June 28, 2013

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

Debating the Hezbollah question

June 28, 2013 20 Tammuz 5773 Vol. 93 | No. 41

This Week

Have a safe 4th of July.

No Jewish Press next week, July 5.

Coming next month to the JCC Gallery Page 7

by CNAAN LIPHSHIZ But Bulgaria, which proBRUSSELS (JTA) -- On vided the strongest case a continent led by Westfor blacklisting Hezbollah, ern capitals with diminhas gone wobbly. In Febishing sympathy for ruary, its interior minister Israel’s problems, at the time, Tsvetan TsveJerusalem has come to tanov, said he had “wellrely on Eastern European grounded reasons to allies in its drive to have suggest” that two HezbolHezbollah placed on the lah operatives were behind European Union’s list of the attack. Since then, terrorist organizations. however, the country has In February, Israel appeared to backtrack. seemed to score a breakA source following the through on this front EU discussions told JTA when the Bulgarian govthat Bulgarian representaernment implicated the tives called the evidence Lebanese group in a against Hezbollah “weak” deadly bus bombing last in the June 4 meeting. And year that killed five Isthe country’s top intelliraelis and one Bulgarian gence official in an international in Burgas, a review four days later asked sort city on the Black Sea why Israel has not prosome 240 miles east of the Israeli ZAKA emergency rescue team evacuating bodies from the scene of the terrorist attack in Burgas, vided “conclusive eviBulgaria, July 19, 2012.

Credit: Dano Monkotovic/FLASH90 dence” about Hezbollah’s capital, Sofia.

With the expected support of close through the east because Western Germany and France supported involvement if it exists -- implying that allies such as Poland and the Czech Europe was much too hesitant,” a blacklisting Hezbollah, while Bulgaria, Bulgaria’s evidence was not conclusive.

Poland and the Czech Republic exRepublic -- the only EU member senior Israeli diplomat told JTA. The softening appears to be mainly So the results of a June 4 meeting in pressed reservations about the move. the result of political jousting in Bulstate that voted against Palestinian “London, Berlin and Paris decided garia, where the government that acstatehood at the United Nations in Brussels of the EU’s CP931 working 2011 -- Israel allowed itself a dose of group on terrorist designations to con- to nail Hezbollah for the Burgas at- cused Hezbollah in February has optimism that the Europeans were sider branding Hezbollah a terrorist tack because of Hezbollah’s role in since fallen and the issue has become group came as something of a shock: the Syrian civil war,” a Western Euro- a hot-button issue among lawmakers. coming around.

Continued on page 2 “The way to success seemed to go Traditionally, reticent powers such as pean diplomat told JTA.

Lazy days of summer North Korea: For graduates, ordination comes with controversy Page 12

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Next Month Real Estate See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

8 10 11

by OZZIE NOGG Mainstreeters invites you to liven up those lazy days of summer with these cool activities. So get out of your hammock and put the dates on the calendar right now.

Musical Moments with Kim Eames: Monday, July 15, 12:30 p.m.

Lunch in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. Born and raised in Omaha, Kim got her first guitar at age eleven, did her first wedding at twelve, hit the road as a single act when she was eighteen, and has been singing ever since. You’ve seen Kim on the John Kraft Chevrolet TV commercials and heard her on local and national radio jingles. She’s currently a member of The Merrymakers -- the very best in professional entertainment for senior audiences.

Kim’s repertoire includes country, folk, easy listening and soft rock, along with great older classics, torch songs, music from the 1920s & 30s plus today’s pop tunes.

For your entree, choose either Hot dog or Hamburger, both served with coleslaw, baked beans, watermelon, cookies and choice of beverages.

Cost is $11.50 per plate. Make checks

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, July 8. For information call Linda Abrams Tederman 402.468.4939.

Join Us at the Movies: Quartet, Friday, July 19, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. No charge for the film or for

unlimited bags of warm, delicious popcorn. No reservations necessary.

Invite a friend.

At Beecham House, a retirement home for gifted musicians, the annual concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean, an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents. A story of love, rivalry and the joys (and terror) of performing, Quartet shows that old age and art go together. An inspirational and touching movie everyone can relate to, the film was directed by Dustin Hoffman and features Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay and Billy Connolly.

Continued on page 3

The Hermit Kingdom

Honoring the “Dear Leader” makes for spectacular displays

by RICH JURO ternet access in North Korea. The At the Pyongyang, North Korea medieval name ascribed to Korea, airport immigration counter, the the “Hermit Kingdom,” is equally unsmiling guard states: “Give us applicable to North Korea today.

It’s a challenge to describe life for your cell phone. You will get it back the citizens of North Korea. Even when you leave.”

At the hotel, checking in, the un- though this is the most isolated nasmiling front desk clerk requests: tion in the world, word has seeped “Give us your passport. You will get out describing in detail the concentration camps, the widespread it back when you leave.”

So went the worrisome entry into famine, and the overall misery that the Democratic People’s Republic burdens most of the inhabitants of of North Korea. Yes, they inspected this unfortunate land. All we can our luggage at the airport, which is attempt here is to report what we why we didn’t bring any books de- saw and learned about this country scribing people escaping from and its people during our eight day North Korea or its repressive gov- visit in August 2012. ernment. Surprisingly, we were alOur guides met us and we drove lowed to keep our iPads or other to the Yanggakdo International computers. Reason: there is no in- Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | June 28, 2013

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Debating the Hezbollah question

Continued from page 1 request last month to convene the CP931 meeting. Britain The leader of the Socialist Party accused the government blacklisted Hezbollah’s military wing back in 2008, becomof putting Bulgarians at risk by naming Hezbollah. Rival ing the only EU nation to do so except the Netherlands, parties have traded accusations of incompetence in handling which views Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist entity. the Burgas probe. A lawmaker But ahead of the June 4 and former prime minister, meeting, Germany for the Ivan Kostov, has publicly first time came out in support expressed doubts about of blacklisting Hezbollah’s Hezbollah’s involvement altomilitary wing, a stance gether. And officials of the Foreign Minister Guido opposition GERB party have Westerwelle connected to the called the new government’s Burgas bombing. France also skeptical statements about the supported the move for the case “irresponsible.” first time last month, but its “The zigzag had nothing to foreign minister, Laurent do with Hezbollah,” said a Fabius, pointed to Syria -- not Bulgarian diplomat in Bulgaria -- as the reason.

Brussels. “It’s internal scoreIt was a revealing detail, Israeli ZAKA emergency rescue team examining the remains according to the Western settling.”

Still, Bulgaria’s shifting gave of the bus at the scene of the Hezbollah terrorist attack in European diplomat, who the Poles and the Czechs “cold Burgas, Bulgaria, July 19, 2012. believes the Western nations Credit: Dano Monkotovic/FLASH90/JTA are driven primarily by confeet” at the June 4 meeting, according to an analyst at an EU agency who has followed cern over Hezbollah’s role in Syria, where its forces are fightthe discussions closely. ing alongside the troops of President Bashar Assad in a two“Mind you, the Bulgarians never published the report,” the year civil war that has claimed more than 90,000 lives. analyst said. “Now they are saying all kinds of things. Even if “France, Germany and Britain just used Burgas to punish you’re more pro-Israel than Benjamin Netanyahu, you can- Hezbollah,” the diplomat said. “An attack on EU soil is a winnot base such a serious decision on rumors.” ning argument, far stronger than a fight in Syria. But they The Czech Republic, Poland, Ireland, Malta, Bulgaria and didn’t think the Bulgarian government would collapse and the Netherlands all declined JTA’s requests for comment on backtrack.” the June 4 meeting, but the spokesperson for the European At the CP931 meeting on June 19, few expected delegates Union in Israel said discussions are “ongoing” and any deci- to agree to blacklist Hezbollah. Poland had said already that sion would require a consensus by all 27 EU member states. it may use the meeting to raise legal and political concerns A follow-up meeting was scheduled for June 19 in about the move.

Brussels, JTA has learned.

