Vol. LXXXVI No. 38 Omaha, NE
British teachers adopt measure to keep boycott talk alive by JTA STAFF LONDON (JTA) -- Britain’s largest trade union for academics passed a motion to circulate Palestinian calls for an academic boycott of Israel to its branches “for information and discussion.” The May 30 vote by the University and College Union at its first congress in Bournemouth will require members to discuss the issue further over the next year. The motion passed by a vote of 158 to 99. In a statement, the UCU said the boycott motion means branches “have a responsibility” to consult all of their members on the issue. UCU represents 120,000 workers in further and higher education throughout the United Kingdom. The motion passed despite comments during the debate by the union’s new general secretary, Sally Hunt, that “I do not believe a boycott is supported by the majority of UCU members, nor do I believe that members see it is a priority for the union.”
The Technion campus in Haifa is one of mnay Israeli schools that will be affected by the British boycott. Credit: Moshe Milner/GPO The move is the latest of several British efforts to boycott Israel. Last month the National Union of Journalists passed a motion to boycott Israeli goods. More recently, a group of British doctors and a group of architects called for a boycott within their respective professions. The union also passed a motion to campaign for the restoration of all international aid to the Palestinian Authority and all revenues that the union says rightfully belong to the authority. Worldwide aid to the Palestinian Authority was stopped when Hamas took control of the government. Boycott opponents were outraged by the union’s vote and called on the UCU to reverse itself. “Essentially, British trade unions are declaring war on Israel,” Ronnie Fraser, director of the Academic Friends of Israel, told JTA. Ofir Frankel, executive director of the International Advisory Board for Academic Freedom based at BarIlan University in Israel, said the union “has allowed itself to act as a one-sided player in Middle Eastern politics. It is very disturbing to behold a form of singling out and discrimination happening in the U.K. the U.K. which upholds itself as the cradle of fairness, freedom of speech and academic debate.” Jeremy Newmark, chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, said that while the vast majority of academics do not support a boycott, “this decision damages the credibility of British academia as a whole.” In a statement, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said, “These obscene resolutions have all the faults that academics normally deplore in their profession: a superficial and flawed understanding of the subject, clear bias, and antagonism to the open exchange of ideas.” Continued on page 2
Inside Opinion Page see page 20
Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
22 Sivan, 5767 June 8, 2007
Two longtime teachers retire from CDC by ANNE MUSKIN knock” jokes! She fondly recalled “laughing and Jewish Press Editorial Intern laughing,” and said “We With a combined total of 34 put on a lot of great years of service to the Pennie Z. shows together.” Davis Child Development Greenberg also menCenter (CDC), Miss Bette and tioned, “We knew when Miss Patty have bid farewell to we sent our kids off to the Jewish Community kindergarten, they would Center’s preschoolers. have the best preschool Bette Adams and Patty Nogg education, and that they have been an integral part of were ready.” educating Omaha’s youth, Miss Lora (Rosenbaugh) through music, literature, shared many of emphasis on relationships with Greenberg’s sentiments. the elderly, and awareness and “Her heart is children,” celebrations of Jewish holidays. she affectionately shared “We will miss them tremenof Adams. She reminisced dously,” Carole Greenberg, the CDC’s assistant director said of about the time she took a Adams and Nogg. Adams is trip to Boulder, CO, with the lead teacher of the CDC’s Adams for a conference four-year-old group. She has that presented different taught this age group all of her techniques on structur20 years there. ing education programs. Greenberg mentioned that Dressed up for Purim are Carole Greenberg, left, assistant “Bette was driving Adams places an emphasis on director of the JCC’s Pennie Z. Davis Child Development home; the other gal fell literacy and reading, Hebrew, Center, and teacher Bette Adams, who retired in May. asleep and I was studying, interacting with the Blumkin Home, and showing the so we weren’t watching where we were going, and Bette kids a love of theater through many different shows she ended up in Wyoming!” Rosenbaugh commented that has arranged. she loves to tease Bette, adding, “She’s been my best Greenberg remembers planning the “Wacky Winter buddy here. We’re really going to miss her.” Show” with Adams, and having the kids tell “knock Continued on page 19
Beth El teens honored for synagogue involvement by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Two Beth El teens who have virtually made the synagogue their home away from home for the past few years, have been honored by Beth El for their involvement and contribution to synagogue life. Seth Rich, a 2007 graduate of Central High School, was awarded the A.B. and Seth Rich Freeda Gendler Award, an Credit: Arnold Clark honor given to a high school senior who has shown exemplary dedication to the synagogue: the criteria include regular attendance at BESTT Hebrew High School, Torah reading and/or Haftorah chanting, leading service portions in the sanctuary, attendance at services and participation in the synagogue’s USY youth group, as well as other service to the synagogue. The synagogue’s Sisterhood organization recently named Ygal Schuller as the recipient of this year’s Sisterhood Teen Award, and honor given to a Beth El congregant who has proven himself or herself to be a dedicated synagogue volunteer. In addition to a monetary award, Rich’s name will be included on a plaque on the synagogue’s Wall of Honor. Rich, son of Joel and Mary Rich, has been a fixture at Beth El for years: his involvement has included serving as a tutor for younger children during the Torah and Siddur Skills program; assisting with Junior Congregation, Sunday school and the High Holidays youth program; and contributing as an active member of
This Week: Father’s Day/Graduation Issue Starts on Page 14 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Where Are They Now features student /rabbi & teacher/cantor: Page 7
USY (including several stints as vice president, special activities coordinator and two years as chairman of the Purim carnival). In addition, he is a graduate of Beth El’s High School of Jewish Studies and participated in the school’s Merit Scholarship program for the past four years. “This scholarship means a lot because it is recognition Ygal Schuller of all the effort I have put into synagogue and into the Jewish community while I’ve been growing up,” Rich commented. “It really means a lot that the Gendler Award exists to recognize students who put so much effort into being a part of the Beth El community while doing everything else in school. I knew that the award existed, but I didn’t know that I was going to receive it, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise.” He continued, “My involvement in Beth El has helped to shape me into the person I am and influenced the views that I have. Specifically, the synagogue has done a lot to help me form my own brand of religious views; it also taught me how to view other religions, which, in a modern era where so many cultures are clashing over religious arguments, is a very important skill.” Beth El President Sally Zipursky noted that, “Seth has been an active member of our congregation his entire life, and his involvement and leadership have grown as he has matured. Our synagogue has been blessed to watch him grow into such an outstanding young man. Continued on page 2
Coming Next Month: Health & Wellness on July 13 Salute to 2007 high school graduates: Pages 12-13
Coverage of RBJH’s second Open Forum: Pages 18-19