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
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 1, 2009
Mercedes-Benz of Omaha Teen Leadership Awards Continued from page 1 Regional Communications Vice President, the first Beth between Israel and Hamas. They talked about the differ- El member to serve in a regional position in many years. Under New Management ent types of warfare used and whether their use was jusHe has held the positions of local USY President, Vice Please contact Ryan Knott, your Mercedes Sales Consultant 402.891.2612
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tified? Was it a religious or cultural war? These conversations did not involve blame; it was an honest, open conversation amongst peers. After the recent “Dinner in Abraham’s Tent” at the Qwest Center, the OTYG and the Muslim youth groups coincidentally met at Delice European Bakery in the Old Market and shared an evening of great dialogue. Freeman says, “There are a lot of good people here and only through discussion can we find agreements or learn about each other.” She says she is still learning about what Judaism means to her. “Over the last couple of years, I’ve learned more, but I don’t have it all figured out yet,” she says, “but I love being Jewish.” At Central, she is a member of the National Honor Society, she has been on Varsity Pom and Tennis for the past three years, and she is active in DECA, debate, student government and dance team. With her free time, she loves being outside, she follows news and politics, and she loves reading non-fiction and classics like Austin’s Pride and Prejudice. Freeman enjoys the business of fashion and last summer she spent three weeks studying at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology. She also works parttime at Nouvelle Eve in the Old Market. With so much activity, you would think summer would be for relaxation, but not for Susan. Before heading to college this fall, she will spend her ninth summer at Camp Sabra, her third as a camp counselor. This fall, she plans to study fashion and business at either Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, or Washington University in St. Louis. Freeman says she loves her friends and is sad to leave her post as President of OTYG. Nevertheless, she is excited for the new challenges awaiting her: a new city with new people and being on her own. Ygal Schuller is an accomplished senior at Millard North and was nominated by the United Synagogue Youth (USY) and its Youth Director, Robert Mosenkis, who says Schuller, “has tremendous maturity and leadership.” If Ygal’s name and picture in the Jewish Press seem oddly familiar to you, it’s not déjà vu. Just a couple of weeks ago, it was announced that he a recipient of the prestigious Phil and Ruth Sokolof Merit Scholarship. So he’ll be on stage twice during Yom Ha’atzmaut, accepting these two awards. Schuller enjoys intellectual challenges and aims to be the best at everything he does. “Why not be the best?” he asks. He has been very involved in USY all four years of high school and it has served as a springboard for his growth as a leader. He currently serves as the 2008-09 EMTZA
President of Programming and Israeli Affairs as well as Vice President of Membership and Kadima. Schuller is known for his go-getter attitude, his connection to Judaism, his volunteering and innovative programming. As Regional Communications V.P., he oversees the production of the Emtza Express, a publication that keeps the entire region connected and up-to-date. This involves everything from requesting articles, writing, editing, laying out the paper, and sending it out. It’s a position that Mosenkis says is arguably the most difficult on the board. Through his commitments to USY, he has become a better community member. He has participated in 17 conventions, including a six-week pilgrimage to Spain and Israel. Mosenkis says, “He has an amazing ability to encourage USYer’s to take a planning role in events instead of just being attendees.” As a member of BBYO’s Mother Chapter, AZA #1, Schuller has served as club Secretary and Treasurer, Council Moreh, and served on the Sweetheart Dance committee for three years. Although his motivation is self-generated, his parents’ commitments to family, faith, and community inspire him. Schuller has gone after many leadership roles at conventions and he understands that as a leader, you take the blame when things go wrong and he is not so quick to take credit when things go well. “It’s important to be humble. It’s a sign of a good leader,” he says. Judaism is always going to be a big part of his life. As part of the Merit Scholarship program at Beth El, Schuller is expected to meet certain requirements such as attending at least 25 services per year (18 of which must be on Shabbat), he must complete two mentored projects and provide at least 20 hours of community service to the congregation. All things that Mosenkis says Schuller enthusiastically works to fulfill. In addition to his Beth El participation, Schuller and his dad are regulars at Sunday morning services at Chabad. Schuller loves Israel and is already planning to spend the first semester of his second college year studying abroad in Israel. He says that no planetarium can compare to camping in the Negev, where at night the sky is clear and alive. Before heading off to college, he will spend his summer as a counselor at Camp Herzl. He is a member of the National Honor Society, a National Merit finalist, speaks Spanish and French, and is a member of the International Baccalaureate program at Millard North. Ygal describes himself as down to earth, blunt and honest and he sets high expectations for himself. This fall, Schuller will be attending the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business in the honors business program.
Correction to list of donors to Press’ website development
Stand with Us rallies diverse group at UN conference
The name of the Milton and Corinne Llivinston Foundation was inadvertantly omitted from the list of donors to the Press; website development. The Jewish Press regrets the error. A corrected list is below: Funds for website development have been granted by Stan Lipsey, the Herbert Goldsten Trust, the Special Donoradvised Fund and the Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, the Milton and Corinne Livingston Foundation, the Iris and Martin Ricks Fund, and the Michael and Carolyn Kulakofsky Fund. Additional donations have been made by John Anderson of Houston, Rita and Bob Yaffe of Glenview, IL, Hubert Ban of San Francisco, Nancy Rips, Stephen Newman of Aventura, FL, Ben Kutler of Overland Park, KS, Steve Kenny, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Burstein of St. Louis, Jeri Falk of Ruxton, MD, Jeanne Lipsey of San Francisco, Howard Kooper, Joanie Jacobson, Murray Kitner of Hallandale, FL, Susan Katzman of St. Louis, Katherine Kirshenbaum of Newton, MA, Linda Gepford of Stilwell, KS, Lainey Nacron of Miami, Miriam Simon of Palm Coast, FL, John Rosenberg of Chanhassen, MN, Mark Zalkin of Englewood, CO, David Duitch of Dallas, Cheryl Cooper, David Gross of Vail, CO, Vivi Rosen of Rockville, MD, Deborah Fellman of Los Angeles, and Jim Malashock of Sacramento, CA. To contribute to this project, send a tax-deductible check, made out to The Jewish Press, to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, call Carol Katzman at 402.334.6450 or e-mail her at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. All donors will be listed on the website when it’s launched later this summer.
Students, Darfurian refugees and human rights activists protested at the UN World Conference on Racism in Geneva last month. The rally, organized by ‘Stand With Us’, marched towards the UN building in Geneva to protest the double standard of the conference as well as its clearly anti-Israel and anti-Jewish bias. Stand With Us is an international education organization founded in 2001 that ensures that Israel’s side of the story is told through brochures, speakers, conferences, missions to Israel, and thousands of pages of Internet resources. Credit: ISRANET
May 1, 2009
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Lincoln synagogues host Study: Ethnic identification on the wane, back-to-back events spirituality rising among Jews
by CECE HILL Come to Tifereth Israel on Monday, May 4, 7 p.m. for a musical treat with Yehudah Katz, the founder and leader of “Reva L’sheva,” that famous rock and soul band so enjoyed worldwide. With a strong background as an educator and teacher, Yehudah Katz holds an M.A. in guidance and counseling, but that’s not why he’s coming to Lincoln. Rather, as a solo artist, Katz brings to us his own unique approach to Jewish spirituality, music and story. Come with your whole family (it’s not just for the youth) and have a good time enjoying the musical talent of Yehudah Katz. And what’s more, it’s free! Hallah High is holding a garage sale on Sunday, May 3 as a way to support the Lincoln Food Bank. They’re asking for your donation of slightly-used items to include in their sale. Take time to clean your closets, the garage and basement, and bring the items here to the synagogue. The sale actually will be held in the parking lot of Temple B’nai Jeshurun. For more information, call Tifereth Israel at 402.423.8569.
L’dor v’dor: Temple Youth Group to honor senior adults
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Omaha Temple Youth Group will honor senior adults of Temple Israel at Shabbat services on Friday, May 8, 6 p.m. The congregation will join the youth who will pay tribute to the senior members who have shaped the teens’ Judaism. Together they’ll engage in rituals such as lighting Shabbat candles. In addition, Temple’s Children’s Choir, under the direction of Emily Meyers, will sing, and the Middle/High School Klezmer Band will perform. An Oneg, sponsored by the Caring Committee, will feature hors d’oeuvres, a carving station, a cheese display, rolls and sweets. Valet parking will be provided by Temple Men’s Club.
by BEN HARRIS NEW YORK (JTA) -- Younger Jews are more spiritually inclined than their forbears and are closing the “spiritual gap” between Jews and other religions, according to a new study from researchers at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. The $60,000 study, commissioned by the synagogue consultancy Synagogue 3000, also found that Orthodox Jews and Jews who have fewer than two Jewish parents score higher than other Jews on spirituality indexes. Taken together, the researchers conclude that ethnic identification is on the wane for American Jews, replaced with identification through spirituality, and that this trend will have signifiLawrence Hoffman is one of cant policy implications. the authors of a study show“Simply asking Jews about ing younger Jews are more raising money to give money spiritual than their elders. to Israel or Jewish causes and Credit: Courtesy Lawrence expecting they’ll do it just Hoffman because they’re Jewish is yesterday’s thinking,” said Lawrence Hoffman, a professor at HUC who co-authored the report with the sociologist Steven Cohen. “Instead, they’ll have to see some transcendent purpose of the Jewish people.” The notion of spirituality is an elusive one, the researchers concede, though they generally understand it to mean the quest for meaning, purpose and connectedness. Rather than identifying Jewishly through ethnic food or language, or through affiliation with communal institutions, younger Jews are increasingly seeking a sense of purpose. And if they don’t find it in Judaism, they are liable to start looking elsewhere. “They’re interested in spiritual language, they’re interested in spirituality,” said Ron Wolfson, the president of Synagogue 3000. “They may not be finding it in their local congregation or when they go home. What we’re
concerned about is how do we engage the spiritual and learning needs of this population in a creative, interesting way.” In general, Jews lag non-Jewish white Americans on scores of spirituality, a discrepancy the study attributes in part to what it describes as the lack among Jews of a vocabulary to discuss such matters. The tendency in the Jewish community toward increased spirituality among the young also flies in the face of broader social trends, where spiritual inclination tends to increase with age. But the data does jibe with a general sense that interest in spirituality is rising in the United States, unlike in Europe where the culture is more emphatically secular. “The great forces of modernity -- technology and democracy, choice and freedom -- are all strengthening religion rather than undermining it,” write John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge in their new book “God is Back,” which mostly focuses on American Christianity. In the Jewish world, increased spirituality manifests in the growing interest in Kabbalah and Jewish healing, and in the rise of organizations such as the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, which the study says “seems to have met with widespread success in recent years.” Jack Wertheimer, a professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America who is cited in the study as being dismissive of the notion of rising spirituality, says he agrees with some of the report’s findings. But he is concerned about the implication that Jews are becoming more spirituality focused and divorced from ritual behavior and the parallel decline in identification with, and a sense of responsibility for, the Jewish people. “I do think that synagogues and their religious leaders need to speak more in that kind of language,” Wertheimer said. “But at the same time, I don’t want that to come at the expense of the ethnic component, or what I would call Jewish peoplehood. “We Jews have believed that these two components of our identity mesh with each other and strengthen each other. I would not want to see spirituality come at the expense of Jewish collective action.”
