Vol. LXXXVI No. 44 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
5 Av, 5767 July 20, 2007
Video renews beefs about slaughterhouse’s practices, this time in Nebraska by NATHANIEL POPPER The Forward A video from a kosher slaughterhouse in Nebraska is reigniting concern about the way the nation’s largest kosher meat company handles its animals. The three-and-a-half minute video shows bloody images of cows being killed at the Local Pride slaughterhouse in Gordon, NE, which is owned by the Brooklynbased Rubashkin family. The footage was filmed and released by the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The Rubashkins, adherents of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic sect, also own the Postville, Iowa-based A video shot in May by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals records the slaughter of AgriProcessors, the nation’s Credit: PETA cows at a kosher plant in Gordon, Nebraska. largest kosher slaughterhouse. In 2004, AgriProcessors came under sharp criticism ment of its workers. The new video shows much less gut-wrenching detail from a number of rabbis and animal rights activists after PETA released a separate video from the Postville than the one from 2004. A PETA spokesman said that slaughterhouse that showed gruesome footage of cows allegations this time around are more limited. Unlike the walking around after having their necks cut. Since then, previous video, which was filmed clandestinely, the new AgriProcessors has also come under fire for the treat- one was made with the knowledge of the workers,
according to PETA. The group alleges that the video provides proof of the Rubashkins’ failure to follow through on reforms that they agreed to make after the previous video was released, including a promise to use a gun to immediately kill any animal that is not rendered insensate after the kosher cut is administered. “It’s extremely disappointing to find that three years later, AgriProcessors still can’t slaughter without horrible abuse of the animals involved,” Bruce Friedrich, PETA’s vice president of international grasssroots campaigns, told the Forward. PETA has filed complaints with the county attorney in Nebraska and with the United States Department of Agriculture. Calls to AgriProcessors’ headquarters and to an AgriProcessors’ spokesman were not returned before press time. Nat Lewin, a Washington lawyer who has defended AgriProcessors in the past, said that the video does not show anything illegal or out of the ordinary in slaughterhouses. “All I can conclude is that it proves that PETA is out to destroy or make unlawful [kosher slaughter] in all its actual implementation,” Lewin said. “The purpose of the video is to have people say, ‘Look, there is a man with a beard and a long knife.’” The new footage comes from a Nebraska plant that the Rubashkins opened in 2006. It is staffed by residents of a nearby Indian reservation. The Nebraska plant is reported to have 100 employees, an eighth of the number who work at the Iowa facility. Continued on page 3
Industry under pressure
Jewish newspapers fighting to survive the Internet Age by DAN PINE j., the Jewish News Weekly of Northern California When veteran journalist Don Harrison bought the San Diego Jewish PressHeritage in 2001, he wanted to keep a local tradition alive. Since its inception in 1913, the paper strived to cover the local Jewish community, for better and for worse. It got worse. Despite circulation topping 18,000, the Press-Heritage went belly up in 2003, a victim of declining ad income and soaring expenses. “We didn’t drown without calling for help,” says Harrison. “We said we’re in deep trouble. A whole group wanted to save this 90-year-old paper. But we couldn’t stay in business.” Then, just before Passover this year, San Diego’s Jewish community suffered another shock when the other local Jewish newspaper, the Jewish Times, folded as well. The region’s 80,000 Jews found themselves without a Jewish weekly. That leaves the San Diego Jewish Journal, a monthly magazine, to serve the community. “It’s not right that San Diego should be left without a news source,” says Harrison. “I didn’t like the idea of giving up the independence of a newspaper. It’s important that the Jewish community have outside voices which can cover our institutions objectively.” These are treacherous times for news-
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
papers in America. Plummeting subscriptions, declining numbers of advertisers and the rise of the Internet have all contributed to vanishing profits and massive layoffs at daily papers. Some have gone under. Last October, the San Jose Mercury News dismissed 8.5 percent of its workforce, with plans to cut another 40 employees this week. The San Francisco Chronicle recently pink-slipped 25 percent of its editorial staff after reporting a $61 million loss last year. The paper continues to lose $1 million a week. Even titans like the New York Times and Los Angeles Times have suffered unprecedented annual revenue losses. Though dissimilar in many ways from dailies, the American Jewish press finds itself at a crossroads of its own. Subscriptions are down, in part because younger Jews, steeped in Playstation, YouTube and Facebook, don’t read “dead tree” editions of newspapers. Meanwhile, printing and mailing costs have skyrocketed. Yet, determined to reinvigorate the Jewish press in America, many papers have begun responding to these challenges. To optimistic observers, the Kiddush cup remains half full. According to Brandeis University professor Jonathan Sarna, these are the best of times for Jewish journalism in America. “We really do have some first-class Jewish papers that have set a new standard for
This Week: Review of Hairspray: Page 12 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
these are the worst of times. “I have a sense the mood is not good in the field,” adds Sarna. “Within Jewish journalism, we haven’t seen models that have truly captured young Jews. The question is whether Jewish newspapers will be able to survive.” With long-term survival at the top of the agenda, the American Jewish Press Association gathered in San Francisco at the end of June for its annual conference. Founded in 1944, the AJPA represents nearly 250 Jewish newspapers (including the Jewish Press of Omaha), magazines, journalists, wire services (like the venerable JTA --Jewish Telegraphic Agency) and affiliated organizations throughout North America. It’s usually an upbeat conclave. Nominated AJPA presiLast week’s home page from the Jewish Press website. dent and Cleveland Jewish Jewish journalism,” he says. “There are News CEO Rob Certner is the organizasignificant stories that broke in the Jewish tion’s biggest booster. “The AJPA has a press because it was doing its job of prob- terrific opportunity to assist its membering Jewish organizational life.” ship in creating better products and On the other hand, says the foremost stronger businesses,” he says. historian of the American Jewish press, Continued on page 4
Coming Next Month: The Learning Curve education issue, Aug. 10
Bert’s Eye VIew: Happy Birthday to NJHS: Page 3
No Frills provides discount to Sudanese refugees: Page 4
Another point of view: The challenge of Tisha b’Av: Page 8
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 20, 2007
Jewish newspapers fight to survive the Internet Age
EXECUTIVE OPPORTUNITIES Franchise opportunities available for senior and middle level executives who require bigger opportunities. Call for free consultation.
402-330-7306
Baby-boomers are saying that as they retire and get concerned about aging, they want to stay in their own homes as long as possible. Long Term Care Insurance can allow you to do just that. Stay in your own home while maintaining your own independence as well as having choices.
x x x
Call us today to find out how Long Term Care Insurance can make sense for you and your family.
Independence Choices Peace of Mind
Long Term Care Insurance is good for America! For more information
or
614-9930 1-866-344-4981
L&R LTC Solutions Omaha, Nebraska
CLIP & SAVE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, JULY 20 Visions Luncheon, 12:30 p.m. at Venice Inn Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to Remington Heights, 4 p.m. SATURDAY, JULY 21 Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel C L I P &
SUNDAY, JULY 22 The Living Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Chabad House Class with Rabbi Nadel, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El LOVE Game Day, noon 39 Forever, 8 p.m. at Papillion Community Theatre MONDAY, JULY 23
JSS Nurse, 8 a.m. S Aquatics MOD Meeting, 9:30 a.m. at JCC A Looking at Ecclesiastes, 7:30 p.m. at Kripke Library V Tisha B’Av: Minchah/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m., E followed by Eicha at Beth Israel
C L I P & S A V E
TUESDAY, JULY 24 Tisha B’Av: Shacharit, 7 a.m., followed by class and Kinnot; Tisha B’Av topics and short films, 10 a.m.-noon; watch the film Conspiracy, noon; The House on Garibaldi Street, 4 p.m. and The Remains of the Day, 7 p.m.; Ma’ariv, 9:30 p.m., followed by a break-the-fast dinner, all at Beth Israel WOW Tehillim & More, 9 a.m. at Chabad RBJH Board Meeting, 11 a.m. Senior Card Players, 11:30 a.m. Eye on Israel, noon at Kripke Library BBYO Night, 6 p.m. C Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m. at Chabad House C L L WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 I I “Day of Dance- Cinderella,” 9 a.m. P P “Day of Dance- Art Project, “ 9 a.m. “Day of Dance” Lunch, 11:30 a.m. & Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad House & THURSDAY, JULY 26 S A Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel V Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. E Beth El USY Israeli Water Wars & BBQ, 5 p.m. at the JCC RBJH LOVE Meeting, 7 p.m. at JCC Advanced Parshah Study, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
This Space For Rent Call Allan Handleman 334-6451
S A V E
Continued from page 1 When AJPA members met, they had serious questions on their minds. How vulnerable are Jewish newspapers to the economic and social forces buffeting daily papers? Does having a reliable niche audience shield the Jewish press from ruin? Might Jewish papers fade in this age of Google and blogs? Says Vicki Samuels, the advertising manager for Houston’s Jewish Herald-Voice, “I’m confident there will always be a need for a community paper. The Jewish newspaper is the glue that holds the community together.” To make sure the glue sticks for good, Jewish papers have been experimenting with various strategies to help them remain fiscally and journalistically vital. The plan for one big-city paper: Reduce the cover price to zero. The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles became the first Jewish newspaper of its size to go “free.” Each week, more than 50,000 copies hit the streets, given away in Southern California delis, car washes, museums and bagel shops. Says editor in chief Rob Eshman, “It forces us to bridge the different Jewish communities and to create copy so that everybody feels there will be something for them. We’ll be there on the street next to the Spanish-language giveaway. It brought Jewish life into the open.” The “free” model would not work for all papers, but it seems to be the ticket for L.A., with its 600,000strong Jewish community and distinctly Jewish neighborhoods. Eshman hopes to have 80,000 to 90,000 papers in weekly circulation by the end of 2008. Of all the challenges facing the Jewish press today, the Internet may be the most pressing. In his research, Sarna has examined the impact of the Internet on the Jewish press and predicts newspapers will ramp up their online presence, as paper-and-ink models prove less viable financially. “The biggest expense is printing and mailing,” says Sarna. “If you can eliminate those you may be able to have a good model. The hope is that the Jewish paper can once again become what it was: a surrogate for community itself.” Some papers may seek to develop “hybrids,” or adjunct online editions with content exclusive to the Web. Blogs, video, reader-comment features and hyperlinks all lend distinction to these hybrids (the New York Times and Washington Post are perhaps the most highly visible examples). But a fancy website alone isn’t enough. No Jewish newspapers have yet found a way to earn profits from the Internet, and online-ad revenue alone hasn’t come close to covering overhead or permit papers to switch to a Web-based entity. That hasn’t stopped San Diego’s Don Harrison from trying. On May 1 he launched a newspaper that was all news and no paper: the San Diego Jewish World. The Internet journal was created “with sweat and love equity,” he says. The Jewish World (www.sdjewishworld.com) changes daily -- sometimes hourly -- as local, national and international news breaks. How has Harrison gotten the word out? “We’re contacting all the Jewish institutions and let-
ting them know we’re here,” he says. “We have reporters covering events, and as they do, word is spreading. We average 2,600 visitors a day on the site. It’s a good beginning.” The venture has a leg up on newspapers because print and mailing costs have been eliminated, he says. As for a leg down, Harrison admits that older readers -- who make up the majority of Jewish newspaper subscribers -- may not have ready access to the Web. In Philadelphia, the Jewish Exponent -- marking its 120th year in continuous publication -- serves a Jewish population topping 250,000, with a circulation of 50,000. Sounds great until one checks the figures from a few years ago, when subscriptions hovered around 70,000. “The Internet has certainly eroded paid subscribership,” says General Manager David Alpher. “People can find your content online at no charge. Therefore there is not as much impetus to buy the paper.” On the bright side, he says, “In the case of weekly newspapers and especially niche papers like ours, we don’t see the massive disintegration of ad revenue that then translates into staff reductions.” That doesn’t mean the paper can let up on reaching out to new readers. “We’re tagging on to things like concerts at the Kimmel Center,” he says, referring to Philadelphia’s performing arts center. “We did a gallery night where they opened up the galleries in Old City. And we’ve done singles events.” New readers, new advertisers: Jewish newspapers need both. Some papers, especially in large markets, routinely score ads from automakers, department stores, real estate brokers and other mainstream advertisers. At the Heritage, a small, independently owned Jewish paper in Orlando, FL., the principal source of ad revenue is not the local Jewish Community Center or the federation. It’s the friendly, neighborhood attorney-at-law. “We make most of our money in legal notices from law firms,” says Heritage editor Lyn Payne. “We run notices of someone’s estate, divorce or foreclosure. They like us because we give them a very good rate. It helps us keep the paper running.” The Heritage has a circulation of around 4,500, in contrast to the L.A. Jewish Journal’s 50,000. But large or small, all Jewish newspapers attempt to balance their twin roles of community watchdog and cheerleader. Sometimes those roles conflict, with papers occasionally running articles that trigger hurt feelings or community outrage. But most editors believe it is vital for the Jewish press to cover even the dirtiest laundry. “Who else is going to tell the Jewish story?” asks Payne. “Anything that happens in a Jewish community is part of an ongoing chain of the Jewish experience in America. My first duty is not to defend. My first duty as a journalist is to tell the truth and to be fair and accurate. By doing that I’m contributing to the long-term continuity of the community.” Editor’s note: Part II of “Press under pressure” will be in next week’s Jewish Press.
