Vol. LXXXIX No. 44 Omaha, NE
Rabbi B explores Jewish identity and authenticity by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press On Monday July 12, YJO invited Rabbi Baruch HaLevi, also known as Rabbi B, to speak to a number of Jewish Omahans. Among the topics he covered: what it means to be an authentic Jew, and how changing times ask us to develop changing attitudes. “I don’t claim to know all the answers,” HaLevi said, “but there are some very important questions we have to ask ourselves about what it means to be Jewish in this day and age.” Organizer and YJO Director Bob Goldberg introduced HaLevi, a Rabbi Baruch HaLevi former Omahan and the son of Federation Executive Director Jan Goldstein, while the crowd enjoyed dinner provided by the Blumkin Home. “We were honored to have Rabbi HaLevi return to Omaha to share his thoughts on Judaism in the 21st Century,” Goldberg said. “It’s important that we hear different views and perspectives that challenge us to think about why we are Jewish, but more importantly why it matters.” After watching the short film “The Tribe,” a 2006, 18 minute production by Tiffany Shlain that takes a fresh look at who and what Jewish life entails, the audience was treated to a speech-discussion-combo that centered around the question: what’s next? “Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska I always knew I was Jewish,” HaLevi said: “All of my parents’ friends were Jewish. We went to the Jewish country club, and spent our time at the JCC; even though we were only a small segment of the general population, it just felt as if Judaism was all around us.” As he grew older, HaLevi started to question where he really belonged. Friends exposed him to Buddhism, he learned Yoga, studied philosophy, read all the books he could get his hands on, but something was always missing: “Although my initial departure was not ideologically driven, as I was just an apathetic teenager at the time, it soon morphed into something very different. As soon as I was off on my own in college, I began to actively pursue other religions and practices which had something to say about areas in which my religion seemed all too silent.” But the more he searched, the more he found other Jews, like him, who wanted to find spiritual meaning outside of Judaism. It started to bother him that so many Jews of his generation walked away from what they grew up with. HaLevi eventually made his way to Israel, where he found a more vibrant Judaism: “I found in Israel, and later in L.A., authentic Jewish communities ecstatically praying to God, engaged in intellectual rigor as they explored holy texts while living lives committed to profound spiritual practice.” In 1997, he entered Rabbinical school in Los Angeles, and interned at L.A.’s Ohr Hatorah Synagogue under the guidance of Rabbi Mordecai Finley. He subsequently accepted a position at Tifereth Israel in Des Moines, Iowa. Since 2006, Baruch HaLevi has been the Rabbi at Congregation Shirat Hayam, the Swampscott, MA synagogue that came into being after two synagogues decided to merge. In February 2007 he received his Doctoral degree in Ministry, with an emphasis in Jewish Continued on page 2
Inside Op-Ed Page: see page 16
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
July 23, 2010
Lisa Epstein steps up as Partnership Chair by KATHY MCGAUVRAN nection between here and Israel.” Women’s Major Gifts and Missions Director Partnership with Israel (Partnership 2000 or P2K) is and ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT a program of the Jewish Agency for Israel and United Editor of the Jewish Press Jewish Communities. The communities included in the Lisa Epstein had been to Israel before, but when she Central Area Consortium are: Akron, Canton, Dayton, traveled to the Western Galilee with the Jewish Toledo, and Youngstown, Ohio; Indianapolis, Federation in 2009, someNorthwest Ind., thing was different. What and South Bend, she found was a focus on Ind.; Louisville, the Partnership with Israel, KY.; Des Moines, and the people involved Iowa; Omaha, with it. “Jan Goldstein was Neb.; and Austin, there with me, and so was Dallas, Ft. Worth, Ellie Batt,” Lisa rememand San Antonio, bers. “We went to Texas. All of these Budapest first, and then to communities are Israel, and I learned what linked with the Western Galilee, we, as a community, can do when we decide to be the northernmost hands-on.” part of Israel on the Mediterranean At that point, Lisa had coast. This area been involved with the includes the city of Partnership Committee for Akko, Matte Asher, three years; however, meeting people face to face in Welcome to Israel! Lisa Epstein, left, Sandi Cole, Mary Kay Young, and several small vilboth Budapest and the Jan Goldstein schlep their luggage across the border in May 2010 lages, and the Western Galilee gave her a chance to connect to other Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya. The Negev and Jews on a more personal level: “Going with the Galilee hold more than two-thirds of Israel's land Federation, as a member of the Omaha Jewish com- reserves, but house only 17 percent of its population. munity, there is a people-to-people connection,” Lisa The potential for development and immigration in says. “Once you have that connection, you continue to these areas remains largely untapped as a result of high build very meaningful relationships, and we see proof unemployment and weak educational infrastructure. that we truly are one people, that there is a real con- Continued on page 3
The JCC Fitness Center: friendly connections lead to success by DENISE IPOCK “It just felt right.” On the morning of June 6, in Lawrence, KS, a group Within a few years of the JCC’s expansion, Jeff had a of five Omaha JCC members achieved greatness by group of friends to run and work out with. He sugsuccessfully completing gested to friend and fela triathlon, which low JCC board memincluded a 1.2 mile lake ber Jeff Platt that they swim, a 13.1 mile run run a half marathon. and a 56 mile bike ride. They were at the “J” For members Jeff nearly every day over Kirshenbaum, Jeff lunch and running a Platt, Adam Yale, Chris few days a week. How Wilczewski, and Mack difficult could it be to Greder the JCC served run 13 miles? They as the point of connecrecruited several others tion in making this all on their mission includpossible. ing David Gilinsky, To quote Jeff David Goldberg and Kirshenbaum, who is an Bruce Goldberg. Over active JCC member and the course of several former JCC board presmonths, they enjoyed ident: “I can honestly training as a group sevsay I would have never eral times a week, meetcompeted in this event, ing at the “J”, and hitFrom left to right: Jeff Kirshenbaum, Mack Greder, Adam Yale, as well as other ting the road. Soon Chris Wilczewski, and Jeff Platt before their shared adventure. In marathons and half after they completed front: Jeff Platt’s dog Louis. marathons, if it were the Lincoln Half Maranot for the Fitness Center at the JCC.” Prior to 1999 thon, both Jeffs needed a new challenge. So Jeff K. Jeff had been happily working out and teaching spin- “coerced” Jeff Platt to join him in training for the Des ning at a local gym, as the JCC’s facilities were small Moines marathon. Jeff Platt thought they were “nuts” and antiquated compared to many of the other local but somehow they were able to complete this goal. clubs. But once renovations were complete and the Meeting at the “J” and running with friends during new Phil Sokoloff Fitness Center opened, Jeff instant- weekday lunch hours and early on weekend mornings ly knew that the “J” was where he wanted to work out: Continued on page 2
Next Week: Maccabi Games Preview See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press’
12 Av 5770
Jerusalem the focus of 5th Annual Limmud Omaha Page 3
Coming Next Month: Back to School Blumkin Home hold first adult Bnei Mitzvah celebration Page 10
Life sciences become big business in Israel Page 15
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 23, 2010
New Deli: It’s in Omaha, not India
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by OZZIE NOGG Smoked turkey. Pastrami. Corned beef on rye. Dill pickles, Dr. Brown’s Soda and a server with attitude. Those trademark features of an old-fashioned Jewish delicatessen will be front and center when The definition of the Star Deli starts dish- Jewish deli food? ing out lunches on “When you eat it, Main Street on Friday, 72 hours later July 30 from 11:30 you’re hungry a.m. to 1:30 p.m. again.” “Ever since I moved to Omaha from New Richard Shepard, York, I’ve craved late correspondent authentic deli food,” for the New York Times said Mike Silverman, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Executive Director. Silverman, along with New Jersey native Josh Gurock, JSS Facilities Coordinator, and Mike Aparo, RBJH Director of Food Services, developed a menu reminiscent of a lower East Side noshery. “In addition to madeon-site sandwiches, we’ll offer crunchy, classic pickles
and knishes from New York,” he said, “plus cole slaw and salads whipped up in our kitchen. By the end of the summer, we hope to serve lunches on Sundays too.” The cost will be reasonable, and speedy delivery of customers’ orders is part of the deli’s service. “Relax and have a seat, order your sandwich and get it in five to ten minutes, tops,” said Gurock. “For people who have short lunch breaks from work, that fast turnaround time is a great feature.” Silverman and company figure the new deli will appeal to customers of all ages, including Jewish Omaha’s famous Lunch Bunches, those groups of retired guys who meet during the week at various restaurants around town. “How many Fridays in a row can you go to the Village Inn?” Silverman said, only slightly tongue-in-cheek. “Every once in a while a person’s got to ‘fress’ on some wonderfully fat-laden deli cuisine. Here, we’re serving nostalgia along with the pastrami.”
Rabbi B explores Jewish identity and authenticity Continued from page 1 Spirituality, from the Graduate Theological Foundation of Oxford University. The message continues, and the search isn’t over: “I still have my struggles with Judaism. Although I believe Jews should be Jews, Christians should be Christians and Buddhists should be Buddhists, I also believe we have lost much in our parochialism. Certainly I reject modern notions that we should outright blend our traditions and abrogate our boundaries. There are distinct and important differences, which keep us separate and need to remain as such.” Rabbi B, the name he writes his blog under, asks many difficult questions of those that are willing to listen; he doesn’t provide any easy answers, and in addition, there are few topics he shies away from. Entering a dialogue with him, one cannot remain a passive listener. He forces one to think, and keep thinking about what we do as Jews, what we believe, and how living a Jewish life is not an accident, but a conscious choice: “We should move away from using “Jew by choice” only to identify converts,” he says, “because, in essence, we are all Jews-bychoice. Being Jewish has to be a choice, it can’t be anything less than that.” When asked to explain the previous statement, he uses Starbucks as an example, and he only means that a little bit tongue-in-cheek: “When we get our coffee, we have so many choices. We like it that way; it makes us feel as if we can express ourselves exactly. A place like Starbucks understands the very basic principle that people want to find their favorite among all these different options, and in that sense, it almost becomes another home for us. A synagogue should work the same way: rather than offering only black coffee, as so many synagogues still do, they need to offer a varied menu to the congregation.” Besides Starbucks, he offers another example of such a home that may resonate more with the Omaha commu-
nity (after all, not everybody likes Starbucks): the Rose Blumkin Home: “Look at what it means to the community,” he says. “The Blumkin Home has understood this concept perfectly. This is a place that offers so many different things, and can easily become a real home for so many people.” In answer to the fact that many, especially younger, Jews these days identify themselves as ‘culturally Jewish,’ he has this to offer: “It is a very enigmatic term, I think. When people state they are ‘Jewish, but not religious,’ they basically say that they identify and distance themselves at the same time. Cultural Judaism is great, and it gets people in the door, but it is not enough: at the end of the day, you need the divine, the spiritual, the religious aspect. Judaism is not Judaism without God and the Torah. When Judaism is only cultural, the heartbeat is missing. Take an Israeli dance program, for example: it is lovely, especially if it gets people into the synagogue, but it is not essential. So, for Shabbat, my synagogue will offer those different options, but what ends up happening is: people stay for the service afterwards. That is the real goal, because people continue to look for a pathway in.” The conversation Rabbi HaLevi has with his congregation is one that many synagogues are having, he thinks. “We all ask: what is our heartbeat, and how do we keep people engaged? We have come a long way since our grandparents, and now the question is: will be silent, or will we continue? The question is, will the next generation step up? The American dream has been reached,” he adds, “and we no longer are defined by the rest of America as “other.” It is the blessing we have always hoped for, and now we are free to choose, and we face the challenge of defining ourselves.” Rabbi Baruch HaLevi lives in Swampscott, MA with his wife Ariela, son Yehuda, and daughters Maya and Shoshana. His writings can be found at http:// www.rabbib.com.
The JCC Fitness Center: Connections lead to success Continued from page 1 proved to be just as important as completing the actual event. JCC spinning classes were another important workout component for the two Jeffs as well as Chris Wilczewski, Mack Greder and Adam Yale. Chris, who really came to know the rest of the group through Sunday morning spinning has been doing triathlons for several years and suggested it to the rest of the group. With their dedication to running and spinning/cycling, swimming was the only missing part of the equation. On their own, the two Jeff’s had worked with JCC Physical Therapist Kurt Harte and had both been doing some lap swimming at the JCC. Chris was aware that they were great runners and bikers, and when he learned they had added swimming to their regimen, he knew it was a natural extension for them to try a triathlon. When he suggested this, they were up for the challenge, adding that “the boys” were always disciplined in their training and this was no exception. In December 2009, Adam Yale, who had started to make plans to train for his first marathon, attended a Sunday morning spin class, and was encouraged by Chris to join the others in training for the June 6 event. Chris drove a hard sale, and Adam signed on. According to Adam: “The appeal of having training partners was compelling, plus I had always liked everyone that I
would be training with. I saw this as an opportunity to get to know them, and quite honestly, that was the best part of the training; the ability to cultivate new friendships and work towards a common goal.” Mack Greder, another member of this Kansas five, joined the JCC with his family back in 2007. As a relatively newer member, Mack commented that: “I have felt so welcome here at the JCC and so impressed by how this group reached out and encouraged me to train with them, and prepare for the triathlon.” Adam Yale summarized the overall sentiments of the group best when he said: “One often hears people say that life is not about the destination but the journey, and with an event like this, where the process is critically important, it rings true. Having partners is sometimes the extra push to get out of bed at 5 a.m. when you do not feel like it, run the extra lap or encourage your buddy to gut it out when he’s having a rough session. Most of us trained six days a week, though some did seven it was a weekly 10-13 hour commitment. The “J” figured prominently in our training most days of the week. Without the “J” we would not have made the connections, nor perhaps had the venue or the tools that enabled us to complete this.” Looking for a new fitness challenge? Call us at the JCC Fitness Center, 334.6423.
