Issuu

Vol. LXXXVII No. 44 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

Called “the Jewish Martha Stewart”, Susie Fishbein to demonstrate art of Jewish cooking at Chabad fundraiser by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT JP: I’m busy; how long will this take? Kelli Kirk was born and raised in Omaha and has been Kirk: We will be wrapping up around 9:30 p.m. involved with Chabad for approximately three years. JP: What is on the menu? During that time, she has taken numerous adult educaKirk: Susie will be demonstrating a three-course meal, tion classes, chaired many events, assisted with holidays, using recipes from her cookbook. She will discuss ingreorganized cooking and craft clubs, spearheaded the dients and technique, while offering helpful hints along recent pickle-making event, assisted with the recent Gala the way. Every attendee will be able to personally samand helped run the Chabad Gift Shop. Currently, she is ple Susie’s cooking. working to bring renowned cookbook author Susie JP: Will she sign any books? Fishbein to Omaha for a cooking demonstration. Kirk: Yes, and her Kosher by Design cookbooks will be JP: When will Fishbein be at Chabad? available for purchase in our gift shop. JP: Where can people find information about Susie Kirk: She’s coming on Monday, June 2, 7 p.m., to Fishbein, if they the Chabad House, want to ‘read up’ 1866 So. 120 St. beforehand? JP: How long have Kirk: I suggest you been working on readers check out this? www.kosherbydeKirk: This event sign.com. with Susie Fishbein JP: Why should was booked more than people learn about a year in advance. kosher cooking? JP: Why is this a fabKirk: I think there ulous, ‘not to be’ are many misconmissed event? ceptions about Kirk: This evening kosher cooking, will give us an opporhaving to do with tunity to celebrate the difficulty, taste, and yiddishkeit in our lives. quality. We’re hopWhat better way than Kelli Kirk is planning Fishbein’s appearance in Omaha on June 2. through spiritually fitness and delicious food? Especially if it is created by a famous Jewish female chef. JP: What should people expect? Kirk: This is more than an excellent opportunity to enjoy friends, fun, and great food. It is also a chance to experience how it is possible to eat and enjoy gourmet kosher food in your own home. In addition, the public will be able to see Susie Fishbein work her magic and ask questions. She is a driving force in the world of kosher food, and it will be an honor to have her here in Omaha.

ing to change that and show people that this is something that you can do at home. JP: Do you sell any good cookbooks in the gift shop? Kirk: Yes, and visitors are welcome to stop by and browse any time. We sell Susie’s Kosher by Design series, such as Spice and Spirit, The Secret of Challah, and Kosher Delicious. In addition to that, the gift shop is full of Judaica of all kinds, for all events, and in all price ranges. Continued on page 2

4 Iyyar, 5768

May 9, 2008

Ron Giller to succeed Cookie Kastkee as principal of Friedel Jewish Academy by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT The 2008-09 school year will bring an important change for Friedel Jewish Academy. Principal Cookie Katskee is retiring, and the search for a new principal has come to a successful end with the hiring of Ronald Giller. Bonnie Bloch headed the search committee, which also included Denise Bennett, Donald Gerber, Danielle Gordman, Rabbi Jonathan Gross, Shami Jacobs, Heather Kelln, Ruti Margalit, Margo Riekes, Zoe Riekes, Nancy Schlessinger, Susan Witkowski, and Katskee. “The committee was very pleased with the number of outstanding candidates who submitted applications during the search process,” Bloch said. “The majority of candidates were from out-of-state, an indication of the high standards and reputation of Friedel among the community day school network. We are extremely excited to have selected a Nebraska educator/administrator with impeccable credentials who will continue the successes achieved by Cookie Katskee.” Giller has spent a total of 35 years in education; he has taught a variety of Ron Giller grades and worked as principal at three different locations, most recently in Glenwood, Iowa. Giller is a University of Nebraska at Lincoln graduate, and has run the Bellevue City Day Camp. He has also served as President of Elementary Principals for Region 2. Many of the schools where Giller has worked have a considerably larger student body than Friedel, but he says, “Regardless of the number of students, creating a feeling of warmth, of family, is something I have always made a priority. I will feel very much at home at Friedel, because the students get both a stellar education and a Continued on page 2

Press keeps winning newspaper contests by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press It’s always exciting to learn that the Jewish Press has won yet another award; it’s even better when the winners are either interns or freelancers for the paper. At its 2008 conference, the Nebraska Press Association winners were announced for the 2007 Better Newspaper Contest. This year, the Jewish Press garnered two awards: a third place in Sports Writing and a first place in Single Features. Both awards were for Class D weekly newspapers with circulation under 4000. More than a year ago, Mary Etus, a member of the community who moved here from the former Soviet Union, came to the Press office with an idea for a story about Lydia Linde. Linde, who also immigrated to Omaha from Moscow, agreed to be interviewed after Etus found some newly discovered information on Linde’s family which absolved them from “crimes against the state” in Communist Russia. “It was like solving a puzzle,” said Etus. “with little bits of information that I had

Inside

at first. But gradually, with the help of the Internet, I was able to find the missing parts and piece together the whole picture.” That interview -“Daughter of the ‘Enemy of the State’ learns the secrets of her parents’ trails” -- earned Etus a first place award from the NPA. The award is even more remarkable considering that English is not the native language for either woman. “My article was primarily a political work,” Etus told the Press. “I view it as my contribution to the 70th anniversary of the so-called Stalin purges that anniliated and destroyed millions of lives.” Etus, who received calls from Israel, Switzerland and Spain after

the story was posted on the Press pages of the Jewish Federation website (www.jewishomaha.org), is working on another article, “Lend Lease

and other mysteries of war.” The Press’ Editorial Intern Anne Muskin won the the Sports Writing award for last summer’s story “Omahans propel USA men’s basketball team to bronze medal in international Maccabi Games.” Following two teammates since childhood: her brother Zach Muskin and one of his best friends, Justin Jacobson, the writer chronicled the tryouts for the 13th European Maccabi Games held in Rome last summer, and the events as they unfolded at the games. Muskin also wrote a second piece about Jewish sites in Italy. “Well, this is a first!” Muskin said upon receiving news about her win. “Has the Jewish Press ever won an award for sports writing?” The answer, to our knowledge, is ‘no’ but the staff, board of directors, and of course, Muskin, were happy to accept. Muskin, who will graduate from the Continued on page 2

This Week: Primary Election Section starts on Page 9 Coming Next Month: Father’s Day/Graduation Issue, June 6

See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12

Riding to remember the Holocaust: Page 3

American Jews still feel close to Israel: Page 4

Coverage of Yom HaShoah observances: Page 8

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 9, 2008

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Project Interfaith receives donation that beautifies and inspires by HANNA WANZENRIED Program Coordinator for Project Interfaith Project Interfaith just got a little bit prettier after a unique piece of art created by local artist Eliska Morsel Greenspoon was donated to the organization last month. The piece, entitled “We have come into being to praise, to labor and to love: A prayer for peace from ‘Siddur Sim Shalom’”, reflects Project Interfaith’s mission to promote a deeper understanding of and respect for religious diversity. This piece of art work was donated anonymously and is in the Anti Defamnation League office at the Jewish Community Center, where Project Interfaith currently is housed. “We are honored to have received such a beautiful donation that truly reflects the spirit and creativity of our work,” said Beth Katz, director of Project Interfaith. According to the artist, this photo-based mixed media piece mirrors the map of the world and reflects the

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world’s diversity. The painted branches serve as a metaphor for the various continents. Little figures present in the piece appear to be working together to plant solid roots of respect and understanding. Gingko leaves, which are known to enhance memory, are embedded into layers of beeswax. The leaves represent the worker's fruit of their labor and also serves as a

reminder that when people from different cultures come together good things can happen. The surrounding border, which mimics sky and water, represents unity and the efforts of people all over the earth who work for mutual understanding and respect. For more information, please contact Katz at 402.933.4647 or beth@projectinterfaithusa.org.

Giller to succeed Katskee

CLIP & SAVE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, MAY 9 Confirmation/Graduation, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Mother’s Day Shabbat dinner, 8 p.m. at Chabad SUNDAY, MAY 11 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth E C Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad L Beyt Shalom Religious School, 1:30 p.m. at JCC I BESTT Chaverim program, 2 p.m. at Beth El P

C L I P

MONDAY, MAY 12 & Sisterhood Mah Jongg, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel

CJE Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. S Beginning Hebrew, 7 p.m. A TUESDAY, MAY 13 V E W.O.W Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad

S A V E

Eye on Israel, noon Hebrew Lunch ‘n Learn, 12:15 p.m. at Temple Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. From Generation to Generation, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 Know Thyself, Know Thy Christian Neighbors, 7:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Rabbis & Presidents Meeting, noon Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Board, 3:30 p.m. Parsha for Kids, 3:45 p.m. at Chabad NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Parsha Roundup, 7 p.m. at Chabad C L THURSDAY, MAY 15 I Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel P Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel

C L I P

Friedel Annual Plant Sale, 10 a.m. & Insights and Values from the Torah, noon at Beth El

Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. at Kripke Library Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El JCC Executive Committee Meeting, 4 p.m. Israeli Society Through Film, 7 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

S A V E

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)

This Space For Rent Call Robyn Belgrade 334-6559

Continued from page 1 sense of family. I am very excited about having this opportunity.” Witkowski, co-president of the Friedel Board of Directors, is very pleased with the outcome of the interview process, noting that “Giller came to us very highly recommended, and was quick to impress those who met him during his interview process here at Friedel Jewish Academy. We found him to be easily approachable, energetic, and enthusiastic about helping our children and our school continue to grow.” Giller knows that coming to Friedel after a long career in other places is “what was supposed to happen. It will enable me to get back to the Omaha Jewish community, and that is something I am very much looking forward to.” He is also excited about the connection between Friedel and its Israeli sister-school Mayanot: “I think it is a wonderful connection. I went to Israel in 1979 and haven’t been back since; I hope to change that and have the opportunity to visit.” He wants to build on what Katskee has set in motion, such as interaction between Friedel and the Rose

Blumkin Jewish Home, as well as the Child Development Center at the Jewish Community Center. “I am also interested in continuing to bring a variety of guests to the school, and thereby expose the students to different people with different backgrounds. In the past, I’ve worked with the people from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, and they brought in live animals.” Giller is looking forward to meeting many different people involved with the school. “I will of course be meeting with all the rabbis, as well as parents and staff. The teachers at Friedel not only are very experienced, they have a fantastic reputation, and I cannot wait to work with them,” he added. “I am used to working with volunteers, and I understand the importance of parents being involved with the school. Also, I want everybody to know that I am quite proficient at frying latkes, so come the December fundraiser I will be doing my share.” Giller is a lifelong Omahan, and grew up attending Beth Israel. He and his wife Kaye currently live in Bellevue.