Shabbat meets the great outdoors during Beth El’s upcoming ‘Barbecue and Barchu!’ by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator For a completely different and delightful kind of Shabbat celebration, the entire Jewish community is invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs, balls, gloves and Frisbees to Zorinsky Lake on Friday, July 27, 5:30 p.m., and join Beth El for its first ‘Barbecue and Barchu!’get-together. Singles, empty-nesters, seniors, college students and families with young children will all enjoy this special dining and davening experience, “done in the true spirit of Shabbat,” according to Beth El Program Director Margie Gutnik. “At Beth El, we’re always looking for the new and the different,” Gutnik said. “This summer, we wanted to offer the community an opportunity to combine this spirit with the celebration of Shabbat in a unique and different style. With it being July, ‘Barbecue and Barchu’ seemed a natural -- and what could be more fun than schmoozing a little, enjoying a burger or hot dog (plus all the trimmings) outside
with your family and friends, singing and davening together and welcoming Shabbat, all at beautiful Zorinsky Lake?” Organizers plan to set up camp at Shelter #2 (take a right into the first entrance to Zorinsky, located on 156th Street south of West Center St.), and kick off the festivities with a 6:15 p.m. dinner. Prior to dinner, play with your children at the adjoining playground or relax, sit back and enjoy the view. Following dinner, Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni will lead the musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, starting around 6:45 p.m. -- and be sure to stay afterward for some delicious desserts. (Note: for those unable to make it to Zorinsky, regular services will be held that evening at 8:30 p.m. at the synagogue.) Cost of the dinner is $8.50 for adults (13 and older); $4 for children ages six to 12; and free for children five or younger. To RSVP, contact Gutnik at 492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha.org, no later than July 23.
July 20, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Happy birthday to NJHS! BERT’S EYE VIEW by BERT LEWIS How do you feel about birthday parties? I happen to love them, as long as it’s somebody else’s birthday! Seriously, I find it enjoyable to circulate among friends and acquaintances, visit, see the latest anything the honoree wants to show me. And the refreshments? Ohhh, I have to admit, I really love birthday cake! You agree with all that? Well, it’s your lucky day -- or will be when it’s Aug. 5. In a nutshell, the 25th anniversary (and/or birthday) of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society will be celebrated at the JCC on that Sunday at 2 p.m. Outside of that nutshell, I have to warn you not to miss this terrific occasion. The special events planned are so much more exciting than “pin the tail on the donkey,� they will give you something to talk about for weeks.
The marvelous photo exhibit will probably have at least one picture of you or somebody in your family, because practically the entire Jewish community is depicted in those camera shots by the late Gary Gerelick. Each was taken at some unforgettable event, whether it was a wedding or a bowling game or at a lecture by a prominent citizen, a reception, graduation, nursery school picnic, or at lovingly-remembered Esther K. Newman Camp. You must see this exhibit ... It’s absolutely mandatory! And you won’t want to miss the special award ceremony for the Riekes family, most of whom have been active Jewishly in Omaha from the first and oldest member (S. Riekes, I think) way back when, right up to today with the youngest generation. They will be recognized for their constant and generous interest and support of Jewish Omaha. If you never knew that Mary Fellman long dreamed of creating our very own Jewish historical society, you want to be sure to hear how she turned that dream into reality. Mary no longer resides here in the big O!, but she’ll always be known and remembered for countless projects she brought to fruition. And, I’m told, there will be
Video renews beefs about slaughterhouses Continued from page 1 In the new video, the cattle appear be moving their eyes, necks and tongues long after their throats have been slit. In one case, PETA says the movement went on for two minutes. In testimony gathered by PETA, a number of veterinarians hold that cows are still conscious until their eyes roll back. Lewin said that “after [kosher slaughter,] animals may move, but when an animal moves that does not mean it is conscious.� The video appears to corroborate PETA’s allegation that factory workers cut off the ears of cows while the cows are still moving. Other footage appears to show a worker using a metal device -- a hook, according to PETA -- to reach into the throats of the animals after the cut but before the animals stopped moving. The most controversial scenes from the 2004 video showed a worker using a hook to pull out a moving cow’s trachea. AgriProcessors had promised to stop the practice. Among the critics of the new footage is animal rights expert Temple Grandin, who was also a prominent critic of AgriProcessors after the release of the 2004 video. She visited the Iowa plant last year, after a series of reforms had been implemented, and gave it a clean bill of health. Now, in response to the new footage, she is again criticizing the company. “They’re not working on fixing the details of their procedure,� Grandin told the Forward. “Now, it’s
Overweight? 4,500 in your spare time.
Earn up to $ t t t t t
)FBMUIZ NFO XPNFO "HFT UP /PO TNPLFST 0WFSOJHIU TUBZT SFRVJSFE "TTJTU NFEJDBM SFTFBSDI
Ask about our referral program!
nowhere near as bad as the other AgriProcessors thing. I would label that atrocious. This I would label poor.� The kosher slaughter at the Nebraska plant is certified by a number of Orthodox authorities, including the leading kosher certifier, the Orthodox Union. In 2004, the O.U. initially defended AgriProcessors but soon thereafter assumed a more critical stance, demanding that changes be implemented. The CEO of the O.U.’s kosher division, Menachem Genack, told the Forward that he had not had a chance to watch the new video. He said that after hearing from PETA, he had asked one of his inspectors to go to the plant. Genack said that based on what he had learned, “this is nothing like the same story as Postville.� A spokesman for a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture, Amanda Eamich, said that her agency had sent a veterinarian to the Nebraska plant after receiving the PETA complaint. Eamich said that her agency is “reviewing the procedures� at the Nebraska plant but has not made any conclusions. In 2004, PETA complained to the local prosecutor in Iowa and to the USDA. A USDA investigation found that the plant had “engaged in acts of inhumane slaughter.� Editor’s note: Neither Rabbi Jonathan Gross nor Rabbi Mendel Katzman was available for comment. This article originally appeared in the Forward and at www.forward.com and is reprinted with permission.
something special about that, too. If all of that isn’t quite enough, don’t forget the birthday cake! I haven’t been in on the refreshment details, but let’s face it boys and girls -- no birthday celebration, Jewish or otherwise, is complete without refreshments. And while I don’t have exact information about cake or cookies or any other goodies, I happen to know who’s in charge, and all I can tell you is, Martha Stewart herself couldn’t do a better table. There will be so much to see and hear and enjoy, I’m positive it will be outstanding. The NJHS has done much through the past 25 years to record our history, to make safe and permanent storage of valuable and irreplaceable documents and photographs. Our community can take great pride in the professional way the organization has strived for an accurate history of the earliest citizens, knowing the present and the future will also be properly and duly noted Don’t forget the date: Sunday, Aug. 5, 2 p.m., at the JCC. Oh, one last thing: you don’t have to bring a present ... just come to the party. Bert Lewis can be reached at BertLewis39@aol.com.
Athletes who died in Maccabiah bridge accident memorialized
Australian Ambassador to Israel James Larsen views the memorial to Australian victims of the 1997 Maccabiah Games bridge collapse during a commemorative ceremony in Israel on July 13. The 16th annual Games were held in Rome last week; Omahans Justin Jacobson and Zach Muskin represented the USA on its basketball team. Credit: Philip Foxman
You are invited as the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Celebrates its 25th Anniversary at their Annual Meeting And Opening of an Exhibit and Dessert Reception Sunday, August 5, 2007 at 2 p.m. JCC Auditorium
There Was Film in the Camera A Collection of Over 500 Photographs by the late Gary Gerelick in the JCC Gallery Open to the Public
CALL TODAY at 1-800-609-7297 3PTF 4USFFU -JODPMO t www.mdsparticipants.com T o g e t h e r
w e ’ r e
m a k i n g
l i v e s
b e t t e r .
