August 6, 2004

Vol. LXXXIII No. 49 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

Beth Israel’s New Rabbi Arrives in Omaha

Broadway Musical Coming to Temple Israel

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Dean’s voice has enterTemple Israel Communications Coordinator tained audiences with his The Rothschilds, a Tony award-winrepertoire of Broadway, ning Broadway musical, will be perclassical, pop, and Jewish formed on Sunday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m., songs. In The Rothschilds, at Temple Israel. Bernie Dean, who written by Sheldon Harnick has appeared on stages across the and Jerry Bock who wrote United States, in Canada, Europe, the musical score for Fiddler Australia, Israel, and South America, on the Roof, Dean portrays stars in the one-man musical. the main characters using From a family of rabbis, cantors, and different voices and differJewish scholars, Dean began his show ent characterizations. His business career when he was sixperformances have received years-old. He was heard every week enthusiastic reviews from on the New York Jewish Hour Radio synagogues, women’s Show as a soloist. Influenced by pregroups such as Haddasah ceding generations of his family and men‘s groups such as including his mother’s first cousin, forB’nai B’rith, Israel Bond mer Prime Minister of Israel fund raisers, Zionist groups, Menachem Begin, Dean has sung with and youth organizations as many of the great cantors through the well as wider community Bernie Dean years. audiences.

As a student at the High School of Performing Arts in “We are delighted to bring such a unique and excitNew York, Dean appeared in productions throughout ing show to Temple Israel,” said Rosie Zweiback, prohis school days. He went on to study voice with the gram director at Temple. “Bernie Dean is a highly director of the NBC Opera Department which offered acclaimed performer who will deliver a wonderful scholarships to promising young performers. evening of theater about an amazing Jewish family A veteran of summer stock musical shows, Dean has dynasty.” provided singing backgrounds for television commerThanks to the Janis Yale Enrichment Fund of Temple cials and was on The Phil Silvers Show. Years ago, he Israel, tickets cost only $5 in advance or $7 at the door. appeared with Lionel Hampton and his orchestra in Reservations for this community-wide event can be Westchester, New York, and more recently, with the made by calling the Temple office at 556.6536 or sendIsraeli Music Fair in Rye, New York. For more than a ing a check to Temple Israel, 7023 Cass Street, Omaha, decade he appeared in concert with the Brothers Zim NE 68132. Tickets may also be purchased in the Temple singing team. office. A dessert reception will follow the performance.

Today’s Wedding Customs Reflect the Old, Adopt the New and Embrace the ‘Renovated’ seeking to blend tradition with a modern outlook on marriage.

One of the most enduring wedding customs, the wearing of the veil, has its origins in the Bible. Upon seeing her a guide for your special events husband-to-be, Isaac, for the first time, weddings | b’nai mitzvah | anniversaries | birthdays Rebecca “took her veil and covered herself.” (Genesis 25:65) Another veiling

by MARLENA THOMPSON NEWTON, MA (JTA)--According to custom, badekin (the veiling of the bride Jewish law, getting married is an exceed- by the groom just before the wedding), ingly simple affair: The bride accepts also has biblical roots.

Those familiar with the story of Jacob something worth more than a dime (in today’s currency) from the groom, the and his two wives, Leah and Rachel, will remember how groom utters words of Jacob’s father-in-law, acquisition and consecraLaban, tricked Jacob tion, these two actions are into marrying Leah witnessed, and voila, the instead of his beloved happy couple is married.

Rachel by veiling Leah All the rest--the white heavily before the gown, the veil, the wedding. By placing portable chuppah (wedthe veil over the ding canopy), etc.--are but bride’s face, a Jewish customs that have grown groom makes sure he up around Jewish weddoesn’t repeat Jacob’s dings through the ages. mistake. (A more This is not to diminish poetic interpretation their importance, for cusof badekin is that by toms add measureless covering the bride’s beauty and meaning to face, the groom shows life-cycle milestones. that he values her for Today, in fact, some of the most ancient practices are Matt and Melissa Shapiro, married more than mere exterbeing rediscovered and May 16 at Beth El, ride Ollie the nal beauty.) “renovated” by couples Trolley. Read their story on page 14. Continued on page 7

S

19 Av, 5764 August 6, 2004

by BETH COHEN Executive Director Rabbi Jonathan Gross arrives in Omaha this week to begin his work as the rabbi at Beth Israel Synagogue. Rabbi Gross and his wife, Sara, are moving to Omaha from Los Angeles where Rabbi Gross served as the assistant rabbi at Beth Jacob Synagogue, one of the largest Orthodox synagogues in North Rabbi Jonathan Gross America, and Sara attended medical school at the University of Southern California.

Rabbi Gross is a graduate of Yeshiva University with a degree in mathematics. He was part of the Sephardic Studies program while earning smicha (rabbinic ordination) from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. In addition to his work at Beth Jacob, Rabbi Gross was selected to be the Joseph B. Soloveichik Fellow this past year from the Soloveichik Institute in Boston. As a Soloveichik Fellow, Rabbi Gross was involved in doing research on some of the teachings of this great Jewish leader, philosopher, and Torah scholar of modern history.

Sara, a fourth year medical student, will be completing her degree at USC here in Omaha by doing most of her clinical elective rotations at UNMC and Creighton.

Although she will be in Los Angeles for part of the fall, she will be in Omaha throughout the High Holidays.

Rabbi Gross has been to Omaha twice since he was hired in January of 2004. As part of these orientation trips, Rabbi Gross spent time with former Beth Israel Continued on page 6 with related article on Torah Tours.

U.S. Athletes Prepare for 2004 Summer Olymics

imchas

Inside

(JTA)--Olympians Joe Jacobi, right, and Matt Taylor paddle their canoe during a World Cup Whitewater Slalom competition in Augsburg, Germany, in 2003.

See stories on Israeli athletes and security on page 2.

This Week: Simchas Issue Section: Page 13, Stories Begin on Page 7 “Acting is a High” Says Omaha Acting Student: Page 3

Israeli Winemakers Thirst for French Market: Page 5

Next month: New Year’s Issue: Sept. 10

People of the Byte: B’nai Mitzvahs for Special Needs: Page 9

Gearing Up for the 2004 JCC Maccabi Games: Page 24

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 6, 2004

Israel to Take Leading Role in Securing Athens Games in Case of Terror Attack

TENACITY The IDF stopped 395 of the 529 attempted terrorist attacks between Oct. 2000-June 2004.

Meet the IDF soldiers September 7-12.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m.

C L I P & S A V E

C L I P

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8 NCJW Board Training, 8:30 a.m.

Visions Brownville Concert, 2 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 Temple Israel OTYG NFTY Summer Institute, Aug. 10th thru 15th Lunch & Learn “The Guy and Bob Show”, noon “Let’s Eat” Class, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Executive Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El Board Of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel Jewish Academy WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 “Down to Earth Jewish Philosophy” Class, noon New Federation Board Orientation, noon

& S A V E

C L I P & S A V E

Beth El to Host Movie Premiere Celebrating Jews’ 350 Years in America

C L I P &

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m.

Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437.

FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)

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by DINA KRAFT studies on security and TEL AVIV (JTA)--Israel develop plans for handling will play a key role in secusuicide bombers as well as rity preparations for the providing assistance on upcoming Athens Games, how to gather intelligence training Greek police in on potential threats and tercrowd-safety contingencies ror organizations. Israeli and the protection of VIPs security companies like the in case of a terror attack.

Haifa-based Elbit, which As part of a seven-nation specializes in defense elecsecurity task force, Israel-tronics, are reportedly along with the United States, An undated IDF photo showing Dabur patrol boats keeping among private firms pitchAustralia, Britain, France, watch in Israeli waters. Dabur boats will be used for securi- ing in to the security effort.

Germany and Spain--is lead- ty purposes as part of a massive operation for the Greek Elbit officials, however, Credit: IDF/BP Images/JTA declined to comment on ing the mammoth effort to Olympic Games in Athens. secure the first Olympics since the Sept. 11 attacks. any involvement in Athens.

Although Israeli officials are tight-lipped about exactThe Israeli Olympic Committee would not give ly how the Jewish state will be helping out behind the details on security arrangements for the Israeli athletes, scenes, reports have indicated that Israel will dispatch but said they would be cooperating fully with the local naval vessels to patrol the extensive Greek coastline authorities. Israel’s Shin Bet domestic security service while Israeli military and intelligence officials will be will maintain a presence in Athens, protecting the coordinating with their Greek counterparts, the U.S. Israeli delegation as it has at every Olympics since the Army and NATO throughout the 16-day event, which 1972 Summer Games in Munich when 11 Israeli athbegins next Friday, Aug. 13. letes were killed by Palestinian terrorists.

Security operations are expected to cost an estimated $1.2 billion, nearly four times what Australia spent on the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. Despite assurances from Greece that the security situation is under control, Jews Not a Factor in Russian Sports questions loom as to whether or not Greek security by LEV KRICHEVSKY services will be able to keep 10,500 athletes, along with MOSCOW (JTA)--Jewish emigration to Israel has bolsome two million spectators, safe should a terror net- stered the Jewish state’s Olympic team, but it has greatwork such as Al-Qaida try to attack the world’s largest ly reduced the number of Jews competing for the sporting event.

Russians in the upcoming Athens Games.

Construction for the event has been sluggish, and some In the 40 years following the 1952 Helsinki Games-security experts have expressed concern that there will be in which the Soviet Union competed as a country for insufficient time to thoroughly test security systems -but the first time--Jews won at least 60 medals for the Israeli police officials who have been helping train their Soviet Olympic team, including 28 golds. counterparts, say the Greeks are ready.

Soviet Jews were especially successful in fencing-“I think they are very prepared and will be able to taking home seven Olympic golds--in addition to handle the Olympics,” Izhak Tzur, the head of the wrestling and yachting, in which they won three gold Israeli police’s training division, told JTA. He and the medals respectively. head of Israel's border police will be in Athens during The peak of Jewish Olympic victories for the Soviet the Olympics in an advisory capacity. team came during the 1960s and 1970s: Of the 28 gold Cooperation between Israeli and Greek police has medals Jews won for the USSR between 1952 and 1992, been intensive, Tzur said. Police chief Shlomo 18 were garnered between 1960 and 1976.

Aharonishky went to Greece in November to meet with After that period, Jewish participation began to top Greek security officials, and Greek police officers decline as a result of state-sponsored anti-Semitism. have traveled to Israel for training.

As for the Athens Games, which begin Aug. 13, “We trained them how to access a situation, on every- Sergei Sharikov, 30, who won two Olympic saber fencthing connected to a major terror attack,” he said. “We ing golds in 1996 and in 2000, is the only confirmed have shared our knowledge.”

Jewish athlete on the Russian team.

More than 70,000 police officers and soldiers will be Mark Rakita, honorary president of Maccabi Russia, helping provide security for the Games. NATO is lending who won an Olympic gold medal in fencing in 1964 in a hand in the security push, with plans to dispatch air and Tokyo, said that “some of the athletes may not be open sea patrols, a stand-by special forces unit and a unit that about their Jewish roots,” although he added that the deals with nuclear, biological or chemical threats. situation today cannot be compared to his own experiIn an interview with the Israeli daily Ha’aretz, ence 40 years ago as a leading Russian fencer.

Greece’s public order minister, Giorgos Floridis, said “In order to be able to compete on par with the othIsrael had helped his government develop feasibility ers I had to be really better than many others,” he said.

Sergey Tankilevich, head of the Moscow branch of Maccabi, told JTA that his group has lately been unable to find many new young athletes because of funding constraints. Maccabi Russia gets most of its budget from the Russian Jewish Congress and money has been significantly reduced in recent years, sources said.

Tankilevich said many younger athletes are emigratby JILL BELMONT ing to Israel because diminished competition there has Beth El Publicity Coordinator made it easier for aspiring athletes to “get to the top.”

In recognition of 350 years of American Jewry, His own son, who at 15 was the winner of a Beth El is pleased to invite the entire Jewish comEuropean fencing championship, has been approached munity to attend the premiere of the film, “Legacy of several times by representatives of the Jewish Agency Our Ancestors: 350th Anniversary Celebration of for Israel who want him to emigrate, Tankilevich said.

Early Jewish America,” to be held at the synagogue A Jewish Agency official in Moscow confirmed that on Thurs., August 19, at 7 p.m. his group has a program for young Russian athletes This documentary explores the foundations of who seek to combine academic studies in Israeli high schools and colleges with athletic training.

Ilya Averbukh, a 2002 Olympic silver medalist in ice dancing, recalled how in the mid-1980s his Jewish coach asked him to change his Jewish-sounding last name so she would not be accused of taking only Jewish students. Averbukh says he once had an offer to Jewish America, and recognizes the first wave of move to Israel to start competing for the Jewish state.

Jewish immigration which occurred more than 200 “At some point every Jewish athlete here has to years before Ellis Island opened its immigration stachoose whether to stay or to emigrate,” he said. “I don’t tion in 1892. Leading Jewish historians and direct know if I would have been more happy if had I won the descendants of original colonists are featured world title for Israel rather than for Russia. I was born throughout the program. here; this is my country. But I do have many relatives in Reserve your space for this fascinating first-run Israel and in the United States, and I know that they supviewing by calling Harriet Einziger at 492-8550. port me when I compete for Russia.”

S A V E

August 6, 2004

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

For This Young Actor, “Acting is a High” ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

by JOAN K. MARCUS Omaha actor Jeff Nathan is sometimes booed when he acts in melodramas at Nebraska’s Mahoney State Park. Thats because Nathan, at six feet and 260 pounds often plays the villain. His character often poses a threat to the hero or heroine who always escapes and the show always has a happy ending!

Nathan, 23 and a native Omahan, is more like the hero of the show in real life. He smiles and reveals huge dimpled cheeks when he talks about his passion-acting.

The son of Ira and Carol Nathan, Jeff has wonderful memories of growing up with his two older brothers, Ben and Andy. “My parents and family have always been supportive of my acting. They’ve never missed a performance. I’ve inherited my love of music from my grandfather, Paul Nathan.”

During his early years, baseball and bowling were a big part of his life. “When I was younger, I bowled in the Junior Olympics and had a 300 game. Bowling actually paid for a lot of my schooling thanks to scholarships.”

While attending high school at Millard North, Nathan began participating in school musicals. He remembers, he was asked during his freshman year to be in Guys and Dolls. “Since my older brother had been in it,” he thought, “I decided to give it a try. I was hooked the minute it started!”

He acknowledged that as his high school years went on, he was cast in bigger and bigger parts. He enjoyed his participation in the musicals, he really hadn’t thought about the theatre for a career. But when he began attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln as a broadcast journalism major, he soon realized that acting was his first love. In December of 2004, he will graduate from UNL with a degree in Performing Arts.

