May 24, 2013

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

A visit to Budapest

May 24, 2013 15 Sivan 5773 Vol. 93 | No. 36

This Week

Our Annual Salute to High School Graduates Pages 8 & 9

Omaha’s Russian Jews celebrate Victory Day Page 10

by STEVEN J. RIEKES Note: This is a continuation of a description of the Jewish Heritage trip that Margo and I, Nate and Hannah Schwalb, and Bernard and Naomi Bloom took with Professor Stephen Berk of Union College last summer. Incidentally, after the publication of my articles about Jewish sites in Poland, Professor Berk gave an outstanding lecture at the UNO Schwalb Center.

After leaving Poland and traveling through Slovakia, we arrived on a Friday afternoon at Budapest, capital of Hungary, a city with a substantial Jewish population, of 50,000 to 100,000. This beautiful city is a combination of the cities of Buda and Pest. Our base was the Grand Kempinski Hotel in Pest, which more than deserved the name “Grand.”

We walked from there to have Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Dohany Street Synagogue, also known as the Great Synagogue.

The synagogue is a world heritage site. It is the largest synagogue in Europe, with a capacity of 3,000. Built between 1854 and 1859, its design is “Moorish Revival,” based on Islamic models. The architect, Ludwig

Interior of the Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as The Great Synagogue or Tabakgasse Synagogue Forster, created this style on forms used by “Oriental peoples,” because they were related to the “Israelite people.” It is a memorable design, later copied by synagogues elsewhere

The JCC is going green

in the world, including Central Synagogue in New York.

The style and the size of the synagogue are not the only unusual aspects. The synagogue has a huge pipe

organ which accompanies the service along with the choir. We were quite surprised by this musical accompaniment, because the service Continued on page 2

Growing up in the class room

The way to Rio Page 16

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Next Month Father’s Day See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

12 14 15

The Harold and Linda Mann Frohm Foundation Community Garden

by LYNN BATTEN Publicity and Gallery Manager “Tikkun Olam” is a Hebrew phrase that translates to “repairing the world.” This simple phrase holds a powerful meaning, suggesting that humanity has a shared responsibility

to heal, fix and transform the earth on which we live. Here at the JCC, we continue to take steps that fulfill this responsibility by creating an energy efficient “green” campus.

As part of this movement, we are proud to announce initiatives that will help us work at “tikkun olam.”

1. Reducing Paper Use and Increasing Paper Recycling. Our quarterly newsletter, the JCC Centerpiece, is now an online publication. The Centerpiece will no longer be mailed. Instead, it will be available for download off of our website, www.jccomaha.org. Limited printed copies of the Centerpiece will be available at the Member Continued on page 2

Zane Fletcher

Grant Glazer

by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer Friends since elementary school, Zane Fletcher and Grant Glazer have much in common, including graduating together this spring from Westside High School. And for the past three years, Zane and Grant have shared teaching duties at Temple Israel’s Religious School, discussing with sixth graders stories from various Jewish texts, including the Tanakh.

Grant, who as an eighth grader was a madrich for the Religious School fourth grade class and the following year assisted Rabbi Azriel, became lead instructor of the sixth grade Torah Studies class when he was in the tenth grade.

“I had the entire class to myself,” Grant said, “which was very challenging, especially with discipline.

Here I am, only a few years older than these kids, and I need them to take me seriously as an ‘adult’ and as their teacher.”

After that first year, Grant realized he needed help, and he asked his friend Zane to teach with him.

“I brought in Zane to help with the discipline stuff, and he helped lead some of the more intellectual discussions,” Grant said. “Zane is incredibly smart, and together I think we were able to talk to the kids on their level and get them to actually think about things.”

For Grant, teaching at Religious Continued on page 9

2 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2013

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A visit to Budapest Continued from page 1 was basically an Orthodox one with separate seating for men and women.

All this was the result of a uniquely Hungarian form of Judaism, known as Neology, developed as part of the emancipation efforts of Hungarian Jews in the mid-19th Century.

While some wanted to follow the Reform Movement as developed in Germany, the majority of Hungarian Jews wished to remain more traditional.

During more than 1,000 years, Jews were sometimes accepted and sometimes repressed. For example, Hungary was ruled for a long time by the Austrian Hapsburgs. Queen Maria Theresa (1740-1780) did not like Jews, expelled them from the City of Buda and imposed an exceptionally heavy “toleration-tax” on the rest of the Jewish community. On the other hand, her son Joseph II (1780-1790) alleviated the condition of the Jews by wiping out many oppressive laws.

Jews were given rights to attend universities and engage in a

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A view of the cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube river To the casual observer, there are only two visible differences between present-day Neology and Orthodoxy. One is the organ music during services. The other is that the sermon in the Dohany Synagogue was traditionally given not from the bimah, but from a pulpit high above the congregation, reached by a winding staircase as one might find in some churches. In the case of the Dohany Synagogue, there are two of them. Why two? If we Jews did not have enough to argue about, German-speaking rabbis would preach from one and Hungarian-speaking rabbis would preach from the other.

Also, to its credit, the Neology movement has been able to maintain a rabbinical seminary in Budapest even through the harsh, anti-religious Communist period which ended in the collapse of the Soviet Empire.

After Shabbat morning services at the Dohany, where we were graciously given Alyot, we went on a walking tour.

Among the items of interest was a visit to the Holocaust Memorial Center. The Center houses a beautiful synagogue, a museum and courtyard with a glass memorial wall dedicated to the over 500,000 Jewish Hungarian victims whose names have been inscribed. It was most impressive and moving.

That evening, we had dinner on the banks of the Danube River to the accompaniment of Hungarian and Gypsy music.

We took a river cruise where the city’s beautiful edifices were lit up. Particularly impressive was the magnificent Hungarian Parliament building, a unique architectural structure.

The history of the Jews of Hungary is long and rich.

number of different occupations from which they had been barred. After a constant back and forth, Jews were finally emancipated by the Hungarian Parliament in 1867.

Jews were phenomenally successful. After World War I, Jews represented one-fourth of all university students, 60% of Hungarian doctors, 51% of lawyers, 39% of employed engineers and chemists and so forth.

Nevertheless, after a failed communist revolution, which unfortunately included some Jews as its leaders, the Hungarian government became very right-wing. It was led by a former admiral, Miklos Horthy, who resented the success of Hungarian Jews. During the 1920s and 1930s, the Hungarian government enacted various restrictions on Jews.

Hungary became a German ally in World War II. Despite Horthy’s anti-Semitism, he resisted German demands that the Jews of Hungary be deported to the death camps. One motive for this resistance, perhaps, was that the Hungarian government wanted to hedge its bets, particularly when the allied armies were on the move. This resistance led to German occupation in the spring of 1944.

In May, June, and July, 1944, transports of Hungarian Jews to the death camps began. But news of this situation spread.

In a letter, Winston Churchill noted: “There is no doubt that this persecution of Jews in Hungary and their expulsion from enemy territory is probably the greatest and most horrible crime ever committed in the whole history of the world...” The Pope, the King of Sweden, and President Continued on page 3

The JCC is going green Continued from page 1 Services Desk. In addition, we continue to recycle paper in our offices.

2. Recycling Plastic Bottles and Encouraging Use of Reusable Bottles. We are placing new recycling bins, specifically for plastic bottles, near vending machines on campus. Please take advantage of this service by placing your EMPTY water and soda bottles in the bins. We’ve also recently installed a new water bottle filling station in the JCC Fitness Center. This new station greatly reduces our dependency on plastic water bottles, reducing our postconsumer waste. We encourage you to bring your own reusable water bottle when you come to work out. If you don’t have a reusable bottle, you can always purchase one from Member Services for $10.

3. Saving Electricity Through Reduced Energy Consumption. The towel service we offer at the JCC Pools, Health Spas, Locker Rooms, and Fitness Center is a feature we pride ourselves on. This service, however, requires energy to complete. As part of our “green” initiative we

replaced the electric dryers in our laundry room with natural gas-powered dryers. The generation of natural gas power generally produces half as much carbon dioxide emissions than that of its coal powered electric counterpart. In addition, we anticipate that we will see a 75% saving in energy cost because of this change. Beyond the laundry room, we are installing energy efficient features such as lighting fixtures and bulbs.

4. Replenish and Reconnect With the Earth. Our campus has beautiful grounds for our Members to explore and enjoy.

We host the Harold and Linda Mann Frohm Foundation Community Garden site, which provides hands-on education to community youth and those who wish to reconnect with the land through gardening. In addition, our Grounds & Maintenance Staff uses all of our lawn clippings and tree debris as mulch for future use on the campus.

As we move ahead in making our campus a “green” facility, we look forward to your participation and support.

Together our small, yet collective, actions will truly make a difference in “tikkun olam.”

May 24, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 3

A visit to Budapest Continued from page 2 Franklin Roosevelt urged a halt to the deportations, and Admiral Horthy complied.

courageous man or why.

We visited a very impressive monument to Mr. Wallenberg, which is in a park-like set-

Viktor Orban issued a condemnation.

On our walking tour, our guide confided that her husband had been recently dismissed from a state-run television station because of his liberal politics. She also pointed out a number of cars that had bumper stickers indicating that their owners supported the right-wing party that yearns for a “greater Hungary,” something that Hungary’s neighbors undoubtedly would oppose.

Notwithstanding these unfortunate developments, we thoroughly enjoyed this magnificent city and did not sense a pervasive aura of either anti-Semitism or Fascism. On Sunday, we returned again to the Dohany Synagogue because that complex also houses an interesting Jewish museum, shops sell-

ing Jewish souvenirs, and a courtyard, named after Raoul Wallenberg, in which there are magnificent modern sculptures commemorating the Holocaust. There is a particularly famous metal sculpture in the shape of a weeping willow, by Imre Varga.

Perhaps as an antidote to the antiSemitism that exists in Hungary, thousands of visitors from all over the world come to the Dohany complex. Busload after busload arrived in the few hours we were there.

Thus, I have hope that the Hungarian Jewish community that survived Fascism and Communism will continue to flourish in the future, despite occasional set-backs.

Budapest is a wonderful city and well worth a visit.

Leaving the nest

The Jewish cemetery However, an extreme Fascist party, the Arrow Cross, in a coup, took over in October, and the persecution of Jews resumed. During this fateful period, a number of heroic individuals intervened to save as many Jews as possible. Most notable among them was the Swedish diplomat, Raoul Wallenberg, who issued tens of thousands of protective passports and sheltered Jews in buildings he claimed was Swedish Territory.

In January, 1945, the Soviet Army liberated Budapest, and saved the remaining Jews of Hungary. However, for inexplicable reasons, the Soviet Army detained Mr. Wallenberg and sent him to prison in the Soviet Union, where he died. The Soviet government never fully gave an accounting of what happened to this

ting. In 1981, the late United States Congressman, Tom Lantos, who was himself saved by Wallenberg, sponsored a bill making him an honorary citizen of the United States.