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 20, 2007
No Frills, Temple Israel ease the way for local refugees to shop
Tisha b’Av observances at Beth Israel include prayers and movies
especially difficult hardships. by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Lutheran Family Services staff memNo Frills Supermarkets now sells jas- bers often accompany refugees on their mine rice and goat meat. The stores also first shopping trips. The immigrants not try to have some whole fish available as only are able to buy needed products at a well as the usual filleted selections. These reduced price, they also learn how to products were not ordinarily found on the shop in a new culture and how to use grocery shelves until Rich Juro, CEO and electronic payment methods. No Frills’ generosity allows Lutheran chairman of No Frills, offered discounts Family Services “to stretch the refugees’ to refugees from Burma and Burundi. Upon reading in the Jewish Press that accounts for other necessities such as Mimi Silverman heads a task force on rent, utilities, and other expenses,” behalf of Temple Israel to assist refugees explained Vandenberg. from Darfur who have settled in Omaha, Juro, who started No Frills with his Juro called her. Arrangements were then father-in-law Harold Cooperman, in made by Silverman, Juro, and Lutheran 1980, said the locally-owned supermarFamily Services’ refugee services program ket chain is involved in many community manager Jeff Vandenberg for No Frills to activities including sponsoring events like give Lutheran Family Services a 25% dis- Kidz Explore, the Henry Doorly Zoo count on groceries the Halloween party, local agency purchases to stock theater productions, exhibits like Bob the pantries of newly arriving Builder at the Omaha refugees. At this time, Children’s Museum, and refugees from Darfur are the Omaha Jazz Festival. not being actively resetJuro added that No Frills tled here due to the extreme difficulty of leavalso does fund raising for ing that area of Africa. the Omaha Food Bank, Lutheran Family SerMuscular Dystrophy vices receives $425 per Association, the Alzperson from the American heimer’s Association, and government for reception CEO Rich Juro says No Frills pro- the Salvation Army. and placement of refugees. viding discount to Darfur refugees. “Personally and corpoWith this money and a subsidy from rately, we’ve had good lives,” Juro Lutheran Family Services, each refugee explained, “and I feel an obligation to family is given a gift card purchased from give back to the community, especially to No Frills at a 25 percent discount. those in need.” He pointed out that In addition, thirty $50 gift cards were introducing refugees to No Frills is also a purchased with donations made by mem- good business decision. “No Frills in very proud to help newlybers of Temple Israel’s congregation and given to Lutheran Family Services arrived political refugees as another Refugee Program for newcomers facing aspect of our community activities.”
by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Services, prayers, class, discussion and movies. Beth Israel has a series of events scheduled during Tisha B’Av and the community is invited to attend. Tisha b’Av commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. “For me, this is one of the saddest days,” said Rabbi Jonathan Gross. “On this day, you fast and observe the customs of one in mourning. In effect, you’re ‘sitting Shiva.’” On Monday, July 23, 8:30 p.m., is Minchah/Ma’ariv, followed by Eicha. The fast begins at 8:50 p.m. There will be a class, prayers, discussions and a series of films offered throughout the day on Tuesday, July 24. Shacharit is at 7 a.m., followed by a class, Kinnot and the meaning of Tisha b’Av. From 10 a.m. to noon, there will be Tisha b’Av topics and short films. Gross emphasized the importance of Kinnot. “The prayers, called ‘Kinnot,’ are poems that were composed over the ages,” explained Gross. “They were written to commemorate many tragedies that have happened, including the destruction of the Temples. The Holocaust, the Chmielnicki Massacres of Eastern Europe in the 17th century, and the Jewish expulsions from England and Spain, in the 13th and 15th centuries, respectively -- all are included.” He added that, “The idea of reading all these Kinnot is to commemorate and feel as if these tragedies have happened to us.
Miss Patty Party For Your Whole Family Join over 15 Omaha Jewish musicians who will lead us in song to celebrate the music Patty Nogg taught us!
We’re trying to identify with our ancestors so that their pain, as well as their memories, is not forgotten.” Starting in the afternoon, a three films will be shown. “I think movies are good for Tisha b’Av,” said Gross. “What better way to relive historic events than to watch movies about historic periods. The day has been set up for active learning in the morning, followed by a switch to movies as the day goes on.” The film Conspiracy, an Emmy Award winning HBO feature film based on the account of a meeting that resulted in Hitler’s “final solution” will be shown on Tuesday, noon. The movie The House on Garibaldi Street is 4 p.m. The film involves the discovery of a Nazi war criminal hiding in Argentina. “These two movies go together well,” noted Gross. “Together, they show the evil of Adolph Eichmann.” The last movie, The Remains of the Day, is at 7 p.m. The movie is set just prior to World War II and is about a large English estate run by a disciplined butler. The estate is owned by Lord Darlington, who has misguided loyalties to Nazi Germany. “This movie also illustrates the civilized calculation that went in to planning the atrocities that were perpetrated by the Nazis,” Gross added. Ma’ariv is at 9:30 p.m. followed by a Break-the-Fast dinner; cost is $5 per person. The fast ends at 9:37 p.m. To RSVP or for information, call the office at 556.6288.
MARRIAGE RAKSIN/KITSON Lena Sara Raksin and John Samuel Kitson were married May 25 at the Newberry Library in Chicago. R a b b i Michael Tillman performed the wedding. The bride, daughter of Irina and L e o n i d Raksin, graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln with a B.S. in Design. She is a project manager at Gensler in Chicago. Her attendants included Olga Borovski, Katerina Goldman, Anne O’Brien, and Louise Wood, sister of the groom. The bride’s grandparents are Mikhail Raksin of
Brooklyn, NY, the late Sara Raksin, and the late Yakov and Maria Rozin. The groom, son of Dawn and David Collins, of Huddersfeld, England, earned a B.S. in Architecture from Birmingham, UCE, England, and a Masters of Architecture from Huddersfield University, England. He is an architect at Perkins + Will in Chicago. His attendants were Patrick Branagan, Barry Praeuner, Ross Doegan, and Alex Raksin, and brother of the bride. The groom’s grandparents are Sylvia Turner, the late Edwin Turner, and the late Bernice and John Kitson. Following a honeymoon in Portugal, the couple made their home in Chicago.
Christopher A. Stanosheck, D.D.S. 9202 West Dodge Road Suite 201 Omaha, NE 68114 402.884.1607 www.thesmiledesignstudio.com
Tuesday,August 21 5:30 - 7 p.m. • JCC Pavilion Bring your own Picnic Dinner Free Dessert provided by Blue Bunny
You are the most powerful influencein your child’s daily life. Kids who learn from their parents or care-givers about the risks of drugs are:
ASK FOR...
•36% less likely to smoke •marijuana than kids who don’t
TONI ROSEN
•50% less likely to use inhalants
MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CAREER SALES
•56% less likely to use cocaine •65% less likely to use LSD
For Experienced Professional Service In The Sale Of Your Home
Sponsored by the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Appreciation Fund
Res: 334-7257 Bus: 498-8300
For more information call:
1-800-648-4444 http://www.prevlink.org
July 20, 2007
ORGANIZATIONS WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going to the Ameristar Casino on Thursday, please meet at the JCC at 8:45 a.m. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. If you have any Yiddish books you would like to donate, please call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Reminder: Luncheon Meeting is Friday, July 20, 12:30 p.m., at the Venice Inn. Visions invites you to Lauritzen Gardens Botanical Center on Monday, July 30 (gather at 9:45 a.m.; the Tram will leave at 10 a.m.) Lunch follows at Lucky's Restaurant (1001 Pacific). Cost of $20 includes lunch, tax, tip and gardens admission (if you have a current membership to the Lauritzen Gardens, bring your card, and your cost is $13 per person). Send reservations to Sissy Silber, 311 Oakridge Ct., Bellevue, NE 68005 by July 25. For questions, call Doris Alloy at 697.8709 and for rides call Betty Kolnick at 553.4748. Brownville Concert Series presents The Great American Songbook with Tom Michael and Beckie Menzie on Sunday, Aug. 12 in historic Brownville Nebraska; dinner follows at Jack and Mary’s. The cost of $35 includes transportation, show admission, dinner, tax and tips. Depart from the JCC at noon (be at the JCC by 11:45 a.m.) and return approximately at 7 p.m. Send reservations to Rose Pitlor, 827 Dillon Dr., Omaha, NE 68132 by July 26. For questions. call Ethel Goldston at 393.7358; for rides, call Betty Kolnick at 553.4748. Make all checks payable to Visions. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Dr. Guy Matalon will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, July 25, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Marty Ricks, chairman. Matalon recently led an educators mission to Israel; he and one of the teachers from the mission will discuss their whirlwind trip. All men and women in the community are invited to attend. Cost is $12 for a complete lunch and $3 for beverage service only.
BIRTH Sara Borodin and Dan Chandler, of Silver Spring, MD, announce the June 18 birth of their son, Jacob Borodin Chandler. His Hebrew name is Israel Eli, named for his great-grandfathers, Israel Borodin and Edward Chandler. Grandparents are Barbara and Allen Chandler, Deerfield, IL, and Judy and Allan Borodin, Toronto, Canada. Great-grandparents are Zena and Bennett Fishbain, Las Vegas, NV, and Blanche Fersh of Rockville, MD
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
ENGAGEMENTS WEES/FRIEDMAN Joye and Steven Wees announce the engagement of their daughter, Shoshana Wees, to Corey Friedman, son of Diane Friedman of Skokie, Illinois, and the late Julian Jay Friedman The bride-to-be graduated from the University of Illinois. She also earned a Masters at the University of Chicago. She works at Kraft Foods. She is the granddaughter of Aileen and Stanley Shmuger of St. Louis, MO, Elizabeth Wees of Michigan and the late Edward Wees. Her fiancé received a BA at the University of Illinois and earned a Masters from the University of Chicago. He works for Standard & Poor’s. He is the grandson of Eleanor Saunders of Glencoe, IL, and the late Elmer Saunders and the late Esther and Nathan Friedman. An October wedding is planned in Omaha. KRAMER/EPSTEIN Susan and Allyn Kramer of Dallas, TX, and Lisa and Gary D. Epstein announce the engagement of their children, Andrea Hirsch Kramer and Robert Dustin Epstein. The bride-tobe is the granddaughter of Katherine Bauer and the late Henry Bauer and the late Ann and Benjamin Kramer. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in human development and family studies, with an emphasis in child development. She is currently a preschool teacher at School for Friends in Washington, D.C. Her fiancé is the grandson of Etta and Harold Epstein and the late Mimi and George Malacoff. He earned a BS in political science from the University of WisconsinMadison and is currently a third-year law student at the Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. A March 1, 2008, wedding is planned in Dallas, TX.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office will be closed Monday, Sept. 3 for Labor Day; the Jewish New Year’s issue publishes Sept. 7. All synagogue schedules and board lists are due no later than Aug. 10. Questions? Call 334.6448.
