August 19, 2011

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

London riots spread This Week to Jewish communities August 19, 2011 19 Av 5771 Vol. 90 | No. 49

by MARY BORT Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation The Bennett G. Hornstein Memorial Scholarship for aspiring or current law students has been awarded to Rachel Timm for the 2011-2012 school year.

She graduated from University of Nebraska at Omaha with a major in speech communication. Timm is starting her second year at Creighton University School of Law.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue Page 3

Omahans attend National Furniture Industry event Page 4

Passers-by glance at looted stores in a London neighborhood, Aug. 9, 2011.

Israeli reflects on two decades of civilian and military life Page 12

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Next Month Rosh Hashanah See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

Hornstein Law Scholarship awarded

8 10 11

by DAN KLEIN (JTA) – While some Jews in London marked Tisha b’Av on Tuesday by lamenting the burning of the Holy Temple on that day some two millennia ago, other London Jews watched as their city burned amid widespread rioting.

“Everyone is shocked,” Joel Braunold, a lifelong Londoner, told JTA in a phone interview just after leaving Tisha b’Av services. “People are angry and scared.”

Violent protests that broke out last week following a deadly police shooting in the North London

neighborhood of Tottenham quickly turned into riots, arson attacks and looting in neighborhoods all over the city in the worse civil unrest that London has seen in 25 years.

In some cases, the Jews reportedly weren’t just bystanders.

The Guardian reported that some members of Tottenham’s small Chasidic community -- all that remains of a once-substantial Jewish community that earned its local soccer team the nickname “the Yids” -gathered to jeer police. A video posted on YouTube shows Orthodox men laughing and then scattering as

Credit: Creative Commons a crowd of mounted police officers move in.

In another video, young Orthodox men can be seen handing out challah.

“When I saw Jewish people out tonight I was happy,” one protester told the Socialist Worker newspaper.

“I thought, it’s not just us. They gave us bread.”

Most Jews, however, appear to be eager for a return to law and order.

Local rabbis and the Shomrim Orthodox security service have warned Jewish community members Continued on page 2

Blumkin Home goes to the dogs

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press On Thursday, August 11, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home held its annual dog show.

“About 40 dogs showed up and brought their owners,” said Activity Director Karen Menagh, who organized the event. “There was more community involvement than ever before, so yes, we were pretty happy.

This is an important event for the residents, and it’s great to see so many people participate. Our residents appreciate it immensely.”

The question is, of course, why

Will McGauvran’s dog Milo was one of the many visitors to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home during the dog show. dogs? Wouldn’t cats be entertaining, especially if you dress them up?

“Maybe,” Karen said. “It’s never been done, but nothing is impossible.”

For the time being, the Home is sticking with dogs, and if last Thursday was any indication, it will continue to draw a crowd. If you Continued on page 2

Rachel Timm After graduating from law school in 2013, Timm plans to advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault as a legal aid attorney or prosecutor.

She works as a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter advocate at Catholic Charities Phoenix House in Council Bluffs, answering the crisis line and mediating client disputes. Timm has experience working with youth as a special education paraprofessional, leadership trainer and coach.

During her first year of law school, Timm made the Dean’s List and received awards for highest grades in civil procedures, torts, and legal research classes. She also won first place in a client counseling competition and won the Harry L. Welch Award for excellence in civil procedure.

In recommending Timm for the Hornstein Scholarship, Ralph Whitten, Professor of Law at Creighton, noted that she is an outstanding student who exhibits enthusiasm, leadership and a desire to serve the community.

“Her intellectual caliber is simply the best, and she will certainly graduate with high or highest honors at the top of the class,” said Whitten.

The late Bennett Hornstein, assistant Douglas County public defender for 20 years, was a passionate advocate of the rights of those who could not afford a lawyer. After his battle with cancer and untimely death at the age Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | August 19, 2011

Recycling on the rise in Israel

London riots

A woman throws a bottle into a recycling bin in the center of Jerusalem, which has placed Credit: Nati Shohat/Flash90 more bins in neighborhoods, helping to increase recycling.

by JTS NEWS STAFF (JTA) Israelis are recycling plastic beverage bottles at an increasing rate thanks, some say, to a new PR campaign.

Some 15.2 million plastic beverage bottles were thrown into neighborhood recycling bins in May, an increase of 26 percent over May 2010.

Along with the public relations drive, the success has been attributed to an increase in

the number of recycling bins placed across the country, including for the first time in Arab communities, Ynet reported.

Some 13,000 bottle collection bins are now spread throughout the country, with plans to increase the number to 15,000.

In all, 64.6 million plastic containers were collected in the first half of 2011, compared to 53.6 million collected in the same time period in 2010.

Going to the dogs Continued from page 1 missed the dog show this year, you can see the pictures on our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TheJewish-Press/183265818373100.

Dog owners who are interested will have another chance to participate next year.

“The more, the merrier,” Karen said. “We love it when this many members in the community share activities with our residents!”

One last question: whose dog did the unspeakable in the parking lot?

“We’re not sure,” Karen said. “We’re still investigating.”

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Continued from page 1 to stay away from the riots, the UK Jewish Chronicle reported.

As the riots spread to Jewish areas of Stamford Hill and Golders Green, several Jewish-owned businesses were ransacked.

Joelle Selt told JTA that her father’s general store was robbed at knifepoint by masked men, and a 71-year-old Jewish-owned store in Tottenham was looted Sunday morning, the Chronicle reported.

“They are tearing up their own community,” the store’s owner, Derek Lewis, said of the rioters, as reported in the Chronicle. “It’s tragic.”

At least two stabbings were reported Monday night in Stamford Hill, and clashes between rioters and police were reported in Golders Green and Camden.

Linda W., a mother of three daughters who lives in London, contrasted the rioters disparagingly with the massive but nonviolent protests in Israel over high housing prices.

Hornstein Law Scholarship Continued from page 1 of 46, his family established the Bennett G. Hornstein Endowment Fund in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. This fund provides an annual scholarship for a law student who will carry on Hornstein’s commitment to working for those members of society whom no one else wants to help. This is the sixth year for the scholarship.

The criteria for selection are those qualities that Hornstein exemplified: a high standard of academic achievement, an adven-

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turous spirit and a desire to take on an active role in service to the community. Applicants must also be attending law school at University of Nebraska or Creighton.

The scholarship selection committee is headed by Hornstein’s son, Joe, of Denver, CO, and includes Hornstein’s daughter, Jill Goldstein, attorney for Kutak Rock, as well as other attorneys from the Omaha area.

For more information about the Bennett G. Hornstein Endowment Fund and annual scholarship, please visit www.bghendow ment.org.

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“It’s evident who raises the better man,” she wrote in an e-mail to JTA. Linda said the Riot Act -- a 1715 law that made it a felony for groups of 12 or more to refuse to disperse after being ordered to do so -- should be returned to the books. The law was repealed in 1973.

“People want to enforce the law by any means necessary,” Braunold said. “They don’t care anymore; they just want the riots off the streets.”

The rioting began following the police shooting Aug. 4 in Tottenham of a suspected drug dealer named Mark Duggan, and spread to young people in poorer neighborhoods. Many analysts have linked the riots to the weak economy, widespread unemployment and deep budget cuts that have hurt Britain’s poor.

“There are underlying causes,” Braunold said, “but first the rioting and hooliganism needs to stop. This brings out the worst characteristics in people, and they need to face the consequences.”

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August 19, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 3

Israeli soldiers take Manhattan

by DAN KLEIN but not all. Every so often they regrouped for reserve duty.

NEW YORK (JTA) -- When Israel wanted to help its But many could not leave the war completely behind them. troops, it sent them to America.

Capt. Yuron Edel is taken back to the combat zone by the Last month, 15 former soldiers selected by the Israel smell of metal or Mediterranean herbs. Second Lt. Yoni Beck Defense Forces traveled to New York for a weeklong pro- still wonders whether he could have saved his friends. First gram to treat lingering trauma from their combat during the Sgt. Shay Shem Tobi says fireworks make him jumpy. Levy 2006 Lebanon War with Hezbollah.

Forchheimer can’t listen to a particular song without An Israeli group called Peace of Mind organized the pro- remembering the friend he lost in combat. gram, which ranged from group therapy and painting to sight“Everything since the war has changed. I try to avoid situaseeing at the Empire State Building and a cocktail party on tions that remind me of the war,” said Tobi, who left Israel to Manhattan’s Upper West Side. travel when his service ended The long distance -- not and recently started studying just from Lebanon, but from animation. “Some take it more Israel as well -- is at the heart harshly than others, but everyof the treatment program. one took something from it, “In Israel, it’s not socially something good or bad.” acceptable to talk about these For some of the soldiers on experiences,” said Alon the program, the realization Weltman, an Israeli psycholothat the war still touches their gist and director of the prolives felt like a revelation. gram who accompanied the “I didn’t think the war affectsoldiers during their visit. ed me,” Beck said. “Now when Bringing them to the United we sit and talk, I realize how States, Weltman said, was an much it’s affected my life.” effort to break that taboo and Other soldiers said they didIsraeli soldiers enjoy a drink at a cocktail party in their help them move beyond their n’t think they had lingering honor thrown by the Manhattan Jewish Experience. traumas. The soldiers spent trauma.

Credit: Dan Klein half of each day in New York “I wouldn’t like to think the in intensive group therapy. war changed me,” Forcheimer, an American who served in The program was developed by the Israel Center for the the IDF, said near the outset of the program. “But I’ll find out.”

