Vol. LXXXV No. 50 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
Federation Taps Gordman and Sullivan as Young Leaders by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director Giving back to the community is second nature for Jay Gordman and Louri Sullivan. They’ve had a tremendous impact within our community, which has earned them the 2005 Bruce Fellman and Lois Jeanne Schrager Young Leadership Awards. Presented by the Jay Gordman Louri Sullivan Jewish Federation of Omaha, these awards are nity and his willingness to devote his time given annually to honor young leaders and energy to the project at hand. who exhibit personal commitment, dedi- “Growing up, I witnessed the whole cated involvement and exemplary leader- Gordman family play an active role in so ship qualities. A committee of past hon- many aspects of the Jewish community,” orees selects the award recipients. says Gordman. “I learned at an early age For more than a decade, Jay Gordman the importance of giving back.” has displayed outstanding leadership for “As a young leader in our community the Jewish Federation of Omaha. His Jay began early on to dedicate his time, years of service have involved a variety of interest and skills to Federation work,” roles including volunteering on the says Jan Goldstein, Executive Director of Board of Directors and Executive the Jewish Federation of Omaha. “His Committee, co-chairing Super Sunday ability to analyze information and to for the annual campaign and co-chairing think outside the box is nothing short of Jewish Omaha Leadership Training. He amazing, and he shows leadership qualicurrently co-chairs the Strategic Planning ties well beyond his years.” Leadership Subcommittee and chairs the “Because I’m so busy, I simply can’t do Budget and Allocation Committee. everything I’d like to do,” Gordman Those who have worked closely with responds. “My family’s dedication to the him remark on Gordman’s dedication to Jewish community has had a big impact his role as a leader in the Jewish commu- Continued on page 9
Peter Himmelman Headlines Young Leadership Awards by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director Peter Himmelman has made quite a name for himself in the world of music. Rolling Stone refers to Himmelman’s album This Father’s Day as “stunning.” USA Today proclaims Himmelman “one of Rock’s most wildly imaginative per formers.” He received an Peter Himmelman Emmy nomination for his work on Judging Amy. But though he’s highly sought-after for concert tours, you’ll never attend a Friday night concert. You see, Himmelman is an observant Jew. The Jewish Federation of Omaha is bringing Himmelman to Omaha for a concert on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., immediately following the YJO Young Leadership Awards Ceremony. This program will take place at the Ozone Club, 7220 “F” St. Sharon Kirshenbaum, Young Leadership Director, is thrilled that Himmelman is coming to town. “Peter Himmelman is a role model, an inspiration to us all,” she says. “And he’s an incredibly talented musician! Although this concert is a Young Jewish Omaha event, music lovers of all ages are welcome to attend.” Continued on page 9
Inside Opinion Page see page 16
1 Elul, 5766 August 25, 2006
In Surprise Announcement at ADL Gala, New Project for Interfaith Affairs Launched Ed and Sally Malashock to Fund by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Amidst all the hoopla and congratulations of last Thursday night’s ADL gala, came an announcement about which only a handful of insiders knew: the creation of the Edward and Sally Malashock Project for Interfaith Affairs. Though the Great Plains Region of the AntiDefamation League has Dr. Edward and Sally Malashock are congratulated by ADL been involved in this area for National Director Abe Foxman for their support. “We hope that the Project will serve as years--and, in fact, is sponsoring a conference on Sept. 10 to address the concerns both a bridge to connect and build compost 9-11--the generosity of the munity among the different religious Malashocks will give it a home--and a communities in our area and as a resource name--with the ADL’s long list of pro- for credible training and information on religious diversity issues,” said Alan grams. The Project’s mission is to work with Potash, ADL Plains States Regional religious groups, educators and all mem- Director in announcing its launch during bers of the community to promote a the gala last Thursday. The gala, originally planned as a celedeeper understanding of and respect for the religious diversity in our area. The bration of Bob Wolfson’s 18 years as Project will provide innovative educa- Executive Director of the Great Plains tional and community-building programs Region office in Omaha, became a including, but not limited to, training, farewell, when it was announced that he Continued on page 6 dialogues and study circles.
Trickling Back to Kiryat Shmona, Residents Survey Scene of Wreckage ceiling of one of the city’s by DINA KRAFT main shopping malls. KIRYAT SHMONA Nurit Masiky, 43, got (JTA)--The entire Gigi off a bus after almost family was cleaning out three weeks of wandering Hamburger House, a between family and varismall fast-food restaurant ous hotels, and could not along Kiryat Shmona’s stop smiling. main road. “I want to kiss the Jars of condiments, ground. This is what we cases of orange soda and have been waiting for,” stainless-steel pans lined the sidewalk as the family she said, her two daughprepared for its reopening ters by her side. Across the road, a new, Wednesday, after the restaurant closed during a cream-colored house with month of war. red-shingled roof lay in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a visit to the north of Omri Gigi, 25, who silent disarray: A katyusha Israel to see for himself the devastation caused by the recent opened the restaurant just had crashed rocket Hezbollah rocket attacks on the region. Olmert's reception in more than two years ago, through its roof and Kiryat Shmona was very cool and many residents were critical of hopes its reopening will through the second floor. the government’s handling of this latest war. After hostilities have herald better times in his Most of the shingles lay come to an end, many small businesses are on the verge of closhometown. scattered in the garden ing down. Copyright: ISRANET “It will be hard, but we below. Exposed silver have to keep going,” he said. roof beams reflected the harsh afternoon sun. The streets of Kiryat Shmona still were largely empty The family that lives there had yet to return. But a Tuesday, with only a handful of residents trickling back neighbor from an adjacent house arrived home Tuesday since a cease-fire was declared Monday in Israel’s war and tried to grasp the new landscape of the city he has with Hezbollah. lived in since he immigrated from Iraq in 1956. Bus loads of residents who took shelter in the center of “Kiryat Shmona has been destroyed,” said Yehuda the country slowly are making their way back to the city. Yehuda, 75, looking at the house and then to the nearResidents, some of them gone for the entire month, had a by hills, where forest fires have destroyed what was a chance to survey the damage--the shattered windows and view of endless green. crumpled ceiling of a ceramics shop, the gaping hole in the Continued on page 4
This Week: Monthly Calendar for September: Pages 10-11 Coming Next Month: Jewish New Year’s Issue Sept. 22 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Federation Past President to Chair Partnership: Page 2
One-on-One with the ADL’s Abe Foxman: Page 7
Omaha’s JCC Maccabi Team Returns with Medals: Page 20