July 23, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Lisa Epstein is new Partnership Chair Jerusalem the focus Continued from page 1 ers in our Partnership. People don’t In 2009, Federation Executive know that we represent a community in Director Jan Goldstein invited Lisa to Israel, and that we are responsible for co-chair the Women’s this community. There is a Mission, scheduled for direct link to our identity May 2010. Together with as world-wide Jews. Being Jeanne Neff, Lisa went to Jewish goes further than work; the resulting visit just Omaha, encompasses was very successful. After more than what you can that it was only a matter of do locally—we have an time before Lisa was entire country that we approached, and asked to bear responsibility for. become even more Our personal relationships involved. make us more connected, Each U.S. city in the more whole. For instance, Partnership appoints a we have in the past Lisa Epstein Consortium Chair, a posihoused guests for an art tion previously held by Zoe Riekes, exchange program; it makes you really who currently focuses on building rela- get to know them, and every time you tionships with the Jewish community in go over there you see familiar faces.” Budapest, Hungary. Zoe was followed “The areas we focus on in the by Stacey Rockman, who was ready to Western Galilee are education, arts, hand over the torch in 2010. When medical services, social services, and Stacey stepped down, Lisa took over as regional development,” Julee Katzman Consortium Chair of the Partnership. said. “Because of her background as an “Stacey Rockman did a lot to expand educator, Lisa is very drawn to the edupartnership work in Omaha,” says Julee cation component, and that is a great Katzman, Associate Executive Director personal investment for her.” of the Federation. “We needed someCurrently, several people involved one who was able to fill Stacey’s shoes, with partnership are getting ready to someone who was passionate and felt a come to Omaha to attend the Maccabi personal connection, and we found that Games. Some will come to compete in person in Lisa. Luckily, she agreed!” the various athletic events, others will Zoe Riekes is very happy Lisa has come to create beautiful artwork or to stepped up: “Her endless energy for the simply support the fact that communiPartnership shows in everything she ties are building lasting relationships: does and says. I look forward to her “We, as a community, are responsible to leadership.” cultivate these connections, to ensure Lisa is enthusiastic about her new the continuance of worldwide Jewry, role: “The responsibility of the Chair is and work on our children’s future,” to help promote our relationship with Lisa Epstein said. Israel, and to exchange ideas with oth-
of 5th Annual Limmud Omaha by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Center for Jewish Education For the fifth year, the Center for Jewish Education is excited to begin its programming year with Limmud Omaha. The event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 15 and the 2010 theme is “Yerushalyim Ha-benuyah – Jerusalem, Built and Rebuilt: Archaeology, History, and Politics in the City of Gold”. Limmud Omaha takes place from 1-5 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. “Offering this opportunity for the community to spend an afternoon together learning is a highlight for our agency,” said Dr. Guy Matalon, Executive Director of The Center for Jewish Education. “Communities around the country have similar programs and this year’s event will again provide a wide range of sessions and speakers from which to choose.” Adding to the draw for this year will be a familiar name to the Omaha community. Dr. Jonathan Rosenbaum will be the keynote speaker. Rosenbaum is President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies at Gratz College and currently a Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania. His keynote address will be “Jerusalem of the Future: From Hebrew Prophecies to Contemporary Politics.” In addition to the keynote, he will also be a presenter during one of the afternoon breakout sessions. A holder of a Ph.D. from Harvard in Biblical and Near Eastern studies, Dr. Rosenbaum has taught and published in those fields as well as in American Jewish history, rabbinics, and Jewish education. Rare in Jewish life, he has served formal-
ly as rabbi of Reform, Conservative and Orthodox congregations. Dr. Rosenbaum is also the “patriarch” for the Center for Jewish Education, as he helped develop the Bureau of Jewish Education – the original name for the agency – in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s. He also helped establish Jewish studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. “Limmud is absolutely a top event for my husband Eric and me,” states Toba Cohen Dunning, agency president. “To have the chance to again hear Dr. Rosenbaum is very exciting. The only difficulty I will have during the afternoon will be choosing just two breakout sessions to attend!” Dr. Rosenbaum’s keynote address begins at 1 p.m. The afternoon then features two breakout sessions with a choice of four presenters in each session. The first breakout will start at 2 p.m. and the second at 3:15 p.m. A wrap-up session with final remarks by Dr. Rosenbaum and Dr. Greenspoon will conclude the day by 5 p.m. Breakout session presenters will include Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, Dr. Jonathan Rosenbaum, Susan Aizenberg, Marty Shukert, Dr. Moshe Gershovich, Rabbi Eric Linder and others. Limmud Omaha is made possible by the generosity of the fund of the Philip and Ethel Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University. Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, the Klutznick Chair, is also the chairman for Limmud. “It is always a pleasure to hear Jonathan speak” says Greenspoon. “His passion about whatever topic is presented adds a marvelous dimension to his presentaContinued on page 6
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 23, 2010
‘Cultural intifada’ as Costello, Meg Ryan and others cancel Israel plans by MARCY OSTER JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Actress Meg Ryan’s decision to cancel her appearance at this week’s Jerusalem Film Festival didn’t garner the same attention in Israel as British rocker Elvis Costello when he nixed his Israel concert this spring. Both, however, were a reminder to Israelis that in the eyes of much of the world, Israel’s politics and culture are inseparable. The cancellations were part of a string that Israel has experienced over the past few months, including appearances by the indie rock band The Pixies, singer Devendra Banhart, alternative rockers Gorillaz, the British band the Klaxons and American soul singer Gil Scott-Heron. In February, rock legend Carlos Santana withdrew from a sold-out performance reportedly due to pressure from pro-Palestinian groups. Israelis have taken to calling this a “cultural intifada” borrowing a term used by the Palestinians to describe their uprisings against Israel. “Intense pressure is being applied to foreign artists not to come to Israel,” prominent Israeli promoter Shuki Weiss, who has brought such top-name acts to Israel as Madonna and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, told the Israeli business daily Globes. After The Pixies canceled last month, Weiss called it “cultural terrorism.” “I am full of both sorrow and pain in light of the fact that our repeated attempts to present quality acts and festivals in Israel have increasingly been falling victim to what I can only describe as a form of cultural terrorism which is targeting Israel and the arts worldwide,” Weiss wrote in a statement. The most recent high-profile cancellation, by Ryan, came right after Israel’s deadly May 31 interception of the Gaza-bound, Turkish-flagged aid flotilla, which left nine passengers dead. A day later, Ryan’s staff e-mailed the Jerusalem Film Festival to say she would not be able to attend. Reports that actor Dustin Hoffman also canceled an appearance at the festival were unfounded; Hoffman had never been scheduled to attend the event. When Costello canceled his two concerts in Tel Aviv at the end of June, he said the decision was “a matter of instinct and conscience.” In a message posted on his website, Costello wrote, “There are occasions when merely having your name added to a concert schedule may be interpreted as a political act that resonates more than anything that might be sung and it may be assumed that one has no mind for the suffering of the innocent.” The cancellations have frustrated Israel’s music lovers, producers and friends. Israeli filmmaker Joseph Cedar, whose 2007 movie “Beaufort” received an Academy Award nomination for
Best Foreign Language Film, told JTA that the refusal of artists to perform in Israel is a kind of collective punishment of the culture-loving public -- often the very public that is “extra critical of Israeli policies.”
British singer Elton John, who performed in Ramat Gan, Israel on June 17, 2010, said nothing would stop him from coming to perform in Israel. Credit: Flash90/JTA
Johnny Rotten keeping Tel Aviv gig, despite hate mail by JTA NEWS SERVICE (JTA) -- Johnny “Rotten” Lydon, the former Sex Pistols front man, will not cancel his Aug. 31 show in Tel Aviv despite receiving hate mail. In his announcement Tuesday on BBC 6 Music News, Lydon said he would not let “the political powers-thatbe” dictate his audience. Other performers, including Carlos Santana, Elvis Costello, The Pixies, The Klaxons, The Gorillaz, Dvendra Banhart and Johnny “Rotten” Lydon Gil Scott-Heron, have canceled performances in Israel. Lydon said he would ignore the hate mail and stir up trouble musically. “I’m anti-government ... and I shall be making that loud and clearly proud once I’m in Israel,” Lydon told the BBC. Pro-Palestinian activists are planning to picket Lydon’s July 11 show in Bristol, England, to protest his Tel Aviv show. Cedar said that while he believes a boycott is “a legitimate way for an artist to express his political views,” they should be political views the artist has consistently and publicly held. Some artists appear to be concerned that their per-
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formances in Israel will be perceived as a political endorsement of Israel’s policies. When Banhart canceled a pair of Tel Aviv performances two days before their mid-June dates, a message posted on the artist’s website read: “We were coming to share a human and not a political message but it seems that we are being used to support views that are not our own. We will be overjoyed to return to Israel on the day that our presence is perceived and reported on as a cultural event and not a political one.” Asked what the Israeli Sport and Culture Ministry is doing to stem the tide of cancellations, a ministry spokesman said “nothing.” The cultural boycott of Israel has spread beyond the borders of the Jewish state. Last month in Spain, a float sponsored by the Tel Aviv municipality was banned from Madrid’s gay pride parade. One reason for the withdrawal cited by organizers: Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai had not condemned the Gaza flotilla incident. The same week, a popular Bob Dylan fan site began blocking users inside Israel in what the Danish site operator called a “cultural boycott” in response to the flotilla incident. Israel has faced similar situations. During the second intifada in the early 2000s, numerous artists canceled appearances in the country due to security concerns. Still, many acts are going through with their scheduled performances. Some, like the British rock group Jethro Tull, are taking pains to draw distinctions between culture and politics. After coming under pressure from pro-Palestinian groups such as the U.S. Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, Jethro Tull reaffirmed that it would be playing three concerts in Israel in early August. Front man Ian Anderson said in a statement linked to the concert dates that he has “long maintained the position that culture and the arts should be free of political and religious censorship and a distance kept between them.” Anderson also said he would donate his concert proceeds to charities promoting coexistence. Others have been more unabashedly warm toward Israel. In mid-June, Elton John, who has donated money to Israeli causes, played before an enthusiastic crowd. “Shalom, we are so happy to be back here! Ain’t nothing gonna stop us from coming, baby,” the singer told the crowd. “Musicians spread love and peace, and bring people together. That’s what we do. We don’t cherrypick our conscience.” Musicians Rod Stewart and Rihanna also performed in Israel last month. And on Sunday, Ynet reported that American singer Missy Elliott announced that after pressure to cancel her July 15 show in Tel Aviv, she will arrive in Israel a day early to tour the country with her entourage of dancers and crew.
DR. H. RANDAL WOODWARD DR. MICHAEL LONGLEY DR. ERIC PHILLIPS DR. JOHN MCCLELLAN DR. JONATHAN FULLER DR. TIMOTHY BURD DR. JAMES DEVNEY DR. ALICIA FELDMAN DR. J. BRIAN GILL
July 23, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Got Game? by EMILY GILLER Also preparing for the Games are the In just one week 1,000 athletes will be Star Reporters. Star Reporters is a new flying into Omaha, venues will be set up program that was added to the Omaha and the 2010 JCC Maccabi Games and is Maccabi Games will open only to Omaha begin! It’s been a teens. This program long process and the allows teens to interOmaha Jewish Comview and photograph munity has been their peers during the doing all it can to preweek of the Games. pare for the Games. To prepare them for According to Kim the world of the Goldberg, the comedia, the Star chair for the Maccabi Reporters took a trip Hangtime activities, down to the UniverMaccabi is going to sity of Nebraska“create an atmosLincoln to visit the phere that is both College of Journalism welcoming and excitand Mass Communiing for the athletes cation. In Lincoln the and many visitors.” Star Reporters learned Goldberg said that about photography, staff members, volunbroadcasting and teers and host families voice recording. have been doing a “This was a good “tremendous” job in experience for the kids planning and execut- Kate Slosburg practicing her serve for to get exposed to all the ing every detail for the the upcoming Maccabi Games. aspects of journalism by upcoming Games. visiting the journalism college, and it was “Maccabi Omaha is going to be amaz- an eye opening experience into how jouring—seeing so many faces at the first vol- nalism works,” Ben Lorenzen, JCC unteer orientation added to my excitement—I believe it will exceed expectations,” Goldberg said. Supplies for the Hangtime rooms have already been delivered from Pottery Barn Teens. And according to Diane Malashock, who is the JCC Staff in charge of food along with Tracy Modra, a lot of non- perishable food has already been delivered Star Reporter, Sarah Kutler learns how to use voice recordand more should be coming ing equipment at UNL. over the next week. The staff members aren’t the only ones working hard for the Games. There are people here who should be recognized, because they are the driving force behind the Games: the athletes. The Omaha Delegation has been practicing weekly in order to compete at their highest level and maybe even win gold. No matter what sport they’re competing in, the Omaha athletes Sam Frankel sets up a pass as Tyler Schneiderman guards know that practicing will him during a Maccabi basketball practice. prepare them for when they compete against the 29 other delegations Program Associate and Star Reporters during the Games. Program Head, said. “Any practice will help us—as long as The past several months have all led up you can get out there and hit a ball to this one point: the Games. Whether around,” Kate Slosburg said. Slosburg they’re an athlete, a star reporter, a staff will be playing tennis for Team Omaha member, or a volunteer, the Omaha comduring the Games. munity is ready for the Games to begin!