Treatment of Psycho-trauma, a nonprofit affiliated with the Edel said the program gave him concrete and immediate Sarah Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem and the School of Social results.

Work at Hebrew University. The Center asks the IDF to “It gave me a feeling of lightness, having put the burden choose a group of soldiers for treatment and then finds inter- away,” he told JTA from Israel after the program had ended. national Jewish communities willing to take in the soldiers Although excellent treatment is available to the average soland foot the bill -- about $55,000 -- to pay for the expenses dier within the IDF, Weltman said, soldiers must seek it out. of the 15 soldiers and three psychologists. In this case, a “We think the treatment should come to them,” he said, group of Jews from Fire Island, a popular vacation spot on explaining the rationale for Peace of Mind.

Long Island about two hours from Manhattan, paid the bill.

Weltman said the program helps the IDF because it Peace of Mind doesn’t treat soldiers with post-traumatic reduces the dropout rate for reserve duty and increases stress disorder, but helps soldiers realize that they may have resilience for trauma, which he said is measured before and repressed trauma from their wartime experiences that after the program. The IDF did not respond to a request for affects their everyday lives. comment in time for publication.

“Think of someone experiencing a sudden death of someFor the Jewish communities taking in and entertaining the one close,” Weltman said. “That person is dealing with a dif- soldiers, it’s an opportunity to learn and to help. On their ficult experience but is not necessarily post-traumatic. He first day in the United States, the soldiers were the guests of might not have the right tools to deal with this experience, honor at a cocktail party and comedy night hosted by the though, and that is part of what we try to do in the program.” Manhattan Jewish Experience, an outreach organization The 15 men who came for the visit to America last month that caters to unaffiliated young professionals. were platoon mates in the IDF’s 931st infantry regiment The organization’s founder, Rabbi Marc Wildes, told the during the month-long Second Lebanon War. The 931st saw soldiers in a short welcoming speech that they are admired particularly tough combat, including urban fighting against by the Jewish community and viewed as “holy soldiers.” The Hezbollah militiamen in closed quarters. men listened, but also kept their arms around each other, “There were a lot of missions,” said First Sgt. Amit Ginat, whispering and interjecting jokes. Afterward, Edel thanked who spent a year in physical therapy after being wounded by the rabbi for the welcome but offered a corrective. gunfire and grenade shrapnel during an assault on a house “You see us as holy soldiers, but we see ourselves as simple occupied by four enemy fighters. people,” Edel said. “We want you to see us that way, and talk The platoon defended strategic buildings, staged assaults to us that way, and pass that along.” and came under rocket fire. In one rocket attack that hit Barbara Messer, who helped organize the Long Island restheir sleeping quarters, a soldier who had switched mat- idents who sponsored and hosted the soldiers, said the lestresses with a friend was killed by the projectile. Ten others son was learned. were wounded.

“When they were coming, people were saying, ‘The solMost of the platoon members were injured during the war. diers are coming,’” Messer recalled. “But after they arrived Months later they were civilians again. They traveled, went to they were just the guys -- people who had been through a lot school, married, worked jobs, had kids. Some kept in touch, and who then became our friends.”

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“Tyler loves to visit his Grandpa Sam at Remington Heights!”

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Official Blues Brothers Revue

Theater review ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT With the roles of Jake and Elwood Blues, Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty have their work cut out for them. Until the 21st of August -- for just a few more days -- the Omaha Community Playhouse hosts the Blues Brothers Revue.

For those who have seen the original movie many times, it’s a nice way to relive the musical parts of it: all musicians on stage accompanying the three main actors/singers are local Omahans. Between the brass band and “The

Band,” the audience is reminded there is an enormous amount of musical talent here in Omaha.

Joining Catania and Lafferty on stage is Arnaé Batson and she does Aretha Franklin proud. The audience gets to participate, which is really the only acceptable way to perform songs that so many people know by heart. The main characters even take their microphone to audience members, making this an interactive experience. The performance is appropriate for all ages.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue was sanctioned by Dan Akroyd and the Belushi Estate; three remaining shows are scheduled for Friday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 402.553.0800.

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4 | The Jewish Press | August 19, 2011

Omahans attend National Furniture Industry event for ADL

by GARY JAVITCH In a highly successful fundraising event in New York City, the National Home Furnishing Industry raised over $700,000 to support the Anti-Defamation League programs.

The annual dinner this year honored former “super model” Kathy Ireland and two others. Now a “super entrepreneur,” Kathy is a wife, mother of three, author, Sunday School teacher and CEO of “Kathy Ireland Worldwide.”

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Also attending the gala dinner were Irv Blumkin, CEO of the Nebraska Furniture Mart, himself a former honoree, his wife Susie, and his mother Frannie (Mrs. Louie Blumkin). In a private conversation during the reception, Ms. Ireland praised Irv, his brother Ron, his father, Louie, and the Nebraska Furniture Mart for giving her her very first opportunity to sell her new furniture line.

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Back row: Bob Wolfson, left, Carol and Alan Parsow, and Gary Javitch; Front row: Frannie Blumkin, left, Karen Javitch, Susie and Irv Blumkin Forbes magazine estimates her “design empire” grosses over 1.5 billion dollars annually in retail sales. She received the ADL’s American Heritage Award for her extensive charity work. In her acceptance speech, she spoke warmly and strongly of her support of ADL, the Jewish people and Israel.

Alan Parsow, left, Kathy Ireland, Carol Parsow, and Gary Javitch The dinner brought together former Omahans Bob Wolfson and Leah Raful. Bob is now a top executive for ADL in New York. Leah is the daughter of former Creighton Law School Dean Larry and Dinah Raful. She lives and works in New York. Joining in the celebration were Alan and Carol Parsow, Gary and Karen Javitch, all from Omaha.

Hillel to launch its own tents for Israel

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by DAVID BAUGHER event. This is hopefully something that can be replicated in ST. LOUIS, Mo. (St. Louis Jewish Light) – Call it the tent the spring.” movement.

More than 400 students from U.S. Hillels came to St. Louis In Israel, tent cities are popping up throughout the coun- for the conference, and they were joined by about as many try as part of a broad social protest against high housing professionals from the Jewish campus group. Washington prices in the Jewish state.

University was hosting the weeklong event for a second conIn America, Hillel is planning to set up tents at 20 cam- secutive year. puses across the country this fall as places for respectful diaIn his speech, Firestone also spoke about using social netlogue about Israel and working to connect Jews, Middle East issues. calling Hillel the “The purpose of the tent “Facebook of the Jewish is to grapple with the chalpeople” and talking about lenges that Israel is facing how the models for engagand that will play out on ing young Jews increasingcollege campuses,” said ly are bottom-up rather Sharon Ashley, head of the than top-down. They recently formed Center for focus on students not as Israel Engagement, which passive consumers, he operates under Hillel’s aussaid, but as active “propices. sumers” who bring conAshley introduced the tent and meaning to the initiative, called Talk interaction.

Israel, at Hillel’s annual Aaron Weil, a St. Louis conference last week, held native who now heads the this year at Washington Pittsburgh Hillel, said he Students preparing for the new school year participating in simu- thought the conference University in St. Louis.

The tents, set to go up lation exercises in areas such as Israel education, peer engage- was valuable. for a full day sometime in ment and grass-roots organizing at Hillel’s annual conference at “It gives colleagues the late September, are part of Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., August 2011. opportunity to connect Credit: Jonathan Pollack with one another,” said Hillel’s response to the expected vote on Palestinian statehood at the United Weil, who was honored with Hillel’s Exemplar of Excellence Nations in September. The tents might involve a video link Award. “One of the challenges of Hillel is that because we with speakers as well as other common resources, but each are so spread out around the world, it can be easy to get campus on its own will decide the crux of the tent’s activi- stuck in a silo mentality where all you know is what you see ties. Hillel has not yet chosen which campuses will get a tent. and experience on a day-to-day basis.”

“The tent has got flaps, but at the same time it’s open,” Arielle Weil, a 19-year-old art student at Elon University Wayne Firestone, Hillel’s president, said in his plenary in North Carolina, said the conference allowed her to address at the conference. “It’s open in the sense that we understand the best ways to interact with the few Jewish stuwant to be open and inviting to students that want to engage dents on her small campus. in conversations about Israel that we are so passionate “We’re learning new techniques to reach out to them iniabout, and we refuse to allow ourselves to be marginalized tially at the beginning of the school year as well as to have and polarized by those on the edges and outside the tent.” more conversations that build relationships, not just to get Ashley, a former journalist and longtime resident of Israel, them to come to Hillel but to get them to feel more comsaid she hoped tent visitors would come away with a sense fortable at the university itself,” she said. that the Jewish state is more than just the conflict. Other Desiree Soleymani, a 21-year-old psychology major from than the existence of Israel itself, she said any issue is up for UCLA, said she felt refreshed by the event and ready to discussion. Opinions can be offered freely as long as the return to her campus and accomplish new objectives. bounds of civility are observed.

“I feel like the staff has taken the opportunity to get to “You are welcome in this tent to ask questions, but you know us and ask us questions as students,” she said. “It’s nice can’t have all the answers,” she said. “This is not a one-time to feel valued and that my opinions matter.”

To order a gift subscription to the Press...

Send a check for $25, made out to the Jewish Press and prorated for the year, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 402.334.6448.

August 19, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 5

NCJW invites you to a summer buffet

by CARI GREEN NCJW Co-Vice President of Membership If you’ve always wondered what the National Council of Jewish Women is all about, here is your chance. As the summer comes to an end, the ladies of the NCJW invite everyone to come and enjoy a fabulous summer buffet, including wine and dessert, on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m. at the One Pacific Apartments Clubhouse.