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 1, 2009
Obama and Netanyahu
Continued from page 1 States’ national interest that there be a comprehensive which begins this Sunday, May 3. peace settlement in the Middle East which would Officials emphasized that it’s not just disagreements include settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with on how to frame policy creating the delay. Both leaders a two-state solution involving a Palestinian state living are preoccupied with other matters: Obama with the side by side alongside the Jewish state of Israel in peace economy and Netanyahu with an unwieldy coalition that and hopefully stability and prosperity.� already is showing strain. That was followed by Netanyahu’s partial retraction, Obama’s top political adviser told JTA that a meeting issued as a “clarification� on April 19. was likely soon. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is insistent in his “I think there will be a meeting,� David Axelrod said approach that recognition of Israel as the national state after addressing the Reform movement’s Religious of the Jewish People is a matter of substance and princiAction Center Consultation on Conscience. “That’s in ple that enjoys wide recognition in the country and the works, they had a good conversation� when they around the world, without which it will not be possible spoke on the phone after Netanyahu assumed office ear- to advance the diplomatic process and reach a peace setlier this month. “Of course he wants to meet with him. tlement,� his office said in a statement. “However, the I think that will happen in the very near future.� prime minister has never set this as a pre-condition for First, though, terms must be set, and the sides are now working through a “two- In his first meeting last month state solution� two-step: with U.S. special envoy to the The United States insists the Middle East George Mitchell, left, prospect of Palestinian state- Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister hood is paramount; the and Foreign Minister Avigdor Netanyahu government Liberman reviewed the diplomatic would prefer not to address process since the 1993 Oslo the issue for now. Accords, pointing out that the traThat was reflected less in ditional approach has brought direct exchanges and more neither results nor solutions. in the passive aggressive Liberman also raised the issue of drama that unfolded last the Iranian threat as a central month between Netanyahu problem for Israel and the entire and George Mitchell, region, as demonstrated by the Obama’s top Middle East arrest of terrorists in Egypt. peace envoy. Credit: ISRANET The first step in the dance came when an unnamed Netanyahu official broke the the opening of negotiations and dialogue with the government’s silence last week on the issue of Palestinian Palestinians.� statehood, telling Israeli media that the new government That appears to be one step closer to a formula that requires explicit Palestinian recognition of Israel’s status would allow Israel to participate in Palestinian statehood as a Jewish state. The leak came just as Mitchell was in negotiations without actually saying so. the region meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Axelrod told JTA that the issue would be addressed On the Friday afternoon of April 17 -- evening in when Obama and Netanyahu meet, and that the leaders Israel and the Sabbath -- the State Department posted “will have a full discussion about that.� online without comment two videos of Mitchell’s tour, Earlier, describing the two-state solution, he had told both consisting almost entirely of the envoy’s reaffirma- the Reform audience, “We want to see momentum movtion of two states. ing forward, not backward� on Palestinian statehood. “Policy of the United States under President Obama is The statehood question is not the only issue that needs clear,� Mitchell said in one of the clips, flanked by U.S. working out. and Israeli flags. “Beyond any doubt it is in the United Martin Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel who
The drama between U.S. and Israel begins
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is close to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, said that Israel’s settlement expansion meant that it was lagging behind the Palestinian Authority in meeting peace process goals. “The Palestinians have fulfilled their commitments� to begin maintaining security, said Indyk, now head of the Saban Center think tank, during a session at the AntiDefamation League’s national leadership conference in Washington. On the other hand, he added, Israel was not freezing settlements, as it had committed in the “road map� peace plan outlined by President George W. Bush in 2002-03. “The U.S. and Israel are on some sort of collision course,� Indyk said. Elliott Abrams, a deputy national security adviser in the previous administration, told the ADL audience that the critical element in the failure to advance the peace process was an unready Palestinian leadership. “We do not have a Palestinian leadership that can or will� agree to a deal, Abrams said. He advised the Palestinians to emulate prestate Zionists and to build institutions until they were ready for statehood. There are fewer differences when it comes to Iran, where close U.S.-Israel consultations continue on coordinating a unified policy. Despite the slowdown in top-level U.S.-Israel political contacts necessitated by Netanyahu’s efforts to pull together his government, top career officials have continued meeting on the matter. In recent weeks, Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, the Israeli military chief of staff, and Meir Dagan, the Mossad chief, have been in Washington for meetings led by Dennis Ross dealing specifically with the Obama administration’s review of how to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Past statements by Ross, the Obama administration’s top Iran policy official, suggest that the sanctions component of such a policy will be far reaching and will be coupled with Obama’s diplomatic outreach to the Islamic Republic. Netanyahu says he welcomes outreach, as long as it is backed by tough economic measures. In one of his last speeches on Monday as Israel’s ambassador, Sallai Meridor told the ADL conference that talk alone would not stop Iran’s enrichment of uranium. “They would like to talk and spin at the same time,� he said, “or as somebody told me yesterday, they would like to at the same time both spin the talks and the centrifuges.�
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May 1, 2009
Conventions, Tri-Faith talks, spaghetti fill Temple Youth groupers’ plates
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Ten Omaha Temple Youth Group (OTYG) members flew to Denver in January with their advisor Amy Katz for the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) Winter Conclave. Julie Sadofsky and Jordan Kohll, along with Susan Freeman, Haley Burns, Emily Katz, Yaniv Azriel, Molly Goldberg, Sophia Miller, Alexis Slutzky, and Sam Burrell, confirmed that the convention definitely met their expectations which were “high,” according to Julie. A eleventh grader at Westside High School, Julie’s been a member of OTYG since her freshman year. Denver was her third conclave. “I attended, because I enjoyed the other conventions in the past, and I knew I would have a great time.” The conclave overlapped with
That was followed by a discussion and a short film entitled, West Bank Story. Susan and Nadia Al-Absy from the Omaha Muslim Youth Group Organization planned the event. The two-hour conversation “went extremely well!” Susan noted. “The discussion was amazing. It did get heated at times, but we knew that would probably happen. We just reminded students to keep an open mind and listen to each other. At the end, it was amazing to have all three religions watching the film and all laughing together. The film was meant to act as comedic relief so we could end on a positive note, and it worked perfectly!” Afterwards, a number of the teens met at a “neutral” Mexican restaurant, Susan continued. “It was really fun to get to know some of the other youth groupers better.”
Enjoying Colorado “high” at the NFTY winter conclave in Denver were OTYG members (first row, left to right) Haley Burns, Sam Burrell, Alexis Slutzky, Jordan Kohll, (second row) Emily Katz, Susan Freeman, Julie Sadofsky, Sophia
Miller, and Yaniv Azriel. Molly Goldberg also attended; Hannah Radler and the Cowardly Lion (a.k.a. Yaniv Azriel) helped serve spaghetti and fun at OTYG’s annual dinner which was called “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” this year.
Later in February, Haley Burns, Emily Katz, Susan Martin Luther King, Jr. Day which led to discussions Freeman, and Molly Goldberg joined more than 700 about how hate can culminate in genocide. Joining the Denver parade on Martin Luther King Reform Jewish high school students from across the Day, said Jordan, who is a tenth grader at Westside, was United States and Canada at NFTY’s biennial conven“fun,” because we were part of “a national experience.” tion in Washington, D.C. “This was my first time!” 15-year-old Haley reported. He also enjoyed the singing at morning Shabbat worship “It’s only every other year so services. this was my first chance to Both Julie and Jordan go. There were so many were impressed by “the great speeches and discussions on organization” of the convenvarious social action topics. tion. “There were constantly You were able to choose fun activities,” added Julie. what programs you wanted “Everyone should have an to go to. The most impresopportunity to attend at sive thing to me was how least one convention.” It’s many people there were! It worth it! she declared. was crazy that that was just a Mixing fun and seriousness small percentage of the peowhen they returned to ple actually in NFTY. Omaha, OTYG met with the Singing, dancing, socializMuslim and Episcopal youth ing, and praying with that groups with whom they plan social events as well as Teens from Temple Israel, the Episcopal Diocese of many Jews was almost magithought-provoking discus- Nebraska, and the American Institute for Islamic Studies and cal.” sions. The three youth Culture met in February for discussion on violence Among the social action groups are an extension of between Israel and Gaza. The youth groups capped the projects from which the teens could choose was Temple Israel’s liaison with experience by going out for Mexican cuisine. Tri-Faith partners, the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska assembling kosher meals to be served to needy Jewish and the American Institute for Islamic Studies and families in New York City. A joint effort of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Project Elijah Foundation, and Culture. On Jan. 28, “We spent a religious school class period MAZON-A Jewish Response to Hunger, nearly 40,000 learning about Israel, the history, and current events in meals were packaged by the students there. “I thought the convention would be a great way to Israel and Gaza,” explained Susan Freeman, president of OTYG. Alan Potash from the Anti-Defamation League meet new people, have fun, and bring ideas back to assisted with this event in anticipation of meeting with OTYG. I absolutely loved dancing and singing to the other youth groups to talk about the clash between (Jewish musician) Dan Nichols everyday!” And, she added, “I definitely met new people, had fun, and Israel and Gaza during the winter. Emily Katz said about 20 attended the informational brought back ideas.” As if that wasn’t enough, there was OTYG’s 17th discussion which was open to all tenth through twelfth graders. Emily and OTYGer Grace Hack planned the Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Auction to plan and run at program. “Alan Potash gave a very informative history of Temple. Haley, Emily, and Susan auctioned themselves the conflict up to current date...and had a time line to off as babysitters. Two families, Susie and Mike Norton put things into perspective.” The girls also presented “a as well as Tim and Amy Zweiback won a bedtime reading by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel for their children while Rabbi myth or fact” activity. “I met with Tamar,” (Halevy, the community shlicha, Eric Linder will host a rock band on Xbox at his home. who) “gave me amazing information and really helped Toby Fellman won the opportunity to come to Cantor me to see the depth of the issue.” Emily thought the Wendy Shermet’s office and whine for 18 minutes preparation was “definitely helpful. Before I met with (chocolate will be provided). Executive Director Dennis Tamar, I really didn’t understand what was happening. I DePorte will be cooking a five-course dinner for up to think in order to have an educated discussion on such a six people. Other auction items included gift certificates touchy subject, you really need to be informed on both to restaurants, sports tickets, Omaha Symphony tickets, sides of the issue.” and reserved parking spaces at Temple. OTYG raised About a week later at The Bookworm bookstore in $20,000 among more than 230 who came to the dinner. Countryside Village, “a neutral location where we felt The proceeds will be used to support OTYG programeveryone would feel comfortable,” Susan said, “We had ming and be donated to summer camps for children with a mixer to get everyone acquainted with one another.” life threatening illnesses.
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May 1, 2009
Quest for love, purpose, identity
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by SHEVI KATZMAN for Chabad of Nebraska The most satisfying spring study series will begin at the start of May. The course is offered by Chabad House through the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) and is titled Biblical Reflections: Finding Yourself in the Book of Genesis. The stories in the Bible have intrigued sages and laymen alike and have inspired thousands of artistic retellings. This six-session course examines classic stories from Genesis in a modern light, focusing on their eternal relevance to everyday life. “These stories are in the Bible because they deal with the most powerful of human motives and feelings: the quests for love, purpose, identity, and redemption,” says Rabbi Eli Silberstein, the course editor. “Biblical Reflections takes a unique and personal perspective and shows how these stories are the stories of your life, reflecting your joy and your pain, your struggles and
your accomplishments.” Participants will identify with Biblical characters grappling with feelings and dilemmas that lie at the heart of the human experience. Lessons will examine a range of commentaries, and students will amass concrete tools and gain insights into how to respond more thoughtfully and effectively to such challenges. Rabbi Mendel Katzman will teach this course at Chabad House for six Mondays, starting May 4, 7 p.m.; potential students may call 330.1800 for more information. Biblical Reflections is designed for people at all levels of Jewish knowledge. Participants without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning can attend and enjoy this course. All JLI courses are open to the entire Jewish community, and attendees need not to be a member of any particular synagogue or temple. Visit www.MyJLI.com to enroll now. Discounts are offered for couples taking the class together and students under 25.
IN THE NEWS University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Alumni Association’s Citation for Alumnus Achievement will be awarded to graduate Lloyd Roitstein during spring commencement May 8. Roitstein is scout executive/ president of the Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the largest youth-serving agency in Nebraska. The council is among the nation’s largest geographically and in number of youth served. The Citation is the association’s highest honor, encompassing career achievement, community service, involvement in business and professional associations, and fidelity to UNO. Roitstein is the 149th recipient. Ten outstanding women and their achievements in Omaha will be honored at the 22nd annual YWCA Omaha Tribute to Women luncheon on Tuesday, June 9, noon at the Holiday Inn Central, 72nd and Grover. Among the honorees is Rachel Jacobson, founder and
director of Film Streams, Omaha’s first non-profit theater dedicated to showing first-run independent, documentary, and foreign films as well as repertory selections that reflect film as an art form. It is her personal mission to advocate for independent filmmaking, social education through film, and wider distribution of singular voices in filmmaking. The honorees are chosen in 10 categories: Arts/ Humanities, Business/Entrepreneur, Communications, Education Pre K-12, Post-Secondary Education, Human Services/Community Advocate, Medical Professions, Professions (Other Than Medical), Professional Volunteer and Young Leader. Nominees in all categories are evaluated on their achievements in the award category, their community service, their demonstrated commitment to the elimination of one or more forms of discrimination, and their support of efforts to women and girls in the contemporary world. For ticket information, contact Table Chairwoman Jane Rips, jrips@aol.com, 556.9338, or visit the YWCA website: ywcaomaha.org.
