May 5, 2006

Vol. LXXXV No. 34 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

Teens to Receive Leadership Awards This Sunday at Yom Ha’Atzmaut

by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Specialist Two young women who have made a big impact will be presented with the 2005 Jewish Teen Leadership Award. Abby Ginsburg and Hamutal Ginsburg will receive these prestigious awards on Sunday, May 7, at Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebraAbby Ginsburg tion. The Awards will be presented by the Jewish Federation of Omaha at 3:30 p.m. in the JCC Theater, preceding a performance by the Nashir Community Choir.

The Jewish Teen Leadership Awards honor Jewish teens who demonstrate leadership ability in a youth group, and who have contributed to strengthening the organization and developing future leadership. The award comes with a $1,000 stipend that can be used towards Jewish educational course work or a Jewish experience such as camp or a trip to Israel.

Abby Ginsburg was nominated by the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO). “Her dedication to her Jewish heritage, her desire to be an effective leader, and her vision for the future make Abby Ginsburg an ideal recipient of the Jewish Teen Leadership Award,” says Rachel Blum, Director of BBYO. As a freshman, Abby received the Mid-America Region New Member of the Year award at Spring Convention 2002. Since that time, she has taken on many responsibilities including Chapter Vice-President, Council Vice-President, and coordinator of the 2005 Mid-America Region Spring Convention.

Last summer Abby attended the 2005 BBYO International Leadership Training Conference, where she became a member of the think-tank, creating pro-

gram content and a vision for the future operations of AZA and BBG. Abby currently holds the position of Cornbelt Council President, and is one of six members of the Mid-America Region Coordinating Committee.

“BBYO has something for everyone,” says Abby, “whether you’re interested in leadership roles, Jewish Hamutal Ginsburg learning or just having fun.”

An active senior at Burke High School, Abby has served as editor of the school newspaper, cheerleader, cross-country runner, member of the Senior Senate, National Honor Society secretary, senior class secretary, and member of the academic decathlon. Abby also participates regularly in the JCC Shiputznick Teen Volunteer Program and encourages her peers to do the same.

After high school, Abby plans to attend the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where she will major in biology and minor in Jewish Studies. She then plans to attend medical school. Abby, the daughter of Beth and Bill Ginsburg, was recently awarded a Sokolof Merit Scholarship.

Hamutal Ginsburg was nominated for the Jewish Teen Leadership Award by Omaha Temple Youth Group (OTYG). “In the year and a half since Hamutal and her family joined Temple Israel, Hamutal has become a wonderfully positive presence in both youth group activities and religious school,” says Lynne Jensen, Youth Director for Temple Israel. “It has been wonderful to work with Hamutal, and I look forward to watching her future accomplishments.”

Born in Israel, Hamutal came to the United States when she was two-years-old. She is fluent in Hebrew, Continued on page 13

“Not On Our Watch!”

by JOAN K. MARCUS Those words were exclaimed over and over again by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel as several hundred Jews and Sudanese survivors gathered in Omaha for the Rally to Save Darfur, and thousands gathered in our nation’s capital. The rainy Sunday failed to dampen the spirits of the marchers, who originally planned to walk from Temple Israel to a rally at Memorial Park.

Continued on page 20 Among the thousands who attended Sunday’s rally in Washington, D.C., were Omahans Magda Peck, member of URJ’s national committee on Social Justice, and Westside senior Avi Katzman.

Photo by Melissa Katzman

Long-time Volunteer Jim Wax Wins United Way Award

Jim and Esther Wax

Inside Opinion Page see page 28

by LISA LIEB for Jewish Senior Services Dr. Jim Wax received one of United Way’s highest honors, the Leata G. Norton Award, last week at the 51st Annual United Way Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. The award is named for the late Leota G. Norton, a dedicated community volunteer and social worker who served many years on United Way’s Volunteer Resource Center Committee.

Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Programs praises Wax’s efforts. “As a practicing pediatrician Jim still finds the opportunity to donate his time.

Continued on page 3

7 Iyyar, 5766 May 5, 2006

Sokolof Outstanding Teacher Janis Fischer: the At-SchoolMom for Millard North Teens Award recognizes contributions as a teacher and mentor to students’ education and overall achievements

by OZZIE NOGG It’s 8:50 a.m. on a Friday morning in April, and unseasonably hot. In Room 866 at Millard North High School, 27 juniors and seniors--wearing jeans, shorts, tshirts, tank-tops, flip-flops and athletic shoes--sit in a circle, open their English Lit books to Macbeth, and, between sips of soda and Snapple, shift from teen-talk into Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter. Woe, alas. I prithee. Sirrah, look ho and thither. Someone giggles.

“Yes, I know the words sound weird,” the teacher says, “but work with me here, folks.” And because the teacher is Jan Fischer, the kids not only work with her, they enjoy the effort. Like, totally.

Fischer stands outside Millard North Room 866.

Janis Meiches Fischer--Fisch, to her students--was recently named the Phil and Ruth Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher of the Year. Letters of recommendation --from colleagues, parents and students--praised her enthusiasm, energy, passion and commitment, both as a teacher and academic advisor.

“Jan has a natural feel for students and their problems,” one Fisch fan wrote. “Nearly every day, before and after school, students hang around her classroom door. Somehow, Jan finds time for all of them. She listens, she encourages them. The kids find a safe environment in which to share what’s happening in their lives.

They trust her.”

Other letters mentioned Fischer’s consistently high standards, her ability to bring out the best in others, her unselfish approach that motivates students to excel.

“Janis Fischer works just as well with the student who is having difficulty in class as with the gifted who need a challenge. She understands that kids don’t care what you know until they know that you care. She exemplifies the qualities one hopes for in a teacher--genuine concern, creativity, warmth, empathy, a positive outlook, humor, strength, discipline and fairness.”

Millard North principal, Dr. Rick Werkheiser, appreciates her teaching gifts, explaining that, “Mrs. Fischer is a powerful teacher. Through her creativity and magic she makes literature come alive for the students in her classes.”

Many deserving local Jewish teachers were nominated for the Sokolof Award, but these and other testimonials put Jan Fischer’s name on top. When notified of her selection, Fischer said, “I’d known about Ruth Sokolof and her work with NCJW’s programs for the blind since I was a kid. And Phil’s contributions to the health field are staggering. Both the Sokolofs contributed so much to the Omaha Jewish community and beyond. That kind of generosity is a trait I’ve always admired. To receive this award carrying their names is very meaningful.”

Continued on page 4

This Week: Mother’s Day and Primary Election Sections Start on Page 17 Coming This Month: Senior Living Issue See Front Page Stories at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’

Next Generation in Business Features Kavich and Zetzman: Pages 10-12

Men of AZA in This Month’s Teen Age: Page 15

Cleveland Educator, Local Survivor Highlight Yom HaShoah: Page 32

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

Operation Promise’s Goal Not Just to Save One Life, But an Entire Community

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, MAY 5 Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Jack Reimer, 6 p.m. at Beth El Third and Fourth Grade Class Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, MAY 6 Scholar-in-Residence, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El BBYO AZA #1 Rush, 7 p.m.

C BBYO MZ YOSHANAH Rush Program, 7 p.m.

L SUNDAY, MAY 7 I Nashir Choir, 10 a.m. at Beth El P

C L I P

& WRJ-O Board Meeting, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel

&

Scholar-in-Residence, 10 a.m. at Beth El Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El

Yom Ha’ atzmaut Celebration, 12:30 p.m.

S A MONDAY, MAY 8 V NCJW Book Club, 7 p.m.

E Derech Torah Class, 7:30 p.m.

S A V E

TUESDAY, MAY 9 Election Day, 7 a.m.

Women of Worth Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. at Chabad The Guy & Bob Show, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 Spice and Spirit Cooking Club, 9:30 a.m. at Chabad PATTER, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Center for Jewish Education Class, 11 a.m.

52nd Annual B’nai B’rith Banquet, 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Central C The Architecture of the Synagogue 7 p.m. at Beth El L Last Session BESTT High School, 7 p.m. at Beth El I Beth Israel Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

P

THURSDAY, MAY 11 Thursday Story Time, 10 a.m. at Kripke Library

& Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m.

S A V E

C L I P &

Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Duties of the Heart, 10:30 a.m. at Kripke Library Rabbi Levin Study Class, noon at Beth El Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

Friends of the Library, 6 p.m.

Live from the 92nd Street Y featuring Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, 7 p.m.

All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437.

FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)

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by EUNIE DENENBERG A poetry reading? At an absorption center for Ethiopian immigrants?

Why not. Variety is the spice of Federation missions.

Our group is listening, fascinated, as an enchanting young Ethiopian woman reads her poem, reprinted below.

The poet, Almaz, is striking, with a model’s sculpted features and long hair, exploding in dark curls. Like many of her 24-year-old counterparts in America, she wears low-rise khakis, a midriff top, wide buckled belt and three-inch platform sandals.

One of our group, Shami Jacobs, drily remarks, “Almaz got Brittany Speared.”

Her story is even more arresting than her appearance.

Her grandfather was a rabbi in an impoverished village.

When her parents decided to escape their wretched existence, they joined 77 others, walking through the desert.

In Addis Ababa they were all arrested and Almaz was born in prison. The government finally allowed them to Jennifer Glazer, left, and Eunie Denenberg, right, meet the leave when she was four-years-old. Religious and obser- Ethiopian poet Almaz in Israel on last September’s vant when they arrived at their new home in Lod, Israel, Federation Mission. nity to save not one life but the family members have an entire population. now each chosen his and her Almaz and her contempo“own way”.

by ALMAZ raries are among Israel’s Ethiopians like Almaz’s Far away, in a distant land, figures approach. most important resources in family have lived in tiny vilMany figures, with shining, smiling faces, this struggle to transplant a lages since Biblical times, full of light and beauty. community rooted in 2,000descendants of Solomon and They look down on an emaciated young man lying year-old way of life to the Sheba and the tribe of Dan. on the soft earth in the holy land of the fathers. reality of the 21st century.

Although the communities They approach him and ask him in their tongue: She is a law student and know nothing of what “Why are you lying here, young man?” plans to become a judge and evolved in Jewish writings The young man opens his eyes and answers tearfully: advocate for the Falash and practices after the “I am an immigrant from a distant land, lying on this holy soil.

Mura cause. Others of her destruction of the First The language is unknown to me, generation are teaching in Temple, they maintain a nearly everything is strange and unfamiliar.

Head Start and primary rich, Jewish life--men daven I have traveled far and experienced terrible hardships schools. Many have become with tallitot and tefillin. on my way here, and I am alone.” community leaders dedicat(prayer shawls and phylacBut then, many hands wipe away his tears, ed to helping their less forteries). Shabbat services are and supporting arms help him to rise, tunate countrymen. in Hebrew and Amharic, the Until he stands proud and strong.

As in any rebirth, progress Ethiopian language; they He looks at them in wonder and excitement, asking, is not without pain. The observe the ritual of “Are you angels?”

Ethiopians are a patriarchal mechitzah (separation And the answer comes: society that now finds itself between men and women You are angels in the likeness of men, being led by their children, during services) and build messengers who have undertaken the holy task who catch on quickly to the mikvaot (ritual baths). of bringing succor to those in need. new ways. And the children Almaz recounts how the The “young man lying on the ground” village children grow up on may be embarrassed by their is a young community, struggling to bear a heavy burden, legends about the holy city parents and grandparents And you are angels, messengers of God, of Jerusalem and an Israel who have lost their tradiwho have come from distant lands to help the needy. flowing with milk and honey tional positions as the famiThank you very much. where they dream of going ly’s wisest and most respectsomeday, and where, they are told, everyone is black. ed members.

What a shocker to arrive and see all the white faces!

Many Falash Mura people are unemployed, a frustratThe people are called Falash Mura and many years ago ing situation that often leads to violence, drugs and even their ancestors converted to Christianity, mostly by suicide. Almaz is one young Ethiopian Israeli who is force, so they could own land and at least do some sub- determined to succeed and to help others succeed. sistence farming. Ethiopia is one of the world’s poorest Remembering the risks her parents took in their journey countries, and the people lack every basic need--food, to a better life is her motivation. “I believe in my clothing, shoes, medicines. worth,” says Almaz, “and when times are hard, I think-And Occupation Promise is the national effort to raise ‘I survived a year in prison, I can survive this!’” extra funds to bring them to Israel and integrate them To learn more about Operation Promise and how you into Israeli society. can help, visit www.jewishomaha.org/operaThe first step is an absorption center such as the one tionpromise. our mission group is visiting. Here the new arrivals learn Hebrew and receive a practical education on how to make a successful transition from mud huts to a supermarket. For example: for someone used to getting milk from a cow, how do you identify a carton of milk? How do you transform a can of soup into a hot meal? And what is a sandwich? Soap powder?

When they “graduate” from the absorption center, the people are eligible for a stipend to buy a flat (society tolerates no “wandering renters”) and job training or college.

Operation Promise covers the costs of room, board, medical help, ulpan, higher education and job training.

Now, with 20,000 more Falash Mura allowed to leave Ethiopia before the Retired Israeli pilot Arieh Oz, center, was in town last week to share his amazing end of 2007, additional funds are story with community leaders in support of Operation Promise. Oz flew the first critical. With Operation Promise, the Boeing 747 in Operation Solomon in 1991 and rescued 1,087 Ethiopians on this Jewish community has the opportu- flight--a record that still stands in the Guinness Book of Records.

S A V E

May 5, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Richard Katskee Offers United Way Recognition Continued from page 1 Take on Intelligent Design He can always be counted on to handle new situation with vision, confiLitigation at Cardozo Society each dence and authority.”

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Administrator, the Center for Jewish Education Richard B. Katskee, Esq. was one of the principal attorneys for the plaintiffs in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, a case successfully challenging a Pennsylvania school district’s inclusion of “intelligent-design creationism” in its ninth-grade biology curriculum.

The Cardozo Society will welcome the Omaha native to a special luncheon on Monday, May 15, 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center. Katskee, who is Assistant Legal Director at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, will discuss his experiences in this recent landmark litigation. The cost is $11 per person and reservations are required.

At Americans United, Katskee litigates constitutional challenges brought under the Establishment, Free Exercise, and Free Speech Clauses of the First Amendment. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a Master’s in political science from Harvard University, and Juris Doctorate degree from Yale Law School. He clerked for judges on the Second and Ninth Circuits. He served as a Graduate Fellow in Ethics at the Harvard University Program in Ethics and the Professions, and he taught professional and political ethics at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is the son of Milton and Judy Katskee and graduated from Burke High School.

The Cardozo Society is an affinity group established by the Jewish Federation of Omaha through the Center for Jewish Education. Its mission is to strengthen bonds among Jewish attorneys, judges and law students through educational, social and philanthropic activities, as well as communal involvement and opportunities for leadership roles.

Members of the community may also attend however seating is limited and reservations are required no later than May 8. To make a reservation or for more information, please call 334.6445, or e-mail mgrossman@ jewishomaha.org.

or Friday, Slutsky will be there to greet you, wearing a huge smile and a Nebraska football sweatshirt, while the receptionDr. Wax has served as Executive ist goes to lunch. “He Chairman of the Visions senior group performs his duties with for the past six years, and is currently the efficiency of a paid Advisor and Luncheon Co-Chair. professional, and a Visions is a social group with a good warmth that only volunsocial conscience, performing mitzvahs teers can provide,” shares throughout the year. Currently, the Lois Wine, Volunteer group is raising funds to pay for adaptive Coordinator. “I like helpcomputer equipment, like large moniing out at bingo and tors and keyboards, for the residents of answering the phone,” the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. says Slutsky. “My face is Wax is also an active volunteer at Charles Slutsky, right, was nominated for volunteergetting to be part of the Beth El, where he has been President ing at the Blumkin Home. With him are his daughfixtures around here.” of the Hazak group for the past four ter, Debbie Chasen, and son, Jeff Slutsky.

Prior to volunteering years. Hazak is the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s national organization for sen- at the Blumkin Home, Slutsky was a volunteer driver deliviors, providing social, spiritual and educational programs ering blood for the Red Cross for more than 15 years. geared to the mature congregants.

Wax was responsible for organizing a community-wide event involving 14 Jewish agencies inviting WorldHerald veteran reporter, David Kotok, and photograJewish Press Committee member Joe Shyken examines pher, Jeff Bundy, to talk on their recent experiences one of the 120 framed pages in the Jewish Community embedded with the troops in Iraq. When asked about Center Gallery: his tremendous record of community service, Wax said, “Front Page: 85 “Giving back to the community has always been imporYears of Jewish tant to me, it’s a part of who I am.”

Press History.” The Also in attendance at the United Way Volunteer exhibit, co-sponRecognition Luncheon was Charlie Slutsky. Although sored by the he didn’t win an award this year, he was nominated for Nebraska Jewish the United Way Volunteer of the Year Award in recogHistorical Society, nition of his five years of volunteer work for Jewish will come down at Senior Services. the end of the On Mondays and Thursdays, Slutsky can be found week, though some assisting with bingo and pokeno programs at the Rose pieces will be on Blumkin Jewish Home. Whether calling numbers, disdisplay in the tributing prize money or helping an individual resident, Omaha Room and Charlie offers his smile and sense of humor to make the the Blumkin Home afternoon fun. on a rotating basis.

If you enter the Blumkin Home at noon on Tuesday

Press Exhibit Closes Next Week

NOW IS THE TIME ...to ensure that the U.S. does not support a Palestinian government controlled by terrorists 2006 AIPAC Nebraska Dessert Reception featuring Avi Issacharoff, Arab-Israeli Correspondent for Israeli Broadcast Association Radio speaking about “Inside the West Bank and Gaza”

Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ironwood Country Club 12627 Pacific Street, Omaha

AIPAC - “the most important organization affecting America’s relationship with Israel.”

-The New York Times

Members and non-members welcome.

Please RSVP by May 12 th by contacting AIPAC’s Nebraska office at 303-864-9464 or elilo@aipac.org.

Avi Issacharoff is the Arab Affairs Correspondent for Israeli Broadcast Association Radio. As one of the most respected Israeli Journalists covering the Palestinian territories, Avi is granted unprecedented access to sources on both sides of the conflict. Avi's groundbreaking and insightful reports have placed his own life in jeopardy at times, but he has not wavered from his assignment. He is fluent in both Arabic and Hebrew, enabling him to provide his audience with up-to-the-minute perspective on what is happening on the ground inside the Palestinian Authority. Avi also served as the Palestinian Issues Correspondent for Israeli TV and has published a book the last intifada entitled, "The Seventh War". His work has earned him numerous honors including Israel Public Radio's "Best Reporter Award" for 2001 and 2002. Avi holds a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies and Literature from Ben Gurion University. He is currently completing a Master's Degree in Middle Eastern Studies at Tel-Aviv University.

A I PA C

THE AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE America’s Pro-Israel Lobby www.aipac.org

Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

Sokolof Winner Janis Fischer Continued from page 1 Fischer knew from an early age that she wanted to teach, but her route to the classroom took unexpected twists, much like the literary plots she now analyzes with her students. She graduated from Central High in 1964, enrolled at the University of Iowa, took Elementary Education classes, met New York native, Steve Fischer, and married him in her junior year.

The couple’s daughter Melinda, now 38, was born in Iowa City, and the threesome soon moved to Los Angeles to be near Steve’s family. The Fischers’ son, Jon, was born three years later. Even as a stay-at-home-mom, Fischer remained visible, serving as Communications Vice President of the L.A. District Pre-School Parent Organization where she created a free newspaper that dispensed how-to advice to young parents.

“From the beginning, Steve’s folks and my folks -- Herb and Esther Meiches -always supported my teaching ambition and encouraged me to go back to school.

So I took UCLA night classes, then went to California State Northridge and completed my undergraduate degree in English.”

When the Fischers visited Omaha for Jan’s 10th Central High reunion, “Steve met my childhood friends, liked them, liked Omaha, and said, ‘Let’s move here.’

I didn’t want to, but LA was getting bad, Steve’s ad agency career demanded lots of travel--which he didn’t like--and he didn’t like the lack of business ethics in that

profession. My family was in Omaha, so it seemed the logical place to move and raise our kids.”

