Vol. LXXXII
No. 49
Omaha, NE
10 Av, 5763
August 8, 2003
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 82 YEARS
Israel’s New Settlement Policy: Move Jews to Arab Areas of Galilee by GIL SEDAN JERUSALEM (JTA)--Israel is launching a drive to settle Jews in a region awash with Arabs--but its plans are not for the West Bank or Gaza Strip. For the first time in the history of the World Zionist Organization, the group’s settlement department is planning settlements inside the Green Line, the boundary that divides Israel proper from the West Bank. The goal is to build 30 new settlements in the Negev and Galilee. Both regions have large numbers of Arabs. The agency aims to bolster the Jewish population in the Galilee and Negev by 10 percent within the next five years, part of the ongoing struggle to fortify Israel’s Jewish majority. “For the first time, the WZO returns to the Green Line. This is a significant political statement,” Shai Hermesh, Treasurer for the Jewish Agency for Israel, told JTA. “If we do not change the entire settlement scene within five to 10 years, we will lose the battle.” As the WZO’s partner organization, the Jewish Agency is the driving force behind the plan, which is designed to relieve a sense of isolation among Jewish residents in parts of the
Galilee. Adopted last October by the Jewish Agency’s board of trustees, the program is called “The New Challenge: A Zionist Majority in the Negev and Galilee.” A special task force, headed by the incoming chairman of the board of the United Jewish Communities, Robert Goldberg, is charged with working out details of the new settlement drive. With the exclusion of Haifa and other cities along Israel’s northern coast, Arabs comprise 75 percent of northern Israel’s population. Hermesh said the settlement drive is the only way to ensure that Israel remains a Jewish state. In the past, the WZO has served as a kind of subcontractor for the government, building settlements over the Green Line--but with money from the government, not the Jewish Agency. The new operation will be the largest settlement effort since the establishment of a chain of Jewish outposts throughout the Galilee 25 years ago. At the time, the Galilee was almost exclusively Arab. (Continued on page 6)
An Instant Mitzvah
Women’s Campaign Leadership Looks to Future by PAM MONSKY Federation Communications Director Ruth Erman and Bobbi Leibowitz will lead the 2004 Women’s Campaign for the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Both women-veteran volunteers in the Omaha Jewish community--have clear ideas about what they hope to accomplish during this Campaign year. “One of our main goals is to create a sense of urgency about the future Ruth of our Jewish community,” said Leibowitz. “Our donors have always been incredibly generous, but the reality is that there aren’t enough young people to take their places.” Erman agreed, adding, “We want to focus on reaching out and involving more young women in the community fundraising process. We are going to work very hard to facilitate that commitment--we want to stir them up and get them excited!” Members of the Women’s Campaign Cabinet will meet to plan and kick off the Campaign on Tuesday, Aug.19 at
Erman and Bobbi Liebowitz Ruth Erman’s home. Members of the 2004 Cabinet are: Women’s Event Chairpersons, Jill Belmont and Barbara Kushner; Lion of Judah, Anne Shackman and Susie Cohn; Pomegranate, Marcia Pitlor, Barb Platt and Anne Cohen; Leadership, Patricia Newman and Janey Dann; Life Savers, Pam Friedlander, Ilse Kahn, Dorothy Spizman and Terri Zacharia; Heritage, Kate Kirshenbaum, Dottie Rosenblum and Susan Silver; Ben Gurion, Louri (Continued on page 3)
by JOAN K. MARCUS David Meyers spent most of his life heading Nebraska Warehouse Company, a real estate and storage business. Although he did various volunteer jobs before his retirement 10 years ago, he never had time to “pay his debt to society” as he calls it. While a volunteer at a hospice and occasionally at SCORE, (Service Corps of Retired Executives), Meyers never really felt satisfied by his volunteer jobs. “None really made me feel like I was touching people,” he admitted. Other volunteer work included serving on the boards of directors for Jewish Senior Services and the Jewish Federation. He remembers these positions as being rewarding, but not quite making him feel like he was making a difference. A few years ago, the 73-year-old retired executive began doing tax returns for the elderly. “What really happened was that some of the people I was helping asked me if I could help them fill out a Homestead Exemption Form--which I knew nothing about,” he explained. Upon investigation, he discovered that the Homestead Exemption Program targets people over 65 or people with disabilities who have lower incomes. Applicants receive relief on their real estate taxes if they qualify. The state of Nebraska reimburses the counties and other governmental subdivisions for the taxes lost due to homestead exemptions. Qualified applicants may receive exemptions up to approximately $1900 from their taxes. Guidelines for people who qualify are $25,000 and below annual income for single people and $30,000 and below for married couples. Expenses such as medical, dental, prescription drugs and medical insurance may come off the top of the yearly income. Meyers says that he, Al Bloch, Bernie Meyers and Pete Jeffrey began the program. Douglas County Assessor Roger Morrissey snapped up the opportunity to begin helping with the applications. “Just word of mouth helped to bring on other volunteers,” Meyers added. “When people began to see how many we helped, it mushroomed! One idea has
Volunteers for the Homestead Exemption Project were honored by the Douglas County Board last month: Denise Meyers, back row left, Pete Jeffrey, Joan Kaiman, Bernie Shapiro, Mike Feldman, Mort Glass; front row: Jerry Rosinsky, Bernie Meyers, Sue Meyers, David Meyers, Larry Roffman, Al Bloch and Gerri Shapiro. Not pictured: Sandy Brophy, Jay Chasen, Don Dandy, Jerry Dann, Jerry Krupinsky, Fefe Passer, Marian Spiegal and Judy Zweiback. led to another and people see how we have helped to bring people out of the woodwork.” Volunteers suggested that a notice be put on tax bills that people may be eligible for some tax exemption. This generated more than 3,000 phone calls to the Homestead Exemption hotline--another suggestion of the volunteers. “We probably found 2,000 people who didn't know that they qualified,” Meyers noted. “This year, we got 1,500 calls between April 1st and July 30th. The program has grown and we’re looking to perpetuate it.” He added that filling out the applications isn’t complicated. However, a cumbersome form frightens some of the people. “We even went to some of the state senators and asked them to try to simplify the form,” he said with a smile. Next year, Joanie Kaiman and Judy Zweiback with be co-chairs of the program. The two women are very pleased because the program is so informal. “If our volunteers want to work one hour a week, that’s what they do,” Zweiback insisted. “Most of them want to work more because it’s so much fun!
Training is informal and simple. We did have an agency that wanted to take it over but they wanted to have people come to training sessions, fill out forms and fill out reports. “We don’t want to formalize the program.” Volunteers get a list of the sites and can mark the places where they want to work. They are expected to keep their appointments, but everything is informal.“We are only busy for two months: May and June, and that’s what I like--one on one with people,” Zweiback noted. Zweiback is also the administrator of another program, Kavod, a tzedakah collective program found(Continued to page 8)
INSIDE: E.K. Newman Fund Makes Grants ...... page 7 Scholarship Winners Named ................ page 9 Inside Scoop on Omaha ....................... page 12
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 8, 2003
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Comfort After Defeat
Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.
by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat VaEthanan/Shabbat Nahamu I remember as an undergraduate at the Jewish Theological Seminary, in their Teachers’ Institute, indeed, being called on to read, explain, and comment on the first verse in the 40th chapter of Isaiah. This is the first verse of the haftara for this week, and indeed, it gives its name to the Sabbath, regularly known as Shabbat Nahamu. “Comfort, O comfort My people says your God, speak tenderly to Jerusalem...” This is the first of seven haftarot between Tisha B’Av and Rosh HaShana, haftarot which are called Haftarot of Consolation, following the three haftarot of warning and rebuke preceding Tisha B’Av. Even at that time, I recognized that it was a special favor to be called on in class for this particular verse. It is one of the sweetest verses in the prophetic literature. Usually the prophets are angry, full of rebuke, vengeful, and threatening, but here, in Deutero-Isaiah, the word is comforting, gentle and consoling. The people have suffered defeat and exile. But, in their despair, the comforting word of the Lord admits that they have received punishment beyond what they had deserved, despite their sinfulness. No one can read this verse without being affected by the gentle stroking of the words, which come like a mother’s or father’s embrace for the suffering people. It may be remarked that there is no connection between any of these seven haftarot and the seven parashiyyot to which they are attached (usually we make every effort to see why the ancient liturgists attached a particular haftara to its parasha). The exile of 586 BCE which evoked this haftara, was only the first in a long, long list of tragedies that our people has faced. But the haftara before us has served over the centuries to remind us that Israel is an eternal people and that the tragedies in Israel’s life are followed--always--by consolation, recovery, and redemption. Need I say, however, that redemption does not come without effort, spiritual effort, on the part of the People of Israel. We are reminded by 19th century European writers that “a people must redeem itself.”