“These twists and turns are interesting from an academic Though the minutes of the June 4 session are confidential, point of view,” the Israeli diplomat said. “But practically it what is known is that Britain cited the Burgas attack in its means the effort to blacklist Hezbollah is back to square one.”

North Korea

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Continued from page 1 Hotel, shaped like a triangle, 47 stories high with 1001 rooms and a revolving restaurant on top. It did have a beautiful lobby, but the small, dingy rooms were more like those in a 20-year-old Motel 6. We did have a private bath.

The amenities were six small plastic bottles of shampoo and body wash – but they were about half empty, apparently partly used up by the previous occupants. There was a small TV, but the only English language channel was a Japanese news station. That channel was our only source of news from the outside world, but even it is not available to ordinary citizens in their homes (if they even have a TV).

There were five restaurants: Japanese, Chinese, Revolving, Restaurant #1, and Restaurant #2. I’m not sure why we only dined in Restaurant #2, but even my wife Fran didn’t argue about it.

Our guides told us, “Please do NOT leave the hotel on your own”. Fran and I have been to about 140 countries, and have NEVER been told that. When asked why, they said it was for our safety; but like other totalitarian dictatorships, there are no issues of personal safety in North Korea. But when tourists start walking out of the hotel, they are immediately stopped by guides or hotel staff, asking, “Where are you going?” John, one of the other two Americans in our little group, then commented to us: “This place is like Alcatraz East.” A foreigner who has done his homework, and we all had, does not start an argument with any official in this country.

One morning, just to see what would happen, I hobbled outside the hotel. No one seemed to care, probably because I was barely walking due to my very severely injured right ankle. I guess they figured I was a harmless old man, unlikely to meet up with any insurgents or defectors. They were right. Still, I was pleased to be an exception to the rule, especially in North Korea.

What was Pyongyang, the capital of the country, like? A city of 3,000,000 people, most of whom are from the upper

stratum of North Korean society: that is, high-ranking Communist Party and army officials and their top functionaries. There are lots of tall buildings, lots of new construction and lots of wide streets. The two most distinctive structures are both hotels. One hotel has two 37-story twin towers and became our home several days later. The other is huge, “about 105 stories, built about 15 years ago,” according to Su Yong, our female national guide. It is a beautiful pyramid-shaped edifice set by itself on a large lot near the river. However, there were no lights on, nor cars in the parking lot. This hotel has never been finished, and, even Su Yong admitted, probably never will be. Why? Like so many other absurdities in North Korea, we would never learn the answer.

Pyongyang has many broad avenues and boulevards. Yet there is very little traffic, as privately-owned vehicles are forbidden to all but a few of the very top officials. Su Yung explained that not only are cars very expensive, but they would contribute to air pollution. Yet some of the army trucks have been converted to carbon-producing, woodburning engines because of the lack of petroleum. One of the questions Su Yung asked us concerned the quality of air in our home city versus Pyongyang; she was visibly disappointed when we said Omaha’s air is equally clean and fresh.

There is also an extensive underground metro system that is the main method that locals use to get around the city.

The little traffic in the streets consisted of crowded public busses, army vehicles, lots of bicycles, a few motorbikes, a few taxis, vans making public announcements, and trucks holding 20-30 people crouching in back being transported to their workplace. In a whole week, the only negative thought expressed by Su Yung was that the P.A. vans blaring patriotic songs, political propaganda, and uplifting thoughts were actually “noise pollution.” Patriotic movies are also shown in the evening on huge screens in the large public squares.

To be continued...

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The area is called Ponca Hills, an area just north of I-680 and The retreat is available for small day business meetings or east of 72nd St. The provider of this free bliss is Mother Nature. retreats, overnight stays for individuals or couples, and One of many places to enjoy this is White Deer Retreat, an inti- women’s weekends. Meals and six different wellness practitionmate bed & breakfast type retreat center. Nestled in the woods ers are available as extra amenities. on top of a bluff overlooking the Missouri River valley, it comPlease visit the website at www.WhiteDeerRetreat.com to bines the best of all worlds. It is 15 minutes to downtown, yet gather more information, or call Debra at 402.455.0950.

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June 28, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 3

Liberal Jewish groups unleash on doomed abortion bill

by RON KAMPEAS important, demonstrating the unfortunate reality that alleged victims to report the crimes to the police as a condiWASHINGTON (JTA) -- Liberal Jewish groups fired a women's reproductive rights remain at risk.” tion for having the abortion. Such reporting often does not verbal barrage against a restrictive abortion bill passed by Anti-abortion groups feature prominently in the Tea Party occur because of the fear of public shame and reprisal from the Republican-dominated U.S. House of Representatives, movement, which helped sweep Republicans to their 2010 family members. calling it "egregious,” “outrageous,” “an affront,” and “deeply House victory and helped them keep control last year.

“It imposes one particular set of religious beliefs on the disappointing.” entire nation, and denies Such strong language is women the ability to make unusual in any case for their own decisions about groups that must engage with their health and their future Congress, but especially when without political interfera bill is dead in the water. ence,” the National Council of The bill, passed in a 228Jewish Women said in its 196 vote, would ban aborstatement. tions after 20 weeks, a time Jewish Women International when the bill’s sponsor, Rep. called the vote “outrageous.”

Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), says “Women seeking abortions the fetus feels pain. Leaders in after 20 weeks of pregnancy the Democrat-led Senate do so for a variety of reasons, already have said the measure often life-threatening, includhas no chance of advance. ing when the mother’s life is U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, shown speaking in Paradise Valley, Pro-choice supporters at a candlelight vigil in front of the And President Obama likely at risk, she is a victim of sexuAriz., in March 2013, sponsored a more restrictive abortion U.S. Supreme Court in Washington commemorating the would veto it if it did. al assault, or there is severe bill that passed the House of Representatives.

40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, Jan. 22, 2013.

So why unleash on the bill? fetal anomaly,” it said.

Credit: Gage Skidmore Credit: Allison Shelley/Getty Images Liberal Jewish groups that Hadassah also condemned have made reproductive rights a priority believe that such Moreover, a conservative majority Supreme Court in 2007 the vote and said it would "continue to fight attempts to bills, even when they fail, represent a growing threat to Roe indicated a willingness to place strictures on the Roe v. Wade restrict, through federal legislation, state administrative regv. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that made abor- decision by banning some late-term abortion procedures. ulations, or court action, the right to reproductive choice and tion a matter of choice.

Groups noted that the bill has no health exception. It also family planning programs delivering any and all services."

“We know that the vote was symbolic, since the Senate will restricts abortions in the case of rape and incest by requiring Orthodox groups did not issue statements on the vote. not take up the bill and the president has said he would veto it," Barbara Weinstein, the director of the Reform movement’s Commission on Social Action, said in a statement.

“Yet the symbolism of the bill’s House passage is indeed

Lazy days of summer

Ghetto memorial vandalized

by JTA NEWS STAFF WARSAW, Poland (JTA) — The entrance to a memorial for the leader of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising was vandalized.

The words “Jude Raus,” meaning “Jews Out,” were discovered Wednesday at the Anielewicz Mound in Warsaw, a monument to commander Mordechai Anielewicz and his fighters.

Police are investigating the vandalism to the monument on Mila Street, which was a busy thoroughfare in Jewish Warsaw before the Holocaust.

Anielewicz and the Jewish Combat Organization made their plans and directed operations from a bunker at 18 Mila St. The Germans surrounded the bunker on May 7, 1943. Most of the 100 resistance fighters and leaders inside the bunker committed suicide, though a few escaped.

A memorial stone atop the mound recounts the story of the resistance fighters led by Anielewicz.

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Continued from page 1 If you want to have lunch at the Star Deli 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.

The Brownville Concert Series presents Jazz with Deborah Brown: Sunday, August 18.