Project Interfaith offers May programs
Following the Sun Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving andwhen you are returning.Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old”address before we are notified by the Post Office.Every time they return a paper to us,you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged 70¢! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.
by BETH KATZ Executive Director of Project Interfaith Project Interfaith, a leader and resource on interfaith and religious diversity issues, continues its educational efforts to build respect, understanding, and relationships among people of all beliefs by offering four engaging programs for the community this May. On Wednesday, May 6, 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Project Interfaith will hold its “Religious Diversity Issues in Professional Care Giving: A Training for Professional Care Givers, Medical Personnel, and Social Service Providers in Facilities and In-Home Care” at the Visiting Nurse Association Offices (12565 West Center Road). Reza Aslan A full day of training is designed to connect participants with the information, contacts, and resources to successfully serve and work with religiously and culturally diverse populations, including members of the Jewish community. Cost is $40 per participant. Five CEUs are available for participating in this training as well as four full scholarships for certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and students. This program is held in partnership with the Respite Resource Center of Nebraska, the Creighton University Health Sciences Library, and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. On Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m., Project Interfaith, in partnership with the Islamic Center of Omaha and Countryside Community Church, hosts the return of internationally acclaimed writer and scholar Reza Aslan to Omaha to discuss his newest book How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror, an in-depth study of the ideology fueling alQa‘ida, the Taliban, and like-minded militants through-
out the Muslim world, and an exploration of religious violence in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This program is at Countryside Community Church (8787 Pacific) and is part of the 2008-09 Community Conversations Annual Speaker Series. This program is open to the public and is offered at no charge by the three co-sponsoring organizations. For questions or to register by phone, contact Cyndi Kugler at the Center for Faith Studies, 402.391.0350 x 121. For social workers and social service providers looking for additional information and resources on working with and serving religiously diverse populations, attend “What’s G-d Got to Do with It?: Religious Diversity Issues in Care Giving and Social Services.” This workshop for social workers is sponsored by the Nebraska Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) on Thursday, May 14, 2:30-5 p.m., at the Lincoln/Lancaster County Extension Office (444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68528). The NASW is offering 2.5 CEUs for participation in this training. Registration is required and can be done online at: http://www.naswne.org/new/Regional Work shop.html. The Annual Interfaith Architecture Tour begins Sunday, May 17, 1-4 p.m., at Mount Michael Benedictine Abbey at 22520 Mt. Michael Road in Elkhorn. The theme of this year’s tour is the “Role of Nature in Shaping Buddhist and Roman Catholic Religious Art and Architecture” and the tour will feature presentations by Tinh Tam (the Council of Buddhist Study) and Father Daniel Lenz, an artist and member of the Mount Michael religious community. This tour is open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Tinh Tam, the Archdiocese of Omaha, and the Omaha Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), who will be offering CEUs to its members for attending. Cost is $5 and is non-refundable. To register for any of the programs or for more information, call 402.933.4647 or email info@projectinterfaithusa.org.
To order a gift subscription to the Press at a discounted price for the rest of 2009: Send a check for just $32, made out to the Jewish Press, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 334.6448.
May 1, 2009
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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ORGANIZATIONS
NE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY This year will mark the 85th Anniversary of AZA. The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and B’nai B’rith plan to celebrate this monumental occasion during the month of August with an exhibit of AZA items in the gallery of the JCC. We are looking for photographs, trophies and other memoribilia to display that will truly share the spirit and history of AZA with the entire community. Please call 334.6442 for more information.
B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Yom Ha’atzmaut. Join us for our ninth annual Jewish Trivia Quiz, held during our community celebration of Israel’s Independence Day on Sunday, May 3, 1 p.m. Win cash prizes and raise money for your favorite Jewish organization. The new CEO of the American Red Cross/ Midlands Chapter, Tricia Rubens will talk about her new role and one of the major tasks: “Collecting Blood in an age of AIDS” on Wednesday, May 6,
noon, at Regency Lodge. All men and women in the community are invited. The program is free. An optional buffet lunch is $13; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to get on the email list, contact Iris at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the day trip on Monday, to the Riverside Grill in Council Bluffs, Riverfront Drive and the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge, please meet at the JCC by 10 a.m. The cost is $4 for transportation. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICES Join us for a community concert with The Kramer Sisters on Wednesday, May 13, 7 p.m. in the JCC auditorium. There is no admission fee. The Kramer Sisters perform harmony vocals on a wide variety of songs, including vintage tunes from the 1920s-40s, old-time traditional music,
and songs from the big band venue. The group entertains regularly in Southeast Nebraska and neighboring states. All are welcome; bring a friend. For information, call Linda Fitzgerald at 334.6520. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m., the JCC. For information call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
the Orpheum Theater on Sunday, May 24, 2 p.m. Cost of $86 includes admission and transportation. Dinner is on your own at Cascio’s Steak House. Send reservations to Rose Pitlor, 827 Dillon Dr., Omaha, NE 68132. For information, call her at 558.5144. For transportation to the JCC, call Florence Hauss at 571.4583. Make check payable to Visions.
VISIONS Join us for a performance of Wicked at
CHABAD OF NEBRASKA Hosted by Patti Adler, Deborah Platt and Sherry Taxman, this month’s “Cooking Around the World” is the cuisine of China. All women in the community are invited to explore kosher foods from China, some cooking demonstrations and a kosher Chinese lunch Wednesday, May 13, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chabad House. Cost is $10. RSVP by Monday, May 11, by calling 330.1800 or emailing office@ochabad.com. Babysitting available by request, so be sure to include that information when making reservations.
famous Fifth Symphony, singer/pianist John Tesh, the allfemale Irish band Cherish the Ladies, Erich Kunzel (conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra), an allMozart celebration, and the rocking sounds of the Itzhak Perlman Rolling Stones. A complete listing credit Akira Kinoshita
of the 2009/10 is available online at www.omahasymphony.org, or request to have a season brochure mailed to you. Season ticket packages for all Omaha Symphony series are now available, and single tickets for all performances will be available to the general public in August 2009. Season tickets may be purchased by calling 402.342.3560, visiting www. omahasymphony.org, or at the Omaha Symphony Ticket Office at 1605 Howard St.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Beth Israel will hold their Annual Meeting and Board Elections on Sunday, May 3, 11 a.m. The 2009-10 slate of board members will be elected and President Dr. Alan Kricsfeld will give a “State of the Synagogue” address. All members of Beth Israel are invited to attend. For more information, please call the office at 556.6288.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Due to uncertainties surrounding the installation of a new HVAC system at the Church of the Cross, the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Handel’s Solomon has been moved to First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St. on Sunday, May 17, 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and seniors age 60 and over; a 10% discount is available for groups of 10 or more. For ticket information, call 398.1766 or the Organ Vesper Series at 333.7466 (Ext. 4).
The Omaha Symphony has announced it’s 2009/10 season -- a lineup that truly offers something for everyone. From Beethoven to the Beatles, the music of Mozart to the music of ABBA, there is diverse and exciting programming for every generation. The premier violinist of our time, Itzhak Perlman, joins the orchestra on Nov. 7. Additional highlights of the 2009/10 Omaha Symphony season include: pop sensation Pink Martini, Beethoven’s
The story of your family’s journey from the Old Country
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Live on and inspire future generations of Jews with a legacy gift. Planning this gift now will secure the education of our children, make certain our elderly will always be cared for, and assure that the Jewish traditions and culture we hold dear will live on and flourish. Contact us to find out how to begin.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 1, 2009
Israel and its Arab citizens JOURNAL ENTRY FROM ISRAEL by TEDDY WEINBERGER
In honor of Israel’s Independence Day, I decided to conduct a dialogue about a critical aspect of Israeli society with my friend Shaul Vardi, a professional translator and committed progressive Jew, who made aliyah from England in 1986. Shaul tends to bring out the right-winger in me, since I know that he leans very far to the left. TW: I am wondering where you stand on the following issue: Is there a problem per se with a pledge of allegiance to Israel as a Jewish democratic state (Americans, by the way, are quite fond of their own such pledge, which includes the words “one nation, under God”). SV: Americans indeed pledge allegiance to “one nation, under God.” They don’t pledge allegiance to “one white Christian nation, under Jesus.” Israel is a Jewish state in its founding purpose and this purpose permeates its history, culture, and political structure. I have no fundamental problem with that. But Israel’s Jewish character cannot be guaranteed or strengthened by acting unjustly toward those of its citizens who aren’t Jewish. TW: Of course, in a democracy, all citizens should be accorded the same rights and are entitled to equal access to public resources. But Israel’s is not the case of, for example, African Americans in the United States. Though African Americans were denied equal rights for a full century after they were emancipated, they realized early on that there was no going back to Africa -- that their home was America and their hopes and dreams centered on being allowed to contribute to America as full citizens. Many Arab citizens of Israel have not acknowledged that there is no going back, have they? For a lot of them Israel’s Independence Day is the “Nakba”, the Catastrophe. For you, there is no connection between Israeli Arabs observing Yom Ha’atzmaut as the Nakba and Israel’s reluctance to fully treat them as it does its Jewish citizens. For me, there is a connection. SV: Decent relations between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel will require each community to recognize the other’s experiences without belittling or abandoning its own. Israel’s Independence Day does mark a catastrophe (nakba) for the Palestinian people as a whole -- a history of displacement, the destruction of villages and towns, the creation of generations of refugees. To accept that doesn't mean that the establishment of Israel was wrong. Acknowledging those around us doesn't make us weak; shouting them down or refusing to listen to their narrative makes us seem both ungenerous in our newly-gained sovereignty and uncertain of our own identity. TW: Frankly, it seems to me that precisely your point of view is an obstacle to a more cohesive society -because with the observance of the Nakba comes the dream of “the return” (of Palestinians to their pre-1948
Musicians compose Darfur song
lands and homes), which would negate the existence of the State of Israel. Perhaps 200 years from now, Israelis can put a chapter or two into schoolbooks about what happened to the Palestinian people as Israel was established, much the same as American schoolbooks now acknowledge the destruction of Native American peoples, but if we are to move forward just as America moved forward in its first 200 years, then I think it is a mistake by sensitive Jewish Israelis such as yourself to be so sympathetic and understanding about Palestinian pain and the Palestinian experience. SV: The State of Israel raises unique challenges and issues due to the desire to maintain a “Jewish and democratic state” and due to the presence of a large and indigenous non-Jewish minority. Within the State of Israel (as opposed to the Occupied Territories), a vast majority of Arabs and Jews do manage to live their lives in reasonable civility. Two hundred meters from my home in Jerusalem, Jewish and Arab families live on two sides of a single road. The Jewish residents are mainly of Mizrachi (Oriental) origin. Many of them are Orthodox, and the vast majority hold right-wing political views. Many of the Arab families lost large areas of land due to expropriation. Yet the two sides of the road maintain friendly and warm relations. TW: I would like to embrace your pleasant vision for Israel: cordial relations between the two peoples underscored by equal access to public resources. I guess you believe that Israel’s Arabs are somehow different from all other Arabs. Israel's Arabs, you suggest, are tremendous believers in democracy, whereas not a single Arab country has adopted this system of government. As opposed to a cynical view that says that Israel’s Arabs will go along with democracy as long as it is the only game in town, you maintain that, miracle of miracles, in just a number of decades the State of Israel has managed to do what no Arab state has done: win over hundreds of thousands of Arabs to the cause of democracy. I pray that you are right. SV: To imply that Arabs are genetically or racially incapable of democracy is offensive and quite simply wrong. In any case, I believe that Israeli society is indeed having a positive influence on the Palestinian people -- both the Palestinians in the Territories and Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel. I have sat with Palestinian friends watching Israeli political programs on television and heard extremely positive comments about the level of democratic freedom and debate in Israel. Arabs can and do admire the openness and dynamism of Israeli society while opposing the occupation and demanding equality. What I find ironic and depressing about your position is its inherent pessimism and low expectations, both of yourself and of those around you. If you’d really like to embrace my pleasant vision, embrace it and find ways to move us a centimeter closer to it. Herzl said: if you want it, it’s no dream. Nachman of Breslav said: if you believe people can mess things up, you’ve got to believe they can fix things, too. Teddy Weinberger made aliyah in 1997; he can be reached at weinross@netvision.net.il.
