June 7, 2013

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

It’s about making Jewish Omaha a better place

June 7, 2013 29 Sivan 5773 Vol. 93 | No. 38

This Week

by SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha Jay Noddle was installed as President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha (JFO) at its Annual Meeting on Monday, June 3. Noddle succeeds Jody Malashock and will serve a three-year term.

The JFO is considered by many to be at an important juncture. Noddle takes on the position towards the culmination of the Federation’s One Campus, One Community initiative and two years after the Board of Directors implemented a CEO-style business model for the Federation campus.

Noddle is President and Chief Executive Officer of Noddle Development Company, founded in 1971 by his father, the late Harlan Noddle.

Harlan left a legacy of community and economic growth. His company gained local prominence with projects like One Pacific Place and the First National Business Park. He

Fathers matter Page 3

Fitness can help parents find balance in a busy life Page 5

chaired the Nebraska Medical Center Board and was President of the JFO from 1975-1976.

Jay’s installation marks the second father-son Presidency in JFO history.

Robert Kooper served from 1958-1960 and his son Howard Kooper served from 1997-1999.

Today, Jay heads the company that continues to develop and manage commercial property including local projects Gallup University Riverfront Campus, First National Bank’s redevelopment and Aksarben Village. As CEO, Jay says his priority is the success of his senior leadership team.

It is his razor-sharp focus combined with a keen intellect and an honest desire to do good that inspires those around him and will prove invaluable to the Federation

Jay Noddle and community moving forward.

Jay spoke recently about sharing common goals, the value of family, and the need to leave your commu-

nity and the world a better place than you found it.

On Leadership: I didn’t set out to be a leader; it’s humbling to be described that way.

The qualities other people see in me might be attributed to leadership, but I think they are just innate, just a part of me.

I think leadership is more wisdom than experience. And more than anything, you need time for that to evolve. Time to observe successes and failures, ask why and why not and learn the do’s and don’ts. By my mid-40’s, I think reflection started to set in. Personal accomplishments took a back seat to more civicminded pursuits and I began to be interested in motivating a group or organization to a particular success.

On Heritage: Those who knew my dad and know my mom Nancy Noddle, probably understand better than most where my motivation was born.

Continued on page 2

Welcome (back) to Omaha The Jewish dads you

see on your TV Vienna: A monument to culture Page 6

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

This Month Senior Living See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

9 10 11

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press If you were born, or grew up in Omaha, but you haven’t been here in a while, it is high time to come back.

From Sept. 12 through 14, 2014, the Jewish Community in Omaha will hold a reunion for anyone who still feels that connection to the Big ‘O.’ Maybe you have never been, but your family is originally from here. Maybe you are curious what we’re really like.

Now is the perfect time to come, and

get to know Jewish Omaha.

Over 75 volunteers, under the leadership of Mary Bernstein, are working to make this reunion a huge success.

“The idea originated with Steve Riekes,” Mary says, “and the initial funding is provided by the Henry and Dorothy Riekes Donor Advised Fund. We are reaching out to thousands of Jews with roots in Omaha, regardless of where they live today, and hope to see many of them here during the reunion.”

The Omaha Jewish community will offer a full program for visitors, ranging from fun and recreational to educational and religious programs.

Visitors are expected to arrive on Friday, at which time they will be able to register; there will be tours and a variety of lectures during the afternoon. Dinner and Shabbat services will be offered at Beth Israel, Beth El, and Temple Israel.

“Saturday is set aside for additional Continued on page 2

Krusty the Clown with his father.

by URI FINTZY This week we salute you, the Jewish father.

Why? First of all, because Father’s Day is coming up; and secondly, since we tend to pay more attention to Jewish moms, we often forget how great Jewish dads are.

Unlike most Jewish mothers, who are very similar in their television portrayal, the Jewish fathers on TV are actually different from one another. So, we decided to name nine of our favorite types of Jewish dads on TV. 1. The Workaholic Dad – Ari Gold (Entourage) He’s married to his work and the actors he represents are his actual children. We know it, Ari Gold

Credit: The Simpsons knows it, and his family knows it.

The world’s most notorious movie agent (Jeremy Piven) has the ability to make television explode from over-bleeping. Ari is a devoted Jew... when it doesn’t conflict with his work (he escaped Yom Kippur services to try and seal Vincent a lead role in the movie Medellin) and is also an over-protective father. In fact, he is so over-protective that when his daughter Sarah begins to like child actor Max Ballard, Ari sends him to Kazakhstan to shoot a new movie to keep him away from his daughter.

2. The Proud Dad – Morty Seinfeld (Seinfeld) His greatest achievement is the invention of the ‘beltless trenchcoat,’ Continued on page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | June 7, 2013

Shelly Fox brings heart

by OZZIE NOGG Shelly Fox, MSW, has assumed the title of Director of Outreach for Jewish Senior Outreach (JSO). The announcement was made by Mike Silverman, Jewish Federation of Omaha CEO, and Michael Schop, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Assistant Administrator. Of the appointment, Shane Kotok said: “I’m so pleased that Shelly has accepted this JSO position. For the past ten years, Shelly has been part of the RBJH social work team, dividing her time between admissions and outreach. In her new role, she’ll be able to concentrate on the very important part outreach plays in the lives of the older adults in our Jewish community. Shelly is a Shelly Fox seasoned professional with perseverance and superb skills, and is amazingly sensitive to the challenges faced by our seniors. While I continue my duties as Director of Admissions at the Home, it’s reassuring for me to know that Shelly is working in outreach with dedication, passion, empathy and amazing kindness. Mentoring Shelly has been one of my finest accomplishments.”

Senior Outreach links seniors, caregivers and family members with available resources, while at the same time helping clients navigate a maze of information, forms and applications to help them live safely in their own homes. JSO networks with Jewish Family Service, local clergy, physicians, community members, and a host of services and agencies.

Home visits are also made to seniors in the community. “I consider myself an advocate for older persons and their families,” Fox said. “The most important thing I can do is make sure I’m available and responsive. Every situation is so different. We can’t always fix everything, but we can always listen and give someone the time and attention they deserve.”

Phone calls to Shelly’s office are frequent. The subjects vary. “There are calls from seniors who might be finding it hard to take care of themselves in their homes. They want options and alternatives. Often we hear from out-of-town family asking us to check on a parent because the child was worried that something was wrong. Sometimes our Meals on Wheels driver lets me know that someone isn’t looking well or is in the hospital. The entire staff communicates, but everything remains absolutely confidential. If at all possible, it is far easier and less traumatic to be proactive than reactive to a crisis situation.” And while Fox spends much of her time helping seniors cut through impersonal red tape, she also assists them one on one to make the contact for a particular need, like Meals on Wheels, companion services or questions about long term care insurance. “There are wonderful opportunities to become acquainted and develop a relationship,” Fox said. “I’m able to serve as a trusted counselor, referral source and sounding board.” On Friday afternoons, Fox is known to deliver a challah to a client “so they’ll have a taste of Shabbat. It’s a privilege to do this,” she said.

“I’m a Jewish woman who grew up with Jewish parents and grandparents and this is what was modeled for me.”

During her years at the Blumkin Home, Fox has seen changes in demographics and needs. “An example is our Holocaust survivors who are aging and may be troubled by loneliness and dark memories,” she explained. “Like most,

Making Jewish Omaha a better place Continued from page 1 It’s important to know where we come from and that, as Jews, we are all connected. I was taught to do what I could to make the present better and the future brighter.

I returned to Omaha in 1986 as a young adult after graduating from the University of Denver and living there for several years. My wife (the former Kim Platt) and I grew up here. It is our home. It was the people who brought me back.

That’s what mattered.

On his Predecessor: We just completed a monumental modernization. It is remarkable how much Jody (Malashock) accomplished and how tough it was for her to do so. You have 6000 community members that really, really care about what’s happening and you have to make everyone feel included. That she moved forward despite certain obstacles is really a testament to her presidency.

Now it is time to fine-tune the structure that’s been put in place and make it our own; one that works for all of Jewish

Omaha. So, I appreciate Jody greatly, because I think I got the better end of the deal!

On the Board Presidency: I am pretty excited about what’s to come. I think our community knows its leadership is thinking hard about decisions and making well-informed choices. I am looking forward to being in a position to ask new people to get involved and reengage those who may have stepped back or aside and not been active recently. It’s setting the stage for our future.

On the Future: My responsibility is to make sure the Federation runs smoothly, to expand our reach, where appropriate, and ensure that we operate efficiently. We need to be well prepared for the future.

We need to ensure that the generation that follows understands the WHY. Why we have built and need to maintain the outstanding services and infrastructure that makes us Jewish Omaha. I believe if we succeed in this endeavor, it will be easy for them to engage at the appropriate time.

they want to live in their own homes for as long as possible.