International Jazz vocalist Deborah Brown is one of the finest in the business, a “singer’s singer” with a magnificent voice and mind-boggling technique. Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, she learned how to sing jazz and bebop with the musicians who were around when Charlie Parker played. Her CD, All Too Soon, delivers a no-nonsense, romantic sound to fans of classic, swinging jazz. At Brownville, this consummate artist will delight audiences with classics from Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and more. Concert ticket cost is $17 per person; transportation on deluxe coach is sponsored by Jewish Social Services. Bus leaves the JCC at

noon -- please be at the main entrance by 11:45 a.m. -and returns at approximately 5:30 p.m. Dinner and transportation, on your own, is available after the show at Grisanti’s Italian Restaurant. Concert reservations are needed by Friday, July 19. Please make checks payable to Jewish Social Services and mail to: Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 South 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Questions? Call Jim Wax 402.393.4442.

Note: bring your own snacks and water for the bus ride.

Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. “Tell your friends and join us for all our programs,” said Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Programs at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. “Monthly luncheons, live theater, all kinds of classes, movies, and the Brownville Concert Series are just a few of our diverse activities.”

2013 • Parade • 3 Show and Shines • Live Bands • Burnout Contest • Drag Races • Classic Car Auction • “Grease” Live Musical • Video Kingdom car stereo contest • Meet Miss Nebraska 2013

In Loving Memory of

Dr. Larry E. Roffman Humanitarian, Friend and Valued Board Member – Larry gave his time, talent, wisdom and generous support to the Foundation for over 12 years, and we were honored to call him our friend.

His lasting legacy will benefit Omaha’s Jewish community for generations to come.

From the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Board of Directors and Staff Contact Howard Epstein, Executive Director 402-590-2156 | hepstein@jewishomaha.org | www.jfofoundation.org

4 | The Jewish Press | June 28, 2013

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SATURDAY, JUNE 29 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, JUNE 30 Temple Israel: Stephen Center Breakfast, 9 a.m.

Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beth El YAC goes to Stormchasers Baseball game, 2:05 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 2 USY on Wheels, 4 p.m. at Beth El Star Deli Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at RBJH BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 USY on Wheels, 10 a.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, JULY 4 Independence Day Holiday FRIDAY, JULY 5 First Friday Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Congregational Dinner, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel SATURDAY, JULY 6 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, JULY 7 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El MONDAY, JULY 8 Beth El Rosh Hodesh Meeting, 7 p.m. at Project Harmony NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

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TUESDAY, JULY 16 Tish B’Av Services, 1 p.m. at Beth El The Ethics of Our Fathers, 2 p.m. at Remington Heights BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Board of Trustees, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel THURSDAY, JULY 18 Dames and Drinks, 7 p.m. at Beth El FRIDAY, JULY 19 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, JULY 20 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, JULY 21 Partnership2Gether Central Consortium Steering Committee Mtg, 9 a.m.

Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El 39 Forever Event (Picnic at Pavillion at JCC), noon Parenting the Love and Logic Way, 1 p.m. at Legacy Pilates, Yoga and more MONDAY, JULY 22 Partnership2Gether Central Consortium Steering Committee Mtg, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 23 Partnership2Gether Central Consortium Steering Committee Mtg, 7 a.m.

BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Board of Directors, 7 p.m. at Beth El

TUESDAY, JULY 9 Wrestling with the Rabbis Lunch ‘n’ Learn edition, noon at Beth El Jewish Medical Ethics, noon at the Med Center BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 Beth El YAC goes on a Lucky Bucket Brewery Tour, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

FRIDAY, JULY 26 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Temple Israel Shabbbat Comes to you at RBJH, 2:30 p.m.

402-498-8833 Beer and Wine Available

MONDAY, JULY 15 Erev Tish B’Av Services, 8:30 p.m. at Beth El Jewish Press Board orientation, 6:30 p.m.

Jewish Press Board meeting, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 12 Partnership2Gether Summer Steering Committee Mtg, 9 a.m.

Star Deli Dairy Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Shabbat Comes to you at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. Temple Israel SATURDAY, JULY 13 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Beth El Social Action Committee participates in Omaha’s Owl Ride Bike-a-Thon forAdults/ Children with Disabilities, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 14 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Love Game Day, noon Parenting the Love and Logic Way, 1 p.m. at Legacy Pilates, Yoga and more Beth El Social Action Committee serves dinner, 5:30 p.m. at Stephen’s Center

SATURDAY, JULY 27 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, JULY 28 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Parenting the Love and Logic Way, 1 p.m. at Legacy Pilates, Yoga and more TUESDAY, JULY 30 BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.

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June 28, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 5

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Journal entry from Israel TEDDY WEINBERGER Israel is regularly called upon to come to terms with Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. If and when this is achieved, Israel will face a much harder problem: coming to terms with Palestinians in Israel---a.k.a. Israeli Arabs, a.k.a.

Arab citizens of Israel. How ought Jewish Israelis to perceive the Arab minority in Israel: as a welcome component of Israeli life, or as a “fifth column” with antithetical loyalties to Israel’s existence as a Jewish democratic state? In practice, the State of Israel has not made up its mind in this area.

Though the rights of Arab citizens are fully protected by law, the court system is clogged with cases concerning how government funding discriminates against Arab Israelis. And in practice, too, Jewish Israelis have not made up their minds on this matter either. Most Jewish Israelis accept the Arab minority as a fact of life without necessarily embracing Israeli Arabs as a welcome segment of Israel’s population.

I would like now to make an unusual comparison. I want to compare Israel’s commitment to democracy for its Arab minority with America’s commitment to the separation of church and state. I had the good fortune of studying the latter topic at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology with Dr. E. Brooks Holifield, the Charles Howard Candler Professor of American Church History (now emeritus).

Before then, like most Americans, I had imagined that America was always dedicated to the separation of church and state. This was only partially the case in the period leading up to the founding of the American Republic. While it is true that some religious groups such as the Baptists and the Quakers objected in principle to an establishment of religion, the Congregationalists and the Anglicans each tried to establish their own denomination of Christianity in the states where they were the majority (in Connecticut, Maine,

In the news MasterSingers present “Hot Fun in the Summertime” concert on Sunday, June 30 at 6 p.m. at the First Central Congregational Church, 421 South 36th Sts. and Harney. The program features songs from Manhattan Transfer, the Beatles, Earth, Wind, and Fire, as well as favorites of the doo-wop era!

Since its inception in 1969, the MasterSingers (formerly “The Voices of Mel Olson” and later “Die Meistersingers”) have strived to nourish the health of choral arts in the region. With a tradition of presenting a wide range of musical styles, the “New” MasterSingers have recently dedicated themselves to the art of jazz and pop ensemble singing. The change enables the group to hone in on the sounds of current groups such as Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, the Real Group and other outstanding groups of the genre, thus filling a musical void in the Omaha area. The ensemble is composed of gifted singers from Omaha, eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Educators, artists, professionals, students - each brings a unique background to the group and all share the love and talent for great choral music.

Tickets are on sale at the door and are $15 for adults and $12 for students/seniors. Children 12 years and under are free. For more information, please check out our website: www.mastersingersomaha.com.

Nancy Rampey-Biniamow and Rebecca Herskovitz are recipients of the 2013 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award.

Nancy has a B.S. from Morningside College and an M.A from the University of South Dakota. She teaches science at Blackburn High School and originally hails from Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rebecca teaches Language Arts and Art in the Integrated Learning Program. She has a B.A and an M.A. from Clark University, and is from Newton, MA.

24 NEBRASKA SENIOR GAMES

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Massachusetts, and New Hampshire for the Congregationalists; and in Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia for the Anglicans). There was a catch, however. If, for example, Anglicans made Anglicanism the state religion in Georgia and discriminated against nonAnglicans, they could expect their fellow Anglicans in Connecticut to be discriminated against when Connecticut made Congregationalism Connecticut’s state religion. And so it was out of a kind of stalemate--and not out of some lofty notions of religious freedom--that America grew to embrace the separation of church and state.