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by JOSH SAYLES Jewish News of Greater Phoenix PHOENIX - What do three musicians from Greater Phoenix know about the genocide in Darfur, Sudan? A lot, actually. Photographer Elliot Lincis, attorney Burt Rosenblatt and Temple Solel cantorial soloist and Jewish pop artist Todd Herzog, the only full-time musician of the trio, have teamed up to create the song “Never Again.” The title is the common Jewish utterance that preaches Holocaust remembrance, but this particular work is intended to raise awareness about human-rights violations in Darfur. “The Jews are supposed to be, they say, the chosen people, but we’re also supposed to witness world events,” says Herzog. “I think it’s actually appropriate that it’s a Jewish theme that raises awareness because that’s the function that Jews are supposed to serve in the world. ... It’s significant that we’ve chosen a Jewish term to apply to another situation of genocide. It’s truly not just about protecting ourselves. The whole concept of tikkun olam and fixing the world applies to the whole world and not just to the Jewish people.” “(The Holocaust) is probably the most widely known horrific event, atrocity, that has ever happened,” adds Rosenblatt. “I think we wanted to call the level of gravity of that event to many things that are going on today.” Rosenblatt, a piano and keyboard player, and Lincis, who plays the saxophone and guitar, were introduced by their wives and first performed together during an impromptu jam session at a house party. “It was just like magic,” remembers Rosenblatt. “I threw something down that I had been goofing around with and Elliot picked it right up. (When we were finished), people just looked at us like, ‘How long you guys been playing together?’” Shortly thereafter, they teamed up and began writing music, mostly background soundtracks for movies and commercial jingles. Rosenblatt wrote the initial framework for “Never Again,” and the melody immediately caught Lincis’ attention. “As soon as I heard it, I thought, ‘This is big,’” says Lincis. “So I started playing with it, and I knew I wanted it to (be) something other than just another love song.” He stumbled upon the theme of Darfur purely by accident. Lincis first encountered the Lost Boys, a group of Sudanese refugees, a number of years ago after being hired to photograph some of their events. “I got to know a few of the guys, and they were a likeable bunch of lads,” he recalls. “I didn’t really understand what their plight was.” In 2005, he attended a Darfur awareness event in Scottsdale. “It was there that I really put the dots together,” he says. Fast-forward to 2008, when Lincis was up late one night brainstorming a theme for the lyrics. The television, serving as background noise, was tuned to HBO, Continued on page 9
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Israeli author inspires students at Millard West High School
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but it is one the teaching staff at Friedel Jewish Academy takes on year after year. Under the experienced guidance of Judaic Studies teachers Na’ama Artzi and Eadie Tsabari, staff and students are all included in the commemoration. “It is good for our kids to actively participate,” Giller continued, “because they are the future; it is also a challenge, because we want to instill in them the notion that this is a day not only for sadness, but also a day to honor and remember the past. Thus, we say the Mourner’s Kaddish, we hear about those that lived through the Holocaust, we certainly hear sad and difficult stories, but we end the service by singing HaTikvah, to symbolize there is always hope.” As is the custom during Yom HaShoah, Friedel’s fourth through sixth graders met up with a special visitor, who generously shared first hand experiences. This year, Bea Karp honored Friedel with her presence. Karp is the mother of Nancy Kutler, and grandmother of Sarah Kutler, who attends sixth grade at Friedel. “We are very grateful that Mrs. Karp agreed to visit our school,” Giller said, “Because hearing from a survivor is something that our kids will remember for the rest of their lives. It takes history off the page and brings it up close, it allows them to ask questions and actively participate in the day’s events. It also enables our students to “remember not to forget” which is what Yom HaShoah is all about.
Musicians compose Darfur song
Continued from page 8 and a documentary on Darfur began to play; he deemed the topic appropriate. Rosenblatt and Lincis recruited Herzog to be the lead singer for their band, which they named “Prophets of the New Moon.” They brought in two Lost Boys to write and record a chant in Dinka, a Sudanese language, as part of the song. Lincis is currently working on getting “Never Again” into the hands of Not On
Education U English U History U Math
Undergraduate
An important day for Friedel students
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Last week, Friedel held its annual Yom HaShoah remembrance, starting with a meaningful service in the Riekes Synagogue. Principal Ron Giller opened the service by reading a poem about the importance of remembering. “It was such a moving experience,” Giller said, “and I was very proud of both our students and the staff. We had great participation from everybody, including some of the parents, and were happy to welcome Beth El Cantor Beth Schlossberg, who visited us for the occasion.”
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Kennedy Expressway
send the message “I (LOVE) LIVIA.” by AMY CASSMAN FRIEDMAN Communications Director, Millard School District When asked why this author meant so Livia Bitton-Jackson, survivor of much to them personally, students Auschwitz explained that the book and author of records the events of the I Have Lived Holocaust from the perspecA Thousand tive of a young teenage girl, Years, travand they could identify with eled from her her character. Students also home in explained that the book’s mesIsrael to meet sage of hope was inspirational. with students “She never gave up even at Millard though she came close to West High Livia Bitton Jackson with Millard West Students being killed many times,” said Ellie Ahlquist. “She taught me the School last week during Yom HaShoah. Last semester, students in Kip Colony’s importance of perseverance.” At Millard West, the author first met English classes were so inspired by her book that they contacted her via email, with students in Colony’s English classes and then addressed about 600 students in which started an on-going relationship. “We really wanted her to come so we the school’s auditorium. She concluded could meet her in person, but we were by telling the audience to remember her totally surprised when she said yes,” said experiences in Auschwitz, because a time Megan Hinger. “It is amazing that she will come in the future when all of the came all of the way from Israel.” survivors are gone. The students and their families raised Following the speech, Beth Seldin about $10,000 for the trip. The airfare Dotan, director of the Institute for alone was nearly $6,000. Colony, with Holocaust Education, presented the assistance from Megan’s mother Paula author with the stories of Omaha’s Hinger, accomplished countless details to Holocaust survivors. Dotan also recogorganize the three-day visit to Omaha nized the students for their passion in including making arrangements for the working so hard to meet the author in perauthor to eat kosher meals during her stay. son and for recognizing the importance of Dozens of students cheered and chant- tolerance and respect for all individuals. ed her name when she arrived at Eppley During her stay here, Bitton-Jackson Airfield on April 20. They held up a ban- also spoke at the Durham Museum and ner reading “You Inspire Us.” Many Offutt Air Force Base and toured the wore T-shirts with a large red heart to Henry Doorly Zoo.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Our Watch, a charity founded by a number of Hollywood actors aimed at raising awareness of human-rights violations worldwide and providing aid. He says he hopes the music will become an anthem for the organization. “It’s probably a little premature at this point to know exactly what direction it’s going to take,” says Rosenblatt. “But you know ultimately that stuff works itself out.”
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Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 1, 2009
The Heartland commemorates Yom HaShoah
From above left: Beth Seldin Dotan, director of the Institute for Holocaust Education, introduced the evening’s speaker, Bonnie Gurewitsch; Cantor Beth Schlossberg led the crowd of nearly 600 in Ani Ma’amin and Beth El’s Rabbi Mordechai Levin gave an impassioned plea to remember the Shoah by fighting against today’s terrorists: Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran.
Above: More than 75 teens gathered at Beth El Synagogue prior to Omaha’s Holocaust commemoration to meet with survivors and archivist and curator of the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York -- Bonnie Gurewitch, who spoke later in the sanctuary about the six lessons she’s learned from studying and teaching about the Holocaust and listening to survivors’ testimonies. One such survivor, Rachel Rosenberg, right, told teens her story of growing up in Poland with her sisters, whose lives were changed forever by World War II.
From above left: Rabbi Jonathan Gross of Beth Israel speaks to Bonnie Gurewitsch after the ceremony; Rabbi Yitzhak Mizrahi, left, of Beth Israel, Rabbi Eric Linder, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Cantor Wendy Shermet, all of Temple Israel, listen intently to the speaker. Above: Mary Sue Grossman, left, administrator for the Center for Jewish Education, speaker Bonnie Gurewistch, and Toba Cohen Dunning, chairman of the Yom HaShoah Committee join the crowd in singing Israel’s national anthem -- ‘Hatikvah” to close the program.
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From above left: lighting candles in memory of the six million were: Joe Boin, representing the survivors, and Eileen Clignett, representing the children of survivors; Steve Pitlor, President of Beth El, and Bob Lepp, president of the Jewish Federation; Lindsey Thomas, left, and Anna Grossman, representing the teens of ARTZA 2009, and Nikki Flatowicz, representing the grandchildren of survivors. Left: Sam Fried tells teens at Beth El about surviving Auschwitz.
May 1, 2009
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
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Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 1, 2009
Mother’s Day: how it all began BERT’S EYE VIEW by BERT LEWIS
Just when I had about decided there was nothing more I could write/say about Mother’s Day, I thought it might be interesting to look up its history. The holiday was born in 1912 and was the idea of a woman who wanted to honor all mothers. In fact, there was such a to-do about including all individual mothers every place, a special note was made about where the apostrophe should go. That is, be certain it’s ’s and not just adding an ‘s’ to make it a general plural. That’s a little complicated, but I’ll trust you understand my meaning. Of course if we were decent sons and daughters, we wouldn’t need a particular day to do that, but human nature being what it is, we do. And in my heart of hearts, I know that’s when the greeting card industry was born. No, no, don’t quote me statistics that say otherwise. As far as I’m concerned, somebody had a cartoon lightbulb go off in the middle of the night and thought up greeting cards -- and most particularly for Mother’s Day. I have to admit, it was a good idea. And, from one idea like that came many others. I know that the manufacturers of hosiery, ladies undies like slips (remember those?) and scarves and blouses must have felt fringe benefits from that holiday. After all, who doesn’t go to the mall and wander around searching for a nice gift for Mom as that May Sunday gets close? For those who are less than great shoppers, the chocolate candy selections were born. Because, even if you positively know your mom’s favorite sweet is a Mars Bar, you find the place that sells the box of fancy-shmancy imported chocolates, wrapped in a special package, for the best mom in the world. And you pay a whole heck of a lot more for it than you would for a case of the bars! I remember the things my kids would proudly present to me, when they were very little (and I was a lot younger!). In fact, I might still have some of those hand made cards with original sentiments, carefully printed on construction paper. One especially unforgettable expression of love still makes me laugh out loud. In a simple but poetic form, the proof of my qualities as “the best mother” was “you don’t make me eat liver”. Who could ask for more than that, at least from a seven year old? I don’t know if that was the kind of thing meant by the lady who “invented” Mother’s Day, but I do know that was just one example of how little kids thought they
should honor mom. I don’t mean to imply that we’ve totally lost the original thought behind the day -- to honor mother. I just think these are more informal times and we’re not so apt to make speeches or write poetry for the one person who probably does more to form us as decent humans than anybody else. Of course dad is right there too, and his input is not to be dismissed. But whether it’s good or bad, happy or sad, an “A” in spelling or a “C”, Mom was there to rejoice or sympathize (or scold?). Who could forget that? I don’t want to forget something important I learned when I was checking out the origins of Mother’s Day. I found out that many, many countries in the world, not just America, celebrate either a true Mother’s Day or something called “Woman’s Day” or even “Ladies Day”. And it’s my understanding that most of them were what might be called a spin-off of our original holiday. Makes sense, doesn’t it? We’ve come up with a lot of stuff other countries have been quick to copy. Over the years I’ve already told you all about my own precious mom, and many of my experiences after becoming a mom, and who knows what else? I’ve had the joy of hearing from people who thought I was writing about their mom, proving once and for all one truth. We women who are privileged to be called mother get the first gift the moment they put our firstborn into our arms. It’s wrapped in flannel rather than tissue paper, and there are no ribbons and bows, but within the folds of that bundle is a tiny creature whose very presence changes life completely. Suddenly, the first name we’ve always had becomes mommy. Indescribable! If you’re a mom, you already know all that. If not, it may be a joy you have yet to experience. Even though we women sometimes have a tough time with the role, (because life isn’t easy), being a mom is the best! And the only thing that might be just a tad better, is being a grandmom. Feel free to take it to the next level yourself. Just let me assure you, with each generation it just gets better and better. Honest. Happy Mother’s Day! Bert Lewis can be reached at BertLewis39@aol.com.