NCJW Members Melissa Shapiro, left, Andee Scoli, Sarah Yale, Dana Kaufman, Carrie Fingold, Jamie Nogg, Wendy Raffel and Kelly Nogg at last years Fashion Show.

This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends, unite with new friends, and share those wonderful summer stories. Current members of the National Council of Jewish Women will be present to share stories and experiences about NCJW. They will also be available to answer any questions you may have about the great things Council does, the causes it supports, and how you can get involved.

We look forward to spending some time with all of you.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact either Melissa Shapiro or Cari Green.

Please RSVP by Aug. 19 to Melissa Shapiro at small shap@aol.com or 402.614.6571 or to Cari Green at cari.green@yahoo.com or 402.680.2397.

In the news

Beth El’s new Young Adult Committee plans event

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Schmidley’s Family Golf Range will be the place to be on Sunday, Aug. 28, as Beth El kicks off a year of exciting programming offered by the synagogue’s new Young Adult Committee. All young adults in the Jewish community – married or single – are invited to attend the 5 p.m. event at the venue, located at 4700 N. 120th St. Sand volleyball, a driving range, munchies, a cash bar and great company will be on tap for all in attendance; hosts for the evening will be Jeremy Friedman, Mark Kelln and Melissa Shapiro.

The recently-established YAC is led by Kelln and his cochairman, Caryn Scheer. Both are looking forward to the upcoming event and expressed excitement with the new organization. “We are lucky to have an ever-expanding group of incredible young people and families joining our community,�

Kelln said. “They are excited, energized, and looking for meaningful ways of getting involved. Selfishly, I love hanging out with these awesome people and look forward to finding fun and rewarding reasons to do so!�

YAC’s programming “is mainly social in nature,� Scheer noted. “We want to create more opportunities for singles and couples to meet others within their age group. This is especially important for newer members of the community, or people who have recently returned to Omaha. People

Temple Israel MRJ sponsoring day at Werner Park

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Hey Dads! Take the kids out to the ball game! Temple Israel’s Men of Reform Judaism (MRJ, Men’s Club) is sponsoring a day for dads to take their kids to an Omaha Storm Chasers game at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21. Preceded by a picnic lunch at 1 p.m., the game pits the Storm Chasers against the Nashville Sounds at Werner Park in Papillion.

Take I-80 west to the Highway 370 exit. Turn left (east) on Highway 370. Werner Park will be on the left. Access to the

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker yet to be announced for Wednesday, Aug. 24, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $10; beverage service is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org.

Please send all articles, photos and ads to the Press by Thursdays, 9 a.m., for all regular issues.

Questions? Call 334.6448.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish teaches an optimistic vision that allows us to view the world with joy and hope. Come join us at the Blumkin

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To attend both the game and the picnic is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children. Kids three years old and younger are free. Please call the Temple Israel office at 402.556.6536 by Friday, Aug. 19, to reserve both your picnic meal and your game seat.

For more information, contact Dan Marburg, president of MRJ, at dan.marburg@bankofthewest.com.

And remember to “root, root, root for the home team!�

Organizations

Elaine Jabenis was honored during Omaha Community Playhouse’s Awards Night, Monday July 27. The annual “Elaine Jabenis Cameo Award� has been named in her honor. The award will be given to four actors for best cameo performance. Elaine’s first appearance on the Community Playhouse stage was in 1952.

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tend to feel more comfortable attending social and religious events at their synagogue if they feel a bond with others around them.�

Future YAC-sponsored events include an Oct. 2 family outing to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch; a play group for tots, beginning this fall; a Dec. 24 event, details to be announced; a men’s golf outing; and a Mexican & Margarita Shabbat in early May. In addition to the co-chairmen and event hosts, YAC committee members include Sarah Edelstein, Harrison Ellman, Laurie Epstein, Becca Ruetsch Finkelstein, Linda Fischer, Dusty Friedman, Heidi Friedman, Erika Lucoff, Joy Mason, Jenifer Ruff, Melissa Schop, Sonia Tipp, Kori Wees, and Holly Weill.

The Aug. 28 get-together “will be a very different kind of event for Beth El,� Kelln said. “It will be a fun and casual evening involving sand volleyball, golf, music, drinks, noshes, and a variety of relaxed backyard-style games. We are looking forward to a fun, end-of-the-summer event and encourage all adults from the community to RSVP and attend.�

Scheer added that the evening is geared to those in their 20s and 30s, but “no one will be checking ages at the door!�

Cost to attend: $12 per person; $20 per couple. A list of babysitters will be made available upon request. To RSVP, contact Friedman at Jeremy.friedman@gmail.com; Kelln, at markkelln@yahoo.com; or Shapiro, at smallshap@aol.com.

Home, every Thursday in the board room, at 1 p.m., to reap “The Joys of Yiddish!� For information call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

REACH FOR IT A 10 week series of classes for persons with Parkinson disease will be held at the JCC. Cost is $50; classes will be Friday mornings, from 11 a.m. to noon, Sept. 9 through Nov. 18. For more information, see next week’s Jewish Press, or call 402.554.2670

6 | The Jewish Press | August 19, 2011

August 19, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 7

Rabbi Hillel said

“If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?”

These words remind us that though self-interest is our right, we also have a duty to care for others. Today.

For over a century, Jewish Family Service of Omaha has focused on providing crucial aid to individuals, couples and families facing challenges in their lives.

Between July, 2010 and June, 2011, our efforts have been sustained by the following contributors who chose to balance their own needs with the needs of others.* Grants

Endowments

Members of our community deserve to live with dignity.

These grants provide financial assistance, counseling services, YACHAD activities and other critical programs that strengthen Jewish family life.

Carl Frohm Memorial Foundation Phillip and Terri Schrager Supporting Foundation Special Donor-Advised Fund Lazier L. Singer Memorial Fund for Youth Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation Herbert Goldsten Trust Ernest A. and Ruth K. Nogg Charitable Fund Parsow and Simons Families Special Needs Fund Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (ENOA) The Milton S. and Corrine N. Livingston Foundation, Inc.

Jake and Mary Wine Fund Yachad Endowment Fund Louis Friedman New American Fund Pitlor Family Transplant Support Endowment Fund Nathan and Rose Lillian Fine JFS Tzedakah Endowment Fund Rosalie and Milton Saylan Endowment Fund for Jewish Family Service JFS Discretionary Fund

Endowments Tikkun Olam -- repairing the world -- is a moral obligation.

Through these endowments, JFS continues to help people build lives of hope and joy.

Paul Alperson Endowment Fund Pennie Z. Davis Family Life Education Fund Ike Friedman JFS Financial Assistance Fund Glazer Family Endowment Fund Edith and Paul Goldstein Endowment Fund Paul and Joy Grossman Family Endowment Fund Kutler Dental Custodial Fund Richard “Pete” Lee Memorial Endowment Fund Ruth and Otmar Liebenstein Jewish Family Financial Assistance Endowment Fund Jerome J. and Frances O. Milder Endowment Fund Ruth and Bernard Raskin Endowment Fund Leo and Frances Rodick Memorial Endowment Fund Harry and Fannie Stock Rothkop/ Theodore Rothkop Endowment Fund Mark and Sophie Sturm Immigrant Education Fund

In Kind Donations The Talmud says, “A good friend is a tower of strength.

To find one is to find a treasure.” Friends of JFS help families in crisis receive guidance to put their lives back in order.

Anonymous (1) Bernie Altsuler Rabbi Aryeh Azriel Jeanette Baker Beth Israel Congregation Debbie Chasen Bill and Nancy Ferer Sue Gann Renee and Morris Handleman Gary Javitch Fred Kader Heather Kelln Sandra Kohll Lomir Redn Yiddish Group Maxine Noodell Donna Olesh Alex Pichik Amy Raffel Marty and Iris Ricks Milt and Rosalie Saylan Jill Sideris Mimi and Mike Silverman Todd and Betiana Simon Suzanne Singer Haley Swanson Nancy Skid Annette Van de Kamp-Wright

Contributions & Tribute Cards Donations in honor and in remembrance of family and friends help meet the emotional and financial needs that accompany unexpected medical problems or the loss of employment.

Anonymous (1)

Contributions & Tribute Cards

Contributions & Tribute Cards

Harold and Helen Abramson Phyllis Aron Ronit Berkovich Harold and Millie Bernstein Beth El Synagogue Steve and Carol Bloch W. Michael Bond Sheila Bracken Broadmoor-Howard Kooper and Tom Fellman Sally Clayman Audrey Epstein Jim and Judy Farber William Ferer Howard and Sandy Friedman Scott and Debbie Friedman John Gallagher Dr. Howard Gendelman Max Gendler David and Judi Goldstein June Goodbinder David and Shirley Goodman Andrea Gordman and Dan Fitzgerald Nelson and Linda Gordman Jeff and Karen Gustafson Hadassah Candace Hamers Morris and Renee Handleman Jerry and Cookie Hoberman Jewish Funeral Home Inc. Arnold and Sheryn Joffe Joanie Kaiman Connie Keig Joe and Maxine Kirshenbaum David and Janet Kohll Jerry and Gail Kohll David and Shane Kotok Bob and Connie Kully Rick and Kerri Lacher Sissi Lapides David S. Lefkowitz Cliff Levitan Sue Meyers Alvin and Sharon Milder National Council of Jewish Women Jean Neff Nancy Noddle Alan and Sandy Nogg Michael and Susie Norton Michael Parsow Alex Pichik Max Polack Oliver and Karen Pollak Dr. Ira and Sheila Priluck Marty and Iris Ricks Gary and Caryn Rifkin

Helen Rifkin Dr. Blaine and Judy Roffman Joan Rosen John Atherton and Marti Rosen-Atherton Susan Rothholz Alan and Gail Ruderman Debbie Salomon Right at Home Philip Schwartz and Lee G. Schwartz Philantropic Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Senior Bruce and Anne Shackman Jessica Shandell Rabbi Maximo and Jeanne Shechet Marc and Claudia Sherman The Todd and Betiana Simon Foundation Suzanne Singer The Sosland Foundation Dr. John and Wendy Vann Andi Willensky Irv and Annette Yaffe Mort Zuber

Project Dreidel At Hanukkah, JFS volunteers bring toys to children. Through this active intervention, the fundamental human needs of others are met.