Newspaper contests

Fishbein to demonstrate art of Jewish cooking

Continued from page 1 University of Nebraska-Omaha this August, has served as an editorial intern at the Press for two years, thanks to grants from the Morton A. Richards Youth Program Fund and a Special Donor-advised Fund, both administered by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. While working full-time for Elliott Equipment Comapny, Muskin also serves as an adviser for Ediar BBG. She will assume the position as Director of the B’nai B’rtih Youth Organization this summer, replacing Rachel Blum, who is resigning to open her own business. Last year, the Press won its first advertising award from the NPA, for Newspaper Promotion. The first place win was based on a series of “house” ads promoting the Jewish Press Hanukkah and Senior Living issues and were designed by Press Managing Editor Richard Busse. The Rockower Awards, presented by the American Jewish Newspaper Association, will be announced at its annual conference at the end of June in Washington, D.C. The Press has won multiple awards from both the NPA and AJPA in the last 13 years.

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day, and Monday and Tuesday, June 9-10, for Shavuot. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. as follows: Issue Deadline May 30 Wednesday, May 21 June 13 Tuesday, June 3 Graduting high school seniors: don’t forget to submit your senior photo, name, parent(s) name(s), high school you attended and the college you’ll enter this fall by May 9 for the June 6 Salute to Seniors! Questions? Call 402.334.6448

Continued from page 1 JP: Who’s helping you set this up? Kirk: The committee consists of Shani, Estie, and Shevi Katzman, Kim Novak, Cheryl Lerner, Marty Tichauer, and Tippi Denenberg. JP: What will tickets to the event cost? Kirk: Tickets will be $50 per person. However, we have scholarships available, so don’t let the price of the tickets deter you from learning about kosher cooking! JP: Can people bring their kids? Kirk: No; this is an adults-only event. JP: Is this ‘women only’? Kirk: Yes. Sorry, guys. JP: How soon should people reserve their tickets? Kirk: As soon as possible! We have limited space, so call us soon! JP: Have you always been interested in cooking? Kirk: As a matter of fact, when I moved out on my own at the age of 21, I didn’t even know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. I had to call my mother and ask; luckily, I’ve learned quite a bit since then. JP: What are you hoping people will take home from this evening? Kirk: Hopefully, during Susie’s demonstration, members of the community will be able to see for themselves that kosher cooking is not only possible, but also a great way to enhance Jewish life. Ultimately, we have to keep in mind that keeping kosher is a mitzvah and strengthens our connection to G-d. JP: Are you going to take a break after this? Kirk: I wish! Actually, I’m already busy with the next project, but I can’t share the details yet. Tickets are available by calling 402.330.1800 or online at: www.ochabad.com.

May 9, 2008

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Winners announced in essay contest

Riding to remember the Holocaust

by BETH SELDIN DOTAN mentions to Siddharth Rai, Skutt for Director, Institute for Holocaust Education â€œThe Father of a Nation; Emma May, The Plains States Office of the Anti- Westside for â€œThe Crime of Faithâ€?; and Defamation League and the Institute for Clara Hageman, Duchesne Acadamey for Holocaust Education again received â€œOur Choiceâ€?. inspiring entries submitted to the Winners in the 11-12th grade category â€œTribute to the Rescuersâ€? essay contest. are: Maya Doghman, Central, first place, Sponsored by the Carl Frohm $750 for â€œThe Yellow Brick Roadâ€?; Foundation, the 2008 contest challenged Miriam Furst, John L. Miller Great Neck students to use the lens of the Holocaust North, Great Neck, NY, second place, to understand moral courage. $500 for â€œHuman Compassion Amidst Moral courage is the ability to take a strong stance on a specific issue and to defend it based on oneâ€™s personal beliefs or convictions regardless of danger or threats to personal safety. First place winners Maya Doghman, left, and Rachel Biddlecombe, read Researching the their essays; awards were presented by Vicki Quaites-Ferris and Jessica Holocaust or Gall in the Legislative Chambers of the City-County Building. other historical events, students then Human Atrocitiesâ€?; and Stephanie demonstrate how an individual or group Weddington, Burke, third place, $250 for can take a stand against injustice and, â€œBreaking the Silenceâ€?; honorable menfinally, how this information can be tions to Amy Durmaskin, Burke for applied to their own community and lives. â€œNever Again?â€?; Kira Harbourne, Burke, A group of 30 volunteers from Omaha for â€œMorality Conquers Naiveteâ€?; and businesses and schools participated in the Rachel Sarenka Smith, Baltimore City judging process which narrowed over College High School, Baltimore, MD, 500 entries to six winning essays and six for â€œMoral Courage: No Act Is Too honorable mention essays in the ninth- Smallâ€?. 10th and 11-12th grade categories. The award winning students exemplify The top winners in the ninth-10th important educational qualities -- hard grade category are: Rachel Biddlecombe, work, intelligence, and determination. Skutt, first place, $750 for â€œRut Their essays on moral courage rose to the Matthijsenâ€?; Alia Khalil, Westside, sec- top of over 500 submissions and showed ond place, $500 for â€œCombatants for thoughtful and considered responses on Peaceâ€?; Lauren Meyer, Burke, third rescuers and activists ranging from place, $250 for â€œStand Upâ€?; honorable Mahatma Gandhi to Chiune Sugihara.

Club at the University of Nebraskaby BETH SELDIN DOTAN Director, Institute for Holocaust Education Lincoln, will conclude by 2 p.m. Members of the Jewish Motorcycle These activities are free of charge to the Alliance (JMA) will be riding into Omaha community, but reservations are requeston Memorial Day weekend to honor the ed by May 19 and can be made by callwork of The Heartland Holocaust Educational Fund (THHEF). Riders from states across the country as well as Canada, will help raise funds from its membership in support of its mission with this â€œRide to Remember.â€? The Fund is dedicated to teaching todayâ€™s youth to protect the defining doctrine of not only America but also of free men and women around the globe -- that Jerry Hoberman gives Frances Fried a ride on his â€œhogâ€? people of all races and reli- while Sam Fried waits his turn. gions be treated equally and without prejudice. The community is invited to join the riders in support of the JMA efforts. On Friday, May 23, 10:30 a.m., the motorcyle riders will lead an entourage of vehicles to Lincoln to participate in a commemoration at the Nebraska Holocaust Memorial at Wyuka Cemetery at noon. A spokesman for the group encourages the com- Ron Brodkey, right, adjusts his helmet on Sam Fried. munity to join in this procession in their ing 402.334.6439. cars, pickups, motorcycles, SUVs and A Thursday evening dinner on May 22 motor scooters or to reserve a spot on the at the Marriott Regency will express rented coach bus. appreciation for the JMA, and its Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. at the demonstration of community support Jewish Community Center. Lunch and a for the Holocaust fund and its educashort program, held at the Championsâ€™ tional mission.

,# & PTO $ 1 # - " '3

Annual Vegetable and Flower Sale May 15-16, 2008 JCC Sidewalk (inside JCC Lobby if inclement weather)

All proceeds support the activities provided by the PTO. Plants and Vegetables are from BloomsOrganic and Bag â€™N Save

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 9, 2008

New Study says American Jews feel as close to Israel as ever by JACOB BERKMAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- Flying in the face of two decades of research that indicates that American Jews are falling out of love with Israel, a new report says that American Jews love Israel as much as they always have -- and that in the future, that sentiment may grow more intense. Conventional wisdom, based largely on the work of sociologist Steven Cohen, is that American Jews are becoming less attached to Israel by the generation, as younger Jews typically feel less close to Israel and Israelis than older Jews, states the paper. The conventional argument is that as young Jews become older Jews, they take their Israel apathy with them, and then successive younger generations feel even less attached to Israel. But that notion -- and Cohen -- are plain wrong, states the Steinhardt Social Research Institute’s paper, “American Jewish Attachment to Israel: An Assessment of the ‘Distancing’ Hypothesis.” http://www.brandeis.edu/ssri/index. cfm?page=IsraelAttachment “It is our sense that a consensus has been solidifying in Jewish intellectual circles that American Jewry is growing more distant from Israel,” Theodore Sasson, the paper’s lead researcher, told JTA. “We didn’t think there was any evidence of that.” The trouble with the commonly held notion, says the Steinhardt paper, is that it is based on a variety of surveys -- such as Gallup polls, the National Jewish Population Study and smaller focus group studies - that do not ask the same questions year after year and therefore, can not be compared. The “distancing theory,” said Sasson, is based on the idea that older Jews saw Israel in a much different phase in its history than have younger Jews. Older Jews saw Israel at its miraculous birth and fighting a war for independence, and achieving victory in its 1967 Six-Day War. Many younger Jews, in contrast, know the Israel of the intifada, or Palestinian uprising, the more complicated entity that is viewed by much of the world as the oppressor of the Palestinian people. But when one looks at questionnaires that consistently asked the same set of questions about Israel year after year, one finds that Jewish sentiment is not changing significantly for the worse, at all, argues the Steinhardt paper. It says the best such data exists in the American Jewish