The idea of moving into a facility may remind them of the restrictions and lack of privacy they experienced in the camps. JSO works with the Institute for Holocaust Education on these issues.” Fox also recognizes that what seniors want today is different from what her grandparents might have wanted. “Expectations are higher,” she said, “so Outreach has to change with the changing population. Our department and our volunteers have done good work for a long time, but there may be more we can do. I look forward to educating the community and to creating new programs. If the elderly need something, we try to never say no. We always try to figure out how to make it happen. There are so many angels out there.”

Fox admits her job is heavy. “But it’s fun and over the top interesting, too. I make sure to laugh every day.” The work is also inspirational. “Each day we’re alive is a gift, and our elders are not done living. Our job at JSO is to honor their experiences. Nobody wants to be seen as a snapshot of who they once were. It is my privilege to be in the presence of the seniors in our community... to learn from them. Yes, I’m professionally trained and qualified, but I want to contribute more than what I learned in school.” To which Shane Kotok said, “In this job, you have to have heart. And Shelly Fox is all heart.”

Welcome (back) to Omaha Continued from page 1 tours,” Mary says, “and there will be time to share stories and delve into family history. The Havdalah service at night is followed by a party and there will be a closing event on Sunday, featuring, of course, more food!”

Omaha has grown and changed enormously during the past 15 years, so “anyone who hasn’t been back for a while will be amazed at our new downtown, as well as three new synagogues, and many changes throughout the city,” Mary added. “Imagine, from Aksarben Village to Midtown Crossing, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and the TD Ameritrade Park, there is so much to see! We’re very excited at this opportunity to show off our city to anyone who once called Omaha home.

More details will follow soon; for more information, please contact Mary Bernstein at maryb@eventsinc.com or call 402.391.0708.

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June 7, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 3

Fathers matter To Be a Father is a compilation of stories, letters, poems and other communications showing fathers as proud parents, friends and protectors, teachers, disciplinarians and a myriad other guises. The book presents the best and the worst of fatherhood through the works of such authors and poets as Charles Dickens, James Agee, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ogden Nash, John Steinbeck, and many others. This is an ideal book in which you may fan the pages until you randomly settle on a spot and extract the truth and insight contained in that particular work.

Perhaps sitting back and enjoying a video is of interest. Life is Beautiful staring Roberto Benigni who received an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Guido in this film is part of the library’s collection.

Charming and bungling with a keen sense of humor, Guido absorbs the ugliness that surrounds World War II and presents a portrait of a beautiful life to his son and wife. In Monsieur Ibrahim, Omar Sharif stars in the leading role as an elderly widower and grocer in a shabby working-class neighborhood of Paris. Monsieur Ibrahim’s life takes on new meaning as he becomes the father figure for a lonely teenage boy, Momo. Momo finds the father he never had - a patient, kind, and wise man. In turn, Momo awakens a taste for grand adventure in Ibrahim.

Perhaps the story of a father and husband navigating the murky waters of his life who is given a second chance by a “freelance rabbi” will capture your attention. If so, check out King of the Corner starring Peter Riegert. The film Avalon follows immigrant Sam Krichinsky and his family as they pursue a dream in America in a place called Avalon. An uplifting story filled with love and laughter, Avalon is sure to delight. Each one of these videos presents some aspect of what it is to be a father. Each one tells a memorable story.

You are invited to come to the Kripke Jewish Federation library to check out one of the works mentioned or to discover some of the other treasures available to you – free of charge. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. The library’s on-line catalog is available 24/7 at www.jewish omaha.org. The library is offered through the Center for Jewish Life (CJL), an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The mission of CJL is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. For additional information on the library, call 402.334.6462.

President/CEO

fun for all!

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Administrative Assistant, Center for Jewish Life The role of a mother is easily defined. Whether called Mom, Mama, Mother or Mommy, mothers are appreciated and cherished. The celebration of Mother’s Day is one seldom missed in families. Factor in the long-standing stories/jokes/ legends of the Jewish mother, and the definition of mother in the Jewish world becomes epic. And not only are Jewish mothers celebrated in May of each year, every Friday night, the reciting of Eshet Chayil celebrates the women of valor.

The celebration of fatherhood is a far different event.

While the patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - are well known and referenced repeatedly in prayers and study, the celebration of fathers is a far different event. Yes, the second Sunday of June is Father’s Day and that facilitates the purchase of many ties and tools with a great many barbecues enjoyed, but truthfully, fathers are simply not celebrated with same zest as that of mothers.

Fortunately Daddy (or Papa or Pops or Abba) is normally just fine with that. He is happy to just hang out, with no fuss, and let Mom or the kids take center stage. And perhaps that is the greatest virtue of the fathers in our lives. But there is most assuredly more to it than that.

The Kripke Jewish Federation Library has a wealth of video and written materials that focus on fathers and father figures. Each work contains its own special perspective in revealing the role and influence fathers have in the lives of others. The collection provides opportunities to see the triumphs and tragedies surrounding the lives of men and their influence on those around them. Father’s Day can very well serve as the touchstone time for focusing on fathers as you may not have done before.

Jewish Fathers: A Legacy of Love is a coffee table book with interviews by Paula Wolfson and photographs by Lloyd Wolf. The foreword by Rabbi Harold Kushner summarizes the sentiment put forth earlier in this article: “Becoming a father will rarely have the power to redefine a man’s life to the extent that becoming a mother will redefine a woman’s... And yet the experience of being a father can say so much to a man about what it means to be a man and, for that matter, what it means to be a human being.” Striking black and white photographs accompany each poignant interview with fathers discussing being fathers in general and Jewish fathers in particular.

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Jewish dads on TV Continued from page 1 he hates velcro because he can’t stand the tearing sound it makes, he is a proud resident of Del Boca Vista, and accepting a Cadillac from his son Jerry is one of the biggest mistakes he has ever made. Morty Seinfeld (played by the late Barney Martin, and also Phil Bruns for a few episodes) is the face of retired Jewish dads. He is a proud man who always sticks up for his son and gets irritated easily. Seinfeld senior is basically the person we are afraid our father will turn into when he gets old.

3. The Disowning-Turned-Forgiving Dad Hyman Krustofski (The Simpsons) Krusty the Clown’s dad (voiced by Jackie Mason) is an orthodox Jew who disowned his son after learning that he wants to be a clown instead of becoming a rabbi. After 25 years, a conversation about the Talmud with Bart Simpson, makes Hyman accept Krusty (or Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofski) and his career choice, a story that is very similar to Mason’s life story.

4. The Hippie Dad – Larry Finkelstein (Dharma and Greg) Stuck somewhere in the late sixties, Dharma’s dad (Alan Rachins) has a mind full of government conspiracy theories, mostly instigated by Richard Nixon. Finkelstein’s biggest pride is the idea of being wanted by the FBI (which he is not), and that he knows the dark secret of Watergate and the moon landing. He is also a pretty big pothead, a reminder for kids out there who were ever threatened by their parents to never smoke – your dad did that, too!

5. The Menschy Dad – Sandy Cohen (The OC) He is a public defender who adopts problematic kids, he is happily married and is not afraid to risk his job even if the boss makes a move on him and he is the father of the only Jewish kid around (Seth). Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher) makes us all look bad; he is rich, successful, handsome and gives great advice.

6. The Loser Dad – Dean Hodes (Weeds)

Besides the fact that both Sandy Cohen and Dean Hodes are lawyers, the two are exact opposites. Weeds’ Hodes has a dysfunctional family with a wife who can’t stand him, a spiteful young daughter and a runaway older daughter. Dean (Andy Milder) and his schlimazelness is often the comic relief of the drug dealing show, especially his close friendship with Doug (Kevin Nealon). Despite everything, he really loves his daughter Isabelle and, unlike his wife Celia, accepts her the way she is.

7. The Embarrassing Dad – Jack Geller (Friends) Think about how many times you would say “Oh my God, Dad!” if Ross and Monica’s dad was yours. Portrayed by the hilarious Elliot Gould, Jack Geller often makes inappropriate comments, many of them sexual. Unlike his wife Judy, Jack is lightly more sympathetic and worrying, and even gave Monica his Porsche after all of her childhood belongings were ruined by a flood, which leads to the ultimate question: how many embarrassing moments by your dad are worth a Porsche?

8. The Gay Dad – Hiram Berry (Glee) One of the two fathers of Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) is Hiram, who is portrayed by Jeff Goldblum. Imagine a typical Goldblum character (neurotic, fast-talking, sarcastic), add some singing and a husband to it, and you get Hiram Berry.

9. The Nebbishy Dad – Mort Goldman (Family Guy) We already discussed the Jewish references of Family Guy, but Mort should still get an honorable mention – since he is probably the most stereotypical Jew out there. Mort (John G. Brennan’s voice) is Neil’s dad, and his son shares the same characteristics – a paranoid ginger who is terrified of antiSemitism, diseases and (surprise, surprise) his money being stolen. His finest moment was when he went back in time to live in Poland just before the beginning of World War II. Did we miss a dad? Comment and let us know!

