Vol. LXXXIX No. 49 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
17 Elul 5770
August 27, 2010
Norm Sheldon and Ellie Batt to lead David Meyers loved to help others 2011 Federation Campaign by GARY JAVITCH Federation of Omaha 2011 Campaign. “The Omaha Ellie Batt has often asked herself: “What would life Jewish community is so vibrant and so important to be like without the Jewish Federation of Omaha?” In Jewish life. My late grandmother Rose Blumkin, and other words, what my family as a if there were no whole, have been Jewish Comand are deeply munity Center, to committed to susoffer great activitaining and ties that nourish improving our the Jewish mind, Jewish communibody and soul? ty. I want to conWhat if there were tinue that tradino Rose Blumkin tion and commitJewish Home to ment, and so I care for our loved volunteered to ones? What if co-chair the there were no J e w i s h Center for Jewish Federation’s Education to fosannual camter programs that paign”, Ellie said. help us explore So, too, has Dr. our Jewish culture Norm Sheldon. Ellie Batt and Norm Sheldon and heritage? They both want For those of you reading this newspaper, what if our to draw attention to the “Jewish Federation of Omaha Jewish community did not have a exciting weekly paper 2011 Annual Campaign: the gift you get back.” like this one, that provides all sorts of information, “Federation services do much more than serve those news, opinions, features, and ads that described events in need,” Ellie explains. “The Jewish Federation is the and opportunities? hub of Jewish Omaha, where everything comes togethIt is those “what ifs” that compelled Ellie Batt to er. Whether you visit the library, the gym, sign up for accept a leadership role in the upcoming Jewish Continued on page 2
A dream and a privilege by OZZIE NOGG For a woman who considers herself more of a creator/producer than a writer, Nancy Rips is making a noticeable dent in the publishing world. Her first book -- Seder Stories -- debuted in 2008 under the Cumberland House imprint. Her second effort -- High Holiday Stories: Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Thoughts on Family, Faith and Food -- hit the bookstores in late July. The publisher is Frederick Fell. “What I am is a killer worker with lots of energy who reads all the time,” Rips said. “I search for material in books, magazines, on the internet. I find stories in my own collection of Jewish literature, spend hours in the library, and then track down the writers to ask if they’ll be part of my project. I never give up. I never stop.” Consequently, contributors to both Rips’ anthologies are a mixed bag of household names plus people known only to their families and friends. “Granted, each section of High Holiday Stories contains a recollection of my own,” Rips said, “but I think my strength is acting as a conduit through which others can share their personal experiences.” In her new book, 101 people recall memorable Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur observances, and though the narratives are as varied as the authors themselves, all address what Rips considers the core values of Judaism: “Family, faith and, yes, food.” Examples, family-wise. One contributor describes growing up as part of the only Jewish family in a small town, her painful exposure to anti-Semitism, and the
Inside Op-Ed Page: see page 12
subsequent realization that her ‘Jewish identity and love of the holidays, especially Rosh Hashanah when my entire family gathers, became stronger because of those abusive incidents.’ Other New Year reminiscences include an anecdote featuring a grandfather’s false teeth, and a sweet tale from a mom who helped her daughters create an intergenerational family tradition by literally turning over a new leaf. You’ll also meet the widower whose grief is transformed into ‘productive happiness’ when he finds his late wife’s recipe box. Some memories are serious, others amusing. All are true, human and heartfelt. Want stories with faith as the central theme? Rips includes a young rabbi’s take on Tashlich by the stream in Elmwood Park, where bread crumbs nourish the ducks while the writer learns how an individual, a community, and the world can change. Readers who find the High Holiday liturgy boring and repetitive will applaud philanthropist Edgar Bronfman (yes, the Seagram’s man) who overcame a sense of ‘disengagement at services’ by creating a hottest-ticket-in-town New Year observance in his Manhattan apartment. For a candid telling of one woman’s journey toward faith, look for the story that begins, “It took a priest to make me a Jew.” More than that I will not tell you. Finally, food. Except for a reference to southwestern chili peppers and Moroccan eggplant with sugar, this anthology shows that we Jews share a lockstep cuisine. Rosh Hashanah dinners of chicken soup, kreplach, Continued on page 2
Next Week: Rosh Hashanah Issue See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press’
by JOAN K. MARCUS Omaha businessman and philanthropist, David Meyers, 80, has died. Memorial services were held Aug. 20 at Temple Israel. He loved to do volunteer work but prided himself on being a “hands on” guy who drew the line when it came to attending meetings. He always said that he loved to help others but that he would quit if people tried to organize him into a committee. There was almost nothing that he wouldn’t do as long as he was “direct line” to the people in need. For most of his life, Meyers headed Nebraska Warehouse Company, a real estate and warehouse business. He was born in Minneapolis in 1930 and came to Omaha when he was 26 because his uncle owned a warehouse and needed someone to help. Since he was qualified, David volunteered to move to Omaha and assume the position. Meyers always said that David Meyers he was in the right place at the right time because his uncle died shortly thereafter. Since he was already working there, Meyers bought the business which warehouses products for other people and acts as a shipping agent and an over-supply house. Dave was always saddened because, as a young man, he wasn’t able to do volunteer work. He used to say, “As my business grew, I had time to serve on The Federation Board and one or two other boards. However, I always begged the presidents to give me a job and not make me come to meetings. They are a waste of time because people are always trying to prove that they are intelligent.” He started the Red Cross Blood Drive at Temple Israel by calling people and asking them to donate. He prided himself on being at the drive when donors came. Since the drive was only held once a year, he greeted many of the same donors each year. When former Omahan Harriet Sperling started The Caring Committee at Temple Israel, Dave was the first person that she called. Among other duties, he delivered audio phones to people who were “shut ins” and wanted to hear High Holy Day services. Later, he became involved with VIE, (Volunteers In Equity) where he answered phones when elderly people called in with problems. He was appointed by the court and acted as a conservator for people with disabilities. He said that he enjoyed the work until they wanted him to come to meetings! His next job was volunteering at The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging as a driver. He took people to their doctor’s appointments, stopped at the pharmacy to fill their prescriptions and then took them home. He quit that job when he found a woman picking up her prescription in the liquor department! He retired from Nebraska Warehouse Company in 1985 and went to “work” for Radio Talking Book, an organization that furnishes programs for people who are blind. He read newspapers, books and other periodicals for folks so that they can keep up with current events. After his retirement, Dave volunteered for SCORE (Senior Corp of Retired Engineers), an organization that helps new businesses. He enjoyed that work and admitted that, sometimes, he discouraged people from going into business if he didn’t think they would succeed. Later, as a hospice volunteer, he would go and sit with terminally ill people so that their families could get away for a few hours. Although the work was gratifying, he admitted that he could only do it for a little while. Continued on page 15
Coming Next Month: Arts & Entertainment The real Martin Eisenstadt Page 3
Omaha Jewish Community High School announces class offerings Page 4
Cookies come to the ‘Pumpkin Home’ Page 9