Harry and Doris Alloy B’nai B’rith Albert Bloch Marc, Stacie, Benjamin and Julia Brodkey Sherman and Sandy Brodkey Burke High School Students Nancy Burkhart Paul and Sandy Epstein Jim and Jill Folsom Ted and Jamie Friedland Debbie Friedman Bennett and Julie Ginsberg Jeff and Danielle Gordman Scott Haber Hadassah Nan C’s Jeff and Sharon Kirshenbaum Tom and Kate Kirshenbaum Gail Kohll Howard and Sharon Kooper Harold and Linda Mann Joe and Tina Meyers Sue Meyers Jenny Meyerson and kids

Project Dreidel

Friend of the Family

Circle of Friends

Century Circle

Circle of Compassion

Circle of Compassion

Circle of Caring

Alan and Linda Muskin Kim Noddle Michael and Susie Norton Fefe Passer Caryn Scheer Rabbi Maximo and Jeanne Shechet Lisa Shkolnick Mike and Andrea Siegel and family Mimi Silverman Joye Wees Ted and Amee Zetzman

The Todd and Betiana Simon Foundation

Nelson and Linda Gordman Keith and Judy Josephson Richard and Fran Juro Richard and Leanne Kaslow Bruce Meyers Denise and Jon Meyers Sue Meyers Allan and Jane Murow Jean Neff Morley and Charlotte Zipursky Barry and Nora Zoob

Dr. Neal and Jody Malashock Joe and Tina Meyers Scott and Jenny Meyerson Mike and Ducky Milder Stanley and Evelyn Mitchell Dr. Gordon and Ann Moshman Donald and Ozzie Nogg Linda Novak Dr. and Mrs. Bob Olesh Ms. Fefe Passer Oliver and Karen Pollak Steve and Margo Riekes Carol and Henry Reiling Nancy Rips Jonathan and Stacey Rockman Dr. Blaine and Judy Roffman Lenore Ross Pamela Schaff and Elie Gindi Ed and Carol Schneider Anthony and Andi Scioli Natan and Hannah Schwalb Ted and Sarah Seldin Larry and Sherry Shapiro Michael and Patricia Sherman Harold and Marion Slosburg Richard and Alyson Slutsky Charlotte Slutsky-Koom Ray and Susan Somberg Harlan “Bud” Studna Irving and Gail Veitzer Norman and Joodi Veitzer Philip and Janice Wayne Lynne Weinberger Ben and Anna Wiesman Philip and Nancy Wolf Leona Wolfson Judy Zweiback

Arnold “Tuffy” and Helen Epstein Whitney Ferer Cantor and Mrs. Leo Fettman Rabbi Jonathan and Miriam Gross Bruce and Pam Friedlander Lloyd and Lois Friedman Julie Gelbman Donald Jay Gerber Ronald Giller Kim and Bob Goldberg Bruce and Cindy Goldberg Ruth and Irwin Goldenberg Peter and Genevieve Gordon Barton and Caryl Greenberg Alex and Mary Sue Grossman Herzog and Herzog Attorneys at Law Gary Javitch Marcel and Ilse Kahn Beatrice Karp Philip and Esther Katz Milton and Judy Katskee Louie and Renee Kazor Mark and Heather Kelln Olga and Alexander Kogan Alan Kricsfeld Marshall and Barbara Kushner Adam and Abigail Kutler Howard and Nancy Kutler Wayne and Carole Lainof Dennis and Lisa Lewis Cliff Levitan Jay and Dr. Stacie Spies-Matz Lueen Mansfield Suzi and Mike Mogil Helen Novak Mark Ocheretyanskiy Reva Oruch Papio Creek Gems and Gifts Alan and Carol Parsow Phil and Helga Patterson Eric and Julie Phillips Mike and Rachel Pichik David and Carol Alperson Porter Merle and Ruth Potash Miles and Eileen Remer Steven and Dolores Redler Gary and Caryn Rifkin Helen Rifkin Joan Rips Stuart “Dick” Rochman Margo N. Rosen Rita Rosen Sheila Rosen Susan Rothholz Faye Ruback Betty and Daniel Rubin Judy Rubin Mike and Marina Sadofsky

Errol and Lynne Saltzman Lynn Samuel Phyllis Schwartz Wayne Schwarz and Lori Kooper-Schwarz Lourdes Secola Yakov and Raisa Shats Dr. Norman and Susie Sheldon Joie Simon Dr. Larry and Kathy Siref Nancy Skid David and Martha Slosburg Dorothy Spizman Carolyn “Rocky” Stern Alan and Sonia Tipp Stewart and Judy Tully Anne M. Weitz David Wiesman and Cynthia Epstein Norman and Lois Wine Richard and Terri Zacharia Steve and Kathleen Zalkin Ted and Amee Zetzman Mace Hack and Rosie Zweiback

Alan and Gloria Goodman Nancy Hornstein Gloria Jones Jerry and Sylvia Kaiman Gail Kenkel Tom and Kate Kirshenbaum Ivy Kohll Joseph and Leah Kosinovsky Cheryl Kricsfeld Leslie Kully Ruvane and Naomi Kurland Sylvia Kushner Lina Lander Grace Lebowich Dr. Michael Levine Lina Levit Boris and Anna Litvin Sonny and Harriet Marko Boris May Jerome Milder Leonid and Bella Nakhimovich Rita Novak Julia Pashchenko Gary and Klara Paskar Ella Patkovsky Vicki Perlmeter Cheryl Phillips Mike and Barbara Platt Marvin and Sheila Polikov Joan and Bennett Raduziner Phyllis Roffman Jerry Rosen Joan Rosen David and Marcia Ruback Mark and Alla Rubezhin Jan Schneiderman Aveva Shukert Rodney and Linda Sadofsky Betty Sanford Diana Senik Marc and Claudia Sherman Gary and Liat Shyken Paul and Susie Shyken Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sigmond Howard and Sissy Silber Esther Silver James and Susan Silverman Florence M. Simon Harold Siporin Ruth Weiner Leon and Sally Wintroub Blanche Wise Larry and Judith Yampolsky Michael and Alla Zinkov

Project Tzedakah Each year, during Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah and Passover, JFS supports the less fortunate with holiday food baskets. Giving to others is an act of social justice.

Bag ’N Save Burke High School Students Nancy Burkhart Arnold “Tuffy” Epstein Judy Farber Bev Fellman Jill Folsom Julie Ginsberg David Goldberg Danielle Gordman Joanie Jacobson Nanci Kavich Nikki Kirshenbaum Kate Kirshenbaum Gary Kudym Wendy Manvitz Bruce Meyers Anne Moshman Ellen Platt Susan Rothholz Rabbi Maximo and Jeanne Shechet Lomir Redn Yiddish Group Bag N Save Nancy Skid Dorothy Spizman Temple Israel Joye Wees

JFStival! 2011 Friends Campaign Friend for Life Howard and Gloria Kaslow

Friend of the Family Henry Davis Steve and Patty Nogg Dr. Larry and Sylvia Roffman

Circle of Commitment Anonymous (1) Ellie Batt Steve and Carol Bloch Rose Blumkin Foundation Friedland Family Foundation Ike and Roz Friedman Foundation Jeff and Danielle Gordman Marc and Andrea Hamburg Richard and Joanie Jacobson Joe and Maxine Kirshenbaum Howard and Sharon Kooper Allan Noddle Nancy Noddle and Jay and Kim Noddle Carl and Zoe Riekes The Richard and Laura Schrager Foundation Bruce and Anne Shackman Fred and Eve Simon Slosburg Family Charitable Trust Fran and Barry Snyder

Circle of Connection Anonymous (1) Sandra Belgrade Dr. Ronald and Cheryl Cooper Sanford and Amy Friedman Robert and Barbara Goodman Gary and Sally Kaplan Bert Lewis Rochelle Lewis Murray and Sharee Newman Alan and Sandy Nogg Dr. Jeffrey and Sandra Passer Steve and Marcia Pitlor Marty and Iris Ricks Michael and Mimi Silverman Suzanne Singer Andi Willensky Dr. Speedy and Debbie Zweiback

Circle of Friends Anonymous (1) John Atherton and Marti Rosen-Atherton Louie and Frances Blumkin Peter Brodkey Scott Burger Justin and Joan Cooper Amnon and Beth Dotan Howard and Sharon Epstein Paul and Sandy Epstein Mike and Jill Erman Dick and Bev Fellman Donald and Nancy Greenberg