4 | The Jewish Press | June 7, 2013

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by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer When she was encouraged to apply for the Director of Youth Engagement position at Temple Israel, Nikki Flatowicz wasn’t even aware the position was available, but she quickly applied for the job.

“I’ve always loved everything about youth group,” said Flatowicz, who, as a teenager, was an active member of OTYG. “My closest friends were at Temple. It was like a second family to me. I felt like I could talk to Rabbi Azriel and my youth advisor about anything, and I see this as a way to give back to the Nikki Flatowicz community.”

Her familiarity with Temple Israel, OTYG and its parent organization, NFTY, are part of what made Flatowicz an ideal candidate to fill the shoes of Amy Katz, who recently stepped down after serving as Youth Advisor for the past six years.

“Nikki is obviously passionate about Temple life and about her own OTYG experience,” said Rabbi Josh Brown, who served on the search committee. “It was pivotal in her own life. We saw her as someone who is grown up enough to be separate from the kids, but also remembers her experiences as a kid. She shares a lot of the same qualities that made Amy such a great youth advisor.”

“I’m still good friends with kids I met in NFTY,” Flatowicz said. “And people from youth group still call me by my NFTY nickname. I want to help foster those kinds of relationships for this generation of youth group kids.”

Flatowicz, who turns 32 in June, has been a member of Temple Israel since the late 1980s. She joined JYG in middle school and then was on the OTYG board throughout high school. As an undergrad at the University of NebraskaLincoln, Flatowicz served as an advisor to Club 56 and JYG at South Street Temple in Lincoln and also taught religious school there.

After receiving her law degree from UNL, Flatowicz returned to Omaha in 2006 and began her career.

“Given her experience through law school and then creating her own firm, we felt like she had the kind of experience to take on projects like the spaghetti dinner or hosting a

conclave,” Rabbi Brown said. “She won’t flinch at those. She also won’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call parents and give them insight into their kids. She’s willing to give a lot of her time and have the flexibility in her schedule to make OTYG a priority in her life.”

Flatowicz will work with new Director of Youth and Family Education Debbie Massarano to ensure there are multiple gateways to high school student participation at Temple Israel, from participating to OTYG to supporting Religious School teachers as madrichim.

In addition to welcoming a new Director of Youth Engagement, OTYG has also installed a new board for the coming year, including Hannah Budwig as President.

Budwig, who has been a member of OTYG throughout high school, is looking forward to leaving her own mark on the youth group.

“I’m excited to make it my own,” Budwig said. “Now I can apply things that haven’t been applied in the past and try new things. I get to put my own twist on OTYG.” In addition to Budwig, the new OTYG board includes Abby Hack, Vice-President of Programing; Maddie Jensen, Vice-President of Social Action; Jacob Arnold, VicePresident of Religious and Cultural; Maddie Miller, VicePresident of Membership; and Sophie Budwig, VicePresident of Communication and Visuals.

One change that Budwig is already contemplating is making the position of Special Projects Coordinator a committee made up of non-board members, as a way to involve more kids in OTYG planning and events.

Flatowicz and Budwig are excited to work together. There is a retreat scheduled in June where the board will plan the fall agenda, including OTYG’s High Holy Days project, and get to know their new Director of Youth Engagement a little better.

“I think that she is the right person for the job,” Budwig said. “She knows what she’s doing. She was in NFTY and she was a chaperone for NFTY. I think it’s really important that she had that experience.”

Flatowicz is eager to get to work and is already trying to come up with ways to get more kids involved in OTYG. “A lot of teenagers aren’t actively involved in the Jewish community after their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs,” she said, “so it’s important to get them involved. Youth group does have a religious side, but it also has a social side and an activism side, that they don’t always see when they’re younger. I want kids to know there’s more to being Jewish than attending services and reading Hebrew.”

In the news ulty member, overseeing the James Kirshenbaum, MD, Cardiovascular curriculum. who is described by colHe is a fellow of the American leagues as a gifted clinician College of Cardiology, a and mentor, was honored member of the Clinical earlier this month with the Cardiology Council, 2013 Bernard Lown Award American Heart Association for Excellence in Teaching. and a counselor in the Established in 2009, this Massachusetts chapter of the award honors physicians who American College of are outstanding clinical Cardiology. A graduate of teachers and recognizes the Harvard College, he earned significant role that educahis medical degree from HMS tion plays in the mission of Joel Katz, MD, director of BWH’s Medicine Residency and completed his internship, the hospital.

Program, left, James Kirshenbaum, MD and Jules Dienstag, residency and clinical fellowA co-director of Clinical MD, dean for Medical Education at HMS. ship at BWH. He is the son of Cardiology Services and director of Acute Interventional Cardiology at Brigham and Kevee and the late Myrna Kirshenbaum.

Women’s Hospital, Kirshenbaum received the award during Christine Olson has been selected to receive the Eileen a May 6 ceremony at Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) Tosteson Medical Education Center (TMEC) Amphitheater. Erman Educator of the Year Award. This award is given “It’s truly an honor to receive this award and to add my annually to a teacher at the Pennie Z. Davis Child name next to past recipients who are dedicated to teaching Development Center in recognition of superior teaching the next generation of physicians,” said Kirshenbaum, who skills and dedication to the children and families in her care. is an associate professor of Medicine at HMS. Christine will be presented her award at a Family Shabbat Kirshenbaum has served as an Internal Medicine key fac- at the CDC on Friday, June 21 at 11:30 a.m.

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June 7, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 5

Fitness can help parents find balance in a busy life

by LYNN BATTEN Publicity Manager, Jewish Federation of Omaha It’s Monday morning. The kids have been up since dawn.

You have an important work meeting at 9 a.m., a dentist appointment over your lunch hour, and your child’s t-ball practice to coach after work. You wanted to get to the gym before you headed into the office, but now you are running late and you just don’t have enough time. Your workout is the first thing to go.

Most people, especially busy parents, face fitness obstacles. Hectic schedules crammed with work events, family events, errands and tasks can add up to too little time and too much stress. The ironic part is that focusing on your health and stress management is one of the best things you can do to ensure you will be around for your family and kids.

Ed Heller, JCC Director of Health & Fitness, knows that it isn’t always easy to find the time for a workout. As a father of two young boys, Heller understands the challenges parents face.

“It can be tough, but I think the main reason people abandon their workouts is because they don’t enjoy what they are doing.

They view working out as a chore, or something they have to do. People need to remember there are multiple ways they can get a great workout and still have a good time,” he said.

“I motivate myself by finding ways to make my routine challenging and fun,” he continued. “A good way to do this is through activities with my kids. For example, their bike rides turn into my runs. I feel that whatever we put into it, we will get twice the benefit. Not only are we getting physical exercise, we are also getting to spend time together as a family.

Another thing that helps is that I have my own ‘personal trainer’ at home!” Heller joked. “My wife Sarah keeps me on track. Her career is in nursing, so she knows the importance of taking time for fitness. We found out early on that our household runs better when we make our health a priority.”

The JCC has programming that grants its members the opportunity for fitness and family time all at once. Taekwondo, offered through the Omaha ATA Martial Arts Black Belt Academy, meets three times a week at the JCC. It is offered to anyone aged 6-years through adult. Parents and children can attend the same practice and learn new skills together.

Parent & Tot Swimming is another program that focuses on family interaction. This class is for children aged 6 months to 2 years and their parents. Class is held in the JCC’s heated Indoor Baby Pool. With the assistance of their parents, children work on water play that builds fine motor skills and a familiarity with the water. Parents learn how to keep their children safe in the water.

Sometimes, though, parents just need a little personal time to decompress and get away. Teresa Drelicharz, LIMHP, therapist at Jewish Family Service, thinks this an extremely important point that every parent, especially fathers, should focus on.

“It is important for all parents to take the time to take care of themselves. This will allow them to be better parents. Our soci-

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ety tends to stereotype men as the ‘stronger’ of the genders and because of this, many fathers feel like showing signs of stress translates into showing weakness. Fathers have vulnerabilities just like everyone else does. It’s OK to admit that and ask for help. Don’t bottle up issues. Parents should take time for themselves and do things that they enjoy. It’s important to balance parenting/family time with self-nurturing time!”

Heller cautions that people new to these workouts should meet with a certified trainer before attempting them on their own.

“My motto is quality over quantity,”he says with a smile. “I suppose this can apply to a lot of things in life, but in regards to fitness, safety is something you never want to jeopardize.

It is the ‘quality’. All of the Fitness Center Staff make sure that safety is on top of the list. Anyone who hasn’t had a proper orientation to the equipment in the Fitness Center, should contact any one of our staff members.”

The Fitness Center Staff can be reached at 402.334.6423.