With a decline in Hungary’s economy in recent years, there has been an ascendancy of right-wing parties, particularly one known as Jobbik. It is the third largest party in Parliament. This fall, one of its members, Marton Gyongyosi, called for Parliament to classify Hungarian Jews as potential national security risks. The American Embassy in Budapest issued a powerful denunciation of these statements and demanded the Hungarian government immediately condemn Gyongyosi’s words. Finally, the center-right government of Prime Minister

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4 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2013

Temple Israel’s graduates

by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer Confirmation is a rite of passage in Reform Judaism that signifies the culmination of a student’s Religious School studies. Held on or near Shavuot, the holiday that commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai, Temple Israel’s tenth grade students participate in the service and gather on the bimah, where they receive a blessing from Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, symbolic of the giving of the Ten Commandments.

Surrounded by friends and family, this year’s confirmands celebrated the milestone on May 14.

The students participated in the worship service and received words of wisdom and encouragement from the clergy and Board of Trustee representative Paul Rabinovitz.

“Thank you,” Rabinovitz told the students. “Thank you for making the effort to stay connected to Temple Israel and the Jewish community it creates. For me, being part of a community is the reason we exist.

“No matter how you came to have this connection, celebrate it and strengthen it,” Rabinovitz continued. “You might feel connected to Temple by your relationship with one of our clergy, or it might be that you are here because your friends are here, or you might have a special connection with one of your teachers. No matter, the important thing is the connection.”

This year, three of the students -- Courtney Bierman, John Eirinberg, and Max Gendler -- also shared their wisdom with the congregation by reading essays they had written at Rabbi Azriel’s behest.

Azriel asked his students: “How do you find God?” “A couple years ago I was struggling to find a God,” John Eirinberg wrote. “I remember talking to my mom about it, and I asked her what she thought about God. She said that praying to a God after my older brother Ben had passed away really helped her in a spiritual way. I think that my experience of having a sibling who has passed away has had a big influence on my belief in God. I think as I have learned more and more about my brother, I have found a stronger connection with God.” In contrast, and as an example of the free thinking encouraged by Reform Judaism, Courtney Bierman’s quest for God had ended before it ever began.

“I am not looking for God,” she wrote. “I do not believe

such a thing exists. … Science answers the questions I have about the natural world and I’m pretty satisfied with that.

“I am proud to be Jewish and to participate in this cultural milestone,” Courtney continued. “The idiosyncratic trait

2013 Temple Israel Graduating Class of the Reform Movement is the wiggle room given to its members for individuality and personalization when said members worship or, in my case, do not worship. This wiggle room allows me to still be a Jew despite the fact that I am not an avid participant in its religious activities.”

In addition to Courtney, John and Max, this year’s confirmands included Courtney’s sister Madison, Sara Cohen, Madison Eisenberg, Estella Fox, Danny Glazer, Isaac Rogers, and Rachel Stoneking.

Temple Israel played host to another rite of passage on May 10 when the congregation honored its graduating senior class with their Senior Send-off. Eleven of Temple Israel’s 23 seniors were on hand to participate in the Shabbat service and receive a blessing from Rabbi Azriel.

Sophie Goldberg, daughter of Wendy and David Goldberg, and Ariel Kohll, daughter of Ivy Kohll, sang a duet, and in an emotional farewell, OTYG board members presented outgoing Youth Advisor Amy Katz with a large, poster-size photo of her with The Boss, Bruce Springsteen.

“It tugged at my heart a little bit,” said outgoing OTYG President Hannah Perry, daughter of Beth and Jay Perry.

“Amy’s like my second mother. The beauty about Amy is that she’s there when you need her to be, she’s there when you want her to be, but she also has good experience and lets you grow up and figure things out on your own.”

Hannah continued: “Friday night was kind of my way of repaying her for the last three years, making sure I was doing okay and doing what I was supposed to be doing.”

For Ariel Kohll, the Senior Send-off was an evening of love and memories.

“It was fun, and a good way to end,” she said. “The sunlight and music helped set the mood for some serious reminiscing. It felt really warm and fuzzy in there. I just felt a lot of pride and love coming from the congregation.”

For Perry, the evening was more bittersweet.

“I’ve stood on that bimah so many times since my Bat Mitzvah, which most people in the class can’t say,” she said.

“This was very interesting, having it be the last time I will really ever stand there. For one thing, that whole podium won’t exist after a few more months … the moving of the building makes it more interesting.

“It’s weird when I talk about the new building, because it feels like the new building won’t be my building,” Perry said. “As the last class graduating from this building, I don’t feel any tie toward the new building. You look at the elementary school kids, they will feel that tie to the new building. That’s crazy for me, as someone who spent so much time here. Senior Send-off was very reminiscent of that kind of feeling, of growing older and moving out. The people will always be there, but this building won’t. It was unsettling, but it was nice to have closure.”

In addition to Ariel, Sophie and Hannah, this year’s graduating seniors included Olivia Baker, daughter of Amber and Tom Baker; Dru Beach, son of Mona Jones and Ron Beach; Zoe Cohen, daughter of Marla and Bob Cohen; Zane Fletcher, son of Hillary and John Fletcher; Julian Fox, son of Nora Sarvetnick and Howard Fox; Dustin Ginsburg, son of Cheri and Larry Ginsburg; Grant Glazer, son of Jennifer and John Glazer; Noah Grossman, son of Stephanie and Barry Grossman; Joe Hack, son of Rosie Zweiback and Mace Hack; Morissa Miller, daughter of Jennifer and Paul Miller; Gabriella Montemarano, daughter of Lisa and Dino Montemarano; Alex Pachman, son of Allison Latenser and Louis Pachman; Noah Placzek, son of Kim and Matt Placzek; Hannah Radler, daughter of Gretchen and David Radler; Caroline Rockman, daughter of Stacey and Jonathan Rockman; Cleo Rogers, daughter of Mimi Rogers-Farkas and Scott Farkas; Justin Schrager, son of Laura and Rick Schrager; Sonia Schrager, daughter of Jeff Schrager; Katherine Slosburg, daughter of Martha and David Slosburg; Rachel Sullivan, daughter of Louri and Charlie Sullivan; and Rylee Zimmerman, daughter of Linda and Todd Zimmerman.

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Beth El annual meeting

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El’s upcoming annual meeting will be an evening of celebration, as congregants take stock of the past year, look toward the future, and honor a group of congregants for their ongoing commitment to the synagogue. Planned for Friday, June 7, the festivities will begin with a 5:45 p.m. barbecue (weather permitting) on the synagogue’s back lawn, followed by the meeting at 6:30 p.m., and a special outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. Jan and Phil Wayne are chairmen of the event.

will be presented to Jay Gordman. Gordman is currently treasurer of the board, and has been credited for the complete revamping of the synagogue’s budget process. He also serves as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, and led last year’s search committee for a new cantor.

“I am honored to receive the Earl Siegel Award,” Gordman said. “It has been very meaningful becoming more involved at Beth El as a congregant and volunteer, and I have been fortunate to develop fantastic relationships with many members of the congregation. Spending quality time with my family at Beth El has also been very special.

“There are so many volunteers at Beth El who deserve recognition for all of their hard work,” he noted. “I hope all members of the congregation have an opportunity to engage and re-engage with our new professional team.”

Ari Kohen is this year’s recipient of the Emerging Leader Award. Kohen is an active participant in the synagogue’s Men’s Club, serving as the organization’s social Diane Shandell Jay Gordman Ari Kohen chairman. In addition, he is a member of Beth El’s Strategic Planning committee, and was also the guest speaker during a recent ‘Dinner and Drash’ Shabbat program. Kohen and his wife, Sara, are regular service attendees; they also enjoy Tot Shabbat programs with their two children.

“I decided to get more involved at Beth El because people helped to make me feel like an important part of this community since my family moved to Omaha almost two years ago, and because I really like spending time with the people in this congregation,” Kohen said.

“Of course, a community is only as strong as the people who invest their time and energy in it, so it seemed obviously important to help out where I could. There are so many people who are working to make Beth El a lively, welcoming synagogue, David and Becca Finkelstein and their sons and I’m both very honored Scheduled to be elected and installed are new board mem- and very surprised to have been chosen for this award. bers David Kotok, Kevin Saltzman and Sandy Passer, as well There’s no doubt that it’s encouragement to me to continue as Howard Shandell, Aveva Shukert, Sharon Houchin, Caryn my involvement and even to do more.”

Scheer and Jim Zipursky, who have accepted a second term Finally, the Selwyn Roffman Award for Religious Growth on the board. They will serve alongside fellow board mem- will be presented to David and Becca Finkelstein and their bers Lloyd Roitstein, Janie Murow, Jon Jabenis, Wayne sons Ari, Ethan and Asher. In addition to attending Shabbat Schwarz, Jay Gordman, Michael Schop, Bev Fellman, Joel services on a regular basis, each family member has found a Rich, Glen Fineman, Beth Friedman, Jeremy Friedman, Andy way to be involved at the synagogue. As Men’s Club presiGreenberg, M’Lee Hasslinger, Bruce Kutler, Lisa Lieb, Roni dent, David has a hand in all of the organization’s activities Reiter-Palmon, Ari Riekes and Ben Shapiro for the upcoming and programs; he also serves as a member of the synagogue’s year. During the meeting, out-going board members Shelly Board of Trustees. Becca is a co-secretary of the Sisterhood Lerner and Scott Simon will be thanked for their service. board, and serves as a member of the Personnel Practices Another highlight of the meeting will be the presentation committee; she is also a student in Hazzan Michael of Beth El’s annual congregational awards, which recognize Krausman’s adult B’nai Mitzvah class. Nine-year-old twins congregants for their outstanding dedication to and involve- Ethan and Ari have assisted Men’s Club members in kasherment in the synagogue. ing the kitchen for Passover, have helped set up the social Diane Shandell is this year’s recipient of the President’s hall for congregational holiday meals, and participate in Award, presented to a non-board member for exceptional Junior Congregation, Oh Say Shalom to Shabbat, and the volunteerism to the synagogue. In her capacity as Caring synagogue’s religious school; and three-year-old Asher Committee chairman, Shandell has made her mark as a true enjoys Torah Tots and Tot Shabbat. advocate for congregants’ needs, arranging meals and transLloyd Roitstein, president of Beth El’s board of trustees, portation, sending cards, and coordinating ‘Mitzvah applauded all of this year’s honorees, saying, “Beth El Mensch’ volunteers; she also organizes both chef-demon- Synagogue is strong and vibrant because we have congrestration programs and mishloachmanot bag deliveries to gants who are engaged, dedicated, and enthusiastic. The Blumkin Home residents. winners of these four awards are all very special and have A lifelong member of Beth El, Shandell said she enjoys her made Beth El better for all of us. I also thank everyone who volunteer role at the synagogue. has volunteered at our wonderful synagogue so others can “I like to talk with people of all ages in the congregation,” she enjoy the many benefits it provides. On behalf of the board said. “It feels good to help when people are in need, even if it’s and staff, I congratulate all of our award recipients and just to talk with someone. When family members have loved thank all of our wonderful volunteers.” ones in the hospital it makes them feel good that Beth El cares.”