BIRTH Whitney and Dan Feferman of Rishon Letzion, Israel, announce the March 31 birth of their son, Gideon Avraham. Grandparents are Sherry and Jeffrey Taxman, and Rabbi Shoshana and Bob Feferman of Mishawaka, IN. Great-grandparents are Barbara and Marvin Taxman, and David Feferman of Mishawaka, IN.
“Only mothers can think of the future – because they give birth to it in their children.” —Maxim Gorky
It is our great pleasure to care for generations of mothers and grandmothers.
Happy Mother’s Day!
High school graduates to be honored during Beth El’s international Shabbat
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Have you ever wondered how Shabbat is celebrated in other parts of the world? What are other people’s customs, rituals, music, and food? So many countries enrich Judaism with their unique observances, and Beth El Synagogue is excited to share some of those Shabbat traditions through an exciting series of International Shabbat celebrations, planned by Cantor Beth Schlossberg and Rabbi Mordechai Levin. The first celebration will take place on Friday, May 8, 6 p.m., and will feature Jewish traditions in the country of Uganda. Special focus will be on the Abayudaya tribe, which has practiced Judaism since 1919, when one of its leaders became committed to the faith. In 2002, a Conservative beit din is reported to have converted several hundred of the tribe to Judaism. In addition to the traditional liturgy, Ugandan melodies will be incorporated into the service and Rabbi Levin will speak about the tribe. Afterward, everyone is invited to stay for a special Oneg Shabbat, featuring snacks with a Ugandan-style twist. “When thinking about Jewish communities outside of the State of Israel, most of us envision communities in the West, such as those in our own country, or those in Canada, Europe, South America, or even in the Slavic countries,” said Cantor Schlossberg. “Through our series of International Shabbat programs, we seek to introduce our community to smaller and lesser known Jewish communities, such as those in Africa. The Abayudaya tribe has a fascinating story. The community consists of the people of a small village in Africa who began to practice Judaism a little more than a hundred years ago. Please come join us for a warm and fulfilling Shabbat experience,” she added. Also during the evening, the synagogue’s teens who will be graduating from area high schools this spring will be honored. They will be invited to participate in Kiddush, and will receive a special gift from the congregation. Honorees include Salomon Cemaj, Macklin Emas, Steven Finkle, Joseph Kahn, Daniel Klein, Leslie Kravitz, Alec Lerner, Tali Levin, Jessica Morris, Mitchell Sanford, Claire Schlessinger, Ygal Schuller, Alexander Solomon, Lydia Stern, Talia Tene and Efrat Tsabari. The entire community is invited to enjoy this special Shabbat celebration.
May 1, 2009
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
What to do when the baby arrives: Tips for inclusive naming ceremonies
by INTERFAITHFAMILY.COM The birth of a child opens up a whole array of religious decisions to be made. Will you have a religious ceremony to mark the occasion? If so, where, when, and what will it look like? Even interfaith couples who had agreed on religious issues before may find the situation more complicated with the arrival of their baby…when decisions made in the abstract suddenly become real. Sometimes a partner, who felt that religion didn’t really matter and that he would be okay raising his child with no religion, suddenly very much wants his son to have a brit, a ritual circumcision, as he himself did. Often times, parents have to contend with and navigate the opinions, beliefs and feelings of extended family members. For many, the naming ceremony is the first event that demonstrates to one partner’s family that the child will be raised outside their religion. Here are some tips we’ve compiled over the years on how to hold inclusive baby naming ceremonies. 1. Naming can be a significant issue. What will you name the child? Will it be named after a living or nonliving relative? What if the father is a Jr. and wants his son to be the third, and his wife is Jewish and believes strongly against naming a child after a living relative? These are very important things to consider. For example, choosing a name that cultivates and conveys the child’s religious identity while respecting both parents’ ancestries can be a profound responsibility. 2. The most helpful way to approach this discussion is for couples to share religious memories, articulate what it is about those memories that are most important, and see how they can offer their child that most important experience. 3. Non-denominational naming or welcoming ceremonies can be meaningful without invoking or excluding either family’s religious tradition. Writing for InterfaithFamily.com, author Anita Diamant said, “These can be virtually secular or they may invoke inclusive religious values and language by using readings from Song of Songs or Psalms, for example. It’s a good idea to be clear about metaphors and symbols. Water rituals, in particular, can be confusing. For Christians, baptismal water is a sign of identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus and a symbol of welcome to the Christian community. Jewish baby ceremonies that use water (sometimes the baby’s hands and/or feet are washed, an echo of biblical scenes of welcome) signify the child’s entry into the Jewish covenant
(brit) with God.” 4. If you decide to have a ceremony that is either Christian or Jewish, be sensitive to your extended family’s feelings. In planning any naming ceremony, parents should explain the significance of the event, and consider including grandparents or other close family members in a baptism ceremony or non-Jewish family members in the celebration, if not in the ceremony itself. There are many ways to include non-Jewish family members in a brit. Typically, both parents do readings about the choice of the child’s name. Both sets of grandparents can be given ceremonial honors, such as carrying the baby into the room, and/or reading a poem or non-denominational prayer for the child. At the same time, remember that non-Jewish grandparents may not feel comfortable at a brit. So you can offer them a role, but don’t insist. 5. If you’re planning on a brit for your son, ask the mohel, a Jew ordained to do circumcision, if he or she can integrate the needs of an interfaith couple. Can the mohel help plan roles for non-Jews in the ceremony? 6. Couples should thank one another for the sacrifices and compromises made in terms of religion and should make every effort to ensure that both partners are comfortable with and feel a part of the religious experiences they share. That sense of comfort may also have to take into account extended family. For example, one couple who had agreed to raise Christian children decided not to have godparents, even though it was a family tradition. They wanted to respect each other but also wanted to prevent Jewish family members, who could not be godparents, from feeling left out. 7. Regardless of which religion they choose, couples should begin to actively observe rituals and traditions before the child is born if they hope to raise the child according to those traditions. For example, couples often say, “When the baby comes, we’ll start lighting Shabbat candles.” But if they start now, couples can establish a routine and it will be easier to continue despite the stress and busyness of having a newborn at home. 8. According to S. Courtney Nathan, a clinical social worker specializing in work with interfaith families, “whatever your situation, remember that you are entering into a beautiful stage of life, becoming a true family. You will have enormous responsibility and opportunity and must take it very seriously. While making religious decisions at this time is not easy, it will pave the way for an easier future for everyone.”
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READ IT AND E AT Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN
Close your eyes and make a wish. Could this be a dream come true? If you or mom or dad or anyone you know is a chocolate zealot and would love starting the day with a celebration, open the pages of this lovely cookbook. Lots of color photographs appear; in the ChocolateFilled Toast Pillows -- the chocolate almost oozes off the page. Others are of ingredients, and other recipes like chocolate pasta, biscotti, fortune cookies, tequila lime sorbet, papaya tamales, strudel, pb&j sandwich, pancakes, white chocolate covered grapes and on and on. Now, close your eyes again and picture the Oak Knoll Inn in Napa Valley surrounded by 600 acres of vineyards, where this innkeeper-author-chocoholic who's had a life-long love affair with chocolate has created over 100 sweet and savory recipes as appetizers, main courses, grace notes as well as breakfast fare, organized in a dozen international menus: like North of Southwest, Asian Persuasion, A Little Italy, Spanish Exploration,
The French Connection, Moroccan Excursion, AllAmerican, Valentine’s Day Decadence, Vernal Equinox: Spring Anticipation, Fourth of July Picnic Brunch, Recipe for a Perfect Night’s Sleep, and Frozen Delights: Sorbet & a Little Ice Cream. Interwoven in this first cookbook is a playful sense of whimsy and a sprinkling of chocolate sayings ... do something naughty and eat breakfast first! The clear directions read well, cover necessary steps and include wine suggestions, substitutions, alternative, hints and night owl instructions for make ahead tips. The resources include the Best Speciality Ingredients and equipment used lists mostly California sources. Try this recipe for Mother’s Day, or just tomorrow. Enjoy this grownup ice cream treat! MARC’S MARVELOUS CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE 1/4 cup cream 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces 1 tablespoon cognac or brandy 1 pint best quality vanilla ice cream 1 Le Petit Ecolier cookie crumbled Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour it in a bowl over the chopped chocolate. Whisk until velvety smooth. Add the cognac and let the mixture cool slightly. The good news is that there will be extra because it’s difficult to boil a smaller amount of cream without burning it. Keep the remainder in the refrigerator (if you can). Take 2 heaped tablespoons of the chocolate mixture and add it to the ice cream in a food processor. Blend. Taste to determine if more chocolate is needed. Spoon the shake into a beautiful Champagne glass. Top with cookie crumbs and serve with a wide straw. Lois Friedman can be reached at ReadItAndEat@ yahoo.com.
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Page 14
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 1, 2009
A taste of tradition for Israel’s 61st
Happy Mother’s Day to the Mothers of all Generations With Your Help We’ll Have A Great Past Ahead Of Us
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by SYBIL KAPLAN In my cookbook collection is a cookbook I purchased in 1972. Subsequently, it was published in 1978, 1979 and 2004. To me it is the classic book of Israeli meal planning for holidays. This is A Taste of Tradition by Ruth Sirkis. For Americans who do not recognize Sirkis’s name, I always describe her as the Julie Child of Israel! A nativeborn Israeli, Ruth has been involved with food all of her professional life. R. Sirkis Publishers sends out an internet magazine, From the Kitchen with Love, and publishes primarily cookbooks. Ruth also has a website, www.Sirkis.co.il. Although the original recipes are 37 years old, her Yom Ha’atzmaut menu, some of its recipes and a few others make an enjoyable celebration today. ISRAELI SEA DELICACY 1 lb. frozen fish filets 1 1/2 cups water 1/2 cup white wine 1 onion, sliced 3 carrots 1 celery stalk, cut up 1 t. salt 1/8 t. pepper 2 T. unflavored gelatin 1 cup Tahinah dip* 1/3 cup pine nuts Garnish: tomato slices, cucumber slices, lemon slices, black olives, pimento and shredded lettuce Thaw the filets. Combine the water, wine and vegetables in a large shallow saucepan. Add salt and pepper, cook, covered for 10 minutes. Add the fillets and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Remove fish to a bowl. Strain the stock and measure 2 cups. If needed add more white wine to make the full amount. Reserve the carrots for garnish. Soften the gelatin in 1/3 cup water. Combine with the clear stock and boil 2 to 3 minutes until gelatin dissolves completely. Let cool, until almost set. Flake the fish in small pieces with a fork. Add the cooled gelatin stock, tahina dip and pine nuts. Pour into a big fisshaped mold. Cover the mold with waxed paper and chill for at least 6 hours. To unmold, run a knife around the edges, dip mold in hot water for 10 seconds and invert on a big sering plate. To garnish, slice the carrots to make half circle scales and long strips for fins and tail. Stock scales and fins on the fish right after unmolding. Decorate the serving plate with tomato slices, cucumber slices, lemon slices, black olives, pimento and shredded lettuce. Makes 8-12 servings. TAHINAH DIP cups 1 cup tahinah 2/3 cup water 1/3 cup lemon juice 2 garlic cloves, mashed 1 t. salt 1/8 t. pepper 1 T. snipped parsley 1/4 t. paprika Measure 1 cup of tahinah paste in a medium bowl. Add the water in a slow stream stirring continuously. The paste may turn white and separate. Do not worry. Just stir in the 2/3
lemon juice and the paste will become smooth and velveety. Add the mashed garlic, salt, pepper and parsley. Mix well. Put in a serving bowl and sprinkle with paprika.