When the family arrived in the late

One-third of the Jewish high school graduates featured in last year’s Jewish Press were from Millard North, and Jan Fischer’s classroom has been an important place for many of them. “The Jewish kids know I’m there. They often say to me, ‘You remind me of my Bubbie.’ I know students and teachers aren’t supposed to be friends, but .... they know I’m on their side.”

1970s, Fischer was still without teaching credentials, so she turned to volunteer work, explaining, “How could I not, with world-class community volunteer, Esther Meiches, for a mother?”

Fischer bowled with Hadassah and volunteered for NCJW Trouping Theater.

As ORT’s Membership VP she recruited 200 new members in one year, and later-as ORT President--helped start the organization’s giftwrap fundraiser. In 1981, her friend, Diane Zipay, told Fischer of a clerical/secretarial job opening at Omaha North High School.

“They found out, fast, that I was a rotten typist, but I could problem solve.”

Fischer began running the North High bookstore, reorganized the system, put students to work at the counter, and led student book discussions after school.

“She was like no other bookstore operator in the district,” Zipay says. “She transformed that dank, basement pile of book-

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desk sits a coffee mug bearing Hebrew words that translate to: Teachers are very special.

And on every wall -- mementos. The DRAMMY Adult Volunteer Award she received from Millard North’s Drama Department before she started directing plays there. Posters from the 16 winter plays she’s directed, all lovingly autographed by her casts and crews.

Photo colIages of the trips to England she and Steve have arranged and chaperoned so her students could live the literature she loves. Snapshots of past and current students. The plaque marking her induction into the Nebraska Shakespeare Organization’s Circle of Kent in recognition of her 10 years of volunteer service with UNO’s Shakespeare on the Green.

“What I loved best about my summer work with Shakespeare on the Green-besides supporting the organization, of course--is that I could put hundreds of willing high school students into volunteer positions there, too.” And framed, center stage, are her diplomas. “Sure, I display my diplomas on the wall. I’m proud of them. Every teacher should hang those certificates where the world can see them.”

Jan Fischer is also proud of her strong connection to Judaism, and--in subtle ways--she helps her students see how literature reflects Jewish customs and values. “In sharing her Jewish heritage so openly,” one parent wrote, “Jan encouraged our son to feel comfortable in his Jewish identity.”i Continued on page 5

shelves into a welcoming place where students could hang out. Jan mentored those kids without their even realizing it.”

Jan and Alli Levinger Working at North High inspired Fischer to enroll at UNO. “I was lucky to get Jean Bressler as an advisor. She looked at my transcripts, gave me credit for my life experience--primarily for my ‘club work’--and set me up with night classes.” Fischer earned a degree in Secondary Education-Language Arts in December of 1983. “Finally, at age 37, I was officially classroom ready.”

One month later she was hired by Millard North High School, and has been on the faculty her entire career-- almost twenty-two and a half years--teaching British Literature, World Literature, English 10, Honors English 9, and Drama 1.

It’s no surprise that MNHS Room 866 has become Jan Fischer’s “home away from home.” A skull used in a production of The Hobbit looms from a high shelf.

Down in a corner, three black witches’ hats share space with a cauldron. On her

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Sokolof Winner teenagers.

“So,” Fischer asks, “What’s Nora’s issue--what’s her problem with the silk stockings?” No one in class has ever heard of, let alone seen, silk stockings. “Have your grandmothers tell you about silk stockings, what they represented,” Fischer suggests. “To fully understand our times and the future, we have to know about the past.”

Turning back to A Doll’s House, Fischer asks, “In his dealings with Nora, does Torvaald behave like a husband or like a father? Will Dr. Rank’s love for Nora ruin their friendship?” The class offers opinions. “Maybe. Maybe,” Fischer says, gently coaxing her students to express their thoughts freely.

“I rarely say an idea is wrong. With literature, a teacher can do that. The point is to get the kids to think, especially about characters--their behavior, motivation, choices.” She prowls around the circled desks, and her energy moves the Doll’s House discussion delightfully off-track. “Oh, I Jan Fischer listens.

Amy Schweid and Jan Fischer love world literature. cle or a picture of one of her Studying it helps us form opinions. Writers make us advisees is in the Press or the think! Getting kids to thinkWorld-Herald, it will be cut - about how to live, how to out and fussed over at their treat others, how to do next meeting. Jan is like a something for someone else proud Jewish mother, kvelor give something back to ling.” the community--that’s my Even after her students goal, maybe more than anyleave their Millard North thing else.” nest, Janis Fischer fusses In 22 years of teaching, over them. Keeps tabs on Janis Fischer has missed only them. One former student 25 days of school. Twentywrote, “I considered myself one of them have been for introverted, kept to myself the Jewish High Holidays, and was afraid to share my two each for the passing of feelings.

Mrs. Fischer her father and father-in-law, encouraged me to come out and that’s it. Even if she’s of my shell. I called her my sick or tired, Jan goes to ‘at school mom.’ Today, school. “It’s the obligation I nearly five years after I gradhave to my students.” uated, she still makes it a While Fischer continues point to stay in touch and working toward that goal, find out what’s going on in the Sokolof Award will join my life.” Millard North her other kudos on the walls alums who graduated 10, of Millard North High 15, 20 years ago still phone, School Room 866, near this stop by for a visit, meet her quote from former UCLA for lunch. “Mrs. Fischer is basketball coach, John not one of those many Students love Jan Fischer’s classroom. teachers you forget,” they say, “She’s the one you Wooden: They ask me why I teach and I answer: Where else can I find such splendid company? remember.”

(Editor’s note: The Sokolof award includes $10,000 to a It’s now 10:50 on that warm April Friday morning.

Jan Fischer’s Honors English students push their way Jewish teacher in the Omaha metropolitan area with prefinto Room 866, and--since it’s Passover--many grab a erence to be given to teachers who teach in any of kinderquick nosh of matzoh, macaroons and chocolate cov- garten through 12th grades in recognition of such person’s ered marshmallows. A tall, blond beauty in pink capri outstanding contributions as a teacher and mentor to the education and overall achievements of his or her students. pants and high-heeled sling-backs looks for a seat.

The boys gaze at the ceiling, stare at the floor, silently Anyone could submit a nomination. There were no nomipray, “Please, please, sit by me ...” The group is study- nating forms. Nominees had to be currently teaching, and ing Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. Its themes of male-female had to have been teaching for five years. Shari Hess, a relationships, personal independence, societal expecta- Buffett award winner, chaired the committee--the memtions, identity, sexuality are topics close to home for bers of which are anonymous.)

Kripke Library Honors Whitman Book Jacket and Report Winners During Yom Ha’atzmaut

by GARY KATZ Library Administrator The Kripke Jewish Federation Library announced the winners for the 15th Annual Elinor A. Whitman Book Appreciation Contest. This year’s contest included a record total of 72 entries with 30 winners. To enter, a contestant had to either write a review or design a book jacket for a Jewish book. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade were eligible to compete.

Winners in the book jacket category are, first grade: Eliana Schuller--First Place, Rebecca Novak--Second Place; second grade: Mika Capla--First Place, Sierra Simpson--Second Place, Abby Hack--Third Place; third grade: Amythest Wertheim--First Place, Max Polack--Second Place, Neal Taibe--Third Place; fourth grade: Eva Phillips--First Place, Michael Popkov-Second Place, Mallory Rogers--Third Place; fifth grade: Lila Ferber and Tal Margalit--First Place,

Samantha Wiener--Second Place, Aaron Kurtzman and Cleo Rogers-Marcovitz--Third Place; and sixth grade: Lily Phillips--First Place, Sophie Cemaj-Second Place, Libby Slosburg--Third Place.

Winners of the book report contest are third grade: Lydia Sklarsky--First Place, Elissa Wiener--Second Place, Sara Kutler and Max Weiner--Third Place; fifth grade: Zachary Bram--First Place, Joe Hack--Second Place, Caroline Rockman--Third Place; and sixth grade: Madison Baron--First Place, Sophia Miller-Second Place, Alex Fox--Third Place, and Cameron Davis--Honorable Mention.

The Book Appreciation Contest memorializes Elinor A. Whitman who served for many years on the Library Board. She took a keen interest in promoting Jewish literature for young readers. Awards will be given this Sunday, May 7, 2:30 p.m., in the Kripke Library during the community Yom Ha’aztmuat program.

Page 5

EXECUTIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Continued from page 4 For this boy, and the growing number of Millard North Jewish teens, Fischer is a role model, a magnet. “I really understand the Jewish kids. I understand how they’ve been raised, the expectations their parents have.”

Fischer has expectations, too. Fellow teachers say she demands hard work and expects nothing less. Students often exceed those expectations, and Fischer keeps a folder of their accomplishments.

According to one parent, “You can bet that if an arti-

“Working with teenagers has been a tremendously satisfying experience, and a natural, comfortable place for me to be after my early adult life as a volunteer. I learn something new every week. I owe a great deal to my extremely supportive family, to good friends and wonderful mentors. And lots of luck.”

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

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ORGANIZATIONS WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the Bunch to Lunch day trip to Council Bluffs, please meet at the JCC at 11 a.m.

At 10 a.m., watch the documentary, Bubbeh Lee and Me. This Emmy-nominated documentary is a hilarious portrait of an extraordinary, ordinary Jewish grandmother and a touching account of her grandson’s search for his place in the world. For transportation call Maggie at 334.6521.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

VISIONS Visions Luncheon meeting is May 19, 12:30 p.m., at the Venice Inn. Talented entertainers from the Omaha Community Playhouse will perform highlights from the rousing musical Ragtime!, led by musical director Jim Boggess. Cost is $9.50 per person. Send reservations to Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard St., Omaha, NE 68114 by May 12.

Bellevue Little Theater presents Crossing Delancey on Sunday, May 28 with dinner at the Golden Corral following the show. Cost is $28.50. Depart

from the JCC at 12:45 p.m. and arrive back at the JCC by 7 p.m. Send in reservation with full payment to Ethel Goldston, 1108 No. 92 Plaza #101, Omaha, NE 86114 by May 16. Make check payable to Visions.

JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL Jewish Women International is having its Annual Donor Luncheon on Wednesday, May 17, noon at the JCC in the Community Room. Cost is $8 per person for the Italian Experience, and there will be door prizes. The speaker is community shaliach Uri Levin--Israeli Liaison to Omaha. RSVP by Sunday, May 14 to Rosalie Greenspan at 391.1954, or Frieda Krizelman at 391.0661, or Esther Wax at 393.4442.

BREADBREAKERS Dr. Richard Shugrue, will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, May 10, noon, at the Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman. The Creighton Law Professor will analyze the significant outcomes of Nebraska’s primary election on Tuesday, May 9.

All men and women in the community are invited to attend. Cost is $11 for lunch and $3 for beverage service only.

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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator Over the past several years, there has been a growing interest expressed by local Jewish organizations in obtaining Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman grants. Special consideration is given to new and innovative programs by the Grants Committee of the two memorial funds.

The Esther K. Newman Fund serves programs designed for Jewish youth from preschool through college age and young Jewish adults (under age 23 who are not attending college). Income from the Carolyn Kully Newman Fund is available to fund programs and activities for Jewish children of kindergarten age or younger.

Programs designed to enhance the Jewish identity and values of youth through educational, religious, cultural, social, and recreational activities are sought by the Grants Committee when it allocates funds to community agencies, organizations, and synagogues. The Grants Committee will meet next on Wednesday, May 24. The deadline, “without exception,” to submit proposals to the Grants Committee is 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10. Twelve copies of each grant request should be submitted to the Jewish Federation of Omaha

Foundation at 333 South 132nd Street.

At the committee’s meeting a year ago, distributions were made to the Jewish Community Center for the Maccabi Games Sister City Program, the Lincoln Jewish Community Religious School, to Temple Israel’s Ellis Island Project and for an environmental Shabbaton, to Beth Israel Synagogue for The Jew and the Zoo and for the congregation’s early childhood curriculum.

Suzanne Singer is chair of the Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Grants Committee. Other members represent the Jewish Federation Board, the Federation Budget Committee, Jewish Educational and Library Services, the Jewish Community Center, Beth Israel Synagogue, Beth El Synagogue, Temple Israel, Friedel Jewish Academy, and the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization Advisory Board. The Committee also includes a Jewish high school student, a Jewish college student and a young Jewish adult under the age of 35.

Questions or assistance can be directed to Singer at 333-3737 or to Janet Henthorn, endowment associate, at 3346551, at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation which administers the Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman grants.

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Page 7

Re-pioneering Israel’s Desert: Holocaust Survivor and Negev Resident Wishes He Could Do It All Over Again

by JODI BODNER Today, Perlmutter is an internationally acclaimed expert biggest exporters of flowers, avocados, eggplant, you Menachem Perlmutter wishes he was young again, but in the field of environmentally conscious agriculture. For name it.” not for the usual reasons. The Slovakian-born Holocaust more than four decades he has focused his efforts on the This veteran resident of the Negev’s capital expresses survivor wants to relive his youth so he can be a pioneer greening of the harsh Negev desert as Director of the pride that his wife, Pirhia, is a teacher in one of the city’s for the second time in his life. He wants to be part of high schools, and that his two married daughters and building up the Negev--Part Two--to relive the six grandchildren all live in Beer Sheva. And he excitement he experienced when he settled in Beer understands the riches the Negev holds; he was there Sheva 50 years ago. when Israel’s legendary first prime minister, David Perlmutter has spoken to a number of Omaha’s Ben-Gurion, dreamed that the Jewish people’s Jews on Federation missions--starting in 1991. He resilience and passion for life could make Israel’s wants to be part of Blueprint Negev--Jewish National desert bloom.

Fund’s campaign to develop the Negev Desert, JNF’s Blueprint Negev initiative is essential to Israel’s last frontier, into a hospitable environment Israel’s future. The Negev represents 60% of Israel’s that will become home to an additional 250,000 peolandmass, but only 8% of its population lives there. ple over the next five years. Together with Keren Overcrowding and a strain on resources in the cenKayemeth LeIsrael, the Israeli government, The Or ter of the country--92% of Israel’s population resides Movement, and Daroma, JNF is helping to build 25 on 40% of Israel’s land--further underscore the new communities and bolster existing ones. importance of this plan.

“The Negev was very romantic,” said Perlmutter as Twenty-five communities are planned; seven are he hearkens back half a century. “It was a real pioalready established at Sansana, Harouv, Shomria, neering world and whenever I look back, I’m so optiGivot Bar, Be’er Milka, Kmehin, and Merhav Am. mistic about the future. From nothing, came everyYoung residents looking for quality of life are movthing. Back then the north was easier but the south Menachem Perlmutter receives the Ben Gurion Negev Award in December, ing in, excited about their future, eager to be 21st was just so romantic. It was hard then, very hard. But 2005; quite a few Omaha Jews have heard Perlmutter’s story. century pioneers. it was an idyllic time too. I would like to join these new Jewish Agency’s Settlement Department’s Engineering And as for yesterday’s pioneer, “look at this space,” says pioneers and create again. It’s such a great spirit.”

Division for the Negev region. He often hosts missions Perlmutter as he points to the desert all around. “I know Perlmutter was born in Eastern Czechoslovakia from countries throughout the world, briefing them on the work JNF does--I worked with them since I came (Slovakia), in the city of Koshice. In April 1944, at the the subject of desert development. here--and they do a tremendous job. I believe very strongage of 16, he was taken to Auschwitz with 10,000 Jews “Then, Beer Sheva was a town of about 8,000 people,” ly that this is where it’s at; that this, the Negev, is the future from the city and neighboring areas. In January 1945, he reminisced. “I remember when they put the first traffic of Israel. Imagine that from the ashes of Auschwitz, I had during the evacuation to Germany--the march of the light in. Everyone went out into the street and waited on the privilege to be a part of it. Imagine.” dead--he escaped with his older brother Ladislav, who the corner. When the light started to work and changed was 19. The two were arrested by the Gestapo but a kind color, everyone applauded. It was a hard time, but it was a German police officer saved them. They found shelter in beautiful town. Everyone knew everybody. There was only a convent until the war ended. Out of 53 family mem- one pipeline for water and if it was attacked, we had no bers, only he and his brother survived. Out of 10,000 water. There was only one generator that gave electricity

by JILL BELMONT Jews in his hometown, only 12 survived the war. from 6 p.m.-midnight, and there were very few vehicles-Beth El Publicity Coordinator In 1946, Perlmutter left Slovakia and journeyed illegal- mostly belonging to the army. Today, we have traffic jams Delicious food and games galore will be on tap for ly to Palestine with a group organized by the Jewish and when they happen I turn around to my wife and say, all who attend Beth El’s upcoming Lag B’Omer famiBrigade. He was arrested and imprisoned several times ‘look how beautiful that is, a traffic jam.’” ly picnic at Zorinsky Lake. Planned for Monday, May before arriving at the port in Haifa in 1947. In Haifa, he The list of Perlmutter’s contributions to the city of Beer 15, 6:15 p.m., the fun-filled picnic--open to the was arrested by the British and expelled to a detention Sheva grew even longer in January, 1990 as he joined the entire Jewish community--at Shelter #4 at the entrance camp in Cyprus for 18 months. Released by the British in Executive Committee of Ben-Gurion University of the on 156 St., several blocks south of Industrial Rd. July 1948, Perlmutter was mobilized into the Israeli Negev and was honored by the Beer Sheva municipality Following dinner, adults and kids alike will want to army. He fought in a combat through most of Israel’s among the Holocaust survivors who helped build the take part in family-friendly games including a variety wars. The survivor was also trained as a surveyor in the city. In December 2005, he received the Ben-Gurion of relay races, plus water balloon and egg tosses--and army--a profession that led him to establishing his home Negev Award from Ben Gurion University, in recogniwinners of each game will be awarded a prize! in the fledgling town of Beer Sheva. tion of a pioneer who made an immense contribution to Chairmen are Audrey Wiener and Nancy Kutler.

“There was a recession in Israel in 1952 and jobs were settling the Negev, and for all else that he accomplished.

Cost to attend is $6.50 for adults; $4.50 for children scarce,” said Perlmutter. “So I took a position as the “I think we grow the best vegetables in the world,” said 12 and younger. To RSVP, contact Margie Gutnik at Chief Surveyor for the Settlement of the Negev. It was a Perlmutter. I am so proud that from these desert sands 492.8550 or programming@bethel-omaha.org. temporary job that lasted for 54 years.” not only were we able to feed ourselves but also are the

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

Nebraska Israel Advocates to Hear from Avi Issacharoff at AIPAC Annual Event

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Omaha Performing Arts announces the first annual Mother’s Day Brunch at the Holland Center on Sunday, May 14,10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Live music, beautiful surroundings and a delicious meal for families to share will make this a very special event to celebrate Mother’s Day,” said Joan Squires, president of Omaha Performing Arts.

The cost of the meal is $30 per person, $12 per child (ages six to 12). The meal is free for children five and under attending with a paid adult. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 402.661.8471.

Omaha Performing Arts is the locally based arts organization that manages Omaha’s Orpheum Theater and the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Movin’ Out, the Tony Award-winning new musical conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp and based on 24 classic songs by Billy Joel, opens in Omaha at the Orpheum Theater on Tuesday, June 6.

This engagement will mark the Omaha premiere of the show that critics say revolutionized musical theatre as we know it. Told through the choreography of Twyla Tharp and more than two dozen of Billy Joel’s hit songs, Movin’ Out is the story of lifelong friends through two turbulent decades that change them and the world around them forever.

Songs like “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Pressure” all come together to weave a musical backdrop which beautifully complements Tharp’s innovative choreO M A H A

ography.

The performance schedule at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater is as follows: Tuesday, June 6, 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 7, 8 p.m., Thursday, June 8, 8 p.m., Friday, June 9, 8 p.m., Saturday, June 10, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sunday, June 11, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which range from $25 to $62.50, may be purchased through Ticket Omaha by phone at 402.345.0606 or in person at the Holland Center.

Tickets can also be obtained online through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, 402.422.1212 (Omaha) or 402.475.1212 (Lincoln). For group discount tickets for 20 or more seats, call 1.800.889.8457 or 402.661.8516.