Century Circle Anonymous (5) Leon Alexander Bernie Altsuler Phyllis Aronson Harry Berman and Beth Cohen Albert Bloch Drs Jason J. Cisler and Dina Kogan Harvey and Rose Cooper Norm and Eunie Denenberg Gary and Lisa Epstein Robert and Barbara Epstein Joe and Ruth Erman Estelle Faier Jim and Judy Farber Rick and Shelly Fox Robyn and Bob Freeman Sam and Frances Fried Jane Fruchtman Mort and Jan Glass David and Wendy Goldberg Dr. and Mrs. John Goldner Don and Ann Goldstein Howard and Jan Goldstein Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Jerry and Linda Gordman Andrea Gordman and Dan Fitzgerald Robert and Ellen Gordman Rosalie Greenspan Joshua and Amanda Gurock Jeff and Karen Gustafson Dr. Bruce and Margie Gutnik Institute for Holocaust Education Larry and Debbie Josephson Myron Kaplan Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman Kevee and Myrna Kirshenbaum Milton and Marsha Kleinberg Marvin and Sandy Kohll Larry R. Koom Harold and Alice Kosowsky David and Shane Kotok John and Sandy Lehr Marty and Joanie Lehr Rabbi Mordechai and Susi Levin

Circle of Compassion Anonymous (10) Lawrence and Paula Albert David and Carol Alloy Sophie Ambrose Matthew and Alissa Arbeiter Dr. Philip Bierman Terry and Joanie Bernstein Tom and Mary Bernstein Brian and Jennifer Bogdanoff Laurie Brock Sam and Elaine Bukenholts Frederick and Molline Cassman Judith Cooper Jerry and Janey Dann Rose M. Davis Larry and Hanna DeBruin Drs. Steven and Tiffany Denenberg Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Edelman Randy and Penny Endelman

Circle of Caring Anonymous (15) Steven and Vicki Allely Rabbi Aryeh and Elyce Azriel Donald and Diane Baum Jack and Ann Belmont Jay Benton Gerald and Mary Berman Rita G. Biniamow Phyllis Bittner James and Marge Bresel Florence Brody Ron and Beth Brodkey Marc and Stacie Brodkey Larry and Judy Brookstein Cathy and Bill Christensen Penny Jo Cody-Cox Ann Cohen David and Karla Cohen Melinda “Mindy” Cooper Debbie Denenberg Jean Duitch Jason and Laurie Epstein Laurie Epstein Sam Epstein Steven and Deirdre Evans Sam Fedman Dr. Susan L. Fellman Hersz Flatowicz Judith A. Feigin Joseph and Beverly Frank Doris Friedland Nancy Friedland Dr. Howard Gendelman

Jewish Family Service is able to do its work because members of this remarkable community genuinely care about one another. Thank you for your generous support.

1911 - 2011

JFS Celebrating a century of service *All contributions are as of June 30, 2011. We apologize if your name was omitted from this list. Please call JFS at 330-2024.

8 | The Jewish Press | August 19, 2011

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Distractions

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press It hasn’t exactly been a quiet summer. From the uprisings in Egypt, Syria, and Libya, to massive starvation in Somalia; from fires in London to fires in Athens to the debt crisis at home, our attention has been occupied by one breaking news story after another. Add the extreme weather events to the mix, and some days it seems the world is turning on its axis.

Is it any wonder then, that the American mass media sort of forgot to mention Israel’s current social unrest?

While most of the world may not pay much attention, Israelis themselves have taken to the streets to express the growing discontent with rising housing costs, rising food prices, and energy costs that have risen more than 12% over the last weeks. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“It started as a student protest over the rising cost of housing in central Tel Aviv, then spread to include groups such as doctors, young mothers, Arab-Israelis and people with disabilities.”

(JPost.com) Several groups have announced additional protests, such as representatives of Israel’s Russian community and social workers. “Others who have joined include parents of children with autism, angry at the Education Ministry’s failure to adequately provide frameworks for their children, and people with disabilities, whose ongoing social grievances often go unheeded by the political establishment,” according to the Jerusalem Post.

Some of it carried over to other places: “The Israeli protests have raised a tent that now stretches across continents,” the Algemeiner reported during the second week of August. Protests took place in New York, Los Angeles, and

Washington D.C.; In New York, “Israeli students pitched symbolic tents in solidarity with Tel Aviv’s protesters. “A nation of workers, not slaves,” they chanted. “Our friends are sleeping in tents throughout the the country in an effort to affect serious change and this is our way of supporting them

Credit: Murrel Kohn from afar and encouraging them to continue their important endeavor until we return to Israel and take part in the struggle,” according to the group’s official press release.

And in an email from Murrel and Irit Kohn that found its way to my desk, I read: “The demonstrations in Haifa included Arabs as well as Jews...what started out as a few tents on Rothschild Blvd. protesting the high cost of housing has developed in about two weeks to tents on the entire length of Rothschild and other boulevards in Tel Aviv....There are real deliberations, discussions about the issues, arguments, etc...This is real, and very big, and the

government knows it and is scrambling to do something.”

And yet, we remain distracted, and we turn the other way.

This, after all, is not Israeli news that rings familiar, this is an entirely new discourse, one for which we in America may lack the vocabulary.

What we are used to is discussing the conflict, the wall, rocket attacks and some random country’s response to the PA’s quest for statehood. If it doesn’t have anything to do with that, we simply don’t listen.

It’s not a bad idea to ask ourselves why that is. Because yes, it is tremendously important to discuss Israel’s right to exist, and any threats to that right, but it is equally important to be aware of what that existence looks like on a very mundane, day-to-day basis. While in 1948 the mere existence of Israel was the miracle, and maybe for some time that was enough, we now have to acknowledge that Israelis cannot live on miracles alone. They need affordable housing, reasonable food prices, a decent standard of living, everyday needs that should be accessible to all.

The discourse has to shift from talking about the struggle for existence, to what that existence should look like. It’s a discussion that is going to take some time, and for us on the other side of the pond it may take some getting used to.

However, getting used to it we must, because this is one development that is not going away. Whether we watch it on television or not.

On a completely different note: Many people have been wondering why the Jewish Press uses two different kinds of paper these days. The reason: using our previous paper makes it too floppy and impossible to sort, according to a new post office regulation. They fine us for the lighter weight; introducing several sheets of thicker, heavier paper helps us avoid these fines. The cost of switching to the heavier paper is lower than the post office fines, by several thousands of dollars.

Shout down the Sharia myth makers

Behind the headlines ABRAHAM H. FOXMAN, National Director of ADL NEW YORK (JTA) -- The threat of the infiltration of Sharia, or Islamic law, into the American court system is one of the more pernicious conspiracy theories to gain traction in our country in recent years. The notion that Islam is insidiously making inroads in the United States through the application of religious law is seeping into the mainstream, with even some presidential candidates voicing fears about the supposed threat of Sharia to our way of life and as many as 13 states considering or having already passed bills that would prohibit the application of Sharia law.

Louisiana and Tennessee were among the first to approve such measures. The bills were based on model legislation issued by the American Public Policy Alliance, an unabashedly anti-Muslim advocacy group that defends the legislation as seeking to “protect American citizens’ constitutional rights against the infiltration and incursion of foreign laws and foreign legal doctrines, especially Islamic Sharia Law.” When the legislation was introduced in the Tennessee state Senate in early 2010, the bill defined Sharia as a “legal political military doctrine and system adhered to, or minimally advocated by, tens of millions if not hundreds of millions of its followers around the world.” In defense of the bill, state Sen. Bill Ketron said it “deals solely with a single part of Sharia that is strictly political in nature,” and “in no way

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inserts itself into the religious laws of Islam.”

The language was nearly identical to that of similar bills considered in other states, some of which were thinly disguised in terms of protecting against “the application of foreign law.”

All of this anti-Sharia activity has come despite the complete absence of evidence of the unconstitutional application of foreign or religious law in our judicial system. It has also come with a great deal of political handwringing -- and myth making -- about the threat of Sharia overtaking this country. This has led, in turn, to a false perception among a growing number of Americans that Sharia is a very real threat to our way of life and constitutional freedoms.

In fact, these legislative efforts are the proverbial solution in search of a problem. The separation of church and state embodied in U.S. and state constitutions prohibits our courts from applying or considering religious law in any way that would constitute government advancement of or entanglement with religious law.

But the anti-Sharia bills are more than a matter of unnecessary public policy. These measures are, at their core, predicated on prejudice and ignorance. They constitute a form of camouflaged bigotry that enables their proponents to advance an idea that finds fault with the Muslim faith and paints all Muslim Americans as foreigners and anti-American crusaders.

It is true that Sharia is being used elsewhere around the world in dangerous ways. While Sharia law can address many daily public and private concerns, it is nonetheless subject to radical interpretation by individuals or groups who subscribe to a more puritanical form of Islamic jurisprudence. Some individuals try to interpret Sharia law for their own radical agendas. It raises more serious concerns when it comes to implementing Sharia law in its

entirety, as can be seen with the examples of Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Taliban. But that certainly doesn’t apply to America, where concerns about a “creeping Sharia law” are the stuff of pure paranoia.

If the hysteria over Sharia law continues to percolate through our political and social discourse, there is bound to be unintended consequences.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, in an uncertain economy with millions of Americans still out of work, we also face the prospect of a political season in which more political candidates may be tempted to invoke this mythological threat in an effort to pander to bigotry and fear, and to score political points.

We stand at a crossroads in American society. We have the option of heading down a path toward a greater tolerance of anti-Muslim xenophobia and fear of the “stranger in our midst,” or we can rededicate ourselves to the ideal of an America that is open and welcoming to immigrants as well as minority groups who have been here for decades. Let us hope that the better nature of America will enable us to proceed down the second path and reject those who seek to divide us for political gain, or those who wish to stereotype and scapegoat an entire people because of their religious faith.