Come and get your Red Mango on by ABBY PARISE Red Mango, the fastest growing retailer of yogurt and smoothies, is redefining the yogurt experience with its first self-serve store in Omaha. The popular frozen yogurt chain invites customers to swirl it and top it themselves, serving Red Mango’s proprietary line of all-natural frozen yogurts, while still providing the delicious made-to-order products available in traditional stores. The new store, located at 16950 Wright Plz., Ste. 151, at Shops of Legacy in Omaha, will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, July 24, by treating customers to free frozen yogurt from 2-9 p.m. The first 200 customers will also receive Red Mango gift bags. There will be live music from 4-9 p.m. and free tethered hot air balloon rides from 5-8 p.m. “Our all-natural, probiotic-packed frozen yogurt lets cus-
tomers indulge in a treat that is nutritious and truly tastes great,” said Dan Kim, Founder of Red Mango. “We are confident that once Omaha residents taste Red Mango’s yogurt and smoothies, they will taste the difference and make it part of their lifestyle. “We are very excited to introduce Red Mango to Omaha area,” says Bret Cain, Omaha franchisee. “Red Mango is an experience - from the time you walk in, to enjoying a perfect swirl of your personalized combination in the café-style set-up.” On July 22 at 4 p.m., Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle and Omaha Chamber of Commerce representatives will attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony to introduce Red Mango to the Omaha market. The Omaha business and young professional communities are invited to attend from 4-6 p.m. and receive a free cup of yogurt.
Back to SCHOOL COMING 08.13.10 SPACE RESERVATION 08.02.10 CAMERA READY DEADLINE 08.04.10 Contact your advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.
ALLAN Handleman 402.334.6451 ahandleman@jewishomaha.org
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Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 23, 2010
Youth programs receive grants from Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Funds
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by MARY BORT Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation The Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Funds Grants Committee held their annual meeting last month to review grant applications from organizations that provide Jewish youth programs. Four grants were awarded from the Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund and one grant was awarded from the Carolyn Kully Newman Memorial Fund. Both funds support programs that strengthen Jewish identity and values through educational, religious, cultural, social or recreational activity. The Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund supports programs that are designed for Jewish youth, preschool through college age, and for Jewish young adults ages 23 or younger who are not attending a college or university. The Carolyn Kully Memorial Fund awards grants to programs for children in kindergarten or younger. The Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund began as Camp Esther K. Newman in 1961. Now owned by the State of Nebraska, the camp is called “Camp Newman.” Established by Jule, Nick, Robert and Murray Newman in memory of Jule’s first wife, Esther, who was known for her activities in the community, and her interest in young people. After the camp was sold in 1979, the proceeds were used to create the Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund. In 1980, the Carolyn Kully Newman Memorial Fund was established by the Livingston Foundation in memory of Jule Newman’s second wife, Carolyn. An interior decorator, Carolyn was involved with organizations in the Jewish community and the greater Omaha community, including organizations that supported youth. The Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Grants Committee was especially pleased to fund programs that involved collaboration between different organizations. For example, a community “Sukkah Hop” received a grant from the Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund and another grant from the Carolyn Kully Newman Memorial Fund. The event is scheduled for Sept. 26 and is jointly sponsored by Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue and Temple Israel. The grant application submitted by the synagogues described the event as a progressive dinner, with participants visiting the synagogues’ sukkahs and the sukkah at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. There will be activities held at each of the locations. Another Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund grant was awarded to an educational program presented by the Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE), in partnership with Friedel Jewish Academy and other schools. The “Book and Culture-Sharing Holocaust Program” is a project based on “The Daughter We Had Always Wanted: The Story of Marta.” The book will be read simultaneously by fifth and sixth grade students from Friedel, the Winnebago Catholic Parish School and Maayanot Elementary School in the Israel Partnership. The book addresses a variety of issues including the
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Karen Sokolof Javitch has written and recorded 12 songs for her new CD, and is giving one to each participating Maccabi athlete and coach.The first song, ‘JCC Maccabi Games’, will be played prior to the Opening Ceremonies. Singers on the album include Brenna Robinson, Rabbi Eric Linder, Cantor Beth Schlossberg, Rebecca Wolfson, and many others. For more information about the CD, call 402.393.3893.
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Holocaust, Judaism, Catholicism, settling in Israel, family values and other topics. Skutt Catholic High School students will read the memoir in order to lead discussions with the younger students. The program will include a visit to Omaha in the fall by Maaynot educators and students from Skutt traveling to Israel next March. This program is a unique opportunity for cultural exchange between Jewish, Catholic and Native American students. The IHE received a grant from the Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund to support a high school teachers’ workshop about Jewish partisans during the Holocaust. According to the IHE grant proposal, the four hour program will be held in February 2011 and will be available to Jewish and non-Jewish teachers. An expert facilitator from the Jewish Partisans Educational Foundation (JPEF) will present the workshop, and will include materials from the movie “Defiance.” “Defiance” is about the Bielski Jewish partisans who fought the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. During the workshop, the JPEF will give teachers the tools to engage their students in a number of ways, so that their students will learn to critically think about history, leadership, ethics and values. Teachers will receive a “Defiance” DVD, interviews with Bielski partisans, curriculum to use when they show “Defiance” to students, and more. The IHE grant proposal also indicated that the workshop will provide Omaha Hebrew High School educators with a program that will give Jewish high school students new inspiration in learning about the Holocaust. An Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund grant was awarded to the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation for the B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program. The Foundation’s grant proposal indicated that the program is designed to teach young people about philanthropy and non-profit organizations, getting them interested in different groups and issues that are important to them and important to the Jewish community. The program was established by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and is offered by 40 other communities around the country. The B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program plans to hold at least five youth programs in the coming school year that include guest speakers, activities and community service projects. Coordinating with Omaha synagogues and the Community Hebrew High School, the program will educate youth about different nonprofit Jewish organizations. By participating in this program, teens will become active philanthropists. Members of the Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Grants Committee who attended this year’s meeting were Gary Javitch, Noam Margalit, Stan Mitchell, Kimberly Robinson, and Dorothy Spizman. The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Executive Director, Marty Ricks, and Foundation Endowment Associate, Janet Henthorn, were also present at the meeting. For information about next year’s grant application process, please contact the Foundation office at 334.6551.
Former Omaha musician and Jewish educator Emily Meyer’s new string orchestra composition Joslyn: Inside and Out premiers on July 31, at 7 p.m. at Witherspoon Hall in the Joslyn Art Museum. The composition commissioned for the Omaha Conservatory of Music Institute’s Summer Orchestra will feature movements based on works found in the Joslyn. For more information her blog can be found at www.EmilyHoward Meyer.com/wordpress. Downtown Summer Cinema 2010 sponsored by Polyester Gallery, CinemaOmaha.org and The Brandeis, opens on Saturday, July 17. The series will feature a unique mix of cult & classic films. The screening schedule includes La Haine, July 17, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai, July 24, Good-Bye Columbus, July 31, Seconds, Aug. 7, Cinema Pardiso, Aug. 14, King’s Row, Aug. 21, Grave of the Fireflies,
Aug. 28, Splendor in the Grass, Aug. 29. Screenings will be held on the rooftop deck of the Brandeis Parking Garage @ 17th and Douglas Sts., entry at 208 S. 17th Street. The facility will open at 7:30 p.m. with live music to be provided until showtime at approx 9 p.m. Please bring your own seating. Food and drinks will be available for purchase on site. Admission is a $6 donation per person. No one under 18 years of age will be admitted. For more information, see www.cinemaomaha.org.
Limmud Omaha Continued from page 3 tion.” Greenspoon adds “He is also very enthusiastic about visiting Omaha and we were delighted when he said ‘yes’ to our invitation for Limmud.” Limmud Omaha is open to the community and offered at no charge. Babysitting is available by reservation by calling 334.6463. Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon. Limmud Omaha is an annual program presented by the Center for Jewish Education featuring a keynote speaker and an afternoon of concurrent learning sessions. For more information, please call 334.6445 or mgrossman@jew ishomaha.org.
July 23, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
Campaign to bring thousands more Falash Mura gains steam by URIEL HEILMAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- After months of fits and starts, advocates for Ethiopian aliyah are hoping that a visit to the African country this week by Israel’s minister of immigrant absorption will help set in motion a process that will bring some 7,500 additional Ethiopians to Israel. So far, the Israeli government has committed to checking only 1,800 of them for aliyah eligibility and bringing those who qualify to Israel. But advocates for Ethiopian aliyah want a total of 8,700 Ethiopians checked for eligibility -- all those they say have been waiting in the Ethiopian city of Gondar and are part of a list compiled in 1999 of potential immigrants. These advocates have been pressing their cause with Israeli government officials. “It could either be done by a Cabinet resolution or the Knesset could adopt legislation,” said Joseph Feit, a leading board member at the North American Conference for Ethiopian Jewry, or NACOEJ, the U.S. Jewish group that has been leading the campaign for Ethiopian immigration. “The hope is the government will adopt a resolution and the legislation forcing the issue will not be necessary.” NACOEJ has led a campaign for the 8,700 Ethiopians for about three years and, before them, for tens of thousands of other Ethiopians who have immigrated to Israel since the early 1990s. That’s when Israel began accepting Falash Mura -- Ethiopians claiming to be descendants of Jews who converted to Christianity generations ago or claiming to have links to such people, but who now seek to return to Judaism and immigrate to Israel. The Israeli government has declared an official end to mass Ethiopian immigration several times. Each time, however, aliyah from Ethiopia resumed after pressure by advocates convinced a key government official -- usually the prime minister -- to reopen the gates. After the most recent declared ending of Ethiopian aliyah, in August 2008, it took a few months for the Olmert government to reverse course and agree to check the aliyah eligibility of 3,000 additional Ethiopians. Since then, some 1,200 Ethiopians have been brought to Israel. In May 2009, the Netanyahu government affirmed that once all 3,000 were checked, Ethiopian aliyah would be over. But now advocates say they are close to reversing that decision, too. Thanks to aggressive lobbying by NACOEJ and its supporters, the number of Israeli officials and lawmakers who support an increase is growing. In recent weeks Natan Sharansky, the chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, which is responsible for immigration to the country, has endorsed NACOEJ’s position, calling for Israel to examine the eligibility of all 8,700 would-be petition-
ers in Gondar and speedily bring them on aliyah so Israel can end mass Ethiopian immigration. “The aliyah from Ethiopia must be completed,” said the director of the Jewish Agency’s immigration and absorption department, Eli Cohen, who works with Sharansky and accompanied Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver on her trip to Ethiopia this week. “The time has come to complete the mission. The longer we wait, it will not be solved. It will get more complicated.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- who attended a ceremony at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport the last time he was prime minister, in 1998, welcoming what his government said was the last planeload of Ethiopian immigrants -- has yet to approve an expansion of the list to 8,700.
In a demonstration in Jerusalem supporting expanding Ethiopian immigration, Ethiopian Israelis hold up photos of family members remaining in Ethiopia. Credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90/JTA But in the meantime, the Jewish Agency and NACOEJ have revived an agreement reached more than five years ago but never implemented under which the Jewish Agency would take over NACOEJ’s aid compounds in Gondar and bring all remaining eligible Ethiopians to Israel. The NACOEJ compounds, which provide schooling and some employment and food aid, have been blamed for providing an incentive for Ethiopians of all stripes to congregate in Gondar and claim links to Israel. Under the agreement, NACOEJ would shutter the compounds and cease all operations in Ethiopia once the last of the eligible Ethiopians is brought on aliyah. Now the job is to convince the prime minister, Feit said. “Everybody’s on board,” Feit told JTA. “The 8,700 people in Gondar have been waiting there from two to 10 years. Even if more people come down from the villages, they won’t be allowed to make aliyah. It’s a closed list.”
Part of what makes the immigration from Ethiopia so complicated are the special circumstances surrounding the Falash Mura. Unlike the Ethiopian Jews who made aliyah in Operations Moses in 1984 and Operation Solomon in 1991, the Falash Mura, whose ancestors converted to Christianity, did not maintain Jewish customs and were not identifiably Jewish. Until they left their villages, many practiced Christianity, had crosses tattooed on their foreheads and did not know what being Jewish was. In 1991, then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir decided they were not Jews and kept them off the planes during Operation Solomon. Subsequent Israeli governments reversed that policy, but due to the difficulty of finding evidentiary proof of their Jewish lineage, the Falash Mura were brought to Israel under the Law of Entry, a humanitarian measure aimed at family reunification. Other immigrants come to Israel under the Law of Return, which guarantees the right of Israeli citizenship to anyone with a Jewish grandparent, including Ethiopians. Numerous officials involved in Ethiopian aliyah -from Jewish Agency officials working in Ethiopia to Israeli interior ministers in Jerusalem -- have questioned the legitimacy of the 8,700 people, 1,200 of whom are already in Israel. Sounding a common refrain among critics of the Falash Mura aliyah, they have described the aliyah petitioners remaining in Ethiopia as mostly Christian Ethiopians deceptively claiming Jewish links and adopting Jewish observances in a bid to escape Africa’s desperate poverty for the relative comfort of the Jewish state. Though the Israeli Rabbinate has determined that the Falash Mura have Jewish roots and should be welcomed back to the faith, critics say the Ethiopians left in Gondar are masquerading as Falash Mura. That criticism, and concerns over the cost of absorbing the immigrants, has held up implementation of government decisions to bring Falash Mura to Israel -including the government’s decision to check 3,000 Ethiopians from among the 8,700 in Gondar. Before Landver’s trip this week, which was organized by the Jewish Agency, the minister of immigrant absorption told The Jerusalem Post that she hoped her visit to Ethiopia would help her better understand the issues. “Once I have seen what is going on, then I will be better equipped to sit with the prime minister and discuss what the goal of the Israeli government is regarding this aliyah and what exactly should be done,” Landver told the newspaper. “I have already sat with many organizations that either advocate for or against this aliyah, with kessim [Ethiopian religious leaders] and many more experts. I just want to create my own opinion on this complicated topic.”