Kids visiting the Durham Western Heritage Museum on first Saturdays will get to enjoy a story in a very unique location – on one of the museum’s historic rail passenger cars. “I’ve Been Reading on the Railroad” is now at the museum.

Once children pick up their “Reading Railroad” passport, get it stamped and board the rail car, they’ll enjoy a short Thomas the Tank Engine story, followed by the story of the day and an activity or tour to go with the theme of the day’s story. The passport is filled after eight Saturday sessions and kids may then turn it in for a free book from the museum.

The story time is open to museum visitors and members. Future dates are May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, Sept. 2, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4.

Call Michele Bruntz for more details at 402.444.5027. For more information, please visit us at www.dwhm.org.

P E R F O R M I N G

BALLETNY

A R T S

by CLAIRE SCHWARTZ AIPAC Colorado-Nebraska Leadership Management Director Avi Issacharoff, the Arab Affairs Correspondent for Israeli Broadcast Association Radio, is one of the most respected Israeli journalists covering the Palestinian territories. He will talk about “Inside the West Bank and Gaza” at Nebraska’s Annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) at a dessert reception on Thursday, June 18, 7:30 p.m., at the Ironwood Country Club, 12627 Pacific.

Issacharoff also served as the Palestinian Issues Correspondent for Israeli TV and has published a book about the last intifada--The Seventh War. His work has earned him numerous honors including Israel Public Radio’s “Best Reporter Award” for

2001 and 2002. He holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies and Literature from Ben Gurion University and is currently completing a Masters degree in Middle Eastern Studies at Tel-Aviv University.

Co-chairmen Michael Miller and Jan Schneiderman, Vice-chairman Jerry Slusky, and former chairmen of the Nebraska AIPAC Council David Gilinsky and Murray Newman expect 100 members of the Nebraska pro-Israel community to attend. At a time when Israel is facing threats from a nuclear armed Iran and a Hamas led Palestinian Authority, advocates are asked to show support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. AIPAC members as well as non-members are invited. For information or to RSVP, contact me at 303.864.9464 or e-mail elilo@aipac.org by May 12.

ADL to Host Interfaith Storytelling Festival

by BETH KATZ ADL Director Interfaith Affairs and Community Education The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) will host Omaha’s first Interfaith Storytelling Festival this Sunday, May 7, 1-5:30 p.m. at the Omaha Community Playhouse. The event will feature Jewish, Christian and Muslim storytellers along with fun, family-friendly activities.

Jewish storyteller Rita Paskowitz will perform along with Christian storyteller Sheila Rocha and Chicago-based Muslim storyteller Arif Choudhury. Storytellers will tell their stories and lead workshops.

In addition, the Omaha Children’s Museum will provide art activities and Soul Desires independent book store will

hold a children’s book fair in the lobby.

“We want to celebrate the important role that storytelling plays in communicating values and transmitting culture from one generation to the next in these faith communities,” said Bob Wolfson, ADL Executive Director. “Storytelling also can help people from different cultures and religions identify shared values and cultural attributes.”

This event is co-sponsored by the Playhouse, the Omaha Children’s Museum, the Rose Theater, Soul Desires and the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Nebraska. Activities are geared to adults and children ages seven and older. For information, contact me at 402.333.1303, or at bkatz@adl.org.

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Jack B. Cohen has been elected as the new President of Bat Yam, Temple of the Islands, on Sanibel Island, Florida. The Temple was established 14 years ago. The Rabbi for the past 11 years, is Murray Saltzman. Rabbi Saltzman was previously at Baltimore Hebrew Temple, where Rabbi Rex Perlmeter, who was born in Omaha, served. Also, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of Temple Israel, was an assistant to Rabbi Saltzman for several years; according to Cohen, “Rabbi Saltzman fondly recalls Rabbi Azriel as the best assistant he ever had.”

As a result of the publicity surrounding the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society exhibit in tribute to Jewish veterans and active duty personnel, Scott Hazelrigg, Executive Director of the Strategic Air & Space Museum has made arrangements for 20 or more of the panels to be displayed at the Museum through July 23. The SAC Museum, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, is located on Interstate 80 off the Mahoney State Park exit.

The original exhibit, sponsored by the NJHS the Plains States Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League, Beth El, Beth Israel and Temple Israel, was a community-wide tribute to 31 local heroes in conjunction with the 350th anniversary of Jews in America.

Gordmans, Inc., an Omaha-based apparel and home fashions retailer, celebrates the grand openings of three new stores. Gordmans opened its first Mississippi store in Southaven last month, its newest Iowa store in Cedar Rapids, and its eighth Illinois store in Peoria.

“Our goal is to provide a unique and energetic shopping experience for all of our consumers,” said Jeff Gordman, President and CEO. “At Gordmans, our mission is to delight our guests with big savings on name brands in fun, easy-to-shop stores. Gordmans features the latest name brand fashions in apparel, footwear, accessories and home décor.”

In conjunction with each store’s grand opening festivities, Gordmans presents a $5,000 check to the local

Hague Quality Water recently received Hague Quality Water, International’s annual “Gold Circle Award” given to their active water treatment dealers who demonstrate excellence in customer service.

Hague Quality Water of NE is owned and operated by Jeff & Kris White, who started the company in May of 2001.

Hague has enjoyed rapid growth and currently employs eight full time and two part time team members.

Hague provides service and sales of residential and commercial water conditioning equipment; water softeners, reverse osmosis drinking systems and Jeff White bottleless water coolers for the Southeast Nebraska area, including Omaha & Lincoln, and Southwest Iowa.

For more information, please contact Hague at 466.6800 (Lincoln), 991.1414 (Omaha) or visit their website at www.HagueWaterNE.com.

Blooms is having a vase recycling program--bring in your used vases and receive 10% off your next order at Blooms. Your donations go toward our charitable campaign to supply flowers to local women’s shelters and retirement homes. Bloom’s is located in Rockbrook Village Shopping Center, 108th and Center.

Seth Rich, a junior at Central High School, has qualified for Grand National Tournament of the National Catholic Forensic League to be held in Chicago, IL, over the Memorial Day weekend. Seth qualified for Student Congress.

He also finished in the Nebraska State Debate Tournament in Congress and was a finalist in the Nebraska District Tournament for the National Forensic League.

Seth also has been selected to attend Boys State this summer in Lincoln. Sponsored by the American Legion, Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county, and state government.

Seth is the son of Mary and Joel Rich.

Jewish Education met with Samniya during a trip to Israel last year.

“The discussion with Ahmed was a tremendous education for me,” stated Rockman. “While I had heard the population numbers for Arabs living in the Partnership area, to speak directly to Ahmed and learn about his work with Arab youth, was a real eye-opener.”

It was during Hatchuel’s trip to Omaha in December of 2005 that the idea of bringing him and Samniya to visit Partnership cities in the states was floated.

“Having Avi and Ahmed talk about the issues facing Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs living side-by-side is a great chance for our community to better understand their challenges,” says Matalon.

There is no charge for this event, which is open to the Jewish community. For additional information, please call the Center for Jewish Education office at 334.6445.

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school district to launch Partners in Education fundraising events. Partners in Education is a community-school partnership program that provides a vehicle for businesses, government agencies, civic groups and faith organizations to make additional educational resources available to local public school systems.

Gordmans customers at the new stores may participate in this event by purchasing “helping hands” for $1 each.

Every dollar raised will directly benefit their local school district. Since its involvement with Partners in Education, which began in fiscal year 2000, Gordmans has contributed more than half a million dollars to this cause in 12 states throughout the Midwest.

With the opening of Southaven location, Gordmans now operates 58 stores in 13 states throughout the United States.

Hear Perspectives on Israel from a Jew and an Arab

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Administrator, the Center for Jewish Education Two visitors from the Partnership area in the Western Galilee will present a program about the cultural challenges for Israeli Arabs on Monday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library.

Avi Hatchuel and Ahmed Samniya are visiting Dallas, TX, Akron, OH, and Omaha through the Partnership with Israel program. The event will begin with a presentation about the Partnership area and then move to a question and answer discussion. Omaha is one of 13 Jewish communities in the Partnership with the Western Galilee region.

Hatchuel is the Executive Director of five Jewish Community Centers in the Partnership area. Samniya is the Director of a community center in the Arab village of Sheikh Danun. The two have developed a strong working relationship and work together when possible.

Stacey Rockman, Partnership with Israel chair, and Dr. Guy Matalon, Executive Director for the Center of

Page 9

Urgent news for people who took

IN THE NEWS Jeff’s Auto Body opened their new state-of-the-art facility in Omaha, uniting partners Jeff Schrier and Marc Sicner in the common goal of providing first-class collision repairs to the Omaha market.

Marc Sicner, manager and partner of Jeff’s Auto Body, said, “I’m excited, and I have great expectations for this new association. In our 26 years in business together, we know what consumers expect, and we deliver those expectations. Jeff’s Auto Body will be a solid resource for top-quality auto body repairs to the Omaha marketplace.”

According to Jeff Schrier, “As always our focus is on customer service, cycle time, and cost; with this new location we will continue to be a leader in collision repair…expanding my relationship with Marc and developing this new facility is one more step in the venture of carrying out our vision and achieving our goals.”

The repair center features a Chief EZ Liner Frame Rack with Velocity computerized measuring capabilities, a Spot Resistance Welding System, and a Dustless Sanding System throughout the shop.

The 10,000 sq ft collision center is located at 6524 “L” St. For more information, contact Marc Sicner at 402.932.6969 or marc@jeffsautostore.com.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Program Coordinator The Center for Jewish Education The Center for Jewish Education is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Program Coordinator. Duties include coordinating agency programs and assisting in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Applicants must have solid oral and written communication skills, strong Judaic background, enjoy working with people, and be well versed in Microsoft Office products. 25 hours per week with occasional evening and Sunday hours.

Please submit resume to Dr. Guy Matalon, Executive Director, The Center for Jewish Education, 333 S. 132 Street, Omaha NE 68154-2198. Resumes may also be faxed to 334-1330 or emailed to mgrossman@jewishomaha.org. Equal Opportunity Employer; background check required.

Page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Bedrock Values at the Core of Four Generation All Makes Office Equipment Company Once Larry Kavich joined in the mid-’60s, high end contract furniture became the staple. He expanded the business physically and enhanced its position as a multiproduct, multi-service center. He continues as chairman today, wintering in Arizona.

by LEO ADAM BIGA Under Jeff’s and Amee’s watch from the late 1990s on, All Makes has added to its facilities, including new As Omaha family businesses go, All Makes Office showrooms and warehouses, made a series of renovaEquipment Company is one of the oldest and largest still tions, grown the company’s design division and expandoperating. The fourth generation family members runed into international markets. ning things today stick to the same core principals, valYes, much has changed.

Then again, people are still ues and philosophies that have guided the business since people and business is still business.

Office furniture may dapper Russian immigrant Harry Ferer founded it in be wired today, but getting repeat customers still comes 1918. down to treating folks right, qualities sorely missing A go-getter, Ferer became a star agent for the Royal from so many service providers today.

Jeff and Amee Typewriter Co. and the Ediphone, an early dictation keep alive All Makes’ service-first credo, drawing on lesmachine patented by inventor Thomas Alva Edison, sons from two masters in the art of the deal -their whom Ferer knew. Ferer built his own company through hustle and guile, traits his successors have shown in grandfather and father. “Certainly the products have changed and the industry growing the family business. has changed,� Jeff said, “but as far as learning the passion Son-in-law Lazier Kavich entered the fold in 1938 and -and taking that home every night with you and always helped move All Makes forward by adding new lines, thinking about how to make things better and how to do earning a reputation for fairness along the way. Lazier the right thing -- I got taught the business to his that every day from both son, Larry Kavich, whose my grandpa and my dad. energy, people skills and It came so naturally, it “do the right thing� would have been impossimotto drew in new busible, I think, for me to feel ness. Larry, in turn, taught or act or do any differenthis children the ropes and ly.� now they run things.

As kids, Jeff and Amee Today, Larry’s son, Jeff were always around the Kavich, is President and business, working there CEO of All Makes summers.

Jeff learned all Omaha and Jeff’s sister, facets -from stock and Amee Zetzman, is sales to delivery and President/CEO of the installation.

Amee applied Lincoln, NE, and her gift for numberUrbandale, Iowa, locacrunching to the compations. The legacy continny books. ues. Only time will tell if “Summers, when my Jeff’s or Amy’s kids one friends were spending day carry the torch. every day at the pool, I All Makes evolved over Fourth generation and brother and sister Jeff Kavich and Amee was here in the back these 88 years into a fullZetzman now lead All Makes. room sweeping floors, service center that outfits fixing typewriters, working in the warehouse.

I installed offices of every size, located virtually anywhere, with products that range from the latest in work station systems to furniture, I delivered furniture, I drove the truck. I’ve used desks, chairs and files. The company does more than done everything except billing,� he said. “I look back just sell stuff. It also designs and installs office spaces for all now and say it was fun and wouldn’t change a thing, kinds of settings, offering expertise that makes today’s Back then, when my buddies were going to the pool, I probably wished I was, too.� technology-rich environments user-friendly.

But he knew where his destiny lay.

Any firm as long-lasting as this one adapts to meet the “I knew from an early age I was carving a path for me needs of customers in changing business climates. into the business and everything I was learning then Through world wars, economic downturns and industry would only come to benefit me later,� he said. “I knew trends, All Makes stays the course, each generation that this is what I wanted to do. I went to the University adding fresh ideas to the mix. of Kansas for a couple years and decided it was time to Much has changed since Harry Ferer opened his come home and go to work. You know, my career startdowntown typewriter sales, rental and repair shop. ed in 1990 -16 years ago, but I can say I’ve been here When Lazier Kavich came aboard, the business added 30 years because I worked here summers from grade office furniture to complement the automated machines school through college.

When I’d come home from colit carried. In 1950 All Makes moved to its present localege my father and I would talk about the business. Even tion at 2558 Farnam St. By the 1960s, the company Continued on page 11 added the first of its branch showrooms and stores.

NEXT GENERATION IN BUSINESS

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

Four Generation Office Equipment Company Continued from page 10 in high school, if something big was happening here, we discussed things over the weekend. Growing up, dinner table conversations happened all the time. So, as long as I can remember I’ve kind of known and talked the language of All Makes.”

For the young Amee, the business wasn’t so much a career path to follow as a place she felt obligated to pitch in. Her math and computer skills were put to use.

“When I was in the seventh grade they’d bring me in a little desk to sit in the middle, between my grandfather and Nancy Mudra, who’s been here over 30 years; and I learned how to compute commissions. When I was more high school age they gave me one of the first portable computers -- a huge thing with a screen that popped down...They said, ‘There’s a new program called Lotus and we need you to figure out how we can get the commissions from this giant ledger book into the computer,’ and that was my project. Every time, they saved projects for me. Like one summer all I did was purge the bookkeeping files and make new folders.”

As a boy, Jeff accompanied his dad on business trips.

Trussed-up in a coat-and-tie, the little boy said little but absorbed much as Daddy made deals.

“I was there watching him do what he does best and that’s an education you won’t learn at Wharton School of Finance,” he said.

When Lazier, who died in 1996, wasn’t playing cards or handicapping the ponies, he was striking bargains that brought in new business or that added to his overstuffed back office, which has been preserved intact as a kind of memorial. The walls and shelves are still filled with kitsch collectibles. He loved acquiring things in bulk in order to give them away, like the drawer of surplus watches he kept. True to his salvage roots, he built All Makes’ used office furniture segment, now called All Makes on Two, which still accounts for a robust volume of sales today.

Sections of two floors, plus the basement, practically sag from all the used items on display.

At one time, three generations of Kaviches drew wages together. “It was something special that I’ll never forget

and I know it’s so rare and something few people get to experience,” Jeff said.

Lazier, the old-school wheeler-dealer who started in the junk business, was the elder statesman. He read the

Lazier Kavich

Larry Kavich

mail, saw a few old customers and played cards with his cronies in his office. “This is what he loved,” Jeff said.

Larry was the dynamic leader closing deals in the showroom, on the phone or on the road. Jeff and Amee were the fresh-from-college upstarts soaking it all in.

The lessons learned from these old-school salesmen made a deep impression on the next generation. Much of what Lazier and Larry did still shapes the business.

“He loved a good deal,” Amee said of Lazier. “He did not like to leave money on the table. That was his mentality and that’s why we have all the used furniture. He taught my brother that end of the business. There are still people we do business with that will fly in here from somewhere in the South to come pick out all their used furniture. Then they’ll send trailers back for it. Because that’s how they and my grandpa did business. So, it still goes on.”

She utilizes some of the managerial tricks and rituals he taught her years ago.

“The entire pile of mail in the morning went to him.

He used to say, ‘You can learn what’s going on in every part of the organization by reading the invoices.’ That’s

how he kept in touch with what was going on -- through the mail. And so now I read the mail every day and it does help me know what’s going on.”

More a benevolent figurehead by the time Amee and Jeff assumed titles and positions at All Makes, Lazier still came to the office every weekday, modeling the Golden Rule in his good works and in his high ethics.

Years ago he befriended a blind black evangelist known for traversing the city on foot selling brooms.

A tradition began that saw Lazier invite the reverend into the store for a repast before driving him home at night. The preacher man still stops by on his circuit and Jeff and Amee, like Larry and Lazier before them, make sure he’s well taken care of.

“He was the most giving, caring person you could ever imagine,” Jeff said of Lazier. “Everything was as it is. He said it like it was. Just total honesty and integrity.”

Amee said her father, Larry, “took a lot of qualities from my grandfather. He’s very wanting to always do the right thing. Very honest, very charitable. But he also doesn’t like to be taken advantage of.

He’s very passionate about everything he does. He’s proud of what we do. It’s been nice for him to be able to take a step back, but he is still absolutely involved in big deals going on. He misses being here full-time. As he explains to us, ‘This is all I’ve done. It’s hard to leave.’”

The siblings feel an obligation to maintain the family tradition in All Makes.

“It’s so important for me to make sure we do provide the best product at the best possible price, along with the best service, because our reputation means so much to us. We just always want to play cards up on the table and do the right thing for all of our great customers,” Jeff said.

“It is an awesome responsibility because our name is associated with this,” Amee said. “We had a situation where we needed the money up front on something and the customer asked, ‘Well, what if you don’t do what you say you’re going to do?’ And I said, ‘You know, we’ve been here 88 years doing what we say we’re going to do.’ And, so, we take it very personally...”

Continued on page 12

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Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

Four Generation Office Equipment Company Continued from page 11 our grandpa.” everything so we had some type of framework to try to Satisfaction for her comes from knowing a customer’s The first order of business was making sure she and work within. Before, we didn’t have titles...everyone just been satisfied, no matter the size of the transaction. “It’s Jeff could share power. “I called my brother and we did what needed to be done, which is still the case, but getting positive feedback from clients, not even on the started talking about it. I asked him, ‘What do you now we have a more clear definition of what our responbig deals,” she said. “Sometimes I’ll get a phone call to think? Do you think we could make this work?’” He told sibilities are. I think so many times family businesses say, ‘I bought a desk and your guys took great care of her yes and in 1994 she joined the team. They’ve found don’t have a plan and everyone thinks they’re in charge me.’ It’s just a feeling of pride that someone in the a way to make it work for 12 years now. of everything” and it becomes a real mess. organization has represented us well.”

“We both have our strengths and we know our The way Jeff sees it, “you can’t avoid the pitfalls” of a For Jeff, it’s “a sense of accomplishment when you strengths,” she said. “We try to stay out of each other’s family business, “it’s how you handle the pitfalls. It’s meet somebody for the first time, you get to know them various departments, but still have input. I think because maintaining respect for each other. It comes down to and get to know what their business needs are, and then we have separate responsibilities it makes it easier to get respect. We’re very, very lucky on that regard. I mean, our team puts together the right solution. I guess at the along. In certain situations I know he’s going to make the I’m not going to say we don’t have our moments, but at end it’s having a happy customer. the end of the day we really do have There’s a beginning, a middle and an a good working relationship and end to a transaction that’s definitive. we’re good friends through it.

When we walk away and they say, We’re very blessed.”