We should never diminish the very real threat of terrorism motivated by Islamist fundamentalism coming again to our shores. But as responsible, free-thinking Americans we must be careful to distinguish between the true threats to our freedoms, and identifying their sources, and those who loudly declaim against phantom threats that don’t really exist.

Abraham H. Foxman is national director of the AntiDefamation League and author most recently of Jews & Money: The Story of a Stereotype.

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August 19, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 9

Taking security seriously is a community concern

Behind the headlines JERRY SILVERMAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- We live in an unpredictable world.

As Americans, we do our best to cope with threats of terrorism on a daily basis, and we put our faith into the intelligence community, trusting that those who are tasked with keeping us safe are vigilant in their quest.

We need only look at recent events, like the death of Osama bin Laden or the thwarting of two bombs aimed at New York City synagogues, to realize that the men and women in uniform -- and others not in uniform -- are constantly going above and beyond to watch over us and keep terrorism at bay.

But in the American Jewish community, that is not always enough. Throughout history, our Jewish community centers, schools and places of worship have been the targets of violent extremism, and even with the watchful eye of our government there is no sign of that abating. In fact, just days after bin Laden’s killing, al-Qaeda in Yemen called for retaliatory attacks against Jewish targets.

In today’s security atmosphere, we in the Jewish community must heighten our awareness and be increasingly alert at all times. The Department of Homeland Security approached The Jewish Federations of North America and

the Secure Community Network (SCN), an initiative funded by The Jewish Federations, to address the threat of terrorism together because of our role connecting Jewish communities and organizations across the country.

It was the first time that the governmental security agency teamed up with a faith-based community to advance its “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign. The program, which engages the public in identifying and reporting indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats, includes customized posters, announcements and alerts for the U.S. Jewish community.

To kick off the joint initiative, leaders from nearly every major U.S. Jewish organization were on hand when Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano made the announcement in the historic Roosevelt Room of the White House, just steps away from the Oval Office. This universal cooperation will be the key to the program’s success because our security will require the whole community’s involvement.

Napolitano spent nearly an hour detailing the plans to promote security within the Jewish community. The biggest take-away from the meeting is that communication is the first line of defense when it comes to our security.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and reflect on the fifth anniversary of the Seattle Jewish

French Jewry rethinks its JCCs

Focus on issues ALEX WEISLER PARIS (JTA) -- It’s hard to think of a more innocuous word for most American Jews than “community.” But in France, things aren’t so simple.

France’s national ethos frowns upon displays of ethnic difference. So for many French Jews, the word “community” conveys a sense of separatism and insularity that clashes with the way they see their lives: French first, Jewish second.

That, in turn, causes headaches for France’s Jewish community centers -- or “centres communautaires,” as they are known.

“When you say ‘Jewish community,’ it’s considered segregation and then it’s not French enough,” said Smadar BarAkiva, executive director of the World Confederation of Jewish Community Centers. “It’s interesting, because in other countries, community is the most important thing.”

The issue is distracting enough that the Fonds Social Juif Unifie, or FSJU -- the umbrella group that coordinates most aspects of communal French Jewish life -- is considering changing the name of the centers, removing the emphasis on community and stressing something that better reflects the facilities’ commitment to culture and identity.

“We’re working now on improving the image of the JCC,” said Jo Amar, the FSJU’s director of cultural action. “We’ve felt for a long time that we have a problem.”

Though plans for change are far from set in stone, representatives of some French community centers said that a shift could be welcome.

“The spirit is to find a balance between community center and cultural center,” said Sharon Mohar, an Israeli transplant who coordinates cultural efforts for a center serving the 2,000-family Jewish community in Bordeaux.

The question is also tied to how the centers relate to nonJews. Mohar recalled an instance in which some older members of his community cautioned against allowing non-Jews to attend a community-run preschool, fearing that they

would scare away Bordeaux Jews. Instead, she found that a policy of openness ended up appealing to Jews.

“In 2011, most people are just people, and it’s not that it’s less important for them to keep Jewish ... but I think they are truly trying to find a balance between this part and the rest,” she said. “The balance is critical -- [otherwise], we’re talking about a ghetto, and that’s not the reality people want.”

Ilan Levy, who coordinates cultural programs for the 3year-old Hillel building serving the Jewish community in Lyon, France’s second-largest city, said Jews tend to be more apt to attend events that target non-Jews, too.

“If we make events for all the people, then the others come and the Jews say, ‘Oh, if the others come, then we can go,’” Levy said.

At France’s largest Jewish community center in Paris -catering to the country’s largest Jewish community -- there is a renewed focus on bringing in new audiences and interacting with them virtually, said Jean-Francois Strouf, the center’s communications coordinator.

The center is developing an online university teaching Jewish and non-Jewish topics. The first of its kind in France, the project recently received funding from the Paris regional government and should be operational by 2013.

The facility prides itself on providing the Paris community with a well-rounded slate of programming -- not discriminating on the basis of religion or, within Judaism, by denomination.

“It appears that a community center in the United States is a kind of private club,” said the facility’s director, Rafy Marceanu, citing sometimes high membership fees and perks such as pools and fitness centers. “In France it is the place of all Jews, and everybody finds his place.”

Regarding the larger rethinking of JCCs’ identities, the FSJU’s plan is still a work in progress, and each center will have the ability to make its own choices about any future name change. But Amar said the conversation is still worth having.

“We want to put it on the table and revisit the whole notion,” he said.

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A large contract, beginning in Sept. 2011, requires additional staff in all areas of production.

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Federation shootings, we mourn those who have fallen victim to horrific acts of terrorism. Despite our best efforts to counter those who wish us harm, it is nearly impossible to ensure stability in a world that is constantly evolving.

Threats to our safety remain elevated, and as a people we must stay vested in our own well-being. If we empower ourselves with the knowledge necessary to keep our communities safe, we can all play a role in fighting terrorism and creating a more secure environment across the American Jewish community.

Jerry Silverman is the president and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America.

Letters TO THE EDITOR To the editor: I want to commend Mike Silverman, Mike Aparo, Josh Gurock and the staff at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home for cooking up a scrumptious array of dairy delights Friday Aug. 5. It was also fun to see the servers dressed up like dairy products. Please do it again in the future.

Beth Gershovich To the editor: My children, Mimi & Michael Silverman, sent me a subscription to the Jewish Press. I really enjoy reading about the many activities that are available within the Jewish Community. It helps bridge the gap between Long Island and Omaha.

I am writing to you to pass on the idea to other Omaha families. I am sure their relatives living outside of Omaha would appreciate receiving the paper as much as I do.

Liz Feinman To the editor: In response to Rabbi Eric Yoffie’s Op-Ed (JTA – Aug. 1, 2011), as Rabbi Yoffie is the president of the Reform Union, I reviewed the resolutions adopted by the Union of Reform Judaism dating back to 2007. I saw resolutions on climate change and energy, ethical employment practices, immigration reform, traumatic brain injury and the war in Iraq.

While there were many more similar resolutions, there was only one I could find regarding improving Jewish education. That was in 2008. And there was one resolution specifically regarding ritual observance -- encouraging Shabbat observance. That was in 2007.

I’m sure there is far more taking place to build Jewish life within the Reform movement than I’m aware of. Yet the resolutions are telling in terms of the airtime “social justice” receives as compared with study and observance. Given the highly challenged state of Jewish life in the non-Orthodox world, shouldn’t more resolutions reflect the Reform movement’s aspiration to inspire greater Judaic knowledge and observance? Yet one wouldn’t know this from reading the resolutions, as “social justice” issues appear to dominate the movement’s attention.

Rabbi Yoffie proclaims that the height of my “folly” in my JTA Op-Ed is that I say we can’t “both insist that tikkun olam and social justice are central to Judaism and also embrace serious Jewish education and Jewish practice.” He then insists that “we can, and in fact, we must.” Tellingly, what he doesn’t say is “we are.”

(My complete response can be found at: http://shortext. com/rrpvdm) Joel Alperson

10 | The Jewish Press | August 19, 2011

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Rabbi Steven Abraham and Cantor Beth Schlossberg.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush given

by Cindy and Alan Shulewitz in honor of their daughter, Brooke becoming a Bat Mitzvah; Evening Services, 8:10 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: Parsha & Pizza, 12:30 p.m., at Bagel Bin, join Cantor Schlossberg for a slice (or two) of pizza and a lively discussion about the week's Torah portion; USY Installation Lunch, 1 p.m., all USY members and their parents are invited to attend a special USY board installation luncheon. For more information or to RSVP, contact Youth Director Shiri Tene in the office, or at youthdir@bethel-omaha.org; S’mores and Songs, 6:30 p.m., join us in the synagogue’s backyard area, where we’ll have a campfire, delicious munchies and a spirited sing-along for the whole family. No charge to attend, but for planning purposes RSVPs are requested. Contact Margie in the office or email her at programming@bethel-omaha.org.

MONDAY: Let’s Wine About It, 6:30 p.m. meet Cantor Schlossberg at Fox and Hound, 506 N. 120 Street, for a gettogether filled with conversation about anything and everything Jewish. All adults in the Jewish community are welcome.

THURSDAY: Beth El’s Open Arms Initiative will sponsor a special High Holidays cooking class, led by Howard Shandell and featuring a traditional Rosh Hashanah meal, 6:30 p.m. Open to all adults in the Jewish community. Cost to attend: $12. To RSVP, contact the office.

