,” Harris said. “There are a lot of important moments that can happen between now and the fall.”
Teen Leadership honored with awards Continued from page 1 out to build membership using both social media and the old-fashioned, “I won’t take no for an answer!” To her credit, OTYG grew in the last 3 years from 7 to 26 active members. Three years ago, Emily returned dejected from a Spring Conclave because OTYG did not receive awards and was not a strong presence in the region. She was determined to change that. She became Social Action Vice-President, planned projects that appealed to her peers, made sure everyone took part, and posted the events on the region’s website. One short year later, OTYG returned from Spring Conclave with several awards, including “Best Youth Group of the Year.” Now, three years later, three OTYG members sit on the 7 member Regional Leadership Board. Lori Bennett, Temple Israel Religious School Coordinator, has watched Emily serve as a role model to others for the last six years. She believes Emily found her passion with Camp Rainbow, an overnight camp for children with cancer sponsored by the NFTY Missouri Valley Region. Since freshman year she has been a Camp Rainbow counselor and this year she was selected to work directly alongside the camp director and co-founders. “She is so passionate about kids and Camp Rainbow,” said Bennett. Last September Emily made a presentation on cancer care at the Leadership Institute in Kansas City. “A member of the audience, a child fighting cancer, said it was the most accurate depiction of the cancer experience she had ever heard!” said Bennett. “Camp Rainbow became so meaningful to me. It is an experience unlike any other. Seeing kids grow, change, and enjoy life experiences while being very sick is really inspirational,” said Emily. Emily took a leave of absence, so to speak, last Spring to attend the Eisendrath International Exchange High School in Israel with good friend Grace Hack. She plans to attend Loyola University in Chicago this fall to study Biologic Anthropology in preparation for medical school. She plans to become a pediatric oncologist. “I want to thank the Federation and the Omaha Jewish community for honoring me with the Teen Leadership Award. It is gratifying to think that people respect me as a leader. I intend to return to Israel to study sometime soon
and the award will help me do this,” said Emily. Yonatan, a fellow classmate at Westside High School, is equally passionate about the Omaha Jewish community and United Synagogue Youth (USY) at Beth El Synagogue. His first leadership position was that of Senior Representative, moving on to Religious Education VP, Vice President and finally Chapter President in 2011. Concurrently, Yonatan held leadership positions in the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, both at the chapter and regional levels. “I’ve always thought of being involved as working hard to the best of my ability and always completing the task at hand,” said Dotan. “The award was a wonderful surprise. I did not know I was nominated. I am surprised, happy and honored to have been chosen,” he added. Shiri Tene, Beth El’s Youth Director, nominated Yonatan for the 2010 Teen Leadership Award. She admires his capacity to take on leadership roles and is particularly impressed with his ability to manage programming. According to Tene, “he has a willingness to accept major responsibilities and see them through from inception to completion. His peers listen to him and look to him as a positive role model. In turn, he is able to motivate those around him.” “As the Purim carnival chairperson, Yonatan stepped in to educate and guide me on the duties of planning such a large event. He demonstrated an extraordinary amount of maturity in doing so. I am constantly amazed with his ability to get things done through delegation, setting examples, and being a role model,” Tene added. Yonatan is a musician at Westside, participating in marching, varsity and concert jazz band, to name just a few. He plays the piano, saxophone and guitar and even formed a band with three friends. He describes his favorite activity as “always a learning experience.” Yonatan has deferred his acceptance to the University of Wisconsin to spend a gap year in Israel with Kivunim, “New Directions.” While based in Jerusalem studying Middle East policy, Yonatan will travel every three weeks to study Jewish history in Morocco, India, Spain and Eastern Europe. He plans to utilize the award to offset his gap year program costs.
April 29, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 3
In Prague, balancing Muslim-Jewish ties with shul leadership by SYMI ROM-RYMER PRAGUE (JTA) -- On a cold December evening in 2009, 26-year-old Karel Goldmann faced an uphill battle and he knew it. He had just proposed to his fellow synagogue board members a low-key, meet-and-greet between the members of Bejt Simcha, one of Prague’s progressive synagogues, and Emir Omič, the imam of Prague. Goldmann’s idea was to give members of his community a chance to learn about Islam from a Muslim leader. “I wanted to have Imam Omič over for tea and have him speak about Islam and its similarities with Judaism,” Goldmann told JTA. “I wanted members of Bejt Simcha to know that not all Muslims are terrorists.” But when the matter came to a vote, there was only one voice on the seven-member board in favor of the proposal: Goldmann’s. Self-effacing and with an easy laugh, Goldmann does not seem the controversial type. Yet he has become one of the Jewish community of Prague’s most outspoken grassroots advocates of Jewish-Muslim dialogue at a time when such ideas are unpopular among many Czech Jews. In the Czech Republic, where the small Jewish community is apprehensive of Muslim-Jewish interaction, interfaith activities like those Goldmann supports are viewed with skepticism. “I want to be on good terms with Muslims, but can they claim the same?” asks Ivan Kohout, Bejt Simcha’s cantor. “Islamic fundamentalism is growing, and I have reservations about such dialogue.” It’s not too hard to find Jewish-Muslim dialogue in the United States, from national programs to events at individual synagogues. But in the Czech Republic, the little formal Jewish-Muslim interaction that exists is limited to top religious leaders. As with other communities in Europe, Jews in this community of 3,000 to 4,000 people are mostly wary of Muslims. Muslims have been linked to anti-Semitic incidents on the continent, and many Europeans view Muslims as threatening the European way of life. But not Goldmann. He blogs for Idnes, the Czech Republic’s second-largest newspaper, about how prejudice and xenophobia plague both Jews and Muslims. He contributes to a magazine called Secrets of Islam. He writes articles in his synagogue’s magazine about similarities between Judaism and Islam and the insidiousness of anti-Islamic rhetoric. Even in his progressive congregation, it’s often a tough balance between being an advocate for Muslim-Jewish ties and a synagogue leader. Goldmann said his rabbi recently pulled him aside and said, “Karel, I know you and your articles are interesting, but I do hope you are not in touch with extremists.” “Sometimes my opinions about Muslims are really different from the community,” Goldmann says with characteristic understatement. “I question everything. I don’t like firm
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opinions. If you can’t change your opinions, you are ideological but it doesn’t mean you are right.” He adds, “Almost everyone looks at me like I’m lost.” Goldmann’s outspokenness on Muslim-Jewish issues is the culmination of a pair of personal journeys that began when he learned of his Jewish roots at the age of 18. Judaism played almost no role in the Goldmann family’s identity. Goldmann’s grandfather, an assimilated Jew with German roots, abandoned his family and fled to Germany after the Communist coup in 1948. Those he left behind suppressed any connection to Judaism. As the Iron Curtain came down, Czechoslovak Jews won the freedom to practice their religion. But the history of assimilation and Community repression had made its mark.
Karel Goldmann has raised eyebrows in his Prague synagogue for his outspoken advocacy for greater Muslim-Jewish ties. Credit: Symi Rom-Rymer Although occasionally teased about his Jewish-sounding name at school, at no point during Goldmann’s childhood did his family ever talk to him about his Jewish roots. He only learned of them in his late teens when his father mentioned it in a conversation about religion, in which Goldmann had developed an interest. Goldmann soon embarked on a quest to discover what being Jewish meant. He turned to Orthodox Judaism, the denomination of the official Jewish community here, but found it too restrictive. Although he eventually underwent an Orthodox conversion so that he could participate fully in religious services -- Goldmann’s mother is not Jewish --
Goldmann found his true home among progressive Jews. Then came his political awakening. In the early 2000s, Goldmann enrolled as a student at Charles University in Prague, intending to study Judaism. But because there was no separate Jewish studies program, Goldmann was placed in classes with students studying other religions, including Islam. “Before I started university, I thought that Muslims were trying to convert us to Islam or were going to make a jihad on the Czech Republic,” Goldmann said. The experience of getting to know Muslims personally helped him overcome deep-seated prejudices about them. After graduating, Goldmann began blogging for Idnes about Jewish-Muslim issues, and he soon came to the attention of Lukáš Lhot’an, an editor of the magazine Secrets of Islam. “He not only mentioned Jewish problems, but also problems that Muslims face,” Lhot’an remarked. “I thought that he wrote objectively.” The two became good friends, and Goldmann became a contributor to Secrets of Islam. Although other Jews don’t share his predilections, Goldmann believes that his friendship with Lhot’an and other Muslims helps the Jewish community. “When I talk with the Muslim community in the Czech Republic, it makes our image better,” he said. When it comes to Israel-related issues, Goldmann recognizes there are differences between the two communities, but he says part of that is public posturing. Over a beer at the pub, his Muslim friends aren’t as dogmatic as in public. The only way to change things, he says, is to push for greater friendships between Muslims and Jews. “It’s important to have a personal connection,” Goldmann said. “We need to discuss the Middle East conflict face to face, to keep talking about it and not repeat nonsense.” Meanwhile, Goldmann has become a leader in his synagogue, involved in fundraising and other inter-communal outreach programs. There have been times, especially during the past year, when he thought he might have to shelve his interfaith work so as not to do damage to Bejt Simcha, which is trying to grow. But ultimately, Goldmann says, he can no more hide his frustration at the growing anti-Muslim rhetoric in the Czech Republic than he can deny his Jewish identity. Now, more than ever, he must speak up, he says. “Now is the time to not step back and make room for antiIslamic rhetoric,” he says. “I am trying to discuss these topics with people, to contribute to the change. What else can I do?”
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Ra’anana rabbis condemn attack on Reform synagogue by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Some 14 Orthodox rabbis and public figures from Ra’anana signed a letter condemning an attack on a Reform synagogue in the central Israel city. Ra’anana Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Peretz was among those who signed the letter, which was released Sunday.
throughout Israel to also show their disgust at this destructive inter-Jewish hatred.� Ra’anana Mayor Nahum Hofree condemned what he called the “bullying,� saying the attack “does not characterize Ra’anana’s people. This is a city of tolerance and exemplary coexistence.�
The World Union for Progressive Judaism also condemned the April 14 attack, the third time the Raanan Synagogue has been vandalized in the past year. Six of the synagogue’s windows were smashed in by large rocks and a black Star of David was spray-painted on the wall above the words “It has begun.� City officials and the Reform umbrella group both indicated that the vandalism pointed to Jewish religious extremists, though police said they had no suspects. In a statement released April 15, the World Union said that it “condemns all violence that is motivated by hatred and religious extremism. As we approach the season of Jewish freedom, we call on all government and NGO agencies to show their abhorrence of these wanton senseless acts, we are confident that government leaders will take the lead in this condemnation and we call on Orthodox leaders
In another incident of violence against a non-Orthodox synagogue, youths threw rocks at worshipers leaving a Masorti synagogue in Netanya on the Sabbath eve of April 15. The youths appeared to be Orthodox, eyewitnesses said, according to The Jerusalem Post. The youths reportedly tried to enter the building but stopped when they saw security cameras. The building has been attacked twice in the past. No worshipers were injured in the attack. A complaint was filed with police. “As the non-Orthodox communities continue to grow, the ugly face of Jewish fundamentalism in Israel is revealed,� Yizhar Hess, executive director and CEO of the Masorti movement in Israel, told the Post. “Some people just can’t deal with the fact that there is a different Judaism. These people are hateful Jews who know nothing about Rabbi Akiva’s principle of loving your neighbor as you love yourself.�
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Beth Israel by BETH COHEN Executive Director, Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel’s Sunday Night Dinner Committee is putting together a fabulous evening in celebration of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8 at 6 p.m. The dinner menu will include home-made pizza, lasagna, salad and delicious dairy desserts. All moms in attendance at the dinner will be entered into a raffle to win prizes including flowers, a free dinner, picnic sets and more! “Our monthly Sunday night dinners are great events,� says Julee Katzman, Beth Israel’s Programming Committee
Chair. “Not only are they fun, family friendly, relaxing evenings with fantastic food, we are able to keep the cost down because the meals are done by volunteers. We couldn’t do it without our Dinner Committee Chairs, Joey Shyken and Shirly Banner, and all of the amazing volunteers who help them.� Cost for the dinner is $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 4-12, and free to kids 3 and younger. Reservations for dinner may be made by contacting the synagogue office at 402.556.6288 or BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org.
