Vol. LXXXIII No. 43 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
Fox Family Donates Original Sculpture to Blumkin Home
Artist Chris Kelly Lohr, left, worked with residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and children of the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center to create a large sculpture of a bubbe reading the well known book, Goodnight, Moon, to a child. The sculpture was unveiled last week in the lobby of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Funded by Harold and Ruth Fox, center, the idea for the sculpture came from Harold’s brother, the late Al Fox. Before his death, he told Harold “he
6 Tamuz, 5764 June 25, 2004
NJHS Receives $25,000 Grant from Iowa West Foundation
wanted to do something for his wife, Esther,” who is also deceased. Joanie Bernstein, President of Jewish Senior Services, right, explained the background of the bronze-overclay piece, for which residents and children posed. John Watts, back row right, created the wood and granite base. According to the artists, the sculpture “is not any single resident or child, but we did use parts of many different people...a foot here, a sleeve there.”
by RENEE CORCORAN NJHS Director The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society received a matching grant of $25,000 from the Iowa West Foundation to continue the process of preserving, cataloging and proper storage of their facility located in the basement of the JCC. This grant will assist the Society in their mission to preserve the histories of Jewish families who settled in Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. With the cooperation of the Jewish community the NJHS has been acquiring many collections, large and small, of families, businesses and organizational histories. Due to limited space in the NJHS office proper cataloging has not been given to these precious artifacts of our past. The grant will enable the Society to continue the lengthy process of storage and cataloging this collection. The application to the Iowa West Foundation is all part of the NJHS efforts to not only attract attention of its goals and purpose in the community but begin a fundraising effort to build a permanent fund to provide year to year income to support and expand programs and projects. The “Mary Fellman Permanent Enrichment Fund” can only meet its goal through an organized fundraising drive. The fund drive is attracting three to five year pledges. A study has been completed and indicated favorable potential support. Steering committee members are Louise Abrahamson, Bob Belgrade, Helen Rifkin Chorney and me. For further information contact me at 402.334.6442. An illustrated brochure is available upon request.
In Era of Terror, Jewish Groups Coordinate with Federal Government by MATTHEW E. BERGER WASHINGTON (JTA)--A preparedness plan to alert Jewish leaders and facilities about imminent terrorist threats is now operational and is being coordinated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Proponents say the Secure Community Alert Network, or SCAN, has been put together and tested. In case of a terrorist threat, the system can alert leaders of major Jewish organizations simultaneously. Created earlier this year by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the United Jewish Communities federation umbrella group, the program is a step toward preparing the Jewish community for threats it faces as a possible target of terrorism. The program is designed to provide specific instructions for what synagogues, Jewish offices and other sites should do when a threat occurs. Proponents say it could save Jewish lives. Tom Ridge, the Homeland Security Secretary, praised the program Monday in a briefing with Jewish officials. Ridge suggested SCAN could serve as a model for other communities, participants in the meeting said.
Inside
“The secretary was very receptive to work in an actual emergency, and the system that they put in front of him,” whether the right information will get to said Michelle Petrovich, spokeswoman the right people. for the department’s division of informaIt’s easy for law enforcement officials tion analysis and infrastructure protec- to identify people who must be notified tion. “We certainly look forward to hav- when there is a threat against a specific ing future discussions as to how we can institution. But SCAN can be most useful use it as a model and integrate it into the when the threat is vague and a lot of systems we currently have.” people need to know about it. The department is looking to cooperate Each and every Jewish institution has reviewed its security with the Jewish measures and has plans in place to deal with most situations. efforts. Working Our constant contact with law enforcement, along with keepgroups will ing an eye on extremist activities, allow us to respond to threats begin this week as they may appear. to identify ways No system can provide 100% security, but reasonable measto coordinate ures can and do make a huge impact. information. At the same time, technology and information only go so far. “Anything we Each and every person should maintain a sense of place and a can do to make watchful eye for the unusual. it easier for them Human reaction is still our best asset! to communicate Bob Wolfson, Executive Director with our comGreat Plains Region of the Anti-Defamation League/ munity is imporJewish Federation of Omaha Community Relations tant,” said Council S t e p h e n Hoffman, UJC’s Editor’s note: for those Jewish organizations and synagogue president and that have not yet prepared security plans, please contact the ADL CEO. at 334.1303 for assistance. The ADL has “swiss cheese” plans But questions that can be used as templates when designing a custom plan to remain as to fit the needs of a particular institution. how SCAN will
What the ADL-CRC Is Doing in Omaha
This Week: Monthly Calendar, Pages 6-7 Beth El Teens Explore “Roots” in New York: Page 2
More than a year ago, federal officials informed some American Jewish organizational leaders on a Friday evening of intelligence suggesting that a hijacked oil tanker could be used to attack a synagogue. But it was unclear how the information should be forwarded to other Jews. Continued on page 12
Community Says Goodbye to Rabbi Kutner: Page 3
I. Robert Wolfson ADL-CRC Executive Director
Coming Next Month: Healthy Living Issue on July 9 Film Review of The Terminal: Page 4
Benefit Performance to Honor Dr. Ben Kutler: Page 12