Committee’s annual Survey of Jewish Public Opinion, have no religion, Cohen says, a fact that the AJC conwhich has been poling Jews since the early 1980s with firmed. This gives a vastly different portrait of Jews than roughly the same set of questions. And that survey other surveys such as the NJPS, Cohen said. For shows that very little has changed in terms of American instance, the 2000 National Jewish Population Study showed that 38 percent of Jews belong to a synagogue, Jews’ view on Israel over the past 13 years. According to the AJC surveys, since 1994, the percent- while the 2000 AJC survey showed that 59 percent of age of Jews who agree with the statement “Caring about Jews are affiliated. Though the Steinhardt survey does a Israel is a very important part of my being a Jew,” has fall- good job of showing that Jews who identify as Jewish are en from 75 percent to just less than 70 percent, a num- indeed staying close to Israel -- a notion with which ber that Sasson calls insignificant. Over the same time, the Cohen agrees -- it is missing the point that intermarried percentage of Jews who said they feel “very close” or “fairly close” to Israel actually rose from 66 to 70 percent. What is really happening, says the Steinhardt report, is that Jews tend to become closer to Israel as they grow older. So, when one looks at age cohorts year by year, there tends not to be a dropping off in affinity for Israel. Older Jews simply feel closer to Israel. When you add to that the success of birthright israel, Left: Dutch concert poster, courtesy of Annette Van de Kamp-Wright (her mother serves on which has sent some 140,000 the Israel@60 committee in the Netherlands). Above: Chart from a new report compares American Jews between the respondents who feel close to Israel with respondents who feel distant from it. The spread ages of 18 and 25 on free trips between those indicating “close” and “distant” had a substantively unimportant increase to Israel since 2000, young of one or two percent. Credit: Steinhardt Social Research Institute, “American Jewish Jews stand to become even Attachment to Israel: An Assessment of the ‘Distancing’ Hypothesis.” close to Israel, according to the report. Jews and their children are falling away from Israel, At first glance, the Steinhardt paper looks like a stab Cohen said. at Cohen, who has long been at intellectual odds with “The intermarried and children of the intermarried Steinhardt researchers -- who are based at Brandeis -- are dragging down the Jewish people’s commitment to and in particular with the director of the Steinhardt Israel,” he said. “Commitment among the in-married is Center, Len Saxe. as high as it ever was, but we are moving to two popuThe paper acknowledges Cohen in its foreword, but it lations.” He added: “Their data cannot refute our conthen proceeds to cite him more than 25 times in refut- tention that intermarriage -- among other factors -- is bringing about disengagement from Israel, both by its ing his research. “I am honored that they would take my research so impact on the Jewish spouses, and by its impact upon seriously as to base their work on it,” Cohen told JTA in the growing number of Jewish children who are the products of intermarried couples.”. a telephone interview Tuesday. Sasson said that his paper controlled with certain variIn particular, Cohen and Saxe have squabbled publicly over intermarriage, with Cohen arguing vehemently that able to account for intermarriage. He added that in intermarriage is a detriment to Judaism’s survival, and 2000, 15 percent of respondants to the AJC survey were Saxe providing research to the contrary -- most notably intermarried and that in 2005, 22.5 percent were intera 2006 survey of Boston-areas families that showed that married. Even among the intermarried, the sentiment 60 percent of intermarried couples were raising their toward Israel has remained the same, he said. But, he children as Jewish. said, the intermarriage factor is not so simple. Much of And here too, the debate seems to boil down to inter- what will happen in the future regarding sentiment marriage, Cohen told JTA. toward Israel from the intermarried community will The annual AJC polls -- which Cohen said he helped depend on education and trips to Israel, such as formulate back in the early 1980s -- only questions Jews birthright. “Steven even told me,” Sasson said, referring who identify as Jewish and excludes Jews who say they to Cohen, “it’s birthright against intermarriage.”

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Residents honored with a gift from the Foundation at book signing event by ANDREA BARTMAN for JSS/RBJH Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home were thrilled to gather during Passover for a book signing event with Nancy Rips, a well-known book reviewer and the author of a new book, Seder Stories. Each resident of the RBJH was given a copy of the book as a Passover gift, and this opportunity to have it autographed through the Jewish Federation Foundation. “Our Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation has a history of supporting local Jewish authors,” said Marty Ricks, Foundation executive director. “It is one way we stay in touch with former Omaha residents, by sending them books to remind them of the strong Jewish heritage of their ‘home community’. With Nancy’s book, we took it one step further, by recognizing her long-time service as a

To bring Seder Stories to the Blumkin Home makes complete sense to Rips in terms of practicality and of meaningfulness. Besides the opportunity to bring an event like this to a group of people many of whom, are unable to attend elsewhere in the community. “They are walking, talking volumes of memories and stories of their own Seders,” she says of the Residents here. Rips began by sharing some of her own personal memories with the group and the residents enjoyed hearing some of the author’s more humorous anecdotes highlighting unusual seders she heard about for the book, including a zoo in Jerusalem, a prison in Ohio, an all-chocolate Seder, a weight-watchers Seder, and the story of a young rabbi who joined the army and had to prepare a Seder for over 200 enlisted men.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

COMING 06.06.08

Father’s Day GIFT GUIDE ISSUE Information Publishing Date » 06.06.08 Space Reservation » 05.23.08 Camera Ready Deadline » 05.28.08

COMING 06.06.08 Left: The crowd gathered in the Blumkin Home’s new West wing for the event. Right: RBJH resident, Irv Forbes, seated left, volunteer to Jewish senior citizens in Omaha, especially at the Blumkin Home where she has devoted countless hours. He added, “I was present when Nancy spoke to the residents and then walked around signing their books. The beautiful cover was enough to excite them. Once they dive inside the thoughts of contributors talking about their seders and about Passover, I know they will truly appreciate this small favor we offered at holiday time.” The book signing was held in the attractive and comfortable new West wing of the Blumkin Home, where RBJH catered the event. Rips commented how connected she is to the RBJH through years of volunteer work, including leading a current events group. The residents of the Home are “near and dear” to her and this gathering, among many recent publicity events, was a highlight.

receives his signed copy from Nancy Rips, center, and Foundation Executive Director Marty Ricks. “I’m delighted to be here,” she commented to the gathering, “and tell you a little about it.” Referring to the Foundation’s gift, she commented, “I’m honored that Marty wants to share this with so many Omahans. You’ll see a lot of Omaha names you know in the book and you’ll see a lot of national names you know as well.” Ricks returned the compliments when asked about the author: “What a beautiful lady and amazing talent whose passion is books and who, in my opinion, should keep writing,” he said. Rips is using ‘Seder Stories’ to give back to the Omaha Jewish community as well. The book, which just went into a second printing, provides a portion of the profits to the Kripke Library. The author shared of her time and her own memories with a very appreciative and enthusiastic crowd here at the Blumkin Home.

Graduation GIFT GUIDE ISSUE Information Publishing Date » 06.06.08 Space Reservation » 05.23.08 Camera Ready Deadline » 05.28.08

COMING 06.27.08

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center, will open a new, temporary, summer exhibit on Saturday, May 17, during the “Spring into Spring” festival and plant sale. The exhibit remains on display through Sunday, Oct. 5, during the Autumn Ambience festival. This exciting new exhibit stretches the definition of traditional playhouse design. From a treehouse your grandfather built when you were small to the blanket draped over a card table your own children play with today, playhouses enchant people of all ages. These 12 structures conceived and created by local architects and contractors will surely delight all visi-

tors at the garden this summer. KidStructure is designed to spark imagination, ignite creativity, expand learning outdoors and encourage garden exploration. KidStructure will be located near the children’s garden, just beyond the model railroad and rose gardens. Additional KidStructure events will be scheduled throughout the summer, including a Kid’s Day on Saturday, June 14. Lauritzen Gardens is located at First and Bancroft streets, close to the Henry Doorly Zoo, Rosenblatt and the Old Market. For more information, visit www.lauritzengardens.org or call 402.346.4002.

BIRTHS Kate Koester and Daniel Rosen of Seattle, WA announce the April 17 birth of their son, Noah William. He is named for his paternal grandfather, William Rosen. Grandparents are Margo Rosen and the late William Rosen, and Bob and Susan Koester of Chicago. Great-grandmother is Rose Rosen.

Jessica and David Zalkin of Houston, TX, announce the March 20 birth of a son, Shmuel Yekusiel (Samuel Carl). Grandparents are former Omahans Mark and Susan Zalkin of Denver, CO, Harold Miller of Houston, and Nancy Miller of PA. Great-grandparents are Evelyn Flaxer of Denver, and the late Dr. Carl Flaxer, and Monie and Allen Zalkin.

Senior LIVING ISSUE Information Publishing Date » 06.27.08 Space Reservation » 06.16.08 Camera Ready Deadline » 06.21.08

Contact your advertising representative to advertise in these very special editions. ALLAN Handleman Call Allan Handleman at 402.334.6451 or email:ahandleman@jewishomaha.org

ROBYN Belgrade Call Robyn Belgrade at 402.334.6559 or email:robynbelgrade@jewishomaha.org

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 9, 2008

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Harvey Ferer Fund subsidizes Temple Israel high school trips by CLAUDIA SHERMAN tirelessly and diligently to rebuild the company and its Temple Israel Communications Coordinator reputation with the people who had lost money and for Harvey Ferer’s passion in life was his business and the the next generation,” Matthew explained. commitment to making it successful for future generaHarvey died in 2001 but had never retired. He used tions, according to his son, Matthew Ferer. This tradition to say, “‘I’m going out with my boots on,’” Matthew was established by Harvey’s grandfather, Aaron Ferer, recalled. Despite ill health, Harvey was often at work who founded Aaron Ferer & Sons Company in 1886, talking on the phone. and was carried on by Harvey’s father, Hyman Ferer. Harvey was a long-time member of Temple Israel. His Harvey, born in Omaha in 1926, enjoyed traveling, expe- father, Hyman, also belonged to Temple Israel as well as riencing and learning new things, all of which he did to other synagogues in Omaha. Harvey was also involved while running the business for in the Jewish Federation of Omaha more than 50 years. and served on the Board of the Harvey’s travels were primariCollege of Saint Mary for 25 years. ly for business and included trips Today, the company is owned and to Russia; Italy; China, shortly operated by two of Harvey and after its borders opened to Jacqueline Evans Ferer’s sons, increased trade with foreigners; Matthew and Whitney Ferer. The Australia; Japan; Singapore; and Ferers also had another son, Aaron, countries in Africa, Europe, and a daughter, Allyson. South America, and Central In 2006, Whitney and Matthew America. established the Harvey Ferer Fund at “My father wanted to give Former President Gerald Ford was one of sev- Temple Israel “to honor our father’s people who had a strong work eral U.S. presidents Harvey Ferer, right, met, memory and give back to the commuethic the opportunity to improve said his son Whitney Ferer who set up a fund nity.” The fund is used to subsidize their lives,” said Matthew, at Temple Israel with his brother Matthew to Temple Israel’s tenth grade class trip Harvey’s youngest son and pres- subsidize teen class trips to the nation’s capi- to Washington, D.C. to attend ident of Aaron Ferer & Sons tal where the students can meet with govern- L’Taken as well as the twelfth grade Company. “He was a caring and ment officials. class visit to New York City. honest man,” Matthew added. “As the fund grows over time, it is also our hope to Harvey, who became president of Aaron Ferer & Sons endow a college scholarship for Jewish students from the at the age of 33, took the business from regional scrap Omaha community,” said Matthew who added that his metal processor to successful international metals trad- father “went out of his way to help others. We’re trying ing company. “After a bankruptcy in 1974, he worked to live up to his example.”