It is particularly instructive now to come back to Israel’s situation. Unlike America’s 18th-century leaders, who grudgingly authorized freedom of religion, Israel’s Jewish majority voluntarily granted its Arab minority full legal rights despite the fact that Jews were always treated as second-class citizens in neighboring Arab countries, despite the fact that these Jews were “encouraged” to emigrate after the founding of Israel, and despite the fact that Israel’s Palestinian minority is part of the same people with whom Israel is in serious conflict. That Israel nevertheless proclaims in its Declaration of Independence “complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex” has to be seen as nothing short of heroic.

But you will say that Israel hasn’t sufficiently lived up to its Declaration of Independence? Give us some more time. In political and cultural comparisons between American and European countries the fact of America’s “youth” sometimes comes up as a reason for difference. If America is young, Israel is a baby. We are still struggling with our growing pains.

Endnote: Twenty-eight years later, I am still learning from Prof. Brooks Holifield. It is with great pleasure that I hereby acknowledge his review of this column.

Teddy Weinberger made aliyah in 1997 with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, and their five children. Their oldest three, Nathan, Rebecca and Ruthie, are veterans of the Israel Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@net vision.net.il.

}

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The Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award is given by the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and recognizes Omaha Public School Teachers (K–12) with a minimum of two years of teaching experience.

Happy Birthday, Steve

Of the fifty people helping to celebrate Steve Goodman’s 65th birthday in Ft. Myers, FL, some are present or former residents of Omaha. Steve and wife Toni are in the front row. They are frequent visitors to Omaha as the travel company they own, Elite Tours, is based in Omaha.

Cousins Diane Singer Kaiman of Ft. Myers, left, Jack and Marcia Cohen, sister-in-law and brother, Barbara and Bob Goodman, friends Barbara and Richard Josephson of Houston, TX and Iris and Marty Ricks.

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Shabbat at Remington

by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer On the second Friday of each month, a member of Temple Israel’s clergy visits Remington Heights, a retirement and assisted living community at 126th and West Dodge Road, and holds a Shabbat worship service for its Jewish residents, many of whom use walkers or wheelchairs and are

tant it is to bring the Sabbath to the Remington Heights residents.

“A lot of them can’t get out of the building,” Tomps said. “Anything you can bring into a facility like Remington instead of having to schlep them to another facility, it’s better. They’re right there, they don’t have to go anywhere, and the residents really appreciate that.”

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Rabbi Azriel leads a Shabbat service for the residents at Remington Heights.

Publishing Date | 07.12.13 Space Reservation | 07.01.13 Camera Ready Deadline | 07.03.13 Contact your advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.

Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org

Community Assessment Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties

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

unable to make their way to a synagogue.

“There’s a tendency to assume that once people are in a nursing home or assisted living, that their spiritual needs are not important,” Rabbi Aryeh Azriel said. “And that’s wrong. Simply because these residents have reached a stage in their lives where they’re not a regular at services, that does not mean we just forget about them. They have spiritual needs as well as physical needs and I think the work we do at the Blumkin Home and at Remington shows them that we value them as Jews, yes, but more importantly, as people.”

Temple Israel’s Caring Committee, created

by Harriett Sperling, first started these Shabbat clergy visits to Remington Heights more than 20 years ago. In fact, Sperling, who died in 2011 at age 84, began the Caring Committee as a way to maintain and strengthen the Temple Israel community during both times of joy and times of distress.

The monthly Shabbat service at Remington “keeps [the residents] connected to their Judaism,” said Sheila Tomps, who, along with Dora Goldstrom and Pam DePorte, helps organize the service. “It allows them to practice their religion and to remember those who are gone. It gives them an opportunity to say Kaddish.”

Tomps, who has been volunteering as a member of Temple Israel’s Caring Committee for 11 years, knows how impor-

Using a prayer booklet designed by Rabbi Azriel’s nephew, a typical Shabbat service at Remington begins at 4 p.m. and goes for about an hour. Rabbi Azriel keeps the service lively by talking with the residents in between the prayers. On a recent Friday afternoon, he gave the residents an update on the construction of the new Temple Israel at Sterling Ridge, which prompted Carol Roffman, a Remington resident for the past two years, to ask when they were going to get a tour of the new building.

Answer: After the front walkway is finished and the elevator is working.

“So many of us would love to see the new building, but we obviously can’t get over there by ourselves,” Roffman said. “So it’s nice that the Caring Committee organizes these services for us.” “[The service] gives us a good feeling,” Louise Lippett said. “And Rabbi Azriel really livens it up. If he didn’t, some of us are liable to fall asleep!”

In addition to the monthly Shabbat services, the Caring Committee also organizes Hanukkah services, which are hosted by a different volunteer family each night.

For more information about the Temple Israel Caring Committee, including information on volunteering, visit templeisraelomaha.com/engage/caring or contact Program Director Wendy Goldberg, 402.556.6536.

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS There will be no speaker Wednesday, July 3, at the Blumkin Home. 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. That is what we offer -- fun and laughter. Come join us at

the Blumkin Home’s Boardroom every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

Birth Allison and Ashish Aryal of Dallas, TX announce the Feb. 3 birth of their daughter, Lola Sam. She is named for both her mother’s and father’s separate traditions. Following Ashish’s tradition, Lola has a sanskrit root and is another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Following Allison’s tradition, Sam is named for Allison’s paternal grandfather, Samuel Gutnik.

Grandparents are Margie and Bruce Gutnik, and Usha and the late Shakti Aryal of Oxford, MS.

June 28, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 7

Beth El Women to visit Project Harmony

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Beth El’s Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group will welcome the month of Av on Monday, July 8, 7 p.m., with a visit to Project Harmony, a non-profit agency dedicated to protecting and supporting children who are victims of abuse and neglect. The evening’s hosts are Diane Malashock, Project Harmony development specialist, and Shira Abraham.

The child advocacy center brings together law enforcement, social services professionals and medical personnel to provide care and protection to children and prosecute offenders.

“The mission of Project Harmony is to protect and support children, collaborate with professionals and engage the community to end child abuse,” Malashock said. “Project Harmony provides a child-friendly environment, forensic interviews with Child Interview Specialists, interview observation by law enforcement and /or social services, medical exams with pediatricians and nursing staff specifically trained in child abuse assessment, child and family advocacy services training and community education, team case staffing and review and a triage center for children who

need immediate refuge.”

Attendees at the July 8 meeting will be making fleece blankets for those children served by Project Harmony, she said.

Every child who visits the agency leaves with a blanket, stuffed animal or toy – all donated, she added. “These items help to provide comfort to these children in a most difficult time of their young lives.”

Malashock will also lead a tour of the facility, which, she said, “can be a very emotional experience when they see the medical rooms, the cameras and the interview rooms, the toy and blanket room, the stories I share, and the statistics for eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa.”

Calling those statistics “staggering,” she noted that, “It is not a stranger to the family committing these horrible acts; it is, in fact, someone they know. In 99 percent of the children seen for sexual abuse at Project Harmony, the perpetrator is someone the family knows. One in four girls and one in six boys will be abused by the time they are 18 years old.”

All women in the Jewish community are welcome to attend the meeting. To RSVP, contact Malashock, at DMalashock@projectharmony.com, or Abraham, at shira. abraham@gmail.com.

Pet Shop Boys singer defends Israel concert JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Pet Shop Boys singer Neil Tennant defended his band’s decision to play Israel amid pressure to cancel the June 23 concert.

A statement by Tennant was posted on the British duo’s official website Sunday following the release of a poster showing them wearing sunglasses stamped with the captions “1 child killed every three days” and “2 kids caged every day.”

The poster was created by the Britain-based pro-Palestinian group Innovative Minds.

Tennant wrote, “I don’t agree with this comparison of

Israel to apartheid-era South Africa. It’s a caricature. Israel has (in my opinion) some crude and cruel policies based on defense; it also has universal suffrage and equality of rights for all its citizens both Jewish and Arab. In apartheid-era South Africa, artists could only play to segregated audiences; in Israel anyone who buys a ticket can attend a concert.”