Assistance with stress management can be obtained by contacting Jewish Family Service at 402.330.2024.

Star Deli celebrates Father’s Day TRX Training Drelicharz says there are many things parents can do to help combat stress levels.

“To help prevent stress from building up, parents should try to get plenty of sleep and focus on good nutrition,” she said.

For quick stress relief, Drelicharz recommends deep breathing (ten slow breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth), progressive muscle relaxation (tensing and relaxing each muscle group from head to toe), talking with a loved one, or just hitting the gym.

“Physical activity releases natural endorphins in the brain which helps reduce stress,” she said.

Heller identifies some good “stress-busting” workouts as Yoga, Kettlebell Training and TRX Suspension Training.

“Yoga is not just for women,” he says. “Not only does Yoga help reduce your stress through focused attention on breathing, it can also help strengthen back muscles and lessen back pain. It improves mobility and lessens your injury risk from other sports like golf or basketball. Plus,” he continued, “this is a great time for JCC Members to try it out. Starting July 1, all of our Yoga classes will be offered free of charge.”

And what about the Kettlebell and TRX Training he mentioned?

“Kettlebells are basically just round weights with handles,” he said. “They’ve become popular because they provide so many elements. With just one piece of equipment, you can improve muscle strength, cardio endurance, and even flexibility.”

“TRX Training,” he says, “was developed by the Navy SEALs. That sounds scary, but it isn’t. It is a workout that can be adapted to just about any fitness level. By using this training tool you can leverage your gravity and use your body weight to complete numerous exercises that build core stability, muscle strength and coordination.”

by OZZIE NOGG The Star Deli agrees that the way to a man’s heart (clichéd though the route may be) is through his stomach, so Chef Mike Aparo and his culinary crew plan a Special Father’s Day Deli on Friday, June 14. “Women and kids will enjoy this menu, too,” Aparo said. “Star Deli is an equal opportunity food purveyor.”

The Father’s Day deli features an 8 oz. Ribeye grilled to order, served with baked potato and seasoned vegetables for $13.99. You can sweeten the deal with a peach cobbler dessert for a mere $1.99. Traditional Star Deli menu items -- corned beef, pastrami, smoked turkey, egg or tuna salad sandwiches along with ever-popular salads and sides -will also be available. Mike Schop, Assistant Administrator of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, suggested lunch-goers should bring their fathers and grandfathers for a manly meal. “What better way to show your appreciation than to feed him a toothsome feast?” Schop said.

Launched in July of 2010, The Star Deli on Main Street -- with its garlicky aromas and the raucous atmosphere of a Lower East Side eatery -- is a favorite Friday lunch destination for local chow hounds. Open for business every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Star Deli is happy to host special occasions and will reserve private dining spaces in the RBJH for large groups. For more information on how Star Deli Catering can add spice to your meetings, parties and life cycle events, please contact Mike Aparo, 402.334.6522 or Regan Tinglehoff at 402.334.6523, or visit the web page -- http://www.rbjh. com/index.php/star-catering/home.

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6 | The Jewish Press | June 7, 2013

Vienna: A monument to culture

by STEVEN J. RIEKES (Note: Vienna, Austria, is the last city that Margo and I, Nate and Hannah Schwalb, and Bernard and Naomi Bloom visited as a part of our Jewish Heritage tour of Eastern Europe last summer.)

The city of Vienna is a magnificent monument to culture, to art, and to music. It is the home of the elegant waltz.

For many years, Margo and I have watched on public television the annual New Year’s concert by the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic, first narrated by the late Walter Cronkite and now Julie Andrews. The ornate concert hall, the Musikverein, where we attended a Mozart concert, was every bit as dazzling to us as it appeared to be on television.

The huge and imposing palaces, such as the Hofburg, home of the Hapsburg Dynasty, are crammed with world class art.

The manicured parks and gardens are filled with fountains and monuments. The city is full of concerts, operas, delicious pastry and food. And yet, it is a place of contradiction.

On the one hand, the city seemed clean, busy and prosperous. On the other hand, one gets the sense that time stopped at the end of World War I. Gone was the Vienna that was the imposing imperial capital of the Austria Hungarian Empire. Now it is the capital of only a small republic. As the words to a song about the city say: “Vienna, I hear you calling me, calling me out of the used to be.”

For Jews, puzzling contradictions remain far more important than lost imperial grandeur.

Since the 12th Century, Jews were sometimes allowed to live in the city, and sometimes were not. Sometimes they prospered and sometimes they were persecuted. Sometimes they were heavily taxed, and sometimes not so heavily taxed.

By the mid-1900’s, Jewish rights as citizens were finally recognized by the imperial government. This liberalization was reflected in the Jewish population of Vienna. In 1846, the Jewish population was 3,739, and about 15,000 in 1854.

By 1923, there were over 200,000 Jews living in the city and the majority of its lawyers and physicians were Jews.

Many famous Jews called Vienna home. Among the most well known were famed psychiatrist, Sigmund Freud; writer, Stephan Zweig; the conductor, Bruno Walter; and the composers, Gustav Mahler and Arnold Schoenberg. While Theodore Herzl originally came from Budapest, he was a journalist in Vienna when he founded the Zionist movement.

Notwithstanding the enormous contributions of Austrian, and in particular, Viennese Jews, the Austrian Catholic Church was historically anti-Semitic. In 1897, a populist anti-Semite, Karl Lueger, became Mayor of Vienna. He refused to hire Jews in his administration and limited the numbers of Jews that could attend high school and university. It is also worth noting that the two most infamous leaders of the Nazi Movement, Adolph Hitler and Adolph Eichmann, were Austrians.

In March 1938, the “Anschluss” occurred in which Austria was annexed to Nazi Germany, even though that was in violation of the treaties ending World War I. According to the Encyclopedia Judaica: “The new Nazi regime immediately introduced decrees and perpetrated acts of violence of an even greater scope and cruelty than those practiced in the Reich itself. The Jews were denied basic civil rights, and they and their property were at the mercy of organized and semi-

organized Nazi gangs.” Later, the death camp of Mauthausen was located on Austrian soil.

There is a wonderful and very interesting Jewish museum

The Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial in Vienna (Judisches Museum Wien) in an area of the city known as the Juden Platz (“the Jewish place”). It traces the highs and lows of the Jewish community over the centuries. It is also filled with beautiful Jewish ceremonial art. Outside the museum is an unusual monument to the Jews who perished during the Holocaust. From a distance, the monument looks like a huge block of stone. However, coming closer to the monument, one discerns thousands of books as if on shelves in the library. But each book, representing each Jewish life lost, is turned backward.

Related to the Holocaust, an incident happened to me by pure chance. The concierge at our hotel, the Savoyen, a very helpful man from Britain, politely inquired of me as to whether I was a Jew. I asked him why. He said that a Chinese television crew was in the hotel and was looking for information about a Dr. Ho Feng-Shan. While I had never heard of him before, quick research showed that this man was a Chinese diplomat in pre-war Vienna who saved Jews, while risking his own life and his career. After Kristallnacht in 1938,

Jews were anxious to flee Austria. However, no country would take them. Nevertheless, against the orders of his superiors, Dr. Ho Feng-Shan issued exit visas to over 1,200 Austrian Jews allowing them to flee to Shanghai. He was awarded the title of Righteous Among The Nations by Yad Vashem in 2000.

At the concierge’s request, I met with a young television team from China. In an interview, I told the Chinese reporter that, while I was not well acquainted with the heroic deeds of Dr. Ho Feng-Shan, I was able to discuss the Holocaust with them. Perhaps I made a small contribution to Chinese knowledge of this era because, unfortunately, I got the impression that the television crew knew nothing about the Holocaust, even though they were sent to Vienna to do a story about it.

Today, in Vienna, Jewish life, while not nearly what it once was, continues. We were told that Vienna has somewhere between 11,000 and 16,000 Jews. We went to a very nice kosher bakery, and saw a number of ultra Orthodox Jews in the neighborhood.

On Saturday morning, we went to the Stadttempel, Vienna’s main synagogue. It is on a very narrow street, with guards at either end and in front of the synagogue. The synagogue is partially hidden because of an edict by Emperor Joseph II that only Catholic places of worship were allowed to be built with facades fronting directly on public streets.

Ironically, this saved the synagogue from destruction because, if it had been torched during the Kristallnacht, the buildings around it would also have gone up in flames.

Ninety-three synagogues were destroyed by the Nazis.

The synagogue was built in 1826 and is very lovely, but the Orthodox services were something else. The synagogue was packed with worshipers. There must have been 15 to 20 aliyot to accommodate friends and relatives of the Bar Mitzvah.