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Beautiful music by SHERRIE SAAG Development Associate, The Jewish Federation of Omaha God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. ~Jewish Proverb Join the Jewish Federation of Omaha this Mother’s Day to honor and celebrate with mother, grandmother, aunt or special woman in your life. The Zamarei Matte Asher Choir is in Omaha for one performance; on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8 at 2 pm in the JCC Theatre. The concert is open to the community, free of charge with a dessert reception immediately following. “Celebrating Israel with Songâ€? will be filled with music that interprets personal stories and every day details about the not-so-simple life in Israel today. It combines a medley of Jewish ethnic songs, lullabies and modern Israeli music. The choir also includes selections from Fiddler on the Roof for its North American audiences. The Matte Asher Choir hails from Israel’s Western Galilee, our Partnership region in Israel. Partnership is a program of the Jewish Agency and the Jewish Federations of North America to promote relationships between 15 American Jewish communities and the Western Galilee. 16 members and the conductor all share a passion for choral music and enjoy performing. The conductor, Uzi Asner, began his musical career in the IDF Army Bands. Today, he conducts of number of choirs including “Shironâ€?, a choir of Christian supporters of Israel from Denver, Colorado. Uzi recently wrote a CD for the evangelist community based on biblical stories, entitled The Bible and I. Other choir members include a paratrooper in the Six Day War who was part of the brigade that returned East Jerusalem and the Wailing Wall to Israel, a member of Kibbutz Evron since its inception in 1948, a resident of Nahariyah whose passion for extreme sports led him to skydiving and deep sea diving hobbies, an ĂŠmigrĂŠ from Casablanca, and a dental assistant who makes stained glass in her free time. According to Lisa Epstein, Partnership with Israel chairman, “The decision to host this choral group was unanimous. All of the musical performances Omaha has been fortunate to host through Partnership have been outstanding.â€? “We are so fortunate to have a talented group of choral singers entertain our community this Mother’s Day. What a special treat to spend time enjoying beautiful music together,â€? said Mary Sue Grossman, Associate Executive Director, Center for Jewish Education. “The performance is also a wonderful lead-in to the community Yom Ha Atzmaut celebration happening on Tuesday, May 10.â€? For more information on this or any other Partnership with Israel program, please contact Kathy McGauvran at 402.334.6427 or email to kmcgauvran@jewishomaha.org.
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April 29, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 5
WRJ Donor Luncheon speaker to emphasize stress relief by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Rita S. Corell, MA, LMT, an instructor in Temple Israel Communications Coordinator stress management for nearly 11 years at the Women of Reform Judaism-Omaha will University of Nebraska at Omaha, will be the honor outgoing President Susie Norton and guest speaker on “Using the Moment to her Board and welcome incoming President Discover Life’s Treasures.” She’ll present Mimi Silverman and the new Board at an opportunities that we can take during daily installation and donor luncheon at Temple tasks to regain control of our lives and create Israel on Thursday, May 5 at noon. boundaries between ourselves and our stresDonor Campaign Chairs include Joi sors. Emphasizing the importance of and Brown, Kate Kaminsky, Susie Norton, and techniques for keeping our minds calm, Mimi Silverman. Corell will discuss the resulting Silverman believes this is “a benefits on our physical selves. wonderful time to be Corell has been practicing involved in the synagogue. massage therapy for 30 years. Sisterhood is really for all the She got her start at the Jewish women of Temple, and I’d like Community Center as an to see as many of us get apprentice while earning her involved as possible. bachelor’s degree in biology Reaching out to everyone can and her master’s in health be a difficult task so I urge education at UNO. Former everyone who has ideas to call longtime JCC Athletic me. I’m looking forward to Director Chuck Arnold listening to as many people as “came to the university to possible to get a feel for what interview for jobs at the JCC. Rita Corell we’re going to be when we I visited with him, and that’s move to the new building,” She added that how I got into massage!” she explained. she’s “flattered and honored to be asked to “I did not intend massage to be a lifelong be a leader.” practice,” she said. “An extraordinary field Norton said that she also has been “hon- that is both a science and an art, it is one of ored and humbled to serve as WRJ’s presi- the rare professional fields that the older you dent for the past two years. The energy, pas- get, the better you become.” She enjoys “the sion, creativity, and talents of the many one-to-one interaction with people… sharwomen I have had the opportunity to work ing healthy aspects of living with them in with through WRJ is a tribute to our addition to things they can do for better Sisterhood and the commitment we all share stress management practices. It’s pure luck to Temple Israel. The success of WRJ is truly that I fell into a career that I love and that a group effort, and I’m proud to have served has grown to be so popular over the years. this incredible group.” “Massage is wonderful as a stress manageIn addition to Silverman other new WRJ ment technique. With both school and Board members are Stacie Brodkey, presi- work, I often teach self-massage techniques dent-elect; Sherrie Saag and Cat Rawlings, that people can work with on their own. No membership vice presidents; Jennifer Miller, matter what you are experiencing…anytime religious action vice president; Joi Brown, you tune into your mind and body’s programming vice president; Iris Ricks, response, you add a deeper connection to finance vice president/treasurer; Dana everything around you,” she explained. Gonzalez, public relations vice president; To make a reservation for the luncheon, at Carrie Fingold and Teresa Kramer-Ruback, $10 per person, reservations cards and young family programming vice presidents; checks should be at Temple Israel by Kate Kirshenbaum and Nikki Kirshenbaum, Monday, May 2. religious living vice presidents; Mendy Donor categories range from $18 to $200 Halsted and Wendy Furst, development vice and can be sent to WRJ regardless of lunchpresidents; Wendy Furst, recording secre- eon attendance. Proceeds from WRJ’s tary; and Mary Wampler and Allyson Donor Campaign provide funding for Wilczewski, directors. Event Chairs are Temple Israel’s Religious School and kitchen Stacie Brodkey, Danielle Gordman, Andie as well as to host holiday events and proGordman, Jen Goodman, Bonni Leiserowitz, gramming for women, children, and famiTina Meyers, and Denise Meyers. lies of the congregation.
Israelis clash over Palestinian future by EDGAR ASHER took a microphone in the nearby Rothschild A left-wing group of Israeli artists and Boulevard and started reading the words of intellectuals held a meeting outside the the Declaration of Independence despite Independence Hall in Tel Aviv this after- efforts by left-wing activists to drown her noon. Their aim was to sign a declaration outside the hall where Israel's first prime minister David Ben Gurion read the original Declaration of Israel's independence in 1948. The left wing activists wanted to sign their own statement supporting the founding of a Palestinian state based on the previous Six-Day War lines, including east Jerusalem. Several hundred right-wing demonstrators started a counter demonstration shouting slogans and vociferously arguing with the left-wing participants. Several MK Yael Dayan, left, confronted by a right-wing progroups of tourists visiting the build- testor. Around her were signs that read, “Traitor, Credit: ISRANET ing, which is dedicated as a muse- shame on you”. um to the original independence event, out with boos and insults. In 1970 Maron were temporarily trapped in the building was seriously wounded at Munich airport until police safely escorted them away from when a Palestinian terrorist attacked passengers waiting to board a flight to Israel. As the protest meeting. At one time the veteran Israeli actress a result of her injuries she had to have one of Hanna Maron, who is now 87-years old, her legs amputated.
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by SUE FISHKOFF The story was featured in Oprah Winfrey’s O magazine, SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) -- It’s easy to spot Rabbi Shmuel and “Someone passed a comment, saying, ‘What kind of Simenowitz at a Jewish food conference, an environmental- God would let that happen when you’re out there doing his ist gathering or any of the other progressive-minded confabs thing?’ “Simenowitz recalls. “And I said, ‘Bottom line, you he frequents. don’t get hurt doing mitzvahs.’” Just look for the Chasid in the room. After the story was published, people started calling from Simenowitz is an anomaly: a haredi Orthodox Jew, black all over to adopt a tree in Simenowitz’s grove; his business hat and all, who is equally at home -- and equally uneasy -- was saved. in a roomful of dreadlocked 20-something eco-hipsters as at Simenowitz produces about 100 gallons of maple syrup in a a Chasidic celebration. He takes flak from the Orthodox for good year, boiled down from 4,000 gallons of raw sap, which “wasting time” with the foodies and is chided by progressive is collected from buckets he hangs from his tapped trees. He activists for his commitment to ritual observance. taps the trees in a pattern, he explains -- a little higher or “I see myself as a post-denominational Torah Jew with lower each year so as not to damage the tree. The sap is Chasidic sensibilities,” he tells JTA, with more than a trace of pumped into an evaporator inside the sugar shack, where the self-mockery. “I’m an equal-opportunity offender.” water is boiled off to leave behind the syrup, which is about More seriously, he says, not 60 percent sugar. only is there no contradiction The operation is kosher certibetween living a Torah-true life fied. There are two major kosher and reducing one’s carbon footconcerns with “pure maple print, the two are intertwined. syrup.” First, an observant Jew is “I grow my own food, I grow required to turn on the evaporaorganically, I am a good steward tor because only an observant of the earth,” he says. “That’s Jew is allowed to “light the fire” Torah. I’m a Torah Jew, and my that cooks a kosher food item. world values are seamlessly inteSecond, while the sap is boiling, grated into that.” farmers drip animal fat into the Simenowitz, 53, is part of a mixture to keep it from foaming small but growing group of over the top of its container. strcitly Orthodox Jews who are “Traditionally they’d take a piece getting back to the land -- farmof pork fat, suspend it from a ing organically, raising animals, string and the foam would rise, living lightly on the earth and touch it and go down,” says doing it in the name of Torah. Simenowitz, who instead uses Fifteen years ago he walked olive oil, pouring in a drop or two away from a successful career as at a time. Rabbi Shmuel Simenowitz works his draft horses on an entertainment and intellecSimenowitz, who sells all his his Vermont farm, circa 2002, with children Tova and tual property lawyer and moved maple syrup himself either in Shlomo riding along. Credit: Lloyd Wolf person or by mail order, says he from the New York suburb of Long Island to an organic farm in Vermont with his wife, sells out every year. Rivki, and two young children. They were becoming newly He makes his living as a traveling scholar-in-residence, observant, and thought the big house and fancy cars would- lecturing about farming in Orthodox venues and teaching n’t help them “grow spiritually” or raise their children with Torah to Jewish environmentalists and foodies through the values they were beginning to hold dear. Ya’aleh v’Yavo, the Jewish environmentalist project he The couple planted vegetables, set up a chicken coop and directs. He also picks up the occasional legal case, to keep began making maple syrup from the hundreds of maple the bills paid, and has been tapped by the city of Baltimore trees in their 14-acre sugar bush, calling their project Sweet to do a comprehensive energy audit on a new OrthodoxWhisper Farm. Simenowitz used draft horses to plow the friendly commercial building, including designing some of fields and carry the maple sap from the trees to his sugar its energy-efficient infrastructure. shack, which is modeled on an 18th-century Polish wooden Simenowitz doesn’t attend Jewish food conferences anysynagogue -- one of hundreds destroyed by pogroms, Nazis more, saying he is “tired of being the poster child for the and years of Communist rule. Orthodox.” Jewish environmentalists and eco-foodies need Jewish student groups, observant and non-observant, to ground their work in Torah, he says, if they want the would visit from the big city, and Simenowitz would introduce Orthodox world to take them seriously. them to farm work while imparting a little Torah wisdom. “The Orthodox are late to the parade,” he acknowledges, “When I get the yeshiva guys up here, they know their but that’s understandable. Torah but they need to get their hands in the dirt,” he says. “The environmental agenda is often grafted onto a liberal “And when I get the tree-hugging crowd, they say, ‘Wow, social justice agenda that the Orthodox community can’t what a beautiful sunset,’ and I say, ‘That’s great, but we need accept,” he says. “Part of my program is to fill that breach.” to do some learning.’ We’re like spiritual dietitians, giving Simenowitz works closely with Kayam Farm, an organic everybody what they’re missing, trying to bridge that gap.” farm and Jewish educational initiative at the Pearlstone Two years ago Simenowitz and his family moved to Conference and Retreat Center just outside Baltimore. Baltimore, and they now live in an Orthodox neighborhood When he first visited several years ago, he learned that of families interested in getting back to the land. One neigh- Kayam was based on his farm in Vermont, which the generbor keeps bees. Another spins her own wool. A third has an al manager’s daughter had visited as part of a group from the organic farm -- just the kind of integration for which he and 92nd Street Y in New York City. Rivki had been looking. “That was really validating,” he says, “to see the seeds I But Simenowitz still travels to Vermont each spring to planted take root.” work his sugar bush. About a decade ago, after a disastrous maple harvest season, the sap finally started running on the eve of Passover, right before the first seder, and neighbors poured in from all over to help collect it as fast as they could. But as sundown approached, Simenowitz put down his bucket and said work by JTA NEWS STAFF had to stop. By the time he was permitted by Jewish law to (JTA) -- Police are searching for a suspect in a fire in a continue working, all the sap had spoiled in the unseasonprominent Hollywood synagogue that has been classified ably hot sun -- hundreds of gallons, nearly his entire crop. as arson. The fire, which the Los Angeles Fire Department has called arson, was set in a classroom on the second floor of Temple Israel of Hollywood early on April 14. The susB’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS pect was caught on a security camera and is believed to The Annual B’nai B’rith Sports Banquet will take place on be a transient known in the area, according to The Los Wednesday, May 4, 5:45 p.m. at the Qwest Center. For Angeles Times. more information, call 402.334.6443 or e-mail bnaibPolice reportedly are not investigating the incident as a rith@jewishomaha.org. hate crime, though Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge called it a hate crime, the Los Angeles Jewish LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Journal reported. Yiddish teaches an optimistic vision that allows us to view The incident came a week after a Santa Monica Chabad the world with joy and hope. Come join us at the Blumkin center and synagogue was targeted with a pipe bomb. A Home, every Thursday in the board room, at 1 p.m., to suspect in that incident was arrested in suburban reap “The Joys of Yiddish!” For information call Anne Cleveland. Skolkin at 402.343.1638.