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by JILL BELMONT El’s high school seniors to enjoy the evening’s festivities Beth El Publicity Coordinator as guests of the synagogue, in honor of their upcoming Back by popular demand, Beth El Synagogue is graduation. pleased to present its second “Barbecue and Barchu” Attendees will meet at Shelter #1 (located at the first event on Friday, May 16, 5:30 p.m., at Zorinsky Lake, entrance to Zorinsky Lake on 156th Street); dinner will on 156th Street just south of West Center Road. This begin at 6:15 p.m. Following dinner, Rabbi Mordechai special Shabbat celebration, set in a beautiful outdoor Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni will lead a joyful setting, promises fellowship, a delimusical Kabbalat Shabbat service, cious picnic dinner and a delightful starting at 6:45 p.m.; be sure to stay afterward for some delicious Shabbat celebration. desserts. (Note: for those unable to Beth El Program Director make it to Zorinsky, regular services Margie Gutnik encouraged attenwill be held that evening at 8:15 p.m. dees to “bring blankets, lawn at the synagogue.) chairs, balls, gloves and Frisbees Cost of the dinner is $8.50 for and join in the fun.” She added adults (13 and older); $4 for chilthat “the entire Jewish community dren ages six to 12; and free for chilis welcome: singles, empty-nesters, seniors, college students and fami- Bruce Gutnik, right, and Phil Wayne grilled at dren five or younger. Please note if you would like a vegetarian meal. lies with young children will all last year’s ‘BBQ and Barchu’ event. Don’t miss this wonderful, family-friendly Shabbat! enjoy this special dining and davening experience, done To RSVP, contact Gutnik at 492.8550, or programin the true spirit of Shabbat.” Gutnik also extended a special invitation to all of Beth ming@bethel-omaha.org by Monday, May 12.

Beth Israel receives $22,000 grant by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue “Lev Banim al Avotam,” Hearts of Children Upon Their Parents, has been Beth Israel’s new educational initiative during the past year. The $22,000 grant that funded Lev Banim was awarded by the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project. The Project is awarding an additional $22,000 grant for the coming year to continue the work begun with the Lev Banim program. According to Beth Israel’s Executive Director, Beth Cohen, “With the great success we’ve been having with Lev Banim, we applied for an extension with the Legacy Heritage Innovation Program. We gave them a three year plan for the extension, to continue doing what we’ve been doing and add more programs. They give awards year by year. One of our future long-term goals is to create a Shabbat music CD, similar to the one we created for the High Holidays.” She added, “A big extension of this grant will be on Friday nights. We’ll use the grant to add monthly Friday night dinners and family-friendly educational programs. The point of the original grant was to provide funding to engage the congregation in Shabbat and holiday observances. So this year we have focused a lot on Shabbat day observances. We also provided some terrific holiday learning kits to member families that Elinor Matalon, our curriculum consultant, put together.” Lev Banim al Avotam was created to develop educa-

tional innovations for the congregation, leading to systemic change in educational curriculum and Shabbat and holiday participation. As indicated in the original grant request, the goal has been “… to integrate adult, family, and children’s education into home and communal Shabbat and holiday practice on a systemic basis.” The project has resulted in an increase in synagogue attendance, special events with a rabbinic process consultant and other rabbis, an array of educational materials, and an increased interest by the congregation to work to supply themselves and their homes with tools to ensure that their children retain their Jewish identity into the future. Members are seeking to have more classes, more dinners, more youth activities and more speakers -- and the grant extension will help to provide these. Beth Israel has been committed to bringing grant dollars to the Omaha community. In 2006, the synagogue received a grant of over $12,000 from the Orthodox Union (OU). Adding the OU grant with Legacy Heritage Innovation Project grants in 2007 and 2008, Beth Israel has received more than $56,000 in national grant dollars over the past three years. According to Rabbi Jonathan Gross, “Receiving national grants not only is a great source of funding for our initiatives, it also gives well deserved national recognition to our dynamic Omaha Jewish community.” For more information, please call the office at 556.6288.

May 9, 2008

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Beth El graduates and faculty to be honored during Shabbat services

Senior congregants to be honored at Temple Israel

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah students and faculty will be in the spotlight during Shabbat services on Saturday,

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator All Shabbatot are special, but Friday, May 16, is one that will be especially joyful at Temple Israel. The congregation will honor those “who created this wonderful Jewish community we have in Omaha,” observed Lisa Epstein, chairperson of Temple’s Caring Community, who visits Temple congregants and others who reside at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home on a weekly basis. On Friday afternoons, Epstein, along with Wendy Manvitz, Judy Josephson, and Dr. Jonathan Rathsam Bonnie Pfrenger push their “goodie” cart through the halls of the Blumkin Home delivering homemade treats and welcome conversation to the residents. Senior members will be honored for their wisdom, grace, and commitment to Jewish life as they listen to Kol Rina sing music selected with them in mind. Soloists Dr. Jonathan Rathsam and Dr. Tamara Field will join Cantor Wendy Shermet to add to the worship service’s celebratory tone. One of the seniors who plans to attend the service is Edythe Kass who has been a member of Temple for as long as she’s lived in Omaha, more than 40 years. A former member of the Caring Committee who “enjoyed every minute of it,” Kass commented that Temple’s “seniors are treated with great respect and complimented for their efforts on behalf of Temple.” This will be Rathsam’s last opportunity to sing at Temple Israel before he leaves. In June, Rathsam will move to the nation’s capitol to work as a research intern at RPG Diffuser Systems, Inc., a firm outside Washington, D.C. They specialize in diffusive and absorptive acousti-

from the synagogue: from the A.B. and Freeda Gendler Fund, seniors will receive the Etz Hayyim Humash, and from the family of Frances G. Fellman, they will receive Jewish Wisdom and Jewish Literacy

Above: BESTT seventh grade graduates of 2008, front row: teacher Dora Goldstrom, left, Maddison Skolkin, Tal Margalit, Samantha Wiener, Naomi Zipursky, Halle Unger, Melissa Epstein, Kylie Kirshenbaum and Education Director Judy Rubin; middle row: teacher Deborah Kronick, Aaron Eckles, Zachary Kahn, Zachary Bram, Matthew Stein, Aaron Zipursky, Mathew Wiesman, Connor Dietrich and Aaron Kurtzman; back row: Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Zachary Finkle, Alex Preston, Gabe Levin, Aaron Stein, Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, youth director Robert Mosenkis; Below: BESTT 12th grade graduates, front row Education Director Judy Rubin, Steven Meyer, Liatte Dotan, Emily Giller, Arielle Levine, Rabbi Mordechai Levin; back row: Michael Friedman, Benjamin Nachman, Daniel Canfield, Aaron Murow, Henry Ginsburg. Photos courtesy of Ophir Palmon, Artistic Visions May 17, as seventh and 12th graders celebrate their graduation and BESTT teachers are applauded for their hard work and dedication during Teacher Appreciation Shabbat. Many of the graduating students will help to lead the 9:30 a.m. services, and the festivities will continue afterward at a special Kiddush celebration sponsored by the graduates’ families. by Rabbi Joseph. BESTT middle-school The entire community is invited for this graduates will receive The Jewish Book of special dual celebration. Why, from the family of Frances G. All BESTT graduates will be given gifts Fellman.

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cal systems to enhance critical listening and performance environments. Originally from San Diego, California, Rathsam earned his undergraduate degree in physics from Grinnell College in Iowa and just completed his Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a specialization in Architectural Engineering from the University of Nebraska. The title of his dissertation is: “Geometric and Boundary Element Method Simulations of Reflections From Rough, Finite or on Planar Surfaces.” In September, he will travel to Israel to begin a 12-month postdoctoral research fellowship in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at BenGurion University of the Negev in BeerSheva. His proposal is being funded by a United States National Science Foundation Research Fellowship. He has been in Omaha for five years singing as a cantorial soloist at Temple, a member of the High Holiday octet and Kol Rina, and as a mentor to Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. He’s also participated in community-wide events, at Beth El, for the Y.E.S. Group, the Blumkin Home, and Jewish Family Service. “I came to Omaha for graduate school instead of going to cantorial school in New York City,” Rathsam said. “These opportunities to sing in Omaha’s Jewish community have encouraged me that it is possible to balance my love of performing Jewish music with a career in the sciences. I will miss Omaha’s Jewish community very much, but I look forward to staying in touch with and returning to visit the lifelong friends that I have made here.” Many donors, including bakers recruited in large part by Sharlene Kass, Edythe’s daughter, have been contributing and preparing hors d’oeuvres and baked goods, for the Oneg. Pianist Alan Daley, who is frequently heard playing at the Von Maur store at Westroads Mall, will perform during the Oneg.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 9, 2008

Large crowd silent as community commemorates Yom Hashoah

Photos from top left: Rabbi Jonathan Gross welcomes the crowd of close to 400 to Beth Israel for Yom HaShoah. Rabbis Mordechai Levin, left, Aryeh Azriel and Eric Linder listen to survivor Roman Kent, top right. Omaha Symphony violinist Amy Sims plays the theme from Schindler’s List. Mayor Mike Fahey, second from left, declares Holocaust Remembrance Week to Int’l B’nai B’rith president-elect Dennis Glick, left, Dr Fred Kader; Gary Javitch, Bob Cohen, Alan Potash, and Alan Lessak of B’nai B’rith Chicago. Mindy Tene lights a memorial candle as a parent of March of the Living participants: Talia Tene, Tali Levin, Daniel Grossman, Andrea Holmberg and Matan Gill. Photos from left: Cantor Wendy Shermet, left, Cantor Gaston Bogomolni and Donald Gerber sing Ani Ma’amin. Lt Gov. Rick Sheehy reads a proclamation in Lincoln and Yale Gotsdiner assists VFW State Commander Hugh Morris light a candle.