“I made it into a show my freshman year and discov-

Jeff Nathan ered that college theatre was a little different than high school,” he smiled. But I kept trying and got better and better parts.”

Jeff’s last part was in a play called, The Boys Next Door. With that show, he won the Irene Ryan Award-a nation-wide award that entitled him to participate in the Kennedy Center American Collegiate American Theatre Festival in Denver.

Although he has been asked to act in several summer stock productions, Jeff chooses to remain at Mahoney Park for two summers. “Melodramas are about black vs. white, hero vs. villain, good vs. evil and good always Jeff Nathan appears in melodramas at the Kountze Memorial Theater at Mahoney State Park through Aug. 23.

The three shows: The Hard Working Hardy Girl, Dangerous Curves Ahead, and The Dastardly Director, are every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. p.m., with Sunday matinees, 3 p.m. For ticket information, call 402.944.2523.

prevails,” he explained. “Actors always overact and audiences boo and hiss at them. They’re great fun for the whole family and the money isn’t bad either!”

Actors in the melodrama are considered professionals who do five to nine shows a week. “It’s a good time and it’s different every night. Cast members react to jeers and comments from the audience,” he added.

“Kids yell and have fun and it’s okay to throw popcorn and stuff on to the stage.” His current role at Mahoney ends on Aug. 23.

He believes in “method acting” because it gives actors a chance to explore themselves and use their own personalities onstage. “There is more to characters’ lives than what is written down in the script; improvisation can help the actors to explore the roles in depth.

“You can play anyone on stage,” he says of his love of acting. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Jewish or Christian, gay or straight--there isn’t any prejudice in acting. You use a little bit of yourself in your character. As an actor, you can make the audience laugh, cry or even think.”

Jeff’s directing abilities came out when he chose the play, Standing By to direct. “The first time I read the script, it just game me a great feeling. It’s the story of a couple, Jeffrey and Ellen, who meet on an airplane.

There’s a lot of Jewish humor in it because Norman Barasch, a Jewish author, wrote it.”

His plans for the future include graduate school and a Master of Fine Arts at possibly Yale, Boston Conservatory, New York University or American University. He will also participate in a large graduate school audition; participants have five minutes for two monologues and a song. Selected students are called back for interviews and are then placed in appropriate graduate schools.

Jeff plans to move to New York City and audition for roles in musical theater after earning his master’s. (He says he inherits his “New York attitude” from his grandmother, Rhoda Davis-Blatt.)

“Acting is my first love, but I’m a character actor and I don’t have to be the leading man,” he insists. “Anyone can act if they try--but you have to have the passion!”

Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 6, 2004

Israel’s Arrow-2 Missile Test a Success, Blowing Scud from Sky

by DAN BARON JERUSALEM (JTA)--Israelis are breathing easier after the country’s groundbreaking missile-defense system passed its first live test.

The Arrow-2 shot down an incoming Scud off the coast of California on Thursday, in the culmination of an Israeli-U.S. project aimed at protecting the Jewish state from long-range missile attack.

Work on the $2.2 billion system began in the 1980s, when Israel found itself facing Soviet-supplied Scuds in a swathe of surrounding Arab nations. Now Iran, with its intercontinental missiles and burgeoning atomic program, is the main menace.

“The execution was perfect,” Arrow-2 project chief Arieh Herzog told Israeli television after the test. “We will continue developing to achieve our capabilities against future threats such as those emerging from Iran.”

According to security sources, a U.S. naval unit fired the Scud--its warhead removed--from an island off California, and the projectile was picked up by the Arrow-2’s advanced Green Pine radar, which had been stationed near Los Angeles.

An Arrow-2 missile, fired from another island and flying at nine times the speed of sound, struck the Scud in mid-air.

“Bull’s-eye!” cried the leading Israeli daily Yediot Achronot in a banner headline Friday.

Teheran, whose leaders regularly vow to destroy Israel, affected disdain. “Iran is not threatened by the Zionist entity’s tactical moves,” Iranian Air Defense Minister Ali Simhani said.

But in what could signal a new round of brinkmanship, Iran announced Saturday it had resumed building nuclear centrifuges, reneging on a pledge it had made to international mediators seeking to limit the Islamic Republic’s ability to make an atom bomb.

The Arrow-2’s unique design allows it to detect and destroy incoming threats in under three minutes at altitudes of more than 30 miles, high enough for fallout from

Although Israel has hinted it could take preemptive action against Iran’s nuclear program, akin to its 1981 air strike on the Osirak reactor in Iraq, there are those who welcome the Arrow-2 as a less confrontational security measure.

“The events of recent years suggest that a country that bases its strength solely on its offensive capabilities is exposed to those who refuse to play by the rules of its own logic, such as Saddam in 1991 and the suicide terrorists since 2000,” said Amir Oren of Ha’aretz.

“Exposing a civilian population on the basis of the assumption that the enemy will be deterred by a response to a missile or terrorist attack is not responsible policy.”

Left: An Arrow anti-ballistic missile is launched as part of the ongoing United States/Israel Arrow System Improvement Program. The missile intercepted and downed a Scud missile, July 30, during tests on the Pt. Mugu Sea Range in California. This was the 12th Arrow intercept test and the seventh test of the complete Arrow system. Below: A diagram shows an Arrow anti-ballistic missile launched as part of the ongoing United States/Israel Arrow System Credit: IAI/BP Images/JTA Improvement Program.

an unconventional warhead to disperse harmlessly.

Independent experts say the system is 95 percent reliable but some doubt it could perform against the Shihab-3, Iran’s most advanced missile.

“The Shihab-3 travels at about three miles per second--roughly four times the speed of Scuds and twice the speed of targets the original Arrow was designed to handle,” said Jerusalem Post military correspondent Arieh O’Sullivan.

But Defense Ministry officials insist the system is always being improved, and that its current deployment-at least 200 Arrow missiles at two Israeli air bases-makes for a more than adequate protective “umbrella.”

Save This Date The Sixth Annual Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights

“Human Rights: Legacy of the Nineties” Featuring

James Nachtwey Documentary Photographer Thursday, October 21, 2004 7:00 p.m.

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August 6, 2004

Israeli Winemakers Thirst for the French Market, but It’s Not Easy

by PHILIP CARMEL PARIS (JTA)--Jean-Paul Trouslard held the glass up to the light, pushed the wine around his palate and, with a flourish, spat it out into a nearby receptacle.

Then he pronounced his opinion.

“It’s pleasantly surprising,” he said, hastening to refill his glass with a different white wine.

As chairman of the Paris Association of Oenologues -or wine experts--Trouslard was one of many figures from the French wine trade to attend a tasting held in Paris.

This time however, the event did not contain the usual Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne for which France is famous, but a range of quality wines from Israel.

Sponsored by the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, the event featured about 20 Israeli producers all eager to enlighten the French experts with wine from the Jewish state.

of grape.”

Similar criticism of the factory-style production of wines--almost unknown in France--came from Ricardo Cohen, a French importer of Israeli wines.

“When you produce millions of bottles, it’s like making Coca-Cola,” he said.

While the Israeli producers were trying to push their wine to the non-Jewish trade, Cohen said the battle would always be difficult.

“We have to face it, whether we like it or not, that the Jews are the natural market. I don’t believe that suddenly, overnight, the French are going to be gasping for Israeli wine,” Cohen said.

Figures on French wine consumption seem to bear out the difficulty of the task. About 98 percent of wine consumed in France is produced within the country.

Even the small niche market of foreign wines is highly competitive, with a vast array of Italian, Spanish and Portuguese wines available.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

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• 16120 West Dodge Road • Health West • 354-0670 • 4242 Farnam St. • Dr.’s Building Suite 141 • 558-8961 Participants sample Israeli wines during a tasting event held in Paris to boost Israeli wine exports earlier this summer.

Credit: Israel Export and Cooperation Institute For the most part, the response was positive.

Trouslard said he was particularly impressed with one of the Chardonnays.

“It’s just like a Cote du Blanc from the Champagne region,” he said.

Marc Duverneuil, chief wine steward at Paris’s Intercontinental Hotel, was also smitten by the quality of the wines, paying perhaps the ultimate tribute to an Israeli red wine produced in the Judean hills near Jerusalem.

“This is very close to Bordeaux and could very well compete,” he said. The wine, Duverneuil said, had “good body” and was “well balanced”--“even if the price isn’t.”

Like Trouslard, Duverneuil also used the words “pleasantly surprised”--a theme that made it seem that some of those attending had expected a far lower standard.

Others were less diplomatic.

“The grapes are grown in a hot climate, so the wines are often full and rich but they’re quite far removed from French standards,” said Sebastien Durand-Viel, author of Foreign Wines in France.

Durand-Viel was sharply critical of the tendency of Israeli growers to concentrate on grape varieties that didn’t adapt well to the climate of the Middle East.

He also suggested that the Israelis adapt to using rarer varieties such as those found in Sicily or in the New World, as countries outside Europe are referred to in the wine business.

“Many of the whites I found greasy, thin and without freshness,” he said.

Until recently, Israel had not produced quality wine, said Eli Ben-Zaken, who owns a small private winery near Jerusalem.

Ben-Zaken said that Israeli wine largely had been produced by national cooperatives that mass produced wine while not always adapting grape varieties to particular soil and climactic conditions.

“We always want to do everything when we don’t yet know what works and in what soils,” Ben-Zaken said.

“Ultimately, many of the varieties we grow today will disappear and maybe we'll even find our own variety

But while the French are drinking far less wine than they used to, there appears to be a new willingness to try out wines from around the world, Trouslard said.

Josephine and Martin Prieur produce wines in Burgundy but have long been admirers of Israeli wine.

“You’d think that with such a warm climate they would produce a heavy wine without freshness, but it has great minerality and fruitiness,” Josephine Prieur said. As a French believer in the quality of international wines, Prieur pointed out that some of the best wines come from the New World.

“There’s definitely a place for Israeli wines today among the Californian, South American and South African wines,” she said.

On that point, there was tacit agreement from the Israelis--even if they would prefer to compete with the finest of France's wines.

According to Adi Adiri, the general manager of Yarden Wines, one of Israel's largest producers, the non-Jewish market should be targeted in terms of world wines, not just in terms of quality.

“After all, when it comes to France, we’re dealing here with the Number One world power in wine,” he said.

Adiri’s company produces about five million bottles per year and almost all of it is sold to Jews. Some 20 percent of the production is exported from Israel. But even in France, where Adiri is keen to expand the market, around 95 percent of the wine goes to Europe’s largest Jewish community. ` However, that fact also meant quality was still an important factor, as wine importer Ricardo Cohen pointed out.

“Let’s not forget that French Jews are also French.

Israeli wine is still the best quality kosher wine. They appreciate that,” he said.

Moreover, time is on the side of Israeli wine, wine critic Durand-Viel said.

“People here look for older red wines and naturally, the Israeli wines haven’t reached that stage yet. But some of the bouquets have great potential. They could have great wines in 10 years time,” he said.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 6, 2004

COURAGE Israel is the only country in the world that currently has a female conscription.

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Do you have budget experience? Are you computer literate? Do you have 2-5 years experience in non-profit organizations? Do you have experience in and love for Jewish organizational life?

Yeshiva University Torah Tours Returns to Beth Israel

by Beth Cohen tion for the rabbinate this fall as a Wexner Graduate Executive Director, Beth Israel Fellow.

Yeshiva University’s Torah Tours returns to Beth The Torah Tours program offers formal classes and Israel and the Omaha Jewish community for the lectures and also opportunity for informal learning fourth summer. For many years, YU graduates and and discussions. Each morning (August 18, 19 and Smicha (rabbinic) students have spent their summer 20) the staff will be available for informal discussions vacations going into communities to educate, enlight- during a breakfast that will follow 7 a.m. morning en and inspire. Yeshiva University, through study services at Beth Israel. Breakfast will be at approxiand interaction, engages communities in fulfilling mately 8 a.m. their unique mission of blending the Secular and There are two days of Lunch and Learn programs Jewish worlds together. The Summer Torah Tour will with the Torah Tours. On Wednesday, August 18, take place at Beth Israel there will be a Men’s Lunch August 17-21. and Learn at the office of Rabbi Jonathan Gross, an Joe Kirshenbaum, Noddle Continued from page 1 alumnus of Yeshiva Development. A Women’s Israel staff, Rabbi Howard Kutner, met with staff at University and its Lunch and Learn will also the Bagel Bin and Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and Theological Seminary, has take place that day at the the Va’ad HaKashrut to review procedures, toured worked closely with YU to home of Maggie Gerber. the Jewish Community Center, Friedel Jewish bring this program here.

Both begin at noon, and a Academy and the community mikvah, met with the Even prior to his arrival in dairy lunch is available at Adult Education committee of Beth Israel, and got to Omaha as Beth Israel’s each location for $5. know synagogue members. In addition, Rabbi Gross new rabbi, Rabbi Gross Lunch and Learn on has been in constant contact with the synagogue spent time in New York Thursday, August 19 is in president and staff over the last several months to interviewing staff and disthe JELS classroom at the ensure a smooth transition upon his arrival. cussing details for this JCC. The Blumkin Home Rabbi Gross can be reached in the synagogue year’s program. will provide a dairy lunch office, located at 12604 Pacific St., or by calling In previous years, all for $5.

556.6288, beginning Monday, Aug. 9. classes and lectures in the On Wednesday, August week long program followed a particular theme. 18, join us for an Italian Dinner at Beth Israel at 6 Instead this year, each of the YU staff will be given p.m. followed by Mincha/Ma’ariv at 7:30 p.m. After the opportunity to speak in their areas of expertise. services, there will be two learning sessions, one for Our staff includes Mindy and Yaacov Haller and adults and one for NCSYers (5-12th graders). Dinner Steven Exler. is $10 for adults; $5 for children (ages four-12) and Mindy Haller is a Montessori Educator, pursuing free to children three and younger. innovative methods in the advancement of Jewish On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, a YU staff childhood education. An alumnus of Washington member will give a shiur (lecture) following 7:30 University, Mindy’s experience with Jewish youth has p.m. Mincha/Ma’ariv services. spanned the gamut of educational programming from The program on Friday will begin at 7:30 p.m.

BBYO and summer camp director to Special Kabbalat Shabbat services at Beth Israel, followed by Olympics coordinator and special needs involvement. a Family dinner. Dinner is $12 for adults; $6 for chilSince 2002, she has been a retained consultant for the dren ages four to 12, and free to children three and She’arim College of Jewish Studies for Women in younger.

Israel. Just married in June, Mindy has moved from Shabbos morning services begin on Saturday at 9 her home town of Atlanta, Georgia, to accept a posi- a.m. Free babysitting service will be available from tion alongside her husband Yaakov, in the Yeshiva 9:30 a.m. until the conclusion of services, and Junior University Scholars Kollel in Springfield, New Jersey. Congregation is at 10:30 a.m. Shabbos lunch follows Yaakov Haller is the founder and director of services. Lunch is $8 for adults; $4 for children (ages JACOB, the Jewish American Community Of four-12) and free to children three and younger.