Yachad gets a taste of Israel from JCC shlicha by DUANE J. PIEPER in Israel’s landscapes, history, and archaeological Along with the ethnic foods which the Yachad mem- remains. The members traveled vicariously from the bers ate, members received a taste of what life is like in snowy peaks of Mt. Hermon down to the coral reefs of Israel from Zohar Winer, the JCC shlicha. It was an the Red Sea in Eilat. It was a memorable afternoon filled with the sights, engaging presentation beginning with her roots in sounds, and culinary delights Rishon LeZion, near Tel Aviv, of Israel. The members appreto growing up in Kibbutz Bet ciated Winer for bringing the Hashita in the north of Israel. experience alive for them. The members enjoyed hearThey were very interested in ing about Zohar’s reflections all she had to share and began on her life and also the opporimagining the possibility of a tunity to see pictures of her visit to Israel, so significant to family and friends. Viewing their own heritage and history. clips of IDF operations and The event concluded with a hearing about Winer’s own fun-filled Israeli game of “Salat three years of service in the Peyrot” and the members military put everything into historical and political per- Jeff Steinberg, left, Avi Wolfson, Josh Parsow, Grace and learned a few new Hebrew spective for the Yachad mem- Nancy Isler, Jillian and Lisa Salomon, seated, learn words which they can add to bers. their vocabulary. The next about Israel from Zohar Winer, JCC shlicha, center. An aerial DVD odyssey, Yachad gathering will be to see accompanied by some of Israel’s most beloved music, the musical production of Fiddler on the Roof. gave Yachad an overview of the Promised Land. Call Jewish Family Service at 334.6491 for a list of Stunning photography captured the vast diversity found future Yachad events.
Independently Owned and Operated
VALENTINE’S DAY IN JULY?
Make your 2008 Valentine’s Day extra special with our special Valentine’s Day Cruise. Reserve your place this month for special pricing and many extras.
Call now! Ralph and Laura Williams
Out
402-334-4120 Toll Free: 866-334-4190
Dining
rwilliams@cornerstoneglobalcruising.com • www.cornerstoneglobalcruising.com
THE GREEK ISLANDS 3821 CENTER • 346-1528 Greek Specials Daily Greek Beer & Wine Homemade Pastries Dine In/Carry Out Party Room We Cater Too! Full Service Bar Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Fine Indian Cuisine and Indian Fusion Full Bar and Wine List
Traditional Ales Patio is now open Lunch Thurs, Fri.: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dinner Sun.-Thurs.: 5:30-9:45 p.m. Dinner Fri., Sat.: 5:30-10:45 p.m.
Half Pound Hot Pastromi or www.jaipurbrewhouse.com
Corned Beef Sandwich, Chips & Soft Drink
5
10922 Elm Street Rockbrook Village 108th and W. Center Rd.
402/392-7331
$ 99 Offer expires 7/31/07
Spirit World 7517 Pacific Street • 391-8680 www.spiritworldwine.com
SERVING HANDSTRETCHED N.Y. STYLE PIZZA FOR 20 YEARS!
7834 W. DODGE ST. • 391-1881 12997 W. Center Rd. • 330-1444 1213 Howard St. • 344-2222
DINE IN / CARRY OUT / DELIVERY WE DELIVER DOWNTOWN
Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
OUR GOAL $18.5 MILLION RAISED TO DATE $14.5 MILLION
July 20, 2007
July 20, 2007
THE ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME BUILDING CAMPAIGN
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
Jewish Senior Services THE ROSE B LUMKIN JEWISH H OME
Names of donors to the New Beginning will be inscribed on the Menorah Wall in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. For just as one cruse of oil gave light for longer than expected, each individual gift to the Blumkin Home gives light for generations. Today we recognize and thank these contributors. $1,000,000 and above $100,000 to $249,999 $25,000 to $49,999
$10,000 to $24,999
$2,500 to $4,999
Under $2,500
Under $2,500
Under $2,500
Under $2,500
Under $2,500
Norman & Frances Batt* Florence* & Herman Goldstein Jeanie Neff Ellen & Tom Neuman The Silverman Family Stanley & Norma Silverman Jeffrey Silverman
Jan & Les Schneiderman Milton & Maxine Simons Janet & Jerry Slusky Maury* & Joan Udes
Bruce Meyers Joseph & Tina Meyers Steve & Delores Redler Toni Rosen Phyllis Schwartz Michael & Mimi Silverman Ramon & Susan Somberg Bud Studna Irvin & Annette Yaffe Dick & Terry Zacharia
Jodi & Rachel Brodsky Fred & Sandra Bromley Larry & Judy Brookstein Maralyn Burr Jeffrey & Sharon Cannon David & Reva Chapman Steve & Debra Chasen William & Doris Cohen Jeffrey & Pam Cohn Larry & Ida Cohoon Jeffrey & Pam Cohn Alex Cooper David & Sarita Cooper Jeff & Susie Cooper Justin & Joan Cooper Meyer & Fran Coren Sheldon & Rae Coren Betty Cutler Rose Davis Sylvia Davis Richard Diamond Jacque Dolgoff David Dvorkin Robert & Janice Egermayer Steve & November Eisenberg Iosif & Klara Elkin Bob & Lois Endelman Randy & Penny Endelman Arnold & Helen Epstein Audrey Epstein Edith Epstein Jack & Lucille Epstein Melvin & Lois Epstein Sam & Rosalie Epstein Abram Erlich Mary Etus Lou Fedman Sam Fedman Mildred Feidman Lillian Feldman Marla Feldman Stanley Feltman Leo & Annette Fettman Alexander & Ellie Fields Paul & Sally Fine
Leonard & Helen Finkel Evelyn Finkelstein Pierre & Claire Flatowicz Irving Forbes Amy Forss Harold & Ruth Fox Sally Fredricks Marshall & Norma Fried Doris Friedland Walter & Alice Friedlander Arthur & Sheryl Friedman Gloria Friedman Scott & Debbie Friedman Marlen Frost Harry & Linda Gates Andrew & Julie Gelbman Leonard & Adele Gelbman Hymie Gendler Lawrence Gendler & Tamara Field Eitan & Chris Gill Stu & Barb Giller Donna Givner Sherman & Darlene Golbitz Alan & Gloria Goodman Dee Goodman Robert & Barbara Goodman Bruce & Sandy Gordon Yale & Irene Gotsdiner Jack & Bernice Green Andrew & Carole Greenberg Shirley Greenberger Gerald & Linda Gross Alex & Mary Sue Grossman The Barry Grossman Family Ethel Grossman Josh & Amanda Gurock Bruce & Margie Gutnik Howard & Carol Halperin Marc & Andrea Hamburg Eva Handelman Michael & Tiffany Hoberman Bonnie Horwich Art & Ronnie Jacobson Leonard & Eileen Jacobson
Jewish Federation of Lincoln Leslie & Sharon Joseph Ann Kaiman Joan Kaiman Leo Kamisar Howard Kaplan Rose Kaplan Sandy & Frankie Kasin Richard & Sue Katelman Melvin & Pola Katskee Milton & Judy Katskee Nan Katz Tom & Gail Kenkel Kidwell Electric Frances Kimmel Adam & Nikki Kirshenbaum Matthew & Jenn Kirshenbaum Thomas & Kate Kirshenbaum Milton & Marsha Kleinberg Leonid & Marina Konfisakhar Charlotte Slutzky Koom Larry & Georgine Koom Joseph & Leah Kosinovsky Harold & Alice Kosowsky Jack & Bette Kozlen Ruth Kraft Leonard & Peggy Krasne Lloyd & Edythe Krasne Stanley & Angie Krieger Alan & Jane Kulakofsky Allen & Sandra Kurland Jordana Kurtzman Harriet Kutler Howard & Nancy Kutler Sol & Cherie Kutler Eyov & Stefani Lailari Ben & Grace Lebowich Joe & Cait Leff Hugh & Corinne Levin Michael Levine Michael Levine Vidar & Vera Levit Vera Lewis Lisa Lieb Libby Lincoln Harvey & Marcia Lipsman Stephen & Doris Lubman Todd & Wendy Manvitz Gerald & Judith Marburg Irv & Harriet Marcus Myron & Harriet Marko Victor Mashbein Sheldon & Sally Masnek Boris May John & Nanette McCollister Boris May Esther Meiches Maurice & Rosalie Meiches Alexander Mesishchev & Tatyana Ayol Gerald Meyer Bernice Milder Carl & Rhoda Milder Paul & Ellie Militzer
Alex Miller Marian Miller Evie & Stan Mitchell Alan & Linda Muskin Jeanette Nadoff Paul Nathan Don & Ozzie Nogg Jack & Maxine Noodell Linda Novak Rita Novak Bob & Donna Olesh Reva Oruch Donald & Ann Osborne Bede Ostrow Pardes Foundation Margo Parsow Elinore Penner Penner Patient Care Vicki Perlmeter Cheryl Phillips Jim & Gerri Phillips Gilda Pieck Matt & Kimberly Placzek Gary & Karen Plotkin Joseph & Bluma Polonski Donald & Corrine Polsky Alan Potash & Amy Nachman Julie Potash Merle & Ruth Potash Ray & Gwendolyn Pred Lola Reinglas Lorraine Reiss Miles & Eileen Remer Juliana Reno Merilee Rimerman Nancy Rips Stuart Rochman Normand & Phyllis Roffman Lawrence & Betty Roitstein Kenneth Rosen Shelia Rosen Dottie Rosenblum Rachel Rosenberg Richard & Doris Rosinsky Mark & Alla Rubezhin Judy Rubin Michael & Marina Sadofsky Selma Sadofsky Janette Salkin Ernie & Rosalie Saltzman Betty Sanford Mark Sanford Lisa Scheet Ben & Beatrice Schneider Edward & Carol Schneider Debra Schwartz Solomon Schwartz Charles Scudder Harold & Lois Selner Larry & Sherry Shapiro Maximo & Jeanne Shechet Marc & Claudia Sherman Lisa Shkolnick Josie Shrago
Michael Shrier Michael & Andrea Siegel Howard & Sissy Silber James & Susan Silverman Lorraine Silverman* Joie Simon Tootie Simon Anne Skolkin Barry & Frances Snyder Cari Sommer Albert & Shirley Sorkin Marrian Spiegal Ninella Spivak Dorothy Spizman Arthur & Lorraine Stein Edith Stein Phyllis Steinberg Rocky Stern Richard & Judith Stern Esther Stoler Hyman & Marlene Sukiennik Bill & Jill Swanberg Melvin & Baylamae Tatelman Scott Tatelman Marvin & Barbara Taxman Steven & Marilyn Tipp Margarita Treskunova Eitan & Eadie Tsabari Stewart & Judy Tully Bernard & Tevee Turkel Arthur & Mary Lou Walker Marty & Marilyn Warren Helen Weber Phyllis Weinberg Harry & Kathy Weiner Marvin Weiner Chris & Allyson Wilczewski Norman & Lois Wine Ernest Wintroub Leon & Sally Wintroub Douglas & Sarah Wolfson Jeremy & Annette Wright Harold & Phyllis Zabin Steven & Kathleen Zalkin Evelyn Zysman
$500,000 to $999,999 The Baker Family Henry Davis Friedland Family Foundation David & Nancy Friedland Matt & Paula Boggust Ted & Jamie Friedland Gary & Melissa Steiner Milton S & Corinne N Livingston Foundation Edward & Sally Malashock Bob & Phyllis Newman Phil & Terri Schrager
$250,000 to $499,999 Harold Cooperman* Tom & Darlynn Fellman Ike* & Roz Friedman Family The Goldstein Family Leonard & Shirley Goldstein Donald & Ann Goldstein Howard & Sharon Kooper The Kirshenbaum Family Joe & Maxine Kirshenbaum Jeff & Sharon Kirshenbaum Jeff & Susie Raizner Ken & Debbie Shonfeld Sharee & Murray Newman Noddle Family Foundation Nancy Noddle Marvin & Susie Levine Jay & Kim Noddle Larry & Silvia Roffman & Family Millard & Beverly Seldin Slosburg Family Charitable Trust
Joe & Ruth Erman Michael & Jill Erman Carl Frohm Memorial Foundation Rabbi Myer Kripke Stuart & Bettie Muskin Allan Noddle The Riekes Family Henry* & Dorothy Riekes Steven J. & Margo Riekes Carl & ZoĂŤ Riekes Alberto & Nancy Riekes Calderon Charles & Cynthia Schneider The Sherman Family Irvin* & Phyllis Sherman Michael & Patty Sherman & Family Stephen & Gaye Sherman & Family Mark I. Sherman & Family Daniel & Usha Sherman & Family Special Donor-Advised Fund of the JFO Foundation Irv & Gail Veitzer Norman & Joodi Veitzer & Scott Veitzer