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 23, 2010
NATIV program provides Beth El teen with life-changing experience in Israel by JILL BELMONT in her English class. From then on I believe I gave her Beth El Publicity Coordinator the confidence to keep trying.” During her high school years, Talia Tene felt Israel NATIV and life in Israel had a powerful effect on beckoning to her, and she realized that she eventually Talia. “NATIV is incredible…hands down,” she said. wanted to live there. But before making a permanent “This program really helps you in all aspects of life. You move, she and her parents, Gady (a native of Israel) and are able to see parts of Israel you would never imagine Mindy, decided that a trial run was the way to go; then going to. You learn so much within such a short period Talia could decide whether or not to stay there perma- of time and make friends you will have forever.” nently. Through the influence of her journey, she also The Tenes investigated a variety of programs offered embraced Judaism in a new way. Through a variety of to young adults; then, Beth El’s Education Director programs and presentations, she said, participants were Judy Rubin introduced them to NATIV (“path” in “allowed to truly understand what being a Conservative Hebrew), a nine-month academic program sponsored Jew was all about. by the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism. “Before NATIV, I felt lost and didn’t really know what During their stay, participants take part in university my religion was all about,” Talia said. “I think the classes, as well as Hebrew and Judaic courses. In addi- biggest thing that I took away from my year in Israel was tion, they participate in my understanding of leadership training, volunJudaism now and how pasteer work, and become sionate I am for my homeimmersed in many aspects land. Zionism is a huge part of everyday Israeli life. of my heart that will never The program was a good fade away. To this day, I still fit for Talia, so two months cannot believe that I spent a after her May 2009 graduafull nine months in my tion from Westside High Holy Land. I love Israel School, she packed her bags with everything I have, and and headed to the Holy will never let it go!” Land. Since returning home, Her educational endeavTalia has moved into her ors began with courses at own apartment (“After Hebrew University; howevcoming home, I realized Volunteering as a teacher’s assistant, Talia, fourth from left, er, after realizing that she how important it was to me in tie-dye shirt, poses with some of the students she tutored wanted to improve her to be able to take care of in Yerucham. Hebrew skills, Talia myself,” she said.), and will switched to MILA, a well-known ulpan (a school for the attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha this fall as a intensive study of Hebrew) in Jerusalem, to improve her fine arts major. In addition, her stint as a volunteer reading, writing and speaking skills. There she learned to teacher’s assistant and tutor during NATIV has motivatread and comprehend stories, wrote papers and letters in ed her to minor in education or another field “that will Hebrew and met the challenge of communicating with allow me to continue helping others learn.” Looking teachers who only spoke Hebrew. further down the road, she says a permanent move to During the second semester, Talia worked in a secular Israel remains an option for her long-term future. high school in the town of Yerucham, where she was an Talia also has a new appreciation for the Omaha Jewish English tutor for seventh- to 12th-grade students. community. As she prepared to leave Israel, she realized “This job was extremely meaningful to me because I that “I was going back to a very strong and loving was able to see changes in the students,” she said, citing Jewish community in Omaha. one student who was not focused on school and rarely “To the Jewish community here in Omaha, I owe a big showed up for class. “After working with her a few thank you,” she said. “This community was extremely times, she took an English test,” Talia recalled. “After supportive of my dream of going to Israel. I was able to the test was graded I asked the teacher how she did. She receive scholarships and extra financial aid in order to looked at me and said that this student had never passed achieve my dream. I owe a lot to this community and I a test, but she passed this one! Not only did she pass, but cannot wait to be able to help within my Jewish comshe was able to score her highest grade she’s ever gotten munity.”
Milt (Kutsher) and Wilt (Chamberlain) -- mitzvah men by JERRY IZENBERG HENDERSON, Nev. (JTA) -- Up in the Catskills, a man named Yossi Zablocki is trying to save the last blintz palace of my generation’s youth. The place is called Kutsher’s Country Club. Once, in another world, I spent a lot of time there covering basketball players and boxers in training for their big fights and sports clinics that drew 500 high school and college coaches from all over the country for a week each summer to study under coaching giants like Red Auerbach, Nat Holman, Ara Parseghian and Adolph Rupp. The man who made it all work was named Milton Kutsher. It was also a time when that slice of the world, comprised of a great wall of kosher hotels affectionately known as the Borscht Belt, had its own lifestyle, bringing with it a ritual of family summers that didn’t need jet air travel or Caribbean beaches or the green felt tables of Las Vegas. This was the world of stomach-bending meals, group activities, games of “Simon Says,” Latin dance lessons and stages that served as the training grounds for future giants of comedy. And the soft, summer evenings were punctuated from one end of the “Jewish Alps” to the other with the steady thump, thump, thump of basketballs dribbled against asphalt and the perfect punctuation mark of the swish as the ball arched through the net. Everybody had a team of pseudo busboys and bellmen straight off college campuses. Who could ever forget the sight of the world’s tallest bellhop out of Philadelphia - a man named Wilt Chamberlain -- and a surrounding cast of players featuring talent like Frank Ramsey, Cliff Hagen and Neil Johnson? But all of that pales against the memory of what Milton Kutsher put together with the Maurice Stokes Basketball Game, a charity game to benefit needy members of the basketball community. The story begins in 1958 on an airplane bringing the then-Cincinnati Royals home from Detroit, where they had been seven-point losers to the Pistons in the first of a best-of-three, opening-round NBA playoff series. The plane was more than halfway to Cincinnati when Maurice Stokes, a man with a spectacularly impressive body and who, at 6-feet-7, had been the NBA's third best rebounder, suddenly collapsed. That he did not die right there on March 15, 1958 was the direct result of a determined flight attendant who raced for an oxygen tank. That he did not die en route to the hospital in Cincinnati was the direct result of an alert pilot’s radio message and a dedicated EMS team. That he continued to live for 12 years, during which time he taught himself to speak again and became wheel Continued on page 18
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From China, with love by MARK ZALKIN I recently returned from a business trip to Shanghai. It is always difficult and wearing when working overseas. The long flights, jet lag, teaching during the day, business meetings late into the night are exhausting. The only respite from work was Shabbos at Chabad, and my one free Sunday there. On that one Sunday, I took the opportunity to attend the Shanghai World EXPO 2010. The pavilions from every country in the world were amazing. My first stop was, of course, Israel's pavilion. It focused on Israel's contribution to humanity through medicine, technology, farming, etc. The experience left me very proud! On my way to the Israel pavilion, I was approached by two London Jews. They told me they spotted my kippah and figured I was probably going to the Israel site. We got in line together and had a good hour to visit. (I believe the three of us were the only westerners in the long line of Chinese people lined up.)
The most satisfying experience was my chance meeting with six Chinese families/individuals who came over to me at a rest area. Most could not speak English but seemed interested in interacting with me. I used my very limited Chinese, plus a few phrases of basic Chinese from my iPhone app, to connect with them. They seemed thrilled that I tried to use some basic Chinese. However, the best tool I found was a smile, which in turn, elicited immediate smiles from them. I found the people so charming and friendly. Each group asked with their hands - if they could take a picture of me. I agreed. Then, after I returned home, I received this simple sincere e-mail and decided that I wanted to share it with friends and family. The opportunity to connect with other human beings, who are completely different from you, and to have a few moments for a brief interaction, is truly a gift from HaShem. To me it was the highlight of this past business trip to Shanghai. Indeed, I believe it is actually the best part of any travel, be it business or pleasure.
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Brooklyn’s Boro Park is home to one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities outside of Israel. Hear their amazing story from Omaha professor, Dr. Stephen Linenberger on Wednesday, July 28, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $13; beverage service is $3. For more information or to be placed on the e-mail list call 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish words have made their way into every phase of modern life, show biz, law, classrooms, etc. Come join us at our new meeting room (across from the beauty salon) at the Blumkin Home, every Thurdsay, 1-3 pm. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
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by PHILLIP PULLUM Right at Home is local, national, and international in-home care and assistance agency, providing quality care to senior and disabled persons care since 1995. We provide trained, insured and bonded caregivers for a variety of care giving needs. Whether it's for extra assistance after a stay in the hospital, an aging parent who needs extra help or companionship to remain in their home or as a respite for the family member who cares for an ailing loved one, Right at Home can help. Our home care services are flexible for your needs. We can provide care for as little as a few hours a day up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our caregivers are tested and professionally trained through our exclusive Right at Home CERT Program(Caregiver Education Recognition & Training Program). Our caregivers are background checked. We will develop a personalized plan of care for each client, delivered wherever our client calls home • Private Residence • An Independent Senior Living Community • An Assisted Living or Group Home • A Skilled Nursing Facility (Nursing Home) • A hospital, acute care, rehabilitation, or hospice facility We are proud to provide home care services to our clients and we are confident that you will come to enjoy a superior client care experience. Please contact Philip Pullum, Operations Manager for Metropolitan Omaha at 402.697.7536 to learn more about what we can do for you, your loved one or friend.
by JUDY SIMONS Midwest Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, P.C. and Dr. Gerald B. Simons welcomes new physician Dr. Brynn Richardson. Dr. Richardson is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and specializes in treating adult and pediatric ear, nose and throat disorders. Dr. Richardson is a member of the American Rhinologic Society and the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Richardson received her medical degree from Kansas University Medical Center and completed an otolaryngology residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center hospitals and clinics. Her practice includes all aspects of ear, nose and throat diagnosis and treatment for children of all ages and adults. Dr. Richardson is trained in advanced surgical approaches and applies the latest otolaryngologic techniques in endoscopic sinus surgery. Midwest ENT Clinic specializes in several areas of Otolaryngology including medical and surgical management of nasal and sinus disorders, tonsils, adenoids and ear tube surgery, ear disorders and ear surgery, snoring and sleep apnea. Midwest ENT Clinic also offers hearing testing and hearing aids with certified Audiologist, Bethami Grossman Au.D., CCCA. In a response to patient requests Drs. Simons and Richardson are now providing specialized skin care treatments including Botox, Dysport and dermal fillers (Restylane, Juvederm and Sculptra). Midwest Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic is located at Clarkson West Medical Center, 2727 S. 144th St., Suite 105 in Omaha. Appointments may be made by calling 402.778.5200 or 800.383.3021.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 23, 2010
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Blumkin Home holds first adult Bnei Mitzvah celebration by OZZIE NOGG Rabbi Weiss considers the Bnei The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home build- Mitzvah class a great opportunity for resing renovation is complete, and so are idents to continue to learn and grow in preparations for the first RBJH Bnei their knowledge of Judaism. “So many of Mitzvah celebration. The event, sched- them never had an opportunity for foruled for Friday, July 30, at 2:30 p.m. in mal Jewish education,” he said. “When the Simon Family Chapel, is the brain the women were growing up, most forchild of Rabbi Yaakov Weiss, Blumkin mal Jewish education was devoted to Home Pastoral Services Coordinator. their brothers or other males preparing “I was working with the activities per- for their Bar Mitzvahs. But even though sonnel on programming,” Rabbi Weiss they never actually studied, they all said, “and realized there was a great opportunity to increase the Jewish content at the Home.” Weiss, who was already conducting regular pastoral visits to residents, decided to create a Bnei Mitzvah program for them. “I wanted to keep the group small and intimate in order to facilitate camaraderie and discussion,” he explained, “and left to right: Rabbi Myer Kripke, Myrna Diamond, Rabbi Yaakov this past January, six resWeiss, Harriet Kutler, Lucille Nearenberg and Marilyn Heller idents and I met for the first time. The participants asked remember stories and practices from their thoughtful questions and chose the direc- youth.” tion for our course of studies based on “Of course, today most Jewish girls and their personal interests.” boys become Bat or Bar Mitzvah when Since that initial gathering, the group they’re 12 or 13,” Weiss continued. “But has met once a month to study topics a real celebration of accomplishments can ranging from Jewish history, Jewish only come after experience, which is the thought, Torah and its interpretation, as best way to learn. Our Siyum -- celebrawell as Jewish spiritual and ritual practice. tion of the completion of our studies -“Knowledge of Hebrew was not a will be a time of completion and recognirequirement,” Weiss said, “and over the tion of the residents’ accomplishments course of the lessons we’ve touched over the past seven months of study. I on songs, prayers and texts coming pri- plan to start a second Bnei Mitzvah class marily from the Hebrew and translated soon, and hope the original group will into English.” The Bnei Mitzvah partici- come back again for another round of pants include Myrna Diamond, Marilyn studies.” Heller, Harriet Kutler, Lucille The July 30 Bnei Mitzvah Siyum is Nearenberg and Rabbi Myer Kripke. “I part of the official opening of the Simon was honored that Rabbi Kripke attended Family Chapel. “The 2:30 p.m. celebrathe classes,” Weiss said. “Of course, he is tion in the Chapel will be followed by a no stranger to Bar and Bat Mitzvah. But reception at 3 p.m. in the Silverman he loves to study and was an invaluable Auditorium,” Rabbi Weiss said. “The contributor to the group. Rabbi Kripke is entire community is invited to attend.” a remarkable teacher, and we all learned For more information contact Rabbi so much from him.” Weiss at 330.4272.