The annual meeting is open to everyone in the Jewish She added that, “The synagogue is special to me because community. Dinner cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children my grandparents were founding members, and it makes me ages 7-12, and free for children ages six and younger. There feel good to continue on with the legacy.” is a maximum charge of $30 per family. RSVP and pay This year’s Earl Siegel Memorial Award, given to a Board online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or contact the synagogue of Trustees member for outstanding service to the board, office, 402.492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha.org.

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BBYO/Teen Director Sam Lieb said his best features were his flowing hair and The JCC Campus Pavilion was a great spot to hold the toned figure. Jake Baron said Full House and Family Matters annual BBYO Mr. AZA Omaha, a fundraiser for the Ediar would be his favorite reality show pick and Josh Sullivan Chapter and BBYO’s Interdescribed his perfect date as national Service Fund (ISF). chocolate fondue in the park while stargazing. Everyone in The evening netted close to attendance enjoyed the good $400 for the members of humor and continued laughEdiar. ing hours after the event.

Spencer is the son of Bart Additional contestants were and Brenda Arnold. Spencer Connor Dietrich and Max will attend Westside High Gendler; all did a great job School in the fall and recently entertaining the audience! joined the AZA #1 chapter The International Service during rush programming Fund provides much needed this Spring. scholarships for BBYO teens Sophomore Jake Baron to attend leadership training received second place honors camps, Kallahs, International and Sophomore Sam Lieb had Jake Baron, left, Spencer Arnold and Sam Lieb Convention and much more! a strong third place finish.

The boys competed in evening wear, where all contestants Last year’s national efforts raised more than $40,000 to assist walked the runway in their own highly personal choices, over 75 teens internationally.

Those in attendance were reminded of the important and a judged question- and-answer portion where their perwork BBYO does to strengthen Jewish teen life and priorisonality and individuality were put to the test.

The judges’ questions were intended to throw some of the tize Tzedakah projects to further their engagement.

Are you a teen who wants to get involved? Are you intercontestant’s off their game. “If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?” “What is your best quality?” What ested in making new Jewish friends? Then Contact Leora is your favorite dance move, show us!” and the crowd favorite, Azriel at 402.334.6404 or lazriel@jccomaha.org.

Engaging teenagers at Temple Israel

ON DISPLAY MAY 25-SEPT. 8

by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer The Temple Israel Board of Trustees has tasked clergy and staff to come up with ideas for keeping Temple teenagers, specifically post-B’nai Mitzvah through high school graduation, engaged and active in Jewish life without necessarily sitting them down in a classroom.

As reported by Rabbi Jonah Pesner at the 2011 URJ Biennial meeting, most synagogues retain on average only about 20 percent of their youth by the time they graduate high school. But when Temple Israel clergy and staff looked at the number of teenagers still active in the Jewish community, what they realized is that the majority of Temple Israel teenagers have stayed engaged in the Jewish community well beyond their B’nai Mitzvahs.

“When we looked through our list of seniors for Senior Send-off, we initially thought we were missing a lot of people,” Rabbi Josh Brown said, “but we discovered that 74 percent of our kids are actively engaged in Jewish life at Temple, and that’s something we should be proud of.”

Of course, the definition of “actively engaged” might vary depending from congregation to congregation.

Temple Israel is trying to stretch the definition to include activities and projects beyond the walls of its Religious School.

“Being an active teenager at Temple is about more than sitting in class,” Rabbi Brown said. “Active teens call [the clergy] for coffee. They sing in our choir and play in the First Friday band, or participate in area youth groups. We want our youth to know that there’s more to living Jewishly than learning from a book. It’s about coming together as a

community and building relationships with each other.”

Class trips to New York City, college campus visits and volunteer opportunities are just some of the ways Temple Israel is redefining what it means to be a Jewish student.

“We need to stop looking at who is not in the room and start looking at the variety of Jewish activities our kids are engaged in in a variety of places,” Rabbi Brown said. “We need to stop being so hard on ourselves as a Jewish community and instead of always talking about who isn’t showing up, we need to focus on those who are.”

Another example of Temple Israel’s revamped teen programming is the switching to a credit-based system, similar to college, in which students will earn credit hours based on their activities both inside and outside the Temple walls, whether they’ve chosen to teach in the Religious School or volunteer at Stephen Center.

Temple Israel is also charging its new Director of Youth Engagement (formerly known as the Youth Advisor) with broadening the scope of his or her work with Temple youth.

Even after graduation, Temple Israel strives to maintain contact with its youth who leave Omaha, through email and video messages during the High Holidays and Hanukkah. This summer the clergy has scheduled two opportunities outside the building to meet with Temple youth who are back in Omaha for the summer: June 11 at Upstream Brewing Company at 514 S. 11th St. and Aug. 6 at Hiro West, 3655 N. 129th St. “We always love hearing from our youth and encourage them to contact us at any time, for any reason,” Rabbi Brown said.

This exhibition was created by The Field Museum, Chicago, and made possible through the generosity of McDonald’s Corporation.

DurhamMuseum.org

It is sponsored locally by First National Bank, the Douglas County Commissioners, Valmont Industries, Inc., HDR, Inc., the Durham Society, and the Peter Kiewit Foundation.

Media support provided by WOWT.

Come on in, the water’s fine How is this publication thinking about the future?

By becoming part of the past.

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by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT “Eighty-five-year-old makes a splash,” the Omaha World Herald headlined in 2009. The article focused on Barton “Bucky” Greenberg’s exploits in the outdoor pool at the Jewish Community Center, and the world record he set in his age group.

Greenberg posted a time of 1:53.70 in the 100 meter breaststroke at the United States Masters Swimming long course championship. In addition, he won gold by setting an American record in the 50 meter breaststroke and the 200 meter breaststroke.

That was four years ago.

When the article was written, Greenberg said he didn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He made good on his word: the life-long swimmer recently competed in a “Master’s Swimming” record meet at Kim Bucky Greenberg, second from left, at the JCC Junior High School in Council Bluffs. swimming pool in 1935.

“It was easy to win first place in the 50 meter breaststroke,” he said, “since I was the only swimmer in my age bracket.”

That wasn’t always the case. In the 1940s, Greenberg was on the freshman swim team at Iowa State.

That temporarily came to an end when he went off to serve in the U.S. Air Force. When Greenberg returned after WW II, he picked up where he left off, and competed for the Husker swimming team from 1946 to 1948.

Greenberg trains year-round at the Jewish Community Center pool and has no plans to quit. For more information about the JCC pool, such as available classes and opening hours, please contact membership services at 402.334.6426 or visit us at www.jewishomaha.org/ jcc/.

May 24, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 7

Concert to offer ‘Solos Seating’

by DIANE AXLER-BAUM With the opening of its 2013 Summer Concert Series on Sunday, June 16, the Omaha Chamber Music Society will introduce Solos Seating, a plan to enhance the concert experience for anyone attending alone.

The series of concerts will take place at First Central Congregational Church, 421 S. 36th St., on consecutive Sundays, June 16 through July 7, at 3 p.m.

Those attending as “Solos” are invited to arrive at 2:15 p.m. for a welcome by OCMS Board members, a complimentary beverage, and an opportunity to meet one another. When the Solos enter the comfortable sanctuary at 2:40 p.m. for the brief, pre-concert talk, they will have the option of sitting together in the reserved Solos section.

Participating Board members include Ben Rasmussen, Music Director at Classical 90.7, KVNO; Diane Axler Baum, who helped bring OCMS concerts to the Jewish Community Center the past two years; and Dani Meier, bass player with the Omaha Symphony.

“We are fortunate to have Board members who recognize the value of bringing a social component to music enjoyment,” said Stacie Haneline, Executive Director of the Omaha Chamber Music Society. “We hope Solos Seating will be the first of many such plans.”

The concert on June 16 will highlight a wide range of composers including Weber, Martin, Corigliano, Hummel, Bach, and Debussy. Top professional, local musicians will perform: Maria Harding, flute; Adam Goos, tenor; Tim Strang, cello; and Christi Zuniga, piano.

For planning purposes, the OCMS urges those who will attend as Solos to make a reservation by calling 402.960.6943 or e-mailing information@omaha chambermusic.org.

2013 Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation winners announced

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN and 2nd Place Max Gurock; 3rd Grade: 1st Place Leah Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life Gurock, 2nd Place Shmuel Aaron Shyken and 3rd Place The Center for Jewish Life through the Kripke Jewish Abby Kaufman; 4th Grade: 1st Place Rachel Kricsfeld, 2nd Federation Library is pleased to announce the winners of Place Abby Kohll and 3rd Place Rebecca Denenberg; 5th the 2013 Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Grade: 1st Place Sarah Aoki, 2nd Place Destiny Howard and Appreciation Contest. This annual contest, first started in 3rd Place Rachel Aoki; and 6th Grade: 1st Place Ilana 1991, is made possible by the Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation Fund.

The contest was created to honor the goals promoted by Mrs. Whitman during her lifetime of devoted service to the youth of the Omaha community.

She served for many years as a member of the Kripke Library board and on the faculty of both Beth El and Temple Israel Religious Schools. This contest furthers Mrs. Whitman’s goal in promoting Jewish literature for children.

Contest categories include the creation of book jackets by kindergarten through 2nd grade students and book reports for 3rd through 6th grade students.

2013 Whitman Book Appreciation winners The book report category was expanded this year with students also creating an additional McNamara, 2nd Place Daniel Rosenfeld and 3rd Place item along with the report. Student chose from the follow- Isabella Wright. ing options: preparation of a one-page newspaper about the The following students also participated in the contest: book; writing a letter to the author, telling him or her how 4th Grade – Daniel Denenberg, David Kay, Leora much they enjoyed the book and why; creating a poster for McNamara and Matan Shapiro; 5th Grade – Zoe Berman, the book, including a book recommendation; making a Doron Margalit and Yael Schuller; 6th Grade – Eylon shoebox diorama of an important event in the book; or Caplan, Raelyn Cherry, Lily Goldberg, Josh Stein, Hannah choosing a character in the book and explaining why (or Stein and Gabby Witkowski. why not) the student would like that character as a friend.

The Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Memorial Book Each winner received a book and award certificate; all Appreciation Contest is presented by the Center for Jewish other entrants received participation certificates. The win- Life and promoted by Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel ning entries were: Kindergarten: 1st Place Jacob Gurock, Synagogue, Friedel Jewish Academy and Temple Israel.

Father’s Coming in June

Day

Publishing Date | 06.07.13 Space Reservation | 05.29.13 Camera Ready Deadline | 05.31.13 Contact your advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.

Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org

8 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2013

Salutes... the Class of 2013 Olivia Baker

Dru Sara Anne Beach

Zachary Bram

Zoe Cohen

James Patrick Coyle

Connor Dietrich

Melissa Haley Epstein

Lila Ferber

Zane Fletcher

Julian Fox

Dustin Ginsburg

Grant Glazer

Sophie Goldberg

Noah Gabriel Grossman

Joe Hack

Aaron Zlotsky Hoagland

Zachary Daniel Kahn

Kylie Kirshenbaum

Avi Knecht

Ariel Tiffany Kohll

Aaron Kurtzman

Gabe Levin

Justin Lee Lohman

Tal Margalit

Morissa Miller

Gabriella Marie Montemarano

Alexander “Alex” Pachman

Molly Paskar

OLIVIA BAKER Amber and Tom Baker

DRU SARA ANNE BEACH Mona Jones and Ron Beach

ZACHARY BRAM Devra and Ross Bram

ZOE COHEN Marla and Bob Cohen

JAMES PATRICK COYLE

Westside Occidental College

DUSTIN GINSBURG

Harlan Community High School University of Iowa

GRANT GLAZER

Omaha North High Magnet University of Nebraska-Lincoln

SOPHIE GOLDBERG

Duchesne Academy Washington University-St. Louis

NOAH GABRIEL GROSSMAN Boys Town Stephanie and Barry Grossman Metro Community College

JUSTIN LEE LOHMAN

Westside

JOE HACK

TAL MARGALIT

Pamela Bloch and Michael Coyle Marquette University

CONNOR DIETRICH Sheri and Greg Dietrich

Elkhorn South University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Cheri and Larry Ginsburg

Jennifer and John Glazer

Wendy and David Goldberg

Millard North University of Nebraska-Lincoln

ARIEL TIFFANY KOHLL

Westside Stanford University

AARON KURTZMAN

Westside University of Michigan

GABE LEVIN

Westside

Rosie Zweiback and Mace Hack Stanford University

Jodi and Gary Epstein

Millard North University of Missouri

ZACHARY DANIEL KAHN

Jenni Schlossman and Jeff Ferber

ZANE FLETCHER Hillary and John Fletcher

JULIAN FOX Nora Sarvetnick and Howard Fox

Westside Arizona State University

KYLIE KIRSHENBAUM Marcy Noodell and Corey Kirshenbaum

Westside University of Nebraska-Omaha Westside University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Helene and Michael Lohman

Ruth and Eyal Margalit

MORISSA MILLER

AVI KNECHT Jennifer Rosenblatt and Kurt Knecht

Omaha North High Magnet Undecided Millard North University of Central Florida

Burke Yeshiva University Westside

Rabbi Mordechai and Susi Levin Univ. of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Jennifer and Paul Miller Kimberly and Marc Kahn

LILA FERBER

Jordana Kurtzman

AARON ZLOTSKY HOAGLAND Lincoln Southwest Amy Zlotsky and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Kyle Hoagland

MELISSA HALEY EPSTEIN

Westside

Ivy Kohll and the late Louis Kohll University of New Mexico

GABRIELLA MARIE MONTEMARANO Lisa and Dino Montemarano

Central Cornell College in Iowa Central Shnat Sherut (Yr of Service) in Israel & Oberlin College in Fall 2014 Millard North University of Missouri Gretna Doane College

ALEXANDER “ALEX” PACHMAN Central Allison Latenser and University of Nebraska-Kearney Lincoln Southeast University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Louis Pachman

MOLLY PASKAR Clara and Gary Paskar

Millard North University of Nebraska-Omaha

June 1, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 9

Hannah Perry

Noah Alexander Placzek

Hannah S. Radler

Caroline Janis Rockman

Cleo Rogers

Justin Michael Schrager

Sonia Lee Schrager

Brooke Ellen Sideris

Maddison Sabrina Skolkin

Kate Slosburg

Matthew Patrick Stein

Rachel Elizabeth Sullivan

Samantha Wiener

Mathew F. Wiesman

John Williss

Lindsey Yoneda

Rylee Zimmerman

Aaron Zipursky

Naomi Fay Zipursky

The Jewish Press regrets if some graduating seniors are not included. If parents would like to submit an announcement for ‘In the News’, we will run it when space is available. Please send via e-mail (with photo of at least 100K, attached as a .jpg) to jpress@jewishoma ha.org, or to the office at: Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

Include: name of graduating senior, name(s) of parent(s), high school from which student graduated, and college which the student will attend.

HANNAH PERRY Beth and Jay Perry

Millard North George Washington University

NOAH ALEXANDER PLACZEK Westside Kimberly and Matthew Placzek University of Indiana

CLEO ROGERS Mimi Rogers and Scott Farkas

JUSTIN MICHAEL SCHRAGER Creighton Prep Laura and Rick Schrager Saint Mary’s College of California

Gretchen and David Radler

Westside University of Nebraska-Omaha

CAROLINE JANIS ROCKMAN Westside Stacey and Jonathan Rockman Kivunim: New Directions in Israel & Undecided in Fall 2014

SONIA LEE SCHRAGER Jeffrey Schrager and Anne York and Lisa Schrager

BROOKE ELLEN SIDERIS Jill and Gus Sideris

Westside University of North Carolina

Cynthia Epstein and David Wiesman

JOHN WILLISS

LINDSEY YONEDA Deb and Steve Yoneda

Elkhorn South University of Nebraska-Omaha

RYLEE ZIMMERMAN Linda and Todd Zimmerman

MADDISON SABRINA SKOLKIN Burke Andrea and Michael Skolkin Doane College

AARON ZIPURSKY

KATE SLOSBURG

NAOMI FAY ZIPURSKY

Martha and David Slosburg

Susan and Mark Stein

Westside Northwestern University Millard West University of Nebraska-Omaha

RACHEL ELIZABETH SULLIVAN Westside Louri and Charlie Sullivan Southern Methodist University SAMANTHA WIENER Audrey and Richard Wiener

Central University of Minnesota

Growing up in the class room Continued from page 1 School was a sort of tether, keeping him attached to the Temple Israel community. Teaching quickly became a top priority for him.

“I’ve always loved discussion and exploring texts to find new meaning,” he said. “A lot of my friends don’t feel the same way about studying religious texts, and I wanted to show the younger kids that studying the Torah can be fun and interesting. I wanted to make learning accessible and engaging to younger students.”

Zane, on the other hand, didn’t share his friend’s difficulties in maintaining a relationship with Temple Israel.

“My mom is quite the socialite, and that has definitely allowed me to remain in and around the community,” Zane said. “However, teaching has been one of my primary points of contact in recent years, and it has allowed me to retain that sense of togetherness with the Temple community.”

Like Grant, Zane was a madrich before he became a teacher, but it wasn’t until he started teaching sixth grade that he realized how much he was affected by it.

“I became able to see students through the teacher’s point of view,” Zane said. “I recognized some of my own study/classroom characteristics in some of my students and through that I was able to address some weaknesses in

MATHEW F. WIESMAN

Jennifer and David Williss

MATTHEW PATRICK STEIN HANNAH S. RADLER

Millard North University of Nebraska-Kearney

my own schooling.”

“Being the only ‘adult’ in the classroom, even though I couldn’t drive yet, it made me grow up faster,” Grant said.

“That everyone in the room looked up to me, it’s a lot of power to have, and having that authority made me mature faster, especially in terms of guiding other people.”

For Zane, closing out his Religious School teaching with this year’s sixth grade class was particularly touching.

“My relationship with Temple has come full circle as a result of my teaching,” he said. “This year’s sixth grade class was the very first class I ever madriched for back when I was in sixth grade. It afforded me the chance to watch these young scholars grow from struggling with the AlephBet to discussing complicated sections of the Torah, and that’s an opportunity I am really grateful for.”

In the fall, Zane will be attending UNO’s Honors Program on a Regent’s Scholarship, with plans to double major in literature and political science.

Grant will be heading west to attend Stanford and study earth systems, but he knows he will look back on his time as a Temple Israel Religious School teacher with fondness.

“I’m just incredibly thankful for the opportunity and the trust,” he said. “It ended up being a really great experience for me, and for the students as well, I think. It was one of the most formative experiences of my upbringing.”

Sally and Jim Zipursky

Sally and Jim Zipursky

Westside University of Michigan

Lincoln Southeast Community College Burke University of Nebraska-Lincoln Burke University of Nebraska-Lincoln Burke Northwestern University Burke Emory University

Congrats Connor!

We are so proud of your achievements – Regents Scholar, NHS, Varsity Wrestling.

Love, Mom and Dad, Ben and Lauren Dietrich

We love you, Noah and Ariel!

We are so proud of your achievements.

Noah – Honor roll and attending OPS-UNO.

Ariel – Varsity show choir and completing two triathlons.

Love, Grandpa, Grandma, aunts, uncles & cousins

10 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2013

Academic honor for Jan Lund

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Saving Lives!

by GARY JAVITCH Editor’s Note: A little over a month ago, the Jewish Press published a press release from Creighton University that recognized their adjunct French professor, Jan Lund. The Press’s “In the News” segment told how the government of France, in appreciation of her service in promoting the French language, culture, and education, inducted Jan Schneider Lund into their prestigious “Order of the French Academic Palms” as an “Officer.” It is France’s second highest rank in that educational honor.

However, because the Temple Israel member is the only Nebraskan ever to receive that distinction, the Jewish Press decided to print a second article about her.

Befittingly, according to the French protocol, Jan holds the rank of “Officier” (Officer) Dans L’ Ordre des Palmes Academique (In The Order of Academic Palms).

Jan’s induction into this prestigious Order is a rare honor. This preeminent award can actually be traced back to the Emperor Napoleon, who Jan Lund established it in 1808. Since 1955, it has three levels: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), and the highest level, Commandeur (Commander).

In reaching that second level, David Vanderboegh, PhD, Head of French in Creighton’s Modern Language Department, emphasized that, “This is a rare honor indeed [for Jan], comparable to a lifetime achievement award. Very few French teachers are granted this distinction.”

Notably, in 1998, when she was awarded the first level “Chevalier” knighthood honor, Jan was, at that time, the very first Nebraska high school teacher ever to acquire the Chevalier Dans L’ Ordre des Palmes Academiques.

When Jan received the knighthood distinction, she said “Receiving this award was the highlight of my teaching career and,” added with a laugh, “my life.”

When she was notified by the French Embassy in New York that she was going to become an Officier, she said, “I was just thrilled…and rather stunned! I am also very grateful to Dean Bridget Keegan and former Vice President for Academic Affairs, Patrick Borchers who supported this nomination two years ago. It comes in great part due to my having a second ‘retirement’ career at Creighton University that the French government deemed me eligible for promotion.”

The French Cultural Attaché, stationed in Illinois and representing the Prime Minister of France, personally flew in from Chicago to pin the Chevalier award on Omaha’s very gifted French teacher in March 2000.

Although unconfirmed at this point, it is expected that the same procedure will be followed again. The ceremony will likely be held at the Joslyn Art Museum, Creighton University, or another venue, perhaps in conjunction with the Alliance

Française, an Omaha French-speaking group. (The exact month of the presentation has not yet been determined.)

In collecting accolades over the years, this champion of French culture and language worked diligently to acquaint her students about French life, taking, for example, more than 20 of her high school classes to France or Québec.

Along the way, Jan earned more awards than can be listed in an article. A few of her many laudatory notices include: Nebraska Foreign Language Educator of the Year; Nebraska French Teacher of the Year, (a two-time finalist for) Nebraska Teacher of the Year; A Nebraska Foreign Language Educator of the Year and a (seven-time) Nebraska STAR Teacher.

The Compromise Although highly successful in her career, teaching school was not Jan’s first choice. She got started teaching French because of a compromise she negotiated with her parents over her college career plans: Jan agreed to become a teacher (her parents’ choice) and not a UN interpreter (her choice).

