May 16, 2008
Former Omahan on waiting list for new kidney and worked at Alliance’s famed Hollywood Bowl Peace Sunday’s, which year after year remained a focal point for special entertainment and special peace speakers. Later, Andy went on to start some other peace organiby SHELLEY SMITH zations on his own. For those who have lived all or at least most of their Bats Not Bombs was Andy’s brainchild in the midlives in Omaha, Nebraska, moving away may seem 80s. He arranged good-will baseball games with daunting. Our city can seem safe, comfortable, and American and Nicaraguan and Cuban National baseball secure. teams during the U.S. war on Nicaragua. Actors Martin However for Andrew Liberman, age 57, the relocation Sheen, Edward Asner, and Kris Kristofferson and others was an adventure. Always loving a challenge, Andy had helped Andy raise the monies needed for this venture. been lucky enough to travel the world. His unique idea came out of watching College World “Because my father, Cappy, regularly won trips in the Series in Omaha for many years. appliance business being the super salesman he was, I Bats Not Bombs was written about in the New York got to go to the Caribbean, to Mexico, and to Brazil at Times, the International Herald Tribune, and USA an early age. I’m grateful to my parents for many Today. During the course of that program Andy had the things.” opportunity to travel to Nicaragua three times on good So when the chance to move from Omaha to Los will efforts arranging the more games in California and Angeles with his family in 1975, Andy relished the in Mexico and Central America. opportunity. Born in Omaha in 1950 to Cappy and More recently, Andy spearheaded Coffee House Minda Liberman, he and his brother, Keith, 65, and sis- Teach-Ins during the Gulf War, organizing peace powter Jann, 54, all three have strong ties to the Midwest wows and entertainment in California-area coffee houswhile residing in LA. Although he loves the sun and es. During the past two elections, Andy worked for the mild weather of Southern California, Liberman has fond election of Ralph Nader of the Green Party. Andy has memories of his Omaha childhood. also taken part in countless peace ralHe particularly remembers the thick, lies in Los Angeles and San juicy steaks at Ross Steak House, the Francisco, since having first marched sheer beauty of forest at Elmwood against the Vietnam War in San Park, sledding down the snowy hills Francisco in l969 while a student at of Memorial Park in the winters, and the University of California. working at the Ak-Sar-Ben racetrack Now Andy spends some of his time in the summer. volunteering at Franklin Canyon Liberman says, “My uncle, Willard National Park helping in the Nature Friedman, always said Omaha is a Center office which gives him great gem. He’s right. In retrospect, satisfaction working with other volOmaha is a wonderful place to grow unteers there. He comments, “Our up.” Andy still remains a staunch park is a relatively unknown jewel Nebraska Cornhusker football fan, even to Angelinos. It’s a real find. never missing an article on his When I can’t get away camping, beloved team. Franklin Canyon is the best.” Although the games are only Former Omahan Andy Liberman under the Unfortunately, Liberman has been sometimes televised on the West Santa Monica Pier, last winter. on dialysis for the past several years coast, Liberman always checks the internet and newspa- due to renal failure. This has prevented him from doing per for the NU statistics and details. When coach some things like engaging in any long-term journey Callahan was fired and Bo Pellini was hired, Andy defi- away from L.A. Having been on a donor list for a kidnitely stayed close to the news. Andy is now following ney, Liberman remains optimistic. He has been on the the recruiting travails of the team. list for a kidney in Los Angeles and in the San Diego area Through the years in California, Liberman has been for the past four years. very active in the international peace movement. He has He maintains,”You only have one life so I have learned been to England and Europe visiting peace centers: to to pace myself.” Once he has a new kidney, Andy envithe women’s anti-nuclear peace outpost at Greenham sions many new travel endeavors for the future. For the Common, to the Faslene Peace Camp in the north of present, Andy Liberman appreciates his life and work. the UK, to peace center churches in London and the He does hope, eventually, to return to Omaha and his Netherlands that were active in the anti-war/anti- roots. nuclear movement. Andy lives in Santa Monica, with his girlfriend Kathy Andy helped found the Southern California Alliance Mctaggart, a marriage and family therapist, their fourfor Survival in the l980s, which was one of the largest year-old chihuahua-mini pincher, Crickett, and a toranti-nuke organizations at the time. He helped planning toise named Tank.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Chabad’s last Bedtime Story ends series by SHEVI KATZMAN for Chabad House The recently launched Bedtime Storytime program will complete its successful series this year on Tuesday, May 20, 6-7 p.m. at the Chabad House. The upcoming event is chaired by Aviva Segall and Annette van de KampWright. To be permitted entrance to this free event, participants must be wearing pajamas. Nancy Rips, who will Becca Denenberg looks forward to getting be reading the together with friends to listen to a story Jewish story on next Tuesday. May 20, loves the frequent scheduling of the event and notes, “You can never have too much of a good thing!” Veteran moms Segall and Wright know that healthy
snacks, a fun craft, and an interactive educational story are essential ingredients to captivate young minds and teach them about how to deal with challenges they may encounter in their lives. The hour-long session will focus on the upcoming holiday of Shavuot and the special gift received from G-d. This program is sponsored by Mishpacha U n i v e r s i t y, dedicated to providing young, Jewish families with the tools to get degrees in Storyteller Nancy Rips reads a story with Jewish love and the pictures from the book projected on learning. For the wall behind her. more information or to RSVP, call Carol at 330.1800 or e-mail shevi@ochabad.com. Reservations are appreciated but not required.
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NCJW Membership Invited to Install 2008-09 Board and Present Awards Thursday, May 29, 5:30 p.m. Champions Club, 13800 Eagle Run Drive
Hannah G. Solomon Award: Dave Meyers Distinguished Service Award: Patty (Steve) Nogg Emerging Leader Award: Dana Kaufman
Proposed Slate of Officers: Co-Presidents:Tina Meyers & Shelly Pichik Executive VP: Andee Scioli Community Service VP: Shari Hess & Dora Goldstrom Public Affairs/Education VP: Nancy Jacobson Membership VP: Dana Kaufman & Stacey Atlas Fundraising VP: Jill Goldstein & Nikki Kirshenbaum Treasurer: Wendy Raffel Financial Secretary: Julie Martin Corresponding Secretary: Carrie Finegold Recording Secretary: Julie Stern Parlimentarian & Bylaws: Beth Friedman Directors: Leslie Eades, Lori Kooper-Schwarz, Teresa Ruback, Melissa Shapiro Nominating Chair: Deb Marburg Nominating Committee from the General Membership: Jill Belmont, Marcy Ruback, Iris Ricks Nominating Alternates: Penny Endelman, Ellene Edelstein Cost is $30 per person; checks, made out to NCJW, may be sent to:: Patty (Tony) Nogg, 24630 Mason St., Waterloo, NE 68069 Please RSVP by May 25 to Nogg at: 333.5186 or patty_nogg@csgsystems.com