Broadcasting, a New York based not-for-profit organConcurrent adult and NCSY sessions will be at 7 ization, creating professional web-cast productions p.m. Mincha is at 7:50 p.m., followed by Shalosh for Jewish teenagers around the country. A former oil Suedot, and Havdalah. & energy commodities trader for Merrill Lynch on the The Summer Torah Tours is made possible by sponNew York Mercantile Exchange, Haller placed a sors; funds raised offset the cost of airfare for staff promising career in finance on hold when he co- and allow us to offer the program meals at a reasonfounded and directed the Israel Emergency Solidarity able price. If you are interested in being a Torah Fund in November, 2000, for Israeli victims of terror Tours Sponsor, contact me in the synagogue office. and their families.

Sponsors will be listed in the Shabbos Sheet at Beth Steven Exler grew up in Baltimore, MD, and was a Israel during the Torah Tours and in our September Bronfman Youth Fellow in Israel. After high school, Bulletin. he spent a year studying at Yeshivat Har Etzion The YU Torah Tour is being held in conjunction before going on to graduate magna cum laude from with the Max Stern Division of Communal Brandeis University with highest honors for his thesis Services/Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary research in leukemia. Exler is currently working of Yeshiva University. Reservations for all meals can toward his masters in Bible at Barnard Revel be made by August 10 by calling 556.6288 or via eGraduate School and will begin his formal prepara- mail at: BethIsrael@ OrthodoxOmaha.org.

Beth Israel’s New Rabbi

Visions’ Mitzvah Project: A Good Deed for the Pups and Kitties

Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.

Contact: Michael Walts, Search Committee Chairman C/o Temple Israel 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132

by MARGARET CONTI Visions recently had members collect items such as blankets and towels for the Nebraska Humane Society at a recent luncheon at the Venice Inn. Pictured: Doris Parker and Harry Alloy

Can You Identify This Photo?

by RENEE CORCORAN Director, NJHS O n c e again, the Nebraska Historical Society is looking for the help of Jewish Press readers. If you can identify the couple in this photo, taken sometime in the 1940s, please call me at the NJHS, at: 334.6442.

August 6, 2004

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Today's Wedding Customs Continued from page 1 But despite its fascinating history and continued popularity, the veil is not a requirement.Some modern women reject it because of its similarity to the purdah (the requisite face covering worn by married Middle Eastern women), an emblem of modesty to some and of oppression to others.

A lawful Jewish marriage requires an act of kinyan (that the bride be given-and that she accept--something of nominal value from the groom). In ancient times, coins were typically given. (They are still used by many Sephardic and Oriental Jews). Since the seventh century, rings replaced coins in most of Europe as the “gift of choice.” Some commentators suggest that the preference for rings is attributable to their circular form, which symbolizes endless love between a husband and wife.

Others see the circle as representing a link to the past and a commitment to the future. But for whatever reason, in North America today, it is almost universally the custom to give a ring as the object of exchange. According to Jewish law, the ring must belong to the groom, be of solid metal, and be free of gems. (The inclusion of precious stones produces significant variations in ring values, which, presumed the rabbis, could cause a bride to reconsider.)

An interesting custom in postRenaissance Europe was the use of communal rings--large, ornate objects d’art decorated either with representations of the Jerusalem Temple or a local synagogue. Such rings were objects of pride to the entire community and were lent to couples for their bridal celebrations.

The double-ring ceremony popular

today is a relatively recent custom, and off with veils made of streaming gold one that raises some objections among coins. Many Jewish brides of Moroccan traditional Jews. Some think that an and Yemenite descent still marry in this exchange of rings invalidates kinyan; type of garb, especially in Israel. In however, Conservative, Reform and ancient Greece, both bride and groom Reconstructionist rabbis find no legal wore white garments adorned with garobjection to the double-ring ceremony. lands. The classic bridal costume for A modern trend is to inscribe biblical or Iraqi Jewish brides included silver bells other significant Hebrew phrases on the and golden nose rings. ring.

The white bridal gown became customUp until fairly recently, a common ary among Ashkenazic Jews who followed inscription was, Eshet Chayil Ateret the example of their Christian neighbors, Ba’alah (A Woman of Valor Is Her although white was not the preferred Husband’s Crown). These days, it is color among all Christians. In France of more usual to inscribe the gender neu- the Middle Ages and beyond, brides rarely tral, Ani L’Dodi V’l’ Dodi Li (I Belong to wore white, electing blue or rose because My Beloved and My Beloved white was the color of Belongs to Me). mourning. Ironically, The white bridal while the white dress is so intrinsic gown has come to modern wedto symbolize dings--includbridal virgining Jewish ity in weddings-Christian that it is culture. common to In the assume Jewish this attire tradito be unition the versal, gown which it is denotes not.

In somef a c t , t h i n g Oriental quite difa n d ferent--that Sephardic Around no matter b r i d e s interlockhow sexuhave tradi- ing wedding ally active t i o n a l l y rings reads: “This a bride w o r n is my beloved, this is my may have b r i g h t l y friend” from the songs of songs. Pomegranates, a special fruit of b e e n c o l o r e d Israel, symbolize abundance. Artist Sivia Katz’s ketubah is avail- b e f o r e dresses set able at: www.ketubahs.com. marriage,

the wedding purifies her. White is worn as a symbol of the purity conferred upon her by the wedding.

In many Orthodox communities, a bride gives a tallit (prayer shawl) to the groom, which he wears only from the day he is married, despite being a Bar Mitzvah for years.

According to some Jewish mystics, the tallit is associated with sexual temptation, which, for a man, is more of an issue after marriage than at the traditional age of becoming a Bar Mitzvah. The biblical command to wear the fringes of the tallit states: “you shall look at them and not be tempted to follow your heart and eyes.” Thus, for a married man, the tallit now functions as a reminder to keep his mind off forbidden sexual situations.

We know that the mikvah (ritual bath) is a very ancient institution because vestiges of one were found in the remains of the destroyed Jewish fortress at Masada. In fact, the Christian ritual of baptism is based on mikvah immersion.

In Jewish tradition, the institution of the mikvah is not custom but law.

According to the Torah, sexual relations between a husband and wife are prohibited during the wife’s menstrual period and for seven days after. During that time, the woman is called tamay (impure). This means she is forbidden to take part in certain religious practices.

Before sexual relations can resume, the wife must go to the mikvah. (Although most women visit an indoor mikvah, any body of natural water--a lake, a river, an ocean--may be used.) A woman then immerses herself two or three times and says an appropriate blessing.

Continued on page 8

From seedlings a homeland grew.

JNF: Realizing the dream and assuring Israel’s future.

More than 100 years ago, Jewish National Fund purchased the land that would become the State of Israel. Since that time, JNF has acted on behalf of Jewish people everywhere to meet Israel’s most pressing needs.

Forestry: JNF has planted more than 240 million trees in Israel to beautify the land.

Water: JNF’s water initiatives provide 1.2 million Israelis with water and support farming.

Community Development: JNF creates new towns where Israelis can live in a quality environment.

Security: JNF builds security roads along the northern border with Lebanon so Israelis can travel safely to school and work.

Education: JNF’s education programs reinforce the Jewish identity of children around the world.

Research: JNF’s scientific breakthroughs protect Israel’s environment to ensure quality of life.

Tourism & Recreation: JNF has built over 1,000 parks and green spaces throughout Israel for all to enjoy.

To learn more about JNF, call Yaron Iram, Midwest States Regional Director:

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 6, 2004

250 Best Cakes & Pies

Today's Wedding Customs Continued from page 7 The only unmarried woman expected to go to the mikvah is the bride, just prior her wedding. Because of the association of the mikvah with the so-called “impurity” of menstruating women, however, many women have shunned it, considering it to be a relic of an archaic, patriarchal age.

Recently the mikvah has been making a comeback as a symbol of spiritual purification. In fact, there has been a revival of the Sephardic custom of turning the pre-wedding visit to the mikvah into a celebration. It is not unusual these days for a prospective bride to visit the mikvah with women friends who strew flower petals in her path as she emerges from the water and regale her with wine, sweets, and song. Other future brides gather with their female friends and relatives on the shores of a river or lake and recite poems and blessings prior to her immersion. A picnic, made even more memorable with singing and dancing, often follows.

Another ancient custom that has lately been transformed is the ketubah (marriage contract). The earliest formulation was written by Shimon ben Shetach, head of the ancient rabbinical court at the end of the first century. Spelling out a husband’s obligations to his wife, the ketubah was a radical document in its day because it provided women with legal status and rights in marriage.

Up until recently, the text for ketubot has remained virtually unchanged. But many couples who consider the traditional ketubah to be out of touch with contemporary views on relationships are creating new ones. Whereas the original ketubah was about a man’s obligations to his wife, modern versions of the document are typically egalitarian. Many ketubot now include parallel declarations of commitment made by both bride and groom with a joint declaration of faith in God and a connection to the Jewish people.

Whereas the original ketubot were written in Aramaic, modern documents are usually drafted in both Hebrew and English. Having a ketubah professionally calligraphed and made even more special with customized decorations has also become popular.

The chuppah (canopy) under which the bride and

by ESTHER BRODY (Robert Rose, $18.95)

groom stand during the ceremony symbolizes a marriage chamber. The bride leaves her father’s house and enters her husband’s home as a married woman. The Book of Joel (2:16) states: “Let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber and the bride out of her pavilion” (chuppah).

In Eastern Europe during the 16th century, the portable canopy held up by four poles came into use.

In some communities, it was traditional for the bride and groom to marry beneath a tallit, often a family heirloom. An especially poignant custom involving the chuppah was popular at one time in Israel: A cedar tree was planted on the occasion of a child’s birth. When the child married, the branches and leaves from the tree were then used in the construction of the chuppah.

Today, although most synagogues own a stationary chuppah they will lend upon request, some creative couples are choosing to make their own.

Since there are no legal requirements as to a chuppah’s shape or dimensions, couples have created chuppahs and new traditions that expressed their unique personalities.

Some women hold chuppah parties--a gathering that resembles old fashioned “quiltings” in that friends of the bride create individual squares that are later sewn together. Or, other women who have friends less adept with a needle and thread have their friends decorate a piece of cloth with special sayings and personal well wishes, using fabric pens and paints. And some couples are returning to the custom of marrying beneath a tallit that has special family significance.

Although wedding customs may be cherished simply because of the history and tradition they represent, ultimately what keeps them alive is their relevance in a changing world. Ancient wedding customs imbued with a modern spirit provide couples with both a link to the past and a hand in shaping the future they will be sharing.

Marlena Thompson is a freelance journalist and book reviewer. Her poetry series for children, Let’s Discover God, was published by Behrman House in 1998. Reprinted with permission from JewishFamily.com, a service of Jewish Family & Life.

R EAD IT AND EAT Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN Looking for a cake or pie recipe for an upcoming event; need to bake for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Sabbath dinner or other holidays? You just might find the recipe among the 250 in this “Best” series. Part One is the introduction, tips and troubleshooting for cake baking. The second part includes the introduction to pies and making a “perfect” pie crust and meringue. The 250 recipes have step-by-step numerical instructions, variations and tips.

Baba Mary’s Favorite Chocolate Roll, Sima’s Cheesecake, Passover Cheese Pie with a matzo meal crust, Sabbath Sponge Cake, and Christine’s Honey Cake. Roll up your sleeves and make “Baba” Esther’s chocolate recipe. Life is short--have dessert first!

ESTHER’S CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE 2 cups all purpose flour 2 eggs 1 tsp baking soda 1 cup sour cream 11/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 tsp vanilla 2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled Preheat oven to 325º. Grease a 9- by 5- inch metal loaf pan; dust with unsweetened cocoa powder.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and baking soda.

In a large mixer bowl, on medium speed, cream sugar and butter until smooth and blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture, on low speed, beating until combined. Add sour cream and vanilla and beat until blended. Add chocolate and continue beating until combined. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for 6070 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, loosen around edges with a knife and remove carefully from pan onto wire rack to cool completely. Serves 8 to 10.

Send Rosh Hashanah Greetings with one of these personal ads

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August 6, 2004

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

B’nai Mitzvahs for Children with Special Needs

PEOPLE OF THE

BYTE

by MARK MIETKIEWICZ

At the best of times, planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a time of joy--and stress --for everyone involved. But if the child preparing for the big day also has special needs to cope with, it can make the celebration daunting--and for some families, impossible. Today, I would like you to meet some incredible young people who along with their equally dedicated families, found ways to celebrate their Jewish coming of age.

In “A Bat Mitzvah for Jenny,” Marlena Thompson tells of the challenges of being the mother of an autistic daughter --while coping with a system that only made things harder for them.

Thompson realized that having a standard ceremony with Jenny being called up to the Torah would have little meaning for her daughter. She felt it would be more appropriate to celebrate during the havdalah ceremony marking the end of the Sabbath. The light of the candle, the taste of the wine, the aroma of the spices would be just right to inspire Jenny.

But when their rabbi refused to be part of the unconventional ceremony, Thompson planned it herself in a local hotel.

“Gazing at my daughter’s lovely face,

luminous with the joy of achievement, and hearing her remark, ‘Being Jewish smells like oranges and cinnamon,’ I had no doubt that (the prophet) Elijah had indeed made his way to our self-styled sanctuary.

His presence would be a fitting tribute to the sanctity of innocence and my unwavering belief that, differences and disabilities notwithstanding, God simply does not make mistakes.” [www.beliefnet.com/story/47/story_ 4772_1.html] For more stories about special children and their special families go to the Council for Jews with Special Needs website. [www.cjsn.org/articles.shtml] One of the heroes in developing programs for children with special needs is Judith Edelman-Green. American-born and now living in Israel, Edelman-Green is director of the country’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah for the Special Child program. [www.jrep.com/Israel/Article45.html] Established in 1995, the program has helped over 1,500 children disabled and impaired youngsters celebrate their special day. The program is run by Israel’s Masorti (Conservative) Movement but children from all backgrounds are welcome.

As Edelman-Green says, “although a child may be limited physically or mentally, he or she need not be limited spiritually.” You can read more at

JELS Presents “Waging War and Making Peace: How Does Judaism Help Us Think” with Leonard Greenspoon

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN JELS course on texts of War and Peace JELS Administrator last fall, Greenspoon has lectured freOver the past year there have been quently on this topic around the country several community programs regarding and written several articles relating to Jewish views and practices relating to these issues. war and peace. These topics have domGuy Matalon, Executive Director of inated the press and politJELS states that, “Professor ical conversations as well.