The Pet Shop Boys will perform at Nokia Stadium in Tel Aviv. They performed in Israel in 2009 and 1999.

Coming this July to the JCC Gallery

by LYNN BATTEN JCC Gallery Manager The JCC welcomes the Midwest Fiber Art Alliance as they present their newest body of work. The exhibition will run from July 1 through 31. The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Sunday, July 7 from 1-3 p.m. The reception will be held in the Gallery and is a free event.

Pictured is the artwork of Aimee Mahan, a Midwest Fiber Art Alliance Member.

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The Jewish Press office will be closed on Thursday, July 4 for Independence Day. The deadline for the July 12 issue is Wednesday, July 3, 9 a.m. There will be no Jewish Press on July 5. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

Jewish New Year The lay leaders of the Jewish community

Publishing Date | 08.30.13 Space Reservation | 07.15.13 Camera Ready Deadline | 08.05.13 Contact your advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.

Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org

8 | The Jewish Press | June 28, 2013

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

The unprinted Story

by JOANIE JACOBSON Editor’s note: This is an unedited reprint from the Jewish Press of March 6, 1987.

It’s Friday. The end of the week. No school for two days.

Pay day. A weekend trip. A welcome relief.

Shabbat is coming. A time to unwind, to discuss. A Jewish time shared by family and friends. A peaceful time.

Friday.

Maybe it’s the day you go grocery shopping or get your hair done. Maybe it’s a day for tennis lessons or a regular business lunch. Maybe it’s the day you make no plans at all. But for every Jewish person in Omaha, Friday is that day when we go to the mailbox and expect to find the Jewish Press.

I say, “expect,” because we do. If the Press isn’t there, we feel left out. What were the front-page stories? Who wrote a Letter to the Editor, and what was it about?

Calls come into the Jewish Press office: “I didn’t get my Press today. Please send me a copy.” There are even those who come into the Press office late Thursday afternoon to get a copy fresh from the printer.

“So what?” you say. So, this. Imagine Friday and every other day of the week without any Jewish Press.

How would we know about each other? We certainly don’t read about ourselves in the Omaha World Herald.

They don’t report Jewish community news on television and they don’t broadcast regular Jewish features on the radio.

The Jewish Press is the link that connects us to one another and the Jewish communities around the world. We depend on the Press, we expect it.

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing a very special lady about this very thing. Miriam Grossman, originally

from Poland and a survivor, came to America in 1949.

“We were detained in New York for six weeks,” she explained in her eloquent Polish accent, “because we didn’t have a place to go. My husband was a machinist and there had to be a need for a job before we settled in this country.

That’s how we came to Omaha.

“It is true I am an avid reader of the Jewish Press. You ask me why, and I tell you: there are many reasons. The paper is of Jewish interest from a Jewish point of view. It tells of Jewish activities in the community, and political activities in the world. I feel that it is my responsibility as a member of this community to be aware of what is going on. It is a small paper that covers much.

“I assume that there are non-Jewish people who read the Press. I think it helps them understand our point of view and our feelings. It gives them an insight into who we really are.

Maybe we can live better together.

“It expresses different opinions -- critics, and praises.

Though we don’t always agree, it’s always good to get the full story. I like to read the editor’s comments to get views and news of places he attends. My husband and I go to services on Saturday morning, so on Friday I enjoy reading Rabbi Kripke’s version of the Torah reading.

Sometimes I agree, sometimes I have my own opinion, but it broadens my understanding. Every rabbi has his own version, you know.

“I don’t drive, and with time and age and sickness I can no longer even stand on the corner to wait for the bus. I am not complaining. I’m grateful for my independence, and I still do all the work in my house. I’m a wife, a maid, a cook, I take care of the yard and I paint all the rooms. But even for those who cannot participate in the community, reading the Jewish Press is important because knowing is important. It is what keeps us together. I am grateful to the Jewish Press for the prestige and the flavor of our heritage.”

Thanks Miriam Grossman, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

The unprinted story—a tribute to the Federation’s Jewish Press newspaper and its staff.

Miriam Grossman passed away in August of 2003, but her words continue to inspire. Help us maintain a strong Jewish Press by joining the Press Club. Visit www.jewishomaha.org/jewish-press/ or see page 12 of this issue.

The age of change

From our intern COURTNEY BIERMAN The life of a teen is tough. This toughness prevails regardless of faith. Teens are busier now than they have ever been in their lives. School is demanding, as are relationships and extracurricular activities. Many teens have jobs as well, which take away even more of the ever-dwindling amount of time they have to themselves. In such a time, religion may not be the first thing on one’s mind. For many, homework or prom may seem more pressing than attending religious services or praying.

Judaism is dynamic. Its followers are, too. Ours is a culture of free-thinkers and innovators. The relationship between our characteristics and our evolving beliefs is cause-and effect. Jewish teens prove the constant change that Judaism is undergoing, because they are the change. With every generation, a growing number of Jews become more and more distanced from their faith, especially members of the Reform Movement. By no means does that apply to all teenaged Jews; in more observant denominations, the numbers of religious teens continue to be strong.

Recent polls show that 37% of American Jews consider themselves only connected culturally to Judaism. In Catholicism, 79% of its followers report believing in a god, as opposed to 48% in Judaism. According to The Washington Post, only 13% of American Jews keep kosher. These numbers have been advancing, and will continue to advance.

Modern Jewish teens are no exception. They are the least observant generation Judaism has seen. It is not that this

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generation is less proud of their faith than their ancestors; on the contrary, most Jewish teens are very proud of their faith.

Because many Americans’ favorite musicians and actors are Jewish, young Jews feel as if they have bragging rights and that it’s cool to be Jewish. Teens realize that they are part of something ancient and special. Even though many are not religious, they love the community and appreciate its history; religion just isn’t as influential in this generation.

Jewish teens are the Jewish adults of tomorrow, responsible for continuing the religious traditions of their ancestors.

That is something that they are being reminded of on a regular basis. This, coupled with the growing amount of agnosticism in this generation, causes a problem for those looking for observant young Jews to carry on religious traditions.

Contrary to popular belief, drugs, alcohol and Apple are not the primary causes of the lack of interest in religion (although they probably have some contribution). I believe much of this can be attributed to religious fanatics like the members of the Westboro Baptist Church, and scientific discoveries that reveal more about the natural world. Both of these make the teens of Judaism question the legitimacy of 2000-year-old holy books.

Even though many of today’s Jewish teens are not religious, that does not mean that they do not enjoy being Jewish or that they are not involved in their Jewish communities. Many young non-believers still attend religious services. Shabbat dinners and fasting on Yom Kippur are a part of life.

Involvement in Jewish youth groups is high, even for those who are not particularly observant. Teenage Jews still appreciate the Jewish upbringing they have received, and are pleased to participate in the activities of their religious communities.

Jewish teenagers are not inherently different from teenagers of any other faith. Like the trend in Judaism, agnosticism is increasing in the youth of other faiths.

Ibrahim Syed, a member of the Islamic Center of Omaha

and a Millard North student, reports seeing the trend in Muslim teens also.

“I think every other generation kind of tends to slip. Either people are really religious, or they’ve become distant,” Syed said. “I have friends that, when they were younger, used to [be religious] because of their parents, and now that they’re a little bit older they’ve kind of let it go.”

Millard South student, Audrey Keim, of St. Paul Lutheran Church says she sees something similar among her peers.

“There has been a decline in teen involvement in the church community over the past few years,” Keim said.

However, unlike Judaism and Islam, she said the drop in participation isn’t really about lack of faith. “I don’t think it’s because people are less religious, I think it has more to do with being busy with other things like sports and school.”

I am a Jewish teen. Much of what is in this article describes me. I am Jewish, but I am not religious. The average happenings of my everyday teen life generally are more important to me than Friday night services or Passover Seder. I love being Jewish; my upbringing as a Jew is dear to me. I’m glad to have had a Bat Mitzvah. I’m glad to have met the wonderful people of Temple Israel. I am glad to be part of something so scholarly and special. I am glad to be a part of a religion that teaches acceptance and love.