‘We have our office furniture -- you All Makes has won area recogniguys did a fantastic job ‘--that’s the tion as a model family business and carrot. That’s what’s rewarding.” small business and industry-wide Groomed as he was to take over as awards as a top dealer. president from his father, Jeff said, “I Among other things this next genalways knew it was coming,” but eration in business has taken from added “it never really sunk in until it their elders is a commitment to was on my business card. You always downtown. “Yes, we are downtown had Larry to fall back on before on to stay,” said Amee, who added all making some decisions. But when the development activity there, now it’s my deal, I’m very cautious including a run-down apartment about what I’m going to do before I building converted to condos in do it.” Easing the transition, he said, back of All Makes, has only Amee Zetzman Jeff Kavich was the way he worked side by side strengthened the family’s stake. She with his father. final decision and in certain situations he knows I’m going said All Makes’ acquisition of properties around its store “I learned everything I know from him and I’m grate- to make the final decision. And there’s some situations realized a “Lazierism” that went--“always buy property ful to him for that. Even before I became president he when we make decisions together. It just works out.” near your business when it becomes available.” Lazier would say, ‘You make the decision and if it’s wrong, you’ll Jeff said, “Well, I think there’s some good balance also taught her to “never be embarrassed by what you’re learn from it, and if it’s right, way to go.’ In the 16 years there. Amee’s got an accounting background and under- going to offer. And that’s how all these properties were I’ve never been sat down and screamed at. He’s let me stands a lot better than I do the books and all that sort acquired,” she said. learn by the mistakes and kind of relish in the good.” of thing. So, with her kind of keeping an eye on the pot She and her brother have also remained committed to Unlike her brother, Amee didn’t always see herself in and making sure everything is in line and in check, that the loyal work force, whose average length of tenure is the All Makes mold. allows me to be in front of the people from more of a 12 years, that Lazier and Larry built. “We have great “When I left for college (University of Colorado) I sales standpoint. I’m involved with a lot of new business people here. We like to think it’s a great place to work,” was not coming back to Omaha and the store, whereas development.” she said.

Jeff knew he was going to come back and be part of the Just like his grandfather and father before him, Jeff As a salesman at heart, Jeff’s keenly attuned to two business. So, it was definitely a different scenario.” kibitzes with customers to earn their trust and their busi- Kavichisms passed on from his grandfather to his father Straight from college she moved to Los Angeles in ness. When he isn’t pressing the flesh on the showroom to him that speak of never being too satisfied. When a 1989 to work in public accounting. Her niche was small floor, he’s trading jokes on the golf course. Amee trains big deal’s inked, he’s reminded of Lazier and Larry sayfamily businesses just like All Makes. “It was really good her eye on the big picture, ever mindful of what her ing: “That’s great, now what are you going to sell?” In preparation,” she said. By 1994, she was married with grandpa and dad would do. “There are definitely other words, Jeff said, “get onto the next thing.” kids. “My husband and I made a quality of life decision moments when we say, ‘Oh, Lazier’s rolling over in his The other has to do with not repeating mistakes. As that Southern California was not where we wanted to grave on this one. What would Lazier have done?’ It’s Lazier said, “Man who stumbles on rock wants to be forbe. And I sort of came to the realization this (All Makes part of the lore,” she said. Or she repeats one of her given. Man who stumbles on rock twice should break his and Omaha) isn’t such a bad thing to come back to.” father’s credos--“Fast pay makes fast friends.” She neck.’”

Factoring into the decision was the chance for their kids added, “He doesn’t like owing anyone.”

(Editor’s note: this is the second in a continuing series, to “have grandparents to hang out with. It’s part of The family “works hard to make it work right,” Amee Next Generation in Business. The next feature will profile Jeff’s and my own life stories. We got to have a life with said. “We had a consultant come in and help us separate Larry and Neal Malashock of Malbar’s.)

Among other things this next generation in business has taken from their elders is a commitment to downtown... she and her brother have also remained committed to the loyal work force, whose average length of tenure is 12 years, that Lazier and Larry built.

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Grab a Latte -- Let’s Talk About NCSY

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel’s National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) has exciting plans for the month of May. Junior NCSY will go to Camp Chi, in the Wisconsin Dells, for its Regional Shabbaton held May 11-14.

Camp Chi will also be the destination for Senior NCSY’ers when they hold their annual NCSY Regional Shabbaton during Memorial Weekend, May 25-29. On the local front, Senior NCSY will meet at Scooter’s for the May “Latte and Learning.”

The Junior NCSY Regional Shabbaton at Camp Chi is the final Shabbaton of the school year for 5th through 8th graders. Junior NCSY’ers from Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri will join together for a weekend of fun. NCSY Director, Brooke Shrago, described a number of activities that will be held at Camp Chi. “The kids have a great time meeting other kids from around the Midwest,” she said. “There will be fun team sports and other activities, indoor and outdoor things to do, a lake to enjoy and a live band performing at special events throughout the weekend. And, one Junior NCSY Chapter will receive the coveted Chapter of the Year award.”

Shrago noted, “This will also be a great opportunity for kids to meet some of their Camp Gesher friends early. And it isn’t too late to register for the trip to Camp Gesher, that will be Aug. 13-20.” Camp Gesher is held

at Camp Sabra, at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The NCSY Regional is also the final convention of the school year. “The Senior NCSY Shabbaton at Camp Chi is always terrific,” stated Shrago. “There will be sports, swimming, activities, live music, and one of the Chapters will receive the Senior NCSY Chapter of the Year award.

What’s also great about this Senior Shabbaton is the formal banquet. Kids dress up, even in gowns and tuxes, and dance and have an amazing time.”

Shrago also explained that “Chi” stands for “Chicago Hebrew Institute.” The camp isn’t that far from Chicago,“ she said. “We’ll fly from Omaha to Chicago, and then join up with other campers for a bus ride to the Wisconsin Dells, where the camp is located.”

Here in Omaha, Senior NCSY has plans for a “Latte and Learning” on Tuesday, May 23, 7:30 p.m.

“Dragons and Mermaids: Sci-Fi and the Torah” will be the discussion topic. The group will meet at Scooter’s at 120th and Blondo. A free beverage is provided.

“This is the first in a series of ‘Sci-fi and Torah’ Latte and Learning sessions we’ll hold,” explained Shrago.

“We’re going to look at mysterious creatures found in sci-fi and fantasy. Fire-breathing dragons, unicorns, giant salamanders, sea-creatures...there are many unique creatures included in these stories. We’ll explore their existence from a text-based perspective.”

For more information, please contact Shrago at the office, 556-6288 or via email NCSY@OrthodoxOmaha.org.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

When you patronize these fine establishments, tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press.

“Twelfth grade is the last actual connection to us unless the students keep their ties with staff members on their own,” realizes Elyce Azriel, director of Temple Israel’s Middle/High School. She has known many of the confirmands/graduates since they were in the primary grades. “It’s been a privilege to watch them mature over the years and be part of their Jewish journeys as they mature and prepare to take this next big step in their lives,” she said.

The other seniors are Samuel Anderson, son of Magda Peck and Jim Anderson; Sean Bernstein, son of Rose and Stuart Bernstein; Eli Bloom, son of Rebecca and Brent Bloom; Anna Clark, daughter of Mindy and Wayne Clark; Alyson Friedman, daughter of Suzanne and Tom Friedman; Nicholas Laudin, son of Kathy Beauchaine and Jeff Laudin; Samantha Long, daughter of Ellen Long; Sarah Sherman, daughter of Ruth and Marc Sherman; Chelsea Taxman, daughter of Sherry and Jeff Taxman; and Caroline Terry, daughter of Michele Marsh and John Terry.

Azriel described the confirmation/graduation service as a “celebration for the entire congregation, because we’re one of the few Reform congregations that offer formal religious school for 11th and 12th graders.” She encouraged everyone to support the confirmation/ graduation class and their families on May 12.

Teens to Receive Leadership Awards Continued from page 1 and as religious school Madrichah, Hamutal has proven to be indispensable. Last year, Hamutal served as Social Action Project Team Leader for a Save Darfur 11th grade tzedakah project, keeping the project on task and promoting it to other classes.

Hamutal most recently served as Chairman for the NFTY’s Missouri Valley Regional Spring Chavarah, hosted by Temple Israel just a few weeks ago. Hamutal attended every Chavarah this year, and was the driving force behind programming for the spring Chavarah, working closely with committee members.

“Being active in OTYG is a great way to meet new people and see things from a different perspective,” says Hamutal. “It’s been such a wonderful experience.”

Another active Burke High School senior, Hamutal has participated in Senior Senate, student government, teen court, the academic decathlon, Future Business Leaders of America, track, softball, Key Club (community service), Spanish Club and Drama Club.

Hamutal will be attending the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where she will major in political science. She then plans to attend law school. Her parents are Orly Gilat and Jacob Ginsburg.

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Temple Israel to Confirm and Graduate Seniors at May Shabbat Service

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator As she turns toward the pathway of her adult life, Hamutal Ginsburg, one of 12 students graduating religious school and being confirmed at Temple Israel on Friday, May 12, she sees this Shabbat evening as “a milestone in my life. The past two years in religious school have given me opportunities to open my mind and meet new people who have shown me different perspectives.” Hamutal, who will also graduate from Burke High School and will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is the daughter of Orly Gilat and Jacob Ginsburg.

Josh Bleicher, son of Ellie and Jon Bleicher, said, the eleventh and twelfth grade experience is significant to him, “because we choose to take part in the class and confirm our faith in Judaism. It’s not our parents making us attend.” He also thinks continuing to go to religious school through 12th grade is a meaningful experience, “because you can never learn enough.” Josh also graduates from Brownell-Talbot this spring and will attend Washington University in St. Louis in the fall.

A dinner in honor of the seniors, new Omaha Temple Youth Group Board members, and madrichim, who assist teachers in the religious school, will precede the 7:30 p.m. worship service.

Page 13

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

Beth El Fourth Graders to Walk Down the Aisle at BESTT’s 17th Annual Mock Wedding

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Dresses, suits and ties are coming out of the closet, rehearsals galore are taking place, and the synagogue sanctuary will be brightly decorated, all in preparation of one of the most beloved and anticipated annual events for Beth El Talmud Torah students--the BESTT fourth-grade mock wedding.

Coordinated for the 17th year by teacher Margo Riekes, the wedding will take place Wednesday, May 10, 5 p.m., and the entire community is invited to attend. This ever-popular event has been repeatedly cited by many former Beth El students as their favorite Hebrew school memory.

Riekes and her students have worked diligently to prepare for this event since the beginning of the school year, when they began learning about Jewish traditions, holidays and life-cycle events. During the ceremony, each student will assume a special role, from bride and

groom and parents of the “couple” to attendants and ushers. In addition, each child will take a turn in explaining Jewish wedding rituals to the audience.

From ketubah to chuppah, Beth El’s Rabbi Mordechai Levin will officiate at the joyful ceremony, pronouncing the bride and groom “friends for the rest of the day.”

This year’s fourth-grade participants include Alyssa Cohen, Julia Edelstein, John Gallagher, Alyssa Gerber, Jacob Hoberman, Ariel Juster, Megan Kahn, Chelsea Kavich, Alyssa Kirshenbaum, Chad Shulewitz and Elizabeth Snyder.

This event never fails to tug at heartstrings and tickle funny bones (not to mention satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth with delicious wedding cake during the reception!). Don’t miss this heart-warming ceremony--be sure to bring hankies, cameras and your heartiest ‘mazel tovs,’ and witness this wonderful simcha!

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More Than 250 Attend NFTY Spring Chavurah at Temple Israel

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator From as far west as Wyoming and Denver, Colorado, and as far east as Paducah, Kentucky, and Peoria, Illinois, 250 NFTYites (North American Federation of Temple Youth members) converged on Omaha during the weekend of April 21-23. They also came from Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri, and cities in Iowa.

The weekend started with Shabbat worship services on Friday at Temple Israel.

After spending the night at 45 welcoming homes, the teens met at the Jewish Community Center on Shabbat for worship services, speeches, and social action. They talked about the plight of the homeless, AIDS, and drew posters to be used the following weekend at a rally and learned that Jews need to stand up and speak out in support of the people of Darfur who are suffering from an on-going genocide.

Arriving back at Temple Israel, the youth groupers convened their General Assembly; enjoyed dinner; listened to Elyce Greenberg, a freshman in college and the national representative for Kesher, the college arm of the Union for Reform Judaism; observed a stirring havdallah written by current NFTY Regional Board members for the installation of new Board members; and partied at a social event.

Waking up Sunday morning (for those who actually slept), the tired high schoolers formed the traditional Friendship Circle to sing and say goodbye. Many, especially the seniors knowing it was their last NFTY chavurah, had tears in their eyes. For the underclassmen, there’s next year to look forward to.

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Photos from top: Omaha Temple Youth Group members Annie Rips, left, Sam Long, and Hamutal Ginsburg were cochairs of the Chavurah. One of the social action projects at the Chavurah was drawing rally posters and learning about the plight of people in Darfur. Joe Goldberg, left, Chelsea Taxman, nearing the completion of her term as NFTY Missouri Valley regional Board member, and Aly Friedman lunch together following Shabbat worship services at the NFTY Spring Chavurah.

May 5, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 15

underwritten by A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features the AZA teens of BBYO. Special thanks goes to BBYO Director Rachel Blum for collecting the material.

My Experience: a Biased View of the Aleph Zadik Aleph Top 10 Reason to Join AZA

by ANDREW SIREF So there I was, walking single file through the darkness with three hundred of my peers, three hundred of my brothers. We line up around a lake, each of us holding our rock, a rock representing our own struggle, strife, and hardship. Moments later three hundred rocks were thrown into the lake, with three hundred voices shouting an accomplishment. The rest of the program is entirely indescribable. I can’t capture fraternity at its purest in words; it is something that must simply be experienced. However, I can say without a doubt that the voices of three hundred young men echoed for miles beyond the Camp Ramah Darom campsite. I was one of three hundred young men jumping up and down in the mud, ignoring how dirty their shoes and pants were getting, three hundred young men yelling their lungs out, three hundred young men reciting the words of Aleph Zadik Aleph cheers by heart, an entire muddy baseball field that looked like it was trampled by a stampede of buffalo, hours of rinsing off shoes, muddy jeans…and every single second of it was simply amazing. That, International Convention ’06, was definitely the pinnacle of my experience in the Aleph Zadik Aleph.

When I joined the Aleph Zadik Aleph and Mother Chapter AZA #1 four years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into. As I look back and reflect, I have come

to the realization that I have had the time of my life. I have shed blood, sweat, and tears in this organization.

Yes that is right, even tears. There is a saying that “the more you put into this organization, the more you get out of it,” and I can verify that, because it has given me everything back a thousand fold. I have made many friends that aren’t simply friends at face value. These young men are guys who I have shared experiences with that have changed my life. Moments like the one above at International Convention happen all the time, and forge a bond between guys rarely seen in this world.

I can honestly say that I am a better person because of AZA. First, I enjoyed time in my chapter, where I was able to make friends with guys who were older than me and who were able to give me advice on anything, guys who truly cared about me. As I grew older I started to make friends outside of Omaha and became like the older guys who helped me. I know it really means a lot when someone comes up to you and says you are their inspiration, someone that they look up to. I never set out to be that guy, but I slowly grew into the role, and I can honestly say that I cherish every moment I have left in the Aleph Zadik Aleph, no matter how few those moments may be right now.

Fraternally submitted with undying love for the Mid America Region, Cornbelt Council, Chaim Weizmann AZA #1510, Mother Chapter AZA #1, and the International Order of the Aleph Zadik Aleph, I remain, Aleph Andrew Benjamin Siref.

Andy is a senior at Millard North High School

SRC...a Picture Says a Thousand Words

Pictures from the recent Spring Regional Convention, from top left: the Chaimes--men of Chaim Weizm ann #1510, congratulate outgoing Council Godol Andy Siref, seated right; the men of AZA #1 cheering themselves--and AZA--at dinner; a group of Chaimes display their banner together with the young women of MZ Yoshanah BBG.

by DAVID SUKIENNIK 10. Because it’s the largest Jewish Youth Group in the WORLD! 9. Great Chapter and Council Programming 8. Gaining Leadership Skills 7. BBG’s, BBG’s, BBG’s 6. Free trip to Worlds Of Fun! 5. Meeting fellow Jewish teens from across the country 4. Learning the true meaning of brotherhood 3. Did I mention BBG’s?

2. Life-long friendships 1. Because Rachel Blum Rocks!!

David is a junior at Millard North

Being in AZA #1

by ZACH SPOONER When I came to the BBYO new members meeting one year ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

There were a bunch of upperclassmen I already knew because of my sister being one of them. Each chapter was fighting hard to get as many freshmen as they could.

Chaim Weizmann AZA #1510 was having their rush at one of their member’s houses and there would be a “Jousting” competition and barbeque. The winner of the competition would win a free BBYO membership to their chapter. Mother Chapter was having their rush by going Cosmic Bowling; the winner of that would win a free membership as well. I was out of town and unable to participate in any of the rush programs, but I decided that I was going to join Mother Chapter.

What a great decision I made! Walking into my first meeting as a Mama, I had no idea of the rich history that Mother Chapter had, the first chapter in AZA, let alone being in the first council (Omaha Cornbelt Council) and the first region (Mid-America Region) of BBYO. It means a lot to participate in AZA #1 programming, and I know that helping to plan and carry out these programs will help to make me a better leader.

My favorite part about BBYO in general? Well, last month we had our annual Spring Regional Convention at Camp Sabra with the Kansas City and St, Louis Councils. SRC was the best convention of my BBYO career, (even though I sprained my ankle!) and I can’t wait to go to more.

Zach is a freshman at Burke High School

Chaim Weizmann #1510

What Makes Weizmann So Great

by ARI LEVIN When I joined Chaim Weizmann at the beginning of my freshman year, I did so because I felt drawn to what I realized was a great group of teens. I was instantly assimilated, and soon thereafter encouraged to meet new people, get involved, and take leadership positions.

From then on my involvement in the chapter has continually increased. This is also true for the other members of the chapter. For instance, the Chaimies won the award for best video at the last regional convention. The time and energy we put into it shows that we all enjoy being active in this BBYO chapter, where we have made great friendships and have a lot of fun whenever we get together. Today, I still look forward to every BBYO night, knowing I will get to be with the same great group of teens that is Weizmann.

Ari is a junior at Westside High School

by HENRY GINSBURG Chaim Weizmann has changed my life...in a positive way.

In eighth grade I knew a lot of the people in Weizmann but I didn’t really “know” them as well as I do now. Since I’ve joined Weizmann, I have gotten many more friends that I can talk to and hang out with. And not just in Chaim Weizmann, but also in the girl chapters of MZ Yoshanah and Ediar. I have also made new friends from Mother Chapter AZA #1.

What makes Weizmann so great is that we are always doing programming together…from playing football and frisbee to our Jewish Jeopardy Program, which is scheduled for May 13.

Weizmann is doing great right now, and we are focused on getting new members this spring. Our New Member Intake Program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23, 5-9 p.m., in the Pavilion behind the JCC (333 So. 132 St.) We will be having a BBQ dinner and lots of great games, like the inflatable jousting ring, hamster wheel races, snow cones, and more!

I encourage all of the incoming freshman and those upperclassmen who are not BBYO members to come. You will get free T-shirts, and you will get to meet the manly men of Chaim Weizmann AZA #1510!

Henry is a sophomore at Westside High School.

Page 16

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

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Sen. Hagel, Gen. Habiger to Join Rabbi Azriel at Temple to Discuss Loose Nuclear Weapons

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator United States Senator Chuck Hagel and General Eugene Habiger, (U.S. Air Force, retired) will join Rabbi Aryeh Azriel for “Faithful Security: Our Last Best Chance,” a discussion on the urgent need to lock down and destroy loose U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel nuclear weapons and nuclear materials. Sponsored by Temple Israel and the Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska, the event is scheduled on Tuesday, May 9, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel.

During the 2004 presidential elections, President George Bush and Senator John Kerry agreed on one thing: the greatest security threat facing the world today is nuclear terrorism. The 45-minute docudrama, Last Best Chance, illustrates the danger of loose nuclear material and shows what American citizens can do to help end the nuclear danger. Last Best Chance was produced by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a bipartisan organization committed to reducing the nuclear weapons danger.