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April 29, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 7
JFS aims to strengthen and preserve sound family life by OZZIE NOGG According to a Jewish proverb, “God couldn’t be everywhere, so he created mothers.” In today’s society, that generic word -mothers -- includes a specific group of women who, for various reasons, are flying solo: single moms. Census figures from 2009 show that 84% of custodial parents are mothers, and these women are responsible for raising 21.8 million children, approximately 26% of the children under twenty-one in the U.S. today. Jewish Family Service of Omaha knows some of these single moms personally. The agency also recognizes that these mothers (like the Creator...) can’t be everywhere at the same time, either, and often need a helping hand. The following case study is one example. M.R. is a single Jewish mother with two children, ages eleven and fourteen. She works in an entry level position, makes minimum wage, and is classified as ‘the working poor.’ Her job does not provide insurance benefits but it was the only job she could find. M.R. managed to secure affordable housing, but the neighborhood is not great for her kids. She can cover her bills -- those that are considered necessities such as rent, OPPD, MUD, car insurance, groceries and gas. She has a cell phone, but can’t afford a land line, too. M.R. doesn’t have cable or Internet because she can’t justify the cost; however, she knows that not having Internet access puts her children at a disadvantage
when doing some of their school work. She barely manages to get by, has NO savings and hopes that nothing goes wrong. But something does go wrong. In January M.R. finds out that her car needs major engine work estimated to cost $750. She knows she’ll receive some tax money by the end of February, but she needs her car now in order to get to work. M.R. already has had too many absences due to sick children and can’t afford ‘another reason’ to miss work, even if it’s legitimate. M.R. was planning to use that tax refund to buy her children some clothes that they desperately need. Karen Gustafson, Jewish Family Service Director, picked up the story here. “When M.R. came to Jewish Family Service for help, the agency first verified her Jewish connection. Then we assessed her need and income to determine if there were any changes she could make in managing her finances. Next, JFS partnered with M.R. in the repair of her car. And since Jewish Family Service has donors willing to help offset moderate costs, especially when kids are involved, we called local families with children approximately the same ages as the client’s who offered to donate much needed clothing. This process is not new to us,” Gustafson continued. “All parents face challenges, and the challenges faced by single moms -- and single dads -are that much harder. Mothers raising children on their own juggle so many basic things -- working a day job, finding ade-
1911 - 2011
JFS
Celebrating a century of service
quate child care, school issues, maintaining the household, finding time to grocery shop and cook dinner. On top of all that, single moms often neglect their personal needs, like sleep, nutrition and keeping up with friends. The sense of isolation, of being pulled in too many different directions, can become overwhelming. Jewish Family Service is here to assist in any way that is appropriate for the specific situation.” Assistance, Gustafson explained, may include short-term financial aid, crisis intervention, counseling and family life education. “For the past ten years, Jewish Family Service has offered Love and Logic, a program that sharpens parenting skills and teaches strategies for raising happy, self-sufficient kids,” Gustafson said. “The classes are particularly beneficial for single moms -especially those without close family nearby -- because the group fosters a feeling of belonging and inclusion, and helps single parents and kids stay connected to the Jewish community.” “For some women, Mother’s Day is not all about roses and lacy cards and going out to brunch,” Gustafson said. “When you’re the sole person responsible for making the right decisions regarding your children, responsible for paying the bills, it’s tough to relax and have fun. For clients like M.R. there are never enough hours in the day, even on Mother’s Day.” From its beginning, the main purpose of Jewish Family Service has been to strengthen and preserve sound family life in Omaha. “We’ve long understood that family and personal problems need professional attention,” Gustafson said. “Today, as we look forward to our 100th Anniversary, our mission remains the same. To serve the Jewish community with the highest quality staff and services available in the Omaha metro area.
Of course, much of the critical support we offer in the way of emergency financial aid, crisis intervention and family counseling takes place under the radar, with full confidentiality. Because JFS respects our clients’ privacy, we usually can’t put a human face on our work, or reveal names of those who have benefitted from JFS. But we can say, emphatically, that Jewish Family Service has restored dignity, hope and meaning to people -- including women like M.R. -- whose struggles have seemed insurmountable. Our 100th Anniversary JFStival! dinner on Monday, June 6, will celebrate that accomplishment and honor Gloria Kaslow as our Woman of the Century for her continued commitment to JFS. Gloria is like a ‘mother’ to our agency -- always concerned about our health and our growth. JFStival! also gives us a chance to say ‘thank you’ to our many supporters and volunteers.” The 100th Anniversary JFStival! will be held at Beth El Synagogue. The event begins at 6 p.m. with surprise-filled entertainment followed by dinner. Andi Willensky, JFStival! Chairperson, said, “Invitations will be mailed soon to the entire community. This is an exceptional event, and we welcome everyone’s participation through donations to this year’s JFStival! Friends Campaign, by attending our celebratory evening on June 6, or both. Jewish Family Service is an outstanding community agency. All forms of support are very meaningful and are accepted with utmost appreciation.” Jewish Family Service is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha and a beneficiary of the Federation’s Annual Campaign. Future editions of the Jewish Press will carry JFStival! details and stories that shine a light on Jewish Family Service and its acts of loving kindness.
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8 | The Jewish Press | April 29, 2011
ADL and IHE present Essay Contest and Courage to Care awards by HILLARY FLETCHER save two Jewish families during the Holocaust. This was the these Jewish families and immediately connected with the Marketing Associate, Institute for Holocaust Education first time that a regional ADL office was granted permission ADL and the Courage to Care Award. During his presentaThe Ninth Annual Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest to present this honor. Accepting the award was Olta Gjoca, tion Potash explained to Gjoca, “We don’t always know awards ceremony was held Monday evening, April 11 at the granddaughter of Kumi-Veseli. when or how one makes the decision to save someone’s life, Rose Blumkin Home auditorium. The contest has been managed for the past nine years by the Plains States Office of the Anti-Defamation League and the Institute for Holocaust Education and is sponsored by the Carl Frohm Foundation. Thoughtful and reflective opening remarks from Gloria Kaslow, Chairwoman of the Institute for Holocaust Education, set the tone for the evening and presentations were warmly conducted by Mayor Jim Suttle. Each of this year’s contest winners and honorable mentions received cash prizes ranging from $75 to $750 and the book, The World Must Know by Michael Berenbaum. Four hundred and fifty essays were submitted from the greater Omaha area, Grand Island, California, Minnesota, and New Jersey. The first place winners for 9th – 10th grade and 11th – 12th grade, Robert Phillips of Burke High School Olta Gjoca receives her grandmother’s award from Alan Winners of the essay contest with, far left, Amy Rosenthal, coordinator of and Mikaela Kelly of Central High School, Potash. the essay contest and, far right, Linda and Harold Mann of the Carl Frohm read their essays for those in attendance. Memorial Foundation, with Mayor Suttle. Following the ceremony, Alan Potash, Director of the In 2008, the Kumi-Veseli family contacted Plains States Office of the Anti-Defamation League, present- Beth Seldin Dotan, Director of the IHE, to share Deshire’s but the ADL believes everyone has the ability to make a difed the Courage to Care award to Deshire Kumi-Veseli a story. Upon learning of this testimony, Seldin Dotan felt ference and when the opportunity to stand up presents itself Muslim Albanian woman who, along with her family, helped compelled to appropriately recognize Deshire’s assistance to we are ready, like your family, to do so.”
Monday Night Lecture Series with Rabbi Gross by BETH COHEN Executive Director, Beth Israel Synagogue Undoubtedly, the most controversial Jewish figure of the 20th century is Rabbi Meir Kahane. Even twenty years after his 1990 assassination, just the mention of his name is enough to spark a passionate debate about Israel. Kahane was a one-time Israeli Knesset member most famous for his proposal to expel Arabs from Israel. Who was Meir Kahane? What was his message? Find out as we learn about Kahane, in his own words from his writings and lectures. The threepart lecture series will be held at Beth Israel Synagogue on May 2, 9 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. Before Meir Kahane moved to Israel, he lived in New York and had an entire career of Jewish advocacy. He founded and led the Jewish Defense League, a controversial group that organized Jewish youth to protect Jews against antiSemitism. He was also a leading advocate in the struggle to free Russian Jewry. Most people who have heard of Meir Kahane have not actually heard Meir Kahane. His policies and positions regarding Israel, Arabs, Judaism, violence, and a host of
other issues are more nuanced than most people think. The Supreme Court of Israel banned Kahane from running in the 1988 Knesset election because they feared that his movement was so popular that if he were allowed to run he would have a powerful voice in the Israeli government. Today, all over Israel one can still see signs that say “Kahane Tzadak” Kahane was right! In this lecture series, Rabbi Gross will delve into excerpts from Meir Kahane’s writings, and will explore who this man was and what was his message. On Monday, May 2, the class will read excerpts from Kahane’s book The Story of the Jewish Defense League. We will read and discuss Kahane’s views on violent protest, selfdefense, and Jewish pride. “Uncomfortable Questions for Comfortable Jews” will be the topic for the lecture on Monday, May 9. Kahane was a skilled debater. In his day, many Jewish organizations and synagogues refused to host Kahane, and prominent Jewish leaders would not engage him in debate. They claimed that they did not want to legitimize him, but Kahane claimed that they were afraid because they feared that they could not
answer his tough questions about Judaism. We will read his questions and decide for ourselves. In addition, Yom Hazikaron falls this year on May 9. Yom Hazikaron is the day we remember all of the brave Israeli soldiers who gave their lives to establish and defend the state of Israel in all wars from 1948 to the present. A memorial service will follow the lecture, at approximately 8:30 p.m. As is the custom, we turn our mourning into celebration and begin the festivities for the Yom Ha’atzmaut Chagigah immediately following the memorial service. On Monday, May 16, Rabbi Gross will address Kahane’s most controversial book They Must Go. In his own words, we will learn about Kahane’s proposal for Israel’s Arabs. “I believe that understanding Kahane is important to understanding the situation in Israel today,” explains Rabbi Gross. “Regardless, whether you agree or disagree with his views, there is no denying that he was a significant voice in Jewish and Israeli history. I look forward to a lively discussion.” The three-part lecture series is free and open to the community.
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April 29, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 9
On the job training
Bert’s eye view BERT LEWIS I’m tempted to begin with a complaint....what can I possibly find new to say about Mother’s Day? However, I’ll resist because truth is, there’s always something else. Plus, since I’m one of the Moms responsible for the group called baby boomers, that alone should provide grist for the mill. The baby boomers were, of course, those born shortly after WWII, when we Americans were getting back to the business of living normal lives. That, in turn, meant all those people who had served in the Armed Forces and come home safely were marrying and starting families. Lots of us did exactly that... so many, in fact, that all the kids who were showing up from the mid 40s to early 50s, were dubbed “baby boomers.” Which helps explain my interest in Mother’s Day, way back in 1948. Those were interesting times for those of us who experienced them, starting with choosing the professional who would deliver that first baby. Many women automatically went straight to the family doctor who had always been there for babies; some chose the specialist who only took care of women. The G.P. kept the new Mom in the hospital for a week, the “modern” doc said up-and-at-’em after a few days, which in time became the norm. Did it make any difference in the health and welfare of the baby? I doubt it, but it sure did in the Mom. When the new mom and her baby were home and on their own, things really began to change. For one thing, while many a novice wished for a book of instructions, others found that for the first time in probably a lot of decades, there were, in fact, books written by experts which covered most questions asked by semi-hysterical new mommies. One in particular became not just a favorite, but “the bible” for the inexperienced. If you have a child in his or her early 60’s, you know to whom I refer. Most of us thought he was a genius, and most of our mothers thought he was maybe useful in describing measle spots, but otherwise? An idiot with crazy ideas. I didn’t elevate him to god-like status, but I admit I had a well-worn copy of his book before my baby was a year old. Part of that was because my own maven, my Mom, was many miles away until my firstborn was two years old. If I had to wing it, I found the book a handy source. He (the author who was a Pediatrician) had many commonsense answers for everyday questions regarding rashes or digestive problems. If Bobie was halfway across the country and couldn’t pop in for a house call, it was a comfort to have the book. As I recall now, all these years later, the bad rap the book earned had to do with things like crying, refusing to comply with “the rules”, and later, psychological questions. That’s where the separation of women from girls was really
apparent. We took it so seriously, I wonder now why so many new and untried theories were so easily accepted by so many. And also, I find it interesting that by the time the second baby made an appearance, there was yet another “baby bible” on the bookshelves, written by another expert. The second (and all others following) usually refuted many of the written-in-stone recipes for raising the perfect child. It’s amazing how many foolish ideas we had during that first baby’s early infancy. At my house we learned to refer to our firstborn as “the learner child.” The poor kid was the victim of all our early attempts at perfect parenthood. Through the years that followed, as his three siblings came on the scene, we realized how little we knew and were horrified to realize, finally, this truth: There’s really no education available to a prospective parent. For the most important job in the world, it’s a matter, mostly, of on-the-job training. That’s pretty scary stuff, all these years later. There continue to be many classes and books, and heaven only knows how many experts. Nevertheless, I still believe it’s mostly on-the-job training. One can read about the proper steps to take when you find your toddler with an open bottle of baby aspirin in her tiny hands, munching quietly. Oh yes.....the book tells you what to do first, but it doesn’t describe the fear that suddenly makes your ears ring. No; that stuff is what the business of raising kids is all about. Living through the first moments and the time in the E.R. that follows. (You wonder how come your hair turned gray so early? Ha. You got kids? Case closed.) Our Secretary of State is a woman (and a Mom) I admire greatly, but I don’t agree that it takes “a village” to raise a child. Yes, it takes a lot of help, but how Mom or Dad handle the daily agenda counts for more. We have access to information of every kind, books and lectures and classes, and if we’re lucky, grandparents. I think it’s of great importance to gather as much data from every resouce available. Having said that, I also believe in plenty of one-on-one time, lots of watching and listening and answering questions, and exposure to how things work in nature, plus lots and lots of love. And while you’re at it, don’t forget the importance of being the best role model you can be. Just as your two-year-old will say a profane word (loudly) in a crowded public place because he heard you say it, that same toddler will say please and thank you and I love you if he hears it all the time. So what do we have here? It was meant to be about Mom, and I hope it is, but the raising of a child and Mom’s role are so inexorably entwined, I find it impossible to separate my thoughts into two categories. But you probably already knew all this anyway. You also know you have to play with the hand you’re dealt, right? So a little mazel doesn’t hurt either. To all the Moms out there, if your child is 6 or 60, he or she is now and will always be the real definition of the words, joy, pleasure, pride or, if you will, naches. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY. Bert Lewis can be reached at BertLewis39@aol.com.
