May 13, 2005

Vol. LXXXIV No. 36 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 84 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

Alex Raksin and Gal Tsabari to Receive Jewish Teen Leadership Awards

by PAM MONSKY Federation Communications Director The Jewish Federation of Omaha will present the 2004 Jewish Teen Leadership Award to Alex Raksin and Gal Tsabari on Sunday, May 15, 3:30 p.m. The award presentation will precede a performance by Danni’s Band at the community Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebration in the theater at the Jewish Alex Raksin Community Center.

The Jewish Teen Leadership Awards honor Jewish teens who demonstrate leadership ability in a youth group and who have contributed to strengthening the organization and developing future leadership.

Recipients are chosen by an anonymous committee. This prestigious award also comes with a $1,000 stipend that can be used towards Jewish educational course work or a Jewish experience such as camp or program in Israel.

Raksin was nominated by the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO). As a freshman, Alex received the Mid America Region AIT of the Year award at Spring Convention 2001. Since that time, he has worked on a number of committees, including two Sweetheart Dances, the Israeli Scouts, AZA Basketball and Brush Up Nebraska. Alex is currently working on the Spring Regional Convention 2005 and co-planning a program focusing on the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.

Last spring, his peers elected Alex as President of the AZA Omaha Cornbelt Council, where he is responsible for conducting monthly Council meetings, overseeing and attending all Council programs, representing the Council at monthly Advisory Board meetings, and meeting with the BBYO Director on a regular basis. On a regional level, the Council Presidents are required to attend all Mid-America Regional Conventions, as well as

4 Iyyar, 5765 May 13, 2005

As Protestant Divestment Drive Heats up, Jews Express Ire

national executive meetings in the fall.

He is a senior at Millard North where he enjoys psychology, accounting and marketing classes. He plans to attend the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. His parents are Leonid and Irina Raksin.

Gal Tsabari was also nominated for the Jewish Teen Leadership Award by BBYO. The summer after her freshman year, Gal attended the BBYO Summer Program Chapter LeadGal Tsabari ership Training Conference, where she was trained and prepared for the responsibilities of chapter leadership. In addition, she attended Kallah, an enriching personal experience tailored to the specific needs of teenagers by providing Judaic and Hebrew studies, lectures and seminars, Israeli song and dance and other creative dramatic arts. The experience had a dramatic impact on her and Gal has devoted her time in BBYO to promoting these kinds of programs to other Jewish teens in Omaha and around our region.

Since her installation as Cornbelt Council N’siah in the spring of 2004, Gal has made quite an impact on the teens in BBYO. She was one of two teens to attend the bi-annual BBYO March of the Living Trip to Poland and Israel last year. Upon her return, Gal put together a powerful presentation that she has given to more than 1,000 teens and adults in Omaha.

When the Omaha JCC hosted the 2002 JCC Maccabi Games, Gal worked with three other teens to create the JCC Maccabi Games Orientation video. She was instrumental in keeping the project moving along, and came prepared every day to get the job done on time.

As a senior at Westside, Gal is interested in political science, world history, and debate. After graduation, she plans to go into Israeli Army through the Garin Program.

Her parents are Eadie and Eitan Tsabari.

by RACHEL POMERANCE NEW YORK (JTA)--As a growing number of Protestant churches consider imposing economic sanctions against Israel, the Jewish community is threatening to abandon interfaith dialogue with mainstream Protestant groups.

“Any Protestant denomination that would consider the weapon of economic sanctions to be unilaterally and prejudicially used against the State of Israel, or those who would hold the State of Israel to a standard different from any other sovereign state, creates an environment which makes constructive dialogue almost impossible,” mainstream Jewish defense groups and the three main religious streams wrote in an April 22 letter to Protestant leaders.

The letter is considered the strongest language that Jewish groups have used to date on the issue.The letter “signals a change in the tone and the tenor of our discourse,” said Ethan Felson, Assistant Executive director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

The missive comes after a flurry of recent activity by churches considering divestment some nine months after a Protestant group first made it a prominent issue.

Continued on page 11

Elder Rick Ufford-Chase, left, Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, and Rabbi Eric Yoffie meet Sept. 28, 2004, in New York to discuss the Presbyterian Church’s call to divest from Israel.

Credit: Uriel Heilman/JTA

Elie Wiesel Asks “When This Generation of Survivors Are Gone, What Will We Remember?”

WWII Liberator Urges All at Holocaust Event to Learn About History of survivors, the children of survivors, and the grandchildren of survivors of the Holocaust--Nazi Germany’s systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry and other enemies of the Third Reich.

Army veteran, Norman Smith, 80, his body stricken by polio when he was a young man, spoke clearly and authoritatively to an audience that also included WW II veterans, educators, and other members of the Omaha Jewish community--segments of society represented in a touching candle lighting ceremony held earlier in the evening. They all shared the desire to send one message: we will bear witness to the horrific events that occurred and vow that never again will Liberator Norman Smith speaks about his World War II expe- we permit them to happen.

Continued on page 2 rience before an overflow crowd at Beth Israel.

by Gary Javitch “Have you ever smelled human flesh burning?” That was one of the most vivid of the memories the liberator recalled at Beth Israel during the community-wide Yom Hashoah commemoration on May 4. Stooped over the podium surveying the overflow crowd, Norman Smith, the keynote speaker, spoke before a number

Inside Opinion Page see page 8

Bea Karp, right, and her daughters, Nancy Kutler, left, and Jeanne Soshnik of St. Louis, light memorial candles on Yom Hashoah at Auchwitz during the 18th March of the Living. More than 18,000 participated in the event to honor the memories of the six million killed by the Nazis and collaborators.

Story from coverage of ADL’s participation on page 3.

This Week: Op-eds About the Holocaust, Sudan: Page 9 A Small Town Isn’t NY, but They Know How to Be Jewish: Page 5

Yom HaAtzmaut Activities Include Trivia Quiz, Israeli Artists: Page 6

Coming Next Week: Senior Living Special Issue Spring is Here Crossword Puzzle: Page 7

Local Teens Win ADL Essay Contest: Page 12

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 13, 2005

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CLIP & SAVE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, MAY 13 Women and Books Program, 10 a.m.

Temple Israel Musician-in-Residence with Dr. Michael Isaacson, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 14 “Out of Sight Saturday Night”, 6:30 p.m.

C SUNDAY, MAY 15 L Annual Meeting & Board Elections, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel I Fourth Grade Mock Wedding, 10 a.m. at Beth El P Jewish Potpouri, 10 a.m. at Beth El &

C L I P

Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, Bible Study Class, and Living Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El & Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration, noon Yachad Booth, 2 p.m. at Yom Ha’Atzmaut at the JCC

S A MONDAY, MAY 16 V JSS Senior Luncheon, 10 a.m.

E Hadassah Board Meeting, 1 p.m.

S A V E

BEAM Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El Youth Commission Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El Jewish Press Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Speaker at Lincoln’s Holocaust Commemoration Urges “Early Warning System” Against Hate Groups

TUESDAY, MAY 17 “The Guy and Bob Show”, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Spring Dance Recital, 7 p.m.

Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel TLC Growth Through Torah, 7:30 p.m. at private residence WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 PATTER, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El C Adult Education, noon at Temple Israel L Spring Dance Recital, 7 p.m.

I THURSDAY, MAY 19 P Temple Israel Men’s Spirituality Group, 7:30 a.m.

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

& Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Levin’s class, noon at Beth El “People of the Bible”, noon Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. at Kripke Library

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)

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Continued from page 1 Gerber sang Ani Maamin (“I Believe”). The evening Smith, a highly regarded, award-winning teacher, shared agenda also included poignant moments of silence that a number of vignettes beginning on April 28, 1945, the were interspersed between selected readings from the day he and members of the renowned 101st Airborne works of Elie Wiesel, a moving memorial prayer, and the Division literally freed the remaining remnants of the Mourner’s Kaddish. The program concluded with the German concentration camp in Landsburg, a town near singing of Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah”, and a Munich. request to take home and light a memorial candle.

“Everywhere you looked, you saw the dead, the dying, As the audience departed, quite a few gathered to thank and the survivors,” he related, describing the camp the speaker and share thoughts. In that group was Bob inmates. “Many had a vacant, glassy stare.” He said after Perelman, another liberator. A program participant, he the program that he had always felt somewhat guilty he represented WW II veterans in the candlelighting ceremosurvived the war. Along with his polio, that guilt was an ny. He shared some of his 60-year old pictures from the important factor in his turning to teaching and his life- fateful day his unit entered Dachau, noting how the viclong efforts to educate people about the horrors of the tims were “piled up like cordwood.”

Holocaust.

Because of his war experiences, in his presentations Smith emphasizes three points, among others. The first is an important idea Alvin Toffler’s expressed in Future Shock (1970): “Students without knowledge of the past, see nothing unusual about the present,” he quoted, referring to the lack of awareness by many of historical events, in particular those that encompass the rise of Hitler and Der Fuhrer’s Prior to the Yom Hashoah attempt to exterminate all his service, more than 65 enemies. young people came early A second is that stench for a private showing of from burning flesh he alluded Paper Clips. The docuto earlier. He will always mentary movie portrayed remember that, he stated. an innovative Holocaust And the haunting sound of education program whose people in the throes of death goal was to help rural is something he will never Tennessee middle school forget. students grasp the enormiHis story, spoken simply, ty of six million deaths repyet eloquently before a rapt Photos from top: Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, left, and Cantor resented by the collection audience received a standing Wendy Shermet, along with Don Gerber, lead the singing of of paper clips. The entire “Hatikvah”at last week’s Yom Hashoah service. Rabbi Jonathan community embraced the ovation at its conclusion.