The History of the State of Israel by EMILY GILLER How many people remember that in 1960 when the top Nazi criminal, Adolf Eichmann, was arraigned in Jerusalem on charges of killing millions of Jews? Or remember the headlines that conveyed the immense despair and grief for the nine Israeli Olympic athletes that were killed in Munich? How many people can say they were alive in 1897 when a state of Israel was just an idea? It’s easy for people to look through history books and learn about the history of Israel. However, the company, Upstart Ideas, has taken its own approach on recounting Israel’s past. Upstart Ideas has compiled historic newspaper pages from the New York Times describing life-changing events in Israel’s history. This compilation, which is printed on newsprint and is full-paper size, has five different sections and includes 27 crucial events in Israel’s history. The coverage begins in 1897 and ends in 2009. This edition highlights Israel’s conquering moments along with some of its more painful ones. The New York Times provides readers with facts and quotes
that allow them to snag a glimpse of these historic events through the eyes of the people who lived during them. When readers look through this compilation, they will not only view Israel’s history, but view the rest of the world’s history too. Readers will have a better understanding of what the world was like during all these events. For instance, wedged in-between an ad for the “Brainchild” calculator, which adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides, and an ad for men’s suits, only costing $45, is more coverage on Adolf Eichmann’s trial. Readers may also notice an article about Israel and Palestine’s “quest for MidEast peace” next to an article about Martha Stewart’s indictment on charges of conspiracy. This compilation is a way for readers to get an overview of Israel’s history from a well-established news source. It truly provides a more personal approach to learning about the history of Israel, because it recalls historic events as they were happening. This compilation is only $19.95 and can be purchased online by visiting: http:www.anydate.com/Israel.html.
July 23, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
Getting lost in fairy tale Ireland
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by MASADA SIEGEL ued, albeit a few hundred years later when Gerald Ireland, a mystical place, is the land of fairies, folklore, Goldberg became Lord Mayor of Cork in 1977. flower-filled fields, white sandy beaches and haunted casNot to be outdone, Dublin also boasts two Jewish tles. Influential writers and poets from WB Yeats to Mayors, a father and son, Robert Briscoe, twice Lord James Joyce found their inspiration from the streets of Mayor of Dublin (1956 – 1957 & 1961 – 1962) and his Dublin to the craggy cliffs of Slieve. son Ben Briscoe, also Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1988. I landed in Dublin, an emerald green city bathed in Dublin, home of the prolific writer James Joyce is summer sunlight. History touched me from the moment charming and a manageable city to navigate. Many locaI arrived, as my hotel, the Merrion, elegant in every way possible from the rooms to the tea service, was also the place where Arthur Wellesley, the First Duke of Wellington was born. Brushing jet lag aside, (ok well after a three hour nap), I headed out to explore Dublin Castle. The city gets its name from the Dubh Linn or Black Pool, (Dubh = black) which is on the site of the present Castle gardens. It was originally built as a defensive fortification for the Norman city of Dublin, and later evolved into a royal residence. In 1938, the first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde, was inaugurated in the castle, and now it continues to host to this ceremony, as well as many other governmental affairs. Irish history is rich, com- Clockwise from top left: the Dublin Shul, the gardens at plicated and dramatic. Ireland Castle, inside Dublin Castle and a scene from While the Jewish popula- Glenveagh National Park. tion is not large, never more then 6,000 people, influ- tions Joyce writes about in ential figures, such as Chaim Herzog, the sixth President “Ulysses”, where his famous of Israel, was born in Ireland, and have made an impact Jewish character, Leopold in international as well as Irish politics. Bloom frequents, such as the restaurant/bar Davy The earliest reference to a Jewish presence in Ireland Byrnes, on Grafton Street, are still open for business and was in the year 1079, when scholars believe merchants marked with metal plaques. arrived for a short visit. However, the first Irish Jewish Joyce himself frequented Bewley’s Oriental Café, a politician was William Annyas, elected as Mayor of European Style coffee house, where the atmosphere is Youghal, County Cork in 1555. The tradition contin- easy going and is a great place for any meal. It’s filled
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with Irish stories, one famous Jewish artist, Harry Kernoff – whose paintings are in the Irish National Gallery, would often eat at Bewley’s, and in exchange for his meal would do a drawing on the bill. Another famous Irish author, Oscar Wilde was showcased at the nearby Gaiety Theater, with the performance of “The Importance of Being Ernest” starring Stockard Channing. It’s a charming place to see a show; the performance was brilliant, the entire audience filled the theater with laughter. Besides laughing in Ireland, I simply felt smarter, especially as I walked down the cobble stoned campus of Trinity College established in 1592. The campus hosts the famous Books of Kells, which is an ornately decorated version of the Christian Gospels dating from the ninth century. The Vikings looted the book in 1007 for its jeweled cover but left the manuscript behind. The 680-page book is known for its unbelievable intricate artistry and some historians believe the book contains all the designs found in Celtic art. Part of the exhibition includes the majestic library, aptly named the “Long Room,” it is 213 feet long and 42 feet wide, and holds about 200,000 of the 3 million volumes in Trinity’s collection. Trinity College also has a Jewish connection. The Weingreen museum, donated by Professor Jack and Bertha Weingreen who taught Hebrew at the University consists mainly of pottery and other artifacts from the Ancient Near East. The collection encompasses the entire Mediterranean world from North Africa to Mesopotamia and from ninth millennium BCE to the Crusades and is open to the public by appointment. Ireland also boasts a Jewish Museum, once a synagogue, it was established in 1984. It was opened by former President of Israel Dr. Chaim Herzog, whose father Continued on page 12
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 23, 2010
Getting lost in fairy tale Ireland
Lifeline: safety at home
Continued from page 11 sure to meet a ghost. (Many guests who stay in the was Yitzchak HaLevi Herzog, the first Chief Rabbi of Castle have claimed to see a woman walking through the Ireland. The ceremony was held in 1985 during his halls.) Adorning the walls were exquisite family porState visit to Ireland. The museum is filled with photos, traits, photos of dignitaries and historical trivia such as paintings and Judiaca and it chronicles the last 150 years Winston Churchill’s christening clothes. The old fashof Irish Jewish communities and their contributions to ioned kitchen was still intact, next to a modern day verpresent day Ireland. sion which is used, when people book parties and wedI wandered over to the Dublin Hebrew Congregation dings at the Castle. synagogue. Call it dumb luck- or good travel karma, I arrived just as Saturday morning services were ending, and stopped to chat with two Irish people. Stuart Rosenblatt is the preeminent scholar of Irish Jewish genealogy having created an enormous database of more than 42,000 Irish Jews, their family histories and their global connections dating back to 1664. He with his friend, Anne Lapedus Brest, a photographer who immigrated to South Africa, were kind enough to spend some time talking to me, and they even invited me to share a meal! Talk about warm Irish hospitality. Castle Leslie estate in County Monaghan While I appreciated meeting the locals, secretly I was determined to see a ghost or a fairy, Perhaps the most famous wedding was Paul after all in a land known for its literary tall tales and mag- McCartney’s ill-fated marriage to Heather Mills which ical happenings, anything was possible, right? took place at the Castle. Mick Jagger and many celebriOne of the first places, where the possibility existed ties and royalty have also spent time on the estate. was Newgrange. A grass covered enormous round strucMoving forward with my adventure, one of the most ture, it is a legendary megalithic passage tomb, older magical places, I experienced in Ireland is Glenveagh than both Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza; and is National Park, a Scottish style Castle surrounded by also a world heritage site. It was specifically constructed thousands of acres of mountains, lakes, glens and woods. so every winter solstice, a beam of sunlight shines The garden is divided into a few sections, one approprithrough the entrance to a passageway to illuminate the ately named the Pleasure Gardens. Glenveagh is known chamber inside. for its rich collection of southern hemisphere trees and The knowledgeable guide explained the possibilities of shrubs as well as a diverse Rhododendron collection. Newgrange: perhaps a burial chamber or a place for ritThe Castle changed ownership a few times, and evenual purposes. However, she told us, that our guesses tually was given to the government so tens of thousands were as good as hers, as no one really knows what hap- of people can enjoy the majesty of the gardens, which pened in those chambers. are free to enter. However, with no fairies to be found, I headed Enchanted with the colorful gardens, fragrant flowers towards the Castle Leslie estate in County Monaghan. and ornate statues, it made sense how all the great Irish My tour guide was the senior occupant, Sir John Leslie, authors found magic in their midst. The blue tinted light fourth Baronet, who is now 93. Sir John never married, and the cool crisp air enveloped me, and off in the disnever had kids, but is a man of movement, so when he tance I spotted what seemed to be a small creature flyis not entertaining the many guests who stay on the ing towards me, whether it was a ghost or a fairy, I’m premises, he goes disco dancing every Saturday night at not sure. It sprinkled something in my eyes, and left me the local club. even more captivated with the exquisiteness of Ireland. Wandering through the Castle was a treat. Room after Masada Siegel can be reached at room, twisting and turning upstairs and down, I was Fungirlcorrespondent@gmail.com.
by DAVID STORM Home: there is no place like it. It is where we feel secure, and where we are safe. As we get older, that safe feeling can be threatened by serious health risks, and our home can turn into a danger zone. It is important to find the right solution amidst all the different options available. Lifeline is a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) that is easy to incorporate into anybody’s daily routine. A small device with a button is worn around the neck; when the button is pressed, a signal goes out through the telephone. Calls are made on your behalf to Lifeline personnel, up to three emergency contacts, and local first responders, including police, the fire department, and EMT response teams. If no one answers, 911 is automatically notified. Subscribing to a PERS can cost anywhere from $25 to $55 per month; a one-time installation charge may be applicable, as well as additional costs for extra features such as medication dispensers or voice extenders. Whether you need a PERS for short- or long-term, be sure to Continued on page 14
Mobility Motoring’s mission by JAIME SULLIVAN When it comes to trips to the grocery store, dropping children off at school, or even leaving the house for work, most people do not think twice about jumping in their car and completing the task at hand. Now imagine being in a wheelchair or needing assistance to be mobile. Mobility Motoring in Omaha has made it their mission to help self-determined people with all types of disabilities become even more independent. Mobility Motoring was started 25 years ago by Mark Zach, who at the time, worked with full size van conversions. When his own father needed a handicap accessible van, Zach realized there was a lack of local experts in the field. "When you live it in your own life, you understand how important it is to be able to work with someone who understands the challenges", says Zach, "Our business is built around our evaluation." Upon first contact with someone, they ask to meet with them for a free evaluation. This initial assessment helps them determine wants and needs, as well as take crucial measurements and discuss all financial assistance options. "When we deliver a finished product, we know for certain it is exactly what our client needs and that every source of assistance has been exhausted" he said. You may schedule an evaluation by calling 402.884.3333. Mobility Motoring has become Nebraska’s largest and most successful mobility conversion and adaptive equipment company. They have also positioned themselves as the “mobility experts” with auto dealers across the Midwest since many auto manufacturers have rebates available for adaptive equipment. Their goal is to make sure that whether it is a simple left foot gas pedal or a fully converted van, it is about helping people live a life without limitations.
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Annual eye exams: a good thing by JANE BAILEY Jane Bailey M.D. has been providing compassionate, expert ophthalmic care in the Omaha area for the past 14 years. She received her medical degree at the University of Minnesota and her ophthalmology training at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Many eye conditions become common with age, such as glaucoma, cataracts, droopy eyelids, dry eyes, and macular degeneration. For this reason, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends annual eye exams for patients 65 and older. Recent advances in treatment can help maintain or restore good vision as patients age. New technology lens implants for cataract patients can provide excellent vision, and often reduce the need for glasses. We reserve openings for new patients. Please call 827.3333 for an appointment.
Dr. Eric D. Phillips earns prestigious honor by SARA SMITH The Nebraska Spine Center A national reputation, here in Nebraska. In November of 2008, the physicians and staff of The Nebraska Spine Center moved to a new location just off the West Dodge Expressway at 136th Street. This new facility creates an environment that has been recognized as one of the top 15 spine centers in the nation: an environment that provides patients with the opportunity to get the very latest in diagnostic, imaging, therapeutic and treatment modalities all in one location. With services including seven fellowship trained orthopaedic spine surgeons, two physical medicine specialists, physical therapy, a bracing department and chiropractic care, our total commitment to spine health is regionally unparalleled. One of the orthopaedic spine surgeons, Eric D. Phillips, M.D., was named as one of the Best Doctors in America® for 20092010. This is the first time that Dr. Phillips has earned this prestigious honor. Compiled by Boston-based Best Doctors, Inc., the list is the result of an exhaustive survey of more than 45,000 physicians in the United States. Only those doctors recognized to be in the top 3-5% of their specialty earn the honor. Dr. Phillips has extensive experience treating patients who have been injured on the job. His expertise results from an understanding of the pathology of spinal workplace injuries and knowledge of AMA impairment guidelines. He will be presenting at a worker’s compensation seminar in August along with Dr. Timothy A. Burd, Dr. Alicia B. Feldman, Dr. J. Brian Gill, Corey Campbell, D.C., and physical therapist Erick Alvarez, all of the Nebraska Spine Center. The seminar is designed for health care providers, insurance adjustors and attorneys who deal with workers’ compensation issues. For more information or to schedule an appointment visit our website www.nebraska spinecenter.com or call 402.496.0404.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
Gerald B. Simons, M.D.
Midwest Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, P.C.