BETH EL BRINGS SHABBAT TO THE BLUMKIN HOME: On Friday, Aug. 26, 2:30 p.m., Rabbi Levin and Cantor Schlossberg will join Blumkin Home residents for a special, musical Shabbat celebration.

All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

B’nai Mitzvah Solomon Arthur Marburg, son of Deb Marburg and Dan Marburg, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Temple Israel.

Solomon is an eighth-grade Distinguished Honor Roll student at Westside Middle School. He is a participant in the WMS Excellence in Youth Program. He has received multiple Divisions I and II and Summer League swimming awards.

He was invited to participate in the Duke University Talent Search.

His interests include being a swimmer for Omaha Westside Swim Club and Sunset Hills swim teams, biking and automobiles.

For his mitzvah project, Solomon coordinated and is collecting and delivering weekly fresh food donations from the Aksarben Village Farmers Market and the Bagel Bin to the Stephen Center for their fresh food pantry and daily meal preparations.

He has a brother, Elijah.

Grandparents are Judy and Jerry Marburg, Sue Schreiber of Lincoln and Ira and Connie Schreiber of Aurora, CO. Tomer Palmon, son of Ophir Palmon and Dr. Roni Reiter-Palmon will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Beth El. Tomer is an eighth grade honor roll student at Ralston Middle school.

His interests include building model airplanes, reading, and golf.

For his mitzvah project, Tomer assisted serving food to the homeless at the Siena-Francis home.

He has a sister, Shir.

Grandparents are Ora Palmon and the late Shlomo Palmon, Miki Reiter, Avia Reiter and Ze’ev Pe’er

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi.

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

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; The Laws of Shabbat, 5:45 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 and up), 6:45 p.m.; Mincha, 7:45 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY: Gemara class, 8 a.m., learning tractate Kiddushin; Shacharit, 9 a.m. followed by breakfast.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Weekly Teleconference Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. Contact the office for information on how to call-in to the conference call.

TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross.

CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Mini Mensch title will be awarded. Kiddush luncheon follows. Join Rabbi Katzman, noon-1 p.m.; W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets and Prayer, 12:45 p.m.

SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.

All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis.

FRIDAY: Back to School Picnic & Outdoor Shabbat, 6 p.m. at the Prescott Elementary School Garden, 1930 South 20th Street. For more information and to RSVP please contact the Temple office at 402.435.8004 or stemple@neb.rr.com.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Ekev; Game Nught/Potluck, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY: LJCS Teachers’ Meeting, 6-8 p.m. at South Street Temple.

THURSDAY: Choir rehearsal, 7:30-9 p.m.

Annual Back-to-School Supplies Drive: From now

Candlelighting Friday, August 19, 7:59 p.m.

through the month of August, the Social Action Committee is collecting school supplies to donate to Saratoga Elementary School. Bring your items to the stage area of the Social Hall.

Thank you for helping the children in our neighborhood!

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP 1317 North 57 Street | Omaha, NE 68132 | 402.551.6609 FRIDAY: Minyan, 7:59 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Chef ’s Demo, 1:30 p.m. led by Beth Israel.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by David Herzog and Jim Polack.

Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Most Reverend George J. Lucas; We will honor everyone with a special blessing who has celebrated a birthday or anniversary in August.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Naomi Teetzel, daughter of Sarah Teetzel, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah.

SUNDAY: Madrichim Orientation, 11 a.m.; Temple Israel Dad’s Day at the Ball Park, 1 p.m.

OTYG Rush at Advertureland, Sunday, Aug. 28, 7 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush luncheon in honor of Charlie and Nancy Coren’s 40th Wedding Anniversary sponosred by the Coren family.

TUESDAY: LJCS Teachers’ Meeting, 6-8 p.m. at South Street Temple.

Annual Back-to-School Supplies Drive: From now through the month of August, the Social Action Committee at South Street Temple invites you to join them in collecting school supplies to donate to Saratoga Elementary School. You may bring your items to either the Temple or the Synagogue.

Thank you for helping the children in our neighborhood!

More insight into Temple times

by EDGAR ASHER preservation of the leather scabbard, a material that generFurther finds from the ancient drainage channel which ally disintegrates quickly over time, and some of its decobegins in the Siloam Pool have given another important ration,” explained excavation directors Eli Shukron of the IAA and Professor Ronny Reich of the insight into the period around the University of Haifa. destruction of the Second Temple by the A stone object adorned with a rare Romans around the middle of the First engraving of a menorah was found in the Century CE. The excavations are being soil beneath the street, on the side of the carried out by the Israel Antiquities drainage channel. According to Shukron Authority (IAA) and the Israel Nature and Professor Reich, “Interestingly, even and Parks Authority (INPA) and the though we are dealing with a depiction costs are underwritten by the City of David Foundation. of the seven-branched candelabrum, A 2,000 year-old iron sword, still in its only five branches appear here. The porleather scabbard, was discovered in trayal of the menorah’s base is extremely excavations the IAA was carrying out in important because it clarifies what the the channel, which served as a hiding base of the original menorah looked like, refuge for the residents of Jerusalem which was apparently tripod shaped.” from the Romans at the time of the The fact that the stone object was found Second Temple’s destruction. In addiat the closest proximity to the Temple tion, parts of the belt that carried the Mount to date is also important. The An engraved stone showing the sword were also found. “It seems that researchers suppose a passerby who saw Temple’s menorah (candlestick). the sword belonged to an infantryman the menorah with his own eyes and was Credit: ISRANET of the Roman garrison who was staamazed by its beauty incised his imprestioned in Israel at the outbreak of the Great Revolt against sions on a stone and afterwards tossed his scrawling to the the Romans in 66CE. The sword’s fine state of preservation side of the road, without imagining that his creation would is surprising; not only its length (c. 60 cm), but also the be found 2,000 years later.

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August 19, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 11

The Law of Consequence

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Eikev If we lived in a perfect world, this Parsha would not have to be written.

In a perfect world, good would automatically follow good, and evil...evil.

That perfect world, however, is not the one we live in, even though we strive or should strive to make it so.

Every mother or father must instruct the child that if he does thus and so, good things will follow. You can go to the movies; you can have extra food and extra candy. But if you do not do what you are instructed to do, there will be no movies and no candy.

What is a simple and ordinary life is described at great length in our Parsha for the consequences of the actions we

take as a people.

The description of the land as a “land flowing with milk and honey” is barely enough to suggest what benefits and glories life in that land will have.

On the other hand, if we do not follow instructions, the mitzvot we have been given, the destruction, disasters, and diseases are listed in frightening and crushing words and phrases.

Notice the title of the Parsha: there is the connotation of “heels.” In English, we say ‘one thing follows on the “heels” of another.’ That is to say, that “A” follows “B” in immediate consequence.

Almost everyone has had the experience of someone behind him following too closely and stepping on his heels.

It is this that our parsha is trying to say and has indeed succeeded in saying.

A happy and fulfilling life follows one kind of action; a painful and unhappy life follows another.

Follows another? Indeed, follows on the very heels of another.

Indeed, this is the law of consequence.

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

upper-middle class. Baby also displays her Jewish liberal stripes by helping one of the hotel staff pay for her back-alley abortion since the film was set in the pre-Roe v. Wade days.

And finally you’ve got Patrick Swayze’s bad boy Johnny Castle, who proves irresistible to our Jewish heroine from the right side of the tracks as a good shaygetz is wont to do sometimes. (For more on just how Jewish this movie is, check out the awesome essay from Julie Klausner at http://this record ing.com/today/2009/9/24/ in-which-julie-klausnergoes-dirty-danin .html.)

The Jewishness of the new film will largely depend on who is selected as the new Baby.

Perhaps if Lea Michele, who has been mentioned online as a possibilty for the role, or some other obviously Semitic actress wins the part, the remake will retain some of the original ethnic themes.

Or perhaps the producers will aim for a younger demographic -- the tweens perhaps -- by selecting Selena Gomez, whose name has also been floated.

The closest Gomez gets to Judaism is her boyfriend, Justin Bieber, who has “Jesus” tattooed in Hebrew on his ribs.

Either way, I’ll probably stay away. After all, Dirty Dancing is streaming 24/7 on Netflix.

‘All hands’ needed in September, Oren tells Jewish Dems

by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Israeli ambassador Michael Oren told Jewish Democrats that Israel needs “all hands on deck” ahead of a Palestinian push for statehood.

Oren, in a conference call Monday with the National Jewish Democratic Council leadership, also called for bipartisanship, saying it is in Israel’s strategic interest.

Oren said United Nations recognition of “Palestine” next month during the General Assembly “will not bring peace, it will bring more instability,” according to a readout provided by the embassy.

Such a resolution has no force without the backing of the U.N. Security Council, where the United States is certain to exercise its veto, but Israel fears that its introduction will nonetheless spur unrest in the West Bank.

The resolution likely has the support of a majority of nations, but Israel and pro-Israel groups hope to mitigate its effect by persuading the most influential nations – especially in Europe – not to vote for it.

“We hope the United States will use its influence to try and persuade other delegations to oppose the resolution,” Oren said.

David Harris, NJDC’s president, said rallying the Jewish community to oppose the resolution was Oren’s key message.

“He told us that what’s coming up in September is deeply troubling and it’s all hands on deck,” Harris said. “He stressed the need for us to echo this message loudly from the rooftops.”

On achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace Oren acknowledged “tactical” differences between the United States and Israel, according to the embassy readout, but “substantially we share the same goal: two states that can only be achieved through negotiation, mutual recognition, and security guarantees.”

There was considerable diplomatic tension between Israel

and the United States in May when Obama called for negotiations based on the 1967 lines, although Israel has reportedly now accepted the premise.