Rabbi Jonathan Gross Gross of Beth Israel assists Jim Fried, son of Holocaust sur- effort, which ended up introduced Smith and hosted vivors Sam and the late Magda Fried, as he lights a candle. transforming and sensitizthe program, held this year at Omaha Mayor Jim Fahey signs a proclamation for the Days of ing all involved.

Beth Israel Synagogue. Two Remembrance with community representatives: Sharon UNO freshman Josh days earlier, the rabbi joined Brodkey, left, Gary Javitch, Bea Karp, Sam Fried, Bonnie Bloch, Grossman was quite with other representatives of Rabbi Gross, and, in back, Steve Riekes and Pam Monsky. impressed with the 88the Jewish community for a brief ceremony in Mayor Mike minute film, observing that “ I was moved that all these Fahey’s office. At that meeting, the mayor signed and read kids from a [rural area] could accomplish what they did. It a proclamation noting that May 1-8 were officially to be gave me a new perspective on everyday people.” called the Days of Remembrance to bring attention to the Temple Israel Education Director, Elyce Azriel agreed.

Holocaust and its lessons.

“The movie,” she said, “gave me a special warmth. It is The evening featured other highlights as well. Six Jewish one thing when a Jew does something like this…but when Omahans lit a candle of remembrance: each light repre- someone from the ‘outside’ does it, it is very special.” sented a million Jewish people murdered by the Germans Katherine Finnegan chaired the committee that put on in the camps; each individual served as a proxy for a seg- the program, which was presented by the Jewish ment of society, named earlier.

Educational and Library Services, and co-sponsored by Before the candle ceremony, Cantors Gastón the three synagogues: Beth El, Beth Israel and Temple Bogomolni and Wendy Shermet with the help of Don Israel.

& S A V E

by MARCIA KUSHER At a breakfast with members of the clergy, and again in his address, he spoke President of the Lincoln Jewish Federation about the role of the Holocaust The Rotunda of the Nebraska State Museum in Washington, D.C. His Capitol was the setting for the involvement with the building of the statewide Holocaust CommemoraMuseum, and his continuing membertion on May 4. Gov. Dave Heineman ship on the Holocaust Council’s spoke about the 60th anniversary of Committee of Conscious, which deals the end of World War II in Europe, with genocides as they occur in the and presented a proclamation declarworld today, was the basis for his ing the week of May 2-9 as remarks.

Holocaust Remembrance week.

B’nai B’rith arranged for the govThe Council operates under the conernor’s proclamation copy to be sent straints of a governmental body, but as to Omaha and all the events related such has access to governmental leaders to the issuance of the Omaha proclaand agencies and acts as a center of conmation as well. (Those documents scious in Washington. D.C. Pawlikowski Charles Afuh, a political refugee from will be held for all to see in the warned about the growth of hate groups Cameroon, lights the candle of hope at offices of the Nebraska Jewish in this country and gave examples of the the Lincoln commemoration.

Historical Society.) activities in Billings, Montana, and Holocaust survivors who lit candles for the victims Coeur d’Alene, Idaho a few years ago. He insisted that included: Ilona Berk, Lou Leviticus, Eli and Ann the religious community has an obligation for an early Modenstein, Esther Misle, Lola Reinglas, Dr. Fred warning system as the seeds of hate grow rapidly.

The Lincoln Public Schools All City Girls Choir sang Kader and Leelo Sommerhauser.

Rev. John T. Pawlikowski presented the several selections and three students read their prizeCommemoration keynote address: “The Holocaust: Its winning poems based on their studies of the Holocaust at the closing of the ceremony.

Continuing Challenge for Public Ethics”.

May 13, 2005

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Elie Wiesel Asks “When This Generation of Survivors Are Gone, What Will We Remember?”

by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Millions of words have been written about the Holocaust, by survivors, educators, academicians, liberators and rescuers. Why should there be more from the group of Omahans who participated in last week’s March of the Living in Poland?

The answer can be found in the speech given by Israel’s former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Israel Lau at the closing ceremony at Birkenau, part of the massive Auschwitz death camp compound. “It’s too easy to say that this took place on a different planet. Didn’t the Nazis hear the same music? Didn’t they read the same books? Didn’t they raise their babies, only to throw ours into the flames?

Photos from left: children of survivors leave notes along the railroad tracks into Birkenau during last week’s March of the Living. Above: The irony of thousands of Jews pushing to get in to Auschwitz was not lost on Holocaust educator Gloria Kaslow on the day of the March. Author and survivor Elie Wiesel said the six million Jews and five million others killed by the Nazis and their collaborators were “robbed of the dignity of dying in peace” while the world was silent.

“It’s only a one hour flight to Kosovo,” he added.

“Why did people die there (during the war in the Balkans)? Why did the world allow two million babies to die of starvation in Africa 20 years ago?”

His searing questions served to underscore the need to continue talking, learning, and educating about the Holocaust. “Reading and hearing about the Holocaust is different from seeing (these sites) with your own eyes,” said Patty Nogg. “My daughter Annie, went on MOL and my uncle, Lt. Irving Cohen, was killed in action during World War II,” she added. “This brings the family story all together.” Her sister, Judy Brantz of Boulder, CO, agreed. “This puts a face to all the facts

and figures I’ve learned.”

The two women were joined by Bea Karp, a “hidden child” during the war years, her daughters, Nancy Kutler and Jeanne Soshnik of St. Louis, MO, and Nancy’s son, Danny Krantz of Chicago, along with Howard and Gloria Kaslow, Marti Rosen-Atherton, Ilse and Marcel Kahn, Beth Seldin Dotan, Director of the ADL’s Institute for Holocaust Education, and this writer for an ADL-sponsored group that included Atlanta and L.A. “We’re really not survivors,” explained Ilse Kahn. “We came in 1938 and were too young to know what was going on. But we lost many family members--cousins, my grandfather, aunts and uncles. We felt we should come.”

“It’s not a trip we looked forward to,” added her husband, Marcel.” I lost people I remember, a cousin with whom I played, aunts, uncles, my grandmother. There

are no graves, no markers, no place to put a pebble.”

Nancy Kutler took this trip personally. Her mother, Bea Karp, was hidden in a series of homes run by a Jewish organization, as well as in a convent, but also spent time in Gurs, a work camp. Karp’s parents and other members of her family were killed at Auschwitz.

“This is the closest I’ll ever get to them,” Kutler said.

The biggest concern for Holocaust educator Gloria Kaslow was “Could I do this?” Kaslow, who has taught for more than 30 years and often lectures with Karp in schools and churches, thought for a moment and added, “If not now, when?”

Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel recalled the Jews at Buchenwald reciting kaddish, the memorial prayer for the dead, while they were still alive. “In this place, we had all the reasons to give up, but hope is what we all need and what we can all give one another.”

Rabbi Lau closed his speech at the Yom Hashoah ceremony by noting, “We have common enemies like poverty, cancer, AIDS, terrorism, ignorance.

“We died together,” he pleaded. “Isn’t it time to learn we must live together?”

More stories and photos will be in next week’s Press.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 13, 2005

Temple Israel to Celebrate Seniors’ Confirmation/Graduation

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Temple Israel will celebrate the confirmation and graduation of its high school senior class at the Shabbat worship service on Friday night, May 20, 7:30 p.m.

Joel Passer, one of the seniors, said, the ceremony “basically means the end of my basic Jewish education and the beginning of other opportunities.” He knows he’ll be taking his basic education with him as he heads toward “new experiences and meets new people.”

Joel, the son of Jeff and Sandy Passer, will graduate and be confirmed with his Temple classmates Jake Bleicher, son of Jon and Helen Bleicher; Jeremiah Bleicher, son of Bob and Stacie Bleicher; Naomi Fox, daughter of Rick and Shelly Fox; Meagan Katelman, daughter of Gary and Lorrie Katelman; and Adam Trubnikov, son of Alexander Trubnikov and Maya Wertheimer.

“The Shabbat on May 20 is a celebration of our students,” said Elyce Azriel, director of Temple’s Middle/High School. “Their confirmation/graduation is something in which the entire congregation should gather and take pride” she added. The service will include readings on social justice and a prayer recited by the students’ parents in gratitude to God “for the gift and blessing of parenthood.”

Temple’s 12th grade course, entitled “Senior Seminar: Tough Choices,” combines a look at some key social and political issues that have been the focus of the American Jewish community’s energy over the past several decades.

Hollis Glazer, a professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha who teaches the 12th grade class, said, “We try to expose the students to issues that they wouldn’t get anywhere else to give them a more diverse view of the world before they go to college or beyond.”

The class discussed what’s happening in the Omaha Latino immigrant community with Angie Krieger, an attorney; gay rights with Michael Gordon from Citizens for Equal Protection; healthcare; and anti-Semitism with Anti-Defamation League Director Bob Wolfson. Other

speakers were Dr. Magda Peck and Carol Bloch.

In addition, three of the students attended L’Taken: A Teen Social Justice Program sponsored by the Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center in Washington, D.C. L’Taken exposes students to a range of public policy issues facing America and the Jewish community through the people who work on these concerns day after day in Washington.