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July 23, 2010
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Hail the Queen BERT’S EYE VIEW by BERT LEWIS When the subject of health comes up, I tend to think of folks my own age - my contemporaries. And one in particular who fits that description is Queen Elizabeth. You know, the frumpy lady with the big hats and the vedy, veddy British accent. You may recall I like to involve her in these columns whenever it’s appropriate. Such as now, since as I write this, she’s here, paying America a formal call. Of course you know my interest in her goes back to childhood, which we shared...hers was at Buckingham Palace, mine in a more modest residence right here in Omaha. But we were the same age, so of course I could relate to her at least some of the time. As I’ve often reported, I always envied her, because she had a pony, dogs and a white fur coat with a muff to match. She also had a little sister, another thing I envied. I only had a big brother and he wasn’t too thrilled with me! Naturally, Liz and I were teens together, and here was where I stopped wishing I could be like she was. She lived through wartime and was even involved in some way with the motorized corps of her Army. Me? I was being a teen, only somewhat concerned with the bad stuff going on in the world. But we both managed to get through that time and as we matured, got engaged at roughly the same time. I was thrilled with my prince, who was a great guy I had known well enough to want to marry, while the Prince that was chosen for Liz was a stranger to her, and older too. No thanks. That’s about when I began to realize I didn’t have it so bad. Our wedding plans were very different. I knew the Rabbi who would stand under the chupah with us, and I wondered who all those church dignitaries would be, who would officiate at the grand affair called the royal wedding. After all, Liz was a Princess. Her Mom and Dad were the King and Queen, for crying out loud! Then there were the wedding gowns and there, my dears was where comparisons ended. Heaven only knows how many designers and seamstresses were involved in the dress for the Princess, with its long, elegant train. Mine was a slightly different story. Between my Mom and I, we put together a sketch of the details I hoped to have in my dress. We took it to a woman who was noted for creating the most beautiful wedding dresses in town. We (read Mom) chose the material and felt it was all in the hands of the gods of wedding dresses (and the lady). It all turned out very well for both Liz and me. The weddings went off without a hitch, though with much less fanfare here at the Fontenelle Hotel than in London at (I think) Westminister. Fast forward a few years, when Liz went into maternity dresses a bit before I
did, making her eldest a wee bit older than mine. Both were boys and of course mine was far better looking than hers. I kept a close watch on the infant Brit, and always knew what was going on with him. In time he had three more siblings, just as my firstborn also had. So far, we were, you might say, neck and neck. Well, she had become Queen along the way while I only had become a domestic engineer, doing my best to raise four hooligans and keep my sanity at the same time. As kids have a habit of doing, mine grew up, as did the British royal babes. And that’s probably about where things really began to change drastically. Of course mine were not exactly angels, but none of them ever embarrassed me by misbehaving in public to the delight of newspapers and magazines. Naturally, reporters weren’t watching mine with an eagle eye, but I was! Also, none of mine ever gave away family secrets which became more fodder for the gossip mill, or otherwise made me think I wanted to hide! When mine wrote and published books on topics of great interest, the books didn’t sell for the family skeletons they revealed. My friend the Queen couldn’t say that with a straight face. I guess to be fair as well as honest, I have to say I know Liz is as proud of her kids as I am of mine, and also I’m sure she wishes some of the bad stuff hadn’t happened. Me too, but that’s life. Stuff happens whether one is a queen or an octogenarian trying to just manage each day. In one big way, Liz’s luck has been better than mine, in that she still has her Prince by her side. We’re all 60 plus years since the day we began our married lives together, and I know this for certain. The Queen doesn’t wear really high heels anymore, and neither do I. She does, however, still wear those big hats and carry those frumpy purses. And every move she makes is still watched by all of her subjects. I, on the other hand, still like my bluejeans and like to wear a baseball cap when I put the top down on the car. My hair style has changed dozens of times in my adult life, and even the color has changed. Liz still looks like the 1950’s and her color has changed, but it’s now white. I tend toward the blonde shades now...when I get to be an old lady I’ll think about gray hair. By now you know this was all my idea of fun...Liz doesn’t really know me. Heck, when I’ve been in London she never once invited me to stop by for a cup of tea. That’s ok. Through the years she’s provided me with some interesting reading and more than one comparison of our children. And one final remark: I wouldn’t trade one minute of my life with my prince for all the crowns and diamonds and priceless objects of art in her kingdom. I’m positive I got the best of the two bargains! Bert Lewis can be reached at BertLewis39@aol.com.
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July 23, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 15
Life sciences become big business in Israel by DINA KRAFT has produced to foster life sciences innovation. The phrenia developed by the Jerusalem-based company TEL AVIV (JTA) -- Yaron Aizenbud lays out in neat ecosystem brings together a combination of top research BioLineRx. The drug, BL-1020, helps reduce patient rows a set of patented titanium tools designed for back at Israel’s universities that transfers to companies, many violence. surgery, picks out a curved drill that matches the curve of which get their start in state-subsidized “incubators.” In June, BioLineRx signed an out-licensing agreement of a spine and a plastic model of vertebrae, and simulates In 2000, the government designated life sciences a pri- with a major U.S. pharmaceutical company for $335 how the drill is used to stabilize a damaged spine. ority sector. million. Aizenbud and the other founders of the small Israeli “My impression is there is both a lot of innovation At the conference Kinneret Savitsky, the company’s start-up Scorpion Surgical Technologies hope their CEO, tried to put her company’s success in a larger, medical devices will become a new solution for back national perspective. operations, particularly for people with osteoporo“Research is in our blood,” she said. “We think out sis, in some cases even eliminating the need for of the box. It comes out of our way of life here.” replacing ruptured discs. The medical device business accounts for more Scorpion Surgical was among the hundreds of than half of the life sciences industry in Israel. These companies displaying their wares in a maze of rooms technologies require less research than biotech and and bright lights at a recent biotech and life sciences usually can be brought quicker to market -- before convention in Tel Aviv. Among them were firms investors become impatient. with home-grown advances in cell and gene therapy, The relatively long time it takes to build a success imaging and heart disease drugs. in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology makes the In its ninth year the conference, ILSI-BioMed, industry a high-risk, high-yield one. drew some 7,000 people, including international Claudio Yarza, the partner in charge of life sciences investors and industry leaders. It was the largest for PriceWaterhouseCooper’s Israel office, causuch industry gathering outside of the United tioned that although the industry has developed States, according to conference organizers. well in the past few years, the risk remains. Aizenbud, a veteran of Israeli high-tech who has Even when a deal is made, Yarza said, it’s not clear worked for IBM, Amdocs and a host of start-ups, that the product will make it to market or become a spoke of the special satisfaction in switching gears to success. Life science industry figures mingle at the Tel Aviv ILSI-BioMed conferthe life sciences. “Bio-tech is harder to succeed at than high-tech ence, which had more than 7,000 people from around the world. “You feel the difference in what you are doing,” because the development stage is more complicatCredit: Ilan Levi he said. “This is about contributing something to ed,” he said. “Many high-tech companies start with the public.” here and a willingness to take high risks here, even in an idea for a product, and it’s already ready for developThe field of life sciences, an umbrella term that refers comparison to U.S. biotech,” said Simeon Taylor, vice ment not awaiting more research. And in bio-tech we to medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, president of Cardiovascular and Metabolics Discovery think we might have a new solution on our hands, but has become big business in Israel. There are more than Biology at Bristol-Myers Squibb, a major U.S. pharma- until trials are completed we cannot say it definitely 1,000 companies, and another 80 join the field every ceutical company that had representatives at the ILSI- does.” year, according to industry estimates. BioMed conference. Debra Lappin, the president of the Council for Last year, life sciences accounted for $6 billion in Over the years, Israel has built up a strong name inter- American Innovation, said the United States needs Israeli exports, mostly to the United States, making it nationally with a track record of success stories. Perhaps Israeli know-how and thus should be welcoming to one of Israel’s biggest exports. most well-known is the invention by the company Given Israeli companies and the advances they bring. Israel tops the list of countries in medical device Imaging of the PillCam, a capsule containing a camera “The new nature of innovation relies on partnerships,” patents per capita and is fourth in the world for biotech- that a patient can swallow, enabling the physician to see she said. “The U.S. is reliant on outsourcing its innovanology patents per capita. distinct portions of the gastrointestinal track. tion, so we need to make sure the door is open because Observers credit Israel’s success in this extremely comAnd there are the potential blockbuster products com- otherwise Israel will look elsewhere.” petitive market to the nurturing ecosystem the country ing on the market, like the drug to help treat schizo-
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Page 16
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 23, 2010
Dirty little lies by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Did you hear? “President Barack Obama is tangled in the mystery surrounding the murder of the gay choir director of his controversial Chicago church - and the slain man's mother is demanding answers NOW!” It’s the screaming headline I read on the cover of the Globe the other day, when I was standing in line at the supermarket (where else?). In spite of the fact that I was tempted, I didn’t buy the magazine, so I don’t know what it said on the inside. Whoever said the press should always be neutral obviously wasn’t talking about the rags that are found in the checkout line. These types of ‘papers’ aren’t meant to break actual news; they are there to feed a problematic need for scandal, even if they have to make it all up from scratch. Especially if they have to make it all up from scratch. Drunk starlets and abusive actors, homeless royalty and gambling playboys up-tono-good; they have been around for a long time, and boy, are they amusing. Still, when it comes to bad mouthing the current President, there are many people who eagerly swallow the lies. After all, they already knew or at least suspected it: “Government records official revealed Obama was NOT born in the U.S. and there is NO birth certificate in Hawaii to prove his claims that's he's a "natural born" citizen as required by the Constitution!” The caps make it extra true. And that’s not all. Obama was also caught in a cheating scandal (Michelle is outraged!), he really is a Muslim, and he blew $10 million on drunken White House parties – parties that include conga lines. Conga lines! Of course, Muslims aren’t supposed to drink, but that’s a detail we can safely ignore. If you think Obama’s the only one that’s got it bad, think again: after a small bit of Googling, I discovered that there is a plot to steal Gary Coleman’s ashes, that Laura Bush is
ready to divorce a desperate George, and that Camilla (after collapsing drunkenly in Poland) is about to die from liver failure, stiff upper lip and all. Needless to say, you can’t take any of it seriously. Unfortunately, I suspect (from having spent a little too much time online) that many do. That’s a problem, because –although there is always a certain element of bias in anything that appears in print -- there should still be a reasonable chance for people to inform themselves of the facts and then make up their own mind. It’s called ‘thinking for yourself’, and it’s a good thing. Filthy gossip about famous people will, I’m afraid, remain popular as long as the world keeps turning. Why? Maybe it’s because being human means being subjected to random rules about what success looks like. When we see that success in others, we start to feel insecure, and so we instinctively try to take them down a notch. We wish we could be more like them, but we can’t, so maybe they should be more like us. It’s a popular explanation, but I don’t know if I buy it. I think there’s a much darker reason that these types of stories continue to find a market. It’s the consequence of excess: a little bit of gossip turns into a lot of gossip when you don’t put the brakes on. And
recently, there’s been very little braking in the world. The other day, some people in Iowa thought it a good idea to express their discomfort with the current government by pasting a large billboard with posters of Hitler, Obama, and Lenin. The board was plastered over rather quickly, luckily, but every time something like that happens, the line is moved. The more we are confronted with dirty gossip, the more immune we become. What’s one more allegation, what’s one more small lie? Maybe the best lesson we can take away from this is that it’s always easier to tear another person down, than to build him up. I challenge you all to say one nice thing about somebody this coming week. That is Tikkun Olam.
FOCUS ON ISSUES by HOWARD LENHOFF OXFORD, Miss. (JTA) -- In Africa and Israel, several exciting programs are now operating that show that untapped resources in Israel’s Ethiopian Jewish community could be turned into one of Israel’s great assets. As an activist on behalf of Israel and Ethiopian Jews since 1974, I propose that Israel build a sizable cadre of Ethiopian Jewish Israelis and train them for Peace Corps-type service in poverty-stricken African nations to help them develop schools, farms, irrigation systems, and paramedical and communication facilities. This model of an Afro-Israeli Peace Corps can be useful for other democracies that also are trying to assimilate large numbers of African immigrants. Out of Africa and educated in Israel, these Ethiopian Israelis could be employed by Israel or by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to help others in Africa. This is already happening at the Agahozo Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda, a JDC site on 143 acres on the outskirts of the capital Kigali. Some 250 Rwandan orphans are enrolled as live-in students at Agahozo Shalom, which has plans to add 250 more orphans from the devastating wars of recent years. Some of those training local Rwandans to work with the orphans are Ethiopian Israeli graduates of the Yemin Orde youth village in Israel. Why should an Afro-Israeli Peace Corps consist primarily of Ethiopian Israelis?
Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Eric Dunning, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Past President; Daphne Pollak Alperson, Marc Brodkey; Phyllis Brown; Jason Epstein; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Jamie Meyerson; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman; Nancy Wolf. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, 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. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency 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: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.
Toward creating an Ethiopian Israeli Peace Corps Experiences at the Rwanda school and at similar aid programs in Africa show that African people relate especially well to others of African background whose families have shared similar trials. This would hardly be the first foray for Israel into conducting Peace Corps-type work in Africa. Between 1958 and 1973, the Israeli government sent physicians, engineers, and irrigation and agricultural experts to a number of African countries. Today, Israel has resumed helping some African countries. With a broadly based effort to recruit and train Ethiopian Jews for service across the African continent, Israel can restore its pre1973 programs in Africa with a new creative humanitarian dimension. At the same time, significant benefits would be provided to Israel’s growing Ethiopian Jewish community, too many of whom are unemployed and whose families live below the national poverty level. As we know from the U.S. Peace Corps program, returning volunteers employ their skills and experiences beneficially at home. A long list of American leaders in the fields of education, business, politics, diplomacy, the arts, literature and medicine started their careers with service in the U.S. Peace Corps. Once they return to Israel, Ethiopian graduates of the program would be more likely to get better jobs, decreasing the community’s poverty level and perhaps increasing the respect of other Israelis for their fellow Ethiopian citizens. The program also could generate much good will internationally for Israel. Any naysayers who might claim that an insufficient number of Ethiopian Israelis are
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up to the task would be wrong. Ethiopian Jews in Israel have become rabbis, lawyers, musicians, fashion models, nurses, movie producers, journalists and computer programmers. An educational program in the Israeli town of Kiryat Malachi has helped Ethiopian Israelis there achieve higher rates of high school graduation than the general Israeli population in that community. There should be no concern about Israel finding sufficient qualified Ethiopian Jews to staff an Afro-Israeli peace corps. Furthermore, recruiting Ethiopian Jews for service in Africa can be a potent motivating factor in further improving educational achievement in their own community in Israel. An Afro-Israeli Peace Corps obviously will be no panacea to solve all the problems of the Ethiopian Israelis; other major efforts are needed. Without a broad-based effort to address the problems of that community, the heroic airlifts of the Ethiopian Jews via Operation Moses in 1984 and Operation Solomon in 1991 may continue to be marred by social ills. But a Peace Corps-type program could help provide a way for Ethiopian Israelis to gain valuable training and work experience, and elevate their socioeconomic status within Israel. Rabbi Irving Greenberg, past president of the Jewish Life Network, and Nathan Shapiro, past president of the American Association for Ethiopian Jews, have endorsed this idea. Just as the Peace Corps was a major win-win domestically and internationally for America, this initiative could bring similar benefits to Israel and to any country wishing to join the fight against world poverty.