In striking the deal, “I did request one major thing,” Jan stated in a Creighton University website interview. “I wanted my parents to send me to France to study the language, because I did not want to teach French with an Iowa accent!”

That decision was made easier for her parents to accede to when their bright Abraham Lincoln High School student was accepted for study by the widely acclaimed Sorbonne, the University of Paris.

“People always ask me how I got interested in French,” Jan stated. “That was a good question, because I was a girl from a small town, going to a high school where French wasn’t even in the curriculum until my senior year, and that was only because we had to beg for it.

“My interest in French all has to do with my father’s experience during the Second World War. His unit slogged across parts of Algeria, Italy, and France. It also included time in Austria and Germany, where he saw the horrors of a liberated Buchenwald. (A topic he has only recently talked about.) He served as a radio operator, stationed with the 5th Signal Corps as adjuncts (supporters) to a Free French unit.

“He did, however, tell me a lot about Paris right after the liberation. My father’s experiences made me desperately want to go to France,” she concluded.

Besides teaching at both the high school and university level, Jan, has also lectured at the Joslyn. To give more authenticity to their French-related shows – like the exhibition “Life at Versailles,” the Joslyn also has her train their docents (tour guides), an enjoyable task she has done for the past 13 years.

Very shortly, Jan will co-teach an upper level three-week class for Creighton University, entitled “Paris: Ville du Monde” (City of the World). This is being offered for only the second time, as it is taking place in Paris.

She will also give two gallery talks at the Joslyn in July to highlight the museum’s new French art show. One version will be in English and one will be in French. (A first for Joslyn!)

Jan will celebrate her 41st wedding anniversary with husband Blake Lund in June. The couple has a son, Alexander.

Omaha’s Russian Jews celebrate Victory Day

by OZZIE NOGG observed a moment of silence, lit a memorial candle, and On Thursday evening, May 9, Omaha’s Russian speaking recited Kaddish for the lost. Bouquets of red carnations -senior community gathered at the Rose Blumkin Jewish symbolizing the color of the Soviet flag and a sign of mournHome to celebrate Victory Day. One of the most important ing and remembrance -- decorated the RBJH Auditorium.

In addition, Mosenkis provided Russian film clips of past Russian holidays, Victory Day marks Germany’s surrender to the Soviet Union in 1945, ending one of the bloodiest Victory Day parades in Moscow’s Red Square, as well as recent video showing firewars in Russia’s history. Anna works displays enjoyed by Yuz-Mosenkis, who was born thousands of people throughin Kiev long after the war, out the former Soviet Union nonetheless has memories of who traditionally join together those times. “Both my parents fought during those days. with friends and family to celThree-quarters of my family -ebrate the WWll victory. grandparents, aunts and Shelly Fox, Director of uncles -- were killed by the Outreach for Jewish Senior enemy. The Omaha commuOutreach (JSO) said, “This nity is home to several men event was very nostalgic and and women who participated meaningful to the Russian in those battles, and Victory members of our community.

Day gives us the opportunity Memories of the past comRaisa Pisetsky, left, and Shirley Goldstein to show our appreciation for bined with present-day life what they did for us and for future generations.” made for a powerful experience. The opportunity to spend According to Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and time together with others in the community that speak the Outreach Programs, approximately s7eventy seniors attend- same language and have a communal bond based on similar ed the event. Star Catering provided special Eastern histories is valuable. It was my privilege to participate in planEuropean food including homemade perogies, smoked ning and to attend this special evening.” Shirley Goldstein, salmon on rye bread, blintzes, rugelach and beet salad. Omaha’s much-loved activist who has fought for years on Participants also enjoyed live musical entertainment cour- behalf of Soviet Jewish refuseniks and dissidents, was in attentesy of Anna Mosenkis on piano, Lev Shekhtman on accor- dance and given special recognition in honor of her birthday. dion, along with spirited Russian melodies sung by a vocal The Victory Day celebration was sponsored by the generchorus. Arthur Masyuk performed poignant violin solos ous support of the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting which captured the mood of the evening. The group also Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

May 24, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 11

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Alan Parsow, a returning popular presenter and a major stock investor will give his views to you on current market situations on Wednesday, May 29, noon, at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish has been called the Robin Hood of languages. The vocabulary of Yiddish is drawn from German (mostly), Hebrew, Slavic Tongues, Romance languages, and English.

Yiddish bears the marks of our expulsions from land to land, it has absorbed the laments of generations, the poisons and the bitterness of history, the language whose precious jewels are undried Jewish tears. Yiddish stresses the humor in every situation because the reality for Jews is most often too difficult to bear. Come join us at the Blumkin Home’s Boardroom every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

In the news On May 3 Mark Passer was inducted into the Westside High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He lettered in wrestling and soccer, but wrestling was his speciality. As a sophmore he placed sixth at state at 112 lbs. His junior and senior years, Mark claimed the gold medal and became a two-time state champion at 132 lbs.

Mark wrestled at UNO and was a three-time All American. In his junior and senior years he placed third in the nation.

The first Jewish athlete to win the B’nai B’rith Athlete of the Year Award in 1986. Mark is the son of Maxine and Allen Passer.

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The Jewish Press office is closed Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

Rainy day fun in Lincoln

by TZIPI HAMICKSBURG Bad weather got you down? Not the students at the Lincoln Jewish Community School! The LJCS end of the year picnic was on May 5, a cold, drizzly Sunday. The students all had fun, but, indoors. Before starting the festivities, the kids had an opportunity to write a letter or draw a picture to send to Friends of the IDF. Next, kids and teachers played games like Gaga or Apples to Apples (Jewish Edition, of course), and watched a funny Jewish movie.

After the activity time, families arrived, and the whole school joined together to sing some songs. Then teachers, students, and families enjoyed a hot dog lunch. There was even a bouncy house! The kids were going absolutely mishuganeh!

Students and teachers were proud of the year’s accomplishments. “It’s been a long year, lots of growing and Judaism. I’m excited for next year to start,” said Nate

Shapiro, an awesome LJCS teacher. At least one of the students was having so much fun at the picnic that she was literally bouncing up and down with excitement. The LJCS runs from preschool through high school and includes youth from both of Lincoln’s congregations. The LJCS is a big family, and the LJCS community can’t wait for next year.

First-ever regional training for teens

by LEORA AZRIEL BBYO/Teen Director BBYO Mid-America Region (MAR) prepared early for next year’s activities with teens from Omaha, Kansas City, and St. Louis.

Held in Kansas City, May 3-5, MAR Council leaders gathered together to strengthen their own BBYO community through leadership, skill building, and much more. BBYO teen leaders attended workshops titled “Leadership Self Portrait” and “Fundraising 101.” Teens also worked on individual goal setting, regional strategic planning, and improving relationships with their chapter counterparts.

The Mid-America Executive Conference was an important addition this year. By leading Omaha’s Cornbelt Council and BBYO Connect experiences, Council members will serve as positive role models to teens around the community.

Rachel Saag, Omaha Cornbelt Council N’siah (President) returned home Sunday with a better understanding of her duties to her chapter, council, and the Mid-America Region.

“I learned skill building techniques and found ways to make Omaha Council programs successful. I know I will find clever ways to plan quality Jewish and social programming that is memorable, educational, and fun!”

Sarah Minion, BBYO’s International N’siah (President) also attended the Mid-America Executive Conference.

Sarah shared what she has learned through her experiences traveling in the United States and abroad. Minion states “BBYO has kept me connected to Judaism. We are engaging teens 13-18 and developing future Jewish leaders.”

Mid-America Region teens also attended Kansas City’s Annual Matzah Ball Dance Saturday evening. Jack Weiss, senior, made the trip to Kansas City just to attend the Matzah Ball. “It is really important we care about and support every Council in our region by attending their events.”

Want to join an amazing group of Jewish teens, get involved, plan events and be a leader? Join BBYO and be a part of something great! Contact Leora Azriel at lazriel@jccomaha.org.

Senior Coming in June

Living

Publishing Date | 06.21.13 Space Reservation | 06.12.13 Camera Ready Deadline | 06.14.13 Contact your advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.

Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org

12 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2013

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Goodbye and hello

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press As I’m writing this, there are only a few days left until my daughter graduates sixth grade. After seven extremely happy years, she leaves Friedel Jewish Academy, ready to enter middle school. How did this happen? It feels like I just dropped her off for her first day of Kindergarten, with a way-toobig backpack, crying her eyes out, until some very nice fourth and fifth graders took her hand and made her feel at home.

That first year, she grew out of all her brand new school uniforms by October, was singing Hebrew songs on the JCC stage by December, and spent more time in the Principal’s office getting her act together than was acceptable. It all went by much too fast. I know, every parent says that, but a cliché is only a cliché because it is true.

She is going to a good school next year; she is ready, and excited, and her teachers have prepared her well. There is no doubt in my mind she will conquer any challenge that comes on her path.

Kids grow up; we should count ourselves lucky, they are supposed to.

And yet, I am sorry her time at Friedel is over. No more weekly services at the Riekes shul, no more Jewish holidays celebrated in the classroom, no more

daily Hebrew lessons.

Of course, there are many places in our community where our children can flex their Jewish muscles. We’re lucky that way: we have options. We have thriving synagogues, summer camp, BBYO, Shabbatons, you name it. Our children not only attend religious school at their own shuls, they have many opportunities to interact in places and programs where it doesn’t matter to which synagogue you belong. It reminds them that whether we are reform, conservative, orthodox or unaffiliated, we are all Jews. My children will have a home here long after they spread their wings, and that is nice to know.

So what are we doing to make sure it stays that way?

If we want to raise healthy Jewish children, we have several choices. We can make all decisions for them and tell them what to do, or we can provide them with as many opportunities as possible and set them free. If you think that sounds too much like a “hope for the best”

attitude, you’re not wrong; allowing our kids to make their own choices is a scary proposition. I, for one, would love to make every single decision for my children, but I know it doesn’t work that way.

Every year, this community sees numerous Jewish seniors graduate and grow up. They win awards, they attend programming, they care about being Jewish and they are heavily involved. I suspect they don’t behave this way because their parents told them; somewhere along the way, they took the tools they were handed by those parents and made a conscious choice. How to prepare them for that moment is what we’re all working on.

I know there are many of you out there who have successfully prepared your kids to become involved Jews. Those of us who still have young children are watching you closely and taking notes.

Remember when Hillary Clinton said it takes a village? It does. Our children benefit intensely when we all get on board. When we, as a community, support our religious schools, the day school, and the many youth programs, when we support each other, those kids receive a message about what it means to belong. And when they feel they belong, they will want to help sustain the community for the future.

I hope you’ll take a long hard look at pages 8 and 9, because these are the faces of our future leaders. Yes, they’ve accomplished a lot, but they are only getting started. Who ever knows what the future holds?

The Board of Directors and staff of the Jewish Press want to congratulate all our graduates. May your road be interesting, may your accomplishments be many, and may the sky be your limit. Go out, and conquer the world. Just remember where you came from.

Mazal tov!