$50,000 to $99,999 Steve & Carol Bloch The Epstein Family Harold & Etta Epstein Paul & Sandy Epstein Gary & Lisa Epstein Julius Froom* and Minnie & Phil Freeman* Endowment Fund Nelson & Linda Gordman The Kahn/Stiss Family Hugo & Lis Kahn Joseph & Eleahn Kahn Sol & Therese Stiss Joseph Kirshenbaum Harold & Linda Mann Milton & Rosalie Saylan Harley & Beth Schrager Bruce & Anne Shackman Gerald & Judy Simons Sherman & Harriett Sperling
Sandra Belgrade The Epstein Family Charlotte Adler Bob & Bobbie Epstein Keith & Kathy Liberman Andy & Carol Shovers Stuart & Elizabeth Bohart Jeffrey & Laurie Epstein Michael & Melissa Schop The Farber Family Jim & Judy Farber Nancy Farber Noddle The Friedman Family Sandy & Amy Friedman Roger & Linda Friedman Steve & Gail Friedman Keith & Judy Josephson David Keiser & Lillian Keiser Stoms Foundation – Mrs. Albert Clayman Allen & Cindy Morris Jeff & Jennifer Clayman Maury* & Madeline Katzman L.O.V.E. David & Sue Meyers NCJW Sol Parsow The Platt Family The Sheldon Family Norman & Suzy Sheldon Adam & Wendy Raffle Lisa Sheldon Morley & Charlotte Zipursky
$10,000 to $24,999 Bob Belgrade Ron & Beth Brodkey Jerold & Janey Dann George Eisenberg & Family Cece Belrose Joe Eisenberg Steve Eisenberg David & Judi Goldstein Gary & Barbara Goldstein Howard & Jan Goldstein Jerry & Linda Gordman Richard & Joanie Jacobson Gary Javitch Marcel & Ilse Kahn Howard Kaiman Kevee & Myrna Kirshenbaum The Kotok/Zeffren Family David & Shane Kotok Dorothy Kotok Jerry* & Rosalyn Zeffren Shirley Kulakofsky John & Sandra Lehr Steve & Thelma Lustgarten Jerry & Fran Milder Lyra Ann Monasee Steve & Patty Nogg Martin & Iris Ricks Jonathan & Stacey Rockman
$5,000 to $9,999 Leon & Eleanor Alexander Bernie Altsuler Bruce Belgrade Albert Bloch The Cohen Family Alan & Anne Cohen Marty & Elizabeth Cohen Jean Duitch Richard & Bev Fellman Lloyd & Lois Friedman Gerald & Cookie Hoberman Jerry & Sylvia Kaiman Michael & Carol Katzman Lawrence & Leann Kelberg Neal & Jody Malashock Fefe Passer Susan Rothholz Elliott & Betty Rubin Lillian Weinstein* Mort Zuber
$2,500 to $4,999 Michael & Sheri Abramson Peter & Carol Brodkey Jay & Peggy Chasen Ronald & Cheryl Cooper Howard & Sharon Epstein Joanne & Jerry Freeman Rosalie & Bud Greenspan Sylvia Jess Bernice Kaplan Myron Kaplan Robert Kaplan John Katelman Rose Katzman Barbara Lashinsky Robert & Norma Malashock
Under $2,500 Aaron Ferer & Sons Co. Harold & Helen Abrahamson Louise Abrahamson Harold & Helen Abrahamson Jeffrey & Susan Aizenberg Lawrence & Paula Albert David & Carol Alloy Harry & Doris Alloy Samuel & Bette Alloy John & Marti Rosen-Atherton Millie Altman AmSan Ruth Babendure Arnold & Shelly Ban Donald N. & Diane Axler Baum Marshall & Virginia Becker Jack & Ann Belmont Ben & Elizabeth Belmont Terry & Joanie Bernstein Thomas & Mary Bernstein Shirley Bittner Larry & Claire Blass Mike & Joann Blatt Rachel Blum Bernard & Esther Bogdanoff Cindy Bogdanoff Gaston & Lena Bogomolni Marian Bookey Howard Borden Vasili & Natalie Borovski James & Marge Bresel Jack & Florence Brody
Take this opportunity to add your name to the list.
THE ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME BUILDING CAMPAIGN To help us make a New Beginning for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, send your pledge today. Donations are payable over three years. _______________________________________________________________________________________| Name
I hereby pledge to pay the sum of $___________
________________________________________________|______________________|______|____________|_____________________|____________________ Address City State Zip Code Phone Number Email __________________________________________________________________|____________________| May we publish your name? Yes___| No___| Signature Date
Contributions may also be made by calling New Beginning General Chairman Howard Kooper, 392-1800 or Community Campaign Co-Chairmen, Sandy and Paul Epstein, 397-2528 and Joanie and Richard Jacobson, 554-0500. Donations can be made by check or credit card*. Please send your check to: Jewish Federation of Omaha | 333 South 132nd Street | Omaha, NE 68154 *Credit card payments can be made online at www.jewishomaha.org or by calling 402/334-6436
* Of Blessed Memory | Donations received by July 16 are included in this ad.
Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 20, 2007
Who’s the real “sicko”? Much fanfare is accompanying the release of Michael Moore’s new “documentary”, Sicko. We use the word “documentary” loosely, since Moore (not exactly a poster boy for good health habits) plays fast and loose with his facts. For example, his little jaunt to Cuba takes American patients to Guantanamo which currently houses prisoners from the war in Afghanistan, but it’s actually United States territory, not Cuban. Why didn’t Moore take his patients to rural Cuba to wait for free healthcare there. Come to think of it, why did Fidel Castro call in a doctor from Venezuela if health care is so wonderful in Cuba? Another example is Moore’s touting of socialized medicine in countries like Britain and Canada. The United Kingdom, however, has long offered private medical care, as well as “free” care (its “free” medical care, by the way, comes at a steep price -- high taxes for everyone, including the middle class). Individuals and families can purchase private medical insurance, use private doctors, and even a private hospital (there’s one in St. John’s Wood, a nearby suburb of London, where wealthy sheiks can be seen pacing the hallways waiting for their loved ones to recover). Even Sweden is considering offering a private-pay option to its citizens who are tired of waiting months for life-saving operations and procedures. And Canadians often wind up in the U.S. for treatment. Moore’s political philosophy comes out sounding like a 2007 version of Marxism, where there is no individual choice and everyone get the same treatment (whether they need it or want it). He espouses one singlepayer system for health care. The U.S. govern-
ment already controls 40% of America’s health care through Medicare and Medicaid, so we have to ask: Is it a good idea for the government to control it all? We agree that the current health care system needs to be fixed, but it’s the CEOs of major health insurance companies who are raking in the big bucks, not hospitals and not doctors. The days of fabulously high incomes for doctors are over. Just ask radiologists what their cost of medical malpractice insurance is or what the health insurance companies reimburse their practices for a procedure like a biopsy for breast cancer. Or ask pediatricians why they’re opting out of hospital-based practices -- could it be the insurance companies insistence on seeing 10 patients an hour (for an average of six minutes each) or the increasing load of paperwork? In fact, most hospitals find themselves in the position of having to raise charges to those who have insurance in order to cover those who can’t or won’t pay (and among them are many, many illegal immigrants). We don’t think a single-payer, government-run health care system is the answer. Compare it to getting a passport today; that government department’s bureaucrats knew of the change of rules requiring passports for visiting Canada, Mexico and the Carribean, yet neglected to hire additional personnel to process requests. Or how about the U.S. Post Office which trucks the weekly issues of the Jewish Press to Des Moines for sorting,
The challenge of Tisha b’Av
ANOTHER P OINT OF VIEW by RABBI JONATHAN GROSS In May of 1865 a day was set aside to mourn the loss of all those who died in the Civil War. This day came to be known as Memorial Day. You can imagine the solemnity of the early memorial days with the ground still moist from the blood of the war and not a single American alive who was not directly affected by the immense casualties. As the years went by and with the gradual passing on of the Civil War veterans, many continue to observe this hallow day by visiting cemeteries for Veterans. However, for some this day has become a day of vacation from work with picnics and BBQs. After the dust had settled from World War II, the state of Israel declared that the 27th day of the month of Nissan would be known as Yom Hashoah, a day to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust in Europe. With the Holocaust fresh in our national consciousness and with hardly a Jewish person alive who did not personally know a survivor, it would have been unthinkable to go a year without being part of a Yom Hashoah program. The sad reality is that every year there are fewer and fewer survivors with us to recount their stories and remind us never to forget those who perished. Eventually the youth of today will be faced with the inevitable challenge of having to observe the first Yom Hashoah without a survivor. How can we work today to ensure that Yom Hashoah will always maintain the same degree of solemnity and not gradually lose its significance and devolve into an ordinary day? This year, sundown Monday, July 23, until nightfall of July 24, marks the ninth day of the month of Av, Tisha b’Av. This day of mourning and repentance commemorates a number
of tragedies that occurred throughout Jewish history. We remember the Jewish persecutions and expulsions from England and Spain, the massacres and pogroms in Eastern Europe and most notably the destructions of the First and Second Temples in 586 BCE and 70 CE respectively. On this somber day, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, we fast to identify with the suffering, we observe the rituals of mourning to identify with the grief, and we revisit and lament the tragic episodes of our collective past as if we ourselves experienced them. We teach and learn about the past not as history but rather as memories. The goal of the day is not only to know what happened, but to actually feel what happened. The global Jewish community has invested hundreds of millions of dollars on museums and education for Jews and non-Jews alike with the purpose of ensuring that future generations will never forget the victims of the Holocaust. Tisha b’Av is the litmus test. If our generation can continue to pay tribute to the destructions, persecutions, and atrocities of long ago, then we can have confidence that future generations will do the same. If however, we neglect the observances of Tisha b’Av, then how can we honestly demand that successive generations will continue to observe Yom Hashoah? I strongly encourage every Jewish person, no matter what their affiliation, to seek out and attend some Tisha b’Av observance in the community and join Jewish people throughout the world and throughout the ages in our national day of mourning. Fortunately the calendar is filled with many opportunities to celebrate as well, so may we all we blessed to enjoy happy times and festive occasions together as a community in the future. Rabbi Gross is the spiritual leader of Beth Israel Synagogue.
