Vol. LXXXVI No. 47 Omaha, NE
Omaha native handles Millard Schools’ p.r. with passion and professionalism by GLORIA SHUKERT JONES Though Amy Friedman’s youthful appearance might suggest that she had a more recent start to her career, she has actually been in the field of public relations since the 1970s. She attended Northwestern University for her undergrad work, and completed graduate school at Boston University, with a major in journalism. She is presently the Communications Director for the Millard Public School District. Her first job was for a Boston radio station, where she did the news, and that was where she got hooked. “It takes you to amazing places. Everyday is different, and you never know what you’ll be doing,” Friedman said. Then she returned to Omaha to work for KETVChannel 7. Friedman smiles, “They started me off doing the weekend weather, which was the hardest job I’ve ever had in my whole life, because I didn’t know anything about the weather.”
Amy Friedman, Millard School District Communications Director She continued, “You can’t look at a script the way you can when you’re an anchor. You have to wing it. It’s extemporaneous, and that is scary! You try not to think of all the people who are watching you, and just concentrate on the studio, where it’s small and quiet. It was really a great experience, and I relied on the main weather service in Valley. Before I went on the air, I consulted with the meteorologist there. During the week, I was a reporter.” Friedman added that during her tenure at KETV, she met her husband-to-be at a most unusual gathering. “We’re probably the only Jewish couple who ever met at a Ku Klux Klan rally.” She quickly added, “I was sent there by Channel 7 as a reporter. It was the summer before busing was to start for OPS. The ‘Imperial Wizard’ came from Alabama to Memorial Park and held the rally,” she added. And the man who was to become her husband of 30 years, Sandy Friedman, was there as president of the Anti-Defamation League. Friedman reported there were about 100 in attendance. “About 10 people came up and introduced themselves to me, saying they were not there in support of the Klan, but rather as spies for ADL or other similar organizations. That was in 1976.” Friedman indicated she worked for KETV until her daughter was born in 1979, and then took 10 years off to raise Andrea and son, Dusty, born in 1981. She then became employed by the American Heart Association as their Communications Director and worked in that capacity for seven years. Friedman says, “A friend told me about an opening for a Communications Director at Millard School District. That was 1995.” Continued on page 11
Inside Opinion Page see page 20
Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
27 Av, 5767 August 10, 2007
Jewish groups pitch in to aid victims of bridge collapse by MELISSA APTER WASHINGTON (JTA) -Minneapolis-area Jews are offering aid and solace to victims of the tragic collapse of the I-35W Bridge in that city -- and giving thanks for the survival of a former yeshiva student. In a statement posted on its website, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas declared: “The JCRC stands ready to assist the community in any way needed.” The site has been updated with information for those seeking ways to help the victims. The bridge collapsed Aug. 1 during evening rush hour, leaving at least five dead and 79 injured. As of Sunday, The I-35W Mississippi River in Minneapolis, shortly after it collapsed. CREDIT: Tom Ruen/Wikipedia eight people were still missfor such miracles. ing. Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis Among the survivors is 20-year-old Roman Koyrakh - a former student at Torah Academy, a yeshiva in sub- and the JCRC partnered to offer free crisis intervention urban Minneapolis -- whose car plunged into the counseling for victims, their families and responders, as well as survivors. Mississippi River. Those who want to help are encouraged to donate “There was a loud bang, and my car buckled suddenly,” he told Vos Iz Neias, a religious news website. “Dust blood with the American Red Cross or with the and smoke shot up all around and the next thing I knew Memorial Blood Centers. Monetary donations are being directed to the Twin Cities Area Chapter of the I was falling, plunging headfirst.” Fearing the end, he said the Shema prayer, but man- American Red Cross. Ordinarily the JCRC would have partnered with aged to free himself from his seat belt and open the car door. He made it to dry ground and was taken to a hos- Nechama: Jewish Response to Disaster to aid victims at the site. However, direct response “was not possible pital, where he was treated for minor injuries. Koyrakh credited God for his survival, telling the news here because of the danger,” said Steve Hunegs, the site: “Hashem saved me. There’s no other explanation” Continued on page 16
Friedel Jewish Academy welcomes larger student body this month for start of new academic year by ANNETTE VAN DE about welcoming so KAMP-WRIGHT many students.” With the beginning of To accommodate such the 2007-08 school year an increase, Friedel staff just weeks away, things and volunteers had to do are busy at Friedel. The some rearranging. Board of Directors has “It’s an all-time record,” seen some important principal Cookie Katskee changes, such as the says. “We’ve outgrown installment of Susan our cubbies and had to Fellman-Witkowski and install new ones. We also Yaffa made improvements to Podbilewiczaccommodate the growSchuller as the new coing library and library scichairmen. ence program. We’ve Additional members on acquired an additional the Executive Committee cafeteria table, and this year are past presirearranged classrooms. dent Bonnie Bloch, Bruce Potash, Lloyd Roitstein, Lily Goldberg, left, and Ilana McNamara have enjoyed kinder- It’s been a busy summer.” Debbie Denenberg and garten at Friedel. They'll be moving into a new first-grade only The school also hired a new teacher. Angie Mass, Saundra Clarke. They classroom this month. have been hard at work to prepare the school and staff originally from the Omaha area, is excited to join the Friedel family this August. She graduated magna cum for the increase in student body. According to Podbilewicz-Schuller, “Friedel is expect- laude from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a ing more than 40 students this year. By comparison, degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Friedel counted 34 students last year. For a small school Education. She will be teaching first grade. this is enormous growth. We are incredibly excited Continued on page 2
This Week: The Learning Curve education issue starts on Page 13 Coming Next Month: New Year’s Issue, Sept. 7 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Limmud speaker passionate about studying Jews: Page 4
For Omaha artist, moving body offers canvas like no other: Page 12
Rome Maccabi Games give one family glimpse into Jewish Italy: Page 24