I believe without a doubt that one can be a part of their faith without adhering to everything in that faith. Religion is meant to enrich one’s life, not control it. If it is the culture or community of Judaism that keeps someone present at Shabbat services or BBYO, more power to them. They are not hurting anyone or anything. Judaism is too powerful to be diluted by a few members who are not “observant enough” by the standards of a few. Despite the pessimism some may have about the future of Judaism due to the growing agnosticism, this is not the end. Jews have experienced Continued on page 9

ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

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June 28, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 9

Stand with the dissidents of Iran

Focus on issues MARK KIRK AND IRWIN COTLER WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Last Friday’s Iranian presidential election was fraught with fraud and fear -- candidates vetted for their loyalty to the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guards, the press muzzled by the imprisonment of independent journalists, and the leaders of Iranian civil society in detention.

The absence of any free or fair election is a manifestation of the larger repression in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Simply put, the Iranian government imprisons and tortures thousands of activists, executes dissidents without due process, ruthlessly curtails free speech, enforces a system of gender apartheid and imposes severe religious discrimination, dramatized in particular by the systematic persecution and prosecution of the Baha’i and the imprisonment of their entire leadership.

Indeed, killing people for their political beliefs is nothing new to Iran’s theocrats. The government consolidated its power in the 1980s by executing thousands of dissidents.

Its most brazen violation of human rights was a massacre of its political opponents in 1988. That summer, pursuant to an order by Ayatollah Khomeini, the Iranian regime subjected all of its political prisoners to one-minute “trials” and sentenced nearly 5,000 dissidents to death by hanging. To date, no one has been held accountable for these crimes. To the contrary, those who implemented Khomeini’s order have thrived, becoming cabinet ministers and Supreme Court judges.

As the 1988 killings show, Iran’s government has system-

atically used its prisons as sites of mass murder. With at least 2,600 political prisoners today, it would not hesitate to do so again to create fear among a restless population with strong democratic aspirations.

There are several initiatives that Canadian and American lawmakers have taken -- and can take -- to promote accountability and prevent the Iranian regime from directing another reign of terror toward political dissidents.

We recently launched the Iranian Political Prisoners Global Advocacy Project. Modeled on a similar initiative that once defended Soviet prisoners of conscience, the Advocacy Project encourages parliamentarians to “adopt” Iranian political prisoners and advocate on their behalf.

Political prisoners who escape Iran have consistently said that international attention to their case was their best protection. The participation of parliamentarians in the Global Advocacy Project can literally mean the difference between life and death for many Iranian activists behind bars.

We must combat the Islamic Republic’s pervasive culture of impunity by shining a light on gross human rights violations that Tehran wishes to hide. Last week, Canada became the first country to officially recognize the 1988 massacre as constituting crimes against humanity. This will be a significant blow to the Islamic Republic’s quarter-century effort to deny these killings and holds the regime accountable for its gross human rights violations, no matter how long ago they occurred.

The United States and Canada must continue to lead the annual resolution at the U.N. General Assembly that “names and shames” Iran for its terrible human rights record. We must also work with like-minded countries, particularly those in the global south, to require Iran to permit the U.N.

Stop pretending to care about Iranians’ rights

Focus on issues SHAI FRANKLIN NEW YORK (JTA) -- The above Op-Ed is very compelling but for two facts: It was co-authored by two of Israel’s greatest advocates, and they published it in JTA, a Jewish media outlet.

As a community, we can be willing to bomb Iran into oblivion in order to stop its nuclear program, or we can worry about the rights of its citizens. We cannot, and should not even pretend, to do both.

Were there a way to push such propaganda that also benefited the Iranians fighting for participatory democracy, it would be benign. But when Cotler and Kirk call on Jews to demand democracy and human rights in Iran -- implicitly branding it as a pro-Israel priority -- it actually undermines the cause of dissidents who are risking their lives and being tortured daily just for the basic human dignity that most JTA readers take for granted.

At the same time, numerous Jewish leaders and friends of AIPAC routinely defend Israel’s right to attack Iran and push for stronger international sanctions, including denial of certain conveniences and necessities that impact the quality of life for most Iranians -- those whom Cotler and Kirk would presumably “save” from the regime.

Unlike the black South Africans of the 1970s and 1980s, these Iranians are not encouraging us to isolate and strangle their country economically and politically. It’s something we do because we care more about Iran’s threat to Israel than we do about the lives of individual Iranians who may or may

not support the Islamic regime.

As should also be evident, not only do most of the brave Iranians Cotler and Kirk claim to be helping not want their help, they would probably continue much of the terrorist and nuclear enterprise the current regime is pursuing. As we’ve seen with their counterparts in Egypt, Libya and Syria, Iranians are not looking to replace their leadership in order to make friends with Israel.

Unlike Iraq, which the British created barely a century ago, Iran’s Persian national identity stretches back thousands of years. The recent election of a “reformist” president to succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won’t change most of Iran’s hard-line policies, given the religious control over major decisions. But even a complete change of regime -whether by internal revolution or external force -- would be unlikely to produce a cooperative government that renounces Iran’s inbred aspirations to regional hegemony.

If the main reason the pro-Israel community pushes democracy and human rights for Iranians is to justify further crippling sanctions and to enable the devastating use of force, then we should stop. Let’s stick to emphasizing Iran’s violation of its international obligations and the dangers it poses to its Gulf neighbors and the State of Israel.

This superficial “human rights” campaign will not fool the European, Russian and Chinese officials we do need to convince. It’s only fooling some of our own, and the transparent cynicism of this approach affects our credibility on the nuclear issue and many other communal priorities we want to advance.

Shai Franklin is senior fellow for United Nations Affairs at the Institute on Religion and Public Policy.

Saving Lives!

special rapporteur on human rights in Iran to visit that country’s prisons and talk freely with dissidents. The intensity with which Iran fights the annual resolution and the rapporteur’s investigation indicates that Iran is vulnerable on this issue.

We must expose the fraudulence of the Iranian presidential elections where numerous candidates, specifically women, were barred from participating while two of the candidates, Mohsen Rezai and Ali Akbar Velayati, have themselves been indicted for terrorist acts.

Iranian citizens yearn for human rights and the rule of law, as they clearly demonstrated during their massive and peaceful 2009 post-election uprising. They did not achieve these things in the presidential “election” on June 14. But solidarity and assistance from the United States, Canada and the international community will help them pursue their demands and protect their rights. It is what Iranians require.

It is what Iran’s dictators fear. It is where we can help.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois and Canadian MP Irwin Cotler serve as co-chairs of the Inter-Parliamentary Group for Human Rights in Iran and the Iranian Political Global Advocacy Project.

Letter TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: Larry Roffman was an accomplished, honored and beloved friend, husband, father and grandfather. He was highly respected in the medical, Jewish and social communities of Omaha.

He was the son of a grocer in Council Bluffs and never forgot his history and family of origin. He never forgot his orthodox beginnings, and lessons and principals.

Our group, consisting of Mike Platt, Joe Kirshenbaum, Bob Kully, Mike Erman, Mort Glass and Silvia Roffman, has met every Saturday at 7 a.m. for many years. We are tied to each other by the things we loved to talk about with Larry: Jewish families, history, institutions in Omaha and elsewhere, politics, the latest books read, and other aspects of our lives. Saturday after Saturday, we rekindled our shared memories.

He bravely endured and fought medical battles without complaint, and kept going with a sense of humor and a zest for life. During days of profound discomfort, he sparkled.

His departure leaves us with a deep sense of loss and regret.

He is and always will be a blessing, and we will remember him all our days.

Sincerely, David Herzog

The age of change Continued from page 8 hardship after hardship, and we are strong because of it.

We have been around for thousands of years; the recent decline in religious observance is not going to cause us to implode. Rabbi Azriel of Temple Israel is confident that Judaism will continue to thrive.

