Vol. LXXXVII No. 40 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
10 Sivan, 5768
June 13, 2008
Obama, Clinton team up at AIPAC to slam Republicans
McCain’s pitch to Jews and Iraq to Jewish voters
for Clinton and her candidacy, and the New York senator returned the favor, assuring the thousands of delegates at the annual policy forum of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that her Democratic rival would be a dependable ally in the White House. “I know Senator Obama knows what is at stake here,” Clinton said of her Senate colleague from Illinois, adding, “Let me be very clear: I know Senator Obama will be a good friend to Israel.” Jewish Democratic insiders said the speeches not only signaled a rapprochement of sorts between the candidates but reflected the emergence of a wider, more aggressive party strategy for fending off Republican efforts to Barack Obama insisted that Jerusalem must remain Israel's undivided peel away Jewish capital in his speech at AIPAC forum on June 4. Credit: AIPAC votes and contrition’s policies on Iran and Iraq have hurt butions. American and Israeli interests. A few years ago, many Democratic Obama and Clinton also sought to activists and lawmakers would have been paint McCain, the presumptive content to stick with the line that both Republican candidate, as bent on carry- parties were equally strong on Israeling out those same policies if he were to related issues. Now as Iran pushes ahead reach the White House. with its nuclear program, support Obama began his remarks with praise Continued on page 5
by RON McCain was referring to the troop escaKAMPEAS lation that he advocated a year ago, and WASH- that was carried out under the command I N G T O N of David Petraeus, the top U.S. com(JTA) -- No mander in Iraq. confessional “It’s worth recalling that America’s bloc rejects progress in Iraq is the direct result of the the Iraq war new strategy that Sen. Obama vehementmore than American Jews do. But in a bit ly opposed,” McCain continued. of political jiu jitsu, John McCain is mak“Allowing a potential terrorist sanctuing the policy his own in his plea for ary would profoundly affect the security Jewish votes. of the United States, Israel and our other The presumptive Republican presiden- friends, and would invite further intertial nominee made headlines -- and drew vention from Iraq’s neighbors, including heavy fire from Democrats -- for launch- a very much emboldened Iran. We must ing this year’s American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference last week on June 2 with an attack on Barack Obama’s Iran policy. But more remarkable was how Senator. McCain (RAriz.) chose to close his speech: Defending his commitment to an unpopular war by casting it as important for Sen. John McCain speaks at the opening plenary of the annual AIPAC policy conference in Washington on June 2. Credit: AIPAC Israel’s safety. “Another matter of great importance not let this happen.” to the security of both America and Israel The line earned applause at the AIPAC is Iraq,” he said. “You would never know policy conference -- the lobby’s memberfrom listening to those who are still ship skews far more Republican than the caught up in angry arguments over yes- wider Jewish voting public -- but how it terday’s options, but our troops in Iraq will play with the broader American have made hard-won progress under Jewish public remains to be seen. Continued on page 4 Gen. Petraeus’s new strategy.”
by AMI EDEN WASHINGTON (JTA) -- After months of seeking to paint each other as opposites on Middle East policy, U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were on the same page Wednesday at the AIPAC policy conference as they ripped into the Bush administration and John McCain on several fronts. In back-to-back speeches a day after Obama appeared to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination, the two senators eschewed any attempt to differentiate themselves. Instead they opted to argue that the Bush administra-
AMERICA DECIDES 2008
Change of heart leads to change in policy at Temple Israel by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press A letter to the congregants of Temple Israel became the subject of a front page news story in the Omaha World-Herald last week, announcing a major policy change by its senior rabbi. Stating that he had been troubled for years, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel announced that he will now officiate at interfaith weddings. He does have several “preconditions” for his participation: • The couple has agreed to maintain a Jewish home, raise their children only as Jews; • The couple agrees to membership at Temple Israel or another congregation, where they live; The couple will meet with Rabbi Azriel for pre-marital discussion and instruction on basic Judaism as well as on creating a Jewish home; and • Clergy from Temple Israel will be the only officiants at the ceremony, and will assume the responsibility of creating an appropriate religious ceremony.
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
Why the change of heart after 20 years in the pulpit at Omaha’s largest synagogue? According to the letter, he had agonized about this issue since last fall’s High Holidays, writing, “I pray that my officiation will enhance Jewish practice within Rabbi Aryeh Azriel our community, and will articulate our important message and philosophy of inclusiveness.” Rabbi Azriel is no stranger to controversy. Several years ago, he shook the community when he announced that commitment ceremonies for gay and lesbian Jews would be held at Temple -- but only if both partners were Jewish. Rabbi Azriel has performed two commitment ceremonies since that decision and will
conduct two more this summer. That caused confusion, and in some cases anger, among some congregants, unable to understand why he would officiate at ceremonies still not considered legal in the state of Nebraska, but refused to conduct a wedding between the Jewish son or daughter of longtime members and their non-Jewish spouses. But his change of heart really didn’t surface until this year, when he was notified by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religions that reaching 25 years as a rabbi entitled him to an honorary doctorate. “I began looking back at my whole career,” he told the Press, “and this was the outcome.” After all, he noted, once married, interfaith couples have long been welcomed as families at Temple Israel. Many nonJewish spouses have gone on to serve on committees and the Temple board, and some have even chosen conversion to Judaism. In fact, it’s has often been the
This Week: JCC honors staff, volunteers: Page 12 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Blumkin Home staff adjust to construction disruptions: Page 3
non-Jewish spouse who brings the Jewish one back to Judaism, according to Rabbi Azriel. Like them, Rabbi Azriel said, he’s taken a journey. “I have seen the significant number of couples who have made a commitment to raise their children as Jewish and to maintain a Jewish home despite the fact that one partner is not Jewish,” he wrote to his congregation. “Secondly, I have become very aware that the pain created in the past by the refusal is intense, long-lasting, and counterproductive, if we seek to ‘keep the door of Judaism and to the community wide open.’” His position, however, does put pressure on other religious leaders in Omaha, and in Lincoln. Other than the former cantor/rabbi at Lincoln’s South Street Temple, Rabbi Michael Weisser, no Nebraska rabbinic leader has ever officiated at interfaith ceremonies. In fact, parents looking for a rabbi or cantor to marry their children have often Continued on page 2
Coming This Month: Senior Living: June 27 Ambassador Ross voices concerns over America’s reputation: Page 6
Friends of Friedel gather for tribute dinner: Page 7