Greenspoon brings an JELS is pleased to present interesting perspective to a short series to further this topic. His teaching explore this issue. style and connection with “Waging War and the text draw his audience Making Peace: How Does into a discussion. The Judaism Help Us Think topic is relevant today About These Important more than ever in light of Topics” is a three-part the developments around series, in which specific the world.” issues will be examined, The series dates are each of them controversial Aug. 24, Aug. 31, and and all of them addressed Sept. 7. Sessions will run in the Jewish tradition. from 7- 8:30 p.m. and will Leonard Greenspoon The thoughts of tradibe held in the Kripke tional Jewish sources and modern Jewish Federation Library. The cost is Jewish thinkers on these issues will be $18. explored. Where possible, the actual Weekly discussions will be as follows: practices carried out by Jews in situa- Aug. 24: Starting War: What are the contions of war and peace will be discussed. ditions for initiating warfare? Are preOf greatest importance, participants in ventive strikes ever permissible?; Aug. this series will be encouraged to express 31: Waging War: Should distinctions be their own opinions and views on specif- made between combatants and nonic topics and the overall framework for combatants? Is collective punishment waging war and making peace ever justified?; Sept. 7: Making Peace: “Jewishly”.

When and how should peace be sought?

The series will be led by Dr. Leonard Are pacifism and non-violence desirable?

Greenspoon, holder of the Klutznick To register or for more information, Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton please call me at: 334.6445 or e-mail University. In addition to conducting a mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE Due to the closing of the Jewish Press office during the Jewish holidays, the deadlines for issues in September and October will be as follows: Issue Deadline Sept. 24 Tuesday, Sept. 14 Oct. 1 Wednesday, Sept. 22 Oct. 8 Tuesday, Sept. 29 Oct. 15 Tuesday, Oct. 5 Questions? Call 334.6448.

the program’s website. [www.masorti.org.il/mason/have/bm_special.ht ml] Leslie Kessler feels parents should consider an important question before they embark on the challenge of preparing a child with special needs for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The speech therapist says families need to ask themselves whether this is “‘what’s best for the child, or do I really want this for me?’ because many of these children can’t tell you if they don't want this. Parents need to take a very careful inventory of their child’s abilities.” [http://tinyurl.com/6p782] Becca Hornstein planned a Bar Mitzvah for a son with autism. She is also executive director of the Council for Jews with Special Needs, in Phoenix, AZ, and has advice for families who want to modify the ceremony to match the strengths and limitations of their children: [http://tinyurl.com/4nnuw] • Child cannot learn to read Hebrew.

Write the “script” in transliteration (phonetic English) or prepare an audiotape with all the prayers in Hebrew in English.

• Child cannot verbalize. A boy who was profoundly multiply disabled and had absolutely no communications skills “sat on his father’s lap, his fingers lovingly curled around the wooden handles of the scroll, as his father chanted the Hebrew in his son’s honor.”

• Child cannot stay in one place for long. Hornstein tells the story of one

hyperactive boy’s Bar Mitzvah. Knowing that he might wander during the Shabbat service, the rabbi explained to the congregation, “Today is Ben’s day. The entire chapel is his bimah (stage) and he can move in it as he wishes (to) communicate with G-d in his way.” [http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact /143/over09.html] Speaking of doing things a bit differently, sometimes the right timing--and location--for the ceremony can make all the difference in the world. When Brian David was called to the Torah to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah, “on hand were Brian's parents, two sisters, brother, and family friends, as well as almost 600 of his closest friends--the campers and staff of Camp Ramah in Canada.”

At 21 years of age with Downs Syndrome, Brian was also a veteran of the camp’s Tikvah program for children with special needs. When Brian was 13, his parents had decided to forgo a formal ceremony “but now that he had a community of his own, with a congregation that welcomes him just as he is, we decided to have a Bar Mitzvah where Brian is both loved and respected.” [www.campramah.org/news/Brians_ Song.html] Mark Mietkiewicz is a Torontobased Internet producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at: highway@rogers.com.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 6, 2004

ORGANIZATIONS

IN THE NEWS

JELS CONTINUES MAIMONIDES CLASS Due to the popularity of the JELS Maimonides Class, a second session is being offered, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. The sessions are taught by Guy Matalon, Executive Director of Jewish Educational & Library Services, in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the death of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon--known as Maimonides. The class focuses on the study of his Mishne Torah. Attendance at earlier sessions is not required to participate. Classes will meet in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library on Aug. 11, 18, 25, Sept. 1, 8, 22, 29, and Oct. 6. The fee is $36. For more information and to register, call 334.6445 or e-mail: mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Col. (Res.) Kami Robinson will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Aug. 11, noon, at the Park Inn Regency. Col. Robinson represents the Jewish National Fund and will travel from Chicago to provide an “Israel Update: An Insider’s Perspective.” Cost is $10 for lunch and $2 for beverage service only.

Breadbreakers is open to the community.

TORAH LEARNING CENTER Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman will teach the following classes: on Tuesdays, 7 p.m.-Jewish Philosophy--ongoing discussions on self-growth, and on Wednesdays, noon--”Down to Earth Jewish Philosophy” in the Omaha Room of the Jewish Community Center.

New home-study groups and classes and individual study sessions are available. Please call me at 981.0569 for more information.

Dining

Out

When you patronize these fine establishments, tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press.

YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS For reservations for all events call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. On Monday, Aug. 16, join us for a Las Vegas Style Show with Karen and Terry Edwards; the deadline is Aug. 9. On Monday, Aug. 30, Mike Conner will entertain with humor and banjo music, while he talks on senior safety; the deadline for reservations is Aug. 23. Bluffs Run Casino is Thursday, Aug. 26, the deadline for reservations is Aug. 19.

WALK-IN, DROP-IN Catch the bus to sophisticated Omaha as we tour the new Riverfront Happenings on Thursday, Aug. 12, we will have lunch at Tish’s Restaurant in Council Bluffs. Depart from the Jewish Community Center at 10 a.m. For information call Maggie Conti at 334.6521.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH We are playing Yiddish Bingo. The name of the game is Oivai. It's funl It's educational. Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m.

Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638 for information.

VISIONS Reminder: For those members going on the day trip to Brownville to see Liz Callaway in concert, please meet at the JCC main entrance at 11:45 a.m.

Nebraska City Trip on Wednesday, Sept. 1. See the new Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, have lunch at the Lied Conference Center, tour Nebraska City and visit the apple farm. Cost is $30 per person. Depart from the JCC at 9 a.m. and return by 4 p.m. Send reservation with payment by Aug. 20 to Anne Skolkin, 1010 Regency Parkway, #302, Omaha, NE 68114. Make check payable to Visions.

Bruce Gordon, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and co-chairman of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has been named chairman of the newly constituted Pediatric Central Institutional Review Board (PedCIRB).

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) made the announcement recently.

“This is a wonderful honor and yet another recognition that UNMC is on the cutting-edge of research ethics and h u m a n research subject protection,” Dr. Gordon said.

The 17-member PedCIRB is an expansion of the NCI Central IRB (CIRB) Initiative for the central review of NCIsponsored Cooperative Group protocols.

The CIRB Initiative, which was developed by NCI in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP), provides an innovative approach to human subject protection through a “facilitated review” process that can streamline local IRB reviews of national multi-center cancer treatment trials and can reduce the administrative burden on local IRBs and clinical investigators.

Dr. Gordon, a pediatric hematologistoncologist, joined UNMC in July 1989.

He became a member of the IRB in 1992 and has served as its chairman for seven years. He is a member of the Public Policy Committee of the Applied Research Ethics National Association, an editor of the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) Editorial Working Group

and author of two modules for the course. He has served as clinical director of the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Program at UNMC. Dr. Gordon received his undergraduate and medical degrees from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Naomi Rennard, daughter of Dr. Stephen and Barbara Rennard, has been selected to attend Girls Nation. She was one of two delegates selected from over 400 at Nebraska Cornhusker Girls State.

Naomi is one of 96 girls selected from across the nation to convene as a national senate and meet public officials, including the President of the U. S. This Program is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

Howard Gendelman, M.D., David T. Purtilo Distinguished chair of pathology and microbiology and director of the Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Diseases (CNND), has been named chair of the department of pharmacology in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Medicine. The appointment is effective Sept. 1.

Dr. Gendelman joined UNMC in 1993 as professor of medicine and of pathology/microbiology. He was named director of the CNND in 1997 and was instrumental in its formation. The center, which has reported to the department of pathology and microbiology, would report to the department of pharmacology. Under Dr. Gendelman’s leadership, CNND has seen tremendous growth both in terms of employees and funding.

Today, the CNND has 63 members, including scientists, graduate students, fellows and support staff, annualized funding of $4.8 million for fiscal 2003-04 and total external grant support of $18.4 million.

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First Bris at Beth Israel

by BETH COHEN With the recent move of Beth Israel Synagogue to 126th and Pacific Streets, many people have been recounting historical events at the old building.

I’ve enjoyed hearing stories of the “firsts” on 52nd Street--like Jerry Gordman’s account of being the first Bar Mitzvah, and I have marked historical “lasts,” Elina Yurikov as the last Bat Harry Berman is the Sandek (the person The Grandmother’s Blessing is given by holding the baby) while Rabbi Michael “Nama” Marilyn Berman, left, and Mitzvah.

“Grammy” Sheila Cohen.

My husband, Harry Rovinsky performs the circumcision.

Photo by Lynne Saltzman Photo by Dan Cohen Berman, and I were honored that our family became one of the “firsts” in the firsts for our son, Bradley Edward Berman, it was espenew Beth Israel building, the first bris. Rabbi Michael cially meaningful that his bris, while the first in a new Rovinsky, a certified mohel from St. Louis, and Rabbi building, added to our family history at Beth Israel: Howard Kutner officiated when our son received his Harry’s Bar Mitzvah, the saying of kaddish for Harry’s name, Binyomin Moshe ben Tzvi, on April 16, 2004. father, Brad, the aufruf prior to our wedding, and the While this special day represented the first of many naming of our daughter, Zoe.

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On Friday, March 19, several of those family members gathered together to celebrate the Adler’s 65th wedding anniversary. They had a small family Shabbat dinner in the tearoom of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Art has been a Blumkin Home resident for the past four years; Sis visits daily and often volunteers as a pinch-hitter.

The couple met in 1938, when Sis went to work dur-

ing the summer at Adler Bakery.

Art knew a cute “cookie” when he saw her and immediately asked her for a date. When Sis left for nursing school at the end of the summer, Art had different plans for her future. He asked her to marry him and she liked his plans better.

They have lived in Omaha their entire married life, raising three daughters: Bobbie Epstein, Kathy Liberman, and Carole Shovers. Their family tree is indeed, very fruitful.

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Is This Imitation Flattering?

BERT’S EYE VIEW

by BERT LEWIS

I read a very amusing and interesting article in a recent issue of The Wall Street Journal which I think is worth sharing. It had to do with the current popularity of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah party with non-Jewish youngsters.

Everybody knows what’s meant by that kind of party...today, it’s a social event (usually) marking the last part of what might be called “the b’nai mitzvah weekend”.

This probably starts at Friday night Shabbat services and continues with Saturday morning services. The celebrant is on the bimah, doing his/her best job of demonstrating how diligently Hebrew has been studied, how well it can be read from the Torah and in general what has been learned about being a good person--or should I say being a “good Jewish person”? In a phrase, this is a rite of passage for a Jewish child reaching the age of 13.

The party, in many if not most of the parts of the United States, has turned into a very big expensive social event. It often seems like a contest, to see who can out-do the last kid, whose parents thought it was fine to rent the ballroom of a large hotel, engage either a live band or a disc jockey to provide ear-splitting music (?) and dinner for all the friends on the planet.

Naturally, “all friends” include a substantial number of non-Jewish kids, and that’s what this story is all about.

It hardly comes as a surprise that the guests who didn’t put in years of learning Jewish history, traditions and Hebrew might be envious of the Jewish friend being honored. Nor should the parents of these kids be surprised when petitioned for a social bash like those they’ve attended. A bash with presents yet!

And, according to the story, so began a new practice among young teens in this country...Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties, regardless of ethnic background or religious belief. More then one kid has offered to study Hebrew and whatever else required, if that would entitle him or

her to such a party. Any parent can understand that, whether a shamah or a rosary is said at bedtime! And, like many very indulgent parents today, lots of them think it’s an okay idea.

The story speaks of a New York Dad who threw a $12,000 party at a Manhattan hotel for about 150, for his daughter’s faux Bat Mitzvah celebration. They even copied a candlelighting ceremony she had seen at some of the “authentic” parties. The dad was heard to say “don’t be offended, it’s just her 13th birthday party”.

Apparently such an expenditure for a grandiose party is not unheard of, with more and more non-Jewish parents noticing the affairs their kids are attending.

According to the story I read about this new phenomanon, some hire the same entertainment and book the same party places. Apparently that old saying “Imitation is the truest form of flattery”, has some truth to it.

The motives are as clear as plastic wrap--what 13-yearold wouldn’t envy a classmate or friend who was the honoree at such a big, fancy-shmancy affair? It’s only human, after all. And what parent doesn’t want everything for his kid that everyone else has? So for not the best reasons in the world, such a peculiar practice has been invented.

Yeah, it makes you say “only in America!” doesn’t it?

Of course there are many Jews who are somewhat offended by all of this. They feel that an important ceremony in the life of a Jewish child is being mocked.

More liberal thinkers say it’s an example of some of our traditions becoming part of popular culture. Who’s right? Or is there a right or a wrong? I’m not sure the entire subject deserves a lot of attention or criticism, but I have to admit I chuckled when I read the story.

I guess it doesn’t hurt anything, and if the non-Jewish youngsters are attending the services which lead up to the social part of the celebrations, well good! Maybe that’s once of the ways to help eradicate the kind of bigotry that comes from ignorance. Let the kids see what we do in synagogue on a Friday night or a Saturday morning--could that be anything but good?

Maybe it’s best said by a rabbi who thought, “If nonJews are going to emulate their Jewish neighbors, better they emulate enduring values of Jewish tradition than the material excesses of contemporary life.”

How could anyone disagree with that statement?

Page 11

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 6, 2004

L’Chaim: To Life!

by DEANA LIDDY A Simcha, a special anniversary! I should say so! My simcha isn’t in any book of traditional events but it is very special. A simcha is a celebration of life--a bris or a B’nai Mitzvah, a wedding anniversary, a graduation, but mine isn’t one of these. Let me tell you about mine.

At 50, I had a big birthday to celebrate because 50 was such a monumental number, half a century. Surely such survival should be celebrated. At 60, in November of 2003, I thought to do the same, but was coming up on a much more important anniversary.

In May of 1994, I was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, for some surgery. Dr. Keith Lindor was searching for research subjects there by screening the blood of all who entered Mayo doors. He found me, analyzed my blood, and diagnosed me with a very rare disease called PBC, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.