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 Shabbat Services for Temple Israel, 6 p.m. at the Frohm Pavillion
C L I P &
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 HAZAK Luncheon & Officer Installation, noon, at Beth El SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 OCTL SEED Program (through Aug. 17), various locations, including OCTL House, 1313 No. 58 St.
S A MONDAY, AUGUST 11 V E YES Program, 10 a.m.
Jewish Press Committee Meeting, 5 p.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel JELS Program: “Clones, Cures, and Cancer” Jewish Medical Ethics, 7:30 p.m.
I P & S A V E
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 Walk-in Drop-in Activity, 10 a.m. Yiddish Group Meeting, 1 p.m. Jewish Committee on Scouting Reception and Information Night, 7 p.m., Durham Scout Center, 123rd & Maple
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Competitors Come Out for JCC’s ‘3-on-3’ by JEWISH PRESS News Service
Alex Epstein, right, blocks an opponent in “The Eddie Belgrade Memorial 3-on-3 Challenge” held last month at the Jewish Community Center. Winners received t-shirts and medals, according to Bob Franseze, JCC Athletic Director. “Considering this was the first year, I was very pleased with all aspects of the tournament,” he added. “It was really neat to see our members and the Kansas City JCC teams playing hard and having fun. I look for next year’s tournament to be bigger and even better!”
by JEWISH PRESS News Service C L I P & S A V E
C L I P & S A V E
Campers at the Jewish Community Center’s summer camp program showed off their diverse talents at last Friday’s show in the JCC theatre. Among them were: left photo: first and second graders Rachel Sullivan, left,
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Kelsey Twight, Samatha Weiner and Hannah Knight; and right photo: fourth grader Bradley Kutler imitates CDC Director Corey Kirshenbaum singing “Puff, the Kosher Dragon.” Camp concludes today.
Want to Get in on the “Inside Scoop”? The Jewish Press is looking for volunteers to help proofread the paper each week.
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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GEORGE SCHAPIRO George Schapiro died Aug. 5 at the age of 92. Services are today, 11 a.m., at Mount Sinai Cemetery. A longtime volunteer for the Jewish Press who twice received the Volunteer of the Year Award, Schapiro worked for Louis Market after serving in World War II and then for the Omaha Potato Market. In addition to his volunteer activities at the Press, Schapiro served as as adviser to AZA #1. Schapiro is survived by his wife, Julie; daughter and son-in-law Sandy and Gene McCreight; granddaughter, Paula McCreight and her fiancé, John Malone, all of Omaha; brother and sister-in-law Ray and Marcella Schapiro of El Paso, TX; brotherin-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Bennett and Zena Fishbain of Las Vegas, NV. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or charity of choice.
Emerging Talent at the JCC
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12 JELS/ADL Lunch & Learn, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at the Park Inn Regency Lodge C L Adult Education, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel
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If you like to read (and want a first look of the Press) and you’re available on Monday or Tuesday, call Editor Carol Katzman at 334-6450.
August 8, 2003
SYNAGOGUES
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Candlelighting Friday, August 8 .............................................. 8:14 p.m.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism
7023 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556-6536 templeisrael-ne.org
Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
1502 No. 52 St., Omaha, NE. 68104 -5013 556-6288 BethIsrael@novia.net
14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492-8550 WEB--www.bethel-omaha.org
FRIDAY: Men’s Club, 11:45 a.m. All male members of Temple Israel are invited to a weekly informal get together at Spirit World, 7517 Pacific St. Join us for some relaxation and great conversation; Shabbat Evening Service, 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will officiate and give the D’var Torah. Outdoor Summer Service, 6 p.m. at the JCC Frohm Pavillion. Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30 a.m., in the Milder Center; Morning service, 10:30 a.m. SITTER SERVICE During the months of July and August, available for the 5:30 p.m. Shabbat Services. There will be no sitter service Saturday mornings. Please make a reservation through the Temple office. Cost is $2 per family. Sorry, there are no facilities for infants.
Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. West Minyan, 7:30 p.m. at the home of Dennis and Susan Paley. SATURDAY: Morning service, 8:45 a.m. Free babysitting begins at 10 a.m.; kiddush sponsored by Sandy Schrader. Mincha, 8:05 p.m., followed by Shalosh Suedot, Ma’ariv and Havdalah. SUNDAY: Morning Services, 9 a.m. Evening Services, 7 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. MONDAY: Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7:30p.m.
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. FRIDAY: “Dine, Dance and Daven” Israeli Dancing and hors d’oeuvres 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services follow at 6:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Two parallel Shabbat morning services. Regular Shabbat service beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. There will be a more participatory service in the chapel at 10 a.m. Evening services at 8:25 p.m. SUNDAY: Services at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services at 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION Sunday, Aug. 3: Sunday Morning Adult Learners, 11 a.m. in the Library.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423-8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, Monday & Thursday, 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. BAT MITZVAH Samantha Payne, daughter of Jodie Stein and Jeffrey Payne, will celebrate her bat Mitzvah on Friday, Aug. 15, and Saturday, Aug. 16. A kiddish lunch, sponsored by her parents, will follow services.
SOUTH STREET TEMPLE
Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations
2061 S. 20th St., Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435-8004 jewishnebraska.org Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, all day. You may reach her 9-5 weekdays at 416-2321 (local for Lincoln), or at rabstiel@aol.com. FRIDAY:Potluck Dinner at Pioneers Park 6 p.m. Shabbat Services, 6:45 p.m., with Rabbi Stiel. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: AA Meeting, 7 p.m. in the Library or Social Hall. THURSDAY: Choir Practice, 7:30 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of the Worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch Movement
1866 So. 120th St., Omaha, NE 68144-1646 Phone: 330-1800 E-MAIL--chabad@aol.com WEBSITE: www.nebraskajudaism.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Monday-Friday: Services at 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Services at 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Services at 8:30 a.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by JAndrew Greenberg. All services are held in the Herbert Goldsten Chapel and are open to the community.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 Phone: 322-4705 E-mail: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com FRIDAY: Evening Service, 7:30 p.m. Oneg will follow.
BEYT SHALOM
An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
3012 S. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68139
P.O. Box 390352 402-660-2395
FRIDAY and SATURDAY: Shabbat in the Home.
Women’s Campaign (Continued from page 1) Sullivan; Young Women’s, Robyn Belgrade, Kim Schwartz and Deb Marburg; Young Energetic Seniors (YES), Kay Ferer. Erman and Leibowitz also announced that the Women’s Campaign Event will return with an inspiring performance by Mona Golabek on Thursday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m., at Ironwood Country Club. Golabek is a renowned Grammy-nominated pianist and author of the memoir, The Children of Willesden Lane, which recounts her mother’s survival of the Holocaust as a young girl. There is no charge to attend the event, however, an increased gift to the 2004 Campaign is required.
The money raised through the Federation’s Annual Campaign funds Jewish causes locally and overseas. In Omaha, Campaign dollars support the Community Relations Council (CRC), the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service and Jewish Senior Services as well as Federation programs such as Jewish experience scholarships, missions to Israel, Birthright Israel, Children’s Needs Scholarships and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Camp Grants. For more information about the 2004 Women’s Campaign, please contact Kathy McGauvran, Women’s Campaign Director, at 334-6427 or kmcgauvran@jewishomaha.org.