JAFFA CHICKEN 16 pieces 3 lbs. chicken cut in 16 pieces, preferably thighs, breasts and legs 1 1/2 cups orange juice 1 cup white wine 1 onion, sliced 1 celery stalk, cut up 1 carrot sliced 1 1/2 t. salt 1/8 t. pepper 1 t. paprika 3 T. oil 1/2 cup raisins 1 t. cumin 2 oranges, sectioned 1/2 t. grated orange peel Combine orange juice, wine, vegetables and seasonings, except cumin, in a big shallow roasting pan. Marinate the chicken pieces for 1 hour, turning occasionally. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and wipe dry with paper towels. Heat the oil in a large skillet and fry chicken ligtly, skin side down. Return to the marinade in the roasting pan, skin side down. Add orange sections, raisins and sprinkle cumin all over. Cover tightly. Bake covered for 1 hour at 350º. Remove the cover and turn the chicken. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes until beautifully browned. Remove the chicken, orange sections and raisins to a heated serving plate. Strain the pan juices into a small saucepan, add grated orange peel and boil juices until thick, about 7 minutes. Pour over the chicken and serve warm.
NUT BONBONS 20 bonbons 40 walnut halves 20 tiny paper cups 1/2 cup fine sugar 3 T. margarine 1 T. brandy 3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate 20 peeled pistachio nuts Plunge walnuts into hot water and rinse under running water. Drain on paper towels then dry on a cookie sheet in a 250ºoven for 15 minutes. Cool completely. Put the sugar in a clean, dry blender. Blend on high speed for 3 minutes until pulverized. Beat the margarine in a medium bowl with sugar and brandy until the sugar dissolves completely. Spread a little sugar filling on 20 walnut halves; top with the remaining halves. Press lightly to hold together. Chill for 1 hour in refrigerator. Melt the chocolate with 2 T. water in a pan over a bottom pan of water over low heat. Dip half of each walnut in the melted chocolate. Put in a paper cup. Press a pistachio nut on each.
Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, cookbook author, and food writer. Ruth Sirkis wrote the introduction to her as yet unpublished cookbook, Cooking Like an Israeli ... Used to Cook. She lives in Jerusalem.
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JEWISH PRESS CLOSINGS & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day and Friday, May 29 for the first day of Shavuot. The deadline for all ads, synagogue schedules, articles and photos is 9 a.m. as follows: Issue Deadline Issue Deadline May 29 Wednesday, May 20 June 5 Wednesday, May 27 Photos used in the Passover issue may be picked up at the Press office during regular business hours. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
May 1, 2009
What will our grandchildren say?
by RICHARD PEARLSTONE NEW YORK (JTA) -- In January, the Jewish Agency renovated some 300 bomb shelters in the south of Israel. With the increased range of rockets from Gaza hitting Ashdod and Beersheva -the first time these cities came under rocket attack since the 1948 War of Independence -- it was time for some renovation. Visiting these refurbished bomb Richard Pearlstone shelters or watching kids as they practice taking cover in them gives one a sense of deja vu. Today the Jewish Agency is able to provide color TV and air conditioners in the shelters, an improvement over a transistor radio and a fan. But a bomb shelter is still a bomb shelter and a rocket still a rocket. Which makes me wonder: As Israel celebrates its 61st year of independence, what would my grandfather, Joseph Meyerhoff, think if he saw Israel now? As he sat huddled with David BenGurion in 1950 contemplating how to get urgently needed capital into Israel – he subsequently started Israel Bonds -my grandfather wouldn’t have imagined driving today north of Tel Aviv to Israel’s high-tech hub or inside Intel’s microprocessing factory in Kiryat Gat. He wouldn’t have imagined Israel boasting of 4,000 high-tech companies and more than 100 venture-capital funds. Nor would he have imagined that alongside this boom, a growing socioeconomic divide and an unprecedented number of children were living in poverty. It also would have been hard to think of the Jewish Agency partnering with Cisco to offer a three-year course giving high school students in underprivileged areas a computer technician’s certificate, so they can make their way into technical units in
the army. Today, instead of kibbutzim and development towns built by the Jewish Agency during our grandparents’ heyday in the 1950s and ‘60s, we are founding young communities built by college students in socioeconomically challenged areas of Israel. When they aren’t studying, members of these young communities are mentoring at-risk youth, volunteering at the local council and participating in projects to improve the area. These students call themselves the Zionist pioneers of the 21st century. Would our grandparents have imagined that Jews would continue to find a haven in Israel in 2009 from countries as diverse as Germany, Georgia and Yemen? Would they have imagined the busloads and planeloads of Jewish youth from all over the world coming to Israel on Birthright or to study for a year on a Masa program? Finally, if they believed Israel were to reach its seventh decade, my grandfather’s generation would have assumed there would be quiet, if not peace, and that Israel would not at once be facing homemade Kassam rockets from Gaza and a nuclear threat from Iran. I don’t think they would have envisioned us renovating bomb shelters in 2009. But the really interesting question is, what will Israel look like 60 years from now, when our grandchildren are where we are today? That’s the unwritten part of the story; that’s the part we are writing today. It’s easy to lose sight of this amidst our daily lives, personal and communal turbulence, especially during these times of economic challenge. But if we keep on course, especially when it is difficult, come Israel’s 120th Independence Day our grandchildren will look back with pride on what we did just as we look back on the generation that founded the state. Richard Pearlstone is chairman of the board of governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 15
Jewish Theological Seminary offers exciting summer program in NYC for college, grad students by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The Big Apple is beckoning to Jewish college and graduate students interested in summer study, as the Jewish Theological Seminary offers “Summer Sessions in the City.” This exciting educational program in New York City will immerse participants in Conservative Jewish study and Jewish life, offering courses which explore the Bible, Talmud, Siddur and Midrash; they will also have opportunities to apply Jewish texts to contemporary issues. JTS serves as the academic and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism worldwide, whose mission is “to serve as the preeminent center for the academic study of Judaica outside of Israel, as one of the preeminent centers worldwide, and as a training center for scholars to advance that study,” and “to educate Jewish professionals and lay leadership in the spirit of Conservative Judaism for the total community through academic and religious programs, both formal and informal.” This year’s “Summer in the City” programming is geared to both undergraduate and graduate students: Session I (May 17-June 5), will offer undergrad courses including “Women in Neviim Rishonim,” “Introduction to Talmud I,” and “Survey of Biblical Literature II”; Session II (May 26-June 25), open to graduate students, will offer “Leading and Managing Jewish Nonprofits,” “Bava Batra, Chapter Two,” “Classics of Hebrew Literature,” “God, Torah, and Israel in Modern Jewish Thought,” “Holocaust: The Philosophical and Theological Future,” and “Narrative Art in the Books of Samuel”; classes in
Session III (June 30-July 28, graduate students only), will include “The Bible in Translation,” “Israeli Cinema,” “Israel in Contemporary Jewish Education,” and “Judaism and Christianity in the First Five Centuries.” JTS will also present the graduate-level “Intensive Hebrew Language Session,” from May 26-July 28. In addition to academic life, students will be given volunteer opportunities in the community, and will be treated to the best of New York City, including trips to baseball games, New York Philharmonic
concerts in Central Park, kayaking on the Hudson River, movie nights, ice cream socials, a weekly Shabbat softball game, and much, much more. Beth El Synagogue’s Rabbi Mordechai Levin recently praised the ‘Summer in the City’ program, saying, “The Conservative movement offers great opportunities for Jewish learning and this is one of its finest. Studying at JTS is an enriching experience for everyone and I highly recommend it.” To register or to receive more information about “Summer Sessions in the City,” please visit the JTS web site, http://www.jtsa.edu/academics/summer_sessions.xm .
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Page 16
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 1, 2009
Oh, Google yourself! No, we’re not throwing epithets at our readers. But, just for fun, type your name into Google and see what comes up. (For those of you without computers, you can visit the Kripke Library and ask the staff to help you with your search.) In addition to discovering there’s more than one person with your name, you’ll find some fascinating tidbits of information you might not have realized were available to anyone -and everyone! Once it’s on the web, it’s on forever -- something few realize. It’s a warning many parents are trying to get their teens and young adult children to take seriously -- especially when they’re applying for college, grad school or a job. Imagine how embarrassing it is to have the dean of a law school view pictures of an applicant at a drunken fraternity brawl or half-naked on a beach in Mexico during spring break! Worse, angry comments about a news story or blog can haunt the person posting forever. Did you really want your fifth-grade rants to be seen by the entire world? Next time, consider holding back for 24 hours so you don’t sound like a two-year-old throwing a temper tantrum. Whether you’re on Facebook or other social networks, twittering or posting comments, your name (or e-mail name) can easily be found. In fact, there are services, such as archives.com, that “sweep” the web constantly, so viewers with enough time and persistence can find even original versions of stories that may have been changed or updated. The Anti-Defamation League does that as well, looking for hate and signs of anti-Semitism. (A good resource for parents and teens is the ADL’s educational material for cyberbullying,
at: http://www.adl.org/education/cyberbullying/.) For example, Carol Katzman is not only the editor of this Jewish Press (in Omaha) but also Brooklyn’s Jewish Press (which may explain why this office occasionally gets phone calls for the “other” Jewish Press!) The Brooklyn-based Jewish Press is larger, both in number of pages and circulation, but we’re older. You might say we were the first, with many imitators. The Jewish Press of Tampa/St. Pete, for instance, was named by Karen and Jim Dawkins when they founded the paper in 1985. Some readers may remember her as Karen Wolfson -- yes, she grew up in Omaha! Another Jewish Press is located in Des Moines. Owned by the Federation, it only publishes six times a year and no longer subscribes to either JTA (our worldwide source of Jewish news), nor is it a member of the American Jewish Press Association -- but we’re flattered that it, too, carries our name. Speaking of names, here are some constructive ways viewers can learn more about themselves through Google or other research sites: 1. Use “googling” to find other members of your family; 2. Discover the genealogy sites, like www.jewishgen.org, which host hundreds of databases and can
assist you in researching your family tree; 3. If your family entered the United States through Ellis Island in New York, check out www.ellisisland.org/genealogy for lists of ships’ manifests, home countries, surnames, and more. The site even offers a step-by-step guide to first time users, called Genealogy 101; 4. Israel’s Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem, also holds massive databases and documents of pre-war Europe, as well as information on Holocaust victims and survivors. Even today, long lost relatives are finding one another through www.yadvashem.org. 5. And finally, contact the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, right here in Omaha. You might be surprised to discover how much information the non-profit group already has about your family and other relatives. Wouldn’t your mother be proud!