May 9, 2008

Candidates debate for Second Congressional seat restore the economy so it is vibrant and healthy.” Next, the candidates were asked, “What leadership would you provide to by JOAN K. MARCUS help the United States to Special to the Jewish Press become energy independent?” Many members of Omaha’s Jewish Carter said, “We have oil right here in community attended the Second District America that’s not being used. We need Congressional Candidate Forum, which to break our dependence and find new was held prior to Passover at the Jewish energy sources. We know that the techCommunity Center. All four candidates nology is not there but we need to find were invited. Democrats Jim Esch and the right sources to create and invent new Richard N. Carter attended as did the ways to make these sources more effiincumbent, Lee Terry, a Republican. A cient. If we give the right rewards and fourth candidate, Steven Laird, chose not incentives to universities, we will see an to attend “for personal reasons.” abundance of energy sources. In the The debate was co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters, National meantime, I think that we need to turn to Council of Jewish Women-Omaha the biofuels that are right here at home” Esch said he doesn’t see anything more Section, and the B’nai B’rith Henry important than having an innovative Monsky Lodge. Barbara Rennard of the energy policy. League of Women Voters organized the Terry added, “This is an area where event. Gary Kerr, former anchorman I’ve exercised leadership. I think it’s one from WOW-T, Channel 6, was the modof the cornerstone pieces of our future erator of the forum that lasted about 75 security -- whether it be economic or forminutes. eign policy. The policy of being dependent on foreign oil is devastating to our future. We have to use the mahogany shale oil, which by the way, came up in an amendment to the last energy bill that was passed. But it can’t be used for oil exploration. We had the same level of resistance by the Rep. Lee Terry, left, Jim Esch and Richard Carter share a friendly majority leadership moment together prior to the Forum last month. to access the fuel that we have here.” Nancy Jacobson, an NCJW vice presiTerry says that when he came onto the dent, said, “The shared goal of the Energy sub-committee, no one was talkdebate was to provide voters an opportuing about hydrogen as a future alternative nity to find out where the candidates energy. “We can use hydrogen as energy stand on the pressing issues of the day -in transportation as well as electrical genespecially the economy, the war, healtheration. I also think that we can develop care, education and energy.” a plan to generate coal into transportaCoverage of speeches made by Esch and tion fuel and reduce the amount of CO2 Carter appeared in the May 2 issue of the in the air. I have a good track record of Jewish Press, therefore, this article will making sure that we are going to have a focus on answers given by Rep. Terry who clean environment.” has served in the position since 1998. The next question was: “What specifiCandidates were asked to name three cally would you do to reduce the price of specific things they would like to accomoil?” Terry was the first to answer and he plish. Esch was first to answer and said, said, “If we could find ways to access “I’m running for Congress again because more of the energy that we have within I believe it’s time for change in our control here, increase the supply and, Washington. I would like us to somehow at the same time develop policies of alterget out of Iraq in a responsible manner -native energy. There is no one magic the sooner the better. Secondly, we need solution that is going to solve our energy to have a true energy policy, and we also problems. It is a series of smaller ones. I need to do something about this recesdisagree with the bills that simply want to sion we’re in right now.” increase the taxes on the oil companies.” Rep. Terry responded, “One of the Carter would lower fuel costs by things I’ve focused on during my tenure increasing competition. “The oil compain Congress is that we need to balance nies have merged and we’ve seen prices our national budget. We need security going up. We need to put pressure on and that means defending us from those them to start forcing competition among that want to do us harm. We also need to make sure that we have an economic plan themselves. We need to encourage them that allows us to be able to sell our prod- to increase the supply. We also need to ucts across the world and increase jobs increase the supply by drilling more right here at home and tapping into our own within the United States.” resources.” Terry went on to say, “We need to be Esch thinks that the government energy independent; our dependence on shouldn’t give small business owners a tax foreign oil affects not only our national break for having SUVs. He suggests the security but our economic security. I’ve immediate implementation of a program worked on a variety of ways to do that, to reward the average American for buybut mostly alternative fuels.” ing cars that are fuel-efficient. “What is so Carter answered that he feels we are frustrating to me is that there are so many facing a critical juncture in our nation. things that we can do and we’re not “We need someone with knowledge and doing them. It takes new leadership for experience to know how to actually win these things,” he said. this war in Iraq,” he said. If elected, he said he will fight for veterans’ rights and Continued on page 11

AMERICA DECIDES 2008

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 9, 2008

Democrat Kleeb looks for Senate nod

Pat Flynn

AMERICA DECIDES 2008

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Scott Kleeb is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate. His family has strong roots in Nebraska; he is a fourth generation Nebraskan. He currently teaches American History at Hastings College and is employed by Morgan Ranch. He lives in Hastings with his wife Jane Fleming Kleeb and their children, Kora and Maya. JP: How would you like to introduce yourself to people? SK: I am a father, a husband, and a teacher. Iâ€™ve worked on a cattle ranch and received my PhD in history from Yale University. I was raised overseas because both my parents were teachers in the U.S. Military. JP: Why should people vote for you? SK: I believe we need to make an investment in Nebraskaâ€™s future by improving the health care system, education, and the economy. I think people have a hunger for someone who truly cares; someone who emphasizes service and trust. We all feel the need to take a fresh look Scott Kleeb at the issues and find real meaning. There is a disconnect between real life and the way Washington operates, and we are ready for a fundamentally new approach. We can either demand more of our leaders, and ourselves, or we can settle for more of the same. We can demand new ideas that uphold our finest and oldest traditions, or we can settle for the same failed old policies. JP: What are your long term plans? SK: My calling is Public Service, and it is well worth all the hours of sacrifice from my family. I believe that by running for the nomination, I am answering a long term calling. JP: What is so great about Nebraska? SK: Nebraska has wonderful traditions, strong values, and communities full of people that know they can depend on each other. We call ourselves the Homestead State for a reason; as Nebraskans we have always defined ourselves by a wide horizon, our history, and our rock solid values. There is a sense of place in Nebraska, a notion of what community really means in the long run. Through hard work and personal integrity, we can accomplish a better future. JP: You are running as a Democrat; would you vote against party lines if it were best for Nebraska? SK: I am a strong Democrat, but a good idea is a good idea regardless of party lines. Partisanship only serves itself; the best things happen when we work across those party lines, and the interest of Nebraska always comes first. JP: How do you propose we reduce carbon emissions? SK: Two ways: first, we deal with the production side. This means finding ways to diversify between alternatives, like wind and cellulosic energy, and less carbonbased energy. The second thing we need to work on is the consumption part of the equation. We must challenge businesses to find ways to become more efficient, and we should challenge ourselves as well. Donâ€™t just talk about changing your light bulbs; there is much more we can do if we push ourselves and make this a priority. What is holding us back right now is the fact that there has been no leadership to help us plan an effective route on a national level. JP: What are â€˜green collar jobsâ€™? SK: These are jobs that invest in new technologies, industries and businesses. We need to couple environmental purpose and economic purpose; that means not just putting more money in peopleâ€™s wallets but simultaneously ensuring our future by caring for the environment. Renewable sources of energy create new industries and hundreds of thousands of jobs, while decreasing costs for the average consumer. While at the same time, a new energy economy - or green collar jobs makes our country safer by cutting our dependence on foreign oil and decreasing pollution. JP: You have many ideas to improve education, such as reform of No Child Left Behind, and increased support for Early Head Start and Head Start. How do you plan to fund these changes? SK: What is important to remember is that education

begins at birth, and making use of programs like Early Head Start and Head Start in the long run means less cost for taxpayers. We need to reform â€œNo Child left behindâ€?, reduce the drop out rate, and create initiatives to bring more qualified teachers into the classroom while supporting full spectrum curriculum development. This means a focus on the arts as well as the basic skills a child needs to be successful. We currently have $450 billion in uncollected taxes, which could be used towards education. JP: People are concerned about food safety; any ideas? SK: We need a robust and functioning FDA. The inspectors are checking the food supply where they can, but they are immensely understaffed. We need to make sure they have the resources and personnel they need to do their job effectively. For the longest time itâ€™s been the bottom line thatâ€™s been the most important, and we need to return to a system where the safety of our families is addressed, while simultaneously keeping an eye on our wallets. JP: What are your thoughts about the increase of domestic food production? SK: Locally produced food is the fastest growing sector of the food economy. People want to know where their food comes from, and literally shake the hand of the ranger that raised the beef. This means more money in the pockets of the farmer, itâ€™s better for the environment, healthier for the consumer, and it is wonderful for the local economy. JP: What are your ideas about health care reform? SK: At a minimum, any health care plan must be similar to that offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the plan all members of Congress have, and it should cover all essential medical services, including preventative, maternity, and mental health care. Mental illness must be covered on parity with physical illness. We also need to provide affordable premiums, co-pays, and deductibles with a guarantee of easy enrollment for all citizens without discrimination on the basis of pre-existing conditions. We must treat wellness and prevention, and we need disclosure of cost from all health care providers, so we can have open competition. We absolutely must bring down the cost of insurance, as it has risen 80%, and we need to pay attention to long-term care. JP: What is â€œsmart spendingâ€?? SK: Smart spending is spending that is fully disclosed. The government needs to be open about where money goes; especially spending that is involved with earmarks. Government spending needs to invest in growth, the environment, education, and health care. JP: What do you plan to do about returning veterans, and the increased number of PTSD cases? SK: Treatment of returning veterans needs to include mental health parity, which means increasing mental health care in the VA system. It is also important to have community based services, so veterans can get treatment in their own communities in a comfortable environment. JP: What is your position on Israel? SK: I believe that the United States must continue to support our longtime ally in the Middle East, the only functioning and robust democracy in the region. And we must continue to see Israelâ€™s security as connected to our own. To that end, we must continue to support Israelâ€™s right to self-defense not only against potentially hostile states but also against Hezbollah. Our support must not only be diplomatic, but we must also continue our foreign aid packages involving both military and economic assistance. JP: Have you ever been to a Seder? SK: As a matter of fact, I went to one a few weeks ago. It was three hours long, and yes, I had the horseradish! JP: Politicians get a bad rep. Why is that? SK: Politicians should ask their constituents to reach beyond the immediate problems, and inspire us to make our lives better. For much too long, politics has been about bickering and partisanship. JP: Obama or Hillary? SK: They are both remarkable candidates! JP: Mel Brooks or Adam Sandler? SK: That is a very tough question to answer. Mel Brooks transcends generations and he has enormous range, but Adam Sandler has allowed his audience to grow with him. JP: You have to pick. SK: If I must, Iâ€™ll go with Adam Sandler.