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Two Palestinian teens arrested in Fogel family murder by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Two teenage Palestinians from a West Bank village have been arrested in the murders of five members of the Fogel family in a West Bank Jewish settlement. The Israeli military announced Sunday that Israeli security services -- including the Israel Defense Forces, the Shin Bet security service and police -- were involved in the arrest of the teens from the nearby village of Awarta in connection with the brutal March 11 murders in Itamar on a Sabbath eve . Amjad Awad, 19, who worked as a laborer in Israel, and Hakim Awad 18, a high school student, reportedly both admitted to committing the murders. They also staged a reconstruction of the crime, the French news agency AFP reported, citing a Shin Bet briefing document. Amjad Awad, who is not related to Hakim, reportedly said that he went to the Itamar settlement to “die a martyr’s death.” The suspects have been identified as members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, as are several members of their families, some of whom were arrested as accomplices, though Israeli security services suspect the alleged murderers did not act on behalf of the terrorist organization. Dozens of residents of Awarta had been detained by Israeli security services in recent weeks in an effort to identify the Fogels’ murderers. “The murders of five family members, including a 3month-old baby, constitute a crossing of all red lines,” said IDF spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich. “The IDF has
invested in numerous operational and intelligence efforts, and has worked closely with other security forces in order to find those responsible for this vicious murder.” Udi Fogel, 36, and Ruth Fogel, 35, and their children Yoav, 11; Elad, 4; and Hadas, 3 months, were stabbed to death in their beds. Two sons -- Roi, 8, and Yishai, 2 -- were sleeping in a side bedroom and were spared. A daughter, Tamar, 12, returned home at midnight from a youth group program to discover the massacre. The family had been evacuated from the Gaza Strip and lived in Ariel before building a home in the northern West Bank community, near the Palestinian city of Nablus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday in public remarks that he had been updated in recent weeks and days on the progress of the investigation. “For the family, this is not a complete answer, but without it they could not be given even a partial answer,” he said, adding that “We will reach murderers anywhere.”
In the news Catherine Rawlings, Certified Professional in Learning and Performance, has accepted a position at Union Pacific Railroad as an instructional designer. She starts her new job in May. Catherine has a background in payroll and leadership training, so creating training for railroad workers will be an interesting new challenge. “I am excited to take my career to the next level and work for a company as prestigious as Union Pacific.”
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10 | The Jewish Press | April 29, 2011
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Congratulate YOUR GRADUATE The annual Graduation/Father’s Day Issue publishes June 10. 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.
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Congratulate Your Graduate Order Form ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Name _______________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City, State and Zip ______________________________________________ Phone _______________________________________ Ad A O Ad B O Photo enclosed O Check enclosed for $ _________ Send check and photo to The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 by June 1.
Bob Dylan: Tangled up in (Israeli) Jews by ALAN D. ABBEY JERUSALEM (JTA) -- With the greatest Jewish rock and roller of all time Bob “You can call me Zimmy” Dylan, making his return to Israel after nearly two decades, the question arises: Will the crowd be bored? Dylan, whose lyrics have been soaked in biblical and religious imagery for decades, is coming here in June for the first time since 1993 as part of his “NeverEnding Tour,” which has taken him recently to China, Taiwan and Vietnam. That has brought criticism from groups such as Human Rights Watch, who say that Dylan should be ashamed of himself for allowing his set lists to be preapproved. The New York Times’ Maureen Dowd threw a fit over Bob Dylan his shows in China. Credit: www.zmemusic.com In Israel, the excitement about his show at the country’s largest venue, the Ramat Gan soccer stadium, has been tempered here by concern that the gravel-voiced septuagenarian -- Dylan will turn 70 shortly before arriving here -- will turn off his audience with obscure songs, lack of showmanship and indifference to them, unlike Leonard Cohen, who offered the priestly blessing to 45,000 at Ramat Gan in 2009, Paul McCartney and Elton John, all of whom offered crowd-pleasing renditions of their classics. Plus, Dylan will be competing for the shekels of fans of other aging rockers, including Bryan Ferry, Megadeath and two surviving members of The Doors, as well as those who were forced to shepherd their kids to Justin Bieber on April 14. With that hanging over him, Bobby D. will need to go the extra kilometer he rarely does to succeed in the Holy Land. Here is my pre-approved set list of songs that Dylan should perform in Israel to win over the many groups that make up Israeli society. Secular, leftist Israelis: A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall: This song’s anti-nuke message has even more prophetic impact now in the wake of Japan’s crisis. As a bonus, Dylan should bring up to the stage Israeli rocker Aviv Gefen, who has done a popular Hebrew version. Chances Dylan will do the song? Very good. It’s on the current set list in Asia . For fans of the ‘classics’: Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, Mr. Tambourine Man, Rainy Day Women No. 12 & 35, Positively 4th Street, Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again, Tangled Up In Blue, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right, Like a Rolling Stone. As a bonus, Dylan should invite Like a Rolling Stone original bassist Harvey Brooks, who made aliyah in 2009, to join in on that one. Expect some, but he won’t play all. For religious fans (open-minded): Highway 61 Revisited: (“Oh God said to Abraham, ‘Kill me a son’/Abe says, ‘Man, you must be puttin’ me on.’”) Chances? Excellent. It’s on the current set list. For religious fans (yeshiva/haredi): A Satisfied Mind: This obscure ditty paraphrases the Talmudic epigram about who truly is a rich man (“It’s so hard to find/One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind.”) Chances? Slim to none. The song has been performed exactly once in Dylan’s 50-year career. How about Man in the Long Black Coat? Just kidding. For religious fans (knitted kipah): Forever Young: Dylan’s reworking of the priestly/parental prayers includes a reference to Jacob’s ladder thrown in for good measure. Chances? Very good. It’s on the current set list. For religious fans (settlers): Neighborhood Bully: Dylan’s 1983 Likudnik paean to Israel and the Jewish people. Chances? None. He has never performed it. For religious fans (Carlebachian stoners): Talkin’ Hava Negiliah Blues: This 1961 song would be a great sing-along: “Here’s a foreign song I learned in Utah/Ha-va-ne-giliah/O-de-ley-e-e-oo.” Chances: None. Never performed. For Christians and women who venture to Ramat Gan looking for something especially for them, such as his born again-era tunes In The Garden, Saved and Man Gave Names To All The Animals, or surprisingly moving love songs such as If You See Her, Say Hello, Just Like a Woman and Lay, Lady, Lay are likely to be disappointed. Dylan just doesn’t do those songs anymore. Even if he follows these recommendations, almost everyone who sees the concert will spend the evening swinging wildly from ecstasy to boredom, which at least should make the lines for beer and bathrooms manageable.
April 29, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 11
Ingest(igat)ing San Francisco by JOSEPH A. LIEBERMAN shamelessly Victorian “Noe’s Nest B&B� on Imagine we could take a look at Jewish Guerrero Street -- the only Chabad-associcuisine in a modern day location, but from ated hostelry in SFO, with a mezuzah on a 1930’s Philip Marlowe/Sam Spade classic every doorframe and a bagel-lox breakfast detective perspective. Maybe it would look for every hungry mouth. something like this: What she wanted wasn’t easy to find, even The name’s Boyle -- Hy Boyle, Private in a city with its own Contemporary Jewish Ingestigator. My beat’s San Francisco. Museum. Downtown San Francisco’s They call me lots of things -- kosher cop, deli detective, food fuzz -- I don’t mind, it comes with the unorthodox territory, an urban treifscape littered with demitasse dreams, half-baked hamantaschen and battered latkes. The steaks are high [especially the Kobe kind], but you take the calories with the sour cream. One morning, I got a call from a close acquaintance named Sheila Rubinson Ash, Brooklyn-born socie- The Beach Blanket Babylon, America’s longest running stage ty hostess, fashion consult- show, featuring the San Francisco Skyline Hat. ant, and bed and breakfast entrepreneur kashrut scene is nearly nonexistent. A few whose flamboyant lifestyle could conserva- semi-kosher cafes may have been deli-ighttively be called over-the-top outrageous. ful in their day, but now their reviews on I answered as usual, “Hymie Boyle, P.I.E.� yelp.com read like Hamas critiques on vaca“Hi, Hy. It’s Sheila. Say, what’s the ‘E’ stand tioning in Haifa. for?� The Concordia-Argonaut Club might “Extraordinaire, kugelcake. What’s eating work. It was founded by jeans-maker Levi you?� Her consistency was smooth, but I Strauss and his pals back in 1865 as a private knew something was simmering below the Jewish-German social club, but they only surface. hold dinners on certain nights. Then there’s “I’m in a stew, Hy. Got important guests Beach Blanket Babylon, America’s longest coming into town and I’m as nervous as a running stage show, created by the late Steve mohel before his first circumcision. Dinner’s Silver, a nice Jewish boy with a beautiful gotta be perfect.� meshuganah mind. It’s got singing celebrity “Yeah, I get’cha. You want it kosher, start impersonaters with spectacular costumes to finish. Okay, I’m onto it.� and huge headgear -- including a hat twelve Hanging up, I thought about Sheila’s Continued on page 12
Schrager Gallery Open House by JANET FARBER The Phillip Schrager Collection of Contemporary Art announces its fifth annual public opportunity to view galleries devoted to this collection of international contemporary painting and sculpture. This event will take place on Sunday, May 1 from noon-4p.m. at 4405 S. 96th Street. There is no admission charge. Since their inauguration in May of 2006, the galleries have been open by appointment to arts and educational groups. Although we are deeply saddened by the recent death of founding collector Phil Schrager, we are pleased to maintain the legacy he built by continuing to share his love of art with the community. Schrager’s collection is distinguished for its depth and exceptional quality, as well as for the monumental scale of many of its artworks. It is recognized as one of the finest private collections in the Midwest. The exhibition space provided by Schrager’s nine galleries rivals that offered for contemporary art by many museums in the region. Executive offices, also designed to accommodate a portion of the collection, will be open as well. Featured artists include Jim Dine,
Carroll Dunham, Ellen Gallagher, Antony Gormley, Mary Heilmann, Laura Owens, Neo Rauch, Julian Schnabel, Pat Steir, Thomas Struth and Terry Winters. New to
the gallery this year are works by Thomas Scheibitz, John Newman and Stephen Mueller. For more information, please visit www.schragercollection.org or send general inquiries to info@schragercollect ion.org.