I was told to take this seriously; Dr. Lindoor said I would die of this disease. After giving me the figures, he confirmed that I had a 10- year life expectancy.

When I came home, hepatologist Dr. Rowan Zetterman at the University of Nebraska Medical Center did blood tests and a biopsy and confirmed the diagnosis.

PBC is thought to be an autoimmune disease of the small bile ducts of the liver. It is a cholestatic disease and is misnamed as cirrhotic. It has nothing to do with alcoholism and doesn’t appear to be hereditary. There is no cure except transplantation.

What do you do when you hear such a sentence?

I am an academic, so I went to the UNMC library every Friday for a year. I found myself an immunology tutor; I joined an internet support group and then started a regional support group and learned what we could teach other.

The international internet group, the PBCers, conducted biannual medical research meetings. And we started a research fund to provide seed grants to researchers. This effort has been really successful in promoting research and helping researchers obtain large grants from government and other sources.

The Great Plains PBCers first met at the Garden Café because it was the week of that awful storm and our house had had no power for a week. Fourteen people

Photos from left: floral arrangements came from Stems; Former Omahan Marty Rosenberg, left, now of Philadelphia greets Deana Liddy, and Dr. Paul Finkler of Lincoln; three of the PBCers: Edie Hurtig of Kansas, Deana and Myrna Voibl of Gothenberg, NE; Deana Liddy and Michael Liddy. showed up: six patients and their family members and Dr. Zetterman. He became our sponsor at UNMC and the rest is history.

One of the things I am most proud of is the national PBC Fund for the Cure.

We have generated a research agenda, raised about a million dollars, and given seed grants, and now some of the researchers who received those seed grants are getting large NIH and private grants for research on PBC. Most fortunately, I live in Nebraska--a regional treatment center for this and other liver diseases and for the transplant which I will probably need some day.

So on May 23, 2004, my 10-year survival with PBC is the simcha I celebrated!

We had a celebratory brunch and friends and family came to celebrate life. My generous husband, Michael Liddy, and our children, many family members, and good friends from New Jersey and Florida, Colorado, Kansas and Iowa Nebraska and all over came together.

Tuffy Epstein played Klezmer and happy music for us.

And of course we ate--blintzes and eggs and salad and salmon and fruit and cakes! Of course, we ate.

There is a small group of women friends who are my

confidents, my sisters in spirit, and who have been there to lean on and to laugh with, some for many years and some more recently, and I credit them mightily with helping to keep me sane and well and able to enjoy life fully.

Thanks to my religious community, Beyt Shalom, who are really also my family and who must certainly be blessed because we keep surviving somehow, and thanks to my friend and our advisor, Rabbi Meyer Kripke, for his sage thoughts and wry comments and for his many kindnesses.

I am so lucky to be surviving and to have had the opportunity to thank so many for having been such a blessing in my life. So thank you again and l’Chaim!

(Note: To make a donation, send tax-deductible checks to: PBC: Fund for the Cure; c/o The American Liver Foundation, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603, New York, N.Y. 10038-4810.)

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Page 13

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 6, 2004

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by MELISSA SHAPIRO On one of our precious daddy-daughter walks when I was 13-years-old, I told my dad I never wanted to change my last name. I liked the way it sounded. We talked about marriage and why women typically change their name, but he told me I could keep my maiden name or maybe I could just find a Shapiro to marry. I guess I never let that thought out of my mind!

Fast forward five years; it was my second day at the University of Kansas as a freshman, and I finally met the Matt Shapiro everyone had told me about.

Our relationship started as a friendship, but after our first date on Feb. 3, 2000, I knew he was the man I was going to marry (I even called my mom that night and told her). We had been together for more than three years when Matt asked me to marry him on Valentine’s Day, 2003. He worked very hard to plan the perfect proposal--roses, chocolate, and even a surprise visit from both of our parents.

But now that his work was over planning the proposal, my work (and my mom’s!) was just beginning.

First Matt and I picked our Photos from top: Friends of Matt and Melissa Shapiro balance them on chairs during their wedding date: May 16, wedding celebration in May at Beth El Synagogue; the bride circles her groom during the 2004. The date has signifi- ceremony, officated by Rabbi Norman Cohen of Minneapolis, along with Cantor Gaston cance to us because it is two Bogolmoni and Rabbi Mordechai Levin of Beth El; Melissa and Matt Shapiro dance around days after Matt’s birthday, the cake, created by The Cake Lady--Lorraine Arthur; and they leave via Ollie the Trolley. just as my parent’s wedding a bride on a mission. I purchased every bridal magadate is two days after my dad’s birthday.

I always knew I wanted to be married at my syna- zine I could get my hands on; I signed up for all of the gogue--Beth El. I grew up there, met my best friends wedding websites; and The Everything Jewish Wedding there, and had my Bat Mitzvah there. I knew the next Book was my new bible.

Planning a wedding in Omaha while living in Kansas part of my life should begin there as well. With more than 400 people on our guest list, and the majority of City was never easy, but I was so lucky my mom made them being out-of-towners, it made sense to us to have sure the details were never overlooked. From ordering 130 lbs of M&M’s (get it: Matt and Melissa!) to deciding the reception at Beth El also.

From the day I received the engagement ring, I was Continued on page 16

August 6, 2004

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 15

A Different Shehechianu

by KEVIN M. FLATOWICZ-FARMER Solomon and a survivor of the teeth, ticks, pops and hums -not a lot of In January, 2002, after much thought, Holocaust. constricted aspirations. Hebrew, generalmany long talks, and a few drinks, I got We received some very compassionate ly has a lot of sounds focused further down on one knee and back on the asked the woman I love if palette. I can she could bear to be my handle that. I wife. The journey to the understand chuppah had begun long the dynamics before, our story is of love in making the at first sight. “ch” sound.

We had an understanding It’s like clearof what may lie ahead; that ing your is Shayna had an underthroat ever so standing. I was just beginbriefly. I can ning to understand. say “baruch” Immediately there were a with the best million questions. My love of them, but is a nice Jewish girl and I when it’s am a “goy”. For that I make right there in no apology. Our courtship the middle of was not fraught with pangs the word I of family integration. Her cramp. I get family welcomed me with performance grace and affection. My famanxiety at the ily was grateful I could find third syllable. love and keep it and didn’t I hesitate. I Kevin and Shayna Flatowicz-Farmer during their wedding ceremony, May 18, 2003, with care how I came into it. consciously Rabbi Bonnie Levy of Sioux City, IA. My wife, Shayna, always imagined that she would be married “No’s” from the Omaha rabbis we asked. under a chuppah by a rabbi in an idyllic It was suggested that we use a Jewish outdoor setting, surrounded by friends judge to perform the ceremony. We and family, starting out a new life with a could still have the chuppah, we could nice Jewish husband. Much of that still break the glass, the ketubah--well, dream derailed when she fell in love we could wear kipot. custom invitations stationery gifts with me.

My wife was not satisfied. No matter I’m nice enough, but not exactly how Jewish the ceremony, it would still

By Appointment: Jewish. I loved the idea of an outdoor be strictly secular. Only a rabbi would Nanci Kavich setting. Once I learned to pronounce it, do...the search was on. p 402.991.1881 a chuppah seemed like a great idea. We As the hope of finding any ordained f 402.991.2054 planned on having a Jewish family, rais- individual to preside at our wedding was nancirsvp@aol.com ing our children Jewish, joining a syna- waning, I made one last call to Sioux (in home service available) gogue (Go Beth El!) and observing City, Iowa. I was not hopeful. Sioux City Jewish holidays; the idea of being mar- has a one-stop synagogue/community ried by a rabbi just seemed to fit nicely. center for all denominations. After the Now if only one would marry us. rejections, I assumed I would find more The decision to consecrate an inter- of the same. Instead, I found a rabbi faith (or in our case, with my lack of reli- who agreed to meet with us and said she gious adherence, extra-faith) marriage is would be able to perform the ceremony. a Gordian knot for any rabbi not A few weeks later, sitting in Rabbi expressly prohibited by a governing Bonnie Levy’s office, she agreed to offibody from performing them. Not only is ciate. She found us sufficiently sincere in the rabbi marrying two individuals to our desire to have a Jewish ceremony, one another, they are also marrying them and divined it was for our reasons and to the community. The grant of sanction not to please our grandparents. Well, affects not only the couple but the Shayna’s grandparents. greater group.

Rabbi Levy recommended some books Now that arranged marriages are out of about Judaism (Jewish Literacy by Rabbi vogue and the Jewish youth are marry- Joseph Telushkin is an excellent read), ing out of “love,” there’s no telling who and spoke with me about what I could they are going to fall in love with. It may expect as the husband in a Jewish famior may not be a nice Jewish boy/girl--it ly and an individual in the Jewish commay be me. munity. In this whole process it was The Jewish community is then caught never suggested or implied this would between attrition and dilution. If you be easier if I just converted. welcome the goy, there is a compromise Rabbi Levy, a convert herself, brought of the Jewish nature of the community. If a perspective (raised Catholic, converted you don’t, you risk losing your young to Judaism) that bridged my heritage Jewish population. with Shayna’s. She helped make the conIt’s the same slippery slope that has nections between what I knew from my turned Hanukkah into the Jewish Catholic upbringing and what I could Christmas. If you sanction the goy, then expect with my Jewish family. the door’s open to anything and you When it came time to think about the can’t put that toothpaste back in the ketubah, Shayna and I chose the text tube. together. We selected a contract of love The resistance was first hard for me to and mutual respect that leaned more understand. In my Christian upbringing, secular than religious. Rabbi Levy transthere was a focus on connecting with the lated the text to Hebrew. It concludes: Church of today, the issues of now. In “You are my life; you are my dreams; Judaism, there is a fierce connection to you are my joy; you are my love; you are the wandering tribes that escaped Egypt my everything. At this moment, you are and created Israel. There is a direct line all that I know and all that I see. As we to the house of Abraham and the grow old together and our love matures, descendants of Isaac. It’s a challenge for may we hold on to the passion and someone who can’t trace his ancestry affection for each other we feel today.” back more than a few generations to sit Everything was proceeding. We were at a Seder table and comprehend the finalizing plans, booking venues, orderphrase “it was I who was a slave.” ing flowers and tuxes and dresses; then I was not just marrying one woman, came the planning of the ceremony and part of one family. I was marrying 5,000 the hardest part of a Jewish wedding for years of generations of women. I was a goy like me...the Shehechianu. marrying a queen and a slave, a conEnglish is a language where all the queror and a vanquished, a subject of sounds come from right behind your

r sv p PSVW •

•

shift the focus of the sound. I totally screw it up.

“No, you’re pausing--shehechianu, not shehe-chianu,” Shayna would say. She was very patient, but it was becoming like a stutter. The more I wanted to not pause, the more I paused. The more I paused, the more I paused. I couldn’t sleep. I would mumble the word to myself over and over. Analyze the mechanics of my mouth. Watch myself say it in the mirror.

May 18, 2003, the day of the wedding, it threatened rain. Outdoor Nebraska weddings in May are a crapshoot. It had been raining for the entire week. Shayna was very calm and unconcerned, in that screaming and frantic sort of way.

Grandpa Flatowicz’s tallis was affixed to the chuppah. Friends and family were gathered. Ushers were handing out the kipot. The clouds had cleared. We each walked down the aisle with our parents.

When I reached the chuppah and turned to my father, he was fighting back tears, and then I was fighting back tears.

Continued on page 19

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August 6, 2004

Keeping the Simcha Focused on the Mitzvah

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN such as centerpieces filled with books to be donated to “Once a relatively peripheral ceremony in Judaism, a library,” mentioned Rabbi Marantz. “We are the peobar and bat mitzvah has now moved to center stage of ple of the book -- we should celebrate study.” the consciousness of American Jews,” writes Rabbi Michael Crabb became a bar mitzvah two years ago.

Jeffrey K. Salkin, author of the book, Putting God on His sister Rebecca celebrated her bat mitzvah last year. the Guest List.

Both of them picked a charity and asked their guests to Rabbi Salkin, a congregational leader in Atlanta, GA, make a donation in lieu of buying a present. Their is also affiliated with Hebrew Union College-Jewish mother Suzy Crabb went so far as to enclose an enveInstitute of Religion. lope addressed to her His work has children’s favorite appeared in Moment, charities in each inviReform Judaism, The tation.

Wall Street Journal, Michael’s guests Reader’s Digest, gave $1000 to the Newsday, and also in Child Develop-ment the Congressional Center at the Jewish Record.

Community Center.

“Bar and bat mitzRebecca chose the vah is among the Westside Foundation most popular of which was the recipAmerican Jewish rituient of $3000 in als. Yet, few underhonor of her bat stand its history and mitzvah. deeper theological “Focus on the mitzimplications. It is vah,” said Rabbi more than a glitzy Marantz. “Investment Julianna Scheet with friends from school at her Bat Mitzvah Party on April theme party, more in a mitvah should be 17, 2004. Pictured left: Christian Jeanes, Elizabeth Noha, Julianna Scheet than a moment of of equal importance and another friend from school. ethnic nostalgia. It is to party expense.” a glorious moment in the life of the family, the syna- He suggested that some families might consider spendgogue, and the Jewish people.” ing the money on going to Israel or even celebrating Cantor Wendy Shermet of Temple Israel added that the bar or bat mitzvah in Israel. it’s important “to remember that this is a religious cere“Gifts are nice especially if they’re for a close friend,” mony, an important rite of passage into the adult com- said Cantor Shermet. “However, we average 24 kids in munity and acceptance of the responsibility that goes each class at Temple. Let’s not put an onerous burden with it. To learn Hebrew and chant well is part of this, on families. The class can make a donation to charities. but really it’s about God’s mitzvot and fulfilling them to “And keep the parties kid friendly,” she added. the best of one’s ability. God is the first ‘invitee’ on the Parents need not be extravagant to please their chilguest list for the celebration. dren. Adam Goldberg’s party in March was “totally kid “Keep reading the Torah and Haftarah translation so friendly,” said his father Bruce Goldberg. Although both that the family and the child really know what they are adults and children attended the party at Petrow’s, a teaching the congregants,” the Cantor suggested. diner at 59th and Center Streets, “we tried to gear it “Perhaps if they view it that way, as a teaching oppor- towards the kids.” They listened to music, ate ice tunity, and a chance to lead us in prayer, it becomes cream, and just “hung out.” less about performing and more about community Holly Walts, daughter of Mike and Beth Walts, invitresponsibility.” ed her friends and family to Fontenelle Forest after her “We want this rite of passage and acceptance of these bat mitzvah in 2001. They had a scavenger hunt, paintresponsibilities to be joyful,” pointed out Rabbi Craig ed their faces, played volleyball, ate hot dogs, and Marantz of Temple Israel. “But in celebrating the great- roasted marshmallows. Her brother A. J., whose bar ness of these responsibilities, we don’t want to forget mitzvah was in 1997, also celebrated outdoors at Vala’s that mitzvot, commandments, and obligations are very Pumpkin Patch. Guests enjoyed a hayrack ride and much a part of this.” However, “the celebration is very ended the day with a havdalah service. much a part of our Jewish heritage, too” he added.