Civil marriage in Israel: The time has come

Focus on issues SUSIE GELMAN (Washington Jewish Week) -- With all of the many issues confronting the state of Israel -- the Iranian nuclear threat, the challenges of renewing meaningful peace talks with the Palestinians, the increasing social divisions in Israeli society, an unconventional and somewhat precarious coalition government, serious deficits in the educational system, insufficient employment opportunities for Israelis with advanced degrees and an increasingly turbulent and unpredictable neighborhood -- one might assume that the Jewish state has more than enough on its collective plate.

For the first time since 1977, there are no ultra-Orthodox parties in the recently-formed governing coalition. The ascendancy of two new parties, in particular Yesh Atid (There is a Future), reflects an increasing restiveness in Israeli society, amply demonstrated during the summer of 2011, when hundreds of thousands of Israelis literally took to the streets to protest the growing unaffordability of Israeli life and the unfairness of not requiring all Israelis to share in protecting the country.

But there is an additional critical issue facing Israel today: civil marriage. Israel shares the lack of a civil marriage option with the following countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Libya, as well as Mauritania, Indonesia and Iran. In Israel, only religious authorities, specifically the Orthodox Chief Rabbinate and rabbinical courts, and the Islamic and Christian authorities have the power to officiate at marriages in their respective religious communities.

This arrangement, which dates back to the Ottoman Empire, was continued during the British Mandate (1918-

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1948). In June, 1947, David Ben Gurion, then chairman of the executive of the Jewish Agency (the quasi-government of Israel before it became a state), offered a set of guarantees preserving the “status quo” regarding marriage and other matters of personal status to two religious parties, Agudath Israel and Mizrahi (later the National Religious Party), so that they would join the first elected government of Israel in 1949, thus entrusting to the Orthodox Rabbinate the authority to determine all such matters according to the laws of Halacha.

This accommodation became problematic almost immediately, when the Law of Return was passed in 1950 guaranteeing to all Jews the right to make aliyah, therefore inviting the question of “Who is a Jew?” It’s an issue that remains controversial to this day.

Moreover, by failing to separate religion and state at the inception of Israel’s existence, Israel has continuously had to contend with challenging issues concerning religious identity, citizenship, marriage, divorce (including the status of thousands of agunot, women deserted by husbands who will not divorce them and who are therefore unable to remarry), and burial. The situation was further exacerbated by the aliyah of over a million Jews from the Former Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Today, approximately 300,000 Israelis who otherwise fully participate in Israeli society, including serving in the army, are not considered Jewish according to Halacha (since the “Jewishness” of their mother or grandmother is in question) and are therefore not eligible to marry in Israel (or be buried in Jewish cemeteries). Other categories of Israelis who cannot be married in modern-day Israel include: a kohen who wishes to marry a divorcee; a kohen and a convert; same-sex couples; Israelis who wish to be married in a non-Orthodox ceremony; and those who wish to marry a “person of no religion” or of “questionable

Halachic background”.

Increasingly, Israelis are voting with their feet in response to such untenable restrictions and to a religious authority that is perceived as irrelevant at best to their daily lives and to their Jewish identity. Approximately 20 percent of Israelis choose to marry outside of Israel (including the son of Michael Oren, the current ambassador to the U.S.) to avoid marriage under the authority of the Orthodox Rabbinate.

Cyprus is the venue of choice for most, due to its proximity; in fact, there is a booming “marriage business” for Israelis, with great package deals. (Ironically, Israelis who marry in civil marriages outside of Israel can be registered by the Ministry of the Interior as a married couple; however, such couples must go through the Orthodox Rabbinate if they wish to obtain a divorce.) Moreover, a growing number of Israelis are choosing not to marry at all, rather than subject themselves to the requirements of the Rabbinate, which include intrusive questions about personal religious observance that many secular Israelis would prefer to avoid.

Why does this matter to those of us who live outside of Israel? First and foremost, Israel presents itself (and many of us regard it) as the nation-state of the Jewish people. If Israel is to represent the entire Jewish people, then it cannot discount 85 percent of Diaspora Jews who subscribe to a different interpretation of Jewish tradition than the traditional Orthodox version. By rejecting Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist marriages in Israel (and conversions by all three streams outside of Israel), Israel is rejecting the majority of Diaspora Jews who follow a different Jewish path.

Moreover, the “status quo” regarding marriage has a direct effect upon aliyah. As long as Jews who emigrate to Israel have their authenticity as Jews questioned or even denied (sometimes years after such individuals have made aliyah, Continued on page 13

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May 24, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 13

Will controversies hurt liberals’ support for Obama?

Behind the headlines RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- What happens when the rabbi who delivered the invocation at your nomination inveighs against you?

Three controversies in quick succession have earned President Obama opprobrium from some of his most steadfast liberal supporters, including Rabbi David Saperstein, who directs the Reform movement’s Religious Action Center.

The controversies besieging the White House in recent weeks have included State Department emails suggesting the White House tried to change the administration’s talking points concerning the deadly attack last year on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi; an acknowledgment by the Internal Revenue Service that it focused specifically on conservative groups in directing additional scrutiny to applications for tax-exempt status; and the revelation that the Justice Department tracked phone calls of Associated Press reporters in a bid to identify government leakers.

Conservatives were quick to pounce, and more than one compared the latest revelations to the scandal-mired admin-

istration of Richard Nixon.

“Who would have guessed that just a few months into his second term, President Obama would be compared to Tricky Dick,” wrote Joe Battenfeld, a columnist for the conservative Boston Herald.

Liberals expressed chagrin, too.

“Reports that the IRS focused attention on applications for tax-exempt status from groups with apparently politically conservative names and ideologies are deeply concerning,” the Religious Action Center said in a statement Monday.

“No individual or organization should incur extra attention from the IRS solely on the basis of political ideology, and no entity should feel implicit or explicit pressure to alter its mission or actions based on fear of politically motivated action from the IRS -- or any other government agency.”

Still, Saperstein, a constitutional scholar who has been close to the Obama administration and delivered the invocation at the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver nominating Obama, dismissed any comparison to Watergate.

“That was totally pervasive and violated a range of laws,” Saperstein said of Nixon’s excesses, which included domestic spying on political rivals. “These appear to be aberrations.”

Comparisons to President George W. Bush, Obama’s immediate predecessor, might prove sturdier. The Bush-era

IRS in 2004 sought an audit of the NAACP, saying its activities were overly political. NPR reported that the Bush administration on multiple occasions subpoenaed journalists’ phone records under the same terms that the Obama Justice Department used to investigate the AP. One of the Bush administration’s attempts to control information was its prosecution of two former staffers for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee for receiving allegedly classified information. The prosecution, had it proved successful, would have criminalized not just leakers but those who receive leaks, like journalists.

Notably, Eric Holder, Obama’s attorney general, shut down the case of the AIPAC staffers in 2009 within months of assuming the job.

Saperstein said Obama needed to come up with answers fast to allay concerns that he was disengaging government from its constituents.

“These become the filters through which people will remember an administration,” he told JTA. “It behooves the administration to move effectively on this.”

Or, as comedian Jon Stewart of The Daily Show put it, “This has in one seismic moment shifted the burden of proof from the tin-foil behatted to the government.”

Don’t ruin Robinson’s Arch

Focus on issues ANNE MINTZ NEW YORK (JTA) -- I have mixed emotions about Natan Sharansky’s proposed agreement to expand the public space at the Western Wall to include the currently secluded area known as Robinson’s Arch.

As a lifelong Conservative Jew, I applaud any plan that seeks to treat egalitarian worshipers and women’s prayer groups as full members of the Jewish people deserving of a place to pray at Judaism’s holiest site. But I worry that in the zeal to achieve equality, Reform and Conservative Jews are about to shut the door on a unique spiritual experience.

I had never heard of Robinson’s Arch until the summer of 2010, when I joined one day with a few dozen other students and faculty from The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem to convene the morning minyan there.

Only that morning did I learn that Robinson’s Arch was a secluded location, an archaeological site at the southern part of the Western Wall, two stories below the main area on the other side of a tall (really tall) and thick (really thick) wall (the Mughrabi Bridge that leads up to the mosques atop the Temple Mount). And I also learned that under a court-mandated agreement with the Israeli government, groups affiliated with Masorti -- the worldwide arm of the Conservative movement -- had been holding egalitarian prayer services there for nearly a decade.

It was so removed from the main plaza that one may have thought it was miles away. Less developed and commoditized, I found the multi-level area to be a secluded, quiet place, where one didn’t hear the buzz from the main plan

Letter TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor As a parent of two teenagers involved in our community's BBYO program, I am writing at the close of the school year to compliment the work of BBYO Youth Director Leora Azriel. In a matter of ten short months, Leora has re-energized our local BBYO Cornbelt Council. The amount of programming has increased and its quality has greatly improved. The membership numbers have almost tripled.

The program saw significant increases in attendance almost immediately upon Leora's arrival and continued record attendance at the Fall AIT/MIT convention, an incredible 14 teens traveling to Washington DC for BBYO International Convention and over 45 teens attending Spring Regional Convention at Camp Sabra in Missouri.

Another first was realized this month when the goal of having Council-only events culminated with almost 40 Omaha teens spending Shabbat together camping at Mahoney State Park.

Perhaps most importantly, I see firsthand dozens of kids in the JCC every Tuesday night engaged, active and proud to be sharing their Jewishness with friends from all geographic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.

I want to thank the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation and B'nai Brith for their continued support of this outstanding Jewish youth movement and our Omaha teens.

Sherrie Saag

area, one that wasn’t a bustling tourist destination.

Frankly, I think Masorti got the better of the deal. It’s visually stunning. In addition to the massive retaining walls, there are huge boulders placed there that look like they were thrown down to the street outside the Temple during the destruction in 70 C.E. One can see charring on some of them from the burning that took place after the sacking.

These were likely uncovered during the excavations in the Archeological Park, where Robinson’s Arch is located.

The emotional and spiritual experience I had that morning took me by surprise.

Later that summer, and because being there had evoked such emotion, I eagerly joined a group of about 30 people from The Conservative Yeshiva who went to Robinson’s Arch on the night of Tisha b’Av for the reading of Eicha (Lamentations), as we commemorated the destruction of the two Temples and other national tragedies endured by the Jewish people. The site is as beautiful at night as it is during the quiet of the morning. The entire area was filled with hundreds of non-Orthodox Jews -- a few teen groups but mostly adults and families.

After the main part of the evening service, we sat down on the stone pavement and low walls; a different person led the reading of each of the five chapters. Everyone else followed along or chanted quietly with the leader. One could have heard a pin drop. It was awesome, sitting on stones just next to the structure about whose destruction we were reading.

Just after, as is traditional, we sang a long kinah with a beautiful melody, and as we rose as one to finish the evening service -- literally just then -- the minaret above us on the Temple Mount called the Muslims to prayer. It’s really loud

if you are standing just under the mosque, but we didn’t miss a beat of our prayers. It was another powerful reminder that this structure we were facing, this very wall, was at Mount Zion in Jerusalem and nowhere else in the world. The minaret call seemed out of place, yet strangely not out of place. If only these two cultures could blend so well in the rest of daily life.