For more information, visit www.nti.org.

During the event, there will be a brief clip shown from Last Best Chance. Afterwards, individuals will have the opportunity to sign up to receive a copy of the film to show in their own communities along with a resource guide prepared especially for people of faith.

“The world does not have the luxury of choosing the challenges that it faces,” pointed out Sen. Hagel. “They are complex and interrelated--proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, poverty, endemic disease, failing states, and protracted conflicts--and they require multilateral responses and initiatives. Successful resolutions to Iran’s and North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs will require engagement, strong regional and international alliances, and confident, strong U.S. leadership.”

Senator Hagel is serving his second term in the U.S. Senate and is a member of four committees including foreign relations, banking, housing and urban affairs, and intelligence and rules. The Nebraska Republican is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations International Economic Policy, Export and Trade Promotion Subcommittee and the Senate Banking Securities and Investment Subcommittee. He also serves as chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

Hagel is a Vietnam War veteran and served with the U.S. Army’s 9th Infantry Division. The Vietnam Veterans of America named him Legislator of the Year in 2000.

With 35 years of experience in national security and nuclear operations, Gen. Habiger was previously commander-in-chief of the United States Strategic Command, an organization of some 80,000 military and civilian personnel. The general directed all U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy strategic nuclear forces from bomber aircraft to ballistic-missile submarines. He also helped the United States and Russia transcend the Cold War era by forging close military ties with his Russian counterparts resulting in unprecedented confidencebuilding and openness. His efforts were aired in reports on CBS’s “60 Minutes II” and on CNN. Gen. Habiger serves on the Board of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. NTI is co-chaired by former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn and Ted Turner. At the University of Georgia Center for International Trade and Security, General Habiger assists in programs aimed at preventing weapons proliferation and reducing nuclear dangers.

“Reducing the threats from weapons of mass destruction must become a priority effort for all nations. With rapidly developing technologies associated with these weapons, coupled with increasing population density, the consequences of their use would not only result in unacceptable loss of life but would surely change the social, political, and perhaps, economic foundations of a victim state,” he cautioned.

Faithful Security is an interfaith partnership aimed at reducing nuclear weapons danger at: www.faithfulsecurity.org.

Mothers Always Have the Best Advice•••

Mothers should love you and be there

When you need a helping hand, look at the

when you need them. And you should do

other end of your arm.

the same for them.

Lillian Ban, mother of Judy Goldstein

Debby Greene, mother of Silvia Roffman and

•••

Be a good listener.

Larry Greene

Lois Wine, mother-in-law of Laura Wine

•••

•••

Don’t count your chickens before

Be thoughtful, and do things for others.

they hatch.

Frances Fox, mother of Jonathon and Danny Fox,

Virginia Thamm, mother of Gwen Turman

and Janie Kulakofsky

•••

•••

Be kind, and always help people who

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

need it.

Joann Brosnihan, mother of Maggie Conti

Margaret Gimble, mother of Gerry LaPierre

•••

•••

It’s not easy raising kids, you’ll see when you

I hope my children always remember how

have kids of your own. It’s true, and I don’t

faith in G-d can help guide their lives.

know how she did it.!

Louise Marin, mother of Pam DePorte

Rosie Cooper, mother of Angela Jones

•••

•••

Never lie or a little birdie will tell me. She

Remember your manners, they will take you

always knew!

a long way.

Doris Ames, mother of Pete Ames

Jeanine Clucas, mother of Vicky Clucas

(Nebraska Jewish Historical Society photos)

Happy Mothers Day from Our Home to Yours

May 5, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

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The Power of a Jewish Woman donated her maidservant to Jacob, to bear a son for the

by GLORIA SHUKERT JONES From the beginning of creation to modern times, couple. The maidservant, in fact, gave Jacob two sons.

Not to be outdone by the wiles of her younger sister, Jewish women, whether by unusual talent, intuitiveness, or just plain chutzpah, have altered the course of histo- Leah gave Jacob her maidservant, to perform the same ry. She may be the CEO of a large corporation, or the duties. (Evidently in those days, this type of surrogacy executive head of the kitchen; she can be a barrister or was permissible). Ultimately, Jacob ended up with two your bubbe, but regardless of who she is, a Jewish wives, two maidservants, a dozen sons and one daughter. The sisters demonstrated patience and tolerance to a woman makes her presence felt.

While the Jewish man of the house is often the pri- degree, but were also guilty of “one-upmanship”.

Esther, who was also called, Hadassah, the young mary breadwinner, and lends his name and nobility to the family, the wife and mother, with her self-sacrificing, Jewish queen of King Ahasuerus, was perhaps the ulticaring, persevering manner, possesses the cohesiveness mate heroine in her time. When Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, the hateful renegade decided to that keeps the household together.

Let’s go back to Eve, the premier matriarch. All was take out his fury on all the Jews and annihilate them. He not well in the Garden of Eden, when she demonstrated almost had the king convinced to issue this proclamaher gullibility and disobedience. So influenced by the tion, until Esther, who confessed her Judaism to her serpent was she, that Eve not only failed to resist temp- husband, reminded him that she would also be on the tation, but also led Adam astray. So what was Eve’s gift execution list. The king, so enamored of his lovely wife, to women other than labor pains? Granted, she may not became enraged, and had Haman put to death on the have been the best role model by today’s standards, but same gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Good she did show us the consequences of poor choices, and thinking, Esther! We owe you a big debt of gratitude.

You were a small, but powerful woman to stand up why most of us are squeamish about snakes.

While Methuselah’s unusual longevity may have against such an arch enemy.

Ruth and Naomi forged an impressed his peers, Sarah, the wife of Abraham, did one better. At the ripe old age of 90, she gave birth to a son, indestructible bond between Isaac. The Holy Scriptures did not mention whether or them, and gave rise to the fact not Sarah suffered from any post-partum depression, that in order to have a happy but it is said she was amused at the thought of pregnan- life, you gotta get along with cy at her advanced age. Both Sarah and Abraham knew your mother-in-law.

Now let’s fast-forward to that with G-d, all things are possible! (Oy--but it should the early 20th century, and never happen in our day!)

When Isaac reached adulthood, his father, wanted him pay homage to the pioneer, Henrietta Szold to marry a good wife, who was not a Canaanite. Henrietta Szold, the founder Abraham was getting up in years, and Sarah had recent- of Hadassah, Youth Aliyah, Courtesy of Jewish Museum of Maryland ly passed away. Isaac declared that his future wife must nursing schools and hospitals not only offer a cool drink to a man in the desert, but in Jerusalem. Hadassah is now renown as a world-wide must also give water to his camels. So Abraham sent his Zionist organization for women. In addition to its many servant into the desert to find such a wife for Isaac. other humanitarian projects, the current focus is on supMeanwhile, when the servant thirsted on his journey, port and promotion of stem-cell research, a major weapon and saw the beautiful, young Rebekah coming toward in the fight against genetic disorders and fatal diseases. him, carrying a jar of water on her shoulder, he asked for A little known fact in the life of Szold, is that she once a drink which she eagerly granted him. Not only that, had an admirer with whom she fell in love. The feelings but she watered the camels also. He was so impressed were mutual. But her goal in life was the obligation she with her, he felt she would make the perfect wife for his felt to improve medical conditions in Israel. That had to master’s son. come first. Eventually, the The servant made the proyoung man got tired of waitposal to her family, and ing, and ended up with Rebekah agreed to accomsomeone else. Though selfpany him, along with her sacrificing, Szold was sadmaidservant, 10 camels and dened by her lost opportunithe rest of the entourage. ty for personal happiness.

When they arrived at their Lillian Wald, founder of destination, Isaac learned his the Visiting Nurse future bride fulfilled his Association, also developed requirements, and they were the Youth Aliyah movement married in Sarah’s tent, and for refugee children from lived happily together for German-controlled counmany years. Rebekah and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir visits President Nixon at tries. She and her contingent Courtesy of the White House of nurses and trainees, on Isaac had twin sons, Jacob the White House in 1973. and Esau. Rebekah may have taught us that kindness to their visits to patients, stepped from rooftop to rooftop animals is one criterion for a happy marriage. in order to avoid all the tenement steps in the poorer When Jacob reached manhood, he was introduced to neighborhoods. sisters, Rachel and Leah, by their father, Laban, for That Jewish women have left their mark can be taken whom he was working. Rachel was prettier than her literally as well as figuratively. A Jewish poet and spokesolder sibling, and Jacob wanted to marry her. However, woman by the name of Emma Lazarus wrote a poem as one of the conditions necessary to procure the hand entitled, “The New Colossus”, which is engraved on the of Rachel, Jacob must work for her father another seven pedestal of the Statue of Liberty--A message from the years. And not only that, but Jacob first had to marry literary heart of a Jewish woman, written in stone.

Leah for at least a week, because the law of the land dicLauren Bacall, Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, and tated the older sibling must marry first. others, were just a few of the singers and actresses who Jacob ended up marrying both daughters. Leah stood entertained millions of people in the era of show busistoically by, while sharing her husband with Rachel. God ness. Quality entertainment provided diversion in trourewarded Leah by giving her many sons, while Rachel bled times, and helped people gain new perspectives. remained barren for a long time. In desperation, Rachel Continued on page 19

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May 5, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

The Power of a Jewish Woman

In Mother’s Kitchen

Continued from page 18 woman” -- especially a Jewish woman!

Rose Blumkin arrived in the United And how about those of your own perStates, a poor immigrant who couldn’t sonal acquaintance? Aren’t they the most read or write, but was a whiz at numbers. amazing women you’ve ever known?

At the age of thirteen, There’s just something she had already develabout them that makes oped business acumen. you crave their friendShe rose from poverty ship. And once a friend; to great wealth and always a friend. became world renown The modern Jewish as the founder of the woman has been Nebraska Furniture described as a “mover Mart. “Sell cheap and and a shaker.” She tell the truth”, was might be a teacher, Mrs. B’s motto, which writer, editor, organiznot only made her rich er, musician, nurse, and famous, but set a doctor, lawyer, judge, standard for others librarian--the list goes seeking similar secrets on. Just read Jewish to success.

Press articles about noteworthy Jewish Midrash has it, that Rose Blumkin women in our own and in her youth, my late maternal grandmother, a resident of a other communities, and you’ll soon get shtetl in the Ukraine, used her wits to the idea.

But, some of you might say, “Why all protect the family’s most prized possessions during a pogrom. The story goes the hoopla? The only thing I’ve ever that she pretended to flirt with a done is keep house and raise kids.” Well, Bolshevik officer, in order to divert his I’ve known some “balabustas” that put attention away from other family mem- Martha Stewart to shame. And as for raisbers who, meanwhile, surreptitiously ing a family, I know of no job more important than nurturing and shaping managed to hide the valuables.

Politically speaking, Jewish women young lives.

The point is, no matter how greatly or such as Golda Meir, former prime minister of Israel, (1969-74) have gone down insignificantly a Jewish woman may view in history for their many contributions to herself and her achievements; no matter the cause of peace, diplomacy and suc- what her age or circumstances, each and every one has inherited some traits of her cessful legislation.

Jewish women throughout the ages, trail-blazing forebears. She is definitely though having taken many different the hub of the family unit and the magpaths, had one thing in common. They netic appeal to all who surround her. The helped forge the destiny of civilization, hand that lights the Shabbat candles also and gave new meaning to the phrase, wields a mighty torch. G-d bless the “Never underestimate the power of a Jewish woman; long may she reign!

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READ IT AND E AT Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN Behind every good chef there is a mother in her kitchen, where we first taste, discover and learn to cook. Fifty American women chefs are in this book which reads like who’s-who; they share heirloom recipes from their mothers and grandmothers, food memories, cultural and culinary heritages, traditions, celebrations and rituals. The recipes are woven with family stories, secret tips and techniques and are presented to provide comfort, satiety and pleasure.

Peek into these chefs’ memories...Alison Awerbuch remembers her Jewish roots through her Kreplach recipe traditionally served on Jewish holidays, while Lisa Schroeder remembers chopped liver and “Jewish penicillin.” In Joyce Goldstein’s childhood home, “everything was cooked to a certain death...”, grinding chocolate and nuts in an old-fashioned hand grinder, tasting Manischewitz and more. This is a stellar collection of recipes and memories.

The chapters are: Mothers & Grandmothers--Dishes infused with maternal love and care, Daughters-Flavors that first brought us into the kitchen, Families--Foods we share as a

Page 19

group around the table, Motherlands--Culinar y treasures to connect with our roots. More chapters include: Celebrations-Recipes to make festivities memorable, Indulgences-Special extravagances to sweeten our days, Remedies & Preserves-Treats to nurture the body and soul, Legacies--Cuisine passed down over the generations. All have chapter notes, headnotes, Kitchen Memories, Mom’s Secrets sidebars and lots of vintage photographs.

The recipes include the chef’s name, their restaurant, numerical instructions and goodies like Belle’s Chicken Noodle Soup, Matzo Cake, Orange and Apple Noodle Kugel, My Mother’s Cabbage and Noodles. To go with Smoked Salmon and Salmon Roe on Crispy Pancakes with Horseradish Cream is this recipes that also will make a great addition to almost any salad or sandwich.

PICKLED RED ONIONS Makes about 2 cups 2 medium red onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick 11⁄2 cups cider vinegar 2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon pickling spice 11⁄2 teaspoons kosher salt Combine the onion, cider vinegar, garlic, sugar, pickling spice, and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Chop fine before serving.

Lois Friedman can be reached at: ReadItAndEat@yahoo.com.

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The Holland Center and Orpheum Theater welcome patrons with disabilities.

Page 20

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

Not on our Watch Continued from page 1 Though the rally was moved indoors to the cafeteria at the University of NebraskaOmaha, many participants still made the walk from Temple Israel, shouting Rabbi Azriel’s words: “Not on our watch!”

At Temple’s prayer service, which began prior to the rally, Rabbi Azriel said, “We Jews just concluded the commemoration of the Holocaust. So, for us, this is about demonstrating the terrifying silence that exists about genocide--in Darfur. We remember when Jews were sent to concentration camps--and the silence of the world. We will not allow the silence to continue when we are faced with genocide in Africa.”

The Omaha rally, sponsored UNO students, the Anti-Defamation League, Temple Israel and Nebraskans for Peace, in cooperation with area synagogues and the Jewish community, ran concurrently with a national rally in Washington, D.C. The Million Voices for Darfur campaign, also launched by the Save Darfur Coalition, deluged the White House on Sunday with one million handwritten and electronic postcards.

(To order postcards and learn more, visit www.rac.org/millionvoices.)

With the genocide in Darfur topping the Jewish community’s national agenda, an unmistakable Jewish presence ran through Sunday’s rally there. Organized by the Save Darfur Coalition, a collection of 150 faith-based advocacy and humanitarian aid organizations initiated by two Jewish agencies, the roster of speakers included Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel; Ruth Messinger, President of the American Jewish World Service; and Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

cide being waged by Arab militias against black Africans in a poor, desertridden region of Sudan known as Darfur. The situation, which some estimate has claimed more than 400,000 lives, constitutes the first time U.S.

Above: Leora Azriel, left, was among hundreds of Omaha Jews at Temple Israel’s prayer service, preceding the Save Darfur rally on Sunday. Below left: Sen. Loren Kruse of the 13th District, spoke at the rally at UNO; Rabbi Azriel and a Sudanese refugee called for action.

Other speakers were Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL); celebrities such as actor/director George Clooney, Olympic skater Joey Cheek and Sudanese representatives like Simon Deng, who recently walked from New York City to Washington to call attention to the situation.

Their voices joined to oppose the geno-

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government has recognized genocide while it is still occurring. Those behind the Save Darfur Coalition say Sunday’s rally aimed to galvanize a multinational peacekeeping force to stop the attacks and ensure that humanitarian aid can be delivered.

Jewish participants like Joseph Milgrom, 92, a wheelchair-bound Holocaust survivor from suburban Maryland, found the message particularly

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salient because of the Holocaust. “I was standing in line and they were sending people right, left, right, left,” he said of his experiences in the Holocaust, the tears rolling down his cheeks. “I was sent to work. Everybody else in my family died.”

Other Jews said their desire to participate came from a sense of social action rooted in Jewish tradition.

“Our halacha dictates that we help save lives,” said Rebecca Stone, 23, who organized a fleet of six buses from Yeshiva University in New York City. “Apathy is really antithetical to Torah values.”

In Omaha, representatives from Darfur thanked the Jewish community with helping, adding, “We come before you to express our appreciation for your support of the Sudanese people--here in the U.S. and in Darfur.”

Sen. Loren Kruse, Nebraska legislator from District #13, spoke at UNO. “We need public policy that pays attention to genocide, but first, we’ve got to have people’s attention, “ he said. “We have to kick up some dust and let people know we care about them.”

Sen. Kruse, who has two more years left in his term in the Unicameral, added, “What’s discouraging is that this isn’t something new; it’s been going on for years. We help refugees, but sometimes we need to stop the source of the problem.”

The afternoon ended with a dramatic reading created by Doug Patterson of the UNO drama department.

Rabbi Azriel noted that “It’s not enough to watch ‘Hotel Rwanda’ and clap our hands at the Oscars. It’s important to step outside these one-minute messages.”

Rachel Silverman and David Silverman of JTA also contributed to this article. See op-eds on page 29.

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May 5, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 21

Memories of Mom BERT’S EYE VIEW

by BERT LEWIS If you are what I like to call a mature adult, like I am, chances are you have many different memories of your mother. You might remember special occasions or events from your childhood, and your mother’s role in some of them. I mean things like going “downtown” with her or the special way she treated your friends when they visited..

Maybe you remember her pride in any achievement of yours, no matter how small. (If she was like my mom, she kvelled, but always modestly.) Did your mom, like mine, go to meetings at the JCC, back when Mr. Veret and the J were almost synonomous? And was she all dressed up for those meetings, wearing a hat and gloves?

How about those trips downtown...did your mom always manage to leave time for a little treat of some kind before getting back on the streetcar? Usually some ice cream or a malt to help you feel ready for the trip home.

My mom always was certain it wasn’t excitement that kept me from eating lunch before we went downtown, but rather it was knowing we’d stop “for an ice cream” the minute we got there because I’d whine about being hungry.

Do you remember how old you were when you gave your mom the first mother’s day gift you ever bought?

And do you remember how touched she was by the gesture? Could you believe she’d be so thrilled by those lace trimmed hankies? Can you remember what her hugs felt like when you were little? Can you still almost taste those big, not quite perfectly round sugar cookies she used to bake when you were little? Or her wonderful egg salad on challah bread...remember that? Talk about ambrosia!

That combination was my favorite Saturday afternoon snack and food police notwithstanding, it was the best.

Did your mom sew? I guess most of them did, because years ago it was just the thing women knew about. My mom could examine a lovely dress in Brandeis and come home, cut out of newspaper some mysteriously shaped

Focus of Beth Israel’s Next Lunch and Learn: “What Does My Ketubah Say, Anyway?”

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Enjoy an hour of good food and good discussion at Beth Israel’s next monthly Lunch and Learn, at the synagogue on Thursday, May 11, noon-1 p.m. The topic of discussion will be “What Does My Ketubah Say, Anyway?”

Each Lunch and Learn is facilitated by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. “Our Lunch and Learns are not just for business people,” said Gross. “You don’t have to work 9 to 5 to attend. Anyone who is available from noon to 1 p.m.-men and women, working or retired--are more than welcome.”

The rabbi added, “We’re expanding our lunchtime horizons. Our new initiative is to offer a wider variety of sophisticated topics that foster discussion, that are timely and offer us the opportunity to gain new perspectives about issues as they relate to the Torah.”

According to Gross, “This traditional Jewish marriage contract provides details about the obligations of both husband and wife. But what exactly is in that document and what are the significant features? We’re going to briefly talk about the history of the Ketubah, and then look at some of the principle points found in the contract.”