Lisa Scheet had an open house at her home in honor “Parties should have as their central focus a mitzvah of her daughter Julianna‘s bat mitzvah in April. “We

at the

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decorated the garage and had a DJ. We wanted to keep it simple and very casual.” A caterer was hired to serve food that both adults and kids would like, but “I did the baking,” Lisa said. “I just wanted people to relax and enjoy themselves.” She also served a brunch the next day for out-of-town guests.

“The kids had the best time,” according to Lisa. I wanted to keep it “family friendly, and Julianna was happy.” Not only that, but Lisa wasn’t exhausted after the celebration.

Even more importantly, the Scheets asked their family and friends to “come and worship with us” on their invitations.

“Parents and their children acutely feel the social pressures that surround bar and bat mitzvah,” noted Rabbi Salkin in his book. “But they want to feel the spiritual promise of the event, the pull of the divine, and the knowledge that they are participating in an event that has meaning both in the ancient past and in the very immediate present.”

In other words, explained Rabbi Marantz, “They need to embrace the mitzvah in bar and bat mitzvah.”

No Need to Change Names continued from page 14 which Shapiros should sit with the other Shapiros, there was never a dull moment. Although at times during our engagement we felt caught up in the particulars of the planning process, Matt and I both made sure never to forget the importance of our wedding day.

The day of the wedding was the best and most memorable day of our lives. Everything came together perfectly, and the small details that did not go as planned seemed to fade away because the entire experience was magical.

Rabbi Mordechai Levin was generous enough to share his bimah for our ceremony with Matt’s rabbi and good family friend, Rabbi Norman Cohen from Minneapolis.

After the ceremony that joined us as husband and wife, we walked into our reception and found the synagogue transformed into a sea of red with hundreds of candles and beautiful red roses everywhere.

We toasted each other and our parents, listened to my father’s best attempt to sing and danced ’till the band said they had to stop. The night ended way too soon.

To be married in such a significant place was amazing, and to have our friends and family share the day with us made it perfect. Although it wasn’t a huge name change, I am very proud to be one of the many Mrs. Shapiros between our two families.

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by STEVE LEVINGER It was the year 1953 on campus at the University in Lincoln, NE. Who was this F84-flying, brief case-toting, Korean War veteran from South Dakota anyway? He flew in to Lincoln on weekend leaves from his job as a flight instructor at Luke Air Force Base, outside of Phoenix. After all, it was a good way to meet his flight time requirements and visit his old fraternity brothers.

Often on these trips he would take Leta Weiner out for dinner and dancing. In spite of this, Leta was just as surprised as the rest of her Sigma Delta Tau sorority sisters when Chuck Levinger, that former fighter pilot, Above: The Levinger family celebrated Chuck and Leta Levinger’s 50th anniversary in Aspen, popped the question that CO, and wore t-shirts with a "mock" front page photo and article from the Yankton daily fateful New Years Eve. newspaper, The Press and Dakotan. Below: Leta and Chuck Levinger of Yankton, SD, celeChuck and Leta were marbrated their 50th anniversary with grandchildren Jessica, Sam, Allison (holding Andrew), ried on a hot, stormy night Amy and Jake. on Aug. 22, 1954. Their wedding was just the second ceremony held at the new Temple Israel in Omaha.

The excitement continued at the reception at the Blackstone Hotel. In addition to several people getting stuck in the hotel elevator during a power outage, Chuck would once again play the role of hero. Many candles were lit during the storm and after Leta’s veil accidentally came into contact with one of them, Chuck came to the rescue--putting out the fire with his bare hands.

The Levingers would eventually return to Chuck’s hometown of Yankton, SD. It was here that he helped manage and eventually own the Fantle Brothers retail clothing stores.

Chuck and Leta were blessed with three sons. Jeff and his wife, Terry live in Dallas with their two sons: Jake and Sam. Jeff is a partner with the law firm of Carrington, Coleman, Sloman, and Blumenthal.

Jay works as a director for Getty Images. They have a Bonnie and I are Omahans with three daughters: son, Andrew.

Allison, Amy, and Jessica. I’m a Senior Operations The Levingers all met in Aspen, CO, earlier this Manager with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals and month to help celebrate Chuck and Leta’s golden Bonnie practices speech pathology for the Millard anniversary. Jerry and Janey Dann, Leta’s sister, also Public Schools. made the trip. It was a fun--filled weekend--quite fitting Jay and his wife, Michele live in Seattle, WA, where for such a simcha.

Page 17

COMPASSION

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August 6, 2004

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The Very First Wedding!: An Announcement from The Midrash Mirror STAYING IN TOUCH

by OZZIE NOGG

by OZZIE NOGG Let’s hear it for newspaper wedding announcements! Those carefully crafted mini-bios, crammed with low-down on couples I don’t even know, are such fun to read.

I look at the pictures of the brides and grooms in my local paper and am always delighted (though sometimes amazed ...) to find that yes, the Midrash is true. “God does find partners for everyone.” These couples -- after months, maybe years, of planning -- have tied the knot and here they are, in black and white, aglow in their fifteen minutes of fame. A blessing on their heads, mazel tov, mazel tov!

Reading wedding announcements about high-profile couples is great sport, too. Couples, for example, whose nuptials are noted in The New York Times or pictured (with cutline) in Town and Country Magazine or chronicled in W by Suzy. In these cases, the fifteen minute rule can stretch to hours, even weeks, depending on the amount of buzz created by the narrative skills of the reporter assigned to describe the fashion, floral and food details of the chasseneh to those of us who did not make the wedding-list cut. This type of announcement, not surprisingly, demands strategic advance planning--sometimes even the aid of a publicist--plus a degree of family yichus (pedigree) few of us possess.

Of course, the wedding announcements and continual connubial coverage of high-wattage celebrity couples throws the fifteen minutes of fame adage into a cocked hat. Even after all these years, who can forget Wallis and Edward?

Bogie and Bacall? Lucy and Desi? Mickey and Minnie?

Still, for unions of legendary, even mythic proportions -- marriage meisehs (as Madison Avenue would say) that have legs -- no one can beat the stories of our Biblical ancestors. Abraham and Sarah! Isaac and Rebecca! Jacob, Rachel and Leah! David and Bathsheba! We’re talking waaaay beyond fifteen minutes of fame, here, folks. We’re talking millennia! And all without so much as a banner headline announcing any of these matches.

The Torah, in fact, is down right stingy with Biblical wedding blurbs, offering up only a few tidbits about our ancestor’s marriage ceremonies. We’re told that Isaac married Rebecca, she became his wife and he loved her. Period. David and Bathsheba go from a rooftop sighting to “Oops!” in four terse verses. And even though the Torah reveals that the bride wore a veil and it was dark, we’re still left scratching our heads, wondering how the heck Jacob could spend his wedding night with the wrong woman and not realize it till the next morning!

Now, since the Torah does not supply specifics on Biblical couples, we must get the real skinny from another source.

Namely, the rabbis. Like good investigative reporters, they had a need to know.

So, they turned the Torah text this way and that way. They looked for clues that explained who did what to whom and why and then--through artful Midrash-they filled in the gaps, wrote between the lines and always found God in the details.

So, let’s pretend there’d been a news-

paper called The Midrash Mirror back in ancient days. Then, let’s take existing Rabbinic commentary, add some contemporary spin and Extra! Extra! The announcement of the Very First Wedding might have read like this: Couple Wed in Garden Ceremony The Garden of Eden was the scene of yesterday’s wedding of Adam and Eve, who moved only recently to the area.

God, Himself, pronounced the blessings and performed the ceremony which was celebrated with a degree of pomp and splendor never seen -- before or since -in the entire history of the world.

The couple was attended by myriads of angels, cherubim and seraphim who danced and played flutes, timbrels and lyres as the couple walked, hand in hand, down the grassy aisle towards ten bridal canopies. These ten resplendent chuppot, personally constructed for Eve

by The Almighty, were festooned with gold, pearls and precious stones.

The bride -- descended from the Ribbone family and known to her intimates as Chava -- wore a flesh-colored gown designed by The Creator. Her braided coiffure was arranged by The Divine One, who also created the bridal bouquet, the topiary trees and floral arrangements that lined the wedding path, as well as the Birds of Paradise centerpieces in the Banqueting Hall where the post-wedding Salad Buffet was served.

Ms. Ribbone earned advanced degrees in Behavioral Science and Interpersonal Communications from The Holy of Holies where she currently serves on the faculty of the Zoology Department’s Reptile Division. She is also a Research Fellow in Culinary Arts and is pursuing a doctorate in Early Childhood Development. After her marriage, the bride will keep her own name.

The groom--informally known as “Red”--has been credited with perfecting the art of writing and is the inventor of seventy languages. Well respected for his generosity of spirit, Adam recently donated seventy of his own years to the future King David, thereby reducing his own life span to a mere nine hundred and thirty years. The groom oversees massive land holdings both here and abroad and is universally recognized for his groundbreaking work in the fields of Agronomy and Soil Management. Adam plans to use his skills as a preservationist to establish the Environmental Protection Agency.

His first marriage to Lilith, with whom he had no children, was dissolved under mysterious circumstances. The groom and his new bride will take a delayed trip to a yet undisclosed destination.

So there you have the details of a marriage truly made in heaven. A wedding where--had the hattan and kalleh declared, “You’re the only one in the world for me”--they really would have meant it!

Now, to all you brides and grooms out there--keep those wedding announcements coming! We want to see your smiling faces and share, even vicariously, in your simcha.

Finally, whether any of your unions make it into the tabloids or the history books remains to be seen. But what we do already know is this. With some work and some mazel, your love -God willing -can last a lifetime.

Freelance writer Ozzie Nogg can be reached at: ozmom@cox.net

August 6, 2004

A Different Shehechianu

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 19

A Simcha in Israel

Continued from page 15 I embraced him as we both tried not to burst our crying. “I’m so proud of you son,” he said. I then turned to my wet- eyed mother, kissed her and thanked her.

The chuppah was erected with a blooming lilac bush as its backdrop and the fragrance of the flowers blew over the gathered crowd, adding another sense to the perfect scene and inflaming seasonal allergies.

The ceremony began and when it came time for me to say “shehechianu” I verbally fumbled, recovered with some grace and turned to the smile of my new wife, who loved me anyway.

Dr. Chaim and Rachel Heifetz (the daughter of Annette and Cantor Leo Fettman) celebrated their son’s Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem on April 1, 2004. Nissen, affectionately called

“Nissy”, is also the great-grandson of Fannie Chunovic.

Above right, Nissy recites the motzi over the extra large challah baked for his Thursday morning Bar Mitzvah.

What is a Wedding Planner and How Do I Find One?

Kevin and Shayna Flatowicz-Farmer walking up the aisle at the end of their wedding. ceremony.

One of my fondest memories of our wedding process is Shayna’s grandfather witnessing our ketubah, a survivor of Auschwitz scratching out his name in Hebrew, performing a mitzvah and continuing the line of tradition stretching back thousands of years. It is an honor to just see it; a simple act much bigger than the people who are a part of it. It is one thing for a person to survive, it is another for a people to survive and continue.

There are many questions we have yet to answer, and even more that we haven’t thought of just waiting to crop up. We know where we want to go; we want a Jewish family and a happy marriage and healthy children. We don’t know exactly how to get there. We’re feeling our way along and trying to mark the path to remind us of where we’ve been. And maybe guide the way for anyone following behind. Shalom.

by ANDREA TRAVILLIAN Andrea Travillian Events, Inc Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to the world of wedding planning! Planning your wedding will be one of the most exciting times in your life. Unfortunately, it can also be full of stress and a never-ending list of things to do. Never fear there is help to be had – your knight in shinning armor is also known as a wedding consultant. What is a wedding consultant?

How do you find one? What do you ask once you have found a consultant?

A wedding consultant assists you in digging through all the vendor options, keeping you on schedule, assisting with etiquette questions, serving as a neutral third party for disputes and guides you through the entire process so that you can enjoy the engagement and planning. A wedding consultant also comes in the day of the wedding and manages the entire day, so that you can relax and enjoy your day without worrying about the cake being late and the musicians not being in the right spot.

Meet with planners before you make a final decision about who to hire. During this consultation ask and watch for the following items: 1. Do you get along with the planner? This person will become your best friend during your engagement; make sure you can

work with them!

2. Is the planner interested in helping you obtain the wedding of your dreams? Make sure the planner is not looking to do what they want. Their role is to guide you so your wedding is what you dream!

3. How long has the planner been in business and/or the industry?

4. How many weddings has the planner coordinated?

5. Is the planner a member of any associations?

6. What does the planner charge? Typical methods are flat fee, per hour or percentage of your budget. What does that fee include?

7. Do they receive a kickback from vendors? This is a perfectly legitimate practice; just make sure that you know when the consultant does receive a kickback so that you can make an educated decision.

8. Is the consultant full-time or part-time?

9. Is the consultant a full service planner, or does his or her expertises lay in one area, such as flowers?

10. Is the consultant scheduled to work on another wedding the same weekend?

11. Can you get references?

Good Luck and happy planning!

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Page 20

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 6, 2004

Opinion The Jewish Community and Intermarriage This issue is our second time we’ve run Simchas: a tribute to the celebrations in our community. With last year’s as the first time we attempted to run such an issue, the response from the community was, well, light. Our readers obviously noticed, however, and this year, there are many more submissions--from a Bar Mitzvah in Israel to a celebration of life from a reader with a lifethreatening disease.

You’ll also notice an article entitled “A Different Shehecheianu” by Kevin FlatowiczFarmer. And you might be surprised since he refers to himself throughout as a “goy.”

Please don’t take offense at this; these are Farmer’s words, and when you read the article, we hope you’ll understand his message.

The Jewish Press isn’t trying to promote intermarriage with the publication of this article, but to inform our readers with the story of one young man’s personal journey to the chuppah.

We’re also not suggesting that intermarriage is a good thing for the Jewish community, but we can’t ignore statistics either. According to both the 1992 and 2003 National Jewish Population surveys, intermarriage in this country is a fact of life; some 42% of marriages in the Jewish community for the last decade have been with a non-Jewish partner.

Intermarriage--whether we like it, want it, condemn it or turn our backs on it--is here to stay. It’s not going away. As Farmer so poignantly wrote: “the Jewish youth of today are marrying out of ‘love,’ there’s no telling who they are going to fall in love with. It may or may not be a nice Jewish boy/girl--it may be me.”