even though two-thirds of those mailed are right here in Douglas County! What can you do -- use the “other” passport department or the “other” postal system? It’s no different than socialized medicine would be! There are other options to consider besides a single-payer system: more competition, not less, through tax breaks to companies and individuals that would create opportunities for insurance companies to offer more plans and more options to more people. Competition is the key here -- not stifling bureacracy.
(Founded in 1920) Howard K. Marcus Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Terri Greenwood Advertising Executive Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Anne Muskin Editorial Intern Jewish Press Committee Bobbi Leibowitz, Vice-Chairman; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Treasurer; Michael Siegel, Finance Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Immediate Past-chairman; David Herzog; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; Eve Randone, Melissa Schop; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is a constitutional committee of the Jewish Federation. Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
Relating Tisha b’Av to environmental crisis
F OCUS ON ISSUES by RICHARD H. SCHWARTZ Tisha B’Av (the ninth day of the month of Av) which we commemorate this year on July 24, reminds us that over 2,000 years ago Jews failed to heed the warnings of the prophet Jeremiah, which resulted in the destruction of the first Temple in Jerusalem. Now the entire world, not just Jerusalem, faces destruction according to many climate scientists and environmentalists -- modern day “Jeremiahs.” Some noted climate experts, including James Hansen of NASA, are warning that global warming could reach a tipping point and spin out of control within a decade, with catastrophic consequences, unless major changes are soon made. In a recent report, 11 retired United States generals and admirals stated that the effects of global climate change, including droughts, flooding, wildfires and severe storms, will sharply increase the number of refugees and increase the prospects for instability, violence, terrorism and war. A recently released United Nations report indicated that the genocidal conflict in Darfur has been driven by climate change and environmental degradation, which threaten to trigger a series of additional wars across Africa unless more of the damage is soon contained. Israel is also endangered since global climate change could reduce the rainfall that Israel is so dependent on and could cause the Mediterranean Sea to rise, threatening the 60 percent of Israelis who live in its coastal plain. Israel also has other major environmental problems. More Israelis die from air pollution than from terrorism and automobile accidents combined and Israeli rivers are badly polluted. Environmentalists are warning about rapid species extinction, destruction of tropical Continued on page 9
Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $33 per calendar year U.S.; $40 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
Award Winner 2006
Nebraska Press Association
National Newspaper Association
July 20, 2007
Relating Tisha b’Av to environmental crisis Continued from page 8 rain forests and other valuable habitats, soil erosion and depletion and many additional environmental threats. Unfortunately, as in the time of Jeremiah, these increasingly strong warnings are generally being ignored. On Tisha b’Av, Jews fast to express their sadness over the destruction of the two Temples and to awaken us to how hungry people feel. So severe are the effects of starvation that the Book of Lamentations (4:10) states that “More fortunate were the victims of the sword than the victims of famine, for they pine away stricken, lacking the fruits of the field.” Yet, today, an estimated 20 million people worldwide die annually because of hunger and its effects, and global warming and widening water shortages threaten to decrease food supplies even further. Jeremiah stressed that people should apply basic Jewish teachings to avoid the looming catastrophe. Today, as well, the application of basic Jewish teachings can help us avoid modern perils. These teachings include: • We are to be co-workers with God in working to protect the environment. • We are to work the land and to guard it (Genesis 2:15); hence, we are to be shomrei adamah, guardians of the Earth. • We are not to waste or unnecessarily destroy anything of value (bal tashchit, based on Deuteronomy 20: 19. 20). Jewish sages connected the word eichah (alas! what has befallen us?) that begins the reading of Lamentations on Tisha b’Av and a word that has the same root ayekah (“Where art thou?”), the question addressed to Adam and Eve after they had eaten the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. In order to avoid having to mournfully recite “eichah” regarding
present threats, perhaps we have to properly respond to “ayekah” today by answering “hineni,” here I am, ready to apply Jewish teachings in response to current environmental threats. The reading of the book of Lamentations on Tisha b’Av is meant to awaken the Jewish people to the need to return to God's ways, by showing the horrors that resulted when God’s teachings were ignored. The readings on Tisha b’Av help to sensitize us so that we will hear the cries of lament and change our ways. Rabbi Yochanan stated, “Jerusalem was destroyed because the residents limited their decisions to the letter of the law of the Torah, and did not perform actions that would have gone beyond the letter of the law” (lifnim meshurat hadin) (Baba Metzia 30b). In this time of major environmental threats, widespread hunger, and epidemics of chronic degenerative diseases, perhaps it is necessary that Jews go beyond the strict letter of the law and play out our mandated role to be a “light unto the nations” in leading in efforts to reduce global warming and other environmental problems. This Tisha b’Av, we should learn from our history and heed the holiday’s basic lesson that failure to respond to proper admonitions can lead to catastrophe. The Jewish people must make tikkun olam (the repair and healing of the planet) a major focus in Jewish life today, and consider personal and societal changes that will start to move our precious, but imperiled, planet to a sustainable path. By doing this, we would be performing a great kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God’s Name). Dr. Schwartz is Professor Emeritus, College of Staten Island, author of several books and 130 articles at www.JewishVeg.com/schwartz.
Boys Town Pediatrics
Freshteh Farahan, M.D. Dr. Farahan is Board Certified in Pediatrics. She received her Medical Degree from TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel and completed her Pediatric Residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.
You may schedule your child’s appointment or a free introductory visit to meet Dr. Farahan by calling 333-0422.
Gold Circle Pediatric Clinic
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: The New York Times of July 9 carried a review of a film called Hot House that goes inside Israeli prisons and examines the lives of Palestinian prisoners. We’re not recommending the film or the review. But we do want to share our feelings with you about the beaming female face that adorns the article. The film is produced by HBO. So it’s presumably HBO’s publicity department that was responsible for creating and distributing a glamor-style photograph of a smiling, contented-looking young woman in her 20s to promote the movie. That female is our child’s murderer. She was sentenced to 16 life sentences or 320 years which she is serving in an Israeli jail. Fifteen people were killed and more than 100 maimed and injured by the actions of this attractive person and her associates. Neither the New York Times nor HBO are likely to give even a moment's attention to the victims of the barbarians who destroyed the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem and the lives of so many victims. So we would be grateful if you would pass along this information and some pictures of our daughter whose name was Malki. She was unable to reach her 20s -- Hamas saw to that. Though she was only 15-years-old when her life was stolen from her and from us, we think Malki was a beautiful young woman, living a beautiful life. We ask your help so that other people -- far fewer than the number who will see the New York Times, of course, can know about her. Please ask your friends to look at the pictures -- some of the very few we have -- of our murdered daughter. They are at
www.kerenmalki.org/photo.htm. And remind them of what the woman in the Israeli prison -- the woman smiling so happily in the New York Times -- said last year. “I’m not sorry for what I did. We’ll become free from the occupation and then I will be free from prison.” With so many voices demanding that Israel release its terrorist prisoners, small wonder she's smiling. Frimet and Arnold Roth Jerusalem, Israel To the Editor: The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has launched a global petition drive among Christians worldwide which will demand that the United Nations take stronger measures to confront Iran’s renegade nuclear program and its president’s incitement to genocide against Israel. “Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for Israel’s destruction and the radical regime in Tehran appears bent on acquiring the nuclear means to carry out this threat,” said Rev. Malcolm Hedding, ICEJ Executive Director. The results will be presented to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other world leaders. The petition calls upon the United Nations “to act without delay to censure and penalize Iran to the fullest extent possible, lest the very body founded to shield nations against such heinous crimes shamefully stands by while another disastrous genocidal attempt against the Jewish people takes shape.” The Web-based component of the petition drive can be accessed at the ICEJUSA site: www.icejusa.org. Elisheva Muller
Omaha Performing Arts Presents 2007 | 2008 Season
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS TO DOZENS OF PERFORMANCES ON SALE JULY 23 Don’t miss your chance to experience:
Mandy Patinkin In Concert Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Dan Zanes and Friends and Many More!
Order tickets soon to reserve the best seats. Visit www.omahaperformingarts.org Season subscriptions still available. An Evening With Judy Collins Legendary folk singer
The Parsons Dance Company Raw energy paired with wondrous athleticism PHOTO: LOIS GREENFIELD
13930 Gold Circle Suite 102 333-0422
Boys Town Pediatrics
The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Cookies Tour Country music legends celebrate the holidays
in partnership with
boystownpediatrics.org
T I C K E T S | 13TH AND DOUGLAS STREETS WWW.TICKETOMAHA.ORG | 402.345.0606
Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 20, 2007
Candlelighting Friday, July 20, 8:34 p.m.