Joel Passer met with the office staff of Senators Ben Nelson and Chuck Hagel as well as workers from Congressman Lee Terry’s office. Jeremiah Bleicher also met with the Nebraska senators’ staff as well as Representative Jeff Fortenberry’s staff. Jake Bleicher talked with the office staff of Iowa Senators Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley and Representative Steve King. The students had an opportunity to share views and insights and then study Jewish texts related to the topics.

“I enjoyed L’Taken a lot,” said Joel. His favorite part of the program was learning how to lobby, writing a short speech, and visiting the senators’ and representative’s offices.

Joel and classmate Naomi Fox will be recognized during confirmation/graduation for volunteering at religious school for five years. Joel worked in the school office and with sixth graders. Naomi worked with Eileen Clignett in the resource room. “Both have been incredibly helpful and have impacted the lives of so many young children,” stated Joan Cooper, Religious School coordinator.

During the Oneg following worship services, sponsored by the 12th grade parents, seventh graders’ mitzvah projects, a requirement to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, will be on display in the Friedman Social Hall.

The projects are required, “because ‘repairing the world’ is part of our responsibility as adult members, which these students are becoming, of the Jewish community,” explained Cantor Wendy Shermet. “This is also another way children and their families realize that they are part of the greater community,” the Cantor added.

Joe Slosburg was a site host at Habitat for Humanity, his mitzvah project. He signed in volunteers and read an

opening prayer among his duties. “It gave me an idea of the number of things I can do to help other people,” said Joe, “even small things like giving someone some water.”

Alex Finkle delivered 80 blankets that he had worked on for youngsters at Children’s Hospital. He said his project, part of Project Linus, was time consuming, “but I enjoyed it, because I knew it was for a good cause.” He thinks the mitzvah projects are an important part of becoming a Bar Mitzvah, because “whatever project you do you’re going to end up helping someone.”

Other mitzvah projects included volunteering to help the hearing impaired, with Operation Bedtime Books, at summer camp at the Jewish Community Center (JCC), at Willa Cather Elementary School, with Hetra, as a special education aide at Temple, at Special Olympics, at the JCC Child Development Center, juggling and unicycling to entertain residents of rehabilitation and nursing homes, at the Blumkin Home, at the Ollie Webb Center, at Camp Fire USA, and with Paws for Friendship.

Omaha’s Jewish Singles to Enjoy Movie and Nosh at Beth El

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The recently-established Community Jewish Singles group will meet at Beth El Synagogue on Sunday, May 22, 3:30-5:30 p.m. to enjoy the engaging romantic comedy Keeping the Faith, starring Ben Stiller and Edward Norton. Single Jewish adults (ages 45-65) from throughout the metro area are invited to spend a relaxing afternoon at the synagogue with old friends, new acquaintances, a great flick and delicious refreshments!

This will be the group’s second get-together, according to coordinator Harriet Einziger; last month, 20 attendees participated in the group’s kickoff event, a progressive dinner which was also held at Beth El. The event is free of charge; for reservations, please contact Einziger at 492.8550.

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Experience a variety of fun activities for kids and in honor of Israel’s 57th year of Independence.

Sunday, May 15, 2005 12:30-4:30 pm Jewish Community Center 333 South 132nd Street

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12:45-3:30 pm Lunch (Falafel & Hotdog meals) 12:45-3:30 pm Children’s Activities • Inflatable games • Stock car racing • Rock wall climbing • Scavenger hunt • Archaeological dig

• Camel Photos

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• Yom Ha’ Zikaron Ceremony

In an effort to bring a taste of Israel to the United States, The Israeli Traveling Gallery is traveling throughout the US to sell arts and crafts from Jerusalem, Old Jaffa, Safed, Megiddo and other Israeli cities.

The Israeli Traveling Gallery will be in Omaha representing a larger number of artists. Some of their pieces include the sculptures of Frank Meisel, the water color, oil and mixed media art of Victor Shrem, and the beautiful works of Gabrieli hand weaving, to name a few.

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• LEGO model city

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New to this year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration is Israeli wine tasting with Spirit World, a rock climbing wall, and the Israeli Traveling Art Gallery.

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At 3:30 pm, the afternoon will culminate with an Israeli concert from Danni’s Band.

The band includes 5 Israeli singers, a cellist and a keyboardist. The students are 10th and 11th graders and attend the Manor Cabri High School, which is located at Kibbutz Cabri in the Western Galilee. The Manor Cabri arts are among the leading courses in their fields in Israel, and this is sure to be the perfect ending to our Israeli celebration!

Funded in part by the Carl L. Frohm Foundation, the Morton A. Richards Endowment Fund, and the Special Donor-Advised Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

• Tile art project • Hebrew Name Necklaces

Adult Activities • Israeli wine tasting with Spirit World • ShirTal jewelry sales • Roses from Israel sales • Beth Israel Gift Shop sales • LOVE Gift Shop sales • T-shirt sales

1:15-2:15 pm B’nai B’rith Trivia Quiz 2:30-3:15 pm Elinor Whitman/Lt. Irving Cohen Essay Contest Awards 3:30-4:30 pm Teen Leadership Award & concert with a teenage band from our Partnership with Israel

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Questions: Contact Rachel Blum at 334-6404.

May 13, 2005

A Small Town in Iowa Isn’t New York, But People Figure Out Ways to be Jewish

by STACEY PALEVSKY Jewish presence in the community at large.

WATERLOO, Iowa (JTA)--Toddlers wearing brightly “It requires a dedicated community for a small-town colored kipot are not unusual in big cities with big Jewish congregation to survive,” said Yvonne Youngberg, a rabpopulations. But in Waterloo, a small town on the plains binical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New of Iowa, a yarmulke is as rare as a mountain.

York City.

Ben and Noah Susskind, three-year-old twins, do not Youngberg is a student rabbi in Watertown, N.Y., an know this yet. They eagerly got dressed for the Passover assignment arranged by her school. Congregations seder, kipot on their heads, excited about matzah and request a student rabbi, and a rabbinical student is paired grape juice boxes. They don’t understand yet that their with the synagogue, required to spend one Shabbat each traditions and faith make them a marginal group in their month there. hometown.

“It’s taught me you don’t measure things in numbers,” Judaism thrives on community. So it’s hard for Jews said Avi Olitzky, another student rabbi who is working when that community is so with a congregation in Canton, small a minyan isn’t always Ohio. guaranteed.

It’s the small successes that are The Jewish community cause for celebration. In of Waterloo, Iowa, like Watertown, even if seven people those in many other North show up for Saturday morning American small towns, is services, Youngberg is pleased, composed primarily of two because each congregant takes groups--senior citizens an active role in the service. who’ve watched their chilOlitzky, who is Conservative, dren and grandchildren worked with a local ice cream move away, and young parlor to develop a few kosher families transplanted from flavors. It’s not only for the Jews larger cities to work for a Sena Cooper and her daughter, Bryn, enjoy a potluck seder who keep kosher--by many stanbig local employer -per- at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in dards of kashrut it is not necesCredit: Stacey Palevsky/JTA sary to eat only ice cream with haps the university in April. town, or a large company. kosher approval--but also the impetus for interfaith diaThey are a tight-knit crew, organizing potlucks for all logue. A customer who overhears an order for kosher ice the major Jewish holidays, because few have extended cream might ask what “kosher” means. family nearby. Especially on Passover, the gathering is taiIn Waterloo, the synagogue celebrates its centennial lored for the children. For the last few years, children have later this year. The university and local industries continue led the seder instead of the adults. to bring a trickle of new Jewish families to town. The groThey have become each other’s family, joining to navi- cery stores started carrying kosher for Passover food last gate the challenges that small-town life throws their way. year and the local Barnes and Noble now has a section for Jewish life is easy in a big city--it has a kosher deli, a Jewish holidays.

Jewish bookstore, a youth group that meets weekly at the The increased availability of such items made this year’s JCC. Outside America’s urban centers, however, Jews seder a little easier to organize. It was held in a meeting must find their own ways to connect with their Judaism. room at the University of Northern Iowa. Four tables Their town may have one synagogue -and that’s it. were covered in the kind of paper tablecloths usually “Jews in cities often take for granted their community. reserved for mock seders at a shul, but feeding 50 people There’s a certain Jewish ambiance, and people can be with doesn’t lend itself to fabric and fine china.

Jews by virtue of where they live,” said Rabbi Edward It’s not the way Gurien or Susskind grew up celebrating Sukol of Congregation Bethaynu, an unaffiliated shul in Passover, but it’s become tradition for them.

Cleveland. Before he moved to Cleveland, Sukol had lived “Jews in small communities are willing to put aside reliin Waterloo. gious differences for unity,” Sukol said. A quick scan of “In a small town, if you don’t go out of your way to be Waterloo’s seder proves this to be true. The group is made Jewish, it won’t happen,” Sukol said. up of interfaith couples, converts, kosher eaters, cheeseNoah and Ben’s parents, Robin Gurien and Josh burger lovers, those who feel uncomfortable in the forSusskind, both of whom work at the University of mality of a sanctuary and those who pray daily.

Northern Iowa, think a lot about raising Jewish children “One huge advantage is that we get aliyot often,” Gurien in a predominantly non-Jewish community. said. “And the members complain less about how unruly “I want them to think being Jewish is so normal. But as the kids can be because I think they realize that we have to they grow and continue with this lifestyle, they’re going to tolerate the young so the synagogue can continue.’’ know it’s not normal,” Gurien said.