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July 23, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 17
The long arm of Iran endangers Israel and the West BEHIND THE H EADLINES by DANIEL S. MARIASCHIN WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Iran targeted Argentina’s Jews in a horrific car bomb attack 16 years ago. Now, as Tehran infiltrates Latin America, its aim is broader -- the Western Hemisphere. Iran, the world’s largest and most successful state sponsor of terror, has gotten away with one of its most brazen and deadly acts for too long. On July 18, 1994, a bomb blew apart the AMIA (Argentina-Israelite Mutual Association) building in Buenos Aires. The blast killed 85 and wounded 300. Symbolically, the damage was far greater as the building was home to the heart of the largest Jewish community in Latin America. It is commonly accepted knowledge that Tehran was behind the attack. And in recent years, an Argentine prosecutor released a report detailing Iranian involvement and issued international arrest warrants for various Iranian leaders and a top Hezbollah official. According to the International Institute for CounterTerrorism, the prosecutor’s report concluded the primary reason that Argentina was the chosen target was the “government’s unilateral decision to terminate the nuclear materials and technology supply agreements that had been concluded some years previously between Argentina and Iran.” Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons and its capacity for vendettas goes back many years. It is easy to dismiss this act of barbarism. After all, in the intervening years, the world has seen far more dramatic acts of terror. But we forget, and stand idle, at our peril. Let us remember that prior to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the Iranian terrorist arm, Hezbollah, had killed more Americans than any other terrorist group in the world. Iran is lurking at our doorstep. And without some serious attention to the perils posed by Tehran, pretty soon it will come crashing through our door. By forging new and successful alliances in Latin America, most notably with Venezuelan dictator Hugo
Chavez, Tehran has gained an advantage it has never before enjoyed -- proximity to the United States. Iran exports a brand of hate that does not only target America or Jews. Iran has declared war on women, homosexuals, political opponents, even fellow Muslims who do not follow its extremist agenda and convoluted worldview. Its unrelenting quest to develop nuclear weapons, its blatant and wanton disregard of U.N. sanctions, and its constant threats against Israel make Iran potentially the most destabilizing force in the world today. So far, Tehran has only managed to charm the most unstable of nations; those seeking to burnish their international bona fides by speaking out against the United States. But in many ways, that is what makes these alliances even more dangerous. Tehran can easily exploit regional grudges to import non-regional conflicts to the hemisphere. Using its petro-dollars, Iran lavishes contracts across Latin America to foster good will and generate revenue in nations badly in need of a positive economic infusion. At a U.S. Senate Armed Services hearing last year, the commander of U.S. forces in Latin America, Adm. James Stavridis testified that “We have seen in Colombia a direct connection between Hezbollah activity and the narcotrafficking activity.” Not only is Hezbollah active in the hemisphere, but it has learned the drug trade and can now exploit those dangerous channels and connections at will. Iran opened six embassies across Latin America in a five-year period. It is successfully infiltrating the hemisphere. Stavridis described Tehran’s efforts in the region as “proselytizing and working with Islamic activities throughout the region.” The greater the role Iran plays in Latin America, the more it undermines any positive influence of such regional groups as the Organization of American States and international groups such as the United Nations. Law enforcement experts have determined that Hezbollah also was responsible for the 1992 truck bomb attack on Israel’s embassy in Buenos Aires that killed 29 and wounded 242. As Iran has demonstrated since these two deadly attacks in Argentina, it has a deep understanding of the complexities of Latin America and can exploit regional differences to destabilize ties and build new and dangerous alliances. It has done that in Venezuela,
Ecuador, Nicaragua and Bolivia. This axis presents an unmistakable danger to democracies in the hemisphere. The poorest and most disenfranchised people in many Latin American nations are ripe for Hezbollah recruiting. It is not difficult to envision a Hezbollah network made up of locals in many parts of the hemisphere. These recruits, with their language and familiarity of local customs, could easily fly below the radar of security watch dogs in plots against nearby democratic nations. Argentina was Iran’s first target in the hemisphere. We cannot assume it will be the last. Let us finally learn the dire lesson from the Hezbollah attacks on Buenos Aires, gather like-minded democratic nations together, and demonstrate the value of positive alliances on political, social and economic grounds. Daniel S. Mariaschin is the executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Your article in the Jewish Press of 6/26 does not tell the other side of the story in regard to the Rubashkin clan. I am a Jewish CPA, age 77, living in Omaha, who looks at this case and sees a Jewish criminal whose actions have reflected on all Jewish business people throughout the United States. Many non-Jews view the situation created in Postville, IA as one whereby the Rubashkin clan attempted to overpower and dominate the local government, and acted to ignore many State and Federal regulations in the management of their Kosher meat operations. Sholom Rubashkin does not deserve mercy and a reduced sentence, but he needs a very long lesson, while in Federal prison, on the subject of ‘treat your neighbor as you want to be treated.’ Those of us who are Jews in business are constantly seeing and hearing about what took place in Postville, and are confronted with remarks made by non-Jews in regard to our own business relationships. Quit feeling sorry for the Rubashkin clan, and Sholom in particular, and realize the serious damage that has been done to the moral and ethical reputations of responsible American Jewish business people. Alan Goodman - Omaha, NE
Saluting a stand against Holocaust denial
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by WARREN L. MILLER WASHINGTON (JTA) -- An official Iranian delegation from the city of Shiraz recently visited Weimar, its sister city in Germany. Like Weimar, Shiraz has been a capital of high culture for centuries, and appreciating the arts undoubtedly was high on the itinerary of Mayor Mehran E’temadi and his fellow delegates. The delegation from Shiraz did not, however, see fit to tour the other, less proud side of Weimar’s history -- the concentration camp of Buchenwald, located just four miles from the city, where more than 50,000 Jews and others were killed and made to endure cruel and barbaric treatment. The Iranians were scheduled to visit the concentration camp memorial, but they refused to go, for reasons that are obvious to anyone who has heard the anti-Semitic rants and Holocaust calumnies spewed by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. That the Shiraz delegation on their June visit chose to avoid the discomfort and embarrassment of confronting the truth is not surprising. But what might come as a pleasant surprise is the heartening reaction of their German hosts: The Weimar City Council refused to meet their guests from Shiraz. The message Weimar sent to E’temadi and his delegation could not have been clearer: If they choose historical revisionism over historic truth and prejudice over tolerance, then they are not welcome in respectable com-
pany, no matter what other values or interests they might share. It is important to recall that Weimar is not just any city with a black stain on its past. Weimar is a 1,000-year-old town renowned for its cultural heritage. It is the city of Goethe and Schiller and Bach and Liszt. The Bauhaus art movement was founded there. And yet the city’s illustrious past does not prevent its current leaders from facing up to a shameful era in its history, a lesson clearly lost on the delegation from Iran’s city of poets. Had E’temadi and his fellow delegates not avoided Buchenwald, they would have been hard-pressed to let stand their president’s Holocaust denial. As cultured, intelligent people, they could not have misunderstood the purpose of the ovens in the concentration camp’s crematorium. Walking though Buchenwald’s “Little Camp,” where the Jews were confined and the worst conditions existed, they hardly could have sustained the lies of their leader. Coming face to face with the meat hooks on which the Nazis hung prisoners before clubbing them to death, the distinguished guests from Shiraz would have received a sobering insight into what is reality and what is myth. Indeed, the Iranian delegation would have been shamed into silence had they read the words engraved on the memorial at the Little Camp -- words that I wrote when creating the memorial on behalf of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad: “Conditions were barbaric. Windowless stables with dirt floors intended to house 50 horses at times contained nearly 2,000 people. There was no running water,
no sanitation and virtually no heat in the stables. ... With only one latrine, many inmates were forced to use their food bowls as night latrines. By 1945, an ever-present stench of human excrement pervaded the site. Corpses lay about in the open as the death toll increased daily. The Little Camp was a place of deepest despair for those left there to be forgotten and to die from cold, starvation, dehydration, debilitating labor, torture and rampant epidemics of diseases that went untreated.” Even at the cost of disrespecting their German hosts, however, the Iranian delegation elected not to go to Buchenwald, a site visited by 750,000 people each year. One can only hope that the delegation’s decision was driven by fear of political repercussions back home. The alternative explanation for their actions is far more worrisome: That Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Holocaust denial is finding a receptive audience among the Iranian people. Repeated often enough, vicious lies eventually will be accepted as fact by many. The people and leaders of Weimar are to be commended for not looking the other way as E’temadi and his fellow Iranians denied the city’s past. Most Germans know all too well the cost of being bystanders when prejudice and hate are not confronted. They understand that when the Holocaust is denied and truth is under assault, so too is freedom, and so too is humanity. Warren L. Miller is chairman of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, a federal government agency that works with foreign governments to preserve endangered sites of cultural and historical significance.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 23, 2010
Candlelighting Friday, July 23, 8:32 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
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
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m.; Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Minha/Ma’ariv, 8:55 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m. THURSDAY: CSA pick-up for shareholders, 4:30 p.m. at the synagogue. BIRTHDAY BLESSING SHABBAT: Friday, July 30, 6 p.m. All birthday celebrants during the month of July are invited to receive a special blessing during Shabbat services at the synagogue. All Beth El classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
Offutt Air Force Base
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
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 and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush by Sisterhood; “Guard Your
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 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 Prayer Group 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
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Tongue,” “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up), one hour prior to Mincha every Shabbat; Mincha, 8:30 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 9:37p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.; Advanced Halacha Kollel, 9 p.m. Follow the Kollel at www.omaha kollel.blogspot.com. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbis Around the World, 7:30 p.m.
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: Shabbat Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. Mini-Mensch title will be awarded. Kiddush lunch follows. Join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m.; W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 12:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. THURSDAY: The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II intermediates and experts, ages 7-9, 3:50 p.m. Please contact Shevi@ochabad.com with any questions or to receive a guest pass. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi
Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with Tye Chapelle participating, with oneg following hosted by the Chapelle Family. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Tye Chapelle, with Kiddush Luncheon following. SUNDAY: Realities in Israel, 7 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Discussion with Tzipi and Yonadov, Camp Israel counselors. Questions, call the Tifereth Israel at 402.423.8569. MONDAY: Camp Israel! Jewish Day Camp, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through Friday. THURSDAY: Choir Rehearsal, 7:30-9 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Hebrew, led by Rabbi Emanuel. Please contact the Temple office, 402.435.8004 if you are interested in attending. There is no charge for the classes, but a $5 donation per session is appreciated to cover the costs of materials. LJCS Camp Israel 2010 on July 19-30, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Contact Andrea Halpern at 402.217.2631 or Tracy Gordon at 402.477.0388 for more information.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin, 2:30 p.m. led by Beth El members. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Miles Remer.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. led by Rabbi Linder; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Cantor Shermet. We will honor everyone who has celebrated a birthday or anniversary in July with a special blessing; D’var Torah: Mike Halsted - A Spiritual Journey to Conversion. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Tri-Faith Potluck Picnic, 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Lawn. We’ll provide kosher hot dogs, bring a dish to share. Activities for all ages. Creighton Medical School’s free blood pressure screenings. Rain or Shine. RSVP to Nancy Kirk, nancykirk@trifaith.org. THURSDAY: CSA delivery for shareholders, 4:30 p.m. at South entrance.
NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP FRIDAY: Minyan, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. SUNDAY: Realities in Israel, 7 p.m. discussion with Tzipi and Yonadov, Camp Israel counselors. Questions, call the Tifereth Israel at 402.423.8569. LJCS Camp Israel 2010 cosponsored by Soul Train on July 19-30, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Milt (Kutsher) and Wilt (Chamberlain) -- mitzvah men Continued from page 8 chair ambulatory, was the result of his own refusal to die. And that he could defy every medical prognosis surrounding his affliction with encephalitis during that period was the direct result of the self-sacrifice of teammate Jack Twyman, the determination of the best players in the NBA, who set an unequalled standard for caring, and the commitment of a Catskill hotel owner: Milton Kutsher. It was Twyman, a Cincinnati resident, who camped out in the hospital, had himself declared Stokes' official guardian and managed the money while he struggled to find more. And it was Kutsher who set in motion the vehicle that cut into the debts, paid the bills and kept on paying them. Kutsher gave new meaning to the phrase “Do the right thing” by creating the Maurice Stokes Basketball Game, which drew NBA All-Stars and became a lifesaver for the needy in the basketball community. It sounds funny now, but back then salaries were more modest, there was no NBA pension plan and a lot of family members of basketball players needed help. It began when Twyman, desperate for funds to keep Stokes alive,
happened to hold a chance conversation with Kutsher. Next to his family, the three things Kutsher loved above all were his fellow man, his Monticello, N.Y., hotel and a competitive basketball game. “We got a hotel and we got an outdoor basketball court,” he told Twyman. “You tell the players to get here and we’ll house them, we’ll feed them and we’ll sell the tickets.” Nobody who ever played in the game asked for a plane ticket to get there. Started on an outdoor court, the game ultimately moved into a gym that held 4,000 and sold out every time. In a world of far too many ersatz heroes, I-got-mine role models and what's-in-it-for-me superstars, the game was a success thanks to Kutsher and a handful of NBA players with a social conscience. First it helped Stokes pay his bills, but it lasted well beyond him. Every time others talked about calling it quits, Kutsher reminded them that the game helped Gene Conley, the old Celtic, with his heart problem and his wife with a throat operation. It helped Gus Johnson when he was dying of cancer. It helped Timmy Bassett's kid, who had a malignant brain tumor. It helped Howard Porter go to drug rehab
to turn his life around. It helped John Williamson get dialysis treatments. It helped Mark Jackson's agent, who was shot on a street corner while walking his dog. Over the years, nobody could match Wilt Chamberlain’s quiet devotion. Part of it was his friendship with Kutsher, who once had him as a bellman/player in the good old days. But a lot of it had to do with Chamberlain’s feeling for the men with whom he played the game. In 1970, Chamberlain was rushing back from Europe to play in the Stokes game when he was caught on a connecting flight with a hijacker who took the plane to Denver. After the plane landed in Chicago and the police took over, Chamberlain chartered a plane. It could take him to Kennedy Airport, but it couldn't land near Monticello because it was too big. So then he hired another charter to take him from Kennedy Airport to tiny Sullivan County Airport. When they finally reached the airspace over the airport, they discovered that the runway lights had all conked out. “Find me a field and land,” Chamberlain told the pilot. “And call the car rental people.” You don’t argue with someone
7-feet tall who has biceps bigger than your thighs. The pilot complied and had a car waiting, but Chamberlain didn’t get to Kutsher’s until the game was ending. He stayed to sign autographs. “I would do the whole thing over again tomorrow if we had another game like this,” Chamberlain told Kutsher. Stokes and Kutsher and Chamberlain are gone. But the memory of what they did still shines like a beacon. I hope Zablocki can save Kutsher’s. I want one day to turn off the New York State Thruway, see the mountain and turn back the clock. And if I do, I know just as sure as God inspired kreplach, a part of me will hear the ghostly thump of the ball against the asphalt and see Milton Kutsher smile again. Jerry Izenberg is the columnist emeritus for the Star-Ledger of New Jersey. He was inducted into the National Sportscaster and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and is a winner of the Associated Press' Red Smith Award for major contributions to sports journalism -often considered the Pulitzer Prize of sports journalism. This is his 59th year in the business.
Pulverente MONUMENT CO.
July 23, 2010
For every good deed
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Va’etchanan Our Sidrah, the second in Deuteronomy (Devarim) is rich in wordings that we meet again and again in Judaism. For many years I never read the beginnings of this Sidrah without having pangs of heart for Moses. He has led this stubborn people for 40 years from Egypt to the very border of the land that was to be Israel. Moses put up with the bickering and the complaints and the actions that angered him for 40 years. His reward? “For every good deed…” there is punishment: Moses is not to enter the Holy Land itself. There is a wonderful play on words in the Hebrew in the very beginning of the Sidrah. Moses, reminds the Lord of how he led this unwilling people for 40 years in the wilderness, and the Lord has only this to say to him: “You will not cross this Jordan.” Moses now pleads with the Lord, begs him, to be allowed to cross this Jordan (root: ehbr). But for your sakes, the Lord was furious (root: ehbr) with me. He cut Moses short. He was annoyed with his plea. “Enough. Enough. I’ve heard this much more than I want to. Let me hear this plea again no more. What I have said stands.” The nearest we can come in English to this wonderful play on words is for Moses to say: “Let me cross this Jordan,” and for the Lord to become cross with him. In fact, the Lord’s anger is lasting and deep. He lectures Moses about the difficulties he has had with this bickering and greedy people, and now He tells him that when he crosses the Jordan, there is indeed a wonderful land. But one small (!) thing remains to be done: the Israelites must fight their way into the land against the indigenous inhabitants of it. He reminds them of the conquest of the land of Sihon, King of the Amorites, and the conquest of Og, King of Bashan. The Lord does not belittle the effort that the Israelites must make. At the same time he puts out that this land that had been promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was a good land. This could be seen by what the present population had made of it, with great cities, protected by high walls, which seemed to be impenetrable. But the Israelites are not to be afraid, for the Lord Himself will “fight for them.”
DEATHS ESTHER SPAR GRAETZ Esther Spar Graetz passed away on July 14 at the Rose Blumkin Home. Services were held July 16, at Beth El cemetery. She was preceded in death by her parents Solomon and Sara Spar, husband Saul, and sisters Sophia Spar Laff and Bess Spar Brodkey, and brother Arthur. She is survived by her children Martin Graetz of Acton, MA, Anabel Graetz of Lexington, MA, Linda Graetz and son-in-law Jim Eng of Waltham, MA; Sisters, Shirley Greenberger of Chicago and Rae Gimpel of Camarillo, CA. Born in Omaha on May 28, 1912, Esther passed away just weeks after her 98th birthday. A graduate of Tech High, she worked at State Furniture where she met her future husband, Saul. Married in 1934, they were blessed to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary in 2004 with an Oneg Shabbat at Beth El. Esther was active all her adult life in the synagogue, the Sisterhood and Haddasah. She was one of the founding members of the Beth El Braille Group and became a certified brailler overseeing the transcription and copying of hundreds of books for the visually impaired. Esther cared deeply for and supported causes for the environment and social justice. Memorials to: Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California St., Omaha, NE 68154-1980 and the Nebraska Foundation for the Visually Handicapped, (NFVH), 425 N. 30. St, Omaha NE 68131, (http://www. nebraskafoundation.org/about-nfvic.html. BENNETT KUTLER Bennett Kutler, passed away on July 4 at the age of 73. Services were held July 6 at Golden Hill Cemetery. He was preceded in death by parents Zeta and Sam M. Kutler, and brother-in-law, Ellie M. Ratner. He is survived by his sister, Carolyn Ratner, nieces and nephews, Debbie and Pacey Mindlin, Ronna Ratner, James and Mallory Ratner-Weidner; special cousin Lee Polikov, other cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials to your favorite charity. CAROLINE WEINER Caroline Weiner passed away on July 14 at the age of 87. Services were held July 16 at Temple Israel, followed by interment at Golden Hill Cemetery. She was preceded in death by husband, Hymie Weiner. She is survived by daughter, Darlene Czaja; son, Fred Weiner; grandchildren Carri Ann and Ron Powell of Parkville, MO; great-grandchildren, Abigail Grace Powell and Ronnie Powell of Parkville, MO. Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Kin of 9/11 victims join Israelis mark Tisha B’Av AMIA demonstration by JTA NEWS SERVICE BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (JTA) -- Relatives of victims of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack joined in a demonstration to mark the 16th anniversary of a Buenos Aires Jewish center bombing. A car bomb in 1994 blew up the AMIA center, killing 85 and wounding hundreds. Local Jewish organizations and the families of the AMIA victims were joined at last Friday’s demonstration by the families of the victims of the 2004 Madrid train bombings, which allegedly were directed by al-Qaida, as well as Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon, a member of the International Criminal Court at The Hague. AMIA and DAIA, the central Jewish institutions in Buenos Aires, organized the demonstration with the Relatives and Friends of the AMIA Victims organization. The bombing allegedly was carried out by Hezbollah agents with Iranian sponsorship and organization, but Argentina has not been able to bring anyone to justice for perpetrating the attack. About 5,000 people attended the event, including Argentina’s vice president, Julio Cobos; its Cabinet chief, Alberto Fernandez; and Minister of Justice Julio Alpacas. Former President Nestor Kirchner also was on hand; his wife, current President Cristina Fernandez, was in China. Garzon praised a letter sent by President Obama to President Fernandez congratulating Argentina on its fight against terrorism, and the judge urged the U.S. government “to provide a real support to demand the Iranian government’s answer” to the Argentinean request for extradition of the accused Iranian perpetrators.
by JTA NEWS SERVICE JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israelis flocked to Jerusalem’s Old City to observe Tisha B’Av, the fast day that commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temple. A new poll released before Tisha B’Av showed that some 22 percent of Israelis would fast on the day and another 52 percent would refrain from going out with friends.Israeli law requires that recreational spots be closed on Tisha B’Av; 18 percent of poll respondents called that “religious coercion.” The Ynet-Gesher poll surveyed 505 Hebrew-speaking Jewish Israelis. It has a margin of error of 4.4 percent. Jewish tradition says that the Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred; the poll asked which groups are the most hated in Israeli society. Fifty-four percent of respondents answered Arabs, 37 percent named the haredi Orthodox, 8 percent religious and 1 percent Tel Avivians. Some 42 percent of respondents said they believed that the religious-secular issue is the worst source of tension in Israeli society, while 41 percent said it was the Jewish-Arab situation. Another 9 percent said the worst source of tension is between settlers and the rest of the country, while 8 percent said it was the tension between rich and poor.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 23, 2010
Scarred by terrorism, Israeli brothers-in-law to compete in triathlon
Jerusalemite, Irishman team for Shalit video
by LAUREN GREENBERG “The experience was very difficult and will affect me NEW YORK (JTA) -- Just six months before the end for my whole life,” Gavish told JTA. of his Israeli army service, Elad Belachsan suffered a life“We take it day by day,” he said. “It has been very difchanging injury in a ficult to keep the family Palestinian attack. together without parents, On a mission in the West and it’s difficult to lead a Bank city of Nablus with his normal life, to work, study, paratroopers unit, raise children.” Belachsan, now 27, was In 2006, Gavish was near the front of the group involved in another attack. when a bomb exploded, He disarmed a terrorist, but paralyzing his left leg. not before one was killed Next week, some six years and four were seriously later, Belachsan will be cominjured. peting in the New York City Gavish said sports has triathlon. A swimmer on the helped him to deal with his Israeli national paralympics loss. The New York City team, Belachsan will com- Yeshurun Gavish, who participated in the July 18 New York triathlon, he said, “is an pete in the swimming por- City Triathlon, with two of his children. opportunity to feel normal Credit: Yeshurun Gavish and get out of the sadness. tion and in the bicycling event, where he will use a hand-powered bicycle. And it’s also therapeutic.” “It’s a great challenge, to see the limits of your body Belachsan said athletics help him combat the feeling of and to extend them,” Belachsan said. “Since I can’t walk disability. At the time of the attack, he said, he was a solnormally, I am always looking for new challenges to dier who “felt like I could do everything and that everyshow myself that my body is able to do this.” thing was possible. Suddenly I lost the ability in one secIn the July 18 triathlon, Belachsan will be part of a ond, and sports helps me feel that I am strong.” team sponsored by One Family, an organization that proOne Family is sponsoring Belachsan and Gavish’s trip vides assistance to Israeli victims of terrorism and their to New York. families. Joining him will be his brother-in-law, Yeshurun It will be Belachsan’s first time in the city. He says he Gavish, 29, and Gavish’s brother-in-law, Shaked is excited about the trip and sharing the experience with Rogovsky, 30, who has been their trainer in Israel. his brother-in-law. Though he is an experienced paraGavish, too, has been scarred by terrorism. In 2002, lympic swimmer, he has never competed in a hand-powhe lost his parents, oldest brother and grandfather when ered bicycling event. a terrorist broke into his home in the West Bank settleThe New York organizer of the One Family team, ment of Elon Moreh and shot them dead. Sammy Zack, said his team, whose members have been A soldier at the time, Gavish had left the house just training for the triathlon over a period of 18 weeks, is minutes before to return to his army base at the end of motivated by the Israeli participants. the Passover break. His other six siblings escaped injury “The fact that there are people in Israel who are victims by running upstairs and climbing down a ladder that and are using the training to get back into normal life is neighbors had propped up against the house when they very inspirational,” Zack said. “When the training gets heard the gunshots. tough, having a bigger cause than yourself is helpful.”
by JTA NEWS SERVICE NEW YORK (JTA) -- An Irish Christian and a Jerusalem psychotherapist have collaborated on a YouTube video, www. youtube.com/ elchanan26, commemorating captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The video by Jim Clint, a singer-songwriter, and Elchanan Berkowitz was uploaded to the mediasharing site last week. Clint said he was moved to compose a song for Shalit as the Gilad Shalit fourth year of the Israeli’s captivity under Hamas drew near last June. Berkovitz, 78, had made a photo montage to mark the same event but needed a song to go with it. “I found someone in the Northern Ireland Friends for Israel group who said that a singer named Jim Clint had written a song for Gilad,” Berkovitz, a member of a Jerusalem community TV group, told the Arutz Sheva website. The two joined forces to produce the video, which has amassed 3,649 views on YouTube. Clint, a Northern Ireland resident, lived in Tel Aviv for nearly 10 years and has his own connection to terror in Israel. “I have witnessed myself the aftermath of a suicide bombing in the Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem in July 1997,” he told Arutz Sheva. “I couldn’t help thinking that in all the waves of criticism which is engulfing Israel at the moment, no one was saying anything about a young Israeli in Gaza, deprived of every human right.” Clint said he wrote the song, “Take a Little Time,” because “like millions of others around the world, I want to give the Shalit family encouragement and hope.”
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