Oren criticized the use of Israel as a partisan wedge, saying support for Israel by both parties was in the Jewish state’s “strategic national interest.”

He thanked the Obama administration for funding Israel’s short-range anti-missile program, Iron Dome, a cooperation that officials of both countries have touted in recent days.

Israel bombs targets in Gaza, killing one

by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israel’s Air Force bombed four targets in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a rocket attack on Beersheba.

One Palestinian was killed and at least two injured during the early Tuesday attack, according to reports citing sources in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces said that all the targets were successfully hit.

The Air Force on Tuesday morning also struck a squad of terrorists preparing to fire rockets at Israel; the attack was thwarted, the IDF said.

“The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip,” the IDF said in a statement.

On Monday night a long-range Grad rocket fired from Gaza struck Beersheba. Israeli protesters living in a large tent city in the city rushed to a nearby building for shelter, Ynet reported.

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Will the new Dirty Dancing be Jewish?

by DVORA MEYERS NEW YORK (JTA) -- When I first heard that Lionsgate was remaking the classic ‘80s movie Dirty Dancing, I had two questions: One, why won’t Hollywood leave my childhood alone? And two, will this update be as culturally Jewish as the original?

While the first question is obviously rhetorical -- no, they won’t leave me alone with my nostalgia -- the answer to the second is unclear. What is certain is that if Kenny Ortega, who choreographed the dances in the original and was just named as the director of the remake, attempts to re-create the story in the original cultural milieu, he’s going to have to make it very Jewish because Dirty Dancing is one of the Jewiest movies of all time.

First, you’ve got the setting -- a Catskills (aka the Jewish Alps, or the Borscht Belt) resort in the ‘60s, which is where our grandparents (and some of our parents) summered.

Second, you’ve got Jennifer Grey’s “Baby” Housman, with her original Semitic nose and frizzy hair, desperately seeking the approval of her honorable-yet-strict Jewish doctor father, played by the sorely missed Jerry Orbach. You’ve also got uppity, proto-yuppie guys headed off to Yale and other topnotch universities in order to assimilate into the American

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Old soldier: Israeli reflects on two decades of civilian and military life

by MICHAEL RIPSTEIN who were willing and able to do what we do. My daughter MAZKERET BATYA, Israel (Tablet) -- In 20 years of mil- and two sons nodded their heads and said, “We’ll miss you, itary service, I thought I’d seen all the crappy training camps Abba,” with a stoicism that surprised me. the Israeli army had to offer. But there I was, early one In my reserve company -- “A” Platoon, or Pelugah Alef, of morning, walking from the glorified gravel pit that passed the 360th Battalion, 10th Brigade -- there are software engifor a parking lot at the Southern neers, students, cab drivers, teachers, Command training base, under the tour guides, accountants, and just unforgiving Negev sun, beginning about every other vocation. There are another reserve deployment in the religious soldiers who wear kippot and Israel Defense Forces. And since I’d daven three times a day, soldiers who just passed my 40th birthday, the tour see their religion as a tradition and secI was starting was quite possibly my ular soldiers. They come from the last. cities, the kibbutzim and anywhere in If it had been a normal Monday between. They are Ashkenazi, morning for me, I would have been Sephardic, Yemenite, Ethiopian and doing my job at a software company Russian. They voted across the politiin Ranaana, north of Tel Aviv. On this cal spectrum: Likud, National Union day, however, I was clad in green, wipand Meretz. ing the oil off my rifle, and trudging But among the soldiers here, I am the off to some range to make sure that only one who grew up on the south both man and machine were in funcshore of Long Island, N.Y. When I first tioning order. The smells of cordite, entered the IDF, I was one of just a grease and diesel fumes accompanied handful of American-born soldiers. I the switch -- from citizen to soldier. was also the first on my block of subAs I arrived, I saw Matanya, the reliurban Long Island to postpone college gious kibbutznik with whom I’d done to do what I saw as my part for Israel. I basic training in 1990. was a brash 19-year-old and, in the “Mah itcha, gever,” he greeted me -days before cell phones, I remember “What’s up?” in Hebrew slang -- and fully disconnecting from home to we exchanged hugs. I asked about his immerse myself in the new reality of Michael Ripstein on patrol along the kids (he has seven) and his work, then the army. I remember thinking at the Egyptian border. Credit: Michael Ripstein we headed off to sign out the various time that as a Jew I should live in Israel. kits we’d carry for the following two weeks.

And if I was going to live in Israel, then I was supposed to do On the way to the supply hut, I met the long-haired guy I my part. know only as Chuck, because in the army you get to know Many of my Long Island friends had graduated from people by their nicknames. Chuck had just gotten back from yeshiva high schools in the United States, and like them I a five-month trek across India and Nepal, which is par for had decided to take a year off to go learn things in Israel. In the course for the under-25 Israeli soldier. There followed truth, most of us were more interested in happy hour than another round of salutations and general inquiries.

Tosafot, the medieval commentaries on the Talmud. But When I first volunteered to join the IDF as an idealistic somewhere along the way, an idea began to take form: that I 19-year-old, more than 20 years ago, I quickly realized that I was walking in the ancient homeland of my forefathers and was entering a different world with different rules than civil- that I had an opportunity to physically contribute to the ian life and that this new order governing daily existence defense of the modern state of Israel. Basically, I viewed my would last until the day service ended. The reserves, or physical contribution to my people as part of my religious miluim, aren’t much different, except that the citizen-to-sol- responsibilities. From that ideological crossroad, it was a dier transition is so sudden and shocking, it’s nearly violent. short walk down Jerusalem’s Jaffa Street to the enlistment The eight weeks’ notice you get before arriving in camp office. My great-uncles, World War II U.S. Army veterans, never seems to be enough time to prepare. Work, family, consoled my grandmother and parents over what they saw holidays, unfinished business or errands -- everything gets as their loss. put on hold. There’s never a “good time” for a call-up.

“It’s a good thing for the boy,” one of the uncles said. “So The day before this last deployment, my 9-year-old long as there’s no war.” daughter asked me, “Abba, why do you have to go the That summer Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. army?”

I was soon sitting on a cold, wind-swept mountain deep I’m sure my response was similar to that of the husbands inside what was then Israel’s security zone in Southern and fathers who were joining me in the Negev. I told her we Lebanon. Using my tank’s night-vision equipment, I went so that our kids could feel safe when they went to watched the thermal streaks of Scud and Patriot missiles school or soccer practice, so that our friends and families over Israel’s northern skies. could sit around their Shabbat dinners on Friday nights, and “What the f--- did you expect,” I remember asking myself, so that the nation could throw itself into the mundane. We “intercamp hockey games? Little League?” went, I said, because, sadly, the state of affairs in our little After my service finished, I returned to Long Island and corner of the world made it necessary for there to be people heard stories of frat parties from childhood friends who had

gone off to college instead of the IDF. I found it hard to relate. I went on to Yeshiva University in New York, bounced around a couple of jobs, got married and ended up a day trader in Miami.

In late 2000, taking an offer to set up a day-trading office in Jerusalem, my wife and I moved from Miami to Israel with our year-old son. The first reserve call-up came about a year-and-a-half later, for Operation Defensive Shield, in spring 2002. Following that deployment, which I spent mostly in the Kalkilyah-Nablus area of the West Bank doing checkpoint work, the call-ups continued to come roughly once a year. They brought me to engage in activities that are as far from the civilian day-to-day as possible. I went on latenight raids into Arab towns outside Ramallah to nab wanted terrorists. I searched cars at checkpoints throughout the West Bank.

In 1990, I imagined myself an unburdened lone soldier living the bachelor life off base. But as a reservist, I was a husband and father, and call-ups demanded a different kind of collateral. My family grew to five since my first reserve tour. Every once in a while my platoon would throw a barbecue and invite the soldiers’ families -- the wives and kids who have to endure the homefront side of this disruption to life’s daily routine. But each time I was called to make the switch from father and worker to gun-toting soldier, I was taken back to a simpler time, when the clarity -- or naivete - of youth made the world seem less complicated. And, to be honest, the more knotty home and family life became, the more welcome the call from the miluim became.

In the army, what’s fun and what’s not fun is measured differently. There’s no denying that there’s something primordially exhilarating in blowing up s---, especially when compared to filling out Excel spreadsheets.

Still, my military service, like that of all soldiers, saw its share of aborted operations, anal-retentive colonels and idiot corporals. A lieutenant in Lebanon once failed to fire back at a Hezbollah anti-tank crew because he forgot the rules of engagement. (To me, the rules were clear: They were shooting at us; we should shoot back.) No true soldier’s experience is complete without a few snafus. Thankfully, there weren’t that many.

But it was always the sense of duty that kept me coming back. Although reserve duty is technically applicable to all Israeli men until they are 45, only about 20 percent of eligible citizens actually serve. There are many ways to shirk the duty, from fabricated medical reasons to simply being so much of a pain in the ass that no officer wants you in their command.

Each deployment brings its own political and moral discussions. And true to the diverse makeup of the average miluim company, the discussions are heated and from the heart. I heard soldiers debating the Oslo accords, the Gaza withdrawal and conversion laws.

I’ve always felt that as long as I am physically able, I will report to service. But I do it, I admit, for what may seem an old-fashioned notion: national duty. I once asked my friend Gadi, a lanky tank driver who went through basic training with me, why he always responded to the call-up. He answered, “I’m here because you’re here.”

Michael Ripstein lives in Mazkeret Batya, Israel.

Ed. note: This article was edited for length

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