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May 9, 2008

Second Congressional seat Continued from page 9 The candidates were also asked to explain their positions on the American presence in Iraq. Terry said, â€œThe question that faces America and Congress is how we leave Iraq. I donâ€™t think the lives have been wasted. I respect each and every one of our servicemen for the sacrifices that they and their families have made.â€? He added, â€œI fear that if we donâ€™t resolve this in a responsible way, if we just start taking troops out, weâ€™llcreate a vacuum of power and leadership. And, I fear that it will be an entity that will want to do harm to our country. So, we need to do a better job of making sure the Iraqi troops are more prepared to take over the front lines. We need to make sure that their government is stable enough to be able to protect themselves. My goal is to bring our troops home but we have to do it in a way that makes us all safe.â€? Another question raised was, â€œWould you support the moving of the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem? Rep. Terry does support it because Jerusalem is the hub of the government activity and that is where Israel wants it. Some Palestinians see it as creating conflict in a highly religious area. â€œWe should let Israel pick where they have their capital city,â€? Terry said. Carter answered that he believes in the sovereignty of other nations and letting them decide what is best for them, adding, â€œI would support whatever decision they make.â€? The question of health insurance for uninsured or underinsured is a very important one. Esch responded, â€œThis is a critical issue. I do believe there should be some sort of compromise. Whatâ€™s really intriguing is that Omaha is uniquely situated to address this issue. With the right leadership, the solution can come from here. We have a large insurance, business and medical community and we could come together to solve this right here in this district. Chances are that what will work here, will work nationally.â€? Terry wants health care to be one of the main issues in the coming election. â€œWe should not have 47 million uninsured. The question is how we go about doing it. Obviously, with a good Medicaid program, it isnâ€™t those who are impoverished. So, we should be looking at what niches these people are coming from. Some choose insurance, but others just donâ€™t have the money for the cost. So, we can just start paying for their insurance or we can focus on how we can actually bring down the price of health care delivery so that itâ€™s more affordable.â€? Carter says we have to have the right balance between public and private sector insurance. â€œWe must protect the private health care system but we also have to regulate it. If we regulate it, we increase the competition;

weâ€™ll lower health care costs so that a large number of people can actually afford health care. But, no matter how low medical costs are, there will still be some individuals, because of their circumstances in life, who canâ€™t afford it. So, we must also insure that there are always quality public health care systems.â€? Finally, the candidates were asked: â€œDo you support federal funding for Planned Parenthood?â€? Carter was the first to answer this question. â€œI donâ€™t support federal funding for institutions that educate people on sex or health care in regards to sexual education,â€? Carter responded. â€œI donâ€™t feel itâ€™s the role of the federal government. They have the right to educate people as they so desire, but we shouldnâ€™t use our tax dollars to do it.â€? Esch agrees with Carter and doesnâ€™t think that federal dollars should be used for sex education. Terry agrees with his two opponents about the use of federal funds to be used for education on abortion and sex education. â€œIf those dollars were used for womenâ€™s health care, I would support it,â€? Terry said. â€œThe problem is that, once you give public dollars, they can be shifted away.â€? The very important question of stem cell research was: â€œShould congress be making restrictions about scientific research such as stem cell and why?â€? Carter answered, â€œI am pro-life. I believe we must respect life and keep it sacred in all stages. We must protect the unborn all the way through life. When does life begin? Well, that is a very serious debate and only G-d will know the answer to that question. So my solution is that we err on the side of caution. If we really believe that these are lives, we must not allow them to be thrown away.â€? Rep. Terry said, â€œThe issue is that President Bush restricted federal funding of research to an already existing line of embryonic stem cells. I support that decision and I donâ€™t support using federal tax dollars to support research where there are ethical issues. Just like public funding of abortion, we donâ€™t use tax dollars. I do support using tax dollars for research that doesnâ€™t involve these types of ethical questions.â€? Esch thinks science will take care of this problem. â€œStem cell research has made great strides, but weâ€™ve also been doing this research for 35 years. Researchers using adult stem cells have made breakthroughs in certain areas. None of these stem cells were available until in-vitro fertilization. There are literally 400 to 500,000 embryos sitting in storage right now. And, at some point, weâ€™re going to have to decide what to do with them.â€? (Both Democratic candidates, Carter and Esch, are opposed to abortion -- except in the cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.)

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Candidatesâ€™ statements for May 13 Primary

AMERICA DECIDES 2008 Editorâ€™s note: The Jewish Press contacted all candidates running for public office in Eastern Nebraska-- from Senate to school board. As of press time, only one statement had been received. The primary election is this Tuesday, May 13. EARL SCUDDER UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA REGENT â€œThe University of Nebraska is our Stateâ€™s most important institution, attracting leading research, top academic talent, and excellent students, while providing opportunities for economic development and job creation. We must help the University continue on the path toward educational and research preeminence while maintaining a commitment to accessible and affordable education for the citizens of our state, says Earl Scudder. He has been a business and education leader for 40 years. Scudder Law Firm employs 27 people in serving individual and business clients nationwide. During his career, he served on the boards of directors of 15 private sector businesses. Scudder has served on local and statewide boards, not-forprofits and committees that benefit the greater community. Nebraskaâ€™s Governor appointed him to the Nebraska Education 2000 Steering Committee on Higher Education Reform, and UNLâ€™s Chancellor appointed him to the UNL Vision 2020 Task Force on Research and Graduate Education. With NU degrees in both Business and Law, Scudder has been a university Adjunct Faculty member and a law college lecturer. Scudder is the Chairman of the NU College of Law Alumni Council, served for three years as the UNL Parents Association President, and served for 14 years on UNLâ€™s Committee of Visitors. He is a 20-year member of the NU Foundation Board of Trustees, and a lifetime member of the NU Presidentâ€™s Club, UNL Chancellorâ€™s Club, and NU Alumni Association. Scudder supports: Embryonic stem cell research to find cures for disease, reduce suffering and save lives; Affordable tuition for Nebraska students through cost controls and private funding; Transferring NU technology to private enterprise for Nebraska job creation; Emphasizing recruiting, retaining and teaching students for Nebraska careers; and Keeping NU campuses safe. For more information, visit: www.Scudder4Regent.com

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 9, 2008

Caucus vs. election Months ago (it seems like years, thanks to this contentious election year), many Nebraskans voted in the Democratic caucus. But don’t think you’re off the hook for this Tuesday’s primary. That caucus was a) only for the Democratic Party; and b) only for the presidential race. There are many more positions on the ballot, from school board to senate, and a number of amendments to the Nebraska Constitution as well. And while choosing your preferred candidate for president is admirable, remember that most politicians get their start in the lower rungs. This year’s legislative contest could someday produce candidates for the United States Senate. So if you think you performed your civic duty by voting in a caucus last February (or sending in an absentee ballot), think again. You have a responsibility to show up at the polls next week. Since the Jewish Press is owned by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, this newspaper can not and does not endorse political parties or candidates running for office. We do, however, contact every candidate running for political office and inform them of the opportunity to run 300-word statements in this paper, regardless of whether or not they purchase an ad. This year, only one candidate took us up on that offer. And the Press makes every attempt to interview candidates running for major office (especially the U.S. Senate and House), whether they discuss their points of view before a Jewish audience or not. We feel it’s important to educate our readers about various candidates and their positions on topics ranging from health care and stem cell

research to foreign policy and the economy. In recent months, we’ve featured remarks by the Democratic and Republican contenders in the Second Congressional District: Richard Carter, Jim Esch and Lee Terry. We profiled Tony Raimondo and Scott Kleeb, who are running for the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat now held by Chuck Hagel. Since Mike Johanns is running unopposed on the Republican side, we’ll publish an interview with him prior to the general election on Nov. 4. We hope you’re already registered to vote (and that you’ve sent absentee ballots to the out-of-town college students in your family). In the end, it’s your responsibility to become familiar with the issues and the candidates and exercise your right to vote. If you don’t, then don’t complain to us about the results. There are, apparently, Democrats who are insisting they’ll stay home if their candidate is “robbed” of the nomination and others who might refuse to vote if the nominee isn’t liberal (or conservative) enough, promises gas tax relief for the summer (or refuses to), talks to terrorists (or threatens to annihilate them). We understand that sometimes voters have to hold their noses

when they pull the lever. We don’t always get the perfect candidate, whether it’s for president or prom queen. But don’t stay home; don’t throw away what many in the world envy -- an opportunity to choose between candidates, instead of the last resort of putting a rubber stamp on one person, chosen by the country’s dictator and his party. We do have choices in this country. They’re not always perfect. But then, neither are we. (Who would even want to be commander-inchief of 300 million diverse, opinionated Americans -- it’s hard enough to be president of a Jewish organization!!) So as we move from remembering the Holocaust to celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary as a state, let’s be thankful in this country for our privileges and rights. And remember to vote this Tuesday!

Being light to nations key to Jewish survival

IbySRAEL @ 60 AVRAHAM BURG (JTA) -- It’s impossible to auger the future of the Jewish people. It can only be summed up in two words: “I hope.” In a paradoxical sense, the current political, economic and military strength of the Jewish people does not suggest much self-confidence. We never before have had such a strong army and such a powerful state, just as we never have had such a great support network and influence as we have with today’s worldwide Jewry. Nevertheless we are fearful. Every day we worry about our future and wonder if there still is hope for us. We fear annihilation and destruction. We see foes behind every shadow. Is this security? Are the fruits of independence and sovereignty the loss of the Jewish people’s faith in “netzach yisrael,” the eternity of the Jewish people? We have tremendous national experience in survival and in forging means of existence in the face of a hostile world. But we have yet to develop a national strategy for times of respite, acceptance and equality, whether in our sovereign nation or in our Diaspora society. The question for our future is, can the Jewish people, the vast majority of whom live today in the democratic hemisphere, survive without an external enemy? The key to that future doesn’t really depend on our military or political strength but in decoding the Jewish genome that succeeded in getting us through so many challenging periods. The Jewish people never survived merely for the purposes of survival or subsisted solely for the purpose of subsisting. Judaism and the

Jews can survive only if we, connected with one another, are aimed toward a goal far larger than physical survival. We must aim for the destiny of the entire world and think about our contribution to humanity. This is how we gave the world the notion of liberty, expressed during the exodus from Egypt in the eternal cry “Let my people go.” This was the humanistic universalism of the prophets, and this is the Jewish ethical lesson for the world’s generations. Without enlightened universal humanism, the Jewish people do not justify their existence or the heavy price we and others pay with suffering. A state and sovereignty are only the means. The question must always come back to a means to what, a state for what.