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12 | The Jewish Press | April 29, 2011
Ingest(igat)ing San Francisco Continued from page 11 Eventually, Tanya informed me of something new, opened feet wide displaying the entire San Francisco skyline -- but in 2010, a bit further south: The Kitchen Table on Castro unfortunately, drinks only, no food. Street in Mountain View, the stomach of Silicon Valley. I had to think outside the matzo box. Okay, there’s 800 After getting misdirected by the only GPS in central Cal’ Mexican restaurants in town, but only one is both meatless that didn’t know the way to San Jose, I stumbled into The and nondairy. Gracias Kitchen Table like a Madre is completely Bedouin barkeep disorganic, serving dishes covering the last waterlike handmade tortillas ing hole in the Sahara. and tamales from proExecutive Chef and duce grown at their bioGeneral Manager dynamic Be Love Farm. Steven Long walked up All their cheeses, milks and said, “Welcome. and ice creams are Glatt to meet you.” I felt made using nuts. Not like I was home at last! certified, but kosher Long had been a sucafter a fashion, no? cessful metallurgist, but Then I remembered switched to the state Senator Mark California Culinary Leno, a grad from the Academy in the 90s, American College of ending up class valedicJerusalem who also torian. Since then, he’s spent two years in served celebrities, presiRabbinical Studies in dents and ordinary Joes New York’s Hebrew like me. Union College. Heard From the chicken and he was a frequent cusmatzo ball soup to the tomer of Historic John’s sweet potato fries, nonGrill, so I checked it dairy Caesar salad, out. Holy hummus! home-cured corned Turns out this is the beef and home-smoked mecca for Private Eyes pastrami, every dish - the restaurant that was beyond perfect. In mystery author Dashiell fact, I’ve never eaten Hammett described in anything comparable, John’s Grill where owner John Konstin keeps a replica of the Maltese The Maltese Falcon as not even in New York! Falcon above the bar. the place Sam Spade The side orders -- cole ordered his “lamb chops, baked potato and sliced tomato,” slaw, potato salad, etc. -- are all made in-house. still on the menu. Owner John Konstin keeps a replica of the But this classic lunch menu was just the beginning. Their movie statuette above the bar. Atmosphere galore, original innovative California cuisine at dinnertime goes way furnishings, live jazz nightly, great steaks and the best sole beyond traditional. Just imagine: Salmon Roulade with amandine anywhere. But not kosher. sweet corn coulis and sautéed spinach, or thick, succulent I was pulling a blank on real kashrut dining Al ‘Frisco, so Colorado Lamb Chops on couscous. Plus roasted halibut or I turned to Chef Tanya Nunes, who does kosher catering for chicken, short ribs with polenta, and yes, even Kobe steak. I the entire penninsula. “Hey Hymie,” she said, “you remem- called Sheila to tell her the good news. ber our last caper together?” “Are these really delicatessen dishes?” she asked. “Sure do, doll. We foiled those mugs and sent them to the “Well, this ain’t India,” I answered, “but let’s just call it New cooler. So I hear your business is heating up?” Deli.” “Like a stove on fire. In fact, I had to call in Captain Check out these corresponding websites: Sheila Ash’s Robert and Marilyn Katzman from San Francisco Fire “Noe’s Nest Bed & Breakfast” http://noesnest.com/, The Engine Tours to transport eight Hasidim on a catered jour- Kitchen Table, Mountain View http://www.thekitchentable ney in their 1955 Mack fire truck. Jewish couple, operate restaurant.com/tkt/, Beach Blanket Babylon www.beach from behind The Cannery at Fisherman’s Wharf. Both of blanketbabylon.com, Gracias Madre http://www.graciasthem come down in their antique fireman’s uniforms, madre.com, Historic John’s Grill www.johnsgrill.com, and and…” San Francisco Fire Engine Tours www.fireenginetours.com.
“Only mothers can think of the future – because they “give birth to it in their children.” —Maxim Gorky
Project Interfaith executive director invited to White House by MITCHELL WARREN Communications Intern, Project Interfaith Project Interfaith executive director Beth Katz was one of 50 community leaders from across the country who attended a briefing and reception with President Obama at the White House this past Friday, April 15. The gathering, organized by the White House Office for Public Engagement, recognized the work done in communities by these leaders and sought feedback from attendees on how the administration could improve its communications and engagement efforts at the community level. “Officials started the briefing by acknowledging that they had struggled to communicate with and engage people at the community level and that they wanted to change this,” Katz said. “They gave brief overviews of the administration’s economic, political and social priorities and then used the rest of the time to take our suggestions as to how they could more effectively reach out and involve the average person in issues they are working on. It was refreshing to see the way they genuinely listened to our input and the candidness in which they talked about their challenges working at the community level.” After the briefing, Katz and the other attendees were invited to the White House for a reception with the President. “It was an honor to have a chance to meet the President and to have our efforts at Project Interfaith recognized by the administration,” Katz said. Katz said she was inspired by her conversations with other leaders attending the gathering. “They really had assembled such a diverse cross-section of leaders who were dedicated to their communities. It was incredibly motivating to hear what other people are doing to build respect and understanding, and everybody was so supportive of our efforts at Project Interfaith to grow understanding, respect and relationships among people of all faiths, beliefs and cultures.” Launched in December 2005, Project Interfaith is Omaha’s only non-sectarian, not-for-profit interfaith organization and is dedicated to growing understanding, respect and relationships among people of all faiths, beliefs and cultures. In the past year alone, nearly 6,000 people have participated in Project Interfaith’s varied communitybuilding programs, which include interfaith arts programs, study circles, an annual speaker series, and religious and cultural diversity trainings for professionals. For more information, please visit www.projectinterfaith.org.
Class of 2011
It is our great pleasure to care for generations of mothers and grandmothers. High School Seniors and Parents
Happy Mother’s Day!
We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on June 10, 2011. To be included, we need your graduation photo and the information to the right. You can also email the information and photo to: jpress@jewish omaha.org.
High School Senior Information Name ____________________________________________ Parent(s)’ Name(s) ___________________________________ Current High School ___________________________________ College you plan to attend _______________________________ Send by May 13 to: The Jewish Press | 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154
April 29, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 13
From rosemary potatoes to chocolate stout
Read it and eat Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN Ladies, here are some cookbooks for you!
Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners by Sara Moulton (Simon & Schsuter, $35) As a working mother (television host, Gourmet magazine chef), Sara creates in sixteen chapters over 200 family-tested, kid-friendly recipes with variations, substitutions, and lighter versions using easy to find ingredients and emphasizing quick preparation. Clear numerical instructions, lots of helpful sidebars and this “damn near miraculous” vegetarian recipe: ROSEMARY POTATOES COOKED IN A BAG 1 1/2 pounds boiling potatoes, such as Yukon gold or Red Bliss 1 small onion 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves or 1 teaspoon dried 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 garlic clove Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Scrub and halve the potatoes length-wise, then slice them crosswise 1/2 inch thick (about 4 cups). Thinly slice the onion (about 1/2 cup), chop the rosemary (about 1 tablespoon), and melt the butter if using. Combine the potatoes, onion, butter, rosemary, and salt in a large bowl. Press in the garlic (about 1 teaspoon) and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated. Cut an 18-inch square sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil and transfer the potato mixture to it; fold the edges of the foil together and press the foil tightly against the potatoes. Place the package on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Makes 4 servings
Sweet Magic by Michel Richard (Ecco, $27.50) Pastry chef extraordinaire, restaurant owner uses the microwave as a shortcut technique to save time and cleanup in these 50 recipes. From Apple Fig Crumble to Pecan Pie (with curry) to Cocoa Puff Chocolate Mousse Cups. Top a
cake with this recipe: HOT CHOCOLATE SAUCE 2 cups (12 ounces) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (or chocolate chips) 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons apricot liqueur, amaratto or rum Combine the chocolate, cream and liqueur in the top of a double boiler over gently simmering water. Melt until smooth, stirring constantly. Keep warm over the simmering water if serving immediately, otherwise remove from the heat, pour into a covered container, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat in the double boiler.
Favorite Food at Home by Rachel Allen (William Morrow, $24.99) Ten chapters from Easy Family Food to Just Like Mum Used to Make. The international recipes with variations and vegetarian options are from this Irish chef. Make this soup in minutes: GREEN LEAF AND PEA SOUP 4 1/4 cups vegetable (or chicken) stock 6 scallions, trimmed and sliced 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 lb green peas (fresh or frozen) 9 oz watercress, arugula or spinach, or a mixture of all three, roughly chopped and large stalks removed 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons light cream Place the stock, scallions and garlic in a saucepan, season with salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Boil for about 4 minutes, until the scallions are soft, then add the peas and continue to boil over a high heat, removing the lid once the mixture comes to the boil. After 1 minute, add the roughly chopped leaves and boil for a further 30 seconds-1 minute, until the peas and greens are just tender, add the cream and puree immediately. Then season to taste and serve. Serves 6-8
TRUCK POWER WASHER
The Maschhoffs, a leader in pork production, is seeking a full time, 2nd shift Truck Power Washer in the Columbus, NE area. Responsibilities: • Safe operation of commercial power washing equipment • Inspection of trucks and trailers for defects to ensure animal safety • Performs maintenance and housekeeping on facilities Requirements: • High school diploma or GED • Work outside up to 50% with exposure to weather extremes • Lift up to 75 pounds and handle exposure to dust, noise and odors The Maschhoffs offers competitive wages and exceptional beneÞts.
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The Boozy Baker by Lucy Baker (Running Press, $18.95) 75 recipes for cakes, pies, tarts and cookies reinvented with the additions of, you guessed it...booze. From Applejack to Zinfandel plus 25 cocktails paired with the desserts. Whip up this drink and enjoy! BROWN VELVET 4 ounces chilled Champagne or other sparkling wine 4 ounces chocolate stout Pour the Champagne into a large wine glass. Very slowly, pour the chocolate stout over the Champagne so that it floats on top. Makes 1 drink Lois Friedman can be reached at ReadItAndEat@ yahoo.com.
“We like our mom living at Remington Heights because the staff cares about her.”
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14 | The Jewish Press | April 29, 2011
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FRIDAY, APRIL 29 Birthday Blessings, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, APRIL 30 Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Family Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, MAY 1 WRJ Used Book Sale at Temple Israel Weekly Bible Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El Sisterhood Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, 12:30 p.m. at Beth El 39 Forever Tour of Fort Atkinson & dinner following, 2 p.m. Special Showing of The Boys of Buchenwald, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel MONDAY, MAY 2 Teleconferencing Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. Center for Jewish Education Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. Monday Night Lecture Series with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY, MAY 3 Mainstreeters Mystery Trip, 9 a.m. Scholar’s Club, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 Teen Yom HaShoah Program/Dinner, 5:30 p.m. 57th Annual B’nai B’rith Charity Sports Banquet, 5:45 p.m. Community High School, 6:30 p.m. Yom Hashoah Commemoration Service, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Advanced Halacha Kollel, 9 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, MAY 5 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Psalms with Rabbi Azriel, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Plant Sale, 10 a.m. at Friedel Rabbi Levin’s Weekly Class, noon WRJ Installations, noon at Temple Israel Lomir Redn Yiddish, 1 p.m. Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. Beth El Rosh Hodesh Tuesdays With Morrie, 7:30 p.m. at the Omaha Community Playhouse FRIDAY, MAY 6 Plant Sale, 10 a.m. at Friedel Let’s Do Lunch with Rabbi Levin, noon at the Blumkin Home Beth El Grades 6-8 Shabbaton, 4:30 p.m. at 4H Camp in Gretna Tot Shabbat & Say ‘Shalom!’ to Shabbat!, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, MAY 7 Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, MAY 8 Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El Sunday Breakfast Scholar’s Series, 10 a.m. at Beth El Partnership Mother’s Day Concert and Reception, 2 p.m. Mother’s Day Sunday Night Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth Israel
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MONDAY, MAY 9 Teleconferencing Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. IHE Governance Council Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. Lets Wine About It! with Cantor Schlossberg, 6:30 p.m. at the Fox and the Hound, 120th & Dodge Oasis in Time Class, 7 p.m. at Chabad Monday Night Lecture Series, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Yom Hazikaron Memorial Service, 8:30 p.m. at Beth Israel TUESDAY, MAY 10 Scholar’s Club, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home JCC Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration, 5 p.m. Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. Community High School Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 Rabbis & Presidents Meeting, noon Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Board Meeting, 4 p.m. Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel AIPAC Nebraska Annual Event, 7 p.m. Advanced Halacha Kollel, 9 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, MAY 12 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Psalms with Rabbi Azriel, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Center for Jewish Education Board Meeting, noon Lomir Redn Yiddish, 1 p.m. Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. Sisterhood Kosher Greek Demo & Dinner, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El FRIDAY, MAY 13 CDC Graduation & Reception Ceremony, 10 a.m. SATURDAY, MAY 14 Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation (last day ‘till fall), 10 a.m. at Beth El BBYO Beau Dance, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY, MAY 15 Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El BESTT Third/Fourth Grade Wedding, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El JCC Dance Recital Cast B Performance, 2 p.m. Friedel Tribute Dinner, 5 p.m. MONDAY, MAY 16 Teleconferencing Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. Mainstreeters Luncheon Program, 12:30 p.m. JCC Dance Recital Tech Rehearsal, 4 p.m. Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. Oasis in Time Class, 7 p.m. at Chabad Monday Night Lecture Series, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel TUESDAY, MAY 17 Scholar’s Club, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home JCC Dance Recital Dress Rehearsal, 4 p.m. Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. Friedel BESTT Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Annual Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Friedel Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, MAY 19 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Psalms with Rabbi Azriel, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel School Directors Committee Meeting, 10 a.m. Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. Lomir Redn Yiddish, 1 p.m. Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. JCC Dance Recital Cast A Performance, 7 p.m. FRIDAY, MAY 20 Grade 12 Confirmation/Graduation, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel SATURDAY, MAY 21 Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Simchat Shabbat & Cafe Schmooze, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, MAY 22 Friedel PTO Carnival & Lag B’Omer Celebration, 1-4 p.m AIPAC Policy Conference, 9 a.m. in Washington, DC Jewish Genetic Testing, 9 a.m. BESTT (last day of classes 2010-11), 10 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Bible Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El MONDAY, MAY 23 Teleconferencing Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. Oasis in Time Class, 7 p.m. at Chabad TUESDAY, MAY 24 Scholar’s Club, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home BBYO Council Awards Night & Advisor Appreciation, 6 p.m. Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. Javitch Music Fund Concert & Reception, 7 p.m. Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 Jewish Genetic Testing, 3 p.m. Advanced Halacha Kollel, 9 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, MAY 26 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Psalms with Rabbi Azriel, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Levin’s Weekly Class, noon Lomir Redn Yiddish, 1 p.m. Friedel Graduation & Reception, 7 p.m. FRIDAY, MAY 27 End of Year Picnic, 11 a.m. at Friedel SATURDAY, MAY 28 Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, MAY 29 Temple Israel Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. at Stephen Center Weekly Bible Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El MONDAY, MAY 30 JCC Health & Fitness Center Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Teleconferencing Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. Oasis in Time Class, 7 p.m. at Chabad TUESDAY, MAY 31 JFO Executive Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m. JFO Board of Directors Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 Seminar on End-of-Life Issues with Rabbi Rosenblatt, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel JCC Dance Recital Cast A Performance, 7 p.m. Advanced Halacha Kollel, 9 p.m. at Beth Israel
All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.