Temple Outreach to Start Year with August Barbecue by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Temple Israel’s Outreach Committee has planned a Summer Sizzler Barbecue to kick off its events for 2003-2004. “This is one of our favorite events,” said Todd Hutton, chairman of the Outreach Committee. “It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, get reacquainted with one another, and celebrate the dog days of summer.” Hosted by Stan and Loye Jaeger, the barbecue is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m., and is for adults only. Interfaith couples, Jews-by-choice, and anyone else interested in learning more about Judaism are invited to attend. Reservations are needed no later than Monday, Aug. 11, and can be
made by calling the Temple office at 556-6536. There is no cost to attend. “Outreach has been a valued resource for Temple families for many years,” Hutton said. “We have provided educational programs addressing a variety of issues. This year, we plan a renewed focus on celebrating our lives as our congregation-wide events provide opportunities to socialize and learn more about Judaism and one another in fun and welcoming environments.” Future Outreach events will include an afternoon in the park with pets, a fireside chat with Rabbi Azriel in the winter, and a scavenger hunt in the spring to learn more about local Jewish history.
SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway, Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294-6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
Donations for Mitzvah Project For my Mitzvah Project in preparation for my Sept. 6 Bar Mitzvah, I am collecting canned food for the Omaha Food Bank. If you would like to donate any non-perishable foods, you may put them in the box in front of the Youth Lounge at the JCC. If you need assistance, call me at 330-4861, and we can arrange a date and time to collect the food from your home. Thank you. Zach Spooner
BAT MITZVAH Amy Elise Durmaskin, daughter of Julie and Jay Durmaskin will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Aug. 16 at Beth El Synagogue. Amy, an honor-roll student at Beveridge Middle School, will be entering eighth grade. Selected for the Duke Talent Identification Program, she received statewide recognition and recently attended the Nebraska Scholars Academy at Hastings College. She was also inducted into the Order of the Mask, an honorary drama society, Other interests include writing, poetry, and drama. For her mitzvah project, Amy has volunteered as an aide at the JCC CDC preschool. She is also donating several new games to needy Jewish kids through Jewish Family Services. Amy has an older brother, Brian. Grandparents are Norman and Gloria Durmaskin of Boynton Beach, FL, and the late Bud and Joan Bernstein.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 8, 2003
EDITORIAL Where’s the E.U.? Where’s France? After all the wailing and moaning by some of the members of the European Union over the state of affairs in Iraq, why is it so quiet when it comes to Liberia? The silence is deafening. Could it be because Liberia has no oil and all the criticism directed at President Bush and his Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfled really was about oil--Europe’s oil? (All the better to see you, said the Big Bad Wolf!) Let’s look at the facts. Both France and Russia had lots and lots of large contracts with Iraq prior to the start of the war. Immediately after the war ended, both countries suddenly decided that the U.N. and the E.U. (which had opposed America and Britain on the war) should now have a hand in rebuilding Iraq. (All the better to eat you, added the big Bad Wolf!) Pres. Bush wisely declined and now the French and their cohorts are stewing. No oil, no big defense contracts, no roadbuilding agreements, no dollar signs in the desert of Iraq for them. Now along comes civil war in
Liberia. America, once again, is pressured to “do something” to protect the lives of innocent men, women and children caught in the crossfire. And even the United Nations responds, putting Nigerian and British troops into the fray, thanks to pressure from America. But where are the French-or the Belgians (who are apparantly too busy attempting to try Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for alleged war crimes)? Do black lives not count as much as Arab lives? Or could it be that the Iraqi war had nothing to do with saving the lives of an oppressed people? And could it be that Liberia counts for little because it has little--no oil and no lucrative rebuilding contracts that seem to follow war. France, which once held power over dozens of countires--in the Middle East and Africa--can’t be bothered to help. So once again, only Great Britain--out of all the European Union countries--is doing the right thing. Shame on the E.U. and shame on France.
Iraqi Immigrants to Israel Enjoy New Lives -- but Miss Home
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by LOOLWA KHAZZOOM TEL AVIV (JTA)--“I sacrificed my life for my parents,” says Salima Moshe, 72. “I gave everything to them. I didn’t think about myself.” As a 20-year-old in 1951, Moshe watched her family and friends flee to Israel in an exodus that grew to include some 90 percent of the Iraqi Jewish community, or about 120,000 people. Though she wanted to join them, she says she felt an obligation to stay in Basra. “My mother and father were elderly,” she explains. “I needed to stay and take care of them.” With all her sisters and brothers married, the duty of tending to her parents fell on Moshe’s shoulders. Moshe is one of the six Iraqi Jews brought to Israel last month in Operation Ezra Mitzion, or Help From Zion. On June 11, Jeff Kaye, an official of the Jewish Agency for Israel, went on a fact-finding mission to Iraq, checking on the status of the remaining 34 Jews. At the same time, Rachel Zelon, vice president for operations at the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, was in Iraq to identify the remaining Jews and check on their condition and needs. “All the Jews were distressed,” Kaye says, noting that the period since the U.S.-led war to unseat Saddam Hussein has been “a very unsettling time” in Iraq. “Paradoxically,” he says, “though Saddam’s regime is no longer there, and coalition forces are, the situation is more volatile than ever before,
because nobody is in charge.” Kaye reported back to Yossi Shraga, director of Middle East immigration at the Jewish Agency, that the remaining Jews were mostly elderly and frail, lacked proper medical attention and lived in poverty. “Most of the Jewish community had left already,” Kaye says, “so they didn’t have the support system the rest of the population had, like children to look after them.” Meanwhile, Shraga was acting to bring to Israel all the Jews who wanted to come. He contacted Shlomo Garafe, a Jewish Agency liaison from Israel with an American passport, who was born in Yemen and was fluent in Arabic. Garafe agreed to lead a mission to Iraq. HIAS was prepared to co-sponsor the operation. The two organizations rented a Jordanian plane in Baghdad and made arrangements with the American army to fly out the six Jews who wanted to make aliyah. “This small Jewish community has lived under a repressive regime for decades,” HIAS’ Zelon said in a statement. “They have lived in a society where the vast majority of the population despises Jews and Israel. Most have lived trying to hide their Jewish identities except with close friends, colleagues or neighbors. This is clearly a community at great risk given the increasing tensions within Iraq, and the increase in open anti-Semitism. We are delighted to have played a part in helping these initial six immigrate to Israel.”
They weren’t the only ones excited about the operation. “According to what was reported to me from Iraq, American soldiers were very happy with this,” Shraga says. “Among them were Jewish soldiers who celebrated this happening. They helped Garafe and Zelon to get the Jews on board.” Exactly two weeks after launching the operation, six Iraqi Jews landed safely in Israel on July 25. “Emotions were very high,” Shraga recalls. “Here in Israel, family was waiting for them--family that had not seen them for 50 years.” After the new immigrants appeared on television, 20 relatives called the station and showed up at the Avia Hotel within two hours for a family reunion. One young woman, who is to get married in coming weeks, handed an invitation to her grandmother from Iraq, whom she had never seen before. New immigrant Ezra Salah Levy, 82, spoke at the Knesset on Monday and then visited the Kotel, where he put a note in one of the cracks in the wall. He recited the Shehecheyanu prayer thanking God for keeping him alive to have a wonderful new experience and then said, “Baruch m’chayeh ha’metim--Blessed be the One who breathes life into the dead.” Asked why he recited the latter prayer, Levy responded, “Because I am starting a new life in Israel, at 82 years old!” But not all the immigrants are so at ease in their new surroundings.