NEWS ANALYSIS by STEPHEN SILVER
Last month, two more states, Iowa and Vermont, legalized same-sex marriage, with the latter state even becoming the first in the nation to do so by legislative means. Sure, it’s only four states out of 50, and comes a few months after Prop 8 eliminated gay marriage in California. But that’s still four more states than six years ago. And four more than a certain segment of conservative America is comfortable with. The right-wing obsession with, and fear of, homosexuality is something that continues to confound and confuse me. There’s something about this issue that makes people go absolutely nuts. A new interest group, called National Organization for Marriage, has launched a campaign against same-sex marriage, kicking off with an unintentionally hilarious 30-second commercial in which actors portraying “concerned citizens” warn of a “storm gathering,” in which “some who advocate for same-sex marriage” do all sorts of terrible things, like take away the rights of teachers and businessmen to do as they please, and “my freedom will be taken away.” The ad is a laughable exercise in obfuscation, pretending that the quest for marriage equality is synonymous with a handful of outlying legal disputes that have little or nothing to do with the matter at hand. In reality, no religious institution will be forced to perform or recognize same-sex weddings, just as no church has been forced to recognize any heterosexual union. This argument has absolutely nothing to do with the rights of churches or business, or with discomfort with judicial power. The obsession with gay marriage has everything to do with four things:
In reality, no religious institution will be forced to perform or recognize same-sex weddings, just as no church (or synagogue) has been forced to recognize any heterosexual union. It’s not a zero-sum game. No one loses any rights when gay marriage is legalized. My marriage to my wife becomes no less valid if gays are allowed their own unions. If there are terrible, unjust legal loopholes created by the advent of same-sex marriage, the solution isn’t to toss out gay marriage. It’s to toss out the loopholes. And yes, the patchwork of legal standards throughout the country are bound to lead to legal headaches down the round, as David Frum pointed out last week. But that’s not reason enough, by itself, to eliminate the right to marriage for gays. Gay people have been around for the entirety of human history, and they’re not going away anytime soon. With every successive generation, as more and more people get to know gay friends throughout the country, homosexuality becomes more normalized and more accepted. Wedge politics on this issue, from the right, is every bit as much of a political
Jewish Press Board Michael Sigmond, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Marc Brodkey; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; Andy Ruback; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.
Getting used to gay marriage Republican wedge politics, disrespect of gay people, a wish that they would not get married and, yes, that they would not be gay. Beyond that, no one has ever or will ever become gay, or not become gay, because of a court decision or legislative act. You think there’s this whole generation of young straight people who hear that Vermont legalized same-sex marriage, and therefore decide, “Hey, on second thought, I’ll be gay?” This is not the case, and no one who has ever met a gay person could ever conceivably argue that it is.
(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
loser as it is a moral loser. No, this issue is not about hypothetical legal consequences that could conceivably arise. It is, ultimately, about the dignity and humanity of gay and lesbian Americans. How wonderful it is to see things, legally and politically, moving in the right direction. Stephen Silver is a journalist and editor who specializes in the areas of politics, pop culture, film and sports. He works as an editor with the North American Publishing Co. and as a film critic with The Trend, a local newspaper in the Philadelphia area. His work has also appeared in Boston Magazine, New York Press, the Detroit News, the American Jewish World, and Hardball Times, as well as on his blog, SteveSilver.net, which he has operated for nearly five years. Silver is a 2000 graduate of Brandeis University who lives in Newtown Square, PA. This op-ed is reprinted with permission from North Star Writers.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: The only thing better about the theme for the Passover issue was the execution of it! What a great idea -- touching, uplifting, sentimental, funny, and nostalgic. It was man- and womankind at their best. The writers did an excellent job of bringing each “group” to life -- one of the best reads of any special holiday edition I can remember. Thanks to the Press Board for coming up with such a terrific idea. Thanks to the writers for touching our hearts, and thanks to each and every group for sharing their good fortune with the rest of us! It was a pleasure. Joanie Jacobson
Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $35 per calendar year U.S.; $72 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2007
May 1, 2009
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 17
Yom HaShoah: a remembrance and a warning FOCUS ON ISSUES by RABBI MORDECHAI LEVIN
(Editor’s note: Rabbi Levin delivered this speech last Wednesday at Beth El Synagogue, which hosted this year’s community Yom HaShoah commemoration.)
Why remember? Is human nature not opposed to keeping alive memories that harm and disturb? Why not forget? The Shoah -- the murder of six million Jews by the Nazis -- must be remembered and for several reasons as Elie Wiesel wrote. First, we cannot grant the murderers a posthumous victory. Not only did they assassinate their victims, they also wanted to obliterate their memory. Not to remember them now would mean to become accessories to their killers. Second, we cannot refuse the victims the realization of their last wish, to bear witness. Every ghetto and concentration camp had its historians. Many wrote journals, kept diaries, composed poems and prayers. They wanted to remember and to be remembered, to serve as warning to future generations. Third, we must remember for our own sake, for the sake of our own humanity. Apathy to the victims would result in indifference to ourselves. And fourth, we must remember for the sake of our children and future generations, because they and the world must
The president of Iran spoke at the conlearn some lessons. Let us remember that ference, once more attacking the State of words must be taken seri- Israel. The Iranian leader has again and ously. The time lapse again claimed the Shoah never happened, between the anti-Semitic and has called repeatedly for Israel's slogans in Germany and the destruction. Referring to Ahmadinejad’s anti-Israel death industry in Auschwitz was only a few years. speech at Durban II, Knesset Speaker Therefore, we must take seriously those Reuven Rivlin wrote the following a message to heads of parliament around the who threaten the Jewish people today. We must take seriously the terrorist world, saying: “We risk seeing a repetition Palestinian organization Hamas and the of the Holocaust and it will be brought terrorist Lebanese organization about by people like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Hizbollah, Until now remembering the Shoah has … 73 years whose goal is after the the destruc- been about the past, but Holocaust B e r l i n tion of Israel. remembrance is also about the future. Olympics, They make it yesterday the clear all the It’s about death threats by Iran. A genocidal world wittime: they Iranian leadership with weapons of massthe don’t want destruction is a danger to the Western world nessed return of territorial in general and to Israel, in particular. Adolf Hitler. compromise, We cannot change the past but we can This time he they don’t has a beard want mone- change the future. and speaks tary compensation, they don’t want two states living Persian ... But the words are the same side by side. They want one state, one words and the aspirations are the same Palestinian state in place of the Jewish aspirations and the determination to find the weapons to achieve those aspirations state. The United Nations’ Anti-Racism is the same menacing determination. “If there is one lesson to be learned Conference, referred to as “Durban II,” took place in Geneva, Switzerland. It was from the destruction and devastation the organized and led by a steering commit- first Hitler brought to the world, it is to tee made up of such major human rights be found in the realization that anyone violators as Libya, Cuba, Russia, and Iran, who remains silent, anyone who ignores and supported by dozens of undemocrat- evil, anyone who deals with the devil -ic states and dictatorships which do not he, too, in the final analyses pays the price,” Rivlin wrote. respect human rights.
Did the world learn the lessons of the Shoah? Remember Rwanda where an estimated 800,000 were killed. Remember Darfur with its death toll of roughly 300,000 killed by pro-government Arab militias. If the Western countries had not delayed and would have recognized the Nazi threat in time, they could have prevented war from breaking out. They could have prevented the Nazis from murdering millions of people. Until now remembering the Shoah has been about the past, but Holocaust remembrance is also about the future. It’s about death threats by Iran. A genocidal Iranian leadership with weapons of mass destruction is a danger to the Western world in general and to Israel, in particular. We cannot change the past but we can change the future. The world should respond and act, without delay. An Iran rushing to amass nuclear weapons must be stopped! If the Western world does not stop it, it will be too late, and the inaction will be regretted for generations to come. Let us remember the Shoah by living a proud and vibrant Jewish life in our community. Let us remember the Shoah by supporting the State of Israel. Let us remember the martyrs and the heroes. Let us remember for their sake, for our sake, and for our children’s sake. May the memory of the six million be held in our hearts eternally!
Rabbi Levin is the spiritual leader of Beth El Synagogue.
Poverty creates terrorists? False
the Muslim male Palestinian population between 18 and 41 years of age. Additionally, while 10 percent of the terrorists were considered “very well off” according to the survey, 0 percent of Muslim Palestinian males between 18 and 41 by JAMIE WEINSTEIN could be considered the same. The study also indicated that the radical Islamist Palestinian terrorists were gener“The reason the World Trade Center got hit is there’s ally more highly educated than the male Muslim a lot of people living in abject poverty out there who Palestinian population between 18 and 41. don’t have any hope for a better life,” bombastic CNN Given the evidence, Berrebi was left to conclude, “If founder Ted Turner opined during a lecture at Brown there is a link between income level, education and parUniversity in 2002. As successful as Turner is as a busi- ticipation in terrorist activities, it is either very weak or in nessman, he is foolish as a political commentator, and the opposite direction of what one intuitively might have this statement was no exception. expected.” Since Sept. 11, 2001, politicians, pundits and academIn another study by terrorism expert Marc Sageman, ics have sought to explain what factors create terrorists. 102 Islamist radicals involved in global jihad were anaLike Turner, many have lazily sought to tie terrorism to lyzed. Like Berrebi, Sageman could find no correlation poverty. Though obnoxiously loud, the Ted Turners of between poverty and terrorism with only about a quarthe world can be easily ignored on such matters. ter of the jihadis he looked at able to be classified as But when linkage between coming from impoverished if the Islamist radicals he analyzed were out backgrounds. poverty and terrorism is propounded, as it has been in of the ordinary in any way, it was “because “[M]embers of the global one way or another, by the Salafi jihad,” Sageman writes likes of former Secretary of they were significantly above the average of in his book Understanding State Colin Powell, former their generation” in education, financial back- Terror Networks, “were genPresident Bill Clinton and ground and motivation. erally middle-class, educated former British Prime young men from caring and Minister Tony Blair among many, many other influential religious families, who grew up with strong positive valfigures, it is worthy to ponder whether such analysis ues of religion, spirituality and concern for their commucould possibly have merit. nities.” So what does the evidence say? One study of Islamist radicals in Egyptian prisons (and Several studies have been conducted both before and elsewhere) in the late 1970s by Saad Eddin Ibrahim also since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks (some better than oth- helps explode the poverty-produces-terrorists myth. ers), which have looked at the social make-up of terror“The typical member of the militant Islamic groups,” ists. In one study by Princeton-trained economist Ibrahim discovered, could be “described as young (early Claude Berrebi, 335 members of radical Palestinian 20s), of rural or small-town background, from the midIslamist terrorist organizations Hamas and Palestinian dle or lower-middle class, with high achievement and Islamic Jihad were analyzed. motivation, upwardly mobile, with a scientific or engiThe terrorists surveyed were mainly “shahids,” or mar- neering education, and from a normally cohesive famityrs (read murderers), over a period from 1987 to 2002. ly.” The results of his survey, and its comparison to the He went on to conclude that if the Islamist radicals he Palestinian population as a whole, delivered a striking analyzed were out of the ordinary in any way, it was indictment to the “poverty creates terrorists” crowd. “because they were significantly above the average of Berrebi discovered that 16 percent of the radical their generation” in education, financial background and Islamist terrorists he surveyed could be considered poor motivation. compared to 31 percent of the male Muslim population There are other studies that further buttress the conbetween the ages 18 and 41 in the Palestinian territories clusions of these studies. The anecdotal evidence is also as a whole. Thirty-three percent of the terrorists could overwhelming if less statistically significant. Of course, it be considered “well off” compared to only 20 percent of is well known that the leaders of these jihadi movements
BEHIND THE HEADLINES
come from less-than-impoverished backgrounds. Osama Bin Laden comes from the extraordinarily large Bin Laden family fortune of Saudi Arabia, for instance, and Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri is a trained doctor. But the leaders aren’t the only ones who weren’t living hand to mouth when they became radicalized. The lead foot soldier of the 9/11 attacks was Mohammad Atta. Far from being enmeshed in poverty, he was a graduate student in Germany when he became radicalized. One of the 2005 London bombers left an estate valued over $150,000. The 2007 Glasgow terrorist attack, which fortunately only resulted in the death of one of the perpetrators, was carried out by a medical doctor and an engineer. On and on it goes. So, no Virginia, poverty is not a primary factor in producing terrorists. It is about time we put this myth to rest once and for all. Jamie Weinstein graduated from Cornell University in 2006 with a double major in Government and History and where he was an online columnist for The Cornell Review and a weekly columnist for The Cornell Daily Sun. After graduating, he worked as a Collegiate Network Journalism Fellow at Roll Call Newspaper in Washington, D.C. His work has appeared in The Weekly Standard, The American 204983A01 Spectator Online, FrontPage Magazine, the New Hampshire Union Leader, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, among other publications. This column is reprinted with permission by North Star Writers.com.
get history buff. It’s fun to know history.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 1, 2009
Candlelighting Friday, May 1, 8:04 p.m.
