Vol. LXXXVIII No. 35 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 88 Years of
Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
7 Iyar 5769
May 1, 2009
Israel, U.S. cautiously plot Freeman, Schuller named Teen Leaders first Obama and Netanyahu Awards to be presented during Yom Ha’atzmaut meeting in D.C. has nurtured her board by BOB GOLDBERG by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- It’s like any courtship: Before Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu get to the big dance, they’ve got to learn the steps. Delicate negotiations over Middle East policy between the two young administrations have delayed a first meeting between the two men as leaders -- but not for long. Instead of meeting in the second week of May, as had been rumored, the U.S. president and the Israeli prime minister are likely to get together by the end of that month, according to the officials at U.S. Jewish organizations who routinely bridge the two governments.
Staff for U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are cautiously preparing the ground for their first meeting as leaders, which will probably take place before the end of May. Credit: Orthodox Union/Brian Hendler An earlier May meeting had been cited as a possibility because Netanyahu had hoped to attend the American Israel Public Affairs Committee annual policy conference, Continued on page 4
Federation Communications and Young Leadership Director Susan Freeman, daughter of Bob and Robyn Freeman, and Ygal Schuller, son of Yaffa Podbilewicz-Schuller and Dan Schuller, have been chosen as this year’s winners of the Robert and Ellen Gordman Teen Leadership Awards. This award, established Susan Freeman 26 years ago, annually honors two Omaha teens who demonstrate outstanding leadership ability. The awards will be presented this Sunday, May 3, 3:30 p.m., as part of the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration at the Jewish Community Center. Susan Freeman is a senior at Central High School and was nominated by the Omaha Temple Youth Group (OTYG) and its advisor, Amy Filler-Katz. Susan’s passion for OTYG has made it her top priority the last couple of years and she has certainly left her mark. Susan took over as president in June of 2008 and has seen her leadership skills evolve immensely. A selfdescribed perfectionist, she has learned to “go with the flow” and that nothing can be perfect. She has improved her abilities to delegate, communicate and use her problem solving skills. She is a committed leader organizing programs and inspiring participation from others. FillerKatz says, “Susan has demonstrated true leadership.” Her love for event planning is obvious, as she has helped create fundraisers, dinners and social outings that are both fun and educational. Filler-Katz says, “Susan
and allowed them individual successes. [She] is aware that she will be moving on. Because of that, she involves the rest of the youth board in a way that has developed their leadership skills.” Freeman likes how OTYG events often include both a Jewish aspect and a social action component. She knows Ygal Schuller that being a leader starts with being a more responsible individual. As such, she is inspired to make a difference and she is passionate about social justice and social causes. In 2007-08, she served as OTYG Social Action Vice President. During that time, she initiated a t-shirt sale fundraiser drawing attention to the genocide in Darfur. She has helped launch the “Go-Green” program to make Temple more environmentally friendly and her work has benefited the Nothing but Nets campaign. Freeman is also involved with the TriFaith Initiative. She has become more committed in her own Judaism through her interactions with other faiths. The TriFaith has made her more open-minded and more comfortable talking to people of different faiths about controversial issues. She has planned several events with the Omaha Muslim Youth Group and the All Saints Episcopal Youth Group including an Interfaith Thanksgiving and a discussion about the war between Israel and Hamas. Thirty kids participated in an hour-long discussion about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict during the fighting Continued on page 2
Blumkin Home adds more resident beds to original plans, upping total to 105
The new unit also includes a lounge and “Before we know it our Main Street will by OZZIE NOGG front door of the Blumkin Home. “There will be a total of 18 new resident south-facing sunroom, similar to the lay- be complete. I couldn’t be more excited Nearly two years ago, when construction began on the Rose Blumkin Jewish rooms in this unit,” Silverman explained, out in the Special Care Unit. Completion for our residents, as they have been Home New Beginning, plans called for 96 “with four designed as toe-to-toe rooms. is expected by mid-summer, with Main incredibly patient through this construcresident beds. The number has now been These rooms are semi-private, but have a Street next on the construction schedule. tion process. They deserve the very best “The end is in sight,” Silverman said. and our building will be second to none.” upped to 105. ‘private’ feel. Of course, if a resident wants “All during the building process, we’ve the entire room for him or herself, it can been at 80-90% capacity,” said Mike be reserved as a premium space with one Silverman, RBJH Executive Director. side for living and one side as a bedroom. “Accepting new long-term residents There are currently two toe-to-toe rooms became challenging and it grew clear that in the Blumkin Home, all highly desirour census numbers had to be adjusted able.” upward. Even with the chaos that often comes with a building project, the Blumkin Home has maintained its reputation as the best nursing home in the area. The staff works at the highest level of professionalism, and families know that their loved ones continue to receive exceptional care.” The additional beds will occupy space in a second long-term care unit now under construction on the southeast lawn between the main entrance of the Left: Construction continues on the RBJH second and the temporary front door of the Blumkin Main Street will be the final portion of the Home’s Jewish Community Cen- long-term care unit on the southeast lawn between Home. Right: the revised plans show the additional New Beginning to be completed and will include a ter and the temporary the main entrance of the Jewish Community Center rooms, bottom center, now under construction. new synagogue and auditorium, as well as offices.
Inside
This Week: Monthly : Mother’s Day Gift Guide Starts on Page 11
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 16
Coverage of Yom HaShoah commemorations: Page 10
Coming Next Week: Election Issue Recipes for Mother’s Day and Yom Ha’atzmaut: Pages 13 and 14
JCC and Temple team up for charity basketball event: Page 16