Howard Gerwin and Sena Cooper have similar concerns.

They moved to the area last year from Detroit with their daughter Bryn, now two. Gerwin, an engineer, was offered a job by John Deere, the producer of farm machinery.

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Neither Cooper nor Gerwin has ever been religiously Foundation Public Relations Coordinator observant, mostly because growing up in Southern California and Milwaukee, respectively, allowed them to feel Jewish without actually doing anything Jewish.

Both sets of parents worry about giving their children a strong Jewish identity without the community support they had as children.

“It falls upon us to teach her,” Gerwin said.

Susskind and Gurien have started by making their home as Jewish as possible There is no kosher butcher in town, but they never eat pork or mix milk and meat. Their twins say the Shema every night before bed; they know it almost by heart.

The family has Shabbat dinner every week, complete with a homemade challah, and always conclude the meal with Birkat Hamazon. The children look at Jewish books and are learnMelissa Derus and Stephon Leach, sixth graders at ing to recognize letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Washington Elementary School, are two of about 12 stu“But is it enough?” the parents wonder. dents there who will receive FM receivers to assist them in “The major issue for people who live in a very small hearing their teacher Cari Briscoe, intermediate hearing Jewish community is: how do we give our kids a sense of impaired classroom instructor.

Jewish identity?” Sukol said. “And that’s not easily One of the receivers is being paid for by the Glazer addressed.”

Family Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Sukol worked at the Ohio University Hillel in Athens for Omaha Foundation. Each receiver costs $750, said Cathy four years in the 1990s. He’s now the rabbi at a synagogue Christensen, principal of Washington School. in Cleveland; he moved so he could send his children to A wall pilot, funded by the National Council of Jewish Jewish day school.

Women, Omaha Section, connects each student’s receiver “We loved Athens, but there was no Jewish day school, to the teacher’s radio frequency on her microphone. As the and ultimately we wanted to give that to our kids,” he said. students move from one classroom to another, their Although Waterloo’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue has a receivers change frequencies accordingly to the teacher in full-time rabbi, many shuls do not. Without an official each room. leader, it’s the congregation’s responsibility to maintain a

Glazer Fund Purchases New Technology for Students

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 13, 2005

This Sunday’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut Activities Include Jewish Trivia Quiz and Sale of Israeli Fine Art

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by STEVE RIEKES Do you know who the President of Israel is? That is just a sample type question you could face in The Fifth Annual Jewish Trivia Quiz, sponsored by Henry Monsky Lodge B’nai B’rith. The quiz is Sunday, 1:15 p.m., during Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration at the Jewish Community Center.

Twenty-five trivia questions will be asked covering such diverse topics as Jewish personalities, current events, tradition, culture, Israel and the Bible.

Interested contestants can compete individually or can form a team of up to six friends or family members. Any member of the Jewish community 13 or older can participate. The only restriction is that team members may not include current or past members of the clergy or full time professional religious educators.

Jewish teens and students are encouraged to participate. There will be a special minimum prize for the best all high school team. This prize is in addition to any other prize. First place prize is $250; second place prize is $100.

Third place prize is $50. Half of each prize will go to the team and the other half will go to a Jewish charity or a local Omaha Jewish charity or institution of the winning team’s choosing.

Coordinating the event are Leonard Greenspoon, Gloria Kaslow, Gary Javitch, Stanley Mitchell and this writer. The program is open to the community; participants and spectators are welcome. Advanced registration is encouraged. Entry forms are available at the synagogues or the “J” or you can just show up.

by PAM MONSKY Federation Communication Director Fine art by Israeli artists will be available for viewing and purchase during Only in Israel, the community’s Israeli Independence Day celebration at the Jewish Community Center, Sunday, May 15, 12:30-4:30 p.m. The Israeli Traveling Gallery features a beautiful selection of fine art, prints, sculpture, jewelry, tapestries and hand weaving. The Israeli Traveling Gallery was founded to efficiently represent a large number of small artists from Israel and make a contact between them and the American market.

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Beth Israel Sisterhood’s May Meeting to Focus on Playground Project

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel Synagogue Sisterhood will hold an Open Board Meeting and Brunch, Tuesday, May 24, 11 a.m. The primary topic of the meeting will pertain to the Sisterhood’s Playground Project. In order to create a safe and enjoyable play area, members have spent time obtaining information from safety groups and playground equipment manufacturers. And now that funding is in place, Sisterhood will move forward with their plan for a playground to be constructed next to the synagogue building.

According to Sisterhood Co-President, Toba Cohen, funding for the Playground Project was obtained from a variety of sources, including a grant from the Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Foundation.

“We also are using funds raised at our Annual Donor Event,” said Cohen, “and Beth Israel also generously agreed to contribute to the playground project. We’re now moving forward on picking out the equipment and hope the new playground will be up and running for Beth Israel kids by the end of June.”

The new playground will include a rock-wall, swings, a slide, and other equipment. Cohen also said they are considering different playground safety surfaces and hope to make a determination during the May 24 meeting.

Cohen stated, “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to provide a safe outdoor play area. We would like everyone interested in the subject to join us for the open board meeting and brunch.”

There is no charge for the brunch, but reservations are required for planning purposes. Please call the Beth Israel Synagogue office, 556.6288, to make a reservation.

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Beth El’s Fourth Graders to Walk Down the Aisle During Mock Wedding

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator One of Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah’s most beloved and anticipated annual events--the BESTT fourth-grade mock wedding--will take place Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and the community is invited to witness the nuptials. Led by teacher Margo Riekes (who created and developed this experiental learning event 16 years ago), students have spent the year learning about Jewish traditions, holidays and life-cycle events, and will participate in what many former Beth El students recall as their favorite Hebrew school memory.

From ketubah to chuppah, Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni will officiate at the ceremony, pronouncing the bride and groom “friends for the rest of the day.”

Fourth graders and the roles they will play in the ceremony are: Kylie Kirshenbaum, bride; Aaron Zipursky, groom;Naomi Zipursky, mother of the bride; Zachary Kahn, father of the bride; Melanie Epstein, mother of the groom; Noah Kohll, father of the groom; Aaron Stein, Aaron Kurtzman-Nissen, groomsmen; Maddie Skolkin, flower girl; Samantha Wiener, bridesmaid; Matthew Stein, ring bearer; Mathew Wiesman, best man; Alex Preston, Gabe Levin and Connor Dietrich, ushers/caterers.

BIRTH Tracy and Lester Lewis of Santa Monica, CA, announce the April 14 birth of their son, Charles David, named for his late grandfather, Charles Lewis, and his late great-great-grandfather, Dave Bernstein.

Grandparents are Joanie and Terry Bernstein and Sherry Lewis of Albuquerque, NM, and the late Charles Lewis.

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TORAH LEARNING CENTER All classes are taught by Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman. Please call him at 981.0569 for more information.

Mondays, 7:30 p.m.: “The Siddur: The best selling book of Kaballah” in the Omaha Room of the JCC. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.: “Growth Through Torah” at a private residence.

Thursdays, 1 p.m.: “Meaning of Life & Other Business” based on The Way of G-d by Rabbi Chaim Luzatto, also in the Omaha Room of the JCC. Y.E.S. Join us on Monday for Animals in the City, a nature program sponsored by the SUN (Seniors Understand Nature, Fontenelle Nature Association). Lunch begins at noon. Cost is $6 per person.

Win at bingo at 10 a.m. with Eileen Remer; exercise at 10:30 a.m., and join the discussion group at 11 a.m. For

transportation call Dee Dee at 3330.4272. Call Maggie Conti at 334.6521 for reservations to the Ameristar Casino on May 19.

IN THE NEWS Bloom’s in Rockbrook Village will present “Everything About Orchids” on May 21, 4-5 p.m., as part of its educational series. To reserve your space, call 991.2300.

Ben Epstein, son of Lisa and Gary D. Epstein, was nominated for membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars at the University of Wisconsin, the honor society for high achieving first and second year students. He will receive a diploma of membership recognizing outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to the society’s ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. A convocation will be held at the Madison campus in the fall.

Dr. Jesica Christensen, daughter of William and Dr. Cathy Christensen, has graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, completing rotations in Infectious Diseases at the Centers of Disease Control in Atlanta, GA, and Cape Town, South Africa. She will begin her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of IllinoisChicago Medical Center next month.

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VISIONS Reminders: For those going on the day trip to Orange City for the Tulip Festival, please meet at the JCC at 6:45 a.m. Visions Membership Luncheon is on Friday, May 20, 12:30 p.m., at Caniglia’s Venice Inn. Cooking Demonstration at That’s Amoré in Bellevue is June 7. The cost of $10 per person includes a cooking demonstration, tour of facility, and a buffet lunch. Meet at the JCC at 12:15 p.m. for carpooling for the program at 1 p.m.

Send check with reservations to: Sandy and Fred Bromley, 13419 Marinda St., Omaha, NE 68144 by June 1. Make check payable to Visions.

The tour to Branson is Sept. 19-23.

The cost is $454 per person. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

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

JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Reminder: Yom Ha’atzmaut, Celebrate Israel, is Sunday, May 15,12:30-4:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center.

Join us for a community-wide celebration with ethnic and traditional foods, music, wine tasting, Israeli Traveling Gallery, shopping and concert.

