Vol. LXXXVI No. 46 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
19 Av, 5767 August 3, 2007
Omahans propel USA men’s basketball team to bronze medal in international Maccabi Games by ANNE MUSKIN Jewish Press Editorial Intern A large arena, open and ushering in a warm wind, gave way to athlete after Jewish athlete, signs held high, and heads held higher. The opening ceremonies of the 13th annual European Maccabbi games in Rome brought in Turkey, Italy, Spain, Russia, France, Scotland, England, Holland, 35 countries in all. And, in the midst of all these ancient European countries, a delegation of 84 Jewish Americans staked their claim. They competed in soccer, or futbol, futsol, tennis, basketball, table tennis, bowling … the list goes on and on. The sheer magnitude of the games is hard to describe. Seeing a delegation of more than 100 German athletes -- German Jews -- proudly waving the flag was easily one of the most memorable moments. After the torch was carried, speeches were given in Italian and English and a 15-minute fireworks show illuminated the sky, the games began. Omaha sent not one, but two athletes to Rome to compete. Recent high school graduates, Justin Jacobson and Zach Muskin were members of the United States men’s basketball team, coached by Harris Adler of LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA. The two Omahans have been teammates from childhood through the varsity basketball team at Burke High School. “My sophomore year and Zach’s junior year, we really melded together because we played junior varsity and varsity together. We communicate really well because we know what one another wants,” Jacobson said.
College scholarships announced by Center for Jewish Education by CHERYL LERNER Administrative Assistant The Financial Aid Committee of the Center for Jewish Education(CJE) has awarded scholarships to 33 undergraduates and 12 graduate students for the 2007-08 academic year. After considering many factors, including academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in Jewish activities, awards were made from 28 funds managed by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. According to CJE administrator Mary Sue Grossman, the committee was particularly impressed with the quality of this year’s applicants. “Committee members commented that the applicants were an outstanding representation of the strength of the future of our community,” she said. Grossman reported that the committee also “expressed its sincere appreciation to the many individuals in the community who, through their generosity, make it possible to support so many young adults in the community in continuing their education.” In addition to college scholarships, assistance is also available for Jewish summer camps, the Child Development Center preschool, Friedel Jewish Academy, Israel trips, and youth group activities. A Financial Aid Guide which outlines scholarship opportunities is distributed each year in December as an insert in the Jewish Press. For more information, please call Grossman at 402.334.6445 or e-mail inquiries to scholarships@jewishomaha.org. Information is also available on the Center for Jewish Education page on the Jewish Federation website at: www.jewishomaha.org. Those interested in contributing to existing scholarship and loan funds or endowing new funds should contact Marty Ricks, Endowment Director, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or call 402.334.6440. Continued on page 6
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
Former Burke High School varsity basketball teammates Justin Jacobson, left, and Zach Muskin, played for the USA team at last month’s international Maccabi Games in Rome.
“And we know how each other plays,” Muskin added. They joined the team of 12 players in total, from schools all over the United States. There first game was against Italy, and the Italians filled the stands with pride and ice cream. In 100º weather, Jacobson and Muskin got accustomed to international rules, a new ball, and the dead spots on the unairconditioned gym floor. Jacobson started, and played hard against Italy’s offering, and America pulled out a win. While other sports were racking up wins and losses at Acqua Acetosa, basketball was in a separate location called Stella Azzurra. This separation definitely caused some confusion on a daily basis; arranging taxis for families, and police escorts for all the teams, was quite a feat. The U.S. basketball team played Russia next. With four 10-minute quarters, the gym grew increasingly hot and competitive. Luckily, there was a swimming pool filled with Italians wearing Speedo swimsuits right outside the gym! The cultural differences abounded, as the relatively young American team faced a barrage of Russian men. They ranged in size from big to bigger, old to older, and brought their physical style center court. After no play time in the first game, Muskin ran the team for most of the game by contributing steals, rebounds, and 3 points. However, the highlight was when the 5’7” Muskin blocked the shot of a 6’7” Russian lay up from behind, bringing his teammates to their feet, and energizing them in the second quarter. Continued on page 2
Red Cross rejects claim that it has not helped Israeli soldiers by JUSTIN SULSKY to be treated according to NEW YORK (JTA) -basic principles of In her speech at the rally humanity,” he said. “It’s a here last month on behalf very pressing issue, one of her husband and other that unfortunately has kidnapped Israeli soldiers, not developed in any subGoldwasser Karnit stantial way.” demanded to know: Marc Stern, assistant executive director and “Where is the Red Cross?” general counsel of the This week the internaAmerican Jewish tional organization insisted it has been doing all it Congress, said the Red can to gain access to Cross is doing all it can Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad given the nature of the Regev and Gilad Shalit, terrorist organizations Israeli soldiers kidnapped holding the soldiers. last summer by Hamas “What’s perplexing is and Hezbollah during people are blaming the raids on Israeli soil. Red Cross when really it’s Karnit Goldwasser, wife of captured Israeli soldier Ehud The International Hezbollah and Hamas,” Goldwasser, at a rally in New York July 16, called on organizations Committee of the Red Stern said. “You can’t including the Red Cross to do more to help free her husband and Cross has “in fact, taken expect the Red Cross to other abducted soldiers. Credit: Justin Sulsky/JTA the matter of the three go in with guns blazing captured Israeli soldiers seriously from the very onset,” to free these guys.” The Red Cross “reached out to us,” said the organization's spokesman, Simon Schorno. The he added. “They are, as far as we can tell, working to Red Cross, he added, brought up the issue “every time establish contact with the soldiers.” we met with Hamas officials and Hezbollah officials.” Representatives from the UJA-Federation of New In addition, the organization’s Web site features an York and Jewish Community Relations Council of New interview in which its president, Jakob Kellenberger, York, which helped organized the rally that featured sevstates: “We deeply deplore the fact that the Hezbollah in eral prominent local politicians and high-ranking Jewish Lebanon and the Palestinian factions in Gaza have so far leaders, did not respond to requests for comments. Stern said he believed that people in the Jewish comdenied our delegates access, and that several attempts to transmit family news such as Red Cross messages or to munity are unfairly targeting the Red Cross because of their memories of past misdeeds, including the organiobtain a sign of life were rejected.” Schorno said the Red Cross has been unsuccessful in zation’s refusal until last summer to recognize Israel’s Magen David Adom. repeated attempts to gain access to the Israelis. “We made a series of public calls for the three soldiers Continued on page 7
This Week: Whirlwind in Partnership: Page 12 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Omaha team leaves for JCC Maccabi Games: Page 2
Coming Next Week: The Learning Curve education issue Klutznick-Harris Symposium announces line-up: Page 4
“Let’s Talk About It” series at Kripke and Council Bluffs libraries: Page 5