However, except during the Alyah of the Bar Mitzvah boy, there was no decorum. Despite occasional calls for silence, and the tones of a beautiful choir, no one paid attention to the Continued on page 8

JCC to offer special Father’s Day event

by LYNN BATTEN Publicity Manager, Jewish Federation of Omaha Celebrate Father’s Day with a special “Sunday Funday” program at the JCC’s outdoor pool on Sunday, June 16 from noon - 4 p.m.

Rebecca Miljavac, JCC Aquatics Manager, is excited about this event.

“With today’s busy lifestyles, many parents and grandparents want to spend more quality time with their children and grandchildren. Swimming is a great way to do that! With this in mind, we decided that our first “Sunday Funday” event would celebrate Father’s Day. We wanted to honor family patriarchs and give JCC Members another reason to have a great time at the JCC Pool.”

The afternoon will be filled with activities for the entire family. Whether you want to get in the water and participate in the games, or cheer on your family from the comfort of one of the deck chairs, there will be something for everyone.

“We will be running in-water family relay races, lots of games, and we plan to set up a great obstacle course for the dads to participate in. We will have pizza for sale as well. More than anything, we just want everyone to come out and have a great time.”

For more information on this event, please contact Rebecca Miljavac at 402.334.6473 or email rmiljavac@jccomaha. org. In the event of rain, contact Member Services to check on the status of the event.

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Clarkson Czech Festival June 14, 15 & 16

Dr. Margaret Block and the nationally recognized Nebraska Cancer Specialists are at the forefront of cancer diagnosis, treatment and research.

Margaret Block, M.D. M. Salman Haroon, M.D. Ralph J. Hauke, M.D. Timotyh K. Huyck, M.D. Robert M. Langdon, Jr., M.D.

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Talent Contest - Fri. Nebraska Czech Queen Pageant - 6 p.m. - Sat. Polka Dances Sat. & Sun. Czech Dinners Sat. & Sun. Tractor Ride - Sat. Thudwinker - Sat. Parade 4 p.m. - Sun. Amusement Rides Fri., Sat., Sun. Button Accordions Beseda Dancers For more info. call (402) 892-3331 or www.clarksonczechdays.com

June 7, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 7

Mainstreeters June programs

by OZZIE NOGG Even in the summer, no grass grows under Mainstreeters’ feet. Upcoming June programs include: So Laugh a Little! (Who knew? A cantor who happens to be funny.) Welcome Hazzan Michael Krausman of Beth El Synagogue. Monday, June 17, 12:30 p.m.

Lunch in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. A native of Toronto, Hazzan Krausman received his Diploma of Hazzan and Bachelor of Sacred Music from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He is also a graduate of the University of York, in Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Lunch menu is cream of broccoli soup, tuna melt sandwich on a Michael Krausman bagel, cheese blintzes, fresh fruit, challah rolls, ice cream sundaes, coffee, hot and iced tea. Note: There is no second choice. Cost is $11.50 per plate. Make check payable to Jewish Social Services and send full payment to: Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Reservations are appreciated by Monday, June 10.

Further information is available from Linda Abrams Tederman at 402.468.4939.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Thursday, June 27. Game begins at 7:05 p.m. Come see the Omaha Storm Chasers battle the Iowa Cubs at Werner Park stadium in Papillion. Take advantage of the free transportation sponsored by Jewish Social Services. Depart from the JCC by school bus at 6 p.m. Return to the JCC by approximately 10 p.m. Cost is $8 per person for game admission. Reservations must be in by Monday, June 20. Make check payable to Jewish Social Services and send reservation with full payment to: Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Dinner will be on your own.

Choose from all the excellent food venders at the ball park including Omaha Steaks, La Mesa, Famous Dave’s and an Omaha original -- The Reuben Sandwich. For more information, call Harry Alloy at

402.697.8709. This will be a fun night!

A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Les Miserables. Friday, June 28, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Complimentary popcorn -warm and delicious -- will be served. No reservations necessary. Invite a friend.

Winner of three Academy Awards, including Best Actress Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables features Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveit, Sacha Baron Cohen and

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FABULOUS FATHER’S DAY SPORTSWEAR A World of Fashion

DONALD J. PLINER ROBERT GRAHAM BOBBY JONES JACK VICTOR TRAFALGAR IKE BEHAR ST. CROIX ZANELLA TALBOTT CANALI TALLIA AGAVE HILTL

Mainstreeters enjoy the Storm Chaser’s ballgame at Werner Park. Harry Alloy, left, Doris Alloy, Jack Noodell, Maxine Noodell, Jim Wax and Esther Wax. Helena Bonham Carter. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Miserables is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. It tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe), after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. If you’d like to enjoy a Star Deli lunch at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home before the show, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 to reserve a table. Lunch is on your own. The Star Deli opens for business at 11:30 a.m.

Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. The group offers a mixed-bag of social events and learning opportunities that give participants the chance to meet new people, exercise their brains, take part in new activities and continue enjoying life to the fullest. Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Programs at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, said.

“Mainstreeters continues to offer diverse programs every month, and we invite community members to join the June excitement.”

CUSTOM CLOTHING AND SHIRTS ALWAYS AVAILABLE Open Monday & Thursday Nights Regency Court 120 Regency Parkway 402-397-7900 www.parsows.com

Community Assessment Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, June 12, 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. We offer fun and laughter. Come join us at the Blumkin Home’s Board room every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

Pasta Amore Cafe & Bar Lunedi Vino

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Your Voice Matters

Our community is a complex place. It is filled with needs, opportunities and challenges as diverse as the people who live here. Caring for our community and its people requires the work and dedication of us all. We ask ourselves, what does it take to make this the best possible place to live? Where do we see potential, problems and promise? How do we make this a better place for future generations?

To help find the answers, United Way of the Midlands, Iowa West Foundation and the Omaha Community Foundation are joining forces in a unique and important initiative. We’re calling on the people of Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties to share their thoughts and concerns through an online survey. The valuable insight gathered through this survey will be an integral part of planning and finding solutions that best serve us all.

Help us identify our community’s most pressing needs. Take our online survey and share your opinions at www.your-voice-matters.org.

Participating Organizations:

IOWA WEST F O U N D A T I O N

8 | The Jewish Press | June 7, 2013

Beth El welcomes scholar-in-residence Rabbi Elliot Dorff

by JILL BELMONT Neighbor and Yourself: A Jewish Approach to Beth El Publicity Coordinator Modern Personal Ethics; The Unfolding On Monday, June 10, 7:30 p.m., Beth El Tradition: Philosophies of Jewish Law; Knowing God: Jewish Journeys to the will welcome Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, Rector Unknowable; and Matters of Life and Death: A and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Jewish Approach to Modern Medical Ethics.

American Jewish University (formerly “Rabbi Dorff is a brilliant scholar, a leader University of Judaism) for a special scholarof the Conservative Movement, and a true in-residence presentation at the synagogue. mensch, and we’re honored to have him share Rabbi Dorff, who also chairs the Conservative his wisdom with our community,� said Beth Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and El’s Rabbi Steven Abraham.

Standards, will speak about “Fundamental Principles of Jewish Medical Ethics.�

The entire community is invited, at no The rabbi’s publications include over 200 charge. For more information, contact the Rabbi Elliot Dorff articles on Jewish thought, law, and ethics; he synagogue office at 402.492.8550, or prohas also authored a dozen books, among them, Love Your gramming@bethel-omaha.org.

Vienna Continued from page 6 Torah reading. People stood and talked in the aisles and children ran in and out. If nothing else, Viennese Jewry is lively.

Bagel Boys Music Fest: A tribute to Jay Parsow

by MICHAEL MUSKIN On June 15th the Bagel Boys Music Fest will be held at the One Pacific Place Clubhouse, 1365 S 101st St, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event will be a celebration of music and friendship in tribute to our good friend Dr. Jay Parsow who died suddenly in 2001. This will be an evening of live music, videos and stories. There is no charge to attend but RSVP’s are appreciated. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Jay Parsow Foundation. The

Foundation provides scholarships to the JCC Basketball Camp for youth who otherwise would not be able to participate.

Please join Margo Parsow, her sons Aaron and Charles, along with Jay’s brothers Alan and David, and many of Jay’s friends, to help us celebrate friendship through this tribute.

Please RSVP to Michael Muskin at dimi@lpbroadband.net, Margo Parsow at mparsow@aol.com, or David Parsow at dparsow1@aol.com.

Talent abounds weekly on It’s the Beat!

by NORMA JOHNSON �We are continually amazed at the talented and creative people we meet each week on our radio show!� says songwriter Karen Sokolof Javitch and her co-host Jody Vinci of It’s the Beat!