“March of the Living” Participants Speak at Beth El Shabbat Services

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator This Saturday’s Shabbat services at Beth El Synagogue will be highlighted by presentations by several congregants who will recount their participation in the March of the Living trip, from which they returned Sunday. The entire community is invited to hear about this unforgettable journey, which brought together 18,000 people together from around the world to mark two of the most significant events in the 20th century--the Holocaust and the end of Nazi tyranny.

Page 7

Spring’s Here--and There!

ORGANIZATIONS BREADBREAKERS Professor Leonard Greenspoon will talk about two very disturbing activities taking place on college campuses around the United States: “An Insider’s View of Universities Today: Ivory Tower? Tower of Babel? Or, Somewhere In Between?”

He will be the guest speaker at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, May 18, noon, at Park Inn Regency, according to Javitch, chairman.

Prof.

Gary Greenspoon will talk about a very disturbing clamp down on free speech of faculty happening around the country.

Cost is $11 for a full lunch and $2 for beverage service only.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Beth El members Bea Karp, Beth Dotan, Marti Rosen-Atherton, Bob Wolfson, Howard and Gloria Kaslow, Marcel and Ilse Kahn, and Patty Nogg were among the participants who met in Poland to commemorate the 60th anniversary marking the end of World War II. On May 5, the group met at Auschwitz to observe Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, to honor those who lost their lives, as well as those who survived. Please join us this Shabbat to hear more about this remarkable and unforgettable trip.

ENGAGEMENT LARSON/SIMONS Heather L. Larson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Duane Larson, and Jon B. Simons, son of Dr. and Mrs. Gerald B. Simons, have announced their engagement.

The bride attended the University of Nebraska-Omaha and is currently employed as the after market manager of Performance Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge of Omaha.

She is the granddaughter of Bernice Scarborough and Mr. and Mrs. David L. Larsen of Louisville, NE. Her fiance graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in business administration and communication. He is sales manager for Baxter Chrysler-Jeep.

He is the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Milton Simons and Mr. and Mrs. James W. Earp and the late Virginia L. Earp.

A Sept. 24 wedding is planned for Joslyn Art Museum.

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The Press office will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. The deadline for the June 3 issue is Wednesday, May 25.

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26. GEOMETRIC FORMS, ROUND FRUITS 30. Skirt edge 31. Simple Simon met him 32. Barren, treeless 37. French actor Delon 38. ___ for the course 39. African river 40. Goes over one’s steps 42. Psychiatrist Alfred and Cantor Chaim 43. Faucet 44. Wrongly transmitted 45. Half a gripping tool 48. HARVEST, AS WINTER WHEAT 49. FLOWERED 51. Sandy ridge, glacial deposit 56. GRAIN CROP, SOWN

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 13, 2005

Could It Happen Again?

Standing among more than 18,000 Jews and non-Jewish friends on Yom Hashoah is a powerful experience. Watching tears roll down the cheeks of Thurbert Baker, the Attorney General of the State of Georgia, or hearing a group of teens from Argentina sing Hatikvah-Israel’s national anthem, or standing next to a survivor of the Auschwitz death factory is both uplifting and disconcerting.

On one hand--if the Nazis had accomplished their goals, the Jewish people would have disappeared. But on the other hand, not only are we still here, we’ve created a homeland--the State of Israel, and alliances with many, many non-Jews. That certainly was the message, repeated often, during last week’s March of the Living (MOL).

Created 18 years ago by Avraham Hirchson Minister of the Knesset to provide a unique educational opportunity for Jewish teens from around the globe, marchers visit centers of Jewish life in Poland before World War II as well as the death camps and then fly from this place of darkness to Israel, a place of light, to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. This year, because of the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII and the liberation of the camps, MOL was opened up to adults.

In addition to the hundreds of survivors who camp with their families (some to also visit their hometowns of Radom, Lublin, Warsaw, Krakow and other little villages and shetlach), the 18,000 strong include Catholic educators who teach about the Holocaust and nonJewish college students majoring in Jewish studies, all brought by the Anti-Defamation League. ADL’s far sighted thinking also created the Bearing Witness program, a five-day session at the U.S. Holocaust Museum, to educate non-Jews about what happened when people carried hate to an extreme--and others stood by silently to allow it.

Also among the marchers were some 3000

Polish high school and college students and multi-cultural groups from the more than 50 nations represented at the MOL, including Siberia, Greece, Ireland and Germany--places one would not expect to be represented at such an event.

Because of this large presence of non-Jews, there is a feeling of hope that such a horrific incomprehensible period in human history could never be repeated. After all, if non-Jews are educated they surely would not turn their backs on us again.

Unfortunately, anti-Semitism is still rearing its ugly head. Case in point: Abe Foxman, National Director of the ADL noted in a speech last week that he found figurines in a Warsaw shopping mall, caricatures of Jews, complete with sidecurls, kipot, tallit, hooked nose, and...coins bulging from every pocket.

In Berlin, a peaceful rally had to be cancelled last month when neo-Nazis shouted, shoved and pushed their way through a crowd to disrupt it. In Britain, a union of university professors voted to cut ties with Israeli academics unless they denounced Israeli government policies regarding the PA (this is after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced the plan to withdraw from Gaza!).

Here in the United States, on college campuses like the University of California at Berkeley, students have built mock barricades to stop others from going to class, in imitation of the security checkpoints between Israel and Gaza and the West Bank. Neo-Nazis held a convention in

(Founded in 1920)

Kansas City last month, and Muslim clerics continue to spout hate from their pulpits across the Arab world--from France to Saudia Arabia to New Jersey.

The bad news is that an annual report released by Tel Aviv University’s Roth Institute showed anti-Semitism on the rise in Europe and North America. The good news is that AG Baker of Georgia proclaimed at the closing session of the MOL trip that he will push for the national attorneys general association to work closely with the ADL to see that perpetrators of hate crimes are prosecuted.

We need more friends like Baker and the Catholic educators and the non-Jewish college students and the multicultural groups who participated in the March of the Living. We need to help ADL cultivate them here in Nebraska...and elsewhere...to ensure that wherever and whenever anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred are expressed, men and women of good conscience will assert themselves and say, “No, you cannot do that...not here, not this time, not ever.”

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content.

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Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, 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.

Where the Handicapped Become Champions

OUR MAN IN ISRAEL

by CARL ALPERT Haifa--The participation of Israelis in last year’s Olympics for the handicapped in Athens was a revelation for many.

The story behind it is fascinating and deserves to be told in greater detail.

Though a small and young country, Israel is confronted with a relatively large percentage of its population physically handicapped. This is because of a number o contributing factors.

Firstly, many are still survivors of their harrowing experiences in the Nazi concentration camps. Then came the Wa of Independence, which left a large number of wounded veterans. Soon thereafter the country was struck by a deadly polio epidemic, which left thousands of young people with partial paralysis.

Subsequent wars and constant terrorist attacks added to the number of handicapped victims. And to top it off, the curse of road accidents each year adds many hundreds of men, women and children to the list of citizens who are compelled to carry on their daily lives with severe physical handicaps.

Much attention is being given these days to the provision of improved facilities and greater access to the disabled, but little note has been taken of what has been done in the field of sports. As early as 1960 the obvious need led to creation of an Israel Sports Center for the Disabled to encourage disabled youth and adults to take part in organized sport activities. In the meantime there had been par-

allel activity on the international scene, and it was decided to set up an Olympic structure for the handicapped, with games to be played at the same time as the World Olympics. Israelis took an increasingly active role in these events, known as the Paralympics.

In 1968, when the Olympics were scheduled to be held in Mexico City, it was decided to change the venue for the handicapped because of fear that the altitude there would serve as an obstacle for many participants. Israel stepped into the breach and hosted the games in which 800 participants from 29 states took part. In the decades that followed, Israel became a country that could be counted on in paraplegic sports. In the 2000 Sydney Paralympics the Israel delegation of 34 participants brought back six medals, including three gold won by the swimmer Keren Leibowitz.

That was the background to last year’s Paralympics held in Athens. It was attended by 3846 competitors from 136 countries. There were 2 Israelis who competed in swimming, shooting, table tennis, equestrian events, sailing, archery, cycling, athletics and wheel chair tennis. They earned four gold medals, four silver and five bronze.

Each of the Israeli contestants is a personality. Doron Shaziri lost a leg when he stepped on a mine while on military service in Lebanon 18 years ago.

“I don’t treat sports as a means of rehabilitation,” he said, “but rather as a means of excelling, and to succeed like anyone else.” As a rifle marksman, Doron got three silver medals at previous Paralympics in Atlanta and Sydney. At Athens he took two bronze medals.

This country’s youngest personality was 17year-old Inbal Pezaro, from kibbutz Yizra’el,

Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joey Shyken; Michael Siegal; Nancy Skid; and Melany Weinstine.

The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press and the Foundation are constitutional committees of the Jewish Federation.

whose parents came to Israel from New Zealand. She has been disabled almost from birth, when damage to her nerves left her with her legs almost completely paralyzed. She moves around with the aid of crutches or a wheel chair, but makes amazingly fast time in the water. At Athens she won a silver medal in the breast stroke event and a bronze in the free style. She does not like the description “disabled” and refers to herself as “limited”.

Perhaps leading the list was 31-year old Keren Leibowitz, who had won three golds at Sydney. At Athens she took one gold, two silvers and one bronze in various swimming events. Keren revealed that she keeps all her medals in the same drawer as her underwear “so that they won’t go to my head. Must preserve a sense of proportion.” She gets around on dry land with the aid of crutches and a wheel chair, but makes fast time in the water.