April 29, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 15
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Wasserman Schultz brings Jewish identity to top party role by JTA NEWS STAFF Carusone said, but exploring their shared Judaism was critWASHINGTON (JTA) -- Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s ical. first day as a sophomore in the U.S. House of “There are not that many women in office, and not so Representatives, on Jan. 8, 2007, was marked by a number of many Jewish women, so it has been a nice friendship,” extraordinary achievements for a woman barely out of her Carusone told JTA. first term. Wasserman Schultz is seen as a team player. She was a striNamed to the Democratic caucus leadership. Named to dent leader in the 2008 primary campaign for Hillary the all-powerful Appropriations Committee. Named as a Rodham Clinton, and easily shifted to Team Obama when major fundraiser -- $17 milClinton withdrew -- a shift lion -- for the party’s breakObama has now repaid. through 2006 election. Republicans deride her as a Named by a tabloid as one of partisan. Hours after the the 50 most beautiful people announcement that she’d be on Capitol Hill. the next party chair, the Yet dominating her victory Republican Jewish Coalition party were blow-ups of headissued a statement citing her lines from Jewish newspaconnection with J Street, a pers: Wasserman Schultz had liberal group that calls itself led the passage of the act pro-Israel, pro-peace but establishing Jewish American which the RJC describes as Heritage Month. marginal and anti-Israel, to President Obama last week Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, left, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. question her judgement. named Wasserman Schultz (D- Debbie Wasserman Schultz at a Capitol Hill reception for “In blindly conferring legitFla.), 44, to the most powerful Jewish American Heritage Month, May 19, 2009. imacy on fringe groups like J party position, chairwoman of Credit: Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Street, she has raised serious the Democratic National questions about her own Committee. Even before she has formally assumed the job, the credibility and judgment,” RJC Executive Director Matt question of her Jewish identity has stirred speculation. Brooks said. Jewish Democrats say Obama’s choice of a successor to Wasserman Schultz has praised J Street a handful of times, former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine in the top party fundraising and she had addressed the organization at least once. spot is a signal of Obama’s commitment to a loyal conCapitol Hill insiders dismissed the flap as RJC politicking stituency: the Jews. -- Brooks’ statement resulted in immediate praise for “I guarantee you that her being a woman played a role in Wasserman Schultz from the American Israel Public Affairs the choice, I guarantee you that her being from Florida Committee and from the Jewish Federations of North played a role,” said David Harris, the president of the America. Neither organization is prone to praise promoNational Jewish Democratic Council. “But I also guarantee tions to hyperpolitical jobs, so the mere issuance of the you that her being Jewish played a role.” statements was a clear establishment message to the RJC to The question remains open of what role, if any, pipe down. Wasserman Schultz’s Judaism will play as she leads the As for Wasserman Schultz, she’s not afraid to take hard Democratic Party into the 2012 elections, when it hopes to shots. Last October, appearing on Fox News Sunday with re-elect Obama, maintain the majority in the Senate and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), then the minority whip and the erode the Republican majority in the House. Wasserman only Republican Jewish lawmaker in Congress, she chided Schultz declined to be interviewed for this story. him for not repudiating a Republican candidate in Ohio “She is so, so excited to be Jewish,” said Shelley Rood, who who had dressed up in Nazi regalia for SS re-enactments. worked as a legislative assistant in Wasserman Schultz’s Cantor repudiated the candidate, and then Wasserman office and is now a senior legislative associate at the Jewish Schultz suggested he was succumbing to her on-air pressure. Federations of North America. “She really enjoys working “You know good and well that I don’t support anything with Jewish organizations because she believes their priori- like that,” an annoyed Cantor said. ties for America are right on.” Off the record, Jewish leaders say Wasserman Schultz will Wasserman Schultz arrived at politics through Jewish ratchet up the pressure on the Jewish establishment to back activism, which has been a centerpiece of her career. The Democratic initiatives. Eric Golub, a Jewish blogger for the same year Wasserman Schultz was running for her first leg- conservative Washington Times, calls her the Democrats’ islative position, the Florida House in 1992, she joined the “Jew shrew” because of her partisanship. National Jewish Democratic Council as a staffer leading its Rood, her former staffer, ridicules such slurs. Florida operation. “She enjoys working with the other side,” she said. “But she’s “It was a regional office where you had one person on her in the leadership, so of course she’s going to be partisan.” own,” Steve Gutow, then the NJDC director, said of Carusone, Rood and others also cited Wasserman Schultz Wasserman Schultz, who was just 25 at the time. “But all the as an example of a lawmaker able to balance a career with a things we wanted to happen, happened. She had a strong young family. Wasserman Schultz often can be seen walking sense of self; she had a mind of her own.” around Capitol Hill, one of her three young children by her That single-mindedness and willingness to work with side, chatting animatedly. She has said many times that she what she had shepherded her through stints in both Florida would not be able to pull it off without her husband. houses, and then for Congress after her old boss, Peter Wasserman Schultz’s frankness about the difficulties of Deutsch, quit his Fort Lauderdale-area district for an unsuc- juggling parenthood and a career made her a natural party cessful U.S. Senate run in 2004. spokesman for women in the 2008 and 2010 campaigns, and She won handily and was immediately picked by Rep. she often refers to her children in explaining her support for Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), then the minority leader in the reforming health care and attacking poverty. House, as a leader. Pelosi asked Wasserman Schultz to push “She’s a mother of young children, so she gets the balancpotential first-timers past the finish line in 2006. ing,” said Carol Brick Turin, the director of the Miami-area That’s the year Wasserman Schultz formed friendships Jewish Community Relations Council. with Kirsten Gillibrand, who won a seat in upstate New That openness made it all the more shocking when she York, and with Gabrielle Giffords, who won an Arizona seat revealed in March 2009 that she had battled, and defeated, (Gillibrand is now a U.S. senator). Wasserman Schultz’s tire- breast cancer. Associates say that’s typical of a woman who less work with both women was critical to winning both has managed a highly public career while maintaining an races in districts that might easily have swung Republican. intense privacy around her family. That helped Democrats sweep the House that year and Still, she remains loyal and available to friends from the won Wasserman Schultz the chief deputy whip job in her earliest years of her career. When she attended a Chabad second term, and the plum spot on the Appropriations event recently, she picked out and warmly greeted Rabbi Committee. Aron Lieberman, a Fort Lauderdale Chabad director. As a It also led to close friendships and regular lunches for the 20-year-old staffer in Deutsch’s office, it had been her job to three relatively young female lawmakers. When an assailant pick up Lieberman from the airport for the monthly classes shot Giffords in the head in January, Wasserman Schultz Deutsch had with the rabbi. and Gillibrand were among the first to fly to her bedside, The fact that she remembered Lieberman, never mind and they were there when she pronounced her first words deferred to him, took aback the assembled rabbis, said Rabbi since the shooting: a request for toast. Levi Shemtov, the director of American Friends of Lubavitch. Giffords’ chief of staff, Pia Carusone, says Wasserman “She’s energetic, dynamic, aggressive and well respected Schultz has been “invaluable” in supporting the staff. even by those who might not agree with her on the policy Wasserman Schulz and Giffords shared many interests, level,” he said.
16 | The Jewish Press | April 29, 2011
Point of view
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
In defense of Jewish mothers everywhere
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Let’s give anthropologist Margaret Mead the benefit of the doubt and assume she didn’t set out to create new stereotypes when she researched Shtetl life. Even if she placed a “nagging, whining, and malingering mother at the center of the Shtetl family,” and consequently reported that “these mothers gave their children unshakable love but anchored it in boundless suffering.” (Slate.com) How could she have known that this one study would pave the way for a stereotype about Jewish mothers so successful that an entire industry can’t exist without it? Find me a Jewish comedian without at least one Jewish mother gag in his or her repertoire, and I’ll buy you lunch at the Star Deli (as long as you finish your plate). We are pushy and overprotective. We nag, smother, and manipulate. We interfere in our children’s lives long after said offspring has left the nest. We obsess over our children’s well being, are insufferable know-it-alls, and cannot help but point out on a regular basis how much we sacrifice for our children. Helicopter parenting? Seriously? We invented helicopter parenting long before it was in vogue. Of course, these stereotypes wouldn’t continue to exist if it weren’t for some very ungrateful children who never learned to properly respect their mothers. It’s okay; we know they only amount to anything because of us. Seriously, why would these stereotypes stick around so long, pop up in movies and videos and novels (thank you, Mr. Roth) if there weren’t at least some truth to all this? Wouldn’t it take more than a few lame jokes to perpetuate the myth? Have you met my mother? Besides, if you think we are pushy, trust me: you haven’t seen pushy. I don’t think we are overprotective either; can we help it if our children don’t always make smart decisions? Explaining to your child that climbing on top of the minivan is dangerous is not overprotective; it’s common sense. Reminding them to wear more than a tank top when it’s snowing outside (true story) is just responsible parenting.
When my son refuses to eat for the third day in a row, is it obsessive if I beg him to eat one single cracker? Are you nagging if you give your husband an honest answer when he asks how he looks in that sweater? Is it really so bad to remind our children that “mommy worked very, very hard to buy you nice things” just so they’ll clean their rooms? Facetiousness aside, it is time for these archaic stereotypes to go out with the weekly garbage. Luckily, over the past decade or so, there has been somewhat of a shift in parental attitude. While the baby boomers were firm believers in expert after expert who explained it all, it is generation X’s task to throw those parenting books out, one by one, and seek advice from those who have been in our shoes: other mothers. And voila: just when we needed it, the blogging Jewish mom made her appearance. From east- to west coast, from Ayelet Waldman’s Bad Mother to Jewesses with Attitude, Jewish women have found a different voice. Suddenly, it is okay to make fun of ourselves, and admit (out loud!) that we don’t really know what we’re doing. On top of that, we make mistakes, and love to compare notes on those mistakes; as long as we have girlfriends around who are just as clueless as we are, we’re all right. It’s an entirely new discourse, and rather than compete about junior’s accomplishments (both my children walked at nine months!) we try to come up with the worst examples of misbehavior, almost to the point of bragging. These days, it’s normal to call your friend’s house and
have her answer the phone in a whispered voice, admitting to you she’s hiding from her screaming kids in the secondstory closet. We can second-guess our children, our parenting styles, and even ourselves. The ‘bad mother’ stereotype is here to stay. Our children can thank us later. From one extreme to the other, from overbearing knowit-alls to anxious know-nothings; what do we really get out of all this? Are our children happier for having parents who admit they don’t have all the answers? Are we? Probably not. But where would we, as Jewish mothers, be without something to obsess over? At least the mothers themselves drive these new stereotypes. Because let’s get one thing clear: if anybody is going to make fun of our behavior, it should be us, and not some ungrateful man-child on a stage somewhere. Got that, Lewis Black? We’ve sacrificed way too much to let that happen.