Tune in each Saturday at noon to join them as they spend an hour chatting with their guests on 1290 KOIL AM. “Some of these people are well-known to us and others are in creative areas we didn’t know existed in the midwest,� says Karen, “Like our recent guest, chocolatier Melissa Stevens, of The Cordial Cherry who was invited to supply her candies in the Emmy bags!�

Don’t worry if you miss a show. After they air, they are posted on the website, www.Itsthebeat.net for the world to hear! You don’t want to miss acclaimed author, Rachel Shukert who spoke about her new book Starstruck and author and medium Lori Sassen who enlightens both individuals and businesses in

Omaha. Bruce Crawford shared how he continues to enrich the community twice a year bringing in great films and their stars, like Carousel and guest Shirley Jones! Producer Mark Ferrill shared his excitement about the new play Leaving Iowa opening at the BLT this weekend. Returning favorite Billy McGuigan, Buddy Holly in RAVE ON, told about his upcoming Omaha events. Meet Lincoln’s Pippa White, a one woman storyteller, who tours the country with her dramatic lessons of life and history. Other local talents with amazing stories to share this month were Kirstin Kluver, Kerry Eckelbe, Ric Swanson and Judy Torneten – people whose musical and dramatic talents “burst out� beyond their ‘day jobs!’. This Saturday, Ezra and Adeev Potash (the Potashim) return to tell about their latest show.

Do you know someone we should interview? Call Norma at 402.393.389 or e-mail Norma@itsthebeat.net.

During the sumptuous Kiddush that followed, I visited with some members of the community. I asked one man if there was anti-Semitism still in Vienna. He replied that the Viennese hate the “Turks,� so they leave the Jews alone. In my mind, that is not a comfort.

Indeed, Vienna was the only place in which we observed palpable prejudice. We heard a number of remarks on the street about the “Turks,� Moslems who had come to Vienna to fill low-paying jobs.

Further, one of our guides openly remarked about her dislike for the Germans! She was such an Austrian patriot that she wore the colors of Austria’s flag, red and white, every single day. The very first place she took us in Vienna was to a square in which there was a sculpture known as the Monument Against War and Fascism. Nevertheless, despite her efforts to paint a positive picture of Austria vis-à -vis its Jews, the contradictions will not go away.

How can one explain it? Vienna is an incredibly beautiful city. It is the city of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss.

The Blue Danube, like a stately waltz, flows majestically past the palaces and parks that are the epitome of art and culture. Its restaurants and pastries beckon a life of bliss and cream. And yet, this city helped spawn a hatred so vile that it was the very antithesis of civilization itself.

How was that possible? I don’t know.

Go to Vienna. See, hear, and feel for yourself. It is magnificent. It is contradictory. It is without explanation.

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE There will be no Jewish Press on July 5. Questions?

Call 402.334.6448.

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June 7, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 9

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Back for a repeat performance: the Jewish Press Club

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press In 2012, we introduced the Jewish Press Club, and it was a great success. Many of you responded positively, and some of you even volunteered to be the face of that first initiative (thanks, Melanie Schwarz!). Now, we are bringing the Press Club back, because we need your support more than ever.

A little over a month ago, the Canadian Jewish News announced it was shutting its doors. The CJN, originally founded in 1960, had a circulation of 40,000; making it the second most read Jewish paper in Canada. The news came as a shock to many in the industry; although we have seen quite a few Jewish papers close their doors since 2009, we never expected the CJN to be among them. There is a terrible sadness that comes with any Jewish organization admitting they can no longer exist. It reminds all editors that, no matter how hard we work, we have the tide against us. Advertising is not what it used to be; no longer is the local newspaper the only outlet for businesses to spread the word.

Printing has become more expensive, as has postage. While the newspaper industry struggles, so do the news wires, and thus we pay more to get the news that we need to pass on to our readers.

And yet, I cannot help but think what happened in Toronto will not happen to us. Why? Because we have a Jewish Federation and a community that understands that this paper is essential to our well-being. That the Jewish Press fulfills a need that no other news outlet can is something I do not doubt.

One very famous Omahan agrees with me: “Newspapers continue to reign supreme in the delivery of local news,” wrote Warren Buffett in his 2012 Letter to the Shareholders. “If you want to know what’s going on in your

town, there is no substitute for a local newspaper that is doing its job. Wherever there is a pervasive sense of community, a paper that serves the special informational needs of that community will remain indispensable to a significant portion of its residents.”

He continued: “We do not believe that success will come from cutting either the news content or frequency of publication. Indeed, skimpy news coverage will almost certainly lead to skimpy readership.”

The Jewish Press has been delivered on the Omaha Jewish community’s doorstep every week since 1920. We are just a few years away from our 100th anniversary, and with your help, we will get there -- and then some. During all those years, this paper has been there to record anything and everything relevant to this community. We’ve covered life cycle

events, synagogue programs, concerts and famous speakers, Maccabi Games, graduation ceremonies and award and scholarship winners; stories about summer camps and Jewish veterans, about reunions and former Omahans in far-away places. This paper has seen the JCC being built, as well as the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home; it was there to cover the move of Beth El and Beth Israel when they came West, and it will be there to celebrate alongside Temple Israel when that synagogue’s move is final. It was there for the dark years between 1938 and 1945, but it was also there when many Jews from the Former Soviet Union came to Omaha. I challenge anyone to visit our archives, grab a random year off the shelves, and look through its pages. You’ll be amazed at what you will find.

But we cannot do it without you.

For many, many years, we have not charged a subscription fee for in-town readers. If you are Jewish, and you live in Omaha, you receive the Jewish Press free. We continue to do this, because we feel it is extremely important that every single member in our community receives the Jewish Press every week.

Please help us continue to do what we do best by becoming a member of the Jewish Press Club. There are three levels of giving: Reporter ($36), Editor ($72), and Publisher ($180). With every donation, you will receive Press Cash, which can be used to purchase lunch at the Blumkin Home’s Star Deli.

You can fill out the advertisement on the back page of this issue, or you can visit us online at www.jewishomaha.com and click on the Jewish Press Club link. The link is also available at the top of our facebook page at www.facebook. com/ShalomahaPress.

The Jewish Press is important to all of us, for many different reasons. Please, join the Press Club today, and help us to continue for many, many years.

What if the Nazis had tweeted?

Focus on issues GIDEON BEHAR JERUSALEM (JTA) -- What could Goebbels have done with 140 characters? The question, disturbing as it might sound, can no longer be approached only as theoretical.

As the arch-propagandist of Nazism, Joseph Goebbels spread the demonic messages of his Fuehrer via the written word, mass demonstrations, radio and film. He used those avenues to near perfection, promoting what perhaps was the most evil publicity campaign in the history of humankind.

Some eight decades later, the tools are different but the motivations are the same. In the place of vitriol-filled radio broadcasts and Berlin stadia filled to capacity with saluting Nazis, the resources employed today by bigots are increasingly the Internet and social media. Undoubtedly the #HeilHitler hashtag, if launched in 1933, would have had followers in the many millions, likely surpassing even the numbers of the most revered celebrities who employ resources like Twitter.

With all the tremendous good it does, and the hundreds of millions of people it entertains, inspires and educates daily, at its core the Internet is the most capable propaganda tool ever invented. The online community is both largely uncensored and without any natural borders or limits -- a combination that makes it so effective and so dangerous. With the same speed it takes to reach millions with videos of laughing babies or talented Korean dancers, hate-filled messages pour into the world’s social media feeds and email inboxes.

The reality in the online war against hate is that our ene-

(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, Caryn Scheer, Bobbi Leibowitz, Past President; Phyllis Brown; Daniel Christensen; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Sandy Friedman; Noah Priluck; Paul Rabinowitz; Mark Senal; Nancy Wolf.

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world.

Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press.

Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma

mies are smarter than any anti-Semitic forces we have ever seen. They understand the power of the Internet and embrace the protections under law it offers.

Today’s most effective anti-Semites are not the flag-waving, stormtrooping skinheads of yesteryear. While those forces still exist, their reach pales in comparison to the computer users able to spill their messages of hate to millions around the globe in a matter of minutes.

The peace-loving forces within the international community are therefore faced with a daunting challenge -- yet it is not insurmountable.

First, we need to recognize the scope of the problem.

Online hate is difficult to impossible to quantify. While perhaps we can try to count the number of problematic websites, there is no real way to know how many people those sites reach. All the more so with social media, where the trail of content can split into literally thousands of directions in minutes. The scope of the problem is unprecedented and enormous, and thus deserving of massive resources and international cooperation.

Second, and perhaps more fundamental, the world must change its mindset for what deserves protection within the online community.

Most often, when people speak about the Internet and the world of social media, terms bandied about are “marketplace of ideas” or “common ground for expression” or similar terminology professing that users should be allowed to disseminate whatever ideas come into their minds at a given time. This position is defended by those who advocate that freedom of expression should be interpreted literally to allow people to express whatever they feel, regardless of how

inflammatory or incendiary it might be. This must be rethought. Freedom of expression indeed means that people’s right to free speech and free speech can and must be protected. But the protection should never be extended to expressions that come at the physical expense of the other.