One would never have known of the noisy area on the other side of the high, dense wall where dozens of Eicha readings were taking place. That’s how separate it is.

Separate but equal is an American construct, and one that in the racist context of Jim Crow was understandably rejected more than half a century ago in the United States. But Jerusalem and the Temple Mount are not in America, and the opportunity to pray in seclusion at Robinson’s Arch is not the same as being relegated to a dilapidated, underfunded public school in Little Rock.

So, yes, the Sharansky plan should be cheered for providing 24/7/365 access to the Robinson’s Arch area, ending the entrance fee and creating a more accessible entrance via the main plaza security gates. But there are also disturbing reports that the plan will involve the creation of a raised platform that will put egalitarian groups on the same level as worshipers in the main area -- above instead of amid the archeological remains at the site. This would be a terrible mistake.

The area should be preserved, not expanded or further developed, so that Robinson’s Arch will continue to retain its serene and spiritual nature for the foreseeable future.

Sometimes separate is not only equal, it’s better.

Anne Mintz is a researcher and archivist who consulted in the creation of the JTA Jewish News Archive.

Remember the other Rosen

by RON KAMPEAS There’s much fury today at the revelation that the feds, in pursuing an alleged government leaker, spied on the email of the journalist he was supposedly informing, Fox’s James Rosen. Read Ryan Lizza’s coverage at the (liberal) New Yorker. Lizza, in a tweet, is especially exercised that the search warrant for Rosen’s email suggests that journalists may be chargeable under the Espionage Act. Those who followed the government’s 2005-2009 prosecution of two former AIPAC staffers, Keith Weissman and Steve Rosen, should not be surprised. 18 USC 993, cited by the FBI agent seeking James Rosen’s email, was the same law cited in the prosecution of Steve Rosen and Weissman.

If you think reading one’s emails is intrusive, check out paragraph 9, page 8, under “Overt Acts” in the Rosen-

Weissman indictment. It’s clear that the feds were listening in not only on AIPAC staffers’ conversations with diplomats (the result, perhaps, of legitimate monitoring of diplomats’ contacts), and not only on U.S. government officials’ dealings with AIPAC (in pursuit of leaks), but on conversations AIPAC officials had among themselves.

Before we all descend into a free-for-all over which president vacuumed up which rights, let’s consider that the FBI appears to have been, for years, in dire need of a couple of correctives on the rights of a robust and free press.

The Rosen-Weissman prosecution ultimately fell apart.

But in the process it ripped two men away from jobs they loved and changed thier lives in ways difficult to imagine for anyone never subject to the government’s glare.

Civil marriage in Israel Continued from page 12 married and raised a family), then fewer Jews will be encouraged to align their future with that of the Jewish state.

For American Jews who have depended upon the separation of religion and state as the keystone to our acceptance and prosperity in this country, the stranglehold that the Orthodox Rabbinate has on our Israeli brethren is simply untenable.

Fortunately, the growing sentiment in Israel is trending towards civil marriage. Hopefully, Israelis will take advan-

tage of the current political situation to liberate themselves and set a course of inclusiveness for all Jews. Such a move towards freedom of choice in marriage will increase Israelis’ religious options and strengthen Jewish identity in the Jewish state.

Susie Gelman is the immediate past president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and co-chair of the November, 2013 General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in Jerusalem. She is also part-owner of Washington Jewish Week.

14 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2013

Synagogues

Candlelighting Friday, May 24, 8:27 p.m.

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

CHABAD CENTER

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 712.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, call 712.323.8885.

Memorial Day Service, Sunday, May 26, 10 a.m. at Oak Hills/Bikhor Cholim Cemetery, 1350 East Pierce Street, Council Bluffs.

An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.; Milton and Marsha Kleinberg will be dedicating the crown of Omaha’s Unity Torah in honor of their parents, Fajga and Aron Kleinberg and Ruth and Mordechai Paykel, at services and a special Kiddush lunch will follow. The celebration will continue with a breakfast on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.; Breakfast Bonanza, 9:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. Please reserve by calling 402.330.1800.

WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. Call 402.330.1800 to reserve.

THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. Contact Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@ unmc.edu to receive updates.

All programs are open to the entire community.

SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; This Shabbat we celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Natalie Pichik, daughter of Mike and Shelly Pichik; we will also celebrate with the family of Harold (Bae) Epstein when he is called to the bimah for an aliyah on his 90th birthday; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m., with Hazzan Krausman.

MONDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham.

WEDNESDAY: Dames & Drinks, 7 p.m. All women of Beth El are invited. For more information, contact Melissa Schop at melschop@hotmail.com.

Jews ‘n’ Brews, Thursday, June 6, 7 p.m. Food prepared by Ben Shapiro. All men of Beth El are welcome. A $5 donation is suggested to cover costs. For more information, contact Ari Kohen at akohen2@unl.edu.

Annual Meeting, Friday, June 7, beginning with a 5:45 p.m. barbecue (weather permitting) on the synagogue’s back lawn, followed by the meeting at 6:30 p.m., and an outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. Dinner cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 7-12, free for children six and younger; there is a maximum charge of $30 per family.

RSVP and pay online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or contact the synagogue office, 402.492.8550, or programming@ bethel-omaha.org.

All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; The Laws of Shabbat, 6:10 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 and up), 7:10 p.m.; Mincha/Seuda Shlishit, 8:10 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:35 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Office Closed TUESDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m.; Women’s Study Group, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m.

THURSDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m.; Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m.

To submit announcements: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return).

Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Maria and Dean Cadwallader.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parsahat Beha’alotecha.

MONDAY: Office Closed for Memorial Day

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz.

Resident Family Shabbat Dinner, Friday, May 31, 5:45 p.m.

Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown and Cantor Shermet.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Services, 7:45 p.m. followed by cake, coffee and a discussion of timely news topics pertaining to the Jewish world.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a special Kiddush luncheon in honor of Avi Knecht’s graduation from high school sponsored by the Rosenblatt/Knecht family.

MONDAY: Office Closed for Memorial Day Please join us Saturday, June 1 after morning sevices for a special Kiddush luncheon in honor of Dahlia, Tziporah and Illyana Hamicksburg sponsored by the Coren family.

Claims Conference considering action to quell media storm on 2001 letter

by JTA NEWS STAFF Conference of orchestrating a cover-up of the episode. But NEW YORK (JTA) -- Amid calls that the Claims Schneider’s office denies the accusations, noting that it was Conference bungled a warning in 2001 about fraud within the Claims Conference itself -- by way of Schneider -- that the organization, conference leaders appointed a commit- shared the letter with the FBI and called attention to it durtee to “formulate an appropriate course of action.” ing Domnitser’s trial to demonstrate how Domnitser sysThe move, announced by board chairman Julius Berman tematically lied to his superiors. in an email to board members on Sunday, followed an Though Schneider was CC’d on Domnitser’s response to announcement by the World Jewish Congress that it was set- Brozik, a Claims Conference spokeswoman said Schneider ting up its own task force to look into allegations of a cover- did not see the original anonymous 2001 letter and at the up by the Claims Conference. time was not the person who The allegations concern an would have handled the matanonymous letter sent to the ter because several people Claims Conference’s Franksenior to him were involved. furt office in 2001 that idenUltimately it was Brozik who tified five cases in which elected not to inquire further restitution was approved for into the irregularities, the ineligible claimants.

Claims Conference said.

The letter reached the Brozik has since died. organization’s then-director “I have asked our Chairman in Germany, Karl Brozik, of the Executive, Amb. who queried Semen Reuven Merhav, to head a Domnitser, the official in Select Leadership Committee New York who approved the of the board to formulate an Greg Schneider, the executive vice president of the Claims cases. Domnister was found appropriate course of action Conference, has come under scrutiny for the organizaguilty two weeks ago of for the Conference with tion's bungled handling of a 2001 letter warning about spearheading the $57 milrespect to the issues surCredit: Uriel Heilman/JTA fraud. lion fraud scheme that ran rounding the 2001 letter,” unimpeded at the Claims Conference from 1993 to 2009.

Berman wrote in his email Sunday. “I look forward to its In his 2001 response to Brozik, Domnitser acknowl- deliberations and recommendation.” edged that the cases had been wrongfully approved but led The $57 million fraud scheme discovered in 2009 officials to believe that any errors were inadvertent. The involved falsifying applications to the Hardship Fund, an scheme continued to run for nearly another decade. account established by the German government to provide Among those who were CC’d on Domnitser’s response to one-time payments of approximately $3,360 to those who Brozik was former Claims Conference head Saul Kagan; its fled the Nazis as they moved east through Germany, and chief at the time, Gideon Taylor; and its current head, Greg the Article 2 Fund, through which the German governSchneider, whose formal title is executive vice president. ment gives pension payments of approximately $411 per While a Claims Conference staffer who conducted an month to needy Nazi victims who spent significant time in internal review for the organization in 2001 expressed seri- a concentration camp, in a Jewish ghetto in hiding or livous concerns about Domnitser and other Claims ing under a false identity to avoid the Nazis.

Conference employees who reviewed and approved the In all, 31 people were arrested in connection with the fraudulent applications, the organization failed to take scheme. Twenty-eight pleaded guilty; the three who went action against Domnitser. to trial were found guilty this month in federal court in In recent days, critics have accused the Claims Manhattan.

Pulverent e

May 24, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 15

In memoriam ROBERT (BOB) ENDELMAN Robert (Bob) Endelman passed away on May 14 at age 96.

He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Services were held May 17 at Golden Hill Cemetery followed by a reception for family and friends at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and Charles Endelman; son, Randy Endelman; sisters, Sylvia Swartz and Sadie Burton.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lois Endelman; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Krista Endelman; daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Paul Blackman; daughter-inlaw, Penny Endelman; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren.

Bob served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the South Pacific during WWII, and was a member of the Jewish War Veterans. He was loved by many and was a blessing.

Ned by her side they opened Railroad Jobbing, a plumbing and home improvement store in the late 1940’s, the Bali Hi Motel in the 1960’s, near Offutt Air Force Base, and California Carpets in the late 1960’s.

After retirement, Pearl spent winters in California, between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, visiting family and friends. Despite her love for California, she could never fully leave her home city. When home, she volunteered her time at Bargain Box, enjoyed gardening, frequented the opera, live theater, and brought cheer to friends daily with her vivacious personality.

Pearl was very philanthropic throughout the years; giving more to others than she took for herself. She was a lifetime member of B’nai B’rith Omaha, Hadassah and Pioneer Women as well as a member of Temple Israel and Beth Israel Synagogue.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

PEARL R. GIVENTER Pearl R. Giventer of Omaha passed away on May 10 at age 92. Services were held May 13 at Golden Hill Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Jenny Richman; her husband, Ned Giventer; sister and brother-inlaw, Esther and Dan Gordman; and daughter, Sindy Giventer.

She is survived by her daughter, Marlys Lebowitz of Los Angeles; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Suzanne Giventer of Prescott, AZ; brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Arlene Richman; grandchildren: Shealy Lebowitz of San Jose, CA, Grant Giventer of Honolulu, HI and Erik Giventer of Orange County, CA; three great-grandchildren.

