Vol. LXXXIII No. 35 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
NCJW to Honor Two, Install New Board by LINDA SALTZMAN Distinguished Service Award for her NCJW-Omaha Section work with NCJW. Levine, who moved Public Relations Co-Vice president to Omaha in 1996, said NCJW was a terThe National Council of Jewish rific way for her to get involved in the Women’s Omaha Section will install its Jewish community. new slate of officers this Sunday, May “I feel that the women of NCJW should 2, during its annual Installation and receive my thanks for allowing me to Awards Ceremony. Humorist Mary flourish with community and leadership Maxwell will emcee the event, sched- possibilities in which I could grow,” uled from 2-5 p.m. at the Ironwood Country Club. Kate Kirshenbaum follows Kim Noddle as President of the section. Deb Marburg will serve as Executive Vice-president, a new position created for the 2004-2005 slate of officers. Marburg has served as Parliamentarian, Vice-president of Membership and Co-Vice president of Fundraising. Two NCJW members Karin Levine Shelley Pichick will receive awards during installations. The Emerging Leader Levine said. The organization also Award recipient is Shelly Pichik. NCJW helped her pursue her passions for politgives the award to members who show ical action, education, books and potential for future leadership and have women and children’s concerns, she served as a board member or committee said. chairperson for less than five years. Levine will be Co-Vice president of Incoming Co-Vice president of community service for the 2004-2005 fundraising, Pichik, an Omaha native, year. She is the outgoing Co-Vice presserved as NCJW’s Financial Secretary and ident of Public Affairs and Education and a member of the nominating committee has served as a Director. during the past year. She also volunteers Anyone interested in attending the at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of NCJW installations may contact Leslie Nebraska and is on the Jewish Eades at 330.8208. The cost is $15 per Federation of Omaha’s Budget and person and includes “High Tea” as well Allocation committee. as games such as bridge, Mah Jongg, Karin Levine will receive the bunco and canasta.
9 Iyyar, 5764 April 30, 2004
Press Wins Again at NPA Convention by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Once again, the Jewish Press has received top honors at the annual Nebraska Press Association Convention held recently. NPA announced first place awards for Creative Director Richard Busse for his original design of a four-color ad May 16, 2003, promoting the up-coming Father’s Day/ Graduation issue, the Healthy Living, and new Simchas (Celebrations) issues. The Sept. 26, 2003, New Year’s issue- We l c o m i n g Newcomers to our Community--also took first place honors. In addition a feature on the Hadassah Hospital medical complex in Ein Kerem near Jerusalem took second place honors for this writer. The story was written during a visit to Israel for the General Assembly of United Jewish Communities. The American Jewish Press Association has also alerted this newspaper that it has garnered more honors, including an award for freelance writer Leo Adam Biga. Last summer, Biga wrote a lengthy story about three sisters--Mania Friedman, Bluma Polonski and Rachel
Rosenberg--who survived the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps and made new lives in America. Biga’s award and others will be announced at the annual AJPA convention in Atlanta in early June. “The Press has won a record number of awards in the eight years since Carol has been editor,” said Joanie Jacobson, Chairman of the Jewish Press Committee. “We’re so proud of our staff and of their spirit of cooperation and the excitement with which they greet the new and creative ideas generated by our committee. “Introducing features such as new columns by Jill Belmont, Bernie Meyers, Ozzie Nogg, and Magda Peck, opportunities for advertisers in new special sections such as ‘Home & Garden’ and ‘Simchas’ or our new ‘jBay’ and our soon-to-be launched ‘Real Estate Section’ only enhance our reputation when we seek funds from foundations or donors for special projects like Teen Age,” Jacobson added. “Being recognized by our peers in the newspaper industry is just the ‘icing on the cake!’ “These awards are to the credit of a talContinued on page 9
Three from Jewish Community Honored by United Way by LOIS WINE Jewish Senior Services Volunteer Coordinator Ranging in age from 18 to 102, three women from Omaha’s Jewish community were among those honored by United Way at its annual volunteer recognition luncheon last week. High school senior Marissa Epstein and 102-year-old Rose Frankel received the award in the Elderly category; and Ilene Pachman was honored in the Ethnic category. Marissa Epstein has been a volunteer at Jewish Senior Services/Rose Blumkin Jewish Home for the past four years. She spends her time visiting with one of our residents, and you should see the face of that resident light up when Marissa walks through the door! She assists in selecting the proper note card, writing notes as the resident dictates her thoughts, and addressing the envelope. Almost every time that Marissa visits the Home, she brings an edible treat or something special for her elder friend. She’s a very compassionate and caring teen, and her sensitivity makes this resident friend feel at ease. Some other volunteer opportunities in
Inside
Marissa Epstein, left, Rose Frankel and Ilene Pachman were honored last week at the United Way Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. which Marissa is involved include: Volunteering for American Red Cross; being a “Brush Up Nebraska” paint-athon volunteer; being a “Golden Sower” reader for elementary students; volunteering for Omaha Boys and Girls Club. Marissa attended the National Youth
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Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., and has been a Youth Leadership delegate, and Youth Leadership Ambassador. She is currently an active member of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, and United Synagogue Youth. She is a senior at Burke High School, and plans to
attend the University of Texas in Austin. The daughter of Ron and Harriet Epstein has learned the importance of helping others. Her interest and patience in learning about the resident’s life and family indicates how much she enjoys the company. A concierge is a person who greets people, dresses very professionally, knows the answers to many questions and is always ready to assist when called upon. When you walk through the door of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, you will be greeted by the Blumkin Home’s 102-year-old concierge--Rose Frankel. She probably knows your name, and that of every member of your family. Formerly a co-owner of a local insurance agency, Frankel has been sitting at her desk right inside the front door since shortly after she moved to the Home five years ago. She only leaves her position when absolutely necessary and, of course, to eat her meals. Never away for very long, she buzzes people into the Home when the receptionist, must be away for short periods of time. Continued on page 7
Coming Next Week: America Decides 2004: Primary Election Coverage
Genetic Testing Forum Features Boys Town Staff page 8
Where Are They Now? Jim Milder page 11
Yom Ha’Atzmaut Coverage begins on page 16