Leibowitz now has her eyes set on the Paralympics to be held in Beijing in 2008.

She is in demand as a lecturer, especially at schools.

The Israel Sports Center for the Disabled looks back with pride on its ongoing program through the years. Its experience confirms that organized sport activities contribute more to the confidence, morale an self-image of the disabled than any other form of rehabilitation.

Today at the Ramat Gan Center more than 2000 children and adults participate regularly in more than 20 different sport activities.

Parallel programs are carried on in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem.

And they all have their eyes set on the Paralympics to be held in Beijing in 2008.

Carl Alpert can be reached at: alpert@techunix.technion.ac.il.

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May 13, 2005

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Sixty Years After Liberation, Jews Must Lead Fight Against Ethnic Hatred BEHIND THE H EADLINES

by MENACHEM Z. ROSENSAFT NEW YORK (JTA)--Last month, hundreds of Holocaust survivors from the United States, Israel, Canada, France and elsewhere gathered on the site of the German concentration camp of BergenBelsen.

They had come together with their children and grandchildren to observe the 60th anniversary of the camp’s liberation. I was privileged to participate in the commemoration beside the Jewish monument my father had inaugurated in the midst of mass-graves in April 1946.

Because my parents are no longer alive, I spoke in their stead, on their behalf, hearing their voices in my mind.

It is from Bergen-Belsen that the horrors of the Holocaust first permeated the consciousness of humankind. Long before Auschwitz became the defining term of the Shoah, the films and photographs taken by British soldiers and journalists in April 1945 of both the dead and the survivors of Bergen-Belsen--shown in newsreels throughout the world-awakened the international community to the genocide that had been committed against the Jews of Europe.

In her memoirs, Yesterday: My Story, which she finished writing just before her death, my mother, Dr. Hadassah Bimko Rosensaft, described April 15, 1945: “It was Sunday, a very hot day. It was strange; there was nobody to be seen outside the barracks. The camp seemed to

have been abandoned, almost like a cemetery...

Suddenly, we felt the earth tremble; something was moving. We were convinced that the Germans were about to blow up the camp...We all believed that these were the last moments of our lives.

It was 3 p.m. We heard a loud voice repeating the same words in English and in German. ‘Hello, hello. You are free.

We are British soldiers and have come to liberate you.’...We ran out of the barracks and saw a British army vehicle with a loudspeaker on top, driving slowly through the camp.”

But almost immediately, my mother recalled, a new reality set in: “There was joy, yes,” she recalled. “We were free, the gates were open--but where were we to go? The liberation had come too late, not only for the dead, but for us, the living, as well. We had lost our families, our friends, our homes. We had no place to go, and nobody was waiting for us anywhere. We were alive, yes. We were liberated from death, from the fear of death, but the fear of life started.”

At Belsen, the British found themselves in Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones. More than 10,000 bodies lay scattered about the camp, and the 58,000 surviving inmates--the overwhelming majority of whom were Jews--suffered from a combination of typhus, tuberculosis, dysentery, extreme malnutrition and other virulent diseases.

Confronted with the emaciated, tormented survivors moving, walking, speaking in the midst of corpses, the liberators must have asked themselves not “Can these bones live?” but “How can these bones live?”

My father, Josef--Yossel--Rosensaft, was also liberated here. For more than five years following the liberation, he headed both the Jewish Committee of the BergenBelsen Displaced Persons camp and the Central Jewish Committee in the British Zone of Germany. I am one of more than 2,000 children who were born in BergenBelsen between 1946 and 1950.

We, the children and grandchildren of the survivors, were proud to be at Belsen on Sunday alongside our parents and grandparents. We know that we were given life and placed on earth with a solemn obligation. Our parents and grandparents survived to bear witness. We in turn must ensure that their memories, which we have absorbed into ours, will remain as a permanent warning to humanity.

Sixty years after the liberation of Belsen, anti-Semitism remains a threat, not just to the Jewish people, but to civilization as a whole, and Holocaust deniers are still allowed to spread their poison.

In France, Great Britain and the United States, the number of anti-Semitic incidents have increased markedly during the past year. The same weekend that we were in Belsen, several white American supremacist groups were scheduled to celebrate Hitler’s birthday with concerts in Michigan and New Jersey.

Earlier this year, right-wing members of the state parliament of Saxony in Germany disrupted a tribute to the victims of Nazism; in Russia, nationalist and Communist members of the Duma called on the Russian Prosecutor General to outlaw Jewish organizations; and the mayor of London saw fit to compare a Jewish journalist to a concentration camp guard.

Sixty years after the crematoria of

Auschwitz-Birkenau stopped burning our families, innocent men, women and children are murdered in a horrific genocide in Darfur. Sixty years after the surviving remnant of European Jewry emerged from the inferno of the 20th century, governmentsponsored terrorists continue to seek the destruction of the State of Israel which arose out of the ashes of the Shoah.

Thus, we do not have the right to focus only on the agony and suffering of the past. While the Germans were able to torture, to murder, to destroy, they did not succeed in dehumanizing their victims.

The ultimate victory of European Jews over the Nazis and their multinational accomplices was firmly rooted in their human, ethical values.

The critical lesson we have learned from our parents’ and grandparents’ tragic experiences is that indifference to the suffering of others is in itself a crime. Our place must be at the forefront of the struggle against every form of racial, religious or ethnic hatred.

Together with others of the postHolocaust generations, we must raise our collective voices on behalf of all, Jews and non-Jews alike, who are subjected to discrimination and persecution, or who are threatened by annihilation, anywhere in the world. We may not be passive, or allow others to be passive, in the face of oppression, for we know only too well that the ultimate consequence of apathy and silence was embodied forever in the flames of Auschwitz and the mass-graves of Bergen-Belsen.

Menachem Z. Rosensaft, a lawyer, is the founding chairman of the International Network of Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and president of Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan.

Holocaust Survivor Sees Tragedy of Darfur and Urges the World to Act

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

by NESSE GODIN SILVER SPRING, MD, (JTA)-Sixty-four years ago, my family and I were sent to the ghetto in Siauliai, Lithuania.

Somehow, I lived through a concentration camp, four labor camps and a death march.

There is not a day that I don’t think about the family and friends I lost in the Holocaust. But this year, as the world is commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the concentration camps, my thoughts are not only about the horrors of Europe’s past, but also about Africa’s present.

Today, I am also thinking about the people of Darfur, Sudan--chased from their homes, their belongings stolen, separated from their families and facing brutality and death every day. From experience, I know what this is like.

As we know, most of the world turned its back on Europe’s Jews during the Holocaust. But I survived the Nazis and their collaborators, thanks to the help of Jewish women who gave me a small bite of bread when I was starving, kept me warm when I was freezing and picked me up when I fell.

When I promised these women that I would never forget their courage, I promised myself to teach the world how hatred and indifference can cause terrible pain and suffering. I write this essay on behalf of those Jewish women who helped me and for all those dying in Darfur who need our help.

My heart goes out to these human beings who are being attacked because of who they are. It brings back awful memories of the attacks on the Jews during the Holocaust just because of who they were. Virtually

every day, soldiers of the government of Sudan and its allied militias rape, burn villages and kill people of socalled “African” ethnic groups because of their identity.

Families that have done nothing wrong bear the weight of the violence. As someone who lived through the horrors of the Holocaust, and as a human being who believes we must never forget, I cannot remain silent.

Last year at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, I stood shoulder to shoulder with Amal Allagabo, of the Darfur community in exile, in a special observance bringing attention to the crisis in Darfur. Allagabo has lost touch with her family and fears that they could be scattered in refugee camps, lost in the desert or dead.

Time is of the essence. With each passing day more lives are lost. On March 17, college campuses across America observed a minute of silence for Darfur, hoping that their communities, the governments of the free world and the United Nations would hear their silence as a call to action.

Seven weeks later, innocent people continue to be killed. What must we do to keep reminding the world that genocide is never acceptable?

As a survivor of the Holocaust, I have a special responsibility to Allagabo and to the people of Darfur. As United States citizens, as leaders in the world community and as human beings, we all have the obligation to speak out and end the genocide. We must inform our children, we must encourage action, and we must lead the world in halting these crimes against humanity.

When I lived in the ghetto, before I lost my family, a young woman came to our home with papers that would help us

avoid deportation, but she was one short --mine. My mother pleaded with her to get the appropriate paperwork so that I could remain with my family.

Eventually the young woman chose to provide one more document so that I could stay in the ghetto longer. This young woman made a decision that saved my life.

One person can make a difference. Every time I speak about my experiences during the Holocaust, I also speak about Darfur.

Last summer, I addressed a group in front of the Sudanese embassy rallying to end the genocide. In January, for the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, I told the assembled diplomats at the United Nations why we must do something for the innocent people of Darfur.

In February, I spoke to a group of 400 students from 90 universities across America who had traveled to Washington to learn how they can help stop the geno-

cide. They prove that some young people understand that we must act, and now we must get others to act, urgently.

I will continue to speak out because I survived genocide. I will not--cannot-remain silent during another genocide.

Six decades ago, the world was horrified. The world claimed that it had not known about the Holocaust.

It was not true then, nor is it true now about Darfur. When are we going to learn the lessons of the Holocaust? When are we going to recognize our individual and national responsibility to put an end to genocide?