Without entering into legal discourse that is far too complex for this forum, there is no disputing that hate speech on the Internet and in social media has the very real potential to inspire acts of violence. This has been proven countless times since the advent of the Internet and is realized every day through the examples of young and impressionable people who turn to the web for inspiration for all sorts of devious ideologies and beliefs.

In order for the Internet to sustain its openness, all responsible parties must commit to guarding against the use of online hate mongering.

This new medium is so different from anything faced previously by the civilized world that it requires re-evaluated understandings of what is and is not acceptable. It will be a challenging process and requires an underlying commitment to protect the interests of all viewpoints, all the while rooting out those messages that cross the fine line between valid speech and toward dangerous incitement.

The success of this effort will require the participation and involvement of the relevant commercial players who allow the Internet to flourish along with national governments and international law enforcement. It will not be achieved overnight.

If the past has taught us anything, however, it is that the stakes are far too high to do nothing. This time the world must be sure to respond.

ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.

and space restrictions, but it should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view.

Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid per-

Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial

material and photos to: avandekamp @jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jew ishomaha.org.

Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org.

Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events.

News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.”

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sonal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450.

Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422.

Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

10 | The Jewish Press | June 7, 2013

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 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.

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: Annual Meeting, 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.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:45 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.; Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, 10:15 a.m., we’ll meet at the Strategic Air and Space Museum to view “Searching for Humanity: Veterans, Victims and Survivors of World War II.” RSVP to Jill Belmont, at BeanK2@aol.com, or 402.333.9202; BILU USY Installations and dinner, 5:30 p.m. for current and incoming high school students. Please RSVP to Zach Stein, USY Communications VP at steinzach63@gmail.com.

MONDAY: Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Elliot Dorff, chairman of the Conservative Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, will address “The Fundamental Principles of Jewish Medical Ethics,” at 7:30 p.m., at the synagogue. No charge to attend.

Sisterhood Honey Sale orders are now being taken (through July 2) for kosher, OU certified honey as holiday gifts, $10 per bottle with delivery in time for Rosh Hashanah. Anyone may place an order and pay online at www.bethel-omah.org. For more information, contact Andrea Grossman, 402.390.3673 or 402.680.9095.

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: Torah for your Shabbat Table with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:15 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 and up), 6:20 p.m.; The Laws of Shabbat, 7:20 p.m.;Mincha/Seuda Shlishit, 8:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:47 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.

TUESDAY: Women’s Study Group, 6:30 p.m. at the home of Kathy and Harry Weiner.

WEDNESDAY: Coffee and Your Jewish News with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m.

THURSDAY: Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m.

CHABAD CENTER 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.; Kiddush lunch will follow.

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

Bearing Witness Program From June 10th through the 13th, Catholic educators will gather to train on how to more effectively integrate the lessons of the Holocaust into their courses. A creation of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Bearing Witness conference is a joint effort with National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For more information, visit www.jewishomaha.org, or contact Liz Feldstern at 402.334.6575 or lfeldstern@ihene.org.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Camp Gan Israel Leadership Training, 9 a.m.3 p.m.

TUESDAY: Camp Gan Israel Leadership Training, 9 a.m.3 p.m.; 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: Camp Gan Israel Leadership Training, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

THURSDAY: Camp Gan Israel Leadership Training, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. Contact Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@unmc.edu to receive updates.

FRIDAY, June 14: Camp Gan Israel Leadership Training, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The deadline to reserve space for the beautiful Jewish Art Calendar is June 14.

All programs are open to the entire community.

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: Family Dinner and Early Family Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. RSVP to the Temple office if you plan to attend the dinner; Classical Reform Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Pam Ganz and Steve Ganz.

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

SUNDAY: Board of Trustees, 1 p.m.

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

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

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

Candlelighting Friday, June 7, 8:37 p.m.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Summer First Friday on the Green: Candle lighting, 5:30 p.m. and Service, 6 p.m. followed by dinner. Come for the Shabbat service and stay for an outdoor (weather permitting) potluck dinner. Temple Israel will provide the main course. Families with last names A-L are asked to provide side dishes and M-Z are asked to bring a dessert.

Reservations required.

Temple Israel First Fridays are sponsored by Bob and Elly Gordman, Andie Gordman and Dan Fitzgerald, and Lindsey Thomas, in memory of Brandon Thomas.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Torah and Haftarah Reader: Scott Goodman and Hannah Goodman.

Hard Hat Tours, Sunday, June 23, 1-3 p.m. and Tuesday, June 25, 5-7 p.m. We are excited to show off our new building at 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive. Please remember this is a construction site and you need to wear closed-toe sturdy shoes.

These tours are scheduled with the construction schedule in mind. Please contact the Temple Israel to schedule your tour.

For your safety and to avoid disturbing the activity of the construction site, Temple Israel members are asked not to enter the new building without a member of the staff or building committee. Thank you for your cooperation.

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 a discussion of timely news topics pertaining to the Jewish world.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon prepared by Nanci Hamicksburg.

SUNDAY: Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, 10 a.m. featuring a Hallel service and Jewish women speaking about Jewish Matters led by Nancy Coren. Please RSVP to Nava.

TUESDAY: OLLI/UNL discussion about Judaism and a building tour, 10:30 a.m. led by Nancy Coren.

WEDNESDAY: Torah Trope Class, 7:15 p.m.

Let’s go to camp

by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer Spring is in the air and for many of Temple Israel’s kids that means Jewish summer camp is right around the corner.

“Jewish summer camp is the ideal world in so many ways, minus the living situation and the food,” Rabbi Josh Brown joked. “It’s where kids often come out of their shell and where they feel most secure and are able to be themselves. They are their most creative and most dynamic when they’re at camp.”

Dan Gilbert knows all about the importance of Jewish camp and he wants his children, Micah and Noemi, to at least begin to understand that there is a larger Jewish world out there.

“I want my kids to really understand that being Jewish is part of a very big picture,” Gilbert said, “and meeting people who make up different parts of that picture will help them ask questions about that big picture.”

Micah and Noemi, on the other hand, are simply looking forward to having some fun in the sun.

“If you don’t understand some things about Judaism, going to summer camp lets you learn about it in a really fun way,” said Micah, who’s looking forward to the pool and making new friends, while his sister can’t wait to go horseback riding. “[Camp is] more fun than school and you still learn,” Noemi said.

Religious School teacher Natasha Kraft also wants her son Alex to understand that he is not alone in his Jewishness.

“I want him to see that being Jewish is global, that there are Jewish people everywhere, not just here in Omaha or with the family in Maryland, but in large and small cities across the country,” Kraft said. “I also want him to have Jewish friends, not just Jewish friends from our synagogue, but throughout Omaha and other states, too. Jewish camp permits him to meet people from all over and gives him a more global view of Judaism.”

Alex, who will be attending OSRUI for the second time,

is excited to be going back.

“I made a bunch of new friends there last year and I know they’re coming back this year,” he said. “I like how we learn Hebrew everyday, but it’s incorporated into a bunch of fun activities.”

Rabbi Brown himself will be attending OSRUI in late June with his wife Carrie and their children, Hannah and Noah.

“We get the opportunity as adults to go back to camp,” Rabbi Brown said. “I love the whole idea of camp. It’s like living on a kibbutz and being a part of a community in every aspect of your day. It’s a joy to be able to go, and now to be able to take both kids and Carrie, it’s going to be a lot of fun. And to be able to go with our kids, Temple kids, is really special.”

Mary Sue Grossman, Program Coordinator of the Center for Jewish Life, encourages every family to consider sending their children to a Jewish summer camp.

“Ask anyone who has attended a summer Jewish camp and they will tell you what a truly life changing experience it is,” Grossman said.

Unfortunately, Grossman points out, “sticker shock” may make some parents think twice before signing their kids up.

“To help families in Omaha help make Jewish summer camp a reality for their children, the Jewish Federation of Omaha is here to help,” Grossman said.

There are grants, scholarships and other forms of financial aid available within the Omaha Jewish community, Grossman said. She recommends contacting the Center for Jewish Life for information on how to apply for assistance in sending your child to camp.

Grossman also suggests making a contribution to the CornerStones Fund, which provides scholarships for summer camp experiences.

In addition to going to OSRUI in Wisconsin, Temple Israel kids will also be attending Shwayder Camp in Idaho Springs, CO, Camp Sabra at the Lake of the Ozarks and Camp Herzl, also in Wisconsin. Each camp offers a host of different activities dedicated to giving Jewish children a fun, exciting Jewish experience.

Pulverent e

June 7, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 11

In memoriam

We the People

ANNA NOVAK HEMINGWAY

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Korach In our Sidrah, Korach mounts an attack of major proportions against Moses: Why must Moses have all the leadership privileges? What had he done for the people -- lately?

Where was the land of milk and honey?