Participants are not expected to prepare or read anything prior to the Lunch and Learn. A dairy meal will be served at a cost of $5 per person. For reservations, please call the office at 556.6288 or e-mail BethIsrael@ OrthodoxOmaha.org.

pieces (a pattern) lay out some materiel on the dining room table and pretty soon--a dress happened!

For that matter, my mom could sample a salad dressing or maybe a soup and come home, experiment and ultimately re-create the dish. To this day, when I’m talking to somebody about my mom, I often hear myself saying “my mom could do anything,” and I know I’m right.

Her most important treasures were her family, and when she first became a Bubie, she nearly burst with pride. She loved to tell my brother or me we were not to scold or correct our kids in her presence. She’d say, “You can do that with your grandchildren, but leave mine alone!”

I have countless memories of my mom...funny things she’d say or do, expressions she used that I never hear any more, watching her set the Shabbos table and bench licht.

And when I get too sentimental, I can recall how she’d say some kid had to have their “tonsils and headnoise” out.

She was a little bit of a Mrs. Malaprop, but her unusal take on a person or a thing were always uniquely hers.

Her sense of humor was, like her streak of creativity, also uniquely hers. She loved to laugh but never made fun of anyone. It was not her style to behave that way.

One other thing about my mom strikes me as I write these words. Like many of us daughters, she adored her Dad. She quoted him often and loved to recount stories about him, and what kind of a parent he was. She was so proud of him and I know that while it broke her heart he didn’t live to see her first grandchild, it pleased her greatly when the baby was named for him.

I have a lifetime of beautiful memories of my mom and I hope you do too. I could recite dozens and dozens more and fill all the pages of a thick book, but you could too. And remembering your mother is what you do when you don’t have to shop for a pretty scarf or sweater or nightgown to give her on Mother’s Day. And if you’re like I am, you always regret that shopping for that gift is no longer on your list of things to do. But I don’t think you need to be too sad about it...unfortunately that’s the way life is. Instead, if you’re a mom, enjoy helping your children create their own memories. If they’re lucky, they’ll be as sweet as yours.

Bert Lewis can be reached at BertLewis39@aol.com.

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Political Statements from Nebraska Candidates

AMERICA DECIDES 2006 CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT: TOM BARRETT The office of the Clerk of the District Court is the “Gateway to the Justice System” in Douglas County.

Because of that, its focus should be on efficiency, courtesy, and accountability.

As the only candidate who is a practicing attorney, I am uniquely qualified. I received my law degree from Creighton University in 1995 and have spent the last nine years in public service as counsel to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal. I believe my strength is in carefully identifying problems and applying intelligence to uncovering workable solutions. Teamwork and effective leadership are critical skills that I apply daily in my relationships with colleagues and constituents.

If elected, I will strengthen the foundation established by the retiring Clerk Rudy Tesar. Members of the legal community have provided me with suggested improvements they’d like to see. In partnership with the experienced staff in the Clerk’s office, we will examine all aspects of the office, to explore opportunities to enhance efficiency and educate the people of Douglas County about services offered. I live in Omaha with my wife, Sally Nellson Barrett, and two daughters.

Continued on page 22

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Page 22

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

2006 America Decides The Nebraska Primary Statements from Nebraska Political Candidates (Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: prior to every election, the Jewish Press solicits statements--and ads--from all candidates running for political office. The Press does not endorse either candidates or political parties, however, the Press is publishing the following statements, which were received by press time.

The Nebraska primary election is this Tuesday, May 9.)

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TRUSTED, EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP PROVEN FISCAL CONSERVATIVE Paid for by Stothert for Legislature

CANDIDATE FOR UNITED STATES SENATE PETE RICKETTS I have been wonderfully blessed by all this great state and nation have to offer and I want those same opportunities for my children and other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children and grandchildren. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I am asking you to send me to Washington to represent our Nebraska values.

Nebraskans tell me they want fiscal responsibility in their government. My experience at cutting spending and working with a large budget at Ameritrade is experience no other candidate in this race has. In the U.S. Senate, I will work to make the government more accountable to taxpayers. I will work to control spending, by ending earmarks or at the very least, limiting them. I will work to set priorities in the government, deciding between the â&#x20AC;&#x153;nice-to-havesâ&#x20AC;? and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;gottahavesâ&#x20AC;?. I will work to make President Bushâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tax relief permanent and promote a culture of fiscal responsibility.

Nebraskans want to strengthen agriculture with a 2007 Farm Bill that moves agriculture policy into the 21st century. I would work to include expanded crop revenue coverage, free and fair trade, and more rural economic development.

Nebraskans want a safer America--that means securing our borders to keep out the terrorists, drug smugglers, and illegal immigrants. We want affordable healthcare for all our citizens. I also support a complete overhaul of our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healthcare system.

Nebraskans and Americans want a strong foreign policy and we must work with our friends and allies if we want to secure peace in the Middle East. I am a strong supporter of the state of Israel and would not support cooperation with an organization that continues to call for the destruction of that state.

I ask for your vote, I welcome your support, and I will work tirelessly to earn your trust.

Discover more at www.osborneforgovernor.org.

I have experience leading and managing a highly successful organization. The people of Nebraska have seen me during good times and bad times--and I hope they have come to trust me to do the right thing.

For six years, I have served in Congress, dealing with virtually every issue facing Nebraska on a federal and state level.

I am accepting no contributions from special interest groups--and am limiting individual contributions to no more than $1000 for the primary. I want every Nebraskan to feel they have a say in the future of their state.

I want what you want--a Nebraska we can all be proud of. As Governor, that goal will guide every decision I make. I would appreciate your vote on May 9th.

CANDIDATES FOR THE NEBRASKA UNICAMERAL LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT #4 BRAD ASHFORD I have been blessed over the years to be able to have a career in the private sector as a lawyer and business owner and, at the same time, work on issues for our city and state. I learned about the importance of public service from my retailer grandfather, Otto Swanson. As owner of Nebraska Clothing for over 50 years, he also demonstrated a commitment to our community that has been memorialized by NCCJ with the Otto Swanson Humanitarian Award.

The people of Omaha are incredibly generous and involved citizens. We all do our part. I have found public service to be my avenue to help contribute. The greatest lesson I have learned in public life is that working together to solve problems is a far superior approach than positional politics. I am convinced that when the chips are down we can sit down, leave our egos at the door, and come up with solutions that help our community move forward.

The recent debate over LB 1024 highlights the importance of education to each of us. Though there is uncertainty as to the impact of LB 1024, what is certain is that the next Legislature will be making many of the critical decisions in the implementation of this law.

As I did as State Senator from 1987-95, I pledge to support the independence of all our community schools while addressing the unique needs of OPS and encouraging cooperation and collaboration.

There will be 20 new State Senators and nine new Committee Chairmen. I am running because during this uncertain time I believe I have the experience as a State Senator to help bring people together to solve issues like those in LB 1024. The issues to be faced by the next Legislature will not wait.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to vote on Tuesday, May 9

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA TOM OSBORNE One year ago, Nebraskans had the eighth highest tax burden in the nation. Today, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve moved up to sixth highest.

One year ago, our business tax climate ranked a dismal 35th in the nation. Today, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve dropped to 43rd.

State spending is increasing 14% over the next two years--more than $400 million. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s predicted that, in just three years, the state budget will operate at a deficit of more than a quarter billion dollars.

Clearly, politics as usual is not working for Nebraska.

As Governor, I will reduce state spending so Nebraskans can enjoy significant, sustainable tax relief.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start by bringing in the private sector to work with state agencies to review performance. The union representing the State employees has endorsed my candidacy.

They agree that we can improve government efficiency-and they are enthusiastic about helping me accomplish this objective.

I will also: â&#x20AC;˘ Fix our badly broken foster care system â&#x20AC;˘ Promote entrepreneurship â&#x20AC;˘ Create new bioscience initiatives â&#x20AC;˘ Develop a comprehensive strategy to attack underage drinking and meth

BARB VELINSKY You may have met me through my efforts at the United Way, where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked for nearly 35 years or through one of the many associated philanthropic organizations Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been involved with over the years here in Omaha. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m running for Legislature in District 4, an area of Southwest Omaha currently represented by a term-limited Senator--Kermit Brashear.

My campaign lists several reasons why I am the most qualified candidate running for Legislature in District 4: I have handled nearly 11 million dollars each year in disbursements through my work as the Director of Allocations and Agency Relations at the United Way of the Midlands.

Continued on page 23

May 5, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 23

Statements from Nebraska Political Candidates Continued from page 22 My husband, son and I started a family business seven years ago and have created over 60 full and part-time jobs here in Omaha alone.

I have lived in District 4 for more than 18 years, and both Frank and I are dedicated Nebraskans.

We are parents to two wonderful adult children. Jason works in the family business and our daughter, Renee, is finishing nursing school. We have always valued the importance of education, which is why I feel so honored to have the endorsement of the state teachers’ association.

The person who represents District 4 in Lincoln should be someone people can talk to, who will listen to these concerns, and someone who will work hard to earn their trust.

Right now, Nebraska faces several major crises. My priorities include education, health care, foster care and economic development. That’s why we need to send someone to Lincoln who’s handled issues like this before, someone who knows how to balance multiple major challenges, and someone who can make the right decisions. Today, Barb Velinsky is that person.

KERRY WINTERER I wish to thank the Jewish Press for providing this means for candidates to reach the Jewish community, especially those residents of LD 4. This newspaper is providing an invaluable service to the community and to the political process.

I am a lifelong Nebraskan and have lived in Omaha since 1975. My wife Norma and I have two children, Grant, age 16, and Martha, age 10. Like other

Nebraskans, I want to provide the best for my children, including educational and employment opportunities.

I chose to run for the legislature because this is an extremely important election for the state of Nebraska. Term limits will create twenty vacancies in the legislature, and we as voters must be concerned with who will fill those seats. The representative for District 4 must be able to “hit the ground running” to effectively represent the district from the day the next session opens.

AMERICA DECIDES 2006 And that is why this election is about leadership and ideas.

I have had significant leadership positions in a number of community organizations. I have started from scratch two companies and know firsthand what it is like to make a payroll and how government can both help and hinder business growth. I have been heavily involved in the political process and personally know many of our state’s leaders.

We need new ideas to deal with our state’s challenges. We need to review all state spending and re-prioritize what we can afford as a state; we cannot continue to increase spending at 7% per year. We need to review state government top to bottom to find ways to economize and reduce needless expense. We need to stop taxing people out of their homes and restructure our tax system to include adopt-

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LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 6 LYNNE ANDERSON I bring a human service and health care background to my candidacy for Legislature in District 6. The district’s current Senator, Pam Brown, is term-limited.

The only way to know that I haven’t lived in Omaha all my life is to listen for a little North Carolina in my accent. That’s where I grew up, one of 12 children on the family farm.

After high school, I received a scholarship to Duke University where I studied pre-med. I eventually transferred to Emory University, earning Bachelor and Masters degrees in nursing.

In 1976, after years of working as a nurse, I accepted a job as a clinical nurse specialist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where I worked until my retirement at the end of 2004. While at the Med Center, I co-authored 15 professional articles and made over 500 presentations on various health care topics.

Most importantly, I spent much time in the classroom and within the hospital teaching environment, shaping the minds of students and the future of Nebraska.

Now, I’m the candidate in this race who advocates for expanded medical research at UNMC. Being active in the Omaha community is nothing new to me. That’s why I was

invited to be a member of Senator Bob Kerrey’s task force to recommend bi-partisan health care reform. I currently sit on Gov. Heineman’s Commission, C.A.R.E.S., which focuses on cancer awareness, research, education and services.

I am also a businessperson. My husband, Paul, and I have owned Nebraska businesses; I understand the demands of business ownership.

I have two adult children, Andrew and Andrea. My son lives in Lincoln with his wife, Michelle, and my daughter Andrea and husband, David, live in Los Angeles with my grandchildren, Ava and Franklin James.

LEE MYERS Nebraska’s grand experiment with term limits will bring 20 new legislators into the next Nebraska legislature. Please consider sending someone into this new situation with life experiences from teaching to business, from rural to urban, from artistic to mundane, someone like 62year-old Lee Myers, currently executive director of Wisner Community Development and past president of Educational Software Institute.

I have been an active participant in the Nebraska Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. I am running in Legislative District Six, roughly from 72nd Street to 132nd Street between Pacific and Blondo (understand that political boundaries are not so neatly defined).

For me, volunteer time includes Mouth of the Platte Chapter on the Lewis & Clark Trail, Literacy Center of the Continued on page 24

VOTE JAY STODDARD N e b ra s k a S e c re t a r y o f S t a t e

Burt • Washington • Dodge • Saunders • Western Douglas

Vote

• Sarpy

Cuming • Thurston •

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Stu Dornan PO Box 24484 Omaha, NE 68124 • 933-0029

Tim Schram Public Service Commission

Paid for by Nebraskans for Tim Schram • 14602 S. 234th St, Gretna NE 68028

I am seeking the position of Nebraska Secretary of State for the following reasons: 1. To clean up our election process. Nebraska’s Campaign Limitation Act (CFLA) is only as good as it 1. is administered.

2. The form of Franking, with our money being used for politicians to praise themselves is improper 2. handling of “fine” money received by the Secretary of State and Attorney General offices. If they 2. want to run an ad, they should use their own funds.

3. Voting machines must be transparent with names of people handling software and verified by 3. experts, not just employees.

4. The Secretary of State’s main duty is handling the election process properly, keeping records of 4. ballots, and making certain people who are seeking office adhere to the rules. Every vote should be 4. counted properly (Voting Rights Act of 1965).

5. All of the persons working for the Secretary of State should be treated fairly and likewise treat the 5. public fairly (be happy in the workplace), and please at the job they are performing.

Paid for by Jay Stoddard for Nebraska Secretary of State

Page 24

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

Statements from Nebraska Political Candidates Continued from page 23 Midlands, Head Start Policy Council, TeamMates mentoring and the Nebraska Economic Developers Association. My wife, Barbara, and I have lived in District 6 for 21 years, where we raised three sons.

I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Montana State University followed by a Master of Arts degree in creative writing from San Francisco State University.

Since then I have had one hand in logic and one hand in creativity for many years--as a weekly newspaper editor and publisher, as the founder of a cattle breed magazine and founder of a statewide news magazine, and as a business manager for a farm/ranch direct marketing catalog and then Educational Software Institute.

My play--Killing Crazy Horse--will be performed at the Great Plains Theater Conference in Omaha in late May. With experiences from being a cowboy to being an urban father, from being a businessman to being an educator, from being a writer to being an economic developer, I will bring varied and deep experiences to the challenges of the 21st Century Nebraska legislature.

Burt • Washington • Dodge • Saunders • Western Douglas

Vote

AMERICA DECIDES 2006 SECRETARY OF STATE JAY STODDARD I am a candidate for the office of Secretary of State of Nebraska. This is a very, very important office to Nebraska citizens.

There is a myriad of responsibilities......Real Estate, Corporations, Pardons Board, Elections, Notary Public and the list goes on. The office is one of dignity, respect, and ethics... .and should be a family man with the full flavor and wisdom of living.

Secretary of State is how we appear to “Nebraskans”...and other States. The officer should be Nebraska’s best foot forward with that traditional Nebraska heritage of fairness and honesty.

Both Dorothy and I come from families who homesteaded in Nebraska. We have lived here all of our lives and have raised a great family.

I am looking forward to serving Nebraska with hard work, dignity, respect...yes....and with a bit of love and care for Nebraska, our home since birth.

I am seeking the position of Nebraska Secretary of State for the following reasons: 1. To clean up our election process. Nebraska’s Campaign Limitation Act (CFLA) is only as good as it is

administered.

2. The form of Franking, with our money being used for politicians to praise themselves is improper handling of “fine” money received by the Secretary of State and Attorney General offices. If they want to run an ad, they should use their own funds 3. Voting machines must be transparent with names of people handling software and verified by experts, not just employees.

4. The Secretary of State’s main duty is handling election process properly, keeping records of ballots, and making certain people who are seeking office adhere to the rules. Every vote should be counted properly (Voting Rights Act of 1965).

5. All of the persons working for the Secretary of State should be treated fairly and likewise treat the public fairly (be happy in the workplace), and pleased at the job they are performing.

I was born in Nebraska, and have never lived any other place. We have a “great family” and love Nebraska.

DOUGLAS COUNTY ATTORNEY STU DORNAN As your Douglas County Attorney, my first responsibility is to help create a safe environment to live, work, and raise a family. I have done this by aggressively prosecuting repeat offenders, and those involved with gangs, guns, and dangerous drugs.

By creatively using existing resources, grant funding, and by partnering with government and the private sector, I have helped create programs that protect our community and save money. Examples include programs that are alternatives to incarceration for mentally ill or drug addicted offenders who wish to break the cycle of recidivism.

I have always managed your tax dollars wisely. My office has been under budget each year I have been Douglas County Attorney.

As a former FBI Special Agent I know law enforcement officers work hard to investigate and arrest criminals. I work well with them, and have supported legislaContinued on page 25

• Sarpy

Cuming • Thurston •

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT #12 JEAN STOTHERT I decided to run for the Nebraska Legislature because I believe we should all give back to our community based on our skills and interests. This is the same reason I first ran for the Millard School Board where I have been privileged to serve the past eight years.

Educating our youth in a challenging and safe environment will continue to be important to me. My focus will also be to reduce taxes and make government much more efficient. To reduce taxes, we will need to grow and diversify our state’s economy.

The current trend in increased state spending is not sustainable. I have the experience of helping to manage a large school district budget and I will put that experience to work as your State Senator.

I will also draw on my 12 years of experience as a critical care nurse and nursing manager in developing solu-

tions to Nebraska’s toughest issues. My nursing background has given me great perspective when dealing with issues of poverty, education, and healthcare. You can understand the struggle many in society face when you witness it firsthand, and I have.

Finally, I support keeping our suburban school districts separate while striving for educational excellence for all our students regardless of where they live.

Thank you for considering my interest in serving you in Lincoln--I would be honored to have your vote.

Tim Schram Public Service Commission

G O V E R N O R D AV E H E I N E M A N

The only Republican candidate for governor endorsed by:

paid for by Nebraskans for Schram • 14602 S. 234th St, Gretna NE 68028

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Tom Riley Douglas,County Public Defender Tom Cavanaugh,Douglas County Clerk Fred Conley,Papio-Missouri NRD Mark Martinez,Omaha Public School Board Dr.Everette Reynolds-Past President Omaha NAACP Dr.Jim Ramirez Educator,Community Leader John Barrientos,South Omaha Businessman Willie Hamilton Founder,Black Men United

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Statements from Nebraska Political Candidates Continued from page 23 tion to protect officers in the performance of their duties.

As a husband and father of nine children, I understand the issues we face in raising kids to be the next generation of leaders and good citizens. That’s why, as Douglas County Attorney, I have led the way with initiatives that touch our youth.

By assessing the needs of troubled youth and struggling parents in a timely manner, we are getting them back on the right track, right away. In partnership with the medical community and law enforcement we have sent officers, doctors, and prosecutors into classrooms to help fifth graders make good decisions about avoiding crime and peer pressure.

Prior to being your Douglas C o u n t y Attorney, I was elected to the District 66 School Board. During my tenure there, I learned the importance of being responsive to the community which I serve. I am committed to continuing to serve you responsibly and responsively, and I ask for your vote on May 9 and Nov. 7, 2006.

DOUGLAS COUNTY ASSESSOR ROGER MORRISSEY I believe property tax fairness remains the top issue as he runs for his third term as the Douglas County Assessor.

First and foremost, nobody should pay more than their fair share in property taxes. We have made great progress in equalizing valuations in the pursuit of fairness. This is not the time to turn the clock back.

Advances in technology and changes in state regulations would make it difficult to comply with state law if a county tried to return to assessment practices of the past. All taxpayers benefit when valuations are accurate and fair.

My office works hard to make valuation infor mation available to the general p u b l i c through the office and via the Internet.

The eight-year incumbent is a graduate of Creighton University and holds professional memberships in the International Association of Assessing Officers, Omaha Area Board of Realtors, Nebraska Realtors Association and the Appraisal Institute.

I am a Nebraska Certified General Appraiser, and am the only candidate in the race with professional fee appraisal experience.