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
Tree of Life Center 2925 Prairie Road Lincoln, NE 68506 613.7443 email: treeoflife.rabbimichael @yahoo.com
If you’re looking at this space, so are others! YOUR AD CAN GO HERE...
to reserve space, call
Allan Handleman, 334.6451, or Terri Greenwood, 334.6559.
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Beth El; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:45 p.m. Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. W E E K D AY S E R V I C E S : Sundays, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; weekdays 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Bible Discussion Group resumes Sunday, Aug. 12. BARBECUE & BARCHU On Friday, July 27, 5:30 p.m., enjoy Shabbat for all ages at Zorinsky Lake. Meet at Shelter #2 (off of 156th St., south of West Center Road). Dinner is 6:15 p.m.; services, 6:45 p.m. Cost: $8.50 for adults; $4 for children five-12; no charge for children younger than five. RSVP by Monday, July 23 to Margie Gutnik in the office, or at programming@bethel-omaha.org. Note: Shabbat services will also be held at 8:30 p.m. at Beth El. HAZAK INSTALLATION Champagne brunch is Sunday, July 29, 11 a.m. Featured speakers are nutritionists Ruth and Irwin Goldenberg. Cost: $11. To RSVP, send a check to Natalie Rubin, 2004 So. 138 Ave. Cir., Omaha NE 68144. For more information, call Gloria Goodman at 333.3351.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.
Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by Harry Wolfson in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Cleo Wolfson. Mincha, 8 p.m. followed by Suedat Shlishit and Gemara class; Havdalah, 9:40 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam” with Rabbi Nadel, 9:45 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. MONDAY: Erev Tisha b’Av: Mincha, 7 p.m. Ma’ariv (fast begins), 8:50 p.m. Eicha, 9 p.m. TUESDAY: Tisha b’Av: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m., followed by class, “Kinnot and the Meaning of Tisha B’Av”, short films, 10 a.m.; Conspiracy, noon; The House of Girabaldi Street, 4 p.m.; Mincha, 6 p.m., followed by class with Rabbi Gross, The Remains of the Day, 7:00 p.m.; Ma’ariv, 9:30 p.m.; dinner, 9:37 p.m.; cost: $5. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Advanced Parsha Study, 7:30 p.m.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.
Lens of Kabbalah, 8 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m. All events and programs are open to the entire community. For information or to register call the office or visit the website.
when there is a Tot Shabbat, Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah, and Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Advance reservations and a $5 donation are appreciated. Sorry, no facilities for infants.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN
Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat evening service 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following provided by Nancy and Mark Intermill. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Game Night/Potluck, 6:00 p.m.; All ages welcome. MONDAY: Erev Tisha b’Av TUESDAYS: Beginner Hebrew: A Crash Course, led by Rabbi Emanuel on Tuesdays, July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 14, 21, and 28, 7 p.m. Reception for award-winning Israeli artist Yoram Gal at SoOh Fine Art Gallery, 137 So. 9 St., 5-8 p.m. THURSDAY: Choir Rehersal, 7 p.m. For more information, call the synagogue office.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m.; SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Living Torah, 9:30 a.m., 20minute video broadcast. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Maamar Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Halacha, 7 p.m. Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m., followed by Eicha. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer Circle Tehillim & More, 9 a.m.; Parshah Roundup: Weekly Torah Portion Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m.; A Peek Through the
Providing medical care A Darfurian baby was born last week at Hadassah University Hospital on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. For the past month, medical staff at Hadassah Hospital have been treating a pregnant refugee from Darfur. Hawa, her husband and two children, escaped Darfur via Egypt to Israel after much of her family was killed. The nearly seven-pound, healthy baby boy was delivered by Caesarian section; all services to the mother and child are being provided at the expense of Hadassah Medical Organization. Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, has been at the forefront of advocating an end to the genocide in Darfur. Prof. Drorit Credit: Hadassah Hochner, holds the baby shortly after his birth.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4:00 p.m.; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Eric Linder will lead the service. D’var Torah: Jane Brooks: “I Never Got to the Rodeo”. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SITTER SERVICE: Available each Friday evening service except
FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours are Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. FRIDAY: Light Nosh, 6:15 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m., Torah service, 10:15 a.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY, Minyan, 9 a.m. Please contact the office if you want to make arrangements for a Minyan at another time. MONDAY: Tisha B’Av services and Eicha, 8:30 p.m. TUESDAY, 5-8 p.m. Reception for award-winning Israeli artist Yoram Gal at SoOh Fine Art Gallery, 137 So. 9 St. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group meets at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Call Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066.
TREE OF LIFE CENTER Services conducted by Rabbi Michael Weisser. FRIDAYS: Sabbath Experience, 7:30 p.m. Havdalah: SATURDAYS: Rites of Separation, 6:30 p.m.; Drumming Meditation follows until 8 p.m.; Social Time until 10 p.m. Sitting/Silent MONDAYS: Meditation, 6 p.m.; Teachings/ Discussion, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAYS: Sitting/ Silent Meditation, 6 p.m.; 8 Weeks to Mindfulness Class, 7:30 p.m.
Champagne brunch, installation on tap for Beth El’s Hazak group by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El’s Hazak group (for congregants ages 55 and up), will be serving up the bubbly with a festive champagne brunch during the organization’s annual installation ceremony, on Sunday, July 29, 11 a.m., at the synagogue. The morning’s featured speakers will be nutritionists Ruth and Irwin Goldenberg, who will offer healthy eating tips. Prior to moving to Omaha sev-
eral years ago, the Goldenbergs owned and operated a health foods store in Lincoln for 17 years; during that time, Irwin earned a Certified Nutritionist Degree from the American Health Institute. In addition, he has been active with Toast Masters for 40 years. Cost is $11; for reservations, send a check to Natalie Rubin, 2004 So. 138 Ave. Cir., Omaha, NE 68144. For information, call Gloria Goodman at 333.3351.
Prayerbooks Available for Visually Impaired The Jewish Heritage for the Blind announced the availability of the High Holiday Machzor in large print and in Braille free of charge for all those who need them. Due to the high expense involved a doctor’s note stating necessity is required. To receive a complimentary Machzor contact our office at 718.338.4999; or fax 718.338.0653; or e-mail to Jewishheritage@gmail.com.
Pulverente MONUMENT CO.
July 20, 2007
The vision: how the present produces the future
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat D’varim/Shabbat Hazon The Sidra gets its name from the first word of the Haftarah for the day. It is the Haftarah that is read before Tisha b’Av, and its first word is quite unusual. Indeed, the Etz Chayyim simply translates Hazon as “the prophesies.� Actually Hazon means “vision,� something that Isaiah saw and somehow internalized and was deeply moved by it. Quite by coincidence, I had a message of a phone call from a childhood friend who now lives in a rest home in California; I will try to call him back. But I remember that when we were in Hebrew school as kids together, he had a remarkable memory. Our teacher required us to memorize large portions of the prophetic literature. I struggled with it. But he could memorize very large portions with ease and recite them as though one turned on the faucet and out came pouring this wonderful passage or another from the great prophetic literature. Since he was very bright, my childhood friend did not simply mouth the words. Indeed, he interpreted them with the intelligence of an adult. Thus this famous passage which opens the Book of Isaiah (Eighth Century BCE, Jerusalem) would come from his memory and his interpretation as though he were a Biblical scholar and interpreter of the Scriptures. His first name was Meyer, spelled “M-e-y-e-r� and we would always be careful to spell each other’s names to avoid error. Putting these pleasantries aside, we almost shudder at Isaiah’s vision. It was one of the first passages of the prophetic literature that I studied as a child, and I wondered how a teacher in the House of Israel could be so angry at his people. Isaiah boldly calls heaven and earth to listen and give witness to what he is about to speak, for he thinks it is of permanent value. He rebukes the people of his time as though they were nothing but sinners. He compares them unfavorably to the ox or the ass, who are wiser and more appreciative than the House of Israel. He reminds them that they have already suffered many defeats at the hands of more powerful nations. What more do you want, he asks. You have no spot on your body that has not already been wounded and not yet bandaged. Your land is laid waste by powerful invaders. Now he turns to his main thrust: you have been careful in observing your festivals and your religious requirements. But they are without heart, without sincerity, without sacrifice of your souls. The Lord now demands of the people that they change their ways, that they turn heart and soul to their God. If this is done, there will be a full change and Jerusalem will be called, the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City. The ancient liturgists could have chosen no more meaningful a passage for the Haftarah before Tisha b’Av. It is an admonition and warning of great solemnity: But it promises redemption and restoration if only the people will repent.
AD vertise in over 170 Nebraska Newspapers for only $195...
DEATHS JUDY KRAFT Judy Kraft died July 9 at the age of 71 in Kansas City, MO, of ALS Lou Gehrig’s disease. A service will be held in Omaha at a later date. She is survived by her husband, Bruce Montgomery, of Kansas City, and many cousins. She began her career with TWA in Kansas City in the 1950s and transferred to New York in the 1960s, where she became the administrative assistant to the Chairman of the Board of TWA, retiring in 1985. She then was personal assistant to Sally Jesse Raphael in 1989-90. She returned to the Kansas City area in 1992, where she owned Lattice, Inc. She served on the Board of Directors of Nebraska Society of New York. She chose to make a tissue donation for the ALS Research Program at Northwestern University to gain more insight into this disease. Memorials to the North Care Hospice, the ALS Association Keith Worthington Chapter or the ALS Clinic Center at KU Medical Center. BETTIE FISK Former Omahan Bettie Fisk died at home in San Rafael, CA, at the age of 98. A memorial service will be held July 20, at Home of Eternity Cemetery, Oakland, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Stanley Fisk, who died in 1981. She was active in Temple Israel Sisterhood and in the Jewish Federation Women’s Division. With 11 friends she formed a stock investment group in 1957 where she learned to follow the market, which she continued even after moving to San Rafael in 1997. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie Fisk-Hayden and Howard Schoof of Point Reyes Station, CA; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Shela Fisk, Palo Alto CA; grandchildren, Merrill Hayden and Michael Bading, Colin and Margaret Fisk, Leah Hayden, Melissa and Larry Powers, Rachael Banta; three great-grandsons; brother, Sherman Wolkow; and former son-in-law Larry Hayden. Memorials to Temple Israel, 7023 Cass St. Omaha NE 68132. JOSE LEVIN Jose Levin died July 4 at the age of 81. Services were held July 5 at Tablada Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was preceded in death by his wife Paulina Levin. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Rabbi Mordechai and Susi Levin,; son and daughter-in-law Dany and Clara Levin; grandchildren, Ari, Tali and Gabe, and Matias, Daiana and Anabella of Buenos Aires; sisters, Dora Uberman and Clara Gold of Buenos Aires. Memorials to Beth El Synagogue. CORRECTION Barbara Alter of New Milford, NJ, the daughter of Jerry Zeffren, was inadvertantly omitted from the obituary notice in last week’s Jewish Press. The Press regrets the error. To submit obituaries: e-mail jpress@jewishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.6450 or visit www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ and submit online. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
NSF SKIN DISEASE NSF/NFD is characterized by areas of tight and rigid skin WKDW PDNHV LW GLIĂ€FXOW WR EHQG MRLQWV 6RPH SDWLHQWV ZLWK NLGQH\ GLVHDVH KDYH GHYHORSHG 16) 1)' DIWHU KDYLQJ DQ 05, VFDQ FRQWDLQLQJ D WR[LF LQMHFWDEOH FRQWUDVW DJHQW FDOOHG *DGROLQLXP ,I \RX WKLQN \RX PD\ KDYH 16) SOHDVH FDOO XV <RX PD\ EH HQWLWOHG WR FRPSHQVDWLRQ
Hollis Law Firm, P.A.