A holiday for the ages and today
Behind the headlines STEVE FELDMAN AND ROBERT SKLAROFF PHILADELPHIA (JTA) -- One of the most significant dates in Jewish history and Israeli history again passed by with hardly any attention and no fanfare. The Book of Joshua states that on the 10th of the first month, Nisan, Joshua led the Jewish people across the Jordan River, which God had parted so the crossing could be made, and into the Land of Israel (Ch. 3: 14-17). This year the date corresponded with the evening of April 14 to sundown April 15. So it is time to have an annual commemoration of the Hebrews’ entering the land of Israel and becoming Israelites. Call the holiday Yom Knisa, short for Yom Knisa la’aretz -- The Day of the Entering Into the Land. This holiday would celebrate this auspicious occasion; serve as an educational device to remind the Jewish people of our connection to the land; and smash the slanderous myths that Jews have only been in this land for fewer than 100 years. The Book of Joshua is part of the Jewish Bible (Tanakh) and Christian Bible; even Islam has reverence for Joshua. Some Muslims believe he is one of the two Hebrews referred to in Sura 5:23 as having been bestowed with Allah’s grace. Joshua is included as well in Muslim texts known as “Stories of the Prophets.” Many people assert that Jews are interlopers to the region formerly called Palestine, and therefore their rights to the
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land are “illegitimate.” In fact, this is the term often used to describe Jewish towns and communities referred to as “settlements.” Others claim the Jews are illegally “occupying” another people’s land. Joshua (3:14-17), as recorded in the ArtScroll edition, provides a remedy: After the Children of Israel had gathered on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, as instructed by God, “When the bearers of the Ark [of the Covenant] arrived at the Jordan and the feet of the Kohanim, the bearers of the Ark, were immersed in the edge of the water -- and the Jordan was overflowing its banks all the days of the harvest season -- the waters descending from upstream stood still and they rose up in one column ... and was cut off; and the people crossed opposite Jericho. ... [A]ll Israel crossing on dry land until the entire nation finished crossing the Jordan.” The notion that Israel was “founded,” “created” or “established” just in 1948 by the Western powers to give the Jews a sliver of land due to post-Holocaust guilt is false. Israel has been in existence since approximately 1200 BCE. The Children of Israel have inhabited the land continuously ever since. The Arabs and especially the Muslims cannot produce an authentic counter-claim. Mohammed founded Islam nearly two millennia later. Most of Israel’s detractors ignore these facts. Jews and even some Israelis themselves are oblivious of what took place and when. Yom Ha’atzmaut marks Israel’s modern Independence Day and the beginning of the Third Jewish
Commonwealth. Yom Knisa is Israel’s “birthday.” The patriarch Abraham was the first Jew to enter the Land of Israel. The Torah states that he purchased the cave of Machpelah in Hebron from the Hittites (Genesis 23:16) as a burial place for his wife, Sarah. Later, Abraham himself and the other Jewish patriarchs and matriarchs (except for Rachel) were interred there. This is the same Hebron that the media commonly refer to as a “Palestinian” [i.e., “Arab”] city. Biblical cities such as Jericho, Shechem (aka Nabulus) and others also are commonly and erroneously referred to as Palestinian or Arab cities. This is an attempt to separate these towns from their Jewish pedigree. There is considerable debate among academics as to precisely when the Hebrews entered the Promised Land to stay. Much of this dispute surrounds a record of early Egyptian history known as the Merneptah Stele, an artifact dating to 1209 or 1208 BCE discovered in the first court of Merneptah’s mortuary temple at Thebes in 1896. Merneptah was a pharaoh who ruled Egypt in the late 13th century BCE. The stele refers to Israel as a “foreign people” and it is the only ancient Egyptian document generally accepted as mentioning “Isrir” or “Israel.” Another similar artifact known as The Mesha Stele, said to date from the ninth century BCE, records a victory by the Moabite King Mesha over Israel and thus also establishes the fact that Israel existed thousands of years ago. Continued on page 17
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April 29, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 17
A year after the BP spill, inspiration in an uphill battle
Behind the headlines RACHEL COHEN WASHINGTON (JTA) -- At Passover this year we mark the one-year anniversary of the BP oil spill disaster. We continue a hard struggle for freedom from the crippling grasp of the oil industry and work toward a more environmentally just future for our neighbors across the Gulf of Mexico and around the world. The Passover story demands that we act as if we ourselves went forth from bondage, confronting the pharaohs and the injustices of our day with the knowledge that once we were slaves, and the understanding that we cannot be truly free unless we all are free. Before last Passover, I had never been to the Gulf Coast. I didn’t know that south Louisiana loses a football field of wetlands every 40 minutes, that 90 percent of offshore energy development comes from the Gulf, or that the sometimes adversarial oil, fishing and recreation industries are the lifeblood of the region. I cared deeply about energy and the environment but knew little about the communities most impacted by our energy choices. In the year since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, killing 11 men and dumping millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf, all this has changed. When we see such a threat to the health and safety of millions of people, we as Jews must speak truth to power and demand a change. And we have responded -- for the last year, I’ve been privileged to work with interfaith advocates for justice from across the Gulf Coast and across the country to right the wrongs brought to light by this disaster through our After the Spill campaign. We fight an uphill battle. Despite the influx of media,
money and public attention to the gulf last April, we’ve yet to see Congress act to restore the Gulf, prevent future disasters or set our country on the path to a cleaner energy future. As a nation, we have stood by idly as the people of the Gulf continue to suffer and our entire country stands at risk of yet another catastrophe. Despite the frustrations in Washington and the desperation of so many across the Gulf, I find hope and inspiration in the people I have met in this work. My own journey has taken me to south Louisiana, where I have seen houses on stilts to guard against frequent flooding, shrimping boats docked and lifeless, and toxic waste dumps overflowing with the debris of Hurricane Katrina continuing to threaten the air and water of nearby communities. I have met some of those most impacted by our failed response to disaster. I know Daniel Nguyen and the community leaders of New Orleans East, who are fighting yet another toxic waste dump in their community, adding insult to injury after this predominately Vietnamese fishing community was devastated by the BP spill and blocked access to the claims process by language barriers. I’ve traveled down the bayou with Patty Whitney of Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing, and heard her stories of generations of fishermen and rig workers in her family and community (the parishes of south Louisiana are truly family) left out of work by the spill even as they rebuild from four massive hurricanes in the past five years. And I’ve met countless rabbis and ministers, and people of all faiths, speaking out against injustice and caring for those in need. We are brought together by a common humanity and ties of faith and hope -- but also outrage and injustice - driving us to action. Just last week I spent an unforgettable day in Washington
Tweaking tradition: Jewish texts in today’s lingo
Behind the headlines SUE FISHKOFF SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) -- Morgan Friedman loves the way people talk. He wants others to love it, too. The 35-year-old social media entrepreneur, formerly of Brooklyn, N.Y., and now living in Buenos Aires, launches new digital projects like marshmallows from an air gun. Pow! Here’s Overheardinnewyork.com, a site for offbeat conversations that his team of eavesdroppers hears on the streets. Pffft! Here’s Yiddishisms.com, Yiddish expressions culled from half-remembered witticisms of his grandmother. He’s got a million of ‘em -- or a few dozen, at least. Now Friedman is taking that same love of lingo and combining it with his high-tech know-how to launch Urban Sefer, http://www.urbansefer.com, an online project aimed at producing crowd-sourced, slang-filled translations of traditional Jewish liturgy. You know, Jewish texts written the way people talk. “When these documents were written, they were written in the common language, the way people spoke,” Friedman told JTA. “But today when I read these ancient documents, I need to sit and think in order to translate it into my language. It requires intellectual work.” And that, as everyone knows, is not what young people like to do. “Let’s take these traditions handed down for thousands of years and make the same points, but do it in the language that’s part of our everyday life,” Friedman says. The folks at the Jewish New Media Innovation Fund seem to agree. In March, the group awarded Friedman one of its initial nine grants for new digital media projects aimed at engaging young Jews in Jewish life, learning and community. “These projects share an ability to harness new digital media tools and technologies that are a large part of young people’s lives today and use them to enhance efforts to engage young people in Jewish life,” said Rachel Levin, associate director of the Righteous Persons Foundation, which joined the Jim Joseph Foundation and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation in sponsoring the new fund. The nine finalists were chosen from more than 300 applicants vying for a total of $500,000 to be disbursed over the next 12 months, the fund’s first year. Urban Sefer is Friedman’s first Jewish project. He was raised Orthodox in Great Neck, N.Y., so he knows his Jewish ritual, he says, though he fell away from religion after his bar mitzvah. In college Friedman was an English major, and he says his idea of a good time is spending one weekend a month reading a Shakespeare work he doesn’t know well. “I’m the least cool guy ever,” he says. “I like reading old
books and listening to people tell jokes.” The first text Friedman is tackling is the Passover Haggadah. Two years ago, he and his Argentinean girlfriend dashed off a version in Spanish slang as a sort of lark. It proved so popular among Jews in Argentina that last year he decided to do the same thing using English slang. But instead of sitting down and writing it himself, Friedman wants to involve lots of people. So he’s taking the project online and inviting anyone who’s interested to sign up and take part -- crowd sourcing, in modern vernacular. “What’s a modern way to do this? Crowd sourcing,” he says in typical I’ll-answer-my-own-questions-thank-you Friedman style. “The epic stories in the Bible used classic methods of telling stories, but today we tell stories in film, on TV, online. If Moses were alive today, he’d be making movies.” Urban Sefer isn’t the only open-source Jewish text project out there. The granddaddy of the genre is Open Source Haggadah, an online project launched in 2002 that allowed users to construct their own personalized Haggadahs using a variety of sources, including user-generated content. That project folded in 2004 when funding ran out -- its operation was more or less taken over by Jew It Yourself -but it paved the way for other similar initiatives including the Open Siddur Project (http://opensiddur.org), and Build a Prayer (http://buildaprayer.org), which allow users to construct personalized prayer books, and the newly launched Haggadot.com, another recipient of a Jewish New Media Innovation Fund grant for 2011-12. Friedman says he doesn’t know the people working on the other projects. He’s pretty much alone in Buenos Aires, and says he’s just putting up his project on the Internet hoping it will attract a community of like-minded younger Jews eager to harness their creative energies together. After the Haggadah, Friedman says he’d like to take on a rewrite of the Bible, starting with Ecclesiastes, and then move on to the Shabbat prayer book. “If there was ever a biblical work made for modern slang, it’s Ecclesiastes,” he says. “It’s about a guy who has everything but is looking for meaning, so he goes out, gets drunk all the time, has sex with a lot of women -- nothing works. "Finally he realizes that enjoying little moments with friends, that’s the real meaning. This is timeless wisdom! The power of modern English vernacular is made for it.” Just because he’s focusing on street talk doesn’t mean Friedman is taking his subject lightly. This is serious work, he insists, meant to draw young Jews back to connect with their tradition. He’s working with a rabbi “to make sure it’s kosher” and is investing a lot of his own money. And because these translations are being crowd sourced, the outline he has in his mind may or may not pan out. “I don’t know what the final version will be like,” he says, “but the website will be live in a month or two. We’ll see then.”
with Louisiana residents Cherri Foytlin and Drew Landry. Cherri, mother of six and wife of a former oil worker, and Drew, a musician and craw fisherman, arrived in D.C. after walking -- more than 1,200 miles -- from their home in south Louisiana to our nation’s capital to raise awareness about the oil disaster and connect with other communities fighting environmental injustices. I was deeply moved when Cherri and Drew recounted the people they met along their walk who are part of local, national and increasingly global movements for environmental justice and a more sustainable future. They spoke frequently of being driven by faith and the fundamental belief that we are all connected and that human life must be valued above corporate profits. The Gulf is a singular place, but the struggle for a healthier future that balances economic needs with environmental sustainability is universal. From campaigns to regulate refineries in low-income neighborhoods in Detroit to the Ecuadorians resisting the energy companies destroying their homelands, we are all part of one fight, and by connecting with and supporting each other we can build a more sustainable and more just future -- for the Gulf and for all global citizens. As we remember the lives and livelihoods lost one year ago, and the generations enslaved in ages past, it is easy to become discouraged by all that we have not accomplished. But I hope and believe that we are on our way to building a future in which clean air and clean water are basic human rights, where no one is shackled by environmental injustice, and where all can participate in the building of a brighter future. Rachel Cohen is the sustainability program director for the Religious Action Center of the Reform movement.
Letters TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: I greatly enjoyed reading about those in our community who served in the military. I am certain there are other families or individuals who were not included. One such family was my father’s. Esther and Arthur Gendler had 5 sons; all of whom enlisted. The oldest son, Chuck, served as a Captain in the Army and worked alongside General Eisenhower. Irv, a major in the Army, served in Asia. Sam, a corporal in the army, served in Europe. My father, Hy, served in the Navy on the USS Goodrich in the Pacific Ocean and was a 3d class Fire Control Man. Another brother, Norman, enlisted but was not sent abroad. There are several stories about their service to our country. My grandparents escorted Chuck to Chicago when he enlisted in the army. While there, Pearl Harbor was attacked and my father recalls hearing it on the radio with his siblings at the family home. At the end of the war my father was summoned to meet with a commanding officer, which typically meant a loved one was injured or deceased. Instead, he was told that his brother, Irv, had received permission to come aboard his ship to visit him. I cannot imagine the thrill of a brother’s embrace and the knowledge that they all had survived. Growing up I do not recall any of them bragging about their accomplishments or their service which was typical for all who served (and for that matter those that continue to serve). To all who serve, then and now, we are forever indebted for their service and sacrifice. Larry Gendler Dear Editor: I note that the B’nai B’rith Annual Charity Banquet is to take place on May 7, 2011, at exactly the same time as the community Yom Hashoah ceremony at Beth Israel Synagogue. This is an unfortunate oversight on the part of B’nai B’rith. I urge B’nai B’rith to avoid this conflict of events in the future. Steven Wees
A holiday for the ages and today Continued from page 16 The government and people of Israel -- and their supporters throughout the world -- must proudly proclaim a genuine land legacy to Israel that reaches back more than 3,000 years, the plague of political correctness be damned. An annual celebration on the 10th of Nisan would in a sense restore the memorial God that commanded be erected and help assure that younger generations, which particularly need to be made aware, never forget the Jewish people’s true birthright. Steve Feldman is executive director of the Zionist Organization of America’s Greater Philadelphia District. Dr. Robert Sklaroff, is an oncologist/hematologist.