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“Baghdad is my city; I was born there,” says Salah Sasson Abdul Nebeh, 90, who now is living in a geriatric home in central Israel. “Of course I stayed there. It’s my country.” As little as a week ago, Abdul Nebeh did not want to come to Israel. “I am a bachelor. I had my own house. I was quite comfortable. I didn’t think of coming to Israel,” he says. But “a couple of Americans”--Garafe and Zelon--“persuaded me to come here.” Garafe and Zelon, he recalls, “were so good to me, so nice, kind, generous, they were very, very good with me, so I was ashamed to say no, to insist,” Abdul Nebeh says. “I gave up.” One Israeli politician--Labor legislator Colette Avital, head of the Knesset’s Immigration and Absorption Committee--accused the Jewish Agency of caring more about the publicity it would reap from the operation than about the Iraqi Jews’ wishes. A Jewish Agency spokesperson said it was the duty of the agency and the State of Israel to rescue Jews in distress whenever possible. For his part, Abdul Nebeh says he misses his friends in Baghdad. “I left people there, and they cried about me going away. I don’t want to break the hearts of people, especially women. I hope I’ll be happy here after another one or two months.” Though he doesn’t regret the decision to come to Israel, he says that at 90 he feels too old for such drastic changes in his life. “I thought of ending it there,” he continues. “There is nothing much left.”
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; Nancy Skid; Melanie Weinstein; and George Schapiro (Honorary Committee Member). Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
August 8, 2003
FOCUS ON ISSUES
A Reply to “Allegations of Undue Influence”
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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by STEVE PITLOR, President, Jewish Federation Of Omaha (Editor’s note: Steve Pitlor wrote a letter to World- leaders are inherent to our democratic way of life. Herald publisher Harold Anderson responding to Again, I ask, what was the purpose of singling out Anderson’s column of July 25 in the W-H. We american Jewish people because they lobbied the thought it was worth reprinting here.) President on behalf of a cause they are quite pasAfter reading Harold Anderson’s column of July sionate about? Our President demonstrated dignity 25, I was quite distressed with his commentary and compassion by meeting with this group of regarding President Bush’s criticism of Israel and American Jewish leaders and reassuring them of American Jewish leaders’ reaction to it. Being the our country’s commitment to Israel, particularly experience journalist he is, I question the point and after making his previous statement about Israel’s purpose of such an article--which follows: position on specific Hamas leaders. “A recent issue of the Jewish Press, publication of After the events of last month in Iraq and the elimithe Jewish Federation of Omaha, included an inter- nation of Hussein’s two sons, I’m not so sure even esting story published under the headline: ‘After President Bush or many other Americans would draw Criticism of Israel, Bush any distinction between the Moves to Reassure strategy of the United After the events of last month in American Jewish Iraq and the elimination of States toward terrorist Leaders.’ leaders and the position of “This story, it seems to Hussein’s two sons, I’m not so sure Israel towards Hamas, me, illustrates the extent eve President Bush or many other given their stated desire to to which our Middle East Americans would draw any destroy the State of Israel. policy is influenced by Anderson continued, views of the American distinction between the strategy of writing in the July 25 colJewish community and the United States toward terrorist umn, “The dispatch from the well-organized leader- leaders ad the position of Israel Washington included this ship that vigorously presbit of incidental intellients the case for Israel in towards Hamas, given their stated gence: The White House desire to destroy the State of Israel. dinner, which had been Washington. “The news story, reported scheduled to coincide with from Washington by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the opening of Memorial Museum, marked the first said that Bush used a White House dinner for nearly time a completely kosher dinner was served at the 100 American Jewish leaders ‘to repair the damage White House, according to guests who attended.” from comments he made a day earlier, in which he I also found it hard to comprehend (Anderson’s) blasted Israel’s attempt to assassinate a Hamas leader reasons regarding the kosher dinner at the White and said the action did not advance Israel security.’ House. Was this a great “journalistic scoop” or was The JTA news story said that Bush’s comments 'out- he attempting to reinforce his previous points of raged many Jewish groups.’ influence and special treatment? At the White House dinner, one participant said Either way, the fact of making the point about Bush and others in his administration acknowledged kosher food in context with the tone of his previous the Jewish community’s criticism and that Bush, at words demonstrated his desire to stir the readers’ the dinner and in private conversations with Jewish emotions regarding the American Jewish community. leaders, emphasized that he saw Israel’s security ‘as If a group of Catholic leaders had dinner at the his top priority in the Middle East.’ White House during Lent, is he ready to write a The effectiveness of the American Jewish leader- commentary on how meat was not served? Or how ship’s advocacy for Israel seems to me to be pretty pork wasn’t served to a group of Muslim leaders? It clearly demonstrated when it results in the presi- is neither uncommon nor surprising to have kosher dent of the United States ‘repairing the damage’ food served at events that have been organized for from comments made the day before.”--H.A. or honoring Jewish people. Consider that even in His allegations of undue influence by the Omaha, at our community events attended by both American Jewish community are not factual and Jews and non-Jews, kosher food is served. mimic in some ways propaganda utilized throughI refrain from making any accusations against Mr. out the ages to create animosity and hate against Anderson or suggesting anything more than I felt Jewish people. his column was pointless and potentially an inciteAny group of people have the right to lobby the ful piece of journalism. I would hope in the future President of the United states on behalf of an issue. that he gives some additional thought before creatMillions upon millions of dollars spent through campaign ing literary pieces that might make more interestcontributions and professional lobbying of our elected ing reading for his readers, but lack true substance.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: Berl Falbaum, author, journalist and a long-time contributor to the Detroit Jewish News, is writing a Holocaust-related book and is seeking some help. Falbaum is writing a book on Jews who escaped from Europe to Shanghai, China. At its peak, the Jewish community in Shanghai totaled between 17,000-20,000 Jews. After the war, these refugees, considered “stateless”, immigrated to various countries, many to the U.S. Most of these refugees are in their 70s, 80s or older and many have died. Falbaum believes it is essential to save this bit of history that is generally unknown to the public. A few more years, and the survivors--the only “eye witnesses”--will be gone. He is planning to write an “anthology” of individual stories of the survivors. (Incidentally, Falbaum
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This time, the settlement drive also will include ment. They also fear that a new settlement drive will the Negev, with special emphasis on single-family weaken existing towns and settlements, spur increased farms that will encompass large plots of land. The use of private cars and will require large investments aim is to offset the rapid growth of the Bedouin pop- in infrastructure, waste water and energy. ulation in the area. According to the Ministry of Environment, a Three new Negev settlements--Gvaot-Bar, near crowded country like Israel simply cannot afford the Gaza Strip; Merhav-Am, in the central Negev; dispersed settlements like those called for in the and Tzukim, in the Arava--already have been estab- Jewish Agency’s plans. lished. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel Some Arab leaders, like Knesset member Azmi also announced its objection to the new settlements. Bishara, are denouncing the new settlement plan as an indirect way to promote the “transfer” of Arabs out of Israel, Jewish Agency officials said. The agency has not concealed its aim of tipping the demographic scale in favor of Zionists--not only Jews, but also Druze and Circassian communities in northern Israel. But agency officials say their mandate is to serve the Jewish people. “The government of Israel is the government of all its citizens,” An Israeli walks near a mobile home in the Negev settlement of Hermesh said. “The Merhav Am. Israel wants to build 30 new settlements in the Negev and Jewish Agency is the govGalilee. Photo by Brian Hendler/JTA ernment of the Jewish people.” “Whatever open space is left in Israel, they try to For 15 years, Hermesh served as mayor of a put new settlements in,” said Yohanan Darom, regional council in the Negev before taking the Director of the society’s northern branch office. Jewish Agency post about a year ago. He now is tryDarom said there was no justification for the ing to reverse the agency’s decision--taken six years establishment of new settlements while many existago -to get out of the settlement business. ing settlements are suffering from social and ecoThe new settlement drive in the Galilee will focus nomic difficulties. on strengthening the “heart of the Galilee” region-Hermesh disagreed, however. the district of Carmel, Upper Nazareth, Ma’alot, “The ‘Greens’ must decide whether they prefer a Migdal Ha’emek and Afula--where Arabs constitute Jewish majority with the problems of single-family 78 percent of the population. farms, or no such farms with an Arab majority," he In the Negev, settlement efforts will focus on the said. “arc,” which begins in the northwestern Negev, the To attract Jewish families to Arab regions, the seam line with the Gaza Strip, and runs to the Jewish Agency plans to invest heavily in local eduHebron region. cational resources. Already, about $1 million has The Jewish Agency is expected to spend $40 mil- been allocated to draw better teachers, enable lion in each of the project's first two years, and offi- longer school days, build student dormitories and cials hope Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will make upgrade regional colleges. good on his promise to match $5 for every Jewish “Education and higher education play a special role Agency dollar. The project is part of Partnership in influencing the younger population, whether as 2000, a Jewish Agency program that links Diaspora working persons whose career is greatly affected by Jewish communities with Israeli communities. their level of education or as parents seeking the best The program will focus on building the necessary education system for their children,” Hermesh said. infrastructure for new settlements and paving new Funding also will go toward infrastructure develroads in the western Negev. opment, bolstering existing settlements and providEnvironmentalists also oppose the new program, ing incentives for small businesses. arguing that massive construction projects in the “Small businesses will lead to further business,” region will cause irreparable damage to the environ- Hermesh said.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