In Farmer’s case, the rabbis of Omaha and Lincoln declined to officiate at his wedding to his Jewish fianceé, Shayna Flatowicz. But, instead of becoming bitter and frustrated, the couple kept searching until they found Rabbi Bonnie Levy of Sioux City, IA, to perform the ceremony.

Now, here’s the rub...Levy is, herself, a con-

vert, and, according to Farmer, understood the importance of starting what Shayna insisted would be a Jewish home, with a Jewish ceremony. Farmer knew this was a conundrum for the rabbis who stay true to their principles: “The Jewish community is then caught between attrition and dilution. If you welcome the goy, there is a compromise of the Jewish nature of the community. If you don’t, you risk losing your young Jewish population.”

Obviously one solution is for the nonJewish partner to convert. But to convert solely because of marriage to a Jew may not be the best long term decision--for either partner. Conversion should come out of commitment to the Jewish religion, not just commitment to one Jewish person.

It’s a difficult decision which involves soulsearching, exploration of Judaism, studying, and more and shouldn’t be taken lightly. And when--and if--conversion occurs, we, as Rabbi Alan Silverstein told this community in 1997, “shouldn’t leave them dripping wet at the mikvah.” Unfortunately, we Jews have a tendency to treat converts as though they were still non-Jews-or assume that since they’ve converted, they know all there is to know about Judaism. (Do any of us know everything about learning and living Jewishly?!)

So, what are we to do?

The Jewish Press doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but we do know we must leave the door open, so to speak.

How many non-Jews in this community alone did convert,

(Founded in 1920)

but only after several years of marriage (or more)? And how blessed are we by their presence, their spirit of volunteerism, their ruach (joy) at being Jewish and their championing of Judaism and the Jewish people!

The question for us as a community should no longer be: “What do we about intermarriage?” It’s already here and we have to deal with it. You cannot argue with demographics.

The real questions should be: “How do we treat interfaith couples and families?” and “What can we do to encourage them to become part of the Jewish community?”

And maybe there’s a third question: “Does encouragement mean eventual conversion?”

Again, we don’t have all the answers...but we hope that Kevin’s heartfelt (and sometimes humorous) story of falling in love with a Jewish woman will open the eyes--and hearts--of our readers. We’re not here to judge...but to inform.

The Flatowicz-Farmer newlyweds have found a spiritual home at Beth El Synagogue.

We welcome them--and all other interfaith families--to the Jewish community and wish them well.

Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.

Tu B’Av, a Day for Proposals JOURNAL ENTRY FROM ISRAEL

by TEDDY WEINBERGER Outside of Israel Tu B’Av, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Av (which was on on Monday night Aug. 2 this year), is the most minor of holidays.

If it is acknowledged at all, it is almost exclusively by Orthodox men during morning prayers, when the penitential tahanun prayer is omitted, as befitting a festive day. In Israel, almost everyone has heard of the holiday of Tu B’Av because it has been warmly embraced by the secular public as a kind of Valentine’s Day, since the holiday is also known as “the Day of Love.”

What is this holiday of Tu B’Av? A clear reference to the day is found in the Mishna, written almost 2,000 years ago. The Mishna speaks of Tu B’Av as a festive day upon which the “daughters of Jerusalem” would go out into the vineyards with white clothes that they had borrowed (so that no could tell who was rich or poor), and the girls would sing: “Boys, choose carefully. Don’t look at appearances, but look at our families, for it is written, ‘Grace is deceptive, Beauty is illusory. It is for her fear of the Lord that a woman is to be praised.’”

Here, therefore, is an original source for Tu B’av as a Jewish “Day of Love.” The way that modern Israel celebrates this holiday, however, is a little different from the way it was cel-

ebrated in the days of old.

On Tu B’Av in Israel, restaurants as well as music, dance, and theater festivals all try to capitalize on this romantic holiday by promoting events for lovers.

This year, for example, the restaurant along the Manara Cliffs in the Galilee offered a multi-course meal, a cablecar ride up the Cliffs, and personal musical accompaniment (one can choose between a wandering violinist, guitarist, or flutist). The

Tu B’Av because it has been warmly embraced by the secular public as a kind of Valentine’s Day, since the holiday is also known as “the Day of Love.” advertisement said “this offer could be especially appropriate for those who are thinking of an original idea for a marriage proposal.”

In a country where women of all ages enjoy wearing hultzot beten (tummy shirts, which don’t quite manage to cover one’s--pierced or unpierced--navel), the attire at Tu B’Av festivals is rather less modest that the attire described in the Mishna.

My friend Danny sees this as a perversion of Jewish tradition: “If there is any connection to the traditional Tu B’Av it is that the popular Israeli way of celebrating this holiday is the exact opposite of what our sages intend-

Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Ray Pred Account Executive Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Lori Kooper-Schwarz Production Assistant Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joey Shyken; Michael Siegal; Nancy Skid; and Melanie Weinstein.

The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press and the Foundation are constutional committees of the Jewish Federation.

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

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ed.” A different friend of mine goes even further: “It’s like a man stranded at sea, dying of thirst, who in desperation starts to drink salt water. It’s water, true, but that man is poisoning himself. So with Israelis and Tu B’Av: they’ve got the name of the holiday and the date, but what they do on this day hurts them spiritually because they use this day to sin.”

I believe that it is possible to find redeeming value in Tu B’Av even as it is celebrated today. In Israel, where Jewish civilization has come fully alive after a hiatus of two millennia, Tu B’Av has also come back to life.

Though current popular observance is hardly chaste, every now and then, alongside the love festivals, traditional sources of the holiday are recalled, and there is discussion of such topics as sexual ethics, and the differences between male and female sexuality.

For Jews outside of Israel, Tu B’Av will remain what it is until the arrival of the Messiah, when, it is traditionally believed, it will mark the seventh day of a week-long holiday beginning on the former fast day of the ninth of Av. As with the founding of the State itself, Israelis have chosen not to wait for the Messiah. Is God happy with this situation?

Even though I have a Ph.D. in theology, I still find it hard to tell what God wants. But I do know where I would want to be with my beloved on Tu B’Av. Teddy Weinberger made aliyah to Israel six years ago with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, and their five children. He can be reached at: weinross@netvision.net.il.

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August 6, 2004

Hope and the Democratic Party of Kennedys, but rather grew to be a politician as a result of his religious upbringing. The Jewish values upon which he was raised centered around tzedakah and helping others. He disby REBECCA MUROW cussed Judaism’s theme of “tikun olam”, Three of my favorite memories from or repairing the world. Prevalent values the Democratic National Convention: throughout the Democratic convention • Experiencing, first-hand, the remarks embodied such ideals of tikun olam. of former President Clinton on the unifiSpeakers at the convention and differcation of the Democratic party and the ent events throughout included those nation as a whole; who will help to make this world a bet• Meeting and talking with several ter place: Sen. Hillary Clinton emphamembers of Congress and senior Kerry sized health care for all, State Sen. advisors; Barack Obama discussed the importance • Chanting Eicha on the convention of helping citizens land, and maintain, floor, just moments after “gavel down” jobs, and former Vice President Al Gore Monday night. ingrained the importance Yes, there of voting into the minds were enough of every person in the interested audience. Every eligible Jewish attencitizen should exercise dees to the the American privilege of convention voting as this is a way in who made it which every American possible to over the age of 18 can conduct a servmake an effort to repair ice for Tisha the world.

B’Av at the conBeing in the Fleet vention. About Center, surrounded by 30 Jewish delepolitical enthusiasts, Rebecca Murow greets Sen. Joe Lieberman gates and conhearing first hand at the Democratic Convention. vention attenremarks from prominent dees joined a local Boston Rabbi near political figures--the experienced Ted the New York delegation area, lowered Kennedys, the up-and-coming Barack themselves to the floor of the Fleet Obamas, or the young Ilana Wexlers-Center in memory of the death and children full of enthusiasm and hope for destruction that surrounds the ninth of America’s future--certainly unified and Av, and chanted the traditional Eicha excited the crowd. service.

Whether it be democratic party ideals This outpouring of Jewish interest is that incorporate the theme of tikun olam only a small portion of the strong pres- or other values traditionally important to ence the Jewish community has on the the Jewish people, such as the separaAmerican political stage. The 30+ Jewish tion of church and state, a woman’s right members of Congress, large percentages to choose, or America’s relationship with of political consultants, journalists, and lay Israel, after interning with the National leaders exemplify the power we have, as Jewish democratic Council in Jews, to influence the direction in which Washington, D.C., this summer, and my this nation has the potential to grow. experiences in Boston during the Although the American Jewish popula- Convention, I am much more certain of tion comprises only 2% of all Americans, the Democratic party’s ability to stand a huge focus is being placed on the with the Jewish population and promote Jewish voting bloc in this election, as we their needs in the coming years. are the most politically active ethnic/reliThis convention was about hope. gious group in the country. The Jewish Hope for a stronger nation whose govvoting bloc is crucial as we are tradition- ernment will put forth its best effort to ally the largest supporters of the pro- care for its people and provide them choice movement, have a strong interest with opportunity--in doing so, undergoin the state of Israel and its relationship ing the mitzvah of tikun olam--both with the United States, and value the domestically and internationally. The separation of church and state. speakers I heard and the politicians I I had the opportunity to hear Sen. met have the drive and desire to repair Joseph Lieberman speak at a luncheon this world while protecting the needs at the Democratic Convention where he and freedoms of the American people. pinpointed the reason he, as a Jew, Rebecca Murow, a junior at the chose to become involved in politics.

University of Michigan, was a Jewish Lieberman did not come from a family Press Student Intern in high school.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

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Democratic Values Praised, but No New Thinking About How to Make That Real

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

by RABBI MICHAEL LERNER The overwhelming desire to beat Bush has been the club used to silence dissent within the Democratic National Convention, but the many delegates who came to the Tikkun event on Monday, and the people we continued to meet in the hallways of this convention, have grave doubts about the wisdom of Kerry’s strategy. (They) feel betrayed by the blandness of the vision being projected by their party’s platform and speakers.

Delegates have been disciplined on the floor and in the caucuses, but privately many fear that the party being forged in Boston lacks the vision necessary to excite the many Americans whose choice is not between Bush and Kerry, but between voting and not bothering.

Nowhere is the discontent more striking than around the issue of the war in Iraq. Though the delegates overwhelming oppose the war, speakers have been warned to stay away from critiquing it, and so far only Sen. Edward Kennedy, kept from prime time by the Kerry people, was willing to make a sharp statement of opposition.

Howard Dean’s uninspired talk on Tuesday evening made none of the arguments against the war, leaving many of his delegates (and millions of his supporters around the U.S.) feeling perplexed and disturbed. The point of raising all that money for Dean was to have a spokesperson who would articulate the aspirations of the American people for an alternative to militarism, not someone who would trade getting a place for himself on prime time in exchange for silence about the war. .

Though democratic values were highly praised, there was no new thinking about how to make that real.

For years the liberals in the Democratic Party have spoken about the distorting impact of money in politics. Was it simply embarrassment about the wealth of the Kerry/Heinz family that produced the absence of voices calling for deepening electoral reform?

And if the politicians sought to avoid questioning whether Florida would once again be the scene for another vote-counting fiasco for fear that would offend swing voters, why didn’t they at least raise the issue of reforming the electoral college to make them proportional to the popular vote for each candidate rather than the skewed “winner take all” system?

“Winning is everything--we’ve got to beat Bush.” Yet to beat Bush there needs to be a coherent vision that can speak to people in a way that makes them believe that something can really be different.

This is what worries many of the delegates when you talk to them away from the pandemonium of the convention hall.

They want a winner, and for that reason are willing to go with the Kerry strategy. But they know that that strategy has led to a convention Rabbi Michael Lerner historical for its blandness, its milquetoast speeches, its enforced conformity--and that doesn’t manage to excite them very much.

Their great fear, expressed constantly in small conversations, is that this big gamble may not excite many of the increasing numbers of Americans who don’t bother to vote at all. Looking responsible and balanced to the editorial writers and pundits may get the Democrats praise, but it may not produce the necessary votes to replace the Bushites who are unlikely to be similarly polite or restrained once the campaign heats up in the fall--and who are not afraid to stand for what they stand for.

The irony is that the democratic process this past winter and spring demonstrated that there are millions of Americans who resonate to this broader vision. They are yearning for something very different--a turn toward peace, social justice, and a whole new discourse of caring.

Many of these Americans realize that the rhetoric of American superiority, exceptionalism, and our-needs-above-theneeds-of-everyone-else on the planet--a rhetoric which seems to pop up even in the talks of those thought to be most liberal or progressive in the Democratic party--is precisely what undermines our capacity as a people to envision a world of mutual interdependency.

The ultimate irony may be that it is precisely allowing that vision of a different world that might have been the most effective way to actually beat Bush. It may yet turn out that this Democratic Convention and the “Bush lite” strategy behind the Kerry campaign may not really be so “realistic” after all.

Rabbi Lerner is founder and editor of Tikkun magazine and can be reached at: magazine@tikkun.org.

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Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

August 6, 2004

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY, Aug. 6: Services followed by Oneg in honor of the marriage of Naomi and Ruvane Kurland, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, Aug. 13: No Services

Beth El Synagogue

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9:30 a.m., Kiddush sponsored by Sandra and Allen Kurland, in honor of their son Ruvane’s upcoming wedding. Evening Services, 8:25 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Weekdays, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

SITTER SERVICE During Friday night and Saturday mornings services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS COME & DANCE! Israeli Dance Lessons Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. with Cheryl Lerner and Ophir Palmon. For information, contact Cheryl, 334.8430 or cldancer@ aol.com.

TOT SHABBAT, FRIDAY, Aug. 13, 6 p.m.: Led by Patty Nogg, this delightful service includes prayers and songs geared toward our youngest congregants.

Following the service, you’re invited to enjoy an Oneg Shabbat of juice and cookies.

K'TANTAN PLUS, Aug. 14, 10:45 a.m.: Open to children in kindergarten through seventh grade (and their parents), activities will include exploring the Siddur in an age-appropriate fashion.

A “ROYAL” AFTERNOON, SUNDAY, Aug. 15, 11 a.m.: Join Men’s Club and Hazak for lunch at Beth El, then off to Rosenblatt Stadium to watch the Omaha Royals battle the Colorado Springs Rockies.

Reservations needed by Aug. 9, and for more information, contact Natalie Rubin at 334.5893.

“LEGACY OF OUR ANCESTORS,” THURSDAY, Aug. 19, 7 p.m.: In recognition of 350 years of American Jewry, Beth El is pleased to invite the entire community to attend the premiere of the film, Legacy of Our Ancestors: 350th Anniversary Celebration of

Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.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 jewishnebraska.org

Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org

The Neighborhood Minyan Torah Learning Center 1313 No. 58 St. Omaha, NE 68132 553.5397

Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org

If you’re looking at this space, so are others!

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to reserve space, call Allan Handleman, 334-6451, or Ray Pred, 334-6559.