“I see the same excitement [in this generation] when it comes to being Jewish as I have seen in previous generations,” Azriel said. “I refuse to put the marker on the grave of this generation. Every generation [of Jews] thinks that they are the last. I’m not pessimistic.”

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Candlelighting

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: Lunch at Nebraska AIDS Project, 11:30 am., Beth El volunteers will prepare and serve lunch at the center.

For more information, to volunteer and/or provide baked goods for dessert, contact Joan Marcus at hmarcom@ juno.com; Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 9 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.; Storm Chasers Game, 2:05 p.m., Beth El’s YAC group heads to Werner Park for a Storm Chasers baseball game. Cost: $7 per person; no charge for children under three. No reservations necessary.

For more information, contact Caryn Scheer at caryn scheer@yahoo.com.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY: USY on Wheels, a six-and-ahalf week, cross-country bus trip led by the Conservative Judaism’s Youth Movement (USY), will stop in Omaha on July 2 and 3. Teens from all across North America and Israel take part in the program. For more information, contact Eadie Tsabari at 402.498.0904 or etsabari@bethel-omaha.org.

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-omaha.org. For more information, contact Andrea Grossman, 402.390.3673 or 402.680.9095.

FRIDAY, July 5: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 9 p.m.

MONDAY: Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, 7 p.m., Attendees will meet at Project Harmony, 11949 Q Street. (see full story on page 7.)

TUESDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Torah: Lunch ‘n’ Learn Edition, noon, for a special summer session of this popular class, led by Rabbi Abraham. An optional dairy lunch will be served; cost is $5. No charge for those attending class only. Lunch RSVPs are required and may be made by contacting Margie at programming@bethel-omaha.org.

Send checks to the synagogue.

Join Beth El’s team for OwL Ride (Omaha with Lights), bike ride on Saturday, July 13, 10 p.m. OwL raises money for Meyer Foundation for Disabilities. Meet at Beth El to share Havdalah, and then we’ll head downtown for the ride. Marty Shukert is Beth El’s team captain. Registration is required; for details, visit http://owlride.org/event-info/. On Sunday, July 14, 5:30 p.m., we will cook and serve at The Stephen Center. For more information, contact M’Lee Hasslinger, mlee011@gmail.com.

Tisha B’av begins on Monday, July 15, during 8 p.m. services, we will mark the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of Jewish independence in the land of Israel, with a day of fasting and national mourning. On Tuesday, July 16, our

Friday, June 28, 8:44 p.m.

Friday, July 5, 8:42 p.m.

morning service is at 7 a.m.; Mincha service, 1 p.m.; Ma’ariv service, 5:30 p.m.

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.; Early Mincha, 7 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m.; Ma’ariv, 7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush and Dairy Seuda Shlishit in honor of Ilana McNamara’s Bat Mitzvah followed by her class “A Smart Girl’s Guide to Questioning Authority: The Daughter of Zelophechad”; Mincha, 8:30 p.m.; Ma’ariv followed by an Ice Cream Party, 9:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:53 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

FRIDAY, July 5: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:15 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Mincha/Seuda Shlishit, 8:25 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:51 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

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

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Sarah Kelen and Ken Bloom. Come wish them well as they prepare to leave for a year abroad!

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

SUNDAY: Volunteers needed to work on LJCS playground equipment, 9 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. For more information and/or to let Seth Harris know if you plan on helping please contact him at sharris4@unl.edu or 402.309.5743.

THURSDAY: Temple office closed for Independence day FRIDAY, July 5: Dinner and Early Family Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. Please RSVP to the Temple office for dinner; Classical Shabbat Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Allen Schreiber.

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

MONDAY-FRIDAY: Camp Israel 2013, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Contact Andrea at Tiferth Israel.

THURSDAY: High Holiday Day Choir Rehearsal begins, 7:30-9 p.m. For more information please contact Elaine Monnier at 402.327.9212 or emonnier@windstream.net, or Holly Heffelbower at hheffel@inebraska.com.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE 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 in honor of the birthday of their mother, Rebbetzin Shani Katzman. Celebrate with the Katzman’s and wish Shani mazal tov!!

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

WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

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

WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office.

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

FRIDAY, July 5: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush lunch is in tribute to our country and will be a Red, White and Blue Shabbat.

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

WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

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

WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office.

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

All programs are open to the entire community.

Shimon Peres’ star-studded birthday

by JANA BANIN 6 Degrees No Bacon While the A-list celeb turnout at Shimon Peres’ 90th birthday party was decent, it was also vaguely odd. Yeshiva-educated “Yentl” star Barbra Streisand was a natural fit, as was Bill Clinton. But Sharon Stone and Robert De Niro, not so much.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s cool of these big-name stars to travel across the world for a leader they obviously like and respect. It just seemed to come out of nowhere.

That said, while De Niro’s visit Barbra Streisand hugging Israeli President itself was sort of surprising, his Shimon Peres after performing at his 90th birthcomments at the Presidential day celebration in Jerusalem, June 18, 2013.

Conference in Jerusalem on Credit: Kobi Gideon/GPO/FLASH90

Wednesday were exactly what you’d think the actor known for his tough-guy roles in films like “Taxi Driver” and “The Godfather Part II” would say.

“I always enjoy coming to Israel. Israelis are warm, they’re energetic people. Forthright. Very smart. I always like smart people.

They’re nice people, you know.

Aggressive, and I respect that aggressiveness because you need it in their situation,” De Niro said, according to The Times of Israel.

OK, now it’s sort of making sense. But if anyone has any ideas about the Stone connection, feel free to share.

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 Alan Shulewitz.

SATURDAY, July 6: Services, 9 a.m. led by Miles Remer and Joan Kripke.

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

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Cantor Shermet; Summer Speaker: Larry Kavich “From Father to Business Partner to Grandfather all in Six Minutes.”

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Torah and Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer.

FRIDAY, July 5: First Friday Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. followed by an Oneg.

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

Summer Speaker, Friday, July 12, 6 p.m.: Rabbi Josh Brown “Sacred Transitions: Why I went to Mikvek to become a Rabbi.”

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 special Kiddush luncheon in honor of the Bloom-Kelen families year long departure to Switzerland, sponsored by Ken Bloom and Sarah Kelen.

SUNDAY: Volunteers needed to work on LJCS playground equipment, 9 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. For more information and/or to let Seth Harris know if you plan on helping please contact him at sharris4@unl.edu or 402.309.5743.

THURSDAY: Temple office closed for Independence day FRIDAY, July 5: 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.

MONDAY-FRIDAY: Camp Israel 2013, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Contact Andrea at Tiferth Israel.

Dairy Potluck Dinner, Friday, July 12, 6:30 p.m. at the home of Ruth and Dan Friedman followed by a 7:30 p.m. service. RSVP by July 7 to Nava at 402.423.8569. Please bring a side dish or dessert item to share.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

June 28, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 11

Personal action

In memoriam BEN KUTLER

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Pinchas Our Sidrah pictures Pinchas as a sole attacker against what he considered openly wicked sexual activity among the Midianites.

He consulted no court of law, and, for that matter, no legal authority.

Acting with sudden personal justice, he “executed” a Midianite couple who were flaunting their sexual activity in his face.

Our Sacred Text rewards Pinchas for his defense of elementary morality. There is no suggestion, however, that in general, people ought to take the law -- and morality -- into their own hands, when there is opportunity to consult legal authority and properly trained judges in courts of justice.

Iran warning, message of hope end Israeli Presidential Conference

by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, interrupted by protesters, delivered more warnings on Iran as the Israeli Presidential Conference came to a close.

President Shimon Peres offered a message of hope as the two-day conference in Jerusalem ended.

Netanyahu, repeating his frequent call to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, said the international community must keep demanding that Iran halt its nuclear program despite the recent election of a new president seen as relatively moderate.

“We may be seeing a change in style but not a change in substance,” he said. “The test is not what they say but what they do.”