Pearl was born Dec. 7, 1920, in Omaha. At 12 she began selling used cars at her father’s partnership, Richman King Motors in Omaha. After high school she brought her mathematics skills and innovation to Mutual of Omaha, where she invented a system to easily calculate percentages. With

A light to the Nations

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha B’haalot’cha Jews have always taken seriously what is implied in the symbolism of the lights of the sanctuary. There was not only the physical light to be considered. Light was also the inner light of the spirit, the illumination of religious truth.

Isaiah of the Exile called for Israel to be a “light to the Nations.”

It is not hard to see that human history has been permanently influenced by the Torah, the Teaching, of Zion.

We have kept the symbolism. Every synagogue has an “eternal light.”

But the world has turned its back, except for lip service, on the illumination that came from Zion. Our world is a world of mankind’s belligerenc e and brotherly hatred.

Jews ought not to give up their insistence on human values. Rather they must stress these ancient insights and keep the inner light of morality ablaze.

Happy Birthday, Ann!

Congratulations to Ann Wolfson, who celebrated her 91st birthday on April 27. Ann has been active at Beth El and Beth Israel for many years, and now lives at Remington Heights. Mazal tov, Ann! Best wishes, Ben and Anna Wiesman

SYDNEY OSTEN Sydney Osten of Scottsdale, AZ passed away May 9 at age 90 surrounded by his family.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Ann and brothers, Max and Bob, both of Canada.

He is survived by his wife, Gigi; son and daughter-in-law, Victor and Bella Ostrovsky; son, Michael Osten; step-children: Jonathan Brown, Deborah and Robert Billow, Nancy Brown; grandchildren: Sharone and Dave Ross, Leeorah and Jeff Pearce, Leigh-Anne Brown, Lauren and Kelson Jorgenson, Jamie and Rinat Billow, Rachel Billow and Melanie and Daniel Steindler; great-grandchildren Lilah and Cyrus Ross and Jacob Pearce; sisters and brothers-inlaw, Esther and Don Loeb of Kansas City, MO and Minnie and Harvey Emas of Canada; brother, Allen Osten of Canada.

Born to Aaron and Bess Ostrovsky in Wakaw, Saskatchewan on Aug, 12, 1922, Syd grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Syd was a veteran of WWII. He belonged to the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force and served as a tail gunner. He flew 72 missions and was decorated by King George VI of England. He then went to fight in the Israeli War of Independence in 1948.

He moved to the USA and settled in Omaha after marrying his lifemate, Regina. He became a successful businessman while owning Weight Watchers franchises in Nebraska and Iowa. They later moved to Scottsdale, AZ where they were living at the time of his passing.

Memorials may be sent to ADL Plain States Region, 333 S. 132nd St, Omaha, NE 68114, The Arizona Humane Society, Attn: Development Dept., 1521 W. Dobbins Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85041, or the charity of your choice.

RITA M. ROSEN Rita M. Rosen passed away. Private interment services were held on May 19 at Golden Hill Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sylvia and Sam Rosen, and her brother, Harlan Rosen.

She is survived by close relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to your favorite charity.

Streisand honored

by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) — Barbra Streisand will receive an honorary doctorate from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Streisand, the iconic Jewish-American singer and actress, will be presented with the degree at a ceremony on June 17 during the Hebrew University International Board of Governors meeting in Jerusalem.

In a statement, the university said Streisand was being recognized for “her professional achievements, outstanding humanitarianism, leadership in the realm of human and civil rights, and dedication to Israel and the Jewish people.”

Streisand established the Emanuel Streisand Building for Jewish Studies on the university’s Mount Scopus campus in 1984 in memory of her father.

“Barbra Streisand’s transcendent talent is matched by her passionate concern for equality and opportunity for people of every gender and background,” Hebrew University President Menahem Ben-Sasson said. “Equally important, her love of Israel and her Jewish heritage are reflected in so many aspects of her life and career.”

On June 18, Streisand will perform at the opening ceremony of the Israeli Presidential Conference, which is marking President Shimon Peres’ 90th birthday. She also will perform concerts on June 15 and 16 at Tel Aviv’s Bloomfield Stadium.

Streisand, one of the best-selling musicians of all time, has never performed in Israel. She has visited the Jewish state many times and reportedly is a strong supporter.

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16 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2013

The way to Rio

by BEN SALES TEL AVIV (JTA) – Pascale Bercovitch has a firm handshake and a ready smile. She's hard to keep up with as she takes an elevator to a cafe on the ground floor of her gym in northern Tel Aviv and talks about her hopes to compete in 2016 in Rio De Janeiro.

It’s easy to forget that she’s 45 years old and has no legs.

“I love to find my limit and push it, to succeed more than I did yesterday,” Bercovitch told JTA. “What interests me is the journey.”

For Bercovitch, who has represented Israel as a rower and handcyclist in the Summer Paralympics, the journey has been long, spanning three decades, three sports and two countries. But she has never stopped competing, even after a gruesome accident left her without her legs at age 17.

Born and raised in a suburb of Paris, Bercovitch started training as a gymnast at age 10. In high school, she began training for competitions and also became a dancer.

Those plans came to an abrupt end one morning in 1985 when Bercovitch, late for school and rushing to catch a departing train, got caught under its wheels. Both of her legs had to be amputated.

“What hurt the most was that I couldn’t dance and I couldn’t do floor gymnastics, couldn’t jump, couldn’t run,” she said. “It was inconceivable. I couldn’t live like that.”

The injury, though, didn't stop her from fulfilling another dream -- moving to Israel, where she felt she could “build a small state” and “do something new and good.” She went on to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces, where she became one of the first volunteers in a wheelchair.

“I understood that there was no other choice than to fulfill your dreams,” she said. “Life can end in an instant. What’s important is to savor every moment. It didn’t matter how.”

Once in Israel, Bercovitch started swimming as part of her

rehabilitation and was invited to join the Israeli national team leading up to the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona. It took her until 2008, though, to make it to the Games.

Without a full-time salary, she had to quit the 1992 team.

For nearly the next two decades she worked as a journalist

Paskale Berkovitch and documentarian, producing “Three-Hundredths of a Second,” an award-winning film on the 2000 Israeli Paralympic delegation to Athens.

Eight years later, in Beijing, she joined the delegation for a different sport -- rowing -- which allowed her to take advantage of her arm strength. Her passion for athletics, she said, made it possible to overcome the 16-year gap between Games.

“It’s a virus that I have inside me,” said Bercovitch, who placed eighth in 2008. “Sometimes it’s dormant and sometimes it wakes up. When there’s the opportunity, you don’t have to tell me twice.”

Since 2008, Bercovitch has split her time between training,

writing and motivational speaking, which she’s done since she was a 19-year-old soldier. On May 8, she spoke at the Ruderman Family Foundation’s Advance Conference in New York, which focused on how the Jewish community approaches disabilities.

“I come from my own small corner,” Bercovitch said. “I don’t come as an expert. I come to shine a light on things people know. I can give people strength.”

Amid competitions and conferences, Bercovitch finds time for two daughters, 3 and 11. Though she wakes up at 5 a.m. daily to work and train for as long as five hours at a stretch, she makes sure to be home by 4 p.m., when her children return from school.

“She’s a very moral person,” said her coach, Oz Dudai, who began training with her last year. “She has a lot of courage and fearlessness. She does things full strength. No one can stop her.”

For the 2012 London Games, Bercovitch tried a new sport, handcycling, and placed fifth. In a recent international competition, she had improved to second and hopes to be on the podium in Rio de Janeiro three years from now.

Dudai said that even qualifying for the team would be difficult for a 45-year-old. “A woman like Pascale can make the Olympics,” he said.

After surviving her accident and returning to competition after a 16-year break, age is no obstacle for Bercovitch.

“I feel that everyone is with me when I represent Israel,” she said. “Whenever I go to the Olympics, I get letters in the mail. People bring me flowers.”

Win or lose, though, Bercovitch says as long as she’s in the game, she’s happy.

“I understood from a young age that I have an athletic spirit,” she said. “You don’t have to do dance or gymnastics.

It doesn’t matter what the sport is.”

The Jewish Federation of Omaha Boards 2013-2014 Board of Directors Jay Noddle | President Richard Jacobson | Jewish Social Services Co-President Michael Siegel | Jewish Community Center President Bonnie Bloch | The Center for Jewish Life President Andrew Ruback | The Jewish Press President Patrick Jensen | ADL/Community Relations Committee President Stacey Rockman | Budget & Financial Review Chair Brett Atlas | Member-at-Large Bob Belgrade | Member-at-Large Toba Cohen-Dunning | Member-at-Large Bruce Friedlander | Member-at-Large Jon Meyers | Member-at-Large Aimee Zetzman | Member-at-Large Jody Malashock | Past President

Jewish Social Services JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE | JEWISH SENIOR OUTREACH

THE ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

2013-2014 Board Carl Riekes | President Steven Bloch, Paul Epstein, Michael M. Erman, Ted Friedland, David Gilinsky, Donald Goldstein, Gloria Kaslow, Joseph Kirshenbaum, Jody Malashock, Allan Murow, Murray H. Newman, Steven Nogg, Andrew Robinson, Larry E. Roffman, M.D., Ted M. Seldin, Harley D. Schrager, Frederick J. Simon, Suzanne Richards Singer, Norman Veitzer, Adam Yale Jay Noddle | Past President

- CRC

2013-2014 Board

2013-2014 Board*

2013-2014 Board

2013-2014 Board

2013-2014 Board

Richard Jacobson | Co-President Steve Nogg | Co-President Joanie Bernstein, Justin Cooper, Toba Cohen-Dunning, Paul Epstein, Ted Friedland, Debbi Josephson, Jeff Kirshenbaum, Janie Murow, Nancy Noddle, Susie Norton, Jim Polack, Dorothy Spizman, Sally Zipursky Jim Farber | Past President

Patrick Jensen | President Ellie Batt, Carol Bloch, Katherine Finnegan, Bruce Goldberg, Danielle Gordman, Rich Juro, Jeff Kirshenbaum, Alan Parsow, Jan Schneiderman, Tom Vann, Aaron Weiner, Nancy Wolf *This a partial list of the ADL/CRC Board.

Andrew Ruback | President Eric Dunning, Scott Farkas, Sandy Friedman, David Kotok, Sara Lopez, Noah Priluck, Paul Rabinovitz, Caryn Scheer, Mark Senal, Nancy Wolf Bobbi Leibowitz | Past President

Michael Siegel | President Stacey Atlas, Dan Epstein, Jason Epstein, Rabbi Jonathan Gross, Mark Kelln, Steve Levinger, Chuck Lucoff, Mark Martin, Jamie Meyerson, Scott Meyerson, Wendy Raffel, Shayna Ray, Ari Riekes, Scott Simon, Dorothy Spizman, Dana Wear John Glazer | Past President

Bonnie Bloch | President Karla Cohen, Rebecca RuetschFinkelstein, Dusty Friedman, Ron Giller, Julie Phillips, Matt Ray, Debbie Roitstein, Matt Shapiro, Rachel Shyken, Dorothy Spizman Toba Cohen-Dunning | Past President