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
ceremony. Reception follows. The entire community is invited to attend.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. with dinner following hosted by Sonia and Alan Tipp. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Beth El; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:15 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group; I am Jew, led by Andy Greenberg, and Navigating our Services with Joy led by Susi Frydman-Levin, 10 a.m.; The Mitzvah Club led by FrydmanLevin; and Synagogue skills class led by Cantor Schlossberg, 11 a.m. KADIMA SHABBATON: May 1-3, 4-H Camp in Gretna. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES’ RECOGNITION: congregants who will be graduating from area high schools will be honored at a special Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday, May 8, 6 p.m. All students and their families are invited to attend. A reception will follow. INTERNATIONAL SHABBAT: Friday, May 8, 6 p.m., experience an international Kabbalat Shabbat service which will highlight the country of Uganda. Jewish Ugandan melodies -- as well as traditional liturgy -will be performed, and snacks from that country will be served. BESTT GRADUATION: 7th and 12th grade students will celebrate their graduation during Shabbat services on Saturday, May 9, 9:30 a.m. The service will be led by students and BESTT faculty members. FOURTH-GRADE WEDDING: On Sunday, May 10, 11:30 a.m., students will act out the rituals of a traditional Jewish wedding; each child will also explain different aspects of the
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 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush sponsored by Jane Cohen, Toba CohenDunning, Eric, Eleanor and Teddy Dunning, Michael, Karen, Lilly, Jack and Eva Cohen in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Jack E. Cohen; “Guard Your Tongue”, “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up) one hour prior to Mincha, 8 p.m., followed by Seudah Shlishit; Havdalah, 9:09 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Teen Class, 10 a.m. (with Rabbi Mizrahi this week); Annual Meeting & Elections, 11 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 5:45 p.m. TUESDAY: Mishnah Club for third, fourth and fifth, graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Biblical Reflections, Find Yourself in The
Large print living will available
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call
Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451
Jewish Heritage for the Blind announced the availability of the large print “Jewish Halachic Living Will”, produced by the Agudath Israel and the Orthodox Union. Forward your request on your formal stationery by fax to: 718.338.0653 or send an e-mail to jewishheritage@gmail.com. Requests must include a phone number to confirm delivery.
Stories of Genesis, 7 p.m. Space is Limited! Enroll now at www. myjli.com, More information call 330.1800 or email TorahStu dies@ochabad.com. 7 TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II for ages 7-9, 3:45 p.m. Please contact shevi@ochabad. com for a pass. All events and programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, followed by a Potluck Dinner. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gam Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High Rummage Sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Board, 1:30 p.m. at South Street Temple. MONDAY: Family Concert by Yehudah Katz, 7 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. He is the founder and leader of “Reva L’sheva,” and he’s coming to Lincoln with his own unique approach to Jewish spirituality, music, and story. Come with your whole family to this free event. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. LPS YOM HASHOAH SPEAKER SERIES: The last speaker is Jen Marlowe on May 7, 1:30 p.m. at Lincoln Southwest.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Grade Four Family Shabbat Service and Dinner, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Cantor Wendy Shermet along with the fourth grade. Dinner follows the service. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Yom Ha’Atzmaut, 10:15 a.m. at the JCC. Come for Religious School and stay for all the fun activities. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School 6 p.m.; Grades 712, 6 p.m. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Eric Linder, 10 a.m. OTYG Shabbat to Honor Temple’s Senior Adult, Friday, May 8, 6 p.m. Youth group members will invite senior members of Temple to join them in a service of prayer and song. An Oneg, sponsored by Temple’s Caring Committee follows. Valet parking will be available.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gam Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High Rummage Sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Board, 1:30 p.m. at South Street Temple. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m.
SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Steve Riekes.
PERSONAL I am grateful to everyone who has remembered me with their kind thoughts, donations, and lovely flowers during my reecent surgery and stay at the Rose Blumkin Home. Many thanks. Phyllis Sherman
B’nai Israel Speaker Series
BAT MITZVAH Rachel Lindsay Saag, daughter of Sherrie and David Saag, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 9, at Temple Israel. Rachel is a seventh-grade High Honor Roll student at Elkhorn Ridge Middle School.
Her interests include Show Choir, theatre, and Temple Youth Group. For her mitzvah project, Rachel volunteered at the Omaha Food Bank and organized a neighborhood food drive. She has a brother, Jordan. Grandparents are Karen and Sy Teitelbaum, and Gloria and James Saag of Chicago.
At B’nai Israel Synagogue last month, financial adviser Mike Sigmond spoke about the complicated economic conditions that currently exist in the United States and worldwide. He simplified financial concepts by comparing savings, value of investments, and expenditures using familiar items that we find in our homes. His information was perfectly timed for the congregants to gain an understanding of how the economy is affecting all of us. The speaker series will continue on the second Friday of each month following High Holidays next fall. The series is designed to offer a variety of speakers and topics of interest to the Jewish community.
May 1, 2009
The good men do
Yom Hazikaron in Israel -and Omaha
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parshiyot Aharei Mot/Kedoshim When Marc Antony came to deliver an address at the death of Julius Ceaser, he suggested (or at least, Shakespeare put it in his mouth) that the good that men do is often buried with their bodies, but the evil they do may be remembered long after. That may be true for a very small percentage of mankind (e.g. Haman and Hitler), but for most people, we remember almost entirely the good that they have done and the goodness of their hearts. Thus, the Torah had it all right. The combination of our two Sidrot produces a wonderful reality about human beings. It is generally true that we speak no evil of the dead, but prefer to recall their righteousness, or at least, the good that they have done. Even when they have left funds for good purposes, we are willing to assign this good for whatever righteousness we can attach to the dead. On the whole, we tend not to be vindictive. Rather we are forgiving. When we are forgiving, we hope to be forgiven ourselves for whatever shortcomings there were in our own lives. Hence, without analyzing the contents of our two Sidrot, it is wonderful to take their titles together: after one’s death, we generally think of the deceased as “holy”, that is to say, decent and respectable. All of this reminds us that we ought not to expect our friends to stretch the truth too far. We should make it easy for them after our death to think of us as righteous human beings, deserving of their praise!
A solar energy and greenmonth inspired Lag B’Omer by MUSHKA KATZMAN for Chabad House On the heels of Birchas HaChama, the once-in-28years-mitzvah which inspired joy and appreciation for the gift of the sun, a solar powered barbeque is scheduled for Lag B’omer, corresponding this year to Tuesday, May 12, 6 p.m. Once again great food, terrific company, an exciting venue and the perfect reason to celebrate will all merge into one as our community pays tribute to the great second century Kabbalist Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai whose Yartzeit is marked on this day. Rabbi Shimon, author of the Zohar and foremost disciple of the renowned sage Rabbi Akiva, was the first to formalize the study of the esoteric dimension of Torah which we have come to know as “Kabbalah”. He instructed his students to mark the day of his passing as “the day of my joy”. The Chassidic masters explain that the final day of a righteous person’s earthly life marks the point at which “all his deeds, teachings and work” achieve their culminating perfection and the zenith of their impact upon our lives. So each Lag B’Omer, Rabbi Shimon’s life is celebrated. “We are honored to be a part of this nearly 2,000 year tradition,” said Shevi Katzman, who is planning the menu for this program. She is excited to merge the old and the new, the traditional with the unconventional by cooking for this traditionally themed barbeque with the modern solar ovens she has built for this occasion. A kindergarten teacher on the Online School for Young Shluchim, she is a stickler for innovation. The celebration will include a barbeque and group activities. In the event of rain, refuge will be taken at the park’s shelter. “Lag B’omer is a day that is dedicated to Jewish Unity,” Rabbi Mendel Katzman of Chabad House explained. “It is a day when we celebrate the great intrinsic gift of brotherhood that all Jews share with one another. This is perhaps the most astonishing and profound lesson of Kabbalah: that despite the myriad seeming disparate aspects of Creation, the entire vast expanse of the universe is really the single expression of One G-d”. This annual program will take place at Standing Bear Lake at 132 St. and Papio Lake 16 Road North. This event is open to the entire community and there is no charge to participate. Please reserve by May 10 by calling Carol at 330.1800 or e-mailing RSVP@ OChabad.com. Bring Frisbees, balls, blankets, and lawn chairs!
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Above: In Omaha, students from Friedel Jewish Academy, community members and Federation styaff gathered at the flagpole to commemorate Israel’s war dead. Services also were held at Beth Israel Synagogue Tuesday evening. Below: During Yom Hazikaron, the State of Israel honored the memory of the 22,570 victims of wars and terror. The count of fallen soldiers and victims of Arab terror is calculated from 1860 when Jews, who lived in the Old City of Jerusalem, ventured outside the ancient walls for the first time. Since the last Yom Hazikaron, the names of 133 people have been recorded, including non-combat deaths. In military cemeteries throughout the country relatives and friends visit the last resting place of their loved ones. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, whose brother fell in the Entebbe rescue operation, said. “As we remember those who have fallen, we should also lend our thoughts to those who were wounded and handicapped, and we should wish them a full recovery and rehabilitation. We won’t spare any effort in locating those missing in action, and in bringing back kidnapped IDF soldier Credit: ISRANET Gilad Schalit.”
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JEWISH PRESS CLOSINGS & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day and Friday, May 29 for the first day of Shavuot. Questions? The deadline for all ads, synagogue schedules, articles and photos is 9 a.m. as follows: Issue Deadline May 29 Wednesday, May 20 Wednesday, May 27 June 5 Photos used in the PAssover issue may be picked up at the Press office during regular business hours. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 1, 2009
JCC and Temple score big at basketball challenge by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Jacobsen. Temple Israel Communications Coordinator The Mustangs, Matt Feilmeier, Joe Basketball was the name of the game Grobeck, and Brett Begley, won in the last month in the gym at the Jewish seventh-eighth grade division. The Community Center. Thirty teams from Mother Chapter team of Ryan as young as third graders to adults Kirshenbaum, Yonatan Dotan, Joey played in the annual Eddie Belgrade Kahn, Charles Parsow, and Ryan Memorial 3-on-3 Nothing but Nets Tolmensen, were the high school diviBasketball Challenge. sion champions. “It was fun and a big success,” From the adult division, The summed up Mimi Silverman who co- Underdogs, Mychael Friedman, chaired the event with Mike Siegel. Brandon Friedman, Skyler Asmussen, On top of the fun, nearly $7,000 was Ben Sharpe, and Tom Tingwald, took netted in pledges which, after expenses division honors. are paid, will be split evenly between Shari Hess, a co-chairman with Mimi Temple Israel and the JCC, co-sponsors Silverman, of Temple Israel’s Social of the event. Temple’s portion will be Justice Committee, chaperoned studonated to Nothing but Nets, one of dents from Benson and Central and the synagogue's social justice projects. from Chandler View Elementary who The nets, which provide protection were able to participate in the games from mosquitoes that transmit malaria, thanks to four generous donors. will be sent to Sudanese refugees. The “They haven’t stopped talking about other half of the proceeds will help fund it!” Hess said. “And they want to know JCC youth athletics. about next year already!” In addition to the players, about 15 Silverman said there was “excitement volunteers helped keep time during the games, checked in the teams, and sold Gatorade and water. Winning teams were the Fab 5 from the thirdfourth grade division. Team players were Milo Greder, AJ Perrault, Will McGauvran, Alex Belgrade, and Adam Folsom. Fifth-sixth grade champions were the Junior Jays which included TJ Haller, The Fab 5 won the third/fourth-grade division: Will Brendan Lofgren, John McGauvran, left, Milo Greder, Alex Belgrade, AJ Perrault, and Brandl, and Tyler Jack Begley.
The adults took the basketball challenge seriously, as Adam Yale, right, blocks a shot, in front of Mike Silverman. around the big (scoring) chart to see who played against who and when. There were lots of people around as it was getting completed -- and lots of energy.” Siegel, representing the JCC, described the event as “very successful. Everybody had a great time, and the addition of having (Creighton University senior basketball players) Josh Dotzler Winners in the teen division were: Charles Parsow, left, Ryan and Booker Woodfox Tolmensen, Yonatan Dotan, and Ryan Kirshenbaum. Not pic- provided extra fun for the participants.” tured: Joey Kahn.