When will we stop merely saying “never again” and start acting on “not this time!”

Nesse Godin, a Holocaust survivor, lives in Silver Spring, MD, and volunteers at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.

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Page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 13, 2005

Candlelighting Friday, May 13, 8:16 p.m.

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

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

FRIDAY, May 13: Join us when former Omahans Toni and Steve Goodman visit from Ft. Meyers, FL. They will sponsor the Oneg after services.

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

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free Babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; Mincha, 8:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:23 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Beth Israel Annual Meeting and Elections, 9:30 a.m.; Contact the synagogue office for Mincha/ Ma’ariv service time.

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

Beth El Synagogue

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

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

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored

by Peggy and Jay Chasen and Arthur and Lorraine Stein, in honor of their granddaughter, Rachel Stein, becoming a Bat Mitzvah.; Evening Service, 8:30 p.m.

Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge.

SUNDAY: Jewish Pot Pourri Class, 10 a.m. Bible Study Class, 11 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah class with Cantor Bogomolni, 11 a.m.; “Living Hebrew,” a new, intermediate-level Hebrew course, 11:10 a.m.

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

WEDNESDAYS: PATTER (Parents & Toddlers, Torah, Exercise, Recreation) with Helen Epstein, 10:45 a.m.

THURSDAY, noon: The Most Important People and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible, with Rabbi Levin.

BESTT FOURTH-GRADE MOCK WEDDING: Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m., the community is invited to attend this ceremony, which will be filmed by Cox Communications for a local programming special. (See article on page 6) MEN’S CLUB: Sunday, May 15, 10 a.m. breakfast featuring a presentation by Dr. Benjamin Nachman, interviewer for Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Project.

TOT SHABBAT, Friday, May 20, 6 p.m.: Bring the whole family for this kid-friendly service, followed by an Oneg Shabbat.

BESTT GRADUATION Join us for Shabbat services on May 21, as our Seventh and 12th graders celebrate their graduation from Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah. A kiddush luncheon, sponsored by the celebrants’ families, will follow.

COMMUNITY JEWISH SINGLES All single Jewish adults (ages 45-65) are invited to Beth El on Sunday, May 22, 3:30 p.m. to enjoy the comedy “Keeping the Faith.” Call the synagogue for reservations or information.

BESTT CHAVERIM PICNIC Our end-of-the-year family picnic for our youth group (grades 46), will be held at Zorinsky Lake on Sunday, May 22, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Join us for lunch and the election of next year’s officers!

Call the BESTT office, 498.0904, for more information.

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

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

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.com email: chabad@aol.com

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

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

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

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

The Neighborhood Minyan Torah Learning Center 1313 No. 58 St. Omaha, NE 68132 553.5397

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

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

YOUR AD CAN GO HERE...

to reserve space, call Allan Handleman, 334.6451.

ROSE BLUMKIN Monday- JEWISH HOME

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat and Ariel Pilley Bat Mitzvah, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Ariel Pilley Bat Mitzvah service, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Religious School, 35 p.m. at the JCC.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon.

SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.

Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m.; Aleph Champion and Little Scholars Programs, 10 a.m.-noon.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Halacha, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY: Torah for Teens, 4:15 p.m.

Kabbalah: WEDNESDAY: Passover: A New Freedom Within, 7 p.m.

Programs are open to the community. For information or to register, call the office or visit: www.nebraskajudaism.com.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in Lincoln two weekends a month.

Please call her at 402.416.2321 or e-mail: dstiel@everestkc.net to set up appointments.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Sara Friedman, with oneg provided by Anne and Robert Rickover.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. led by Rich Lombardi and Robert Rickover.

SUNDAY: Hebrew School, 9 a.m.-noon.; Parent & Congregation Meeting, 10:15 a.m. regarding the Religious School merger of South Street Temple and Tifereth Israel; Bus trip to the JCC for the Israel Independence Day celebration, 11:45 am.

Contact Lori Merliss at 328.0414 or lorimerliss@ msn.com for more information.

MONDAY: Religious School Merger Committee, 7 p.m.

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

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 7 p.m. led by Marty Shukert.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Craig Marantz and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate. Dr. Michael Isaacson will conduct “Nishmat Chayim: The Breath of Life.” Cantor Shermet, Dr. Tamara Field, Jonathan Rathsam, Kol Rina, a woodwind quintet, and a group of Temple’s fifth and sixth grade students will participate. Dr. Isaacson is the founding music director of the Israel Pops Orchestra and the Milken Archive of American Music, and has composed and published more than 450 works.

The Oneg Shabbat is sponsored

by Barbara and Robert Hurwitz in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Samuel Weinstine SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Samuel Calvin Weinstine, son of Melany and Marc Weinstein, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah.

SITTER SERVICE: Available at each Friday evening service, Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah, as well as Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Please make a reservation through the Temple office. Cost is $2 per family. Sorry, there are no facilities for infants.

SUNDAY, May 15, 6 p.m.: “Jewish Food for the Queer Brood” Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews, their partners and families are invited to dinner at the home of Hollis Glaser, 1709 No. 50 St. Contact Hollis with questions at hollis_glaser@ unomaha.edu.

RSVP to to Temple.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, May 15, 10:15 a.m.: Continuing Hebrew with Colleen Kennealy.

WEDNESDAY, May 18: Conversation with the Rabbi, noon-1 p.m.

THURSDAY, May 19: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Cantor Shermet, 10-11:30 a.m.

“Hey, I married a non-Jew and we’re working it out. How about you?” All interfaith couples are invited to a no-host dinner sponsored by Adam and Nikki Kirshenbaum at Pasta Amore in Rockbrook Shopping Center. at

7p.m. Questions? Contact Adam at akirshenbaum@blackwellsanders.com. RSVP to to the Temple office.

CONFIRMATION/ GRADUATION Friday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.: Temple Israel will confirm and graduate six seniors who will participate in this milestone in their continuing religious education.

(See complete article on page 4) Benjamin Osius Prescott, son of Karen Schliefert and Michael Prescott, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at the Shabbat morning service on May 21.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN AT TLC FRIDAY: Kabbalas Shabbos, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharis, 9 a.m., Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:05 p.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, MONDAY & THURSDAY, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.

TUESDAY: The Ladies’ Lunch Bunch will meet at the Olive Garden, noon. If you need a ride, call Marcia Kushner at 423.5959.

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

ADULT EDUCATION MONDAYS: Introduction to Judaism with Rabbi Rosenbaum, 7:30-9 p.m.

SUNDAYS: (during Hebrew School days): Jewish Law through the Ages with Rabbi Rosenbaum, 10-11:45 a.m.

YOM HA’ATZMAUT AT THE OMAHA JCC Sunday, May 15, 11:45 a.m.: The Jewish Federation of Lincoln will sponsor a bus trip to Omaha for the Israel Independence Day festivities. To reserve your spot, contact Lori Merliss at 328.0414 or lorimerliss@msn.com.

Friday, May 20, following Shabbat services there will be a special oneg for Rabbi Rosenbaum.

NOTICE College students: let us know when you’ll be home for the summer, so we can stop delivery of the Press to your dorm. Just e-mail us at: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

B’NAI MITZVAH Arielle Ida Pilley daughter of Karen Alexander and Mark Pilley, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 14, at Beyt Shalom Synagogue.

Arielle is a seventhgrade student at Westside Middle School.

Her interests include the study of Torah, study of science and history, caring for animals, creative

arts and crafts, and music. She plays the clarinet, alto sax, and flute.

For her mitzvah project, Arielle is involved in the caring of small animals, fish and other aquatic life for Westside Middle School through the Legacies after-school program.

Her grandparents are Eleanor and Leon Alexander.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

May 13, 2005

The Priesthood--What Was and What Is

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Emor A modern Jew who reads our Sidra is likely to be taken aback by what the Sidra requires of the priest, the Kohane, in ancient times. The Kohane in our day has such small distinction from the rest of us, that it hardly seems to be like the Kohane of ancient Israel.

In ancient Israel that Kohane had to keep himself different from others by following rules of purity that pertained to him, not to the Israelite who was not a Kohane. Thus the rules for the priest in ancient Israel are past history.

The scandals in the Catholic priesthood in recent years cannot happen to us, since our priesthood is limited almost to zero. The Jewish community, as it were, has no priesthood. The name Kohane is, except for a very limited use, is name only. The privileges and duties of a Kohane are very near to zero.

All of this is to the good. A democratic Judaism requires all its people to be moral and straightforward.

The Kohane is not meant to be separate from the rest of our people.

DEATHS SHIRLEY GREENBERG MAERSCH Former Omahan Shirley Maersch died May 3 in Houston, TX. Services were held in Tulsa, OK, on May 5 with Rabbi Fitzerman officiating.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Avrum M. Greenberg.

In the 1970s, Greenberg was President of Temple Israel Sisterhood in Omaha.

She is survived by her husband, Philipp Maersch of Houston; sons Bruce Greenberg of Temecula, CA, Michael Greenberg of Berkeley, CA, and Randy Greenberg of Los Angeles, CA; step-children, Sue Ewig Maersch of Austin, TX, Karl Maersch of Cleveland Heights, OH, Dave Maersch of Carmel, IN, and Pete Maersch of Fishers, IN; 12 grandchildren; and sister, Barbara Tauben of Chevey Chase, MD. Memorials to the Lung Cancer Foundation, PO Box 762, East Setauket, NY 11733, or online at: www.lungcanceronline.org.