... We must go from a nation of victims to a nation that is of the righteous among the nations, for the entire world. We must be there for suffering people around the world who need us as we needed others ... The strategy for the Jewish people can be found in our past. We must return to a position in which our contributions to the world will be so vital and unique that neither we nor the world can afford to forego our existence. In the medieval era, when the daughters of Judaism -- Islam and Christianity -- blossomed, Maimonides said, “There is no difference between our days and the messianic era except for the subjugation of the nations.” What he meant was the only difference between history and post-history is that in the messianic era, nations will not subjugate other nations, people will not conquer other peoples, individuals will not humiliate or oppress other individuals, men will not abuse women.

This universal Jewish call for peace, equality and justice, which preceded all the modern revolutions, is still relevant and far from being fulfilled. The fulfillment of Maimonides’ grand humanistic dream is undergoing the incredible experiment of our generation. As the nation of victims, we must not claim for ourselves a monopoly on suffering. We must not be closed or apathetic to the sufferings of others “because our trauma is bigger than yours.” We must transform our suffering to a model for the world -- of good against evil, of light against darkness. The cry “never again” means never again for anyone who is suffering, never again for anyone who is persecuted, never again to the evildoers and the malicious -- not, heaven forbid, never again for the Jews alone. The Jewish future means undergoing a revolutionary change from Holocaust to recovery, from trauma to trust, from victim to protector of victims, from an era of enslavement to an era of fellowship. We will secure our existence by being a model for the world and for ourselves. We must go from a nation of victims to a nation that is of the righteous among the nations, for the entire world. We must be there for suffering people around the world who need us as we needed others -- even though, except for a few isolated cases, there were no others there when we needed them. We can have no loftier a national goal. It carries on its wings the promise for the future of the Jewish people in these enlightened and open modern times into which we have been fortunate enough to have been born. Avraham Burg is a former speaker of Israel’s Knesset, former chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the author most recently of “Defeating Hitler.” This piece was translated from Hebrew by JTA associate editor Uriel Heilman.

(Founded in 1920) Howard K. Marcus President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Robyn Belgrade Sales Associate Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Anne Muskin Editorial Intern Jewish Press Board Bobbi Leibowitz, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Treasurer; Joanie Jacobson, Immediate Past-chairman; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; Eve Randone, Melissa Schop; Michael Siegel, Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service and Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $33 per calendar year U.S.; $72 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.

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Page 13

Making sense of the ‘J Street’ jive New D.C. Jewish lobby seeks to undermine AIPAC in the name of mythical Arab moderates source that actually dwarfs AIPAC’s American Jewish donors: the Saudis and the Persian Gulf states. But not all of AIPAC’s critics are avowed anti-Zionists. For some American Jews, AIPAC’s success in mobilizing a broad bipartisan coalition in favor of the alliance is by JONATHAN S. TOBIN somehow troubling. For self-proclaimed “doves,” AIPAC has become part of what they see as an American-JewishIt is not exactly a secret that in some made obstacle to peace. Some on the Jewish left are now quarters, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, seeking to, in the words of a Jewish Telegraphic Agency better known as AIPAC, is seen as a vast, powerful organ- report on the subject, “play tough” with AIPAC via the ization that has run roughshod over Capitol Hill and creation of an organization calling itself J Street in a takeimposed a pro-Israel slant on American foreign policy. off on the fact that many D.C. lobbyists work on the city’s For those who have been K Street. asleep for the past couple of J Street’s appeal seems to center years, that is, more or less, the on the notion that members of thesis of John Mearsheimer Congress are under the misappreand Stephen Walt, authors of hension that the alleged right-wing “The Israel Lobby,” a book slant of AIPAC is not representathat has propelled those two tive of the views of most American otherwise respected but Jews who are, according to J obscure scholars into stars of Street’s backers, doves like them. the left-wing academic They want to help promote speechmaking circuit. American support for Palestinian This was the same line and other Arab “moderates.” J taken by former president Street’s goal will be to puncture Jimmy Carter in his 2006 AIPAC’s aura of power and make “Palestine: Peace Not Pro-Israel doves are launching “J Street,” an initiative it clear that the “pro-peace” Apartheid,” which similarly to promote support in the U.S. Congress for the peace lobby is the true voice of libeled American Jews and process and moderate Palestinians. Credit: JTA Staff American Jewry, as well as being sought to delegitimize American supporters of the more genuinely supportive of the interests of Israel. Jewish state. Of course, both books are bunk. It is a free country, and J Street has every right to use The reason why the overwhelming majority of the reported $1.5 million raised on its behalf to say anyAmericans back Israel has little to do with AIPAC’s lobby- thing it wants to Congress or anyone else. But the ing prowess and everything to do with the fact that most group’s premise is flawed in several respects. of us rightly see Israel as a democratic ally with Western The first is the notion that Jewish criticisms of Israel values, assailed by Arab and Muslim authoritarians and are being suppressed in this country. Islamists. Oh, yes, then there is the small detail that a huge In promoting these “dovish” views, they are, after all, slice of the U.S. electorate believe that their Christian faith hardly alone. Other groups, including the influential makes it imperative that they support Israel. Israel Policy Forum, already provide a forum for the But that said, AIPAC has done a pretty good job ral- “peace now” crowd. Nor are such views absent from the lying this natural goodwill for Israel, and turning it into American media, which are flooded with abuse of Israel votes for measures that buck up the alliance between and where defenses of Jewish rights in the conflict, as well Jerusalem and Washington. as the state’s measures of self-defense, are often lacking. Indeed, it has been doing this job for so long that it’s Moreover, the notion that AIPAC is a creature of getting hard for a lot of us to remember that once upon Israel’s Likudnik right is another falsehood. a time, support for Zionism was once very effectively AIPAC, itself the creation of a broad coalition of countered by State Department Arabists and oil-indus- groups, has always reflexively supported the point of try advocates. view of all Israeli governments, including the ones that And despite the fact that anti-Israel members of promoted the Oslo peace accords and the unilateral Congress are a minority these days, foes of the Jewish withdrawal from Gaza. Throughout the entire period of state still make themselves heard with ease in Washington Oslo-inspired peace euphoria, as well as during the leadand in the academy. They are, after all, funded by a up to the pullout from Gaza, AIPAC’s policies were a

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source of great frustration to right-wingers, who, at times, themselves sought to outflank the lobby. More importantly, the notion underlying the whole initiative is based on belief in a creature as mythical as the unicorn: Palestinian peaceniks. The current situation, in which the Islamists of Hamas clearly command the support of the majority of Palestinians, while being physically in control of Gaza, is deplorable. But it is a fact. Diplomatic charlatans, such as the aforementioned Jimmy Carter, may tirelessly promote, as he did just this week, the idea that Hamas wants peace but no one -- not even the Palestinians -- believe him. Its goal is not a secret: the destruction of the Jewish state and not merely its withdrawal behind the 1949 armistice lines. On the other hand, the PA -- the body that Israel’s government and the Bush administration claim is “moderate” -- is powerless to make peace, even if they really want it. But given the role that the P.A., and its Fatah and Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade components, plays in fomenting hate and terror against Jews and Israel, faith in their good intentions requires a substantial suspension of disbelief. More to the point, in the aftermath of the crackup of Oslo, the second intifada and the rise of Hamas, the whole idea of American Jewry, as well as Israeli voters being split along “right” and “left” fault lines about peace, is an outdated concept. The vast majority of both Israelis and American Jews no longer support the idea of holding onto most of the territories. But the concept that more Israeli concessions (on top of the enormous sacrifices in terms of land and blood already made by Israel in the name of peace) will transform the Palestinians into peace partners is discredited. The majority of Israelis would gladly make a land for peace deal. But they now understand there is currently no one to make it with. That’s a tough pill for many of us to swallow. For those who prefer to focus on false notions of Israeli intransigence, rather than the actual record of the last 15 years of failed attempts at peacemaking, J Street will provide an outlet. In the coming months, J Street will probably use whatever influence it can muster to undermine the proIsrael community’s continued attempts to ask Congress and the White House to hold both Hamas and Fatah accountable for their support of terror and hate education for Palestinian kids. They’ll probably fail. But that they will do so in the name of peace won’t make their position any less foolish, as well as irresponsible. Jonathan S. Tobin is executive editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. He can be contacted via email at: jtobin@jewishexponent.com. w wwww.plantationgeraniums.com w. p l a n t a t i o n g e r a n i u m s . c o m Visit images of of the the 2004 2008 varieties! varieties! Visitour our website website for for full-color full-color images

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 9, 2008

Candlelighting Friday, May 9, 8:12 p.m

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

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

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

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 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org

Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

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

The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609

Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: No Services this week.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Celebrate Israel’s milestone 60th birthday with special prayers and readings to commemorate this significant event; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m. (last session of the school year); Kiddush sponsored by Sherri and Michael Preston, in honor of their son Alex, becoming a Bar Mitzvah; Minha/ Ma’ariv, 8:25 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Insights and Values from the Torah, noon; Women’s Book Club, 1:15 p.m. BESTT FOURTH-GRADE WEDDING: Sunday, May 11, 11:30 a.m., in the sanctuary. The community is invited to celebrate this beloved annual tradition. BESTT CHAVERIM: Pool party on Sunday, May 11, 2-4 p.m. at the home of Tom and Becky Kahn. No charge to attend. For more information, contact Robert Mosenkis in the synagogue office, or at youthdir @bethel-omaha.org. BBQ & BARCHU: On Friday, May 16, 5:30 p.m., celebrate Shabbat at Zorinsky Lake. Dinner will be at 6:15 p.m.; the musical Kabbalat Shabbat service will follow at 6:45 p.m. (Regular services will also be held at Beth El at 8:15 p.m.) Cost is $8.50 for adults (13 and older); $4 for children ages six to 12; and free for children five or younger. To RSVP, contact Margie Gutnik in the office or programming@bethel-omaha.org. (See full story on page 6.) ANNUAL CANTOR’S CONCERT: ‘Broadway on the Bimah,’ Beth El’s 2008 Cantor’s Scholarship Fund Concert, is Monday, May 19, 7:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, Jeff Taxman, Jonathan Rathsam and Brent Spivack. For ticket information, call the office.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

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Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by the Shyken Family in honor of the 55th anniversary of Paysie Shyken’s Bar Mitzvah; “Guard Your Tongue” and “Advanced Analysis of Midrash Rabbah” classes begin one hour before Mincha each Shabbat after-

noon; Mincha, 7:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:19 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam” with Rabbi Oxman is cancelled this week as Rabbi Oxman is out of town; Rabbi Gross’s Teen Class, 10 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. MONDAY: Sisterhood Mah Jongg, 1-3 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Yom Hazikaron Service/Yom Ha’atzmaut Chagigah, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m. ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS Sunday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. The slate for the 2008-09 Board of Commissioners, to be announced in the May Bulletin, will be agenda for the meeting. All members are invited; a light breakfast will be served.

