Vol. LXXXIX No. 34 Omaha, NE
Cohen, Goldberg to be honored with Teen Leadership Award by PJ FEINSTEIN Federation Community Relations Specialist Ask Dayna Cohen or Molly Goldberg what being a leader means to them and you will receive similar answers. The enthusiastic high school seniors both believe that the role of a leader is to help others be successful in their own efforts, and they also credit their peers for inspiring them to become youth group leaders. “The better others do, the better I do,” says Dayna.
Dayna Cohen Molly Goldberg Robert and Ellen Gordman will present the 2009 Robert and Ellen Gordman Teen Leadership Award to Dayna and Molly on Monday, May 17, 7 p.m., during a ceremony preceding the Vadim Gluzman concert in the Jewish Community Center Theatre. The Gordmans established the award 27 years ago to honor Jewish teens who demonstrate leadership ability in a youth group and who have contributed to strengthening the organization and developing future leadership; this is the first time that Robert and Ellen are personally presenting the award to the winners. The prestigious award also comes with a $1,000 stipend to be used towards a Jewish educational experience, such as summer camp or a convention, or a trip to Israel. For Dayna, daughter of David and Karla Cohen, participating in the Anti-Defamation League’s Youth Leadership Mission to Israel in 2008 sparked her passion for Israel and motivated her in her role as the Israel Affairs vice president for United Synagogue Youth’s Emtza Region. Through that position, Dayna inspired others to attend Israel programs by educating local and regional USY members about Israel summer programs and by developing creative programs on the regional level for conferences and conventions. Prior to being elected to the USY regional board, Dayna was Beth El’s BILU USY Chapter president and executive vice president; she has also served on multiple committees at the synagogue. According to Beth Seldin Dotan and Alan Potash of the ADL, one of Dayna’s most admirable qualities is the ease with which she interacts with adults. She has also been active in the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization throughout high school, serving as MZ Yoshanah’s president, secretary and shlicha. Currently she is the Beau Dance chairman. At Millard West High School, Dayna enjoys tennis and student council and challenging herself by taking AP classes. This fall she plans to attend the University of Minnesota, where she plans to major in biomedical engineering and eventually attend dental school. An active Jewish campus life was one reason why she chose Minnesota, and she plans to become involved with its Hillel chapter. She also looks forward to helping the local USY chapters in the area as an advisor or chaperone at conventions. Continued on page 2
Inside Op-Ed Page: see Page 8
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
May 14, 2010
Friedland Family Sports Lounge serves as legacy and life lesson rience very clearly, down to what my dad was wearing. by OZZIE NOGG In 2005, even before bulldozers broke ground for the After the meeting, Dad kept telling us, over an over, that Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s renovation and expan- we have a responsibility to take care of our own, that we sion, David Friedland knew he wanted to be part of the must help take care of the community in general and of project. Mike Silverman, Director of the RBJH, recently explained how The Friedland Family Sports Lounge became a central space in the Home’s New Beginning. “Several years before David became ill, I invited him and his wife, Nancy, to see a presentation of our plans for the Home,” Silverman said. “David wanted his children Ted, Melissa and Paula to be there, too. These are three young families with small children, and a nursing home was the farthest thing from their minds, but David From left: Ted and Jamie Friedland with their children, Rose and Alex; Gary Steiner and wanted his kids to know that Melissa Friedland Steiner with their children, Julia and Luke; David and Nancy Friedland; they can and should do Paula Friedland Boggust and Matt Boggust with their children Annie, Jane, Harry and things for the community Emma. even if the project doesn’t directly affect them. He used the aged who deserve honor and respect. His excitement, the Blumkin Home presentation as a life lesson for his his passion for the project really moved us.” children, and they became very excited.” Ted Friedland said, “When we saw Mike Silverman’s Recalling that meeting, the Friedlands’ daughter, Paula, proposal, we realized right away that this was a worldsaid, “Mike Silverman’s explanation of the plans for the class facility, a special place that we all wanted to be part Blumkin Home was so impressive. I remember the expe- Continued on page 2
“Warm, caring educator” Spizman to receive Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award by JANET HENTHORN Foundation Endowment Associate Beth Spizman has been selected to receive the fifth annual Phil and Ruth Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award. Sokolof created this $10,000 award to recognize an educator in the Omaha metro area, preferably in grades K-12, who has made an outstanding contribution as both a teacher and mentor to her/his students. While pursuing a degree in criminal justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Spizman worked full-time at Uta Halee Girls Village, a locked, live-in facility for juvenile delinquent girls who were wards Beth Spizman of the state. She began coaching the troubled young girls in basketball and softball. She loved what she was doing, and she suddenly realized that she had found a career, or rather, as she said, “My career found me! It just clicked! Working at Uta Halee got me into teaching.” Spizman continued working toward her degree in criminal justice at UNO, but at the same time enrolled in UNO’s College of Education to receive a teaching degree in physical education. Not only did she find her love of teaching at Uta Halee, but she came to love working with kids who presented greater challenges. Consequently, since she began her teaching career, she has always chosen to work in the inner-city schools.
This Week: Community High School set to open in August, Page 5 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press’
1 Sivan 5770
Lincoln high school students meet Elie Wiesel Page 3
Her first assignment with the Omaha Public Schools was at Lothrop Magnet School. According to Gina Fitzpatrick, Magnet facilitator at Lothrop, “Beth is a warm, caring educator who takes physical education and children’s health very seriously. Beth instigated programs in nutrition and exercise for students and staff. She made community connections and planned activities for family and staff at school to stay fit. She is a great educator.” “She was a positive role model for our students,” wrote Michelle Sorenson, an instructional facilitator at Lothrop. “She has a great outlook on life and is willing to share her thoughts and expertise. My students were always excited to go to her class.” Sharon Prince, a parent of children who attended Lothrop, has known Spizman for nine years. “She donated countless hours of time to our school,” said Prince. “Her commitment to her students and their parents is genuine, with total devotion to giving her students whatever instruction is needed. Beth never prejudges her students.” Currently, Spizman is at Hartman Elementary School, where she is completing her 14th year with OPS. She teaches physical education to children from kindergarten through sixth grade. That means she teaches 350 students a week. When asked if she knew all their names, her shocked reply was “Of course! I see them not only when I teach P.E., but when I have lunch duty or bus duty. I also know who plays in what soccer league.” Spizman went on to say, “My teaching philosophy is about teaching the whole child. I can make connections with all of them. I’m so fortunate to have great family and friends. I feel like I have it all, so I can give it all.” Continued on page 2
Coming Next Month: Salute to Graduates
Violinist, pianist highlight Partnership with Israel concert Page 4
Shiputznick participants paint with a purpose Page 6