BETSY D. ROGOFF SCHEKTER Betsy D. Rogoff Schekter died May 5 in Pembroke Pines, FL, at the age of 82. Services were held at Gutterman’s Funeral Chapel on May 9. The family is sitting shiva at the home of Nora and Barry Zoob, tomorrow night, May 14, and Sunday.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Joseph Rogoff and Fred Schekter.

She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Nora and Barry Zoob, and Paula and Ian Zegans, Freeport, Long Island, NY, ; grandchildren, Jonathan Zoob, Jodi and Adam Jassey of Limbrook, NY, Steven and Zina Zegans of Hollywood, CA; extended family, Laurie and Jimmy Hyman, and Amy and Scott Gordon; and four great-grandchildren.

Memorials to the City of Hope of Pembroke Pines, FL, and Joseph Rogoff Memorial Library at the South Baldwin Jewish Center, 2959 Grand Ave., Baldwin, NY 11510.

Solution to Spring’s Here Crossword Puzzle on Page 7

We must note that our Sidra includes discussion of the three so-called pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Shavuot, and Succot. In ancient times, Succot was the greatest of these. That was natural, since it heralded a successful fall harvest, which promised a long winter with adequate foodstuffs.

In this list of festivals, we are surprised to see that the first day of the seventh month is a festival that we--but not the Bible--call Rosh Hashanah. The 10th day of this seventh month is called, as we do, a day of seeking forgiveness.

Much history has rolled over the children of Israel from Biblical days to ours. More or less we have the same festivals, but we observe them from motivations quite different from our ancient ancestors, whose lives were close to the soil and the seasons. We who are largely urban do not look to nature as our ancestors did. We are subject to all the spiritual illnesses involved in “civilization and its discontents.”

There is no point in mourning the situation or doing anything more than noticing it. We cannot, will not, indeed must not return to nature and the infancy of our spiritual journey. We maintain our ties with our ancestors and continue to observe the same festivals. But we live in different climes and different times; we have the task of looking back and looking forward at the same time. We can give up neither direction.

Protestant Divestment Drive Continued from page 1 That was last summer, when the Presbyterian Church USA passed a resolution considering a “selective, phased divestment” of companies that do business with Israel.

The resolution shocked Jewish officials, who in reaction scurried to step up interfaith relations. But it also created a point of departure for other Protestant denominations to mull divestment as a way, they believe, to promote Mideast peace.

In November 2004, the board of the Episcopal Church voted to consider divesting from companies that “contribute to the infrastructure of Israel’s ongoing occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” along with companies that “have connections to organizations responsible for violence against Israel.”

Three weeks ago, the board of the United Methodist Church voted to conduct a yearlong study to consider divestment. Last month, the United Church of Christ released resolutions it will consider at its annual conference in Atlanta in July; two suggest divestment, while one urges Israel to dismantle its West Bank security barrier.

In a move Jewish groups consider positive, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted last week for “constructive investment” to partner with Israeli and Palestinian organizations that promote peace.

The Protestant pursuit of divestment is not limited to America: The Geneva-based World Council of Churches, a predominantly European consortium, passed a resolution in February encouraging churches to follow the initiative of the Presbyterian Church USA and consider divesting from Israel.

The council has member churches around the world.

Many of the North American groups considering divestment are affiliated with it.

Many Jewish observers have been stunned by the swirl of activity.

Jewish officials cite several reasons for the divestment trend in the Protestant community: • Protestant churches are responding to Palestinian Christians and their supporters, who believe sanctions will force Israel to make concessions and will help the Christians’ standing with Palestinian Muslims.

• Some feel Jewish groups have lagged in their maintenance of interfaith work. While Palestinian supporters are advocating their view, “we have not done a very good job of going into churches and advocating a counter point of view,” said Rabbi Gary BrettonGranatoor, director of interfaith affairs for the AntiDefamation League.

• Many mainstream Protestant churches, which skew to the left, subscribe to a world view called “liberation theology.”

Because Catholics are represented by the Vatican, they have diplomatic relations to make their case, and Catholic-Jewish relations are relatively strong. Last year, the Vatican issued a joint statement with Jewish officials calling anti- Zionism anti-Semitism.

Jewish groups aim to continue engaging the Protestant community on grass-roots and national levels and are seeking voices within the churches to oppose divestment.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

May 13, 2005

Local Teens Win ADL Essay Contest

by MELISSA MEDVIN Amanda Johnson-Zetterstrom, a 10th Essay Contest Coordinator grader at Westside captivated the room Institute For Holocaust Education with a reading of her very personal story The Honorable Mayor, Mike Fahey of her Swedish grandparents’ involvepresented the awards to this year’s win- ment in rescuing Danish Jews. ners of the “Tribute to the Rescuers “Copenhagen’s Jews all stood in the High School Essay Contest� on April town square, (of Skane,) where I have 18. The contest, sponsored by The Anti- spent my summers licking ice cream Defamation League, Dana College and cones...They were taken care of by peothe Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk ple like my grandmother...�

Horn, Iowa, asked high school students “I remember the swell of pride I felt to use the lens of the Holocaust to view when my grandparents told me their moral behavior. story,� she added.

Participants in the contest studied the courageous and inspiring efforts of Holocaust Rescuers and learned how one person, acting upon his moral beliefs, can make a difference. Students incorporated the strength of these stories into their essays.

Natalie Swanda, a senior at Omaha’s Burke High School, read from her winning essay, entitled “Action Against Depravity�. “A study of Germany during the 1930’s shows that the Holocaust did not spring from nowhere...From this tragic chapter of history, one can see Mayor Mike Fahey makes presentations to that holocausts begin as soon as valuing Westside High School winners. human life ends. Dietrich Bonhoffer fought to prevent this from happening, The other contest winners are: the strength of his moral courage made Ninth & 10th Grade: Second: Jennifer him willing to die for it. A small degree Reed for “Unwarranted Hatred; of this courage motivated me to help Unselfish Love�, Westside; Third stop cruel teasing. My prayer is that oth- Deanna Hayes for “The Courage of ers will understand that ethnicity, age, or Others�, Westside; Third Lakelyn personal characteristics of people do not Hogan: Make The Difference, Westside.

11th & 12th: Second Ariel Wert for invalidate their worth and, in doing so, “The Silence in Speaking�, Burke; Third prevent a Holocaust.�

Natalie’s essay rose to the top of over Carl Knabe for “Fight For Freedom�, 170 submissions in the 11-12th grade Central; Third Tera Henrich for category for the quality of research, “Overcoming Prejudice�, Central. masterful writing, and internalization of Honorable Mention recognition was the meaning of moral courage. bestowed upon the following students: Ninth & 10th: Philip Lomneth for In the ninth-10th grade group,

“Finding Moral Courage�, Central; Carolyn Williams for “The Definition of Courage�, Westside.

11th & 12th: Ben Larsen for “No 42-A Man of Courage�, Blair; Adam West for “Blood and Water�, Burke; Stefan Haynes for “Courage to Follow the Heart�, Creighton Prep.

Essays were judged by more than 30 community members for the author’s understanding and personal connection to a historical event or figure who exhibited moral courage.

The top three essays in each category also received a monetary award, thanks to a donation from the Carl Frohm Foundation. First prize was $750, second received $500, and third $250.

The winners, as well as the more than 240 contest participants have made the trustees of Frohm Foundation proud, according to Harold Mann, one of the trustees. He said that trustee Dean Frankel commented before he died last fall that it is important to help young people understand the history of the Holocaust and the messages and lessons learned from it.

Awards were also presented at the April 18 ceremony to area teachers Jennifer Statsny from Central, Deb Ward, Burke, and Dawn Neilsen, Blair High School, for their classroom participation.

Other highlights of the evening included comments from local Holocaust survivor, Bea Karp and Sundanese community leader Mtiop Lueth Atem of the New Sudan Christian Link. The evening matched the inspiration provided by the essay writers and added to the Institute for Holocaust Education’s desire to continue the contest for years to come.

Temple Israel to Install Wendy Goldberg as President

by Claudia Sherman Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Wendy Goldberg will be installed as the President of Temple Israel’s Board of Trustees at the congregation’s annual meeting and dinner on Sunday, May 22, 6 p.m. She is the fourth woman to head the congregation in its 134-year history.

Goldberg has served as president of Women of Reform Judaism-Omaha, as chairman of Temple’s long- range planning committee, taught in religious school for four years, participated in Family School, and been on the Board of Trustees since 1999 and the executive committee for three years.

Other new officers are Jon Meyers, President-elect; Andi Willensky, Vice-president; Sally Kaplan, Vice-president; Amee Zetzman, Secretary; and John Lehr, Treasurer. New trustees include: Ted Friedland, Jill Idelman, Mike Norton, and Magda Peck.

Outgoing Board President Gary Kaplan as well as Religious School teachers and coordinators Joan Cooper and Elyce Azriel will be honored at the meeting. The recipient of this year’s Presidential Award also will be announced.

Cindy Goldberg and Andi Willensky are chairmen of the dinner which will be catered by Jere Jenkins, chef, Rick’s CafÊ Boatyard. Those who wish to attend the dinner, which costs $25 per person, should make reservations by Monday, May 16, by mailing their respond cards and checks to Temple Israel. It is not necessary to attend the dinner in order to attend the meeting, scheduled to begin about 7 p.m.

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