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m.; Mother’s Day Shabbat Dinner, 8 p.m. RSVP to Carol at 330.1800 or email shevi@ochabad.com. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Maamar Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Parsha class for pre-schoolers, 12:30 p.m.; Halacha class, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 9 a.m.; Parshah Roundup: Weekly Torah Portion Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Parsha for kids, 3:45 p.m.; Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.

All events and programs are open to the community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Community Potluck Dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Shabbat Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Bar Mitzvah of Jeremy Payne at Tifereth Israel. SUNDAY: No Lincoln Community School classes. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel. TUESDAY: Adult Education, 7 p.m. Adult Education led by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel, topic TBA. THURSDAY: Jews and the News, 12:30 p.m. Lunch and Discussion.

SUNDAY: Teacher Learning Coffee, 9 a.m.; Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m.; Kindergarten Roundup, 10 a.m. TUESDAY: Hebrew Lunch & Learn, 12:15 p.m.; From Generation to Generation, 7 p.m. Fee is $18 for Temple members and $25 for others. To register, call Program Director Rosie Zweiback in the office. WEDNESDAY: Know Thyself, Know Thy Christian Neighbor, 7:30 a.m. with Rabbi Linder at Village Inn (7837 Dodge St). Advance registration is requested. Please contact Program Director Rosie Zweiback rzweiback@templeisraelomaha.com, 556.6536. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy,” 10 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel. SUNDAY, May 18: Madrichim Lunch and Play, noon. All Religious School madrichim will meet at Valentino’s (107 & Maple) for a review of the year.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by National Council of Jewish Women-Omaha Section. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz. SUNDAY: Mother’s Day concert, 1:45 p.m. with Tuffy Epstein Trio followed by Special Tea Time hosted by LOVE.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Confirmation/Graduation Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m., led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Eric Linder and Cantor Wendy Shermet along with twelfth grade students. Installation of 2008/2009 OTYG Board Members. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. Contact the office to arrange for a minyan. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 8 p.m. with Bar Mitzvah of Jeremy Payne. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. with Bar Mitzvah of Jeremy Payne followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. SUNDAY: No Lincoln Community School classes. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group meets at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, May 18: Last day of Religious school is field day and picnic; congregants are invited to join us at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 1 p.m., Annual Meeting at the synagogue.

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Jerry Slusky will speak about “Stop Arguing and Start Talking: A Process for Resolving Business and Workplace Disputes” at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, May 14, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Marty Ricks, chairman. Slusky is a Partner of Smith Gardner Slusky Law. All men and women in the community are invited to attend. Cost is $13 for lunch and $3 for beverage service only. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. If you have any Yiddish books to donate, please call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Reminder: Visions’ luncheon meeting is Friday, May 16, 12:30 p.m., at the Caniglia’s Venice Inn. Members will be entertained by a sensational preview of South Pacific by the Omaha Community Playhouse performers, along with the Musical Director, Jim Boggess.

Gary Javitch, left, and Marty Ricks, representing Henry Monsky Lodge, flank Dennis Glick the next international president of B’nai B’rith, as the Lodge receives a programming award, highlighting Breadbreakers, the 58-year-old weekly speakers’ program. Glick was in town last week and also participated in the Holocaust proclamation ceremony at Mayor Fahey’s office.

May 9, 2008

MARIJUANA

IS A DRUG.

Telling off the priests

SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Emor To be quite plain about it, Moses found it necessary to tell the priests (Kohanim) what they may do and what they may not. The Sanctuary was considered unapproachable by most people at all times, even by the priests at particular times. I suppose that, although unarticulated, we have a built-in demand for equality among the Jewish people. Even today, although we yield pride of place to the Kohanim and give them the first aliyah when Torah is read, their privileges are sharply limited. The Kohane, at a Pidyon haBen (redemption of the

first born son) is granted the immense fee of five silver dollars. I remember that the wife of one Kohane, without telling her husband, took all his accumulated silver dollars to the bank and deposited them for a dollar apiece. she apparently did not know that silver dollars, particularly older ones, had a normal exchange price for more than a dollar. As a matter of fact, think back when last you saw a silver dollar! I can recall seeing 50-cent pieces, which were already relatively rare, but I don’t think I’ve seen the big wheel, an actual American silver dollar, a cartwheel, for a long, long time. So if Moses had to give special instructions to the Kohanim, in our day we find that not strange at all. The Kohane may have the first aliyah, but there is no great mourning if there are none present and we substitute a Levite or ordinary Israelite in his place without much ado.

DEATHS Palestine, then under British control, and be sent back to Europe. But the defiant Harel and his skipper planned a daring escape from under the nose of the British destroyer that was escorting them. They shut off the ship’s lights in the dead of night and swiftly changed the ship’s course, heading for Palestine. The British intercepted the Exodus, hitting the ship’s bow and attempting to board the boat. Passengers tried to repel the British forces by hurling potatoes and canned goods at them. A British soldier and three Jews were killed in the clashes, including an American volunteer sailor from San Francisco, before Harel ordered his passengers to surrender. The refugees were taken to Haifa and put on ships headed back to Europe. Among those who witnessed the dramatic scene of the refugees disembarking from the Exodus in Haifa only to be loaded onto three other ships headed back for the continent were members of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine. The officials said later that seeing the unfortunate journey of those refugees up close spurred them to push for a resolution of the question of Palestine and the Jews who wanted to make it their home. For its role in galvanizing world opinion in favor of a Jewish state, the Exodus became known as the ship that helped launch the Jewish state. The dimensions of its story, including the return of the refugees to Europe and their eventual landing in Germany, was covered widely by the international media. The story was mythologized in the 1958 novel Exodus by Leon Uris, as well as a hit film starring Paul Newman in a loose portrayal of Harel. For Jews and non-Jews, the book and film painted a by DINA KRAFT romantic, heroic picture of the Zionist cause, doing TEL AVIV (JTA) -- On wonders for the young April 28, a white-haired forstate’s image. Years later, in mer shipmate propped a the Soviet Union, illegal gold-fringed, pale blue flag copies of the book were cirof the legendary Exodus culated among young Jews, ship next to the coffin of its turning them into avid commander, Yossi Harel. Zionists. Among them were A short distance away the leaders of the movement sparkled the azure to free Soviet Jews and allow Mediterranean Sea, whose their immigration to Israel. waters Harel sailed four Harel, who was 28 when times on clandestine jourhe was the Exodus comneys between 1945 and mander, went on to a career 1948. Those journeys in the Israeli army’s intellibrought a total of 24,000 gence corps in the early years Holocaust survivors to the Loaded with thousands of European Jewish refugees, the of the state. He later went shores of what would soon Exodus sailed for Palestine in 1947 under the command of into business and reportedly become the State of Israel. Yossi Harel, who died April 26. The ship galvanized support also worked for the Mossad. Credit: Hans Pinn/GPO/BPH Images Harel, who died April 26 of for a Jewish state. During a visit to Los cardiac arrest at the age of 90, was remembered as a hero Angeles in 1948 he met an American woman who would by his former comrades, the Jewish refugees he helped become his wife. “I saw a man in uniform facing me, bring to Israel and the leaders of the country. impressive and handsome, and I fell in love with him He was “modest, a brave fighterand a hero who did immediately,” Julie Harel was quoted by the Israeli daily not seek acts of heroism,” said Shaul Biber, a fellow for- Ma’ariv. “We were married and since then we were never mer Palmach fighter. apart. It’s hard for me to imagine life without him. His life When he secretly set sail from France on the Exodus, was interwoven with the history of the State of Israel.” a rickety former Chesapeake Bay steamer originally called the President Warwick, Harel could not have To submit obituaries: E-mail to the Press at jpress@jewknown that the voyage would become legendary. ishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.5422, or mail to 333 So. 132 The boat left on July 11, 1947 with 4,553 Jewish St., Omaha, NE 68154, or online at the Jewish Federation of refugees on board and headed toward Palestine until it Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish was intercepted by British navy vessels. The British comPress” and go to Submit Announcements. manders ordered that the refugees not be allowed into

AILEEN EISENSTATT Aileen Eisenstatt died April 27, at the age of 84. A private burial was held on May 1 at Temple Israel Cemetery and a memorial service at Temple Israel. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Eisenstatt. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Steve Luttbeg and Gail and Steve Machov; grandchildren, David and Miriam Luttbeg, Lisa Luttbeg and Jarod DeJong, Bradley and David Machov. Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, c/o Malia Rumbaugh V.A.P.S.H.C.S. S-182, University of Washington, 1660 So. Columbia Way, Seattle, WA 98108, or to the Leo and Aileen Eisenstatt Scholarship Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. MARION STRAUSS Marion Strauss died May 3 at the age of 89. A graveside service was held May 4 at Golden Hills Cemetery. She worked for the Strategic Air Command at Offut Air Force base for many years. Folowing her retirement, she was involved in Sisterhood and B’nai B’rith Women. She was preceded in death by her sister, Geraldine Marks; brother, Donald Strauss; and longtime friend, George Weise. She is survived by her nephew, Ronald Marks of Oshkosh, WI; nieces, Judy Lipscomb of Houston, Ellen Marks of Leawood, KS, and Shelli Katelman; sister-inlaw, Dorothy Strauss; two great-grand-nephews and five great-nieces. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Commander of Exodus, Yossi Harel, dies at 90

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 9, 2008

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