I am particularly proud of the efforts of retired business and community leaders who have volunteered each year to help elderly and disabled homeowners with the annual application process for the homestead exemption program.

I have the experience not just in the Assessor’s office, but also through my prior career as an appraiser in the private sector. During the past two terms, we believe the Assessor’s office has demonstrated a commitment to a process that is fair. We have worked with the media, citizens organizations, and through our website to educate taxpayers about assessments. We have also reached out with volunteers to expand access to homestead exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners.

CANDIDATE FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT TRISH LANPHIER It may not be the most glamorous of elected positions, but the Douglas County Clerk of the District Court is an important office. That’s why I decided to run.

The duties of the Clerk of the District Court are to facilitate the filing of court documents, keep records for child support, and collect child support payments, and manage the selection of jurors.

A commitment to new technology defines my bid for Douglas County Clerk of the District Court. Incumbent Clerk Rudy Tesar is not running for re-election.

This is a partisan office and I am seeking the Democratic nomination.

I’m excited about our campaign. I’m eminently qualified. As systems coordinator for the Treasurer’s office, I’ve been heavily involved in all the updates in the Treasurer’s office and would like to take that experience to the Clerk of the District Court office.

Prior to working in the Treasurer’s office the past 10 years, I served five years in the office of Douglas County Clerk Tom Cavanaugh.

Continued on page 26

Page 25

2006 America Decides The Nebraska Primary

Experience Counts ✓ Lifelong Resident of Omaha ✓ Graduate of Westside High School✓ Hall of Fame Inductee (2004) ✓ Family Owned Business✓ Nebraska Clothing (since 1896) ✓ Qwest Center Board✓ Founding Member

Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, May 9

DOUGLAS COUNTY ATTORNEY DON KLEINE I am Don Kleine and I am running for the elected position of Douglas County Attorney.

Public safety is the paramount concern of the County Attorney. I grew up in Douglas County, raised my family here, and devoted much of my professional career to making our community a safer place. My 18 years as a state prosecutor and former Chief Deputy, Douglas County Attorney illustrate my proven record of being Tough on Crime.

As a public servant, I have worked with Republicans and Democrats, and used taxpayer dollars in the most efficient manner to achieve our goal of a safer community.

The public wants to keep dangerous criminals off the streets, is concerned with convicted sex offenders, and therefore demands an experienced prosecutor to protect our families. My experience gives me the unique ability to lead this office. I have personally prosecuted some of our communities’ most dangerous criminals in over 125 jury trials in Douglas County.

I have become a leading expert in DNA prosecutions and have been trained in both international and domestic terrorism investigations. As Chief of the Criminal Bureau for the Nebraska Department of Justice, I worked with the Legislature in creating the ability to prosecute on-line computer predators, to allow for electronic tracking of sex offenders, and in providing stiffer penalties for those who commit crimes against our children.

The position of Douglas County Attorney is but one office in the public safety arena. The County Attorney must have a close working relationship with local law enforcement.

I have earned the trust of law enforcement and have been endorsed by: the Omaha Police Officer’s Union, the Deputy Douglas County Sheriff’s Union, and law enforcement unions in Elkhorn, Ralston, and Boys Town.

I would appreciate your support. Learn more at www.votedonk.com.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

✓ Omaha Housing Authority✓ Executive Director ✓ Omaha State Senator, 1987-1995 ✓ Married, to Ann ✓ Three children: John, Ellie and Tom

Paid for by the Ashford for Legislature Committee 7926 Shirley Street, Omaha, NE 68124

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

2006 America Decides The Nebraska Primary

A NEW LEADER, A NEW VISION A NEW NEBRASKA

Statements from Nebraska Political Candidates Continued from page 23 I want to preserve the professionalism, the courtesies and the graciousness that are hallmarks of the office.

Rudy Tesar has exhibited respect for the process, respect for the judiciary, respect for jurors and attorneys. I want to follow in his good footsteps and add my expertise to the business process and automation.

I will work to establish electronic access to public documents and create web-based systems for recording and filing legal documents. Technology and efficient service will continue to be priorities in my work for the taxpayers of Douglas County.

www.DAVENABITY.com

Paid for by Nabity for Governor 9140 W. Dodge Rd., Ste. 100, Omaha, NE 68114

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DOUGLAS COUNTY TREASURER JOHN EWING Fiscal integrity and accountability will be the hallmark of the Douglas County Treasurerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office under my leadership. I have a proven track record of managing the financial affairs of the Omaha Police Department, Habitat for Humanity-Omaha, the Siena/Francis House, Girls Inc. Omaha, and the Morning Star Baptist Church.

I have 17 years of supervisory experience in a very dynamic organization and over a decade of experience leading the boards of non-profit organizations. I will utilize the experience I have gained to lead the Treasurerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office to the next level. I will empower the employees to provide quality service to the citizens of Douglas County. please vote for John Ewing for Douglas County Treasurer.

DISTRICT #66 SCHOOL BOARD ROSIE ZWEIBACK In 2004, I was elected to fill a two-year term on the Westside Community Schools Board of Education. It

has been a wonderful experience: an opportunity to work with talented professionals, to meet involved community members, and--most of all--to improve the lives of our youth. My professional experiences as a middle school/high school teacher, college admissions officer at my alma mater Princeton University, and building community at Temple Israel have all been invaluable to my service on the school board.

During my tenure, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve strongly supported and contributed to: â&#x20AC;˘ Nebraskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first one-to-one laptop initiative, bringing an essential 21st Century tool to ALL 2,000 high school students in the District. â&#x20AC;˘ The transfer of staff and students from the overcrowded Underwood Hills to the newly renovated Westbrook--a large former middle school with amazing facilities. â&#x20AC;˘ The opening of the Westside Boys & Girls Club at Westbrook Elementary providing affordable and exciting after-school programming for 780 children.

The unicameral recently created a new model for public education in Douglas and Sarpy County by creating a â&#x20AC;&#x153;learning communityâ&#x20AC;?. Leaders in education from 11 school districts must work together to share funds, increase integration and set new standards for excellence in education. I look forward to contributing fresh ideas to this cooperative effort.

District 66 has led the state in educational innovation with outstanding results. As a graduate of Westside Schools and as a parent of three children in the district, I am acutely aware of what it takes to meet the needs of all of our learners and give them the very best opportunity to develop into confident successful adults.

On May 9, I ask for your vote as I run for re-election to the Westside Community Schools Board of Education.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good government is about checks and balances and Douglas County taxpayers deserve responsible, accountable leadership.â&#x20AC;? John Ewing

John Ewing for Douglas County Treasurer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; P.O. Box 31027 - Omaha, NE 68131 For more campaign information call: (402) 706-7594 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.johnewingfortreasurer.com

May 5, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 27

A First-Time Israeli Voter JOURNAL ENTRY FROM ISRAEL

by TEDDY WEINBERGER Before I get to what my son Nathan has to say about his experience as a firsttime voter, here are a few of my own comments about the election of the 17th Knesset: For an American in Israel, one is especially struck by the multiplicity of political parties. A whopping total of 31 parties ran for the Knesset, and one dozen of these were predicted to cross the electoral threshold (meaning that they should have received at least 2% of the total number of votes cast, which will be about 65,000 votes).

Each party receives state funds. The streets are littered with posters and flyers for most of these parties--as opposed to America, where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s odd to come across advertisements by a candidate who isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a Democrat or a Republican.

Because each party has access to government-sponsored media advertisements, you may have the unusual experience of listening to an ad from one of the major parties, followed by, for example, one from the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Party for the Struggle with the Banks.â&#x20AC;?

The money spent on these elections filters down to the little man or woman--or girl in the case of my 15-year-old daughter Ruthie, who worked for 12 hours for the Likud Party.

Wearing a Likud hat and shirt, Ruthie handed out flyers in the Baka section of Jerusalem. She earned NIS 250 (about

$55) and received lunch. If you have protekzia (connections), adults can earn quadruple this as stateemployed poll workers.

Plus, you do not have to take off from work to earn this money, since election day is officially a â&#x20AC;&#x153;shabbatonâ&#x20AC;? (sabbatical) and workplaces are closed.

Despite the parliamentary electoral sys-

Okay, I guess itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for the comments of my son Nathan, who turned 18 this past December: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something many of us have heard during different periods of our lives: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This will be a great experience.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; From our first time using the grownup toilet, our bar/bat mitzvahs, our first job babysitting three little kids â&#x20AC;Ś Tell me, what is the great experience in watching three screaming kids destroy a house?

Nathan and Teddy Weinberger tem in Israel, people insist on personalizing the elections. Many people think in terms of voting for Olmert, Peretz, or Netanyahu. To me, it makes much more sense (especially with good pre-election political polls) to think whether or not you want your vote to usher in, say, the 20th person on Laborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s list or the 36th person on Kadimaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s list.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;And now, in between driving, legally drinking, and army service, comes voting.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right folks: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m at that lovely age of 18. I can drink, I can drive, I can have affairs with 30-year-old women, and I can vote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The thing is, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not as excited about voting as I am about driving, for instance.

I find myself wondering why. After all, I will be voicing my opinion, the state actu-

ally wants to hear what I have to say, I am taking part in one of the most fundamental democratic procedures, so why then am I not more excited? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recent polls in Israel, which forecast a turnout of only 60% of eligible voters (down from 68.9% in the last Knesset elections of 2003), clearly hint that I am not the only one who isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too thrilled to be voting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many Israelis feel frustrated over the lack of a representative of their opinions.

And the truth is, I feel the same way. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a right-winger when it comes to security issues, but we will not get into that. I am also extremely left wing in terms of social and environmental issues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is not one single party that fits my beliefs. Those that are right wing on security issues are right wing socially, and those that are left socially are always left on security issues. A perfect lose-lose situation for me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why do these things always happen to me? There is a party with communist roots, a party that is publicly promoting legalizing marijuana, why not a party that fits all of my opinions? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why did Cheney shoot his pal? Some questions will never be answered. Not without torture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe one day a party that suits me will form. Until then, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably have to vote for someone.â&#x20AC;?

Teddy Weinberger and his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, made aliyah with their five children (include Nathan).

They live in Givat Zeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ev. Weinberger can be reached via e-mail at: weinross@netvision.net.il.

!S AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE .EBRASKA #HAPTER OF !MERICANS 5NITED FOR THE 3EPARATION OF #HURCH AND 3TATE ) ASK FOR YOUR VOTE IF YOU LIVE IN $ISTRICT ND 3TREET TO ND 3TREET BETWEEN 0ACIlC AND "LONDO 0LEASE VOTE IN THE -AY PRIMARYY AS lVE CANDIDATES WILL BE REDUCED TO TWO RUNNING IN THE .OVEMBER ELECTION /R ) ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT FROM WHEREVER YOU LIVE

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Paid for by Don Kleine for Douglas County Attorney

Page 28

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

The Voters Speak Though democracy is spreading around the globe, voters don’t always get the results they want. Just look at Iran, where they have a crazy man as president--someone who calls for the destruction of Israel and boasts about using nuclear weapons. And Palestinians voted this year, too--but look who they got; now the terrorist organization Hamas is in charge.

So what’s a voter to do?

In America, that’s an easy answer. Read up on candidates in newspapers (like our section in this week’s issue) and attend forums.

Research their positions on their websites and in their literature; and talk to your friends and neighbors. You’ll find out where candidates stand on foreign policy, relations with Israel, healthcare issues from stem-cell research to reproductive rights, religion and state issues, education, taxes and more.

Here at least, voters won’t find terrorists in charge (though some on the extreme have labeled President George Bush as such), nor will you find crazies in positions of authority (though others would argue that some of our congressional representatives could use some mental health tips).

America is a true democracy. In some places, like District 66, for example, candidates even appear before a crowd of voters to be nominated and seconded at its biennial caucus.

They then put forward their position on issues of importance in the Westside school district.

And in Iowa, nominees to the state’s political conventions are chosen by caucus, as well, often in living rooms, cafes and community centers around the state.

This method really harkens back to true grassroots democracy, when candidates were neighbors and business associates, not professional politicians funded by wealthy political action committees. With the cost of advertising, printing and mailing today (not to mention consulting and polling), there’s no way candidates can avoid the trap of fundraising.

One only has to look at Nebraska’s guberna-

torial matchup and the dollars raised by the three candidates to understand the cost of running a campaign today.

Regardless of the petty bickering, the influence of lobbyists and PACs, and the barrage of advertising (which we might add is good for our business!), the end result is pretty impressive. Every other year, candidates run for office. Some are returned; some get ousted.

New faces emerge and others are voted out of office. And it’s all done without shedding blood. No armies have to guard voting booths (as they have in places like Iran, Iraq, the Palestinian Territories, in the days of the USSR, and behind the Iron Curtain before 1989). There are no coups in America; no candidates are beheaded or shot. Political parties are not banned and voices are not quieted.

They voted in Israel, too, at the end of March. Though former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon still lies in a coma, his Kadima Party, led by Ehud Olmert, did win the March 28 election. And Olmert--now Prime Minister--is busy putting his coalition together. As Israel-though a young democracy to be sure--celebrates its 58th year of its current existence, it, too, like the U.S., carries out its responsibilities regardless of who’s in power.

The Jewish community once had the highest percentage of voters among minority groups. It appears that we may have dropped down the list, as young people may not be following in their parents’ footsteps. Voting is more than a right and a privilege; it’s an obligation.

So we at the Jewish Press would like to suggest the following...come this fall, when the National Council of Jewish Women inserts their biennial Candidates’ Questionnaire, please do more than give it a cursory glance.

When NCJW sponsors a candidates’ forum, please attend.

Breadbreakers has hosted a number of candidates this spring--and the Press has covered them all. This fall, Breadbreakers will surely host them again, as the field is narrowed down after next Tuesday’s primary. Everyone is welcome to attend the group’s weekly Wednesday luncheons at Regency Lodge; they’re free and open to the entire community.

We’d like to make one more suggestion and we hope one of the community’s Jewish organizations will take this on as a project: a voter registration drive, aimed at newcomers and young people especially. Manning a table at the JCC a few days every month between now and Nov. 7 should accomplish the goal.

So--two dates to remember: Tuesday, May 9, and Sunday, May 14. One’s for your country--the other’s for your mom!

Jews Who Fled Arab Countries Take Campaign to European Union

FOCUS ON ISSUES

by JOEL CLARK BRUSSELS (JTA)--Jews who fled Arab countries following the creation of the State of Israel have taken their demands for restitution to the European Union.

More than 20 delegates from Jewish communities in seven countries gathered in Brussels earlier this year under the auspices of the International Rights and Redress Campaign, meeting members of the European Parliament to discuss their demands.

The global campaign aims to raise international awareness of the heritage of Jewish refugees from Arab countries and to document human rights violations and loss of assets.

The campaign’s official launch had been due to take place during Passover, but the sudden incapacitation of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in January and Israeli elections delayed the launch until November.

Organizers hope to bring worldwide attention to the issue in November through media, politics and education.

The campaign was launched by the U.S.based Justice for Jews from Arab Countries, in conjunction with the World Organization of Jews from Arab Countries.

“We want to underscore the fact that Jews were also victims of the Arab-Israeli conflict and should be recognized as such,” said Stanley Urman, the campaign’s director. “It’s an injustice to recognize one victim population but not another.”

At least 850,000 Jews lived in Arab countries in 1948, but fewer than 8,000 remained by 2001. Two-thirds were absorbed into Israel, while some moved elsewhere.

Most fled or were forced to leave their homes after the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, receiving little or no compensation from Arab governments for their considerable assets.

The campaign seeks to register all these refugees and to preserve their testimony at a special unit of Israel’s Justice Ministry.

...the campaign was focusing for now on securing international recognition that there were Jewish refugees from the Arab world, and that human rights violations took place.

Organizers are targeting the United States, Russia, United Nations and European Union - the four members of the diplomatic “Quartet” working for Israeli-Palestinian peace -- to put the issue on the international agenda before the campaign is officially launched.

Frederique Ries, a member of the European Parliament, met delegates in Brussels on Monday and said she would work to put the issue on the E.U. agenda.

“Although this was not a new issue to me, most” Parliament members “will be unaware

that there were in fact more Jewish refugees than Palestinian refugees,” Ries said. “This is a question of justice, and I welcome the representations that have been made to put this on the agenda.”

Urman said the campaign was focusing for now on securing international recognition that there were Jewish refugees from the Arab world, and that human rights violations took place.

Next month, a bipartisan resolution will be proposed to both houses of Congress requiring all U.S. officials to make references to Jewish refugees alongside Palestinian refugees whenever the issue is raised in international settings.

Organizers have held preliminary talks with Russia and are hoping to meet Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the near future.

Nessim Hamaoui, who was forced to leave Egypt in 1958, traveled to Brussels from his home in Sao Paulo.

“I’m here not just for myself, but for the 1 million other Jews who were expelled from their homelands after 1948,” Hamaoui told JTA. “We had our homes, our hopes and our dreams there. All that vanished, and it’s time to bring justice to the refugees.”

The International Rights and Redress Campaign is supported by Jewish communities in 33 countries.

Julien Klener, president of the Consistoire, an umbrella organization for religious Belgian Jews, welcomed the meeting in Brussels.

“Somehow the existence and history of Jewish refugees has been forgotten over time, and the Palestinian issue has been overstressed,” he said.

(Founded in 1920) Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Terri Greenwood Advertising Executive Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; David Herzog; Jamie Meyerson; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joe Shyken; Michael Siegal; Nancy Skid; Dorothy Spizman; and Melany Weinstine.

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May 5, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 29

For One Activist, Darfur Stories Underscore Need for Urgent Action

LETTER TO THE

EDITOR

Stunned by her account, I urged Suad to tell it to the church pastor to underscore the significance of the talk he’d be hosting. In his office, Suad solemnly repeated her testimony and implored his help. Tears broke through her dignity. She daubed them on her wrap.

Later, I apologized to Amira that she had not had time to address the pastor as well. Amira told me she had a brother in Darfur who has been missing for two years. He was pressed into the military, and the family fears the worst. Her husband’s ancestral village was destroyed, and one of his young cousins died when the Janjaweed tossed him into a burning building.

“But it’s OK,” Amira said, her eyes burning. “Another time. We all have stories like that.”

I couldn’t help thinking what an unlikely midwife I was to be bringing these various communities together. As a recently retired religion editor, I do have good connections in both religion and media circles. After attending a powerful talk on Darfur and hearing a call for help in organizing a multi-city speaking tour, I had decided to volunteer my services, figuring I could use my connections to get good venues and good press. It paid off for Suad, Amira and others in the coalition.

Beyond that, though, it’s an odd coupling. I’m a WASP with absolutely no family experience of persecution, let alone genocide. Jews and Darfuris have an automatic affinity, but my ancestors, being a mix of New

“make a

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Sunday, May 7 1-5 p.m.

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400 North Happy Hollow Boulevard / Omaha, Nebraska

402.556.3772 / brownell.edu

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EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Monday, May 29, for Memorial Day, and Friday, June 2 for Shavuot. The deadlines for ads, articles and photos are at noon as follows: Issue Deadline June 2 Wednesday, May 24 June 9 Wednesday, May 31

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To the Editor: I have just finished reading the Passover Edition of the Jewish Press. I read it slowly. I continue to be impressed by the caliber of young people being raised and educated in Omaha, Nebraska. They are talented, smart and committed to Judaism.

I, too, raised successful children in the Omaha community. Unfortunately, they now live in other cities, but they are all totally committed to living strong Jewish lives, in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., and Nagoya, Japan.

It isn’t always easy to celebrate the holidays without close family nearby, and even access to matza, let alone a Jewish community, but they do. They certainly attribute their individual successes and pride in being Jewish to the relationships that were established for them during their school years in Omaha.

How often have I heard, “Are there Jews in Omaha?”

Yes, there are and with the generation that is growing in Omaha now, there will always be a vital, strong Jewish community.

Thank you for another wonderful issue.

Marcia Cohen

Feeling forsaken by the world and nearly invisible to the American public around them, they are crying out for action as best they can, and are greatly comforted by expressions of support.

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PHILADELPHIA (JTA --“It looks like Arabic... only upside down.”