CDC, Friedel Academy, JFS, BBYO, and Holocaust Institute Receive Newman Grants by CLAUDIA SHERMAN, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator In their goal to fund new and innovative programs designed to enhance the Jewish identity of youth in the community, members of the Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Funds Grants Committee allocated funding for five programs. “Joining Together for the ‘Spice of Life’” received a grant for two art projects that will be facilitated by Julie Phillips of Friedel Jewish Academy and Carole Greenberg of the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center (CDC). Students between the ages of four and 12 and their parents will have the opportunity to participate in creating a unique spice box and individual wooden Jacob’s Ladders, according to Greenberg, CDC Assistant Director. Specific objectives of the program are to promote a relationship between Friedel and the CDC and enrich the self-expression of Judaic art through hands-on projects using the expertise of Jewish community artists. Jewish Family Service (JFS) requested a grant to purchase toys for use in therapy sessions with young children. While adults find relief in talking about their difficulties with a therapist, young children often cannot express their thoughts and feelings in words. “It’s helpful to allow the child to express himself or herself naturally through play,” said Steve Stiel, Executive Director of JFS. “Play therapy is a particularly appropriate approach to counseling children, because play comes naturally to them,” added Stiel. “They are much more likely to be comfortable using toys and play to express themselves, allowing the counselor to combine play and verbalizations to communicate ideas to children.” JFS will be able to purchase a doll house, doll families, animal families, people puppets, a punching bag, and various arts and crafts items, among other toys. Submitted by the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), Shabbat Across America is an annual
event whose purpose is to bring Shabbat back into the homes of Jews on Friday nights. BBYO received funds from the Newman Grants Committee to plan an evening which will include Shabbat worship services, Judaic programming, and a kosher dinner. Rachel Blum, BBYO Director, said she hopes to see 100 Jewish teenagers and their families from all of Omaha’s Jewish youth groups participate. “It’s important,” Blum said, “because this is an attempt to bring our Jewish teens and their families together to celebrate their Judaism. Every effort we make to get our teens involved increases the chance that they will give back to the Jewish community as adults.” With the allocation it received from the Newman Grants Committee, the Institute for Holocaust Education, a subdivision of the Plains State Office of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), plans to bring two traveling exhibitions to Omaha. “To Save One Life: The Story of Righteous Gentiles,” from the Holocaust Resource Center and Archives at Queensborough Community College in New York, tells the story of how a small percentage of people risked their lives to save fellow human beings from destruction. “It is not just the story of the Holocaust,” explained Beth Seldin Dotan, Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education, “rather an exposé of moral courage. “An ADL-curated exhibition, ‘Anti-Semitism Past and Present,’ is a 33-panel exhibit which shows how the hatred towards Jews from the time of the crusades until today bears witness to centuries of prejudice, oppression, and bigotry against Jews,” Dotan said. The exhibit will be co-sponsored with ADL by the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. In addition to exposing Holocaust issues to Jewish children and adults, the exhibits provide the Institute for Holocaust Education with an opportunity to educate teachers in the secular community.
Dotan hopes to show the exhibits to all area Jewish religious school youngsters as well as Friedel Academy students and reach out to the ADL’s growing list of Omaha public school educators who are interested in Holocaust education. In addition, the Newman Grants Committee provided the CDC with funding for outdoor play equipment specifically designed for preschool age children and toddlers. In addition to Barbara Epstein, chairman of the Newman Grants Committee, Bob Goldberg, Bonnie Bloch, Mary Rich, Corey Green, Brandon Rich, and Rhonda Saferstein-Hansen attended the meeting.
Newman Committee Considers Grant Requests by JEWISH PRESS News Service Organizations and individuals interested in applying for grants from the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation must submit their proposals to Laurie Peatrowsky at the Jewish Federation Foundation, 333 So. 132 St., no later than Monday, Sept. 22. Members of the Newman Foundation Board of Trustees will meet on Oct. 15, to consider requests for funds. Distribution of funds to charitable organizations will be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Newman Foundation for charitable, educational, and religious purposes consistent with the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Trustees will consider cosponsoring programs that exceed $3000. Otherwise, grant applications should not exceed that amount. Grant applications and further information are available by contacting Marty Ricks, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation Foundation, at 334-6440 or Laurie Peatrowsky, Foundation administrative assistant, at 334-6439.
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(Continued from page 1) ed by her nephew, Rabbi Josh Kaiman originally came to Omaha Zweiback. The former Tulsan, who from London, England, in 1952 and moved to Omaha in 1961, has had has held many volunteer positions in many volunteer jobs over the years. the Omaha Jewish Federation-However, she finds the Homestead including: Mission Chair, Women’s program to be the most satisfying. Co-chair and Overall Chairman of the “So many times when you do volun- Annual Campaign. teer work, you get bogged down with a lot of meetThe group has only one ings and a lot of red tape,” Zweiback admitted. “You formal meeting a year and, have to spend a lot of time according to Kaiman and that isn’t productive at Zweiback, “training can be the moment. But, with this, it’s really instant done over a cup of coffee!” gratification. For more information and “We know right away if they qualify. They give us to sign up for “an instant their income and we sub- mitzvah,” call Joanie Kaiman tract all of their out-ofpocket expenses; so, we at 965-8146 or Judy can tell someone who is Zweiback at 397-1975. worried about their ability to keep their home that they don’t Volunteers were honored for their have to pay any taxes.” service on July 15, at the Douglas Zweiback says that many times the County Board Meeting for service to people think the volunteers have done more than 800 applicants by helping something special. However, in actu- them to complete their paperwork at ality, the program is there, but people remote sites. don’t know about it. “One of our In a special proclamation, the greatest challenges is to make the Homestead Exemption Program proprogram known to people,” she said. vided property tax relief for more than Kaiman is amazed at the gratitude 10,000 elderly or disabled homeownthat is shown by the people who ers in the Douglas County area. The apply. “I’ve had people sit there with volunteers were of “invaluable assistears in their eyes because we found tance.” The program didn’t cost the where we can save them a few hun- County through the generous donadred dollars. It means so much to tion of the time and effort of these volthem because it means that they can unteers. buy groceries. When you leave there, Other Jewish volunteers in the proyou feel like you’ve done such a mitz- gram are: Sandy Brophy, Jay Chasen, vah. One lady gave a volunteer money Don Dandy, Jerry Dann, Mike to go to lunch.” Feldman, Mort Glass, Jerry She went on to tell about the lasting Krupinsky, Bernie Meyers, Denise friendships formed because people Meyers, Sue Meyers and Fefe Passer. come back year after year. “We had a Also helping were: Larry Roffman, 103-year-old man come once,” Kaiman Jerry Rosinsky, Bernie Shapiro, Gerri said, “and one older gentleman asked Shapiro and Marian Spiegal. me out! It’s just a fun time, and, for Goals of the group are to help more some, it’s almost a social thing!” than the 3,000 people they had conKaiman says that many applicants tact with this year. In order to reach come in wheel chairs and with oxygen. their goal of doubling that number, However, she says that every story they will need more volunteers for the isn’t a sad story. “Many people who program they say is unique. come are very happy. They have nice The group has only one formal meetlives but they just don’t have a lot of ing a year and, according to Kaiman extras.” and Zweiback, “training can be done Kaiman added, “You feel so lucky over a cup of coffee!” when you come away. Some of the peoFor more information and to sign up ple earn in a year what some of us for “an instant mitzvah,” call Joanie spend in a month! It makes me feel Kaiman at 965-8146 or Judy guilty to be so fortunate!” Zweiback at 397-1975.