Korach is a veritable blue-print of the demagogue. His oratory makes sense, partially, but his real motivation is to reach personal power. His rebellion was interpreted, correctly, as a rebellion not only against Moses, but against the Lord. As such, it was put down vigorously.

In all of this, the whole question of government is involved. Is the leader really divinely appointed? Is his word the final judgment, with no appeal?

In later times, Samuel the Seer found it necessary to defend himself against implied charges of selfish leadership.

With great reluctance he appointed a king, at the demand of the people.

The people never had a choice in selecting the person who was to be king, except by rebellion! In the northern kingdom there was a long series of usurpations and army coups d’etat, a sorry spectacle. The kings of Judah, the southern kingdom, on the other hand, ruled in all but unbroken succession from father to son for more than 400 years.

The monarchs of European Christendom all through the Middle Ages and into modern times based their claim to the “divine rights of the king” on the Biblical model.

We (Americans and Jews) who pride ourselves on a democratic tradition can find little comfort in the Biblical tradition. It is rabbinic tradition where democracy enters religious life and becomes the well-spring of the proud democratic tradition in Judaism.

JCC Gallery June exhibition

DAVID ROSENBERG David Rosenberg passed away June 1 at age 90 in Hastings, NE. Services were held on June 5 at ButlerVolland Chapel, Hastings, with Rabbi Craig Lewis officiating. Burial with military rites by Hastings Veterans Organizations followed at the Mt. Sinai Cemetery in Hastings, NE. A Remembrance Gathering was held at the Hastings Convention Center following the service.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marsha (Plotkin) Rosenberg; parents, Gabriel and Sarah Rosenberg; sisters, Bella Grund and Zina Finklestein.

He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Chuck and Berice Rosenberg of Hastings, NE, and Mark and Joan Rosenberg of Lincoln, NE; daughter and son-in-law, Sheri and Ted Sledziona of Gilbert, AZ; nieces and nephews-in-law, Anne and Larry Blumberg of Urbandale, IA, and Lois and Fred Margolin of Denver, CO; nephew, David Finklestein of Lincoln; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for three years before enlisting in the US Army Air Force and graduating from the US Army Air Force College with a degree in Business Administration.

Dave served in the US Army Air Force for three years during WWII. He received the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal (European campaign). Dave participated in both the Battle of the Bulge and the D-day invasion receiving military ribbons for both.

Memorials may be made to the Mt. Sinai Cemetery Association Fund. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home and Cremation Center is serving the family. Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com.

Frank L. Ciciulla Jr.

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

1439 So. 13th

402-341-2452 PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE

STUDENTS WITH BETTER GRADES It all starts with Newspapers.

23rd Annual

Clarkson Mid-States

Rodeo

Thursday & Friday June 13 & 14 7:30 pm Clarkson City Park Arena TEAM PENNING 7:00 pm Wedensday, June 12 Free Admission Admission: Adults: $6 Advance - $7 Gate Children: $3 Advance - $5 Gate Under 5: FREE Mid-States Rodeo Assn. Approved 95263

by LYNN BATTEN Publicity and Gallery Manager From June 3 - 27 the JCC Gallery is pleased to welcome Evelyn Render-Katz and JK Thorsen as they present a collection of their paintings. The public is invited to meet the artists at the Opening Reception on Sunday, June 9 from 2 - 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Anna Novak Hemingway passed away May 28 at age 95.

Services were held May 31 at Beth El Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Merv Rosenberg and Norm Hemingway; parents, Ben and Dora Novak; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sally and Ed Rosen, and Miriam and Peter Mayer; brothers: Mike, Julius, Sidney and Nathan.

She is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Art and Freddie Novak of Lincoln, Bill Novak, Elmer and Alice Novak of Florida; sisters-in-law, Helen Novak and Evelyn Novak; guardian, Linda Novak; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was very involved in the family auto business, RosenNovak amd helped raise her younger brothers.

Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, 323 S 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154.

MONUMENT CO.

To Submit obituaries to the Jewish Press: Email to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on Jewish Press and go to Submit Announcements.

Midwest LIFEfest Epilepsy Conference & Nebraska Walk/5K for Epilepsy - August 24th & 25th What you can expect: • Games, crafts and •Panel discussions with physicians spe- swimming for kids cializing in epilepsy • Vendor tables with •Break-out sessions valuable information on treatment options and experts on site and latest techniques

www.epilepsylife.org

Aug. 24-Midwest LIFEfest Time: 8 am-5 pm Aug. 25-Epilepsy Walk/5K Run Time: 7 am-Noon Registration for both events start June 1st.

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SAVE THE DATE!

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12 | The Jewish Press | June 7, 2013

The remarkable life of Jacob Besser: Part 2 ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press In October of 1966, Jacob Besser left for Vietnam with the rank of Airman third class; but before he went overseas, he stopped over in New York to say goodbye to his parents.

“I told them I was being shipped to New Zealand,” he said, “because I did not want them to worry about where I was going.”

Besser had good reason to do so. The Vietnam War wasn’t the first war America was embroiled in, but it was the first that was widely televised. That means the bombs that fell landed, figuratively speaking, directly into people’s living rooms back home. Never before had Americans had such front row seats to the violence of war. President Lyndon Johnson even brought it up as one of his reasons not to seek re-election: “As I sat in my office last evening, waiting to speak, I thought of the many times each week when television brings the war into the American home. No one can say exactly what effect those vivid scenes have on American opinion. Historians must only guess at the effect that television would have had during earlier conflicts on the future of this nation.”

In 1964, about half of all Americans depended mainly on television for their news, by 1972, that number had grown exponentially. Against that backdrop, it is understandable that Jacob Besser would save his parents from knowing where he was, and what he was doing there.

“I shared the truth with my uncle and my cousin, but they were the only ones back home who knew,” he said.

Then it was from New York to San Francisco’s Travis Air Force base, and from Travis to Saigon’s Nha Trang. Besser remembers approximately 150 U.S. military at Nha Trang; they were just starting to build the base. It didn’t take long to put everything up, and they found themselves right on the beach, “which was nice. Nha Trang had previously been a French resort (it has since become a popular vacation destination again –ed.), and you could tell.”

While the higher-ranking officers lived off base, the rest of the troops lived on the base. Besser ventured out to places like Danang and Pleiku.

The heaviest fighting at that time took place in the mili-

bullets looked like fireworks. We didn’t fly it in the daytime, because all the windows and doors had been taken off.”

Gun ships, like the one Besser described, were built in 1944 and 1945 and used for cargo and paratrooper drops during World War II. They were well suited to the Americans’ purposes, because the North Vietnamese didn’t fly that far South, and they only had to worry about ground fire.

“Our pilots were all older (the younger guys flew the jets!),” Besser said, “and we maintained them, and had a variety of aircraft in One of the aircraft used in Vietnam, similar to Besser’s gunship addition to the main craft. tary zone in North Vietnam. In In the middle of his tour, Besser received some R&R: the meantime, Besser contin- “They kept promising me a trip to Australia,” he said, “and I ued to work on aircraft. He flew very badly wanted to go because I had an uncle who lived a few missions because the elec- there. However, I ended up in Taipei for a week.” tric guns would, from time to The entire time Jacob Besser was in Vietnam, the Viet time, malfunction; an electrician was needed on board. Cong did not hit the Nha Trangh base. That would change Most of the missions flown were in support of the marines during the Tet offensive, which began in January of 1968. in the demilitarized zone, the area separating North and Because of a prior agreement to not fight during the Tet New South Vietnam.

Year lunar celebrations, American troops were surprised by “Vietnam exposed me to how the people over there lived, the North Vietnamese attacks. Roughly 80,000 troops struck which was very new to me,” Besser said. “They had no elec- more than 100 towns and cities; it was the most well-coorditricity; life for the South Vietnamese was very austere com- nated and largest operation of the war to date. pared to America. We had no time to develop any personal However, by then, Jacob Besser was no longer there. relationships with any of the Vietnamese citizens, but we “I came under mortar fire once in Danang, and once in watched them, day after day, working in the rice paddies. Pleiku,” he remembers. “There is no warning. You hear the The town of Nha Trang itself actually did have running explosion, you run to the nearest shelter, and you stay there water and electricity, which was more than most places.” until you hear the all clear.”

U.S. troops were warned not to make friends with the Besser said his year in Vietnam was short. He worked locals, because of security reasons. “I don’t think anybody hard, every day: “Everyone showed up seven days a week, was eager to break that rule,” Besser remembered. even if you had the flu. There simply wasn’t anything else to “The primary item on the base was a gunship, which do. We did watch two movies a week, which especially duralmost exclusively flew at night. The Vietnamese were afraid ing the rainy season, was not much fun. We also had one of it, because if you opened all three guns at once, it some- USO show, but I cannot for the life of me remember who the what resembled a dragon. We even called it Puff, the Magic headliner was.”

Dragon (after the 1963 Peter, Paul and Mary song, -ed.). The To be continued...

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