Suad Mansour and Amira Tibin’s eyes danced: They had never seen Hebrew before. Both are from Darfur, Muslim-born expatriates from that agonized war zone of Sudan. They are well-educated and articulate, but utterly new to Judaism.

As they stood in the synagogue lobby, clad in traditional Sudanese wraps and headscarves, they cocked their heads and remarked on the oddly familiar lettering on the wall. Smiling, they moved on.

I was escorting the two women one day in early April as we paid visits to two churches and an elegant Reform temple in suburban Philadelphia. The congregations were among five that had agreed to host community-wide talks that our grassroots Darfur Alert Coalition was organizing.

We were making courtesy calls to assess the various sanctuaries, meet the clergy and impress on people the urgency of the African crisis. The purpose of the speaking tour was to let American audiences hear directly from Darfuri activists. These visits would give the hosts an advance taste of that.

At the same time, for the bridge-building to be durable, we all had to be open to learning from one another. In that spirit, Suad and Amira were thrilled to leaf through the prayerbooks and be invited onto the temple’s bima for an impromptu primer on the Torah.

As the administrator opened the ark and unrolled the magnificent scroll, the two women tiptoed up and watched silently. When he held up the pointer for them, a silver yad, Amira exclaimed, “Yad! Of course, the hand!

Yad means hand in Arabic, too.”

It was a precious encounter. I glowed with thoughts of Suad and Amira returning home to tell their families about their insights into Judaism, and about the warm welcome the staff had given them.

Receptions of this sort are immeasurably important.

Beneath their cultural reserve, Darfuris in the diaspora suffer in despair over the genocide that has devastated their homeland and claimed so many of their extended family members.

Feeling forsaken by the world and nearly invisible to the American public around them, they are crying out for action as best they can, and are greatly comforted by expressions of support.

This was driven home to me during the drive to our next stop that day, an African-American mega-church in

Amsterdam Dutchmen and Protestant Brits, were historically on the side of persecutors. I know, from old family letters and insinuated comments, that my family has held nativist and other prejudiced views down through the generations.

Fortunately, one of my grandmothers broke the mold.

A schoolteacher in New York a century ago, she taught waves of new immigrant children, visited their tenements and--shocking for her breeding--befriended and socialized with their parents.

Decades later, as a Sunday schoolmarm in my hidebound hometown, she determinedly exposed us Methodist children to the local Catholic church, the synagogue and the nearby migrant worker shanties. Though it scandalized some, it broadened the world for me. It may explain why I married a Jew, and why I have become a fellow traveler with Darfuri expatriates.

Like her, I seem to be drawn to work along the borders.

In any case, I know much that I do is in her memory.

But how I wish she had imbued me with more emotional armor. As I run head-on into the sufferings of Darfur, I am bowed. People with histories of enduring persecution perhaps have developed defense mechanisms to strengthen themselves and cope; I have not.

I felt this full-force when, in the middle of the Darfur speaking tour, I took a night off to attend our synagogue’s interfaith Freedom Seder. Knowing of my Darfur work, the rabbi asked me to make a few comments about the Darfur crisis as a case of modern-day oppression.

I could barely speak. Facing a roomful of friendly Jews and black Baptists, I was overwhelmed. I struggled to tell them how 500 Darfuris--four times our seder crowd --are dying every day. How women and children are not collateral damage but targets. How, at one of our talks, cell phones rang as Darfuris in the room received reports from home of fresh atrocities.

My pained, lip-quivering performance drove home for me just how much the Darfuris, for better or worse, have gotten under my thin skin.

I’ve continued to work with them on coalition business and enjoyed their company socially, at dinners and even a Sudanese wedding. I also arranged for 38 of them to travel to last Sunday’s Washington rally aboard our synagogue's three-bus caravan, a journey that featured a special teach-in.

May other people of good will join the movement-and handle the intensity with more aplomb than I manage.

The public support is there now; I only hope it’s not fleeting. The Jewish community, to its great credit, has been out front on behalf of Darfuris. It’s a natural for deepening its ties with them in an ongoing way.

The Darfuris need it--and Lord knows, they deserve it.

Jim Remsen recently retired as religion editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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BEHIND THE H EADLINES

by JIM REMSEN

Philadelphia. I was traveling with Suad. Being relatively new to the Darfur coalition, I didn't know her well and began asking about her family.

Eyes cast downward in the Sudanese custom, Suad began a grim recitation. Her family’s ancestral village is no more, incinerated at the hands of the Janjaweed, the government-backed Arab militia. Her father was imprisoned for killing a marauder who tried to plunder their home.

One of her uncles has gone mute, traumatized by the horrors he witnessed. Three of her older sisters are living in displaced persons camps, struggling to keep their families safe.

Unlike her sisters, Suad left village life years earlier to attend university. She became an accomplished administrator, creating a program to train and empower women displaced by the recent war in southern Sudan. As relief organizations began to honor her and fund her work, she was targeted by government security forces and fled the country.

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Page 30

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

Candlelighting Friday, May 5, 8:08 p.m.

Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, May 12: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with storytellers Marcy and Anna Cotton. The community is invited.

Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org

Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.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 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org

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.tiferethlincoln.org

If you’re looking at this space, so are others!

YOUR AD CAN GO HERE...

to reserve space, call

Allan Handleman, 334.6451, or Terri Greenwood, 334.6559.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m., in the chapel; Scholar-in-residence weekend features Rabbi Jack Riemer, who will explore “What Is the Most Difficult Mitzvah in the Torah to Keep?” at a special Shabbat dinner. Open to the community. For information, contact the office.

SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; D’var Torah presented by Rabbi Reimer; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; K’tantan (K-2), 10:45 a.m.; until August, these will be the last session of the school year; Tot Shabbat, 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush lunch, sponsored by Beth El, features Rabbi Riemer on “David, Bathsheba and Woody Allen”; Evening Service, 8:20 p.m.

SUNDAY BRUNCH: 10 a.m., Rabbi Riemer will discuss ethical wills. Open to the community; no charge. Courtesy reservations are requested by calling the office.

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

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY: Bible Discussion Group, Living Hebrew, and Nashir Choir, 10 a.m.; Jewish Pot Pourri Class, and Adult Torah Trope Class and From Your Heart to G-d’s Ears, 11 a.m.

PATTER: Wednesdays, 10:30 -11:45 a.m., for parents and toddlers, 18 months to age three.

THURSDAYS, noon: Rabbi Levin leads Discovering the Talmud.

JEWISH ARCHITECTURE CLASS: Mini-course on the history of Jewish religious architecture on Wednesdays, May 10, 24 and 31, 7-8 p.m. Open to the Jewish community; cost is $18.

To register, contact Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha.org.

FOURTH GRADE MOCK WEDDING: Wednesday, May 10, 5 p.m.

BESTT GRADUATION/

TEACHER APPRECIATION SHABBAT: Saturday, May 13, during Shabbat services.

LAG B’OMER FAMILY PICNIC: Monday, May 15, 6:15-8 p.m. at Zorinsky Lake, Shelter #4. Adults $6.50; kids 12 and under, $4.50. For reservations, contact the office.

Cooking Club, 9:30 a.m.; Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; Torah Tots (ages 35), 4:15 p.m.

All events and programs are open to the community. For information or to register, call 330.1800 or visit www.Ochabad.com.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

CONGREGATION Monday- B’NAI JESHURUN

Office Hours: Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by Margie Alperson in honor of the aufruf of Joel Alperson and his engagement to Dr. Daphna Pollack; Mincha, 8:15 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:14 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Contact the office for Mincha/ Ma’ariv time.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m; Contact the office for Mincha/Ma’ariv time.

WEDNESDAY: Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gross, noon at Beth Israel. “What does my Ketubah say, anyway?” Lunch of tuna salad, bagels and soup will be served for $5. Please make a reservation for lunch with the office; Advanced Parshah class, 9 p.m.

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Learners’ Minyan, 7:30 p.m.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon in honor of Rosh Chodesh follows the service.

SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.; Chabad Cheder and Aleph Champ, 10 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Halacha, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY: Women of Worth Prayer Circle, 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Spice & Spirit

Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

FRIDAY: Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m., with snack provided by Merliss Family, 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY: Bat Mitzvah for Mimi Merliss, 10 a.m.

SUNDAY: Temple Spring Outdoor Clean-up, 9 a.m.-noon; Gan Simcha, grades 2-7 and Hallah High, 9:30 a.m.-noon, at Tifereth Israel; K-1 is 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at B’nai Jeshurun; Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration, 12:30 p.m. at the JCC in Omaha. For information, contact Rachel Blum, 402.334.6404 or rblum@ jccomaha.org; WEDNESDAY: Hebrew class (grades 2-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Board of Trustees, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Saratoga School Food Distribution Program, 4:30 p.m.

The Social Action Committee encourages you to help distribute food to those in need at Saratoga Elementary School on the second Thursday of each month; Lincoln Interfaith Council presents Dean Jacob’s “Many Paths--One Journey”, 7:30 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 4530 A St.; Cost $5 from LIC or at the door.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel.

THURSDAY, 7 p.m. Kabblah and Jewish Mysticism, led by Rabbi Emanuel (second and fourth Thursdays of the month).

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Rabbi Azriel, and Cantor Shermet will lead this service; Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m.; Rabbi Craig Marantz will lead the service. Cost for the dinner is $5 for adults and children eat for free.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; Grade Six Students will lead the service.

SUNDAY: Teacher Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Religious School (K-6), 10 a.m.-noon.

TUESDAY, May 9: Family School and Dinner, 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, May 3: Religious School (3-6), 4 p.m.; Last day of Middle/High School (712), 6:30 p.m. (Out of Building) ADULT EDUCATION WEDNESDAY, May 10: Jewish Journey Group, 7-8:30 p.m. Look at how new models can reveal fresh insights with the help from the paperback, Lifting the Veil--Hidden Judaism Revealed by Steven Evans.

THURSDAY, May 11: Adult Study with the Clergy with Rabbi Azriel, 10-11:30 a.m.

SENATOR CHUCK HAGEL Tuesday, May 9, 6 p.m. in the Friedman Social Hall. (See full article on page 16.)

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Royi Shaffin. Minyan, MONDAY & THURSDAY, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. with dessert following.

SATURDAY: Bat Mitzvah for Mimi Merliss, 10 a.m. at South Street Temple.

SUNDAY: Gan Simcha, Grades 2-7 and Hallah High, 9:30 a.m.noon, at Tifereth Israel; K-1 is 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at B’nai Jeshurun; Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration, 12:30-4:30 p.m. at JCC in Omaha.

WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066.

WEDNESDAY: Hebrew class (grades 2-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

B’NAI MITZVAH Alison Elizabeth Slosburg, daughter of Martha and David Slosburg, will become a Bat Mitzvah Saturday, May 13, at Temple Israel.

Ali is a seventh grade Distinguished Scholar Honor Roll student at Westside Middle School.

She was chosen to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

Her interests include playing piano and violin. She enjoys snow skiing, tennis, summer camp, and traveling.

For her mitzvah project, Ali volunteered for the Special Olympics, working with the athletes at competitions.

Ali has two younger sisters, Libby and Kate, and an older brother, Joe, and a younger brother, Max. Grandparents are Barbara and Edwin Gorelick, Stanley J. Slosburg and the late Eleanor Slosburg.

Cameron Stern, son of Cynthia Shafer-Stern and John Stern, will

become a Bar Mitzvah at the Minha/Ma’ariv service on Saturday, May 13, 8:25 p.m., at Beth El. A reception follows the ceremony.

Cameron is a seventh grader at Lewis and Clark Middle School. He was selected to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program. He participated in swim team, and plays saxophone in the school band and jazz band.

His interests include snow, wake, and skateboarding, playing guitar, piano, saxophone and drums, boat-

ing, swimming, bowling, archery, music, computers, and summers at Camp Sabra. This summer he will travel to Phoenix, to participate in boys swimming and bowling with the 2006 JCC Maccabi Games.

For his mitzvah project, Cameron volunteered at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Cameron has an older sister, Lydia.

Grandparents are Marie and Don Shafer, Carolyn (Rocky) Stern, and the late Arnold Stern. Great-grandmother is the late Naomi Cohn.

May 5, 2006

Guests Enlightened at Annual Brooks Ministers Institute

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank you for the day. I think the subject was very relevant,â&#x20AC;? commented one of the ministers who attended Temple Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 66th Annual Rabbi Sidney H. and Jane Brooks Institute on Judaism for Christian Clergy in April. Rabbi David Fox Sandmel, Ph.D., of K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Congregation in Chicago and the Crown-Ryan Professor of Jewish Studies at the Catholic Theological Union, was the guest lecturer. His topic was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jews and Christians: Speaking the Truth to Each Other.â&#x20AC;?

In the morning, Rabbi Sandmel spoke about â&#x20AC;&#x153;Passover as a Point of Conflict and Contact Between Jews and Christians.â&#x20AC;?

It was â&#x20AC;&#x153;truly enlightening,â&#x20AC;? said a guest from Friends of Christ Evangelical Church in Omaha. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Very informative. Please invite me again!â&#x20AC;? requested a guest from Walnut, Iowa. Women of Reform Judaism served lunch which was described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;gracious hospitalityâ&#x20AC;? to complement the â&#x20AC;&#x153;enlivening scholarship.â&#x20AC;? Everything was â&#x20AC;&#x153;excellent as

usual,â&#x20AC;? observed a visitor from Manning, Iowa.

In the afternoon, Rabbi Sandmel talked about â&#x20AC;&#x153;What Jews and Christians are Saying About Each Other Today; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Debru Emetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Sacred Obligation.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

A guest from Boone, IA, explained that he missed last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Institute because of a move to central Iowa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to make the trip again this year.â&#x20AC;?

Women of Reform Judaism members served lunch at the Ministers Institute. Among those who attended were: Rachel Waggoner, top eft, a Creighton University intern at St. Richards who wants to teach theology in high school when she graduates; Rev. Ken Vavrina of Omaha; and Senior Pastor John Peterson of Omaha.

Jane Brooks returned to Omaha from Braintree, Massachusetts, to attend the Ministers Institute and hear Rabbi Sandmel, right.

Parashiyot Ahare Mot/Kedoshim As you know, Jews refer to a particular week by the name of the Sidra assigned to the synagogue reading that week. Sometimes, like the current week, two Sidrot are read because, as you know, we have to fit the number of Sidrot to the weeks in the current year.

This week, we have two Sidrot from the Book of Leviticus, Ahare Mot (â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the death,â&#x20AC;? referring to the death of Aaronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two sons), and Kedoshim (â&#x20AC;&#x153;You must be holyâ&#x20AC;?). Ordinarily the two Sidrot, named together, trigger no thoughts. But this time â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the deathâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;You shall be holyâ&#x20AC;? give rise to a Jewish idiomatic expression: that after someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death, if you refer to him, particularly in a eulogy, you steer yourself around

DEATHS JOSEPH H. FRAIDENRAICH Joseph H. Fraidenraich died April 18 in Toledo, OH. Services were held in Toronto, Canada, on April 21.

A Holocaust survivor who served in the Israeli army, he is survived by his wife of 59 years, Syma (Sonia), daughters and sons-in-law, Leah and Donald Connor of Toledo, Karmela and Jerry Klasner and Barbara and Howard Freedman, of Toronto, eight grandchildren.

Memorials to Joseph H. Fraidenraich Memorial Fund c/o The Benjamin Foundation, 3429 Bathurst St. Toronto, Ontario Canada M6A 2C3.

MARVIN DIENSTFREY Former Lincolnite Marvin Dienstfrey died April 20 in Sacramento, CA. Services were held in Hastings-onHudson, NY, on April 25. His grandson, Rabbi James Greene, officiated.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Hope.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ronna Rimmerman Dienstfrey; daughters and sons-in-law, Marcia and Mandy Greene, all of Sacramento, CA; Sherri Dienstfrey-Swanson and Bob Swanson, Pocatello, ID; grandchildren, James and Jennifer Greene, Philadelphia, PA, and Heather Greene, Albuquerque, NM. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict, a past President of Knights of Pythias, board member of Tifereth Israel and and a lifelong philatelist.

MOLLY KURTZ Molly Kurtz died April 27 at the age of 96. Services were held April 28.

She was preceded in death by husband, Joe Kurtz.

She is survived by nieces and nephews Mort and Jan Glass, Mike and Nancy Lazer, Rex and Beverly Pippitt, Irv and Marceline Ingber, Palm Springs, FL, and John and Joann Winters, Houston, TX. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

any unpleasant thoughts of his life and refer only to good things and meaningful accomplishments. Hence the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;eulogyâ&#x20AC;?, which means â&#x20AC;&#x153;good words.â&#x20AC;?

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 5, 2006

Omaha, Lincoln Remember the Shoah

by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Jews and Christians, blacks and white, men and women, young and old--more than 650 of them came together in Nebraska’s capital and in Omaha to commemorate the Holocaust. Even the Unicameral’s contentious State Senator Ernie Chambers had a positive message when he opened Lincoln’s program.

“It is good for everybody...to take a deep breath and realize there are times, when despite our particular race, ethnicity, religion, political party or other considerations, we can all come together to affirm and confirm our common humanity,” said this year’s legislative sponsor of the statewide YomHaShoah, chaired by Lincoln’s Gary Hill.

In Lincoln, survivors Ilona Berk, Dr. Fred Kader (who also lit a candle in Omaha representing the survivors), Eli and Ann Modenstein, Joe Boin, Lou Leviticus and Sam Fried joined Joseph Bud Peregrine, who served in the 45th division of the U.S. Army when Dachau was liberated, to light memorial candles.

Susan Scott, Executive Director of the YWCA, lit the candle for Righteous Rescuers. Scott, who has long been involved in humanitarian causes, contin ues to play a leadership role in the “No Place for Hate” rally in Lincoln, which began several years ago to counter Nazi demonstrators.

Pictures from top left: representing the generations at Omaha’s candlelighting were Sarah and Nancy Kutler, granddaughter and daughter of Bea Karp and staff for Yom HaShoah Maggie Gerber and Mary Sue Grossman; in Lincoln, Rabbi Royi Shaffin chanted El Molei Rachamim, Mayor Colleen Sang presented a proclamation; Rabbi Mordechai Levin welcomed everyone to Beth El; Omaha educators Donald Gerber, left, Cookie Katskee, Elyce Azriel, Carole Greenberg, Judy Rubin and Alice Weiss (hidden) lit candles; and survivor Esther Silver, right, recalls her wartime experiences to Dr. Rabinsky.

In recounting his experiences as a prisoner in Auschwitz, survivor Sam Fried said, “It took incredible energy and instinct to stay alive. We didn’t allow grief to become our master or allow our souls to be broken by the silence of humankind.”

That theme was repeated a week later, when Omahans--again of all races, religions and ethnicities--gathered for the Save Darfur rally. (See page 20 for the full story). Fried added, “We chose to become a spring of vitality and testimony to the indestructible spirit of our people.”

Rabbi Mordechai Levin made similar statements in Omaha a few days later to the crowd gathered at Beth El Synagogue. “Why not forget?” he asked.

Because “we can’t grant the murderers a posthumous victory.”

Rabbi Levin reminded everyone that evil forces still exist in the world today, “like the President of Iran. There are crazy forces in the world--we must stop them before it is too late.”

Bea Karp, a hidden child during World War II, used her introduction of keynote speaker Dr. Leatrice Rabinsky to continue to “remember and educate.”

Rabinsky, an educator for nearly four decades in Cleveland, quoted the Baal Shem Tov: “Forgetfulness leads to exile.”

She urged the crowd to learn about Jewish life before the war, “Remember

the important parts...it’s so important to the resilience of survivors.”

Survivors like Leon, who as a newcomer to Cleveland after the war, spent many a Shabbat in her mother’s home because they were from nearby towns in Poland.

“He was among the first survivors to speak about his experiences to my high school groups,” Rabinsky said.

She also spoke about the importance of pekuach nefesh--saving lives--and a vibrant religious spirit.

“Let us all join together,” concluded Sam Fried in Lincoln, “before it is too late, and teach today’s youth to protect the defining doctrine of America--where all men and women of all races, ethnic backgrounds and religions are to be treated equally.”

Marcia Kushner contributed to this article.