1-800-701-3672
Enjoy a night with us & get the second night
1/2 OFF
Now until Labor Day! •Complimentary Breakfast •Pool •Hot Tub •Walking Distance to Westfield Shopping Mall
Mention our Back to School Special when you make your reservation
It's easy with the...
*based on availability
N
EBRASKA CLASSIFIED
ADVERTISING NETWORK
Contact your local newspaper or
800-369-2850 www.nebpress.com
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials
Page 11
1439 So. 13th 341-2452
Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.
Buy or Sell a Classic Car at midwestclassiccars.com Just call this newspaper today to place your classic car, truck or motorcycle for sale ad and photo on the midwestclassiccars.com web site for only $25. Or go to the site to find your dream car. It¡s your connection to classic vehicles for sale throughout the Midwest.
Yes, for only $25 your ad runs until SOLD!!!
www.midwestclassiccars.com Your connection to classic car buyers throughout the Midwest.
Statewide Classified ADVERTISE STATEWIDE for $195/25 word classified ad. Over 170 newspapers with circulation of more than 400,000. Contact the Jewish Press at 334-6448 or call 1-800369-2850. BANKRUPTCY: FAST relief from creditors. Statewide filing. Affordable rates. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-872-8327. www.steffenslaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code. PRIVATE PARTY can help you sell your mortgage or trust deed. Call Rob at 877-4720828 or go to www.platinumnoteservice.com. THIRD ANNUAL antique show & sale, Prairie Days, Tilden, NE, July 27-29. Over 60 dealers from 5 states; toys, furniture, dolls, banks, glassware, more... AUCTION: 300+ Precious Moments collectibles. Sunday, July 29 at 1pm, Lincoln, NE. See www.jakesauctions.com for sale bill or call 402-432-7996. Jake’s Auctions. Also, taking consignments for January horse & carriage related auction. SELL YOUR classic car, truck or motorcycle online. Call this newspaper or call 800-3692850 to place your ad on the national www.midwestclassiccars.com web site for only $25.00. Your ad runs until your vehicle is sold! MISSOURI LAKE lot: $44,900 includes boat slip! Ready to build, paved roads, pool/clubhouse. Direct lake access @ MM 31. Call today! 1-573-280-5167 x2795. HOT TUBS! 18 models, $2,995 - $5,695! Plus, something new! Salt water spas! Chemical free, crystal clear water! Lowest operating cost. We deliver! Information package, 1-800-869-0406. RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT Outlet: 800lb ice maker $3,000; bar stools $90; gas fryers $760; new and used equipment. 2121 Floyd Blvd., Sioux City, IA, 1-800-526-7105. ALL CASH candy route. Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 30 machines and candy all for $9,995. 1-888-755-1356. EARN UP to $550 weekly helping the government. Part-time, no experience. Excellent opportunity. Call today! 1-800-488-2921, ask for department Q. Cost $87.00. CASE IH dealership needs ag equipment salesman with management potential. Send resume to: Hebron Implement, 215 N. 13th St., Hebron, NE 68370. CONTRACTORS NEEDED to quote on projects for home accessibility modifications (ramps, lifts, doorway widening, showers). Guaranteed payments; plans/specification provided. Assistive Technology Partnership, 888-806-6287, atp@atp.ne.gov. HARDWARE MANAGER: Three store Ace Hardware chain seeking an energetic individual with retail hardware experience or general contracting knowledge. Salary, bonus, family health insurance, 401-K. Personnel Office, 417 N. Sanborn, Chamberlain, SD 57325. HEAVY EQUIPMENT Operator training. Nationally Certified, 4 week 200 hour program, job placement assistance, 1-308-874-9989, Heavy Equipment Training Academy. A-CDL DRIVERS wanted: Knight Transportation- no strings attached. Big miles; home time; daily pay with benefits; potential 2cpm raise in 4 months. KC paid orientation. Anna/Miranda, 888-562-7783, www.knighttrans.com. Class-A CDL/4 months OTR. Owner ops: 800-437-5907. ACT NOW! Sign on bonus, 36 to 45 cpm/$1,000 + weekly, $0 lease/$1.20pm, CDLA + 3 months OTR, 800-635-8669. CDL CLASS A with OTR experience. Company & O/Os for van & flatbed. New! Owner operator pay increase. Medical benefits available after 1st month. Premium flatbed pay! 1-800-228-9842 ext. 137, www.fcc-inc.com. DRIVERS: WE are looking for you!! Excellent compensation package! Terminals in Grand Island, NE and Rensselaer, IN. Dedicated flatbed carrier for Chief Industries. Class A-CDL/1 year OTR experience required. GICC, 877-367-4422, www.gicc.chiefind.com. DRIVERS: WE pay more! Reefer average $1,083-$1,769/week. Excellent network, late model equipment, 401k, Blue Cross insurance. 800-771-6318, www.primeinc.com.
Call now 402-483-4900 1-800-WOODFIN
200 So. 68th Lincoln www.woodfinsuitehotels.com
OWNER/OPERATORS needed for midwest - east - south - southeast. No forced NYC. 95¢ plus FSC all miles. Empty and loaded. Direct deposit weekly. 888-518-5463 x110, Steve. TRUCK DRIVERS: CDL training. Up to $20,000 bonus. Accelerate your career as a soldier. Drive out terrorism by keeping the Army National Guard supplied. 1-800-GOGUARD.com/truck.
July 20, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 12
‘Hairspray’ director, starlet are kindred spirits
FILM REVIEW by MICHAEL FOX Nikki Blonsky spends a good part of an interview in a San Francisco hotel suite cuddled up to Adam Shankman and playing with his hair, but there’s no need to alert the tabloids. The relationship between the teenage star and the gay director and choreographer of Hairspray is close but assuredly not romantic. “We are alike in a lot of ways, which is scary how much like an 18-year-old girl I am,” Shankman says, and they both burst into laughter. They don’t borrow each other’s clothes, though, for Blonsky sports a flowered blouse and black slacks while Shankman hangs out in a purple button-down shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers. Blonsky, who makes her professional debut in Hairspray, grabs the opportunity to compliment Shankman for mentoring and protecting her. They’re being goofy friends now, but a different dynamic prevailed during production. “It may sound crazy, [but] he had a lot of Jewish mom in him,” says Blonsky, a Long Island native whose father is Jewish. “Like Jewish-parent instincts, where he really wanted to make this experience the best it could be for me.” Blonsky plays the exuberant and zaftig Tracy Turnblad, whose dream of dancing
on a Dick Clark-style show despite a less- be, and it’s my way or the highway,’ than-ideal-TV physique has far-ranging except not really. Because in Jewish consequences in early 1960s Baltimore. households, what I have noticed is the #1 Hairspray is a high-energy, lovingly thing, no matter hell or high water, it designed musical that -- Blonsky’s charm always boils down to how much everyand Jerry Stiller’s cameo notwithstanding body loves each other.” -- is about as Jewish as crab cakes. And Happy to expound on his favorite yet Blonsky follows in the footsteps of theme, Shankman leans forward on the Jewish actresses Ricki Lake and Marissa couch. Jaret Winokur, who played Tracy in the “In ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ that’s what original 1988 he does, he film (written breaks all and directed these rules by John ‘cause he Waters) and realizes he the 2002 loves his Broadway d a u g h t e r. musical, A n o t h e r respectively. thing that’s The casting strangely like of John “Fiddler on Travolta in the Roof” is the role of t h a t Tracy’s moth‘Hairspray’ is er Edna, Nikki Blonsky plays the lead character in Hairspray, shown a story about which Harvey here with Christopher Walken, who portrays her father. how times are Credit: New Line Cinema c h a n g i n g , Fierstein played onstage, costs the movie some and having to change with the times.” Jewish flavor. But Shankman believes it’s Shankman, 42, had a traditional Jewish there in the interplay between Tracy, upbringing in the Brentwood section of Edna and Wilbur (Christopher Walken) Los Angeles when, he says, “there were a Turnblad. lot of beach clubs that wouldn’t let “When I portray the way that every- Jewish members attend.” Conversely, body in the Turnblad house talks to each Blonsky wasn’t raised Jewish in Great other, it’s very reflective of traditional Neck, Long Island, of all places. Jewish families. ‘This is how it’s going to She sang at plenty of bar and bat mitz-
Bar & Bat Mitzvahs Let Us Be Your Party Planning Coordinators Full-service Event Planning Packages Flexible and Adaptable to Your Needs 25 Years of Experience in Memorable Celebrations of Life Events Great Central Location For reservations or more information call 516-3617
10220 Regency Circle, Omaha, NE 68114-3766
vahs, though, as weekend gigs. And before she landed her breakthrough part in Hairspray, her plan was to work her way through college singing with an orchestra at Jewish parties and weddings. Now, she says with a laugh, “I’m going to the University of William Morris.” “If there comes a time that she wants to go back to college, she’ll just go. Nikki will do what she wants to do,” says Shankman, sounding a bit like a Jewish mother. “This one I’m not worried about.” Shankman attended Juilliard, and worked as an actor and dancer in New York before returning to L.A. He segued to choreographing music videos, and made the leap to directing features in 2001 with The Wedding Planner. He’s helmed a string of PG movies since then, and soon begins shooting the family comedy Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler. “I’ve always felt a bit -- I think I’m about to make up a word -- minoritized by my Judaism, because I grew up around so many non-Jewish kids,” Shankman muses. “But at the center of all of my work is family, and that is totally informed by my Jewish background. What I find myself being drawn to over and over again is family, and I’m drawn to it because the well just has no bottom.” Hairspray opens Friday, July 20. Michael Fox is a freelance writer in Northern California. He can be reached at: foxonfilm@yahoo.com.