18 | The Jewish Press | April 29, 2011
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Jr. Congregation Family Shabbat, 10 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:10 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: The Mystique of Judaism, with Andy Greenberg, and Torah Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Jewish Images on the Big Screen, 10:30 a.m. with Susi Frydman-Levin; Book Group Reunion, 11 a.m.; Sisterhood Volunteer recognition luncheon, 12:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Life Lessons from the Hebrew Bible, noon. Cost is $36 for members and $45 for non-members. Open to all adults in the Jewish community. To register, contact the office; Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group will attend Tuesdays with Morrie, 7:30 p.m. at the Omaha Community Playhouse. TOT SHABBAT & SAY SHALOM TO SHABBAT: On Friday, May 6, 6 p.m. Dinner follows. For reservations made by Wednesday, May 4, dinner cost is $5 for Beth El members, $7.50 for non-members; after that, the cost is $10, and $15, respectively. No charge for children six and younger. To RSVP, contact Margie in the synagogue office. PARSHA & PIZZA: On Sunday, May 8, noon to 1 p.m., join Cantor Schlossberg for a slice (or two) of pizza and a discussion about the week's Torah portion at Bagel Bin. KADIMA SHABBATON: Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 8, at the Gretna 4-H Camp. All Beth El classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; The Laws of Shabbat, 5:45 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 and up), 6:45 p.m.; Mincha, 7:45 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 9:07 p.m. SUNDAY: Gemara class, 8 a.m., learning tractate Kiddushin; Shacharit, 9 a.m. followed by breakfast; Screening of the documentray film, The Boys of Buchenwald, 7 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Weekly Teleconference Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. Contact the office to get the dial-in number and access code; Monday Night Lecture Series with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration Service, 7 p.m.; Advanced Halchic Kollel, 9 p.m.
Bat Mitzvah Sophie Budwig, daugther of Larry Budwig and the late Kirsten Budwig, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 7, at Temple Israel. Sophie is a seventh-grade Honor Roll student at Westside Middle School. Her interests include playing clarinet in the school orchestra, OSRUI, and hanging out with friends. For her mitzvah project, Sophie is working at Project Harmony by doing whatever needs doing. She has two sisters, Hannah, 14 and Aleia, 11. Grandparents are Susan Rothholz, Ronald Budwig, and Dorothy and Vern Cornish.
THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m.
CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m.; Chabad host Friday night dinner downtown for Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat early morning Minyan downtown for Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders, 7 p.m.; Shabbat Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Mini Mensch title will be awarded. Kiddush luncheon follows. Join Rabbi Katzman, noon-1 p.m.; W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets and Prayer, 12:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Peaceful Shabbat Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, and celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Rick Kohn, with oneg following hosted by Cindy and Rick Kohn. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, 8 p.m. at Johnny Carson Theater, 14th & R Streets. Reservations can be by calling Lori Schwartz at 402.261.8850. SUNDAY: Temple clean-up day, 9 a.m.-noon; LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Fifth-SixthSeventh grade and Hallah High Life in a Jar showing, 10 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. THURSDAY: Lincoln Mayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at Embassy Suites, 1040 P Street with guest speaker Amir Azimi, of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, please contac Interchurch Ministries at 402.476.3391 or im50427@wind stream.net. Third Annual LJCS Rummage Sale, Sunday, May 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at South Street Temple.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP 1317 North 57 Street | Omaha, NE 68132 | 402.551.6609 FRIDAY: Minyan, 7:39 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
Candlelighting Friday, April 29, 8:02 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend Services.
TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Linder and Tami Field. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; Torah and Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer. SUNDAY: Teacher Meeting, 9 a.m.; Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m. TUESDAY: Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; No Family School; Grade 7-12 Teen Dinner and Holocaust Program, 5:30 p.m. at Beth Israel; Grade 7-12 Community Yom HaShoah Commeration, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel. THURSDAY: Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m.; “Using the Moments to Discouver Lifes’s Treasurer’s” WRJ Installation and Luncheon, noon. Adult B’nai Mitzvah Ceremony at Shabbat Worship Service followed by Temple Israel Clergy Unplugged: Who is a Jew? and Congregational Shabbat Dinner on Friday, May 13, 6 p.m. During the worship service, Debbie Chasen, Jessica Cohn, Michael Halsted and Todd Hutton, who have been studying with Na’ama Artzi, Rabbi Azriel, Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet since last fall to become B‘nai Mitzvah, will help lead the service. The congregation are invited to attend the congregational dinner. The cost of the dinner is $8 for adults, $5 for children and no charge for children five and younger. Please make a reservation by contacting the Temple Israel office, 402.556.6536 or mkube@templeisrael omaha.com.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FRIDAY: Shabbat service, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Learners Minyan, 9:30 a.m.; Morning Service, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon and Torah Study; Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, 8 p.m. at Johnny Carson Theater, 14th & R Streets. Reservations can be by calling Lori Schwartz at 402.261.8850. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Fifth-Sixth-Seventh grade and Hallah High Life in a Jar showing, 10 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Third Annual LJCS Rummage Sale, Sunday, May 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at South Street Temple.
First green synagogue faces auction block by JTA NEWS STAFF SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) – The world’s first green-certified synagogue is facing foreclosure. Congregation Beth David in San Luis Obispo, Calif., says it must raise $1.3 million by May 5 or the bank will foreclose on its $3.3 million loan. The building would be put up for auction on May 17. Beth David was built in 2005 and became the world’s first LEED-certified synagogue. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building standard that signals a design aimed at minimizing environmental impact and saving natural resources. The building was constructed on 92 acres, including 62 acres of wetlands and 30 acres that were intended for sale as
agricultural land, with the proceeds helping to pay off the bank loan, according to the congregation. But the community has been hard hit by the economic downturn, and dues from the 200 member families weren’t enough to keep up with the $18,000 interest-only monthly payments. The bank forgave $1 million of the original loan, and the temple has been able to raise $1 million internally, but is now turning to the national Jewish community for help," synagogue board co-president Gregg Loberstein told JTA. “We’ve got a bit of a hill to climb, but we believe we can get it done in time.” The congregation has a Facebook page to keep track of donations, and it has drawn some media attention, including a recent piece on MSNBC.
Israeli killed during visit to Joseph’s Tomb by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- One Israeli was killed and at least four injured during a visit to Joseph’s Tomb near the West Bank city of Nablus.The men were part of a group of 15 Breslov Hasidim who arrived early Sunday morning in three cars to worship at the site, which is holy to Jews and is located in West Bank territory under full Palestinian control. The worshippers did not coordinate their visit with the Israel Defense Forces. A Palestinian security guard fired on one of the cars as it
was leaving the site, saying the men’s activities looked “suspicious.” Worshippers in the other cars told Ynet that the Palestinian police officers shouted “Allahu Akbar” or God is great, as they shot at the vehicles leaving the site. A joint IDF-Palestinian investigation is looking in to the incident. The Israeli army coordinates monthly prayer visits to the tomb. Members of the Breslov sect frequently sneak in to the tomb to pray, without coordinating their visits, according to reports.
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DOROTHY CHAIT RIEKES
Over 25 Years Experience
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Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Henry Riekes. She is survived by her children: Steven and Margo Riekes, Nancy and Alberto Alvarez-Calderon, and Carl and Zoe Riekes; nine grandchildren: Annie Sacio Weinstein, Daniel Sacio, Carolina Sacio Wolf, Suzanne Daw, Ari Riekes, Stacey Atlas, Carin Parcel, Andrea AlvarezCalderon Bell and Rachel Riekes. She is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren. A private burial was followed by a memorial service at Beth El Synagogue on Thursday, April 21. Donations may be made to the Henry and Dorothy Riekes Endowment Fund, c/o Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 333 S. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154, or the charity of your choice.
Steve Snail 402-558-8617
April 29, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 19
How Old is Old? How Young is Young?
Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Kedoshim At the time of the bicentennial of the founding of the United States of America, the Jewish community reminded itself continuously that the first Jews (only 23!) had come to New (York) Amsterdam in 1654. We heard so much about those 23 Jews that Maurice Samuel, in his inimitable fashion, once called them “those 23 nudniks.” But the organized Jewish community here is very young indeed. The Reform movement was first to organize — and in Omaha it was the Reform movement that was first to offer some kind of organized congregation here. It unnerves me to remember that I was present, in Chicago, at the celebration of the 25th (only the 25th!) anniversary of the founding of the United Synagogue of America. The late Israel Levinthal, one of the most expert users of Midrash in the American rabbinate, called the 25th anniversary a blessing, and the United Synagogue a blessing, by using the gematria of tevarkhu et bne Yisrael, “Thus shall you bless the children of Israel.” And the Jewish Theological Seminary of America is celebrating this year its 100th (only its 100th!) anniversary. The Hebrew Union College is older, just as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations is older than the United Synagogue. Orthodox Jewish organizations are even younger. The Seminary’s centennial reminds me that I was a student at the time of the semi-centennial in 1936. As President of the rabbinical department’s student body, at one point I was privileged to host President Conant of Harvard and Mrs. Conant, when he came to deliver one of the semi-centennial addresses. I don’t remember what he said, and I haven’t looked up the printed address, but I do remember asking him how Harvard was officially pronouncing “tercentenary,” since it was then Harvard’s 300th annivesary. TerCENtenary or tercenTENary? So I got the definitive answer from the highest source. All of this makes clear how very young the American Jewish community really is. It became sizeable only around the turn of the century, and up to the 20s. In terms of defense organizations with clout, for example, there was little influence of the Jewish community in the days of Hitler’s rise to power, and, alas, during the days of the Nazi murder program. From the vantage point of the 80s, it is difficult to realize how tentative were the steps and how faint the voice of the Jewish community in the 20s, and 30s, and the 40s. By now, alas too late, the American Jewish community has reached a certain maturity. And the world is far from a safe place to live in, although WWI and WWII were supposed to win security for democracy and humanity. How shall we live in it, as Americans and as Jews? In the first place, I think, without embarrassment and without timidity. We must be willing to attack evil and to respond to it. Appeasement does not win “peace in our times” or any other time. If it is true that we cannot assure victory and decency, we know at least that acquiescence wins neither bread nor freedom. In the second place, we ought to strive unceasingly to make the world better. Our Sidrah requires us to be “holy,” just as the Lord is holy. This is the locus classicus of the ethical principle imitatio dei, that man must try to be like God. A young man who complained to his rebbe that the world was no fit place to live in was told, “Then make it better. That’s what you’re here for.” Oh, how did president Conant pronounce “tercentenary?” I’ve forgotten. Editors note: This column was orginally printed in Rabbi Kripke’s 1988 Book Sight and Interpretation: Reflections on the Weekly Sidrah.
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In memoriam
Jewish Press wins awards The Nebraska Press Association recently held its better newspaper contest awards ceremony in Lincoln, Nebraska. Honors given to the Jewish Press included awards for advertising design, headline writing, and editorial writing. The NPA contest gives all Nebraska papers a chance to compete, and is held annually.
Majority of Egyptians seek end of Israel peace treaty by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- More than half of Egyptians say the peace treaty with Israel should be annulled, a new poll has found. Some 54 percent are prepared to overturn the treaty, with 36 percent saying the treaty should be maintained. Some 10 percent said they did not know, according to a nationwide survey from Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project. Some 20 percent of Egyptians have a favorable opinion of the United States, basically unchanged from 17 percent who rated the U.S. favorably in 2010. When asked their opinion about the U.S. response to the political situation in Egypt, 39 percent responded that the U.S. has had a negative impact, while 22 percent say it has had a positive effect. Some 35 percent said that the U.S. has neither positively nor negatively influenced the situation in their country. Fifteen percent of Egyptians surveyed want closer ties with the U.S., while 43 percent would prefer a more distant relationship. Forty percent would like the relationship between the two countries to be the same as it has been in recent years. Some 71 percent of Egyptians said a democracy is preferable to any other type of government, up from 60 percent last year. In addition, 64 percent say they favor a democratic form of government over a strong leader. Meanwhile, 62 percent of Egyptians surveyed think laws should strictly follow the teachings of the Koran. The survey, conducted March 24 to April 7 in face-to-face interviews conducted in Arabic among 1,000 Egyptians, part of the larger Spring 2011 Pew Global Attitudes survey conducted in 22 countries and the Palestinian Authority under the direction of Princeton Survey Research Associates International. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percent.
B’nai Israel Speaker Series B’nai Israel hosted its last 2010-11 Friday night Speaker Series on April 8 with Richard Fellman, UNO Adjunct Professor in Political Science. The recipient of a Fullbright Scholarship, Dick Fellman described his trip to the Ukraine while on a teaching assignment. He recalled the stories he heard many years before from his family and traced the exact places where his ancestors worked and lived. He came very close to being able to discover what his grandfather probably thought of his own life, with troubles and dreams that created the possibility that Dick Fellman could return as an educated, liberated Jewish scholar. The Speaker Series will return next year after the High Holidays. A special oneg was provided by Ruth and Harold Edelman.
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20 | The Jewish Press | April 29, 2011
Top7medical center, primarily speaking Primary care is the foundation for all health care in the United States. At the University of Nebraska Medical Center, our novel approaches to primary care medicine are recognized nationally. The US News & World Report ranks UNMC’s primary care program among the nation’s Top 7. At UNMC, we believe that teamwork — among our physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, public health workers and others — ensures that our patients receive the best and most innovative care possible. We continually explore new models of team care and how to best educate the next generation of health care professionals, ensuring a healthier future for patients in Nebraska and across the nation. UNMC. Breakthroughs for life.
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2012
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