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More than 15,000 people are expected to attend the fifth annual Jewish Arts Festival in Kansas City this year. Located on the campus of KC’s Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, the festival is set for Sunday, Sept. 14. The highly successful event features Jewish gospel singer Joshua Nelson, performers Craig Taubman and Rick Recht, as well as kosher food vendors, 88 artists from the U.S. and Israel and a children’s pavilion. For more information about hours and tickets, call Sandy Czarlinsky at 1-913-327-8005. It will be a beautiful day when a very special neighborhood returns to the Omaha Children's Museum. Mister Rogers Neighborhood, A Hands-On Exhibit comes back after four years and a complete overhaul. The exhibit opens Sept. 27, running through Jan. 4, 2004.
The hands-on exhibit--a life-sized recreation of the television shows set-gives visitors the chance to try on a sweater and sneakers, pretend in a big King Friday XIII castle where they can dress up as the king, Queen Sara or Prince Tuesday, play with the famous trolley, explore Lady Elaine Fairchildes’ Museum-Go-Round and even “drive” a life-size Neighborhood Trolley, plus much more. For membership information and hours of operation, call the Omaha Children’s Museum at 342-6164. Auditions for rock ’n roll, country and blues revue, Pump Boys and Dinettes, will be held Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 11-12, 7-10 p.m., at the Lincoln Community Playhouse. Rehearsals are Aug. 13-Sept. 25 with the musical running Sept. 26-Oct. 19. To make an audition appointment, call 1-402-489-7529 or sign up online at: www.lincolnplayhouse.com.
August 8, 2003
Scholarship Winners Named for Kooper and Fellman Awards by JEWISH PRESS News Service “Howard M. Kooper, a Trustee of the Bruce M. Fellman and the Robert H. and Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable Foundation Trusts, has announced that scholarship grants have been awarded to 20 Omaha area college students. Chosen for these 2003-2004 scholarships are: Daniel Bukenholts, University of Pennsylvania; Stephanie DePorte, Hebrew Union College; Katerina Dobin, UNO; Lauren Feigin, Colorado State University; Aaron Fredricks, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Jennifer Friedman, Bradley University; Igor Ginzburg, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Jessica Hasslinger, Colorado State University; Roman Kilishek, University of Nebraska-Omaha; David Patton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Alexander Shekhtman, University of NebraskaOmaha; and Michael Shekhtman, University of Nebraska-Omaha. Additional scholarship winners include: Elliott Siff, University of Colorado; Emily Sternberg, University of Kansas; Rebecca Sternberg, University of Missouri; Stephen Sternberg, University of Missouri; Nikita Vishnevskiy, School of Art-Institute of Chicago; Renata Yurikov, Vanderbilt University; Max Zinkov, University of Nebraska-Omaha; and Renata Zinkov, University of Nebraska-Omaha. The Bruce M. Fellman Charitable Foundation Trust was created in memory of Bruce M. Fellman, son of Tom and Darlynn Fellman, after his untimely death while attending George Washington University and participating in the University of Pittsburgh’s Semester at Sea. The Trust is designed to help Omaha area Jewish college students in their pursuit of secondary education. The Robert H. and Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust was created in memory of Robert H. and Dorothy G. Kooper, parents of Howard M. Kooper, in order to help Omaha area Jewish college students in their pursuit of secondary education. For information about the scholarships or application deadlines, please call Jan Roos at the office of Broadmooor Development, 392-1800.
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Golf Outing and Family Golf Planned by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “It’s one of the best golf outings in the city,” said Jon Meyers, a member of the Temple Israel Golf Outing Committee planning the annual event at Shadow Ridge Country Club, 187th and Pacific Streets. He expects more than 100 golfers to participate. Prior to the 1 p.m. shotgun start on Monday, Aug. 25, lunch will be served as part of the $125 participation fee which also includes driving range privileges, 18 holes of golf with a cart, and a steak dinner at 6 p.m. at the Shadow Ridge Clubhouse. Foursomes can play for $500. Reservations are needed by Wednesday, Aug. 20. Call Temple Israel at 556-6536 to reserve a playing spot. Reservations can also be made to attend only the dinner at a cost of $30. Anyone can play in the annual outing. “You don’t have to be a member of Temple Israel,” Meyers said. “We really want participation. It’s a great event,”
adding that he’d “love to see more women play.” Proceeds from the golf outing help support Temple Israel’s Religious School, youth groups, adult education, and worship services. On the preceding day, Sunday, Aug. 24, Temple Israel families can participate in the annual miniature golf outing at Boulder Creek, 14208 ‘S’ St., just southeast of 144th and Q Streets. Registration is at 4 p.m. followed by the shotgun start at 4:30 p.m. Afterwards, hamburgers and hot dogs will be served. All golfers who participate will have a chance to win a raffle and door prizes. This event is free but reservations, also by Aug. 20, are necessary in order to play. Call the Temple office. In addition to Meyers, other Golf Committee members are Lori Bennett, Dennis DePorte, Paul Epstein, Jim Farber, Rick Fox, Tom Friedman, John Glazer, Wendy Goldberg, Steve Redler, Jeff Schweid, Michelle Shkolnick, and Jeff Smedlund.
Omaha Represented at Hadassah National Convention by SANDRA KOHLL for the Omaha Chapter of Hadassah Two other Omahans travelled with me to New York City last month to attend the 89th Hadassah National convention: Georgiann Steinberg and Beth Ginsberg. In addition to hearing from the Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Rabbi Daniel Gordis and many New York State legislators, we also heard from Bonnie Lipton, outgoing Hadassah National President, and newly installed President June Walker. World events have made great changes in the need for continuing research, education and maintenance of Hadassah’s humanitarian obligations. Therefore membership dues, which have not been Attending the Hadassah Convention in New increased for 20 years, will rise from $25 to $36 in York City were: Sarene Silver, past Regional 2004. As of 2005, life membership will increase to President, left, Georgiann Steinberg, Sandra Kohll, Beth Ginsberg and Debby Jewitt, $360 from $250. Oustanding speakers presented seminars on sub- President of Upper Midwest Region. jects ranging from terrorism to medical research. Israel is nearly completed; in fact, Hadassah is one The new Crisis Center for Emergency Medicine in of the few organizations building in Jerusalem.
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THE HISTORY FOOTPRINT Memories of a Mechanical Pencil by OLIVER B. POLLAK Have you ever lost a pen or pencil? What a simpleminded strange ridiculous pointless question. The answer is: of course. No matter how we cherish, use and abuse our writing instruments they are bound to go missing. Did you misplace it? Did someone liberate it? Irritating, frustrating, guilt welling, memory challenging, and just darn time wasted consuming thinking about it let alone writing about it. I remember losing my first pen and I have been filled with remorse for 51 years. The Pollaks were leaving England for America. Family friends had given me a memento--a silver twisting mechanical pencil with an eraser and storage for thin leads. Our November, 1952, North Atlantic crossing was accompanied by a gale. The ship pitched and yawed in incredible angles. My father got seasick, I did not have the good sense to do likewise. I saved that experience for two years in the U.S. Navy. During the turbulence I was using the pencil, it slipped out of my eight-year-old fingers and fell between the bed and the bulkhead. There was no extricating it. The Liberté, formerly the German liner Europa was grand for its time, but no match to the new Queen Mary II. Henry Petroski published The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstances in 1992. The ubiquitous yellow pencil is joined by fountain pens, ball points, an invention attributed to Ladislas Biro in 1935 in Argentina, roller balls, and felt tips. All have their own charm as works of art. Accessories to the writing instruments include inkwells, pen and pencil stands, big business for Levengers, Lizell, and Borsheims. You cannot be too choosey in selecting an eraser. Do you remember the typewriter eraser wheel with a little brush. That was in the days of carbon paper and no correction ribbon, liquid white out or E-Zerase paper.