Early Jewish America. Reserve your space for this first-run viewing by calling Harriet Einziger, 492.8550.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: MondayThursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m-2 p.m..

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Jane Cohen, Toba CohenDunning and Eric Dunning, for their daughter Eleanor’s half birthday, and by Janet and David Kohll for their son Max’s fourth birthday. Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Mincha, 8:10 p.m. and Havdalah, 9:19 p.m.

SUNDAY: Morning Service, 9 a.m.; Evening Service, 7 p.m.

Weekday Morning Service, 7 a.m.; Weekday Evening Service, 7 p.m..

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m.: Board of Commissioners’ Meeting.

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

MONDAY-FRIDAY, Morning services, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Mamarim class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.

Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m.

MONDAY Halacha Intermediate level, 7 p.m.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, all day. You may reach her 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 416.2321 (local for Lincoln), or at rabstiel@aol.com.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. Led by Barb Straus and family with Oneg to follow.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10:30 a.m.

THURSDAY: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m.; Choir Practice, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 14, 1:30 p.m: An organizational meeting

for the Temple Social Action Committee will be held at the Temple for those interested in developing our congregation’s program for social justice. Tikkun olam is a central focus of Reform Judaism and gives meaning to religion for many of us. Those of you who are interested in creating a social justice program--please attend the meeting and contribute your ideas and energy to this project. To attend or for more information, contact Barb Straus at 476.1070 or e-mail her at: jebs@navix.net ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS: Beginning Hebrew Prayers, using the book Hineini, on Aug. 15 and Aug. 29, 9 a.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS Tuesday, Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m.: Dr. David Harwood will present a program on Antarctic exploration for those 12 and older.

Refreshments will follow.

Sunday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.: As part of the rabbinical search process, the board invites the congregation to participate in a conversation on the future of South Street Temple. Nancy Myers will facilitate.

MOVIE NIGHT, SATURDAY, Aug. 28, 7-9:15 pm: The Quarrel-another excellent and thoughtful movie for teens and adults will be shown. Ed Koch of “Koch and the Movies” said, “When you wipe the tears from your eyes as the lights go up, you will feel you have been privileged to view one of the great movies of the last 30 years.” In their youth they were dearest friends. Then they became the bitterest of enemies.

Now they are Holocaust survivors who have lost everything--alone in the world. As a result of their horrific experiences, one has remained a deeply religious Jew while the other has turned his back on God. They meet by chance in a Montreal Park in 1948.

Despite their differences, they promise to spend the day together and try to resolve that which separates them. Questions of faith and issues of betrayal are explored in this moving and thought-provoking movie. Join us for havdalah, snacks, and a movie you will not forget.

Friday, August 6, 8:16 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; led by Andrew Greenberg.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Craig Marantz will give the second sermon in the Summer Shabbat Sermon series exploring the ideas and works of acclaimed author Leon Wieseltier.

SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

SITTER SERVICE During August, sitter service will be available at each Friday evening service. Please make a reservation through the Temple office. Cost is $2 per family.

Sorry, there are no facilities for infants.

SUMMER SERVICE TIMES Continuing through Aug. 27, all Friday evening services will begin at 6 p.m. in the Livingston Chapel. Saturday morning services remain at 10:30 a.m.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN AT TLC FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7 p.m., .

SATURDAY: Shabbat services, followed by a festive kiddush, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:10 p.m., followed by Havdalah.

SAVE THE DATE! Friday-Saturday, Oct. 15-16: Rabbi Yaakov Marcus returns to Omaha to continue his series on the Hebrew Aleph-Bet. For more information, call 553-5397.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, MONDAY AND THURSDAY, 7:15 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. If you do not receive a call, contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066.

FEDERATION MEETING Sunday, Aug. 15, 1 p.m.: The Jewish Federation of Lincoln will hold a meeting at the synagogue.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

The One-Liners Will Be Flyin’ at Beth El’s August Rosh Hodesh Meeting

by Jill Belmont Beth El Publicity Coordinator Following the old adage that laughter is the best medicine, the Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh group will welcome the month of Elul with a lighthearted evening discussing Jewish women humorists and comediennes on Wednesday, Aug. 18. The 7 p.m. meeting, hosted by Helen Epstein and Sherry Shapiro, will be held at Epstein’s home, 2223 No. 100 St. “Humor is a great way of coping with different issues in daily life,” Epstein said. “We’re planning to discuss the role humor plays in our lives, and we’d love

Candlelighting

for participants to share quotes from their favorite Jewish comediennes and humorists.”

She added that “we thought that after passing through the somber month of Av, it would be nice to offer something light and humorous. Elul is the month of heightened introspection, preparing us for the New Year; it doesn't hurt to have a little humor thrown into that introspection!”

The Rosh Hodesh group was created by and for the women of Beth El, and all congregants are invited to attend; reservations are needed and may be made by calling Shapiro at 330.9825, or via e-mail at sheshap@aol.com.

PERSONALS Many Thanks to all for their encouragement and good wishes for a speedy recovery from surgery. I was up and about in a very short time.

Anne Skolkin We wish you to thank the Omaha Jewish Historical Society for honoring us on July 18 at their annual meeting.

North 24th Street means much to the Shukert family and it was a privilege to be chosen. We also wish to thank the many family friends who took the time to send good wishes to us during Nate’s recent illness.

Doris and Nate Shukert The Marines are sending Russell Bennett to Iraq. Friends are hosting a send-off on Monday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m., at 218 So. 167 St. Bring your best wishes.

Sandy Gordon

August 6, 2004

The Law of Consequence

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Ekev Our Sidra might well be called “The Law of Consequence.” Over and over again, it promises prosperity, security and the good life, if only you will observe the mitzvot.

In these chapters, Moses, in his farewell addresses to the Israelites, recalls the past to them, how they overcame this difficulty and that obstacle and have now arrived at a critical point: the Jordan is before them.

Cross it and be faithful--security follows. Cross it and be defiant--calamity follows. He reminds them that the Lord requires of them only to revere Him, to walk in His ways, to love Him and serve Him. (One commentator remarked that all of that would be easy enough, a Moses, but difficult indeed for anyone who is not a Moses.)

Included in our Sidra is the long second paragraph of the three in our Sh’ma, “V’haya im shamoa, If you faithfully observe, then He will do thus-and-so for you and the good land will lie before you, from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean.”

Moses reminds the people that at the time of the Golden Calf that he prayed for 40 days and nights, without food and water, begging the Lord not to destroy this defiant people. Indeed, he had two periods of 40 days and nights of prayer. He thought that his most brilliant question in his prayer was asking the Lord to contemplate, What will the Egyptians say? If you destroy this people, the Egyptianswill say that You did not have the strength to bring them into the Land.

He reminds them too that the Lord had instructed him to carve out two new tablets on which He wrote the Ten Utterances (which we call the Ten Commandments). I had made an Ark for them and now deposited them in the Ark; then we took up the journey. My brother Aaron died, Moses says, and his son, Elazar, succeeded him. The Levites were now identified as those who would carry the Ark as we journeyed on our way.

Moses now is bold enough to suggest that the key to long and successful life in the new Land is the relationship that the people have with their Lord. And the Land, he says, is much better than the land which you left, the land of Egypt.

These are the choices that the Children of Israel were obliged to make, Moses declared, as they stood on the banks of the Jordan, a fateful crossing before them.

DEATH MINNIE FREEMAN Minnie Freeman died Aug. 1 at the age of 93.

She is survived by her husband, Phil Freeman; and her brother, Julius Froom.

Grave side service were held Aug. 2 at BHH/Fisher Farms Cemetery.

Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

To Submit an Obituary Notice: Send full name, age, date of death, location of service and burial site to the Jewish Press via e-mail: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; fax, 402.334.5422; or mail, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68114.

Survivors shall be listed, including names of surviving spouse, sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren and their places of residence; the numbers (but not names) of greatgrandchildren, as well as the name of the spouse or children who preceded the deceased in death. In cases where confusion might arise due to people of the same name either being the deceased or a survivor, maiden names or middle initials shall be added, if known. Nieces and nephews shall be listed when there are no surviving children or grandchildren. Friends of the deceased (companions or life partners) shall be listed. Other pertinent biographical information (including honors or the serving as an officer in a Jewish organization) may be included at the Editor’s discretion. Memorial suggestions are acceptable to any bona fide, charitable organization; addresses will be included to out-of-state non-profit organizations, if provided.

JTA NEWS BRIEFS • The State Department’s top Middle East envoy met with Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. and pressed him on settlement expansion. “We’re having discussions with the Israelis and we’ll stay in close touch with them on their commitments to end settlement activity,” spokesman Richard Boucher said after William Burns, the U.S. assistant secretary of state, met Tuesday with Ambassador Daniel Ayalon. Israel is “aware of our concerns, and we continue to press them to live up to the statements of the ‘road map’” peace plan, Boucher said.

• Steven Spielberg postponed his movie about the hunt for Palestinian terrorists who attacked the Israeli Olympic team at the 1972 Munich Games. The New York Post reported Tuesday that Spielberg is concerned Vengeance will inflame Muslim terrorists and turn the set into a target, particularly since one of the 17 Palestinians who perpetrated the Munich massacre, which killed 11 Israeli athletes, is thought to still be at large.

• Israel is happy with Egyptian efforts to clamp down on arms smuggling. Daniel Ayalon, Israel’s ambassador to Washington, told William Burns, the top Middle East official at the U.S. State Department, that Israel is pleased with Egyptian plans to facilitate Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. “The Egyptians are very much interested in the success of the disengagement and they have been stepping forward in terms of blocking smuggling through the Philadelphi corridor," Ayalon told JTA after his meeting Tuesday with Burns, referring to a strip along the Gaza-Egypt border. Israel ultimately would like to pull out of the Philadelphi strip, Ayalon said.

• The U.S. Reform movement endorsed Israel’s planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, but pressed for humanitarian relief for Palestinians. The Union for Reform Judaism's board of trustees passed a resolution strongly endorsing the unilateral withdrawal plan, Rabbi David Saperstein said in a letter Tuesday to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. “For peace to emerge, unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank must be matched by the United States’ vigorous pursuit of a return to the peace process,” Saperstein, the Religious Action Center’s Director, said in his letter. Saperstein also criticized two recent Congressional measures endorsing the withdrawal because they “fail to address the troubling humanitarian conditions of the Palestinians.”

• A fourth person died as a result of last week’s bombings near the Israeli Embassy in Uzbekistan. An Uzbek policeman died Tuesday of wounds suffered in last Friday’s blast in Tashkent. Three suicide bombers also died in the attacks, which included a bombing near the U.S. Embassy and the State Prosecutor’s Office, both in Tashkent.

• Jack Spitzer, 86, a Jewish leader known for his work in promoting social justice, died Saturday following cardiac arrest. Spitzer was president of B’nai B’rith from 1978 to 1982 and a was member of Hillel’s international board of governors. Spitzer spread his passion for social justice by training college student leaders in an annual conference called the Charlotte B. and Jack J. Spitzer B’nai B’rith Hillel Forum on Public Policy.

• Rabbi Alfred Wolf, who pioneered American summer camps for Jewish youngsters and the interfaith movement in California, died Sunday in Los Angeles at the age of 88. He served as associate and senior rabbi of Wilshire Blvd. Temple, the oldest Reform congregation in Los Angeles, from 1949 to 1985. After his retirement, Wolf started a new career as founding director of the Skirball Institute on American Values, sponsored by the American Jewish Committee. A founding president of the Inter-Religious Council of Southern California, Wolf brought together the region’s Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist leaders.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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• The 92nd birthday of Holocaust rescuer Raoul Wallenberg was commemorated around the world. Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial kicked off the events honoring Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who saved tens of thousands of Jews in Budapest during World War II by issuing them Swedish passports. Events Wednesday, the anniversary of his birth, were organized in New York, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Uruguay, and Santiago, Chile. Wallenberg is believed to have died in a Soviet prison after being captured in 1945.

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Page 24

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 6, 2004

Gearing Up for the 2004 JCC Maccabi Games

Israel Athletes Prepare for Olympics

by EDGAR ASHER

by RACHEL BLUM The purpose is to teach JCC Program Director tikkun olam (repairing the For an entire week this world) by example, so that August, 6,000 young Jewish these young people incorathletes will share in the fun porate these values into of competing, the joy of their daily lives once they meeting their peers from return home.

North America and five This Sunday, Omaha will other countries, and the be sending 26 teens from pride of being part of a our JCC and two teens from world-famous Olympic-style Israel to compete in the JCC event filled with Jewish conMaccabi Games in tent and values. It is a lifeColumbus, OH, from Aug. and personality-shaping 8-13. Our athletes will parexperience that the JCC ticipate in basketball, bowlMaccabi Games have been ing, dance, golf, soccer, offering to Jewish teenagers swimming, and tennis, all since 1982. At this Jewish hoping to come home with mini-Olympiad, each partica little bit of gold and a lot ipant has the chance to parof cool experiences! ticipate in one of 13 sportOur 2004 JCC Maccabi ing events, creating memoGames Athletes include: ries that will last a lifetime.

• Basketball: Alex Epstein, Zach Spooner is a three-time participant in the Games.

The JCC Maccabi Games Brad Frank, Spencer can be called the Olympics for Jewish teens, but they Gallner, Justin Jacobson, Aaron Murow, Daniel Murow, serve a larger purpose than athletic competition. The Zach Muskin, Jacob Phillips, and Danny Raznick; Games also promote community involvement, team• Bowling: Jon Lerner, Josh Pilley, Max Sherman, work, and pride in being Jewish.

Zach Spooner, and Nathan Wolf; For example, athletes visiting host communities stay • Dance: Naama Levinger (Israel), Olga Patkovsky, with local Jewish families. This “home hospitality” is Sarah Spooner, Madisen Stoler, and Effie Tsabari; vital to the experience, representing the extended • Golf: Joe Kahn and Adam Meiches; Jewish family and the value of welcoming the stranger.

• Soccer: Alexander Solomon and Ygal Schuller; and Also, every set of Games has a volunteer day called • Tennis: Olga Elkin, Julie Gross, Or Panijel (Israel), Day of Caring/Day of Sharing, when athletes join with and Alex Wolf. local community organizations to work on social-action Chaperones attending the Games include Aaron projects. Past Days of Caring/Days of Sharing activities Aizenberg, Idan Erez (Israel), Bob Franzese, Matt have included building homes for the poor, holding Kutler, Jackie Pfitzer, and me. For more information carnivals for handicapped children, cleaning empty about how to get involved in the JCC Maccabi Games, parks and packaging food to be given to the hungry. please contact me at 334.6404.

Two of the Israeli competitors due to participate in the 2004 Olympics Games in Athens, starting Aug. 13, are top: swimmer Anna Gostomelsay, and bottom photo: Yoel Razbozov practicing judo.

Credit: Isranet.

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