As Netanyahu began his speech, protesters shouted inaudible slogans about his government’s recently formulated policy that would have Israel exporting 40 percent of its natural gas. Security personnel removed the protesters and, except for one protest, Netanyahu spoke uninterrupted.

The prime minister in his address outlined his core policies and, playing off the conference’s name, “Facing Tomorrow,” said he wished for “a tomorrow of security, prosperity and peace.”

Netanyahu also praised the Israeli economy’s recent growth and repeated his desire to enter peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority without preconditions. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has called for Israel to freeze West Bank settlement construction before negotiations begin.

“We want to achieve peace,” Netanyahu said. “I want to achieve peace. The only way to achieve peace and to end the negotiations for peace is to begin the negotiations for peace. We’re ready to begin negotiations now, without preconditions. We hope the Palestinians are ready. We want to achieve peace.”

Peres, reflecting on the two-day confab of world leaders, celebrities and thinkers, said the conference “demonstrated the greatest things about Israel.”

“Israel is small in size and great in hope,” he said. “This is all a legitimization of Israel, to its strength and its path forward. It showed the strength of friendship for Israel.”

Ben Kutler of Overland Park, KS, passed away June 17 at age 92 at Sweet Life at Brookdale. Services were held June 20 in the chapel at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and their spouses; four sisters and their spouses; son-in-law, Steven Klugman and grandson, Kenneth Scott Klugman.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Elinore R. Kutler of Overland Park, KS; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Phyllis Kutler of Carmichael, CA; daughter, Elaine Klugman of Lenexa, KS; six grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.

Ben was born March 15, 1921, in Russia, the son of William and Rose (Oushatz) Kutler, he came to the United States in 1922 and settled in Omaha, where he lived until moving to the Kansas City area in 1957.

He worked for S. Riekes and Sons in Omaha and then in Kansas City. He retired after 45 years with the company.

Ben was a graduate of Omaha Tech High School where he was all city and all state forward in basketball from 1936-1938.

He was a member of Kehilath Israel Synagogue for over 50 years and its Men’s Club; life member of B’nai B’rith, member of AZA, and since age 14 was a member of the Jewish Community Centers in Omaha and Overland Park.

Memorials may be made to Kehilath Israel Synagogue, 10501 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66212; Beth Israel Synagogue, 12604 Pacific St, Omaha, NE 68154; the Jewish Community Center of Omaha, 333 S 132nd St, Omaha, NE 68154 or Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, 5801 W 115 St, Suite 101, Overland Park, KS 66211 or Care Alternatives Hospice, 5701 State Ave, Suite 100, Kansas City, KS 66102.

Online condolences may be shared at www.louismemori alchapel.com.

Kerry names ex-senator Feingold as Africa envoy

by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Secretary of State John Kerry named Russ Feingold, a former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, as his envoy to the Great Lakes Region in eastern Africa.

“Russ will be coordinating with me and with the Bureau of African Affairs to shape our strategy in the region,” Kerry said Tuesday. “Cross-border security; political, economic, and social assistance issues; and many other issues.”

Kerry noted that Feingold chaired the Africa subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when Kerry chaired the committee.

Feingold, a Jewish Democrat, served 18 years in the Senate before losing in 2010 to Ron Johnson in the sweep of Congress by Republicans.

The Great Lakes region, bordered by Congo, Rwanda and Burundi, for decades has been afflicted by wars.

“We are convinced that we have to help the parties find a path to a lasting peace, to a permanent cessation of hostilities,” Kerry said, “and to the disarmament and demobilization of M23,” a Congolese rebel militia, “accountability for human rights abuses, and finally, a breaking down of the barriers that are standing between humanitarian aid and the civilians who need it.”

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For graduates of Avi Weiss’ academy, ordination comes with controversy

by BEN HARRIS leadership roles in Orthodoxy that are more or less compara- ogy used for male rabbis. But Weiss said he wasn’t conferNEW YORK (JTA) -- More than three years ago, follow- ble to men. In 2009, Weiss gave his protege Sara Hurwitz the ring a title, insisting that smicha refers only to the women’s ing a broad Orthodox backlash to his decision to ordain a title maharat, a Hebrew acronym of his invention that trans- function as authorities on Jewish law and their pastoral woman with the title “rabba,” Rabbi Avi Weiss made a prom- lates as female leader in Torah, spirituality and religious law. training, not their honorific. ise: He wouldn’t do it again.

The decision of what to call his graduates So when Yeshivat Maharat, the school would be left up to the women themselves founded in 2009 by the New York activist and the communities they serve, he said. rabbi to “ordain Orthodox women as spiritual “We desperately need spiritual leaders,” Weiss leaders and halachic authorities,” held its first said. “And to me it doesn’t make sense to tap graduation ceremony on Sunday in into only 50 percent of the Jewish community.”

Manhattan, the three women who received Hurwitz, who now serves as the dean of ordination did not receive any formal title.

Yeshivat Maharat, said that offering the If Weiss thought that would mollify his school’s graduates ordination was a reflection Orthodox critics, he was wrong. of their having satisfied a course of study equal Weeks before the ceremony, the ordination to what male rabbinical students complete. was condemned by the Rabbinical Council of “When I received ordination, I was able to America, the main Modern Orthodox rabbe present for people in a different way,” binic association, of which Weiss himself is a Hurwitz said. “People sought out my advice member. and my help and my halachic expertise “We cannot accept the ordination of because they understood what I had studied women as members of the Orthodox raband what I can do for them.” binate, regardless of their title,” said Rabbi According to Weiss, there is no legal barrier Shmuel Goldin, the RCA’s president. to women functioning as rabbis, only socioFor the RCA, the problem hinges on one logical ones. word: ordination.

In a 1,500-word defense of the religious basis The RCA says it supports advanced Torah for female clergy provided to JTA and later Yeshivat Maharat graduates at their ordination ceremony at Ramaz High School in New York study for women and their assumption of published by the Times of Israel, Weiss cited City, June 16, 2013.

Credit: Joe Winkler appropriate leadership roles in the Orthodox various sources to show that female spiritual community, goals to which Weiss also subscribes. The RCA Several months later, Weiss decided that maharat had not leaders are well within the bounds of tradition. has never objected to female graduates of an advanced caught on and that Hurwitz instead would be called rabba, a Goldin acknowledged that it was difficult to point to any Talmud program at Yeshiva University, several of whom feminized version of rabbi. particular religious law that Weiss has transgressed in have served in quasi-rabbinic roles at Orthodox synagogues Reaction was swift. The haredi Orthodox Agudath Israel ordaining women, but he insisted that his quibble with similar to those that Yeshivat Maharat graduates will fill. of America dismissed it as beyond the pale of Orthodoxy. Weiss is about much more than semantics.

But while Weiss sees ordination as a vital and historic step Rumors swirled that the RCA was considering expelling He cited the example of Conservative Judaism’s decision to to the RCA and its 1,000 members, the move represents a Weiss, which the organization denied. permit driving to synagogue on the Sabbath -- a move inidramatic and potentially dangerous break from tradition, if But even after Weiss conceded in early 2010 that he tially made for understandable sociological reasons, but not a violation of Jewish law. wouldn’t ordain any more rabbas, he continued to use lan- which wound up having a dramatic impact on the quality of “In many ways, I believe it sets back the slow progress that guage reflecting his belief that these women performed religious life. we have made in giving women positions of leadership,” functions comparable to male rabbis. The website of Goldin conceded that Weiss is not entirely without reliGoldin told JTA. “When something is done sort of arbitrar- Yeshivat Maharat describes its graduates as “rabbinic lead- gious justification for his actions and said if it were solely up ily, that there is no consensus for, that creates a counter-reac- ers” and legal decisors. to him, he would be content to agree to disagree with Weiss. tion on the other side. I believe that’s what’s happening.”

The document awarded to graduates on Sunday refers to “What the [RCA] will do in the future,” Goldin said, “I For years, Weiss has been agitating for women to assume their ordination -- in Hebrew, smicha -- the same terminol- cannot predict.”

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