Pens are given as gifts at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and graduations. For my nephew’s graduation in June 2003, I purchased a Jean Pierre Lepine pen for the graduate, his sister, my two sons, and myself. I offered one to my wife but she preferred to stay with her maroon Mont-Blanc in its leather case. If she wants a change, she can always borrow mine. Why the infatuation and obsession? The pen is an immediate personal possession, and extension of your hand and mind, an instrument of creation, witness the flourish of copperplate script, a doodle, or the poetry of Robert Frost. The film, A Beautiful Mind, contains a very moving scene following the announcement that schizophrenic John F. Nash was to receive the 1994 Nobel Prize in Economics. All his Cornell University colleagues in the Faculty Lounge walked over to his table and gave him their pens. As I grew older I used Scripto, Papermate, Bic, Waterman, Parker, Shafer, Cross, Mont-Blanc graduating to Nakimi, Aurora, Montegrappa, and other writing instruments. Typewriters, word processors and palm pilots, though vitally useful, don’t fit into the left hand shirt pocket or inside suit jacket pocket. Alas, 97% of this story was “written” on a word processor. So what is the point? I will remember my 1952 mechanical pencil as long as I can remember. I had an urge to scribble. Maybe now I can move on, get over, my November 1952 Liberté loss. OBPOMNI@aol.com
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BERT’S EYE VIEW by BERT LEWIS It’s vacation time, right? The kids are out of school, people are traveling, visitors come and go. That’s the usual pattern during the summer. So it’s not unusual for us to have a houseguest this time of year, wouldn’t you say? Of course. But this houseguest is inaugurating an entirely new practice. This is our 11-year-old Jacob, who flew here by himself (well, there were others on the plane) from his home in New Jersey. The idea was hatched when his family was visiting us in Arizona last spring, and when he (and I) found out his mother was comfortable with letting him fly alone, the campaign started. When we got finished with the nagging, it was decided he would come and spend a week with his grandpa and me, and we’re in the middle of that important week as I write. He’s a great kid, who likes to do most of the things boys his age are interested in, and enjoys watching every sports event or competition on the planet. He’s very science-minded, so a trip to the zoo was important, and a close investigation of the nocturnal animals especially interested him. Me, they didn’t interest! I was astonished to realize it was pitch dark where those critters were exhibited and quickly discovered if I didn’t have a handful of Jacob’s t-shirt, I would probably never find my way out. The kid was a good sport, although he told me he was not very comfortable in my follow-the-leader game. It’s a joy to have the third party at the table every meal, when we’re accustomed to just our twosome. And the conversation is much more spirited with a young boy present; it includes everything from favorite baseball teams to adventure movies, in addition to such serious topics as the distance between Nebraska and New Jersey. It’s been such a long time since we’ve had a kid this age around, and such a lot of fun refreshing memories of what it’s like. I love it when I ask him if he wants to go someplace with me and he quickly agrees, looks for the ever-present baseball cap and says, “Let’s go!” He, like most his age, is addicted to the computer, which means I have to share mine with him.
That’s okay, however, since his presence is a rare treat. I will say, when somebody is downloading a computer game, it can tie things up for hours on end! I trust when he goes back to New Jersey, I won’t have all those weird creatures still lurking in my computer. It’s been hard enough just living with the dybuk I know it harbors! Bath taking is sometimes the subject of discussion around here now. Jacob thinks swimming ought to count for something and asked me if “just chlorinating myself” wouldn’t be as good as a bath. He accepted my decision good naturedly, but I know he thinks I’m putting too much importance on soap along with the water! All in all, if this boy isn’t the best houseguest we’ve ever had, he certainly ranks right up there in the top 10. I’m not sure how easy it’ll be to send him back to his family at the end of his week, but I promised I’d return him so I guess I’ll have to. Besides, if I keep our end of the bargain, maybe I can count on future visits, now that we know how well it works. If you don’t get a real vacation this summer, may I wish for you a visit from a precious child? Somebody to be there in the morning to notice the news on tv and ask if there isn’t something better to watch.....or to say, just when you’re thinking about doing some desk work, “What are we gonna do today?” Somebody who can make you feel good just by being there. Now that’s my idea of a great houseguest! BERTLEWIS39@aol.com CORRECTION Cissy Copilevitz’s name was misspelled in the Copilevitz/Passer engagement announcement in the July 18 issue. The Jewish Press regrets the error.
August 8, 2003
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Dr. Joel Hellmann will speak on Wednesday, Aug. 13, noon, at the Park Inn Regency. Dr. Hellman will discuss his desire to provide portable cardiac defibrillators to synagogues and various public locations around the state. Cost is $9 for lunch and $2 for beverage service only. Breadbreakers is open to the community. VISIONS Join us for the Summer Picnic at Chalco Hills on Sunday, Aug. 17, 12:30-4 p.m. Cost is $6 per person. Main course and drinks provided. Please bring a side dish to share. Enjoy Musical of the Rat Pack with Michael Walker following lunch. Send reservations to: Betty Sanford; 9205 Western Ave., #127, Omaha, NE 68114. Deadline is Aug. 8. A Magical Mystery Tour is set for Tuesday, Sept. 2. Cost of $20 per person includes coach transportation, lunch and tour. Depart from the JCC at 9:30 a.m. and return at approximately 2:30 p.m. Send reservations to: Harry Alloy, 11317 Harney Plz. Cir., by Aug. 25. For information, call Betty Sanford at 399-2001. Make check payable to JSS. Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday at the JCC. Play bingo at 10 a.m. with Eileen Remer or exercise with Stacey Paskert at 10:30 a.m. Bring articles to share for “YES Talk” at 11 a.m. Following lunch at noon, join us for “Music from the Past” with Richard Sladky. For transportation call Dee Dee at 3304272. For reservations to upcoming programs, call Maggie Conti, 334-6521: deadline is Aug. 14 for Mystery Trip on Aug. 21; deadline is Aug. 18 for Ballroom Dancing Party of Aug. 25; deadline is Aug. 21 for Bluffs Run on Aug. 28. WALK-IN, DROP-IN There will be no meeting Thursday.
IN THE NEWS The Mid-America Council’s Jewish Committee on Scouting will hold a Scout Recruiting Reception on Thursday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m. at the Durham Scout Center, 12401 W. Maple Rd. Jewish youth interested in joining the Scout troop at the Jewish Community Center or at their neighborhood school are invited. The program for boys includes: Cub Scouts, grades 1-5, and Boy Scouts, 6-11; and Venturing, 8-12 for boys and girls. For information, call Lloyd Roitstein, 431-9BSA. Ben Gordon, who has only been golfing for a year, scored a hole-in-one on July 29 on the eighth hole at Pacific Springs Golf Course using a threewood. Ben, age 11, began his golf ‘career’ in the Golf Camp, sponsored by the JCC last summer. He is the son of Sandy and Bruce Gordon. The B. Manischewitz Company is a national sponsor of the 2003 JCC Maccabi Games in Houston, St. Louis and Tenafly, NJ. Omaha teens are participating in the St. Louis Games this week. Manischewitz new snack line, “Baked, Not Fried” and “Noshables,” will be featured as the “Official Nosh of the 2003 JCC Maccabi Games.”
MARRIAGE DONOGHUE/PRIESMAN Kristin Donoghue and Corey Priesman were married May 17 at the Charles Alis Art Museum in Milwaukee, WI. Bridesmaids were Jamie Priesman, Tara Donoghue, Michalene Donoghue and Mary Balistreri. Groomsmen included Buck Kiechel, Graham Johnson, E.J. Green and John Donoghue. The bride, daughter of John and Kathleen Donoghue of Milwaukee, earned a a masters degree in education from Wheelock College in Boston. The groom, son of Harlan and Rhoda Priesman of Lincoln, NE, earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is doing his residency in psychiatry at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, CA. He is the grandson of Herbert Levin of Houston and the late Elsie Levin and Jean Selo of Sun City, AZ, and the late Ernie Priesman. Following a honeymoon to Spain and Portugal, the couple resides in San Francisco.
OMAHA CENTER FOR TORAH LEARNING SEED begins Sunday when Shalom and Chaya Volk of the Lakewood Yeshiva arrive in Omaha. Rabbi Blum will give a weekly parasha shiur tomorrow afternoon, Aug. 9, 5:30 p.m. Time for Talmud is Monday, Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m. and Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman will lead the group. The Beit Midrash meets on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m., with Yosef Katzman, “In Through the Looking Glass with Moses, Miriam and Aaron,” all at the OCTL House, 1313 No. 58 St. Join OCTL for the weekly discussion of Torah Topics at Lunch ’n Learn, with Shalom Volk on Wednesday, Aug. 13, noon, at the Kripke Library. Ben Gonsher will speak on “Energize Your Prayer,” on Thursday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m. at the OCTL House. To schedule individual learning sessions, call Rabbi Hoffman at 384-2032 or Allan Gonsher at 558-2767. Join us for SEED Shabbos meals on Friday, Aug. 15, 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 16, 12:30 p.m. at the OCTL House. Cost is $15 for adults and $7 for children or $25 for adults for both dinner and lunch and $12 for children. On Shabbos afternoon, Chaya Sarah Volk will present a special Women’s Seudah Shlishit at 5:30 p.m. For information about OCTL, call Rabbi Aryeh Blum at 320-8055. NEBRASKA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY The NJHS will hold its anual meeting on Sunday, Aug. 24, 3-5 p.m. NJHS will isntall its new officers and present an oral history documentary in the theater of the Jewish Community Center. A dessert reception in the JCC Gallery will follow. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Join us for the showing of the documentary, A Life Apart, at the Kripke Federation Library on Thursday, 1-3 p.m. This event is open to everyone. Call Anne Skolkin for information at 343-1638.
Learn How to Advocate for Israel on Campus and in the High School by DEBBI ZWEIBACK, Assistant Director Anti-Defamation League Advocating for Israel has never been more important! Jewish college students and high school students in the Omaha area have been invited to attend separate programs to learn how to advocate for Israel. There will be discussions regarding strategies to help build positive relationships and help create coalitions for Israel. The Anti-Defamation League, B’nai B’rith, and Jewish Educational and Library Services will cosponsor the “College Campus Voice for Israel” program on Thursday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m., in the Social Hall at the Jewish Community Center. The ADL and B’nai B’rith will co-sponsor a second advocacy program for high school students, “Be an Advocate Voice for Israel” on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 6 p.m., at the JCC. For additional information, please call me at 3346573 or e-mail me at: dzweiback@adl.org. If you’d like a copy of Advocating for Israel: An Activist’s Guide, published by the ADL, call me.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Dine, Dance and Daven on Shabbat by DIANE AXLER BAUM for Beth El Synagogue Beth El Synagogue, in response to a growing national trend for options and choice in Jewish observance, is offering new approaches to Shabbat. Tonight and tomorrow, Aug. 8 and 9, for example, Beth El will provide a total Shabbat experience that embraces joy, song, celebration, meditation, peace and rest. Friday night, an opportunity to dance, dine, and daven will get underway at 6 p.m. with a dynamic session of Israeli dancing followed by hors d’oeuvres of humus, pita and veggies. At 6:45 p.m., the lively evening service will welcome Shabbat with spirituality, prayer, and song. Two parallel services will take place Saturday morning, Aug. 9. The regular service in the sanctuary will start as usual at 9:30 a.m. A more participatory service, at 10 a.m., will fill the chapel with intense energy, song, spirituality, and animated discussion spearheaded by Rabbi Mordechai Levin.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 8, 2003
The ‘Inside Scoop’ on Omaha by JOAN K. MARCUS Dr. Paul M. Landow, chief of staff to Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, recently spoke to Breadbreakers last week about the city budget of roughly $250 million presented to the Omaha City Council last month. The balanced budget does provide for all libraries, including the Swanson Library, to remain open. Some hours will be reduced and several other small cuts in city services have been made. “All things considered, it isn’t a bad budget. But, it relies on the fact the police, fire and civilian unions agree to a wage freeze for 2004,” Landow explained. “If they agree, the budget stands as it is. If they don’t agree, we go back to the drawing board--and, depending upon what combination agrees or doesn’t--we cut another couple million to seven million dollars. “It’s just a matter of priority!” Landow insisted. Citing the highly publicized possible closing of Swanson Library, he said there were dozens and dozens of letters insisting the library should remain open.The half million dollars it would take to keep the building open should take preference. “The police department has 764 officers and 93% of their budget is personnel costs,” Landow continued in his explanation of Mayor Fahey’s budget. “The fire department has 630 officers and 97% of their budget is for personnel. You can keep the $500,000 library or add it to the Public Works Department--or to the Human Relations Department--or hire more
Bea Appel came to hear her son, Paul Landow, speak at Breadbreakers last week. people or spend more money. All we have to do is lay off police and firefighters.” In those departments with huge personnel costs, there is no way to save money without laying people off. “We had two new rescue squads in the budget for 2004. They cost about $125,000 a piece and we cut them. It’s just a matter of priorities--but whose priorities? Does someone want to trade a library for police officers?” He elaborated that 87% of the 911 calls to the Omaha Fire Department are medical. “Do you want a rescue squad in three or four minutes? Or is seven or eight or nine minutes good enough? Priority one police calls are
when a life is being threatened. Police will be at your house or place of business in three or four minutes at the most. A priority two call might be an armed robbery that has just taken place. If a guy is waving a gun around at a gas station, it’s pretty important that the police get there!” Landow was asked about Mayor Fahey’s position on the proposed citycounty merger and the consolidation of school districts. “The mayor has taken a position of favoring the city-county merger,” he replied. “He’s pushing it hard and the city council has recently passed a resolution agreeing that we should take the first steps. About a year ago, we formed a committee--along with Douglas County--and a report indicating that a merger would be a good thing and that we should pursue it.” Some smaller towns like Elkhorn and Bennington are against the merger because they would have to pay for services they are getting free. Although these cities do have small police forces, they are covered by the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Department. “The time has come to admit we don’t need two personnel departments, two parks departments, two public works departments!” Nobody thinks that his or her taxes should be raised, Landow said with a smile. “Furthermore, in this economy, it’s a huge burden on people who are already burdened. Taxes can’t be increased without a major problem.” When asked about the riverfront development, Landow said pluses are
obvious. “It’s spectacular and everyone’s really proud of it,” he replied. “Business is being booked for the convention center and the Gallup project is bringing a lot of jobs to Omaha. The new Missouri River bridge starts next year and the new construction on the INS building begins soon. The National Park Service regional headquarters will be quite a building, too. “The convention center was financed in an unconventional way,” Landow explained. “Mostly, when taxing agencies like the City of Omaha or MECA raise money to pay for a project like that, they do it with bonds. In this case, not only did we not raise taxes, we lowered the bond levy. “We tied the bond payments to other sources of revenue--like sales taxes,” he added. “That’s fine when the economy is booming. However, when the economy takes a serious downturn, sales tax might need to be increased to pay.” Landow, who’s an Omaha native and a graduate of Westside High School, received a PhD in Political Science from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and is a faculty member (on leave) from the School of Public Administration at UNO. When asked about Mayor Fahey’s interest in City Councilman Frank Brown’s resolution--every board and commission has at least one minority and one woman, Landow said, “Some people object to the resolution because they feel it is mandating something that should already be in place. Mayor Fahey favors the resolution.”
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1
3/$ 00 7.25 oz.
Kettle Chips Assorted Varieties
4
2/$
00 5 oz.
5150 Center Street • 553-2664 • 50th & Center | 10808 Fort Street • 493-2089 • 108th & Fort | 3505 L Street • 731-6107 • Stockyards Plaza 3404 Oak View Drive • 697-0811 • Oakview | 7910 Cass Street • 384-8668 • Peony Park | 9707 Q Street • 339-3047 • Applewood 747 North 132nd Street • 493-2911 • Westridge | 8809 West Center Road • 384-9072 • 90th & Center 1706 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs • 328-9762 • North 16th Street | 1745 Madison Avenue, Council Bluffs • 322-9260 • Mall of the Bluffs Sale prices good through August 19, 2003 while supplies last